Gridley, CA Car Accident and Personal Injury Lawyer

I'm Ed Smith, a Gridley personal injury lawyer. My law firm focuses on the representation of people who were seriously injured in many different types of accidents. If you or a loved one have been hurt in a car accident, or in some other kind of accident, you may need a Gridley personal injury attorney. I, along with my team, may be able to help. We handle a lot of different accident types, including:

• Bicycle accidents
• Boating accidents
• Car accidents
• Dog bites
• Motorcycle accidents
• Plane accidents
• Slip and fall cases
• Traumatic brain injuries
• Trucking accidents
• Wrongful death

As someone who has experienced major injuries, I know what it is like to deal with the recovery. It is not just the physical recovery that is difficult, but the emotional, mental, and financial recovery, as well. Because I am so aware of this from my own experience, I treat my clients and staff like family and offer a more holistic approach than many attorneys. Compassion is a big part of the process when trying to recover for a client in a serious injury case, and my team is careful to practice that compassion every day, with every client. We all understand how essential it is to be kind during a process like this.

When an accident causes a fatal injury to a loved one the people who are left behind can feel lost, confused, and overwhelmed with the decisions they have to make and the day-to-day life that is forever changed. Trying to recover damages during the grieving process can add an extra layer of stress and difficulty to an already delicate situation. I have worked with many families who have lost a loved one to an accident, and I am here to help. I will handle your case so you can focus on the things you need to do. That can help you begin to heal and recover both financially and personally.

Gridley, California is a small town of just under 7,000 people. State Route 99 runs through it, and you can find State Route 70 and Interstate 5 nearby, as well. The town has few traffic accidents but does average at least one fatality per year, as well as injuries. Agriculture and farming are important industries there, along with manufacturing and general services companies. As the economy has grown, Gridley has attracted more large and small employers, along with some healthcare companies. That has led to the growth of housing, and the revitalization of the beautiful and historic downtown area. The area continues to grow but keeps that small-town, cozy feel that many residents and visitors to the area love and appreciate.

With warm summers and a Mediterranean climate, Gridley is a good choice for outdoor activities. The town markets itself as being friendly, and every April it holds a celebration called Red Suspenders Day, where the townspeople honor first responders and others in public safety. What started as a way to show appreciation for volunteer firefighters has become a two-day event with contests, activities, and even a classic car show. The Farmer's Market, a Holiday Tree Lighting, and the Gridley Museum all contribute to the tourist traffic that comes through this small town. The downside to this is that more traffic and more people out doing things means the chance for more accidents, as well.

I live in Sacramento. My office is there, too. You might wonder why you would hire an attorney who isn't local to you. Wouldn't that be inconvenient? There are several good reasons why a Gridley car accident lawyer based in Sacramento is actually a good idea. The first reason is that you want a quality attorney who can handle your case properly and meet all your needs. The majority of these attorneys are in larger cities. They have relocated there due to the size of the client base, so they can keep their law firm up and running.

The second reason is that I am selective about the clients I work with and the cases I take. I only handle severe personal injury cases, and by remaining based in Sacramento, I can more easily specialize my practice. That means all my clients get the care and compassion they need and deserve, along with a Gridley auto accident attorney who has the extensive skills and experience required to address your case and help you seek just and adequate compensation for your or a loved one's injuries.

If you have been injured and have difficulty traveling, don't let that stop you from calling me. We can talk about your case over the phone, and arrange to meet at a location that will be convenient for you.

People who have been seriously injured need quality legal representation, but not all of them can afford to pay legal fees up front. That's why I work on a contingency fee basis. I only collect fees if I resolve your case, and those fees come from the settlement you receive. You will never be asked to pay anything up front, and if your case is not resolved successfully, you won't be asked to pay me at all.

You can find attorneys advertising their services just about anywhere. Billboards offer help for accident victims, internet ads say the same, and TV commercials show that there are plenty of attorneys in your area with time on their hands, just waiting to help you. Unfortunately, these big promises often are not kept as well as many injury victims would hope. It is easy to make a commercial with grand promises and high success rates, but a lot of attorneys really aren't prepared to do everything it takes to make sure you get full compensation for your or a loved one's injuries.

Keep in mind that a high success rate could mean a lot of settlements, and those settlements are often for a lot less than the client should have really received. Unless my client receives enough to fully recover from their injuries, I don't count the case as a success, and that recovery includes the physical, financial, and emotional aspects.

Am I the right attorney for you? Maybe not, but no matter who you select to represent you it's a good idea for you to know what to look for when choosing a Gridley personal injury attorney. Here are some of the most important considerations, so you can find an attorney who is a good match for your case and your specific needs.

Make Sure You Know the Attorney's Experience

Personal injury law can be complicated, and you want your attorney to have experience handling cases like yours. If they don't, they may not be right for you. Any attorney you pick should also have experience with arguing cases in court, in case your particular situation results in a trial where this will be necessary.

Understand the Settlements and Verdicts a Lawyer Has

Attorneys generally make their verdicts and settlements available on their website, so potential clients can see how the attorney has helped past clients. If you can't find that particular information for an attorney you're considering, ask them about their successes. Most are happy to talk about how they have helped people.

Read Reviews of Attorneys You're Considering

While not all reviews are completely accurate, reading reviews about an attorney can help you decide if they might be right for you. It's important that you locate a lawyer who has good reviews so you can get the quality representation you deserve.

Determine Whether an Attorney is Established

Any attorney you choose should be well established and should have the financial means to take on your case. It can be costly to pursue a personal injury case, especially if it goes to trial, and you need to know your attorney truly has the resources to help you.

The following video explains how to really choose a personal injury lawyer for your case.

I’m Ed Smith, a Gridley car accident and personal injury attorney. If an auto or another type of accident has harmed you or a loved one, call me at (800) 404-5400 or (530) 392-9400, so I help you with free and friendly advice.

Since 1982 I have been helping people in Gridley and all over Butte County with personal injury and wrongful death cases. You can learn about how I’ve helped clients on my Settlements and Verdicts page.

For more information about my practice, I would also encourage you to read reviews from people I have represented:

• Yelp
• Avvo
• Google

I’m a Million Dollar Advocates Forum member, and the attorneys in this group have won or settled a case where their client received more than $1,000,000 for damages. I’m also a member of Top One Percent, an exclusive lawyer's group.

Photo by Little Visuals on Pexels

:wa-mb cha [cs 1531]

Editor’s Note: This page has been updated for accuracy and relevancy [cha 9.3.19]