Sacramento Car Accident Lawyers
A serious car accident can change your life in seconds. One moment you’re driving to work or heading home, and the next you’re dealing with injuries, mounting medical bills, lost income, and relentless pressure from insurance companies. At the Law Offices of Kenneth C. Odiwe, our Sacramento car accident lawyers help injured individuals regain stability after devastating crashes—physically, emotionally, and financially.
We represent drivers, passengers, pedestrians, and families throughout Sacramento County. When you choose our firm, you work directly with an experienced attorney—not a call center, not a paralegal, not a case manager. We understand Sacramento roads, local courts, and how insurance companies operate behind the scenes.
Our Experience and Commitment to Sacramento Clients
The Law Offices of Kenneth C. Odiwe brings over Many years of focused personal injury experience handling serious car accident cases across Sacramento and Northern California. Our attorneys are active members of the State Bar of California and handle cases from initial investigation through settlement negotiations or courtroom litigation.
We build each case as if it may go to trial. This approach isn’t just about preparation—it gives us real leverage when insurance companies attempt to minimize claims. Many of our clients come to us through referrals from satisfied families, reflecting the trust we’ve built through consistent results and honest guidance.
Clients value our direct communication, realistic assessments, and steady guidance throughout what can be a long and stressful legal process. You’re never passed between departments or left wondering about your case status.
What to Do After a Car Accident in Sacramento
The moments after a crash are confusing and stressful. What you do next can significantly affect both your health and your legal claim.
Seek medical attention immediately, even if injuries seem minor. Adrenaline can mask serious symptoms that appear hours or days later. Delaying treatment gives insurance companies reason to question the severity of your injuries.
Contact law enforcement so an official accident report is created. This report becomes critical evidence, especially when liability is disputed.
Document the scene by taking photos of vehicles, road conditions, license plates, and visible injuries. Capture skid marks, traffic signals, and weather conditions if possible.
Exchange contact and insurance details with all drivers and witnesses. Get names, phone numbers, and insurance policy information.
Avoid admitting fault or discussing blame—even apologizing can be used against you later. Stick to factual information when speaking with anyone at the scene.
Before speaking with insurance companies, contact a Sacramento car accident attorney who can protect your rights from the beginning. Early recorded statements are often used to reduce or deny claims.
Taking action early helps preserve evidence and prevents insurers from using delays or gaps in treatment against you.
Why Hiring a Sacramento Car Accident Attorney Matters
Insurance companies move quickly after accidents—but not in your favor. Adjusters contact you within days, offering early settlements that sound reasonable but often fail to cover long-term medical care, future income loss, or emotional suffering.
An experienced Sacramento car accident lawyer handles the legal burden while you focus on recovery. At the Law Offices of Kenneth C. Odiwe, we investigate accidents thoroughly, gather evidence, communicate with insurers on your behalf, and pursue fair compensation that reflects the true cost of your injuries.
If insurers refuse reasonable offers, we are fully prepared to litigate. Our trial-ready approach sends a clear message: we’re not a settlement-only firm that folds under pressure.
You are never alone in the process. You have an advocate focused on protecting your future, not just closing cases quickly.
Types of Car Accident Cases We Handle
Our Sacramento car accident law firm handles all types of vehicle collisions across the city and surrounding areas. We also represent clients in all personal injury cases in Sacramento, ensuring injured victims receive strong legal support no matter how the accident occurred.
We regularly handle:
Rear-end and intersection collisions caused by sudden stops or right-of-way violations
Head-on and sideswipe crashes that often result in serious or catastrophic injuries
Hit-and-run accidents where drivers flee the scene
Rideshare and commercial vehicle accidents involving Uber, Lyft, delivery vans, and work trucks
Multi-vehicle pileups with complex liability and multiple insurance companies
Accidents involving uninsured or underinsured drivers
At Law Offices of Kenneth C. Odiwe, every case begins with a thorough investigation. We review police reports, medical records, traffic or surveillance footage, and expert analysis to determine exactly what happened, who is responsible, and how to pursue full compensation.
In addition to car accidents, we also handle all personal injury claims in Sacramento, including motorcycle accidents, pedestrian injuries, bicycle crashes, truck accidents, slip and fall cases, catastrophic injuries, and wrongful death claims.
