Stockton Car Accident Attorneys

Our highly experienced car accident attorneys in Stockton are recognized as some of the toughest litigators in California. Insurance companies throughout the state know that we don’t mess around when it comes to getting our clients fairly compensated; we will aggressively represent you and your loved ones through every stage of the proceedings, and we won’t settle for less than you deserve. If you were seriously injured or lost a family member in an auto accident, your claim could have major implications for your financial future. Our lawyers understand what’s at stake and will do everything in their power to pursue the full compensation you deserve. To schedule a free consultation, call us today at 1-800-GO-HARRIS.

What If I Was Breaking a Law When the Car Accident Happened?

It’s not uncommon for drivers to break traffic laws without even knowing it. You may have had a taillight out, for example, or have been traveling just over the speed limit. Under these circumstances, the defense may argue that your own negligence contributed to the accident. The state of California has a pure comparative negligence rule regarding how fault is apportioned in a tort claim that involves shared liability. If you were partially at fault, you will be assigned a percentage of fault, and your damages award will be reduced by that percentage. Even if you were 99 percent at fault, you still have the right to pursue the 1 percent of your damages for which the defendant was responsible. The comparative negligence defense is very common in auto accident cases. If you incurred significant damages, the insurance company will search for any possible reason to shift the blame to you because reducing your claim by just a few percentage points might add up to major savings for the insurer. If you were breaking a traffic law when the crash happened, you should speak with a Stockton car accident lawyer right away. Depending on the circumstances, it may still be possible to recover compensation for 100 percent of your damages. If, for example, your traffic violation did not contribute to the crash or to the severity of your injuries in any way, the comparative negligence defense might not apply. Even if it turns out that you were partially responsible for the wreck, a skilled lawyer can try to minimize the percentage of fault imposed on you.

We Offer Free Consultations to Car Accident Victims and Their Families

A serious collision can upend your life in a number of ways. Besides the physical pain and psychological trauma, you may also be falling behind on essential bills due to healthcare costs and the loss of income. There might be indirect expenses to cover as well—such as childcare and domestic help. When faced with such financial uncertainty, many accident victims decide to put off their legal consultation because they fear the cost of speaking to an attorney. But at Harris Personal Injury Lawyers, we don’t charge anything for the consultation, and we handle car accident cases on a contingency fee basis. That means our attorneys’ fees will come out of the settlement or verdict, so if we don’t win your case, no attorneys’ fees will be owed.

What Can I Do to Strengthen My Auto Accident Case?

While our car accident lawyers in Stockton can handle the legal logistics of your claim, there are steps you can take—and mistakes you can avoid—to strengthen your case. Below are a few tips that might put you in a more favorable position to win a fair settlement or verdict:

• Don’t Speak to the Insurer: Let your attorney take over all correspondence with the insurance company from day one so you don’t provide statements that can be used to dispute your claim.

• Stay off Social Networking Websites: Avoid posting on social media sites—even if your posts don’t seem related to your case—because a seemingly benign photo or text post might be used by the claims adjuster to challenge your claim.

• Track Your Damages: Keep any receipts and invoices for costs arising from the accident.

• Follow Your Doctor’s Orders: You can reduce the likelihood of facing a dispute over a failure to mitigate damages if you follow the instructions of your healthcare providers.

• Keep a Personal Injury Journal: Writing daily entries about your symptoms and real-life examples of how the injuries are affecting your wellbeing could make your case more compelling.

Call Us Today to Speak with a Car Accident Lawyer in Stockton

At Harris Personal Injury Lawyers, we know what it takes to win substantial settlements and verdicts in auto accident cases. We won’t let the insurance company take advantage of you, and we will make sure your claim accounts for all the damages you may be owed. Send us a message or contact our 24-hour phone line at 1-800-GO-HARRIS to set up a free case review.