Chico Personal Injury Lawyers

Over 125 Years Fighting for Injured Clients in Chico

A serious injury doesn’t just hurt. It disrupts everything. Medical treatment can stretch on for months, property damage adds up quickly, and the financial pressure builds before you’ve had a chance to recover. You deserve experienced legal help that works to protect your future, not just manage the paperwork.

At Peters, Habib, McKenna, Juhl-Rhodes, Cardoza & Hansen, LLP, we understand what’s at stake when you’ve been hurt through someone else’s negligence. Our Chico personal injury attorneys have served injured individuals and their families for more than 125 years. When you call us, you’re not just reaching one attorney. You’re accessing the combined knowledge and resources of our entire firm. We offer free consultations in both English and Spanish.

Ready to talk through your options? Call us today at (530) 342-3593 to schedule your free consultation in English or Spanish.

Personal Injury Law Practice Areas

The attorneys at Peters, Habib, McKenna, Juhl-Rhodes, Cardoza & Hansen, LLP handle a wide range of personal injury cases, including:

• Automobile accidents: The most common personal injury cases involve car accidents, bicycle accidents, commercial vehicle accidents, motorcycle accidents, and pedestrian accidents.
• Wrongful death: After a fatal accident, the family of the deceased can file a wrongful death suit and claim damages for their loss. Typically, the spouse, children, or parents of the deceased may bring this claim.
• Catastrophic injuries: A catastrophic injury is one whose physical consequences permanently prevent you from performing gainful work. Examples include severe burns, head trauma, and spinal cord disorders.
• Workplace accidents: Construction accidents, unsafe premises, slip and fall incidents, and defective products are all personal injury cases that arise in the workplace.

What Does a Personal Injury Lawyer Do?

A personal injury attorney serves as an essential ally when you’ve been hurt through someone else’s negligence. Our attorneys guide you through the legal process, advocate on your behalf against insurance companies and at-fault parties, and work to pursue fair compensation for your injuries and losses.

Services our personal injury attorneys provide include:

1. Case Evaluation: We provide a thorough analysis of your case, assessing its merit and estimating potential compensation based on the extent of harm and negligence involved.
2. Investigation: We conduct an in-depth investigation, gathering evidence including accident reports, medical records, and witness testimony.
3. Representation in Court: If your case proceeds to trial, we represent you in court and present the strongest possible argument on your behalf.
4. Negotiation: We negotiate with the insurance company or the at-fault party to pursue the best possible settlement based on the facts of your case.
5. Legal Guidance: We advise you throughout the process, helping you understand your rights and the options available to you.
6. Documentation: We handle all paperwork related to your case, helping keep legal requirements addressed and deadlines observed.
7. Emotional Support: We understand that a serious injury takes a physical and emotional toll. We’re here to keep you informed and at ease at every step.

How Long You Have to File a Personal Injury Claim in California

Under California Code of Civil Procedure section 335.1, the statute of limitations for personal injury cases is two years from the date of injury. Missing that deadline can prevent you from pursuing compensation through litigation.

Exceptions do exist that can shorten or extend this period. For instance, when an injury is discovered after the fact, when the victim was a minor at the time, or when the liable party is a government entity. Because these exceptions can significantly affect your timeline, it’s important to speak with an attorney as soon as possible. Call today to understand the rights and limitations that apply to your case.

Most Common Personal Injury Claims

Personal injuries range widely in type and severity, but certain claim categories come up most often in Butte County. The most common include:

• Car Accident Claims

• Workplace Accidents

• Premises Liability: when a property owner fails to maintain safe conditions for lawful visitors

• Product Liability

• Construction Injuries

• Dog Bites: California applies a strict liability standard, meaning an owner may be liable regardless of the animal’s prior history

No Upfront Fees: How Contingency Representation Works

Many injured people assume they can’t afford an attorney. That assumption isn’t accurate when it comes to personal injury law. Our attorneys handle cases on a contingency fee basis: we collect attorney fees only if we recover compensation on your behalf. If there’s no recovery, there’s no fee.

For someone managing mounting medical bills and lost income after an accident, this arrangement removes the financial risk of pursuing a claim. We offer free initial consultations in English and Spanish so you can understand your options before making any decisions. With more than 125 years of practice in Chico, we’ve also developed working relationships with Butte County courts and local insurance carriers that inform how we approach each case from the start.

Why Hire an Attorney for a Personal Injury Claim?

It can be tempting to handle a personal injury claim on your own, especially when a settlement seems straightforward. But two risks can seriously undermine an unrepresented claim.

First, if you make a demand before you’ve reached maximum medical improvement (MMI), you risk undervaluing your future medical costs and weakening your position. MMI is the point at which you’ve completed treatment and improved as much as medically possible. Until then, it’s difficult to know the full extent of what to demand. Second, the insurance company may pressure you to accept a low offer before the full scope of your injuries is known.

Our attorneys know to wait for MMI before making demands, and we bring an objective eye to every aspect of your case. We analyze accident reports, medical records, and bills, and we conduct thorough client interviews to build a complete picture. Our goal is a legal strategy grounded in facts, not guesswork.

Contact us online or by phone at (530) 342-3593 to schedule an appointment today with our caring, capable team. We offer our consultations in English and Spanish for your convenience.

A conversation with our attorneys can clarify what your claim may be worth and what the process actually looks like. Car accidents, workplace injuries, and wrongful deaths create serious financial strain once medical bills accumulate and paychecks stop coming in.

With more than 125 years of service, we’ve handled all kinds of cases and have pursued the following damages on behalf of injured clients:

• Medical bills, including the costs of hospital stays, surgeries, medications, medical equipment, physical therapy, and more
• Lost wages or future earning capacity, or lost income if a loved one passed away
• Property damage
• Burial and funeral expenses
• Pain and suffering
• Loss of companionship

Whatever the claim type, a serious injury places real burdens on your emotional, financial, and physical well-being. You shouldn’t have to navigate the legal system alone while you’re still recovering.

Our Chico personal injury lawyers know California injury law and what it takes to pursue a fair settlement. Cases we handle are filed through Butte County Superior Court, where we’ve practiced for over a century. That history has given us familiarity with local courts and relationships with local insurance carriers that can benefit our clients from day one.

Our firm holds a Martindale-Hubbell AV Preeminent rating, the highest peer-review credential in the legal industry. We are also members of the Butte County Bar Association and the Capital City Trial Lawyers Association. These credentials reflect the standard of practice we bring to every personal injury case we handle in Chico.

Suffered an injury in an accident? Don’t hesitate to schedule your free consultation by calling our Chico personal injury attorneys today at (530) 342-3593. We can address your concerns and make you feel at ease about the legal process.