Nothing can prepare you for the shock of a car accident. Even a seemingly minor crash could significantly impact your life, leaving you with mounting medical bills, lost income, and other unexpected costs. Depending on the severity of your injuries and crash-related losses, you may need thousands of dollars (or more) to rebuild your life.
Fortunately, you don’t have to seek fair compensation on your own. If someone else caused the crash that injured you, California law allows you to file a personal injury claim against them. An experienced car accident attorney can help you hold them accountable for their carelessness.
Turn to Demas Law Group after a car accident in Sacramento. We know every crash is different, so we’re not a one-size-fits-all law firm that treats every client the same. You’ll get legal advice tailored to your personal needs and goals in a free consultation. Call or contact us today.
What Should You Do After a Car Accident?
Your priority should be on your health — and the safety of others — after a car accident in Sacramento. Call 911 immediately if you know or suspect anyone has suffered a severe injury.
If you do not require emergency care, take the following steps to protect your injury claim:
- Gather evidence from the crash scene, including photos, video footage, auto insurance information for each driver, and witness statements.
- Seek prompt medical attention to have your injuries diagnosed, treated, and added to your medical record.
- Keep track of medical bills, receipts, vehicle repair estimates, pay stubs, and other crash-related documents.
- Limit your comments to the other driver, the insurance company, and any third parties after the accident, including on social media.
- Follow your doctor’s treatment plan and attend all follow-up appointments.
- Contact a knowledgeable car accident lawyer as soon as possible.
The actions you take in the days and weeks after a crash can play a significant role in the success of your injury claim. Working with an attorney can keep your claim moving forward while you recover from your injuries.
Do I Need a Lawyer to File a Car Accident Claim?
If the accident involved minor vehicle damage and no injuries, you could probably claim fair compensation on your own. But you should seek legal help immediately if any of the following factors apply to the car accident:
- You suffered severe physical injuries or emotional trauma.
- Your injuries prevented you from working.
- It’s not clear who was at fault for the accident.
- Multiple other parties were involved in the collision.
- The accident occurred in a work zone or school zone.
- The other motorist is uninsured or underinsured.
- You struggle to obtain evidence for your claim.
- You feel uncertain about negotiating for compensation.
- The insurance company minimizes or denies your claim.
Most importantly, contact a personal injury lawyer whenever you feel worried about the progress of your case. The initial consultation with Demas Law Group is free, so you have nothing to lose.
How Long Does It Take to Settle a Car Accident Claim in California?
The time it takes to reach a car accident settlement varies based on the complexity of the case. The average two-car accident will likely resolve faster than a claim for a tractor-trailer crash. Truck accidents often involve multiple liable parties, but the typical car accident claim might involve just one other driver.
Here’s how the settlement process works:
- Find out what your case is worth. Your lawyer will place a full and fair dollar value on your car accident claim and issue a demand letter to the insurance company.
- Wait for a response. The insurer evaluates your claim and determines whether they need more information before making a settlement offer. Don’t be surprised if the claim gets denied at first. Most adjusters look for ways to minimize their payouts to claimants.
- Settlement negotiations begin. Your attorney works with the insurance company to reach an acceptable settlement amount. If they cannot reach an agreement, your lawyer will discuss the risks and benefits of filing a car accident lawsuit.
- The case goes to trial. In many cases, attorneys file lawsuits while settlement negotiations are ongoing. Negotiations can continue until the announcement of the trial verdict.
In California, you have *two years to file a car accident lawsuit. Speak to an attorney well before reaching this deadline. Wait too long, and you could lose your right to compensation.
*If the car is owned by a public entity or driven by a public employee, the statute is the six-month public entity statute of limitations
How long for a traffic collision report to be ready?
Can I Sue the Insurance Company for My Injuries?
You cannot sue the other party’s insurance company because the insurer did not cause your injuries. You could, however, file a lawsuit against the at-fault driver. And if you do, their insurance company is almost certainly bound by the terms of the other driver’s policy to pay up to certain limits.
Reasons to Get a Car Accident Lawyer
An experienced car accident lawyer can help you secure the recovery you deserve after a Sacramento traffic collision by:
- Explaining your legal rights and evaluating your case for free
- Estimating the potential value of your injury claim
- Conducting an independent investigation into the collision
- Obtaining medical records, crash reports, and other helpful evidence
- Interviewing witnesses and experts for valuable testimony
- Negotiating with insurers for maximum compensation for you
- Managing important documents and deadlines on your behalf
- Filing demand letters and other paperwork to claim what you deserve
- Taking your case to court if the insurance company refuses to pay
Contact a Car Accident Lawyer in Sacramento Today
At Demas Law Group, we know you’re under immense stress. Let us relieve some of your burdens. We’ll do all the legal legwork so that you can focus on getting back on your feet. Call or fill out our online contact form to speak with a skilled car accident attorney.
