Sacramento Personal Injury Lawyers

Unfortunately, most people will be involved in a car accident at some point in their life. The good news is that the majority of these are minor fender benders that do not cause any serious injuries or fatalities. However, some car accidents are so severe, the effects remain with victims for years to come. If you have been injured in a crash, you may be entitled to compensation for your medical expenses, lost income, and more. Obtaining the compensation you need to fully offset your losses, though, is not easy. A Sacramento car accident lawyer can help you obtain the maximum damages you deserve.

Understanding the Various Types of Motor Vehicle Accidents

Car accidents are a pervasive aspect of our daily lives, and understanding the intricacies surrounding them is vital for both prevention and resolution. Our expert Sacramento car accident lawyers will explore various types of car accidents, their causes, and potential preventive measures. We will also discuss the legal and insurance considerations that often follow.

Rear-End Collisions

One of the most common types of car accidents is the rear-end collision. These occur when a vehicle crashes into the back of another vehicle. Common causes include distracted driving, tailgating, sudden stops, and adverse weather conditions. Whiplash injuries are often associated with rear-end collisions due to the rapid backward and forward motion of the head upon impact.

These types of car crashes lead to disputes over fault and compensation. In such cases, insurance companies become key players in determining liability and facilitating the resolution process. An experienced car accident attorney can guide car crash victims through the complexities of insurance claims, ensuring they receive fair compensation for damages.

Preventive Measures: Maintaining a safe following distance, avoiding distractions, and paying attention to traffic signals can significantly reduce the risk of rear-end collisions. While adhering to safe driving practices helps prevent rear-end collisions, being informed about insurance coverage and consulting a seasoned car accident attorney is essential when navigating the aftermath.

T-Bone (Side-Impact) Collisions

T-bone collisions, also known as side-impact collisions, happen when the front of one vehicle crashes into the side of another. Intersections are common locations for T-bone accidents, usually caused by running red lights or failing to yield the right of way. The impact often occurs at the driver or passenger side, leading to severe injuries. Victims should seek the assistance of a skilled Sacramento car accident attorney, especially when dealing with personal injury claims resulting from side-impact collisions. The nuances of insurance policies can significantly impact the outcome of a car accident claim.

Preventive Measures: Obeying traffic signals, adhering to right-of-way rules, and approaching intersections cautiously can help prevent T-bone collisions.

Head-On Collisions

Head-on collisions are among the most dangerous types of car accidents, often resulting in severe injuries or fatalities. These accidents occur when the front ends of two vehicles collide. Factors contributing to head-on collisions include driving under the influence, distracted driving, fatigue, and overtaking on undivided highways. Our car accident attorneys specializing in head-on collisions can guide individuals through the intricacies of personal injury lawsuits and insurance claims, ensuring their rights are protected.

Preventive Measures: Adhering to speed limits, staying alert, and avoiding reckless behavior such as drunk or distracted driving can significantly reduce the risk of head-on collisions. Being aware of insurance company coverage details and having access to legal counsel is essential in mitigating the impact of such accidents.

Single-Vehicle Accidents

Not all accidents involve multiple vehicles. Single-vehicle accidents occur when a driver loses control and crashes into a stationary object, such as a tree, pole, or guardrail. Factors contributing to single-vehicle accidents include adverse weather conditions, slippery roads, and driver error.

Preventive Measures: Driving cautiously in adverse weather, maintaining control over the vehicle, and avoiding distractions can help prevent single-vehicle accidents.

Multi-Vehicle Pileups

Multi-vehicle pileups, also known as chain-reaction accidents, involve three or more vehicles colliding in a sequence. These often occur on highways and can be triggered by adverse weather, low visibility, or sudden stops. Limited reaction time and the domino effect make multi-vehicle pileups particularly dangerous.

Preventive Measures: Maintaining a safe following distance, adapting driving speed to weather conditions, and being vigilant in heavy traffic can help prevent multi-vehicle pileups. Defensive driving in heavy traffic conditions is crucial, and having access to legal counsel can be beneficial in the event of a multi-vehicle pileup.

Rollover Accidents

Rollover accidents involve a vehicle overturning onto its side or roof. Factors contributing to rollovers include high speeds, sharp turns, and collisions with other vehicles or objects. SUVs and trucks are more prone to rollovers due to their higher center of gravity. Consulting with one of our Sacramento car accident attorneys can help individuals navigate the claims process and explore avenues for compensation, especially in cases involving personal injury.

Preventive Measures: Avoiding high speeds, especially in turns, properly maintaining tires, and driving cautiously can reduce the risk of rollover accidents.

Sideswipe Collisions

Sideswipe collisions occur when the sides of two parallel-moving vehicles make contact. This type of accident often happens when a driver attempts to change lanes without checking blind spots or signals improperly. While sideswipe collisions may result in minor damages, they can lead to more severe accidents if drivers lose control.

Preventive Measures: Using turn signals, checking blind spots before changing lanes, and maintaining a consistent speed can help prevent sideswipe collisions.

In the aftermath of car accidents, insurance companies and experienced car accident attorneys become integral components of the resolution process. Whether it’s a rear-end collision, a T-bone accident, or a rollover incident, understanding the legal and insurance aspects is crucial for individuals seeking fair compensation for their losses. By staying informed, practicing safe driving habits, and having access to legal counsel, individuals can navigate the complex landscape of car accidents with greater confidence and resilience.

Damages Available After a Car Accident

If you have been in a car accident, you should never take the matter lightly, even if you do not believe you sustained serious injuries. Even a seemingly minor car accident can end up costing thousands of dollars. If your accident was more serious, the cost of your injuries can quickly add up to hundreds of thousands of dollars. You should not have to pay for these expenses out of your own pocket. 

