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Pursuing legal action for an injury doesn't have to be overwhelming. A San Diego personal injury attorney can guide you through the process and fight for fair compensation.
Have you been injured by the actions of the medical professionals you relied on at UC San Diego Health, Sharp, or Scripps? Were you the victim of a fall at a poorly maintained property in the Gaslamp Quarter, North Park, or another busy neighborhood? Did a careless driver cause a crash on I-5, I-8, or one of San Diego's other major highways? If someone's negligence harmed you, you deserve the medical and financial support needed to recover.
Even a seemingly simple injury claim can be complex, but an experienced San Diego personal injury lawyer can ensure no deadlines or requirements are missed. With the right legal help, you are far more likely to secure the outcome you deserve.
At Thorsnes Bartolotta McGuire, we know that your injury demands your full attention and that you need an attorney whose skill you can depend on. We will fight for the best possible outcome and offer you the compassionate, skilled legal representation that you need.
If you or a loved one suffered injuries due to someone else's carelessness, contact us at (619) 236-9363 or online for a no-cost case review. We have helped thousands of injury victims in San Diego and beyond to get the support they need to heal and move forward after their injury.
"I not only recommend attorney Vince Bartolotta, but I guarantee that once you have used his service, you too will look no further. He responds in an extremely timely manner, he is very knowledgeable, and he is a trustworthy person. There is no other attorney who will work as hard for you."
— Emily F., San Diego, CA | Client
Types of Cases Our San Diego Law Firm Handles
The San Diego personal injury attorneys of Thorsnes Bartolotta McGuire are dedicated to getting you the help that you need in the aftermath of your injury. Our team has extensive experience in the field of personal injury law.
We handle a wide range of injury cases, such as:
- Car accidents on I-5, I-8, I-805, and other major roadways;
- Truck accidents involving commercial vehicles in and around the Port of San Diego;
- Bike and pedestrian accidents in areas with high crash rates, like downtown and Escondido;
- Motorcycle accidents across San Diego County;
- Medical malpractice and military medical malpractice (including cases from Naval Medical Center San Diego);
- Catastrophic injuries and TBIs;
- Product liability cases involving defective consumer goods;
- Premises liability, including unsafe apartments, retail centers, and tourist areas; and
- Wrongful death claims for families throughout San Diego County.
We are proud to have defended the rights of many injury victims. We work hard to make your voice heard and your needs known. Our depth and breadth of knowledge and experience make us the ideal San Diego personal injury law firm to handle your case.
How Do I Know If I Have a Personal Injury Case?
In San Diego, people get injured in places they least expect, such as crossing the street downtown, shopping at a store in North Park, or driving on I-805. Some of these incidents can lead to a legal case when negligence is involved.
You may have a personal injury case if:
- You were hurt because someone failed to take reasonable steps to keep others safe.
- You needed medical treatment after the incident.
- You lost income or faced new expenses because of the injury.
That could mean a distracted driver caused a crash in Mission Valley, a restaurant left a spill unattended, or a construction site in East Village failed to secure equipment. In each situation, someone else's conduct created a risk that left you dealing with the outcome.
A San Diego personal injury lawyer at Thorsnes Bartolotta McGuire can review what happened and explain your legal options. Whether your injuries came from a crash, a fall, or unsafe property conditions, we know how to identify those responsible and pursue accountability.
Do you have questions about personal injury cases in California? Our injury FAQ page can help. Contact us directly if you need specific guidance.
Dos and Don'ts With the Insurance Company
Insurance adjusters in San Diego are trained to protect their companies, not you. What you say or sign can affect your case, so it's essential to handle these conversations carefully.
Do:
- Report the accident promptly, but keep your statements factual and brief.
- Save all letters, emails, and voicemails from the insurer.
- Talk with a lawyer before responding to settlement offers.
Don't:
- Give a recorded statement without legal advice. Adjusters may use your words against you later.
- Accept the first offer you receive. Insurers often start low, especially in slip-and-fall or car accident cases.
- Sign release forms before a lawyer reviews them. Some limit your right to pursue full compensation.
Our attorneys know the tactics insurers use, from minimizing your injuries to shifting blame, and we step in to protect your rights before costly mistakes are made.
