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Danko Meredith
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Redwood City Personal Injury Lawyer

Someone else’s negligence can turn your life upside down. A serious injury can result in significant and long-term pain and suffering, expensive medical bills, and thousands of dollars in lost wages. If you have suffered a serious injury or lost a loved one in an accident in or around Redwood City, CA, the legal team at Danko Meredith, Trial Lawyers can help. Our law firm has years of experience handling all types of personal injury cases. Call (650) 453-3600 today for your free consultation with an experienced Redwood City personal injury lawyer.

 

Why Choose Our Redwood City Personal Injury Attorneys

  • We win. We have a 99 percent success rate.
  • Our outstanding results in court, no matter the circumstances of the case, have earned us a reputation as top-notch trial lawyers. That reputation encourages defendants to offer settlements out of court that are fairer, sooner.
  • We are large enough to properly prepare your case for trial but small enough that you can be assured that Mike Danko will be personally involved throughout your case.
  • We operate on a contingency fee basis, so you will pay our Redwood City personal injury attorney fees only if we secure financial compensation on your behalf.

How Our Redwood City Personal Injury Lawyers Can Help

Our personal injury attorneys in Redwood City, CA will call upon years of experience to get you the best results possible.  Our firm enjoys relationships with proven investigators, accident reconstructionist, engineers, medical professionals, and other experts. In investigating the cause of your injury, we can bring to bear all the tools and resources necessary to do it right. Our Redwood City personal injury lawyers will evaluate your case honestly and accurately and battle for the fair compensation you’re entitled to.

What Exactly Is Personal Injury Law?

Personal injury (tort) law provides an injured victim (plaintiff) the right to claim financial compensation (damages) from the person or entity that caused the injury (defendant). The burden of proof in an injury claim rests with the plaintiff. To obtain an award of financial compensation, the plaintiff need not prove the case beyond a reasonable doubt. Rather, the plaintiff must prove only that it is “more likely than not” that defendant was at fault.

Types of Personal Injury Claims We Handle in Redwood City

Our trial lawyers have spent decades representing injury victims in and out of the courtroom. We have attorneys with experience in virtually all facets of personal injury law, from plane crashes to fatal explosions. Our firm accepts a wide range of injury cases types arising from accidents in or around Redwood City.

If you do not see your practice area listed here, contact our law office to learn more. We offer free case consultations in our Redwood City offices. Tell us your story and we will let you know if we think you have a case, and if we’re the right lawyers to help. If our Redwood city personal injury lawyers accept your case, we will work immediately gathering evidence against the responsible defendants.

What Will Your Case Cost?

When you hire the Redwood City personal injury attorneys with Danko Meredith, you never need to worry about whether you will be able to afford your attorney. We know the financial strain that follows from a serious injury. And we want to make legal representation available for everyone. The contingency fee arrangement means that you will not pay one dollar in attorney’s fees unless and until we win the case. If we lose, you will pay us nothing for the services we have rendered, or for the costs we have advanced in bringing your case. When we take your case, we accept 100% of the risk.

How Long Do I Have to File a Personal Injury Claim in Redwood City, California?

California imposes a deadline, called a statute of limitations, for bringing a personal injury claim.  If you miss your specific deadline, you will lose your rights and the courts will not allow your case to proceed. The statute of limitations is unique to each case and depends on the type of claim being brought. In California, most types of injury claims must be brought from between 6 months and two years from the date of the injury or accident.

  • Personal injury: Two years from the date of the accident or date that the injury is discovered
  • Wrongful death: Two years from the date of death
  • Property damage: Three years from the date of the damage
  • Medical malpractice: One year from the date the plaintiff discovers or should have discovered the injury, or three years from the date of the injury, whichever happens first
  • False imprisonment: One year from the date of the incident
  • For any claim: If the defendant is a California governmental entity, a notice of claim must be filed with the correct entity within 6 months from the date of the injury

Other statutes of limitations may apply as well. And some exceptions to the rules do exist. Contact a knowledgeable personal injury attorney in Redwood City, CA to discuss the time limit for your specific case.

Elements of Proof in a Personal Injury Claim

To obtain a settlement or verdict in an injury claim, the plaintiff must prove four main elements of his case.

  1. Defendant’s Duty of Care – The plaintiff must prove that the defendant had a duty, or legal responsibility, towards the plaintiff. The existence and scope of the duty generally depends on the defendant’s relationship with the plaintiff or those situated similarly to the plaintiff at the time of the accident.
  2. Defendant’s Breach of Duty – The plaintiff must prove that the defendant breached the duty of care that it owed plaintiff. A defendant breaches a duty by acting negligently, carelessly, or with little regard for whether the defendant’s action will injure others.
  3. Causation – It’s not enough to prove that a defendant was negligent or otherwise acted wrongfully. A plaintiff must also prove that defendant’s negligent act or other breach of duty was in fact the cause of the accident or plaintiff’s injuries.
  4. Damages – The plaintiff must prove that defendant’s breach of duty caused plaintiff to suffer real, specific losses of the type that the law recognizes as being compensable. Compensable damages include things such as medical bills, lost wages now and into the future, and non-economic losses such as pain and suffering.

