CALL NOW

Call 24/7 for a FREE case evaluation

Call now (866) 393-4334

$100,000,000

in California case results

$20,000,000

in California jury verdicts

14

award-winning attorneys in network

Hiring a Car Accident Attorney in Sacramento

You may have many questions when you are involved in a car wreck, we are here to help! We have compiled a list of the most frequently asked questions by car accident victims in the city of Sacramento.

How Much Is The Average Car Accident Settlement In Sacramento?

The amount you will receive from a car accident settlement in Sacramento varies from case to case. However, a few things will affect how much your settlement will be.

These factors can include the following:

  • How badly you were injured
  • How much your injuries interfere in your day-to-day life
  • If there was a death caused by the accident
  • Whether you will make a full recovery
  • Your pain and suffering due to the accident
What Kind Of Lawyer Do I Need For A Car Accident In Sacramento?

If you have been involved in a car accident in Sacramento, you will need to seek a car accident lawyer. These lawyers specialize in the insurance and court processes involved in car accident claims and cases.

These experienced attorneys will assist you in your filings and help to ensure you receive a fair verdict or settlement.

Can You Sue Someone For A Car Accident In Sacramento?

Yes, you can sue someone for a car accident in Sacramento. It is very uncommon that cases get this far, but if your injury claim has not been settled out of court, you can file a personal injury lawsuit.

How Much Do Car Accident Lawyers Charge In Sacramento?

Most law firms work on a contingency fee basis, so they are not paid if they do not win your case. You can usually get legal advice during a free consultation as well.

Car accidents in Sacramento can leave people with serious injuries and vehicle damage. Depending on the severity of your injuries and property damage, this can lead to missed work and lost wages.

Accident victims can file personal injury claims for compensation, and LegalFinders can help connect you with the best Sacramento car accident attorney for your case.

If you or a loved one have been involved in a car accident on the roadways of Sacramento, California, you may have injuries or property damage. After you have been cleared medically, you will want to start the process of filing an insurance claim.

If your insurance claim is accepted, you will be sent the money you need to cover the cost of repairs and other costs associated with the accident. However, there are times when insurance companies deny claims that should have been approved.

When the accident leads to injuries, you may also want to file a personal injury claim to seek compensation for medical bills and related damages.

Hiring a car accident lawyer can make the entire process much less stressful. LegalFinders has an extensive network of law offices and attorneys covering many practice areas, including personal injury and car accident lawyers.

LegalFinders can help you find the best car accident attorney in Sacramento for your case.

 

Who Is At Fault For A Car Accident In Sacramento?

Auto accidents can make determining who is at fault a difficult task. In the state of California, all the drivers in a car accident can be considered at least partially at fault for the crash.

However, you can still file a personal injury claim in California even if you are considered partially at fault.

The motorist who caused the auto accident is considered “at fault.” For example, a driver who fails to stop at a red light is considered at fault in California. Determining who is at fault is essential, since that party will likely be responsible for damages.

 

Is The At-Fault Driver Always Liable In A California Car Accident?

No, an at-fault driver is not automatically considered liable in California car accidents. When a car accident occurs, there is often confusion and chaos, but police reports and an experienced auto accident attorney can help clear things up.

There is a difference between fault and liability. The person responsible (at fault) for causing the car accident may not be considered liable for paying damages. However, the party considered liable is always the one who pays any damages.

When a driver who pulls out into oncoming traffic and crashes into another vehicle, they may be considered at fault for the accident. However, their car insurance company is considered liable for damages.

If the driver considered at fault for the accident is uninsured, they are considered both at fault and liable for damages.

 

What Are Your Legal Options After A Car Crash In Sacramento?

You can file a personal injury claim if you or a loved one have been involved in an automobile accident. If your claim is approved, you will be sent the money you need to cover expenses accrued due to the car accident.

Hiring a personal injury attorney can be beneficial from the very beginning. They can assist you in building a strong claim, so the chances of it getting approved are much higher.

Likewise, a personal injury lawyer can help you file a lawsuit if your claim is not approved. Your attorney will have acquired knowledge and experience with personal injury law and can help you get the compensation you deserve.

 

What To Do After A Car Accident In Sacramento

You may be overwhelmed and stressed if you have been involved in a car accident. The following are steps that car accident victims should take.

1. Gather Evidence

Anyone involved in an auto accident should first collect pertinent information to help you in your accident case.

The following are types of documentation that may help in a car accident case:

  • The police report
  • Pictures and videos of the scene of the accident
  • Photos and videos of the damage to your car
  • Photos and videos of the cars involved
  • Photos and videos of all injury victims
  • Videos and a written copy of your testimony
  • All contact information for all parties involved — names, phone numbers, insurance information, license plate numbers, etc.
  • Videos or a written copy of eyewitness statements

If you receive medical treatment for injuries due to an accident, you will need to get copies of any medical expenses and reports you are given.

You will also need to get an estimate for repairing your vehicle. This will all go to your car accident attorney to help build your case.

2. Contact A Sacramento Car Accident Attorney

The next thing you need to do as you recover from your accident is to contact a Sacramento car accident attorney. They can assist you with all aspects of your case, including finding all damages that can be claimed, not just the most easy to find.

They can also handle all communications for you. This includes talking to the other side’s legal representation, contacting your insurance adjuster, and communicating on your behalf with the courts.

