Sacramento Car Accident Lawyer

No one wants to get into a car accident, but an accident can be even more challenging if caused by a negligent driver. A negligent driver is a driver who fails to consider their safety and the safety of others on the road. They drive recklessly and carelessly, not considering the consequences of their actions. Every driver is held to a legal standard of reasonable care to prevent harming others. When their behavior endangers other drivers, their negligent acts can contribute to them being held liable for any harm they cause.

If you’ve been injured in an accident caused by a negligent driver, you may be able to recover monetary compensation. Victims can pursue compensation by filing an insurance claim or lawsuit against the negligent driver through a personal injury case. Personal injury is an area of civil law that encompasses cases where one individual or entity harmed another person. Under personal injury law, victims can hold the responsible party accountable and receive money to cover expenses related to their injuries and the accident that the negligent party caused. A Sacramento car accident lawyer can help assess your situation and direct you to the appropriate path to recover the compensation you deserve.

What to Do after a Car Accident in Sacramento?

Accidents are nearly always unpredictable. While accidents are a common occurrence, knowing that one is about to happen before impact is rare. However, even if we cannot predict that an accident will occur, we can prepare for it if it does. If your car accident ends in injuries or property damage, it’s essential to remain calm. These kinds of car accidents can have life-altering consequences, and the moments following the accident play a vital role if one needs or wants to file a personal injury claim. After a Sacramento car accident, you should:

Call 911
Get to a safe location
Exchange and write down important information
Don’t apologize or admit fault
Report the accident to your insurance company
Contact a Sacramento car accident lawyer

The aftermath of a car accident can be hectic and disorienting. However, the more information you are able to retain and write down about the accident, the better. When you’re collecting information at the accident scene, it’s important to write down:

The other driver’s insurance information
License plate numbers
Car models
Names
Address
Contact information
Witness information
Pictures of the damage
Pictures of any injuries
Details about the weather and location

The more details you provide to the responding officers, the more detailed their report. If you wish to file a personal injury claim, the responding officer’s assessment of fault can significantly impact an insurance adjuster’s decisions.

How a Sacramento Car Accident Lawyer Can Help

If you wish to pursue a personal injury claim, it’s beneficial to consult with an attorney before even speaking to the other driver’s insurance company. Making any type of statement, especially an official statement without consulting an attorney, could lead to offers significantly lower than the value of your claim or with your claim being denied. An experienced car accident lawyer can help you make smart decisions that protect your rights and best interests. A Sacramento car accident lawyer can help:

Assess your claim and determine the best strategy to pursue compensation
Provide you with the best medical services
Place your medical bills on hold until after the resolution of your claim
Gather necessary evidence to prove fault and damages
Negotiate with insurance adjusters
Prepare your case for trial

The majority of personal injury claims are settled. However, when no party can agree on a fair settlement offer, the claim moves to the civil court system. During the trial, the injured victim (the plaintiff) and their attorney must prove that another party (the defendant) is liable and responsible for damages. Tackling an insurance claim or lawsuit is not easy and they can quickly become complicated the more both parties argue to avoid being held liable. You should be able to focus on recovering from any harm you sustain in the accident. A skilled and trusted Sacramento lawyer can tackle the legal proceedings so that you can focus on recovery.

Proving Fault in a Sacramento Car Accident Claim

Establishing fault in most personal injury claims hinges on the plaintiff’s ability to prove that the defendant was negligent. If the defendant was negligent, they are to blame for the accident and therefore responsible for covering the expenses of the damages. Proving negligence requires proving four key elements.

Duty of Care

Duty of care is the legal term used to discuss the legal responsibility of reasonable care that everyone is held accountable for. Legally most companies, individuals, and government agencies owe people a duty of reasonable care to behave in ways that prevent harm. In the case of car accidents, everyone on the road, including bikes, pedestrians, and motorcyclists owe one another a duty of reasonable care. This legal standard exists to hold individuals and entities accountable for their actions if they harm someone.

Breach of Duty

Breach of duty refers to the defendant’s actions or inactions that lead to the accident. When a driver behaves negligently, they breach their duty of care. This breach may consist of the following behaviors:

Distracted driving
Speeding
Drunk driving
Reckless driving
Road rage
Fatigued driving
Running intersections
Running red lights
Not stopping at stop signs
Unsafe lane changes
Wrong-way driving
Improper turns

The plaintiff and their attorney must prove that the defendant breached their duty of care because they behaved negligently.

Causation

Causation refers to the cause and effects of the accident that occurred. The plaintiff must be able to create a direct link between the defendant’s negligence and the harm they sustained. The defendant’s breach must be the direct or proximate cause for the plaintiff’s injuries and other damages.

Damages

Damages are used to encompass the monetary award the plaintiff may receive in a personal injury claim. The term may also describe the harm caused to the plaintiff. A successful personal injury claim must prove the existence of damages and the extent of the damages to determine how much the plaintiff should receive as a result.

Contact Karns & Karns Sacramento Car Accident Lawyers

At Karns & Karns, we are passionate about helping Sacramento residents recover the compensation they deserve. We understand the complexities of personal injury law and are determined to use our skills and expertise to help injured victims pursue justice. Our car accident lawyers know that insurance adjusters look out for themselves, which is why we look out for you. Our goal is to fight for you and help you get the compensation you need to rebuild your life.

Speak with one of our attorneys today. Contact us at (888) 381-8044 or fill out our contact form.

Hear what others have said about us

Thank you so much for all the work everyone contributed to bringing my case to a successful conclusion. I am truly grateful to everyone.

Stephanie C.

Very friendly, professional, knowledgeable and always kept me up-to-date on what was going on with my case. Thank you Karns & Karns!

Jean B.

Most knowledgeable and helpful personal injury firm in town. The best.

James T.

I have used the lawyers at Karns & Karns on a number of legal matters over the years. Their skill and expertise is unmatched in my opinion. When my family was the victim of fraud, I turned to the lawyers at Karns & Karns. After a long litigation battle which eventually went to arbitration, I was awarded over $1,500,000.00. The lawyers at Karns & Karns were extremely prepared and I would recommend them to anyone.

John B.

I was seriously injured in a motorcycle accident. Bill Karns was with me every step of the way. Even though the other driver said the accident was my fault, I recovered over $1,300,000.00. Mr. Karns was professional, courteous, and skilled. I would recommend him and Karns & Karns to anyone involved in a major personal injury case.

Hank E.

After a horrible incident and life-changing event, Mike and Bill brought hope back into my life.

Mona L.

I was traumatically injured on the job by a negligent forklift driver. I reached out to Karns & Karns when I began to suspect that my other attorneys didn’t have the expertise to resolve a complicated case where the defendant, a massive organization, said I was at fault. I’m certainly glad I did. Bill and Mike treated me with respect, knew the law, and did exactly what was necessary to make the defendant accept responsibility for their bad acts. I recovered $1,000,000.00, and I have Karns & Karns to thank for that.

Ed B.

I can personally attest to the fact that Karns & Karns are perhaps the most responsive attorneys in California. To receive the sort of attention that I got from Mike and Bill is noteworthy.

Nelson A.

My experience with Karns & Karns is that they truly care. As a disabled veteran, I can’t ask for any better than two top gun lawyers whose main job is to get the best for me and my well-being.

Reginald R.