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Text Content

rehabs
 * HOME
 * ABOUT US
   * Joel Farar
   * Justin Farar
   * Adam Lewis
 * Testimonials
   * Video Testimonials
 * PRACTICE AREAS
   * Car Accidents
   * Bicycle Accidents
   * Motorcycle Accidents
   * Pedestrian Accidents
   * Burn Injuries
   * Dog Bite Accidents
   * Truck Accidents
   * Wrongful Death
   * Slip & Fall Accidents
   * Lyft Accidents
   * Uber Accidents
   * Rideshare Accidents
   * Catastrophic Injuries
   * SUV Accidents
   * Premise Accidents
   * Bus Accidents
   * Scooter Accidents
 * Results
 * CONTACT

call for a free consultation (213) 668-6524
 * HOME
 * ABOUT US
   * Joel Farar
   * Justin Farar
   * Adam Lewis
 * Testimonials
   * Video Testimonials
 * PRACTICE AREAS
   * Car Accidents
   * Bicycle Accidents
   * Motorcycle Accidents
   * Pedestrian Accidents
   * Burn Injuries
   * Dog Bite Accidents
   * Truck Accidents
   * Wrongful Death
   * Slip & Fall Accidents
   * Lyft Accidents
   * Uber Accidents
   * Rideshare Accidents
   * Catastrophic Injuries
   * SUV Accidents
   * Premise Accidents
   * Bus Accidents
   * Scooter Accidents
 * Results
 * CONTACT

Injured? You Deserve Compensation


WE GET


IT FOR YOU

get a free consultation



AS SEEN ON




LOS ANGELES PERSONAL INJURY LAWYERS

Farar & Lewis LLP has recovered over $100 million for our clients. If you're
injured, we believe you deserve compensation for your injuries. Our job is to
get you that compensation.


LOS ANGELES


PERSONAL INJURY LAWYERS

01

PERSONAL ATTENTION

At Farar & Lewis LLP, we pride ourselves on our ability to be there for our
clients, 24/7 when tragedy or questions arise. Every single one of our clients
has access to their assigned lawyer.
02

RESPECTED LAWYERS

We’re proud to say that our personal injury lawyers in Los Angeles, are
recognized as leaders in the state of California. Our firm has won millions, in
compensation for our clients.
03

NO FEE UNLESS WE WIN

Our Los Angeles personal injury attorneys are on your team. That means we’re
with you 100% of the way. We prove this, by never charging any upfront fees.
04

RISK FREE CONSULTATION

We offer a risk free consultation, and never charge an upfront fee. It's that
simple.


LOS ANGELES PERSONAL INJURY LAWYERS WHO CARE

If you have been injured as a result of the negligence of another party, it’s
important you get the advice of a qualified Los Angeles Personal Injury Lawyer
who knows the law and can help you get compensation.

At Farar & Lewis LLP, we represent clients through some of the most difficult
times of their life. We know it’s overwhelming. We take the legal burden off
your shoulders and work directly with the opposing insurance company in order to
get a settlement that provides you with the medical care and financial support
needed to facilitate your recovery.

If the other company doesn’t offer a fair settlement, we’ll go to trial.


OUR IRON-CLAD COMMITMENT TO YOU

We are committed to you and your right to no-nonsense legal representation,
timely communication and full compensation. We pride ourselves on providing
punctual and honest case assessments.


WHAT YOU CAN EXPECT WHEN YOU CHOOSE FARAR & LEWIS LLP:

 * Never pay a penny for anything unless we are able to obtain financial
   compensation for you.
 * Our counsel will always be in your best interest, especially when it comes to
   settlement offers.
 * You will have a skilled, experienced, and knowledgeable Los Angeles personal
   injury attorney working on your case at all times.

We believe in client satisfaction and professionalism. Expect nothing less than
our best. To learn more about our lawyers and their backgrounds, please select a
name from the list below.

 * Joel D. Farar
 * Justin B. Farar
 * Adam Lewis

Our team of Personal Injury Lawyers has over 40 years of combined experience,
fighting on behalf of victims all over the state of California.

Our team of Personal Injury Lawyers has over 40 years of combined experience,
fighting on behalf of victims all over the state of California. get a free
consultation


RECENT CASE RESULTS

Auto vs. Auto
$489,776
SETTLEMENT
Auto vs. Auto
$1,000,000
SETTLEMENT
Bicycle vs. Auto: 
$1,200,000
SETTLEMENT
Trucking Accident
$1,516,530.18
SETTLEMENT
Premises Liability/Trip and Fall
$300,000
SETTLEMENT
More Results


WHY FARAR & LEWIS – LOS ANGELES PERSONAL INJURY LAWYERS

Farar & Lewis LLP is a top-rated Los Angeles personal injury law firm with over
40 years of experience. Our personal injury lawyers have recovered over $100
million, in verdicts and settlements. We believe EACH AND EVERY client deserves
concierge service and excellence. Everything we do is focused on giving our
clients results. Virtually every single client works with one of our founding
partners, which means you’re getting great service.

Our Los Angeles personal injury lawyers have been selected as some of the Top
Trial Lawyers in the USA. We offer a risk-free consultation, virtually, in
person, or at your place of business. Our goal is to be there for you when you
need us the most. There are no upfront fees – we work on a contingency fee
basis! When there’s a legal issue, we’re here to work for you and help you.


HOW MUCH DO OUR PERSONAL INJURY LAWYERS CHARGE?

Here at Farar & Lewis LLP, we work on a contingency fee basis. We don’t charge
any upfront fees. If we don’t win your case, we don’t charge anything. We handle
virtually all the costs associated with litigating your case, and as a result –
you can focus on recovering.


WHAT HAPPENS AFTER I’M INJURED?

After you’re injured, your first step is to get treatment. It means going to the
emergency room, and getting a medical evaluation. The opposing insurance company
might argue you’re not hurt if you don’t get medical treatment ASAP. If you
don’t get treatment ASAP, you’re just providing the insurance company grounds to
attempt to deny your claim.

