Item: Edward A Smith Law Offices
Rating: 5
Author: Alex & Dinah M.

Stockton Car Accident and Personal Injury Lawyer

Stockton is home to more than 300,000 people and has several life-blood highways passing through it, including State Route 99, State Route 4, and Interstate 5. These highways allow millions of vehicles every day to travel up and down the west coast and from Stockton to San Francisco and back. With so many cars on the road, accidents are inevitable.

After a car accident in Stockton, you need an attorney experienced in dealing with difficult insurance companies to recover the compensation you deserve. Call our law firm today at (209) 227-1931 or (800) 404-5400 to receive free, friendly advice on your case from one of our personal injury lawyers.

Our law firm has fought for the rights of injured parties in San Joaquin County and across Northern California since 1982. Our accident attorneys have achieved countless verdicts and settlements for personal injury and wrongful death cases. There is no cost to consult with one of our lawyers about bringing a claim, so please do not hesitate to contact our legal team today for a free case evaluation.

Serious and Fatal Car Accident Statistics

According to the California Office of Traffic Safety (OTS), there were 6,220 total fatal and injury crashes in San Joaquin County in 2018. That same year, there were 2,037 traumatic injury and fatal accidents in Stockton, CA. Of that number, 161 involved pedestrians, 112 involved bicyclists, and 50 involved motorcycle riders. Some of these accidents resulted from:

389 speeding
305 hit and runs
146 drunk driving

Dangerous Intersections in the Stockton Area

You may wonder where most of the serious injury and fatal car accidents occurred. The following list includes the most dangerous intersections in Stockton:

Airport Way and Hazelton Avenue
Center Street and Harding Way
Da Vinci Drive and March Lane
El Dorado Street and March Lane
Hammer Lane and West Lane
Kelley Drive and Hammer Lane
March Lane and West Lane
Pershing Avenue and March Lane
Tam O'Shanter Drive and Hammer Lane
Washington St and Hunter Street

This can be important, so you can be especially careful when going through them. It can also be important because government entities may have responsibility for defectively designing such intersections. Our team of personal injury lawyers in Stockton evaluates this on every legal matter.

Should You Get an Attorney for a Car Accident Case?

After a motor vehicle accident, injured individuals and their families often need resources and support. No matter how minor or severe the collision, it is often challenging to recover from traumatic accident injuries while dealing with medical bills, accidental property damage, and insurance company claims. Fatal motor vehicle accidents are even more of a burden on families and loved ones as they deal with unexpected expenses while coping with their loss.

A top-rated personal injury attorney who is familiar with the city of Stockton is a huge benefit in each car accident case. This is especially true when it comes to handling personal injury matters with auto insurance carriers.

How to Choose the Best Personal Injury Lawyer for Your Case

Selecting the right attorney to handle your personal injury car accident claim is not always easy. There are thousands of lawyers in California, many of whom offer to accept cases in the City of Stockton. A few things for you to consider when looking for legal counsel are:

Select an attorney that cares about you, your family, and your needs.
Choose a lawyer that practices personal injury law exclusively.
Ensure the lawyer has a history of taking personal injury cases to trial in San Joaquin County, if necessary.
Pick an attorney with a proven history of high verdicts and settlements for auto accident cases.

Watch the video below for suggestions on how to find the best Stockton personal injury attorney to handle your case.

Types of Personal Injury Cases Our Lawyers Handle

Our injury attorneys handle all types of personal injury claims, particularly motor vehicle accidents involving passenger cars, large commercial trucks, motorcycles, SUVs, and more. Our other practice areas include:

Common Types of Injuries from Traffic Collisions

Since 1982, our personal injury law firm has recovered fair compensation in cases involving many types of accident-related injuries, including:

Amputations
Bone fractures
Chest trauma
Degloving injuries
Eye injuries
Internal trauma
Road rash
Spinal cord injuries
Traumatic brain injuries
Wrongful death

Do not hesitate to contact our personal injury attorneys if you have been injured in a motor vehicle collision near Stockton. We will work hard to ensure you receive fair compensation for your injuries.

