A traffic collision involving two vehicles occurred Wednesday afternoon on northbound Highway 99 near the Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard offramp in Sacramento’s Lemon Hill area, according to the California Highway Patrol. The two-vehicle collision happened around 4:24 p.m. on February 11, 2026, during the busy afternoon commute. CHP officials responded to the scene to investigate the collision and manage traffic in the area.
The Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard offramp is a heavily used exit that serves as a major access point for the Lemon Hill neighborhood and surrounding communities. Highway 99, also known as the Golden State Highway, is one of Sacramento’s primary transportation corridors and experiences significant traffic volume throughout the day, particularly during peak commute hours.
The accident occurred during the afternoon rush hour, when many workers were traveling home, potentially increasing the risk of secondary collisions as traffic slowed in the area. Emergency personnel worked to clear the scene while ensuring the safety of both the accident victims and other motorists navigating through the affected area. The collision near the off-ramp suggests that vehicles may have been merging, changing lanes, or preparing to exit the highway at the time of the accident.
Details of the Two-Vehicle Collision
The collision occurred on northbound Highway 99 near the Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard exit, a frequently traveled section of the highway in the Lemon Hill neighborhood of Sacramento. This area experiences heavy traffic during the afternoon as commuters make their way through the city.
According to the California Highway Patrol, the two-vehicle accident was reported at approximately 4:24 p.m. Emergency responders arrived at the scene to assess the situation and provide assistance to anyone involved in the crash.
At this time, information regarding the cause of the collision, the extent of any injuries, and whether any parties were transported to local hospitals has not been released. The CHP continues to investigate the circumstances that led to this Highway 99 accident.
Common Causes of Highway Collisions
Multi-vehicle accidents on California highways, such as Highway 99, can occur for various reasons, particularly during high-traffic periods. Some common contributing factors include:
Distracted Driving: Drivers using mobile devices, adjusting navigation systems, or engaging in other distracting activities may fail to notice slowing traffic or changing road conditions ahead.
Following Too Closely: Tailgating reduces a driver’s ability to react to sudden stops or slowdowns, especially in congested highway conditions common during commute hours.
Unsafe Lane Changes: Failing to check blind spots or signal properly before changing lanes can lead to sideswipe collisions or cause other vehicles to take evasive action.
Speeding: Excessive speed reduces reaction time and increases the severity of collisions when they occur, particularly in areas where traffic patterns change near highway exits.
Impaired or Fatigued Driving: Drivers under the influence of alcohol, drugs, or suffering from exhaustion may have diminished judgment and slower reaction times.
Highway off-ramp areas pose unique hazards that increase the risk of collisions. Drivers preparing to exit may suddenly slow without adequate warning, while others may attempt last-minute lane changes to reach their exit, creating dangerous situations for surrounding traffic. Merging conflicts occur when vehicles in the exit lane encounter slower-moving traffic, while faster vehicles in adjacent lanes fail to allow safe space for exiting maneuvers.
Additionally, some drivers unfamiliar with the area may brake abruptly upon realizing they’re approaching their exit, or conversely, may swerve across multiple lanes to avoid missing their turn. Poor weather conditions, inadequate evening roadway lighting, and worn or faded lane markings near exit ramps can further compound these challenges.
Highway 99, as a major commuter route through Sacramento, experiences particularly heavy congestion during peak travel times, amplifying the risk of rear-end collisions and multi-vehicle pileups when drivers fail to maintain safe following distances or remain attentive to rapidly changing traffic conditions.
Your Legal Rights After a Highway Accident
If you or a loved one has been injured in a traffic collision on Highway 99 or any other California roadway, understanding your legal rights is essential to protecting your interests and securing fair compensation.
Right to Seek Compensation: California law allows accident victims to pursue compensation for medical expenses, lost wages, property damage, pain and suffering, and other losses resulting from collisions caused by another party’s negligence.
Right to Legal Representation: You have the right to consult with an experienced personal injury attorney who can evaluate your case, gather evidence, negotiate with insurance companies, and represent your interests throughout the claims process.
Right to Refuse Inadequate Settlement Offers: Insurance companies often make initial settlement offers that fail to fully account for your injuries and losses. You are not obligated to accept any offer that doesn’t adequately compensate you for your damages.
