Car Accidents
Despite the many technological and medical breakthroughs in the last 100 years, car accidents remain one of the largest sources of injuries and fatalities in California. If you do get into a car accident, the best thing you can do for yourself is to seek legal advice quickly. An experienced auto accident attorney will help you avoid mistakes when dealing with insurance companies and other parties.
There are a number of common causes for auto accidents, some of which include:
Distracted Driving : Distraction was a factor in 9 percent of fatal crashes reported in 2017. Distractions take a motorist's attention off driving, which can make a driver miss critical events, objects, and cues or abandon control of a vehicle, all potentially leading to a crash. The most common kind of distracted driving is talking and texting.
Drunk Driving : California has by far the most driving fatalities each year, according to the NHTSA, with 1,120 total deaths in 2017 attributed to alcohol-impaired driving.
Speeding : Sacramento has some of the highest crash rates of any large city in the state. In 2018 there were 3,035 speed related fatal and injury crashes.
Reckless Driving : Here are the most common examples of reckless driving:
Speeding or driving too fast based on the current conditions of the road.
Excessive lane changing, such as during rush hour traffic or on the highway.
Improper passing, including the use of the shoulder or failing to signal.
Neglecting to stop at a traffic light or stop sign.
Falling Asleep At The Wheel : Any accident that occurs as a result of falling asleep at the wheel is usually classified as 'dangerous driving'. Dangerous driving is described as driving which “falls far below the standard expected of a competent and careful driver and it would be obvious that driving in that way would be dangerous."
Victims of car accidents are entitled to compensation for property damage, medical bills, lost wages, pain and suffering, and for permanent injury or disfigurement.
In California, you can still recover money following an auto accident if you are partially at fault thanks to the theory of comparative negligence. Instead of barring you from recovering money, comparative negligence reduces your recovery in proportion to your percentage of fault. Some damages, such as medical bills, are still recoverable in their full amount, even if you are partially responsible for the accident.
You only get one settlement for a personal injury claim. Don't wait until it is to late! Let our office help to maximize your personal injury settlement.
If you were injured in a car accident that wasn't your fault and believe that you deserve compensation, then call Bowen Law Firm at 916-742-2220 for a FREE initial consultation with an experienced auto accident attorney in the Sacramento area. In most cases, there are no fees until your case is settled or won at trial.