Modesto Personal Injury Attorneys
Representing Injured People across the Central Valley Since 1989
If you have been injured in an accident or as a result of someone else’s negligence, it’s important that you get in touch with an attorney as soon as possible. You may be entitled to compensation for your damages, but recovering it can be difficult without legal representation. Rancaño & Rancaño, APLC is based in Modesto, and we represent injured individuals throughout the Central Valley.
Learn more about your rights and options during a free consultation with a Modesto personal injury lawyer at Rancaño & Rancaño, APLC. Call us at (888) 859-7022 today.
Compensation in Personal Injury Cases
If you’re injured or lose a loved one as a result of another person or party’s negligent or wrongful actions, you may be entitled to seek compensation from the at-fault party. This typically involves filing a claim against the liable person’s or company’s insurance provider.
An injury can bring new and unexpected financial hardships. Medical treatment can be expensive, particularly if your injuries are severe, long-lasting, or disabling. If your injuries prevent you from returning to work temporarily or permanently, you’ll also lose wages as expenses rise.
A personal injury claim allows you to seek compensation for your economic and non-economic damages, such as:
- Medical expenses
- Lost wages
- Lost future earnings
- Physical impairment
- Inconvenience
- Pain and suffering
- Property damages
While no monetary award can undo the stress and hardships you’ve faced, a fair recovery can help you manage your bills and other expenses as you move forward.
Handling Your Case with Compassion & Determination
As your Modesto personal injury lawyers, we understand that you and your loved ones have suffered a serious setback that can permanently affect your future. We handle cases with sensitivity and compassion, guiding clients through each stage of the legal process. Our team works with you to develop a strategy aimed at reaching an appropriate resolution. That work may include gathering records, communicating with insurers, evaluating damages, negotiating a settlement, and preparing for litigation. Whether your case settles or proceeds to trial, we work to protect your rights and pursue the compensation available under the facts of your claim.
Our strengths include focused preparation, a thorough understanding of California personal injury law, and genuine concern for the people we represent. Our track record of positive results includes millions of dollars recovered for injured workers and individuals.
As we defend our clients’ rights, we sometimes identify legislation that harms the people we represent. When that happens, we work to change it. Some of the laws that affect personal injury victims in California govern how large corporations, insurance companies, commercial property owners, employers, medical professionals, and government agencies respond to injury claims.
Benefits Available for Injured Workers
The following workers’ compensation benefits are available for injured workers in California:
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Costs Related to Your Workplace Injury
Workers’ compensation benefits are designed to assist you with certain costs related to your workplace injury. Note that workers’ compensation benefits do not cover non-economic damages, such as pain and suffering or emotional distress.
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Medical Benefits
Workers’ compensation will cover all costs related to your medical care for your workplace injury or illness. This includes things like hospital services, physical therapy, prescriptions, laboratory tests, and more.
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Temporary Disability Benefits
While you recover, temporary disability benefits can help make up for wages you lose as a result of being unable to work. In most cases, temporary disability benefits are limited to no more than 104 weeks within 5 years of the date of injury.
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Permanent Disability Benefits
If you suffer an injury that leaves you permanently unable to work, either in a partial or total capacity, workers’ compensation can compensate you for your lost wages. The amount of benefits you receive will depend on how your disability is rated by a doctor.
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Supplemental Job Displacement Benefits
If your workplace injury leaves you permanently disabled and unable to return to work within 60 days after your temporary disability benefits end, and your employer does not offer you modified work, you may be able to receive a voucher for state-approved job re-training. Exceptions apply; contact us for more information.
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Death Benefits
If your loved one died as a result of a work-related accident, injuries, or illness, you may be able to recover workers’ compensation death benefits. These benefits are provided to certain family members and dependents; contact Rancaño & Rancaño, APLC to learn more.
Understanding Local Resources & Support in Modesto
Doctors Medical Center and Memorial Medical Center provide injury-related care in Modesto. While we don’t partner directly with either facility, local medical treatment and insurance communications can affect the practical aftermath of an injury claim.
Whether you were involved in a motor-vehicle accident on McHenry Avenue or a slip-and-fall at a local business, medical care, insurance communications, and civil court procedures may all affect your claim. The Stanislaus County Superior Court handles civil matters relevant to personal injury litigation, and we represent clients in Modesto and throughout the Central Valley.
There Are No Out-of-Pocket Expenses for You
Our firm works on a contingency-fee basis, meaning our attorneys’ fees are contingent on recovering compensation in your case. There are no upfront out-of-pocket expenses when you choose to work with our Modesto personal injury lawyers. We cover upfront case costs such as court and filing fees, discovery costs, and expert-witness expenses, subject to the applicable fee agreement. If we don’t secure a settlement or verdict in your favor, you don’t pay us attorney’s fees.
We represent injured workers and individuals, including those who have suffered catastrophic work-related injuries. We offer services in English and Spanish.
Call (888) 859-7022 or contact us online today for a free consultation.
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How can I afford a personal injury lawyer?The last thing you need after suffering an injury is to face expensive legal costs. At Rancaño & Rancaño, APLC, we accept personal injury cases on a contingency fee basis, meaning you will not pay for any of our services unless we are successful in recovering compensation on your behalf. Our firm will cover all upfront costs associated with your case, including court and filing fees, discovery costs, expert witnesses, and other overhead. If we win your case, our fee will be a percentage of any settlement or jury award you may receive. If we are not successful in your case, you will not pay us a dime.
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Should I speak to the insurance company?Most insurance policies require you to notify your insurance agent after being involved in an accident. Beyond providing notice and offering the basic facts, you do not have to answer any additional questions or provide any sort of statement without first consulting an attorney.
