If you were injured in a motor vehicle crash on Air Base Parkway, Texas Street, Alaska Avenue, or any of Fairfield’s busy corridors, you may be wondering when it makes sense to bring in a personal injury attorney. Some people may try to handle their claim alone at first, especially when injuries seem minor or the insurance company appears cooperative. But Fairfield’s crash patterns show how quickly a simple collision can turn into a complicated situation.
What the Fairfield Crash Statistics Say
According to the most recent data from the UC Berkeley TIMS database, Fairfield had 743 injury crashes in 2023, the latest reporting year with complete data. More than 400 involved “complaint of pain” injuries, and 54 resulted in severe injuries. Rear-end crashes accounted for 36% of all collisions, broadside crashes made up 25%, and hit-object crashes accounted for 14%.
These numbers reflect a reality many Fairfield drivers already understand: collisions happen often, and injuries are easy to underestimate in the first few days. When that happens, knowing when to contact an attorney can have a major impact on the outcome of your claim.
Note: These numbers include a wide range of crash types reported in Fairfield — vehicle-to-vehicle collisions, pedestrian and bicycle crashes, motorcycle crashes, truck crashes, and incidents involving factors like alcohol, unsafe speed, failure to yield, and weather or lighting conditions.
Key Takeaways
Crash patterns in Fairfield create complex claims. Rear-end, broadside, and intersection collisions often involve disputed fault and evolving injuries.
Insurance challenges are common after local crashes. Delays, early settlement pressure, and blame-shifting happen frequently in higher-collision corridors.
Early legal guidance protects your rights. Speaking with a personal injury attorney helps you document injuries, preserve evidence, and manage the claim process.
Why Fairfield Crash Victims Often Need Legal Help
A look at Fairfield’s crash data shows how unpredictable these collisions can be:
- Rear-end collisions: 269 crashes (36.2%)
- Broadside collisions: 186 crashes (25%)
- Hit-object collisions: 103 crashes (13.8%)
- Head-on and sideswipe crashes: a combined 18%
- Fatal and severe injury crashes: 65 crashes total (11 fatal, 54 severe)
These patterns matter because each type of crash raises different questions about fault. Rear-end collisions may seem straightforward, but many involve sudden lane changes or multiple vehicles. Broadside crashes often occur at intersections where signals, timing, and witness statements become critical. Hit-object crashes may involve evasive maneuvers, road hazards, or other drivers who fled the scene.
Fairfield’s busiest intersections reflect how complex these cases can get. The highest collision counts occurred at:
- Air Base Parkway & Heath Drive — 16 crashes
- Alaska Avenue & Heath Drive — 16 crashes
- Air Base Parkway & Dover Avenue — 11 crashes
- Texas Street & Travis Boulevard — 11 crashes
These are areas with heavy traffic flow, lane merges, and fast-changing conditions. Determining who is responsible is not always simple.
Source: UC Berkeley Transportation Injury Mapping System (TIMS)
Signs You Should Hire a Personal Injury Attorney in Fairfield
Some crash victims wait too long to get legal help because they hope their injuries will resolve quickly or assume the insurance company will handle the claim fairly. Here are clear points where bringing in a personal injury attorney becomes important.
1. Your Injuries Are More Serious Than You First Thought
TIMS shows that Fairfield crashes resulted in:
- 592 possible injuries
- 349 suspected minor injuries
- 61 suspected serious injuries
- 13 fatalities
Many injuries start as soreness and worsen over time, especially neck, back, and shoulder injuries common in rear-end or broadside crashes. If your symptoms change, if your pain isn’t improving, or if your doctor recommends follow-up imaging or specialist visits, you may be facing a longer recovery than expected.
When your medical needs grow, so does the value of your claim — and the need to protect it.
2. The Other Driver or the Insurance Company Is Blaming You
Primary crash factor (PCF) data shows the most common causes of Fairfield collisions:
- Unsafe speed — 228 collisions (31%)
- Failure to yield — 123 collisions (17%)
- Improper turning — 86 collisions (12%)
- Traffic signal/sign violations — 74 collisions (10%)
These factors give insurers an opening to shift responsibility. For example, even if you were hit, the adjuster may argue you were partially at fault for a lane change, a hesitation at a light, or the way you entered an intersection.
California’s comparative fault system means any attempt to place blame on you can reduce your compensation. An attorney helps stop that from happening.
