Sonoma County 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.
Our Expert Sonoma County Personal Injury Lawyers Offer Determined And Relentless Representation
Were you injured because of someone else’s negligence? You may be eligible for compensation. Personal injury lawyers in Sonoma County can assist you in determining whether you have grounds for a legal claim. Contact us at Arash Law today at (888) 488-1391.
Sonoma County has an estimated population of 487,011. Most of the residents live in the county seat, Santa Rosa, along the Highway 101 corridor. As the county grows in popularity for its wineries, the chances of personal injury cases also increase.
Our team of award-winning lawyers here at Arash Law, headed by Arash Khorsandi, Esq., is dedicated to providing quality legal assistance to victims of negligence. We use the knowledge we have acquired through the years to continue giving justice to the people of California. Rest assured, our Sonoma County personal injury attorneys will fight relentlessly so you can get the compensation you deserve.
Complete our “Do I have a case?” form now, and our legal team will assess your case. If you need more information, you can also take a look at the questions and answers many victims have asked us before.
Settlement in a slip and fall case versus Jiffy Lube; client suffered spinal injuries– JUDD ROSS ALLEN
How Can Sonoma County Personal Injury Lawyers Effectively Handle Claims
Different factors come into play in the personal injury claims we handle. Knowing what each case entails helps us create a tailored approach to the problem. Our Sonoma County personal injury lawyers are well-versed in laws governing California. We also know the tactics most insurance companies use to try to lower the case’s value.
Working closely with the victims guarantees we are able to give the case the distinct attention it needs. Each of our clients deserves the best, so we work on every single one with the same level of care.
Arash Law has successfully won over $750 Million in compensation for our clients. Our success rate and client testimonials are proof that we are capable of providing quality legal assistance. It is now your turn to get justice for your woes.
Why Should You Hire Our Expert Sonoma County Personal Injury Attorneys As Your Legal Adviser?
Besides the vast knowledge and experience in personal injury, our lawyers can also help you in the entire legal process. We do not just offer our expert opinions–we help you carry them out. It is critical to have a legal representative after an accident.
Here is how Sonoma County personal injury attorneys can help victims:
Extensive Investigations
Plaintiffs can get compensation for their injuries if there is proven negligence. Establishing liability can be done through thorough investigation. We will take a look at police reports, medical reports, video and photo evidence, CCTV footage, eyewitness accounts, and expert testimonies.
Negotiations
Let us deal with the insurance companies. They tend to call the plaintiffs to try and settle, but most of the time, their offers are not enough. Moreover, insurance adjusters may try to blame the plaintiff, or they can interpret your words differently. Their goal is to pay as little as possible or avoid paying at all. Remember, they can sound friendly, but they are only interested in their finances.
Legal Procedures
It is already hard to move around with your injuries. Not having in-depth knowledge of personal injury lawsuits will make it more challenging to process your claim. However, hiring a personal injury lawyer guarantees that you can meet all deadlines. Every paperwork needed for the claim will be taken care of by an expert attorney.
A legal representative will do the work while you recover. There is no need for you to wait until you are out of the hospital. This helps the case move forward faster so you do not drown in debt and unpaid bills. Lawyers will do the legwork so you can focus on your health and recovery.
Litigation
We can settle personal injury claims out of court. But if the at-fault party does not want to settle, we can proceed to litigation. Our goal is to sway the court and jury to your side and grant you the maximum compensation.
What Is A Personal Injury Claim In Sonoma County?
Personal injury law allows the plaintiff to pursue legal claims against one or more individuals, businesses, or enterprises that they believe are negligent and are responsible for any harm done to the body, reputation, or emotions. The plaintiff may receive monetary compensation for the damages and loss the accident has incurred.
Here are the types of claims that can arise under the personal injury law:
- Accidental injuries – The personal injury law applies if you are injured due to someone else’s negligent actions or failure to meet a professional duty. For example, medical malpractice claims are when you are injured by a doctor while receiving treatment. More examples include car accidents, pedestrian accidents, hit-and-run, and slip-and-falls.
