Fresno Personal Injury Lawyers
- Establishing Liability in Injury Cases
- Speak With a Lawyer Who Offers No-Fees and a Free Consultation
- Call Our Firm Today and Speak to an Aggressive Personal Injury Lawyer
- How Personal Injury Law Works
- Different Categories of Personal Injury Accidents
- Contact a Personal Injury Lawyer Fresno Locals Recommend
- Frequently Asked Questions Regarding Personal Injury Cases
- The Causes and Conditions That Give Rise to Accidents in Fresno
- The Personal Injury Lawyers at Our Firm Can Help You Pursue the Financial Compensation You Deserve
- Can I Afford a Personal Injury Lawyer?
- What Can I Do to Determine If I Have a Personal Injury Claim?
- Is It Absolutely Necessary for Me to Retain a Personal Injury Lawyer?
- What If My Bodily Injuries Seem Minor? Should I Retain a Fresno Personal Injury Lawyer?
- Should I Speak With the Insurance Claims Adjuster After Suffering Injuries During an Accident?
- Do I Need to Ask Specific Questions When I Meet With My Personal Injury Lawyer?
- If You Are Seeking a Personal Injury Lawyer, Contact Our Firm
- Experience and Compassion Are Important at Our Award Winning Law Firm
- Personal Injury Law Firm
- Legal Representation From a Personal Injury Lawyer
- Fresno and Personal Injury Cases
- Must I Retain a Personal Injury Lawyer If an Insurance Company Offers Me a Settlement?
- I Do Not Have Money to Pay a Personal Injury Lawyer. Can I Still Bring a Lawsuit?
- Four Things That Can Harm Your Personal Injury Case
- Things to Avoid When Filing a Personal Injury Claim
The Fresno personal injury lawyers at our award winning law firm offer skilled legal representation to those who have suffered injuries during accidents. We serve clients in Fresno and throughout California. The attorneys at our Fresno law firm have decades of experience obtaining monetary compensation for injured victims through judgments and settlements.
The personal injury lawyers at our firm also host continuing education seminars and courses to help other attorneys learn more about personal injury law. If you suffered personal injuries during an accident caused by another party’s negligence, contact our Fresno personal injury lawyers to schedule a free consultation. Our experienced team of personal injury lawyers can help you pursue financial compensation for your injuries.
The Fresno personal injury lawyers at our award winning law firm offer skilled legal representation to those who have suffered injuries during accidents. We serve clients in Fresno and throughout California. The attorneys at our Fresno law firm have decades of experience obtaining monetary compensation for injured victims through judgments and settlements.
The personal injury lawyers at our firm also host continuing education seminars and courses to help other attorneys learn more about personal injury law. If you suffered personal injuries during an accident caused by another party’s negligence, contact our Fresno personal injury lawyers to schedule a free consultation. Our experienced team of personal injury lawyers can help you pursue financial compensation for your injuries.
Timeline for Personal Injury Cases
The first thing to do after you suffer personal injuries is to complete all recommended medical treatment so you can heal from your pain and suffering. At the conclusion of your medical treatment, a personal injury lawyer will collect your medical records, medical bills, and other pertinent documents to craft a demand letter addressed to the responsible party’s insurance company.
The insurance company representatives will analyze the demand letter’s contents and begin settlement discussions with your personal injury lawyer. The representative is often an insurance claims adjuster. The responsible party’s insurance company will transmit a low settlement offer. Your personal injury lawyer will communicate with you and explain the details regarding the settlement offer.
Typically, your personal injury lawyer will recommend responding to the insurance company’s representative with a counteroffer. You are the client, and only you can accept or reject a settlement offer. Your personal injury lawyer will advise you on the best course of action to take, but the ultimate decision to accept or reject a settlement offer rests with you.
The personal injury lawyer representing you will negotiate with the insurance company on your behalf. If a settlement agreement cannot be reached, then your personal injury lawyer will file a civil complaint, which is the legal pleading that initiates a lawsuit.
Our client was driving with his wife and son on a two-lane highway when a drunk driver crossed the double yellow lines, causing a head-on collision that claimed the life of a loving wife and mother.– Arash Khorsandi
Filing the Complaint
The statute of limitations in California is two years from the date of the accident. This particular statute of limitations applies to personal injury cases. A personal injury lawyer will file a complaint, and then the lawyer will serve the defendant with a copy of the summons and the complaint within sixty days of the complaint being filed with the court.
Once the defendant is served with a copy of the summons and the complaint, known as “service of process,” the responsible party must have their attorney file an answer within thirty days of the date of service. The complaint and the answer are both pleadings. Once the answer is filed, the discovery phase will begin. The litigation process can take months or years to resolve before the case proceeds to trial.
Mediation
Mediation is a form of alternative dispute resolution. These alternative forms of dispute resolution help preserve judicial efficiency and reduce the number of cases on judges’ dockets. Mediation has several advantages that make it a more attractive option than a trial. First, the cost is lower than a full trial. Litigation costs time and money, but mediation can proceed quickly and resolve your case sooner rather than later.
The plaintiff and defendant are forced to communicate with each other in the presence of a mediator. Mediators understand how negotiations work, and this neutral party often helps the plaintiff and defendant reach a settlement. The mediator will meet with both parties and discuss the compromises that need to be made to settle the dispute. Either party can leave the mediation proceedings at any time.
In general, the entire mediation lasts one or two days. If both parties agree to settlement terms and no other disputes remain, the case will be settled approximately two to six weeks after the mediation.
Arbitration
Another form of alternative dispute resolution is arbitration. Much like mediation, arbitration involves both parties to a lawsuit and a neutral party called an arbitrator. Arbitration is similar to litigation, and the arbitrator is often a retired judge or attorney who has received extensive training in arbitration. Both parties set forth arguments and their perspective in front of the arbitrator. The parties also choose and agree on which individual will arbitrate the case.
Arbitrators are often experienced and respected legal professionals who take the role of arbitrator seriously. The arbitrator will consider the facts and arguments of both the plaintiff and the defendant. Arbitration is a more restricted form of alternative dispute resolution. An arbitrator’s ruling is binding on both the plaintiff and the defendant. Therefore, it is imperative that clients understand all the positive and negative aspects of arbitration.
