1. Berg Injury Lawyers
Practice Focus: Car accidents, truck accidents, motorcycle accidents, bicycle accidents, pedestrian accidents, traumatic brain injuries, wrongful death, boat accidents, nursing home negligence, slip and fall injuries, defective products, railroad accidents
Case Types Handled: Rear-end collisions, head-on collisions, T-bone accidents, multi-vehicle pileups, commercial truck accidents, hit-and-run accidents, uninsured motorist claims, catastrophic injury cases, spinal cord injuries, traumatic brain injuries, burn injuries
Legal Services: Insurance claim negotiation, litigation, trial representation, settlement negotiations, property damage claims, medical lien resolution, lost wage recovery, pain and suffering claims, wrongful death claims, social security disability assistance
Background: Berg Injury Lawyers has served clients in Northern California since 1981 and has recovered over $1 billion for clients. The firm employs a No Fee Guarantee policy where clients pay nothing unless they win. Known as experienced negotiators in the Sacramento region, the firm maintains offices throughout Northern California.
Location: 2277 Watt Ave, 2nd Floor, Sacramento, California 95825
Contact: (916) 641-5800 | (800) 400-2374 | https://www.berginjurylawyers.com/sacramento/
Consultation: Free 24/7 consultation, contingency fee basis (no fee unless recovery is obtained)
2. Del Rio and Caraway, P.C.
Practice Focus: Personal injury, car accidents, truck accidents, motorcycle accidents, bicycle accidents, pedestrian accidents, Uber/Lyft rideshare accidents, wrongful death, traumatic brain injuries, spinal cord injuries
Case Types Handled: Rear-end collisions, intersection accidents, commercial truck/semi-truck/18-wheeler accidents, T-bone accidents, hit-and-run accidents, rideshare accidents, pedestrian accidents, multi-vehicle collisions, catastrophic injury cases
Legal Services: Insurance claim negotiation, litigation, trial representation, settlement negotiations, accident investigation, evidence gathering, medical records review, property damage claims, lost wage recovery, pain and suffering claims, wrongful death claims
Background: The firm combines over 50 years of experience in personal injury representation. Attorneys include Daniel Del Rio and Ognian Gavrilov, who obtained a $2.1 million confidential settlement in a case where liability was contested. Notable results include a commercial truck rear-end accident case involving traumatic brain injury and a private mail delivery truck pedestrian accident resulting in multilevel spine surgery.
Location: Sacramento, California (contact for specific address)
Contact: (916) 229-6755 | https://www.delriolawoffice.com/
Consultation: Free consultation, contingency fee basis (no up-front legal fees)
3. Law Office of Brian H. Turner
Practice Focus: Personal injury, car accidents, truck accidents, motorcycle accidents, bicycle accidents, pedestrian accidents, wrongful death, traumatic brain injuries, spinal cord injuries, construction accidents
Case Types Handled: Rear-end collisions, T-bone accidents, head-on collisions, commercial truck accidents, multi-vehicle pileups, catastrophic injury cases, traumatic brain injuries, spinal cord damage, paralysis cases
Legal Services: Insurance claim negotiation, litigation, trial representation, settlement negotiations, accident investigation, evidence gathering, medical bill management, property damage claims, lost wage recovery, pain and suffering claims, wrongful death claims
Background: The firm personally handles all correspondence with clients and provides direct attorney access. Attorneys Tim and Brian are experienced negotiators who understand insurance company tactics to minimize payouts. The firm serves Sacramento and surrounding areas.
Location: Sacramento, California (contact for specific address)
Contact: Contact through website | https://bhturnerlaw.com/
Consultation: Free consultation, contingency fee basis
4. Moseley Collins Law
Practice Focus: Personal injury, car accidents, medical malpractice, birth injuries, truck accidents, motorcycle accidents, wrongful death, premises liability
Case Types Handled: Rear-end collisions, head-on collisions, T-bone accidents, distracted driving accidents, speeding accidents, hit-and-run accidents, drunk driving accidents, catastrophic injury cases, wrongful death from auto accidents
Legal Services: Insurance claim negotiation, litigation, trial representation, settlement negotiations, accident investigation, evidence gathering, medical records review, property damage claims, lost wage recovery, pain and suffering claims, medical malpractice claims
Background: Moseley Collins has been practicing law in Sacramento for decades. The firm has handled California’s largest police misconduct lawsuit payoffs. Moseley Collins has been married over 20 years with six children, 15 grandchildren, and 3 great grandchildren, bringing family values to client representation. The firm serves Sacramento and surrounding communities including West Sacramento, Elk Grove, Rancho Cordova, Citrus Heights, Folsom, and El Dorado Hills.
Location: Sacramento, California (contact for specific address)
Contact: (916) 444-4444 | https://www.moseleycollins.com/
Consultation: Free no-obligation consultation
5. Tiemann Law Firm
Practice Focus: Personal injury, car accidents, truck accidents, motorcycle accidents, bicycle accidents, pedestrian accidents, wrongful death, slip and fall accidents, catastrophic injuries
Case Types Handled: Rear-end collisions, head-on collisions, T-bone accidents, intersection accidents, multi-vehicle pileups, commercial truck accidents, hit-and-run accidents, drunk driving accidents, uninsured motorist claims, catastrophic injury cases
Legal Services: Insurance claim negotiation, litigation, trial representation, settlement negotiations, accident investigation, evidence documentation, medical bill management, property damage claims, lost wage recovery, pain and suffering claims, wrongful death claims
Background: The firm focuses on personal injury representation throughout Northern California. Attorney Peter Tiemann has been noted in client reviews for making home visits to discuss cases with injured clients who cannot travel. The firm works on a contingency fee basis, ensuring clients do not pay anything unless compensation is recovered.
