In Sacramento, hundreds of crashes cluster where the I-5, I-80/Business 80 (Capital City Freeway), US-50, and CA-99 corridors. If you or a loved have been involved in an accident, it is recommended to hire a Sacramento car accident lawyer who gives you the legal support you need during this stressful time in your life.
Nadrich Accident Injury Lawyers is a law firm that specializes in personal injury claims such as car accident cases and their team of personal injury lawyers are ready to fight for your rights and hold those responsible, accountable for their actions.
Why Clients Choose Nadrich Accident Injury Lawyers After a Car Accident
- Over 35 years of experience handling car accident cases. Our lawyers are experts in all personal injury case types.
- Over $750,000,000 in financial compensation won for our clients and counting. We fight aggressively to get you fair compensation.
- Local knowledge and in-depth focus – Our team of attorneys tailor a personalized strategy to Sacramento’s streets instead of relying on generic legal strategies.
- Rapid investigation – From the moment we take on your case, our attorneys secure 911 audio, Body-Worn Camera, traffic-cam pulls, and nearby business footage to preserve vehicle data and ensure any compelling evidence does not disappear.
- Client first approach – At Nadrich Accident Injury Lawyers, you are not just another client, we understand the struggles people go through in severe car accidents and we are committed to ensure you get the legal support and guidance you deserve.
- 24/7 Availability – Get help when you need it and rest assured the lawyer handling your case will be by your side every step of the way.
We operate on a contingency fee basis, meaning you do not pay anything unless we win! Call us today at (916) 443-5486 or fill out our online contact form to schedule your free consultation.
Sacramento Car Accident Statistics
According to the U.S census, Sacramento is home to over 520,000 people and due to the sheer volume of people commuting throughout the city, the chances of getting involved in a car accident can happen anytime and anywhere.
The California Office of Traffic Safety has reported that in 2022 alone, there were over 4,008 people killed or injured in traffic crashes.
Sacramento has adopted the Vision Zero plan to eliminate traffic deaths and severe injuries, but there are still a significant number of accidents every year.
If you or a loved one have been in a motor vehicle accident, it is recommended to take the best and most appropriate steps to ensure your rights are protected.
Most Common Causes of Car Accidents in Northern California
Northern California consists of various unique risk factors that can cause accidents. From tule fog in the Valley to wildfire smoke reducing visibility to even rural two-lane highways with limited sight distance, these environmental factors can influence a variety of auto accidents but there are three larger causes that can turn regular vehicle accidents into catastrophic ones.
Drowsy Driving
Drowsy driving is referred to as driving while experiencing extreme levels of fatigue. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, drowsy driving is considered to be one of the leading causes of car accidents and one of the least reported. As such drivers who are on long commutes or working late shifts are very susceptible to drowsy driving and can potentially cause accidents such as rear-ends, head-on collisions, multi-vehicles crashes, and even rollover accidents.
Drunk Driving
Despite strong enforcement, alcohol-involved injury crashes remain one of the biggest concerns in Sacramento county. According to a 2022 report from the California Office of Traffic Safety, Sacramento ranks as one of the top cities with the most number of DUI accidents. Due to the nature of drunk driving accidents, anyone being hit by a drunk driver could potentially lead to fatalities, and in any event, it is urged to seek legal representation to ensure justice is served.
Reckless Driving
Speeding, aggressive lane changing, and red-light runs are some of the most common acts of reckless driving that could potentially cause a variety of incidents. As most acts of reckless driving are preventable, any at-fault driver will be held accountable for their actions and the auto accident victims are entitled to file a claim and recover fair compensation for damages such as medical expenses, lost wages, and any other financial burden that has resulted from the accident.
What Damages Are Available For a Car Accident?
A successful car accident claim can recover a variety of damages designed to compensate victims for any physical injuries, emotional suffering, and property damage they have sustained. To be more specific, a car accident victim can recover any of the following damages:
- Economic damages- ER and hospital bills, surgery/rehab, future medicals, lost wages and future earning capacity, household replacement services, mobility devices, vehicle and property loss.
- Non-economic damages- Pain and suffering, emotional distress, disfigurement, loss of enjoyment of life, and (for spouses) loss of consortium. In most auto cases, California has no general cap on non-economic damages and this value will vary widely.
- Punitive damages: Available in limited cases that involve extremely negligent and/or reckless at-fault parties, this form of damages primarily focuses on punishing the at-fault party for their actions.
However, it is important to note that California’s pure comparative negligence rule can potentially lower the overall total of a victim’s compensation if they are found to be partially liable for causing the accident in question.
