Anyone with a driver’s license knows the dangers of driving. But you cannot be sure when you’ll encounter unexpected trouble or if someone else’s negligence will cause you injury. When these situations occur, they can be devastating and even deadly.
At Ashley Injury Lawyers, we understand that cars can be a significant source of personal freedom for many people. However, suppose you’re a driver or passenger in a car accident. In that case, that freedom is taken away from you until the circumstances surrounding the incident are thoroughly investigated by the police and your legal team.
Fortunately, not all car accidents turn out to be life-altering events. Many minor injuries may result from a collision, while others are so unanticipated that they do not result in any lasting damage or injury to those involved. Unfortunately, this is not always the case; some auto collisions lead to fatalities due to the negligence or recklessness of one party against another.
If you have been injured in such a collision and are wondering what steps you should take next, you must consult with an experienced Sacramento car accident lawyer as soon as possible.
Statistics on Vehicle Accidents in Sacramento, California
Sacramento, CA, annually experiences over 11,000 car accidents and more than 2,000 fatalities. One of the city’s most common causes of car accidents is speeding. According to data from California Highway Patrol, speed accounts for a third of all vehicle-related deaths in Sacramento and 38 percent of traffic collisions that result in injuries. Other causes include driving while intoxicated and driving while distracted.
The frequency of auto collisions varies based on the time of day, season, and type of roadway shared by drivers on the road. When roads are congested or when inclement weather is prevalent during driving hours, there is an increased risk for car crashes to occur. Without proper precautions taken by both parties involved in an accident, these risks increase significantly.
If you have been injured during a collision with another driver or your own vehicle, you must speak with our team as soon as possible. We can help investigate the cause of your injury and guide you through your legal options to get back to living a fulfilling life again.
Most Treacherous Intersections in Sacramento
The Sacramento area is full of dangerous intersections that drivers should be aware of. According to a study of the top 20 most dangerous intersections in Sacramento, these are the top five:
- Greenback Rd./21st Ave.
- Watt Ave./39th St.
- Gold River Dr./Old Oregon Trail
- Freeport Blvd./El Camino Ave.
- Watt Ave./26th St.
Common Reasons for Car Accidents
The leading cause of car accidents is a driver’s failure to obey traffic laws or the law of physics. In these cases, the driver’s negligence causes an accident that may be due to reckless driving, speeding, not using a turn signal, or simply a mistake in judgment.
Other common causes include road conditions and faulty parts on the vehicle. If you are a passenger in a car accident, you may have been injured by another party’s negligence or recklessness.
Suppose you have sustained injuries from a collision caused by someone else’s negligence or recklessness. In that case, you must consult with an experienced Sacramento car accident attorney as soon as possible.
The sooner you get started with your case, the better it will be for your recovery process. Our legal team has years of experience handling complex issues such as these. It will take the time necessary to thoroughly investigate all aspects of your case so that we can get you the fair compensation that you deserve.
What You Should Do After a Car Accident
If you are injured in a vehicle collision and believe that someone other than yourself is at fault for the accident, you must contact a car accident lawyer as soon as possible.
The sooner you can get legal representation from an attorney who understands the complexities of auto accidents, the better your chances of obtaining maximum compensation from the negligent party.
Additionally, if you know that there was alcohol or drugs involved in the incident, then contacting a lawyer will help ensure your rights to pursue justice are protected. For instance, if there is evidence that one person operating a vehicle was under the influence and caused damages or injuries to another person due to this impairment, these can be grounds for pursuing legal action against them.
When seeking legal counsel following an auto accident, it is crucial to consult with an attorney and ensure they have experience handling cases like yours. Car accident lawyers who deal with personal injury cases regularly understand how complicated these incidents can be and are more likely to succeed when representing their clients in court proceedings.
What are the Typical Reasons for Traffic Collisions?
In California, more than 1,300 people die every year in car accidents. While this figure may seem staggering, it is essential to note that many of these fatalities are due to a type of accident known as distracted driving.
