Personal Injury Lawyer Serving Hesperia, CA

Accidents can happen at any time. You may be run off the road by a tractor-trailer on Interstate 15, or sideswiped by a reckless driver while trying to get on Highway 395. You may slip and fall while getting groceries at ALDI or Smart & Final in Hesperia. The injuries you suffer could affect your ability to work and earn a living.

If you were seriously injured because of someone else’s negligence, the Law Offices of Fernando D. Vargas can help. Representing local clients in personal injury cases since 1995,  our bilingual legal team can help you and your family seek compensation for your medical bills and other losses.

To request a free consultation with skilled personal injury lawyers serving Hesperia, CA, contact our law firm today. You can also reach our San Bernardino County law office by calling (909) 982-0707.

Do I Have a Valid Personal Injury Claim?

You may not be able to file a claim just because you suffered an injury. These four elements must be present to file a personal injury claim:

• Duty of Care: Duty of care means that the other party had a responsibility to act reasonably or keep others safe. Examples of duty of care include repairing broken stairs to protect customers or following the rules of the road.
• Breach of Duty: Breach of duty means that the person or party did not act responsibly.
• Causation: The breach of duty by one party was the cause of an accident or injury. For example, failing to signal while changing lanes on I-15 led to a crash.
• Damages: The incident led to some kind of measurable harm, such as hospital bills and the cost of vehicle repair.

When you meet with our personal injury attorneys serving Hesperia, we can determine if you can pursue legal action.

Is There a Deadline to File a Personal Injury Lawsuit in California?

Yes. Per California Code of Civil Procedure (CCP) § 335.1, you have two years from the date of the injury to take legal action. Once the two-year statute of limitations has passed, you will no longer be able to file a legal claim.

There are some exceptions to the two-year deadline. For example, you may have less time to take legal action if the incident involved a government entity or employee. This is why it’s best to speak with personal injury attorneys serving Hesperia as soon as possible. The Law Offices of Fernando D. Vargas can make sure you meet key filing deadlines.

Damages in a Personal Injury Lawsuit

A major accident can upend your life in numerous ways. Our attorneys will carefully review what happened and help you understand the true value of your personal injury claim.

Economic damages refer to financial and material losses caused by an injury. Common examples include:

• Hospitalization and emergency medical care
• Current and future medical expenses
• Physical rehabilitation and occupational therapy
• Lost income while healing from injuries
• Reduced future earning potential due to disability
• Damage to property and belongings

Non-economic damages are the subjective changes in a person’s life caused by an act of negligence. These can be more difficult to calculate, yet still important. Common examples include:

• Pain and suffering
• Mental anguish
• Diminished quality of life
• Loss of consortium

In rare cases, you may also be eligible for punitive damages. These damages are intended to punish a negligent party for their actions rather than compensate you for losses. Our personal injury lawyers serving Hesperia can let you know if exemplary damages apply to your accident claim.

Can I Still Collect Damages If I Was Partly to Blame for an Accident?

Yes. California is a pure comparative negligence state, which means you can collect damages even if you are 99% at fault. The amount you receive is reduced by your share of liability.
For example, say you are awarded $100,000 for a car crash in San Bernardino County but are found 20% to blame. You would still receive $80,000 in damages.

Don’t feel intimidated if you need legal help. We can answer your questions during a consultation. To set up a free and confidential case evaluation, contact our personal injury lawyers.

The Law Offices of Fernando D. Vargas can assist with different personal injury claims in Hesperia and the surrounding local communities in the region. You can rely on our lawyers to provide strong representation and support during a difficult time.

Car Accidents

According to information from the California Office of Traffic Safety (OTS), there were 463 injuries or fatalities from car accidents in Hesperia during 2023. While the number seems relatively small, there is a much greater chance of a car wreck if you consider the number of people who commute around San Bernardino County and the greater Los Angeles area.
The greatest danger to local drivers is Cajon Pass and I-15, especially if people are driving out to Vegas. There are also major dangers along US 395 if people are speeding or not paying attention to the road. Common causes of car wrecks in the area include drunk driving, speeding, distracted driving, and aggressive driving.

Big Rig Accidents

Southern California needs tractor-trailers to keep the local economy going, but there’s no denying the dangers these vehicles pose to San Bernardino County motorists. Their large size, long stopping times, and major blind spots on all four sides increase the risk of catastrophic crashes on I-15 or Highway 395, especially when traffic is heavy.
Driver fatigue plays a role in a number of semi-truck collisions every year. Despite federal regulations, truckers may falsify hours of service records or simply fall asleep behind the wheel. When negligent truckers or trucking companies cause a major crash, our law firm is ready to hold them accountable and seek damages.

Motorcycle Accidents

Riding a motorcycle can be exciting, especially if you’re riding out into the Mojave Desert or enjoying the sights around the High Desert. Yet motorcyclists need to exercise caution on Cajon Pass and other roadways. OTS info found that there were 35 injuries or fatalities from motorcycle accidents in Hesperia during 2023.
It’s easy for a motorcycle to get lost in the blind spot of another vehicle, which means even careful motorcyclists could wind up in an accident. If you got hurt in a crash, our accident lawyers are ready to hold other drivers, automakers, or even local road authorities accountable for their role in a collision.

Bike Accidents

Cyclists should exercise caution whenever they’re out on their bikes. Negligent drivers could run you off the road or cause major injuries. According to data from OTS, there were 8 injuries or fatalities from bicycle accidents in Hesperia during 2023. If you got hurt while riding your bike in the city, our personal injury attorneys can hold the negligent party accountable for your injuries.

Pedestrian Accidents

Whenever you’re crossing the street, exercise caution and be aware of any oncoming drivers. OTS data recorded 22 injuries or fatalities from pedestrian accidents in Hesperia during 2023. If you get hurt, we can help. Our team of personal injury attorneys can help pedestrians seek compensation for their injuries from negligent drivers, truckers, and motorcyclists.

Premises Liability

We mentioned at the outset that accidents can happen at any time. You could be out for a morning walk, but then break your ankle due to uneven or damaged sidewalks in your neighborhood. You could even trip over an extension cord while trying to do some shopping at the Mall of Victor Valley in nearby Victorville.
If you get seriously injured on someone else’s property or at a business, our personal injury lawyers can help you file a premises liability claim. These kinds of lawsuits range from slip, trip, and fall accidents, injuries due to a lack of security, and cases involving long-term exposure to harmful substances.

Drowning Accidents

There are hundreds of thousands of residential swimming pools in San Bernardino County and the Greater Los Angeles area. There are also a number of public pools in the region. If someone drowns or is seriously injured at a pool and there were no lifeguards or a lack of supervision, the property owner could be held liable for what happened.
California law considers swimming pools an attractive nuisance that could attract children onto someone’s property. That means even if a child is technically trespassing on someone’s property, the property owner could still be held liable.

Dog Bites and Animal Attacks

Dog attacks can cause major injuries as well as lasting psychological trauma, particularly if the dog bite victim is a young child. Whether the animal attack happened in public at Maple Park or Timberlane Park, or occurred while out for a walk in the neighborhood, the dog owner has a responsibility to keep others safe.
Our personal injury attorneys will make sure irresponsible dog owners are held accountable for any physical harm or property damage their pet has caused.

Wrongful Death Claims

If you lose a family member in a fatal accident in Hesperia, you have our sincerest condolences. When you’re ready to discuss what happened, our lawyers can assist you in filing a wrongful death lawsuit against the negligent party. Wrongful death claims can help you seek compensation for funeral costs, grief counseling, and the pain of losing a loved one.