Sacramento Car Accident Lawyers

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.

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.