Personal Injury at California State University Stanislaus

Maison Law represents students injured at California State University Stanislaus. If you or a loved one has suffered an injury on the CSUS campus, Maison Law can help you receive full compensation for your damages.

Campus injuries often occur due to carelessness by the university or a university employee. But the bottom line is your life does not deserve to be altered by another person’s reckless behavior. Call, text, email, or stop by our offices for a free, no-obligation case review, and we will go over the legal options available for your situation.

Do I Need a Lawyer for a Personal Injury at California State University Stanislaus?

Located in Central California, the campus of California State University Stanislaus is equipped with modern facilities surrounded by the pastoral countryside. The 228-acre campus features numerous learning-centered activities for students in indoor and outdoor settings. But with so many options for young college students to engage in, the risk of injury is always there.

So, what should you do if you suffer a head injury after slipping on a wet floor? Or, perhaps, poorly installed flooring caused you to fall and break your wrist. Should you speak with a lawyer? If you suffer only minor scrapes and bruises after an accident on campus, then you may not need to reach out to a lawyer. But if your injury has caused you to receive medical treatment or miss class, then it is recommended to speak to a Personal Injury Attorney at Maison Law.

How Maison Law Helps Injured Students

At Maison Law, we can help you with legal advice, managing your injury claim, or filing a lawsuit on your behalf if your claim is not handled properly. Our firm helps injured students at California State University Stanislaus by connecting them to immediate medical attention, collecting essential evidence pertinent to their claim, and building a strong case on their behalf to ensure they are financially compensated for the following damages after an injury on the California State University Stanislaus campus:

• Past, current, and future medical bills
• Rehabilitation, therapy, in-home care, nursing care, medical devices, and medication
• Lost wages and employment benefits (if applicable)
• Permanent disability
• Reduced or lost earning capacity
• Out-of-pocket expenses
• Costs to repair or replace damaged property
• Pain and suffering
• Negative impact on mental health
• Post-traumatic stress disorder
• Loss of enjoyment of life

How to File a Claim Against California State University Stanislaus

When you file a claim against California State University Stanislaus for a personal injury, you will be attempting to resolve the issue between yourself and the university. To do this, you can fill out the required form here. Or you can submit a written personal injury claim that includes the following:

• Your name and address
• Address where you’d like to receive notice
• Date, location, and circumstances surrounding the incident
• A general description of damages caused by the incident
• The name or names of the CSU employee (if applicable) or employees that caused the injuries
• The dollar amount you are claiming, including estimated amount of prospective loss
• If you are claiming more than $10,000 you must state if your lawsuit will be considered a limited case (less than $25,000) or an unlimited case (a demand for more than $25,000).

Your claim will need to be signed by you, or a parent or guardian who can sign on your behalf. The letter must also be filed with CSU Office of Risk Management within six months after the incident or mailed to The CSU Office of the Chancellor Risk Management, 401 Golden Shore 5th Floor, Long Beach, CA, 90802-4210.

Premises Liability at California State University Stanislaus

If an individual, company, or government entity fails to exercise reasonable care over their property and someone gets injured, they can be held liable for damages according to California’s Civil Code 1714(a), which states:

“Everyone is responsible, not only for the result of his or her willful acts but also for an injury occasioned to another by his or her want of ordinary care or skill in the management of his or her property or person, except so far as the latter has, willfully or by want of ordinary car, brought the injury upon himself or herself.”

In a university setting like the campus of California State University Stanislaus, a premise liability is the most common reason students are injured while on school property. In the next section we’ll cover example of how these incidents occur.

Example of College Campus Premises Liability

In the event you’re injured on the California State University Stanislaus campus, the university could face liability for causing your injuries. Situations where the university could be found liable for your injuries include:

• Poor maintenance: this could mean worn-down stairs or walkways are easily collapsible, or the flat surfaces have deteriorated, forming hazards where people typically walk.
• Inadequate lighting: if areas of the campus are open at night and poor lighting causes a student to get injured, then the University could be held liable.
• Defective equipment: if the school offers gym equipment, bike rentals, or safety gear and their deficiencies result in an injury, then the university could be held liable.
• Not posting visible warning signs: warning signs alerting students to hazards must be properly lit and visible to everyone on campus.

Pedestrian Rights at California State University Stanislaus

According to California Vehicle Code 21950, all drivers in California are required to yield to pedestrians crossing a roadway within any marked or unmarked crosswalk. This law applies to university crosswalks as well. With the number of drivers on college campuses like California State University Stanislaus, busy intersections are an especially dangerous place for students walking to class. Specific sections of the California Vehicle Code are designed to protect students’ rights when crossing intersections to get to class.

Right-of-Way Rules for a Crosswalk at California State University Stanislaus

The term “pedestrian” applies not only to people walking across the street but to people on skates and skateboards as well. Generally, pedestrians have the right-of-way at all crosswalks.  Crosswalks on California State University Stanislaus are typically marked with white lines and reflectors. Some of the busier intersections also feature flashing lights to illuminate the crosswalk. According to California Vehicle Code Section 21950, drivers must adhere to the following rules when approaching any of these crosswalks to ensure the safety of pedestrians:

• All drivers must reduce their speeds or stop, if necessary, to yield to pedestrians within the crosswalk.
• A driver must stop before the line, not in the middle of the crosswalk.
• A driver must stop if a pedestrian is in his or her half of the lane or approaching quickly enough to be in the direct path of the vehicle.
• Drivers are not permitted to pass stopped vehicles while they’re allowing pedestrians to cross at a crosswalk.

