SACRAMENTO PERSONAL INJURY ATTORNEY

A fire or burn injury can be devastating both physically and emotionally.

But many people do not believe that fires or burns are something that can happen to them. Numerous fires and resulting burn injuries, including death, occur each year across the United States. In fact, statistics reveal that every 19 seconds a fire department responds to a fire somewhere in the United States. Those most vulnerable to suffer injury or death in a fire are children younger than 5 and adults over 65.

Fires have many causes including defective products and improperly maintained property. In addition to causing irreplaceable property loss, fires can also cause burn injuries that are disfiguring, painful, and even deadly. The United States has the highest rate of fire-related deaths in the developed world. If a manufacturer creates a defective product or if a property owner is negligent in the maintenance of the premises and that negligence results in a fire, those parties can be held responsible for burn injuries sustained.

If you have been burned or injured in a fire contact Sacramento personal injury attorney at The Choyce Law Firm to protect your legal rights. Consultation is free and there is never a fee until we win.

Fire kills more Americans each year than all other forms of natural disaster combined. More than 80% of all fire deaths occur in the home. In 2004, the National Fire Protection Association reported there was a home fire every 79 seconds in the United States, and in 2003, a home fire death occurred every 170 minutes. Over $12.3 billion in property damage occurred last year as a result of fires.

The consumer products most commonly associated with fires include:

• Wood and coal burning stoves and fireplaces
• Kerosene heaters
• Gas-fired space heaters
• Portable electric heaters
• Cooking equipment
• Cigarette lighters and matches
• Upholstered furniture
• Mattresses and bedding
• Clothing
• Flammable liquids

Common causes of California fire injuries and deaths include careless smoking, disrepair and misuse of heating equipment, and accidents while cooking. Use of alternate heat sources such as space heaters or electric blankets increases the chances of starting a fire, especially if these items are not maintained or operated properly.

If you have been burned or injured in a fire contact Sacramento personal injury attorney at The Choyce Law Firm to protect your legal rights. Consultation is free and there is never a fee until we win.

A burn is a devastating and extremely painful injury. A burn injury can be caused by a variety of agents, such as heat, chemicals, electricity, or sunlight. Scalds, building fires, flammable liquids, and gases cause the most common serious burns.

Burns are classified based upon severity of damage to the skin and are divided into three categories:

• First-degree burns affect only the outer layer (called the epidermis) of the skin.
• Second-degree burns damage the epidermis and the layer beneath it (called the dermis).
• Third-degree burns involve damage or destruction of all layers of the skin and damage to underlying tissues. People who experience such burns often require skin grafting.
• The swelling and blistering associated with burns is caused by the loss of fluid from damaged blood vessels. In severe cases this fluid loss can cause shock, requiring the burn victim to need an immediate blood or salt solution transfusion to restore adequate fluid levels in order to maintain blood pressure.

If you have been burned or injured in a fire contact Sacramento personal injury attorney at The Choyce Law Firm to protect your legal rights. Consultation is free and there is never a fee until we win.

According to the American Burn Association (www.ameriburn.org), each year in the United States, 1.1 million burn injuries require medical attention, and that’s just the beginning. Approximately 50,000 of those with burn injuries require hospitalization, and roughly half of those burn patients are admitted to a specialized burn unit. Each year, approximately 4,500 burn-injury victims die. Up to 10,000 people in the United States die every year of burn-related infections; pneumonia is the most common infectious complication among hospitalized burn patients.

The most common complications suffered by a burn injury victim include:

• Scarring
• Cosmetic deformity
• Sepsis (the presence of bacteria or their toxins in the blood or tissues)
• Adult respiratory distress syndrome
• Death

Twenty years ago, burns covering half the body were routinely fatal. Today, patients with burns covering 90% of the body can survive, but they often suffer permanent injury. Contributing to the improved survival rate are advances in resuscitation, wound cleaning and follow-up care, nutritional support, and infection control. Grafting with natural or artificial materials can also aid the healing process. Victims who have suffered a burn injury often need to recover from not just the devastating physical affects but the emotional trauma as well.

Call a Sacramento Personal Injury attorney For Help

If you or a loved one has suffered the devastating effects of a serious burn injury, don’t wait to speak with a Sacramento personal injiury attorney at The Choyce Law Firm to discuss your legal options. We will work aggressively to get you the best results possible while also compassionately guiding you through this difficult time.
 
