The Law Offices of David A Kaufman Is Here To Answer Your Questions About Your Personal Injury Case
Last updated on February 2, 2026
If you or a loved one have been injured in an accident caused by someone else’s negligent actions, attorney David Kaufman may be able to help you file a personal injury claim.
If you are unfamiliar with the process, it can feel overwhelming. Attorney Kaufman is here to answer your questions. In the meantime, please read some answers to frequently asked questions about personal injury cases.
What kinds of accidents qualify for a personal injury lawsuit?
A personal injury claim stems from any incident where someone else’s negligence caused the accident or injury. This can include motor vehicle accidents, medical and dental malpractice or premises liability accidents.
What can I get compensation for?
In California, you can pursue economic and noneconomic damages in personal injury cases. Economic damages include compensation related to expenses such as medical bills, rehabilitation and therapy, property damage and lost wages. Noneconomic damages cover intangible losses such as pain and suffering.
What if I am partially responsible for my accident?
California law allows accident victims to pursue compensation even when the victim is partially at fault for their accident. Under this comparative negligence standard, damages are allocated per the percentage of fault. For example, if you are 90% at fault for your motorcycle accident, you can pursue damages against another party for the remaining 10%.
How long do I have to file a personal injury claim?
The statute of limitations in California for filing a personal injury claim is two years from the date of the injury. If you did not discover your injury immediately, you have one year from the date you discovered it. It is essential to contact an experienced personal injury attorney as soon as possible to get started on your case. Attorney Kaufman will help you gather evidence and speak with insurance companies on your behalf.
How long will my case take?
Every case is different, and how long it takes from filing to obtaining a settlement depends on the complexity and particulars of your situation. For example, claims that involve serious injuries and high medical costs may take longer to negotiate or litigate. When cases go to court, it generally takes longer. However, many personal injury cases settle before reaching that point.
What Is California’s Personal Injury Law?
California’s personal injury law is governed by Civil Code § 1714 CC. This helps to determine the rights and responsibilities that parties have, establishing what constitutes liability for causing injury, and when someone may deserve financial compensation.
There are two general types of conduct addressed under Civil Code § 1714 CC. First, there is the issue of willful conduct, which is something that someone does intentionally, such as assaulting another individual. The second area is negligent conduct, which means that someone may not have intended to cause harm, but they were careless or reckless. An example of this could be someone who accidentally runs a stop sign and causes a motor vehicle accident.
The duty that an individual has to another can also play a role. A doctor has a duty of care to a patient, for instance, which can establish liability in a medical malpractice case. A driver has a duty of care to those around them on the road to operate their vehicle in a safe and careful manner. It is worth noting that, in some cases, consent to an activity that then causes harm can remove this duty of care.
As far as the types of injuries or accidents that are governed by Civil Code § 1714 CC, examples include:
- Slip-and-fall accidents
- Dog bites
- Motor vehicle accidents
- Commercial vehicle or truck accidents
- Medical malpractice
- Bicycle or pedestrian accidents
- Negligent security
It is important to note that even someone who does not intend to cause harm can still be held liable, and they may then have to cover costs such as medical expenses, long-term medical care needs, lost wages, reduced earning capacity and other economic damages. They may also have to consider non-economic damages, such as pain and suffering and emotional trauma.
In many cases, an individual may be liable for numerous costs. If someone causes a car accident that puts another person in the hospital, for instance, they may have to cover medical bills and lost wages, along with paying compensation for the pain and suffering that person was forced to endure.
Contact A Personal Injury Attorney Today To Discuss Your Case
Filing a personal injury claim can be overwhelming on top of everything else that came with your accident. However, if someone else caused your injury, you deserve compensation that will help you regain your life. Contact the Law Offices of David A Kaufman at 619-830-4328 or online to schedule a consultation in La Jolla and discuss your case.