If a driver on campus violates any of these rules, then you will have a strong case if you elect to take legal action and pursue damages. To know your legal options, contact Maison Law today for a free case review.

Distracted Walking: Comparative Negligence in a California State University Stanislaus Pedestrian Accident

Crossing the street while not paying attention can affect your claim. The safety risks of walking while distracted can seem obvious, for example, crossing an intersection while looking down at your phone. This may seem like a forgettable detail if you’re hit by a vehicle, but it could drastically impact your claim if you decide to pursue damages.

In a pedestrian accident, an injury can be caused by carelessness from both a driver and a pedestrian. Using your cell phone while crossing an intersection can be viewed as a careless act, which could have played a part in causing your injuries. On the other hand, the driver that hit you could have been speeding and hit you because they failed to stop in time. This is where comparative negligence comes into play.

Comparative negligence allows an injured party who shares fault for their injuries to receive compensation, a legal action covered by the Comparative Negligence Law, which states:

“Under the pure comparative negligence rule, the state allows the plaintiff to claim damages for the 1% they are not at fault even when they are 99% at fault.”

Who is Considered a Pedestrian at California State University Stanislaus?

An unfortunate reality for pedestrians is that drivers can and will make careless decisions when driving around campus, often resulting in an accident with other people walking, biking, or driving. Many times, these preventable collisions are due to drivers ignoring signs, signals, or markings where pedestrians may be crossing. According to California law, a pedestrian is considered anyone who is:

• Walking
• Riding a motorized assistive mobility device
• Riding something that is propelled by their own efforts, other than a bicycle

People using the following devices for transportation are also considered pedestrians:

• Skateboards
• Scooters
• Rollerskates
• Rollerblades
• Skis
• Wheelchairs
• Crutches

The following transportation devices are NOT considered pedestrians:

• E-scooters
• Hoverboards
• Motorized bikes
• Bicycles
• E-bikes

To increase pedestrian safety, California recently passed Assembly Bill 413, also known as the Intersection Daylighting Law. The new statute went into effect in January 2024 and prohibits parking within 20 feet of the approach of any marked or unmarked crosswalk, even if there are no signs or curb markings. Drivers at CSU Stanislaus should also be aware that citations for AB 413 went into effect on January 1st, 2025. So, it is recommended to leave at least 20 feet between your car and a marked/unmarked crosswalk to avoid a costly fine.

How Much Compensation Should I Ask for a Personal Injury at California State University Stanislaus?

You should always ask for more in a pedestrian accident settlement. Here’s why. Making a settlement demand with the insurance company is a negotiation process, and you should ask for 2 to 3 times more than you think your case is worth. This may seem high, but the insurance company will be making an initial settlement offer that is extremely low. So, it is wise to ask for an amount in a demand letter that is well above what you think you deserve.

A demand letter should be a descriptive, factual, and truthful account of the event. A well-written demand letter can go a long way toward getting the compensation you want, which is why it is recommended to have a skilled Pedestrian Accident Lawyer assist you with writing it. The details of the demand letter should contain:

• The time, date, and location of the accident
• The name of the person/company/government entity at fault, along with their contact information (if applicable)
• Details of the injuries you’ve sustained directly from the accident
• Summary of damages incurred, which include medical bills, lost wages, and non-economic damages
• Supporting documents, which may include X-rays, MRIs, and other photos or videos of the accident if you have them

What Factors Could Decrease My Personal Injury Settlement?

Understanding the factors that can potentially harm your case is essential to knowing the value of your lawsuit. While a highly experienced Personal Injury Attorney will be able to highlight the reasons you deserve to be compensated, they will also work aggressively to protect you from the factors that could reduce your compensation. These factors include:

1. Comparative negligence: As discussed in the article above, if you are found partially at fault, your settlement can be reduced by your percentage of liability.
2. Pre-existing conditions: Pre-existing medical conditions unrelated to the accident could complicate and potentially decrease the settlement.
3. Lack of strong evidence: The inability to prove the liable party’s fault or carelessness in the accident can undermine your case and reduce your settlement.
4. Delayed medical treatment: Delays in seeking medical treatment after the accident may count against you as it implies your injuries were not that severe.
5. Inconsistent statements: Inconsistencies in your statement or re-telling of the incident can hurt your credibility and diminish settlement prospects.

Contact Maison Law | California Personal Injury Lawyers

If you’ve been injured on the campus of California State University Stanislaus, we can help. At Maison Law, we understand the enormous loss and harm a college campus injury can subject a student to. That’s why our firm aggressively pursues a settlement that matches the full extent of your damages to ensure you are made whole.

Even a minor accident can have a major impact on your health and finances over time, so don’t hesitate to get the legal representation you need. Contact Maison Law today for a no-cost, no-obligation consultation and case evaluation. There are no upfront charges for our services and we only get paid if we win your case.