Economic Damages
If you have suffered injuries during an accident caused by another party’s negligence, you are entitled to financial compensation for your injuries. Economic damages are those damages that are quantifiable and include lost wages, lost future earnings, medical bills, and the costs of rehabilitation such as physical therapy and chiropractic treatment.
Non-Economic Damages
Non-economic damages are not quantifiable. No specific number can be calculated to represent non-economic damages. These damages are subjective and specific to the individual who suffered personal injuries. Common examples of non-economic damages include:
- Grief
- Inconvenience
- Lost limbs due to physical trauma or amputation
- Loss of consortium
- Pain and suffering
- Emotional trauma
- Humiliation
- Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)
- Anxiety
- Shock
- Grief
- Inconvenience
- Lost limbs due to physical trauma or amputation
- Loss of consortium
- Pain and suffering
- Emotional trauma
- Humiliation
- Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)
- Anxiety
- Shock
Punitive Damages
Punitive damages are unique, and they are not automatically awarded or even considered in all personal injury cases. California Civil Code § 3294(a) states, “Where it is proven by clear and convincing evidence that the defendant has been guilty of oppression, fraud, or malice, the plaintiff, in addition to the actual damages, may recover damages for the sake of example and by way of punishing the defendant.” Punitive damages are reserved for egregious conduct.
Often, punitive damages are reserved for negligent actions that harm society as a whole and not one plaintiff. For example, toxic fumes from a power plant may harm everyone near the plant and thus constitute egregious conduct. You need to speak with a personal injury lawyer at our award-winning Fresno law firm if you believe you are entitled to punitive damages. A skilled and knowledgeable personal injury lawyer can help you determine whether you should claim punitive damages.
California is a populous state, and Fresno contains approximately one million residents. Fresno is the fifth most populated city in California and the 34th largest urban region in the United States. Commercial trucking and agriculture are two of the largest economic engines in this area of California. Although these two sectors of the economy generate jobs and wealth, they also contribute to traffic congestion and traffic accidents.
Arash Khorsandi’s team of Fresno personal injury lawyers at Arash Law have decades of experience representing clients throughout California. If you need a trucking accident lawyer or a motorcycle accident lawyer, contact our law firm at (888) 488-1391 to schedule a free consultation. We have collected over $500 Million for injured victims in California.
Establishing Liability in Fresno Injury Cases
If you want to pursue the monetary compensation you deserve and hold the responsible party liable, you need to present concrete evidence that a specific person or business entity committed a negligent action, and this negligent action caused your injuries. An experienced and knowledgeable personal injury lawyer at our law firm can help you stand up to insurance companies and establish the liability of the defendant.
Accidents are all unique, and specific facts and circumstances will influence how your case proceeds. The evidence you need to present to establish liability will depend on the specific injuries you suffered and the type of accident in which you suffered those injuries. The following are some of the most common types of evidence presented in personal injury cases:
- Eyewitness testimony
- Photographs
- Surveillance videos
- Videos recorded at the accident scene
- Traffic collision reports
- Eyewitness testimony
- Photographs
- Surveillance videos
- Videos recorded at the accident scene
- Traffic collision reports
A knowledgeable and skilled personal injury lawyer at our prized law firm can help you obtain the evidence you need to establish the liability of the defendant. If a personal injury case goes to trial, a talented lawyer will do everything in their power to demonstrate to the court that you are entitled to financial compensation for your injuries. The personal injury lawyers at Arash Law led by Arash Khorsandi, Esq. understand how to present evidence that will help you pursue the monetary compensation you deserve.
Clear and convincing evidence is the burden of proof in civil cases. Beyond a reasonable doubt is the burden of proof in criminal cases. These burdens of proof are not the same, and sometimes a party may not be found criminally liable but will be found civilly liable. Civil cases require a less stringent burden of proof to establish liability.
Speak With a Lawyer Who Offers No-Fees and a Free Consultation
The Fresno personal injury lawyers at our law firm in California have decades of experience representing clients who have suffered personal injuries. We understand how frustrating and angry clients can feel after suffering a serious bodily injury during an accident. The attorneys at Arash Law managed by Arash Khorsandi Esq. know how financially debilitating treatment costs can be after an accident.
We offer the No Fee Guarantee at our firm. You do not pay any fees at the beginning of your case or during the entire course of your personal injury case. If we do not recover financial compensation on your behalf, you do not pay anything for the legal services provided by the firm.
You do not have to worry about legal fees compounding the frustration you already experience due to medical bills, lost wages, and physical pain. The initial consultation at our prized personal injury law firm is available at no cost to you. You can focus on recovering from your injuries, and our Fresno personal injury lawyers will handle every aspect of your personal injury case.
Call Our Firm Today and Speak to an Aggressive Fresno Personal Injury Lawyer
Healing from your physical and psychological injuries requires time and patience. You can call our personal injury law firm today and begin the process that will help you pursue the financial compensation you deserve. The Fresno personal injury lawyers at Arash Law headed by Arash Khorsandi have decades of experience representing clients in California. We have recovered over $500 million for injured victims. Call our injury law firm today at (888) 488-1391 to schedule a free consultation. We can discuss the facts of your case and the legal services we offer.
How Personal Injury Law Works in Fresno, California
Fresno residents face the realities associated with personal injuries and accidents every day. Civil lawsuits are filed quite often in Fresno, but many residents do not know they are entitled to financial compensation for their injuries. Under California law, if an individual suffered injuries during an accident caused by another party’s negligent or reckless actions, then the injured person can sue the responsible party.
The injuries suffered by individual accident victims are unique and distinct. No two accidents or personal injury cases are exactly alike. Personal injury actions may arise from wrongful death, products liability, and many other theories of liability. The specific factors associated with your injuries will determine the approach your personal injury lawyer takes in representing you in a civil case.
If you suffered injuries in Fresno, you need to consult an experienced and knowledgeable Fresno personal injury attorney. Contact us today to schedule a free consultation and learn more about the legal services we offer. We serve clients in San Francisco, Riverside, Sacramento, San Jose, Los Angeles, San Diego, Sherman Oaks, and throughout California. We have collected over $500 million for clients across the state.
