California Auto and Car Accident Lawyers | Sacramento Injury Attorneys | Demas & Rosenthal

 

Sacramento Car Crash Lawyer

Being involved in a motor vehicle accident is a frightening experience which can result in property damage to the respective vehicles, possible bodily injury or death to those involved, and a considerable financial loss due to vehicle repair, alternate transportation arrangements, time missed from work and/or medical expenses. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) reports that in 2006 there were 5,973,000 motor vehicles accidents in the United States, resulting in 42,642 deaths and 2,575,000 reported cases of bodily injury sustained.  These statistics illustrate how commonplace car crashes are in the United States and how the severity can range from an aggravating fender bender to a life altering, or worse case scenario, life ending situation. Sacramento car crash lawyers specialize in helping accident victims recover damages resulting from a motor vehicle accident at which someone else was at fault.

There are four distinct areas of fault which are recognized in the context of motor vehicle accidents. These are: negligence, recklessness or wanton conduct, intentional misconduct and strict liability (irregardless of fault). The first, negligence is generally defined as an individual failing to take the proper measures which are reasonably prudent to ensure the safety of others. Negligence in the case of a motor vehicle accident is generally thought to be unintentional or careless and could include, among others, failing to yield completely or signal. Sacramento car crash lawyers will examine the police reports , any eyewitness testimony, statements from the involved parties and the scene of the accident itself. In doing so, a qualified team of Sacramento car crash lawyers will be able to determine if negligence may have been a cause of the accident, and therefore, if the plaintiff has grounds to attempt and recover damages.

The second subset of fault; recklessness or wanton conduct, refers to actions taken by a driver which blatantly disregarded the safety of other drivers and public safety as a whole.  Violations which could be considered reckless include, but are not limited to, driving while under the influence of drugs and alcohol, driving at excessive rates of speed or engaging in reckless activities such as drag racing. In cases such as these, Sacramento car crash lawyers will first determine if any tickets were issued or criminal charges pending relating to the accident.  In the case of death, a wrongful death settlement could be reached if found that the death occurred as a direct result of the other party’s reckless actions.  This is also true in the case of fault found to be intentional.

Strict liability comes into play in special cases such as vehicles used to transport hazardous material and in the case of mechanical defect which resulted in the accident.

If involved in a motor vehicle accident in which you suspect the other driver was responsible it is imperative to contact a firm of Sacramento car crash lawyers as soon as possible so they may begin the discovery process and determine if a viable case exists. Time is crucial due to the fact that some of the physical evidence at the accident scene will soon be gone and the memory of those involved or any witnessed could become more unreliable as time passes. It is a good idea to write a detailed account of the accident as soon as you are able so that you will be able to provide Sacramento car crash lawyers an accurate picture of what happened from your perspective while it remains fresh in your mind.