One of the most important things to worry about when you have a personal injury
claim is the statute of limitations. If you were injured due to the actions or
negligence of another person, then you may be able to get financial
compensation. In order to get this compensation, you have to file a lawsuit,
which has to be done within a certain period of time. If you don’t, you forfeit
your rights to file the personal injury claim and eventually get compensation.
The statute of limitations is strict, and there are virtually no exceptions.
This is applied to your case from the day you get injured. It is crucial you
start working with a Los Angeles personal injury attorney as soon as possible so
you don’t run out of time to file your claim.


HOW MUCH MONEY CAN I EXPECT IN THE FINAL SETTLEMENT?

The total amount of compensation you can expect from your personal injury case
will depend on numerous factors. Your injury can create an immense financial
burden and the goal of a personal injury case is to help you recover from that
burden. One of the primary things to consider is your finances and medical bills
including doctor’s visits, emergency room care, your existing treatment, and the
cost of future treatment you may require. Another common example of financial
ramifications you may face after an injury is lost wages and income from missing
work. In some cases, the judge may award punitive damages as well.


HOW LONG DOES IT TAKE FOR WHIPLASH TO OCCUR?

Whiplash injuries are some of the most common car accident-related injuries.
Some injuries are very easy to observe, yet others can be harder to diagnose
with advanced imaging technology. Typically the whiplash injury happens
instantly at the time of the accident, but it can take days or even weeks for
the injured person to realize the effects.

It’s not uncommon for an injury to have delayed symptoms. When muscles are first
damaged they go into a spasm which pulls the spine/bone out of their normal
position. But later, as the muscle heals, they may – or may not, return to their
original strength/position. This abnormal change can cause issues in the future.
It’s notoriously difficult to tell which whiplash injuries will cause problems
later. Some whiplash injuries can cause discomfort after only a few days. Some
cause minor aches/pain, which can be treated by over-the-counter pain relievers.
These injuries are hard to diagnose, and sometimes the damage is too small to
see on x-rays or MRI scans.


WE HANDLE MOST INJURIES

Our Los Angeles personal injury attorneys handle injuries from most types of
accidents. Here are some of the most causes of personal injuries.


CAR ACCIDENTS

Southern California is notoriously overrun with cars. Due to a relative lack of
public transportation in the region, many people have a car, and most houses
have multiple cars. Car accidents and car accident injuries are almost an hourly
occurrence here. Regardless of when, where, or how, the accident happened – we
can help victims of auto accidents. Whether you were a passenger in a car or
driving the vehicle yourself – we can help. Our goal is to help victims of auto
accidents recover. We can help you get medical attention and help get you back
on your feet if medical bills are piling up.


PEDESTRIAN ACCIDENTS

Pedestrians are often hit by cars when walking on the street or crossing the
street. Often, victims of pedestrians suffer immense injuries to fast/heavy
cars. It is not uncommon for pedestrians to wrongly assume it was their fault
they got hurt – and don’t look into hiring a personal injury law firm. We
recommend you speak to us as soon as possible, so we can conduct a full 360
investigation into the accident if order to determine whether you deserve
compensation.


MEDICAL MALPRACTICE

Healthcare providers are people and make mistakes like everyone else. If a
doctor or nurse makes a mistake that has harmed you – we can help correct that
injustice. We can help by conducting an investigation into their conduct and
trying to determine how/when they deviated from an expected standard of care. We
can then build a case in order to win you the compensation you deserve. Often,
these mistakes can follow you for the rest of your life — but the associated
financial burden doesn’t have to.


SLIP AND FALL

If you trip, slip, or fall, on someone’s property then you may have the ability
to pursue a premises liability case. Property owners have a duty to maintain a
safe environment for those who are on their property. If you are injured as a
result of inadequate or unsafe property conditions then we may be able to help.
We’ll conduct an investigation into the property and put together a personal
injury claim that shows the property owner was irresponsible and failed to
maintain safe conditions. Our goal is to get you the maximum possible
compensation.


CONSTRUCTION ACCIDENTS

Construction sites are very dangerous. If you suffer an injury due to a defect
in machinery, or due to unsafe working conditions – we can help you get
compensation. We encourage you to contact us and learn more. We offer a
risk-free consultation to discuss your construction accident in order to
determine if filing a claim will get you the compensation you deserve.


PREMISE ACCIDENTS

If you suffer an accident while on someone else’s premises – then we encourage
you to call us as soon as possible. If there were wet floors, cracked floors, or
other hazardous conditions then we encourage you to contact us to get a
risk-free consultation. Based on the findings of our investigation, we may be
able to get you compensation for your injuries.


DEFECTIVE PRODUCTS

Manufacturers are obligated to create safe products. It sounds simple, but often
manufacturers, designers, or distributors fail to live up to this expectation.
Often, consumers become collateral damage due to unsafe products, for example
unsafe toys, gemstones, and other things. We encourage you to contact us, in
order to help understand if you have a potential case.


WHEN SHOULD I SETTLE MY CASE?

If you have been hurt in a car accident, motorcycle accident, slip and fall, or
any other type of accident, you may be entitled to compensation. In some cases,
you will be granted a financial award by a jury at the end of a formal trial.
However, it may make sense to settle the case long before a jury makes a
decision. Never agree to a settlement without discussing it with a Los Angeles
personal injury lawyer first, otherwise, you risk accepting an incredibly low
settlement that is far less than you deserve. Here are 5 situations where
settling may actually be a good option.


1. YOU CAN’T WAIT ANY LONGER TO RECEIVE COMPENSATION

A personal injury case can take months or even years to resolve. There may be
months of settlement talks or other pretrial activity that occurs before the
case is heard in court. From there, a trial and subsequent appeals can mean
additional time that passes with no clear answer as to when you are going to get
the money that you deserve. In this scenario, it may be a good idea to settle
the case, get the compensation that you need to pay bills, and move on with your
life. Of course, this assumes that you get a reasonable offer that can help you
take care of yourself and your family now and in the future.