- Strict liability claims – It is possible to make a claim for personal injury if you are harmed as a result of someone else’s actions or inactions, regardless of negligence or wrongdoing. A defective product is an example of this. You can hold the manufacturer strictly liable. Thus, they are responsible for your losses regardless of whether they acted maliciously or negligently during the development, manufacturing, or marketing of the product.
- Intentional torts – The law gives you the right to pursue compensation if someone intentionally injures you. As an example, assault and battery are included in this definition.
Victims can also get assistance from Sonoma County personal injury lawyers for wrongful death claims.
What Do I Do After An Accident In Sonoma County?
Knowing what to do after an accident in Sonoma County helps protect your legal rights. Here are our tips on what victims can do after an accident:
- Remain on the scene until the police arrive. Make sure you also keep yourself safe and use caution. Remove yourself from harm’s way. Then, check if your companions are unharmed. For example, check the passengers in a car accident, especially the children.
- Call 911 as soon as possible. Do not assume the others involved have called them. Even if the other party dissuades you from calling authorities, do not hesitate to contact them. Report any accident for a proper police investigation. Get the officers’ names and badge numbers as well.
- Exchange information with all the parties involved. Apart from their names and contact details, you should also get their insurance details. Take a photo of their IDs. Victims are entitled to this information. If other parties do not cooperate, you can tell the authorities and let them handle it.
- Gather necessary information about the accident. Capture photos and videos of the scene, the surroundings, and any important details. These can be used as evidence when you file a personal injury claim. However, only do this if you are physically safe and able.
- Get medical attention immediately. Whether you feel pain or not, or if you think the injuries are minor, get checked by the first responders. Visit your doctor as well as soon as possible for further examinations.
- Contact personal injury lawyers in Sonoma County. The sooner you do this, the better. They can assist in building the case and negotiating with the insurance company.
- Lastly, never admit fault, even if you think you caused the accident.
Statute Of Limitations For Personal Injuries In Sonoma County
Personal injury claims in California generally have a statute of limitation of two years. You must file your claim within two years of the date of injury or discovery of illness. However, some specific claims can have different deadlines. These are some of these cases:
- Medical malpractice – 1 year from the discovery
- Asbestos exposure – 1 year from the discovery
- Wrongful death – 2 years to file a claim after the person died
- Wrongful birth – 6 years to file after the child is born.
Moreover, if you are suing a government entity, you only have 6 months to file a claim. Furthermore, if the victim is a minor, the statute of limitation will not run until they turn 18.
Avoid missing these deadlines, or you will lose your chance at compensation. Hire Sonoma County attorneys for personal injury as soon as possible to avoid this mistake.
Types Of Cases We Handle
- Car accidents – May include singular- or multiple-vehicle collisions caused by a variety of factors such as speeding, distracted driving, or DUIs
- Pedestrian accidents – These may include cases of hit-and-run or getting hit by a car while crossing or walking on the sidewalk.
- Slip-and-fall accidents – They can happen in shopping centers, restaurants, or the grocery and may lead to severe injuries.
- Work accidents – Accidents in any industry can lead to severe injuries and loss of earnings.
- Product liability – Defective products can cause intense injuries to unknowing consumers.
- Truck accidents – The impact of these accidents is primarily serious and fatal. It can create complex cases due to several factors, including the liable parties.
- Uber accidents – Cases involving Uber can be challenging as the company can push sole liability to its independent contractors.
- Motorcycle accidents – Motorcycle accidents are very common in California and beyond.
- Traumatic Brain Injuries (TBIs) – TBIs can cause long-term issues, including neurological or psychological.
- Bicycle accidents – Bicyclists are vulnerable to the worst injuries, especially when colliding with vehicles and motorcycles.
Four Main Elements Of A Negligence Claim
Personal injury claims are typically based on the theory of negligence. A person is considered negligent if they do not act with the same degree of care that a reasonable person would have exercised in the same situation.
To establish negligence, the plaintiff must prove the four elements of a negligence claim with the help of personal injury lawyers in Sonoma County. These are:
- Duty Of Care – There was a legal duty of care on the part of the defendant. For example, a driver has the duty to pay attention to the road and focus on driving.
- Breach Of Duty – The defendant breached a duty owed to you if they failed to act reasonably prudent.
