Sacramento Car Accident Lawyers
Get the Recovery You Deserve with the Best Car Accident Lawyer in Sacramento.
5 Star Reviews on Google
Highly Regarded on Yelp
Recognized as Outstanding Lawyer in San Francisco Magazine
Recipient of SuperLawyer Award 2016-2017
Rated A+ for Client Service by the BBB
Sacramento Car Accident Attorneys with Over 40 Years Experience.
What We Do For You
We coordinate with your medical providers to handle medical bills.
We determine how to keep money coming in while you recover.
We deal with insurance adjusters and handle the claims process.
Sacramento Car Accident Lawyer FAQs
With a population of just under 1.5 million people, residents in Sacramento know the dangers that await them on the roads and highways around town. According to the California Office of Traffic Safety, in 2014 there were 3,670 individuals who were killed or injured in motor vehicle crashes in the City of Sacramento. This means that every day approximately ten individuals in the City of Sacramento will be either hurt or killed in a car crash of some type. It is not a matter of “if” a Sacramento car crash will happen to you or a loved one, but simply a matter of “when.” Take a look at these frequently asked questions that our Sacramento Car Accident Lawyers often hear.
What Types of Sacramento Car Crashes Can the Wyatt Law Corp Assist?
A Sacramento “car wreck” can encompass far more situations and scenarios that just a simple collision between two vehicles. While these “property damage only” collisions are commonplace, the Wyatt attorneys are able to assist with car wrecks caused by another careless or reckless driver that result in injury to you or your loved ones or the death of a loved one.
Seek the advice and representation of the Wyatt Law Corp if you or a loved one have been injured or killed in any of the following types of collisions:
- Car collisions between your vehicle and another passenger vehicle;
- Truck collisions involving your vehicle and a commercial vehicle such as a big rig, tractor-trailer, or commercial truck or bus;
- Pedestrian collisions, in which you or your loved one are struck by another vehicle while walking;
- Bicycle collisions, wherein you or a loved one are struck by a careless or reckless driver while riding your bicycle.
No matter the specific facts and circumstances that led to your injury accident, chances are that attorney Russ Wyatt can assist you in pursuing a claim for compensation against the at-fault driver. Do not allow your opportunity to obtain monetary damages for your losses pass – contact Russ Wyatt today.
How Soon After My Sacramento County Car Accident Should I Hire a Lawyer?
You only have a limited amount of time after your Sacramento County car crash to pursue your claim for compensation. California Code of Civil Procedure section 335.1 gives Sacramento County car accident victims two years from the date the accident occurs within which to commence a car accident lawsuit. If you attempt to initiate a lawsuit after this time period has run, your case may be dismissed without any monetary judgment being entered in your favor.
This being said, there are certain narrow exceptions to this general rule that may permit you to file your claim even after this two-year period has passed. For this reason, you should discuss your Sacramento County car crash case with the Wyatt Law Corp as soon as possible – even if you believe more than two years have passed since your car wreck. Attorneys Raymond, Russ and Peter Wyatt can assist you in determining if an exception applies in your case and will help you initiate your case in a timely fashion.
What Happens After I Retain the Wyatt Law Corp as my car accident attorney in Sacramento County?
Once you have retained the services of the Wyatt Law Corp, your case will be thoroughly investigated to ensure your lawsuit is filed against all parties who played a role in causing your crash are held accountable for their actions and that your injuries and losses are properly documented and substantiated. From there, your case will be filed in the Sacramento County Superior Court, located in the Gordon D. Schaber County Courthouse at 720 Ninth Street in Sacramento.
The course your car crash case takes following its initiation will depend on whether there are issues of material fact to be determined by a judge or jury, whether the other party accepts partial or complete liability for causing your crash, and/or how many individual parties are accused of contributing to your injuries. Any case that is not settled by an agreement of the parties will proceed to trial before a judge or jury at the Sacramento County Superior Court.
Regardless of whether your case ends up before a judge or jury or is resolved through a settlement agreement, trust that Sacramento County car crash lawyer Russ Wyatt will be with you every step of the way. Russ Wyatt will work diligently to advance your case and your interests, and will keep you continuously informed of the progress of your case.
What Should I Do Following a Car Accident?
Obviously, the first priority after any accident is to call 911 and get medical attention for anyone who is injured. The next step should be to contact the local police department. Police officers are trained in securing and investigating accident scenes. The police will prepare a formal accident report, which can be helpful in later establishing a negligent driver’s fault in a personal injury lawsuit.
While waiting for the police, there are some preliminary steps you can take. You should exchange contact, driver’s license, and insurance information with the other driver or drivers involved in the accident. Make sure to take note of the license plate and vehicle identification number of any vehicles. Just about all of us now carry a high-resolution camera as part our smartphones. Take pictures of any damage to your vehicle and other conditions–skid marks, traffic signals, road obstacles–that you think might be relevant. Basically, you need to start preparing for a possible legal claim as soon as possible.
