I am proud to serve the citizens of Richmond and the surrounding area as an attorney for their serious legal needs. Richmond is a city that reinvents itself and I respect that. It is important that individuals fight for their rights when they are hurt by a negligent party. All too often, car crashes and other accidents claim lives and inflict injuries that keep sufferers from working and cause mounting medical debt. It is critical for someone who suffers such injuries or the family that loses a loved one to receive the compensation they deserve and need.
Richmond’s Heritage
Located in the San Francisco Bay area, Richmond lies within the western part of Contra Costa County. The population has increased slightly from the 2010 census, which placed it at 103,701 people. Incorporated in 1905, the first mail office was opened in 1900, and the Atchison, Topeka and Santa Fe Railroad opened its terminal in 1859. Its citizens served their country in WWII building ships, and the medical system established to care for them later became known as Kaiser Permanente. Major stores such as Macy’s flocked to serve Richmond’s citizens in the downtown city center. As time went by, the city changed as did many urban centers nationwide. Today, the city is a mecca of local landmarks remembering the past. It is also an evolving city with the determination to give its citizens the groundwork they need to build upon.
Accidents in Richmond CA
The California Office of Traffic Safety lists 579 traffic injuries and deaths in Richmond in 2015. The accidents were associated with 406 collisions. Seven people died and the remainder were injured. Thirty bicycle collisions occurred along with 31 motorcycle crashes and 37 accidents involving a pedestrian. Thirty-eight percent of the collisions happened on highways in the area. Nineteen people suffered a serious injury, while 122 experienced visible harm. The rest expressed complaints of pain following an accident. Over 55 percent of those hurt were drivers, 33 percent were passengers, 7 percent were pedestrians and 5 percent were bicyclists.
Employment of Safety Equipment in Accidents
The use of safety equipment in Richmond accidents for 2015, according to the Transportation Injury Mapping System, is as follows:
- Fewer than 1 percent of people involved in an accident used a lap or shoulder harness
- 31 percent had an airbag deploy
- 45 percent did not have an airbag deploy
- Fewer than 1 percent of motorcyclists did not use a helmet
Behavior Linked to Accidents
Of the 406 collisions where someone was killed or injured, 15 drivers were intoxicated. There were 167 DUI arrests during that period. Speed was a major factor in 99 collisions. Fifty-seven collisions were hit and run accidents, and 68 occurred between 9:00 p.m. and 3:00 a.m.
Dangerous Intersections
About 40 percent of accidents happen in intersections. Richmond is no stranger to dangerous intersections. Some of the worst are:
- Wall Avenue and Beck Street
- Barrett Avenue and San Pablo Avenue
- 23rd Street and Grant Avenue
- 42nd Street and Barrett Avenue
- Barrett Avenue and Arlington Boulevard
- Carlson Boulevard and Van Fleet Avenue
- Carlson Boulevard and Imperial Avenue
Type Of Cases
I am an injury lawyer, which means that I am retained by clients who have experienced serious harm at the hands of a negligent party. This can include all types of car accidents, truck crashes, motorcycle injuries, and dog bites. Other clients retain me for farming incidents, traumatic brain injuries, premises liability such as slip and fall accidents, product liability cases involving defective products and wrongful death.
About Me
I was born in Brooklyn, a borough of New York City. People there are up front and stand by their beliefs, traits that I believe in. I served in the Air Force in an airborne unit. After I was discharged, I moved to Sacramento where I attended the University of California at Davis and graduated with the highest honors or summa cum laude. Afterward, I attended the University of the Pacific McGeorge School of Law. I graduated in 1982 and soon after started my law practice in Sacramento. I have been honored to work with amazing clients over the past 36 years and continue to meet new ones every day.
Legal Associations
I am a member of the Sacramento County Bar Association as well as the State Bar of California. I belong to the Consumer Attorneys of California, the Capital City Trial Lawyers Association, and the American Trial Lawyers Association. I am also a member of the National Association of Distinguished Counsel, a group where peers nominate those attorneys in the top one percent of their field.
Personal Life
I was married in 1978 and blessed with a son, Brant. In 2013, I became a grandfather. When time permits, I enjoy hiking in Tahoe and snorkeling in Fiji. I also enjoy settling in and reading a great book. When it comes to music, I enjoy listening to blues, rock, and electronica.
Client Encounters
I not only respect and enjoy knowing my clients, but I also take the time to understand their situation. I empathize with the pain and disrupting circumstances an accident causes, and work hard to help them get their lives back on track and obtain the compensation they deserve. I am available to my clients when they have questions or want to know where we are in the case. After the case is closed, we often remain friends. We are proud of our continued 5-star rating on Yelp.
Television and Books
For many years, I appeared on a long-running television show called “Ask the Lawyer.” In it, I answered questions posed by the public. This is an important part of what a lawyer does. Being involved in an accident of any kind is frightening enough. Not knowing what is going on or needs to be done makes it all the worse. Aside from this cable show, I’ve written two books that are available to anyone free of charge on Amazon. Both answer questions that clients have asked over the years, and give pertinent information on specific accidents.
