Modesto Car Accident Lawyers
Making Car Accident Claims Simple & Stress-Free
Car accidents in California are unfortunately common, with about 450 injury-causing collisions in the state each day. Everyone on the road needs to be aware of the dangers negligent drivers pose and do what they can to prevent a crash. Yet sometimes the best drivers in the state are the ones who get hurt the most in a car accident because other drivers aren't as diligent. If you or a loved one become seriously injured by another motorist, you need to stand up for your rights and think about how you can receive compensation for your damages.
Our Modesto car accident attorneys from Habbas & Associates are here to help provide you with legal guidance and support after being struck by a negligent motorist. With more than 200 total years of legal experience, focused on personal injury claims, we have become the go-to name in representation all across the region.
Reasons why people choose to work with Habbas & Associates:
- We are highly-rated by past clients.
- We have secured multiple multimillion dollar case results.
- We offer contingency fees – no cost to hire us unless we win your case.
- We offer no-cost, no-obligation case evaluations.
Now is the right time to start your car accident claim. Call us at (209) 624-8248.
On This Page:
- Calculating Damages After Your Crash
- California's Car Accident Statute of Limitations
- Common Car Accident Injuries
- Forms of Negligence
- Determining Fault
- Can You Settle Your Claim Without a Lawyer?
- Is It Worth Suing After a Car Accident?
- Get Our Help Today
How Are Damages Calculated After a Car Accident?
"Damages" refer to the compensation you may be eligible to receive if your accident was caused by someone else's negligence. In general, after a car accident you may be eligible to pursue compensation for the following damages:
- Medical expenses
- Damaged property
- Lost income
- Pain and suffering
- Mental anguish
- Loss of companionship
In some cases where extreme negligence was involved (for example if the driver who hit you was driving drunk), you may also be able to pursue compensation for punitive damages (i.e. damages intended to punish the offender). Calculating damages is no easy feat. When you contact our Modesto car accident attorneys we can review your case during a free consultation and give you a better understand of what your claim may be worth.
California's Car Accident Statute of Limitations
If you wish to file a car accident lawsuit in Modesto, you have up to 2 years after the date of the accident to file a lawsuit with the court. If you fail to do so within the prescribed timeframe, you may forfeit your right to pursue compensation for your injuries. For minors who suffer injuries in car accidents, you are allowed to file a claim for up to 2 years after you turn 18. For families who have lost a loved one in a car accident, you are allowed up to 2 years to file a claim after your loved one's death.
Common Injuries Sustained in Car Accidents
Car accidents can lead to some very serious injuries, many of which can be life-altering. The severity of your injuries will most likely depend on several things: the speed at which you are traveling, whether or not you are wearing a seatbelt and the type of accident you are involved in (i.e. rollover, t-bone, head-on, etc.) Some of the most commonly sustained car accident injuries include:
- Scrapes, cuts, lacerations and bruises
- Head or brain injuries
- Broken bones
- Herniated discs or other back and spinal injuries
- Whiplash and other neck injuries
- Damage to internal organs, including internal bleeding
- Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)
- Scarring and disfigurement
- Loss of limbs or amputation
If you have suffered a catastrophic injury in your car accident, you should consider hiring a car accident lawyer in Modesto to help you get maximum compensation.
What Caused Your Car Accident in Modesto?
Knowing that you did not cause your car accident is not enough to secure a fair compensation amount. You need to know what did cause it as well so liability can be appropriately assigned. As you should be focusing on rest and healing, allow our car accident attorneys in Modesto to look into the details of your claim for you. Our goal is minimizing your liability to maximize the compensation you can seek from the other parties.
Common causes of car accidents in California include:
- Distracted driving, like texting behind the wheel
- Intoxicated driving
- Vehicle defects
- Unsafe road conditions
Testimonials
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"We are extremely happy with the seamless experience that they provided. All in all, you'd wish you never have to run into any injury situations but if you do then Habbas law firm is the place to go."Neil T.
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"I was severely hurt in a car accident involving a tractor trailer that rear ended my vehicle. Hiring the Habbas firm and working with Mr. Habbas and his colleagues was the best decision I ever made."Gordon T.
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"The experience I had with Laura was exceptional and will 100% refer her and Habbas to anyone seeking an attorney for an accident. She made the experience a great one."Juan A.
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"He answered all of our questions every time we had one and that's why we are so happy and blessed to have Habbas and Associates on our side. I strongly recommend them."Feliciano & Maria Verzosa
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"Omar Habbas will fight for you and give you the best results out of your case I know. They take good care of their clients I’ve never been happier. Thank you to the whole entire team at Habbas & Associates. You are highly recommended."Nina Wright
How Is Fault Determined In a Car Accident?
California is what is referred to as a "pure comparative negligence" state when it comes to determining fault. This means that you can still recover compensation for your injuries, even if you were partially responsible for the accident. However, if you did play some part in causing the accident, your settlement may be reduced by your percentage of fault. For example, if the judge finds you 15% responsible for the accident, your settlement may be reduced by 15%. If you are over 50% responsible for the accident, you may not be able to recover any damages from the other driver.
Comparative negligence can greatly descrease the value of your claim, so it's essential that you work with an experienced Modesto car accident attorney who can collect all the necessary evidence to prove that you are not at fault for the crash, or at least reduce the amount of fault that was attributed to you.
Can You Settle a Car Accident Claim Without a Lawyer?
Technically, yes, you may be able to settle your accident lawsuit without the help of a personal injury lawyer. However, here are several reasons you may be better off hiring an attorney to represent you:
- Determining who is at fault for the accident may not be straightforward; you may get blamed for something that wasn't your fault
- The insurance company may not offer you a fair settlement; you may be left paying some of your medical bills later on
- Without professional guidance you run the risk of missing important deadlines
- You may not be able to get in contact with expert witnesses or find accident reconstructionist to back up your claims in court
- Your injuries may be severe enough that you are physically unable to negotiate with the insurance company or go to court
With a trusted car accident attorney by your side, you can not only expect peace of mind regarding your claim, you can also improve your chances of receiving fair compensation. In fact, claimants who hired an attorney saw on average a net payout that was nearly three times higher than those who handled their claim on their own.
Is It Worth Suing After a Car Accident?
The best way to determine whether or not it's worth pursuing a car accident lawsuit is to speak with an experienced attorney. Our team offers free initial consultations in which our attorneys can look at the details of your case and help you determine whether or not a personal injury clam is the right option for you. At the end of the day, you can use the following guidelines to help you determine whether or not it's worth suing:
- Were you seriously injured in your accident? If so, suing can help ensure you receive just compensation for your injuries.
- Is the insurance company refusing to give you a fair settlement offer? If so, filing a lawsuit may help show them that you mean business.
- Were you forced to miss work because of your injuries? If so, hiring an attorney can help ensure that you receive compensation for those lost wages.
Let Us Be Your Trusted Legal Advocates
Doing the wrong thing after an accident or saying the wrong words to an insurance company can hurt the viability of your car accident claim. By letting our car accident lawyers in Modesto manage your claim from start to finish, you eliminate the risk of making a misstep that could end up costing you deserved compensation. With this in mind, the sooner you retain our services after a car crash, the better. Go ahead and contact Habbas & Associatesat your first opportunity.
Call our Modesto auto accident attorneys at (209) 624-8248 to schedule a free initial consultation!
They do everything possible to help you get through tough times.Daniel L.
Whether you have questions or you’re ready to get started, our legal team is ready to help. Complete our form below or call us at (209) 624-8248.