To have a personal injury case, you must prove that you have been injured through the fault of another, whether by negligence, intentional misconduct, or strict liability.

 No. You should not talk to an insurance company without first consulting with a lawyer. It is common practice for insurance adjusters to request that injury claimants give recorded statements immediately following the injury-producing event. These recorded statements are then later used against the injury claimants.

Before accepting a settlement, it is always in your best interest to consult with a lawyer. Adjusters work for the insurance company, not for you, and their job is to settle the matter for the lowest possible expense to their company. A lawyer’s expertise is not only vital if you are ready to settle your case but will also ensure that your rights are protected.

The worth of a case is based on several factors. For example, the nature of the injury-causing event, the severity of the injury, the amount of pain the injury causes, and whether the injury has lingering effects are all issues that affect the value of a case. However, only after all the information is gathered and negotiations have begun can your case truly be evaluated.

As we determine the value of a case, we take the following into consideration, which a personal injury claimant may be entitled to recover:

The time it takes to settle a personal injury case depends on injury severity, insurance

negotiations, and legal complexities. Here is a general settlement timeline:

• Minor injury cases: 3 to 6 months
• Moderate injuries (fractures, soft tissue damage): 6 months to 1 year
• Severe injury cases (surgery, spinal damage, brain injuries): 1 to 3+ years
• Cases that go to trial: 2+ years

Insurance companies often delay payments to pressure victims into low settlements. Working with an experienced California personal injury attorney can help expedite the process and maximize your compensation.

What to Do:

• Report the accident to your own insurance (if required)
• Provide basic facts such as date, location, and vehicle information
• Say that you are seeking medical attention

What NOT to Do:

• Give a recorded statement, as it may be used against you
• Admit fault or discuss your injuries in detail
• Accept a quick settlement offer before understanding your full damages

If you have been injured in an accident, you may be eligible for financial compensation,

including:

• Medical bills: Doctor visits, surgery, rehabilitation, and medication
• Lost wages: Time off work due to injuries
• Future medical costs: Long-term treatment and therapy
• Pain and suffering: Emotional distress and loss of quality of life

Steps to Get Compensation:

1. File an insurance claim with the at-fault party’s insurance or your own policy
2. Provide medical records and proof of lost income
3. Negotiate a fair settlement or file a lawsuit if necessary

Insurance companies often undervalue claims. A skilled lawyer can help you recover the full

amount you deserve.

If the at-fault driver is uninsured or underinsured, you may still have options:

• Uninsured Motorist (UM) Coverage: If you have UM coverage, your own insurance may
• pay for damages
• Personal Injury Lawsuit: You can sue the driver, though collecting compensation may be
• difficult if they lack assets
• Other Insurance Policies: If you were in a rideshare or work vehicle, their commercial
• insurance might apply

Check if your auto policy includes UM/UIM coverage, as it can provide crucial financial protection.

Yes, if a dangerous road condition or defective vehicle part caused your accident, you may have a claim against:

• Government agencies: Poor road maintenance, potholes, or missing traffic signs
• Car manufacturers: Defective brakes, tires, airbags, or mechanical failures
• Auto repair shops: Faulty repairs that contributed to the crash

Claims against government entities have strict deadlines, sometimes as little as six months in California. Consulting an attorney as soon as possible is critical.

Yes, emotional distress is considered a form of pain and suffering in personal injury claims.

This can include:

• Anxiety or depression
• Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)
• Sleep disturbances or nightmares
• Loss of enjoyment of life

How to Prove Emotional Distress:

• Medical records from therapists or psychologists
• Personal testimony, including diaries and witness statements
• Expert opinions from mental health professionals

If you are injured in a rideshare accident, you may be covered under Uber or Lyft’s $1 million insurance policy.

Who’s Liable?

• If the rideshare driver was at fault, Uber or Lyft’s policy applies
• If another driver caused the crash, their insurance is responsible, but Uber or Lyft may
• still provide backup coverage

Steps to Take:

1. Seek medical attention immediately
2. Report the accident to Uber or Lyft through the app
3. Gather evidence, including photos and witness information
4. Contact a rideshare accident lawyer to review your legal options

Rideshare insurance rules are complex, and a lawyer can help ensure you receive full compensation.

If the driver fled the scene, you still have options to recover compensation:

• Call 911 and report the hit-and-run to law enforcement
• Check for traffic cameras and eyewitnesses
• File an uninsured motorist claim if you have UM coverage
• Seek medical treatment immediately

If police cannot identify the driver, your own uninsured motorist policy may cover damages.

A traumatic brain injury (TBI) can result in:

• Cognitive issues such as memory loss and confusion
• Permanent disability, including paralysis or seizures
• Loss of earning capacity due to long-term impairment

Because TBIs often require ongoing medical care, rehabilitation, and home modifications,

they typically result in higher settlements. Insurance companies may try to minimize payouts,

making legal representation essential.

Most personal injury lawyers work on a contingency fee basis, meaning:

• No upfront fees, you only pay if you win
• The standard fee is typically 30-40% of the final settlement
• Free consultations are available to discuss your case

Hiring an attorney increases your chances of receiving a higher settlement than negotiating alone

If your personal injury claim is denied:

• Request a written explanation for the denial
• Provide additional evidence, such as medical records and witness statements
• Appeal the decision with the insurance company
• File a lawsuit if necessary

Insurance companies often deny claims to reduce payouts, but a lawyer can help fight for fair compensation.

Common mistakes that can weaken your personal injury claim include:

• Failing to seek medical treatment immediately after the accident
• Giving a recorded statement to the insurance company
• Accepting a low settlement offer too quickly
• Posting about your case on social media

Avoiding these mistakes can help protect your rights and maximize your settlement.

Once a settlement is reached, payment usually takes between two to six weeks.

Potential Delays:

• Insurance companies delaying processing
• Medical liens that must be paid
• Additional paperwork or court approval requirements

A lawyer can help ensure that all paperwork is handled properly and expedite the payout

process.

This is a very common question. Most of the time you will make more money hiring a lawyer. However, the lawyer should be honest with you and tell you if his or her services will help you. We turn away cases if our fee does not help an injured victim. However, please feel free to contact our office for a Free Case Evaluation.

No. You decide if your case goes to court. Most personal injury cases are settled out of court.

Absolutely! You may contact us by telephone, fax, or e-mail. Our telephones are answered 24 hours a day. If you have a personal injury or wrongful death case, we will schedule a consultation appointment that fits your schedule. We will meet with you in the evening or on the weekend if that is more convenient for you. We also make house calls.

Since a consultation is free, it will not hurt to ask if we can help. Having worked with insurance companies on thousands of cases, we know that no matter how nice insurance adjusters may sound on the phone, they have one goal in mind above all others—to pay you as little as possible. They are trained to do this.

Insurance companies do not work for you. They are not trained, nor are they qualified, to explain your legal rights. They will not give you a fair assessment of the value of your case.

If your injuries are significant, a good attorney can help you in numerous ways. When you hire a lawyer, who is willing to take a case to trial, value is added to your case. A good lawyer will seek every category of damages that applies to your case, finding ways to support those damages with evidence that will be admissible in court. Also, the threat of trial itself adds to your bargaining power. Make no mistake the insurance company knows that it’s almost impossible for an injury claimant to take a case to trial and win without a lawyer.