A personal injury lawyer represents people who have been physically or psychologically harmed due to another party’s negligence or wrongdoing. They handle everything from building the legal case and negotiating with insurers to taking the case to trial if necessary. You need one the moment an insurance adjuster contacts you — because at that point, the other side already has legal professionals working to minimize what they pay you. Studies consistently show that injury victims represented by attorneys recover significantly more than those who negotiate alone, even after legal fees.

Nothing upfront. Checkmate Law works on a contingency fee basis, meaning you pay no legal fees unless we recover compensation for you. The fee comes as a percentage of your settlement or verdict — only after you win. There is no financial risk to consulting us or retaining us.

Under California Code of Civil Procedure § 335.1, you have two years from the date of the accident to file a personal injury lawsuit. There are exceptions that can shorten this window significantly — including accidents involving government vehicles or entities, which may require a formal claim filing within six months. If you were a minor at the time of the accident, different rules apply. Do not wait to find out which deadline governs your case.

No attorney can ethically guarantee a specific outcome. The value of a personal injury claim in California depends on several factors: the severity of your injuries, total medical expenses, lost wages, future medical needs, and the degree of the other party’s fault. Cases involving catastrophic injuries, commercial vehicles, or drunk drivers typically carry higher value. The best way to assess your case is a free consultation with an attorney who will review your specific facts — not give you a generic estimate.

California follows a pure comparative negligence rule. You can still recover compensation even if you were partially at fault — your recovery is simply reduced by your percentage of fault. For example, if you are found 20% at fault and your total damages are $100,000, you may still recover $80,000. Insurance companies routinely exaggerate a victim’s share of fault to reduce payouts. Having an attorney levels that playing field.

A catastrophic injury — traumatic brain injury, spinal cord damage, amputation, severe burn, or permanent disability — permanently alters the victim’s quality of life and earning capacity. These cases require a more sophisticated damages analysis than a standard soft-tissue claim: life care planning, vocational expert testimony, and long-term medical cost projections. As a catastrophic injury attorney, Shayan builds the complete picture of what your injury costs over a lifetime — not just what it’s cost so far — and fights to recover the full amount.

No. First offers from insurance adjusters typically reflect the minimum the company believes it can settle for — not the actual value of your claim. You have the right to negotiate, and you have the right to hire an attorney to negotiate on your behalf. Accepting a settlement and signing a release permanently closes your claim, even if new injuries or expenses emerge later. Never sign anything from an insurer without an attorney reviewing it first.

Straightforward cases with clear liability and defined injuries can resolve in three to six months. Cases involving disputed liability, serious injuries, or litigation can take one to two years or longer. We move as quickly as the facts of your case allow — and we keep you informed at every stage so you are never left wondering where things stand.