2. YOU MAY HAVE A HARD TIME PROVING YOUR CASE

There may be times when you can’t prove your case in court because evidence is
missing or is suppressed. In some cases, a witness may refuse to give testimony
in court or may pass away before he or she is able to do so. If the video from a
surveillance camera is grainy or there is no eyewitness to back up your version
of events, it may be difficult for a jury to agree that you were hurt because of
someone else’s negligence. Therefore, it may be best to settle the case as
opposed to spending time and money in a potentially losing effort.


3. YOU WERE PARTIALLY RESPONSIBLE FOR THE ACCIDENT

If there is any reason to believe that you may have been partially or fully
responsible for an accident, it may not be worth it to pursue formal legal
action. Instead, it may be in your best interest to simply settle the case for a
lump sum payment and hope that it is enough to pay for your medical bills or
other costs that you have incurred. While a judge or jury may be sympathetic to
your plight, it doesn’t mean that they can award damages if you are not legally
entitled to them.


4. THE OTHER SIDE GIVES YOU EVERYTHING THAT YOU WANTED

There are times when the party responsible for your injuries is guilty and knows
it. Therefore, that person or entity may give you everything that you want in a
settlement to make sure that the case stays quiet and goes away quickly.
Ideally, you will have your personal injury attorney review any settlement that
you are offered to ensure that it is fair, meets your needs, and gives you all
the damages that you could be entitled to under the law. Assuming that this is
the case, there is no reason to delay accepting the offer and putting the focus
back on getting your life back together.


5. THE OTHER SIDE IS AGGRESSIVELY DEFENDING THEIR RIGHTS

Despite the evidence and the law being on your side, some defendants will
instruct their lawyers to spend as much time and money on their case as
possible. This generally occurs when one side has more money to spend than the
other. The goal is to wait the plaintiff out until he or she doesn’t have the
time or money to pursue the case any further. While not ideal, it may be
possible to come to a fair agreement even if it is less than what you may
otherwise be entitled to. Again, your lawyer will advise you of your rights and
help you make an informed and educated decision before accepting any offer.

Settling a case may be beneficial both to the party who has been hurt and to the
party who caused the injury. For the injured victim, it can end the case quickly
without foregoing what he or she is entitled to, which may make it easier to pay
medical bills or make up for lost wages or lost future earnings. For the
responsible person or business owner, he or she can get out from under the black
cloud of lingering litigation and move on with his or her personal and
professional life.


WHAT IF AN INSURANCE ADJUSTER OFFERS ME A SETTLEMENT?

After any kind of accident, you need to talk to your insurance company about
your injuries so that an adjuster can begin working on some kind of settlement.
The settlement that you receive can then be used for medical bills that you
receive as well as to replace any income you lost due to missed work, or other
necessities for yourself and your family.

There are a few steps that the insurance adjuster will take when determining how
much the settlement offer will be and a few things to keep in mind after hearing
the initial offer.

As soon as you talk to an adjuster, you need to have a figure in mind of what
you would be willing to accept and what you think would be too low. Most of the
time, the adjuster will talk about your injuries and how you feel at the moment
before asking about any medical bills or treatments that you have. An offer will
usually be extended, but you should never accept the first offer. This is when
your negotiating skills will come into play because the first offer is often the
lowest amount that the insurance company will offer.

Give an amount that is a bit higher than what you expect to receive. Most
adjusters won’t accept this offer, which shouldn’t be an issue as long as you
understand that it’s a higher amount than you need to receive. The next few
offers should be in the middle of the lowest and the highest points, negotiating
back and forth until you can both come up with an amount that is fair to you and
the insurance company.

Before any settlement is awarded, the adjuster will examine the accident to
determine who was at fault and what happened based on police reports, medical
reports, and any witness statements that are available. At times, the adjuster
will know more details about the accident than an attorney working on the case,
especially if the adjuster has multiple sources to speak with about the
accident. One of the things that the adjuster will do is speak with you about
the accident, getting your side of the story to see if it matches all of the
details that the adjuster already has about the incident.

The insurance company will often look at past information to see whether you
have filed a similar claim before or whether you have filed numerous claims with
that company. Sometimes, the adjuster will look at your overall background to
see how many accidents you have been in where a settlement hasn’t been filed or
if you have been in any kind of criminal trouble in the past. This information
can then be used to decide whether the adjuster will offer a settlement or
whether you should hire an attorney to represent you to obtain a settlement for
your injuries.

Sometimes, the adjuster will need documents pertaining to the accident before a
settlement is offered or given. Minor accidents usually proceed faster than
those that involve multiple vehicles or substantial injuries. If you only have
minor injuries or no injuries at all, then you can usually contact the insurance
company on your own to talk with an adjuster who will usually offer a settlement
the same day. Keep in mind that you don’t have to accept the initial offer or
any offer at all from the adjuster if you feel that you deserve more.




PERSONAL INJURY EXAMPLES

If you have been involved in a personal injury accident and would like to seek
compensation for your losses, learning about personal injury cases and how they
work is a good place to start.

Reviewing a few examples paints a clear picture and lets you make the right
choice for your situation. You will then be able to move forward without fear
because you will know what to expect at each turn, knowing you have chosen the
correct path. Contact a personal injury attorney if you have questions after
reviewing the following examples.


CAR ACCIDENTS

Car accidents expose you and your passengers to severe injuries and other
consequences you can’t afford to overlook. Being in a crash can cause soft
tissue damage and other complications that make life difficult, and paying for
the related medical bills won’t be easy. Your insurance company might not even
pay for everything when you file a claim. If the other driver was distracted or
under the influence of drugs or alcohol, you likely have a personal injury case.
You can sue for damages because the other driver failed to act responsibly and
caused you to get hurt as a result.


STORE ACCIDENTS

Most people expect a trip to the store to be uneventful, but that is not always
the case. The unthinkable could happen at the worst time and cause you to face
personal injuries that prevent you from going to work or living your life to the
fullest. Store owners have a responsibility to keep their property safe from
known hazards when the public enters, but not everyone takes the duty seriously.

