Sacramento Car Accident Laws

California car accident laws set the statute of limitations for your claim, determine fault under the state’s comparative negligence rule, and require every insurer to offer uninsured motorist coverage. Below, we cover what Sacramento drivers and crash victims need to know, including filing deadlines, liability, and what to do after a crash.

If you need experienced representation, contacting a Sacramento car accident attorney can help protect your rights. Attorney Jeremy Winter, a member of the California Bar since 2006, reviews claims, calculates filing deadlines, and pursues the compensation clients are owed.

Key Takeaways

• Statute of Limitations: Car accident victims have two years from the date of the crash to file a personal injury lawsuit, and three years for property damage-only claims. Claims against a government entity require a separate administrative claim within six months.
• Fault-Based Insurance System: California is a fault-based state, not a no-fault state. The at-fault driver’s insurance is responsible for damages.
• Comparative Negligence: California follows pure comparative fault, meaning multiple parties can share liability, and your final compensation is reduced by your percentage of fault.
• Reporting Requirements: Drivers must report any accident involving injury, death, or property damage over $1,000 to the DMV (Form SR-1) within 10 days, regardless of who was at fault or whether a police report was filed.
• Getting Legal Help: Consult an experienced car accident attorney if your crash involves severe injuries, multiple liable parties, disputed fault, or insurance delays.

California Statute of Limitations for Car Accidents

Key among Sacramento car accident laws is the statute of limitations, and understanding it is fundamental for anyone involved in such mishaps. This legal rule dictates the timeframe in which a person can legally file a lawsuit following a car accident.

• Personal Injury Claims: Two years from the date of the accident to file a lawsuit in California.
• Property Damage Only Claims: Three years from the date of the accident.
• Claims Against a Government Entity: Six months to file an administrative claim if the at fault party is the City of Sacramento, Sacramento County, Caltrans, or another government entity, before any lawsuit can proceed. This deadline applies instead of the standard two year window.

Exceeding any of these timeframes is considered a violation of car accident law and typically results in a case dismissal, leaving victims without redress. Acting promptly and consulting with an accident lawyer protects your rights to a fair settlement, especially where a shorter government claim deadline may apply.

Uninsured/Underinsured Motorist Coverage in Sacramento, CA

You can still recover compensation if the at fault driver is uninsured or underinsured. California law requires every auto insurer to include uninsured/underinsured motorist (UM/UIM) coverage on your policy automatically, unless you sign a written waiver declining it. As of January 1, 2025, Senate Bill 1107 raised the minimum UM/UIM limits insurers must offer to $30,000 per person and $60,000 per accident. 

This coverage matters in Sacramento given that roughly 20 percent of California drivers carry no insurance, the eighth-highest rate in the nation, according to the Insurance Research Council, 2025. If you’re unsure whether you have UM/UIM coverage or have waived it, checking your policy’s declarations page is the fastest way to find out.

Who Can Be Held Liable for a Car Crash in California?

Liability follows California’s pure comparative negligence rule, which allows fault to be divided among more than one party. Liability is established through police reports, witness statements, and expert analysis.

Potential liable parties include:

• The Driver: Often, the primary cause of accidents is human error. A driver can be liable if they were distracted, under the influence, speeding, or violating other traffic laws.
• Vehicle Manufacturers: Sometimes, vehicle defects or malfunctions lead to accidents. If an inherent flaw in the car’s design or manufacturing caused the crash, the vehicle manufacturer could be held liable.
• Government Entities: Poor road conditions, lack of proper signage, or malfunctioning traffic lights might contribute to accidents. Government entities responsible for road maintenance could be deemed liable in such cases.
• Third-Party Contractors: Companies responsible for roadwork, construction, or maintenance might be at fault if their negligence leads to dangerous road conditions causing accidents.
• Pedestrians: In some cases, pedestrians may unexpectedly dart into traffic or act recklessly, causing accidents. Sacramento car accident laws may hold them accountable if their actions contributed to the crash.
• Commercial Vehicle Operators: In instances where commercial vehicles, like buses or trucks, are involved, as per car accident laws in California, the company owning the vehicle or employing the driver might be held liable.

Under California law, every driver owes a duty of reasonable care, the same standard of caution a reasonably prudent person would exercise under similar circumstances. A driver who breaches that duty and causes harm can be found negligent and liable for damages.

