Accident Lawyers in Sacramento, CA

At Goyette, Ruano, & Thompson, in collaboration with Peacock Law Firm, our Sacramento accident lawyers are committed to providing top-notch legal services to individuals who have suffered personal injuries as the result of an accident. Our combined expertise ensures that our clients receive comprehensive representation and support to pursue their accident claims effectively.

Comprehensive Case Evaluation: Our team, including counsel from Peacock, will conduct a thorough evaluation of your case. This includes assessing the extent of your injuries, determining liability, and analyzing the potential value of your claim.

Legal Strategy Development: Based on our evaluation, we will develop a tailored legal strategy designed to achieve the best possible outcome for your case. This strategy may involve negotiation, mediation, or litigation, depending on the specifics of your situation.

Gathering Evidence: We will gather evidence to support your claim, including medical records, accident reports, witness statements, and expert testimony if necessary. This evidence is crucial for building a strong case and maximizing your chances of success.

Negotiation with Insurance Companies: Our skilled negotiators will handle all communications with insurance companies on your behalf. We will work to reach a fair settlement that adequately compensates you for your injuries, medical expenses, lost wages, and pain and suffering.

Litigation Support: If a fair settlement cannot be reached through negotiation, our attorneys are prepared to take your case to court. We will provide aggressive representation in the courtroom, fighting tirelessly to protect your rights and interests.

Client Communication and Support: Throughout the legal process, we will keep you informed and involved every step of the way. We understand the stress and uncertainty that can accompany a personal injury claim, and we are here to provide you with the support and guidance you need.

Contingency Fee Basis: We understand that pursuing a personal injury claim can be financially burdensome, especially when you’re dealing with medical bills and lost income. That’s why we handle personal injury cases on a contingency fee basis, meaning you don’t pay any legal fees unless we win your case.

If you’ve been injured due to the negligence of another party, don’t hesitate to contact Goyette, Ruano, & Thompson for experienced and dedicated legal representation. Let us help you pursue the compensation you deserve for your injuries and losses.

Areas Of Practice

Truck Accident Lawyers

As a California public safety official, you know your job is dangerous. Every day you suit up, you risk suffering an injury. You do this to protect residents all across California. You know the risks but you take them anyway because that is what you have been trained to do. Yet, safety officials, like firefighters and police officers are often injured in other ways that have nothing to do with their jobs. When you suffer an injury in a truck accident, who will stand up for your rights? Who will fight to make sure you get the compensation you need?

For over 20 years, the truck accident lawyers at Goyette, Ruano, & Thompson have been helping injured public safety officials after devastating truck accidents. We know that workers’ compensation claims are not enough. They do not cover all injury expenses and rarely give you enough to make ends meet. You and your family do not deserve to struggle financially after a serious and catastrophic truck accident. That is why we fight aggressively for our injured clients every step of the way.

About Truck Accidents

Across the United States, more than 8.5 million large commercial trucks operate on the roads. Many of those trucks drive through California, delivering goods and supplies to residents and businesses in Sacramento, San Bernardino, San Diego, Riverside, Los Angeles and throughout Orange County. To do this, they often travel hundreds of miles a day.

When a large commercial truck driver makes a mistake or drives carelessly, they can put themselves and others in danger. After all, a fully loaded big rig can weigh as much as 80,000-pounds. The average police car, for example, weighs under 5,000-pounds. As such, when a commercial truck gets into an accident, the police officers, firefighters or civilians involved often suffer the majority of the injuries.

When a California public safety official is involved in a truck accident, they can suffer serious and life-threatening injuries. These injuries may prevent them from fully enjoying their life or returning to their jobs. In many cases, truck accident injuries can mean the end of their entire career. That is why police officers, firefighters, and other public safety officials need a law firm on their side from the very beginning.

