A car crash can change your life in an instant. It can cause disabling and even life-threatening injuries. And after the accident, you may be facing expensive medical bills and lost wages for weeks, months, or even years. Sadly, Modesto was ranked the worst among peer cities for motor vehicle crashes by the California Office of Traffic Safety. The Modesto car accident attorneys at Berg Injury Lawyers are always here to help our community by seeking compensation and justice for those impacted by wrecks.
Our legal team is dedicated to helping victims like you get the money they need for their medical bills and lost wages, and we’ll fight for your rights, too. Get in touch with us today by dialing 209 900 5621 or completing our free online form.
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What Are the Common Causes of Car Accidents?
Common causes of car crashes in Modesto include a wide range of activities that can cause a driver to lose focus on the road ahead. These include:
Distracted Driving
Distracted driving is any activity that diverts attention from driving, including eating and drinking, talking or texting on a cell phone, interacting with the navigation or entertainment system, and talking to other people in the vehicle.
Driving Under the Influence
Driving under the influence (DUI) in California refers to drunk driving as well as driving under the influence of illegal drugs, prescription medications, over-the-counter drugs, or any substance that impairs the brain and motor function of a driver.
Excessive Speeding
A vehicle collision is considered speeding-related if any driver was charged with a speeding-related offense, or if a police officer indicates that racing, driving too fast for conditions, or exceeding the posted speed limit is a contributing factor to the car accident.
Other Causes
Other common causes of Modesto auto accidents can include drowsy driving or driver fatigue, running red lights, failure to yield, aggressive driving and road rage, poor weather conditions, and tailgating.
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Berg Wins 60x
Insurance Company’s Offer in Auto Accident Case
Berg Injury Lawyers obtained a recovery worth SIXTY TIMES the insurance company’s original settlement offer in an auto accident case.
Our client suffered a significant neck injury in a crash caused by another driver who made an illegal U-turn in front of him. He required two cervical fusions because the hardware used in the first procedure failed. Our client was offered a settlement by the insurance company prior to hiring Berg Injury Lawyers, which he did not accept. The representation by Berg Injury Lawyers helped him settle for 60x what he was offered prior to hiring our law firm.
Insurance companies are in the business of making money, not giving it away—which means they will offer you as little compensation as they think they can get away with, even when you have a rock-solid claim with the other party obviously at fault. When you hire a lawyer, you are protecting your rights and knowing your own value.
Seeking Compensation After a Car Accident
Car accidents can lead to devastating physical, emotional, and financial burdens. Seeking compensation for damages after a car accident is essential to a victim’s recovery.
Compensation typically includes a couple types of damages, referred to as economic and non-economic damages. Understanding these can help Modesto injury victims navigate the legal process more effectively.
Economic damages compensate for tangible and quantifiable losses resulting from the accident. They may include:
- Medical Expenses: Costs associated with hospital stays, surgeries, medications, therapy, and rehabilitation
- Property Damage: Expenses for repairing or replacing damaged vehicles and other property
- Lost Income: Compensation for wages lost due to inability to work while recovering
- Future Earnings: Compensation for reduced earning power in the future because of long-term injuries
Non-economic damages account for less tangible losses, addressing the emotional and psychological impact of a car accident. They may include:
- Pain and Suffering: Compensation for physical and mental pain experienced because of the accident
- Emotional Distress: Compensation for psychological trauma, such as anxiety, depression, or PTSD caused by the accident
- Loss of Enjoyment of Life: Compensation for a diminishment in quality of life, personal relationships, or ability to engage in activities enjoyed before the accident
Common Auto Accident Injuries in Modesto
Because of the forces and speeds involved in car accidents, drivers and passengers can suffer a variety of injuries that range in severity, such as:
- Traumatic Brain Injuries (TBIs): TBIs occur when a sudden trauma causes damage to the brain, leading to a range of symptoms from mild concussions to severe brain damage. These injuries can result in long-term cognitive, physical, and emotional impairments. Fortunately, Modesto has exceptional trauma and rehabilitation facilities for victims of TBIs, including Encompass Health Rehabilitation Hospital Modesto and Doctors Medical Center Modesto.
- Spinal Cord Injuries: Spinal cord injuries result from damage to any part of the spinal cord or nerves at the end of the spinal canal, often leading to permanent changes in strength, sensation, and other body functions below the site of the injury.
- Internal Organ Damage: Internal organ damage involves injury to the body’s internal organs, such as the lungs, liver, or kidneys, often caused by blunt trauma or penetration during a car accident. They can be life-threatening without prompt medical treatment.
- Whiplash: Whiplash is common in rear-end accidents and is caused by a sudden and forceful movement of the neck and head. People who experience whiplash often suffer debilitating pain and stiffness and may be unable to work or move without discomfort.
- Cuts and Lacerations: Broken glass from windshields and other windows is one of the biggest hazards in an auto accident. Although many car manufacturers design glass to break into tiny pieces, drivers and passengers can still suffer serious wounds from coming into contact with those particles.
- Broken Bones: The forces involved in car accidents often put extreme stress on victims’ bodies. Those forces may result in broken bones, which can take months or even years to heal.