Statute of Limitations: In California, you generally have two years from the date of the accident to file a personal injury lawsuit. Acting promptly ensures that critical evidence is preserved and witnesses are available.
Understanding Accident Settlement Values
Many accident victims wonder what their case might be worth after a collision on Highway 99 or other California highways. While every case is unique, several factors influence potential settlement values:
- Medical Expenses: Current and future medical costs, including emergency treatment, hospitalizations, surgeries, rehabilitation, and ongoing care
- Lost Income: Wages lost due to missed work during recovery, as well as diminished earning capacity if injuries prevent you from returning to your previous employment
- Property Damage: Costs to repair or replace your vehicle and any personal property damaged in the collision
- Pain and Suffering: Physical pain, emotional distress, and reduced quality of life resulting from your injuries
- Permanent Disability: Long-term or permanent impairments that affect your daily activities and future opportunities
Settlement values can range from thousands to millions of dollars, depending on the severity of injuries and the impact on the victim’s life. Our team carefully evaluates all aspects of your case to pursue maximum compensation for your losses. The strength of evidence in your case plays a critical role in determining settlement value and negotiating leverage with insurance companies.
Strong cases typically include comprehensive documentation such as detailed police reports, photographs from the accident scene, witness statements corroborating your account of events, and thorough medical records establishing a clear link between the collision and your injuries. The liability picture—meaning how clearly the other driver was at fault—significantly impacts settlement negotiations, as cases with clear negligence by the other party generally command higher settlement values.
Insurance policy limits also affect potential compensation, as the at-fault driver’s coverage may cap available funds unless additional sources, such as underinsured motorist coverage or multiple liable parties, exist. The severity and permanence of your injuries directly correlate with settlement values, with catastrophic injuries like traumatic brain injuries, spinal cord damage, or permanent scarring typically resulting in substantially higher compensation than minor soft tissue injuries.
Your attorney’s experience and reputation matter considerably, as insurance companies know that skilled trial lawyers willing to take cases to court if necessary typically secure better settlements than attorneys who quickly accept lowball offers. At GJEL Accident Attorneys, our track record of courtroom success motivates insurance companies to make fair settlement offers, as they understand we have the resources and determination to pursue full compensation through trial when settlement negotiations fail to produce just results.
Why Choose GJEL Accident Attorneys
At GJEL Accident Attorneys, we have been advocating for accident victims throughout Northern California for over 50 years. Our firm has recovered more than $1 billion in compensation for our clients, demonstrating our commitment to achieving justice for those injured by others’ negligence.
Highway accidents can be devastating, leaving victims with serious injuries, mounting medical bills, and uncertainty about their future. Our team understands the physical, emotional, and financial toll these collisions take on families. We work tirelessly to hold negligent drivers accountable and secure the compensation our clients need to rebuild their lives.
Our experienced Sacramento personal injury lawyers offer comprehensive support throughout your case, including:
- Thorough investigation of your accident, including obtaining police reports, witness statements, and accident reconstruction analysis
- Expert evaluation of your injuries and consultation with medical professionals to document the full extent of your damages
- Aggressive negotiation with insurance companies to pursue fair settlement offers
- Skilled litigation representation if your case proceeds to trial
We understand that the aftermath of a highway collision can be overwhelming, which is why we handle all legal aspects of your case while you focus on your recovery.
Financial concerns should never prevent accident victims from seeking the legal representation they deserve. GJEL Accident Attorneys operates on a contingency fee basis, meaning you pay no upfront costs or attorney fees unless we successfully recover compensation for you.
This “no win, no fee” approach ensures that everyone has access to experienced legal representation regardless of their financial situation. We advance all case-related expenses and only collect our fee from your settlement or verdict. If we don’t win your case, you owe us nothing.
Catastrophic Injury Settlement Calculators
Understanding the potential value of your Highway 99 accident claim can be complex, particularly when dealing with serious or catastrophic injuries. Catastrophic injury settlement calculators are helpful tools that provide accident victims with a preliminary estimate of what their case might be worth, based on key factors specific to their situation.
These calculators typically consider economic damages, such as medical expenses, lost wages, and property damage, as well as non-economic damages, such as pain and suffering, emotional distress, and loss of enjoyment of life. By inputting information about your injuries, treatment costs, time away from work, and the impact on your daily activities, you can gain a general understanding of the compensation range you might pursue.
