Find the Best Car Accident Lawyer in Sacramento, CA (2024)

Sacramento is California’s vibrant capital city known for its bustling urban life, scenic river views and historical landmarks. However, Sacramento also faces its share of traffic challenges, particularly concerning car accidents. The city's expanding population, complex roadways and increasing vehicle congestion contribute to collisions. If you've been injured, you need to find a Sacramento car accident lawyer to help you recover what you deserve.

ConsumerShield specializes in helping you understand your rights and the law that applies to your situation. If you need a lawyer, we can connect you with one of the best lawyers in your area. This article will summarize the laws that apply to Sacramento drivers, help you understand what to do if you’re involved in a collision and discuss when you might need to contact an auto accident attorney.

How Much Does a Car Accident Lawyer Cost in Sacramento, California?

The cost of a car accident lawyer in Sacramento, California, depends on the attorney's fee structure. Most car accident lawyers work on a contingency fee basis and only get paid if you win your case or reach a settlement. Usually, a Sacramento car accident lawyer will take 33% to 40% of the settlement or court award as their fee. In some cases, the percentage varies depending on whether the case settles before litigation or goes to trial.

Other costs may be involved, such as court fees, expert witness fees, and administrative expenses, which are usually deducted from your settlement amount. Discussing the fee arrangement and any additional costs upfront during your initial consultation with a lawyer is essential.

How to Hire a Sacramento, California Car Accident Attorney

California allows lawyers to specialize in specific areas of law through the State Bar of California's Board of Legal Specialization (CBLS). However, the current areas of specialization do not include car accidents or other personal injury cases. So, how do you find the best Sacramento car accident attorney for your case?

• Research and referrals. Gather a list of potential attorneys by asking friends, family and colleagues who have had similar experiences. Online reviews and legal directories can provide insights into a lawyer's reputation and client satisfaction.

• Experience and expertise. Look for attorneys who focus on car accident cases and have extensive experience in personal injury law. Choose a Sacramento car accident law firm that knows the local courts, insurance companies and accident hotspots, which can be advantageous in navigating your case.

• Schedule interviews. Most Sacramento car accident attorneys offer free initial consultations in person or via a telephone or video call. This meeting is an opportunity to discuss your case, ask about their experience with similar cases and learn how they would handle your claim.

• Evaluate compatibility. During the consultation, assess how well you communicate with the attorney and whether you feel comfortable with them. They should be responsive, transparent and willing to answer all your questions. If you speak English as a second language or have communication issues, ensure your attorney has the resources to communicate effectively with you.

• Discuss compensation. An attorney must give you a written copy of their proposed fee agreement before you commit to retaining them. Ensure you understand the terms of the contract and clarify how any additional costs, such as court fees or expert witness fees, will be handled. Ask whether you will be responsible for costs if they do not recover anything on your behalf.

Trust your instincts when making your decision. You'll need to work closely with your attorney to pursue your claims, including discussing your confidential medical information and other personal details. Rather than trying to hire the "best car accident lawyer Sacramento," choose a qualified attorney who makes you feel comfortable and confident in their ability to represent your interests.

Average Car Accident Settlement in Sacramento, California

The value of a car accident case in Sacramento, California, depends on many factors. The most important consideration is the severity and type of your injuries; more severe injuries typically lead to higher medical costs, longer recovery times and a greater impact on your quality of life. Other factors include the extent of property damage (like vehicle repair or replacement costs), lost wages, loss of future earning potential, pain and suffering and any permanent disabilities.

Most car accident injury cases are resolved without going to court. The at-fault driver's insurance company reviews the injured party's economic damages (including medical bills, lost wages, vehicle damage and other expenses related to the accident). It proposes a settlement that adds additional compensation for pain, suffering and other non-economic damages.

The amount of the covered driver's policy limits is the maximum an insurer can offer. However, insurers generally offer lowball settlement proposals that quickly put money into your hands but fail to compensate you fully for your injuries. Claimants represented by attorneys typically recover more than those who go it alone.

There's no reliable way to track these settlements' "average" amount because many are confidential. Further, no two cases are the same; settlement values vary significantly based on the unique circumstances of each case. Reviewing jury verdicts and reported settlements can be very helpful. These are available through the Sacramento Courts Public Law Library and some online subscription services.