3. File A Car Accident Claim

The next step in this process is to file your car accident claim; the sooner, the better. There is a statute of limitations. In California, you have two years from the collision date to file a claim.

Many people do not realize the benefits of hiring a car accident lawyer for something other than court proceedings. They can actually be very beneficial when it comes to filing your car accident claim.

Your car accident attorney can handle all the stressful aspects of filing a car accident claim so that you can recover and get back to your day-to-day life as soon as possible.

4. Negotiate A Fair Settlement Offer

Once you or your Sacramento car accident lawyer has filed your claim, you will need to wait for the opposing side’s response.

Once they have responded, your lawyer will begin negotiating, considering the property damage, injuries, and emotional distress that has taken place. Each side will present an offer until both parties agree on a fair settlement amount.

If your attorney and the opposing side’s counsel cannot reach an agreement, your experienced Sacramento car accident attorney may advise you to file a personal injury lawsuit.

What Damages Can You Claim For A Personal Injury Case In California?

Different types of damages, including economic and non-economic, can be recovered after a car accident. These can be bills for medical treatment, the cost of repairing or replacing your vehicle, and even for pain and suffering that occurs after car accidents.

Some of the common types of damages you can recover from a car accident claim include:

  • Medical expenses – This includes any expenses acquired due to needing medical care immediately and long-term after a car accident.
  • Pain and suffering – Pain and suffering damages include the physical and emotional pain and suffering that stems from the accident.
  • Lost wages – This can be included if you have lost money because you could not work due to the accident.
  • Lost earning capacity – This type of damages accounts for future lost wages due to long-term injuries, such as paralysis, that occurred because of the accident.
  • Wrongful death – If the auto or motorcycle accident caused the death of a loved one, you can recover wrongful death damages for the loss of financial support and pain and anguish.

 

What Injuries Can You List In Car Accident Cases?

Pedestrian accidents, motorcycle accidents, and car accidents can cause a number of different types of minor to serious injuries. When you are filing a car accident claim or a personal injury lawsuit, you will need to keep a detailed record of your injuries.

The most common injuries listed in Sacramento County car accidents can include:

  • Lacerations and cuts
  • Bruises
  • Sprains and broken bones
  • Burns
  • Soft tissue damage
  • Scarring and disfigurement
  • Internal bleeding and organ damage
  • Concussions
  • Traumatic brain injuries
  • Spinal cord injuries
  • Coma
  • Death

 

What Are The Top Causes Of Car Accidents?

In Northern California and the Sacramento area, the most common cause of car accidents is negligent drivers.

Some of the most typical causes of car accidents include the following:

  • Negligent driving, such as texting while driving, speeding, drunk driving, and anything that takes the driver’s attention away from the road
  • Weather conditions like rain, fog, etc
  • Problems with the vehicle, such as manufacturing issues

 

What Factors Can Affect Your Personal Injury Claim In California?

Many different factors can affect your personal injury claim in the California court system, including the following.

At-Fault Insurance Laws

The state of California is considered a fault or at-fault state for car insurance. This means that when a car accident occurs, the victims will file claims for financial compensation with the liable party’s insurance company.

California Personal Injury Statute Of Limitations

According to California insurance law, a person involved in an accident in Sacramento has up to two years from the collision date to file a personal injury claim.

It is important for people to understand that there are no exceptions to this law. It may seem like you will have plenty of time to gather the evidence, medical bills, and hire an attorney, but the time passes quickly.

Insurance companies also make the process drag out to avoid paying out claims. LegalFinders can help you find legal representation if you believe this is happening with your case.

California’s Pure Comparative Negligence Principle

The state of California follows a pure comparative negligence principle, as stated in Section 1714 of the California Code of Civil Procedure. This means that even if you are considered 99% at fault for the accident, you can still legally file a personal injury claim.

The caveat to this, however, is that your compensation rate will be reduced by the same percentage you are found to be at fault.

If you are found to be 50% responsible for a car accident, your compensation will be reduced by 50%.

 

Motor Vehicle Accident Rates In Sacramento

According to recent reports, there has been a trend of increasing crash numbers for the city and county of Sacramento in 2020.

Accident rates in Sacramento in 2020 include the following:

  • There were a total of 3,205 fatal and injury accidents.
  • 318 accidents were due to alcohol consumption.
  • Speed was a main factor in 528 accidents.
  • There were 355 reported hit-and-run accidents.
  • There were 154 motorcycle accidents.
  • Night time (between 9:00 p.m. and 2:59 a.m.) was a factor in 329 accidents.

 

Connect With The Best Car Accident Attorneys Serving Sacramento

If you or a loved one have been involved in a car accident, you need a car accident attorney to help you through the claims process. LegalFinders is here to help you find the best personal injury law offices near you.

We have a strong network of personal injury attorneys with years of experience working in court and with insurance companies.

Allow LegalFinders to help you get a free case evaluation from a car injury attorney near you today.

WE’RE OPEN NOW

Our staff are standing by to help you find the perfect attorney for your case.

Image of the lawyer

Published: 22 September 2023

ARTICLE SOURCES

Stanford Law School — Li v. Yellow Cab Co., 532 P.2d 1226 (1975)

California Legislation Information, Civil Code — Section 1714

California Office of Traffic Safety – OTS Crash Ranking Results for Sacramento County

Judicial Branch of California — Statute of Limitations

Los Angeles Times With deaths from car accidents soaring, what can government do?

ON THIS PAGE