Most Common Injuries Suffered in a Sacramento Car Accident
If you have suffered or believe to be experiencing symptoms of any of the following injuries, it is vital to seek medical attention immediately. As car accident injuries will vary on the speed and impact force, any slight medical condition can potentially have a long term affect on your life and could ultimately change it for the worse.
- Traumatic brain injuries (concussions, DAI), vestibular issues, post-concussive syndrome
- Orthopedic trauma: fractures, labral/meniscal tears, shoulder/knee/hip injuries
- Spinal injuries: whiplash, disc herniations, radiculopathy, facet injuries
- Internal organ injuries; thoracic/abdominal trauma from belt and airbag forces
- Psychological injuries: PTSD, driving anxiety, depression
It’s important to note that it’s vital to seek medical attention after an accident in case you have a concussion, which can be an extremely serious injury that impacts long-term health even when it’s only a small concussion. If you’ve suffered a concussion in an accident, our brain injury lawyers can help you obtain treatment and compensation for it.
Steps to Take After a Sacramento Car Accident
- Call 911 and get medical care- If anyone is injured or there’s a dispute about fault, get law enforcement on scene. For injury or death, California law requires a written report to CHP or the local police within 24 hours (often satisfied when officers respond).
- Move to safety & preserve the scene- Photograph vehicle positions, debris, skid marks, signal heads, and sightlines. Capture dash-cam footage and the other driver’s info/insurance.
- Report to the DMV if anyone was injured or property damage exceeds $1,000– You (or your insurer/attorney) must file an SR-1 form within 10 days. Failing to file can suspend your license and increase your insurance premiums.
- Tell your insurer- Report the crash to your insurer, but don’t give a recorded statement to the other driver’s carrier before you talk to counsel.
- Preserve evidence early- Save medical records, wage records, repair estimates, and all communications.
- Hire an attorney- If you are unfamiliar with the legal process, hiring an attorney can help you navigate this accident effectively and ensure your chances of recovering damages for your claim.
Do I Need a Sacramento Car Accident Attorney?
While it is not mandatory to hire a Sacramento car accident lawyer for your claim, it is highly recommended to do so because trying to file a claim while you are injured and unfamiliar with the legal process can drastically affect how much compensation you can recover. As insurance companies and opposing counsel will do everything in their power to minimize payouts, having an experienced car accident attorney to represent your interest and ensure all paperwork is in order is crucial.
A personal injury attorney can help your claim with the following:
- Reconstruct the crash with experts and obtain data (ECM, telematics, phone forensics)
- Navigate comparative-fault defenses and Prop 51 apportionment
- Identify all forms of potential coverage (at-fault liability, permissive use, employer vicarious liability, your UM/UIM, MedPay)
- Protect you from insurer tactics that minimize payouts
- Value the case using life-care plans and economic-loss reports
- Negotiate on your behalf in settlement negotiations
Statute of Limitations
The statute of limitations is a law that sets a specific time limit for legal action to be taken.
According to California Civil Code 335.1, all personal injury claims must be filed within two years from the date of the accident and if accident victims fail to file a claim within the given time, they will automatically waive their right to recover compensation from the at-fault party. With that in mind, it is more important than ever to hire an experienced attorney who can ensure your claim is filed on time.
What is the Cost of a Car Accident Lawyer?
In Sacramento car accident claims, the cost of hiring a skilled attorney is more affordable than one would think.
Most personal injury attorneys work on contingency fee basis, which means they do not charge any upfront legal fees and will not charge clients anything unless they win.
In the event that a car accident attorney wins a case, accident victims would only have to pay a flat fee for their attorney’s services.
Depending on the complexity, severity, and overall nature of the accident, the fee can range anywhere from 25% to 40%, but it can be negotiated before accident victims hire their attorney.
Contact Our Sacramento Car Accident Lawyers Today
If you were hurt in a Sacramento car crash on the I-5 by Downtown, the US-50/Cap City Freeway split, or along CA-99, it is vital that you hire a skilled attorney to protect your rights and get the answers you need.
We are Nadrich Accident Injury Lawyers, experts in car accident cases and fighting the insurance companies to get you the compensation you deserve.
Why Clients Choose Us:
- We have over 35 years of proven experience handling personal injury cases, and have obtained over $750,000,000 in compensation for our clients.
- We know Sacramento and have been serving the community and surrounding areas since 1990.
- We have the legal know-how in dealing with the insurance companies to get you fair compensation for your car accident.
- We provide clients with dedicated care and reliable communication 24/7.
- We work on a contingency fee basis, meaning you pay nothing unless we win.
Call us today at (916) 443-5486 or fill out our online contact form to schedule your free consultation.