What Should I Avoid Following a Car Accident?
You cannot win a personal injury case right after an accident, but you might lose it if you do not exercise some caution. The one thing you should never do is apologize or admit liability to the other driver. Even if you think you might be partly to blame for the accident, do not say anything until you have had a chance to speak with a Sacramento car accident attorney.
Do I Really Need a Sacramento Car Accident Lawyer or Can I Handle it Myself?
In truth, not every accident requires a lawyer. If you only sustained minor damage to your car and insurance will cover the repairs, then you may be okay handling things yourself. But if you suspect the insurance company is not dealing with you fairly, or that your total damages may be more than you initially suspected, there is certainly no harm in scheduling a free consultation with the experienced Sacramento car accident attorneys at the Wyatt firm.
Remember, insurance company adjusters are experts when it comes to assessing accident claims. They do this every day and their first duty is to protect the insurance company’s bottom line – not you. If an adjuster knows you are not represented by counsel, he or she may take advantage of your lack of knowledge. It can be difficult to assess the value of your own accident claim, especially when you have no experience in this area. Our attorneys can help level the playing field and make sure you are not pressured into accepting an initial offer that does not fully compensate you. We only handle car accident cases and have been doing so for 40 years!
What Types of Damages Can I Seek in a Car Accident Case?
The three most common types of damages in car accident cases are medical bills, lost wages, and property damage. These are all classified as “economic damages,” because they have a quantifiable value. Depending on the extent of your injuries, you may also have a claim for “non-economic damages,” which may include physical pain and suffering, mental anguish, and loss of spousal companionship and services. Medical expenses are often the biggest concern because even a seemingly minor accident can lead to thousands of dollars in bills. If an accident causes whiplash or traumatic brain injury, for example, the victim may face weeks, months, or even years of additional medical care. When another driver’s negligence was responsible for such injuries, the victim has the right to seek compensation for any or all of the following:
• Hospitalization and emergency care;
• Ambulance and medical transportation fees;
• Follow-up consultations with specialists;
• Medical accessories to aid recovery (crutches, wheelchairs, etc.); and
• In-home services, including any necessary non-medical care.
Our car accident attorneys can help properly assess the total value of your economic and noneconomic damages and seek appropriate compensation from the responsible parties. The last thing you want to deal with while recovering from your accident is deal with medical bills. We can help relieve you of that burden.
Can I File a Personal Injury Claim Even If I Was Partly Responsible for the Car Accident?
Some people do not pursue a personal injury claim following a car accident because they feel at least partly responsible. You should not feel that way. While some states bar a plaintiff from recovering if they are even found to be 1 percent liable for an accident, California is much more forgiving. California is among roughly a dozen states that recognize a “pure comparative fault” rule with respect to car accidents. This means a plaintiff can recover damages against a negligent defendant regardless of the plaintiff’s relative fault. But any award will be reduced proportionately. Let’s say you get into an accident and sue the other driver. A jury awards you $100,000 in damages but also decides you were 20 percent at fault. The judge would then reduce the award by 20 percent to $80,000.
How do I find the Best Sacramento Car Accident Attorney?
We know you have a lot of choices when it comes to hiring a Sacramento car accident lawyer. What makes the Law Office of Russ Wyatt unique is our commitment to family. Russ Wyatt works with his father Raymond, and brother Peter – all licensed and experienced California car accident attorneys – to assist clients in fighting for just compensation. The Wyatt attorneys understand that being injured in a car accident it traumatic and requires a personal touch. Unlike some impersonal mega-firms where clients are simply looked at as dollars, the Wyatt’s strive to treat every client like a family member. Russ Wyatt has been widely recognized by his clients and peers for his outstanding service.
In fact, San Francisco Magazine honored Russ as one of “Northern California’s Outstanding Young Lawyers” in August 2016. He has also been named by SuperLawyers as a top-rated attorney in Sacramento. If you have been injured in a car accident in Sacramento, Placer, Yuba, Solano or El Dorado counties, you no doubt have many questions about your legal rights. The Law Office of Russ Wyatt can provide the answers you seek. Let our family help your family: Call us today at 916-277-8820 to schedule a free consultation.
10 Steps in a Sacramento Car Accident Case
Call the Police
1After an auto accident, your first priorities should be to a) call the police and b) get medical treatment. Notifying the police is an important step when seeking compensation because a police report will help your lawyers identify any witnesses to the accident and will allow them to make an initial determination of liability. In an emergency you should always dial 911.
- In a non-emergency, the Sacramento Police Department can be reached at 916-264-5471.
- The California Highway Patrol non-emergency line is 1-800-tell-chp or 1-800-835-5247.
