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ELK GROVE CAR ACCIDENT LAWYER

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Elk Grove CAR ACCIDENT ATTORNEY

Of course, no one wants an accident to happen. Despite our best intentions, however, accidents still occur every day. If you find yourself in an accident, it is best to prepare yourself for a legal battle ahead. Most collisions result in damage of some kind, and insurance companies do everything in their power to avoid paying. To protect yourself, your family, and your finances, it is imperative that you have a good Elk Grove accident lawyer on your side. It is also beneficial to understand as much as you can about accident cases so that you know what to do if something should happen to you.

Common Causes OF CAR ACCIDENTS in Elk Grove, CA

The most common type of accident is a car accident. Most people use their cars every day, and during this time, there are endless opportunities for an accident to occur. These collisions happen for a range of reasons, including:

  • Using a cellphone while driving
  • Bad road conditions
  • Reckless driving
  • Speeding
  • Drunk driving
  • Distracted driving
 

There are thousands, if not millions, of examples of each of these practices. However, even when you drive safely and remain alert, it is possible for a collision to happen. It is simply the nature of the road.

COMPENSATION AFTER A Elk Grove CAR ACCIDENT

After a car accident, it is likely that you will suffer physical and emotional wounds. Unfortunately, the legal system does not have the ability to tend to those scars, so we seek monetary compensation instead. This money is not meant to undo the pain that has occurred but rather ensure that a minimal amount of financial damage is done in its wake. Some costs that can be included in an accident settlement include:

  • Medical bills, both the ones that have already occurred, and estimates for future medical needs resulting from the crash.
  • Lost wages. Both physical and emotional wounds take time to heal. By suing for lost wages, you ensure that you do not lose any money while you stay home and heal. Because the healing process is so vital, it is important that you don’t have to choose between paying your bills and properly recovering.
  • Pain and suffering. There are some categories of both physical and emotional pain that cannot be fixed with finances. Pain and suffering is used to compensate you for that experience.
  • Punitive damages. Punitive damages are not often part of a settlement. However, if the actions that harmed you were particularly gruesome or horrific, punitive damages may be called for. This money acts as a punishment to the perpetrator.
 

Depending on your unique situation, your personal injury lawyer will calculate a sum based on the above criteria. This will be the desired settlement amount for the case.

TIME ALLOTTED TO SEEK COMPENSATION

It is important to note that acting quickly after an accident is in your best interest. If you suffered an injury, you should hire an attorney as soon as you can. Your lawyer will advise you what to do next and will be able to assemble a stronger case if the accident recently occurred. Proving physical injuries will also be more straightforward if you seek medical care right after an accident. If you wait, the insurance company can claim that you obtained the injury after the accident, so they shouldn’t have to pay. All in all, it is best to act quickly and seek legal advice right away. There are statutes of limitations on accident injuries, and an attorney can help you to avoid missing deadlines.

Despite this urgency, not all injuries are immediately obvious. Sometimes an accident causes long-term back or neck pain that does not appear until weeks or months after the accident. In other cases, a victim sues for damages but later has to miss more work than calculated or needs additional unexpected medical care. In these cases, it was impossible to act quickly. If this is the case for you, it is still a good idea to contact a personal injury lawyer. There may still be time to seek compensation.

TRUCK ACCIDENTS

Accidents do not always occur between two cars. In some cases, a large vehicle such as a semi-truck is involved. These cases are often complicated and involve a lot more legal work than an average car accident. Semi-truck drivers are professionals and have been highly trained for their positions. This often means that blame is placed on the victim, as truck drivers have more experience on the road. To further complicate matters, victims often suffer more severe injuries, and insurance companies work harder to avoid payouts. Due to the serious nature of these accidents, it is doubly important to hire a qualified Elk Grove accident attorney right away.

CAUSES OF TRUCK ACCIDENTS

Just as with car accidents, a range of factors can cause a truck accident. Though it will not always prevent accidents, it is best to drive carefully around trucks. Stay out of their blind spots and avoid slamming on your brakes if you are in front of them. However, truck accidents are not always the fault of the car driver. There are many ways in which the truck driver can be at fault. These include:
  • Fatigue. Truck drivers often drive for long hours without formal breaks or rest
  • An improperly loaded truck. This can cause parts to detach or for unsafe weight distribution
  • Truck defects or improper parts
  • Distracted driving, including alcohol or drug use
  • Large blind spots
  • Improperly maintained roads or drifting on roads not suitable for large vehicles
These are certainly not the only situations in which a semi-truck driver could be at fault. No matter your situation, it is best to hire an attorney to represent you in court and advise you on your case.

WHAT TO DO AFTER A TRUCK ACCIDENT

Truck accidents can be especially jarring, so it is important to know what to do if they happen. Being prepared may allow you to receive proper compensation and win your case. As with regular car accidents, there is certain information that you will need to obtain from the driver if you are able to do so. This information includes:

  • Driver’s license number
  • License plate numbers
  • Contact number and email
  • Company that the driver works for
  • Insurance information
  • Witness contacts and statements
 

You will also need to take pictures of the damage, the road conditions, and any injuries. This can help your attorney to make your case to the insurance company and in court if litigation is required.