Call (916) 306-0636 today for a free consultation regarding your injury case.
 

The Choyce Law Firm
1438 Del Paso Blvd
Sacramento, CA 95815
(916) 306-0636

Sacramento Accident Attorney Explains Premises Liability Law

Have you suffered an injury or personal damage due to negligent maintenance of a physical space such as an apartment complex? You may have a case under Premises Liability law. Speak with a Sacramento accident attorney if you’ve been injured.

The owner or possessor of a property is required to maintain the premises such that an individual will not experience harm or damage during its use. This responsibility is even greater when considering children as they do not have the capacity to assess risk and act with appropriate caution.

In order to have a strong case against a defendant, the plaintiff must establish the following:

1. The defendant was in control of the property. (Liability)
2. The defendant did not adequately maintain the property to prevent injury. (Negligence)
3. The plaintiff was harmed.
4. The defendant’s negligence was a significant factor in the plaintiff’s injury.

Determining liability:

Who owns, possesses, and controls the property? This is the person or organization who is responsible for maintaining a reasonably safe space and thus may be at fault for injuries arising from the condition of the physical space.

**It is very important to establish who is in control of the property. Control of the property is the basis on which these cases are built as this is what enables the implementation of safeguards to prevent injury or damage. Without definitive evidence that an individual or organization is in control of the property, it is impossible to prove that they have a responsibility to maintain the premises to prevent damage or injury. A defendant does not need to be the owner or lessor of a property to be deemed liable – so long as he or she is the controller of that property, he or she is responsible for the reasonable maintenance of safety on the premises.**

The duty for a property owner to maintain a safe environment is not transferable to independent contractors! If you have questions regarding liability of your case, speak with a Sacramento accident attorney.

Establishing negligence:

Negligence is the failure of the duty of the property owner to maintain the premises as to prevent exposing individuals to unreasonable risk of a known harm. If there is a concealed or not readily known danger on the property, it is the responsibility of the owner or possessor of the premises to either remedy the problem or inform individuals that the danger is present. The defendant is not required to warn individuals of harms that are readily or easily observed.

It must be determined that:

1. There was an unreasonable risk of harm present on the premises
2. The controller of the property was aware of this harm
3. The controller of the property did not remedy the cause of harm nor establish clear warning of this risk of harm

Premises Liability is often seen in slip and fall and trip and fall ‘ cases, but also relates to dog bite injury cases, construction injury cases, and injuries resulting from intentional or negligent action by a third party on the premises.

Not only does the controller of the property need to ensure the premises itself does not pose a danger, it must be ensured that no activities on the property pose a risk to individuals visiting said property.

The controller of the property must also take precautions to prevent damage or injury by third parties that may come onto the property, should this danger be reasonably anticipated. For example, certain safeguards should be provided in areas with higher crime or previous incidences of damage or injury. The foreseeability of this danger is very important to the case and is determined in court on a case-by-case basis. The court also must balance the foreseeability of a third party danger and the burden imposed on the controller of the property to prevent third party damage or injury. A Sacramento accident lawyer can explain the foreseeability of danger in your case specifically.

The court will take the following into consideration when hearing a case regarding premises law:

1. The manner in which the plaintiff came onto the defendant’s property
2. The probability of exposure to injury
3. The seriousness of the probable injury
4. The burden on the defendant of preventing such injury
5. Whether the condition of the property itself presented an unreasonable risk to harm within the normal parameters of use of that property.
6. The location of the property
7. The amount of control of the defendant

Landlord Responsibilities

Before move-in:

• A landlord must inspect the property for potential cause of harm before giving released possession of a property to a new tenant, upon lease renewal, or upon repossession of a property after a former tenant vacates. A landlord must make reasonable efforts to remedy any conditions that may cause injury that were discovered or that reasonably should have been discovered upon this inspection.

During the lease:

• A landlord must inspect and prevent conditions that may cause injury in areas under the landlord’s control. The landlord must be aware of the dangerous condition and have the right and ability to remedy this situation. If the condition cannot be immediately resolved, a warning of such dangerous condition must be provided.