3. The Insurance Company Is Delaying or Minimizing Your Claim
After a crash, you may encounter:
- Pressure to accept an early settlement
- Requests for statements before you understand your injuries
- Delays in returning calls
- Disputes over medical treatment or billing
- Assertions that your injuries are “not related” to the crash
These tactics are common when there is a lot at stake. Once you have representation, communication goes through your attorney, which stops these pressures immediately.
4. The Crash Involved Multiple Vehicles or Happened at a High-Collision Intersection
Fairfield’s intersections with the highest crash counts often involve several lanes, turning pockets, and drivers traveling at varying speeds. Multi-vehicle collisions are common in these areas, and they can be difficult to sort out without professional help.
If your crash happened at or near…
- Air Base Parkway
- Alaska Avenue
- Texas Street
- Travis Boulevard
- Walters Road
…there’s a good chance liability will require a careful review of reports, witness statements, and traffic patterns.
5. You Were a Passenger, Pedestrian, or Bicyclist
Victim role data shows:
- Passengers: 234 injured (23%)
- Pedestrians: 38 injured (3.7%)
- Bicyclists: 35 injured (3.4%)
When you are not the driver, determining who should pay your medical bills can be confusing. Fault may involve multiple drivers, or even a hit-and-run driver who was never identified. An attorney helps you pursue the responsible party and preserve your rights.
When You May Not Need an Attorney
You may be able to handle your claim alone if, for example:
- No one was injured
- Damage is limited to the vehicle
- Fault is clear
- The insurance company accepts responsibility and pays for repairs
- You did not need ongoing medical care
If any part of your situation changes, you can still contact an attorney for guidance.
How a Fairfield Personal Injury Attorney Helps After a Crash
When you bring in a personal injury lawyer, they take over the tasks that can be overwhelming during recovery, such as:
- Reviewing crash reports, diagrams, and PCF findings
- Photographing the scene and preserving evidence
- Contacting witnesses
- Gathering medical records
- Documenting missed work and out-of-pocket costs
- Handling all communication with insurers
- Negotiating a fair settlement based on your full medical outlook
- Preparing your case for trial if needed
A local attorney also understands Fairfield’s roads, intersections, and crash patterns, which often helps clarify how the collision occurred and why another driver may be at fault.
How to Choose the Right Personal Injury Attorney in Fairfield
When you speak with a law firm:
- Ask whether the firm has a local Fairfield office and attorneys with experience handling cases in the community.
- Ask about trial experience. Many injury cases settle, but a firm known for taking cases to trial often secures stronger outcomes.
- Ask who will manage your case day-to-day.
- Ask how they handle communication and updates.
Penney & Associates has represented California accident victims for decades and maintains a Fairfield office for clients in Solano County.
What to Do After an Accident in Fairfield
Here are steps that help protect your health and your claim:
- Get medical evaluation even if pain seems minor.
- Photograph vehicles, the scene, and any visible injuries.
- Get names and contact information for witnesses.
- Avoid giving recorded statements to insurers before understanding your injuries.
- Follow your doctor’s instructions and keep documentation.
- Contact a personal injury attorney early in the process.
Free Consultation at Penney & Associates’ Fairfield Office
If you were injured in a Fairfield crash, you don’t have to manage the insurance process alone. Penney & Associates can review your situation, answer your questions, and explain your options. Schedule a free consultation to discuss your injuries and learn what steps to take next. Our Fairfield team of trial-tested personal injury attorneys are ready to fight for your rights.
FAQ
1. Do I need a personal injury attorney for every Fairfield crash?
Not always. If there are no injuries and the insurance company accepts responsibility, you may not need legal help. If you have pain, delayed symptoms, or questions about fault, it’s worth speaking with an attorney early.
2. What if my injuries seemed minor at the scene?
Some injuries become clearer in the hours or days after a crash, especially when movement or daily activity increases discomfort. If your symptoms changed after the collision or required follow-up care, an attorney can help you document treatment and protect your claim.
3. How soon after a Fairfield crash should I contact an attorney?
The sooner you reach out, the easier it is to preserve records, witness statements, photographs, and medical documentation. Early guidance also helps you avoid mistakes with insurance communication.
Read More:
Phone Use While Driving: A Leading Cause of Distraction
California Hands-Free Driving Laws: What Drivers Need to Know in 2025
Who’s Driving? Determining Liability in the Age of Autonomous Cars