Different Categories of Personal Injury Accidents in Fresno
Injured victims who have suffered personal injuries in Fresno may have been involved in many different types of accidents. The following are some of the most common personal injury accidents that occur in Fresno:
- Slip and fall accidents
- Pedestrian accidents
- Bicycle accidents
- Motorcycle accidents
- Trucking accidents
- Tractor-trailer accidents
- Motor vehicle accidents
- Slip and fall accidents
- Pedestrian accidents
- Bicycle accidents
- Motorcycle accidents
- Trucking accidents
- Tractor-trailer accidents
- Motor vehicle accidents
Many personal injury accidents in Fresno do not involve automobiles or trucks. The personal injury lawyers at our award winning law firm have decades of experience representing clients in the accidents listed below:
- Wrongful death cases that arise when a party’s negligent actions cause the death of another person.
- Motor vehicle accidents involving underinsured motorists and uninsured motorists.
- Products liability cases concerning defective products that create unreasonably dangerous conditions, such as faulty airbags and safety systems.
- Cases concerning premises liability accidents that occur on residential property, government property, and commercial property. Items of merchandise may also be stacked improperly and fall on an unsuspecting victim. Also, premises liability cases may concern security breaches at event centers, casinos, restaurants, and hotels.
The Time Required to Receive Financial Compensation
You may want to know how much financial compensation you can claim as part of your personal injury lawsuit. Although exceptions always exist, the amount of monetary compensation you can claim depends on the nature of your injuries and the amount of damages you suffered. Many different types of damages are recognized under California law. The following are some of the most common types of damages in California:
- Loss of enjoyment of life
- Pain and suffering
- Disfigurement
- Temporary or permanent disability
- Lost wages
- Medical expenses
- Loss of enjoyment of life
- Pain and suffering
- Disfigurement
- Temporary or permanent disability
- Lost wages
- Medical expenses
The length of time required for a personal injury case to resolve depends on the specific type of claims associated with the lawsuit and the nature of the client’s injuries. Also, every fact and circumstance surrounding the accident is relevant to a personal injury case. The responsible party’s insurance coverage and policy limits also influence how long it may take to resolve a personal injury case.
Many personal injury cases may conclude in a short amount of time if liability is not contested and the injuries are straightforward and substantiated by evidence. More complex personal injury cases may not resolve for one or two years. Court calls can complicate cases and cause delays.
The injured victim should not attempt to resolve a personal injury case on their own. The nuances and pitfalls of personal injury law can make it less likely that an injured victim will recover financial compensation without the assistance of a personal injury lawyer. A Fresno personal injury lawyer led by Arash Khorsandi Esq. can help you pursue monetary compensation for your injuries. Contact us today to schedule a free consultation and learn more about the legal services we offer.
Do Not Assist Defense Attorneys or Insurance Companies With Their Case
An insurance claim adjuster may call or email you after you suffer injuries in an accident. Do not believe that the representatives of the insurance company have your best interests in mind. The insurance companies are interested in securing more profit and paying out as little money as possible for injury claims.
An insurance company representative may request that you make a recorded statement over the telephone. Do not agree to make any recorded statements regarding liability or the causes of the accident. The insurance company representative is calling you to have you unwittingly admit liability and record a statement that can be used against you in the future.
You may be accused of pretending to be injured. You are not required under California law to provide an insurance company with any oral or written statement without your attorney being present. Refuse to provide the insurance company with a statement. The claim adjuster or representative may be friendly and nice, but do not hesitate to remain firm and state that you will be speaking with a personal injury lawyer. Call us and schedule a free consultation during which we can discuss the facts of your case.
Contact a Personal Injury Lawyer Fresno Locals Recommend
Frequently Asked Questions Regarding Personal Injury Cases
The following are some of the most commonly asked questions regarding personal injury cases in California.
Nearly all Fresno personal injury lawyers work on a contingency fee basis. When an attorney accepts payment on a contingency fee basis, it means that the client does not have to pay the attorney unless the attorney recovers financial compensation for the client. Most Fresno personal injury lawyers charge 33 percent of the final settlement amount. Fees and costs are deducted from the final settlement amount.
The personal injury attorneys at our firm offer skilled legal representation. We have decades of experience representing clients throughout California. We have recovered over $500 million for injured victims. Every attorney at Arash Law led by Arash Khorsandi Esq. strives to achieve optimum results for every client who has suffered injuries during an accident.
Facing physical injuries, mounting medical bills, and lost wages can make dealing with the legal system seem intimidating and hopeless. The attorneys at our firm use a focused method involving direct and strong case strategies. We want to provide you with excellent legal representation and help you pursue monetary compensation for your injuries.
The attorneys at our personal injury law firm will present with you realistic expectations regarding the possible outcome of your personal injury case. We will always fight for your legal rights and stand up to the insurance companies. Contact us today at (888) 488-1391 to schedule a free consultation. We can discuss the facts of your case and the legal services we offer. Call us today if any of the following caused your personal injuries:
- Physical, emotional, or psychological trauma caused by another party’s negligent actions
- A construction site accident or workplace injury
- Accidents that resulted in wrongful death
- Drowning accidents
- Nursing home abuse
- Medical malpractice
- Dental malpractice
- Legal malpractice
- Premises liability accidents resulting from unreasonably dangerous conditions
- Pedestrian accidents
- Motor vehicle accidents
- Trucking accidents
- Boating accidents
- Aviation accidents
After suffering personal injuries during an accident, you need to seek medical treatment as soon as possible. If any person attempts to interview you at the accident scene, do not make any oral or written statements. Also, do not sign any documents in which you admit liability.
Take photographs of the accident scene, your bodily injuries, and the surrounding weather conditions. Make copies of any documents related to the accident and any corresponding investigation. Don’t accept any settlement offers from insurance companies. Speak to a personal injury lawyer before you speak to any insurance company representative. A personal injury lawyer will negotiate with insurance companies and their representatives.
An initial settlement offer is likely to be much lower than the policy limits amount. You do not want to accept an initial settlement and waive your right to further monetary compensation. You may not notice the symptoms of injuries that only become discernible months after the date of the incident. Do not accept a low settlement offer for catastrophic injuries, including amputated limbs, traumatic brain injuries, and spinal cord injuries.
A Fresno personal injury lawyer at Arash Law headed by Arash Khorsandi can work on every aspect of your personal injury case. The attorneys at our Fresno law firm offer clients reasonable advice regarding their personal injury claims. As an injured victim, you can recover damages for psychological pain, emotional trauma, lost wages, lost future earnings, and past, current, and future medical bills.
