Accidents can turn a victim’s world upside down, often leaving them grappling with hefty financial burdens from medical bills, vehicle repairs, and lost wages. However, there’s a bright side: filing a personal injury claim can provide much-needed compensation to ease the financial strain and help restore some stability after the incident. A personal injury lawyer can also help prove such a claim for you to receive fair compensation.
For over 50 years, our Stockton personal injury attorneys have won cases ranging from truck accidents and wrongful deaths to rear-end collisions in Stockton and throughout San Joaquin County, CA. A big firm like ours can dedicate resources to make sure insurance companies and those liable are held accountable. No matter the size of your case, we make sure you get the compensation you deserve.
What Is Considered a Personal Injury Case, and How Does It Work?
A personal injury case is a legal action made when an injury victim sustains harm or other damages from an accident caused by another party’s negligence. Accidents can strike unexpectedly, anywhere, and at any time. If someone else injures you by being careless, a personal injury claim helps you get justice by claiming compensation for the damages you sustained.
A personal injury case has the following elements:
- Another party must be at fault for the accident. Did another party’s actions directly cause the incident? Were you partially at fault?
- The accident must have caused damage. Did you incur minor or severe injuries from the accident? Were there other damages sustained? This can include medical bills, property damage, lost wages, or emotional distress.
- You must have evidence proving their responsibility. Were you able to secure evidence at the scene? Do you have sufficient proof to back up your claim?
While everyone can file a personal injury claim, there must be substantial evidence to support your case. This is to ensure that your case will be taken seriously and can’t be easily dismissed. Our Stockton personal injury lawyer can help you gather the necessary evidence to prove the other party’s liability and defend your rights for compensation.
Serving Stockton Clients from our Los Angeles Office
We serve the whole of California with 14 satellite offices.
You can visit us at our Main Los Angeles Office at Wilshire Blvd
Jacoby & Meyers 10900 Wilshire Blvd 15th Floor, Los Angeles, CA 90024
Call us +12132960792
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Why Do I Need a Stockton Personal Injury Attorney When Filing a Case?
Personal injury law can be complicated and intricate. When filing an injury case, there are specific legalities you should know and understand to prove liability and win your case successfully.
Here are some reasons why you NEED a personal injury attorney:
- Red-tape
Filing a claim is not just submitting a simple paperwork and you easily get your compensation after. It’s more than that. You must gather SUFFICIENT evidence to prove your case, submit all documents needed when filing, and negotiate with the insurance provider. A personal injury attorney is expert at cutting through bureaucratic red tape, ensuring that all relevant documents are filed correctly and on time, and satisfying all legal requirements and deadlines. - Insurance Company’s Delaying Tactics
People often think insurance companies are on their side when it comes to compensating accident damages. While they may shoulder some expenses, they often use several tactics to delay your case or reduce your settlement. For instance, they may consistently look for other evidence to prolong the legal process, especially if your proofs are inconsistent. Sometimes, they can also quickly provide an initial offer, disregarding other damages, to lessen the compensation value. - Statute of Limitations
Personal injury claims are subject to statutes of limitations or deadlines for filing a lawsuit. Missing these dates may result in you losing your right to compensation. A personal injury attorney will keep track of these essential deadlines, ensuring that your claim is filed within the legally required time frame. - Managing Out-of-Pocket Expenses and Administrative Costs
Handling a personal injury claim involves various expenses, including fees for notarizing documents, obtaining medical records, and other administrative costs. With our Stockton personal injury attorneys, you don’t have to worry about out-of-pocket expenses. In fact, there is NO risk in hiring our legal experts since we work on a contingency basis, meaning you only need to pay when we WIN your case. - Mental and Physical Capacity to Deal with Issues
We understand that dealing with a personal injury claim can be physically and mentally debilitating. You must handle all the complexities of filing a case while recovering from your injuries. This is where our Stockton personal injury attorneys become of help. We provide the support and use our extensive knowledge to handle the legal aspects of your case, allowing you to focus on your recovery and well-being. - Time to Heal
It takes time and effort to heal after an injury. Usually, you will need extensive care and treatment, especially if you sustain severe injuries from an accident. The good thing is that you may focus on recovering instead of managing the intricacies of your legal case by working with a personal injury lawyer. You can rest easy knowing that our Stockton personal injury attorney will handle all of the negotiations, paperwork, and required court appearances.
