Walnut Creek Accident Lawyer
When an unexpected personal injury strikes, most victims get sucked into a vortex. The intensity of these injuries make it impossible to work or participate in any social activities, including something as simple as enjoying a meal with family and friends. Since the victim isn’t working, bills pile up. The financial strain exacerbates the physical strain. While all this is going on, insurance adjusters seemingly call constantly. They insist that the victim sign settlement papers.
The compassionate Walnut Creek accident lawyers at Venardi Zurada understand what these victims and their families are going through. Many of the people on our professional team are also accident survivors. Because of this experience, and because of our legal expertise, we know what it takes to obtain fair compensation in court. Furthermore, since the process is often a long and winding road, we proactively communicate with you, so you are never in the dark.
Our Approach
As mentioned, a personal injury attorney helps victims in both the short term and the long term. This short-term assistance usually involves attention to immediate needs, such as medical treatment and vehicle replacement.
Many injury-related conditions are difficult to diagnose. Whiplash is a good example. This head-neck injury, which is usually associated with car crashes, could cause paralysis. Since it is a soft tissue injury, whiplash does not appear on X-Rays and other diagnostic tests.
Because of issues like this, our Walnut Creek accident lawyers connect victims with physicians who focus on injury-related matters. These professionals know how to identify and treat conditions like whiplash. So, victims quickly get on the road to recovery.
Speaking of the road, vehicle repair or replacement is usually an immediate need as well. Even a few hours without transportation could be devastating to many families. Once again, our Walnut Creek accident lawyers work with top providers in this area. So, victims get the vehicle replacement they need, as opposed to the replacement an adjuster is willing to pay for.
Then, we get to work collecting evidence which supports your claim. Our goal is not just to make a bare-bones case. We go the extra mile, so victims obtain maximum compensation. Usually, there is a direct relationship between the amount of evidence victims present and the amount of damages jurors award.
The Settlement Process
Most civil claims, including most personal injury claims, settle out of court. These settlements usually benefit everyone, especially victims. Since the case ends sooner, they receive compensation sooner. Furthermore, an out-of-court settlement gives victims more control over the outcome.
If there are no liability issues, the insurance company has a legal duty to quickly settle the case. However, there is almost always at least some question in this area. Common insurance company defenses include comparative fault and assumption of the risk. So, most claims advance to the next level.
This next level is usually filing a claim in court. This move pressures the insurance company into settling and also preserves the victim/plaintiff’s legal rights.
If the case remains unresolved as the trial date approaches, most Alameda County judges refer the matter to mediation. Since both sides have a duty to negotiate in good faith, which basically means they must make compromises and work toward a settlement, mediation is about 90 percent successful.
Connect with a Dedicated Alameda County Attorney
Injury victims are normally entitled to substantial compensation. For a free consultation with an experienced accident lawyer in Walnut Creek, contact Venardi Zurada, LLP. We do not charge upfront legal fees in these matters.
