Sacramento Car Accident Lawyer

What This Page Covers: 

  • Experience: Eric Ratinoff Law Corp. brings over 30 years of experience to effectively handle complex car accident claims in Sacramento, utilizing personalized storytelling and advanced trial techniques.
  • Legal Guidance: We help you navigate the intricate legal and insurance processes, negotiating on your behalf for maximum compensation for your damages and distress.
  • California Laws: California-specific time limits and comparative fault rules make it critical to choose a knowledgeable California lawyer. Our Sacramento-based attorneys are seasoned advocates who fight to protect our clients’ legal rights in accident claims.
  • Negligence Proof: We demonstrate a breach of duty and causation to secure justice and compensation for accident victims.

In the wake of car accidents, countless people endure not only physical but also emotional scars, all stemming from another party’s negligence. At Eric Ratinoff Law Corp., we understand the profound impact car accidents can have on your life. That’s why our seasoned legal team stands ready to navigate the complexities of your case.

Backed by over three decades of dedicated service to Sacramento’s injury victims, our attorneys work to uncover the truth behind each accident, piecing together compelling evidence, and advocating tirelessly on your behalf. Whether negotiating with insurance firms or litigating in court, we’re committed to securing the compensation you deserve.

Beyond legal representation, we’re here to shoulder the burdens of the claims process, allowing you to focus on what matters most: your recovery. From day one, our personalized approach ensures your story is told with clarity and conviction. Let our personal injury attorneys alleviate the stress and uncertainty, guiding you towards the care and support necessary for a swift and comprehensive recovery.

Why Contact an Attorney After a Car Accident?

Car accidents are stressful, often leaving victims to deal with physical, emotional, and financial repercussions that may last for years. If you’ve suffered injuries due to negligence, speak with the highly qualified car lawyers at Eric Ratinoff Law Corp. as soon as possible to learn how to protect your legal rights.

The following are reasons why you should contact an attorney following a car accident in Sacramento: 

  • Dealing With Insurance Companies: Insurance adjusters are skilled at minimizing payouts. We know all of their tactics and negotiate on your behalf to recover the full compensation you’re entitled to for damages and injuries​.
  • Accurate Damage Valuation: We accurately estimate the comprehensive cost of your accident, including medical expenses, lost wages, and even emotional distress. This is essential for securing fair compensation, especially when initial insurance offers may not fully cover all your damages​.
  • Representation in Court: If a satisfactory settlement cannot be reached, having a lawyer becomes essential. We will represent your interests in court, employing strategic litigation techniques to advocate on your behalf.

If you suffered economic and non-economic damages due to a motorist’s negligence, you need the help of an experienced personal injury attorney.

How Do You Handle a Car Accident Lawsuit?

We relentlessly fight for our clients, securing the compensation for their catastrophic injuries deserve. It is the goal of our car accident attorneys to take the weight, stress, and pressure off the shoulders of auto accident victims, and help them focus on what matters most – healing. Our seasoned and dedicated Sacramento car accident lawyers will fight your accident case in court if we believe it’s necessary to secure the compensation for your injuries.

What Are The Car Accident Laws in California?

The laws and statutes relevant to your Sacramento car accident case will change depending on the state where the accident occurred. In California, there are specific time limits, restrictions, and rules for filing an accident claim. Working with a highly qualified local Sacramento car accident lawyer is the best way to ensure your representation fully understands the federal, state, and local rules that may apply to your case. 

The following is a brief overview of some of the pertinent state laws in California:

What is the Time Limit for an Accident Claim? 

In the Golden State, you have two years to file a personal injury lawsuit (§30508) of any kind against a defendant. In a car accident case, this may be two years from the date of the accident or two years from the date you discovered your injuries. Some injuries, such as slipped discs or concussions, may not be immediately apparent. If you’re filing a claim for property damage only, you have three years.

Claims Against the Government

 According to CA Gov’t Code § 905, if a government vehicle or on-duty government employee caused your accident, the rules are different from a typical accident claim. You must get paperwork within six months of the date of your injury. Speak to the attorneys at Eric Ratinoff Law Corp. for more details about an accident involving government liability.

