Car accidents have become almost commonplace on Northern California’s roads. Even though accidents are a daily occurrence, people rarely believe they will be the next victim of a collision causing serious injury. No matter what safety precautions you take, a negligent driver in a motor vehicle can take away your sense of security in an instant. At Tiemann Law Firm, we see the consequences of serious car accidents almost every day. We understand the devastation this type of accident can cause. That’s why a Northern California car accident attorney is dedicated to helping families like yours recover following a serious car accident.
A negligent driver can also leave you struggling to recover from life-altering auto accident injuries like traumatic brain injuries, spinal cord injuries, and even wrongful death. Situations like these make it extremely difficult to regain your financial security after a car accident case. Time missed from work combined with the high cost of medical bills can mean you’ll find yourself at the bottom of a financial pit you can’t readily dig your way out of.
An automobile accident can negatively impact your physical, mental, and financial well-being, all in the blink of an eye. Is it right that your entire life is turned upside down because of someone else’s reckless actions? We don’t think so, but not all Northern California car accident attorneys are cut from the same cloth.
If you or a loved one has been involved in a car accident, whether it’s just cuts and bruises to road rash, or all the way to wrongful death in Northern California or the surrounding areas — including Folsom, Citrus Heights, or Rocklin, contact Tiemann Law Firm today to discuss your legal rights. We will first schedule a free case evaluation to review your car accident claim and/or personal injury lawsuit. We understand the physical and emotional pain that car crash victims face — because we’re with them all the way through to a sound resolution.
What Are The Most Common Causes of Car Accidents?
It is no secret that one of the most common causes of auto accidents on the roads today is distracted driving. These common causes often result in severe auto accident injuries, ranging from whiplash to traumatic brain injuries.
From texting to eating to using a navigation system, there are more distractions and devices vying for our attention today than ever before. Unfortunately, that translates into less time paying attention to the road, and the consequences can be dire. Go Safe California found that, in 2019, almost 60 percent of California drivers surveyed said they have been hit or almost hit by a driver who was talking or texting on a cell phone. Any type of visual-manual task that takes a driver’s eyes off the road, even for a few seconds, increases the risk of getting into a collision by three times.
While distracted driving is one of the main causes of accidents, it isn’t the only one. Here are the most common causes of car accidents:
- Distracted driving
- Intoxicated driving
- Speeding
- Reckless driving
- Switching lanes without looking
- Failing to yield
- Aggressive driving
- Fatigued driving
- Poor weather conditions
- Poor road maintenance
- Construction zones
What Are The Most Common Types of Car Accidents?
Car accidents happen in a variety of different ways under a variety of different conditions. That means numerous types of accidents can occur, each with its own set of unique characteristics and injuries. Each type of accident can lead to different auto accident injuries, impacting victims in various ways. Some of the most common types of car accidents include:
What Are Common Injuries Suffered from Car Accidents?
Safety features on vehicles have come a long way. From seatbelts to airbags, there are several precautions that drivers take to keep themselves safe out on the road.
While these tools help keep the severity of auto accident injuries down tremendously, when 3,000 pounds of steel collides with 3,000 pounds of steel, the results can be catastrophic injuries — and conditions are far worse for motorcycle accidents and pedestrian accidents. Car accidents can lead to serious injuries. Some injured clients may never be able to regain the function they had before the collision and can face an uphill battle when it comes to the recovery from their severe injury — or even the wrongful death of a friend or family member.
These are some of the more common injuries that may happen as a result of a car accident:
Do I Need a Northern California Car Accident Attorney?
If you’ve been the victim of a serious Northern California car accident, we understand what you are going through. Whether you are trying to deal with a negligent driver and their car accident lawyers, or their insurance company, it can feel like you are spinning your wheels. That’s because no one is looking out for you or your best interests after a serious auto accident, especially if the accident wasn’t your fault.
When a motor vehicle accident happens, a negligent driver only wants to attempt to shift the focus away from their driver error. At the same time, insurance companies want to keep their hefty profits. That means paying out as little as possible for your serious injury and auto accident injuries claims.