Sacramento and California Car Accident Statistics

Car accident laws in Sacramento and throughout California aim to address a significant concern given the state’s alarming accident rates. With its vast road networks and high vehicle density, California records a substantial number of accidents yearly.

• The City of Sacramento averaged 3,533 fatal and injury crashes per year from 2023 through 2025. (California Highway Patrol)
• Speeding and hit-and-run crashes are leading contributors to serious injury on Sacramento roads. The city ranked 1st out of 15 comparable cities for speed-related fatal and injury crashes and 3rd out of 15 for hit-and-run crashes in 2023. (California Office of Traffic Safety, Crash Rankings)
• Nationally, traffic fatalities fell to 39,254 in 2024, down from 41,025 in 2023 and 42,721 in 2022, a trend Sacramento’s own numbers have not matched. (NHTSA Fatality Analysis Reporting System)

For the full year by year breakdown and crash cause comparison, see our Sacramento Car Accident Statistics page.

Common Causes of a Sacramento Car Accident

Accidents happen daily, but understanding their causes can prevent many unfortunate events on the road. Familiarity with the common reasons for collisions can empower drivers to adopt safer habits, decreasing the chances of an accident.

• Distracted Driving
• Drunk Driving
• Speeding
• Running Red Lights and Stop Signs
• Reckless Driving
• Weather Conditions
• Faulty Vehicle Parts
• Improper Lane Changes
• Drowsy Driving
• Poor Road Conditions

Understanding the varied reasons for car accidents underscores the importance of being attentive and proactive while driving. Adhering to California car accident laws keeps drivers legal and provides everyone with a foundation for safer roads.

Common Common Injuries After a Car AccidentAfter A Car Accident

Car accident injuries range from minor to catastrophic, and some, like whiplash or internal bleeding, may not appear until hours or days after the crash. The severity of injuries can vary from minor to life-threatening, significantly impacting the quality of life of those involved. 

• Whiplash
• Traumatic Brain Injuries (TBI)
• Fractures and Broken Bones
• Internal Injuries
• Spinal Cord Injuries
• Cuts and Lacerations
• Burns
• Psychological Injuries

Under the car accident laws in Sacramento, victims might be entitled to compensation for these injuries, depending on the circumstances of the accident. You must consult an experienced personal injury attorney in Sacramento for legal advice.

What to Do After a Car Accident?

In the aftermath of a car accident, emotions run high, and it’s easy to feel overwhelmed. However, taking specific crucial steps can ensure everyone’s safety and protect your legal rights.

• Stay Calm and Safe: Move your vehicle out of traffic, turn on your hazard lights, and check for injuries.
• Call 911: Report the accident so police respond. The Sacramento Police Department handles crashes within city limits, while the California Highway Patrol handles state highways and freeways. The resulting police report becomes key evidence for your claim. 
• Exchange Information: Get names, addresses, phone numbers, insurance details, and license plate numbers from all parties involved.
• Document the Scene: Photograph vehicle damage, skid marks, road conditions, and visible injuries for your insurance claim or legal case.
• Get Witness Information: Collect contact details from any witnesses. Their accounts can support your version of events.
• Seek Medical Attention: Get examined even if you feel fine, since some injuries and internal injuries surface later.
• Notify Your Insurance: Report the accident with factual details only; avoid speculating about fault or causes.
• Consult a Car Accident Lawyer: Talk to a Sacramento car accident lawyer before settling, especially with injuries involved, to protect your rights and pursue full compensation.

For the complete step by step walkthrostep-by-step What to Do After a Car Accident guide.

Contact a Sacramento Car Accident Lawyer for Legal Help

The deadlines covered above, especially the six-month window for claims against a government entity, mean the sooner you talk to a lawyer, the more options you keep open. A car accident attorney in Sacramento, CA can evaluate fault, deal with the insurance company on your behalf, and file before any deadline closes.

J.G. Winter Law has represented car accident clients in the Sacramento area since founding attorney Jeremy Winter was admitted to the California Bar in 2006. We handle claims from the first insurance call through litigation, if it comes to that.

Contact us now to get a free, no-obligation consultation about your case.

FAQs About Car Accident Laws