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DELIVERING JUSTICE FOR MY CLIENTS
Roseville Car Accident Lawyer
Roseville, CA Practice Areas
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Car Accident Attorney in Roseville, CA
A Roseville car accident lawyer can help if you’ve recently suffered injuries in a car accident in Roseville, CA caused by someone else’s distraction, impairment or other irresponsible driving behaviors, you might get stuck with the medical and repair bills. The driver might refuse to take responsibility for the accident, or the insurance company might stall and refuse to cover the damages. Now, you find yourself dipping into savings or using credit cards to cover accident-related expenses.
A Roseville car accident attorney can work with you to determine the strength of your case and identify your options. This might include pursuing a settlement with the insurance company or taking the case to court. Knowing someone else is working hard to get you justice can also give you the peace of mind you need to focus on your recovery.
Kreeger Law Firm has years of professional experience representing clients in all types of personal injury claims in Roseville, and we have successfully represented many car accident victims in the area. We know how to confront insurance company representatives on our clients’ behalf and how to build the strongest civil suits possible when insurance alone cannot compensate a victim’s losses. Whatever your case may entail, you can trust our team to guide you to a positive outcome in your recovery efforts.
Common Causes of Roseville Auto Accidents
Roseville is the largest city making up the general Sacramento area, and many of California’s wealthiest families live here. Like most urban areas, it suffers from its fair share of car crashes. Here are some of the many reasons accidents tend to happen here:
- Driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs
- Failing to yield to other drivers, cyclists and pedestrians
- Falling asleep at the wheel
- Paying attention to text messages instead of the road
- Following too closely
- Speeding in school zones
Most of the car accidents reported in Roseville happen because of drivers’ negligence behind the wheel. The term “negligence” defines a failure to use reasonable care in a given situation, and drivers have several duties of care they must uphold every time they use their vehicles. Your attorney can help gather whatever evidence you may need to prove a defendant was negligent, such as traffic camera recordings, eyewitness statements, and cell phone records. It is also possible for illegal actions such as driving under the influence (DUI) to cause serious car accidents. In these cases, defendants face civil liability for the damages they caused, along with criminal penalties from the state.
Examples of Responsible Parties in an Auto Accident
Many of our clients feel surprised when they learn that the driver of the vehicle that slammed into them was not responsible for the accident. Believe it or not, a third party might be held accountable. Here are some instances when this might happen:
Mechanics: If a vehicle fails to come to a stop at a red light and it is later discovered that mechanics worked on the brakes the week before, the mechanics might be liable for poor workmanship or using faulty parts.
Manufacturers: Maybe the car failed to stop at the red light because the brake fluid leaked out. Later, several vehicle owners report the same problem. The court might hold the vehicle manufacturer liable for the accident.
Third Driver: The driver who slammed into your vehicle might have been pushed by someone else’s or was avoiding someone else’s. This might cause the court to hold that driver responsible for damages as well.
Note that determining fault in a car accident case might not always lead to one entity taking 100% of the blame. California courts recognize that multiple factors can lead to an auto accident and that many people might have a hand in it. Because of this, even the victim might receive a share of the blame.
If you plan to file a car accident claim, it is also important to consider whether you bear any partial responsibility for causing the accident. If so, the state’s pure comparative fault rule applies, and you will lose a percentage of your case award equal to your percentage of fault in causing the accident. If you have any concerns about your level of responsibility for causing a recent accident, it is imperative to consult a seasoned Roseville car accident attorney as soon as possible.
Our Investigative Process
Some car accident attorneys rush to the defense aspect of a case. We go back to the beginning to understand what happened and why. Sometimes, this involves revisiting the scene of the accident to determine any factors that might have contributed to the accident. It makes it much easier to reconstruct what happened.
We also review video footage. Sometimes CCTV cameras, traffic cameras and dashcams capture the incident or even moments before the impact. This information gives us a better idea of what happened and how it happened. Note that sometimes passersby are the ones with relevant dashcam footage, so we might attempt to track them down. If applicable, we may seek out any individuals who witnessed the accident for their account of the accident, serving as evidence.