How Can a Stockton Personal Injury Lawyer Help Me?
Many hesitate to hire a personal injury lawyer due to misconceptions about cost, time, and minimal settlements. However, hiring a lawyer can significantly increase your compensation compared to dealing with insurance companies alone.
Navigating a personal injury claim is often complex and overwhelming. A personal injury attorney brings essential experience, expertise, and resources to your case. They can construct a solid claim, negotiate for a fair settlement, and robustly defend your rights, allowing you to concentrate on your recovery.
Here are a few more benefits to hiring your own personal injury attorney:
- Uncovering Hidden Factors: Our lawyers can find evidence that the ordinary person can overlook. Our personal injury law firm is also connected to experts that can help strengthen your case. For example, if a car crash involves a hit-and-run driver, our lawyer can work with car accident reconstruction experts in analyzing the situation and gathering evidence to locate the driver.
- Delayed Injury and Damage Discovery: From years of experience, our Stockton personal injury attorneys know how to incorporate future damages and even potential delayed injuries in your compensation. This gives you peace that you are covered and protected all throughout your healing journey.
- Changing Stories: Our Stockton personal injury lawyers handle shifting narratives and ensure accurate liability assignment.
- Quick Settlements: Our legal experts negotiate better terms than quick, lowball offers from insurers. We quantify all applicable damages, from medical bills to emotional distress, to maximize your compensation.
Moreover, here are some personal injury laws you should be aware of when pursuing a case for compensation.
Determining Fault in Personal Injury Claims
Demonstrating that another party’s negligence caused the accident is crucial to establish fault in a case. Negligence is a legal concept that refers to a failure to exercise the standard of care that a reasonable person would in similar circumstances. To prove negligence, you need to demonstrate the following key elements:
- Duty of Care: The driver was obliged to exercise reasonable care toward other road users.
- Breach of Duty: Did the driver act in a manner that endangered others? Violations of traffic laws can serve as evidence of this breach.
- Causation: The driver’s negligence must have directly caused the accident.
- Injuries and Damages: The accident must have resulted in physical injuries or other damages affecting the victim’s life.
For instance, a drunk driver hit you, and you sustained spinal cord injuries from the crash. In this case, they could be liable for the accident since their driving while intoxicated (DUI) violation caused the accident.
Statute of Limitations in Stockton, California
In California, you typically have two years from the accident date to file a personal injury case under the California Code of Civil Procedure (CCP) §335.1. However, the time limit can vary based on specific circumstances. For example, if the injury victim dies as a result of the crash, the statute of limitations starts from the date of their death.
SCENARIO:
An injured victim sustained severe leg injuries from a car accident. Since the injury was too severe, they needed extensive treatments and rehabilitation. The victim did not call any lawyers after the accident and chose to focus on their recovery before filing an injury claim.
However, when they decided to pursue one, the deadline for filing a claim had already run out. How, then, can they receive compensation for the damages? With over decades of experience, our personal injury lawyers in Stockton can ensure all deadlines are met, manage your case efficiently, and win a fair settlement to help you recover the losses you sustained.
Comparative Fault
While personal injury victims generally have the right to file a claim, what happens if they are partially at fault for the accident?
California operates under a pure comparative fault rule. If you’re injured in an accident, you can still file an injury claim even if you share some responsibility for the damage.
So, if you were found 30% at fault for the accident with a speeding driver due to distracted driving, you could still be entitled to 70% of the compensation for your damages.
On the other hand, the speeding driver could also seek compensation for the 30% of the damages for which they are responsible. This is why you must consult with an injury lawyer in Stockton immediately to navigate these complexities and protect your claim.
