More than $3 billion* recovered for clients
If you were injured in a crash, you may be looking for a Sacramento car accident lawyer because you need answers about fault, what your case may be worth, and what to do next. If another driver caused your injuries, you may be entitled to compensation for medical bills, lost income, vehicle damage, and pain and suffering. But if you’re involved in a car accident, do you really need a Sacramento personal injury lawyer to get compensation? Discover what you could qualify for below, and schedule your free consultation by completing the form!
What to Do After a Sacramento Car Accident
Here are the key steps to take after a Sacramento car accident to protect your health and your claim:
- Call 911 and ask for police and medical help if anyone is hurt.
- Get medical care immediately, even if symptoms feel minor (many injuries—including a traumatic brain injury—may not be obvious right away).
- Take photos and video of vehicle damage, the crash scene, road conditions, traffic signs, and visible injuries.
- Collect witness information, including names, phone numbers, and brief statements if they’re willing.
- Request the police report (or the report number) so your attorney can obtain it quickly.
- Be cautious with insurance companies and avoid recorded statements or quick settlements before you understand your damages.
- Contact a lawyer to preserve evidence, evaluate fault, and pursue full compensation.
Contact us for a free, confidential case evaluation
Signs You Have a Strong Sacramento Car Accident Case
Car accidents can happen for many reasons, but most injury claims come down to whether the other driver (or another responsible party) was negligent. In plain terms, your case typically needs evidence of:
- Damages: You suffered harm such as injuries, medical bills, lost income, or property damage.
- Duty: The other driver had a legal responsibility to drive safely and follow traffic laws.
- Breach: The other driver violated that duty by driving carelessly or breaking a safety rule.
- Causation: That unsafe behavior caused (or contributed to) the crash.
While a car accident lawyer in Sacramento who is familiar with our street conditions, weather, and traffic patterns will be the only one who can tell you with certainty whether you have a personal injury case, you can identify the likelihood that you have a strong case by looking at the situation surrounding your accident. If you were hurt in a car accident in Sacramento because another driver was:
- Eating or drinking: Taking hands or attention off driving can delay reaction time and support a distracted-driving negligence claim.
- Applying makeup or performing personal hygiene: Visual and manual distraction can show the driver failed to use reasonable care.
- Texting or talking on the phone: Phone distraction can directly explain lane drift, missed braking, or failure to yield.
- Adjusting air conditioning or music: Looking away or fumbling with controls can be evidence of inattention.
- Speeding: Excess speed reduces stopping distance and increases crash severity, supporting breach and causation.
- Swerving or weaving: Erratic lane movement can indicate distraction, impairment, or aggressive driving.
- Tailgating: Following too closely often causes preventable rear-end collisions and can strongly support fault.
- Or otherwise driving recklessly: Any unsafe conduct that violates traffic laws or common-sense safety can establish negligence.
You may have a case, and you could be eligible to collect compensation for the excessive bills you have to pay due to your injury.
Not sure if you have a case? Complete the form or call us today to find out if you qualify!
Compensation You Can Recover After a Sacramento Car Accident
Car accidents range in severity from relatively minor to fatal. Most car accidents fall somewhere between these two extremes. No matter where your car accident lies on the spectrum, you still deserve to be compensated for your time out of work, medical bills, car repairs, and more. In a Sacramento car accident lawsuit, compensation may include both economic and non-economic damages—and in limited cases, punitive damages where applicable.
| Damage category | Examples |
| Economic damages (financial losses) | Past and future medical care, hospital bills, surgery, rehabilitation, medication, future treatment plans, lost wages, lost earning capacity, property damage (vehicle repair or total loss), and other out-of-pocket expenses. |
| Non-economic damages (personal harm) | Pain and suffering, emotional distress, PTSD, disability-related life impact, scarring or disfigurement, loss of consortium, trauma and therapy costs, and reduced quality of life. |
| Punitive damages (where applicable) | In some cases involving especially harmful conduct (for example, certain extreme reckless behavior), punitive damages may be available to punish and deter wrongdoing. |
Are you sure the insurance company is giving you a fair offer to cover all these damages? Call us today to learn if they’re taking advantage of you!
California Fault Rules and Filing Deadlines for Car Accident Claims
In most cases, you generally have two years from the date of a crash to file a lawsuit for injuries. This is often referred to as the California statute of limitations for car accident cases. If you miss the deadline, you can lose the right to seek compensation.