Personal injury lawyers are knowledgeable about tort law and negligence. Many insurance companies will not help injured victims understand their legal rights. In fact, insurance companies often take advantage of claimants who are not represented by a personal injury lawyer.
Insurance claim adjusters report to their superiors within the insurance company hierarchy. The insurance company employees all have the same goal: to increase the insurance company’s profits and decrease the amounts paid to personal injury victims. If you retain a personal injury lawyer who understands the legal system, you will have an advocate who can negotiate on your behalf.
Also, you are more likely to obtain the financial compensation you deserve if you are represented by a personal injury lawyer. Personal injury lawyers do not stop working on your behalf after reaching a settlement agreement with an insurance company. Your personal injury lawyer will perform any additional tasks that are necessary to the resolution of your personal injury case.
Retaining a personal injury lawyer will provide you with confidence and assurance. If you have a legal professional zealously representing your legal interests, then you can focus on healing from your injuries and moving on with your life. Personal injury lawyers hold insurance companies accountable by working hard to obtain financial compensation for your injuries.
You need to retain a personal injury lawyer as soon as possible after suffering personal injuries during an accident. Working with a personal injury lawyer will make your case stronger. You will also be more likely to recover monetary compensation.
Seek advice from friends, family members, and acquaintances. You should query any attorneys you happen to know and ask which personal injury lawyers they recommend. You can also go to any search engine and begin looking for personal injury lawyers in Fresno.
In the majority of personal injury cases, the client pays no fees before the parties reach a settlement agreement. Most personal injury lawyers are paid on a contingency fee basis. Typically, a personal injury lawyer will deduct a 33 percent fee from the final settlement amount. If the case goes to trial, most personal injury lawyers raise their contingency fee to 40 percent. Medical malpractice and accidents affecting minors require different contingency fee rates.
It is important that you communicate with your personal injury lawyer and have a sense of camaraderie with them. You should consult with your personal injury lawyer in person. Retaining a personal injury lawyer in your local area is better than retaining a lawyer who works at a great distance from you. You also need to speak to the lawyer and not legal assistants or paralegals.
You may have several questions after you leave your initial consultation. A reputable lawyer will ask you if you have any questions and provide you with general information regarding personal injury cases. Also, a personal injury lawyer should ask you if you have any specific questions regarding your case or personal injury law in general.
You need to review what you went over during your initial consultation and ask any questions you have about your injuries, the cause of the accident, and eyewitnesses. You may also need to speak with a personal injury lawyer regarding your medical treatment. Other questions may concern facts related to other cases, including workers’ compensation cases, medical malpractice cases, and family law cases.
Contact our car accident law firm today to speak to a Fresno personal injury lawyer. We have recovered over $500 million for clients in California. We have decades of experience helping clients pursue financial compensation for their injuries. Every injured victim deserves to benefit from the legal system in the United States.
The personal injury lawyers at Arash Law headed by Arash Khorsandi Esq. do not charge clients any fees before recovering financial compensation. The Fresno personal injury lawyers at our firm adapt their working hours to meet their clients’ needs. Our attorneys will return your phone calls and offer you answers and explanations regarding your personal injury case.
The office staff members at our award winning law firm can speak Spanish, French, and English. Arash Law and the team of talented attorneys led by Arash Khorsandi Esq. serve clients in San Francisco, Riverside, Sacramento, San Jose, Los Angeles, San Diego, Sherman Oaks, and Fresno. We have collected over $500 million for clients across the state. Call us today at (888) 488-1391 to schedule a free consultation and learn more about the legal services we offer.
The Causes and Conditions That Give Rise to Accidents in Fresno
The city of Fresno is a densely populated urban area and the largest city in California that is not situated on the coast. Major interstates, busy highways, and state roads connect the San Joaquin Valley and Fresno County. Home to approximately half a million people, Fresno’s streets and highways are often busy and congested.
These traffic conditions cause many accidents on the highways and roadways in Fresno. Our personal injury lawyers have decades of experience representing pedestrians and motorists who have suffered injuries during traffic accidents. Retaining a personal injury lawyer in Fresno may seem like an intimidating and stressful thing to go through alone. You may have lost a spouse or other family member in a devastating accident.
You may have difficulty choosing a personal injury lawyer in Fresno due to the stress and anxiety caused by your injuries. First, you need to determine what type of personal injury case you are dealing with in your life. Not every personal injury lawyer has expertise in all types of personal injury cases. Some cases are more specialized than others and require knowledge of employment law, trusts, and real estate law.
You should always retain a personal injury lawyer who has experience trying cases similar to yours. Call a personal injury lawyer today to schedule a free consultation. You can reach our office at (888) 488-1391 to learn more about the legal services we offer.
Largest motorcycle settlement in Tulare County in 2021; client suffered spinal and wrist injuries.– Judd Ross Allen
The Personal Injury Lawyers at Our Firm Can Help You Pursue the Financial Compensation You Deserve
Our Fresno personal injury lawyers enjoy assisting clients with the questions they have regarding personal injury law. We can help you analyze different aspects of your case, understand your legal options, and seek monetary compensation for your injuries. The personal injury laws in California can be complex, and a personal injury lawyer can help you understand ambiguities and contradictions in the law.
Specific statutes, code sections, and court decisions can influence the outcome of your personal injury case. Also, you need to understand how the statute of limitations applies to your case. Our Fresno personal injury lawyers will perform a comprehensive analysis of the individual or business entity responsible for your injuries. We can also investigate all relevant insurance policies that apply to your personal injury case.
Can I Afford a Fresno Personal Injury Lawyer?
You do not have to pay exorbitant retainer fees to hire a personal injury lawyer in Fresno. The initial consultation is free, and during this meeting, we will discuss the facts of your case. The Fresno personal injury lawyers at Arash Law managed and operated by Arash Khorsandi, Esq. work on a contingency fee basis, meaning we only collect a fee if we recover financial compensation for your injuries.
Financial compensation may come in the form of a court award or a settlement agreement. You do not owe any costs during the entire process of your personal injury case. The contingency fee is deducted after the case settles or is resolved through trial.
What Can I Do to Determine If I Have a Personal Injury Claim?
Is It Absolutely Necessary for Me to Retain a Personal Injury Lawyer?
