The confusion and stress that follow a serious car accident can be difficult to manage. In these moments, you need calm, competent guidance from a Redding car accident lawyer who understands the challenges you face and has a proven record of helping people in your situation.
For more than 40 years, Reiner & Frankel, LLP has stood beside individuals and families in Redding and throughout Shasta County. We believe that when a person’s life is upended by another’s carelessness, they deserve dedicated and principled representation.
If a catastrophic injury has happened, our purpose is to help you hold the responsible parties accountable and secure the resources you need to move forward. As your legal advocates, we offer the support and resources necessary to protect your rights.
Why Choose Reiner & Frankel, LLP, for Your Redding Car Accident Case?
When choosing a law firm, experience, resources, and a commitment to your community matter. Out-of-town firms may not understand the specifics of a case in Shasta County, from the tendencies of local juries to the reputations of regional medical providers. We are a local firm with a national reputation, offering a distinct advantage to the clients we serve.
Here is what sets Reiner & Frankel, LLP apart:
- Four Decades of Proven Results: We have successfully represented thousands of clients for over 40 years, obtaining more than $600 million in verdicts and settlements. This history includes the largest single-plaintiff jury verdict ever awarded in Shasta County history.
- We Are Trial Lawyers: Many firms aim to settle cases quickly, sometimes for less than they are worth. We prepare every case as if it will go to trial. This thorough preparation and our willingness to present a case to a jury often encourage fair settlement offers from insurance companies who know our reputation.
- Unmatched Local Knowledge: Our attorneys live and work in Northern California. We know the local courts, law enforcement agencies, and the expert witnesses that juries here find credible. This deep-rooted local insight is a powerful asset that large, outside law firms simply cannot replicate.
- Resources for Complex Cases: We have the financial resources and legal skill to take on the most complex, high-value cases against large insurance companies and corporations. We are focused on cases involving serious and life-altering injuries, providing each client with the dedicated attention they deserve.
Our commitment is to be honest and candid about the strength of your case from the very beginning. We provide the information you need to make empowered decisions about your future.
Understanding Your Rights After a Collision in Shasta County
After a car crash, it is important to understand the basic principles that govern a personal injury claim in California. Most car accident cases are built on the legal concept of negligence. In simple terms, negligence occurs when a person or entity fails to use reasonable care to prevent harm to others.
To build a successful claim, your Redding car accident lawyer must demonstrate that another party was at fault. This involves proving four key elements:
- Duty: The other driver had a legal duty to operate their vehicle safely (e.g., obey traffic laws, pay attention to the road).
- Breach: The driver breached, or violated, that duty through a careless or reckless action (e.g., speeding, texting while driving, running a red light).
- Causation: This breach of duty directly caused the accident and your resulting injuries.
- Damages: You suffered actual harm, such as physical injuries, medical expenses, lost income, and pain and suffering.
Accidents in the Redding area can happen for many reasons. We frequently see collisions caused by the heavy commercial truck traffic on Interstate 5, tourists unfamiliar with the winding roads around Whiskeytown Lake, and distracted driving on busy streets like Hilltop Drive.
Our firm has the experience to investigate these accidents thoroughly to establish fault and build a strong foundation for your claim.
The Critical Role of an Experienced Redding Car Accident Lawyer
Dealing with the consequences of a car accident can feel like a full-time job. Between medical appointments, vehicle repairs, and lost time from work, the last thing you need is the additional stress of fighting with an insurance company. An experienced car accident lawyer from Reiner & Frankel, LLP can lift that burden from your shoulders.
Insurance adjusters are trained to protect their company’s bottom line, which often means minimizing or denying valid claims. They may try to get you to provide a recorded statement to use against you, offer a quick settlement that is far less than you need, or argue that your injuries were pre-existing.
Our role is to be your advocate and protector. We will handle all communications with the insurance companies on your behalf, preventing them from taking advantage of you during a difficult time. We will meticulously gather evidence, including police reports, witness statements, medical records, and expert testimony, to build a powerful and persuasive case.
Our deep knowledge of the Shasta County Superior Court system and local legal community gives our clients a significant advantage, ensuring your case is presented effectively, whether in settlement negotiations or at trial.
Types of Compensation Available in a California Car Accident Claim
A serious injury can have far-reaching financial and personal consequences. The goal of a personal injury claim is to secure compensation, known as damages, to help make you whole again. While no amount of money can undo what happened, a fair recovery can provide financial stability and a sense of justice.
In California, you may be able to recover compensation for several types of losses, which are generally categorized as follows:
- Economic Damages: These are the measurable financial losses you have incurred because of the accident. They can be calculated and proven with documents like bills, receipts, and pay stubs. Examples include current and future medical expenses, lost wages, loss of future earning capacity, and costs for vehicle repair or replacement.
- Non-Economic Damages: These damages compensate you for the intangible, personal losses that do not have a specific price tag. They are just as real and significant as economic losses and may include physical pain and suffering, emotional distress, loss of enjoyment of life, and loss of consortium (the impact on your spousal relationship).
Every case is unique, and the value of your claim will depend on the specific details of your accident and the severity of your injuries. We will work with you and your medical providers to fully document the extent of your losses to pursue the maximum compensation available.
We Handle Complex and Catastrophic Injury Cases
Reiner & Frankel, LLP is not a high-volume settlement mill. We dedicate our resources and attention to clients who have sustained serious, life-altering injuries. Our firm has a significant practice in cases involving traumatic brain injuries (TBI), which can have subtle but devastating long-term effects on a person’s cognitive function, personality, and ability to work.
