Lodi Car Accident Lawyer

Every day, people are injured or killed in vehicle accidents on the freeways, highways and roads in Lodi and throughout Northern California. These accidents can take a significant physical, emotional and financial toll on the victims and their loved ones. Our law firm represents clients in a wide variety of personal injury cases involving automobile accidents and collisions. Following an accident, it is important to immediately consult with an experienced personal injury lawyer to ensure that your rights are protected. Crucial evidence could be lost and witnesses' memories fade if we do not complete a prompt and thorough investigation.

In the moments and days following a car accident, you may be overwhelmed and unsure of what to do next. Trying to manage injuries, vehicle damage, insurance claims mounting medical bills, and lost income can be extremely stressful. An experienced Lodi car accident lawyer can help guide you through this difficult process.

The first priority is always to get the medical attention you need. Even if you don’t feel hurt immediately after the crash, you may have suffered internal injuries or a concussion. Shocks and adrenaline can mask pain temporarily. Getting checked out thoroughly is crucial for both health and legal reasons. Down the road, you don’t want the insurance company minimizing your injuries due to a lack of medical records documenting your condition.

You’ll need to file an official report with the police department; this creates an important record of what occurred. Be sure to get a copy of this police report as soon as possible. If the officers do not come to the actual scene of the accident, you’ll need to go to the precinct to provide a statement. In addition to calling the police, you should notify your insurance company about the accident right away. There are often very strict notification guidelines in insurance policies. Failing to promptly report an accident can jeopardize your eligibility for compensation.

Try to gather reliable evidence, like photos of vehicle damage, accident location, skid marks, weather conditions, etc. Also photograph any visible injuries you sustained. Additionally, make notes about what you recall happening, while the memory is still fresh. Details often fade quickly. Write down the contact information of any witnesses as well, so your attorney can follow up with them. Compile relevant documents like medical bills, auto repair estimates, insurance paperwork, accident reports, etc. Physical evidence and documentation will bolster your claim.

Speaking with an attorney should be one of your first calls after leaving the hospital. An experienced legal team can under personal injury law conduct a comprehensive investigation into fault and eligibility for damages. We assist clients in filing insurance claims, negotiating fair settlements, and getting compensation they deserve. Having trustworthy legal guidance can relieve much stress during the claims process. Our firm has helped injured crash victims in Lodi and surrounding Northern California areas recover millions of dollars over decades.

According to research by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), roughly 94% of serious crashes are caused by dangerous driving or negligent driver behavior rather than vehicle failure or environmental factors. Some common driver actions leading to accidents include:

All cell phone usage behind the wheel, including hands-free devices, results in cognitive distraction. Texting while driving is especially hazardous, increasing crash risk by 23 times. Eating, grooming, programming navigation systems, and interacting with passengers also distracts drivers.

In California, it is illegal to drive with a blood alcohol content (BAC) of 0.08% or above. However, even lower amounts of alcohol can slow reaction times and impair coordination. Recreational and prescription drugs also affect abilities to drive safely. Fatigued driving is another widespread issue, with drowsiness slowing response speeds comparably to alcohol intoxication.

Actions like speeding, unsafe lane changes, tailgating, failure to yield right of way, running red lights, illegal turns, road rage, etc. needlessly endanger all motorists’ safety. Aggressive drivers are often impatient, distracted, intoxicated, or emotionally unstable while behind the wheel.

Rain, snow, heavy winds, and fog can impact maneuverability and visibility for motorists. Hazards like slippery roads, reduced traction, sleet, freezing rain, and hydroplaning increase risks for drivers when weather conditions are poor. Even heavy traffic and sun glare at certain times of day make driving more dangerous.

Some frequent injuries suffered in car crashes include:

This common neck injury results from the head being suddenly jerked back and forth. It strains the ligaments and tendons between vertebrae. Whiplash symptoms include neck stiffness/soreness, shoulder pain, headaches, tingling, fatigue, dizziness, and memory issues.

A traumatic blow to the head can cause concussions. Symptoms like headache, confusion, blurry vision, nausea, fatigue, memory and concentration impairment can persist for weeks or months after the initial injury. Multiple concussions have compounding effects.

The forceful impact of a collision often results in broken ankles, legs, arms, ribs, etc. These fractures usually require stabilizing casts and take weeks to heal. In severe crashes, bones may be shattered instead of cleanly broken, necessitating reconstructive surgery and plates/screws to repair them.