If you have suffered more than minor injuries or the insurance company refuses to offer a fair settlement, you need an experienced Sacramento auto accident attorney. They will use their past settlement experiences to value your case and guide their negotiations. They can also help you explore additional avenues for recovering the total value of your case, including your underinsured/uninsured coverage or filing a lawsuit against the at-fault parties.

Filing a Car Accident Lawsuit in California

Filing a car accident lawsuit may be the best way to recover the full value of your claim, especially if the at-fault party carries the minimum required insurance coverage. If you suffered damages that exceed the policy limits, you may be able to pursue claims against the at-fault driver. A lawsuit may also be necessary if the insurer denies liability for the crash or contests the scope of your damages.

In addition to suing another driver, you may be able to pursue claims against third parties who may share liability under California law. These could include the at-fault driver's employer, a property owner whose negligence caused unsafe conditions or a vehicle manufacturer whose defective products contributed to your injuries.

California follows a "pure" comparative negligence rule. Even if you are 99% responsible for the accident that caused your damages, you can recover compensation from others who share responsibility. Any compensation awarded to you by a judge or jury will be reduced by the percentage of fault attributed to the injured party.

For example, imagine you’re driving the wrong way on a one-way street and are hit head-on by a driver who is under the influence and traveling at twice the speed limit. Evidence shows the other driver's brakes were defective and subject to a product recall, reducing his stopping ability.

At trial, the jury awards you $100,000 in damages and apportions liability: 40% to you, 40% to the other driver and 20% to the brake manufacturer. You would recover $40,000 from the other driver and $20,000 from the manufacturer (forfeiting $40,000 of the award for your own negligence).

An experienced Sacramento car accident attorney can help you understand what claims you may have and advise you on the best ways to recover compensation.

How Does a Car Accident Lawsuit Work in Sacramento, California?

Before you file a car accident lawsuit, it's helpful to understand the basic steps of the process.

• Initial court filings. Your attorney will prepare a "complaint" outlining the details of the accident, your injuries, the parties involved and the compensation you seek, and file it with the appropriate court. You must then "serve" the complaint on the defendant (the at-fault party), who has a specific timeframe (typically 30 days) to file a response with the court.

• Discovery. Both parties exchange information, evidence and documentation relevant to the case. This can include medical records, accident reports, witness statements and depositions (interviews under oath). This "discovery" process is crucial for building a strong case and often involves extensive negotiation between the parties.

• Pre-trial motions and settlement negotiations. Many car accident lawsuits are settled before trial to avoid the time, expense and uncertainty of a courtroom battle. There will also be numerous court hearings to resolve procedural and evidentiary issues, most of which you will not need to attend (your attorney will appear on your behalf).

• Trial and appeal. If the parties can't negotiate an acceptable agreement, the case will proceed to trial, where a judge or jury will hear the evidence and render a verdict. If either party is unhappy with the result, they can request that the court reconsider the verdict or ask a higher court to review the decision.

• Collection. If you are awarded a verdict, your attorney may have to take additional steps to secure payment from the responsible parties such as obtaining a lien on their property or filing for garnishment of wages.

Legal representation is vital throughout this process, as navigating the complexities of California’s legal system and effectively presenting a case requires expertise. An experienced car accident attorney will comply with all legal and procedural requirements, investigate and uncover evidence and advise you on the best strategies for recovery.

Types of Car Accident Cases in Sacramento, California

The California Office of Traffic Safety monitors accidents on the Golden State roadways. It reports significant increases in overall traffic fatalities from 2020 to 2021, including those involving alcohol-impaired drivers, teen drivers and motorcycles. Fatal accidents involving pedestrians also rose significantly.

California also has the highest rate of deadly hit-and-run accidents in the country, according to data from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. Between 2017 and 2021, 1,901 of California's 18,137 fatal accidents involved a hit-and-run, a rate of 10.5% (far exceeding the national average of 6.3%). A Sacramento hit-and-run lawyer can help you understand your options if you've been the victim of this unfortunately common type of accident.