Get Medical Treatment
2Nothing is more important than your health. Even if you think you feel fine, keep in mind that injuries following an auto accident such as concussions and back injuries can take time before you notice the symptoms.
Remember to follow your doctor’s course of treatment. If you don’t, then you might aggravate your injury and get less compensation than you need. If you suffered an injury and don’t feel that the treatment is helping, it’s best that you seek a second medical opinion rather than stopping your physical therapy.
Attorney Research
3Your choice of a car accident attorney to represent you after an injury is a big decision. If you’ve suffered serious injuries, it may unfortunately take years of physical therapy and extensive treatment to help you recover. In addition, there are other consequences such as lost wages that you’ll likely incur. Therefore, you’ll want to hire the best possible personal injury attorney to help you maximize your recovery.
- Choose an attorney whose practice focuses on car accident law (and not just personal injury law).
- Hire an accident attorney who will take your case on contingency with no upfront fees to you.
- Choose an attorney who has had success taking cases to trial and not just settling.
- Choose an attorney that has never received any bar complaints by examining their CA State Bar Profile.
- Choose an attorney that’s been honored with the SuperLawyer award.
- Hire an attorney who will give you references of past clients.
Initital Investigation Begins
4During this phase, your attorneys will perform their own investigation of the auto accident. Some of the investigation steps include:
- Obtaining witness statements
- Reviewing police reports
- Reviewing medical records and treatment plans
- Interviewing witnesses
Settlement Negotiations Begin
5After you file a claim, your insurance company will likely try to settle directly with you. Keep in mind that the adjustor may appear friendly and helpful. However, you should know that these individuals may attempt to obtain information from you that can be used to reduce or deny your claim.
- Do not give any written or recorded statements to an insurance representative without first talking with your attorney.
- Do not believe that you must accept the insurance company’s first offer.
- Avoid signing any document that speaks of “waiving” your rights or “releasing” your claim.
Preparation for Lawsuit (if necessary)
Many cases are settled without trial. However when our clients and attorneys feel that a settlement offer is not appropriate, we’ll begin preparation for a lawsuit. Sacramento car accident lawyers will explain to you that law suits follow California’s statute of limitations which states that a lawsuit arising from an accident or injury must be filed within two years or the injured person’s legal claim will be barred and his or her right to sue will be lost forever.
Mediation (if necessary)
7There are times when negotiation with the insurance company reaches an impasse. In these cases, we may recommend using a mediator who is a neutral third party that reviews the case and assists with negotiations. During mediation, both parties meet face to face and these meetings can result in a more favorable settlement offer.
If the mediation is successful and the parties reach an agreement, funds are usually disbursed within 30 days.
Law Suit Filed (optional)
8Following the court filing, your attorneys will serve the defendants within 30-60 days from the filing date. The defendants are then required to provide a response within 30 days following the filing.
The discovery phase involves a series of questions which are sent out by both the plaintiff (the injured party) and the defense (the insurance company). Both parties have 35 days to respond.
Often times, the injured party will be required to submit to a medical examination by the defense’s doctor. Your attorney will be present during these examinations.
During depositions, attorneys for both the accident victim and the insurance company will ask questions to witnesses and victims. Your attorneys will be present along with a court reporter. If your case involves depositions, we’ll carefully work together to prepare.
Trial
9Although the vast majority of car accident cases are settled either through negotiation or mediation, jury trial is sometimes necessary to get the best results. Whether or not a trial is necessary in your case, you’ll want to hire a law firm that is skilled and experienced at trial. Sometimes simply the threat of trial is what’s necessary to motivate the defense to issue an appropriate award.
The attorneys at the Wyatt Law Corporation have over 40 years of experience battling insurance companies and know what it takes to get top settlements for their clients.
Verdict and Award
10Awards in Sacramento personal injury cases are based on factors such as medical expenses, property damage, and pain and suffering. Sometimes accident victims are also eligible for damages such as loss of consortium, punitive damages or wrongful death.
The Importance of Choosing the Right Sacramento Car Accident Law Firm
Car accidents are a fact of life in Sacramento and throughout California. In a recent study of the 10 Ten Cities with the Worst Traffic, California cities ranked at #1 (Los Angeles), #2 (San Francisco) and #5 (San Jose). Given the number of cars on California roads everyday, it’s not a surprise that the roads are also dangerous and lead to many motor vehicle accidents. According to the most recent figures from the California Office of Traffic Safety, Sacramento ranks 9th among 58 counties in total injuries, including fatalities, due to motor vehicle accidents. This translates into almost 10,000 injuries per year. Thankfully, most car accidents in Sacramento and elsewhere in California only result in minor personal injuries and property damage. For this reason, victims usually do not think to engage a car accident attorney. But it is always a good idea to consult with a Sacramento car accident attorney if you have questions about your legal rights following any kind of accident. The attorneys at the Wyatt Law Corporation are available to answer your questions free of charge and will help you determine what your case is worth.