At Goyette, Ruano, & Thompson our attorneys can help you recover compensation for truck accidents involving:

  • Truck driver negligence
    • Truck driver fatigue
    • DUI or drug use
    • Speeding
    • Distracted driving
  • Trucking company negligence
    • Improper maintenance of vehicles
    • Breaking FMCSA rules & regulations
    • Improper driver training
  • Shipping company negligence
    • Improperly loaded cargo
    • Excessive weight
  • Truck manufacturer negligence
    • Defective parts or accessories
    • Tire blowout

Building Your Truck Accident Case

At Goyette, Ruano, & Thompson, our accident attorneys are not afraid to go toe-to-toe with large trucking companies and insurers, and we work tirelessly to build a solid case for our injured California public safety officials.

Some of the ways we build your case may include:

  • Examining police reports
  • Reviewing medical records
  • Interviewing eyewitnesses
  • Collecting and preserving black box data
  • Gathering physical evidence
  • Visiting and investigating the accident scene
  • Examining vehicle damage
  • Employing accident reconstruction teams and industry experts

Success Litigating Truck Accident Cases

Proving liability and negligence in a truck accident case takes considerable experience and skill. Trucking companies and their insurers often fight aggressively to reduce their liabilities. At Goyette, Ruano, & Thompson our track record of success speaks for itself. Our accident attorneys know how to hold negligent truck drivers and trucking companies accountable for their negligence.

Here are some of our successful verdicts and awards.

  • $1 Million — Navy officer who was hit by a dump truck while riding his bike
  • $812,000 — Public safety officials hit by a food company truck

Bus Accident Lawyers

As a California public safety official, you vowed to serve and protect the citizens in your community. This means putting yourself in harm’s way to apprehend criminals, put out fires, and rescue injured accident victims. This makes you one of the unsung heroes in our country. Yet, what happens when you suffer an injury in a bus accident? Who will protect you and your family during this critical time? Who will be there to look out for your interests?

Public safety officials face different obstacles after a bus accident. In the blink of an eye, they may suddenly find that they are unable to return to work in their profession again. As such, they need a law firm on their side that can help them collect the compensation they need after a devastating bus accident.

For over 20 years, the bus accident lawyers at Goyette, Ruano, & Thompson have represented injured police officers, firefighters, EMTs, first responders, and their families after tragic bus accidents. Bus accidents in Sacramento, San Bernardino, Riverside, Los Angeles, San Diego, Orange County and throughout California are complex and require a law firm with the experience and resources needed to tackle these difficult cases.

Bus Accidents in California

Did you know that bus accidents occur at an alarming rate in California? This is due in part to the fact that California has many different types of buses on the roads at all times. In fact, some of the country’s worst bus accidents occurred right here in California.

For example, numerous buses operate in Orange County and Los Angeles, including:

  • Metro Buses
    • Metro Local (painted orange) – offers frequent stops along major city streets
    • Metro Rapid (painted red) – offers expedited travel on city streets
    • Metro Express (painted blue) – offers stop service along city’s freeways
    • Metro Silver – bus rapid transit connecting South Bay and the San Gabriel Valley to Downtown L.A.
    • Metro Orange Line – runs from North Hollywood to Warner Center in Woodland Hills
  • Dash – LADOT’s transit fleet serves 30 million passengers a year
  • Commuter Express – reliable bus service to Downtown
  • School buses
  • Airport buses

Numerous buses and trolleys operate in San Diego County, including:

  • UC San Diego Blue Line Trolley – runs from American Plaza to the San Ysidro border with multiple stops along the way
  • Sycuan Green Line Trolley– runs from 12th and Imperial to Santee
  • Orange Line Trolley – runs from Arnele Avenue in El Cajon to the Courthouse
  • Rapid City Buses – run various directions and routes throughout the day, including from Downtown San Diego to 30th and Adams, as well as to the airport
  • Bus Route 992 – takes you from the airport to the Santa Fe Depot in Downtown San Diego in just 10 to 15 minutes; from there you can connect with all major transit options, including 3 trolley lines, 3 Rapid bus lines, the COASTER, and Amtrak
  • COASTER – a commuter rail service operating in central and northern San Diego County
  • Rapid – a high-frequency limited stop bus that gets you to major attractions and destinations in San Diego quickly

Numerous buses and trolleys operate in Riverside County, including:

  • RTA City Buses – this fleet of 339 buses serves all parts of Riverside County, including Anaheim, Corona, Highgrove, and San Bernardino
  • RapidLink Gold Line – offers express service between Riverside and Corona

Numerous buses and trolleys operate in San Bernardino County, including:

  • OmniTrans buses – Omnitrans buses run through San Bernardino Valley and connect the cities in the community together
  • sbX Green Line – runs 15.7 miles along E Street Corridor from Cal State University San Bernardino to Loma Linda University

These buses can cause horrific accidents and injuries when bus drivers do not use caution. Even when they do drive carefully, the bus company may have acted negligently and failed to properly maintain its fleet. When this occurs, they can face liability for the accident and the injuries involved.

