Stanislaus County Personal Injury Attorney

Stanislaus is a county in the Central Valley that has a population of over 500,000. Much of Stanislaus is rural and its economy is based on agriculture, but there are many incorporated cities that are growing and expanding. Cities such as Modesto have grown larger over the years, but other cities such as Patterson and Newman have seen considerable growth in recent years.

There are many ways to get to and from the booming cities in Stanislaus County. Interstate 5, for example, is perhaps the most congested roadway in Stanislaus County. Motorists also travel along State Route 4, 33, 99, 108, 120 and 132 to travel through the county. These roadways are mostly where many tragic accidents occur.

Steps to Protect Your Rights

If you have been injured in a Stanislaus County auto accident or as the result of someone else's negligence or wrongdoing, it is important to protect your rights. There are several steps you can take to help preserve your legal rights:

Steps to take Immediately Afterward: Do not leave the scene of the accident before gathering important information. Examples of information that could be invaluable during the claim process include:

• Insurance information for all parties involved
• Contact information
• Information about eyewitnesses who saw the incident occur. Eyewitness testimony can be critical during the personal injury claims process.
• Photographs of the scene where the incident occurred. For example, if you slipped and fell on a broken stair, a picture of the damaged stairway can be invaluable. If you have been involved in an auto accident, it is important to get pictures of the scene, the position of the vehicles, damage to the vehicles and injuries sustained.
• It is also important to file an incident report so you have a record.
• Victims who have been injured should get prompt medical attention and follow up with the doctor's recommendations for treatment so that the probability of recovery is maximized. Prompt treatment also ensures that the injuries or symptoms do not get worse.
• Stop activity on social networking sites. What you say or post on Facebook or other sites can be held against you and could jeopardize your claim process.

Determine What Your Claim is Worth:The value of your claim depends on the extent of the injuries and damages. An individual who suffers serious or catastrophic injuries, for example, is more likely to receive a higher award than someone who suffered minor scrapes and bruises. A claim can include damages to cover medical expenses, lost wages, hospitalization costs and future expenses such as rehabilitation. Non-economic damages that can be included in a claim are pain and suffering, emotional distress and loss of consortium, to mention a few.

Document Your Damages:It is critical that you document not only your damages, but the details of the incident. As time goes by, memories are likely to get fuzzier and some of the important details may be lost or forgotten.

Do not Rush to a Settlement:This is a common mistake made by many personal injury victims. Do not sign an agreement or agree to a settlement with an insurance company or any other party before you have had a chance to assess the value of your injury claim with an experienced Stanislaus County personal injury lawyer. Once you settle your claim, there is no going back. There have been several cases where injured victims who settled their claim prematurely have struggled with injury-related expenses that came up later. For example, there are several injuries such as whiplash that may not surface days or even weeks after the incident. When a victim settles prematurely, he or she may not have the opportunity to seek compensation for much-needed treatment costs.

The experienced Stanislaus County personal injury lawyers at our law firm have a long and successful track record of helping injured victims and their families seek fair compensation for their losses. Our attorneys work on a contingency fee basis, which means that we do not get paid until you get compensated for your losses. Please contact us for a free, comprehensive and confidential consultation.