Location: Sacramento, California (contact for specific address)
Contact: (916) 999-9000 | https://tiemannlawfirm.com/car-accident-lawyers-sacramento/
Consultation: Free case evaluation, contingency fee basis (no payment unless case is won)
Car Accident Laws and Regulations in California
Statute of Limitations for Personal Injury Claims: Two years from the date of the accident under California Code of Civil Procedure Section 335.1. Failure to file within this timeframe results in losing the right to pursue compensation through the court system.
Statute of Limitations for Property Damage Claims: Three years from the date of the accident under California Code of Civil Procedure Section 338.
Statute of Limitations for Wrongful Death Claims: Two years from the date of death.
Government Entity Claims: Claims against government entities must be filed within 180 days of the accident under California Government Code Section 911.2.
Fault vs. No-Fault Insurance State Status: California is an at-fault (tort) state. The driver who caused the accident is financially responsible for damages through their liability insurance. Injured parties can file claims with the at-fault driver’s insurance company or pursue a lawsuit.
Comparative Negligence Rules: California follows a pure comparative negligence system under California Civil Code Section 1714. Injured parties can recover damages even if they are 99% at fault, though their recovery is reduced by their percentage of fault. For example, if found 20% at fault for a $50,000 claim, the recovery would be $40,000.
Minimum Auto Insurance Requirements: California requires drivers to carry liability insurance with minimum coverage of $15,000 per person for bodily injury, $30,000 per accident for bodily injury when multiple people are injured, and $5,000 per accident for property damage (15/30/5).
Uninsured/Underinsured Motorist Coverage: California presumes all drivers have uninsured motorist/underinsured motorist (UM/UIM) coverage unless specifically waived in writing. This coverage protects drivers if involved in an accident with an uninsured or underinsured at-fault driver.
Accident Reporting Requirements: Drivers involved in accidents resulting in injury, death, or property damage exceeding $1,000 must report the collision to the California Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) within 10 days using Form SR-1. Failure to report can result in license suspension.
Damage Caps: California does not have statutory caps on economic or non-economic damages in personal injury cases. However, California law prohibits uninsured drivers from recovering non-economic damages (pain and suffering) regardless of who is at fault.
Dram Shop Liability Laws: California has limited dram shop liability. Generally, establishments that serve alcohol are not liable for injuries caused by intoxicated patrons, except when serving obviously intoxicated minors.
Vicarious Liability Rules: Vehicle owners can be held liable for accidents caused by drivers operating their vehicles with permission under certain circumstances, particularly for minors driving with parental permission.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long do I have to file a car accident lawsuit in California?
California law provides a two-year statute of limitations for personal injury claims from car accidents under Code of Civil Procedure Section 335.1. This deadline begins on the date of the accident or, in limited circumstances, the date the injury was discovered. For property damage claims, you have three years to file. If you are filing a claim against a government entity (such as when a city bus or state vehicle was involved), notice must be filed within 180 days. Missing these deadlines typically results in losing your right to pursue compensation through the court system.
How does California’s pure comparative negligence law affect my car accident claim?
California follows a pure comparative negligence system, which means you can recover damages even if you were substantially at fault for the accident. However, your compensation will be reduced by your percentage of fault. For example, if you are found 30% responsible for the accident and your damages total $100,000, you would receive $70,000. Unlike modified comparative negligence states, California does not bar recovery even if you are more than 50% at fault. This system applies in both insurance claim negotiations and court proceedings.
What should I do if the other driver in my Sacramento accident does not have insurance?
If the at-fault driver was uninsured, you may still be able to recover compensation through several avenues. First, check if your own auto insurance policy includes uninsured motorist (UM) coverage, which California presumes all drivers have unless specifically waived. You can file a claim under your UM coverage to compensate for your injuries and damages. You may also pursue a personal injury lawsuit directly against the at-fault uninsured driver, though collecting may be difficult if they lack assets. Consulting with an attorney can help you determine the most effective strategy for your specific situation.
What types of compensation can I recover after a car accident in Sacramento?
California allows car accident victims to recover both economic and non-economic damages. Economic damages include medical expenses (past and future), lost wages, loss of earning capacity, property damage, rehabilitation costs, and other out-of-pocket expenses. Non-economic damages include pain and suffering, emotional distress, loss of enjoyment of life, and loss of consortium. Because California does not cap damages in most personal injury cases, there is no statutory limit on the amount you can recover if liability is established. However, uninsured drivers cannot recover non-economic damages.
Do I need to report my car accident to the DMV in California?
You must report your car accident to the California DMV within 10 days if the accident resulted in injury, death, or property damage exceeding $1,000. This is done using DMV Form SR-1 (Report of Traffic Accident). Failure to report a qualifying accident can result in suspension of your driver’s license. This requirement applies regardless of who was at fault for the accident. You should also report the accident to your insurance company promptly, as most policies require notification within a reasonable time frame after an incident.