Concord Personal Injury Lawyers

You can file a claim on your own, but insurance companies in California routinely offer lowball settlements to unrepresented claimants — often a fraction of what the case is actually worth. A personal injury lawyer levels the playing field. At Scranton Law Firm in Concord, we've recovered over $1 billion for clients across Contra Costa County and Northern California, and we consistently secure settlements many times higher than the initial offer. The consultation is free, so there's no risk in finding out what your case is worth before you decide.

In California personal injury cases, you can recover economic damages such as medical bills, lost wages, and future treatment costs, as well as non-economic damages like pain and suffering, emotional distress, and loss of enjoyment of life. In cases involving extreme negligence, punitive damages may also apply. The specific damages available depend on the facts of your case, which is why we evaluate every Contra Costa County case individually to identify the full scope of compensation.

Under California Code of Civil Procedure §335.1, you generally have two years from the date of injury to file a personal injury lawsuit. Claims against government entities in Contra Costa County or elsewhere in California have a much shorter deadline — just six months. Missing these deadlines typically means losing your right to compensation entirely, so it's important to speak with an attorney as soon as possible after an accident.

Every case is different, and the value depends on factors like the severity of your injuries, your medical expenses, lost income, and the impact on your daily life. At Scranton Law Firm, we've settled cases ranging from $80,000 for dog bite injuries to $4 million in wrongful death claims across Northern California. The best way to get a realistic estimate is a free case evaluation where we review your specific situation.

First, move to safety and call 911. In Concord and throughout Contra Costa County, law enforcement will document the scene and create an official report. While at the scene, exchange insurance information with the other driver, take photos of the vehicles and road conditions, and get contact details from any witnesses. Seek medical attention within 24 hours even if you feel fine — adrenaline can mask serious injuries like whiplash or internal bleeding. Then contact a personal injury attorney before speaking with any insurance company.

Most personal injury claims in California settle within 6 to 18 months, though more complex cases involving severe injuries, multiple parties, or disputed liability can take longer. We don't rush settlements at the expense of fair compensation. Our approach at Scranton Law Firm is to build the strongest possible case so that when we negotiate, the insurance company knows we're prepared to go to trial if necessary.

California follows a pure comparative negligence rule, meaning you can still recover compensation even if you were partly at fault. Your award is reduced by your percentage of responsibility — for example, if you're found 20% at fault on a $100,000 case, you'd receive $80,000. Insurance companies often try to shift blame onto victims to reduce payouts. Having an experienced attorney protects you from accepting more fault than you deserve.

Low initial offers are standard practice for insurance companies — they're counting on you not knowing what your claim is really worth. You are not required to accept their first offer. At Scranton Law Firm, we regularly negotiate settlements that are 3 to 10 times higher than the initial offer. If the insurance company refuses to pay fair compensation, we're fully prepared to take your case to trial in Contra Costa County or wherever the case needs to be heard.

At Scranton Law Firm, we work on a contingency fee basis. That means you pay absolutely nothing upfront and no fees unless we win your case. Our payment comes as a percentage of your settlement or verdict. This ensures that everyone in Concord and Contra Costa County has access to experienced legal representation regardless of their financial situation. The initial consultation is always free.

Do not give a recorded statement or sign anything from the other driver's insurance company before speaking with an attorney. Insurance adjusters are trained to get you to say things that can be used to minimize or deny your claim. You are not legally required to speak with them. Politely decline, tell them your attorney will be in touch, and call us. This one step can make a significant difference in the outcome of your case.

Yes, you can still file a claim. It's common for accident victims to delay medical treatment because symptoms like back pain, headaches, or soft tissue injuries often take days or even weeks to fully appear. However, the longer you wait, the easier it is for the insurance company to argue your injuries aren't related to the accident. We strongly recommend seeing a doctor as soon as possible, even if it's been a few days. We can still help build a strong case.