Modesto-Area Hospitals Where Car Accident Injuries Can Be Treated
Modesto has two Level II trauma centers, as well as other hospitals where serious injuries from car collisions can be treated. These include:
- Doctors Medical Center Modesto (DMC): Serving the community since 1962, Doctors Medical Center Modesto is a comprehensive healthcare facility offering a wide range of medical services.
- Level II Trauma Center
- 24/7 emergency care
- Level III neonatal intensive care unit (NICU)
The hospital is located at 1441 Florida Avenue, Modesto, CA 95350.
- Memorial Medical Center (Sutter Health) — Modesto: Memorial Medical Center (Sutter Health) in Modesto provides comprehensive emergency and trauma care, making it a trusted facility for treating car accident injuries.
- Level II Trauma Center
- 24/7 emergency care
- Offers immediate treatment from orthopedic surgeons, neurosurgeons, and radiologists
The hospital is located at 1700 Coffee Road, Modesto, CA 95355.
- Central Valley Specialty Hospital: After people injured in car accidents have been treated for trauma and stabilized, they can receive extensive rehabilitative services (physical, occupational, etc.) and long-term acute care at this hospital.It is located at 730 17th Street, Modesto, CA 95354.
Most Dangerous Intersections in Modesto
As we mentioned, Modesto ranks high on the list of cities in California with the worst traffic accidents. Modesto also has some hot spots that the Police and Traffic and Engineering Departments are actively working to improve. A few of these dangerous intersections where you should exercise extra caution are:
The city is working on improving safety in these areas by looking at solutions like adding red light cameras at 10 separate hot spots.
Examples of Recent Car Accidents in Modesto
Auto collisions are not uncommon in Modesto. Examples of tragic car crashes in Modesto include:
- 4 killed, including a 1-year-old, in a head-on crash on McHenry Avenue (April 2024): A 19-year-old woman crossed into oncoming traffic on McHenry Avenue at Hogue Road, killing herself, her passenger, a 60-year-old driver, and a 1-year-old baby.
- Head-on crash kills 1, injures 3 in Modesto (May 2025): One person was killed and three others were hospitalized in a head-on collision in the area of Mitchell Road, just south of Tenaya Drive.
- DUI crash on Yosemite Boulevard and Phoenix Avenue results in fatality; driver faces murder charges (August 2025): A vehicle struck a motorcyclist at Yosemite Boulevard and Phoenix Avenue in what authorities identified as a DUI-related collision.
Immediate Steps to Take After a Car Accident in Modesto
A car accident is a frightening event that happens way too often in our community, leaving victims confused and not sure what to do next. That’s why it’s important to commit the following steps to memory so you can help protect your rights and well-being should you ever experience the misfortune of a car accident:
Call 911: Immediately contact the police and seek medical attention for any injuries.
Document the Scene: Take photos of the accident scene, exchange insurance and contact information with all other parties, and gather witness contacts if possible.
Medical Attention: Even minor injuries should be evaluated by a healthcare professional. Some injuries may not be immediately apparent but could worsen over time.
Contact Your Insurance Company: Report the accident to your insurance company promptly. Be factual and provide necessary details but NEVER admit fault.
Call a Modesto Car Accident Attorney: An experienced attorney can help you understand and protect your rights after an accident. Contact our team for a free consultation to find out if you have a case.
Hiring an attorney early in the process can be beneficial for several reasons. A lawyer can help you avoid mistakes that hurt the value of your claim. They will deal with the insurance company on your behalf. With an experienced advocate handling your claim, you can focus on your health and let them deal with everything else.
At Berg Injury Lawyers, we’re used to dealing with insurance company tactics. And we offer the No Fee Guarantee® with our services, which means if you don’t win, you pay nothing. After your accident, the more time we have to build the strongest possible case for you, the better. So don’t wait another day to get the help you need—contact us today.
How to Request a Police Report After a Modesto Car Crash
To request a copy of a police report, call 209-572-9580 to confirm the number of pages. Then print out a Report Request Form, fill it out, and send it in with a check or money order to the:
Modesto Police Department
600 10th Street, Modesto, CA 95354
Step-by-Step Process:
- Wait at least 5–7 business days after the accident before requesting (longer if injuries or fatalities occurred).
- Download the request form from the MPD website or pick one up in person at the station.
- Submit your request by one of three methods:
- Email: reportrequest@modestopd.com
- Fax: (209) 523-4082
- Mail/In-person: 600 10th Street, Modesto, CA 95354.
- Cost: $0.10 per page plus tax.
- Bring a valid photo ID when picking up your report.
- Provide: Your name, address, phone number, reason for requesting the report, accident date/time/location, and case number if available.
How to Get Compensation for Your Injuries
At Berg Injury Lawyers, our Modesto car accident lawyers understand that auto accident-related injuries can be catastrophic, and that’s why we stop at nothing to get our clients maximum compensation for their expenses. With our No Fee Guarantee®, if you don’t win, you pay nothing. Give us a call, or stop by our law office in Modesto, and let us help you move forward with your life.
Modesto Law Office
1317 Oakdale Rd. Suite 500
Modesto, CA 95355
Phone: (209) 447-0557
Fax: (209) 575-2812