If the store owner or management staff knew about the danger before your injury
occurred and failed to address it, you have a strong shot at winning a personal
injury lawsuit if you take your fight to the courtroom.


MEDICAL MALPRACTICE

If you are like most people who go to the doctor, you trust your medical
professional to provide a certain standard of care that keeps you out of harm’s
way. Doctors who fail to uphold that standard can find themselves on the wrong
side of a lawsuit. Also, doctors who overlook symptoms or fail to provide proper
treatment can force their patients to suffer personal injuries, causing lasting
pain and damage to those who come to them. Seek justice if you are in a similar
situation and need help covering the medical bills related to malpractice or
negligence. When you do so, you can protect your future.


THEME PARK ACCIDENTS

Visiting theme parks and fairs should be a fun and enjoyable experience, letting
you forget about the stress of life. Those who run and manage theme parks must
take reasonable steps to ensure the safety of each person who visits their
property. If the people running the establishment overlook safety issues or
ignore obvious hazards, you can take legal action if you get injured.

A personal injury attorney can help you decide if your accident resulted from
oversight or negligent behavior, and you will have no problem selecting a path
or moving forward. Seeking compensation lets you cover your bills, lost wages
and other losses related to the incident.


DEFAMATION

Many people think of physical injuries when they hear others talking about
personal injury lawsuits, but this area of law covers more than that. Depending
on several factors related to the incident in question, you could also seek
compensation for damage to your reputation. If someone makes false statements
that decrease your income or job opportunities, you can file a lawsuit to make
up for your losses. To win such cases, you must prove that the other person or
group said something untrue and that those statements caused you to experience
losses.

 

 


HOW LONG DOES A PERSONAL INJURY CASE TAKE TO FINISH?

Many people ask about this. If your Los Angeles Personal Injury Lawyer is super
busy, it takes longer to expedite and settle the case and handle the issues
surrounding the case. Many smaller law firms take longer to handle cases because
they don’t have the staff they need. Because the personal injury attorney has
fewer resources, he/she spends time doing basic things instead of focusing on
your case. IF you hire a bigger Los Angeles personal injury law firm, the firm
has enough resources to handle your case.

Another factor that influences how long your case will take to finish is if
there is medical treatment involved. It means the bulk of your case is spent
waiting for medical treatment to occur. If your medical bills continue to grow,
this increases the value of your case. Establishing fault is another potential
area that can take time to establish. When liability isn’t clear, it’s easy to
assign blame and demand compensation. In some cases, where liability IS NOT
clear – your Los Angeles personal injury lawyer will need to conduct an
investigation. It means your Los Angeles personal injury lawyer will need to
find witnesses who can support your personal injury claim.

Some people think that “faster is better,” when it comes to personal injury
claims, but this is not the truth. If the other side makes a fair, settlement
offer, fast – then it might make sense to accept it. This is rarely the case.
You should take the time to prepare your case, because it could mean a larger
settlement. Some cases can take a few months, and some can take 1-2 years. If
your case goes to trial, it could take a lot of time; if you decide to appeal
the case then it might go even longer. Your personal injury lawyer can evaluate
the details of your case and then give you an idea of what to expect.

It’s important to remember YOU are a factor in this as well. If you receive
settlement offers but reject them, you’re adding to the overall length of the
case. Your personal injury lawyers can work with you to help your case move as
quickly as possible.


SHOULD I ACCEPT THE INSURANCE SETTLEMENT OFFER?

It really depends! Often, the first offer an insurance company offers is the
lowest possible amount they think they can offer to make you go away. Companies
will do this if they think you’re desperate for the money, and will walk away
from pursuing greater damages. This is usually the minimum amount of money
possible. We don’t recommend you take this without speaking to a personal injury
lawyer first. In addition, there are many reasons not to take the immediate
settlement offer. For example, if you have future medical bills – the offer
being presented may not include compensation for those future bills. In
addition, the offer may not include things like loss of income, etc. As a
result, you should consider speak to a personal injury attorney.


CAN PRE-EXISTING CONDITIONS BE COVERED IN CALIFORNIA CAR ACCIDENTS?

Many people have pre-existing medical conditions. It might be a bad back from an
injury in your childhood. It could be a health condition, like anxiety or
depression. When you’re involved in a car accident, you might want to know if
that pre-existing condition is covered while you’re getting treatment for
injuries. The answer to this question, is – it depends. Typically, no
pre-existing medical conditions are covered. But there are things to consider
before you think about paying for your medical treatment out of pocket.

Typically, the insurance company will do everything possible to prove your
injuries aren’t severe, and were not caused by the accident. They are going to
look for pre-existing injuries, or other issues which can limit the amount of
money you could get from them. Insurance companies simply don’t want to pay you
the money you deserve, so they’re going to do everything possible to prove you
don’t deserve a larger settlement. Many insurance companies will probe into your
medical history. For example, a judge might require you to provide a full
medical history to the opposing insurance company in order to prove you don’t
have an existing condition. This can either work in your favor, or it won’t. The
insurance company might request proof that your injury was the result of an
accident, and this might mean a medical expert witness will be needed to
counter-testify. It can become a long, drawn out, process. Bottom line,
sometimes a lawsuit is the only way to get compensation.


WHAT SHOULD YOU DO AFTER AN INJURY?

What you do after an injury, can be more important the injury itself. Without
proper documentation, and without alerting the authorities, the validity of your
claim and injuries can be questioned.

Here are some things you should after an accident.

First and foremost, it’s crucial you write down as much about the accident as
possible. If you have a cell phone, we recommend taking pictures of the
surroundings so you can document what happened. Pictures are valuable because
they can be potentially used in court, as evidence. Take as many pictures of the
injuries you’ve suffered, in addition to the scene of the accident. The more
evidence you have, the stronger your claim is. If you have time, write down
information like the date, the weather, the location, and anything else specific
that might be asked of you later. Try to also find witnesses, at the scene of
the accident. If you can get a witness to corroborate your story to the police
at the scene of the accident, the strength of your claim could be higher.