California also follows pure comparative negligence. That means your compensation can be reduced by your percentage of fault, but you may still recover damages even if you were partly responsible. For example, if your total damages are $100,000 and you are found 25% at fault, your recovery would be reduced to $75,000.
What BD&J’s Sacramento Car Accident Lawyers Do for You
BD&J focuses on helping injured people move their case forward while protecting them from insurance-company pressure. With more than $3 billion* recovered for clients, our team handles the legal work so you can focus on treatment and recovery.
- File a lawsuit and litigate if needed when the insurer refuses to pay what your claim is worth.
- Investigate the crash and identify liable parties by reviewing the scene, vehicles, timelines, and contributing factors.
- Preserve key evidence before it disappears, including photos, video, witness information, and documentation.
- Review medical records and damages to document injuries, treatment needs, and the full impact on your life.
- Prepare a demand package that clearly supports liability and damages with organized evidence.
- Negotiate with the insurance company to pursue a fair settlement that reflects your actual losses.
If you aren’t getting the maximum compensation, we won’t stop until you’re paid fairly. We even handle all communication with insurance companies and the Defense, so you aren’t put through the indignity of being intimidated or dismissed.
Common Causes of Car Accidents in Sacramento
As of 2022, the California Office of Traffic Safety has published that 4,008 car accidents resulted in injury or death in Sacramento proper; 11,157 in Sacramento County as a whole. (Source: California Office of Traffic Safety (OTS), 2022). Like other cities in California, many of the car crashes that occur both in and out of Sacramento boil down to a few common causes. Distracted driving – texting, talking on the phone or to passengers, eating, adjusting car settings – causes an overwhelming majority of car accidents. Driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol is also a frequent cause of crashes in Sacramento. More than 1,200 accidents in Sacramento County were alcohol related, and there were over 5,000 DUI arrests in 2022 alone. (Source: California Office of Traffic Safety (OTS), 2022). Luckily, this means many DUI arrests were made before the perpetrator was involved in an accident. Speeding is yet another common cause of Sacramento car accidents. Over 2,200 crashes in Sacramento County were speed-related. (Source: California Office of Traffic Safety (OTS), 2022)
| Sacramento crash statistic (2022) | Figure | Source |
| Injury or death crashes (Sacramento city) | 4,008 | California Office of Traffic Safety (OTS), 2022 |
| Injury or death crashes (Sacramento County) | 11,157 | California Office of Traffic Safety (OTS), 2022 |
| Alcohol-involved crashes (Sacramento County) | 1,200+ | California Office of Traffic Safety (OTS), 2022 |
| DUI arrests (Sacramento County) | 5,000+ | California Office of Traffic Safety (OTS), 2022 |
| Speed-related crashes (Sacramento County) | 2,200+ | California Office of Traffic Safety (OTS), 2022 |
Beyond unsafe behaviors, Sacramento crashes often involve specific collision types and liability questions that can affect a claim’s value and complexity. Common collision types include rear-end collisions, intersection crashes, sideswipes, multi-vehicle pileups, and crashes involving rideshare, delivery, or commercial vehicles.
Because liability is not always limited to the other driver, many injured people ask, who’s liable for my Sacramento car accident? Depending on the facts, potentially liable parties may include another driver, an employer (if the driver was working), a vehicle owner, a rideshare or delivery driver’s commercial insurer, or another responsible entity.
Preserving Evidence After a Crash
Strong claims are built on strong evidence. Photos, witness statements, police reports, dash-cam footage, and cell-phone records can materially strengthen a claim by helping prove how the crash happened and who was at fault.
Sacramento Car Accident Lawyer FAQs
What should I do if I’m involved in a hit-and-run?
If you’re involved in a hit-and-run, call the police right away, especially if you are injured. Try to collect any evidence you can related to the other vehicle such as its license plate number, color, make and model, or who the driver was. If it’s safe, ask witnesses nearby to provide statements regarding the accident or collect their contact information to provide to the police and a Sacramento car accident attorney. You may also be able to pursue compensation through your own policy, including uninsured motorists coverage, depending on your coverage and California’s minimum car insurance requirements. Call BD&J’s Sacramento car accident lawyers as soon as you’ve received medical attention to ensure all the evidence is fresh and you get compensation as soon as the perpetrator is caught.
