Below is a copy of the Victims Guide to Personal Injury Cases.  This guide is not to be used as an exhaustive overview of personal injury law, but rather an overview with tips and suggestions.  You should consult with an attorney immediately about your case.

We have also provided a personal injury search engine powered by Google.  Just use it like you would use any other search engine here.

If you or a loved one have been injured as a result of someone else’s wrongdoing, it is certain that these are difficult times for you and your family. The stress and pressure of dealing with the injuries, hospital bills and the daily challenges of trying to get your life back in order can be overwhelming.  Visit our personal injury practice areas page for a detailed description to each of our practice areas.

• Medical Attention:  There is nothing more important that your physical health and well being.  Anytime you have been involved in an accident, it is crucial that you go to the doctor for a complete check-up.  Often times, emergency rooms are looking for life-threatening injuries and can miss more subtle but catastrophic injuries such as a closed-head injury or a torn ligament.  It is important that you document your injuries and tell your doctor about pain you are experiencing.
• Documentation of Incident:  Whether you have been involved in a car accident, injured by a dangerous product, attacked by a dog, or any other type of personal injury, having the proper documentation can mean everything to your case.  If at all possible, it is important to get the time, location, nature of injury, names of witnesses and any relevant information down quickly after the incident occurs.  This allows for you to look back and refresh your memory as time goes by as to the details of the events.
• Do Not Accept Fault: Do not under any circumstance accept responsibility or liability just because you think you might be.  The truth is, the law determines who is at fault for an accident or injury.  Speak with an attorney first who has experience in handling personal injury cases who can properly evaluate your case and tell you if you are at fault or not.  Often times just because you think you might be does mean that you are.  In California, the laws of comparative negligence apply in circumstances where both parties are at fault to a certain percentage.
• Do Not Give Any Statements to Insurance Adjusters:  The most common mistake people make after being involved in an accident is to give the insurance company a recorded statement.  Usually, immediately after you have been involved in an accident, an insurance adjuster from the other person’s insurance company will call you and ask for a recorded statement.  This adjuster is NOT your friend and has only one goal.  His or her goal is to trick you into saying things that would be hurtful to your case.  Their job is to pay you as little as possible, as quickly as possible so that you don’t have time to properly pursue your claim.  The last thing an adjuster wants is for you so speak with an experienced personal injury lawyer.
• Hire a Lawyer: An insurance company often has hundreds of lawyers on its staff and an unlimited pool of money to defend its cases.  A fatal mistake that you can make is trying to go up against this giant corporation.  Speak with a lawyer who has the experience, track record and reputation for effectively handling personal injury cases.  Hire the lawyer that you feel most comfortable with; one that you can trust.