Take as many pictures, notes, and recordings of conversations as possible. After
you’ve secured all of this, we recommend you speak to a personal injury attorney
as soon as possible. First, you should get medical attention. When you get
medical attention immediately after an accident, it established a track record
of your injuries – which proves the injuries happened as a result of the
accident.


DETERMINING FAULT

In order to get compensation, you have to be able to establish fault – and a
responsible party. Most accidents aren’t intentional, but they happen. Just
because it’s an accident doesn’t mean the other party isn’t responsible. Our job
is to show to the court and opposing insurance company that the other party
caused you harm – by acting in a manner that is not “reasonable.” We demonstrate
that they are responsible and that you have suffered emotionally, physically,
and financially, as a result of your injures – which is the basis for the claim.
If the court determines that you were acting careless, it may reduce the amount
you are entitled to. Our goal is to look at the evidence and then build a
personal injury claim which proves you are the victim.


SHOULD I SIGN A MEDICAL AUTHORIZATION FOR THE INSURANCE COMPANY?

After you have been injured in a car accident, you will likely receive a number
of authorization forms from the at-fault driver’s insurance company. One of
these forms may be a medical authorization release form. You should not sign a
medical authorization form from the at-fault driver’s insurance company and
should instead consult with an experienced personal injury lawyer.


INSURANCE COMPANY’S NEED FOR YOUR MEDICAL RECORDS

At some point in your claims process, the other driver’s insurance company will
have a legitimate need to obtain some of your records. The company may request
records about your injuries and your treatment of them. When you send the
insurance company a demand letter, you will send these types of records along
with it. The insurance company may then ask for additional records. Do not give
the company verbal or written permission to obtain your records on its own. You
should instead ask the company to agree in writing to pay the costs associated
with getting copies of your records, and you should get them yourself. If the
company asks for medical records that you believe are wholly unrelated to your
accident and resulting injuries, refuse to send them. You can tell the company
that the request is not related to your accident or your injuries and would be
an invasion of your privacy.


WHAT AN INSURANCE COMPANY MIGHT SAY ABOUT A MEDICAL AUTHORIZATION

The insurance company may send you a medical authorization form and tell you
that you need to sign it so that the company can get the records that it needs
to process your claim. Never sign a medical authorization form that an at-fault
driver’s insurance company sends to you. The company may tell you that it cannot
process your claim without you signing the form. It may also tell you that the
company wants to help you. Remember that the company is not yours, and its
interests are in protecting its own bottom line. Instead of signing a medical
authorization, you should instead tell the insurance company that you need to
consult with a Los Angeles personal injury lawyer before you will sign anything.


HOW INSURANCE COMPANIES USE SIGNED AUTHORIZATIONS

Signing a medical authorization form for an at-fault driver’s insurance company
offers you no benefits in your claim. Insurance companies use these release to
gain access to all of your medical history going back as far as your birth.
There is no reason that an insurance company should be granted access to all of
this information. When they are granted access to people’s entire medical
histories, they pore through the records in an effort to find anything possible
that can help them to dispute your claim and to reduce the amount that it might
have to pay you. Anything that is contained in your medical record can be fair
game for the company to use against you when it fights your claim.

While you may think that you don’t have anything in your history that you need
to hide from the insurance adjuster, the information that is contained in your
medical record can be used against you. For example, if you went to your doctor
two years ago and complained that you had low back pain, the insurance company
may use that information to argue that the disc herniation that you suffered in
your accident was a preexisting injury.

A Los Angeles personal injury attorney who has experience in dealing with
insurance companies can help you to review your medical records and to determine
which ones are relevant and which records are not relevant. He or she can handle
the claims process with the insurance company for you so that you might be able
to recover fair compensation for your losses. If you have been injured in an
accident that someone else caused, contact a personal injury attorney today for
help with protecting your rights to recovery.


SHOULD I GIVE THE INSURANCE COMPANY A RECORDED STATEMENT?

After you have been involved in an injury accident that was caused by the
negligence of another driver, you will likely be contacted by the at-fault
driver’s insurance company. The company or its representative may ask you if you
will give a recorded statement. It is important for you to avoid giving a
recorded statement without first contacting a Los Angeles personal injury
lawyer. Insurance companies are profit-driven businesses, and their interests
lie in maximizing their profits and minimizing their losses. One way that they
do this is by trying to dispute or deny liability. Insurance adjusters who
contact you after your accident from the other driver’s insurance company may
use your recorded statement against you in your claim.


WHY INSURANCE ADJUSTERS ASK FOR RECORDED STATEMENTS

Insurance companies for other drivers are tasked with gathering as much
information as possible about the accidents so that they can try to help to save
their companies money. When they are able to get your consent to record a
statement, the insurance company will have it on record. It will look for
anything that might weaken your claim. The company may then use your recorded
statement against you and enter it into court as evidence in your claim.
Insurance companies and adjusters are skilled at designing questions to ask in
recorded statements in such a way that you might say something that you didn’t
mean.

The companies may later use the recorded statement if there are any
inconsistencies in your testimony and the statement that you gave months prior
to make you appear less believable. Giving a recorded statement does not offer
you any benefits and may instead be used to place blame on you for your own
accident or to weaken your claim.


WHAT TO DO IF YOU ARE ASKED TO GIVE A RECORDED STATEMENT

If the insurance company that is asking you for a recorded statement is the
other driver’s company, you should politely decline to give a statement. You can
tell the insurance company that you want to talk to an injury lawyer before you
will agree to make any statement. You do not have a contract with the other
driver’s insurance company, and there is not any law that requires you to give a
statement to the company.

When you meet with your Los Angeles personal injury lawyer, he or she can help
you to understand what to say and how to say it. If the attorney believes that
giving a statement is in your interests, he or she can help to guide you through
the process.