At Thorsnes Bartolotta McGuire, our initial consultation is free, and we operate on a contingency fee basis. This means that you don't pay anything unless we win your case.
Our record speaks for itself. We are one of the first San Diego contingency fee law firms to recover more than $2 billion in settlements and verdicts on behalf of clients. Don't hesitate to reach out to us at (619) 236-9363 or message us online to speak with a San Diego injury attorney.
What Compensation Can Cover in a Personal Injury Case
A San Diego personal injury lawyer can help secure compensation for the full range of losses caused by an accident, including:
- Costs of emergency medical treatment at local hospitals;
- Future medical care, such as rehabilitation or prescription needs;
- Wages lost while you recover, or loss of earning capacity if you can't return to your work;
- Property damage, such as a totaled car in a freeway crash;
- Pain, emotional suffering, and reduced quality of life; and
- Wrongful death expenses in cases involving a fatal accident.
We understand that no matter the injury you face, your life may be divided into before your accident and after. Life-changing injuries like traumatic brain injuries can result in significant lifetime costs. Less severe injuries like broken bones may not be catastrophic, but they still impact your ability to live and work, as well as leave you with costly medical bills.
Studies show that plaintiffs are much more likely to obtain a favorable compensation award with an attorney than without. Pursuing a personal injury lawsuit without the help of an attorney is challenging and may result in a lower financial award.
Can Comparative Fault Laws Impact My San Diego Personal Injury Settlement?
California follows a pure comparative negligence rule. This means your compensation can be reduced by your percentage of fault for the accident, but you can still recover damages even if you were mostly at fault.
For example, you slip on a wet floor at a La Jolla grocery store. The store failed to post warning signs, but the insurer argues you were looking at your phone when you fell. If a court finds you 20% responsible, your compensation would be reduced by that amount.
Insurance companies often use this rule to lower settlement offers, especially in car accidents, workplace incidents, and premises liability cases. Our San Diego personal injury lawyers push back with evidence, including accident reports, witness statements, and expert testimony, to limit unfair blame and secure the compensation you deserve.
What Will I Need to Prove to Win My San Diego Personal Injury Case?
To bring a personal injury claim, four elements must be shown:
- Duty of care. The other party had a responsibility to act safely. Drivers must follow traffic laws, and property owners must maintain safe conditions.
- Breach of duty. That responsibility was not met. For example, a driver ran a red light on I-5, or a landlord ignored broken stairs in an apartment building.
- Causation. The unsafe act directly led to your injury. Medical records and accident reports help connect the dots.
- Damages. You suffered measurable harm, such as medical bills, lost wages, or lasting pain.
Evidence to prove these elements may include police reports from the San Diego Police Department, records from UC San Diego Health or Sharp, surveillance video, photos from the scene, or testimony from experts.
Our attorneys gather and organize this evidence to present a clear case showing how negligence caused your injuries and why you should be compensated.
What Can a San Diego Personal Injury Attorney Do For Me?
Personal injury cases involve complex procedures in the San Diego Superior Court system, strict filing deadlines under California law, and detailed evidence gathering. A local attorney can:
- Investigate the accident scene, whether it's a freeway collision or an unsafe workplace;
- Research California and San Diego municipal laws that apply to your claim;
- Collect evidence from local police reports, hospitals, and witnesses;
- Build a strong case strategy; and
- Negotiate with insurers who know our firm's trial record in San Diego.
"When someone in San Diego is seriously hurt, they're suddenly faced with medical bills, time away from work, and pressure from insurance companies. Our job is to take that weight off their shoulders. We investigate, we build the case, and we stand up in court if that's what it takes. Every client deserves a lawyer who won't back down when their future is on the line."
— Vincent J. Bartolotta, Jr. | Founding Partner
Why Choose Thorsnes Bartolotta McGuire?
We have decades of experience representing San Diego residents across every type of personal injury case. As one of the first contingency fee firms in the county, we've recovered over $2 billion for our clients. More importantly, we've built a reputation in San Diego courtrooms for fighting hard against negligent drivers, employers, corporations, and property owners.
If you or someone close to you has been injured in San Diego, call (619) 236-9363 or contact us online to schedule a free consultation with our team.