The main purpose of our investigative process is to determine why the accident happened because “why” determines who was at fault. Knowing why an accident happened makes it easier for us to build a case against the responsible driver when making a personal injury claim in Roseville, CA.
Types of Damages in a Roseville Car Accident
After a car accident, there are many different types of damages a person might suffer. For instance, the vehicle might be damaged beyond repair. Personal items in the vehicle might have also sustained damage, such as laptops or cameras. However, damages in this sense refer to the compensation you receive. There are three main types to keep in mind:
- Punitive Damages: If the court determines the responsible party acted in a way that illustrated gross negligence, it might award punitive damages to punish the individual. This is especially common when courts hold corporations responsible for faulty vehicles.
- Non-Economic Damages: Your attorney, the court and the insurance company might all have different ways of calculating non-economic damages. This makes it difficult to come up with an estimate. Non-economic damage is the dollar value placed on your pain and suffering.
- Economic Damages: By far, this is the easiest of the three to calculate as all parties use objective numbers. The accused party might argue about what to pay for, but it’s easy to substantiate these numbers with medical records, invoices from the mechanic and previous paychecks.
The average car accident victim in Roseville is typically able to identify immediately recognizable economic losses, such as the cost of repairing or replacing their vehicle and the hospital bills they receive for treatment of their injuries. However, long-term economic losses are more variable and difficult to calculate.
If you have been left completely unable to work, for example, you have the right to claim compensation for the income you would have reasonably expected to earn in the future. A Roseville car accident attorney can help their client uncover every available avenue of compensation and accurately calculate the total damages they can seek with their claims.
Statute of Limitations for Car Accident Victims in Roseville, CA
It’s only natural that you might want to focus on recovering before trying to pursue a personal injury case. This is especially likely if you have enough savings tucked away to wait out repayment until you are healthy. Unfortunately, California’s justice system does place a time limit on how long you have to reclaim damages. If the car accident involved a government agent, you might only have six months to make a claim. For civilians, you have two years.
It seems like a long time at first, but time can fly by while you’re waiting to regain your health. This is why working with an attorney is so important. There are unique situations that may not adhere to the normal statute of limitations timeline requirement. By choosing experienced Roseville personal injury lawyers who have your best interest at heart, you can focus on getting better while we focus on getting you the money you deserve.
Different Ways an Auto Accident Can Affect Your Life
Car accidents can impact an individual’s life in countless ways. Depending on the severity of an accident, the aftermath can have life-altering effects, making it vital to respond effectively and efficiently. Below are ways in which car accidents have the potential to change and alter someone’s daily life:
- Physical Injuries: Injuries can be minimal or serious, both leading to long-lasting physical impacts. A serious injury in a car accident can look like spinal cord injuries, fractures, traumatic brain injuries, internal injuries, and more. Injuries such as chronic pain and disabilities can result from an accident, which affects an individual’s ability to work, perform daily activities, and enjoy a good quality of life.
- Psychological and Emotional Impact: Some accidents are so traumatic that they have the potential to ignite physiological issues such as post-traumatic stress disorder, depression, anxiety, and more. After an accident, individuals may experience a fear of driving or being in a vehicle. In some cases, individuals experience panic attacks and nightmares as emotional responses to their accidents.
- Financial Consequences: Accidents can have many financial implications, ranging from medical bills, rehabilitation costs, and potentially ongoing treatments that quickly accumulate. In some cases, there is a financial strain due to the injured individual’s inability to work and, as a result, a loss in wages. This can have a devastating impact on the individual’s livelihood.
- Impact on Lifestyle: Due to the physical, emotional, psychological, and financial impacts of an accident, an individual may be required to make adjustments to their lifestyle and daily routines due to the impact of the accident. Some individuals may be reliant on others for assistance with daily activities, while others may be put in a financially challenging situation that requires aid.
- Legal Consequences: Some accidents will require the need for a legal claim, which tends to require a lot of time and energy. The impact of navigating legal implications, insurance claims, and related issues can be time-consuming and stressful. Legal claims can span from mere months to several years, which is why you should always have a lawyer on your side.
- Loss of Property: In the case that an accident leads to a totaled car or damaged property, individuals may suffer a large inconvenience and financial loss as a result. The loss of property can take significant time to remedy, often requiring large amounts of money.