WHAT TO DO IF YOUR OWN COMPANY ASKS FOR A RECORDED STATEMENT

Many insurance companies include provisions in their policies that require their
insureds to give recorded statements when they are asked to do so. If your own
insurance company asks for you to give a recorded statement, you should do so in
order to comply with your policy. This can help you to keep your policy in
place. Your insurance company does not have to share your recorded interview
with the other driver in the discovery process. If you are filing a claim under
your uninsured or underinsured motorists coverage, consenting to a recorded
statement may also be necessary. In these cases, tell your company that you want
to schedule your statement with your lawyer so that you can make certain that
your rights are protected.

Asking injured victims for recorded statements is one of a number of different
strategies that insurance companies employ in an attempt to avoid paying claims
completely or to reduce how much money that they will ultimately be forced to
pay in claims. By getting help from a personal injury lawyer before giving a
statement, you may be better able to make certain that your rights are
protected. Reach out to a Los Angeles personal injury lawyer today to schedule a
consultation so that you can learn more about protecting your rights.

Contact us today to schedule a free consultation.


PRACTICE AREAS

Car Accident Motorcycle Accident bus Accident uber accident Bicycle Accident
Slip and Fall


LOS ANGELES PERSONAL INJURY LAWYERS

Injured in a car accident? We can help. Our Personal Injury Lawyers have
recovered over $100 million in combined verdicts and settlements, and
understands how complicated a car accident case can be. We promise to work hard,
treat you like family, and get you the compensation you rightfully deserve.

risk free consultation


LOS ANGELES MOTORCYCLE ACCIDENT LAWYERS

If you drive a motorcycle, it can literally put you in harm’s way – even if
you’re being careful. You’re placing your life in the hands of drivers who are
distracted. The injuries motorcyclists suffer can range from broken bones to
severe brain trauma. If you’ve been injured, or a loved one was killed, call our
personal injury lawyers.

risk free consultation


LOS ANGELES BUS ACCIDENT LAWYERS

Victims of bus accidents can get compensation with our help. Bus accidents can
be fatal, and result in pain and suffering. If you’re a victim, we can help.

risk free consultation


LOS ANGELES UBER ACCIDENT

Farar & Lewis LLP can help both drivers, and passengers, involved in uber car
accidents. If you were a passenger, we can help you get compensation for things
like lost wages, pain and suffering, and other economic damages.

risk free consultation


LOS ANGELES BICYCLE ACCIDENT

Bicycle accidents are one of the worst types of motor vehicle accidents.
Bicyclists are often at huge risk of serious life threatening injuries. Our Los
Angeles injury lawyers have experience evaluating, and litigating, complex cases
involving bicycles.

risk free consultation


LOS ANGELES SLIP AND FALL

If you slip and fall on someone elses property, such as a liquor shop, we may be
able to help you get compensation. If the owner of the property was negligent,
we can help you sue the owner, and their insurance company.

 

risk free consultation


OUR PERSONAL INJURY LAWYERS LOS ANGELES IN THE MEDIA

Our team is frequently interviewed by the media, and it’s one of the reasons you
can trust me. We have been quoted by major media outlets, and understand that
when you’re hurt – you need someone you can trust. Contact us today for a risk
free consultation.

no fee unless we win



LOS ANGELES PERSONAL INJURY LAWYERS WHO CARE

If you find yourself the victim of an accident, then hiring a personal injury
law firm in Los Angeles is a SMART move. It’s important you hire a lawyer with
experience, and one who understands how to negotiate with insurance companies.
At Farar & Lewis LLP, we’ve recovered over $100 million for our clients. We have
experience handling tough cases that other firms turn down. Many injuries can
have a huge impact on your life. It’s critical you align yourself with a
personal injury lawyer immediately, and never delay getting compensation. The
validity of your claim, your injuries, can be brought into question if you don’t
hire a personal injury lawyer. At Farar & Lewis LLP, we advise our clients of
what to do – at every step. We offer a “no fee unless you win,” promise – which
means you literally nothing to worry about.

We have over 40 years of combined experience representing clients all over the
state of California with their personal injury claims. get a free consultation


JOEL D. FARAR

(FOUNDING PARTNER)


JUSTIN B. FARAR

(FOUNDING PARTNER)


ADAM LEWIS

(PARTNER)


LAWYERS YOU
CAN TRUST


JOEL D. FARAR

(FOUNDING PARTNER)





Farar & Lewis LLP was founded by Joel D. Farar. Mr. Farar possesses extensive
knowledge of personal injury law, as well as a steadfast dedication to helping
injured individuals. He recognizes that the aftermath of an accident can be
overwhelming and filled with suffering. That is why he has devoted his life to
helping accident victims obtain the financial compensation and justice they need
and deserve.

more info


LAWYERS YOU
CAN TRUST


JUSTIN B. FARAR

(FOUNDING PARTNER)





A Southern California, native, Justin Farar is a seasoned litigator with large
firm experience.   Prior to joining Farar & Lewis LLP, Mr. Farar practiced at
O’Melveny & Myers, LLP, and clerked for the Honorable Kim McLane Wardlaw on the
Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals.   Mr. Farar served as a Commissioner to the Los
Angeles Convention and Exhibition Authority.

more info


LAWYERS YOU
CAN TRUST


ADAM LEWIS

(PARTNER)





Adam is a seasoned trial attorney and tenacious advocate who has represented
hundreds of people injured by negligent drivers, property owners, and companies.
He has secured millions of dollars for clients involved in automobile accidents,
premise cases, slip and falls, dog attacks, and government claims. Mr. Lewis is
dedicated to helping his clients fight insurance companies who try to minimize
the claims of the injured.

more info

OUR CLIENTS TESTIMONIALS

I was rear ended in a car accident and I was hurt. The next day I needed a
lawyer, I came across the law firm, and I saw that Justin took pride in his
reputation. Justin always kept me informed…

Olwind


FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

Q1 DO YOU NEED TO HIRE A PERSONAL INJURY ATTORNEY

It’s a well known fact, insurance companies make money – by denying personal
injury claims. Their goal is to hinder, limit, and deny, your claim and give you
as little money as possible. When you speak to them without an attorney, you
have no leverage, and are at a potential disadvantage. Without a proper
understanding of the law, you may find it difficult to compel them to play fair.
Most victims don’t know the law, and don’t know enough to file a personal injury
claim on their own due to a lack of knowledge and/or understanding. Insurance
companies know this, and can play games in order to harm your chances of getting
compensation. In some cases, victims may not understand the true value of their
potential claim – and may settle for less. For example, many clients we’ve
spoken to don’t know they can ask for future/past medical bills to be covered —
or even future lost wages to be covered as a part of the final
settlement/verdict. Our attorneys can help advise you about your right, and tell
you what you may be entitled to as a result of your injuries. One of things we
do, as a part of your case – is do a full investigation into the case in order
to secure necessary evidence that proves your point of view.

