Auto Accident Injury in Sacramento, CA

Have you suffered an injury due to a car accident in Sacramento? If so, your life may never be the same again. Injuries from a car accident can interfere with your ability both to work and to enjoy everyday activities. They can also be incredibly painful. As such, you need an auto accident attorney who understands the laws in and around Sacramento, CA that will fight for your legal rights and help you receive the financial compensation you deserve.

Auto Accident Injury Statistics in Sacramento, California

According to the National Safety Council, in 2019 about 4.4 million people suffered serious injuries in motor vehicle accidents and an estimated 38,000 were killed. Despite a downward trend in overall traffic crash fatalities in the State of California in recent years, 1 out of every 73 licensed drivers was involved in a fatal or injury traffic crash in 2017.

Drivers under age 30 comprised 38% or all drivers at fault while hit-and-runs accounted for 7.5% of the total fatal and injury crashes. The California Office of Traffic Safety reports that over 275,000 people suffered injuries in 2018, with more than 16,000 deemed serious. Sadly, over 3,500 individuals died.

What to Do After an Auto Accident

It’s important to be prepared in the event you are a victim of a car accident. Below are the steps to remember immediately after your crash.

Receive Immediate Medical Attention

What is the most important step that you need to take after an auto accident? You need to receive immediate and proper medical treatment. You may believe that the injuries sustained after an auto accident are minor. Proper medical treatment helps ensure that you have not sustained any internal injuries that you may not be aware of.

File a Police Report

Even if no one sustained injuries, you still need to call 911 and request law enforcement assistance. When officers arrive, jot down each one’s name and badge number. Answer their questions honestly, but don’t volunteer any unasked for information, especially your thoughts on exactly what happened or who caused the car accident. Be sure to ask the officers for the number of their police report. Also ask when and where you can get a copy of it, including how much it will cost you.

The Sacramento Police Department states that a vehicle accident report will be taken by an officer at the scene of an accident that involves an injury of any severity, a DUI, hit-and-run, or damage to public property. In addition, you may need to file a form with the DMV. Motor vehicle accident reports are requestable online for $5 within ten days from the date of the accident.

Gather the Appropriate Documentation

While waiting for officers to arrive after a car accident, collect information from all other drivers involved in the accident, including the following:

  • Full name, address, phone number and email address
  • Driver’s license state and number
  • Auto insurance company name, policy number and phone number

Use your cell phone to take pictures of each driver’s license, auto insurance card, your vehicle and each additional vehicle involved in the car accident. Don’t rely on verbal communication. Having as much information as possible will only help you and your case later on. Try to keep this exchange as civil and friendly as possible. However, do not apologize for causing the accident or indicate in any way that you think you may have caused it. 

Recovering Damages After an Auto Accident Injury

After surviving a car accident, the emotional and economic toll it takes can be staggering. You are not only dealing with the mental anguish that comes with being involved in a crash, but you may also be experiencing severe physical harm as well.

Common injuries associated with motor vehicle accidents include:

  • Burn injuries
  • Back and neck injuries, such as whiplash
  • Brain and head injuries
  • Broken bones
  • Spinal injuries
  • Soft tissue injuries

According to the California Annual Report of Fatal and Injury Motor Vehicle Traffic Crashes, the average cost of sustaining severe injuries was over $275,000 per person in 2017. In addition, the cost of moderate injuries was calculated to be $55,000 per person, with minor injuries coming out to $29,000 per person. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention estimate $49 million in medical costs due to statewide traffic crash fatalities in 2018.

The City of Sacramento experienced over 8,000 traffic crash injuries with more than 150 fatalities that same year. The city saw over 11,000 cases of property damage in 2017 alone, with an average cost of $3,000 for property-damage-only incidents.

Hiring a car accident lawyer ensures you have the financial ability to cover any losses that have occurred as a result of a crash. An auto accident attorney will also help you handle the paperwork that you will have to complete from insurance companies. This boosts your odds of receiving the insurance compensation you deserve.

Auto Accident Laws in California

Liability Laws for Sacramento

When car accidents happen, it is essential to determine who bears responsibility for the resulting damage and medical bills. Determining fault impacts everything from your insurance claim and level of liability to the amount of confusion you may endure during the claims process.

Sacramento and the whole of California abide by a pure comparative fault system, meaning you are able to pursue an action only for the damages for which you are not responsible. For example, if you had $100,000 in damages and were 30% responsible for the crash, you would be able to make a claim regarding the $70,000 in damages that were not your fault.

Statute of Limitations in Sacramento

Each state has its own tort laws that determine the statute of limitations on a claim. In some states, this gives you just one year to file a claim in court, while some others may give you up to six years. In California, you generally have 2 years from the date of the accident to file a personal injury case. You have three years from the date of damage to file a property damage case. This is why it is important to consult with an attorney immediately after your car crash. Don’t wait and risk losing out on any compensation they can recover.

Work With an Experienced Auto Accident Lawyer Near Sacramento, CA

After a car accident, you have enough to worry about. We can help you find an auto accident attorney for your unique case. Get the financial restitution that you deserve if you’re the victim of someone else’s conduct.

Submit a request online or call us today at (866) 345-6784 to get in touch with an experienced lawyer in California!

 

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