Summer in Stockton, including the California Delta, brings sunshine, outdoor adventures, and community events. Unfortunately, with those activities come mishaps, which lead to our firm’s inevitable rise in personal injury claims each summer.
Eason & Tambornini helps individuals navigate the aftermath of injury accidents with compassion and expertise. In our over 30 years of practicing law in the Sacramento-Stockton region, we’ve seen countless scenarios with one thing in common: someone gets injured and someone else is to blame.
Here are some of the most common situations in which we have helped people secure the settlements they deserve for their injuries, associated costs, and other expenses.
Learn more about our Stockton Personal Injury Attorney Services.
Slip and Fall Accidents
Summer activities often mean crowded parks, public pools, and music festivals, among other popular places for enjoying the outdoors. Wet surfaces from sprinklers, uneven pathways, or poorly maintained areas can lead to slips. Even a visitor to Stockton’s Victory Park, which is well-maintained, could slip on a sprinkler-soaked walkway due to poor drainage. Property owners have a duty to address hazards, and if they fail to do so, injured individuals may have grounds for a claim.
Car and Motorcycle Accidents
With more travelers on roads leading into and out of the area, like Highway 4 or Highway 99, summer often brings an uptick in collisions. Vehicle accident claims often hinge on proving negligence, including distracted driving or failure to yield. Gathering any evidence is key, including accident reports (make sure the reporting officer is aware you would like one to be created), an itemized list of property damage, pictures at the accident scene, and the other driver’s insurance and contact information.
Bicycle Accidents
Stockton’s scenic routes, such as the Delta’s levees or the Stockton Marina, attract cyclists. Bike traffic also increases downtown as people ride their bikes to work in the summer instead of driving. However, bicycles and vehicles sharing the road can get dangerous. Many cars fail to check their blind spots when turning. California’s “Three Feet for Safety Act” requires drivers to give cyclists ample space, and violations of this law can strengthen a claim.
Swimming Pool and Water-Related Injuries
Whether taking place in community and privately owned pools or the Delta, water activities carry inherent risks. Drownings and slip-and-falls near pools almost always increase in the summertime, unfortunately. Faulty equipment, like broken or unsafe pool ladders and slides, also pose risks. Property owners must make sure pool safety standards are met, including proper fencing and equipment maintenance.
Dog Bite Injuries
Inevitably, summertime means more interactions between pets and people. Even friendly dogs can become aggressive in crowded, hot environments. While leashed dogs are generally permitted along the banks of the Sacramento River, for example, who hasn’t seen an off-leash dog running around with owners enjoying the water? In most bite cases, California holds dog owners strictly liable, meaning victims rarely need to prove negligence.
Heat-Related Illnesses and Injuries
Outdoor workers, such as those at the Port of Stockton, face risks like heat exhaustion or heatstroke during the summer. The California Labor Code requires employers to provide water, shade, and breaks under California’s heat illness prevention standards. In cases where employees suffer injuries due to inadequate safety, including from extreme heat, claims often include situations of employer negligence.
Product Liability and Defective Equipment
Grills, camping gear, and outdoor toys can malfunction. Many people overlook the role that defects or product malfunctions may play when someone is injured doing an everyday task like yard work, pool maintenance, or backyard grilling with propane-powered equipment. Manufacturers and retailers may be liable for injuries caused by poorly designed or untested products.
Skilled, Aggressive Personal Injury Attorneys that Make a Difference
In all of these scenarios, relying on an experienced personal injury attorney could make all the difference between full compensation for expenses, time off work, pain and suffering, and getting stuck with bills due to an accident that wasn’t your fault.
Call us if you aren’t sure whether your injury may have been someone else’s fault. We offer a free consultation and will answer all of your questions and explain what options you have, if any. If we do help you file a claim, you pay no legal fees until and unless you win a settlement.
Call us at (209) 323-5126 to schedule your free consultation and get the clarity you need.