When you hire an attorney, it’s likely an insurance company will take you – and
your claim – more seriously, because they’ll be dealing with attorneys who
understand the law – and are willing to go to court if necessary.

Q2 DO I NEED AN ATTORNEY, OR CAN I HANDLE THE CLAIM MYSELF?

Being involved in a personal injury case is often a stressful and discouraging
experience for many people, and you probably feel the same way. Filing a claim
and taking your case to court is a great way to get compensation for your
damages and to pay for the medical fees and other expenses.

Some people believe filing their own lawsuit without the help of a legal expert
is smart because it will save them money. You must look at all sides and
consider a range of factors before making a final decision if you don’t want to
lose your shot at getting fair compensation for your trouble.

The Law Does Not Require You to Hire a Personal Injury Attorney

From a legal perspective, you do not need a personal injury attorney to move
forward with your case. You could go to court and file all of the required
paperwork to get the ball rolling in the right direction. If you are challenging
an insurance company or large business, you must remember that they deal with
these situations on a regular basis, meaning they have much more experience than
you. Do you know how to use discovery to collect evidence from the other side,
or do you know how much money your case is worth? Unless you have a confident
answer to those questions, speaking with a personal injury lawyer is the right
thing to do.

Your Attorney Will Collect Evidence

Your attorney will collect and review evidence after you decide to take action
and seek compensation to cover your expenses. A legal expert can find pieces of
evidence you might have otherwise overlooked, and doing so will skyrocket your
odds of winning your lawsuit. Medical records, police reports, camera footage
and witness statements are just some of the types of evidence your lawyer will
try to obtain.

Your Attorney Will Build the Best Possible Case

After reviewing the details and learning about your unique needs, a talented
lawyer will craft your case in a way that optimizes your odds of success.
Enlisting a lawyer is the top way to get the most from your effort and achieve
the highest odds of getting the outcome for which you have been hoping.

The legal team on your side will know what pieces of evidence are the most
important for your desired result, and the difference will make you smile.
Rather than taking action without a solid plan, you will know what to do at each
step. Your lawyer will ensure you are in the best possible hands from the start
of your case to the end.

Your Attorney Will Fight to Get You a Fair Settlement

Despite what many people would like to think, the insurance companies don’t have
your needs at the front of their minds. Their No. 1 goal is to cut costs by
reducing the amount of money to which you are entitled. An insurance agent might
try to trick you into taking an unfair settlement that won’t even cover your
damages, and you can’t afford to fall into that trap. Hiring a caring lawyer
helps you avoid common pitfalls and puts you back in control of the situation.

Final Thoughts

Although you can legally file a personal injury claim without help, doing so is
not smart and dramatically decreases your chance of getting enough money to move
forward with your life. Having a lawyer in your corner is the only way to know
you are in the best possible hands. In addition to building a case and
collecting evidence, your personal injury attorney will help you decide if you
should take a settlement or fight in court. When you hire the right legal
professional for the task, you will have confidence at each step because you
will know you have done the right thing.

Q3 BENEFITS OF HIRING A PERSONAL INJURY LAW FIRM TO HELP YOU AFTER AN INJURY

Personal injury lawyers offer clients many benefits during the course of a legal
case. Understanding these benefits can help you to make an informed decision
about how to fight against an insurance company’s legal team. This is a critical
period that can determine the quality of your life for many years into the
future. The ability to get compensation from a court is not guaranteed, and it
is often a tough fight to get damages from the legal system. However, there is
almost no chance that you can get these monetary awards without the services of
a qualified and experienced legal representative.

Benefits of Personal Injury Lawyers

Understanding these benefits can help you to make decisions that will improve
your chances of being awarded monetary damages from the legal system. It is
always important to remember that you are going to be facing an adversary that
is prepared to undermine your case. The insurance company’s lawyers have a lot
of experience in making it seem like the injured person does not have a valid
claim. You will need a strong legal professional on your side to fight against
your opponent’s legal position.

The legal system is not easy to navigate, so using a personal injury lawyer is
critical for your success. Small mistakes can turn into a situation that will
work against you in the legal setting. This is a difficult time for anyone who
is facing an injury, but it will be even more difficult if the victim is unable
to get compensation for pain and suffering. Avoid the costly effects of pursuing
a case without legal representation. Lawyers understand how much the courts are
capable of awarding, and they often will allow clients to enjoy the benefits of
their services at only a fraction of the costs associated with not having legal
representation. In other words, it is more cost effective to simply use the
services of a professional personal injury lawyer instead of attempting to
navigate this system on your own.

Here is a brief summary of the top benefits of using a personal injury lawyer
after your accident:

• The legal professional is able to navigate the system of laws that govern
personal injuries in a manner that produces results for the client. Without this
assistance, it is almost impossible for victims to get monetary awards from the
court.

• The personal injury attorney has experience in negotiating with adversarial
entities like insurance companies, company lawyers and other entities involved
in the process.

• Lawyers understand that evidence is a key part of winning cases, so they are
careful to document the injury in a way that will work on behalf of the client.