Discs, nerves, vertebrae and the spinal cord itself are vulnerable to trauma in crashes motorcycle accidents. Patients may experience herniated discs, pinched nerves, partial or complete paralysis if the spinal cord is damaged, and chronic lingering pain. Regaining quality of life after spinal cord injuries is extremely challenging.

A sharp blow or violent shaking of the brain against the inside of the skull can tear blood vessels and nerve fibers. TBIs disrupt cognitive abilities and normal brain function. Memory loss, personality changes, blindness, seizures, dementia, and loss of motor control can result from severe cases.

Airbags deploying, impact with the steering wheel or dashboard, or violent rocking motions inside the vehicle during a crash applies great pressure to internal organs. This can lead to lacerations, internal bleeding, or even organ rupture.

Post-collision fires or air bag deployment during an accident can cause second and third-degree burns to vehicle occupants if they are unable to quickly escape their car after a crash. These extremely painful burns often require skin grafts and result in permanent scarring.

Being involved in catastrophic auto accidents frequently leads to psychological issues suffering injuries. Post-traumatic stress disorder, anxiety, depression, insomnia, anger issues, and panic attacks have been linked to traumatic crashes. Victims re-live the experience mentally and have difficulty coping. Getting competent mental health treatment is key to reduce the chances of long-term emotional suffering after a serious collision.

In the aftermath of an auto collision, injury victims have to navigate a complex legal world filled with insurance adjusters, medical appointments, expensive repairs, lost wages, and uncertainty about the future. Having a qualified legal team fighting for your best interests can make all the difference. An attorney levels the playing field when the negligent party’s insurance company tries to minimize your suffering to save themselves money.

Our first priority is investigating the accident circumstances thoroughly to build a strong liability case proving who caused the crash and failed to operate their vehicle safely. Witness interviews, gathering police reports, surveying the scene, seeking video evidence, and accident reconstruction are some tactics we use to in car accident cases demonstrate responsibility.

Insurance carriers have one goal – spend as little money on an accident claim as possible. Without aggressive legal representation, the injured victims will often settle for far less compensation than required to truly cover damages and healing. We’ve recovered millions for past clients through tenacious negotiating and are trial-tested.

Our legal assistants relieve you of paperwork burdens, keep medical appointments organized, interface with your healthcare team, communicate with insurance adjusters so you don’t have to, coordinate vehicle repairs, track expenses, and document evidence details. We know recovering from injuries is your #1 priority.

If your injuries worsen and new treatment is warranted months down the road, or issues emerge later like losing your job due to being unable to work, we can reopen your claim and fight to get additional compensation when necessary. Having reputable attorneys in your corner for the long haul protects your future financial well-being.

Our goal is securing the maximum settlement or court award possible to cover all accident-related losses and get your life back on track financially. Some categories of compensable damages include:

Any urgent care visits, hospitalization, surgery, medications, physical therapy, chiropractic treatment, mental health services, rehabilitation services, nurse care, home health aides, special medical equipment rentals or purchases, and future projected care costs related to the car accident victims' injuries. We secure accident reparations to cover all medical costs.

If injuries prevent you from working for a period of time during recovery, you are entitled to recoup that lost income so your family does not suffer financial hardship. We calculate projected future income loss as well if disabilities due to crash trauma make returning to your occupation difficult or impossible.

Repairing or replacing your wrecked auto is extremely costly. Insurance should pay for all parts, labor, towing, diminished value due to it now having an accident history, rental cars during repair delays, etc. We fight to be sure these vehicle damage expenses are handled fairly.

No dollar amounts can negate emotional trauma, grief over permanent disabilities, or relentless discomfort. However, financial compensation acknowledges life-altering effects from serious car accidents only. Our counsel carefully determines reasonable pain and suffering damages.

By retaining a respected Lodi car accident law firm like ours in your corner after a crash, you have loyal advocates working to ease the claims process burden while battling for maximum compensation through settlements or court awards. Our stellar reputation has been earned over 40+ years protecting Northern California personal injury claim victims’ rights.

Have You or Someone You Love Been Injured in an Auto Collision? Contact Our Lodi Car Accident Attorneys 24/7 at (800) 426-5546 for a Free Consultation.