Personal Injury Attorney Los Banos, CA
A crash on State Route 152 near Pacheco Pass or a fall on a job site off Mercy Springs Road can turn an ordinary day into months of medical bills and missed paychecks.
Frank Nunes spent years on the other side of the table as in-house counsel for a national insurance company before he opened Nunes Law, Inc. in 2007. That background now works for Los Banos families, not against them.
Our personal injury attorney in Los Banos has watched the tactics insurance adjusters use to close a file cheaply. We use that same insider view to push back on lowball offers and delay tactics for people who need every dollar they are owed.
Whether you were hurt commuting over Pacheco Pass, injured on someone else’s property, or lost a loved one in a preventable accident, our firm is here to help you.
Why Merced County Families Call Nunes Law, Inc. First
Most people never plan to hire a lawyer. Then a driver runs a stop sign near Henry Miller Avenue, or a dog bite sends a child to the emergency room, and a family is left juggling calls from insurance companies while trying to heal.
Frank Nunes built his reputation representing regular people across Fresno, Clovis, Visalia, Madera, and Los Banos, not corporations. His years inside an insurance company taught him how claims files get built and how settlement offers get calculated low on purpose.
Los Banos personal injury attorneys who have sat on the insurer’s side of a claim bring something different to your case. We do not have to guess at the other side’s playbook because we have lived it. That firsthand view shapes how we document injuries, time our demand letters, and respond when an adjuster tries to shift blame back onto you.
Before becoming a lawyer, Frank worked the fields of Los Banos, Guistine, Ed Nido, and Dos Palos, and drove the country roads like Ortigalita, Box Car, Cozzi Road, and the Santa Fe Grade. He knows the area, the people, and how Merced County works.
Accidents We Handle Across Los Banos and Merced County
Los Banos sits at the crossroads of State Route 152 and State Route 165, and thousands of commuters cross Pacheco Pass daily heading toward Santa Clara County and the Bay Area. That commuter traffic, mixed with a heavily agricultural local economy, creates conditions that lead to serious collisions throughout Merced County.
- Car accidents on State Route 152, Pacheco Pass, and Henry Miller Avenue
- Truck and big rig collisions tied to agricultural freight and Bay Area commercial traffic
- Motorcycle accidents on Pacheco Boulevard and Mercy Springs Road
- Pedestrian and bicycle accidents near downtown and Los Banos schools
- Dog bites and animal attacks
- Slip and fall and other premises liability injuries
- Workplace injuries on farms, dairies, and packing facilities
- Defective product injuries
- Wrongful death claims
Whatever brought you to this page, our Los Banos personal injury lawyers can look at the facts of your case and tell you plainly where things stand, without pressure and without a fee just to talk.
Common Injuries We See in Los Banos Accident Cases
Some injuries show up right away, and others take days or weeks to reveal how serious they really are. Waiting to see a doctor can leave you without the medical record you need later, so getting checked out matters even when you feel fine at the scene.
- Broken bones and fractures, from a hairline crack to a compound break requiring surgery
- Spinal cord damage, including herniated discs and injuries that affect mobility long-term
- Traumatic brain injuries, ranging from a mild concussion to more severe cognitive damage
- Whiplash and other neck or back injuries common in rear-end collisions on Pacheco Pass
- Burns from vehicle fires, farm equipment, or defective products
- Torn ligaments, tendons, and other soft tissue damage that limits movement and daily function
Insurance adjusters often try to downplay whiplash or a mild concussion as minor, even when the person affected is still struggling to work or care for their family months later. We build every case around the full scope of an injury, not just the version an adjuster is willing to acknowledge on paper.
How Nunes Law Investigates Your Case
Once you call our office, we start by gathering the police report, medical records, and any available photos or video from the scene. We also send preservation letters to businesses or public agencies that may hold footage before it gets erased.
From there, we work with your treating doctors to understand the full extent of your injury and how it affects your daily life, your work, and your long-term care needs. Only once we understand the true value of your claim do we begin negotiating with the insurance company, and we stay ready to file a lawsuit if a fair offer never comes.
Frank Nunes’ background in the insurance industry means our office rarely gets caught off guard by a tactic we haven’t already seen used against a client.
How Often Do Injury Accidents Happen in Los Banos?
The numbers back up what anyone who drives Pacheco Pass during commute hours already senses. According to the California Office of Traffic Safety, Los Banos recorded 221 people killed or injured in traffic crashes in 2023, ranking 11th out of 93 similarly sized California cities in its population group.
That same 2023 data set ranked Los Banos 8th out of 93 comparable cities for motorcycle collisions and 11th out of 93 for speed-related fatal and injury crashes, consistent with the fast-moving traffic on Pacheco Pass. Fifteen pedestrians were killed or injured in Los Banos that year as well.
Who Pays When Fault Is Shared in a Los Banos, California Accident?
California follows a pure comparative negligence rule. You can still recover compensation even if you were partly at fault, but your award is reduced by your percentage of fault.
Insurance adjusters know this rule too, and they often try to pin as much blame as possible on the injured person to shrink the payout. A personal injury lawyer in Los Banos who understands how insurers build these arguments can push back with police reports, witness statements, and outside review before an unfair number ever gets attached to your claim.
Adjusters sometimes point to something as small as a delayed brake tap or a missed turn signal to argue a client should recover less. Knowing how that argument gets built ahead of time often makes the difference in a settlement.
How Long Do You Have to File a Claim in California?
California law sets firm deadlines, and missing one can end a claim before it starts.
- For most personal injury and wrongful death claims, you have two years from the date of injury to file, under California Code of Civil Procedure 335.1; this is accurate as of August 2026.