- Causation – The plaintiff must also prove that the defendant’s action has caused them harm. Your injuries must be a direct cause of the accident and not an unrelated act.
- Damages – Due to the injuries acquired because of the accident, the plaintiff has suffered losses. These are economic and non-economic and are compensable.
2019: $27M confidential settlement in a case involving multiple plaintiffs.– BRIAN BEECHER
What Damages Are Available In A Personal Injury Case?
You can file for both economic and non-economic losses caused by the accident. If you succeed in your personal injury lawsuit, you are entitled to compensation that covers these damages. This is to help you “be whole” again and return to your status before the accident happened.
The economic damages are tangible and easy to calculate. You can prove this through receipts, bills, and invoices. These include the following:
- Medical bills, including the future medical treatments, medications, and rehabilitation you will require until you fully recover.
- Lost earnings, including lost wages, because you are unable to work due to your injuries. It also includes your potential to earn an income because of your disability.
- Damaged or destroyed property, including the money you spent on repair or replacement.
- Other expenses incurred by the accident include live-in care and medical equipment, utility, transportation, travel costs, etc.
Meanwhile, non-economic damages refer to intangible losses. These are hard to calculate and may include the following:
- Pain and suffering
- Emotional distress
- Mental health issues, including post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), anxiety, and depression
- Diminished quality of life
- Loss of enjoyment of life
- Loss of consortium
- Inconvenience
- Disfigurement
There are also punitive damages, which the court awards at their discretion. However, this is rare and is only awarded in 5% of verdicts. This is considered punishment for extremely harmful actions.
Your Sonoma County personal injury lawyers can help calculate and quantify your total losses. They can tell how much your case is worth, so you do not have to settle for lowball offers.
FAQs About Personal Injury Cases In Sonoma County
How much is my personal injury case worth in Sonoma County?
Unfortunately, it is hard to say without proper evaluation. Everyone’s case is different and will have a different worth. Each one is uniquely based on your losses and other factors of the case. However, you can schedule a free initial consultation with personal injury attorneys in Sonoma County to have a general idea of how much you can get.
What do I do if an insurance adjuster calls me?
We recommend that you wait until you have legal representation before speaking with an insurance agent. The defendant’s insurance company is also building a claim against you. Their goal is to lower your case’s worth or avoid making any payments at all. They will do this by calling you and offering a much lower amount. Many are tempted to accept this offer to get it done with, but the amount will not suffice for everything it needs to cover.
If you do not accept, they will likely ask about the accident and make you talk. Be cautious, as your words can be used against you. That is why speaking to anyone other than your legal representation is risky. If you work with personal injury lawyers in Sonoma County, these insurance companies will have no other choice than to redirect their calls to your legal representative.
How do I know if I have a case?
Personal injury cases are typically based on negligence. Some of the questions you need answers to include:
- What caused your accident?
- Was it someone else’s fault?
- Could you prove whose fault it was?
If your answer points at another person as the negligent party, then you might have a claim. However, the best way to determine if you have a case is to contact a personal injury attorney in Sonoma County. You can check how our onboarding process works here.
Do I need to pay anything upfront?
Many victims do not pursue legal assistance because there is a presumption that lawyers are expensive. However, we guarantee that you do not have to worry about that with Arash Law. You can consult us for free with no risks and no obligations. In addition, we offer our services on a “No Win, No Fee” policy. The contingency fee basis setup means we get paid only if you are paid.
Contact The Most Trusted Sonoma County Personal Injury Lawyers Near You Today!
Medical treatments, therapy, and pain management may be necessary for a long time following a serious injury. In time, you should be able to return to your previous status, especially with the assistance of trustworthy lawyers.
Here at Arash Law, our team of Sonoma County personal injury attorneys will guide you through the legal process. We will ensure you get the compensation you deserve to recover and move on from the accident. Our lawyers will take over the legalities as you work on your health.
Contact us today at (888) 488-1391 to start your claim. We also offer our legal services to the neighboring cities and towns of Anchor Bay, Lower Lake, Middletown, Calistoga, St. Helena, Yountville, Napa County, Fairfield, Vacaville, Brooks, Esparto, Vallejo, Novato, San Rafael, Concord, Pittsburg, and Woodland.