Did you know that common carriers are subject to special laws and regulations that may be different from other types of vehicles? As such, it is important to choose a law firm that understands California’s common carrier laws and their differences.

At Goyette, Ruano, & Thompson, our California bus accident attorneys understand the complexities of filing a third-party lawsuit against a bus company or against the government entity that is responsible for the fleet.

Bus Accident Lawyers You Can Trust

Our California bus accident lawyers begin by meeting with you to discuss your injuries, your work, and your accident. We want to get to know you, so we can determine how best to help you through this ordeal. Our main goal is to protect your rights to compensation, so you can put your life back together again after a serious bus accident.

While every attempt is made to settle your case out of court, we are passionate litigators and are not afraid to take your case to trial if it is in your best interest. We prepare all our cases as if we are going to trial, so you can rest easy knowing that we are ready to handle whatever the future may bring.

Sacramento, CA Pedestrian Accident Lawyer: Fighting for Your Rights

You’re crossing J Street on your morning walk. You have the right of way, but a speeding car runs the red light, and suddenly your world turns upside down.

If this sounds familiar, you’re not alone — and you don’t have to handle the aftermath alone either. At Goyette, Ruano & Thompson, Inc., our Sacramento pedestrian accident lawyers fight to protect injured walkers, joggers, and California’s public safety workers when careless drivers cause harm.

Understanding Pedestrian Accidents in Sacramento

Walking should be safe, but every year, too many people are hit by drivers who are speeding, texting, ignoring crosswalks, or under the influence. Injuries from a pedestrian accident can be severe and life-changing:

  • Broken bones and fractures
  • Head injuries and concussions
  • Spinal cord damage and paralysis
  • Internal injuries
  • Emotional trauma and PTSD

When you’re the one hit, you’re left with mounting medical bills, time away from work, and a long recovery — all because someone couldn’t pay attention.

What Makes a Strong Pedestrian Accident Claim?

Wondering if you have a case? Here’s what our lawyers look for to build a solid pedestrian injury claim:

Fault: Did the driver act negligently — by speeding, running a light, texting, or failing to yield?

Injuries: Did the crash cause real injuries that need medical care?

Proof: Can we connect the driver’s careless actions directly to your injuries and losses?

Damages: Did you suffer costs like hospital bills, therapy, lost wages, or lasting pain and suffering?

Our Sacramento pedestrian accident lawyers collect witness statements, camera footage, police reports, and medical evidence to make sure your story is clear and undeniable.

Why Goyette, Ruano & Thompson, Inc.?

When you trust us with your case, you get more than a lawyer — you get a team with a reputation for tough, honest advocacy:

  • 30+ Years of Experience: We’ve handled thousands of cases across California.
  • Respected and Feared: Opposing attorneys and insurance companies know we come prepared and don’t back down.
  • Full-Service Support: From injury claims to work-related legal issues, we cover it all under one roof.
  • Personal Attention: We answer your calls, explain your options clearly, and guide you step-by-step.

We don’t settle for lowball offers — we fight for the true value of your claim, whether that means negotiating fiercely or going to trial.

What You Could Recover After a Pedestrian Accident

After a pedestrian accident, you may be entitled to recover:

  • Medical bills: Hospital stays, surgeries, rehab, medications, and future care
  • Lost income: Paychecks you missed while recovering, and any future lost earning ability
  • Pain and suffering: Compensation for physical pain, emotional distress, and lost enjoyment of life
  • Other damages: Depending on your case, you may also seek compensation for long-term disabilities or the impact on your family life

Don’t Wait — Talk to Our Sacramento Pedestrian Accident Lawyers Now

Time matters. The longer you wait, the harder it can be to gather strong evidence and push back against insurance companies.

