Lincoln, California Auto Accident and Personal Injury Lawyer

Thanks for coming to my Lincoln, California page. I’m Ed Smith, a Lincoln Personal Injury attorney originally from Brooklyn, NYC who since 1969 has called Northern California my home.

So you’ve been in an accident and had a serious injury. You’re likely here because you don’t personally know an injury lawyer and may not understand how to choose a good one.

In short, I handle large, serious injury cases in Lincoln, from my main office in Sacramento.

Now there are attorneys in Lincoln that are qualified to handle smaller cases with less serious injuries. Unfortunately, I can’t help you with a small injury though I can refer you to local attorneys who can help you and do a good job on smaller cases.

I only handle serious injury or death cases in Lincoln.

My firm handles serious accident cases in the following areas:

• Car Accidents
• Truck Accidents
• Motorcycle Accidents
• Pedestrian Injuries
• Bicycle Injuries
• Traumatic Brain Injuries
• Dog Bite Cases
• Wrongful Death

I’ve focused throughout my career on building a strong, very personal connection with my clients and their families. Some people go so far as to call me the “Personal” personal injury lawyer.

I’m from New York. I’ll talk to you straight. If your case has holes, I’ll tell you about them. If it’s solid, I’ll tell you that too.

I believe in brutal honesty with you, with the court and with the jury.

A legal arena is no place to play “hide the ball”.

If you’re a solid person with a real injury and the other party’s at fault, I’ll do a great job for you if we’re a fit.

What do I mean by that?

I mean that not everyone is a fit for everyone else. Not every lawyer is ideal for every client. Many lawyers and some clients keep an arm’s length distance from each other. It’s strictly a professional relationship. That’s fine for some people and cases, but it’s not good for me. I can’t explain to a jury how an injury affects you and your family unless I know you and them very well. In most large cases, I meet with client’s in their homes and talk for hours with them and their family members. I really need to know you before I can present your case well. 

I want to know your dreams, your loves, your disappointments and challenges. And it’s not a one way street. I’ll be open with you about my life as well. 

Nonetheless, I think it would benefit you to give me a call.

Here’s my philosophy. You’re the Captain of the ship when it comes to accepting or denying offers on your case. I’ll tell you if I think the offers are too low, in which case I may counsel to go to trial or mediate.

If I think the offer is in the fair ballpark I’ll tell you why, the downsides of going forward as well as the potential upside.

I’m a pretty good navigator of the legal thicket, but it’s your case and I work for you.

While I will do my best to resolve your serious injury case as quickly as possible, I do not rush the process. That serious injury needs to be permanent and stationary before we attempt case resolution. My staff and I communicate with you every step of the way. Our goal is to understand your perspective and work with you instead of trying to order you around. We discuss a possible case strategy and agree together on a plan of action in order to secure the most favorable result for you and your family.

A little bit more about me.

I’ve been a trial lawyer since 1982 graduating from UC Davis then Mc George School of Law. I served in an Airborne Unit in Vietnam in 1969-1970. I have the most comprehensive injury lawyer website in California, www. AutoAccident.com. Here’s a bit more about me and my staff.

I have had a TV show called “Ask a Lawyer” on cable for over 10 years.

I share my knowledge and experience with my clients in several books available on Amazon, including The California Motorcycle Accident Handbook and The Ultimate California Auto Accident Handbook.

In my spare time, I enjoy snorkeling, travel, reading, finance, art, music and architecture.

Let’s cut to the chase.

Here are some of the results my office has achieved.

Here’s how my past clients feel.

Read more about what my clients have to say about working with me on Yelp, Avvo and on Google Plus.  

I’m a member of the Million Dollar Advocates Forum, an organization for attorney’s who have achieved multiple million dollar verdicts.

Here’s a video I made recently about how to select a good personal injury attorney, even if it’s not me.

I hope you'll contact my office to see how we can help.

Q. How do I go about ordering a Lincoln Police Report?

A. After a traffic accident in Lincoln, you will need to obtain a copy of the Lincoln police report regarding the accident. You can follow these simple steps:

Go in to the front counter of the Lincoln Police Department (LPD) to obtain a request form between the hours of 9 a.m. and 5 p.m. at this address:

770 7th St.
Lincoln CA 95648

After hours, the LPD leaves forms in a mail box outside, where you can obtain one. You can also print a request off the website at this link and fill it out ahead of time. However, you cannot submit the form electronically and will need to bring it to the Lincoln PD yourself along with a photo ID.

If you have any further questions, you can call the non-emergency line at the Lincoln PD at (916)645-4040. You can also reach the receptionist at (916)645-4088 for further information.

Fill out as much information as possible, including the report number, date of the accident and how you were involved in the accident. Remember to fill in your mailing address and a daytime phone number.

