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Hurt in an accident and not sure what happens next? Let our attorneys take it from here. Below, you’ll find information on the personal injury types of cases we handle, California filing deadlines by claim type, and how we decide whether a case is worth pursuing.
The Law Offices of Max G. Arnold is a family-run firm with more than 36 years of legal experience. Our personal injury lawyers work out of three California offices and, to us, your case is personal. When you call, you get a lawyer on the phone, not a secretary.
Ready to chat now? Call one of our locations listed below, or send us a quick message online to book your free consultation.
Will We Take Your Case? Here’s How We Decide
We know your time is valuable, so here is our honest version of how lawyers evaluate injury claims, and what we look at before giving you an answer:
The hardest decisions are always the ones where someone was genuinely wronged, but legal or practical limits get in the way.
Most often, it comes down to insurance coverage. If the person at fault carries no insurance, and there are no other policies to tap into, there may simply be no realistic source of recovery, regardless of how strong the facts are. That said, finding hidden coverage where others might miss it is often where experience matters most, and it’s a big reason people have trusted our office for over 40 years. But when a policy truly isn’t there, we’ll always be upfront with you.
Strict legal deadlines are another hurdle. If too much time has passed, state law ties our hands. And occasionally, the financial and emotional cost of full litigation would swallow up whatever you’d actually walk away with. Taking a case like that doesn’t serve you. It just puts you through an exhausting process for little to no return.
For us, five things carry the most weight:
- Is it reasonably clear who’s at fault? Liability matters. The more evidence you have that shows the other party was negligent or at fault, the better.
- How badly were you hurt? The extent of your injuries drives most of what a claim is worth. A sore back that clears up in a week and a surgery with months of recovery are very different cases, and the difference shapes what we can do for you.
- Did you see a doctor, and is it in writing? An injury that nobody treated is an injury that’s much tougher to prove. Waiting weeks to get looked at doesn’t help, either.
- Is there money to collect? This is the one people don’t usually think about. A strong case against someone with no insurance and no assets is a hard case to fund.
- Has your deadline already passed? Depending on how you got hurt, there are specific deadlines for filing a personal injury claim. There isn’t much we can do if a deadline has expired, which is why it’s crucial to call a personal injury attorney sooner rather than later.
If We Can’t Take Your Case, We’ll Still Point You in the Right Direction
Some injuries fall outside of our main Types of Cases We Handle. If you were:
- Hurt on the job: That runs through workers’ compensation, a separate system with its own rules and deadlines.
- A victim of medical malpractice: This is a highly specialized type of personal injury case with its own area of law, and the filing deadlines are much shorter.
- Part of a mass tort: The big class action cases you see advertised are not what we practice.
Call us anyway. We have been practicing law in Northern California for more than 36 years, and we know who handles what. We prioritize getting you to the right lawyer fast so you can get the help you need.
Main Types of Personal Injury Cases We Handle in Northern California
Dog Bites
California has thousands of dog bite claims every year, and continues to be the #1 state for dog bite injuries. They’re actually one of the most common cases we handle, especially in the Redding area. And since an attack can leave victims with serious physical injuries and emotional distress, California holds dog owners responsible for the damages. If you or a loved one was recently bitten by a dog in Chico, Redding, Santa Rosa, or any of the surrounding areas, we can help you get the compensation you deserve.
Car Accidents
A car accident can turn your life upside down fast. You may be dealing with painful injuries, a damaged vehicle, missed days at work, and an insurance company that seems more interested in saving money than helping you recover. Now more than ever, you need a personal injury lawyer who’s ready to fight for you. Let us deal with the insurer who delays, denies, or lowballs your claim, and get the information you need to build a case.
Bicycle Accidents
When it’s a car against a cyclist, the car will win out every time. For cyclists, even a seemingly minor crash can lead to broken bones, a head injury, road rash, or months away from work. Getting important details, like the road, traffic lights, and sightlines, documented early is what helps win these cases.
Wrongful Death
Losing someone suddenly and unexpectedly is the kind of heartbreak no family is ever prepared for. When their death was caused by someone else’s carelessness, that grief can be even harder to carry. And while no amount of money could ever make up for losing a loved one, California lets certain family members file a wrongful death claim to help cover funeral costs and other financial losses. But insurance companies can get aggressive with their contact attempts or offer egregiously low payouts. At Max G. Arnold, we treat your situation with the dignity and empathy it deserves. Our experienced team will handle all the stressful paperwork and fight to hold the responsible party accountable.
