Is Small Claims Court Right for Your Injury Case?

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If you've been injured in an accident and you're considering taking legal action, you may be wondering whether small claims court is a good option for you. In California, the small claims court recovery limit is generally limited to $10,000, which means that if your damages are more than $10,000, you will not be able to recover full compensation through a small claims court action. However, if your damages are less than $10,000 and you're willing to do all the work yourself, small claims court may be a good choice for you.

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One of the main benefits of small claims court is that the process is faster and simpler than filing a lawsuit in general civil court. Small claims court cases are heard by a judge, not a jury, and the rules of evidence are relaxed. This means that you won't have to go through a lengthy discovery process or deal with complex legal arguments. Instead, you'll be able to present your case to the judge in a straightforward manner, and the judge will make a decision based on the evidence presented.

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If you do decide to go to small claims court, it's important to know that the losing side has an automatic right to appeal to Superior Court.  If this happens, the case will be heard by a new judge, and the process will be more complex and time-consuming than it was in small claims court.

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Overall, if you're willing to do all the work yourself and your damages are less than $10,000, small claims court could be a good option for you. However, it's important to weigh the benefits against the potential drawbacks and consider whether retaining an attorney might be a better choice in your particular case.  If you're unsure about whether small claims court is the right choice for you, it's always a good idea to consult with an experienced personal injury attorney who can help you understand your options and make an informed decision. 

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Here are some resources to help guide you through the small claims process:

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• Small Claims Court Forms: Use these forms for your small claims court filing

• Samples Completed Forms

• Small Claims Court Guide Published by LA County Consumer & Business Affairs

• Your Local Small Claims Court Advisor: Most counties have one.  They can help guide you with your small claims filing.

• "Small Claims Court: A Guide to Its Practical Use": A very useful publication that summarizes the small claims court rules and procedures

• CACI: Introduction to Damages for Personal Injury: Published by the Judicial Council of California, this provides an overview of the laws governing personal injury actions in California

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Additionally, the following web sites provide access to federal and California statutes and regulations:

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• Federal statutes — www.gpo.gov/fdsys/search/searchresults.action?st=collection:uscode

• California statutes — http://leginfo.legislature.ca.gov/

• Federal regulations — www.regulations.gov

• California regulations — www.oal.ca.gov