The number of deaths has been steadily increasing over the past few years, and 2015 saw an incredibly high number of deaths for those in motor vehicle collisions. Distracted driving can cause car accidents by forcing drivers to be less attentive when operating their vehicles.
This means you have a higher chance of getting into a collision if you are driving while using your cell phone. Distracted driving also contributes to other types of auto collisions, such as those involving pedestrians or bicyclists. If you are concerned about how the rise in traffic collisions affects your family members or friends, then make sure they know what steps to take if they’re involved in an auto collision.
The chain of events that leads to car crashes may vary for each case; however, there are some common reasons for traffic collisions across the board. Some common causes include: driver mistakes, failure to yield the right-of-way, following too closely, improper lane changes/overtaking, excessive speed, and running red lights or stop signs.
Lowest Auto Insurance Required by Law in California
Under California law, drivers and passengers are required to maintain adequate liability insurance. If you have been in a collision that resulted in injury or death, there is a good chance that your insurance company will be paying out on the claim.
If this is true, you mustn’t voluntarily waive your right to receive this compensation by signing any release form. A waiver would also be invalid if you signed it under duress or agreed to sign one without reading it first.
Additionally, you should ensure that the person who hit you has adequate auto insurance; if not, they may also be liable for your injuries.
What is the Personal Injury Claims Procedure in California?
In California, the personal injury claims process is quite involved. Your attorney will first discuss your options with you and then set up a legal strategy to ensure that your rights are protected. To start, you will meet with your attorney and fill out a questionnaire to determine the extent of the injuries you sustained from the accident.
If necessary, your attorney may also order an examination by doctors to confirm their findings. After this, it’s time for negotiations between you and the other party involved in the accident. Once these discussions are complete, your lawyer will file a complaint against the other party in court, which starts the personal injury claims process in California.
This is where things get interesting: rather than settling out of court, both parties go head-to-head over their respective claims in a courtroom setting such as a jury trial or trial by judge.
Types of Personal Injury Compensation in a Car Crash Case
The first step in receiving compensation for an auto collision is to file a personal injury claim by contacting an injury attorney. Private injury compensation can come from medical bills, lost wages, pain, and suffering.
Second, victims of car accidents should understand that they may be entitled to additional monetary damages if the other party caused them any intentional wrongdoing, such as property damage or negligence. Additional damages may include emotional distress, death benefits, loss of consortium, and punitive damages.
Third, it is crucial for victims involved in car crashes to know their rights under California law. Under California’s laws, victims of car accidents have the right to file a lawsuit against those responsible for the crash or negligent behavior that led to the accident.
Finally, before filing a personal injury claim with your insurance company or pursuing legal action against someone who was at fault in your accident, you should immediately contact a Sacramento injury lawyer like Ashley Injury Lawyers so they can help you determine your next steps will be.
Sacramento Car Accident FAQ
What are the legal options if I am involved in a car accident?
If you’re injured in an auto accident, you may be able to sue for damages. You should hire a Sacramento Car Accident Attorney to help you file suit against the at-fault party.
What should I do if I suspect someone else is at fault for the accident?
If you think another driver was responsible for causing an accident, contact the police immediately and file a report. You may be able to file a claim against the insurance company of the other driver.
How can I know what kind of injury or damage has been sustained and how my injuries will affect my life going forward?
There are three types of injuries: acute (short-term), chronic (long-term), and traumatic (damage caused by an accident). Acute injuries heal quickly, but they may leave you with long-term problems if not treated properly.
Chronic injuries take longer to heal and often require surgery or physical therapy. Traumatic injuries occur when something hits you hard enough to break bones or tear muscles. These injuries also tend to be more severe than others.
How long does it take to resolve a car accident case?
It depends on how severe the injuries are. The process would be much quicker if you were involved in an auto collision with no significant damage or injury. However, if someone suffered from broken bones, head trauma, etc., the process could last for months or longer.
How much does hiring a Sacramento car accident attorney cost?
