Visalia Car Accident Lawyer Focused on Crash Victims and Their Families

Serving Visalia and Tulare County Car Accident Victims

If you need a car accident lawyer in Visalia, Colvin Accident Lawyers represents people hurt in crashes in Visalia and the surrounding area. The firm is based in Bakersfield, California, and its bona fide office is in Kern County.

This page is for Visalia-area drivers, passengers, and families who need to understand their options after a crash. Donald Norman Colvin is the lawyer on these matters. Support staff help with scheduling and organizing documents.

The practice also handles truck, motorcycle, bicycle, pedestrian, bus, and wrongful death cases. Many Visalia crash victims ask the same three questions: who was at fault, what the law allows, and what to do first. This page answers them in plain words.

Common Car Accident Situations on Visalia Roads

Most crashes that lead people to a car accident lawyer involve a few common patterns. Examples include intersection collisions, rear-end crashes in stop-and-go traffic, and crashes on higher-speed routes such as State Route 99 and State Route 198.

California law says a driver shall not follow another vehicle more closely than is reasonable and prudent. Speed is also limited. No one may drive faster than is reasonable for weather, visibility, traffic, and the road surface (Veh. Code § 22350).

Rural county roads and busy weekday commute routes around Tulare County can also raise the risk of a crash. Narrow lanes, changing speeds, and drivers in a hurry all play a part.

How a crash happened shapes the claim. Who had the right of way, whether each driver followed the rules, and what the road looked like all matter. These facts differ in every case.

Steps to Take After a Car Accident in Visalia

The steps you take in the first hours and days protect your health and your claim. Start with medical care. Get evaluated promptly, even if you feel fine at first. Follow the treatment plan you are given.

Report the crash to the police. A driver in a crash that causes injury must stop at the scene and meet the reporting requirements (Veh. Code § 20001). Keep a copy of the report or its reference number.

When it is safe, photograph the vehicle damage, the location, and any visible injuries. Write down witness names and contact details. Record the other driver’s insurance information.

Keep a simple log of medical visits, bills, missed work, and rental or repair costs. Good records make it easier to explain your losses later.

Be careful with recorded statements to an insurance adjuster. Understand your rights before you give one. Your words can be quoted later.

How a Visalia Car Accident Lawyer Can Help

A car accident lawyer handles the legal work so you can focus on recovery. The work often starts with investigating how the crash happened and gathering the records that support the claim.

A lawyer can communicate with insurance companies on your behalf. A lawyer can also review your injuries, medical records, and losses. That review shows what the claim covers.

The claim process can take time. A lawyer can explain each step at a high level, so you know what to expect next.

No lawyer can say in advance how a claim will turn out. Results depend on the facts of each case and the law that applies to it. A lawyer’s job is to examine those facts carefully.

Timing matters too. A personal injury lawsuit generally must be filed within two years (Code Civ. Proc. § 335.1).

Who May Be Responsible After a Visalia Crash

Responsibility in a car crash turns on the facts. More than one party can be involved, and each one’s conduct matters.

The other driver’s actions are central. A driver who breaks a traffic statute may be presumed to have failed to use due care. That presumption can be rebutted by proof that the driver acted as a reasonably prudent person who wanted to follow the law (Evid. Code § 669).

For non-economic damages such as pain and suffering, each defendant pays only its own percentage of fault (Civ. Code § 1431.2).

Many accident victims have questions about how insurance claims work after a crash.

When a public entity, such as a city, a county, the State of California or a public transit agency, may be responsible for an injury, a written claim generally has to be filed with that entity within six months after the claim arises (Gov. Code § 911.2). This shorter deadline applies only to claims against public entities, not to every injury case.

If the at-fault driver has no insurance, an uninsured motorist claim may apply. For hit-and-run or unidentified drivers, Ins. Code § 11580.2 requires a police report within 24 hours and a sworn statement to the insurer within 30 days.

Free Consultation: What You Can Expect

The first consultation is free, confidential, and carries no obligation to continue.

During the consultation, you can share what you know about the crash, your injuries, and your insurance information. You can also ask questions about next steps. Support staff can answer scheduling questions and help you organize documents before you meet.

Is a car accident lawyer in Visalia able to review my documents?

Yes. Bring the police report number, medical records, and any insurance letters you have received.

How long do I have to file a car accident lawsuit in California?

A personal injury lawsuit generally must be filed within two years (Code Civ. Proc. § 335.1).

Can I still recover damages if I was partly at fault? In California, an injured person’s recovery is generally reduced by their percentage of fault. Civ. Code § 3333.4 bars recovery of non-economic damages for some uninsured vehicle owners or operators, and for drivers convicted of driving under the influence in connection with the crash, subject to the statute’s exceptions. The outcome depends on the facts and law of each case.

Start Your Free Consultation With Colvin Accident Lawyers

Colvin Accident Lawyers serves Visalia-area crash victims from its Bakersfield office in Kern County. The practice is ready to talk with you about your crash and your options.

If you were hurt in a crash on a Visalia-area road and you are deciding whether to act now, contact Donald Norman Colvin through the contact form or call Colvin Accident Lawyers to start your free consultation.

Colvin Accident Lawyers, Bakersfield, California, responsible for this site.