Modesto Car Accident Lawyer – The Accident Helpers
Modesto is famous for many things—its downtown, agricultural scene, wineries, and great culture. It is no surprise that almost 200,000 people call this city home.
However, it’s no secret that the traffic is not great. From the 99 and 132 to Main St. and Ripon, traffic could have you stuck for hours. The ramps, of course, don’t help, and there has been a significant increase in the number of reckless drivers, which spurred the city to start the Neighborhood Traffic Calming Program.
The city’s road structure requires drivers to merge very often, and in heavy traffic, merging could be very difficult and lead to many accidents. In fact, the Modesto Police Department Report of June 2024 pointed out that there were 1236 collisions in just the first half of the year.
Over half of those accidents caused injury, and 6 caused deaths. Of course, the road structure alone is not responsible – 146 of those accidents happened because the driver was under the influence of alcohol or other substances.
These accidents could be very devastating if you’re ever involved in one. But it is always important to remember that if you’re the victim of an accident, you are owed compensation.
There are, however, laws and procedures that you need to go through to get that settlement. It is rare for someone to write you a check immediately after they rear-end your vehicle. You will likely have to deal with their insurer requiring you to go through different processes – it can all get overwhelming.
And that is why you need a Modesto car accident lawyer. With legal representation working tirelessly to secure your compensation, you can focus on getting better and back to your life while remaining confident that your check will still arrive.
What To Do If You’ve Been Involved in A Car Accident in Modesto
If you’re ever in a Modesto car accident, you have a legal obligation to make sure everyone hurt as a result of the accident gets medical assistance. It is also always helpful to begin collecting evidence necessary to make a successful claim at this stage.
Stop to assess the accident
Failure to stop will make you guilty of a hit-and-run, so always make sure you first bring your car to a complete stop. For accidents that cause injury or death, you are legally required to stop at the accident scene and remain there until law enforcement arrives.
For accidents that cause only property damage, you can stop in a place that does not obstruct traffic if stopping immediately will be dangerous.
Call 911
If the accident has caused death or an injury (no matter how minor) to you or any other person involved, you should immediately dial 911. This step is crucial because it can save the life of a person whose injuries need immediate medical attention.
When speaking with the dispatcher, it is important to remain calm and describe what happened and the location of the accident accurately. In some cases, the dispatcher may ask you to try administering some first aid before EMTs arrive, so be prepared to do that.
Information Exchange
For all the administrative and personal injury issues that may arise out of the accident, Cal Veh Code §§ 20002 & 20003 require all parties involved in an accident to exchange certain relevant information.
This information includes the name and residential address of the driver, the name and residential address of the vehicle owner, the vehicle registration number, and the driver’s license if it is requested.
If investigating law enforcement officers arrive on the scene, they may request any of the information specified above, along with the names and addresses of parties injured in the accident, if there are any.
It is essential to point out that in single-vehicle accidents, you must locate the owner or custodian of the property you struck and provide them with the same information. If you cannot find them, you must leave your name and address in a conspicuous place on the property struck.
Document the scene
Take pictures and videos of the accident scene, covering your injuries and any damage to property caused by the accident. If possible, capture the crash impact on both cars, along with the location and any other relevant information.
Note the date and time. If there were any witnesses to the accident, talk to them and get their contact information.
See medical attention
Car accidents are likely to cause hidden injuries, so getting a complete medical checkup soon after an accident is always ideal to ensure no internal injuries.
Inform your insurer
Most insurers demand that they be informed about any accident you’re in within a reasonable period so they can carry out their investigations.
How Can a Car Accident Lawyer in Modesto Help?
Experienced car accident lawyers are invaluable assets after a car accident in Modesto. Here are some of the ways they can help:
Ensure you meet all legal requirements
Depending on the nature of the accident, you may be required to make other reports. For instance, if an accident in Modesto causes injury, death, or property damage of over $1,000, you must report the accident to the DMV within 10 days.
Your lawyer can help ensure you meet other requirements like these or even do them on your behalf.
Claim assessment
Lawyers know how a claim must be structured and what evidence they need to gather for success.
As a result, they can gather all the necessary evidence and structure it properly with the first claim, eliminating the back-and-forth that most insurers use as a delay and frustration tactic.
Represent you in court
If the insurer refuses to pay the settlement you deserve, your lawyer can directly sue the vehicle owner of the car that caused the accident or any other party responsible.
How Much Is My Modesto Car Accident Claim Worth?
The average settlement for car accidents in California is between $15,000 and $30,000. However, the amount you get may be more or less. Estimating the worth of your car accident claim in Modesto is only possible with a clear picture of all the necessary facts about the accident.
First, you must consider the extent of your liability in the accident. California operates a pure comparative negligence system, which means you can only claim damages for the portion of the accident you were not responsible for. Next, you must consider how much you have lost due to the accident. Losses may be in wages you could not earn or medical and property repair expenses.
You should be wholly reimbursed for these expenses, but your claim may also be increased if you suffered emotional distress due to the accident.
Naturally, the severity of your injuries also influences how much expenses you incur for medical treatments and procedures. Therefore, the more severe your accident, the more likely your claim will be worth more.
Can I Get a Higher Settlement If A Drunk Driver Caused My Accident?
In truth, not directly. Your claim will still be estimated on the abovementioned factors: injury severities, liability, pain & suffering, etc.
However, if a drunk driver caused your accident, they will likely be totally or at least primarily responsible for the accident. If they bear most of the liability, the proportion of damages you are eligible for will increase compared to if you shared a good percentage of fault with the other driver.
If the case also proceeds to court, punitive damages may be awarded against them, increasing the total settlement you get.
Contact the Accident Helpers Today
At The Accident Helpers, we have a network of the best car accident lawyers in Modesto, and we would love to connect you with them.
Finding the perfect car accident attorney for your case means you get someone you can trust, as long as they are brilliant, experienced, and knowledgeable of Modesto procedural law.
Once you contact us, we gather the facts of your case and immediately give you a shortlist of the attorneys who will be best for your case, eliminating the choice overload.