Retaining a personal injury lawyer to represent you in your personal injury case is the best thing you can do after seeking medical treatment for your injuries. You may have to stand up against a global corporation or a large insurance company. You will likely be offered a low settlement offer if you attempt to pursue your personal injury case on your own. Insurance companies can deny your claims and delay the litigation process or use your limited knowledge of the law against you.
If you retain a personal injury lawyer, you will save time by letting the insurance companies know that you are serious about seeking financial compensation for your injuries. The threat of litigation brought by a personal injury lawyer can make it more likely that an insurance company will offer you a just settlement amount.
What If My Bodily Injuries Seem Minor? Should I Retain a Fresno Personal Injury Lawyer?
Although you may believe your injuries are minor, it is in your best interest to retain a personal injury lawyer as soon as possible after you seek medical treatment. Medical conditions may not produce discernible symptoms until months after the date of the accident that caused your injuries. You also may not feel pain until hours after the accident. A medical professional can examine you, and a personal injury lawyer can recommend specialists for you to see to ensure that your injuries are accounted for and documented.
What Am I Supposed to Do for Income While My Case Proceeds?
Insurance companies do not pay out on claims until the parties sign a settlement agreement. It may help you out financially if you take advantage of any accrued vacation time or sick time. These wages may help compensate you for the wages you cannot earn while recovering from your injuries. Disability benefits are also an option, and these are typically available through your employer. A Fresno personal injury lawyer can offer you advice regarding lost wages and explain the legal options available to you.
What If I Have Unpaid Medical Bills Related to My Injuries?
Along with lost wages and lost future earnings, insurance companies will not pay medical bills until both parties sign a settlement agreement or the insurance company admits liability. If you have personal injury protection insurance, you might have some of your medical bills paid if you suffered injuries during a traffic collision.
If you are covered under a health insurance plan, you can have many of your medical bills paid through the health insurance provider. If you suffered injuries while working within the course and scope of employment, you could use workers’ compensation benefits to pay your medical expenses. The insurers paying your medical bills may expect you to return the payments once you accept a settlement offer.
Physicians and medical facilities may hesitate to contact reporting agencies and credit bureaus if you demonstrate that you have retained a personal injury lawyer and are working toward a settlement agreement.
How Much Time Do I Have to File a Personal Injury Claim in Fresno?
The statute of limitations in California for personal injury actions is two years from the date of the injury. You may not have discovered your injuries immediately after being involved in an accident. In this case, you have one year from the date you discover the injuries to file a personal injury action in California.
Two years can pass sooner than you think when you are recovering from serious bodily injuries. Seeking financial compensation for your injuries requires time and dedication. A personal injury lawyer will require time to analyze medical records, read police reports, and begin an investigation of the accident. Settlement negotiations may also take time to resolve. Also, the discovery phase of litigation can consume enormous amounts of time. You may need to hire expert witnesses to make your case stranger.
Should I Speak With the Insurance Claims Adjuster After Suffering Injuries During an Accident?
No, you should not share information with any representative of an insurance company after you suffer injuries during an accident. You may need to provide the insurance claim adjuster with basic contact information such as the location, time, and date of the accident that caused your injuries. Also, you may need to provide the insurance company with your personal injury lawyer’s contact information.
Insurance companies use nefarious tactics to manipulate you into admitting liability. Do not make any recorded statement to an insurance company. Do not consent to be recorded. The insurance companies are trying to avoid paying you anything for your injuries. Retaining a personal injury lawyer will help offset some of the consequences of these tactics insurance companies use to delay and deny claims.
Will My Personal Injury Case Settle for a Specific Amount of Money?
The economic value of a personal injury case is variable and can change as the case proceeds. The facts and circumstances associated with the case can influence how much a case may be worth. For example, the severity of your injuries will influence the amount of damages you claim. You may have lost the ability to engage in your favorite hobbies or work in your chosen profession. These factors will affect the total settlement amount of your personal injury case.
You may also have suffered long-term consequences associated with a traumatic brain injury or a spinal cord injury. You may suffer from problems related to cognition. Our firm’s personal injury lawyer can help you calculate the total damages related to your case.
Which Types of Damages May I Recover in My Personal Injury Case?
Plaintiffs in California can claim three different types of damages in a personal injury case: economic damages, non-economic damages, and punitive damages. Economic damages and non-economic damages are compensatory damages. Punitive damages are not always awarded but are designed to punish a defendant for particularly egregious behavior and to deter the defendant from committing the same act in the future. Economic damages and non-economic damages are designed to compensate injured victims for their injuries.
Economic Damages
Economic damages are also known as special damages. Economic damages are quantifiable and have a specific number value associated with them. The following are some of the most common types of economic damages:
- Cremation expenses, burial fees, and funeral costs.
- Any upgrades to your home or car that are necessitated by injuries you endured that caused you to use a wheelchair or other device.
- Physical aids such as walkers, wheelchairs, and medical devices
- Replacements and repair costs for damaged property.
- Costs associated with psychotherapy, cognitive behavioral therapy, and other therapeutic treatments.
- Lost future earnings for the period of time you will miss work after the case settles or is resolved through trial. Lost future earnings may include lost wages if you can no longer perform your former job and must accept a lower-paying position.
- Lost earnings for the time from the date of the accident to the date that the parties sign a settlement agreement or the case is resolved through trial.
- Future medical bills associated with injuries caused by the accident and from which the individual will continue to suffer after the case settles or is resolved through trial.
- Past medical bills dating from the time of the accident up until the case settles or is resolved through trial.
Non-Economic Damages
Non-economic damages are also known as general damages. Non-economic damages are not quantifiable. The following are some of the most common types of non-economic damages:
- Disfigurement or scarring
- Inconvenience
- Limb loss
- Amputation
- Loss of use of limbs, such as hands or feet
- Loss of use of bodily functions, such as smell or vision
- Loss of consortium
- Loss of companionship
- Loss of enjoyment of life
- Emotional trauma
- Pain and suffering
- Disfigurement or scarring
- Inconvenience
- Limb loss
- Amputation
- Loss of use of limbs, such as hands or feet
- Loss of use of bodily functions, such as smell or vision
- Loss of consortium
- Loss of companionship
- Loss of enjoyment of life
- Emotional trauma
- Pain and suffering
Punitive Damages
Do I Need to Ask Specific Questions When I Meet With My Personal Injury Lawyer?