That’s why you need to hire an experienced car accident attorney — we’re Tiemann Law Firm. If you are looking for financial compensation, we can help negotiate on your behalf to make sure your rights are protected and you are getting the maximum compensation you deserve for your car accident injuries, lost wages, medical treatment, and other out-of-pocket costs you may have incurred.
If taking a negligent driver to court is the best option for your circumstances, an experienced auto accident attorney will be able to put the time, effort, and resources into making sure your claim is as strong as possible so you get the compensation you and your family need. At Tiemann Law Firm, we offer a free initial evaluation of your auto accident to review the circumstances of your case and to decide what the best steps will be moving forward.
If we take your case, you do not pay attorneys’ fees until you receive compensation. We understand that the last thing auto accident victims need to worry about (as you are trying to recover and figure out how to make ends meet) is how to pay their car accident attorneys. Reach out to us today for a free consultation and learn how using Tiemann Law Firm as your Northern California car accident lawyer can defend you and help resolve your car crash case with the best possible outcome.
Contact us today and find out why so many people have left 5-star reviews for our service.
What Damages Are Available for Car Injuries?
If a negligent driver is to blame for your injuries, California law allows victims to recover compensation for both economic and non-economic damages. Your Northern California car accident lawyer can discuss the various types of auto accident injuries and the corresponding compensation you may be entitled to. Your Northern California car accident lawyer can discuss this further with you in person.
Economic damages are tied to certain calculable losses such as:
- Current medical expenses
- Future expenses related to the accident
- Lost income
- Loss of earning capacity
- Property damage
California also allows auto accident victims to recover what are known as non-economic damages. These damages are harder to calculate and are often tied to the pain, suffering, and mental trauma of going through a serious accident.
Non-economic damages may include:
- Pain and suffering
- Emotional distress
- Loss of companionship
- Disability
- Disfigurement
California is unique in that it is one of the few remaining states that has not imposed a cap on non-economic damages in serious car wreck cases. That means there is no fixed limit to the amount of money that may be awarded for damages. The Northern California car accident lawyers at Tiemann Law Firm can discuss this further with you.
However, California does not allow an individual to recover non-economic damages if they do not have car insurance at the time of the accident. This rule is at play no matter who is to blame for causing the accident. If you do not have car insurance, you do not get to claim non-economic damages. The most you can claim for this type of car accident case is money for property damage, lost wages, and medical expenses. If you have further questions about your case, don’t hesitate to reach out to us for a free consultation today. The auto accident attorneys at Tiemann Law Firm can help.
Do You Need More Information About Car Accident Lawsuits?
When you first take legal action, you will want to review all of your legal options with a skilled car crash accident lawyer.
Filing a lawsuit can help you recover compensation for auto accident injuries and other damages.
Depending on the circumstances of your accident, and depending on the settlement the insurance company eventually offers, it may be in your best interest to secure legal representation and file a lawsuit against a negligent driver to recover compensation.
If that is the case, these are some of the steps you may expect to see.
- Elements of the lawsuit: An attorney will review all the evidence and information to determine if all of the elements of a lawsuit are present:
- Does the negligent driver owe the victim a duty of care?
- Did the negligent driver breach that duty of care through legally defined negligence?
- Is this negligence a factor in causing injuries and damage?
- Investigation and evidence collection by a legal team.
- Calculation of damages owed: Your attorneys will calculate your damages owed based on your expenses and the extent of your injuries and losses.
- Issuing of a demand letter: A demand letter from an attorney is meant to notify the at-fault party that the victim intends to recover damages. This letter can contain information on liability, the extent of your injuries, and a request for compensation.
- Filing a claim for damages in Sacramento County court
- Negotiating a settlement: Many individuals do not want to enter a courtroom and will try to settle outside of court.
- Trial: If a settlement is not reached or the terms of a settlement cannot be agreed upon, then the case will move to court.