We have the experience and resolve to handle cases involving:
- Traumatic Brain Injuries (TBI)
- Spinal Cord Injuries and Paralysis
- Amputations
- Severe Burns
- Multiple Fractures
- Fatal Injuries (Wrongful Death Claims)
These complex cases require a profound understanding of medicine, economics, and the law. We collaborate with a network of respected medical specialists, life care planners, and financial analysts to accurately project the long-term costs associated with a catastrophic injury. This comprehensive approach ensures that any settlement or verdict we obtain fully accounts for a lifetime of necessary care and support.
We believe in transparency and communication. When you work with our firm, we want you to understand the steps involved in your case. While the specifics of each claim can vary, the process generally follows a clear path designed to build the strongest possible case for you.
Step 1: Your First Contact with Our Law Firm
Your journey begins with a free, confidential consultation. You can call our office or fill out a form on our website. During this initial contact, we will listen to your story, learn about the accident, and ask some basic questions to understand your situation.
Step 2: Our Attorney Contacts You
A qualified attorney from our firm will personally contact you to discuss the details of your case in greater depth. This is your opportunity to ask questions and get to know us. We want you to feel comfortable and confident in our ability to represent you.
Step 3: We Provide an Initial Assessment
Based on our conversation and a review of any initial documents you may have, we will provide an honest and candid assessment of the strengths and potential challenges of your case. We will explain your legal options and our recommended course of action. If we believe we can help you, and you choose to hire us, we will move forward together.
Step 4: We Send a Demand Package to the Parties at Fault
Once our investigation is complete and we have a full understanding of your damages, we will compile a comprehensive demand package. This package outlines the facts of the case, establishes the other party’s liability, and details the full extent of your losses. It is sent to the at-fault party’s insurance company to begin settlement negotiations.
Our willingness to take a case to trial if a fair offer is not made is a key part of our strategy. This resolve often persuades insurance companies to negotiate in good faith, leading to a just resolution without the need for a lengthy court battle.
Deadlines Are Crucial: California’s Statute of Limitations
In California, the law sets a strict deadline for filing a personal injury lawsuit. This deadline is known as the statute of limitations. Under this deadline, you generally have two years from the date of the injury to file a lawsuit.
If you miss this deadline, you will likely lose your right to pursue compensation forever. While two years may seem like a long time, building a strong car accident case requires a thorough investigation, and critical evidence can disappear quickly. Witnesses may move, memories can fade, and physical evidence from the scene may be lost. For these reasons, it is vital to contact an experienced car accident attorney as soon as you are able to do so.
Redding Car Accident Claim FAQs
Here you can find answers to some common questions that arise after a motor vehicle collision in our area.
What if the other driver was uninsured or underinsured?
If the at-fault driver has no insurance or not enough to cover your damages, you may still have options. Your own auto insurance policy may include Uninsured/Underinsured Motorist (UM/UIM) coverage. This is a provision you pay for that allows you to make a claim against your own insurance company to cover your losses, up to your policy limits. We can review your policy and help you pursue a UM/UIM claim if applicable.
How is fault determined in a Redding car accident?
Fault is determined by examining evidence to see who acted negligently. This process involves reviewing the official police report, interviewing witnesses, analyzing photos and videos of the accident scene, and sometimes hiring accident reconstruction specialists. California is a comparative fault state, which means you can still recover damages even if you were partially at fault, though your award would be reduced by your percentage of fault.
Do I have to go to court for my car accident case?
The vast majority of car accident cases are settled out of court through negotiations with the insurance company. However, our firm prepares every case with the expectation that it could go to trial. This level of preparation demonstrates to the insurance company that we are serious and ready to fight for a fair outcome in front of a jury, which often results in a better settlement offer for you.
What should I do if an insurance adjuster calls me?
It is generally best not to speak with the other party’s insurance adjuster without first consulting an attorney. Adjusters are trained to ask questions designed to get you to say something that could harm your claim. You can politely decline to provide a statement and refer them to your lawyer. At Reiner & Frankel, LLP, we will handle all these communications for you.
How much does it cost to hire a Redding car accident lawyer from your firm?
We handle personal injury cases on a contingency fee basis. This means you pay no upfront fees or out-of-pocket costs to hire us. Our fee is a percentage of the total compensation we recover for you. If we do not win your case, you owe us nothing. This arrangement allows everyone to access high-quality legal representation, regardless of their financial situation.
What is the first thing I should do immediately after a car accident?
- Your first action is always to check yourself and others for injuries. If anyone requires immediate medical attention, call 911 right away.
- You must also move your vehicle out of the flow of traffic if possible and if you feel able to do so safely.
- Next, you must call the police to file an official report, exchange information with the other driver, and take photos of the scene, including all vehicles, skid marks, and road signs. Report the accident to your insurance company.
- Avoid admitting fault or giving a statement to the other driver or their insurance company before speaking with a lawyer.
Contact Our Experienced Redding Car Accident Attorney Today
Russell Reiner, Redding Car Accident Attorney
If you or a loved one has been seriously injured in a car accident, you do not have to face the path ahead on your own. Reiner & Frankel, LLP offers personalized legal solutions tailored to your unique circumstances. We understand what you are going through, and our highly qualified team is committed to helping you reclaim the compensation you deserve.
Contact us today for a free case evaluation. Our personal injury lawyers will discuss the details of your accident with you, explore every aspect of what happened, and provide clear, honest guidance on your options. The conversation is confidential, and there is no charge for speaking with us.