Drunk Driving Accidents
Drunk driving is not an innocent mistake. When someone chooses to drive impaired, they put every person on the road at risk, and innocent people are often left dealing with the consequences. Our personal injury law firm represents the people hit by drunk drivers, whether you’re now battling a long recovery, major medical bills, chronic pain, or the inability to support yourself financially.
Slip and Fall Accidents
A bad fall is easy to brush off until the medical bill shows up. Broken wrists, hip fractures, and head injuries are common, and older adults tend to get hurt the worst. California expects property owners to keep their space reasonably safe. That means a store, landlord, or business can be on the hook when a spill, a broken step, or bad lighting causes a fall. The hard part is proving the owner knew about the hazard or should have caught it, and that evidence has a way of disappearing fast.
Don’t See Your Case Type? We Also Help With These Claims
- Boating Accidents
- Bus Accidents
- Truck Accidents
- Catastrophic Injuries
- Property Owner Negligence
- Uber Accidents
- Pedestrian Accidents
- Hit & Run Accidents
- Rear-End Accidents
- T-Bone Accidents
Recently Injured? California Deadlines You Need to Know About
The most expensive mistake we see is somebody assuming they had more time than they did. It’s important to know California’s statute of limitations on personal injury claims. Once the deadline passes, the case is over, no matter how strong it was.
| Type of Claim | Deadline | Statute |
|---|---|---|
| Most Injury Claims (Bike or Car Crashes, Dog Bites, Slip and Fall Accidents) | 2 years from the date you were hurt | California Code of Civil Procedure (CCP) Section 335.1 |
| Wrongful Death | 2 years from the date of death, not the date of the accident | California Code of Civil Procedure (CCP) Section 335.1 |
| Injury Caused by a City, County, State Agency, or Public School | 6 months to file a written claim with that agency (including for minors) | California Government Code Section 911.2 |
| Filing a Lawsuit After an Agency Denies Your Claim | 6 months from the denial notice | Government Code 945.6 |
| The Injured Person Is Under 18 | The 2-year clock usually pauses until their 18th birthday (except in cases against a government entity) | California Code of Civil Procedure (CCP) 352 |
Deadlines for certain claims can be a little tricky. Here are three things to look out for:
- A Wrongful Death Timeline Begins on the Date of Death: Families often start counting from the date of the accident. If your loved one lived for a few weeks or months afterward, that time is yours.
- A Government Vehicle or Property Takes You Down to Six Months: If it’s a city bus, a county truck, or a broken public sidewalk, then two years gets cut to six months.
- A Late-Appearing Injury Can Move the ‘Start’ Date: Under the “discovery rule,” your clock begins when you discover the injury instead of when it happened. This is a narrow exception, though, not the rule.
Not sure which situation applies to you? Call or schedule your free case review and one of our attorneys will tell you in minutes.
Why People Hire Personal Injury Attorneys at Max G. Arnold
When you hire us, you get a legal team that stays involved, moves quickly, and treats your case like it matters. Because it does.
We Stay On Your Case After You Sign
Think of our legal team as your vigorous advocates and friends who care. Once we take your case, we are all in. We’ll ask you questions like: Did you get to the doctor? What did they tell you? Did they set a follow-up appointment? And if they don’t call you back in three days, call us. If your insurance denies your treatment, we call them and fight to get that reversed so the care you need doesn’t stop.
You Get an Actual Attorney on the Phone
When we say we’re available anytime, we mean it. Other law firms might have you go through an answering service, an intern, a secretary, or a paralegal just to reach an attorney. They might even make you feel like your case isn’t that important to them. Well, we don’t operate that way. Whatever happened to you, we take it seriously and personally.
We Move Fast When Somebody Stalls
If an insurance company or a dog owner won’t turn over coverage information, we file suit immediately. We don’t spend a month being polite about it first. Not when your recovery is on the line.
We Are a Family Firm With 36+ Years of Experience
We have been helping injured people and their families for more than 36 years. That experience means we know how insurance companies operate, what can slow a case down, and when it’s time to push harder. But we are still a family-run firm, not a high-volume operation where clients get lost in the shuffle. You will be treated like a person, not a case number.