The initial consultation you have with a personal injury lawyer can help you learn more about your legal rights. The following are the types of questions you should ask your personal injury lawyer:
- Are any lawyers in your firm board-certified? Are you board-certified?
- Are you an active member of any legal organizations?
- Have you asked for punitive damages in any past cases?
- How many of your cases have proceeded through a trial?
- Is a particular lawyer working on my case? How many years has that personal injury lawyer practiced this area of law?
- How many years has this law firm practiced personal injury law?
- Do you work on specific types of cases more often than others?
- Do you take any cases on a referral basis from other legal professionals?
- Do you speak with your clients on the telephone? Do you use text as a means of communication?
- In cases similar to mine, what has been the usual settlement amount?
- Have you won cases similar to mine in court?
- How many personal injury cases have you settled?
If You Are Seeking a Fresno Personal Injury Lawyer, Contact Our Firm in California
Clients need to understand that personal injury cases can be extremely complex and frustrating. Accidents often involve more than one responsible party and many insurance companies. Cases appearing to be straightforward can become more ambiguous once facts are revealed during the discovery phase.
During traffic collision cases, the insurance company representing the negligent driver will have a defense lawyer. The other driver may also retain a defense attorney. Also, your own insurance company will have an attorney. If more than one driver suffered injuries during the accident, then ever more attorneys will be involved in the case.
A driver may have been operating a commercial vehicle such as a delivery truck. Multiple insurance companies may be involved in the litigation. Attempting to deal with these parties without your own personal injury lawyer will expose you to problems that a trained legal professional can help you avoid.
Contact Arash Law and the team led by Arash Khorsandi Esq. at (888) 488-1391 to schedule a free consultation during which we can discuss the facts of your case. We have recovered over $500 million for clients throughout California. We have decades of experience representing clients in personal injury cases. Our Fresno personal injury lawyers are here to help you pursue financial compensation for your injuries.
Experience and Compassion Are Important at Our Award Winning Law Firm
Our personal injury lawyers value each and every client. We understand how difficult it is to recover from the physical, emotional, and psychological trauma caused by a serious accident. We want to help you recover financial compensation for lost earnings, mental suffering, lost future earnings, and your future healthcare needs. Also, you can recover financial compensation for any property that was damaged or destroyed in the accident.
Our Fresno personal injury lawyers constantly inform themselves of any updated changes in California law. When you speak with a personal injury lawyer at our law firm, you will receive reliable and accurate legal advice.
Contact us if you have suffered injuries during an accident. The Fresno personal injury lawyers at Arash Law headed by Arash Khorsandi Esq. are here to help you with every aspect of your case. Call the Fresno office at (888) 488-1391 to schedule a free consultation and learn more about the legal services we offer. We can help you pursue the monetary compensation you deserve.
Fresno Personal Injury Law Firm
Our Fresno personal injury lawyers have decades of experience representing clients in personal injury cases. We have recovered over $500 million for clients throughout California. We are dedicated legal professionals who value our clients and treat them with the respect and dignity they deserve.
The lawyers at Arash Law created by Arash Khorsandi, Esq. work on a contingency fee basis. You will not have to pay any fees or costs unless we recover a financial award on your behalf. We will deduct our fee from the final settlement amount. The founding lawyer, Arash Khorsandi, values each and every client; he believes the client is the most important part of each and every case. These humane principles have made our firm one of the most successful law firms in California.
Seek Legal Advice Regarding Your Personal Injury Case
If you have concerns or questions regarding the field of personal injury, you can contact us to schedule a free consultation during which we can address any of your questions. The staff and attorneys at our prized law firm can provide clear explanations to your questions. We can also help you understand your own case better and how you can deal with the consequences of your injuries.
Serious accidents happen across the United States all the time. Millions of doctor visits and emergency room visits each year arise from accidents. Oftentimes no one is at fault for an accident. Yet sometimes, a party commits a negligent act and causes serious bodily injury or death. In these cases, it is necessary to seek out a personal injury lawyer and demand monetary compensation.
If you suffered injuries during an accident, you could seek financial compensation for your injuries. Under California law, injured victims can seek money damages for the emotional harm and physical harm they endured during an accident. Injured victims may also seek damages for lost earning capacity, lost earnings, and medical expenses.
Legal Representation From a Personal Injury Lawyer in Fresno
The Kinds of Personal Injury Cases Our Firm Handles in Fresno
- Dog bite accidents
- Wrongful death cases
- Electrocution cases
- Burn injury accidents
- Products liability cases (defective or dangerous products)
- Slip and fall cases
- Pedestrian accidents
- Bicycle accidents
- Uninsured and underinsured motorist claims
- Motorcycle accidents
- Trucking accidents
- Automobile accidents
- Dog bite accidents
- Wrongful death cases
- Electrocution cases
- Burn injury accidents
- Products liability cases (defective or dangerous products)
- Slip and fall cases
- Pedestrian accidents
- Bicycle accidents
- Uninsured and underinsured motorist claims
- Motorcycle accidents
- Trucking accidents
- Automobile accidents
Visit the personal injury lawyers at Arash Law led by Arash Khorsandi Esq. and attend a case evaluation for free. The Fresno personal injury lawyers will allow you to explain the facts regarding the accident. We can explain your legal rights to you and help you seek monetary compensation for your injuries.
The Fresno personal injury lawyers will research the background of your case. We will also research all relevant case law and state statutes. Our team will draft a demand package for you to review. Once it is reviewed, we will send the demand package to the responsible party’s insurance company. In the vast majority of cases, personal injury claims can come to a relatively quick resolution through the settlement process. Litigation and trial are costly and time-consuming.
If the insurance company refuses to offer a just settlement amount, the Fresno personal injury lawyers will go to trial and fight the defense for the monetary compensation you deserve. The personal injury cases at our award-winning law firm utilize a contingency fee agreement. By signing a contingency fee agreement, you agree that we are demanding no payment for legal services unless we get a financial award on your behalf. We may obtain a financial award from a settlement agreement or from an award at trial.
What Must I Prove in a Personal Injury Case in Fresno?
Under California law, negligence is the operative field of law that governs how personal injury cases are resolved. Every person is tasked with exercising reasonable care as they function in society. To have a successful outcome in a personal injury case, the plaintiff must prove that the responsible party was negligent. Negligence is defined by four elements.
