California Personal Injury Lawyer

Representing Injured Victims of Negligence

The personal injury attorneys at Potter Handy Law Firm have helped plaintiffs recover millions of dollars in damages.

Injuries incurred by wrongdoing, negligence, or carelessness, there is a likelihood that you will be entitled to pursue legal action.

In most cases, however, these lawsuits tend to be the best course of action for “catastrophic injury” or injuries that permanently affect an individual’s ability to function and live normally. Typically, these types of injuries are disfiguring or cause disability.

The most common catastrophic injuries include:

Paralysis
Amputation
Severe burns
Crushing injuries
Dismemberment
Spinal cord injury
Traumatic brain injury

Serious injuries can result in differing degrees of paralysis, reduced cognitive capacity, physical disability, and chronic pain for survivors. Severe accidents can cause mental, physical, and financial complications for a lifetime.

Personal Injury Cases We Handle

Car Accidents

Car accidents can cause almost any type of injury. While some of these injuries will heal over time, others may lead to ongoing pain and disability.

Common causes of car accidents:

Speeding
Road Defects
Fatigued Driving
Reckless Driving
Distracted Driving
Inexperienced Drivers
Poor Weather Conditions
Defective Automotive Equipment
Road Construction Zone Accidents
Driving Under the Influence of Drugs or Alcohol

Common injuries from car accidents include:

Fractures
Neck Injuries
Back Injuries
Broken Bones
Ruptured Discs
Wrongful Death
Dislocated Joints
Spinal Cord Injuries
Psychological Trauma
Traumatic Brain Injury
Burns and Lacerations
Torso and Pelvis Trauma
Arm, Feet, and Leg Injuries

Bicycle Accidents

Bicycle accidents can lead to various injuries. These injuries range in severity and can cause long-lasting issues for victims, and in some cases, they can be fatal.

We can begin by filing a claim against the party responsible for the accident, so you can recover economic and non-economic damages. With our help, you can focus on healing from your injuries while we concentrate on getting you a fair settlement or judgment.

Common injuries from bicycle accidents include:

Fractures
Road Rash
Neck Injuries
Back Injuries
Broken Bones
Ruptured Discs
Wrongful Death
Dislocated Joints
Spinal Cord Injuries
Psychological Trauma
Traumatic Brain Injury
Torso and Pelvis Trauma
Arm, Feet, and Leg Injuries

Motorcycle Accidents

Motorcycle accident injuries are often extremely serious and can be fatal.

Common causes of motorcycle accidents:

Speeding
Road Defects
Fatigued Driving
Reckless Driving
Distracted Driving
Inexperienced Drivers
Poor Weather Conditions
Defective Automotive Equipment
Road Construction Zone Accidents
Driving Under the Influence of Drugs or Alcohol

Common injuries from motorcycle accidents include:

Fractures
Road Rash
Neck Injuries
Back Injuries
Broken Bones
Ruptured Discs
Wrongful Death
Dislocated Joints
Spinal Cord Injuries
Psychological Trauma
Traumatic Brain Injury
Burns and Lacerations
Torso and Pelvis Trauma
Arm, Feet, and Leg Injuries

Truck Accidents

Truck accidents can cause almost any type of injury. While some of these injuries will heal over time, others may lead to ongoing pain, disability, and death.

Common causes of truck accidents:

Speeding
Fatigued Driving
Reckless Driving
Distracted Driving
Inexperienced Drivers
Poor Weather Conditions
Defective Automotive Equipment
Road Construction Zone Accidents
Driving Under the Influence of Drugs or Alcohol

Common injuries from truck accidents include:

Fractures
Road Rash
Neck Injuries
Back Injuries
Broken Bones
Ruptured Discs
Wrongful Death
Dislocated Joints
Spinal Cord Injuries
Psychological Trauma
Traumatic Brain Injury
Burns and Lacerations
Torso and Pelvis Trauma
Arm, Feet, and Leg Injuries

Premises Liability Accidents

Premises liability accidents can cause almost any type of injury. While some of these injuries will heal over time, others may lead to ongoing pain, disability, and death.

Premises liability is a subsection of personal injury law that focuses on the injuries a person might sustain when he or she is on someone else’s property.

Examples of premises liability accidents:

Slip and Fall
Pool Accidents
Animal Attacks
Acts of Violence
Negligent Security
Negligent Maintenance
Amusement Park Accidents
Construction Site Accidents
Elevator/Escalator Accidents
College Campus/Dormitory Accidents
Airbnb or Other Home Share Accidents

Common injuries from premises liability accidents include:

Fractures
Neck Injuries
Back Injuries
Broken Bones
Ruptured Discs
Wrongful Death
Dislocated Joints
Spinal Cord Injuries
Psychological Trauma
Traumatic Brain Injury
Burns and Lacerations
Torso and Pelvis Trauma
Arm, Feet, and Leg Injuries

Wrongful Death Accidents

Often a fatal injury happens immediately, but sometimes it can take weeks, months, or even years before a person succumbs to his or her illness or injury.

We will help you navigate the process and advocate for your loved one by filing a claim against the party responsible for the wrongful death.

Common causes of wrongful deaths:

Falls
Drowning
Car Accidents
Acts of Violence
Fires and Burns
Truck Accidents
Toxic Exposures
Crushing Injuries
Defective Products
Spinal Cord Damage
Motorcycle Accidents
Accidental Poisonings
Traumatic Brain Injuries
Construction Site Injuries

Potter Handy Law Firm – Personal Injury Top Cases

Dog bite
Brain injury
Car accidents
Wrongful death
Premises liability

Statute of Limitations

A statute of limitations is the deadline for filing a lawsuit. Most lawsuits MUST be filed within a certain amount of time. In general, once the statute of limitations on a case “runs out,” the legal claim is not valid any longer.

Personal injury: Two years from the injury. If the injury was not discovered right away, then it is 1 year from the date the injury was discovered.

Figuring out when the statute of limitations runs out on a claim is not easy. If you have any doubts about how to calculate the time you have, talk to a lawyer.

What Personal Injury Damages Can I Recover in California?

California personal injury law permits recovery for many types of damages, including (without limitation):

Lost wages
Medical bills
Long-term care
Wrongful death
Punitive damages
Pain and suffering
Injury to reputation
Lost earning capacity
Scarring or disfigurement
Physical or occupational therapy
Negligent infliction of emotional distress

Personal Injury Lawyer in California – No Upfront Fees or Costs

Unlike some firms, we charge clients no upfront costs or fees. We do not receive a dime unless and until you settle your claim or win at trial. Our legal team operates by contingency fee.

While we will fight to get you the biggest settlement possible, we will never pressure you to settle your claim quickly just to make a quick buck. With years of courtroom experience, we are not afraid to take a good case to trial in front of a jury.

If you have been injured in California and you think someone else might be to blame, we invite you to call us to discuss your case with a caring California personal injury attorney.