Serving Northern California
When someone is injured due to another party’s negligence, employing a Red Bluff personal injury lawyer is essential for maximizing compensation. Whether the injury occurred from a car accident, a truck collision, a slip and fall premises liability incident, or some other catastrophe, the victim has a right to file a personal injury claim to seek repayment for damages they incurred.
Barr and Mudford has been fighting for the rights of personal injury victims since 1967. We know how to win cases for our clients who are injured due to someone else’s fault. Our compassionate legal team knows how to use personal injury laws to optimize settlements for our clients. We have represented countless individuals like you in seeking compensation for their personal injury expenses, and we can do so for you, too.
When you hire a personal injury lawyer to file your personal injury claim, you increase your chances of not only getting your claim approved but also getting a worthwhile settlement for your injuries. You shouldn’t have to navigate governmental policies required to file a claim when you’re injured and trying to heal. You should be resting and not worrying about deadlines and paperwork.
A Red Bluff personal injury lawyer can take care of everything for you. They can do the legal work, from investigating liability to collecting evidence, like your medical records and other documentation. Under California state law, you only have two years to file a personal injury claim following an accident.
Red Bluff residents must file a summons and complaint for personal injury claims at the Tehama County Superior Court, located at 1740 Walnut St, Red Bluff, CA 96080. If your damages do not total more than $10,000, you must file your claim in the small claims court. You must make sure the defendant is notified about your claim against them.
While an attorney cannot physically accompany you to small claims court, they can advise you and assist with proof of service to notify the defendant in your case. You can also handle other business out of court in preparation for your court date. If your claim is denied, a lawyer can also help you file a Motion to Vacate, which must be done within 30 days of your Notice of Entry of Judgment.
If your claim is for more than $10,000, you will file a Summons and a Complaint in the Civil Division of the Superior Court. A lawyer can accompany you to court proceedings in this court. Many cases never go to trial due to negotiations with insurance providers who wish to avoid trial. Some insurance companies, however, will take a plaintiff to trial to avoid paying a claim or paying a plaintiff what they are rightfully entitled to.
Very few of the roughly 1,180 civil cases filed in Tehama County each year go to trial. In most cases, it is more cost-effective and timely to settle a personal injury claim out of court. This is especially true for plaintiffs who have a seasoned personal injury lawyer. A skilled attorney knows how to optimize a settlement amount without litigation.
One of the most difficult parts of filing a personal injury claim is proving that the defendant is liable for the damages incurred by the plaintiff. It can be hard to prove injuries that are not visible, such as soft tissue injuries, emotional stress, and pain and suffering.
It is also difficult, in many cases, to establish liability, which is referred to as causation. In these cases, it is often necessary to obtain the testimony of a professional third party, whose credibility can attest to the defendant’s liability.
Barr and Mudford know the people and procedures at the Tehama County Superior Court. Our firm is well-established and, as a result, we have an esteemed reputation in the local judicial circuits. The Barr and Mudford personal injury attorneys are known for being aggressive and steadfast when fighting for the rights of our clients and securing the settlements they deserve.
Personal injury lawyers in Red Bluff, California typically work on a contingency fee. This means they don’t get paid until they win their client’s case and obtain a personal injury settlement. Then, the attorney typically gets a percentage of the final award amount. This fee is offset by the optimized settlement amount that an attorney can negotiate for, making it worthwhile to hire an attorney to represent you in a personal injury case.
The odds of winning a personal injury claim are directly related to the strength of the claim. If a plaintiff has tangible and sound evidence that will hold up against liability disputes, the odds are very good that the plaintiff will win their case. If, however, there is room for doubt regarding liability or injuries are not that prominent, the odds of winning a personal injury case can be significantly less. Every case is different, as are the odds of winning one.
In a personal injury case, the hardest injuries to prove are internal injuries as well as emotional or psychological trauma. If you had a pre-existing condition when your injury occurred, this can also make it difficult to show how you are suffering from a new injury or that the pre-existing condition was made worse by the defendant’s negligence. Consequently, injuries that can be physically identified and treated through immediate medical care are much easier to prove in personal injury cases.
There is no set average personal injury settlement in California. Every claim is unique because every injury is unique. Factors that can affect the amount of a personal injury settlement include:
The astute legal team at Barr and Mudford can determine whether you have a valid personal injury claim. If you do, we can also file your claim, collect evidence, and deal with the insurance companies to get you the top settlement amount possible. Contact our office to schedule a consultation.