What is Comparative Fault? (§405) 

California is a comparative fault state, meaning you can collect recovery regardless of the degree of your own fault. However, the courts will reduce any compensation you recover by your percentage of fault. Count on the attorneys at Eric Ratinoff Law Corp. to explain how these rules apply in your case.

With more than 50 years of combined personal injury experience in California, our team has the firsthand knowledge you need to navigate complex car accident laws. We use current industry best practices and all tools available to us to help our clients pursue car accident cases. Browse our past case results for an idea of our high success rates.

What is Auto Negligence?

Automobile accidents are one of the greatest causes of death and serious injury in Sacramento and throughout California. Almost all auto accidents stem from someone’s negligence. Negligence is the legal theory that if someone fails to act with reasonable care, resulting in the injury of another person, he or she is liable for the injuries. Proving negligence is at the heart of most Sacramento accident cases and other torts, or civil wrongs, such as slips and falls and defective products.

Proving a Negligent Action in California

To prove negligence, a plaintiff (the injured party bringing the claim) must establish four main elements:

1. The Defendant Owed the Plaintiff a Duty of Care

All drivers assume a duty of care to other drivers, passengers, pedestrians, and others on the roadway when they get behind the wheel. If an auto accident stems from a defective product, such as bad brakes, the manufacturer owes a duty of care to its consumers. An accident due to a roadway defect, such as a broken stoplight, comes under the duty of care of the party in charge of roadway maintenance.

2. The Defendant Breached His or Her Duty of Care 

The defendant’s breach of care is the crux of personal injury law. It is the plaintiff’s burden of proof to convince the judge or jury of the defendant’s breach of duty, such as texting and driving or driving under the influence. The help of our car accident attorneys is critical, as it is your legal professional who can gather evidence and eyewitness testimonies and use a variety of means to recreate your accident and prove its cause(s). If a car accident takes the form of a defective product case, the plaintiff does not bear the burden of proving this element.

3. The Defendant’s Breach of Duty Caused the Accident

It is not enough to show that the defendant was negligent, careless, or reckless in some way – his or her act of negligence must have been the main cause of the car crash. For example, if Driver A fell asleep behind the wheel just as a defective stop light made Driver B run a red light and collided with Driver A, the defective light would be the main cause of the accident, not the drowsy driver. Despite Driver A’s negligence, he or she would most likely not be liable for Driver B’s injuries.

4. The Accident Caused Compensable Damages

If a plaintiff did not suffer any damages, there is no reason to file a personal injury claim. Damages may include physical injury, pain and suffering, mental anguish, emotional distress, medical bills, lost wages, the lost capacity to work, lost quality of life, and/or property damage.

What Should I Do After an Automobile Accident?

In the aftermath of an auto accident, you may feel unsure of what to do. Car accidents can be chaotic and confusing, with other parties and insurance companies contacting you for statements and settlement offers. Before you make any decisions, contact a Sacramento car crash attorney. A highly qualified car accident attorney will help you protect your rights and find the best way forward after a car crash.

Take the following steps after a car collision: 

  1. Call the police: Stay on the scene after a crash and call the police, even if the accident appears minor. Police officers can file an official report of the accident and document its details, including the other driver’s name and license plate information.
  2. Seek medical attention: It is wise to see your healthcare practitioner after an accident. Tell your doctor about the crash and have him/her check you for injuries that have not yet shown symptoms. Seek medical care as soon as possible after an accident to avoid hurting your case.
  3. Reporting accidents to insurance companies: Most car insurance policies require immediate reporting of accidents. As soon as you are able, call your company and report the accident. If the other driver’s insurance company contacts you, do not feel pressured to make a statement or accept a settlement before you speak to our accident lawyers.

