El Dorado Personal Injury Lawyers
We’ll tell you if you have a case or not, call (888) 488-1391 — We’re here 24 hours a day.
Accidents Happen. Our El Dorado Personal Injury Lawyers Offer Legal Assistance
Sustaining injuries in an accident can change your life for the worse. It creates unexpected costs, a range of health problems, and emotional challenges that can potentially ruin your mental well-being. This already difficult situation can become even more challenging when the cause of your injury is another person’s negligence. If you need dedicated and experienced legal representation, our El Dorado personal injury lawyers will help you pursue compensation. Call Arash Law at (888) 488-1391 for a free initial consultation.
El Dorado County is a tranquil corner of the Sierra Nevada foothills. The area offers a host of activities for locals and tourists to enjoy. There’s hiking on South Lake Tahoe Mountain. You can also enjoy wine tasting at one or more of the county’s 70+ wineries. Lastly, you can try indulging in locally sourced produce from the numerous ranches and farms. However, these activities come with risks that might lead to personal injuries.
You may be able to seek compensation if your injuries were caused by someone else’s negligence. Fill out our “Do I Have A Case?” form to find out if you have a valid claim. Our El Dorado personal injury attorneys will work to help you pursue compensation for your losses. With our contingency fee arrangement, you don’t have to pay attorney fees up front.
Personal Injury: An attack that took place when a homeless man used an unsecured baseball bat in the Walmart store to attack a husband and wife who were shopping nearby. The jury found that Walmart was 50 percent liable for the attack, and the amount of the judgment against the company exceeded $30,000,000.– BRIAN BEECHER
Why You Need Experienced Personal Injury Attorneys
Insurance companies often have different interests than the injured parties. You need a skilled legal team that can help protect your rights and put your interests at heart by providing you with the following.
- Legal Experience — The legal process is challenging to navigate alone. Our El Dorado personal injury lawyers have the knowledge and experience to guide you, help you understand the process, and explain the laws that apply to your case.
- Court Representation — If your claim goes to trial, you need an attorney experienced in handling litigation to represent you and advocate for your rights.
- Time to Heal from Your Injuries — Our personal injury attorneys can handle the legal aspects of your case so you can focus more on recovery.
Want to explore legal options to help reimburse your medical expenses, claim your lost income, and repair or replace your damaged property? Let our El Dorado personal injury lawyers help you seek compensation for your losses.
Why Choose Our El Dorado Personal Injury Lawyers For Your Case
Our personal injury attorneys in El Dorado are here to help you navigate California’s legal landscape and assist with your case by:
- Providing Personalized Legal Advice — We will thoroughly review your case, explore all details, and understand your concerns. Each case is unique, so we will develop a personalized legal strategy to work toward a favorable outcome.
- Pursuing Just Compensation — Personal injuries can affect you and your family financially, mentally, and emotionally. That’s why we are committed to seeking compensation on your behalf to help cover costs, such as medical bills, lost wages, future rehabilitation costs, pain and suffering, and mental anguish.
- Advocating Against Unfair Insurance Practices — We regularly encounter strategies insurance companies often use to reduce or deny claims. Fortunately, our El Dorado personal injury lawyers are adept at challenging these practices.
- Supporting Clients With Compassion — You are not just another client to us. We’ll provide you with support and guidance throughout the legal process of your case. We’ll handle your claims with experience and skill so you can focus on recovering from your injuries.
Choosing qualified El Dorado personal injury lawyers means handing your case to an experienced legal team capable of handling injury cases. With our dedication to pursue just recompense for your claim, we will represent you and advocate for your legal rights and interests.
Additionally, we work on a contingency fee basis. This arrangement means you don’t have to pay attorney fees up front. Instead, we take a percentage of the settlement we recover on your behalf. Do note that you may still be responsible for case costs and other expenses even if no recovery is obtained.
Most Common Personal Injury Claims In El Dorado County
Understanding the common types of personal injury claims in El Dorado County can help you recognize when legal support may be necessary. Seeking timely guidance can help you protect your rights and take the proper steps to pursue compensation for your injuries and losses.
Our personal injury lawyers in El Dorado County can handle claims involving the following types of injuries:
Cuts And Lacerations
Victims suffer cuts and lacerations when a sharp object scrapes their skin. In car accidents, for example, these injuries are sustained from glass shards and other things that fly around during the crash.
Lacerations are considered among the more minor injuries in an accident, as they usually only require wound cleaning and dressing. However, deep cuts may require stitching and cause scarring or disfigurement.
