Car accidents happen every day in California. Careless and reckless drivers put other road users in danger. At Jacoby & Meyers, we are committed to holding negligent drivers accountable and seeking justice for auto accidents on behalf of our clients. If you’ve been injured in a car accident in Bloomington, we can help you pursue the recovery you deserve. Contact us today for a free case consultation with a local Bloomington car accident lawyer.
Why Choose Jacoby & Meyers?
- We have secured more than $2 billion in settlements and jury verdicts for our clients.
- Our law firm has been in the business for over 50 years.
- Your car accident case will be handled by a team of highly experienced and knowledgeable attorneys.
- We care about our clients and always put them first.
- Our car accident lawyers in Bloomington operate on a contingency fee basis, meaning you won’t pay us unless you win your case.
Types of Car Accidents We Handle
In 2023, San Bernardino County reported 15,118 car accident injuries and deaths. Car accidents are a preventable tragedy in Bloomington. Vehicle collisions are often caused by driver negligence, such as distraction, drunk driving and speeding.
At Jacoby & Meyers, we accept a wide variety of car accident case types, including:
- Aggressive driving collisions
- Bicycle/pedestrian accidents
- Delivery vehicle crashes
- Distracted driving accidents
- Drunk driving crashes
- Hit-and-run incidents
- Motorcycle accidents
- Rear-end collisions
- Reckless driving accidents
- Red light accidents
- Rideshare accidents
- Rollover accidents
- Truck accidents
As your attorneys, we can revisit the scene of your accident, speak with witnesses and hire experts to prove your claim and get to the bottom of who is at fault. From there, our Bloomington car accident lawyers can identify the liable or financially responsible parties.
Steps to Take After a Car Accident in Bloomington, CA
If you get involved in a Bloomington car accident, try to keep calm and focus on what you need to do to protect yourself. Here are 10 basic steps to take:
- Pull over immediately in a safe location, away from traffic.
- Check yourself and vehicle passengers for injuries.
- Get medical treatment immediately, even if you initially think you are uninjured.
- Call 911 to report the accident and get a police report.
- Gather information from the other driver and eyewitnesses.
- Don’t admit fault or apologize for the wreck.
- Take pictures of the crash scene and look around for potential video footage.
- Contact your car insurance provider to report the crash.
- File an insurance claim against the at-fault driver.
- Don’t accept a settlement offer before consulting with an attorney at Jacoby & Meyers.
Once you contact our law firm, we can take over legal processes for you – such as crash investigating and hiring experts – while you take time to heal.
Injured in a Car Crash?
Contact Our Bloomington Car Accident Lawyers Today
Understanding California’s Car Accident Laws
Jacoby & Meyers has been representing car accident victims and families in California since 1972. We have extensive knowledge of the laws that apply to these claims and how these laws may affect your recovery.
California Is Not a No-Fault State
California is in the majority in that it follows a fault-based insurance rule like most other states. This means the person at fault for causing a crash is liable, or required to pay for the victims’ damages.
While the fault system allows for larger payouts in general compared to no-fault states, the drawback is that you have to prove fault. This requires clear evidence, such as police reports, statements from witnesses and crash expert testimony.
You Have Two Years To File
In California, a law known as the statute of limitations limits your right to file a car accident claim to two years, with some exceptions for special circumstances. If you wait too long and miss your filing window, the courts will bar you from seeking a financial recovery.
Comparative Negligence Rules
Under California’s pure comparative negligence law, injured accident victims can still recover partial compensation even if they are found to share fault. However, if you are allocated a percentage of the blame for your Bloomington car accident, your settlement or judgment award will be reduced by a corresponding value.
What Compensation Can You Recover After a Car Accident in Bloomington?
In California, all drivers are required to carry at least $60,000 per accident and $30,000 per person in bodily injury insurance coverage, plus $15,000 for property damage. At least these amounts should be available to pay for your losses if someone else caused your car accident. You may be able to secure additional coverage from your own insurance provider or a third party – including an employer, company, product manufacturer or the government.
Losses you may be able to name during your claim include present and future medical bills, property damage repairs, lost wages, lost capacity to earn, and pain and suffering. If you lost a loved one, you may also be eligible for wrongful death damages, such as loss of consortium.
Finally, punitive damages may be available if the defendant in your case committed an act of gross negligence or recklessness, such as driving under the influence. In these situations, judges may award punitive damages to punish the defendant.
Dealing With Insurance Companies
Dealing with a car accident claim can feel overwhelming for many reasons, but a common problem most people encounter is pushback from car insurance companies. Regardless of what they promise or advertise, insurance providers are for-profit businesses. When processing claims, their goal is always to keep payouts as minimal as possible.
When dealing with the insurance adjuster assigned to your claim, it is important not to admit fault, agree to give a recorded statement or accept the very first settlement offer. Initial offers are typically low. Rather than accepting early offers, get legal advice about the true value of your claim from a Bloomington car accident attorney at Jacoby & Meyers.
Contact Our Bloomington Car Accident Attorneys Today
If you or someone you love was recently hurt in a crash in Bloomington, help with the claims process is available at Jacoby & Meyers. Our law firm’s philosophy is to empower you to understand the inner workings of the legal process so that after a car accident, you obtain justice, peace of mind and a healthy recovery. Find out why we’ve been voted the #1 Personal Injury Firm six years in a row. Contact us online or at (909) 245-8920 to arrange a free case review at one of our 14 conveniently located law offices throughout California. Let our experienced Bloomington car accident attorneys help you get through this hard time. The journey with Jacoby & Meyers is easy.