We Have a Spanish-Speaking Staff
Language should never stand between you and the help you need. Our Spanish-speaking staff can explain the process, answer your questions, and keep you informed in the language you are most comfortable using. You should always understand what is happening with your case and what comes next.
You Pay Nothing Unless We Win
The last thing you should have to worry about is legal bills, especially when you’re already dealing with an injury. We offer free case evaluations, and you pay no attorney’s fees unless we recover money for you. That means no upfront cost to get answers, understand your options, and have an experienced legal team fight for you.
Our Office Locations in California
FAQs | Personal Injury Lawyers in Northern California
Do I have a personal injury case?
Usually it comes down to four things:
- Somebody else was at fault.
- You got hurt and have medical records proving it.
- There is insurance or money to collect from.
- Your deadline to file a claim hasn’t passed yet.
If all four are there, you probably have a case. Contact us today for your free case review.
What do your personal injury attorneys listen for during a case review?
Here’s an answer straight from our Founder & Personal Injury Attorney, Max G. Arnold:
“When you first reach out, we’re listening for certain key information: when and where the accident happened, what happened in the accident, who was involved, and whether there’s fault on the other person.
We’ll ask if there’s active insurance coverage and who the carrier is, as that determines where we can turn for recovery. You don’t need a rehearsed speech, and you don’t have to guess what’s important. We have very specific questions and will guide you through exactly what we need to know.
We’ll also walk through the injuries you’ve suffered and any care you’ve received so far. We know that finding, and paying for, the right medical treatment on your own can feel overwhelming after an accident. If you haven’t seen a doctor yet, you don’t need to worry. We’re here to help guide you toward trusted medical resources and help you navigate a clear path forward for your care.
All of this information simply helps us figure out if we’re the right fit to help you, and the fastest way to get to work on your behalf, so you can take a breath and focus on healing.”
How long do I have to file a personal injury claim in California?
Most personal injury claims give you two years from the date you were hurt. If a city, county, or other public agency is involved, you only get six months to file a claim with them. Check our California statute of limitations table above to see which deadline applies to your case.
What if the accident was partly my fault?
You can still recover money for your injuries. California reduces what you collect by your share of the fault instead of barring the claim outright. Insurance companies lean hard on this to try and minimize their payout, so don’t assume their version of who caused it is the right one. A personal injury lawyer can investigate what happened, push back on unfair blame, and make sure your side of the story is heard.
What does it cost to hire you?
Nothing up front, and nothing at all unless we recover money for you. Your initial case review is free. Our fee comes out of the settlement or verdict, and we go over the exact percentage with you before you sign a thing.
Do I have to go to court?
Most cases settle without a trial. But we’re not afraid to take things to court if an insurer starts stalling your case.
The insurance company already offered me money. Should I take it?
Talk to a lawyer first. Early offers tend to come in before anyone knows what your treatment will cost, and insurance companies don’t typically lead with a ‘fair’ deal. Accepting one may close your claim for good, but speaking with an attorney from the Law Offices of Max G. Arnold is free.
What compensation can I recover after an accident?
It depends on your injuries. Personal injury claims commonly include:
- Medical bills
- Future treatment
- Lost wages
- Reduced ability to earn
- Vehicle or property damage
- Pain and suffering
Some cases also allow punitive damages when the conduct was especially reckless.
What do people misunderstand about personal injury cases?
The biggest misconception is that these decisions are based purely on how badly someone was hurt or how clearly the other side was at fault.
Those things matter immensely, but fault is often just the first step in a longer journey. Even when responsibility is clear, there are still critical moving parts to navigate, like whether there’s sufficient insurance coverage, how soon you were able to start treatment, and how clearly your care is documented in your medical records. Insurance adjusters scrutinize all of those details.
There are so many questions and issues that need to be handled correctly, even after fault is established and agreed to. You don’t have to figure those out on your own. Our office is here to manage the heavy lifting and make all of those mountains much easier to climb.
Request Your Free Case Evaluation
Hurt in an accident and not sure whether you have a case, or how much time you have left? Call or text your location’s number below, tell us what happened, and we will tell you straight whether we think you have something worth pursuing.
Your case evaluation is free. You owe nothing unless we recover money for you.
Chico: (530) 897-5020 · Redding: (530) 242-2040 · Santa Rosa: (707) 535-1920