No matter how minor your injuries may seem after an accident, you must seek medical attention so your injuries don’t remain unattended and worsen over time.
Consult our El Dorado personal injury lawyers for advice on your legal options. We will review your case and help you seek compensation from the party that caused your injuries.
Soft Tissue Injuries
The sudden impact of a crash or fall may stretch or tear a victim’s muscles, tendons, and ligaments. A strain is an injury to the muscles and tendons, commonly experienced in the back or hamstrings. On the other hand, a sprain affects the ligaments, especially in the knee, ankle, and wrist areas. Strains and sprains often cause pain, muscle spasms, swelling, and cramps.
Bruises or contusions are also considered soft tissue injuries. They occur when a blunt object strikes the victim with great force without breaking the skin. A bruise is characterized by a discoloration of the skin due to blood pooling around the injured area.
Soft tissue injuries are treated using the RICE method — rest, ice, compression, and elevation. Mild injuries often heal on their own within a few days or weeks, while moderate sprains require a cast or brace to speed up recovery. However, severe cases may necessitate surgery.
Additionally, bruising around your belly button or the sides of your abdomen after a car accident is an indicator of a much more serious injury, such as internal bleeding or organ damage.
These injuries often limit a victim’s mobility, possibly causing them to miss a few days from work and lose valuable income. If you want to pursue appropriate compensation for your injuries and losses after an accident, contact our El Dorado personal injury lawyers.
Head And Brain Injuries
People sustain head and brain injuries mostly from motor vehicle accidents, slip-and-falls, and sports, such as football or boxing. Examples of these injuries include concussions, skull fractures, uncontrolled bleeding, swelling, and blood clots in the brain.
Unfortunately, the symptoms of a brain injury aren’t always immediately apparent. It’s important to seek medical attention if you hit your head or suffer a blow to your head in an accident. Not knowing the symptoms or leaving them unaddressed may lead to a more severe traumatic brain injury (TBI), which affects cognitive functions. TBIs can impair a victim’s thinking, memory, logic, and ability to make decisions or solve problems.
Our El Dorado personal injury lawyers can connect you with qualified medical specialists in the area so you can receive a thorough examination and proper treatment for your head and brain injuries.
Whiplash And Other Neck Injuries
Rear-end collisions often cause the neck to move forcefully back and forth, resulting in whiplash. When victims injure their necks, they can expect to feel pain, stiffness, and limited mobility. Other lesser-known symptoms of neck injuries include shoulder and back pain, numbness in the arm or hand, dizziness, and difficulty with balance.
At first glance, whiplash and other neck injuries may not seem all that serious. However, when left untreated, these injuries may lead to nerve damage. In extreme cases where the spinal cord gets damaged from whiplash, victims may even suffer permanent paralysis.
If you sustain neck injuries after a recent accident, seek legal assistance from our personal injury lawyers in El Dorado County. We will evaluate the full extent of your damages and work to help you pursue a fair settlement from the at-fault party.
Back And Spinal Cord Injuries
In serious accidents, a victim’s back may suffer from injuries in the vertebrae and spinal cord, such as the following:
- Back strain
- Herniated disc
- Fractured spine
- Degenerative spinal disorders
Back injuries cause inflammation and muscle spasms, leading to extreme pain and discomfort for victims. In more severe cases, spinal cord injuries lead to permanent paralysis. Examples include paraplegia, which affects the lower half of a victim’s body, and tetraplegia or quadriplegia, which involves the whole area of the body from the neck down.
These injuries often have long-term effects and significantly limit a victim’s mobility. It also affects their capability to earn an income and enjoy their life as much as they used to before the accident. If you’ve sustained back and spinal cord injuries due to someone else’s negligence, reach out to our personal injury lawyers in El Dorado County.
Fractures
The impact of a fall or traffic crash may also lead to broken bones. Slip-and-fall accidents, for example, often cause wrist and hip fractures, especially for older adults. Motor vehicle collisions, on the other hand, may fracture a victim’s skull, ribs, clavicle, pelvis, limbs, and spine.
Some injuries are obvious, such as open or compound fractures, where the bone breaks through the victim’s skin. However, other fractures may not be evident on the onset, especially with adrenaline kicking in after an accident. As a general rule, you should get a thorough medical examination if you feel pain, notice any bruising, or hear a snap every time you move or put weight on a certain part of your body.
Casts are often used to hold broken bones in place and immobilize them so that they heal faster. In more severe cases, victims may need to undergo surgery to have metal plates or screws inserted to help the bones heal properly.
