4) If I caused the accident can I still collect for my injuries?
California has comparative negligence. That means if you were 25% at fault for an accident, you can still collect 75% of the value of your case. Therefore, the answer is yes, you can collect for your injuries even if the accident was partly your fault.

5) If I have to pay a lawyer part of my settlement, does that mean I will get less for myself?
No. The job of your personal injury lawyer is to maximize the value of your particular case. It is no secret that an insurance company will seldom pay anywhere near full value to injured persons who are not represented by a lawyer. More often than not, after delays and broken promises, an insurance adjuster will offer only a token amount to injured persons who are not represented by a lawyer.

6) What happens if I have a severe injury and the person who caused my accident does not have enough insurance coverage to pay all of my damages?
After you have exhausted the insurance coverage you next look to the responsible person's assets. However, most people who don't have enough insurance usually don't have enough assets either. If the responsible person was in the course and scope of their employment when the accident happened, their employer would also be responsible. Most employers have high limit insurance policies. We also look for excess or umbrella insurance policies. There may also be other defendants and other theories of recovery.

7) How long does an injury case take from the time of the accident until it is concluded?
In general, the more serious the injury and the more complicated the facts, the longer the case takes. Simple rear end traffic accidents with minimal injuries usually take only a few months to resolve. Multi-party cases with serious injuries usually take between one and two years to complete.

8) In a traffic accident where liability is clear, will the insurance company pay for my car repair before I finish my medical treatment?
Yes, that is almost always the case. You would also be entitled to a rental car until your car is repaired. If you don't rent a car, you are entitled to a "loss of use" payment to you for the equivalent rental value of your car for the period of time you are deprived of its use.

9) If I hire an attorney instead of handling the case myself, will that delay my settlement?
No. That is, not unless you are willing to settle your case for far less than it is worth. Insurance companies will demand the same proof of facts regarding your injuries from you as they would from an attorney. Unless you are trained in this field, the insurance company will have a big advantage over you and usually will only offer you a token of what your case is worth.

10) If Gribben & Associates doesn't handle my particular type of case, can you refer me to a competent attorney that does?
Yes. If we can't help you, we will try to find a lawyer for you who does handle your type of case.