If you have been injured on someone else’s property, or a property you rent as the result of an unsafe condition, or property hazard, you should contact a Sacramento accident attorney. You may be entitled to compensation for your injuries, and contacting an attorney with premises liability knowledge and experience will help you get the compensation you deserve. Call an attorney today for a free consultation!

Get Legal Help About Your Premises Liability Case Now

Call us today to speak with a Sacramento accident attorney about any property damage or injuries you’ve suffered while being on someone else’s premises. Email us to schedule an appointment or call us for a free initial consultation.

Injured in due to Unsafe Premisest? Contact Sacramento Accident Attorney for Help.

If a negligent property owner is responsible for the injuries that you suffered, there is no reason that you should have to bear the financial burden of medical bills, lost wages, and other future expenses. Our Fairfield personal injury lawyers at The Choyce Law Firm are ready to put over 50 years of combined experience to work for you as we fight to get the fair compensation you deserve.
 
It’s important to understand that there are many legal deadlines if you are injured or charged with a DUI. We are a local law firm with offices in Fairfield, CA & Sacramento, CA. We limit our practice to four areas of expertise: criminal defense, DUI defense, traffic ticket defense and personal injury. Don’t hesitate, to call our office at (916) 306-0636 for your free consultation!

AUTOMOBILE ACCIDENT ATTORNEY IN SACRAMENTO

HIT & RUN ACCIDENT INJURY ATTORNEY

In a car accident, the person who is responsible for causing the accident will need to pay for property damage, medical bills and lost wages. But what happens when that person flees the scene of the accident? When a driver hits and runs, the victim of the accident does not know his or her identity and therefore will not be able to make an insurance claim or file a lawsuit, potentially losing out on compensation. If you’re a victim of a hit and run accident, contact an experienced automobile accident attorney in Sacramento immediately who can help you!

California Hit-and-Run Laws

In California, it is illegal to leave the scene of the accident before giving their information to the police and/or victim. California Vehicle Code 20001 (a) states: “The driver of a vehicle involved in an accident resulting in injury to a person, other than himself or herself, or in the death of a person shall immediately stop the vehicle at the scene of the accident.” Also, under Vehicle Code 20003, drivers involved in an injury accident must give the information to the police office including name, current address and registration number of the vehicle. Motorists are required to do what they can to provide assistance to injured victims. If you’ve been in a hit-and-run accident, you could have suffered more serious injuries than regular vehicle accidents because you did not get the attention you needed right away. Contact an attorney at The Choyce Law Firm immediately to get the compensation you deserve.

What to do immediately after the accident

If you’ve been in a hit and run accident, there are certain things you need to do immediately. Although it might be difficult if you’ve been injured, try to write down all the details you remember about the accident such as:

• Vehicle description (color, make, size, etc)
• Driver description (gender, approximate age, etc)
• License plate number
• Names of witnesses
• Unique vehicle characteristics (broken taillight, tinted windows, etc)

Hand as much information as you can to the police and your lawyer. Hit and run accidents are trickier than normal accidents. It requires professional legal representation.

California Car Accident Statistics

According to the California Highway Patrol’s Statewide Integrated Traffic Records, there were 141 fatal and 14,735 injury hit-and-run crashes statewide in 2010. It resulted in 147 deaths and 19,009 people injured. Of these, 7 of the fatalities were in head-on collisions, 4 were sideswiped, 9 were rear ended, 21 were killed in broadside accidents, 11 were struck by an object, four were killed in rollover accidents and 83 victims were pedestrians. If you or a loved one has been hurt or died in a hit-and-run accident, contact an attorney to get the compensation you deserve.

Filing a Car Accident Claim

If the driver who caused the accident can be found, an injured victim can attempt to make a claim against the hit and run driver’s liability insurance company or make the claim directly against the driver if there is no insurance. However, if the driver or vehicle cannot be located or the driver was uninsured, the injured victim needs to seek compensation for his or her uninsured motorist coverage, assuming it was purchased by the injured victim before the accident occurred. For the best help, contact a automobile accident attorney in Sacramento to see what you can do.

automobile accident attorney in sacramento Helps Hit & Run Accidents Victims

If you have been in a hit & run accident it is important that you get yourself medically evaluated immediately. No accident is minor enough to skip getting yourself checked out. Whiplash and other neck and back injuries can go unnoticed immediately following an accident and still cause long term pain and damage. automobile accident attorney in Sacramento at this law firm have been representing injury victims for years and have the experience necessary to properly handle your case. Call us at (916) 306-0636 for free re-end auto accident case consultation today!