Let Goyette, Ruano & Thompson, Inc. handle the legal fight while you focus on healing. We’ll answer your questions, investigate every angle, and build the strongest claim possible.

Schedule your free consultation today. Let’s fight for your rights and the fair compensation you deserve. Call now to get started.

Sacramento, CA Motorcycle Accident Lawyer

It’s a sunny weekend in Sacramento. You’re enjoying a ride down Highway 50 when suddenly, a distracted driver swerves into your lane. In an instant, you’re on the ground, your bike is wrecked, and you’re facing weeks or months of recovery.

These are the moments when you need someone in your corner. At Goyette, Ruano & Thompson, Inc., we help injured riders and public safety workers get the fair compensation they need to heal and move forward.

Why Motorcycle Accidents Are So Serious

Motorcyclists have very little to protect them in a crash. Even a low-speed collision can cause life-changing injuries like:

  • Broken bones and fractures
  • Road rash and severe lacerations
  • Traumatic brain injuries (TBI)
  • Spinal cord injuries
  • Internal organ damage

Unfortunately, insurance companies often try to blame riders — painting them as reckless even when they’re not at fault. Our Sacramento motorcycle accident lawyers know these tricks. We build strong cases that prove what really happened and demand full accountability.

What Makes a Valid Motorcycle Accident Claim?

If you’re wondering whether you have a case, here’s what we look for:

Negligence: Did another driver act carelessly? For example, did they speed, text while driving, run a red light, or fail to check blind spots?

Injury: Did the accident cause physical harm? Medical records, doctor reports, and your own statements help show this.

Connection: Can we clearly link the other driver’s actions to your injuries and damages?

Damages: Did you suffer losses like medical bills, missed work, bike repair or replacement costs, or pain and suffering?

Our team can gather evidence, talk to witnesses, work with accident reconstruction experts, and handle all the insurance paperwork to prove these points.

What Sets Goyette, Ruano & Thompson, Inc. Apart

You have options when choosing a motorcycle accident lawyer in Sacramento — so why trust us?

Decades of Success: With over 30 years of serving California, we’ve helped thousands of clients win fair results.

Respected by the Community: We’ve earned a reputation for honesty and relentless advocacy. Insurance companies know we don’t back down.

Personal Attention: We don’t hand you off to a paralegal. Our personal injury lawyers talk to you directly, return your calls, and treat your case like it’s our own.

Full-Service Support: If your case involves employment law issues, workers’ compensation, or even criminal allegations connected to the crash, our diverse legal team can handle it all under one roof.

Success Litigating Car & Motorcycle Accident Cases

Proving liability and negligence is never easy. That is why you need an experienced personal injury attorney who’s experienced in these matters on your side from the start. At Goyette, Ruano, & Thompson, our attorneys know how to aggressively pursue compensation for our clients. Our track record of success speaks for itself. Here are some of our successful verdicts and awards.

  • $2.3 Million – Police Officer who suffered wrist injuries after a motorcycle while on duty Los Angeles County, Calif.
  • $2 Million – Parole Agent who suffered neck and back injuries after an automobile accident at an intersection in Fresno, Calif.
  • $1 Million – Firefighter’s father-in-law injured at an intersection on Highway 1 in San Luis Obispo, Calif. by a driver who ran a red light.
  • $950,000 – California Highway Patrol Officer injured in vehicle accident in Riverside, Calif.
  • $699,000 – California Correctional Officer injured in vehicle accident.

Why Acting Fast After a Motorcycle Accident Matters

After a motorcycle crash, you need to move quickly to protect your rights:

  • Evidence can disappear. Skid marks fade. Witnesses forget details. Surveillance footage can get erased.
  • Insurance adjusters work fast. They might call you within days, pressuring you to accept a lowball settlement.
  • Medical bills don’t wait. If you’re out of work, money stress can pile up fast.

The sooner you call our Sacramento motorcycle accident lawyers, the sooner we can lock down evidence, deal with the insurance companies, and keep your claim moving forward.

