Arata, Swingle, Van Egmond & Heitlinger Arata, Swingle, Van Egmond & Heitlinger
Car Accidents

Count On Our Team to Protect Your Interests

Modesto Car Accident Lawyer

Looking for Legal Representation After a Car Accident in Stanislaus County? Our Lawyers Can Guide You Through the Claim Process

When you get behind the wheel, you are putting your life in the hands of millions of other drivers on the road. You have to trust these drivers are paying attention. You also have to trust they are not driving while intoxicated and are properly licensed to drive. Unfortunately, California has one of the highest accident rates in the nation. Thousands of innocent drivers and passengers are injured or killed each year. This is most often due to driver negligence.

Were you injured in a car accident in Modesto, Turlock or Stanislaus County? Have you lost a loved one in a fatal crash? If so, then speak to our experienced Modesto car accident lawyers. With more than 100 years of combined experience, Arata, Swingle, Van Egmond & Heitlinger is one of the Modesto region’s pre-eminent personal injury trial firms

Reach out to us today to learn how we can help you resolve your car accident claim.

Why Should I Hire a Car Accident Lawyer in Modesto?

There are many reasons why you should hire a car accident attorney. One major reason is he or she will have the resources to conduct a comprehensive car accident investigation. An experienced car accident attorney will have a network of experts and specialists that can potentially help bolster your personal injury claim. For example, an accident reconstruction expert can help you determine how and why your accident occurred. Your Modesto car accident attorney will use this information when establishing liability for your car accident.

Additionally, a Modesto car accident attorney will know how to apply California traffic laws to your car accident case. He or she can use this knowledge when figuring out which laws the at-fault party violated. Your personal injury attorney will use this knowledge when negotiating a settlement offer with the insurance company. The insurance company may attempt to pass the blame for the accident onto you. A seasoned attorney can use his or her knowledge of the law to combat any insurance company pushback.

How Long After a Car Accident Can You File a Lawsuit?

California has a statute of limitations or time limit on how long you have to file a car accident claim or lawsuit. The car accident statute of limitations in California is generally two years from the date of the accident. However, this is not always the case. For example, the statute of limitations may be different if someone died in the car accident.

It is important to reach out to one of our Modesto car accident attorneys immediately after an accident. You want to leave yourself plenty of time to file a personal injury claim or lawsuit. Your car accident lawyer will make sure that you do not miss any important deadlines that could hurt your accident case. The sooner your car accident attorney starts working on your case, the stronger it will be.

What Are Common Car Accident Damages?

Our car accident lawyers in Modesto fight for fair settlements for our clients. We want to make sure that you recover enough compensation to cover damages. 

Generally, car accident damages include:

  • Economic damages. Economic damages include financial losses from the accident. For example, this may include property damage, medical bills and lost wages.
  • Non-economic damages. Non-economic damages are damages that cannot be quantified. These damages may include pain and suffering and loss of consortium.

Additionally, punitive damages may exist. Punitive damages are damages awarded to punish the at-fault party for reckless or malicious behavior. This may include drunk driving or excessive speeding. 

Speak With Our Modesto Car Accident Lawyers

There is no such thing as a typical car accident. Each one comes with its own unique characteristics. People can suffer from a wide range of injuries after a car accident. These injuries can vary from mild to catastrophic injuries depending on the forces and speeds involved in the crash. Our personal injury team at Arata, Swingle, Van Egmond & Heitlinger can investigate the details of your car accident, determine liability and fight for a fair settlement on your behalf. 


Call our Modesto car accident attorneys at (209) 340-1110 or fill out our online contact form to get started. We can answer any questions you may have and help you understand your best legal options. Our lawyers handle car accident cases in Modesto, Turlock, and throughout Stanislaus County.


“This firm exemplifies how a multi-faceted group of attorneys can work together to achieve positive results.”

- James M.
Case Results

We fight tirelessly to make sure we gain the best possible results for our clients.

  • Broadside Motor Vehicle Accident

    Recovered the policy limits when client was broadsided in an intersection.

    Read More
  • Business Dispute

    Recovered $3,300,000 in buy-out and settlement of minority business owners in breach of fiduciary duty obligations of entity management action.

    Read More
  • Business Dispute

    Recovered $1,200,000 in income producing property in family business dispute action alleging fraud and breach of fiduciary against majority owner family members wherein all income payments and distributions to client had ceased for multiple years.

    Read More
  • Car Accident

    $8,500,000 recovery. Client was rear-ended on the freeway and suffered catastrophic injuries.

    Read More
  • Dog Bite

    Plaintiff was bitten on the hand by his employer’s dog.

    Read More
/
We Maximize Your Results

How Can We Help You?

  • Please enter your first name.
  • Please enter your last name.
  • Please enter your phone number.
    This isn't a valid phone number.
  • Please enter your email address.
    This isn't a valid email address.
  • Please make a selection.
  • Please enter a message.