Q. How Long Will It Take to Obtain a Copy of the Report?

A. Usually, it takes about 10 days for the LPD to mail you a copy of the report. Keep in mind that the officers also need about 10 days to submit the report.

Q. How Much Will the Report Cost?

A. Almost all police reports are less than 10 pages, in which case there is no charge. The department charges a nominal fee for reports that are longer than 10 pages.

Q. I am suffering from muscle aches after my accident. Can you recommend any Lincoln chiropractors?

A Yes. The following chiropractor has an excellent rating on Yelp.

Joshua Longo, DC
1105 East Ave
Lincoln, CA 95648
Phone number (916) 645-3890

Q. Can you suggest a reputable mechanic to repair my car in Lincoln?

A. Yes. The following businesses rate well on Yelp:

A & R Auto Tech
170 Flocchini Circle
Lincoln, CA 95648
Phone number (916) 645-1883

Duncan’s Automotive
185 Flocchini Circle
Lincoln, CA 95648
Phone number (916) 645-2860

Q. Can you tell me where the most dangerous intersections in Lincoln are located?

A. Driving along Lincoln Boulevard is very dangerous, so use extra caution on this route, especially watching for cars that are entering the road from the many strip malls.

Here are the most dangerous Intersections for the dates from January 1, 2005 to Dec. 31, 2013 along with the number of accidents at or very close to the intersection:

• 31 accidents – Lincoln Blvd. between Joiner Pkwy & Ferrari Ranch Rd. 
• 26 accidents - Lincoln Blvd. between 2nd and 3rd St.
• 22 accidents - Lincoln Blvd. & Sterling Pkwy.
• 18 accidents - Lincoln Blvd. & 5th St.
• 16 accidents - McBean & Lincoln Blvd.
• 11 accidents - Lincoln Blvd. north of Gateway
• 10 accidents - 3rd St. & Lincoln Manor
• 10 accidents - Lincoln Blvd. & 1st St.
• 9 accidents - D St. and McBean
• 9 accidents - 7th St. & Lincoln Blvd.

Remember, to contact an experienced personal injury lawyer before you talk to any insurance companies after an accident.

Q. Were there any serious accidents in Lincoln in 2015 or early 2016?

A. Yes. A woman’s vehicle drove into a pond and a Lincoln woman died after a fatal accident on 1-80.

Q. If I was injured in an accident in Lincoln, who should pay my bills? My insurance, my work insurance or the other party?

A. The “at fault” party’s insurance company will not give you money to pay your hospital or other medical bills. They will only pay you if the court orders them to do so.

Usually, pay with Auto Medpay because you have greater flexibility in who treats you. You can go to a physical therapist, doctor or chiropractor for treatment. Your health insurer will cover treatment if a doctor is on your medical plan but they often require reimbursement at the end of your case.

I can review your Medpay insurance policy and help you determine which insurance you should use.

Q. Lincoln Boulevard is notorious for accidents. Is the city responsible?

A. You are not alone with these concerns. Clients often contact me after accidents on Lincoln Boulevard, sometimes due to malfunctioning traffic signals. Drivers attempting to exit onto Lincoln from the strip malls frequently find that the flow of traffic makes a safe entry challenging.

If the City of Lincoln has been lax in light maintenance or did not properly time the lights, they might be responsible in the event of an accident. They city needs to follow specific codes and regulations for traffic signals. A knowledgeable Lincoln personal injury attorney would hire an expert, such as a traffic engineer to find out if the City did not fulfill their responsibilities, which possible caused an accident.

However, the injured party must file a claim within a strict time frame. (180 days)

Q. What is the status of construction on Lincoln Boulevard?

A. The Lincoln Boulevard Improvements Project is a project with several phases of improvement that first upgraded the section of road between Sterling Parkway and Seventh Street. This update will help with traffic flow and provide for better land usage. In addition, the city wants to attract bicyclists and pedestrians as well as Neighborhood Electric Vehicles (NEVs) to the area.

The city completed Phase 1 from Seventh Street to McBean Park Drive in October 2015. The project included upgraded crosswalks, additional trees, decorative streetlights, ADA compliance for sidewalks and more.

Phase 2, from First Street to McBean Park Drive, will implement similar improvements.

Phase 3 will address Pedestrian Railroad Crossing Upgrades down the side streets off Lincoln Boulevard to enhance safety for pedestrians and cyclists in addition to NEVs. 

The Lincoln Boulevard Monuments Project at Seventh Street and McBean Park Drive will improve guardrails and a sign along with decorative issues.

The Lincoln Boulevard Traffic Signal Upgrade will modify and update 11 traffic signals along the route.

The Lincoln Boulevard upgrade from Ferrari Ranch Road to First Street and Auburn Ravine Bridge will widen the roads and sidewalks and add NEV lanes.

For further updates, check this link.

Lincoln Photograph Attribution: By T71024 (Own work) [CC BY-SA 3.0], via Wikimedia Commons