- Six months from the date of injury to file a government claim if a public entity, such as a city road crew or the Merced County Department of Public Works, caused the accident, under Government Code 911.2
- An extended deadline for injured minors, whose time to file is paused under Code of Civil Procedure 352 until they turn 18, then generally runs another two years
These windows close faster than most people expect, especially the six-month government claim deadline, so reaching out early protects your right to recover.
What Compensation Can Los Banos Accident Victims Recover?
Every case is different, but California law generally allows injured people to pursue both economic and non-economic damages.
- Medical bills, including future treatment costs
- Lost wages and reduced earning capacity if your injury affects your ability to work going forward
- Pain and suffering
- Emotional distress
- Loss of enjoyment of activities you valued before the accident
- Loss of financial support and loss of companionship for surviving family members in wrongful death cases, under California’s wrongful death statutes
Insurance companies often offer a single lump sum early on that covers only medical bills already paid, ignoring future treatment or the toll an injury takes on daily life. Our office calculates the full value of a claim before you accept any number, so a quick check doesn’t end up costing a family thousands of dollars later.
Why Evidence Disappears Fast After an Accident
Skid marks fade, security footage gets overwritten within days, and witnesses forget details the longer a case sits untouched. The sooner our office gets involved, the sooner we can send preservation letters, pull traffic camera footage, and document the scene before it changes.
If you can safely do so after an accident, photograph the scene, get names and numbers from witnesses, and keep any damaged property or clothing. Seeing a doctor promptly and keeping every bill and note creates a paper trail an adjuster cannot dismiss as minor.
No Win, No Fee Representation
Nunes Law, Inc. represents injured clients on a contingency fee basis, meaning you owe nothing upfront and pay no legal fee unless we recover money for you. Medical bills and lost income should not stand between your family and legal help.
This structure means our office gets paid only when your case succeeds, keeping our focus on the outcome you are working toward.
Why Los Banos Families Choose Frank Nunes
Frank Nunes founded Nunes Law, Inc. in 2007 after years as in-house counsel for a national insurance company, and he has since built his practice around families in Fresno, Clovis, Visalia, Madera, and Los Banos.
That inside knowledge of how insurers value and resist claims shapes every case our office takes on. When you call a personal injury attorney in Los Banos at our office, you are not just hiring representation; you are hiring someone who already knows what the other side is planning to say.
Frequently Asked Questions for Our Los Banos Personal Injury Lawyers:
What should I do immediately after a car accident in Los Banos?
Seek medical attention, report the accident to law enforcement, gather contact and insurance info, take photos of the scene, and avoid admitting fault. Contact a personal injury attorney as soon as possible to protect your rights.
How long do I have to file a personal injury claim in California?
In most cases, the statute of limitations is two years from the date of the injury. However, exceptions apply (e.g., cases involving government entities or delayed discovery of injuries), so it’s best to speak with a Los Banos personal injury attorney immediately.
Can I file a personal injury claim on behalf of a family member?
In certain cases, such as wrongful death or when the injured party is a minor or incapacitated, a family member or legal guardian may be able to file a claim on their behalf. It is best to speak to one of our personal injury lawyers at Nunes Law, Inc to see if you are able to file on behalf of your loved one.
What if my injury symptoms appear days after the accident?
Some injuries (like whiplash, soft tissue damage, or internal trauma) may not show symptoms until days or weeks later. It’s important to get a medical evaluation and speak with a Los Banos personal injury attorney quickly.
What if my injury aggravated a pre-existing condition?
You can still file a personal injury claim. Under the “eggshell plaintiff” doctrine, the at-fault party is responsible for making your condition worse, even if you had a pre-existing injury or condition before the accident.
Will my Los Banos personal injury case go to trial?
Most personal injury cases are settled out of court. However, if a fair settlement cannot be reached, we are fully prepared to go to trial to fight for the compensation you deserve. Allow our Los Banos personal injury lawyer to help you, no matter if it is through negotiations or in a trial.
Can I file a claim if I was hurt while working on a dairy or farm near Los Banos?
Workers' compensation generally covers on-the-job injuries, but if outside equipment or a subcontractor played a role, you may also have a separate personal injury claim. We review farm and dairy accidents for every party who may share responsibility.
What if my accident happened during weekend traffic heading to San Luis Reservoir?
Recreational traffic on State Route 152 and Route 33 spikes on weekends during boating and fishing season, raising the chance of speed-related and rear-end collisions. These cases are handled with the same attention to fault, evidence, and injury documentation as any other crash.
Is there a personal injury lawyer in Los Banos who handles agricultural equipment accidents specifically?
Our office regularly handles cases involving tractors, harvesters, and irrigation machinery operating on or near public roads. These cases often raise visibility and right-of-way questions that a general accident case does not.
What if the at-fault driver was commuting for a Bay Area employer at the time of the crash?
Employers can sometimes be held responsible for accidents caused by employees acting within the scope of their job, including certain commute situations involving company vehicles. We investigate the driver's employment status as part of every claim review.
Can I still file a claim if the other driver was an out-of-town commuter passing through?
Yes. Fault and insurance responsibility do not change based on where the other driver lives or was headed. We pursue the at-fault party's insurance regardless of whether they live in Los Banos or were simply passing through on Pacheco Pass.
What if the accident involved a school bus or happened near a Los Banos school?
Claims involving a school bus or a public school district often fall under the shorter six-month government claim deadline. Accidents near school zones can also raise separate questions about speed limits and driver visibility during pickup and drop-off times.

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