What is the Accident Claims Process?
If you first choose to go through the insurance company to receive compensation following a car accident, an attorney can help you negotiate the terms and protect your rights. An attorney can help you navigate the claims process to ensure you receive fair compensation for your auto accident injuries.
Insurance companies want to settle with as little hassle as possible for the least amount of money. There are several steps involved in the process, including:
- Filing a claim with the insurance company
- Answering insurance adjusters’ questions
- Adjusters investigation
- Reviewing the settlement options
- Receiving final compensation
An attorney can help you negotiate a fair settlement and make sure you aren’t being taken advantage of by an adjuster. An attorney will also be able to tackle issues that may arise if your claim is rejected.
What is the Statute of Limitations on Car Accident Claims?
California has a two-year statute of limitations, or deadline, to file an accident injury case. This two-year deadline begins on the date of the accident. Addressing auto accident injuries promptly is crucial, as the statute of limitations for filing a claim is two years.
Only under very rare circumstances will a court hear an accident injury case after this two-year time limit. In most cases, if you fail to file a claim in time, the case will be dismissed, and you will lose the ability to recover compensation through the court system.
Frequently Asked Questions About Car Accidents
At Tiemann Law Firm, we frequently receive questions from clients about what they should expect when they file an injury claim. Many clients have questions about the types of auto accident injuries they can claim compensation for. A car accident lawyer in Northern California from Tiemann Law Firm answered a few of those questions below:
To begin, state law requires all California drivers to have insurance. Not carrying insurance is against the law and can result in penalties.
If a driver has no insurance, you may be able to file a claim through your insurance company, or you may be able to file a personal injury lawsuit against the at-fault driver.
An experienced attorney will be able to help you evaluate the best options for your particular situation.
Insurance companies are for-profit businesses. It is in their best interest to keep payout low or to a minimum.
Their insurance adjuster also may not have taken all the information into consideration when making a final decision.
Having a Northern California car accident lawyer on your side means that an insurance company won’t easily get away with making a lowball offer, while not considering all the facts. Our Northern California car accident attorney can negotiate on your behalf to get the best settlement for your injuries, or if you have an injured family member.
All drivers involved in an accident with injuries have ten days to file a Traffic Accident Report, which can be found by clicking on the link. The report must be turned into the California DMV.
If you have more questions regarding your Northern California car accident claim, reach out to us for a free consultation today. Put our experience, legal expertise, and how we choose to professionally practice law to work for you, your family, and your case.
What Is the Cost of a Car Accident Attorney?
At the Northern California law firm — Tiemann Law Firm, we understand that following an accident, you are probably struggling with serious financial concerns. How much does filing a personal injury claim cost? It may be difficult to think about how you’ll pay your medical bills, pay for car repairs, and make ends meet while you may be out of work because of your injuries. The financial burden of auto accident injuries can be overwhelming, making it crucial to seek legal assistance.
We provide you with a free initial case evaluation to review the circumstances of your accident. We also work on a contingency-fee-basis. This means that, if we take your case, you do not pay anything unless and until you receive compensation. We understand you may be in a financial bind; that’s why we make it easy to start the legal process without any upfront fees. When you need an experienced accident lawyer in Northern California, call Tiemann Law Firm at (916) 999-9000, or reach out to us online.
Contact an Experienced Car Accident Attorney Today
You didn’t ask for this accident to happen – you were the victim of a negligent driver. Now, you are stuck with the repercussions of their actions: huge medical bills, serious injuries, missing time from work, and missing time spent with your family. At Tiemann Law Firm, we don’t think you should have to spend the rest of your life paying for someone else’s mistake. Don’t put your future and your livelihood in the hands of an insurance adjuster or a negligent driver. Trust the legal team at Tiemann Law Firm.
We’ll provide you with a free case evaluation. A car accident attorney in Northern California from Tiemann Law Firm won’t get paid until you get paid. Call us today at (916) 999-9000 to schedule your consultation, and let us help you get the compensation you deserve.
