Auto Accident Lawyer In Sacramento, CA
While car accidents are an unfortunate but common occurrence for the millions of drivers on the road daily, they can also have potentially devastating consequences. Injuries, medical bills, damage to the car and other property, and trauma can follow accident victims for years or even decades. That’s why a Sacramento auto accident attorney can be such an important partner if someone hit you or injured you while on the road.
The situation is often complex. From understanding who was responsible for the accident to knowing what steps to take and how to protect yourself, no one involved should be alone in the process. When working with an auto accident attorney, Sacramento residents can rest easier knowing that they will have a fair chance at justice and potential compensation.
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Common Causes Of Car Accidents In Sacramento
While vehicle accidents can occur for a variety of reasons, below are some of the most common causes of car accidents in Sacramento:
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Of course, these are far from the only causes of car accidents in Sacramento. An auto accident attorney in Sacramento can help you sort through these potential causes in a situation where a split second can make a dramatic difference.
Berg Wins 60x
Insurance Company’s Offer in Auto Accident Case
Berg Injury Lawyers obtained a recovery worth SIXTY TIMES the insurance company’s original settlement offer in an auto accident case.
Our client suffered a significant neck injury in a crash caused by another driver who made an illegal U-turn in front of him. He required two cervical fusions because the hardware used in the first procedure failed. Our client was offered a settlement by the insurance company prior to hiring Berg Injury Lawyers which he did not accept. The representation by Berg Injury Lawyers helped him settle for 60x what he was offered prior to hiring our law firm.
Insurance companies are in the business of making money, not giving it away—which means they will offer you as little compensation as they think they can get away with, even when you have a rock-solid claim with the other party obviously at fault. When you hire a lawyer, you are protecting your rights and knowing your own value.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why Hire A Car Accident Attorney?
When a car accident occurs, it’s only a matter of time before insurance companies get involved. The costs, from property damage to potential medical bills, are just too significant. Unfortunately, because insurance companies work to maximize their profits, they will look for reasons to minimize any payment to car accident victims.
Hiring a Sacramento auto accident attorney ensures that you don’t have to take on insurance companies by yourself. Instead, the lawyer can represent your best interests, providing you with a higher chance of gaining financial compensation and justice.
The right legal partner can also help in a variety of other areas. For example, they communicate with the police on your behalf, ensuring that you don’t accidentally or wrongly admit fault when no liability exists. They will help you gather evidence necessary for a potential legal proceeding and help you get everything in order before the California time limit for car accidents expires two years after the incident.
How Long After A Car Accident Can You File A Police Report?
California requires anyone involved in a car accident to report it to the local police department or the California Highway Patrol within 24 hours. If you called 911 and an officer arrived on scene, they will file the report on your behalf.
In addition, drivers must file an accident report to the California Department of Motor Vehicles within 10 days if the crash resulted in an injury or death, or if it caused more than $1,000 in property damage.
You should obtain the police report in Sacramento in case you need it for legal purposes. You can request it in writing from the Sacramento Police Department or by visiting the city’s police station on Freeport Boulevard. The cost to obtain the report is $5, and the person requesting it needs to be either someone directly involved in the accident or their legal representative.
When Should I Report The Car Accident To My Insurance Company?
Shortly after the accident, your insurance company may contact you to ask for a settlement. It’s in their best interest to settle the claim quickly and at the lowest possible cost, so avoid signing or verbally agreeing to anything.
Instead, let your car accident lawyer manage any communication with the insurance on your behalf. If you haven’t already hired a qualified attorney, the first time the insurance company contacts you is the perfect time to do so.
How Can I Protect Myself After A Car Accident?
If you’re in a vehicle accident in Sacramento, the first and most important step is to ensure your health. Call 911 if you can at the scene, and follow up as quickly as possible with a trusted doctor for a medical exam. If physically able, gather information at the scene to make sure the police and any other entities have the most accurate picture of the accident possible.
After that, protecting yourself requires a more long-term view. Get in touch with a lawyer to ensure you are fully and accurately represented in any conversations with law enforcement and insurance claims adjusters.
When Should I Call A Sacramento Auto Accident Lawyer?
The best time to call an auto accident attorney is shortly after the accident and before communicating with your car insurance company or law enforcement beyond the scene. The attorney can help you know what to say, what to document, and can even take over those interactions for you.
Don’t wait longer than necessary. Your insurance company will likely contact you quickly, or Sacramento law enforcement may follow up. Use these events as prompts to get legal representation.
What I Do If I Have A Car Accident With An Uninsured Driver?
In California, about 17% of drivers don’t have car insurance. If you’re hit by an uninsured driver, report the accident to police and then consult with an attorney. They can help you pursue compensation through your own policy (e.g., uninsured motorist coverage) or through other means.
An Auto Accident Attorney In Sacramento Can Help Determine Liability
When you’ve had a car accident, determining liability will be crucial to potentially sue for damages. Your attorney can help you work through all the details to determine who was at fault and what that means for potential compensation.
