The California Department of Motor Vehicles reports that, according to historical patterns, about one in three motorists will be hurt or killed in motor vehicle accidents. Even if you wear your seatbelt, follow traffic rules, and never drive drunk, you could still be injured in an accident that is not your fault. When this happens to you, call on a Sacramento car accident lawyer from Erkel Law, P.C. to discuss the compensation you may be entitled to if a negligent driver causes you to sustain injuries and losses. Erkel Law is ready to help.
California has one of the country’s worst car accident rates. More than 3,300 residents are killed on the road every year, according to a 10-year study by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). That statistic is five times more than the national average.
Injuries can range from mild tissue damage to more catastrophic forms of harm. Common car accident injuries include:
Injured motorists will need compensation to pay for medical care, replace lost wages, and address emotional trauma such as a loss of the enjoyment of life and pain and suffering. A skilled car accident attorney from Erkel Law, P.C. in Sacramento could negotiate an insurance settlement or fight in court for adequate compensation.
California is an at-fault state when it comes to car insurance. When motorists are in accidents, the at-fault driver’s insurance pays for the injured party’s losses. California Vehicle Code § 16056 requires motorists to carry at least $15,000 in liability insurance protecting one person, $30,000 protecting more than one person, and $5,000 for associated property damage.
Insurance companies are notorious for pitching lowball settlements, hoping injured people will be desperate enough to take the first offer. If the offer or liability coverage is inadequate, a skilled Sacramento car accident litigator could file a lawsuit seeking compensation for what the injuries are actually worth.
When an injured person’s attorney seeks compensation from the party responsible for the Sacramento car accident, they must prove the defendant met the four elements of negligence: duty, breach, causation, and damages.
All motorists have a duty to drive like reasonable people in similar situations would drive, ensuring the safety of everyone sharing the road. If they fail to meet that standard, for instance, by speeding or driving drunk, they breach their duty. When that unreasonable behavior causes an accident with injuries, negligence is established. Erkel Law, P.C. can put its experience to work establishing these elements by gathering evidence including police and accident reports, witness statements, video surveillance, and working with expert witnesses such as accident reconstructionists.
When you are injured in an auto collision, an experienced negotiator and litigator should be on your team to take the lead in handling all legal matters so you can focus on healing. Talk to a Sacramento car accident lawyer from Erkel Law, P.C. who will not settle for less than you deserve.
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