Car accident
Car Accident Attorneys in Modesto, California
The firms in this guide
1. Silva Injury Law
Practice Focus: Car accidents, truck accidents, motorcycle accidents, pedestrian accidents, bicycle accidents, rideshare accidents, wrongful death, work injuries
Case Types Handled: Rear-end collisions, head-on collisions, T-bone accidents, multi-vehicle pileups, drunk driving accidents, distracted driving accidents, DUI accidents, commercial vehicle accidents, tractor trailer collisions, traumatic brain injuries, spinal cord injuries
Legal Services: Insurance claim negotiation, litigation, trial representation, settlement negotiations, medical expense recovery, property damage claims, lost wage recovery, pain and suffering claims, wrongful death claims, loss of consortium claims
Background: Silva Injury Law has established itself as a dedicated Modesto personal injury firm with documented settlement results. Recent results include a $1,025,000 settlement for a car accident involving a truck driver violation, a $1,000,000 settlement for neck and shoulder injuries, a $996,658.90 settlement following a red light collision involving a DUI driver, a $993,972 settlement in a truck accident case, and a $950,000 settlement for a day laborer injured at work. The firm handles cases throughout Stanislaus County and surrounding communities.
Location: Modesto, CA
Contact: (209) 600-4389 | https://silvainjurylaw.com/
Consultation: Free, no-obligation consultation, contingency fee arrangement
2. Berg Injury Lawyers
Practice Focus: Car accidents, truck accidents, motorcycle accidents, pedestrian accidents, bicycle accidents, rideshare accidents, wrongful death
Case Types Handled: Rear-end collisions, head-on collisions, T-bone accidents, multi-vehicle pileups, drunk driving accidents, distracted driving accidents, commercial vehicle accidents, uninsured motorist claims
Legal Services: Insurance claim negotiation, litigation, trial representation, settlement negotiations, medical expense recovery, property damage claims, lost wage recovery, pain and suffering claims, wrongful death claims, vehicle damage claim assistance
Background: Berg Injury Lawyers has been helping injured victims in Northern California since 1981, providing over four decades of service. The firm maintains a client-centric approach with personalized and comprehensive legal service. If accessibility is an issue, the firm accommodates clients with house calls for consultations. In car accident cases, clients receive free assistance with vehicle damage claims, and the firm arranges medical appointments and connections with healthcare providers. The firm operates under the No Fee Guarantee, meaning if the client does not win, they pay nothing.
Location: Modesto, CA (with offices throughout Northern California)
Contact: (866) 204-1659 | https://www.berginjurylawyers.com/
Consultation: Free initial consultation, No Fee Guarantee (contingency fee arrangement)
3. Nadrich Accident Injury Lawyers
Practice Focus: Car accidents, truck accidents, motorcycle accidents, pedestrian accidents, premises liability, wrongful death, catastrophic injuries
Case Types Handled: Rear-end collisions, head-on collisions, T-bone accidents, multi-vehicle pileups, drunk driving accidents, distracted driving accidents, commercial vehicle accidents, slip and fall accidents, traumatic brain injuries
Legal Services: Insurance claim negotiation, litigation, trial representation, settlement negotiations, medical expense recovery, property damage claims, lost wage recovery, pain and suffering claims, wrongful death claims, future care claims
Background: Nadrich Accident Injury Lawyers has over 35 years serving the Modesto community. The firm reports a 98% success rate and only takes cases they believe they will win. According to Stanislaus County civil court data, over 90% of personal injury cases settle before trial, and victims with legal representation tend to recover three to five times more compensation than those without attorneys. The firm’s attorneys investigate, negotiate, and litigate as needed to secure outcomes for clients.