However, it’s important to recognize that settlement calculators provide only rough estimates and cannot account for the unique circumstances of every case, such as the specific details of liability, the quality of available evidence, insurance policy limits, or the jurisdiction where your case will be heard. Catastrophic injuries—including traumatic brain injuries, spinal cord damage, severe burns, amputations, or injuries resulting in permanent disability.
These injuries require particularly careful evaluation because they involve not only immediate medical costs but also lifetime care needs, ongoing rehabilitation, home modifications, assistive devices, and lost future earning capacity. An experienced personal injury attorney can provide a more accurate assessment by thoroughly reviewing medical records, consulting with medical experts and life care planners, calculating future economic losses, and drawing on their knowledge of similar case outcomes in your jurisdiction.
At GJEL Accident Attorneys, we offer free case evaluations where our legal team provides a personalized analysis of your potential settlement value and explains the factors that will influence your compensation, helping you set realistic expectations as we pursue maximum recovery for your injuries. Call us now at +1-866-218-3776 to speak with our experts.
Take Action Today – Get the Help You Deserve
“Being involved in a highway collision during your commute can turn an ordinary day into a life-changing event in an instant. If you or someone you love was injured in this Highway 99 accident or any traffic collision in the Sacramento area, please know that you don’t have to face the aftermath alone. The physical pain, emotional trauma, and financial stress that follow a serious accident can feel overwhelming, especially when you’re trying to recover while dealing with insurance companies that may not have your best interests at heart. California law protects your right to fair compensation for your injuries, medical expenses, lost wages, and suffering. At GJEL Accident Attorneys, we’ve spent over five decades fighting for accident victims throughout Northern California, and we understand exactly what you’re going through. Our team will handle every aspect of your case so you can focus on healing, and because we work on a contingency fee basis, you’ll never pay a penny unless we successfully recover compensation for you. Don’t wait to protect your rights—reach out to our experienced Sacramento personal injury lawyers today for a free, confidential consultation. Time is critical in preserving evidence and building the strongest possible case for your recovery.”- Andy Gillin, GJEL Accident Attorneys
If you or someone you love has been injured in a traffic collision on Highway 99 or anywhere in the Sacramento area, the experienced attorneys at GJEL Accident Attorneys are here to help. We offer free, confidential consultations to discuss your case and explain your legal options.
Don’t wait to protect your rights. Contact us today to schedule your free consultation and learn how we can help you pursue the compensation you deserve. With our no-fee guarantee, you have nothing to lose and everything to gain by speaking with our team.
Compassionate GJEL accident attorneys are always available to discuss your case, and you pay nothing unless we secure a favorable outcome. Let our experienced legal team shoulder the legal burden while you focus on what matters most – your family’s healing and recovery. Contact us today at +1-866-218-3776 or visit our Oakland office to secure your future and compensation.
Local Resources for Sacramento Accident Victims
If you’ve been involved in a traffic collision in the Sacramento area, these resources may be helpful:
California Highway Patrol – South Sacramento Area Office
6000 Bradshaw Road
Sacramento, CA 95829
(916) 681-2300
CHP South Sacramento
The CHP investigates traffic collisions on state highways, including Highway 99, and provides accident reports. You can request collision reports online or by visiting their office during business hours.
California Highway Patrol – North Sacramento Area Office
3650 Reed Avenue
West Sacramento, CA 95605
(916) 861-1300
CHP North Sacramento
Serves as an additional CHP office for Sacramento-area highway incidents and collision report requests.
Sacramento Police Department
5770 Freeport Boulevard, Suite 100
Sacramento, CA 95822
Non-Emergency: (916) 808-5471
Emergency: 911
Sacramento Police Department
Handles traffic collisions on city streets and provides collision reports for accidents within the city of Sacramento.
Sacramento Police Department – Online Collision Report Request
Online Report Request
Request copies of traffic collision reports for accidents investigated by Sacramento Police Department.
Sacramento County Sheriff’s Department
711 G Street
Sacramento, CA 95814
Non-Emergency: (916) 874-5115
Emergency: 911
Sacramento County Sheriff
Responds to traffic collisions in unincorporated areas of Sacramento County.
