Car Accident Attorneys in Stockton, California

1. Law Offices of Lawrence M. Knapp

Practice Focus: Car accidents, motorcycle accidents, truck accidents, pedestrian accidents, wrongful death from auto accidents, uninsured/underinsured motorist claims, elder abuse and neglect, product liability

Case Types Handled: Rear-end collisions, head-on collisions, T-bone accidents, multi-vehicle pileups, drunk driving accidents, distracted driving accidents, commercial vehicle accidents, big rig truck collisions, catastrophic injury cases, spinal cord injuries, traumatic brain injuries

Legal Services: Insurance claim negotiation, litigation, trial representation, settlement negotiations, medical lien resolution, property damage claims, lost wage recovery, pain and suffering claims, wrongful death claims

Background: Lawrence M. Knapp has been practicing personal injury law since 1993. He earned his J.D. from Humphreys College in Stockton, California and his B.A. in History and English from University of the Pacific in 1986. California State Bar Number 166932. He is the former president of the San Joaquin County Trial Lawyers Association and serves on the Board of Governors for the Consumer Attorneys of California. He has received the Consumer Attorneys of California Outstanding President Award and the Presidential Award of Merit. He is admitted to U.S. District Court Central, Eastern, Northern, and Southern Districts of California, and the U.S. Court of Appeals 9th Circuit. Member of ATLA, CAOC, CALAA, and TLPJ. He has tried approximately 20 cases to verdict. Super Lawyers selection.

Location: 250 Dorris Place, Stockton, CA 95204

Contact: (209) 946-4440 | (866) 432-9101 | https://www.stocktoninjurylaw.com/

Consultation: Free consultation available, contingency fee arrangement (no fee unless recovery is made)

2. Law Offices of Brown & Gessell

Practice Focus: Car accidents, motorcycle accidents, truck accidents, pedestrian accidents, medical malpractice, wrongful death, dog bites, product defects, premises liability, cycling accidents

Case Types Handled: Rear-end collisions, head-on collisions, T-bone accidents, highway car accidents, hit-and-run accidents, rental car accidents, bus accidents, scooter accidents, construction accidents, train accidents, catastrophic injuries

Legal Services: Insurance claim negotiation, litigation, trial representation, settlement negotiations, property damage claims, lost wage recovery, pain and suffering claims, wrongful death claims, medical expense documentation

Background: Steven L. Brown, Jr. (California State Bar Number 166278) began his career as a defense attorney for medical malpractice defense firm Craddick, Candland and Conti in Danville, California, becoming partner. This former insurance defense experience provides valuable insight into insurance company tactics. He served as President of the San Joaquin County Bar Association in 2011 and is an active member of the Consumer Attorneys of California. Douglas A. Gessell (California State Bar Number 210112) obtained his J.D. from J. Reuben Clark School of Law at Brigham Young University in 2000. He previously worked as an associate with Sayre & Chavez in Sacramento, handling multi-million dollar personal injury cases. He is fluent in Spanish and serves as consulting attorney for the Mexican Consulate in Sacramento. The firm was established in 2005.

Location: 2155 W. March Lane, Suite 2B, Stockton, CA 95207

Contact: (209) 430-5480 | https://www.brown-gessell.com/

Consultation: Free initial consultation, home and hospital visits available, bilingual services in Spanish, contingency fee basis

3. Curtis Legal Group

Practice Focus: Car accidents, motorcycle accidents, truck accidents, pedestrian accidents, bicycle accidents, dog bites, slip and fall accidents, wrongful death, workplace injuries

Case Types Handled: Rear-end collisions, head-on collisions, T-bone accidents, distracted driving accidents, drunk driving accidents, aggressive driving accidents, drowsy driving accidents, commercial truck accidents, catastrophic injuries

Background: Ralph S. Curtis (California State Bar Number 60905) is the CEO and Supervising Attorney of Curtis Legal Group with over 40 years of legal experience. He graduated magna cum laude from St. Mary’s College with a B.A. and earned his J.D. from University of California, Davis School of Law in 1974. He completed mediation training at Pepperdine University in 2006. He holds an AV Preeminent Rating by Martindale-Hubbell, placing him in an elite group of 10% of attorneys for legal ability and ethical standards. He has experience working for insurance companies, providing insight into defense strategies. Member of Consumer Attorneys of California, State Bar of California, Sacramento County Bar Association, San Joaquin County Bar Association, Stanislaus County Bar Association, American Bar Association, and founding member of the Wray F. Ladine American Inn of Court. The firm was established in 1958.