About Our Law Firm

At AutoAccident.com, attorney Ed Smith and his legal team will work for you and your case to get the best outcome possible. Our firm is known as the "personal" personal injury law firm because we take the time to get to know you, your background, hopes, and dreams. We take satisfaction in helping you and your family find positives in what could otherwise be a medical, emotional, and economic disaster. That said, here is more information about us.

We believe in a holistic approach to personal injury cases.
Our firm’s founder and injury attorney, Ed Smith, is a member of Consumer Attorney's of California, the Million Dollar Advocates, The Brain Injury Association of California, and the Capital City Trial Lawyers Association.
Injury lawyer, Ed Smith, has written several books on personal injury law, including The Ultimate California Auto Injury Handbook and The California Motorcycle Accident Handbook.
To see all of our testimonials, please go to our testimonials page.

Attorney Ed Smith’s Connection with the City of Stockton

Stockton has always had a deep resonance in my heart. When I attended Law School, I worked almost full time at my first legal job as a law clerk at the Stockton County Counsel's Office.

I was lucky to have some great attorneys who took me under their wing and taught me Trial Law. Mike Garrison, who later became a San Joaquin County judge, taught me much. Pat Friedrich was another great Stockton Lawyer who tutored me.

I worked several years in the San Joaquin County Counsel's Office and learned the ins and outs of San Joaquin County from experts. That knowledge has served me well as my legal career progressed.

I've worked many cases in Stockton with the world-famous mediator, Dan Quinn. I've handled every kind of personal injury case imaginable in San Joaquin County, from cases involving drunken boaters the Delta to chain collisions in the fog on I5.

I also fell in love with a Stockton girl who forever changed my life. I really do love Stockton and Stocktonians.

I love to eat at the Market Tavern or the Abby Trappist Pub and drive down to visit often. Yes, my office is located in Sacramento, some 45 minutes away, but if you come up here and tell me about your case. I'll give you straight advice that other, less experienced lawyers can't offer, and I'd never invite you to visit me up here without buying you lunch! I like to talk while I eat. That's how I learned to do it in Brooklyn.

Stockton Personal Injury FAQ

When should I contact an attorney after an auto accident?

It is critical to contact the best personal injury lawyer in Stockton immediately after a motor vehicle crash. While you will need immediate medical care, it’s best to consult an experienced lawyer because most doctors are biased and do work for the insurance industry. You want a doctor who is fully in your corner and will help you get well. An experienced lawyer will know doctors who may have a bias.

The at-fault driver will have likely notified their auto insurance company about the traffic collision right after it had happened. Their insurance company will contact you to get a statement about the accident and any injuries you may have sustained.

Do not make a statement until you have consulted with an attorney. The insurance company is not looking out for your best interest. They do not care about your injuries. Insurers only care about protecting their profits by settling your case for as little as possible.

You will need a personal injury attorney on your side to handle the claims negotiation process with the insurance company on your behalf. This way, you do not end up accepting a lowball personal injury settlement offer that barely covers all your medical expenses, lost wages, and pain and suffering.

What is the statute of limitations on personal injury lawsuits in California?

Another important reason why you should call a Stockton car accident lawyer right away is because of the two-year statute of limitations. This means you have two years from the date of your car crash to file a personal injury lawsuit in civil court against the at-fault party. If it involves a governmental entity, local, state, or federal, you only have six months. This is by California Government Code Section 911.2.

If you don’t file a claim within that time frame, you will be barred forever from being brought to court and will miss your chance of recovering the compensation you deserve. Since you have a limited amount of time to take legal action after a traffic collision, contact the best personal injury attorney in Stockton to schedule a free consultation today regarding your potential options for recovery.

How do I find the best attorney for my personal injury case?