Recovery often takes several weeks or months, taking up valuable time that you could have used to work or spend on leisure if the accident had not happened. In such cases, our El Dorado personal injury lawyers may be able to help you file a compensation claim for medical expenses and other accident-related costs.
Amputations
A victim’s arms, legs, fingers, and toes can get severed in a motor vehicle or construction accident. These may also get severely crushed during such accidents, leaving doctors with no choice but to cut off the victim’s limbs to prevent further complications.
Having your limbs amputated significantly alters your day-to-day life. Even with prosthetics, you may have a reduced quality of life and be unable to do certain things. Phantom limb pain is also a common problem, where the nerves send pain signals to the brain for the body part that has already been amputated.
These get better with time and physical therapy as you get more used to the situation. However, the emotional and psychological effects of amputations are often long-term. It’s hard to put a price on the value of these intangible losses, but our El Dorado personal injury lawyers can help you figure out how much they’re worth when you decide to file a claim.
Burn Injuries
Apart from traffic accidents, victims may also experience burn injuries in their workplace. They can sustain burns from any of the following scenarios:
- Scalding from steam or hot liquids.
- Being near open flames or explosions.
- Direct contact with heated objects.
- Exposure to hazardous or corrosive chemicals.
- Electric shock from exposed and faulty wiring.
Burn injuries not only cause physical damage but also significant emotional and mental trauma that requires many hours of therapy.
Our personal injury lawyers in El Dorado can help you navigate the tricky legal process. We are committed to advocating for your interests and protecting your rights while seeking a fair settlement.
Types Of Accidents Our Personal Injury Lawyers Handle
Arash Law’s experienced El Dorado lawyers for personal injury have handled various types of accident cases, including the following:
Car Accidents
From minor fender-benders to severe head-on collisions, car accidents remain one of the leading causes of injuries. The most common contributing factors behind these crashes are:
- Speeding
- Distracted driving
- Drunk driving
- Reckless driving
- Hazardous weather, like flooding and rain
- Dangerous road conditions
Victims of car accidents often suffer from traumatic brain injuries (TBIs), whiplash, bone fractures, and spinal cord injuries. The resulting medical expenses can be astronomical, depending on the severity of the injury. Even minor ones may require medical attention.
Traffic Accidents
Traffic accidents are among the primary causes of personal injuries in El Dorado County. The diverse terrain contributes to a range of incidents, potentially leading to minor wounds, grave injuries, and even death. In 2022, the California Statewide Integrated Traffic Records System (SWITRS) recorded the following data:
- A total of 877 traffic-related fatalities and injuries were recorded that year. Of these, 658 were crashes.
- Alcohol-related cases amounted to 137, while drug-related accidents reached 12.
- Forty-seven cases were attributed to distracted driving, while 271 were associated with speeding.
- There were 30 pedestrians, 18 bicyclists, and 94 motorcycles involved in a traffic accident.
These overall numbers may be smaller than average, but alcohol-impaired driving is still a significant concern in the region. In 2021, the California Office of Traffic Safety (OTS) recorded 166 alcohol-related incidents.
If you’ve been victimized by drunk drivers or other negligent parties recently, speak with our attorneys. Our personal injury lawyers have experience with such cases and can assist you in understanding your legal options.
Truck Accidents
The U.S. 50 transcontinental route goes from West Sacramento to the State of Nevada and beyond. It traverses the areas of Yolo, Sacramento, and El Dorado County. It’s a major shipping route for trucks carrying freight and goods. Regrettably, this indicates that truck accidents are not uncommon. Our personal injury lawyers in El Dorado Hills and nearby cities off Highway 50 often see such cases.
Truck-related accidents often lead to catastrophic injuries and even fatalities due to the sheer weight and size of the vehicle. Victims may face long-term medical treatment and rehabilitation, which can heavily affect their financial health. Our dedicated personal injury attorneys can help the injured seek appropriate reimbursement for hospital expenses, lost wages, and emotional distress.
Uber Accidents
The rise of ridesharing services has led to more complicated personal injury claims. Uber accident cases usually involve the insurance companies of the following parties:
- Uber, if coverage applies.
- Uber driver, if any.
- Passenger(s).
- Any other party involved in the accident.
Victims will also face Uber and its insurers — corporations with substantial resources and legal teams. Having a knowledgeable legal team experienced in rideshare regulations and insurance procedures can help you navigate this process and pursue the compensation you may be entitled to under the law.
