Sacramento Personal Injury Attorneys

A: The value of your claim depends on many factors, including the type of accident you were involved in, the injury that you sustained, how long your injury will affect you, your past and future medical expenses, and other ways your life will be affected going forward. Additionally, details of the accident can greatly affect the value of your claim, including who was responsible for your accident, and whether there were drugs or alcohol involved. We will work with you to determine the fair and full value of your case.

A: In California personal injury cases, damages are typically awarded in two categories: economic and non-economic damages. Economic damages, also known as monetary damages, are meant to compensate victims for the direct financial costs of their injuries and can be tracked via receipts, bills, etc. Commonly awarded economic damages includes things like medical bills, lost wages, property damage, and more. Non-economic damages, on the other hand, attempt to account for more subjective types of harm that are not as easily quantifiable. Commonly awarded non-economic damages include physical and emotional pain and suffering, permanent disfigurement or scarring, loss of personal relationships, or loss of enjoyment of life. Our attorneys can review your situation and help you seek compensation for all types of damages applicable to your case.

A: After an accident, you’ll be left dealing with the insurance company. You’ll also be facing medical bills and may be experiencing financial difficulties if you miss work. A lawyer can handle your claim for you, negotiating for a fair settlement or taking your case to court to pursue a favorable verdict. In addition to greatly improving your chances at securing maximum compensation, an attorney can take the weight of your case off your shoulders so you can focus on healing. Because every case is different, we recommend calling our offices to see if you need an attorney in your specific situation.

A: The California statute of limitations, as addressed in California Code of Civil Procedure section 335.1, states that victims of personal injury are eligible to file a lawsuit for up to 2 years after the date of their injury. So what does this mean for you? It means you should contact a skilled injury attorney immediately to discuss your case. Filing a lawsuit can take time, and the more time that passes after your injury the more difficult it can be to prove your claim.

A: Though most personal injury cases are settled outside of the courtroom, our Sacramento injury lawyers prepare each case as if it were going to trial. This enables us to enter into negotiations in a position of power, which helps our clients obtain the best possible results. As aggressive and skilled litigators, we are fully prepared to protect your rights and interests at trial.

A: This is an important question for some people who want to keep the details of their injury or settlement a private matter. Generally a settlement that is reached out of court will not be public record. However, if a case is settled in court it may be available as public record. This is something to keep in mind when discussing your case with your injury lawyer.

A: In general, personal injury settlements that are awarded to replace out-of-pocket expenses for medical treatment are not taxable. However, it is important that you discuss your situation with a tax professional if you are concerned about whether or not your settlement may be taxed.

A: In California, even if you were partially to blame for your injuries, you may be entitled to compensation. The principle of comparative negligence will apply. This means that, as long as you are less than 50% at-fault for your accident, the other party will be responsible for your damages. Your award or settlement may be reduced by the percentage that you are to blame, however, so if you were 10% to blame and were entitled to a $10,000 settlement, the other party would pay for 90%, or $9,000.

A: When you work with an attorney at Piering Law Firm, you pay no up-front attorney fees or other out-of-pocket expenses. In fact, we work on personal injury lawsuits on a contingent fee basis, which means we only get paid if you do. Our fees are paid out of your settlement or award and will be a previously agreed-upon percentage, so there are no surprises.

A: If you have been injured, it is recommended you speak to an attorney as soon as practically possible. The longer you wait to get an attorney involved in your case, the more likely you are to encounter difficulty with your case. As time passes, memories fade, evidence is lost, and key people in your personal injury case may become harder to track down. The sooner you hire a lawyer, the sooner they can get to work building your case.

A: In a perfect world, your insurance company would pay for the full value of your medical bills and other losses after suffering a sudden injury. Unfortunately, it is rare for this to happen. Insurance companies are businesses, and as such, their primary purpose is to make money. Insurance companies can only stay profitable if they pay out less money than they receive, so they will use any tactic within their arsenal to limit, delay, or even outright deny your claim. Having a lawyer on your side who understands how insurance companies work can help to shield you from mistreatment and maximize your chances of securing a fair settlement.

A: Not all personal injury cases are of the multi-million dollar variety that draw media attention. The majority of cases are smaller claims of ordinary people who need help. Even small cases can benefit from the assistance of an attorney. In some cases, your case may actually be worth more than you initially think. An experienced personal injury lawyer can help you understand your legal options and guide you towards the most appropriate course of action.

A: Every case is different, so there is unfortunately no reliable way to predict the timeline of your case without discussing your situation with an attorney. Some cases can be resolved in as little as a few months, while others may potentially take years of litigation to be resolved. Ultimately, the length of your case will depend on factors such as the extent of the medical treatment you require, the level of cooperation of the involved insurance companies, the complexity of case law applying to your case, and whether or not your case goes to trial.

A: Generally speaking, no. With the exception of medical malpractice cases, personal injury awards for economic damages in California are not subject to any monetary caps, though these losses must be documented and well-supported by evidence and reasonable estimates. Compensation for pain and suffering is awarded at an amount that the jury deems appropriate.