French Camp Car Accident and Personal Injury Lawyer

French Camp is a town in San Joaquin County that offers residents a suburban feel. Established in 1828, this quaint town received its name from serving as the terminus of the Oregon-California Trail. From 1832 to 1845, this trail was used by French-Canadian trappers who were employed by the Hudson's Bay Company. French Camp is considered the oldest community in the county. Located along Interstate 5, most residents spend an average of 15 to 30 minutes commuting one-way to work. While the population of French Camp is roughly 3,400, the chances of suffering a traumatic injury from an auto accident are still high for those traveling and living in the area.

Types of Personal Injury Cases

Personal injuries encompass many different types of accidents. Our law firm provides dedicated, compassionate, and professional services. We exclusively handle serious injury and wrongful death cases. Following are some of the types of accident cases we handle for injuries and fatalities caused by:

• Amputations
• Bike Crashes
• Bus Accidents
• Car Accidents
• Dog Bite Injuries
• Motorcycle Collisions
• Nursing Home Abuse
• Pedestrian Accidents
• Products Liability
• Roadway Defects
• Traumatic Brain Injuries
• Trucking Collisions
• Wrongful Death

Recoverable Personal Injury Damages

As with any case of personal injury, causation and negligence must be proven to reclaim damages. Two types of damages may be sought in a personal injury claim, economic and noneconomic. Economic damages provide reimbursement for the tangible losses an injured party experiences such as medical bills and wage loss. Noneconomic damages refer to intangible loss and are more subjective. Because of this, noneconomic damages vary from case to case. This is due to one person experiencing pain and suffering differently compared to another.

How Is Fault Determined in an Accident?

Liability in an accident is generally determined by an insurance adjuster. This is based upon a compilation of evidence, including witness accounts and traffic collision reports. Physical evidence such as the location of the damage, position of the vehicles, and tire marks are also used to decide fault. In complex cases, such as those involving multiple cars, the matter may be taken to court and liability will be determined by a judge or jury.

Comparative Fault

California follows a comparative fault system. This means anyone who shares fault for an accident can be held financially responsible for damages incurred. The amount of compensation awarded will be reduced based upon the percentage of fault apportioned to each party. For instance, if the injured party were to be found 30 percent negligent, he or she would still be able to claim 70 percent of the damages awarded.

How Much Time Do You Have to File a Personal Injury Claim?

There is a limited amount of time for which a claim for damages must be filed. This is known as the statute of limitations, which is two years for personal injury in California. For a minor, the deadline is tolled or extended until they turn 18 years old. From that date, the injured party has two years to file. When a personal injury is caused by the negligence of a government entity, the statute is drastically shortened to 180 days or 6 months from the date of loss. This shorter statute allows the government to notice any issues that need to be addressed and create a budget for any settlements or trials. If the government fails to respond within 45 days or denies the claim in writing, a lawsuit must be filed within six months from that date. An experienced French Camp personal injury lawyer will ensure claims are filed promptly.

How to Select a Lawyer

The thought of interviewing and hiring a French Camp auto accident attorney can be intimidating, particularly if you have never worked with one before. To decide whether a lawyer is a good fit for you and your case, be sure to keep the following in mind:

• Read reviews of an attorney from other people. This can give you a general idea if a particular attorney is able to suit your needs and handle your case. While not every comment is going to be entirely accurate, it can provide you with a pattern of what clients are saying about a lawyer.
• Retain an attorney who is experienced in resolving personal injury cases outside of the courtroom as well as through litigation.
• Work with a responsive lawyer. If you find yourself sending emails or leaving voicemails to your attorney without receiving any form of response or acknowledgment, he or she is not the right attorney for you.
• Hire an attorney who solely handles personal injury cases, specifically the type of case you are bringing.
• Select a lawyer that has the resources to take on more serious cases. Pursuing a claim can be expensive, especially if it goes to trial. A lawyer who does not have the proper resources for an auto accident or personal injury case may not be able to obtain a favorable outcome on your behalf.

For more information on how to find a quality lawyer to represent your case, watch the below video.

Contingent Fee Basis

When a case involves serious injuries, it comes with the requirement for strong legal protection and representation. This will help better your chances of a fair financial recovery. But coming up with the funds to hire an experienced personal injury attorney in French Camp can be difficult. We take in cases on a contingency fee basis. This means you do not have to pay me any fees unless I obtain a successful outcome on your case. This includes upfront attorneys’ fees.

French Camp, CA FAQ

Which intersections in French Camp have a high rate of car wrecks?

These are the intersections in French Camp with the highest number of car accidents from 2015 to 2017:

• Ash Street and McKinley Avenue
• El Dorado Street and French Camp Road
• French Camp Road and Priest Road
• Freedom Road and Mathews Road
• Hospital Road and Interstate 5
• Manthey Road and Mathews Road
• Mathews Road and I-5
• McKinley Avenue and Ash Street
• Ponderosa Street and French Camp Road
• Wyman Road and McKinley Avenue

Do you know a reputable shop in French Camp?

Yes. This auto shop is well-reviewed:

Sean’s Automotive & Mobile Auto Repair
8423 South El Dorado Street
French Camp, CA 95231

Can you recommend a quality chiropractor in French Camp?

Yes. This chiropractor has received many excellent ratings:

Edmund Zeiter, D.C.
1212 West Robinhood Drive Suite 1F
Stockton, CA 95207
(209) 474-8215

Benefits of Hiring an Attorney

Contacting a French Camp personal injury attorney who is experienced with the claims process is one of the most important steps you can take following an accident. An experienced injury lawyer will not only assist in communicating effectively with insurance companies and filing paperwork but also by ensuring that your case is in good hands. An attorney can also provide invaluable insight into what mistakes should be avoided and what evidence needs to be compiled to maximize the claim. This way, the attorney can obtain the compensation an injured party needs and deserves.

Personal Injury Attorney in French Camp, CA

I’m Ed Smith, a personal injury lawyer who has served the French Camp area and San Joaquin County since 1982. Did you get hurt after a crash caused by the negligence of another? Call our law firm at (209) 227-1931 or (800) 404-5400 to receive free, friendly advice from an accident attorney today.

Since 1982, I have helped residents of French Camp and San Joaquin County obtain fair compensation in traumatic injury and wrongful death cases.

We are members of the Million Dollar Advocates Forum and the National Association of Distinguished Counsel.

See a list of our past cases on our verdicts and settlements page and our client reviews on Avvo, Yelp, Google.

Photograph Source: By "Free-Photos" and "Activedia" via Pixabay

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Editor’s Note: This page has been updated for accuracy and relevancy [cha 8.3.20]