Slip And Fall Accidents
Premise liability claims cover slip-and-fall accidents. Property owners have a duty to keep their premises safe and warn visiting parties of any potential hazards. Without the proper precautions, accidents may occur due to:
- Lack of handrails
- Wet floors without signage
- Uneven surfaces
- Inadequate lighting
Such incidents can lead to injuries like sprains, fractures, or even head injuries. Our personal injury lawyers can help you pursue compensation for these injuries.
Workplace Accidents
Similarly, employers have a duty to provide a safe and secure working environment. However, even with strict safety guidelines, workplace accidents can still happen in El Dorado County. Injuries related to such incidents include TBIs, back and neck injuries, broken bones, and spinal cord injuries.
Individuals who suffer injuries while working can usually apply for workers’ compensation benefits. In certain cases, they may also be able to file a personal injury claim. Consulting with our El Dorado personal injury lawyers, who are experienced in handling workers’ comp cases, can help you understand your rights and what steps to take next.
Dog Bites & Animal Attacks
Victims of dog bites may seek compensation if the incident happened in a public place or any location where they have the legal right to be (i.e., not trespassing). As per California Civil Code 3342, the owner is strictly liable for dog bite injuries, regardless of their pet’s past behavior, when the victim is in a public place or lawfully on private property.
In addition to receiving puncture wounds, victims may also contract infections or rabies from dog bites. If not treated properly, these illnesses can cause more health issues.
Product Liability
Defective or dangerous products can also cause personal injuries. We’ve handled claims involving faulty medical devices, contaminated food products, or unsafe children’s toys. These cases often lead to injuries like:
- Poisoning
- Burns
- Lacerations
- Choking
- Other serious health issues
Victims can file product liability claims to pursue compensation for such injuries. Our El Dorado personal injury lawyers will work to pursue accountability from the liable distributors, manufacturers, or retailers in such cases.
Medical Malpractice
Healthcare providers go through extensive education and training before they’re deemed fit to serve patients. Unfortunately, even medical professionals are not immune to negligence, which may result in the following:
- Misdiagnosis.
- Prescribing the wrong medication type or dosage.
- Refusing to conduct the necessary procedures.
- Surgical procedure errors.
- Birth injuries.
- Neglecting a patient.
The personal injury lawyers at Arash Law examine all angles of a medical malpractice claim. Due to the high standard of care expected in the medical field, we work to hold negligent healthcare providers responsible and help victims seek appropriate compensation.
Wrongful Death
Regrettably, wrongful deaths are some of the most devastating cases we handle in our firm. These incidents can tragically result from various forms of negligence, such as truck collisions, workplace accidents, or medical malpractice.
When a wrongful death occurs, the surviving family member can pursue a claim. They may demand payment for medical bills, funeral expenses, and loss of income. Beyond these financial losses, the emotional and mental impact can be more profound.
Our personal injury lawyers in El Dorado understand how difficult wrongful death claims can be. We work diligently to help families seek reimbursement for their financial losses brought about by the wrongful death so they can begin the healing process.
What To Do After An Accident Leading To Personal Injuries In El Dorado
The next steps you take after an accident matter. Here are some actions to consider:
- Prioritize Safety — Get to a safe place immediately. Check yourself and anyone involved for any injuries.
- Call for Emergency Services — Dial 911. Law enforcement and medical services can provide immediate assistance, secure the scene, and see that anyone injured receives the necessary medical attention.
- Seek Medical Attention — Even if you feel fine, get checked by first responders. Some injuries aren’t noticeable at first, but a medical evaluation will discover any underlying condition. This will also document your injuries and help prove causation.
- Collect Evidence — If you can, take photos and videos of the accident scene. Note any crucial details, such as the plate numbers in car collisions, the lack of proper signage in slips and falls, or the events leading to a workplace accident.
- Get Information from Witnesses — If there are any witnesses, take their names and contact information. Ask them to share their statements so they can help strengthen your claim.
- Report to Your Insurance Company — Notify your insurance provider and offer accurate details of the accident. However, avoid making assumptions, as your words can be used against you.
- Do Not Admit Fault — Never take the blame for the accident. Don’t make any statements that may implicate you. Avoid apologizing, as this may be taken as an admission of guilt.
- Get a Legal Team — Our El Dorado lawyers experienced in personal injury cases can support you through the legal process and insurance negotiations.
Damages Personal Injury Lawyers Can Help You File A Claim For
You can seek compensation for your injury and any losses incurred in the accident. However, the actual amount depends on several factors and the type of damages, namely, economic and non-economic.
Economic Damages — The tangible financial losses that can be proven with bills or receipts are called economic damages. Some examples are:
- Medical Expenses — These include the costs of procedures, hospital visits, medications, and rehabilitation.
