Fallbrook, California is a CDP (census designated place) in northern San Diego County. The community considers itself the “Avocado Capital of the World,” thanks to its abundance of avocado groves. Fallbrook is a relatively quiet and peaceful community, with a moderate, low-humidity climate due to the prevailing ocean breezes. In the 2000s, celebrities were drawn to the area, and many notable Hollywood actors and directors currently own a primary or secondary residence in Fallbrook.
Even with all its positives, there is no such thing as a perfect city. Accidents and injuries can happen to anyone for all sorts of reasons, including negligence by a government agency. For example, failure to maintain the trees at a park can result in someone being struck by a branch. A rogue police officer can end up hurting someone from using excessive force. Inadequate security in a government-owned parking lot may be the reasons for a sexual assault on the premises.
So, what can you do when you suffered injuries due to the government’s failure to exercise reasonable care? The personal injury lawyers of Normandie are here to advise you of your rights and legal options. You may have grounds to demand compensation for your injuries, which we can discuss with you during a free, private consultation.
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Can I Sue the City of Fallbrook for my Accident?
If you were injured in Fallbrook, CA due to negligence by a government entity or one of their workers, you are entitled to monetary damages from a compensation claim or lawsuit against the county. Why do we say “county” instead of “city?” Fallbrook is a CDP, which means they are not a municipality with their own government. Thus, all public services are provided by the county of San Diego, including the ownership and management of Fallbrook Airport.
Now that we’ve clarified who you will need to sue, let’s look at some examples of negligence by a government agency.
- Hazards in government buildings that result in slip and fall / trip and fall accidents
- Injuries caused by broken / cracked sidewalks
- Car crashes and pedestrian accidents from defective street lights
- Falling objects due to failure to maintain the premises
- Injuries to students, staff members, and guests at a public school
- Accidents at the airport (Fallbrook Airpark)
- Police law enforcement department claims (police brutality, car accidents, etc.)
- Assault and battery / sexual assault – by city workers or due to lack of security on city property
As you can see, there are many ways that a city or county government can be liable for an accident within their borders. For more information on your right to sue the city of Fallbrook, give us a call as soon as possible.
How to File an Accident Claim against the City of Fallbrook, CA
Though Fallbrook is commonly referred to as a city, it’s actually a census designated place (CDP) within San Diego County. That means you must file a “Claim against the City of San Diego” form and submit it to the Claims Division within 6 months after the date of your accident. You can deliver the forms in person or send it by mail, preferably through priority or certified mail so that you know the exact date of delivery.
A city claim form can be very challenging to fill out on your own. You will need to provide detailed information about your accident, why the city is responsible, and how much compensation you believe you are entitled to. Then, you must provide extensive documentation to support your claim, which may be difficult to obtain. The city is well aware of this, and how it gives them an advantage over the average claimant. That’s why legal representation from a California city government claims attorney is esential.
From this point on, you will need to wait 45 days for a response. You will either receive a notice of acceptance, which means the city is willing to pay your claim. Alternatively, they will send you a denial notice with an explanation of why they cannot meet your demands.
What Happens if my Accident Claim is Rejected?
If the County of San Diego sends you a denial notice in response to your claim, it’s not the end of road in your fight for justice. The next step is to file a lawsuit though the appropriate court system, which we can help you with at our law firm. It’s more than likely that your case will be settled without the need for a trial, but you should obtain legal representation to ensure that you receive maximum payment for your injuries.
There are cases where the Claims Division will not respond to a claim within the 45-day waiting period. Essentially, this means that your claim is denied by default, and you have 2 years from the date of the incident to file a personal injury lawsuit.
Average Value of a City of Fallbrook Accident Claim
We understand how important it is for accident victims to have a sense of the amount they are due to receive from an injury claim. However, it’s impossible to say what the average city of Fallbrook accident claim is worth. For one thing, each victim has different injuries that affect their life in various ways. Due to these effects, they are owed specific monetary damages (pain and suffering, medical expenses, lost income, etc.), which are added to determine the total amount of compensation. The best we can say is that accident claims against San Diego County may be worth anywhere from $10,000 to $2,500,000, if we go by the majority of claims we’ve settled over the years.
We are happy to sit down with you and help you figure out what your own city of Fallbrook compensation claim is worth. All you have to do is contact our office and schedule a free case review at your earliest convenience.
Estimated Time to Settle a City Compensation Claim against Fallbrook, CA
Claims against government entities can be quite complicated, due to the number of steps that are involved. Ideally, your claim will be resolved within 6 months by filing a claim, but in reality, many of these cases take over one year. This is the likely outcome if you need to file a lawsuit after your claim is rejected by San Diego County. Frankly, over 90% of these lawsuits are settled out of court, so it’s unlikely that your case will go to trial. But the legal process can still take 2 or more years, depending on various factors that are beyond our control.
Second Opinion Consultation
People often go to another doctor for a second opinion if they need clarification on their treatment options or want to verify a diagnosis from their physician. Lawyers can also provide second opinions if you have an active claim or lawsuit against a government entity. The consultation is 100% free, with no obligation to switch lawyers unless you believe it’s in your best interest to do so. For a free second opinion with a city of Fallbrook accident injury attorney, call us today.
The Government Claims Lawsuit Attorneys of Normandie
The idea of suing the government won’t cross the average person’s mind, as we are generally taught to have respect for government agencies and the people that work for them. But these entities often engage in careless or reckless behavior, and the injured victims deserve justice for the harm they’ve suffered.
That’s the principle behind our Zero Fee Guarantee here at Normandie Law Firm. We charge nothing upfront if you’ve been harmed as a result of someone else’s negligence. Instead, we will cover the costs associated with your case and charge all legal fees to the city of Fallbrook. By winning your case, we receive payment for our services as a part of your settlement award. Otherwise, we eat the costs and you walk away without spending a penny.
Don’t delay in giving us a call and learning about the compensation that may be available to you. We look forward to speaking with you during a free case evaluation or free second opinion.
Other Pages on Our Website Related to This Topic
San Diego International Airport Accident Attorney
How to file an accident claim with the city of San Diego
Outdoor Restaurant Tent Collapse Incident Lawyer in San Diego