Injured in an Accident? Contact automobile accident attorney in Sacramento for Help.

If you have been injured in a truck, motorcycle, plane or car accident, or charged with a DUI or other criminal or traffic offense, call the lawyers at The Choyce Law Firm right now! Our experienced personal injury lawyer is available to give you the answers you need to know immediately and can fight for justice and compensation with integrity and relentless enthusiasm.
 
It’s important to understand that there are many legal deadlines if you are injured or charged with a DUI. We are a local law firm with offices in Fairfield, CA & Sacramento, CA. We limit our practice to four areas of expertise: criminal defense, DUI defense, traffic ticket defense and personal injury. Don’t hesitate, to call our office at (916) 306-0636 for your free consultation!

ACCIDENT LAWYER IN SACRAMENTO

According to the DMV, nearly a quarter (22%) of all traffic fatalities in California are pedestrians.

This is much higher than the national average, which is 13-14%. Perhaps this is because the state of California has many cities in which there is a high number of individuals walking every day and also a high necessity for car ownership as public transit is notoriously unsatisfactory. Because pedestrians are in such a vulnerable position while walking on the roads, it’s important you speak with an experienced accident lawyer in Sacramento who can explain in depth what happens after an accident.

Unlike other drivers, pedestrians are very physically vulnerable when struck by a vehicle. They are not encased in a huge metal capsule and have neither airbags nor seat belts to protect them from physical damage in the case of a collision.

Pedestrians are also not as easily visible as a massive car. They have the ability to change direction and speed without much warning and don’t have convenient brake lights or turn signals to help others anticipate their behavior. Pedestrians also blend into a background and often walk in a way that goes against the flow of traffic in some way (such as crossing the street). This causes a lot of drivers not to be on the lookout or to not see a pedestrian when scanning the scene before them. Drivers have a responsibility to ensure safety for everyone on the road, including pedestrians. If you have been hit by a car and have suffered injuries because of it, speak with a accident lawyer in Sacramento who can fight for the compensation you deserve.

Cars are legally obligated to yield to pedestrians in the state of California. There are specific right of way laws that apply to pedestrians. This includes:

• Drivers must yield to pedestrians crossing in a marked crosswalk.
• Drivers must yield to pedestrians crossing in unmarked crosswalks and intersections.
• Pedestrians must exhibit due care for their safety, but drivers also must exhibit due care for the safety of pedestrians, such as by slowing down when approaching a pedestrian crossing the street in a marked or unmarked crosswalk.
• If there is a vehicle that is stopped at a marked or unmarked crosswalk to let a pedestrian cross, no other drivers may pass that stopped vehicle.

California law mandates anyone who has collided with another car, a pedestrian, or someone’s property to stop. The repercussions for not stopping, even if it wasn’t your fault, is serious. You could be charged with a hit and run and depending on the severity of damages, this could result in a fine, jail time, or both.

Furthermore, under California law, all parties are required to exchange pertinent information such as:

• Names
• Driver’s license numbers
• The vehicle’s identification number
• The name and address of the car’s owner
• The name and address of their insurance company
• The insurance policy number or some such evidence of financial responsibility

If possible, you should try to get as much information as possible that goes beyond the list mentioned above. Some other additional information that could help with your case is the name and badge number of the police officer(s) that arrived at the scene.

In the case of the collision of a vehicle with a pedestrian, the injuries can be very severe. If the driver was negligent, the victim is entitled to compensation. This can include:

• Ambulance and ER bills
• Hospital and other medical costs
• Lost wages due to missed work
• Future medical costs
• Pain and suffering
• Rehabilitation expenses
• Permanent disabilities

It is important to collect and preserve whatever evidence is available after being hit by a car. Alway speak with a accident lawyer in Sacramento and provide all evidence available. Any evidence that shows the fault of the driver may help you get the compensation you deserve.