Common Car Accident Injuries
Car accidents often cause injuries that extend far beyond vehicle damage. Our clients frequently suffer:
Concussions or traumatic brain injuries that may not be immediately apparent but affect cognition, memory, and daily function. Spinal cord and back injuries including herniated discs, fractures, and nerve damage. Broken bones and fractures requiring surgery, physical therapy, or permanent hardware. Internal injuries to organs that may not show external symptoms initially. Severe burns and scarring from fires or airbag deployment. Long-term emotional trauma including anxiety, PTSD, depression, or fear of driving.
Our Sacramento car accident attorneys ensure claims reflect both immediate treatment needs and long-term medical care, rehabilitation costs, and permanent lifestyle impact. We work with medical experts to document how injuries affect your earning capacity, daily activities, and quality of life.
Sacramento Roads, Traffic, and Local Crash Risks
Sacramento presents unique driving challenges that contribute to frequent accidents. Congested freeways such as Interstate 5, Highway 99, and Business 80 experience daily collisions during peak traffic hours, particularly near downtown interchanges and merge points.
Busy surface streets like Arden Way, Florin Road, Watt Avenue, and J Street see accidents caused by sudden stops, distracted driving, aggressive lane changes, and drivers unfamiliar with local traffic patterns.
Downtown areas near the Capitol, construction zones along major corridors, and high-pedestrian locations around Midtown and East Sacramento further increase accident risks.
Our familiarity with Sacramento traffic patterns, crash hotspots, and local courts allows us to build stronger cases and anticipate the defenses insurance companies typically raise in Sacramento County claims.
Key California Car Accident Laws You Should Know
California follows a comparative fault system. You may still recover compensation even if you were partly responsible for the accident. Your compensation is reduced by your percentage of fault. For example, if you’re found 20% at fault in a $100,000 case, you’d recover $80,000.
Most personal injury claims must be filed within two years of the accident date. Missing this deadline typically means losing your right to compensation entirely. Claims involving government vehicles or agencies may have much shorter deadlines—sometimes as brief as six months.
California requires minimum insurance coverage, though many drivers remain underinsured or carry only the state minimum, which is often insufficient to cover serious injuries.
We ensure all claims follow proper legal procedures and filing deadlines so your rights are protected throughout the process.
How a Sacramento Car Accident Claim Typically Works
Understanding the general timeline helps reduce anxiety about the legal process. Most claims follow a structured path:
Initial weeks (0–8 weeks): Medical treatment begins while we preserve evidence, investigate the accident, and document your injuries. We notify insurance companies and begin building your case file.
Case development (2–6 months): We gather police reports, medical records, witness statements, and expert opinions. Once treatment is complete or reaches maximum medical improvement, we calculate the full value of your losses.
Demand and negotiation (3–9 months from demand): We submit a detailed demand package to the insurance company. Negotiations begin. Many cases resolve during this phase if the insurer makes a fair offer.
Litigation if necessary (6–18+ months): If settlement negotiations fail, we file a lawsuit and prepare your case for trial. Discovery, depositions, and motion practice occur. Some cases settle before trial once insurers see our preparation level. Others proceed to verdict.
Simple cases with clear liability may resolve in 3–6 months. Complex cases with severe injuries, disputed fault, or multiple defendants often take 12–24 months or longer.
Throughout the process, we keep you informed and involved in all major decisions. You’re never left wondering what’s happening with your case.
Uninsured and Underinsured Driver Accidents
Not all drivers carry adequate insurance. California has one of the highest rates of uninsured motorists in the nation. If the at-fault driver lacks sufficient coverage, you may still have options through uninsured motorist (UM) or underinsured motorist (UIM) coverage on your own policy.
These claims can be surprisingly complex because your own insurance company may challenge liability, dispute the extent of your injuries, or argue that existing coverage is sufficient. Insurers don’t automatically pay UM/UIM claims just because you’re their customer.
We handle these cases carefully, understanding that the relationship between you and your insurer changes when you file a UM/UIM claim. We pursue every available source of compensation to ensure you’re not left covering costs that should be paid by insurance.
How Compensation Is Evaluated
Compensation in car accident cases may include:
Economic damages: Medical expenses (past and future treatment, surgery, rehabilitation, medication, assistive devices), lost wages and income, reduced earning capacity if injuries prevent you from returning to your previous work, property damage to your vehicle and personal belongings.
