The Best Car Accident Lawyers In Modesto, California

Modesto was founded in 1870 as a railroad town in the San Joaquin Valley. These towns sprang up around the planned stops of the Central Pacific Railroad, which was under construction at the time. Initially a farming community, Stanislaus County now generates over $3.4 billion in agricultural sales each year, with almonds as its largest crop.

This city is more than just its industry. Modesto also offers an affordable cost of living, a thriving restaurant scene, and a variety of attractions for visitors and locals alike.

Living In Modesto

With its abundance of local produce, Modesto has a vibrant farmers market, which was founded in 1979, and an ever-growing restaurant scene that includes food trucks and brew pubs.

Looking for additional things to do? Learn about Modesto’s history by visiting the McHenry Mansion, the only original Victorian home in the city. You can also enjoy the symphony, ballet, and opera at the Gallo Center for the Arts, named after the Gallo family, which runs E. & J. Gallo Winery–the largest family-owned winery in the United States.

For nature lovers, Modesto has 782 acres of parks and trails that offer playgrounds, sports fields, and bike paths. Car lovers can enjoy Modesto’s hot rod culture by attending the American Graffiti Festival, which takes place each summer and hosts car parades, concerts, and food trucks.

On top of all that Modesto has going for it, its housing costs are significantly lower than those in surrounding cities in Northern California, with average home prices at $388,800. It’s lower than in nearby Turlock but pricer than in Stockton.

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 legal 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 Modesto 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 Modesto?

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 Modesto

Unfortunately, Modesto’s hot rod culture is met by driving conditions that leave much to be desired. The city ranks among the country’s worst cities to drive in due to the number of crashes, with speeding as a leading cause of many accidents that result in fatality or injury.

Efforts are underway to address the issue. The police department in Modesto promotes the state-wide Slow the Fast Down campaign to encourage safe driving practices. Also, the city provides residents the opportunity to report needed repairs to streets and sidewalks.

More Modesto Resources

If you find the need for legal services in Modesto, refer to the Superior Court of Stanislaus for information. Various divisions of the court specialize in different types of cases. You can contact the relevant court during normal business hours. Below, you can find the location and contact information for the courts:

Main Courthouse
800 11th St, Rm 140
Modesto, CA 95354
209-530-3100

Traffic Court
2260 Floyd Ave
Modesto, CA 95355
209-530-3100 x1

Stanislaus County Public Defender
1021 1st St, Ste 201
Modesto, CA 95353
209-525-4200