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They happen suddenly and usually when you are least expecting them. There is only so much you can do to prevent a car collision – you can’t control the behavior of other drivers. Everyone does their best to abide by the rules of the road, but everyone makes mistakes and gets distracted. It only takes a moment of distraction for a collision to occur. There are many factors that contribute to a car accident and there are many different kinds of car collisions. If you or a loved one has been involved in a car accident of any type, contact a Sacramento car accident lawyer immediately.
Some elements that can increase the likelihood of a collision include:
In the state of California, drivers are required to report a car collision they are involved in within 10 days under any of the following circumstances:
Whether or not you need to report the collision to your car insurance company depends on your exact policy but it’s always best to consult with a Sacramento car accident lawyer depending on your case. Generally, every automobile insurance contract requires the reporting of any and all car collisions very soon after they occur. The sooner the insurance company knows what happened, the sooner they can start trying to defend a claim. If a driver fails to report the occurrence of an accident within a reasonable about of time, they can end up being denied coverage related to the collision. What exactly a “reasonable period of time” is depends on the company. Some may consider this as little as 24 hours.
Even if the collision is so minor you aren’t required to report it to the DMV, it’s important to still tell your insurance company to be sure you can get the coverage you need and reach out to a Sacramento car accident lawyer if you aren’t entirely sure.
No two car collisions are exactly the same, though they can be generally categorized. Though it’s impossible to be fully prepared for the trauma of a car collision, understanding the different types of car collisions and what to do after you experience a crash can help make the aftermath slightly easier.
This term is used to describe more minor car collisions. Essentially it means that the only damage that was done was the bending, or denting, of the exterior of the car. This is the most common type of collision and you may be tempted to deal with these very informally. Be carefully regarding giving your information to anyone with whom you have a fender bender. If you give your contact and insurance information but don’t have a formal report created nor do you collect any evidence of the incident, the other driver may try to take advantage of you by claiming the collision was more serious and damaging. It’s always a good idea to take pictures and have a record of exactly what happened and report it to your Sacramento car accident lawyer.
This is another common type of collision. Rear-ending is just what it sounds like – the car behind bumps into the car in front of it. This often occurs during rush hour and other periods of heavy traffic, when there are many cars close to each other. The severity of these collisions depends on the speed at which each car was traveling relative to each other. That is to say that if the rear car was traveling a mere 20 mph but the car ahead was completely stopped, the collision can be more severe than if the cars were traveling at 40 and 35 mph, respectively. On the other hand, higher speeds can result in out-of-control collisions that may involve other vehicles and greater damage. A slight bump in the wrong place can force a car to spin out, crashing into vehicles in other lanes and creating a pile-up. Generally, the person who was driving the car that hit the car in front of it is considered at fault. There are exceptions, such as when the driver in front cuts off the driver or purposefully tries to get rear-ended.
Head-on collisions are some of the most damaging types of car collisions. They usually occur when a driver crosses the middle line separating traffic traveling in the opposite direction. This results in both front-ends of the vehicles colliding. Depending on the speed of the vehicles, these collisions can be devastating – resulting in great physical damage to the cars as well as serious injuries to the drivers and passengers.
If you or a loved one has been involved in a car collision of any type, it’s a good idea to speak to an experienced Sacramento car accident lawyer. They can evaluate your case and explain whether you are at risk of being sued or if they recommend taking legal action. Pursuing legal action can help you get compensation you need to cover any property or medical expenses relating to the collision.
If you have been injured in a car, truck or motorcycle accident due to the negligence of another, regardless of the nature of the underlying accident, it is important to contact an experienced Sacramento car accident lawyer at The Choyce Law Firm to discuss your legal options. We have offices in Sacramento & Fairfield, CA for your convenience and have the resources and expertise to aggressively litigate your case in court, fighting to get you just compensation for your injury.
Call (916) 306-0636 today for a free consultation with a Sacramento car accident lawyer regarding your auto accident injury case.
The Choyce Law Firm
1438 Del Paso Blvd
Sacramento, CA 95815
(916) 306-0636