The California Motorcycle Accident Handbook provides those hurt in motorcycle accidents with the information they need to be able to recover maximum damages. I wrote the book to let you know what happens if negligence caused a motorcycle accident and what steps should be followed. No formula fits every case, but the legal principles are consistent. If, after reading the book, you have more questions, call me for free and friendly advice.
Another book I wrote is The Ultimate California Auto Accident Handbook: Personal Injury Attorney’s Guide to Obtaining A Fair Recovery. This book is available on Amazon without charge and answers questions such as “how best to get your car fixed” and “how to select a competent personal injury lawyer.” It delves into mistakes that you might make when buying auto insurance. The book also answers questions about mistakes that some personal injury lawyers make.
Frequently Asked Questions in Richmond, California
Some common questions and answers you might want to know are:
Q: How do I obtain a police report in Richmond, CA?
A: This depends on where the accident happened. If it happened on Interstates 80 or 580, the California Highway Patrol should be contacted by calling (800) 835-5247. You can request a copy of a collision report online if you are a party of interest in the accident. This includes a property owner, driver, passenger, parent of a minor or the vehicle owner. The collision report request form (CHP 190) can be downloaded online. Just print it out and fill it in. Once you are finished, bring it to a CHP office in your area or mail it. If you are unable to download the form, just go to a CHP office to obtain one. Instructions for filling out the form are also available online.
If the accident happened on a local roadway and the Richmond Police responded, you should contact them to obtain an accident report. Just call the records department at (510) 620-6675 to ensure the report is available. This usually takes about seven to 10 days after an accident. You can pick the report up at the police department. The fee is $20.
Q: Where can I rent a car in Richmond if mine is disabled or totaled in an accident?
A: The local rental company with the highest rating on Yelp is the Enterprise Rent-A-Car on San Pablo Avenue. The following is the information you need:
- Address: 12492 San Pablo Ave, Richmond, CA 94805
- Hours: It is open 7:30 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. Monday through Friday; Saturday 9:00 a.m. to 12 p.m. and closed on Sunday.
- Phone: (510) 234-6100
- Get directions by clicking here
Q: Is there a mechanic you might recommend in Richmond, CA?
A: The mechanics that have a five-star rating on Yelp are:
- Address: 207 24th St, Richmond, CA 94804
- Phone: (510) 215-1841
- Hours: 8:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. Monday through Thursday; 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Friday and Saturday; closed Sunday
- Directions: Click here for directions
- Address: 999 W Cutting Blvd Ste 3, Richmond, CA 94804
- Phone: (510) 232-0000
- Hours: 9:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. Monday through Friday; 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. Saturday; closed Sunday
- Directions: Click here for directions
Q: Who are the top chiropractors in Richmond?
A: The following Richmond chiropractors hold a five-star rating on Yelp:
- Mark Dulberg, DC
- Address: 244 Civic Center St, Richmond, CA 94804
- Phone: (510) 236-7800
- Hours: 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. and 2:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. Monday, Wednesday and Friday; closed Tuesday, Saturday and Sunday
- Directions: Click here for directions to the office
- Address: 428 Wilson Ave, Richmond, CA 94805
- Phone: (510) 236-4473
- Hours: 9:00 a.m. through 5:30 p.m. Tuesday and Thursday
- Directions: Click here for directions
What a Personal Injury Lawyer Can Do for You
A personal injury attorney helps you protect your rights after an accident and assists you in obtaining the compensation you need and deserve. If you are injured due to a negligent party, you may be unable to work and might be caught in a web of medical debt.
Your injury attorney will investigate your case to establish fault, which is a necessary ingredient of a personal injury. He or she will talk to witnesses, examine photos taken at the scene and search for video cameras in the vicinity of a crash or accident. In addition, an attorney will make sure that the time limits beyond which a case cannot be filed have not expired.
Can You Reach a Just Settlement?
Reaching a just settlement is possible. Having a lawyer lets everyone know that the injured party is unwilling to accept an inadequate resolution. If an insurance company or other entity is unwilling to settle on a fair amount, the attorney can take the case to court. Generally, the attorney will not rush the negotiations. It is important to make sure that you have reached a point beyond which no medical intervention will change the outcome. If a settlement is reached ahead of the maximal medical improvement, the treatment that is needed after settlement will not be paid.
Richmond CA Car Accident and Personal Injury Lawyer
I’m Ed Smith, a Richmond CA car accident and personal injury lawyer. When you suffered an injury at the hands of a negligent party, you need a seasoned lawyer at your side. Call me at (510) 631-0200 in and around Richmond or (800) 404-5400 outside the area. I will give you free and friendly advice. You can reach me online too by using our contact us page. You will pay nothing until a just settlement is negotiated or a trial verdict is won.
I’ve helped residents of Richmond and the wider Northern California area with all types of accidents as well as wrongful death.
You can find out more about my law practice by clicking on the following pages:
I am a California member of the Million Dollar Advocates. We are a forum of high-ranking trial lawyers from around the country who have won more than $1 million for a client.
Photo Attribution: Depositphotos_26945159_l-2015
:cd llo [cs 2,122] 5p cv