Do I need to call an ambulance after a car accident?
Whether to call an ambulance after a car accident is entirely dependent on the severity of the accident and the injuries suspected. If a person is unconscious, pinned, in a lot of pain, can’t move or walk, or has hit their head, an ambulance may be the best course of action. If there’s any doubt, it’s best to play it safe. Simply call 911 and ask for both police and ambulance.
Do all Sacramento car accident lawyers cost a lot of money?
Many personal injury attorneys in Sacramento use contingency fees instead of hourly billing, which means you do not pay upfront attorney’s fees and the attorney is paid only if the case is successful. Call BD&J to learn how contingency fees work and whether your case qualifies for a free consultation.
What if I can’t afford a car accident lawyer?
If you’re struggling financially due to economic hardships or the burden of medical bills caused by your car accident, a Sacramento car accident lawyer can help. Some car accident attorneys provide free, or pro bono, work for those who qualify. If you don’t qualify for a free car accident lawyer but are still struggling to make ends meet after your accident, call BD&J to learn more about how we can help you get compensated at no upfront cost to you.
Should I take the first offer from the insurance company after a car accident?
You should generally avoid accepting the first settlement offer until you understand the full value of your damages and have had the chance to speak with a Sacramento car accident lawyer. Insurance companies may start with a low offer, and once you accept, you may give up the right to seek more compensation later. Contact BD&J to review the offer and confirm whether it reflects your medical care, lost income, and other losses.
How long do I have to file a car accident claim in California?
In many cases, you have two years to file a lawsuit for injuries, but deadlines can vary depending on the facts. This is commonly referred to as the California statute of limitations for car accident cases. Contact BD&J as soon as possible to confirm the deadline that applies to your situation and protect your right to recover compensation.
What if I was partly at fault for the crash?
You may still be able to recover compensation even if you were partly at fault, because California uses pure comparative negligence. Your recovery is typically reduced by your percentage of fault. Contact BD&J to evaluate fault, preserve evidence, and protect your ability to pursue the maximum recovery available.
What should I do immediately after a Sacramento car accident?
Your first priority is safety and medical care. Call 911, get checked by a medical professional, document the scene with photos, collect witness information, and obtain the police report information. Contact BD&J to review the steps to take after a Sacramento car accident and to protect your claim from early insurance mistakes.
Should I talk to the insurance adjuster after the crash?
You should be cautious when speaking with an insurance adjuster, especially about fault, injuries, or recorded statements, because what you say can be used to minimize or deny your claim. Contact BD&J before providing a detailed statement so your rights and damages are protected.
Do I need a lawyer if my injuries seem minor?
Even injuries that seem minor can become more serious over time, and early settlements may not account for future medical care or time off work. Contact BD&J to evaluate your injuries, document damages, and determine whether legal representation could increase your recovery.
How to Choose the Right Sacramento Car Accident Lawyer
Sacramento has its fair share of car accident lawyers, so finding the right one for you can feel daunting. Use the steps below as a BD&J-specific way to get started and decide whether our team is the right fit for your case.
- Check case results. Lawyers often post their best work online to signal their capabilities to potential clients. While individual case results aren’t guarantees for your own accident, they can give you an idea if a lawyer settles for a lower number or if they fight aggressively for larger sums. It can also give you an idea of the types of cases they handle most often.
- Read reviews. Online reviews have become the lifeblood of many attorneys as clients tend to trust client reviews over websites. While lawyers typically have a few negative reviews due to the nature of the industry, any car accident attorney you’re considering should have overwhelmingly positive client testimonials. This ensures you know what kind of care to expect if you choose to work with them.
- Schedule a consultation. Consultations are your chance to get to know the attorney’s demeanor and attitude. Ask questions, bring evidence, and get to know who you may be working with for months or years.
Ready to see if BD&J’s Sacramento car accident attorneys are right for you? Complete the form to schedule a consultation today!
Helping Injured Drivers in Sacramento and Throughout California
Our Sacramento neighbors deserve more than low-balled insurance offers and heaps of medical debt. That’s why we offer zero upfront fees and the expertise of award-winning attorneys to fight for you. If you were injured or lost a loved one in a car accident in Sacramento, don’t wait to find out how much you could be owed. Complete the form to schedule your consultation today!
