FAQs

Attorney James Johnson works for his clients on a contingency-fee-basis, which means he is only paid if we win the case. You do not pay anything unless you win. When the case is settled, the attorney will take his fee as an agreed percentage of the final settlement. These fees are described in full detail in the contract signed between the attorney and client before work begins on the case. The attorney will pay the costs for a case such as copying and court filing fees as well as hiring experts. This way his clients don’t have to pay the costs upfront. The value of a case depends on the specific facts and parties involved. How a claim is handled can affect the outcome significantly. For example, if a person is injured, but doesn’t seek medical treatment, this can significantly diminish the value of a claim.

Every personal injury claim is unique. The number of losses endured in your claim, the type of personal injury claim being filed – these are all aspects taken into consideration. The monetary amount will be appropriate with those losses. The worth of your personal injury claim will be discussed during your free consultation.

The first thing you should do is contact an attorney. Without the representation of a lawyer insurance companies might make contact with you directly and since they tend to care for their best interests this could mean a loss of rights on your behalf if you unknowingly signed something that wasn’t completely explained to you.

Listen to your body. If you are experiencing pain or some kind of physical harm then the help of a qualified doctor is important to your well being. Johnson Attorneys Group can help you find a trusted medical representative to care for your injuries in the proper manner and help you recover as much as medically possible.

Hiring a personal injury lawyer to manage your claim is a multi-faceted decision. One reason may be that the experience and skill the attorney possess’ in all the details involved in personal injury claims can translate to an easier process with one less thing to worry about.

A California personal injury lawyer steps in to represent the best interests of the injured person. The injury can be physical, psychological or both, and it can arise from either an accident or deliberate wrongdoing. The one who caused the injury can be a person, a company, or even a city or a county. Medical bills might need to be paid, or property damage repaired or replaced. Personal injury attorneys help make sure the bills get paid. We will negotiate a settlement or file a lawsuit as well as act as an intermediary between the injured party and the responsible parties. We will also make sure you get the best treatment available.

Our firm handles all types of cases whether it involves more common soft tissue injuries or complex catastrophic injury or death. We have the resources and expertise to help all types of clients.

Negligence is an act or failure to act, when there is a duty of care to another individual. California follows the legal doctrine of “comparative negligence.” Even if the plaintiff is partially at fault, he or she may still sue the defendant for the percentage of damage the defendant is responsible for. It is important to consult an attorney pertaining to this.

The time limit, or statute of limitations, is different depending on who is responsible for the injury. It is very important to consult an attorney as soon as you realize you might have a claim so the statute of limitation isn’t an issue. Failure to preserve the statute of limitations could bar you from proceeding with your case.

Med Pay Protection can pay a portion of your own medical bills regardless of who caused the injury. Normally, an agent will speak to an insured about adding this protection to one’s own insurance policy. It only applies if one has it included and pays up to the limit that is bought.

A legal claim filed when you’re harmed due to someone else’s negligence, recklessness, or intentional act. Includes things like car accidents, slip‑and‑falls, dog bites, or defective products.

If someone owed you a duty of care, breached it, and that caused your injury, you likely have a case.

Get medical care, photograph the scene/injuries, gather witness info, and preserve records. Read more here.

Economic (medical bills, lost wages, future care) and non‑economic (pain & suffering, emotional distress), and in rare cases, punitive damages.

Not always, but having one often leads to better settlements—and they handle insurance, paperwork, court deadlines, and strategy.

Most work on contingency, no fees unless you win. If you settle before court, fees are often lower than if the case goes to trial.

You’re still often eligible for compensation under comparative negligence laws, which reduce recovery in proportion to your fault.

A claim is your demand for compensation to the at‑fault party or insurer; a lawsuit kicks in when the claim process doesn’t work or is rejected.

No, most are settled out of court via negotiation. Trials usually occur only if parties can’t agree.

As soon as possible, early legal help preserves evidence, eyewitness accounts, and strengthens your position.

A legal document you sign in exchange for settlement money, typically releasing the other party from further claims.

Yes. You may still file a lawsuit or look into your own coverage, depending on local laws and your policy.

Your case may still proceed, but compensation may be adjusted—your injury relatability to the incident will be assessed.

Seek medical attention immediately, even if injuries seem minor, and document everything.

It’s best to act promptly, delays can weaken your claim or even bar recovery.

Often yes, initially, but you may need to repay those costs from your settlement.

Most resolve in a few months to a year, depending on case complexity and negotiations.

Yes, most contingency arrangements allow it. You just need a new agreement and formal switch.

Usually yes, most claims need formal medical documentation to prove your injury and its cause.

A formal recorded statement under oath, part of discovery, to capture your version of events.

Not always. Many cases settle, but you may need to appear if there’s a trial or hearing.

A formal document from your attorney demanding compensation, often the first step toward settlement.

Yes, this is called “pro se.” But personal injury law is complex, and you risk losing out without legal help.

Not necessarily, trials cost more, take longer, and outcomes are uncertain. Settlements are often preferable.

It’s difficult, bankruptcy may limit available compensation. You may explore other options like uninsured insurance.

They’re claims by healthcare providers to be paid from your settlement before you receive proceeds.

If you’re partly at fault, your award may be reduced in proportion to your share of fault.

In wrongful-death cases, these are typically recoverable as part of economic damages.

Yes, but insurers offer less to unrepresented individuals. Skilled negotiation is key to fair value.

A neutral third party helps both sides negotiate a settlement, often faster and cheaper than trial.

Delay can weaken claims or pressure injured parties into accepting less. That’s often why legal representation matters.

You may access your own underinsured motorist coverage, if your policy allows.

It’s subjective, typically calculated as a multiple of your economic losses (like 1.5× to 5×, depending on severity).

Yes, families can usually recover funeral and burial expenses as part of damages.

You can, but insurance companies often pay less when you don’t have representation.

It’s a meeting with a neutral mediator who helps both sides reach an agreement.

They may delay to investigate, negotiate harder, or pressure you to accept less.

You might be able to use your own underinsured motorist coverage, if you have it.

It’s based on factors like injury severity, recovery time, and impact on your life.

Generally no, unless medical bills go unpaid and are sent to collections.

Yes, you may claim income lost due to your injury, including future earning ability.

You may be compensated for reduced earning capacity or retraining needs.

Yes, mental and emotional harm can be part of non-economic damages.

No, and it’s often better to let your lawyer handle those communications.

You may qualify for workers’ compensation, and sometimes a personal injury claim too.

No, once you sign a release, the case is closed permanently.

Medical records, photos, witness statements, and reports strengthen your claim.

They provide professional opinions on issues like medical care, accident causes, or future needs.

Yes, in many cases they can claim “loss of consortium” for lost companionship or support.

Most personal injury settlements for physical injuries are not taxable.

You may file a product liability claim against the manufacturer or seller.

You can still recover if the accident has made your condition worse.

Yes, insurers and defense attorneys may use them against you, so post cautiously.