TAKE PICTURES. If you can’t take pictures, draw a diagram of the scene – don’t forget skid marks. Try to be as accurate as possible. Take note of the weather and any other conditions, such as the time of day and how well-lit the area is. Take pictures of the scene, the car and your injuries.

Precisely record the time, date, and place of the accident. Try to estimate any details such as the speed of the car, whether you looked before you changed speed or direction, whether there was a crosswalk light or stop sign, etc. The sooner you write down your own report, the more accurate it is likely to be.

Get the names and contact information of any nearby witnesses. Ask them to stay to make a statement to the police. If they must leave, ask them to describe the incident and leave a contact number. If there are witnesses that don’t want to get involved or tell you their names, don’t push them. Just ask if they have any information, especially if it was a hit and run and they saw the other car.

If you or a loved one has been a pedestrian harmed or killed by a car, seeking legal advice from an experienced accident lawyer in Sacramento as soon as possible is the best way to get the compensation you need and deserve.

• What To Do After A Car Accident?
• Should I Take An Ambulance After A Car Accident?
• Medical Bill Payment After A Car Accident
• Statute Of Limitations
• Dealing With Insurance Companies

Why Choose The Choyce Law Firm?

At The Choyce Law Firm, we pride ourselves on our commitment to our clients. Our team is not only experienced but also compassionate and dedicated to providing personalized attention to each case. We understand that no two accidents are the same, and we tailor our strategy to meet your unique needs and circumstances.

Choosing us means opting for a law firm that values communication and transparency. We keep you informed at every step of the process, ensuring you understand your options and the progress of your case. Our goal is to alleviate the stress of the legal process, allowing you to focus on your recovery.

Moreover, we operate on a contingency fee basis, meaning you don’t pay us unless we win your case. This policy reflects our confidence in our ability to help you achieve a favorable outcome and our commitment to making our services accessible to those in need.

Steps to Take After a Pedestrian Car Accident

If you find yourself involved in a pedestrian car accident, taking the following steps can be crucial for your health and your legal case:

• Seek Immediate Medical Attention: Your health is the top priority. Even if you believe your injuries are minor, it’s essential to get checked by a medical professional.
• Report the Accident: Notify the police about the accident. A police report can be a valuable piece of evidence in your case.
• Gather Information: If possible, collect contact and insurance information from the driver involved, as well as contact information for any witnesses.
• Document Everything: Take photos of the accident scene, your injuries, and any damages. Keep records of medical treatments and expenses related to the accident.
• Consult with an Accident Lawyer in Sacramento: Before dealing with insurance companies, it’s wise to consult with a lawyer who can guide you on the best course of action and ensure your rights are protected.

Contact Sacramento Accident Attorney for Help

If you or a loved one has been injured in a pedestrian car accident in Sacramento, do not hesitate to seek the legal representation you deserve. At The Choyce Law Firm, we are dedicated to fighting for the rights of accident victims and ensuring that they receive the justice and compensation they need to move forward with their lives. Contact us today at (916) 306-0636 to schedule a free consultation. Let us help you navigate the complexities of your case with the compassion, expertise, and determination you need during this difficult time.

Call a Sacramento Truck Accident Lawyer for Help

Truck accidents often cause life-changing injuries, and victims deserve strong legal support. Insurance companies work hard to limit payouts, so accident victims must protect themselves by working with an attorney who understands trucking law, video evidence, and liability disputes. A qualified Sacramento truck accident lawyer can step in immediately, handle communication with insurers, and work to secure the compensation you need for medical bills, lost wages, and long-term recovery.

Call (916) 306-0636 to speak with a personal injury attorney in Sacramento. Our team can take over your case, manage the investigation, and lift the burden off your shoulders so you can focus on healing.

Contact an Automobile Accident Lawyer in Sacramento

If you or a loved one suffered injuries in a rainy weather crash, you do not need to navigate the aftermath alone. Speak with an experienced automobile accident lawyer in Sacramento at The Choyce Law Firm. Our team provides guidance, support, and clear direction as you move through the legal process.

Call us today at (916) 306-0636 to schedule a consultation. We will help you understand your options and protect your rights throughout your recovery.

Call a Car Accident Lawyer in Sacramento for Help

Legal representation helps level the playing field with insurance companies. A knowledgeable car accident lawyer in Sacramento at The Choyce Law Firm understands the laws, insurance tactics, and procedures that affect your claim. Our team fights for fair compensation and handles the legal work so you can focus on healing.