- Duty – The defendant owed a duty of care to the plaintiff
- Breach – The defendant breached the duty of care owed to the plaintiff
- Causation – The plaintiff suffered injuries due to the breach of the duty
- Damages – The plaintiff suffered injuries caused by the breach
A motorist is negligent when they do not check for motorcycles or other motorists before moving into a different lane. The driver may strike a motorcyclist and injure them. Every driver in California must use care when driving an automobile. In these examples, the driver failed to uphold the duty of care by not checking for other motorists and motorcyclists before switching lanes. This breach caused the motorcyclist’s injuries and suffered injuries during the accident.
The statute of limitations limits the amount of time a party has to file a legal action. Different types of cases have different statutes of limitations periods applicable to them. In California, the statute of limitations period is two years from the date of injury for personal injury actions. Many exceptions exist to the statute of limitations rule for personal injury cases. The statute of limitations will differ if the tortfeasor is a municipality or if the victim was a minor at the time of the injury.
Obtaining Damages in a Personal Injury Case in Fresno
In personal injury cases in California, plaintiffs have three types of damages they can claim: economic damages, non-economic damages, and punitive damages. During most personal injury cases, the injured victim will only claim compensatory damages that are economic damages and non-economic.
Economic damages are also referred to as special damages. Economic damages are quantifiable and include lost earnings, medical bills, costs associated with future medical treatment, damaged property, and lost future earnings. Payment stubs, medical bills, and other documents are used by personal injury lawyers to establish and substantiate economic damages.
General damages, or non-economic damages, provide victims with financial compensation for losses that are not quantifiable. Non-economic damages are often more difficult to establish and substantiate due to the fact they do not have a numerical value that can be assigned to them. Non-economic damages are subjective, not objective, and include pain and suffering, disfigurement, loss of enjoyment, loss of consortium, emotional trauma, and mental distress.
Punitive damages are reserved for especially egregious conduct that is characterized by a disregard for the safety and well-being of others. Judges award punitive damages to punish the defendants and deter them from committing the same negligent act in the future. Punitive damages are often reserved for personal injury cases where the defendant acted with reckless disregard for the plaintiff’s safety.
In some drunk driving cases, the plaintiff is awarded punitive damages. The facts and circumstances of the case often dictate whether it is feasible or not to claim punitive damages. In most personal injury claims in California, an insurance claim adjuster will call or email an injured victim and offer an initial settlement for their personal injuries. The initial offers are often low and do not provide adequate financial compensation for the plaintiff’s injuries.
Most insurance companies want to make as much profit as they can while paying as few claims and settlements as possible. Insurance companies also do not want to go to trial because litigation and trials cost time and money. Our Fresno personal injury lawyers can help you stand up to the insurance companies and fight for a just settlement amount.
Things to Do After an Accident in Fresno
You may feel unnerved, scared, and confused after suffering injuries during an accident. Initially, you need to receive medical treatment for the injuries caused by the accident. You may not have discernible symptoms, or you may think you did not suffer injuries, but only a medical professional can determine if you suffered injuries during an accident.
Receiving a medical diagnosis shortly after the date of the accident will help you recover from your injuries sooner. The medical records and bills associated with your initial treatment will also prove beneficial to your personal injury case. Medical records can document your injuries and substantiate the claims you make in your demand letter or complaint.
Also, it is a good idea to write down the names and contact details of anyone who was involved in the accident. If you have been involved in a pedestrian accident, you need to speak to the driver of the vehicle that struck you and any witnesses who observed the accident. Find out if any businesses near the accident scene had surveillance cameras or security cameras that may have recorded the accident in which you suffered injuries. Surveillance videos can be used in your personal injury case to substantiate your claims.
Record the accident scene by taking photographs and videos of the surrounding areas and any property damage. You need to obtain photographs and videos of the damage to the other party’s automobile. During slip and fall cases, you need to preserve your shoes and clothes that you were wearing at the time of the accident. Do not wash these items as they can be used as evidence of the accident and your injuries.
The photographs and videos you record can be used by accident reconstruction experts and other expert witnesses. These witnesses may use these documents to provide explanations regarding the causes of your injuries. Never admit that you were responsible for the accident. Do not speak about fault to anyone except your personal injury lawyer. Do not agree to provide an oral or written statement to an insurance company without consulting a personal injury lawyer. Also, don’t sign any document given to you by an insurance claim adjuster.
You need to speak to a personal injury lawyer before you exchange any information with an insurance company. If you provide the insurance company with a statement, it will be used against you later, and your claims may be denied altogether. Do not trust any insurance companies regarding your personal injury case.
Contact a Fresno personal injury lawyer as soon as possible after receiving medical treatment. Many Fresno lawyers will provide free consultations regarding personal injury cases. The consultation allows you the opportunity to ask questions about personal injury cases and the legal options available to you.
Fresno and Personal Injury Cases
If you were injured in an accident, you might not know where to start regarding a personal injury case. You might want to know how to bring a claim and what exactly constitutes a personal injury claim. The first thing you need to do after suffering personal injuries during an accident is to seek medical treatment immediately.
Contact a professional to investigate the accident scene and the parties involved in the accident. It can be difficult to determine who was at fault at the beginning of a personal injury case because both parties may lack information about the accidents and events occurring immediately before and after the accident.
A Fresno personal injury lawyer can help you investigate the causes of an accident. The facts and circumstances of the case are also very important. The personal injury lawyer you retain will present all these facts to the other driver’s insurance company. The negotiation process will begin, and this process can go on for an extended period of time.
Our Fresno personal injury lawyers will make sure that a client approves of a settlement and accepts the settlement offer. An attorney does not have the right to accept a settlement offer since only a client can do so. Only the client has this right. A client also has the right to reject the settlement offer.
If the personal injury case does not settle and one party must file a complaint, the client will need to speak with a personal injury lawyer throughout the entire case process. The client will be involved in the personal injury case, from the complaint to trial preparation. The client will also be consulted throughout the discovery phase of litigation. The discovery phase is an investigatory stage during which both sides exchange information about the accident.
