The Best Car Accident Lawyers In Chico, California

In 1860, Chico was founded by successful gold miner and state senator, General John Bidwell. With the development of the Oregon and California Railroad, the city quickly became a center for agriculture and a stopping point for travelers heading north to Oregon from the Bay Area. Bidwell and his wife, Annie Kennedy Bidwell, were politically active and passionate about horticulture, which contributed to Chico becoming a city with a strong community nestled within the beauty of nature.

Today, Chico is a college town (hello, California State University, Chico), but this city’s 101,475 residents know that it offers much more than that, with its rich history, diverse dining options, and expansive outdoor spaces.

Living In Chico

To experience Chico’s history, tour Bidwell Mansion, the founding family’s 26-room Victorian house, which hosted prominent visitors like President Rutherford B. Hayes, Susan B. Anthony, and John Muir. For a focus on technological advances, the Gateway Science Museum features interactive exhibits, and the Chico Air Museum displays aircraft that have a history spanning nearly 100 years.

Though Northern California is wine country, Chico is where hop heads go to celebrate. Stop by Sierra Nevada Brewing Co. for a draft pale ale and a tour of the brewhouse that helped start the craft beer movement in the 1980s. For a bite to eat, check out one of Chico’s more than 70 restaurants serving dishes ranging from steamed dumplings to barbecue brisket to handmade tacos.

Nature lovers will find their place in Chico. At 3,670-acre Bidwell Park, one of the largest municipal parks in the nation, you can enjoy the trails, fish in Horseshoe Lake, go paragliding, or play a round of disc golf. At the peaceful Butte Creek Canyon Ecological Reserve, you can spot local wildlife like bald eagles, beavers, and deer.

With its distance from the metropolitan centers of San Francisco, Oakland, and San Jose, Chico offers a slower pace of life that many people crave. The city also boasts average home prices of $424,500, which is significantly lower than the California average.

Intro To Car Accident Issues In California

Motor vehicle accidents, more commonly called car accidents, happen every day. In 2020, there were 35,766 car crashes in the United States, 38,824 of them resulting in deaths. Car accidents can be minor, like a fender bender at a stop sign; or major, like a multi-car pileup on a foggy interstate. It seems we Americans are always in our cars, and sometimes, mistakes get the better of us and our vehicles.

If you are in a serious car accident, you may want to consider contacting an experienced lawyer in your area who can help you through the settlement process and look after your interests. Lawyers who practice in this area often specialize in certain types of accidents (like truck accidents), or in related areas like product liability (faulty car design/manufacture), or DUI/DWI.

Do I Need A Lawyer For Car Accident Issues? Are There DIY Options?

Sometimes a car accident won’t require the help of an attorney. There are lots of DIY options you can use to help you navigate this legal issue. In the case of a car accident, you can probably handle your accident case on your own if:

• Damage to cars, property, or other vehicles was minor
• You were not at fault and your insurance company agrees to cover your losses
• There were no injuries caused by the accident

There are resources are available to help you settle a car accident claim on your own. Resources might include options like damages calculators, getting multiple repair estimates to show insurance adjusters, using Kelley Blue Book or other online sources to establish the pre-accident value of your car, and more. If the coverage doesn’t add up, or the other driver’s insurance company offers a settlement that is too low, you might want to consider getting legal help.

How Do I Know If An Attorney Is Licensed In California?

A great place to start your Chico car accident attorney research is the State Bar of California website. You’ll find information about whether your attorney has an active license and when they were licensed, as well as whether that attorney has ever been disciplined or had their bar membership temporarily revoked.

How Do I Interview Car Accident Attorneys In Chico?

If your accident was costly, complicated, or you or others were seriously injured, it might be a good idea to get an attorney to represent you. However, not all attorneys are the right fit for you and your case. You’ll want to consider whether the attorney is familiar with the driving conditions in your area, experienced in your type of accident, has a good track record, good reviews (either personal to you or from online sources you trust), and has a payment system you understand and can afford. There are some key questions you should make sure you know the answers to before you hire an attorney including:

• What’s their experience with motor vehicle accidents? What settlements or verdicts have they won recently?
• How do they communicate with clients? Do they answer questions themselves, or is it an associate or paralegal you will be communicating with? Phone, letter, email, text?
• Who else in the firm will work on your case? How will it be billed? What is the bill rate for the various team members like paralegals, junior attorneys, clerks, and others?
• What is the fee structure? Is this a contingency fee, hourly billable, or flat fee?

Then, make sure you feel comfortable. Can you talk openly to the person representing you? Your accident attorney will be involved in your life for a while, so make sure you can communicate constructively and honestly with them.

Driving And Transportation In Chico

Running right through the heart of Chico, Highway 99 features a variety of scenic views. But unfortunately, Highway 99 has experienced considerable wear and teach, particularly on its bridges, and has required major renovations. As a result of this and California’s infamous traffic, the state has plans to install traffic-reducing technology for the benefit of the 5,900 trucks and 88,000 other vehicles that travel through Chico each day.

More Chico Resources

If you find yourself in need of legal services in Chico, refer to the Superior Court of Butte County. The courts are separated into divisions and locations, specializing in certain types of cases. Contact the relevant court during regular business hours for assistance.

Butte County Courthouse
1 Court St
Oroville, CA 95965
530-532-7011

North Butte County Courthouse
1775 Concord Ave
Chico, CA 95928
530-532-7009