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Should I accept the insurance company's settlement offer?It is highly recommended you do not accept any settlement offered by the insurance company until you have had a chance to discuss your situation with an attorney from our firm. Once you accept a settlement, your case is closed and you will be unable to secure any additional compensation for your injuries, even if your long-term losses exceed your settlement amount. Our attorneys can negotiate with the insurance company for a settlement amount that fully compensates you for all damages suffered, and if necessary, take your case to trial.
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I am partially at fault for my injuries. Do I still have a case?Yes, potentially. California follows a rule known as "pure comparative fault" which allows personal injury plaintiffs to recover damages even if they are found to be 99% at fault for their own injuries, though their potential recovery will be reduced according to their level of responsibility. For example, say you were injured in a car accident at an intersection caused by another driver who ran a red light, causing you to suffer a total of $10,000 worth of damages. At trial, the jury finds you to be 20% at fault because you were speeding at the time of the crash. Under California's pure comparative fault rules, you would be able to receive up to $8,000 in compensation (or $10,000 less 20%).
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Will my case be public record?If your case is settled out of court, its results will remain private. If you file a lawsuit and your case is decided by a judge and jury, however, the results and details will be made public record.
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How long will my case take?Just as there is no way to accurately predict the value of your case, each case is different and will therefore follow a different timeline. Some personal injury cases involving minor injuries can be resolved in as little as a few months, whereas more severe claims involving life-changing injuries or wrongful death can potentially take years of litigation to reach a verdict. Generally speaking, the length of time required to reach a resolution in your case will depend on the severity of your injuries, the complexity of the laws applying to your case, the level of cooperation of the involved insurance companies, and whether or not your case goes to trial.
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Will I have to go to court for my personal injury case?It depends. The vast majority of personal injury cases are resolved in the form of a settlement achieved through negotiations between the involved parties' legal representation and their respective insurance companies. With that being said, our attorneys are fully prepared to take your case to trial if there is a significant discrepancy between what the insurance company is offering and what we believe you truly deserve. You can rest assured that our attorneys will keep you informed of your case's status and advise you on whether or not pursuing litigation is appropriate for your case.
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How long do I have to file a personal injury claim?If you are looking to file a personal injury lawsuit in Modesto, you will need to act quickly to ensure you are compliant with the statute of limitations. Under California law, injured persons generally have two years from the date of the injury to file a lawsuit against those responsible, though this deadline may be extended or shortened depending on the exact circumstances. If you attempt to file a lawsuit after this deadline has passed, the court will likely dismiss your case and you will be unable to recover compensation for your injuries. Since it can sometimes take months of investigations and research to build a strong case, it is important you get an attorney involved early on to guard your rights and maximize your chances of having a successful outcome.
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Is there a cap on damages I can recover?No. California generally does not put a cap on the amount of damages you can recover in a personal injury case, with one exception. Plaintiffs are limited to a maximum of $250,000 in non-economic damages in medical malpractice cases. In all other cases, there is no cap on the amount of potential award as long as the plaintiff can present sufficient evidence of pain and suffering.
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How much is my case worth?There is no way to accurately predict how much you will be eligible to recover for your personal injury case without discussing your situation in depth with a lawyer. Your case's value will depend on factors such as the severity and nature of your injuries, the amount of medical treatment you require, the cause of your injuries, the amount of evidence proving the other party's liability, the amount of insurance coverage available, and the quality of your legal representation. Generally speaking, the more severe the injuries involved, the higher your eligible compensation will be.
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Do I really need a lawyer?In most cases, yes. In a perfect world, the person or entity responsible for your injuries would openly admit fault and their insurance company would pay you the full value of your claim without hesitation. Unfortunately, things rarely go this smoothly. Personal injury claims often involve considerable liability and large sums of money. As such, you can expect the opposition to do everything within their power to try and limit their losses, whether this involves at-fault party accusing you of causing your own injuries or the insurance company claiming that your injuries are not as severe as you claim. You need an advocate on your side who understands how this process works to protect your interests and maximize your chances of securing a favorable outcome.
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What should I do if I have been injured?Your first priority after suffering an injury is to get medical help. Once you have been treated and are in a stable condition, start collecting as much evidence as you can. Take photos of the place you were injured, get the names and contact information of any witnesses, and save any objects that may have been involved in your accident. Then, talk to an experienced personal injury lawyer from our firm right away before you speak with the insurance company. We can guard your rights and interests while you focus on your physical recovery.
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How do I know if I have a case?If you have suffered physical and/or emotional harm due to another party's negligence or intentional wrongdoing, you likely have grounds to pursue a personal injury claim. While this may sound simple on the surface, questions of liability and complex case law can quickly complicate things. Ultimately, the best way to find out if you have a valid case is to speak to an attorney.
An Experienced Legal Team On the Side of Injured Workers
Why Hire Rancaño & Rancaño, APLC?
When Your Benefits Matter, It Matters Who You Hire
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On the Side of WorkersOur firm is exclusively dedicated to helping injured workers and individuals receive the justice they deserve.
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Experienced Support StaffOur firm is staffed by experienced legal professionals who have been helping us serve injured workers for many years.
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Se Habla EspañolOur multi-lingual staff is proud to serve clients in both English and Spanish.
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Experience on Your SideOur firm has been serving injured clients throughout California's Central Valley for 30 years.
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A Reputation for ExcellenceWe have received countless testimonials from happy clients since our law firm first opened its doors in 1989.
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A Track Record of SuccessOur firm has recovered millions of dollars for injured workers and individuals.