Personal Injury FAQs

Based in San Jose, California, the experienced attorneys at Needham, Kepner, Fish & Jones assist people throughout the Bay Area who have suffered injuries in a bicycle, automobile, trucking, or motorcycle accident, or are the victims of elder abuse or wrongful death.   Below are some questions we frequently receive about personal injury matters.  For further information, or to speak with an experienced attorney regarding your claim, contact us today.

Q: What are your attorneys' fees in personal injury cases?
A: Under California law, the fee arrangement is negotiable and will be discussed with you when you agree to having us represent you.  We handle the majority of personal injury cases on a contingency fee basis, meaning that you pay no legal fees unless we are successful in reaching a resolution to your case through either settlement or trial.  In most cases, we also advance all of the costs associated with prosecuting the case.

Q: What is my personal injury case worth?
A: It is difficult to assess your claim's potential value until we can collect some of the essential information about the case.  Often, it is necessary to complete an investigation and some discovery before we can adequately assess your case's value.  We generally base our evaluation on our knowledge of the trends in recent trial results.

Q: When do I have to file my personal injury lawsuit?
A: Determining the statute of limitations that is applicable to your case can be complicated.  In general, California law permits an injured party two years from the date of the accident to file a lawsuit.  However, many exceptions can shorten or modify the length of this period, making it critical to contact a lawyer as soon as possible.  Cases involving a public entity's liability, medical negligence, or a minor child have different time limits.  Additionally, evidence that can be vital to your case often disappears quickly.  The sooner you contact us, the earlier we can begin investigating your case, preserving evidence, and filing within all relevant deadlines.

Q: How soon will my personal injury case be resolved?
The speed with which a lawsuit can be completed depends heavily on the specific circumstances of the case, how many different parties are involved, any barriers that may exist to completing discovery and preparing the matter for settlement negotiations and/or trial, and the particular county court's scheduling.  At Needham, Kepner, Fish & Jones, we are committed to keeping you informed as to the progress of the case and the anticipated date of resolution.