Modesto Personal Injury Attorney

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    Results For The People We Don’t Just Talk About Results. We Get Them.

    $21 million

    Mondragon v. City of Fremont

    In June 2022, Adanté Pointer & Patrick Buelna won a $21 Million Jury Trial Verdict for the family of Elena Mondragon who was shot and killed by Fremont police officers when she was sixteen-years-old.

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    Modesto Lawyers For The People

    The Modesto injury lawyers at Pointer & Buelna, LLP, have years of experience holding negligent parties accountable for their actions. Our personal injury attorneys are ready to fight for you if you have been injured. 

    If you or someone you love was injured in Modesto, you could hire a personal injury attorney to hold them accountable. You may be entitled to compensation for your medical bills, lost earnings, and pain and suffering. Everyone is responsible for going through life with reasonable care, so we do not harm others. However, people who fail to live up to their obligations should be held accountable.

    Personal injury is legal terminology that describes the damages caused by someone’s negligence. The Code of Civil Procedure in California states that personal injury applies to your physical injuries as well as property damages. However, most personal injury claims in Modesto and surrounding areas focus on physical injuries that have caused you pain and required medical treatment.

    The first step in many California personal injury cases is to file a claim with the defendant’s insurance company. Their insurance company will investigate the accident, review the damages you allege, and either offer a settlement or deny the claim.

    Unfortunately, the insurance company’s goals are usually the opposite of yours. The insurance provider focuses on paying as little in claims as possible. If their policyholder injured you, the insurance company would look for any legal way to minimize or deny the claim.

    It’s common for insurance companies to offer small settlements that do not consider all of your damages. For example, a lowball settlement may not account for your medical costs for weeks and months into the future.

    The American Bar Association states that personal injury lawsuits are based on damages and liability. Liability is proven by showing the other party’s negligence caused your injuries and expenses. Your attorney will prove negligence by showing:

    • The other party owed you a duty of care. This means the defendant had a legal obligation to act in a safe manner that does not injure others. For example, in a car accident, the defendant had a duty of care to drive safely around others.
    • There was a breach of the duty of care. Again, using the car crash example, the other driver breached their duty of care by speeding and hitting your car at an intersection.
    • The breach of the duty of care led to your injuries and damages.

    California Statute Of Limitations

    A critical consideration in a California personal injury lawsuit is the statute of limitations. You have just two years from the date of the injury to file a lawsuit. Injured parties should contact a Modesto personal injury lawyer immediately after the injury. It takes time to build a robust case, so you should give your attorney plenty of case prep time.

    Contact A Modesto Injury Attorney Today

    If you were hurt because of another party’s negligence, you could be entitled to compensation for your injuries and damages. A personal injury attorney in Modesto is ready to fight for your rights. Contact Pointer & Buelna, LLP today for a free consultation.

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    AWARDS & RECOGNITIONS

     

    watch the video about our firm We Fight For The People

    “Law interested me because I always saw it as being a tool to equalize society so that the West Oaklands of the world could have the resources like the Piedmonts or Beverly Hills of the world.”

    img Adanté Pointer Lawyer for the people

    Our Practice Areas

    Our practice is professional, focused and experienced. We will not stop fighting for the people until justice is served.
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    What People Are Saying About Us

    Recent Client Reviews & Testimonials

      “Patrick is a fantastic lawyer. He worked hard for over a year to secure me a fair settlement and hold those who harmed me accountable. I would recommend highly recommend him and would use him again if the need ever arises. Thanks Patrick and Lawy...

      Ryland Stamey

      “Very friendly & the attorneys are very well rounded!”

      Michele G.

      Great job and are reliable

      Barbara W.

      “Winner. Great job Patrick.”

      Anon

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    Meet The Team

    Our team of experienced trial lawyers are ready to take on any large institution. We have secured many of the largest verdicts and settlements in our practice areas due to our commitment to getting the best possible result for our clients. Learn more about our lawyers here.
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    Call us today at
    (510) 929-5400
    click here to schedule a consultation.