Proving these four elements requires research into legal precedent, the gathering of evidence such as photographs, eyewitness accounts, and testimony from subject-matter experts, and an analysis of plaintiff’s medical condition and future medical needs. Then the evidence and the law must be put together according to the rules of the court and presented in a way that is easy for a judge or jury to understand.
What Is an Attorney’s Role in a Personal Injury Cases?

With the right legal representation, you can significantly strengthen your injury claim. Your Redwood City personal injury attorney takes charge of negotiations with the defendant or their insurance carrier, ensuring your case is presented effectively. This approach helps prevent delays or unfair denials of a reasonable settlement. While it’s possible to handle communications with insurance companies or other parties on your own, doing so can unintentionally harm your case. Involving a skilled personal injury lawyer from the beginning safeguards your interests and builds a solid foundation for a fair outcome.

What to Prepare Before Contacting a Personal Injury Lawyer in Redwood City

When reaching out to an attorney, it’s helpful to gather key details about your case, but don’t worry if some facts are unclear. The law firm can deploy investigators to uncover the necessary evidence, such as accident details or the cause of your injuries. To assist your lawyer in understanding your situation, try to bring relevant documents, like a police report or medical records detailing your injuries. Sharing these details with your Redwood City personal injury attorney confidentially allows them to assess whether you have a valid claim and the best way to proceed.

Settlement vs. Personal Injury Trial

In most personal injury accidents in California, settlements are reached without going to trial. Both sides agree on a fair resolution, saving time and avoiding courtroom battles. However, achieving this often requires extensive legal research and preparation to demonstrate the strength of your case.

Occasionally, an insurance company refuses to offer a fair settlement, denying liability or minimizing the severity of your injuries. In such instances, taking the case to trial may be the best option. A judge or jury then evaluates the evidence and determines the outcome, allowing you to seek appropriate compensation.

How to get Maximum Compensation with Trusted Legal Resources?

When dealing with the aftermath of a personal injury, navigating the path to recovery involves more than just physical healing. At Danko Meredith, we offer comprehensive legal resources and legal services to ensure you have the support needed to pursue justice. From evaluating your case to managing insurance claims, our skilled attorneys handle the complexities of the legal process so you can focus on your recovery.

We work diligently to secure maximum compensation for our clients, covering expenses such as medical treatment, lost wages, and other damages resulting from your injury. By leveraging our extensive experience and a network of professional experts, we aim to build a compelling case that reflects the full scope of your losses. Let us help you hold those responsible accountable and achieve the financial support you need to rebuild your life.

Contact Our Redwood City Personal Injury Attorneys Today

Hiring a Redwood City personal injury lawyer with a track record of trial success sends a clear message to defendants and insurers: you’re prepared to pursue your case fully if necessary. This approach often leads to faster and more equitable settlements. At Danko Meredith, we are committed to advocating for fair compensation and guiding clients through every step of the process.

Contact us today at Danko Meredith, Trial Lawyers, to explore your legal options. We provide free consultations to discuss your case and help you understand your potential for financial recovery. Our services extend across Redwood City, San Mateo County, and the San Francisco Bay Area.

Frequently Asked Questions About Personal Injury Claims in Redwood City, CA

An experienced personal injury attorney can help you by:

  • Investigating the cause of the accident
  • Gathering and preserving the evidence needed to support your claim
  • Finding and interviewing witnesses
  • Using subpoena power to obtain video of the accident that may have been recorded on security cameras, traffic cameras, or buses
  • Consult with accident reconstruction experts
  • Negotiate with the defendants or insurance companies that are involved
  • File a lawsuit on your behalf and, if necessary, take your case to trial.

Depending on the case, you may be entitled to compensation for:

  • Current and future medical expenses
  • Wages you have lost
  • The loss in your earning capacity as a result of the accident
  • Pain and suffering
  • In certain cases, punitive damages

Some cases – even very serious ones – are resolved within months of an accident. Others can take years. Often a case cannot be resolved until the accident victim has completed enough of their medical treatment to determine the extent to which any of the injuries will be permanent. An experienced lawyer may be able to give you a better idea of how long your case will take during an initial consultation.

No, you aren’t necessarily required to hire a personal injury lawyer, but doing so gives you a better chance at securing the funds to which you are entitled. A trial-tested personal injury attorney can also give you peace of mind and allow you to concentrate on your recovery.