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CAR AND BICYCLE ACCIDENTS

Another hazard on the road that you have to look out for is bicycles. Though they may seem like little more than annoyances, there is a significant amount of infrastructure in place to ensure their safety. Following the rules surrounding this infrastructure can help you to keep everyone safe and ensure that you aren’t liable if an accident occurs. This means avoid driving in bike lanes, always check your blind spot, and slow down when driving around bikers. If you are in an accident involving a biker, whether you are the driver or the bicyclist, it is important to collect the pertinent information, including:

  • Name and contact of those involved
  • Insurance information
  • Photos of the scene and any injuries
  • Witness statements and contacts
 

Though the injuries may be more severe due to a lack of protection on a bicycle, the information necessary for your attorney remains the same as in a two-car crash.

IS IT WORTH GETTING A LAWYER FOR A MINOR CAR ACCIDENT?

Absolutely. A car accident may seem minor at the moment, but you never know what can happen in court or after the fact. The other driver may claim injuries later on or even sue for damages that you didn’t realize had happened. Insurance companies will still harass you, even after a small accident. If there was damage involved, insurance companies may rush to settle with you, knowing that they can get away with a lower payment if they catch you off guard or unprepared. In every car accident situation, it is best to hire an attorney.

WHAT PERCENTAGE DO ACCIDENT LAWYERS TAKE?

The percentage of the payout that your personal injury attorney will take after a car accident ranges, depending on the firm, the situation, and the court process. Generally, anywhere from 25-40% is expected. It is always best to ask your attorney what they charge and their payment requirements during your consultation; you don’t want to be caught off guard.

CAN YOU SUE FOR NEGLIGENCE IN A CAR ACCIDENT?

Yes. Suing for negligence after a car accident is entirely possible. However, you will first need to be able to prove that negligence has occurred. This can be more difficult than anticipated. However, your attorney can help you decide if you have a strong chance at suing for negligence and can help you to do so if you have a solid case.

CAN I SUE IF I WASN'T INJURED IN A CAR ACCIDENT?

Your injury status after a car accident does not define your ability to sue. You can sue even if you weren’t injured and only your car incurred damages. In these cases, you’d sue for property damage rather than medical bills. It’s also important to note that not all injuries are physical or visible. Pain and suffering is something you can sue for, and you don’t need to have broken any bones to use it as your reason.
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WHAT TO LOOK FOR IN A CAR ACCIDENT ATTORNEY

Not all car accident attorneys are the same, which means that it’s important to look for certain qualities and criteria when you look into hiring one after an accident. These are some traits to look for when searching for an attorney:

  • A significant history with car accident law. Lots of attorneys practice personal injury law, but some specialize in other areas, such as dog bites or wrongful death. Ensure that your choices have a history defending victims of car accidents.
  • Good results in court. Ensure that any potential attorneys have not only practiced car accident law, but they’ve successfully won cases too.
  • A good reputation. Ask for references from past clients and other attorneys. If the attorney in question has a bad reputation in the legal community or refuses to give client information for references, they are likely hiding a bad standing.
  • Compassion. Personal injury attorneys spend all of their working hours hearing about horrific accidents. However, this shouldn’t make your case any less important. After all, it has been a jarring experience for you, even if the attorney has heard similar cases a million times before. Look for a lawyer who listens with compassion and who makes you feel heard and cared for.
  • Loyalty to victims. Some attorneys represent both sides of personal injury law: victims and insurance companies. This means that they have respect for the insurance system, and they aren’t necessarily invested in seeing you win. Make sure that your potential attorney works with accident victims only.
  • Time to take on your case. Attorneys often overbook themselves to maximize billable hours. If an attorney has too many cases on their plate, they are unable to give your situation the time and attention that it deserves.
 

The bottom line is to make sure that you are comfortable with your attorney. You need to be able to be honest with them, which is an impossibility if you aren’t comfortable. Make sure you ask any and all questions during your consultation to ensure you feel confident in your decision.

 

OUR LOCATION

Kreeger Law Firm – Elk Grove

CONTACT KREEGER LAW FIRM

For nearly 30 years, the attorneys here at Kreeger Law Firm have been proudly defending car accident victims in court. We know that accidents are intimidating, and we do everything in our power to ensure that you are taken care of after your accident. No matter the circumstances, our attorneys can ensure that you get the maximum payout for your suffering, so you can move on with your life and heal properly. For a consultation, contact us via our website.
 

About Elk Grove, CA

Elk Grove is a scenic and prosperous city located in the Sacramento County. It’s California’s 7th congressional district. The Elk Grove Unified School District has 40 elementary schools, 9 middle schools, 9 high schools and 7 alternative high schools, and several private schools options. It’s home to over 100 parks operated by the Cosumnes Community Services District, the largest in California also responsible fire protection services. The Elk Grove Police Department ensures the safety of the city.