Call (916) 306-0636 to speak with a Sacramento car accident lawyer who can take the burden off your shoulders.

The Choyce Law Firm
1438 Del Paso Blvd
Sacramento, CA 95815
(916) 306-0636

Call Sacramento Car Accident Lawyer For Help

Strong legal representation protects you from insurance pressure and ensures the process moves smoothly. A knowledgeable Sacramento car accident lawyer at The Choyce Law Firm has extensive experience handling personal injury claims. Our team understands the legal procedures, negotiates with insurers, and works to secure fair compensation.

Call (916) 306-0636 to speak with a Sacramento car accident lawyer today. We will take the burden off your hands and guide you through every step.

The Choyce Law Firm
1438 Del Paso Blvd
Sacramento, CA 95815
(916) 306-0636

Sacramento Accident Attorney

Holidays are a time for rest and relaxation, right?

We all know that is not always the case, and the Thanksgiving and Christmas holiday season is usually a time of stress and last minute shopping. Americans are also traveling at increased rates across the country, congesting our roads and highways. The odds of getting into a traffic accident significantly increase during periods in which there are more cars on the road. The odds are stacked further against drivers during the Christmas holiday because driving conditions are at their worst during winter. When we take into account the fact that individuals are more likely to be driving drunk during a holiday, the situation begins to look grim.

Statistics

Travel Patterns – About 91% of holiday travel is made by personal vehicle, and when considering the number of people who travel for the holidays, we can better understand why there is so much congestion on our highways during these times. The Christmas holiday season represents the second busiest long distance travel period of the year, with Thanksgiving taking the top spot. Long distance trips are defined as trips over 50 miles one way, and during the Christmas holiday, these trips increase by 23%. Americans are also more likely to travel farther to get to their destination for Christmas, with the average round trip families make being 276 miles.

Driving While Fatigued – We’ve all made those marathon trips to visit family and friends around the holidays – up at 5am, then driving 6 hours for an early dinner and back on the road again to get home. But do we think about what that kind of trip does to our chances of getting in an accident? We already have a greater chance of getting into an accident during the Holidays because there are significantly more vehicles on the road, and when you take into account increased levels of driver fatigue, we should all be worried. It is estimated that drivers are over 25% more likely to be driving while fatigued during the Christmas holiday.

Driving Under the Influence (“DUI”) – Surprisingly, the statistics show that drinking and driving related fatalities and arrests on Christmas Day do not show a statistically significant increase when compared to the rest of the year’s average. The statistics skew slightly when the holiday falls on a weekend, but it still shows little significance. Christmas Eve is the day during the Christmas holiday season that we see an increase in DUI related activity. Statistics show that DUI – related traffic stops increase an average of 33% on Christmas eve, and DUI related deaths follow a similar trend.

The holidays are meant to be a time of joy and happiness, and we should all do our best to make sure that is the case. We can all help reduce the increase in traffic-related injuries around the holidays if we show a heightened awareness of the activities that cause the increase. Making sure we are prepared, adequately rested, and staying vigilant against drunk driving during our road trips will make the holidays a safer time of year for everyone. The attorneys at The Choyce Law Firm wish you all a happy holiday season and remind everyone to stay safe and have fun while celebrating!

Injured in an Accident? Contact sacramento accident attorney for Help.

If you have been injured in a truck, motorcycle, plane or car accident, or charged with a DUI or other criminal or traffic offense, call the lawyers at The Choyce Law Firm right now! Our experienced Sacramento accident attorney is available to give you the answers you need to know immediately and can fight for justice and compensation with integrity and relentless enthusiasm.
 
We are a local law firm with offices in Fairfield, CA & Sacramento, CA. We limit our practice to four areas of expertise: criminal defense, DUI defense, traffic ticket defense and personal injury. Don’t hesitate, to call our office at (707) 422-1202 or (916) 306-0636 for your free consultation!

SACRAMENTO PERSONAL INJURY LAWYER

Waking up on a normal day, no one expects to need a Sacramento personal injury lawyer by the end of the day.

