Personal Injury Attorneys in Yuba City & Marysville
When you are injured in an accident, you don’t want to rely on what the insurance company is telling you. Insurance adjusters are trained to minimize claims and protect their company’s profits, not to ensure you receive fair compensation.
We provide representation you can count on to be in your corner, fighting for the compensation you deserve.
Types of Personal Injury Cases We Handle
Motor Vehicle Accidents
From car accidents to truck and motorcycle collisions, we represent injured victims in recovery of damages for medical expenses, lost wages, and pain and suffering.
Workplace Injuries
If you’ve been injured on the job and your employer or a third party was at fault, we may be able to help you pursue additional compensation beyond workers’ compensation benefits.
Premises Liability
When you are injured due to unsafe conditions on someone else’s property—such as a slip and fall—we hold property owners accountable for negligence.
Medical Malpractice
If a healthcare provider’s negligence resulted in additional injury or harm, we can help you pursue compensation for the damages you’ve suffered.
Product Liability
Defective or dangerous products cause serious injuries every day. We hold manufacturers and retailers responsible for placing unsafe products in the marketplace.
Wrongful Death
When negligence or wrongful conduct results in a loved one’s death, we help surviving family members pursue justice and compensation.
What to Do After an Accident in California
The decisions you make in the hours and days after an accident can dramatically affect both your physical recovery and your eventual financial recovery. Whenever possible:
- Get medical attention immediately, even if you feel “okay.” Many serious injuries — internal bleeding, concussions, soft-tissue damage — don’t show symptoms for hours or days. A medical record from the day of the accident is also one of the most important pieces of evidence in any future claim.
- Document the scene. Photograph vehicle positions, damage, the roadway, traffic signals, weather conditions, and visible injuries. Get contact information for witnesses.
- File the appropriate report. Call 911 for any accident with injuries; California requires drivers to report accidents involving injury, death, or property damage over $1,000 to the DMV within 10 days.
- Do not admit fault or speculate with the other driver, the police, or insurance representatives. “I’m sorry,” “I didn’t see you,” or “I might have been distracted” can become powerful evidence against you.
- Do not give a recorded statement to the at-fault party’s insurance carrier without first speaking with an attorney. Their goal is to lock you into statements that minimize your claim.
- Save everything. Medical bills, prescription receipts, mileage to appointments, lost wage documentation, photos, the police report number, and all correspondence with insurance companies.
- Contact an attorney early. California’s statute of limitations is generally two years for personal injury, but waiting to involve counsel often means losing access to witnesses, surveillance video, and physical evidence that disappears within days.
California Statute of Limitations for Personal Injury
California’s personal injury statute of limitations is generally two years from the date of the injury. Important exceptions and shorter deadlines apply:
- Claims against government entities (Caltrans, city, county, transit district): A government claim must be filed within six months of the incident, and a lawsuit within six months after the claim is denied.
- Medical malpractice: Three years from the injury or one year from discovery, whichever is earlier.
- Wrongful death: Two years from the date of death.
- Minors: The two-year clock typically does not start running until the minor turns eighteen.
Missing a deadline almost always destroys the claim entirely, so the moment you suspect a possible claim, get an attorney’s calendar deadlines on your case.
Why Choose Our Firm?
Insurance companies have teams of lawyers working to protect their interests. You deserve representation equally committed to protecting yours. Our experienced personal injury attorneys have a proven track record of securing substantial settlements and verdicts for injured clients in the Yuba-Sutter region.
Frequently Asked Questions About California Personal Injury Law
How long do I have to file a personal injury claim in California?
Generally two years from the date of injury for most personal injury claims. Claims against government entities must be filed within six months. Medical malpractice has its own three-year/one-year discovery rule. These deadlines are strict and non-negotiable.
How are personal injury attorney fees calculated?
Most California personal injury cases are handled on a contingency fee basis — you pay no attorney’s fee unless we recover for you. The standard contingency fee is one-third of the recovery if the case settles before suit is filed, with a step-up to forty percent if the case proceeds to litigation. We discuss fees clearly at the consultation and put everything in writing.
What is comparative negligence in California?
California is a “pure comparative negligence” state. If you were partly at fault for your injury, your recovery is reduced by your percentage of fault — but you can still recover even if you were 99% at fault. Many states bar recovery if you’re 50% or more at fault; California does not.
What damages can I recover in a California personal injury case?
Recoverable damages typically include past and future medical expenses, past and future lost wages or earning capacity, pain and suffering, emotional distress, loss of enjoyment of life, and in some cases punitive damages for outrageous conduct. Spouses can sometimes recover for loss of consortium.
What if the at-fault driver is uninsured?
Your own auto policy’s uninsured motorist (UM) coverage typically applies. UM coverage stands in for the at-fault driver’s missing liability insurance and pays your damages up to your UM policy limits. Underinsured motorist coverage works similarly when the at-fault driver has insurance but not enough.
Do I need a personal injury attorney for a minor accident?
Not always. If injuries are minor, medical treatment is brief, and you’ve fully recovered, an attorney may not add enough value to justify the fee. The calculus changes quickly with significant medical treatment, lost work, future care needs, or any insurance company resistance. The consultation is free, so the threshold for getting one professional opinion is low.
What is the average settlement for a car accident in California?
There is no meaningful average. Settlements range from a few thousand dollars for minor soft-tissue cases with full recovery to seven and eight figures for catastrophic injuries, wrongful death, or cases involving commercial defendants. The relevant question isn’t averages — it’s the value of your specific case based on liability strength, injury severity, available insurance, and the credibility of all parties.
How long does a personal injury case take to resolve?
Simple cases with full medical recovery may settle in three to six months. Serious cases requiring full medical recovery before settlement — known as “reaching MMI” or maximum medical improvement — typically take twelve to twenty-four months. Cases that go to trial routinely take two to three years from filing.
Don’t settle for less. Call (530) 742-7371 for a free consultation about your personal injury claim.