Rio Vista, California Auto Accident and Personal Injury Lawyer

If you or a loved one has been in an accident and suffered a serious or devastating injury, you have likely come upon this page because you believe you need the help of a good personal injury lawyer but are not quite sure how to go about finding one. 

I’m Ed Smith, a Rio Vista Auto Accident and Personal Injury attorney originally from Brooklyn, New York, who has been a Northern Californian since 1969.  I generally only handle serious injury cases in Rio Vista, though if you have sustained a smaller injury, I will be able to refer you to other qualified personal injury attorneys in the Rio Vista area. 

My firm handles serious auto accident or motor vehicle cases including:

• Accidents involving cars
• Accidents involving motorcycles
• Accidents involving large and small trucks
• Accidents involving commercial motor vehicles

The firm also involves serious personal injury cases including:

• Injuries from bicycle accidents
• Injuries sustained in pedestrian accidents
• Traumatic Brain Injuries
• Injuries from dog bites
• Wrongful death cases
• Farm Accidents

If you have been involved in an accident and sustained injuries like those mentioned above, or any other serious injury for that matter, I may be the right attorney to help you with your case.  I am very client-focused, will explain your case to you in clear language that you can understand, and I’ll be honest with you.  If there are holes in your case, I’ll let you know, but if you have a solid case, you’ll learn that from me as well.  No matter what, if we are a good fit, I will personally be involved with your case from start to finish, and you can be sure that I will work tirelessly on your case to help you obtain the results you deserve.

If you’re still not convinced that I might be the auto accident or personal injury lawyer for you, here are a few other tips for choosing a personal injury attorney:

• When selecting a personal injury attorney, it is important to find one that cares about you and your needs, and your family;
• It is also important to find an attorney that practices only personal injury law – an attorney who is experienced in personal injury law can better evaluate your case and help fight for a successful outcome;
• Having an experienced trial attorney is also an important consideration in the event that your case goes to trial;
• Having an attorney who has a history of success, including high settlements and verdicts should also be a priority consideration when picking someone to represent you.

Motor vehicle accidents occur in and around Rio Vista all the time.  While Rio Vista is a fairly small community with rural surroundings, it is also centrally located between major population centers of Lodi, Fairfield, and Brentwood.  Highway 12, which connects Rio Vista to some of these larger cities, has seen its fair share of serious and even fatal accidents.  As a major highway that runs through Rio Vista, Highway 12 can be full of heavy traffic at times, therefore placing those who share the road with large trucks and other commercial vehicles at risk for devastating accidents. 

Not only do motor vehicle accidents take place on major highways, but they can also happen on the streets of Rio Vista.  Oftentimes, accidents involving cars, motorcycles, trucks, or other vehicles occur at busy intersections as the result of drivers failing to obey traffic laws, or simply because a driver was inattentive to their surroundings.  Accidents involving motor vehicles can cause many major injuries including traumatic brain injuries, back and neck strains, broken, shattered, and fractured bones, as well as other injuries. 

Not all serious personal injuries are the result of a motor vehicle accident.  If you have suffered a slip and fall that resulted in a traumatic brain injury or a seriously broken bone, our firm may be able to help you.  We also can help with a wide array of injuries, including those that are sustained at construction sites, by dog bites, or even those that occur in the workplace. 

Q: If I have been involved in an auto accident in Rio Vista, should I report the accident to the police?

A: If you or someone involved in the accident sustained any injuries, it is important to call 911.  However, if no one is injured in the accident, you can call dispatch at (707) 374-2300, and the dispatcher will provide you with instructions on what you should do next. 

Q: If I have been injured in an accident, what is the first thing I should do?

A: The first thing you should do is see a qualified doctor.  If you have sustained a serious injury, it is important to see a doctor as soon as possible.  Your health should be of utmost concern; you can worry about dealing with a lawsuit later.

Q: How long do I have to decide whether I should pursue a claim for my injuries?

A: In California, you typically must file a personal injury lawsuit within two years of the date of the accident.  However, I usually recommend that you contact any and all insurance companies involved to let them know about the accident so that they have an open file and can be prepared to negotiate your claim. 

It is also worth noting that if you think you might want to pursue a claim against a governmental entity, you only have six months from the accident to file a claim.  Accordingly, to protect your legal rights, time is of the essence, so consult with an attorney as soon as possible. 

I’m Ed Smith, a Rio Vista Auto Accident and Personal Injury Lawyer. If you or a family member has been seriously hurt in an accident, please call me today at (707) 564-1900 or (800) 404-5400 for free, friendly advice.

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Meet my friendly staff.

I am a current member of the Million Dollar Forum. Trial lawyers here have won multiple cases worth more than a million dollars.

Take a moment to view my Past Verdicts and Settlements page.

I’ve been practicing in personal injury law exclusively since 1982.