Hiring a personal injury attorney can help you navigate the legal system’s complexity, gather evidence, negotiate settlements, and represent you in court if required. With Jacoby & Meyers, our Stockton personal injury attorneys will manage your case and negotiate with the insurance provider effectively to reach a just compensation.
How Much Do Personal Injury Attorneys Charge in Stockton, CA?
Some accident victims hesitate to hire a personal injury lawyer because they believe it will be costly. However, many personal injury law firms operate on a contingency fee basis, meaning you only pay their fees if they successfully settle your claim.
With our Stockton personal injury attorneys, you won’t owe us anything if we don’t secure a favorable outcome. Even our initial consultations come with no risks – NO fees until we win your case.
If you are looking for a Stockton personal injury lawyer who can provide accessible legal assistance without compromising value, we are here for you. We maximize our connections and knowledge to defend your case, guaranteeing that the best resources available are dedicated to protecting your rights without having to shed a dime all throughout the process.
Most Common Injuries from Personal Injury Accidents in Stockton, CA
Accidents resulting in personal injuries can happen at any moment and in various forms, leaving victims with a range of physical and emotional injuries.
- Whiplash and neck injuries
- Fractures and broken bones
- Traumatic brain injuries (TBIs)
- Spinal cord injuries
- Burns
- Lacerations and cuts
- Soft tissue injuries
- Internal injuries
Types of Accidents We Handle
From slips and falls to auto accidents, personal injury can strike at any moment in countless ways. At our results-driven law firm, we take on the legal challenges so you can concentrate on healing—we’re committed to supporting your recovery journey.
- Car Accidents: Our car accident lawyer secures settlements ranging from $1,100,000 to $4,500,000.
- Truck Accidents: Our truck accident lawyers have achieved substantial results, including a $17,500,000 victory.
- Motorcycle Accidents: Our motorcycle accident lawyer has secured impressive outcomes, such as an $11,000,000 settlement for a single claim.
- Slip-and-Fall Accidents: We’ve successfully addressed injuries from slip-and-fall incidents caused by negligence on others’ properties, with settlements from $1,900,000 to $3,250,000.
- Other Personal Injury Cases: Our Stockton attorneys offer free case evaluations for a variety of negligence-related accidents, including dog bites, pedestrian accidents, scooter accidents, hit-and-run accidents, bus accidents, construction site injuries, and others.
Perhaps you were bitten by a dog while walking in your Lincoln Village neighborhood or rear-ended while exiting the 5 Freeway onto Downing Avenue. If you need help, give Jacoby & Meyers a call. We will handle your personal injury case while you focus on your recovery.
Frequently Asked Questions About Stockton Personal Injury
What Should I Do When I Am Injured in an Accident?
Our Stockton personal injury lawyers at Jacoby & Meyers can’t stress this enough: the first thing you need to do after an accident is to seek immediate medical care. If you can’t get to a hospital, call for emergency services or the Stockton Police Department.
Once stable, you may do the following:
- Notify the police and report the accident.
- If you can, gather evidence at the scene, such as photos of the accident or contact details of witnesses.
- Avoid calling your insurance company, give a statement, or sign any papers before speaking with an experienced personal injury lawyer at Jacoby & Meyers. Insurance companies aim to pay injured victims as little as possible. They trick people into giving statements that don’t truly represent the facts.
Do Personal Injury and Wrongful Death Claims Work the Same Way?
In a personal injury lawsuit, the injured person seeks compensation for their injuries. Meanwhile, in wrongful death claims, the deceased person’s family or representatives seek compensation for their losses.
Moreover, personal injury compensation covers lost income, medical costs, and pain and suffering while wrongful death damages include loss of companionship and financial support.
In California, the statute of limitations is typically two years from the injury date for personal injury claims, and two years from the death date for wrongful death claims.
In both circumstances, having a Stockton accident attorney can help you understand the legal complexity and achieve the compensation you deserve.
Can I File a Claim for a Minor Accident?
Handling a minor personal injury case alone is possible, but having a lawyer is beneficial for complex issues like serious injuries or limited evidence.