Our Personal Injury Firm

Using the services of a personal injury lawyer can make a big difference in your
case. A personal injury lawyer is an experienced professional who understands
the nuances of the legal system. In addition, this is a person who can give
solid advice based on facts, and this can be an invaluable asset during a time
when you might not be thinking clearly. Personal injury lawyers provide many
benefits to clients, and some of them are less obvious than others. The lawyer
can be your first line of defense against the kind of attacks that the opposing
legal team will try to use to undermine your case. If you have a lot of medical
bills, the stakes will be high. This is why it is important to have excellent
legal representatives on your side. For additional information about our legal
services, contact our office at your earliest convenience.

Q4 IF I WAS INJURED ON THE JOB, DO I STILL HAVE A PERSONAL INJURY CLAIM?

If you’re injured while working, you have rights that you should consult with an
attorney about to try to enact so that you get the proper compensation that is
deserved. The money that you could receive can be used for medical treatments,
bills received by a doctor, or lost wages while you’re out of work as a result
of your injuries among other uses. When employees are working, they are to be in
a safe environment that is free of danger. However, accidents can and do happen.
There are also times when an employer might not provide the safest environment
for employees, which means that the chance of an accident happening increases.
Injuries can include broken bones, psychological injuries as a result of seeing
things while working that other members of the community might not see, or
impacts to an illness that the employee already has that are exacerbated while
on the job.

In the event that you are injured while working, you need to report the injury
as soon as possible to your employer. Your employer can then file a report so
that the insurance company for the business is notified. At the same time, you
should consult with your own insurance company as well as an attorney in case
there are any issues that could hold your back from receiving money from a
claim.

You will likely have to make a report about your injury within a certain amount
of time in order to receive any compensation pertaining to your claim. Keep all
documents from your doctor or from the emergency room at the hospital if you
needed to visit this department after you were injured. You will also need to
alert the workman’s compensation court so that they will know what happened.
Provide as many details as possible about the injury itself, where you were at
in the building and if there was anyone else involved.

The laws related to a personal injury claim while on the job are different based
on which state you live in, which is why you should be aware of these when you
begin working for the company. There are a few rights that almost all states
offer to employees that you need to know about so that you are prepared if you
are injured on the job. One right is that you can file a claim related to an
injury pertaining to your work environment. You can also file a claim if you
develop an illness as a result of working in the environment offered by your
employer. You can also seek treatment form a doctor or a medical facility after
you are injured. If your employer does not want you to seek treatment, then this
is something that you want to make your attorney aware of as this could have an
impact on your claim. Once your doctor releases you to work again, you have the
right to return to the company. However, if your employer tries to fire you
because of your injury, then this is also something that you need to talk to
your attorney about. When all of the information about your injury has been
compiled, then your attorney can help you with any official documents pertaining
to the insurance company or if you have to go to court so that you are awarded
the money you deserve.

Q5 MY RELATIVE DIED. DO I HAVE A CLAIM FOR PERSONAL INJURY?

If your loved one was killed because of the negligence of another person or
entity, or he or she was killed because of another’s wrongful acts, you may be
able to file a wrongful death lawsuit against the responsible party. Wrongful
death lawsuits may be filed in cases in which valid personal injury claims could
have been filed by the victims if they had lived. The people who are allowed to
file wrongful death actions vary, depending on the state in which you reside.


HISTORICAL AND MODERN APPROACHES TO WRONGFUL DEATH CASES

Historically, people could not file civil lawsuits in cases in which their loved
ones were killed. While the perpetrators might have been sentenced to prison or
jail, the families could not recover civil monetary damages from them. This
meant that the perpetrators would actually be financially better off if they
killed their victims instead of simply injuring them. Now, the states have all
enacted wrongful death statutes that allow certain family members of people who
are killed to sue to recover damages.

In 1846, a law in England called Lord Campbell’s Act was passed and allowed
family members of people who were killed by the negligence or wrongful actions
of others to sue for monetary damages. Most of the U.S. states have wrongful
death statutes that are patterned on Lord Campbell’s Act. All of the states
allow the spouses and children of the decedents to file wrongful death lawsuits.
Some states also allow grandparents and siblings to file wrongful death lawsuits
when their loved ones are killed.


WHO MAY FILE LAWSUITS IN STATES FOLLOWING LORD CAMPBELL’S ACT

The states that have statutes that are based on the Lord Campbell’s Act, the
laws state that only people who are designated beneficiaries of the decedents
are able to file wrongful death lawsuits. These beneficiaries might include the
following people, depending on the individual state:

 * Spouses, children, parents and adopted children
 * Grandparents or siblings if no immediate family members are left
 * Parents of a deceased fetus
 * Life or domestic partners
 * People who are financially dependent on the decedents

In these states, the different parties who might be able to file wrongful death
lawsuits will only be able to do so if there are no members of the category of
priority. In other words, if no surviving spouses, children or parents remain,
then the grandparents or siblings of the decedents might be able to file a
lawsuit in states in which they are considered to be designated beneficiaries.


WHO MAY SUE IN STATES WITH LOSSES TO THE ESTATE SYSTEMS

A minority of states have wrongful death statutes that say that only the
personal representative of the estate is able to file a wrongful death lawsuit.
In these states, a personal representative is appointed by the probate court to
administer the estate. He or she may file a lawsuit against the negligent or
wrongful actor in his or her own name. However, the proceeds of the lawsuit will
be placed in trust to be disbursed to all of the designated beneficiaries of the
estate.


GROUNDS FOR FILING A WRONGFUL DEATH LAWSUIT

In order to file a wrongful death lawsuit, you must have one of the
relationships to the decedent that are outlined in your state’s laws, and there
must not be another person who has a priority for filing if you live in a state
that has a statute that follows the Lord Campbell’s Act. If you live in one of
the states that employ the loss to the estate system, only the personal
representative of the estate may file a lawsuit. It is also important to
understand that the actions of the other person must have either been negligent
or wrongful in order to have grounds to file a lawsuit. To learn more about the
wrongful death statute in your state and whether you are the most appropriate
party to file, you might benefit by consulting with an experienced personal
injury and wrongful death attorney.


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