Talk to Our Sacramento Motorcycle Accident Lawyers Today

A motorcycle crash can change your life in seconds, but you don’t have to face the recovery alone. Goyette, Ruano & Thompson, Inc. is ready to fight for you. We’ll handle the paperwork, the calls, and the negotiations so you can focus on getting better.

Don’t wait. Call us now to schedule your free consultation. Let’s talk about what happened, answer your questions, and start building a plan to get you the compensation you deserve.

Bike Accident Lawyers

California bike accident fatalities hit a 25-year high recently. Across the state, 3.9 bike accident fatalities occurred per million residents — the highest in the nation. Even more cyclists suffer serious and debilitating injuries in bike accidents across Sacramento, San Bernardino, San Diego, Riverside, Los Angeles, and Orange County. In fact, more fatal bike accidents occurred in Los Angeles County than in any other county in the state. Orange County ranked third for most fatal bike accidents. The reason is threefold: a rise in bicycling, increased distracted driving, and a consumer shift towards large vehicles, such as trucks and SUVs.

Unfortunately, police officers, first responders, and California public safety officials may suffer serious injuries in bike accidents. When they do, they need someone on their side that can fight for them and their rights to compensation.

For over 20 years, the bike accident attorneys at Goyette, Ruano, & Thompson have helped injured California public safety officials and their families seek justice after a bike accident. We believe in aggressively protecting those who dedicate their lives to protecting others. We know that workers’ compensation benefits are never enough to pay for all your expenses after a bike accident. We also know that many bike accidents happen when officers are off-duty. That is why we work to identify negligent parties quickly, so we can help you file an injury claim. Our lawyers work on a contingency basis. That means that injured California firefighters, police officers, first responders and their families do not pay us anything unless we collect money for you. It’s that simple.

About Bike Accidents

Drivers in Sacramento, Orange County San Bernardino, San Diego, Riverside, Los Angeles and throughout California have a responsibility to share the road with pedestrians and cyclists. When they fail to do so, they can cause horrific accidents.

Because of their low profile, bicycles do not offer their riders much protection. There is nothing between them and the pavement below. During a car accident, cyclists often suffer severe and life-changing injuries, including:

  • Traumatic brain injuries
  • Spinal cord injuries
  • Fractures
  • Soft tissue injuries
  • Disfigurement and amputation
  • Internal organ damage
  • Burns

Due to the severity of these injuries, injured California public safety officials often need more compensation than their workers’ compensation benefits provide. When this occurs, they need a law firm on their side that can help them file a lawsuit against the negligent driver.

Experience Matters in Bike Accident Cases

At Goyette, Ruano, & Thompson, our bike accident lawyers understand that cyclists face an uphill battle when trying to collect compensation. The legal system and insurance companies are often biased against cyclists. They may even try to pin some of the blame back on you or assert that you are not as injured as you claim to be.

Our injury lawyers build solid cases to help our clients collect maximum compensation because we leave no stone unturned. We start by aggressively investigating all angles of the bike accident to help establish negligence. We then work with your medical team to determine the full extent of your injuries so we can understand how those injuries may impact your overall health and future. Lastly, we work with experts in a variety of fields, including forensics and accident recreation to clearly establish liability.

Our law firm has the resources needed to tackle complex bike accident cases — and win. Our track record of success speaks for itself. Recently, we obtained a $1 Million award for a retired Navy officer who was hit by a dump truck while riding his bike. He suffered serious rib, back and shoulder injuries but was eventually able to return to work.

Did You Suffer Injury in a Bike Accident?

If you suffered an injury in an bike accident, it is important to know where you can turn for help. You deserve a law firm on your side that can fight aggressively for your rights to compensation. At Goyette, Ruano, & Thompson, we have offices in both southern and northern California and represent public safety members after they have suffered a serious injury in a bike accident.

Accident Resources

Our Accident Attorneys

If you need a Personal Injury attorney contact our office to schedule your case evaluation. Call us today at 916 851 1900 or fill out the form below.

Victoria Gutierrez
Victoria Gutierrez

Attorney at Law

Mark Peacock

Attorney – Of Counsel

Derek Ulmer, Civil Litigation Attorney
Derek Ulmer

Partner