For instance, if you suffer head injuries from a bicycle accident that appear later, accepting an early settlement might prevent you from seeking further compensation.
A personal injury lawyer in Stockton can thoroughly investigate your case, work with experts to gather crucial evidence, and help build a strong claim on your behalf.
How Often Do Accidents Occur in Stockton, California?
Unfortunately, Stockton in San Joaquin County has a fair share of daily accidents.
- Fatal and Injury Collisions: 1,705 victims (Stockton, 2021)
- Dog Bites: 48,596 Emergency room visits (California, 2022)
- Worker fatalities due to exposure to harmful substances or environments: 132 deaths California, 2022)
- Falls: 8 million hospital emergency room visits and the leading cause of visits. (United States)
- Boat Accidents: 636 fatalities (United States, 2022)
Why Do Accidents Happen in Stockton, CA?
Stockton’s growing population, increasing by about 1% annually, and heavy traffic contribute to a higher risk of accidents, especially during rush hours. In 2019, there were 316,758 registered vehicles in San Joaquin County, leading to congestion and collisions.
Other factors that contribute to the occurrence of accidents include weather conditions, inadequate property maintenance, and human behavior. Wet or icy surfaces during winters in Stockton increase slip-and-fall accidents. Additionally, the rise in stray dogs in 2022 due to kennel shortages has led to more dog bites.
These combined factors make Stockton prone to accidents, emphasizing the need for residents to follow laws and practice safety.
Jacoby and Meyers is Dedicated to Protecting the Rights of Stockton Residents
Jacoby & Meyers personal injury attorneys in San Joaquin County can take on any case, regardless of the type of accident. With over 50 years of experience, we handle every detail from the accident to final settlement, including medical care, expert consultations, car rentals, and diagnostic imaging. We manage everything so you can focus on recovery.
Our Stockton personal injury lawyers will provide compassionate support to ensure you receive the best medical care and highest compensation for your injuries. Contact us to learn more about our approach and the exceptional care we offer through a free consultation.
What Our Clients Are Saying
“I got rear-ended and got hurt. I had no medical insurance, and the person’s insurance wasn’t answering my calls. I couldn’t afford to pay a consultation. I called Jacoby and Meyers, and they set up an appointment for xrays and the chiropractor. All in all the people was great. Thank you, Victor, Evelyn, Bern, and the rest of you. I have no doubts about my health, and at the end of the day, my medical was paid for, and I got to pocket the change … Again, great people.”
– Elias Velasquez (Jacoby & Meyers Actual Client) Verify this review
Directory
Here are essential personal injury resources in Stockton, CA, that can help you in case of accident emergencies:
Emergency Rooms
- St. Joseph’s Medical Center – 1800 N California St, Stockton, CA 95204
- Kaiser Permanente Stockton Medical Center – 7373 W Lane, Stockton, CA 95210
- Sutter Health Memorial Medical Center – 3700 Spanos Ct, Stockton, CA 95207
- Stockton Surgery Center – 7373 W Lane, Stockton, CA 95210
- Delta Health Care – 1551 W March Ln #200, Stockton, CA 95207
Urgent Care Centers
- California Urgent Care Center Stockton-Pershing – 5361 N Pershing Ave # A, Stockton, CA 95207
- Sutter Urgent Care – Stockton Medical Plaza II – 2545 W Hammer Ln, Stockton, CA 95209
- Delta CMT Stockton Urgent Care Medical Clinic – 1148 W Hammer Ln, Stockton, CA 95209
- Modern Urgent Care – 5066 West Ln Suite A, Stockton, CA 95210
- Trinity Urgent Care – 10200 Trinity Pkwy #202, Stockton, CA 95219
Local Courthouses
- San Joaquin County Superior Court – 222 E Weber Ave, Stockton, CA 95202
- Stockton Courthouse – 180 E Weber Ave, Stockton, CA 95202
- San Joaquin County Juvenile Court – 535 E Market St, Stockton, CA 95202
Disclaimer – We do not endorse these companies or profit from listing them on our website.
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