Personal injury lawyers are involved throughout every stage of a personal injury case. Attorneys conduct depositions and respond to requests for production of documents, interrogatories, and requests for admission. During the discovery phase of a lawsuit, parties also exchange documents and records. Again, investigation is an important component of the entire litigation process. The personal injury lawyers verify information and determine the facts related to an accident. These facts help attorneys craft arguments and theories of liability.
The parties attempt to resolve the case after the discovery phase is complete. Cases can be resolved in a number of ways. Mediation is a form of alternative dispute resolution. During mediation, both parties sit down together with a mediator who is a neutral third party.
The parties discuss what they agree on and what they do not agree on as mediation proceeds. A mediator will examine the strengths and weaknesses related to each party’s perspective of the facts. Ideally, the parties will reach a compromise acceptable to both parties and settle the case.
If mediation fails, then the case will proceed to trial. A trial date will be set, and the parties will agree to meet at a specific time and date in court to explain their side of the case. A judge or jury will determine if either party has met the applicable burden of proof.
Must I Retain a Personal Injury Lawyer If an Insurance Company Offers Me a Settlement?
In some cases, it may be more reasonable to focus on negotiating with the adverse party’s insurance company without the assistance of a personal injury lawyer. Retaining a Fresno personal injury lawyer will help you achieve a more favorable result in your personal injury case. Parties represented by legal counsel are more likely to recover financial compensation for their injuries. It can be nearly impossible to navigate the complexities of civil procedure and the rules of evidence without the aid of a knowledgeable personal injury lawyer.
Those who suffer personal injuries will benefit greatly from having a personal injury lawyer on their side. Often, insurance companies will not even respond to claimants who are not represented by legal counsel. An insurance company will respond to individuals retaining personal injury lawyers regarding their insurance claims.
Personal Injury Lawyers and Fresno
Insurance companies intend to make as much profit as they can while paying out as few insurance claims as possible. Insurance claim adjusters may contact you by telephone or email, but they do not intend to help you. Do not provide any recorded statements to the insurance company. A Fresno personal injury lawyer will help you negotiate with the insurance companies and protect your legal interests.
Many insurance claim adjusters know that claimants will simply stop striving to have their claims paid if the insurance company continues to delay. The initial settlement offer you receive from an insurance company will likely be far less than the amount needed to pay for your medical bills. A settlement agreement will also mandate that you relinquish specific rights. For example, you may not be able to file a personal injury lawsuit again against the specific party once you sign the settlement agreement.
A Fresno personal injury lawyer at Arash Law headed by Arash Khorsandi Esq. has the skill, knowledge, and experience to provide you with skilled legal representation. Your lawyer can draft a demand package, negotiate with insurance companies, and conduct a trial if your case does not settle.
I Do Not Have Money to Pay a Personal Injury Lawyer. Can I Still Bring a Lawsuit?
Filing a Personal Injury Claim While Being on Workers’ Compensation in Fresno
If you suffered personal injuries while working, then you will have an additional layer of complexity as part of your personal injury claim. If you were injured while working, then workers’ compensation will provide money for partial and temporary disability as well as lost earnings and medical expenses. You may also receive financial compensation for gas mileage related to the time it takes you to travel to treatment centers and medical facilities.
The workers’ compensation case will resolve, and you still have the opportunity to make a personal injury claim against the party that caused your injuries. You must pay back workers’ compensation for the benefits you received. This payment will typically come out of any settlement award you receive.
If you need the assistance of a Fresno personal injury lawyer, contact us today. Call (888) 488-1391 to schedule a free consultation and learn more about the legal services we offer. We have decades of experience representing injured clients in California. We have recovered over $500 million for clients throughout California.
Four Things That Can Harm Your Personal Injury Case in Fresno
Many things can harm your personal injury case, but the following are four of the most damaging things you can do to your personal injury case:
- Ignoring injuries, symptoms, and physical problems while not seeking medical care to treat these injuries
- Providing an insurance company with a recorded statement that negatively affects their ability to seek financial compensation for their injuries
- Signing a medical authorization that allows the insurance company to obtain medical records and non-medical records related to the injured party’s medical history
- Signing a release before the injured party’s damages have been analyzed and calculated
If You Have Suffered Injuries From an Accident, Contact Our Firm Today
You may not know what to do after suffering serious bodily injuries during an accident. You need to understand that it is your legal right to seek financial compensation that will make you whole after the accident. With the help of a knowledgeable Fresno personal injury lawyer, you can hold the negligent party liable, collect monetary compensation, and move on with your life.
The attorneys at our firm have decades of experience representing clients who have suffered injuries in different types of accidents. We have recovered over $500 million for clients throughout California. We are here to present a strong case on your behalf and seek monetary compensation for your injuries.
Contact the Fresno Personal Injury Lawyers at Our Firm Today at (888) 488-1391
Things to Avoid When Filing a Personal Injury Claim
Lying or Exaggerating Your Injuries
You do not need to lie about your injuries or exaggerate your symptoms. If you speak to medical experts regarding your injuries, you need to be forthright and honest. Your personal injury lawyer may have hired an expert witness to testify about your injuries. When you are questioned by these experts about your injuries, you need to provide consistent and honest responses.
Do not lie to an insurance company. You need to be honest with your own insurance company and with the adverse party’s insurance company. You do not want to face fraud charges due to lies and dishonest assertions regarding your personal injuries.
Not Taking Prompt Action
Ignoring Recommendations Made by Medical Professionals
If you were injured in any type of accident, you need to see a medical professional as soon as possible after suffering injuries. Do everything you can to get to a doctor’s office or emergency office promptly following an accident. Pay strict attention to the orders given to you by your doctor. You need to pick up your prescription medication, stop performing specific physical tasks, and attend physical therapy sessions as well as physical rehabilitation appointments.
Using Social Media
Do Not Sign Any Documents Without Seeking Legal Advice
What Is the Value of My Personal Injury Case?
How Are Damages Calculated in Personal Injury Cases?
What About Claiming Pain and Suffering in California?
Pain and suffering may be part of the following types of cases in California:
- Products liability
- Premises liability
- Wrongful death cases
- Medical malpractice
- Intentional torts
- Automobile accidents
- Products liability
- Premises liability
- Wrongful death cases
- Medical malpractice
- Intentional torts
- Automobile accidents
California law forbids pain and suffering damages in workers’ compensation cases. In medical malpractice cases, injured victims can recover up to $250,000 in pain and suffering damages.