Hiring an experienced personal injury lawyer will be one of the best investments you make after being involved in a severe auto accident. A skilled legal professional can help you get compensation for medical bills, lost wages, pain, suffering, and even permanent injuries.
An experienced attorney will also help you navigate complex insurance claims processes, so you don’t lose valuable time or money on unnecessary steps. Ashley Injury Lawyers works on a contingency fee basis. Meaning you pay nothing unless we win your case.
Should I pursue a personal injury lawsuit or only seek compensation from the negligent party’s insurer?
If you are injured due to someone else’s negligence, you should file a claim against them. However, if you were not at fault for the accident, then you may be able to recover damages through an insurance policy.
What should I do if my injuries prevent me from working and I lose my income source due to prolonged recovery time, medical bills, and other expenses incurred during treatment?
If you cannot work for any reason, including injury or illness, you may be eligible for Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) benefits. You must apply for SSDI at least 60 days before your disability begins.
To qualify for SSDI, you must meet specific requirements, such as being under 65 years old, working long enough to earn credits, and not receiving retirement benefits.
Who is responsible for my injuries in a motor vehicle accident?
It is important to remember that, in the event of a collision, responsibility for your injuries is not always clear-cut. Although most crashes are caused by human error, other factors like weather or mechanical defects can also cause a collision.
At The Law Offices of Ashley Injury Lawyers, we understand the emotional and legal implications of such incidents and will work hard to get you the compensation you need as soon as possible. Our attorneys represent injured drivers and passengers hurt during auto accidents throughout California.
We provide legal assistance to those who have been injured and their families after their car crashes, making our firm uniquely qualified to handle these types of claims.
How does comparative fault laws in California affect bodily injury claim?
If you were in a collision and sustained an injury, your lawyer will be able to determine the percentage of fault that each party bears. California has what is known as comparative fault laws, which means that you can collect damages if you were more than 50 percent at fault for the accident.
If the accident was caused by one party’s negligence or recklessness and they are found to be at least 50 percent at fault, then they will be liable for 100% of the damages you incur. The other party, on the other hand, will only be responsible for their percentage of fault. Both parties should receive legal representation from experienced Sacramento car accident attorneys in such cases.
If you have been in a car accident, you are probably concerned about the safety of your personal vehicle and the people who were riding in it at the time. When you are responsible for another person’s safety — whether a passenger or someone else in your car — you take that responsibility very seriously.
Fortunately, California law has created special protections for driving other people around. If you have been hurt due to another driver failing to use reasonable care while driving another person’s vehicle, you should speak with an attorney immediately. What constitutes reasonable care varies from state to state, and even within each state, there is not always consistency in what drivers are expected to do behind the wheel.
This article will give you some insight into what drivers need to know about driving in California, including information about what types of car accidents can lead to negligence claims, which penalties drivers face if they cause an accident while driving negligently, and the kinds of legal defenses you might raise if you end up being sued after causing injury while operating a motor vehicle poorly.
Does California allow punitive damages?
California generally allows for punitive damages if a driver is negligent. However, there are limitations on the amounts that can be awarded in punitive damage awards.
Punitive damages are awarded when a jury or judge finds that the defendant was “reckless” and should have known better than to harm others. If you cause an accident with your motor vehicle, California law may allow you to seek punitive damages from the person who caused the accident.
Discuss Your Case with a Sacramento Car Accident Lawyer Today
The time to find an attorney to help you with your case is now. Several issues will need to be addressed when you are responsible for a driver who causes injury while operating a motor vehicle negligently.
It is essential to take the time to discuss these issues with a qualified Sacramento car accident lawyer and understand what rights, damages, and defenses you have to protect yourself.
Additional Personal Injury Resources
Sacramento, California, is home to various resources for personal injury victims and their loved ones. Contact Ashley Injury Lawyers for more information. We are here to help! You can expect:
- Free consultation
- Personalized attention and service
- Access to legal experts
- Peace of mind knowing we are here for you