While the impacts of a car accident vary widely, it is important to seek immediate physical and mental health support, as well as the helpful care of a car accident lawyer. A lawyer can understand the legal implications of your unique situation and offer themselves as a legal advocate in protecting your rights and desired outcomes of a claim.
Resolving Your Car Accident Case in Roseville, CA
After securing as much compensation as possible through auto insurance, your personal injury claim could go one of two possible ways. Either the defendant accepts liability for the crash and agrees to negotiate a settlement privately, or they can deny liability, and the case proceeds to litigation. The majority of car accident claims, and other personal injury cases filed end in settlement because this option saves all parties involved time, money, and stress that they would otherwise expend in litigation. Additionally, settlement is private and can be completed far more quickly than litigation.
Kreeger Law Firm typically seeks to settle our clients’ cases as swiftly as possible, but we are well-prepared to handle intense litigation if necessary. Once you consult our team for legal advice and secure our representation, we can begin building the strongest case possible that compels the defendant toward settlement.
FAQs About Roseville, CA Auto Accident Laws
How Long Do I Have to File a Personal Injury Suit for an Auto Accident?
California upholds a two-year statute of limitations for filing personal injury claims. This time limit begins on the date an injury occurs. While this might seem like more than enough time to file your case, the reality is that it will likely take longer than you may expect to compile your civil claim against the at-fault driver. You also face a much shorter time limit in which to file a claim against their insurance, so it is ideal to consult a Roseville car accident lawyer as soon as possible after your accident to have the greatest chance of maximizing your recovery.
How Can a Lawyer Help Me Win My Accident Case?
An experienced attorney is an invaluable asset through every stage of your legal proceedings following a car accident in Roseville. They can assist you with gathering evidence to prove fault for the accident and help you file an auto insurance claim for some initial compensation. You can rely on your attorney to resolve any issues you encounter with the at-fault driver’s insurance carrier, and they can be a crucial asset when it comes to building a personal injury case against a defendant. You are more likely to recover as fully as state law allows when you have legal counsel you can trust on your side.
How Much Compensation Can I Claim in a Car Accident Case?
The defendant who caused your accident is fully responsible for all damages you suffered because of their actions. You can recover some of your losses through an auto insurance claim, and a personal injury suit can enable you to recover the damages that insurance won’t cover. The total value of your claim hinges on the extent of damages the defendant caused, and your Roseville car accident attorney can help maximize your recovery through all available channels of legal recourse.
What Happens if an Accident Is Fatal?
If a loved one dies from an accident caused by another driver, this can form the foundation of a wrongful death claim. The victim’s family may still file a claim against the at-fault driver’s insurance, but all outstanding damages must be sought through a wrongful death action. This type of civil claim is similar to a personal injury suit in some ways, but the state enforces strict laws pertaining to wrongful death suits, eligibility to file these suits, and the damages available.
What Will It Cost to Hire a Roseville Car Accident Attorney?
It’s understandable to be worried about the potential cost of hiring legal representation for your car accident case in Roseville. However, when you choose Kreeger Law Firm to handle your case, you will only pay a fee if and when we win. We take a percentage of your final case award as a contingency fee, and you pay nothing if we are unable to secure compensation for you.
Contact a Roseville, CA Car Accident Attorney at Kreeger Law
While there are no guarantees in a court of law, at Kreeger Law, we feel confident that we can help you put your best foot forward to win your case. Along with the fact that we only take on personal injury cases, we also only represent victims — never the insurance companies. Our loyalty is 100% to you and others like you who need our help.
There is no reason you should continue to pay for someone else’s irresponsible behavior. Make your claim before it’s too late. Allow our attorneys to be your legal guide as you move forward in seeking justice. Contact us today to get a free review of your case and determine what your next steps should be.
About Roseville, CA
Roseville, California is located in the Sacramento metropolitan area with a population around 141,500. There are two extension campuses of Brandman University and Sierra College located within Roseville. The national passenger rail system, Amtrak, , offers train service to Roseville at the Roseville Amtrak Station. Residents have major medical facilities available with Sutter Roseville hospital and Kaiser Permanente. First responder services through the Roseville Fire Department provide fire protection and emergency medical services.
