Most people associate the phrase “personal injury law” with car accident cases. Unfortunately, they don’t realize that personal injury attorneys handle a much broader range of cases. If you’ve been injured due to someone else’s negligence, a San Luis Obispo accident lawyer can talk to you about whether you have a case and may be entitled to compensation. 

Premises Liability Cases

Property owners have a legal obligation to ensure that their property is safe for guests and visitors. If they fail to adequately maintain the property or warn guests of dangerous conditions, they may be held liable for any injuries that result. This includes accidents such as the following: 

• Slipping on wet floors
• Tripping over broken concrete
• Falling in a poorly lit stairwell
• Accidents due to elevator or escalator malfunctions

The injuries suffered in a premises liability case can be quite serious, but it isn’t always easy to determine whether you have a claim. A San Luis Obispo accident lawyer can evaluate your case and help you understand your options. 

Dog Bite Cases

Dog bite cases are another common type of injury case that a San Obispo accident lawyer typically handles. Under California law, dog owners can be held accountable for injuries their dogs cause to other people. These injuries can be severe, especially when the victims are children or the elderly. In addition to your physical injuries, the dog owner may be held liable for the emotional and psychological trauma caused by the attack as well. 

With a couple of exceptions, California’s law on dog attacks is a “strict liability” statute – this means that you do not have to prove that the dog had a propensity to violence or that the owner was negligent. A San Luis Obispo accident lawyer can help you with your claim if you’ve been injured in a dog attack. 

Intentional Harms

Most injury cases are negligence cases. This means that you have to prove that your accident was the result of the other party’s failure to take reasonable care. Some cases, however, involve situations where the other party intended to cause harm. A San Luis Obispo accident lawyer can help you pursue a civil claim for monetary damages if you’re the victim in any of the following situations: 

• Assault and battery
• Defamation, slander, and libel
• Deceit or fraud

It’s important to understand that you can still pursue a civil claim even if the other party has been charged with a crime and is being prosecuted. 

Wrongful Death Cases

Wrongful death cases are not necessarily a separate category because they can arise from any type of injury case. That said,  it’s important to understand that an accident lawyer also handles cases where the victim tragically died. Wrongful death cases are complicated, requiring specific knowledge of who can pursue the claim and what damages they are entitled to. If you have a loved one who died through someone else’s fault, you should speak with a San Luis Obispo accident lawyer to understand your rights. 

Call San Luis Obispo Accident Lawyer Earl A. Conaway, III

If you’ve been injured, you may be facing months of recovery, significant medical bills, and lost income. You need someone on your side who can help you get back on your feet. San Luis Obispo accident lawyer Earl A. Conaway, III has been helping injury victims in San Luis Obispo get the compensation they need for over a decade. If you’re injured and don’t know where to turn, contact us at (805)546-8797 to schedule a free consultation today.