Non-economic damages: Pain and suffering, emotional distress and mental anguish, loss of enjoyment of life, permanent disability or disfigurement, loss of consortium for spouses.
Punitive damages in cases involving extreme recklessness, drunk driving, or intentional misconduct (though these are rare and require clear evidence of egregious behavior).
We provide realistic evaluations based on similar cases, jury verdicts in Sacramento County, and the specific facts of your situation. We never promise guaranteed outcomes or exaggerate potential recovery. Our focus is careful preparation and strong advocacy supported by evidence, not inflated expectations.
Why Clients Choose the Law Offices of Kenneth C. Odiwe
Clients choose our firm because we combine local knowledge with personal attention. You work directly with an attorney who understands your case inside and out—not a revolving door of staff members.
We explain legal issues in plain language, respond promptly to questions, and prepare every case thoroughly from the start. Unlike settlement-only firms that avoid litigation, we build cases with trial in mind. This gives us credibility and leverage when negotiating with insurance companies who know we’re willing to go to court if necessary.
We’re known for honest guidance even when it’s not what clients want to hear, strong negotiation backed by preparation, and readiness to litigate when insurers refuse to be reasonable. Many clients come to us through referrals from satisfied families who experienced our approach firsthand.
Our Fee Structure: No Upfront Costs
We work on a contingency-fee basis. You pay no upfront fees or retainers. We advance all case costs including filing fees, expert witnesses, and investigation expenses.
We only get paid if we recover compensation for you. Our fee comes as a percentage of the settlement or verdict. If we don’t win, you owe nothing—no legal fees, no case costs.
This approach allows injured individuals to access experienced legal representation without financial risk during an already difficult time.
FAQs — About Car Accident
Most personal injury claims must be filed within two years of the accident date. Claims against government entities have much shorter deadlines, sometimes as brief as six months. Missing these deadlines typically means losing your right to compensation.
Yes. California follows a comparative fault system, which means you can recover compensation even if you were partially responsible. Your award is reduced by your percentage of fault. For example, if you’re 30% at fault, you can still recover 70% of total damages.
Denials can often be challenged with additional evidence, expert opinions, or litigation. Insurance companies sometimes deny legitimate claims hoping you’ll give up. An attorney can evaluate whether the denial has merit or should be contested.
It’s best to consult an attorney before giving recorded statements or signing anything. Adjusters are trained to ask questions that can minimize your claim, and statements you make early in the process can be used against you later, even if you weren’t trying to hurt your case.
Cases with clear liability and moderate injuries may settle in 3–6 months. Complex cases involving severe injuries, disputed fault, or multiple parties often take 12–24 months or longer. Trying to rush the process usually results in lower settlements that don’t account for long-term needs.
Even seemingly minor injuries can worsen over time or lead to chronic conditions. An attorney can help evaluate whether your injury may have long-term consequences and whether pursuing compensation is appropriate. Initial consultations are free, so there’s no risk in getting a professional assessment.
You may be able to recover compensation through uninsured motorist coverage on your own policy. These claims can be complex because your own insurance company may dispute liability or damages. An attorney can help navigate this process.
You have the right to represent yourself. However, insurance companies know when people are unrepresented and often make lower offers. Attorneys understand how to value claims properly, negotiate effectively, and recognize when an offer is inadequate. Most clients recover significantly more with representation, even after legal fees.
Government entities responsible for road maintenance may be liable in some cases. However, claims against government agencies have strict notice requirements and shorter deadlines. These cases require immediate action and careful navigation of governmental immunity defenses.
Most car accident cases settle before trial. However, building cases with trial in mind creates leverage during negotiations. If the insurance company refuses a fair settlement, being prepared to litigate gives you options rather than forcing you to accept an inadequate offer.
Contact a Sacramento Car Accident Attorney Today
FREE CASE ASSESSMENT
If you’ve been injured in a car crash in Sacramento or nearby, don’t face it alone. The Law Offices of Kenneth C. Odiwe offers free consultations and 24/7 availability. We’ll listen, explain your options, and start building your case immediately.
📍 Office: 500 Capitol Mall, Suite 2350, Sacramento, CA 95814
📞 Call: (916) 850-2500— You pay nothing unless we win.
Talk directly with one of our experienced Sacramento car accident lawyers today. We’re here to protect your rights, guide your recovery, and fight for the full compensation you deserve.