A skilled car accident lawyer in Sacramento, CA, will work to maximize recovery with powerful storytelling to show the judge or jury the extent of the plaintiff’s damages. At Eric Ratinoff Law Corp., we use multiple forms of advanced storytelling aided by top technologies to paint an accurate and compelling portrayal of your accident and injuries. Our car accident attorneys know what it takes to prove a case, gather and protect important evidence, conduct eyewitness interviews, hire experts, and more on your behalf.

The Benefits of Hiring an Experienced Sacramento Accident Attorney

A skilled car accident lawyer in Sacramento, CA will strive to maximize recovery with powerful storytelling to show the judge or jury the extent of the plaintiff’s damages. At Eric Ratinoff Law Corp, we use multiple forms of advanced storytelling aided by top technologies to paint an accurate and compelling portrayal of your accident and injuries. Our car accident attorneys know what it takes to prove a case, gather and protect important evidence, conduct eyewitness interviews, hire experts, and more on your behalf.

Sacramento Car Accident Injuries Lawyer

Types of Auto Accident Injuries

Automobile accidents are so damaging because there is virtually no end to the types of injuries that can occur. The immense impact of a vehicle collision can cause a wide range of injuries to the driver, vehicle occupants, and bystanders. Gravitational forces, blunt force trauma, car fires, crush injuries, penetrations, and a number of other causes can lead to major injuries and wrongful death in Sacramento. Here are a few common auto accident injuries our firm has seen:

Head and Brain Injuries

The brain and its surrounding tissues are delicate and easily injured in impacts to the head. When an object strikes the skull in a car accident, it can rattle the brain in the skull, leading to bleeding in the brain (brain hemorrhage) or swelling. Traumatic brain injuries (TBIs) can cause temporary or permanent disabilities, coma, and death.

Spinal Cord Injuries (SCIs)

There are many different types of SCIs depending on the type and location of the injury. An SCI can lead to chronic back pain or partial/full paralysis, depending on the damage. There is currently no treatment to reverse spinal cord injuries.

Internal Injuries

Extreme gravitational forces can make the organs collide with one another in a car accident, leading to an array of internal damages. Internal injuries and bleeding can cause organs to fail or stop functioning altogether.

Broken Bones and Muscle Strains

Fractured bones and ligament/muscle injuries can be extremely painful and require weeks or months to heal. During this time, crash victims may be unable to return to work. Some victims never fully regain their strength and often lose the capacity to work at their old jobs.

Burn Injuries

Car collisions may result in devastating burn injuries if the vehicle’s occupants become trapped in a burning vehicle. Burns can destroy the outer layer of skin and affect the underlying tissues, tendons, and muscles. Burn injuries often result in permanent scarring, disfigurement, or even amputation.

Wrongful Death

In the worst accidents, victims never recover from their injuries. If someone else’s negligence caused the death of your loved one in a car accident, please come to our firm for help. We truly care about our clients and will represent your case aggressively.

How Will a Car Accident Impact My Auto Insurance?

When you have experienced a traumatic car accident, your first thought may be: how will this affect my auto insurance? In 2019, over 2,000 collisions were rear-end accidents, and over 3,000 were head-on. These types of accidents occur due to negligent driving, speeding, or both. Over 9,000 drivers also collided with fixed objects like poles, guardrails, and embankments as well. This goes to show that accidents happen, but not all accidents are the same in the eyes of insurance companies, which means not all car accidents make insurance rates go up. 

Chargeable Car Accidents Increase Insurance Rates 

When you are involved in a chargeable car accident, you may face an insurance rate increase. With this type of accident, you were found to be more than 50% at fault and also caused at least one of the following: 

  • Property damage 
  • Injury to another person 
  • Caused wrongful death of another person 

Car insurance rates may not be affected if you are less than 50% at fault. If you were injured in an accident due to driver negligence, speak to a highly qualified Sacramento car accident lawyer for a comprehensive assessment of your claim. A good personal injury attorney will conduct a thorough investigation of your accident and obtain persuasive evidence in order to determine liability. 