California follows at-fault and comparative negligence laws. That means you can still recover damages even if you were partially at fault—just reduced proportionally to your level of responsibility.
Your lawyer will help build this case through evidence, reports, witness statements, and expert opinions.
To prove liability, your attorney will demonstrate these four elements:
Types Of Sacramento Car Accident Injuries
It’s crucial to understand not only the causes of car accidents but also their consequences, particularly the types of injuries that commonly result from these incidents. Here’s a look at some of the most frequent injuries sustained in vehicle collisions:
- Whiplash and Neck Injuries: Often resulting from rear-end collisions, whiplash occurs when the head is suddenly jerked backward and then forward, straining the neck muscles and ligaments.
- Traumatic Brain Injuries (TBIs): TBIs can range from mild concussions to severe brain damage. They are caused by a blow or jolt to the head, especially in high-impact collisions.
- Broken Bones: The force of a car accident can easily break bones—ribs, arms, legs, ankles, and wrists are among the most commonly fractured.
- Lacerations and Bruises: Sharp objects like glass or metal can cause cuts and lacerations, while the force of impact can lead to severe bruising.
- Back and Spinal Cord Injuries: From herniated discs to paralysis, spinal injuries can be devastating and often require long-term medical treatment.
- Internal Injuries: Blunt trauma can injure internal organs such as the lungs, liver, or kidneys, sometimes leading to life-threatening internal bleeding.
- Psychological Trauma: PTSD, anxiety, and depression are common among accident victims and can severely affect daily life and relationships.
The severity and type of injury can vary greatly depending on the specifics of the accident. Whatever the injury, a Sacramento auto accident lawyer can assist with making sure you receive the compensation you deserve.
Steps To Take After A Car Accident In Sacramento
When you are in an auto accident, it can be difficult to think straight. Keep in mind that your priority should be your health, the safety of those around you, and your future well-being. These steps can help to keep those priorities in order while also protecting your personal rights and maximizing your potential to get justice down the road.
Call 911. If anyone is injured or there is serious damage to vehicles or property, call 911 right away. The police will compile an accident report which serves as a record of your accident, and emergency responders can begin treating injured victims at the accident scene.
Call 911: Anytime an accident results in an injury, obstruction of the road, or significant vehicle or property damage, calling 911 is crucial. Emergency responders will answer right away, and the police will arrive to create an accident report with details of the scene.
Check For Injuries: While waiting for medical first responders to arrive at the scene, check yourself and any passengers for potential injuries. If no one in your vehicle seems seriously hurt, check others involved in the crash as well.
Gather Information: With immediate needs taken care of, start to gather and compile as much information as you can:
- Write down all the details you remember about the accident and anyone else involved.
- Take pictures of vehicle damage, injuries, and the scene.
- Get names, contact details, and insurance info of other parties and witnesses.
Get A Medical Checkup: Even if you think you don’t need it, a medical checkup can uncover internal injuries that may not develop until after the accident. Keep any receipts and records for potential later use.
Contact An Attorney: With the immediate steps taken care of, it’s time to get in touch with an experienced Sacramento auto accident attorney. They will help organize information, gather quotes, secure statements, and protect you in insurance negotiations.
Hiring an attorney early in the process can be beneficial for several reasons. A lawyer can help you avoid mistakes that hurt the value of your claim. They will deal with the insurance company on your behalf. With an experienced advocate handling your claim, you can focus on your health and let them deal with everything else.
At Berg Injury Lawyers, we’re used to dealing with insurance company tactics. And we offer the No Fee Guarantee® with our services, which means if you don’t win, you pay nothing. After your accident, the more time we have to build the strongest possible case for you, the better. So don’t wait another day to get the help you need—contact us today.
Sacramento Car Accident Statistics
According to California’s Transportation Injury Mapping System, the number of car accidents in Sacramento has been troubling in the past few years. During 2022, 3,511 crashes resulted in injuries in the city.
Of those 3,511 crashes:
- 226 resulted in serious injury.
- 71 were fatal.
- 560 involved alcohol.
- 51 involved drugs.
- 202 involved distracted driving.
- 1,673 involved speeding.
Fortunately, Sacramento is a Vision Zero City, adopting in January 2017 the resolution to eliminate traffic fatalities and serious injuries by 2027. Nonetheless, accidents happen.
Schedule A Free Consultation With Berg Injury Lawyers
When you’ve had an auto accident, working with the right legal professionals can make all the difference. Berg Injury Lawyers has helped victims of car accidents in Sacramento for more than 45 years, from dealing with insurance companies to filing personal injury lawsuits if needed.
Our No Fee Guarantee® means you only pay if we win your case. We’ll help you navigate the legal system, manage paperwork, and pursue the compensation you deserve. If you had a car accident, schedule a free consultation today.
Visit our office at 2277 Watt Ave 2nd Floor, Sacramento, CA 95825