Location: Modesto, CA
Contact: Contact via website | https://personalinjurylawcal.com/
Consultation: Free and confidential consultation
4. Habbas & Associates
Practice Focus: Car accidents, truck accidents, motorcycle accidents, pedestrian accidents, premises liability, construction accidents, wrongful death
Case Types Handled: Rear-end collisions, head-on collisions, T-bone accidents, multi-vehicle pileups, drunk driving accidents, distracted driving accidents, commercial vehicle accidents, slip and fall accidents, workplace injuries
Legal Services: Insurance claim negotiation, litigation, trial representation, settlement negotiations, medical expense recovery, property damage claims, lost wage recovery, pain and suffering claims, wrongful death claims
Background: Habbas & Associates manages all injury claims from car accidents to premises liability throughout Stanislaus County. The firm provides free case evaluations and represents clients on a contingency fee basis, meaning clients only pay if the firm recovers compensation. The attorneys emphasize understanding California’s comparative negligence rules and statute of limitations requirements.
Location: Modesto, CA
Contact: (209) 624-8248 | https://www.habbaslaw.com/
Consultation: Free case evaluation, contingency fee arrangement
5. Curtis Legal Group
Practice Focus: Car accidents, truck accidents, motorcycle accidents, pedestrian accidents, wrongful death, catastrophic injuries
Case Types Handled: Rear-end collisions, head-on collisions, T-bone accidents, multi-vehicle pileups, drunk driving accidents, distracted driving accidents, commercial vehicle accidents, traumatic brain injuries, spinal cord injuries
Legal Services: Insurance claim negotiation, litigation, trial representation, settlement negotiations, accident reconstruction, medical expense recovery, property damage claims, lost wage recovery, pain and suffering claims, wrongful death claims, punitive damage claims
Background: Curtis Legal Group’s Modesto attorneys have been investigating car accidents and practicing law in California for over 100 years combined. The firm conducts thorough investigations, identifying all liable parties and filing claims against all available insurance policies. They connect clients with experts on injuries, property loss, and accident reconstruction specialists. The firm remains open to out-of-court settlements when they bring justice and financial relief, but is prepared for trial when necessary.
Location: Modesto, CA
Contact: Contact via website | https://curtislegalgroup.com/
Consultation: Free consultation with no risk and no obligation, contingency fee arrangement
Wrongful Death, Deadlines and Coverage Under California Law for Modesto Crashes
When a Modesto crash is fatal, California law decides who may bring the claim and how long they have. The rules below also cover the fault rule and the liability limits that apply whether the crash caused a death or an injury.
Who May Bring a Wrongful Death Claim
Code of Civil Procedure § 377.60 allows a claim for a death caused by another’s wrongful act or neglect to be asserted by the surviving spouse, domestic partner, children and issue of deceased children, or, if there are no surviving issue, by those entitled to the estate by intestate succession. Whether or not they qualify that way, a putative spouse, children of a putative spouse, stepchildren and parents may also bring the claim if they were dependent on the person who died, and so may a minor who lived in the household for the 180 days before the death and depended on that person for at least half of the minor’s support. The personal representative may assert the claim on their behalf.
Two Years to File
Code of Civil Procedure § 335.1 requires an action for injury to, or for the death of, an individual caused by another’s wrongful act or neglect to be brought within two years.
Fault in Proportion
Li v. Yellow Cab Co. (1975) superseded California’s all-or-nothing contributory negligence rule with pure comparative negligence. For example, imagine $100,000 in damages and 25 percent of the fault on the injured driver: the recovery would be $75,000.
Liability Limits
Vehicle Code § 16056(a)(2) requires a policy or bond issued or renewed on or after January 1, 2025 to carry at least $30,000 for bodily injury or death of one person, $60,000 for two or more people and $15,000 for property damage to be effective as proof of financial responsibility.
Modesto Car Accident Questions
What is the first deadline if a public vehicle was involved?
Government Code § 911.2 requires a claim for death or injury against a public entity to be presented within six months after accrual; § 945.6 then allows six months after a written rejection notice to sue, or two years from accrual without one.
What must a driver do after hitting someone?
Vehicle Code § 20001(a) requires the driver to stop immediately and fulfill §§ 20003 and 20004, including giving name, address, registration and owner information to the person struck and any officer at the scene and rendering reasonable assistance to anyone injured.
Can a driver convicted of DUI recover for pain and suffering?
No. Civil Code § 3333.4 bars noneconomic losses in a motor vehicle case for an injured person who was driving in violation of the DUI statutes at the time and was convicted of that offense.