How The Wyatt Law Corp Car Accident Attorneys Can Help You

With over 40 years of experience helping clients injured in accidents and on the job, the father and sons legal team of the Wyatt Law Corporation are experts at recovering compensation for people who have been injured in an accident in Northern California.

How The Wyatt Law Corp Can Help You

With over 40 years of experience helping clients injured in accidents and on the job, the father and sons legal team of the Wyatt Law Corporation are experts at recovering compensation for people who have been injured in an accident in Northern California.

Rocklin Car Accident Attorneys

With its rich history, scenic views, and ideal location between urban locations like downtown Sacramento and tourist destinations like Lake Tahoe, Rocklin has become one of the fastest growing cities in California.

In fact, with a population of around 66,830, the city of Rocklin is estimated to have grown by as much as 65% since 2000! Unfortunately, despite of and largely because of its popularity for new residents and visitors to it’s shopping district, Rocklin has also seen an increase in car accidents.

Even minor accidents can cost an injured party thousands of dollars in vehicle repair costs, medical expenses, and lost wages, so if you or a loved one were recently injured in a car crash in Rocklin, it is critical to speak with a Rocklin car accident attorney who has the resources and experience necessary to help you seek compensation for your losses.

How Many Car Accidents Occur in California Every Year?

 The Sacramento region is known for its history, politics, its beautiful recreation options, a booming economy, and its diverse population. While this makes California both a popular place to live and visit, it also creates some of the worst traffic in the country, which inevitably leads to a high rate of car accidents. In fact, the California Highway Patrol estimates that as many as 178,669 car accidents, in which 254,561 people are injured and 3,435 people lose their lives, occur every year.

Although these accidents can and do occur just about anywhere and at anytime, there are certain times that are especially dangerous to be on the road. Morning and afternoon rush hour are, predictably, when a large proportion of car accidents occur in California. However, some of the worst accidents occur between the hours of 12:00 a.m. and 6:00 a.m., when it is much more likely that drivers will fall asleep at the wheel. These crashes often involve semi-trucks, as many drivers are forced to drive through the night to meet deadlines.

The weeks during the summer between Memorial Day and Labor Day are also dangerous for drivers, as many families are on the road, traveling to or from vacation destinations. This period of time has also been referred to as “The 100 Deadliest Days” for drivers, when it is much more likely that inexperienced teen drivers and those who are impaired by alcohol will be on the road. For this reason, drivers are strongly encouraged to take extra precautions during this time by staying focused on driving, remaining alert, and obeying all traffic laws.

Unfortunately, even drivers who are careful to abide by all traffic rules and who use great care when driving can be involved in an accident as a result of someone else’s negligence. In these cases, it is critical for the injured party to pursue a claim against the at-fault driver or entity that caused the collision.

I’ve Been in a Car Accident in Rocklin. How do I File a Claim Against an At-Fault Driver?

One of the first things that car accident victims should do after an accident is notify their own insurer of the accident. This is true even if the other driver was the cause of the crash. However, even victims who are not interested in taking a case to court should speak with an experienced Rocklin car accident attorney before taking any steps. Otherwise, an insurer could end up taking advantage of an injured party who could miss out on a larger settlement as a result. Once an attorney becomes involved, he or she can report the accident to the state and most importantly, facilitate negotiations with the other party or his or her insurer.

In the event that these negotiations stall, the injured party can proceed with filing a lawsuit in court. This step must be taken within two years of the date of the accident to remain within the statute of limitations. The only exceptions to this rule are when an accident only resulted in property damage, in which case, a plaintiff has three years to file a claim, and when the at-fault party was a government entity. In the latter case, plaintiffs must file a claim within six months of the accident. Those who fail to file within these deadlines will almost always have their case barred by the court, in which case, negotiation and settlement will become the only options. Insurers are well aware of these dates, so if the statute of limitations has passed, they will be much less likely to offer a fair settlement. To prevent this, car accident victims are strongly encouraged to speak with an attorney as soon as possible after an accident.

What Types of Damages can I Recover in a Rocklin Car Accident?

 In Rocklin and Roseville, California law provides that plaintiffs who are injured as a result of someone else’s negligence can recover both economic and non-economic damages. The former covers losses that are relatively easy to calculate, such as the cost of vehicle repair, lost wages from when the injured party was forced to take off work, and medical bills. Non-economic damages, on the other hand, are intended to compensate victims for their less quantifiable damages, which include emotional distress, pain and suffering endured as a result of an injury, and disfigurement or disability.

There are, however, a few situations when Rocklin area car accident victims cannot collect non-economic damages, including when the injured party:

• Was convicted of a DUI in connection with the crash;
• Owned a car involved in the accident and the car was uninsured, unless the at-fault driver was intoxicated; or
• Was driving a vehicle and was uninsured.

To learn more about the potential damages that you could recover for your own car accident, schedule a free and private consultation with a Rocklin Car Accident Attorney at the Wyatt Law Corp today.