After determining which party caused the accident, you can then file a claim against them to recover damages for these losses. The most common types of damages awarded in car accident claims are as follows:

• Medical expenses
• Rehabilitative and physical therapy
• Prescription medication
• Emergency services, such as ambulance
• Property damages
• Lost income, bonuses, benefits, sick pay, vacation pay
• Loss of earning capacity, if you are unable to return to the same line of work
• Pain and suffering

Common Causes of Car Accidents

The vast majority of car accidents in Sacramento are caused by the negligent actions of a driver on the road. Negligence, or carelessness, can take many forms on the road, but the most common of them include:

• Distracted driving
• Speeding
• Reckless driving
• Running stop signs and red lights
• Drunk driving
• Drowsy driving
• Fatigued driving
• Poor weather conditions
• Improper road conditions 
• Defective vehicles

It may seem as though no one is to blame for some of the above causes. For example, drivers are not to blame for improper road conditions. Still, this does not mean that no one is at fault. In this case, the government is responsible for maintaining the roads and it is possible to hold government entities liable for their negligence. 

Injuries Commonly Sustained in Sacramento Car Accidents

A car accident can cause a number of different injuries that are not only painful, but also very expensive to treat. It is not uncommon for these injuries to require extensive surgery and physical therapy to correct them. Although a car crash can cause a number of different injuries, there are some that are more common than others. These are as follows:

• Back, neck, and spine injuries: The back, neck, and spine can sustain multiple types of injuries during a collision. The discs in the spinal column can slip or rupture, or a sudden force can cause a person to suffer from lumbago for years to come. In the worst of cases, a car crash can even result in paralysis. Whiplash is one of the most common neck injuries after a car accident.
• Brain and head injuries: Serious concussions, skull fractures, brain bleeds, and scalp wounds are just some of the most common types of brain and head injuries sustained during a collision on the roads. These injuries can affect accident victims for years to come and sometimes, their entire life.
• Soft tissue injuries: The soft tissues in the body are the muscles, tendons, and ligaments. These soft tissues are very delicate and can easily become sprained, strained, or torn during a crash.
• Broken bones: There are 206 bones in the adult body and the extreme force of a car accident can break any one of them. Of all the different bones, the clavicle is the most delicate and so, it commonly breaks during car accidents. The bones in the lower leg, most often the fibula and the femur, also commonly break during an accident.

Regardless of the type of injury you sustained during a crash, the impacts can stay with you for years to come. A Sacramento car accident lawyer can ensure you receive the full damages you need to cover your losses.

Can You Sue a Food Delivery Service for an Accident?

Even though some food delivery services, such as GrubHub and DoorDash, are relatively new, the concept of food delivery is not. Restaurants used to hire their own drivers, and many still do. These drivers were employees of the restaurants they work for, so they and the owners of the business could be held liable.

Companies specializing in this service are more convenient today, as consumers can choose from a wide variety of restaurants when using them. In Sacramento, there are a number of food delivery services, which means there are even more cars and drivers on the road. The drivers that work for DoorDash and GrubHub are no more immune to being involved in a crash than anyone else.

When a driver for a food delivery service causes an accident, they can be held liable for paying damages. Unfortunately, these claims are extremely complex. Drivers for these companies are classified as independent contractors, so it is not always possible to sue the company. Additionally, while some food delivery services, such as DoorDash, provide their drivers with additional insurance, others do not. GrubHub, for instance, only requires that their drivers carry auto insurance.

If you have been hurt by a negligent driver while they were working for a food delivery service, you can file a lawsuit against them. To recover the full amount you deserve, you should always work with a Sacramento car accident lawyer.

Can You Sue for Rideshare Auto Accidents in Sacramento?

Rideshare accidents are not uncommon, given the sheer volume of vehicles operated by companies like Uber, Lyft, and others. Factors contributing to rideshare accidents include driver fatigue, distracted driving, and the challenges associated with navigating unfamiliar routes to reach passengers. Moreover, the nature of the gig economy can sometimes lead to drivers rushing between rides, increasing the risk of accidents.

Uber and Lyft Liabilities

Uber provides insurance coverage that applies at different stages of a trip. When the driver is offline, their personal insurance applies. When the driver is waiting for a ride request, Uber’s contingent liability coverage may apply. Once a ride is accepted, a more comprehensive commercial insurance policy typically covers the trip.

Similar to Uber, Lyft provides insurance coverage that depends on the driver’s activity. Personal insurance applies when the driver is offline. Contingent liability coverage applies when the driver is waiting for a ride request, and a more extensive policy comes into play during a Lyft ride.

Lyft, like Uber, considers its drivers as independent contractors, and driver liability is a factor in certain situations.

An experienced car accident lawyer can investigate the circumstances surrounding the rideshare accident to determine liability. This includes evaluating the actions of the rideshare driver, other involved parties, and potential contributing factors such as road conditions. We can assist in communicating with the rideshare company’s insurance and negotiating a fair settlement for medical expenses, property damage, and other losses. And in cases where a fair settlement cannot be reached, an attorney from El Dabe Ritter Trial Lawyers can initiate legal proceedings, representing the injured party in court. This is particularly crucial when dealing with complex liability issues or disputes over the extent of damages.

Call Our Sacramento Auto Accident Lawyer Today

If you have been hurt by a careless driver, you have rights and you may be able to claim compensation for your losses. At El Dabe Ritter Trial Lawyers, our Sacramento car accident lawyer can handle every aspect of your personal injury lawsuit so you can focus on your recovery and obtain the full and fair settlement you deserve. Call us now at (213) 985-1120 or contact us online to schedule a free consultation.