UC Davis Medical Center
2315 Stockton Boulevard
Sacramento, CA 95817
(916) 734-2011
Emergency Department: (916) 734-2011
UC Davis Health
Level I Trauma Center providing comprehensive emergency and specialized trauma care for serious accident injuries.
Mercy General Hospital
4001 J Street
Sacramento, CA 95819
(916) 453-4545
Emergency Department: (916) 453-4545
Dignity Health – Mercy General
Full-service hospital with 24/7 emergency care for accident victims.
Sutter Medical Center
2801 L Street
Sacramento, CA 95816
(916) 454-3333
Emergency Department: (916) 733-8900
Sutter Health
Comprehensive medical center with emergency services and specialized care for trauma patients.
Kaiser Permanente South Sacramento Medical Center
6600 Bruceville Road
Sacramento, CA 95823
(916) 688-2000
Kaiser Permanente
Emergency and urgent care services for Kaiser members and non-members.
Caltrans District 3 (Sacramento Region)
703 B Street
Marysville, CA 95901
(530) 741-4200
Traffic Information: 1-800-427-7623 (1-800-GAS-ROAD)
Caltrans District 3
Manages state highway maintenance, construction, and traffic conditions for the Sacramento region including Highway 99.
Caltrans QuickMap – Real-Time Traffic Information
QuickMap Live Traffic
View current traffic conditions, incidents, construction, and road closures throughout California’s highway system.
Sacramento Area Council of Governments (SACOG)
1415 L Street, Suite 300
Sacramento, CA 95814
(916) 321-9000
SACOG
Regional transportation planning agency providing information on transportation projects, safety initiatives, and regional mobility.
California Victim Compensation Board
P.O. Box 350
Sacramento, CA 95812
Toll-Free: (800) 777-9229
Victim Compensation
Provides financial assistance to victims of violent crime, including hit-and-run and DUI accidents, for expenses like medical bills, funeral costs, and lost wages.
Sacramento Regional Transit (SacRT)
1400 29th Street
Sacramento, CA 95816
Customer Service: (916) 321-2877
SacRT
Public transportation options for those unable to drive following an accident, including light rail and bus services throughout Sacramento.
Paratransit, Inc.
2330 Stockton Boulevard
Sacramento, CA 95817
(916) 429-2744
Paratransit
Specialized transportation services for individuals with disabilities or mobility limitations.
California Department of Motor Vehicles – Sacramento
Multiple locations throughout Sacramento County
(800) 777-0133
DMV Office Locations
Assistance with vehicle registration, driver’s license issues, and required accident reporting for collisions involving significant property damage.
California Department of Insurance – Consumer Hotline
(800) 927-4357
CA Department of Insurance
Resources for insurance-related questions, filing complaints against insurance companies, and understanding your policy coverage.
Legal Aid of Sacramento
515 12th Street
Sacramento, CA 95814
(916) 551-2150
Legal Aid Sacramento
Free legal assistance for low-income residents with civil legal issues.
Sacramento Lawyer Referral Service
Sacramento County Bar Association
(916) 564-6555
Lawyer Referral Service
Connects individuals with qualified attorneys for initial consultations.
National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA)
Vehicle Safety Hotline: (888) 327-4236
NHTSA
Federal agency providing vehicle safety information, recall notices, and traffic safety resources.
California Office of Traffic Safety
2208 Kausen Drive, Suite 300
Elk Grove, CA 95758
(916) 509-3030
Office of Traffic Safety
State agency focused on reducing traffic-related deaths and injuries through grant programs and safety education.
Mothers Against Drunk Driving (MADD) – Sacramento Chapter
Victim Services: (877) 623-3435
MADD
Support services for victims of drunk and drugged driving crashes, including emotional support and help navigating the criminal justice system.
Safe Transportation Research & Education Center – UC Berkeley
SafeTREC
Traffic safety data, collision statistics, and educational resources for California communities.
Road Safe America
(866) 950-7623
Road Safe America
Advocacy organization providing resources for truck accident victims and promoting commercial vehicle safety.
Sacramento Towing Companies (for vehicle recovery)
Contact your insurance company for preferred towing services or check with CHP for authorized tow companies that responded to your accident scene.
These resources can assist you with obtaining accident reports, accessing medical care, understanding your rights, finding transportation alternatives, and connecting with support services during your recovery process.