It can sometimes be difficult to tell if someone is a good personal injury lawyer. However, here are some tips to help you find the right lawyer for your case. First, check the attorney’s ratings and reviews on third-party sites like Google, Yelp, and Avvo. Check the ratings but really read what the reviews are saying.

Learning how an attorney was able to assist former clients will help you understand how he or she can serve you. You should also look into client testimonials. Reviewing former client testimonials will give you insights into the attorney's skills and knowledge and his or her staff.

Next, look to see if the attorney is dedicated to his or her selected field. You do not want a lawyer who is a Jack-of-all-trades. The lawyer you select should not be doing DUI and criminal defense or real estate.

Finally, look at the lawyer’s past personal injury case verdicts and settlements. You want to work with a Stockton personal injury lawyer with the capability to obtain a large verdict or settlement if you are seriously injured.

Should I admit liability in a traffic collision?

No, do not admit full or even partial fault in a motor vehicle crash. You may not be aware of all the factors or circumstances that may have occurred in the short time leading up to the traffic collision. If you admit fault in a traffic collision, you may place yourself at risk of losing out on the full compensation you may be entitled to.

For example, if the other driver was later found texting and driving right before the motor vehicle collision, but you had already admitted fault, it may be more challenging to file a bodily injury claim against the other driver to get a fair insurance settlement. The best thing to do is provide a true statement to the police but do not assume what has caused the auto accident.

Contact a Personal Injury Attorney in Stockton Today

If you were badly injured in a motor vehicle crash caused by someone else's negligence, our personal injury lawyers in Stockton can help you recover fair compensation for your damages. Call one of our accident attorneys today for free, friendly advice on your potential claim at (209) 227-1931 or (800) 404-5400.

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

See our client reviews on Avvo, Google, and Yelp, and our past cases on our Verdicts and Settlements page.

Editor’s Note: This page has been updated for accuracy and relevancy [cha 8.20.21]

Photos by pixabay

Additional Resources:

Dangerous Conditions in Crosswalks

Stockton Bicycle Accident Lawyer

Stockton Brain Injury Lawyer

Stockton Dog Bite Lawyer

Stockton Farm Accident Lawyer

Stockton Motorcycle Accident Lawyer

Stockton Pedestrian Accident Lawyer

Stockton Products Liability Lawyer

Stockton Spinal Cord Injury Lawyer

Stockton Tree Accident Lawyer

Stockton Truck Accident Lawyer

Stockton Wrongful Death Lawyer

★★★★★

"Me and my wife; had a car accident. We were amazed how easy, professional, friendly attorney Ed Smith is along with his staff. Everybody is amazing. Thank you so much, we are very impressed!" Alex & Dinah M.

"Ed Smith and his office team took on a difficult personal injury case on my behalf and for the passenger in my car. Ed is a top- notch attorney. His staff couldn't have been more helpful and kind. No need to look elsewhere. I give Ed Smith my highest recommendation." Beverly

"Ed and Robert have been taking great care of my husband and I for the past 5+ years. They are always there when you have a problem and a quick resolution! Even when the issues have nothing to do with them. They are willing to help ease the pain off your shoulders. They are as good as it gets! Thank you again for everything." Annie T.

"Very professional. Great team, staff and service all around. Mr Smith was very honest, straight forward with his advice. He gives the word "attorney" an honest reputation. I will seek his council anytime, and would recommend him at the drop of a dime." Jeremy M.

"I would highly recommend Ed Smith to any friends or family in need of a personal injury attorney. Ed, and his staff, are very caring on top of being very experienced in this field. The staff always keeps you informed of the status of your case and they are always easy to reach by phone." Shannon D.

"Edward Smith law offices provide competent, thorough, and personable help for victims of personal injury. When you first meet the staff you know you contacted the right office. This law office treats clients like people. I recommend this office to anyone seeking representation regarding personal injury." David M.

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