Citrus Heights Car Accident Lawyer

The aftermath of a car crash can leave you with a long list of expenses. Even a minor collision can be costly. An experienced car accident lawyer in Citrus Heights will help you collect fair compensation from the liable party to cover all your losses.

At Triumph Law, we have over 20 years of combined legal experience advocating for the rights of injured victims in California. Our personal injury lawyers in Citrus Heights understand the challenges victims face. Contact us today to schedule a free case review.

The Right Citrus Heights Car Accident Attorneys to Handle Your Case

We understand that dealing with the financial aftermath of a car crash is very challenging. During this difficult time, our team can deal with the legal problems so you can focus on your physical and emotional recovery. We handle a wide range of cases, including Uber and Lyft accidents; our Citrus Heights Rideshare accident lawyers know how to navigate these claims.

We will investigate every avenue to locate all applicable insurance coverage, whether that’s your own policy, the at-fault party’s insurance, or alternative sources of compensation. Our personal injury attorneys will collect the necessary evidence to build a compelling case on your behalf.

At the same time, we recognize the importance of your well-being and will go the extra mile to ensure you receive the medical care you need. We will help you navigate the complex healthcare system and connect you with trusted providers.

Recoverable Damages Following a Citrus Heights Car Accident

After suffering injuries in a car accident in Citrus Heights, there are a variety of damages you will likely be eligible to pursue. All the compensatory damages you can recover are divided between economic and non-economic damages. 

Our Citrus Heights car accident attorneys have a history of securing favorable results for clients both in and out of the courtroom.

Economic Damages

All the monetary losses caused by your car accident fall under this category. These damages are easy to calculate with the help of bills, receipts, and other financial documents. Your personal injury attorney attorney may also work with experts from different fields to estimate future expenses.

The most commonly available economic losses after a car accident are:

• Lost wages
• Lowered ability to earn income
• Medical bills
• Future medical expenses
• Property damage
• Modifications to your vehicle or home to help with an injury

Non-Economic Damages

All losses you suffer that aren’t in the first category are considered non-economic damages. While these are more difficult to quantify because they are subjective experiences, a Citrus Heights lawyer will handle this. Our team knows how to show the accidents’ psychological impact on your life.

The most commonly available non-economic damages after a car accident are:

• Diminished ability to enjoy life
• Permanent disability
• Scars and disfigurement
• Loss of companionship
• Mental anguish
• Pain and suffering
• Emotional distress

Punitive Damages

Punitive damages may also be available after a car accident. However, you must understand that these only apply in extreme cases. The main difference between compensatory and punitive damages is their focus. While compensatory damages concern the accident victim’s losses, punitive damages punish the negligent party’s actions.

A judge will only award punitive damages in cases involving criminal negligence or an action intended to cause harm. A Citrus Heights car accident lawyer will evaluate all your options for compensation and help you get more money.

The Elements for Proving Negligence

To recover compensation after a car accident, you must first determine who is liable for your losses. You must be able to prove that another party caused your accident either through negligence or an intentional act. Accomplishing this on your own can be challenging, but a Citrus Heights car accident attorney can help.

When attempting to prove that another party’s negligence caused an accident, you must be able to demonstrate the following four elements:

• They had a duty of care
• They breached their duty of care
• You suffered damages
• The breach of their duty of care was the direct cause of your damages

A Duty of Care

When out on the road, all drivers owe a duty of care to those around them. Because of the potential that motor vehicles have for causing harm, everyone behind the wheel is expected to use the necessary precautions to ensure their own safety and that of others. If the party you are filing a personal injury claim against was driving a car involved in the accident, they owe a duty of care.

The existence of a duty of care can also be established for parties, not on the road. A car manufacturer or a maintenance company owes a duty of care to ensure that the vehicles they put on the road are reasonably safe.

A Breached Duty of Care

After establishing that a duty of care existed, you need to show that the responsible party breached their duty of care. When filing a lawsuit against a driver involved in the crash, some of the ways this can be done are by proving that they were using a cell phone, under the influence of drugs or alcohol, or speeding.

For third parties not directly involved in the collision, a breached duty of care can be demonstrated in other ways. For example, showing that a car manufacturer cut corners to save money at the expense of safety will work to establish a breached duty of care.

Your Damages

The next thing you must prove is that you incurred damages as a result of the accident. You can show this with the help of your medical records and bills for the repair of your vehicle. However, to protect against any attempts by the defense to cast doubt upon your claim, seek medical attention as soon as possible after your crash.

Delays will allow the defense to claim that your injuries were caused by another incident rather than the crash in question.

Your Damages Were the Result of the Breached Duty of Care

Once the first three elements have been established, you need to tie everything together. You need to show how the breached duty of care was the direct cause of the damages you suffered. An experienced car accident attorney in Citrus Heights will know exactly how to fit all the pieces together to build a strong case on your behalf.

The Deadline for Filing a Car Accident Lawsuit in Citrus Heights

When considering filing a lawsuit to recover compensation from the party responsible for the crash, you need to be aware of the personal injury statute of limitations for the state where your accident occurred. In California, accident victims are generally granted two years to file a lawsuit. A similar two-year deadline applies to most wrongful death lawsuits.

Missing this deadline will most often result in losing your right to claim damages. However, you need to understand that there are exceptions to the statute of limitations that can alter the amount of time you have to file. These exceptions can work both ways, either extending or restricting the standard deadline.

Hiring an experienced Citrus Heights car accident attorney is the best way of ensuring that you are aware of the exact deadline that applies to you. Your lawyer can determine if any special circumstances apply to your case and ensure that all your paperwork gets filed on time.

Speak With an Experienced Car Accident Lawyer in Citrus Heights Today

When attempting to claim damages after an auto accident, one of the most important things you can do is to choose the right personal injury attorney to represent you. You need someone with experience handling cases similar to yours. Triumph Law has a proven track record of getting our clients big paydays both through out-of-court settlements and by winning their cases at trial.

Whether negotiating with the insurance company or taking your case to court, we will fight for the best possible outcome. Call us today or complete our online contact form to schedule a free, no-obligation consultation.