Siskiyou County Personal Injury Lawyer

Siskiyou County Personal Injury Attorney

Being injured is always an ordeal and can mean extra doctor or hospital visits, physical rehabilitation, or even lifelong medical problems—not to mention lost wages, extra expenses, and the headache of dealing with predatory insurance companies. If you or a family member are dealing with a serious injury that is the result of another party’s actions, a Siskiyou County personal injury lawyer may be able to help navigate the process of proving fault and recovering damages.

At Barr and Mudford, our skilled legal team focuses on helping personal injury clients get the compensation they need to protect their finances and their future. Since 1967, we have worked to fight on behalf of thousands of clients to make sure they receive the financial support they need to recover from their injuries.

What Constitutes Personal Injury in Siskiyou County, California?

Any injury to your body, emotions, or reputation can be considered personal injury. However, for there to be grounds for a legal claim, the incident must satisfy at least one of three conditions:

• Negligence – this means someone else did not act with the level of care most people would consider necessary for the situation. For example, a grocery store employee who does not put up a Wet Floor sign after they mop.
• Strict liability – when someone else’s actions resulted in your injury, even if it wasn’t intentional or a result of negligence. If a dog bites someone, for example, its owner is liable, even if they didn’t mean for it to happen.
• Intentional wrongs – this happens when someone else commits an intentional act of harm against you, such as assault.

Causes of Action

A cause of action is the facts of a situation that enable a person to bring a legal claim against another. In most cases, an individual person who has been injured is seeking damages from another person or a company for causing their injury. For personal injury, this may be any of the following:

• Car accidents, truck accidents, motorcycle accidents, or boating accidents
• Workplace accidents
• Defective products
• Injury on public premises
• Slip-and-fall accidents
• Dog bites
• Pedestrian accidents

In California, there is usually a two-year statute of limitations on personal injury claims, which means you must file a claim within two years of the date of the accident. There are a few exceptions, which may mean you have as little as six months to file or as much as five years. A qualified personal injury attorney can help you determine if your case can occur within the statute of limitations.

What to Look for in a Personal Injury Lawyer

When choosing a personal injury lawyer, the most important elements are knowledge and experience. The most effective way to determine this is through an initial consultation and client testimonies. Most personal injury lawyers do not charge for an initial consultation to go over the details of your case.

What to Expect at the Consultation

When you meet with the lawyer for the initial consultation, bring any documentation you have related to the injury. This might include:

• Medical records and bills
• Photos of injuries or property damage
• Any documentation of loss of income or other expenses as a result of the injury
• Any police report that was filed
• All correspondence with insurance companies
• Any other documentation related to your injury or the accident.

The consultation is also an opportunity for you to gauge the lawyer’s experience and your legal options. Ask how long the lawyer has been in practice and how much of their practice involves personal injury. Discuss whether the lawyer thinks you will be able to settle out of court and how much your case might be worth. Lastly, ask how and when the lawyer will be paid and how other costs for the case, like filing fees and court costs, will be handled.

What a Personal Injury Lawyer Can Do for You

An experienced personal injury attorney can investigate your case, review evidence, discuss your rights with you, and explain the process. The next step is to create a legal strategy based on your situation and the compensation you need. A personal injury lawyer can also act as a barrier between you and medical bill collectors, insurance companies, police, and others. This ensures that your rights are always at the forefront of every interaction.

FAQs

Q: How Much Do Personal Injury Lawyers Charge in California?

A: Most personal injury attorneys work on a contingency basis, which means you don’t have to pay anything unless you win and receive a settlement. At that point, the lawyer takes a percentage of the settlement. The amount may vary based on your case’s complexity and if the case can be settled without a trial or has to go to court.

Q: How Long Does It Take to Settle a Personal Injury Case in California?

A: Settling a personal injury case in California can take from a couple of months to several years. The biggest factor in establishing how long a claim will take to settle is whether the case can be settled out of court or if it must go to trial. However, determining liability in a personal injury can take time and a detailed investigation, especially if multiple parties are involved.

Q: Does California Have Any Laws that Limit Personal Injury Damages?

A: California does not have a maximum compensation amount that a person can request for a personal injury. The only exception is in medical malpractice cases, where there may be damage caps on non-economic injuries only, such as pain and suffering. This exception may not apply to most personal injury cases.

Q: How Are Personal Injury Settlements Calculated in California?

A: There is no specific process in the law for calculating compensation for personal injuries. Instead, damages are calculated through a combination of financial expenses, such as property damage or lost wages, and general damages or non-economic damages that are based on the physical and emotional pain you have suffered because of the injury.

Your Siskiyou County Personal Injury Lawyer

Barr and Mudford has been helping injured clients recover compensation in Northern California for decades. Our skilled personal injury attorneys take the time to understand each case and get to know each client’s individual needs. Contact our office today to set up an initial consultation.