Frequently Asked Questions

While not legally required, having an experienced personal injury attorney significantly increases your chances of receiving fair compensation. Insurance companies have teams of lawyers working to minimize payouts. We handle negotiations, gather evidence, calculate your full damages (including future costs), and fight for maximum compensation—while you focus on recovery. Studies show represented clients receive 3.5x more on average than unrepresented claimants.

In California, you generally have 2 years from the date of injury to file a personal injury lawsuit. However, there are important exceptions: claims against government entities have a much shorter deadline (6 months to file a claim), and cases involving minors have extended timeframes. Don't wait—evidence disappears, witnesses forget details, and you risk losing your right to compensation. Contact us immediately for a free evaluation.

California follows "pure comparative negligence," which means you can still recover compensation even if you're partially at fault. Your award is simply reduced by your percentage of fault. For example, if you're 20% at fault in a $100,000 case, you'd receive $80,000. Insurance companies often try to blame victims to reduce payouts—we fight those tactics and protect your rights. Never admit fault at the scene; let us investigate and determine liability.

Case value depends on multiple factors: medical expenses (past and future), lost wages, loss of earning capacity, pain and suffering, emotional distress, and permanent disability. Minor injuries might settle for $10,000-$50,000, while catastrophic injuries (spinal cord damage, traumatic brain injury, amputations) can exceed $1 million. We thoroughly document all damages—including non-economic losses insurance companies try to minimize—to maximize your recovery. Call for a free case evaluation.

Never accept the first offer without consulting an attorney. Insurance companies make quick, low-ball offers hoping you'll settle before understanding your case's true value. These offers rarely cover future medical costs, ongoing treatment, or long-term impacts on your life. Once you accept and sign a release, you cannot reopen the case—even if complications arise. We review any offers for free and negotiate aggressively to get you what you deserve, not what's convenient for insurers.

Critical steps: 1) Seek medical attention immediately, even if you feel fine (injuries can manifest later, and gaps in treatment hurt your case), 2) Call police and get a report number, 3) Document everything—take photos of the scene, injuries, and property damage, 4) Get witness contact information, 5) Don't give recorded statements to insurance companies without legal counsel, 6) Preserve evidence (damaged clothing, receipts, medical records), and 7) Contact us ASAP for a free consultation. The sooner we begin, the stronger your case.

Timeline varies based on case complexity and injury severity. Simple cases with clear liability might settle in 3-6 months, while complex cases involving catastrophic injuries or disputed fault could take 1-2 years or more. We don't rush settlements—you need to reach maximum medical improvement before we can accurately value your case. That said, we work efficiently to resolve cases as quickly as possible while securing maximum compensation. Many cases settle during negotiations without going to trial.

Most personal injury cases (95%+) settle before trial through negotiations or mediation. Insurance companies know going to trial is expensive and risky for them. However, we prepare every case as if it will go to trial—this strengthens our negotiating position. If the insurance company refuses a fair settlement, we're fully prepared to take your case to court and fight for a jury verdict. Our trial experience gives us leverage other firms don't have.

Your primary job is to focus on healing and recovery. We handle all legal complexities—dealing with insurance companies, gathering evidence, filing paperwork, negotiating settlements, and representing you in court if needed. You'll need to: attend medical appointments as prescribed, keep us informed of any changes, provide requested documentation, and be available for depositions or testimony if required. We keep you updated throughout and make all major decisions together. Most clients are surprised by how little they need to do—we handle the heavy lifting.

Absolutely. We represent clients throughout California, including the Bay Area, Los Angeles, Santa Barbara, and beyond. We have offices in San Francisco (headquarters), Oakland, San Mateo, Los Angeles, and Santa Barbara for your convenience. We can meet you wherever is most convenient—at your home, hospital, or one of our offices. Much of our communication happens by phone, email, and video calls, so location is rarely a barrier. What matters most is finding the right attorney, not the closest one.

Once we secure a settlement or verdict, the insurance company typically has 30 days to issue payment. We receive the check, deposit it into our trust account, then distribute funds according to California law: first, we pay any liens (medical bills, health insurance reimbursements), then our contingency fee and case costs, and finally, you receive your net settlement. We provide a detailed breakdown of all deductions. Most clients receive their checks within 4-6 weeks of settlement. We're with you until the very end.