- Lost Wages or Earning Capacity — Proven with pay stubs and a letter from the employer.
- Property Damage — This includes damage to vehicles or personal property.
- Other Resulting Financial Losses — These are related to personal injury, such as home modifications, hiring a caretaker, or getting babysitting services.
Non-Economic Damages — Intangible losses are referred to as non-economic damages. They are harder to quantify because there’s no amount attached to them. Nonetheless, they are no less significant than economic damages. Non-economic losses may include:
- Pain and Suffering — Pertains to the effect on one’s physical, mental, and emotional well-being.
- Loss of Enjoyment of Life — May consist of the inability to do everyday activities or hobbies.
- Loss of Companionship — The loss of support and affection of a family member due to the accident.
Estimating your claim’s value takes plenty of work to do yourself. Even when you ask for an insurer’s help, they might offer much less than the amount you need. Our El Dorado personal injury attorneys can help you quantify your claim and work to negotiate for the compensation available under California law.
December 2016: $22M+ verdict in a mild traumatic brain injury case. The entire details of the case can be found in the public record filings by the defendant entity that sued its defense.– BRIAN BEECHER
What Is The Statute Of Limitations For Filing A Personal Injury Claim In El Dorado?
The statute of limitations is the time limit for filing claims and other civil actions. In California, the general statute of limitations for personal injuries is two years from the date of the accident or discovery of the injury. El Dorado also follows the same deadline.
That said, some exceptions apply based on the specific claim. Tolling may also be implemented. This is when the deadline is paused until the case fulfills certain criteria. Here are some important things to note:
- Medical Malpractice — Victims have three years to file a lawsuit.
- Plaintiff is a Minor — The time limit will be tolled until the minor turns 18.
- Defendant is in Prison, out of State, or Mentally Incapacitated — The statute of limitations takes effect when the defendant is out of prison, within the state boundaries, or considered mentally sane.
If you have any questions, don’t hesitate to reach out to the experienced personal injury lawyers serving El Dorado. Contact us and we’ll review your case and explain the applicable deadlines.
Frequently Asked Questions About El Dorado Personal Injuries
How Much Can I Sue For Pain And Suffering In El Dorado County?
There’s no limit to the amount of non-economic damages, such as pain and suffering, you can pursue from personal injury claims in El Dorado County and the rest of California. The only exception is medical malpractice, where the amount is capped at $250,000.
If you want to know how much your case may be worth, our El Dorado personal injury lawyers can help evaluate your damages. You can contact us 24/7 for a case review, so feel free to call us if you have any legal concerns.
Do I Have To Pay Taxes On A Personal Injury Settlement?
It depends on the damages you recover. According to federal and state laws, compensatory (economic & non-economic) damages are generally non-taxable. The compensation you receive for your physical injuries and the emotional distress related to them isn’t taxable, although you can still file them with the Internal Revenue Service (IRS). However, punitive damages must be filed as income and may be taxed by the IRS.
We acknowledge that this may be confusing. Our personal injury lawyers in El Dorado County can explain these tax issues to you in more detail so you can understand what you need to do.
Can I Still File A Claim In El Dorado If I’m Undocumented?
Yes. Your immigration status should not affect your eligibility to file a claim and receive compensation in any way. You are also entitled to the same damages as regular and documented U.S. citizens. Similarly, even if you are undocumented, you can file a lawsuit against an at-fault party that refuses to settle.
Please don’t hesitate to disclose your immigration status to your lawyers. Our El Dorado personal injury attorneys will maintain confidentiality, subject to legal requirements.
Consult Our Committed Personal Injury Lawyers Serving El Dorado!
Being injured by someone else’s negligence can be devastating. It affects every aspect of your life. Arash Law knows well just how overwhelming it can be. There’s the financial burden of medical bills, physical pain, and emotional distress. However, you don’t have to navigate these challenges alone.
Our experienced El Dorado personal injury lawyers, led by Arash Khorsandi, Esq., are here to help. We will advocate for your legal rights as we negotiate with insurance companies. Contact us at (888) 488-1391, and our team will gladly address your questions and concerns.
Our personal injury attorneys also offer legal services to the neighboring areas of Tahoe City, Carson City, Indian Hills, Garnerville, Markleeville, Bear Valley, Pioneer, Sutter Creek, Jackson, Plymouth, Elk Grove, Galt, Sacramento, Folsom, Roseville, Lincoln, Wheatland, Colfax, and Gold Run.
You can consult with us at home, at work, or online. We can also meet you at your location within our service area or even provide complimentary transportation.
