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 have 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 is 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.

Under California Code of Civil Procedure section 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 of just six months. Missing these deadlines typically means losing your right to compensation entirely, so 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 have 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. 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, since adrenaline can mask serious injuries. 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 do not rush settlements at the expense of fair compensation. We build the strongest possible case so that when we negotiate, the insurance company knows we are 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 are found 20 percent at fault on a $100,000 case, you would receive $80,000. Insurance companies often try to shift blame onto victims to reduce payouts. An experienced attorney protects you from accepting more fault than you deserve.

Low initial offers are standard practice for insurance companies. 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 are 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. You pay nothing upfront and no fees unless we win your case. Our payment comes as a percentage of your settlement or verdict. 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.

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