After a serious crash in Concord, California, you need someone who will fight passionately for your recovery. You need Jacoby & Meyers, a personal injury law firm that has been representing injured Californians for over 50 years.
Our goal is to maximize financial, physical and emotional recoveries by providing our clients with high-quality legal representation. We can help you get the right medical care, repair your damaged property and build a strong claim in pursuit of the justice you deserve.
Speak with one of our knowledgeable Concord car accident attorneys today at no cost when you contact us to request a free case review. We’re right where you need us, with 14 office locations across the state for your convenience, including one in San Francisco.
What Makes Clients in Concord Choose Jacoby & Meyers?
- We have in-depth knowledge of how automotive accident cases work in California (cars, rideshare, motorcycles, trucks, semis, bicycles, etc.).
- Our team has collected over $2 billion in financial settlements for past clients, including many multimillion-dollar automotive accident case results.
- We know what clients need in the aftermath of a car accident. Your Concord car accident lawyer will be there to assist you in many ways while you recover from your crash.
- Jacoby & Meyers operates on a contingency fee basis. This means you won’t be charged anything during your Concord car accident case until we secure compensation for you.
What Does a Car Accident Lawyer Do in Concord?
Although the insurance system is in place to offer financial protection in the event of a car accident, when it comes time to actually file a claim, victims often encounter challenges. The reality is that car insurance companies put themselves first. To protect your legal rights, it is recommended that you hire a personal injury lawyer to represent you.
Your lawyer can take over conversations with an insurance claims adjuster to advocate for your best interests during the settlement negotiation process. From investigating and determining the cause of your accident to litigating your case in court, if necessary, your Concord car accident lawyer will do what it takes to protect your financial future and well-being.
How Do Car Accident Claims Work in Concord, California?
In California, the “at-fault” rule for car insurance allows an injured crash victim to recover financial compensation from the person or party who caused the collision. In most cases, this is a driver for acts of negligence such as speeding, running a red light, driving under the influence or distracted driving. Drivers in California are required to carry mandatory amounts of automobile insurance.
When you need to file a claim against another party after a crash in Concord, you must prove fault using clear evidence. Generally, this means proving negligence or the failure to act with proper care. Evidence to support your claim may include a police report, statements from eyewitnesses and those involved, photos, video footage, and accident reconstruction by experts.
California’s Comparative Negligence Rule
California Civil Code §1714 states that “everyone is responsible, not only for the result of his or her willful acts, but also for an injury occasioned to another by his or her want of ordinary care or skill in the management of his or her property or person, except so far as the latter has, willfully or by want of ordinary care, brought the injury upon himself or herself.”
Under this law, if an injured car accident victim is found to share fault and liability for a crash, this does not bar him or her from making a financial recovery. However, it will decrease the amount of compensation available to the plaintiff by an equivalent percentage. If you are assigned 10 percent of the blame, for instance, a $100,000 jury verdict would be reduced by 10 percent to $90,000.
Injured in a Car Crash?
Contact Our Experienced Concord Car Accident Attorneys Today
How Long Do I Have To File a Car Accident Claim in California?
Another important law to know is California’s statute of limitations. California Code of Civil Procedure §335.1 gives most car accident victims no more than two years to file related personal injury claims. If you miss the statute of limitations, the courts will most likely bar you from seeking compensation.
Note that this is the time limit on a lawsuit only; a car insurance claim in Concord should be filed much sooner (generally, as soon as possible).
Proving Liability for a Motor Vehicle Accident in Concord, CA
If you suffer injuries, property damage, medical bills and other losses because of a car accident in Concord, you may be eligible for financial compensation from one or more parties. One of the first steps is to determine liability, or who is legally and financially responsible for the crash.
In general, proving liability means proving negligence, or that the defendant did not act with proper care. Negligence has four parts:
- Duty of care
- Breach of duty
- Causation
- Damages
The evidence you provide with your claim must show that the other driver or a third party had a responsibility to treat you with proper care, committed an act or omission that fell short of this duty, that this caused your car accident, and that you suffered compensable losses as a result. A lawyer can help you present evidence establishing these four elements.
What Is the Average Car Accident Settlement in Concord?
Car accidents can result in serious injuries, including broken bones, head and brain injuries, spinal cord injuries, paralysis, permanent disability, and soft-tissue injuries such as whiplash. Getting justice means being made whole again with a fair financial recovery that addresses the full extent of your losses.
Available compensation can include:
- Past and future medical expenses
- Property damage
- Lost wages and income
- Diminished capacity to earn a living
- Scarring, disfigurement or disability
- Pain and suffering
- Emotional distress
- Loss of enjoyment of life
It’s important to know that there is no such thing as an average car accident settlement in California. Case results can vary significantly, from $50,000 or less to multiple millions. Determining factors include injury severity, the number of liable parties, comparative negligence and the insurance coverage available.
Contact Our Concord Car Accident Attorneys Today
If you were recently injured in a Concord car accident, Jacoby & Meyers is here to guide you through every step of your injury case. We’ve been representing clients since 1972 with a 99 percent success rate. Find out how our team of experienced litigators and attorneys can help you during a free initial case evaluation. Contact us online or call (415) 855-4289 now to speak with an experienced Concord car accident attorney.
We serve clients in Concord as well as Pleasant Hill, Walnut Creek, Brentwood, El Cerrito and throughout Contra Costa County. We have 24/7 availability and will travel to meet with you, if needed.