Personal Injury Attorney in Glendale, CA
An unexpected injury can change your life in seconds. Medical treatment, time away from work, physical pain and uncertainty about what happens next can quickly turn an accident into a financial and personal crisis.
When an injury is caused by another person’s or company’s negligence or wrongful conduct, California law may allow the injured person to pursue compensation for resulting losses.
RCM Legal represents individuals injured in accidents and other incidents throughout Glendale and Southern California. As an experienced personal injury law firm in Glendale, we investigate what happened, identify potentially responsible parties, document our clients’ losses and pursue compensation through negotiation, litigation and, when necessary, trial.
If you have been injured and aren’t sure whether you have a claim, speaking with a personal injury attorney in Glendale can help you understand your rights and options.
What Is a Personal Injury Claim?
A personal injury claim is a civil legal claim arising when one person’s actions or wrongful conduct causes harm to another.
Many personal injury cases are based on negligence-the legal concept that someone failed to use reasonable care and that failure caused another person’s injury.
California personal injury cases can involve physical injuries, emotional or psychological harm and financial losses resulting from the incident.
Having an injury alone does not necessarily establish a personal injury claim. Liability, causation and damages must be evaluated based on the facts and applicable law.
Personal Injury Cases We Handle
Accidents happen in many different ways, and determining legal responsibility often requires examining the circumstances surrounding the injury.
RCM Legal evaluates personal injury matters including:
Car and Motor Vehicle Accidents
Car crashes can cause injuries ranging from relatively minor conditions to permanent disability.
Determining responsibility may involve examining driver conduct, police reports, witness statements, photographs, vehicle damage, medical evidence and insurance information.
A Glendale accident lawyer can evaluate how the collision occurred, identify potentially responsible parties and help an injured person pursue an appropriate claim.
Slip-and-Fall and Premises Liability Accidents
Property owners and others responsible for premises may have legal obligations concerning dangerous conditions on property they control.
Falls and other premises accidents may involve unsafe walkways, inadequate maintenance, spills, poor lighting, dangerous stairs or other conditions.
These cases frequently turn on what condition existed, how long it existed, who knew or should have known about it and whether reasonable steps were taken to address the danger.
Dog Bites and Animal Injuries
Dog attacks can cause puncture wounds, scarring, nerve damage, infection and psychological trauma.
California has specific laws governing liability for dog bites, making it important to evaluate where and how the incident occurred and the relationship among the injured person, animal and owner.
Defective Products
An injury caused by an unsafe or defective product may involve legal issues extending beyond an ordinary negligence claim.
RCM Legal separately handles product liability matters involving products and devices alleged to have caused injuries.
Learn About Product Liability →
Other Serious Injuries
Personal injury claims are not limited to one particular type of accident. If another person’s or company’s conduct caused you physical, emotional or financial harm, an injury attorney in Glendale, CA can evaluate whether you may have a viable claim.
What Compensation Can Be Recovered in a California Personal Injury Case?
The purpose of damages in a personal injury case is generally to compensate an injured person for losses legally attributable to the injury.
Depending on the circumstances, recoverable damages may include:
- Past medical expenses
- Future medical treatment
- Lost wages
- Loss of future earning capacity
- Property damage when applicable
- Physical pain
- Emotional harm
- Other injury-related losses
The value of a personal injury case cannot be determined from the type of accident alone.
Two people involved in similar collisions can have very different claims because their injuries, medical treatment, employment consequences, long-term prognosis and other circumstances are different.
RCM Legal evaluates damages based on the actual effect the injury has had-and may continue to have-on the client’s life.
What Do You Have to Prove in a Personal Injury Case?
The exact legal requirements depend on the type of claim, but a negligence case generally requires more than proving that an accident happened.
The injured person typically must establish that the defendant was legally responsible for the conduct at issue, that the defendant failed to exercise appropriate care, that the conduct caused the injury and that the injured person suffered legally recognizable harm.
That is why investigation and evidence matter. A strong personal injury case connects the conduct that caused the accident to the injuries and losses that followed.
How RCM Legal Investigates a Personal Injury Claim
One of the most important stages of a personal injury case occurs before a lawsuit ever reaches a courtroom.
RCM Legal begins by developing a detailed understanding of what happened and gathering available evidence.
Depending on the circumstances, that may include:
- Photographs and video of the accident scene
- Police or incident reports
- Witness information and statements
- Medical records
- Medical bills
- Employment and wage information
- Insurance documents
- Property or vehicle records
- Communications involving the incident
- Evidence concerning the responsible person or business
Evidence can disappear. Memories can fade. Physical conditions can change. Beginning the investigative process promptly can therefore be important, particularly when evidence concerning how an accident occurred may later be disputed.
What Happens After a Personal Injury Claim Is Filed?
Not every personal injury claim becomes a lawsuit.
Depending on the circumstances, a claim may initially involve investigation, medical documentation, communications with insurers and negotiations concerning liability and damages.
If the matter cannot be resolved appropriately, litigation may become necessary.
A lawsuit generally begins when the plaintiff files a complaint identifying the legal claims against the defendant. Litigation may then involve written discovery, document production, depositions, expert analysis, motions and continued settlement negotiations.
RCM Legal prepares clients for each stage of that process and explains what to expect as the case develops.