People don’t usually notice the multitude of dangers they encounter on a daily basis. Between dangerous drivers on the road, slick floors in the grocery store, a broken step on the way into work, a neighbor’s unleashed dog, and a faulty product you ordered online, there are many hazards with the potential to cause harm. This may be part of the reason 32 million people were treated for injuries in an emergency room in the US in 2012, according to the National Center for Health Statistics. The nuances that go into personal injury cases are difficult to fully grasp and contacting a Folsom personal injury attorney is the best way to maximize your chances of receiving compensation.

It’s important to understand the laws that protect individuals and how to protect yourself after an incident that causes you personal harm. In order to have a strong personal injury claim in California, there must be physical, emotional, and/or financial injury to the victim inflicted by the defendant.

When an incident occurs, especially a car accident, there is often a police report describing the events. It is very important to get a copy of this to support your claim. In cases where there is no police report or the police report does not assign blame for an incident, it is common for one party to accept the fault at the scene and later changes their story. Insurance companies representing individuals who once admitted fault often have a difficult time accepting responsibility for the damages even though the individual now claims to be innocent.

California is a comparative fault state. This means that each individual involved in an incident may be found partially at fault. The degree to which each individual is at fault affects the degree to which they are compensated and the amount they are required to pay. For example, if two cars collide on the highway and one is found guilty of not yielding when merging but the other driver was texting during the collision, each individual may be a certain percent at fault. Determining the actual amount each party pays could get complicated so speak to a Folsom personal injury attorney regarding your case specifically.

There are many different types of accidents such as:

• Dog bites
• Car and motorcycle accidents
• Slip and falls
• Workplace accidents – may include diseases or conditions acquired due to the environment of a workplace, such as asbestosis, asthma, workplace deafness, workplace stress, contact dermatitis, repetitive strain injuries, etc.
• Medical malpractice
• Defective products
• Assault claims

There are also a number of different types of injuries victims can suffer. Depending on the situation, many different injuries can be covered under personal injury claims. The following is a list of some of the more common injuries an individual may have when filing a personal injury claim:

• Broken bones
• Concussion
• Back sprain
• Dog bite
• Infection

There may also be non-physical injuries that are incurred and for which an individual may be reimbursed:

• Emotional distress
• Lost wages
• Medical costs
• Pain and suffering
• Lowered earning capacity
• Loss of companionship and support from a loved one
• Punitive damages

If you have suffered any of these types of injuries, it’s imperative you speak with a Folsom personal injury attorney immediately before time runs out in what’s known as statute of limitations.

Statute of Limitations

In California, the statute of limitations for personal injury cases is two years from the date the injury was incurred. This means an individual with the intention to sue another person or group for an injury must file a lawsuit and bring the case to court within two years from the time of the incident. If this is not accomplished, it is very likely that the case will be thrown out and no compensation may be retrieved.

When an individual means to bring a case against any form of government, such as a city or county of California state government, the statute of limitations is actually 6 months in these cases. This is not very much time to deal with all the entities involved and to make a strong case without professional help.

Limits to Damages

There are limitations to compensation under certain circumstances and it’s highly advisable to speak to a Sacramento personal injury attorney for specific limitations regarding your case.

• Uninsured drivers – California law prevents most uninsured drivers from receiving compensation not related to material costs (e.g. pain and suffering or emotional distress) even if the other driver was found to be completely at fault. There is a significant exception in the case that an uninsured driver is involved in a collision with an individual convicted of a DUI related to the incident.
• Medical malpractice cap – the Medical Injury Compensation Reform Act limits non-material damages to $250,000.
  It is vital to seek out a knowledgeable and motivated Sacramento personal injury lawyer to take on your case and represent you with all the power of the law behind them.

Call a Sacramento Personal Injury Lawyer For Help

One of the best things you can do to protect yourself from being taken advantage of is to get legal representation. A knowledgeable car accident lawyer in Sacramento at The Choyce Law Firm has years of legal experience handling personal injury claims with insurance companies. We understand the complex laws and procedures will fight on your behalf and can considerably help you get the compensation you deserve.
 
Give us a call at (916) 306-0636 to speak to a car accident lawyer in Sacramento who can handle your case and take the burden off your hands.
 

The Choyce Law Firm
1438 Del Paso Blvd
Sacramento, CA 95815
(916) 306-0636