Dedicated Help for Injured Sacramento Motorists
When a Sacramento car accident does occur, you and/or your loved ones may find yourself facing significant costs, expenses, and monetary losses on top of any physical injuries sustained in the crash. These monetary losses can include:
- Medical expenses, including the costs of surgery, prescription medication, and ongoing therapy or treatment;
- Lost wages, both for time already missed from work as well as future lost earnings and/or earning potential;
- Mental pain and suffering; and/or
- Other economic and non-economic losses.
California laws governing car crashes are designed to provide motorists who are injured because of another driver’s carelessness or reckless driving with monetary compensation to address these losses and injuries. Sacramento car accident attorneys the Wyatt Law Corp is committed to helping injured Sacramento County motorists in obtaining the maximum amount of compensation possible following their car crash.
Contact a Highly Rated Sacramento Car Accident Lawyer Today
The Wyatt legal team understands the importance of family and how a car crash in Sacramento can negatively impact your family’s finances and future.
Obtaining compensation for your injuries and losses following your Sacramento car accident requires significant legal skill, experience, and determination. For this reason, it is imperative that you speak with Russ Wyatt as soon as possible. Russ Wyatt has been recognized as a Super Lawyer Rising Star and holds a perfect five-star rating on Yelp. In addition, San Francisco Magazine recognized Russ Wyatt as one of Northern California’s Outstanding Young Lawyers in 2016. Contact The Wyatt Law Corporation today at 916-277-8820 to discuss your Sacramento car wreck with our caring legal team today.
Areas of Practice
Car Accidents
If you were injured in an accident, don't let insurance companies take advantage of you. We'll help you receive the compensation you need to recover.
Truck Accidents
If you were a victim in an accident involving a commercially owned truck, recovery is complicated. Commercial trucking accidents generate a lot of paperwork and our attorneys and investigators know how to sort through this mountain of evidence.
Motorcycle Accidents
Motorcycle riders are often injured due to another driver’s negligence. Yet, insurance companies treat riders as if they are thrill seekers who put themselves at risk.
Work Related Accidents
If you were injured in an accident at work, you'll need a law firm that is skilled both in workers’ compensation claims AND civil claims so that you can receive payments for medical bills, lost wages and physical or mental pain and suffering.
Bus Accidents
Can I Sue a Public Transit Agency? Absolutely, but there are a number of additional legal hoops you will need to jump through including a required notice with a deadline.
Pedestrian Accidents
Whether you were injured in a hit-and-run or the driver is known, we'll help you recover compensation for pedestrian accidents.
How The Wyatt Law 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.
Wow….how refreshing it is to speak with an attorney that actually takes their time listening to you and doesn’t make you feel rushed. I was very impressed with his professionalism and how knowledgeable he was. Thank you Russ for being so personable and attentive, I appreciate the quick responses and the solid guidance. I will definitely be recommending you! I rarely write reviews but felt the need to write this one because of how satisfied I was with his services.
A Family of Attorneys with over 40 Years of Experience Who Treat You Like Family
What makes the Law Office of Russ Wyatt unique is our commitment to family. The father and sons team of attorneys have been battling insurance companies for over 40 years and have achieved exceptional results for their clients throughout California. The Wyatt attorneys understand that being injured in a car accident it traumatic and requires a personal touch. Unlike some impersonal mega-firms where clients are simply looked at as dollars, the Wyatt’s strive to treat every client like a family member.
Commitment and Compassion from Military Background
Before becoming an attorney, Russ Wyatt joined the United States Marine Corps. He was a member of the invasion force that stormed Baghdad in 2003, reached the rank of Sergeant and was awarded a combat action ribbon. Russ’ military background taught him the importance of discipline and commitment in everything he does. Most importantly it taught him to show compassion towards people who sustained injuries. Russ knows that no amount of money can make up for serious injuries.
Never Any Upfront Cost to You
The firm is committed to taking cases on contingency. That means that there is no upfront cost to you. From the moment you first contact the attorneys until the time you receive your settlement, there are no legal fees. The firm makes itself available for free consultations at either one of the offices located in Yuba City. The attorneys know that their clients who are injured have a hard time coming to the office, so by appointment, they also meet with clients at locations that are convenient to them.
No Medical Insurance, No Problem
If you are injured, the most important priority is to get you back on your feet. Not everybody has medical insurance or insurance that will pay for all the treatment they need. We work with doctors that take patients on lien. That means that they will treat you and postpone their payment until you receive your settlement.
Sacramento
901 H St. Suite 601
Sacremento, CA 95814
Ph: (916) 277-8820