    Frequently Asked Questions

    Some of the common questions clients ask us are:

    If someone’s carelessness injured you, you do not need to suffer quietly. You can fight back by filing a claim or lawsuit. However, you should never attempt to handle the claim on your own. A Modesto personal injury lawyer will maximize your claim by doing the following:

    Calculate The Real Value Of The Claim

    The most critical part of a personal injury case is knowing the claim’s actual value. Insurance companies like to deal with injured parties who don’t know their case’s value. Some things to keep in mind about your potential claim:

    • Pain and suffering damages can often be double the total damages received for medical bills.
    • If you have injuries that cause long-term disability, you’ll need a Modesto injury attorney to determine your future medical costs.
    • Some defendants have deep pockets. Even if the at-fault person does not have insurance, you may be able to file a lawsuit against their employer with commercial liability insurance.
    • If a defective product caused your injuries, you might be able to win the claim without proving they caused your injuries.

    Negotiate With The Insurance Company

    Insurance settlement negotiations usually comprise most of what personal injury attorneys do. Some cases may end up in court, but most are settled. However, negotiating with stingy insurance companies is tricky. The good news is that your injury attorney negotiates with insurance companies. They know how to get the most money possible.

    Also, insurance companies might be motivated to settle when they know a tough personal injury attorney in Modesto can take them to court and win.

    Draft Legal Documents

    Many legal documents exist when filing a personal injury claim in California, such as pleadings and complaints. These documents need to be done in a specific way. Even a tiny error can damage the case. Every sentence in these critical legal filings matters. Your attorney knows how to write and file these documents and will ensure the case goes forward smoothly.

    Can Win In Court

    Many California personal injury attorneys lack significant experience in court. Most cases end in settlement, but your attorney must know how to go to court and win. Our Modesto personal injury attorneys at Pointer & Buelna, LLP can go to court and win the case, which helps them negotiate better settlements.

    They Understand Discovery

    Discovery is the process overseen by the court for collecting evidence for the trial. Once the lawsuit is filed, your attorney can demand that the defendant produce evidence they have. For instance, the discovery process includes obtaining a witness list from the defense so your legal team can interview them.

    If the defense does not give your side the necessary evidence, your attorney can seek a court order to obtain the critical evidence. Failing to abide by court orders is contempt, which can lead to criminal prosecution.

    The personal injury attorneys at Pointer & Buelna, LLP offer personal attention and service to clients suffering many types of injuries. Some of the cases we handle every day include:

    • Car and truck accidents
    • Pedestrian accidents
    • Bicycle accidents
    • Traumatic brain injuries
    • Injuries caused by defective products
    • Public transportation accidents
    • Dog bites
    • Construction accidents
    • Slip and fall cases
    • Premises liability
    • Wrongful death 

    Every Modesto personal injury case differs, but you could be entitled to one or more of the following:

    Medical Costs

    Reimbursement for medical expenses is one of the most common damages personal injury victims receive. Medical costs after an accident can be steep and may include hospitalization, surgery, medical equipment, prescriptions, and rehabilitation.

    Your attorney may be able to obtain medical expenses in the past and future, depending on your injury. For example, if you have a broken hip, you could have medical expenses for months or years into the future.

    Lost Earnings

    Your personal injuries may cause you to miss work time, so you could be entitled to lost earnings since the injury. You also can usually obtain lost earnings for vacation, sick, or personal time you lost during the healing process.

    Loss Of Earning Capacity

    After an accident, your ability to work in your chosen profession could be affected. For example, if you have a brain injury in a car accident, you may have difficulty speaking or understanding speech. This will affect your ability to work for months, years, or even permanently.

    Your Modesto injury lawyer can help you obtain compensation for lost earning capacity. Receiving just compensation for loss of earning capacity hinges on your doctor’s diagnosis and prognosis.

    Pain And Suffering

    Pain and suffering can be considered after a serious accident. This damage is subjective, so your attorney’s job is to argue that you deserve as much compensation as possible. The insurance company will attempt to downplay your pain and suffering, but your lawyer will rely on your doctor and other medical professionals to prove the pain and suffering you have endured.

    Property Damages

    If your personal property was damaged in the accident, you could get compensation to bring the property back to its original condition. For example, your car may be totaled after the defendant ran a red light and hit you.

    What Does It Cost To Hire A Modesto Personal Injury Attorney?

    Many Californians are reluctant to hire a personal injury attorney because they think it will be too expensive. However, most injured clients don’t have to worry about what it costs.

    Personal injury attorneys work by contingency agreement. They are compensated at the end of the case when they get a settlement or favorable jury verdict. They take 25%-40% of the money you receive for their compensation. They also may incur legal expenses.

    Seeing a personal injury case through a lengthy trial takes plenty of financial resources. That’s why hiring a law firm with the financial backing to take your case through to the end is essential.