Does Every Personal Injury Case Go to Trial?
No.
Many personal injury cases resolve through negotiated settlements without a trial. A settlement may provide an appropriate resolution when it fairly reflects the client’s injuries, losses and litigation risks.
But a settlement should not be accepted simply because an insurance company or defendant wants the case resolved.
RCM Legal is a litigation-oriented firm. If negotiations do not produce an appropriate resolution and the circumstances support continuing the case, our attorneys are prepared to litigate and take the matter to trial.
Being prepared for trial can matter long before a jury is ever selected.
What If I Was Partially Responsible for the Accident?
Being partially responsible for an accident does not automatically mean you have no personal injury claim in California.
California uses comparative fault principles. When an injured plaintiff’s own negligence contributed to the harm, the plaintiff’s damages may be reduced according to the percentage of responsibility assigned to that plaintiff.
That makes careful investigation particularly important when several people or businesses may share responsibility for an accident.
How Long Do I Have to File a Personal Injury Lawsuit in California?
For many California personal injury claims, the general statute of limitations is two years from the date of injury.
But that is not a universal deadline.
Different rules can apply depending on the circumstances, including claims involving government entities, delayed discovery of an injury and particular types of cases. Medical malpractice also has specialized rules.
Because missing an applicable deadline can prevent a claim from proceeding, you should not assume that you have two years in every situation.
If you believe someone else caused your injury, consider speaking with an attorney as soon as reasonably possible to determine what deadline may apply to your particular circumstances.
What Should I Do After an Accident?
Your health should come first.
Seek appropriate medical care and follow your healthcare provider’s recommendations. Beyond that, steps that may help preserve information relevant to a potential claim include:
- Photographing the accident scene and visible injuries when possible
- Obtaining contact information from witnesses
- Keeping copies of police or incident reports
- Saving medical bills and treatment records
- Maintaining employment and wage-loss documentation
- Preserving communications with insurers or other parties
- Avoiding disposal or alteration of potentially important evidence
You do not need to determine the legal significance of every document yourself. Preserve what you have and let your attorney determine what may become important.
Why Choose RCM Legal for a Personal Injury Case?
Choosing a personal injury lawyer in Glendale isn’t simply about finding someone who can submit a claim to an insurance company.
Serious cases may require investigation, discovery, depositions, expert evidence, negotiation and courtroom advocacy.
RCM Legal approaches personal injury matters as litigators.
Thorough Investigation – We work to understand how the accident occurred and gather evidence supporting liability and damages.
Strategic Case Preparation – We develop claims with an understanding of the arguments and evidence the opposing side may use.
Trial Experience – When a reasonable resolution cannot be reached, our attorneys are prepared to continue litigating.
Honest Advice – Clients deserve realistic guidance about the strengths, weaknesses and potential value of their claims.
Responsive Communication – We keep clients informed and available to answer questions as their cases progress. Our objective is not simply to open a claim. It is to build the strongest case the available facts and evidence support.
Frequently Asked Questions About Personal Injury Claims in California
How do I know if I have a personal injury case?
A potential claim generally requires more than an injury. An attorney will consider how the injury occurred, whether another party may be legally responsible, whether that conduct caused your injuries and what damages resulted. A personal injury lawyer in Glendale can review the facts and help determine whether pursuing a claim may be appropriate.
How much is my personal injury case worth?
There is no reliable formula that determines the value of every case. Relevant factors can include the severity and duration of the injury, medical expenses, future treatment, lost earnings, long-term limitations, available insurance or assets, strength of the liability evidence and other circumstances.
Should I talk to the insurance company after an accident?
You may need to communicate with an insurer after an accident, but statements concerning fault, injuries and settlement can potentially affect a claim. If you are uncertain about what information to provide or are being asked to give a recorded statement or accept a settlement, consider obtaining legal advice first.
How long do personal injury cases take?
It depends on the case. Factors include the severity of the injuries, length of medical treatment, complexity of liability, number of parties involved, willingness to negotiate, amount of discovery required and whether the case proceeds to trial.
Can I recover compensation if I was partly at fault?
Potentially, yes. California applies comparative fault principles. If an injured person shares responsibility for an accident, compensation may be reduced according to that person’s percentage of fault rather than automatically eliminated.
What evidence is important in a personal injury case?
Useful evidence may include photographs, videos, witness statements, police or incident reports, medical records, medical bills, employment records and other documentation showing both how the accident happened and how the injury affected the person.
Do I have to go to court to receive compensation?
Not necessarily. Many personal injury claims settle without trial. If an appropriate settlement cannot be reached, filing a lawsuit and potentially proceeding to trial may be necessary.
How much does it cost to speak with RCM Legal about a personal injury claim?
RCM Legal offers a free initial case evaluation. You can explain what happened, ask questions and learn whether the firm may be able to assist you.
Speak With a Personal Injury Attorney in Glendale
An accident can leave you with questions about medical bills, lost income, insurance, legal responsibility and what you should do next.
You don’t have to answer those questions alone.
If you or someone you care about has been injured because of another person’s or company’s conduct, contact RCM Legal. Our Glendale personal injury attorneys can evaluate what happened, explain your legal options and determine whether pursuing compensation may be appropriate.