Non-Chargeable Accidents May Not Affect Insurance Rates 

Non-chargeable accidents do not affect your insurance rates and are typically accidents where you are not at fault, and damage was done to you or your property through unpredictable circumstances. The following are examples of non-chargeable accidents:

  • Being struck in a hit-and-run accident 
  • You were rear-ended by another vehicle 
  • Your legally parked car was damaged 
  • You sustained damage to your vehicle by a collision with an animal 
  • The damage you sustained was due to flying or falling debris

In these instances, it is required to prove that you were not at fault and experienced a non-chargeable accident. Evidence may include providing a police report, a statement from the other party admitting fault, or a legal document proving you were reimbursed for damages.

Other Potential Causes of Auto Insurance Increases 

Rate increases are subject to the insurance company that provides you coverage and by various state laws. Other potential causes of insurance increases include: 

  • How severe the accident was and the cost of the claim 
  • Your personal driving history 
  • Your policy, which may include accident forgiveness

Insurance companies tend to raise rates after an accident in order to reflect your new data of getting into an accident. By keeping track of your accident history this way, they may perceive you to be a risky driver who has a higher chance of filing claims in the future. If you are considered to be a risky driver by insurance companies, they pass along that risk in the form of higher premiums in an attempt to incentivize you to become a safer driver. Most rate increases are temporary and will go down after a few years of avoiding an accident.

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS ABOUT CAR ACCIDENTS IN SACRAMENTO, CA

What Type of Damages Can I Receive Compensation for in a Car Accident Claim?

Compensation for your injuries depends on several factors, including the nature and extent of your injuries, physical and emotional pain and suffering, the change in your quality of life, economic hardship or financial loss, decreased earning potential and physical impairment. This is why we invest a great amount of effort to get to know your story and how your injury has affected the fabric of your life. 

Depending on the type and extent of your personal injury, you may be eligible for compensatory damages, which may include the following:

  • Property damage
  • Medical bills
  • Lost wages, including overtime
  • Out of pocket expenses (transportation charges, etc.)
  • Pain and suffering
  • Physical disability
  • Disfigurement
  • Permanent scars
  • Emotional trauma
  • Mental anguish
  • Loss of enjoyment of life
  • Loss of love and affection
  • Embarrassment
  • Mental disability

What if the At-Fault Driver Doesn’t Have Car Insurance?

If you were in a collision with an uninsured at-fault driver, you have options. If you have uninsured motorist (UIM) coverage in your insurance policy, you can file a claim with your insurance company. You should follow the same steps as you would if the at-fault driver was insured: obtain a police report, gather any evidence you can of the scene, and seek medical treatment. If your insurance company devalues your claim, you should speak with a Sacramento car accident lawyer for help. You can file a lawsuit against the at-fault driver, but it may prove challenging to collect damages without an insurance policy. A car accident attorney can help you properly assess the situation and determine the best course of action for your case.

Who Pays My Medical Expenses While My Car Accident Case is Pending?

Ultimately, the party responsible for causing your injury will have to reimburse you for all medical bills incurred from your accident.  However, this only happens when you resolve your case.  Through the process of your case, one of the most important things you can do – both for your personal recovery and the outcome of your case – is to get the right medical treatment and to see the proper medical experts.  One of the things we do for our clients, when appropriate, is to provide access to the best care possible to help you recover from your injuries.  We can help arrange medical treatment for you with expert medical doctors, physical therapists, chiropractors, orthopedic surgeons, spine surgeons, neurologists, etc.  

During the course of your treatment, several options exist to pay for your medical bills, including:

  • If you were in an auto accident, your auto insurance policy can cover some or all of your expenses. This is commonly known as “Med Pay.” This is optional coverage that can pay your medical expenses up to the limit of the policy, which is usually up to $5,000. Your auto insurance rates will not increase if you use this coverage.
  • If you have health insurance, you can use this to pay for your medical services.
  • If you have no insurance or other way to pay for medical treatment, some health care providers will allow you to receive treatment subject to a medical lien against your case.

Your medical treatment is critically important to the ultimate outcome of your physical recovery and your case. We will help you navigate through this difficult process, discuss all the options with you, and help you determine what is in your best interest given the facts and circumstances of your situation.

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