Location: 5250 Claremont Avenue, Suite 126, Stockton, CA 95207

Contact: (209) 472-3462 | 1-800-529-3080 | https://curtislegalgroup.com/stockton-injury/

Consultation: Free initial consultation, contingency fee structure (no fee unless successful recovery)

4. The Friel Law Firm

Practice Focus: Car accidents, motorcycle accidents, truck accidents, boating accidents, premises liability, product defects, wrongful death, dog bite injuries, slip and fall accidents

Case Types Handled: Rear-end collisions, distracted driver accidents, hit-and-run accidents, drunk driving accidents, government vehicle accidents, Lyft and Uber accidents, SUV rollover accidents, pedestrian accidents, commercial vehicle accidents, big rig accidents

Background: Lance Val Friel (California State Bar Number 208151) has been practicing personal injury law since 2000, with over 20 years of experience dealing exclusively with personal injury cases. He earned his J.D. from McGeorge School of Law, University of the Pacific, and his undergraduate degree from California State University Sacramento. The firm has obtained tens of millions of dollars in compensation for clients. Member of Consumer Attorneys of California.

Location: 5250 Claremont Avenue, Suite 219, Stockton, CA 95207

Contact: (209) 300-6117 | (209) 464-8000 | https://friellaw.com/

Consultation: Free consultation, available 24/7, no fee unless successful recovery, weekend appointments available

5. AutoAccident.com (Law Offices of Edward A. Smith)

Practice Focus: Car accidents, motorcycle accidents, truck accidents, pedestrian accidents, bicycle accidents, bus accidents, wrongful death, construction site accidents, dog attacks, dangerous roadway conditions accidents

Case Types Handled: Rear-end collisions, head-on collisions, multi-vehicle pileups, livestock collisions, watercraft accidents, commercial vehicle accidents, catastrophic injury cases, spinal cord injuries, traumatic brain injuries, complex surgical injuries, brain injury and RSD cases

Background: Edward A. Smith (California State Bar Number 105263) has practiced personal injury law exclusively since 1982. He founded AutoAccident.com. He graduated summa cum laude from UC Davis. He is a Vietnam combat veteran who served in airborne combat duty in Vietnam and Laos. He holds a 10.0 rating on Avvo. Member of State Bar of California, Consumer Attorneys of California, Sacramento County Bar Association, Capital City Trial Lawyers Association, and American Trial Lawyers Association. Author of The Ultimate California Auto Accident Handbook and California Motorcycle Accident Handbook. Former host of Ask a Lawyer radio and television program (2000-2007). BBB Accredited Business with A+ rating.

Location: 115 N. Sutter Street, Floor 3, Suite 6, Stockton, CA 95202

Contact: (209) 227-1931 | (800) 404-5400 | https://www.autoaccident.com/stockton.html

Consultation: Free 24/7 consultation, contingency fee basis, discounted rates for online clients

Stockton Car Accident Claims: California Coverage, Damages and Duty Rules

A Stockton driver hurt by someone who has no insurance, or by a driver who cannot be found, looks first to California’s uninsured motorist statute. The rules below also explain the general duty of care behind every negligence claim, how pain and suffering is divided, and the filing deadline.

Uninsured Motorist Coverage When the Driver Is Unknown

Insurance Code § 11580.2 conditions uninsured motorist coverage for a vehicle whose owner or operator is unknown on bodily injury arising out of physical contact with that vehicle and on a report of the crash within 24 hours to the police of the city where it happened, or to the sheriff or California Highway Patrol if it happened in unincorporated territory, plus a sworn statement filed with the insurer within 30 days. For an individual named insured, subdivision (b) defines the insured to include the named insured’s spouse and resident relatives, among others.

The General Duty of Care

Civil Code § 1714(a) makes everyone responsible for injury caused to another by a want of ordinary care or skill in managing property or person, except to the extent the injured person willfully or by a want of ordinary care brought the injury on.

Pain and Suffering Among Several Defendants

Under Civil Code § 1431.2, in an action based on comparative fault, each defendant is liable for noneconomic damages only in direct proportion to its percentage of fault. For example, imagine $60,000 in noneconomic damages and a defendant assigned 50 percent of the fault: that defendant’s noneconomic share is $30,000.

Two-Year Deadline

Code of Civil Procedure § 335.1 requires an action for injury to, or the death of, an individual caused by another’s wrongful act or neglect to be brought within two years.

Stockton Car Accident Questions

Does being partly at fault end my claim?

No. Li v. Yellow Cab Co. (1975) adopted pure comparative negligence. For example, imagine $50,000 in damages and 40 percent of the fault on the injured driver: the recovery would be $30,000.

What must a claim against the City of Stockton or another public entity include?

Government Code § 910 requires the claimant’s name and address, an address for notices, the date, place and circumstances of the occurrence, a general description of the injury or loss, the names of the public employees who caused it if known, and the amount if under $10,000; above that, no dollar amount is stated, but the claim must say whether it would be a limited civil case. Under § 911.2, a claim for injury or death is due within six months after accrual.

Are rear passengers required to buckle up?

Yes, if they are 16 or older. Under Vehicle Code § 27315, a person may not operate a passenger vehicle, motortruck or truck tractor on a highway unless the operator and all passengers 16 or older are properly restrained by a safety belt, subject to the section’s exemptions.