Car accidents can present significant challenges to those involved, from painful injuries and expensive medical bills to having to deal with insurance companies. If you’ve been injured in a collision in Grand Terrace, California, it is critical to understand your legal rights and options moving forward. Our local California injury lawyers at Jacoby & Meyers can help you pursue the justice and financial compensation that you deserve.
Why Choose Jacoby & Meyers?
- You won’t pay us anything unless we win your Grand Terrace car accident case. Our attorneys operate on a contingency fee basis, with no upfront charges.
- We have decades of experience, and the resources and determination to achieve outstanding results. Our law firm has collected over $2 billion in settlements for clients.
- We treat our clients with the utmost care and respect. Our Grand Terrace car accident lawyers will listen to your crash story and guide you to the right legal strategy for your unique situation.
- We are Californians advocating for Californians. Our law firm helped shape personal injury law as we know it today in California over 50 years ago, in 1972.
Common Causes of Car Accidents in Grand Terrace, CA
Grand Terrace had 23 serious injuries and deaths from car accidents in 2023, the most recent year data is available from the California Office of Traffic Safety. San Bernardino County as a whole reported 15,118 victims injured and killed. Almost all car accidents are preventable. They happen when someone is negligent, or does not act with the correct amount of care.
Examples include:
- Distracted driving
- Texting and driving
- Speeding
- Breaking traffic laws
- Reckless or aggressive driving
- Vehicle defects
- Dangerous road conditions
At Jacoby & Meyers, we accept all types of car accident cases. This includes car, truck, motorcycle, rideshare, bicycle and pedestrian accidents. Whether you were injured in a rear-end collision, hit-and-run, drunk driving accident, or freeway collision, our Grand Terrace car accident lawyers can help you move forward with a claim.
Common Injuries From Grand Terrace Car Accidents
Car accidents are one of the most common reasons for hospitalizations and emergency department visits in California each year. A car crash can inflict significant injuries, especially if one of the victims is a vulnerable bicyclist or pedestrian.
At Jacoby & Meyers, we help accident victims with all types of injury claims, including:
- Head and brain injuries
- Whiplash (neck injuries)
- Spinal cord injuries and paralysis
- Burns and lacerations
- Soft-tissue injuries
- Internal damage
- Crush injuries
- Limb amputations
- Permanent injuries or disability
- Scarring and disfigurement
Our lawyers can help you get medical treatment for your injuries, guiding you to appropriate care for your health and well-being. Meanwhile, our team will be preparing and prosecuting your legal claim.
Injured in a Car Accident? Jacoby & Meyers is Here to Help.
Contact Our Grand Terrace Car Accident Attorneys Now
Understanding California’s Car Accident Laws
In California, when a car accident injures someone or causes property damage, the driver or person responsible for causing the crash must pay. This is known as an “at-fault” or “tort-based” car insurance rule. In no-fault states, on the other hand, all drivers seek coverage from their own car insurance providers, regardless of who is at fault.
How Long Do I Have to File a Car Accident Claim in Grand Terrace?
Your deadline to file a car accident claim is two years under California’s statute of limitations (Code of Civil Procedure § 335.1). If you don’t file your lawsuit within two years of the wreck, the courts will most likely bar you from making a financial recovery. Note, however, that special circumstances can extend or shorten the filing deadline. This makes it important to consult with an attorney right away.
Can I Still Recover Damages If I Was Partially At Fault?
Yes. California has a pure comparative negligence law, where a victim can still receive partial compensation even if he or she is assigned a percentage of fault for a crash. In California, you can be up to 99 percent at fault and still be eligible for compensation. However, the amount you are assigned in damages will be reduced by a value equivalent to your degree of fault.
What Compensation Can You Recover After a Car Accident in Grand Terrace?
Obtaining compensation for a car accident in Grand Terrace can help you and your family recover financially. A fair settlement can make all the difference as you try to rebuild your life and move forward after a severe collision. At Jacoby & Meyers, we advocate for real results for our clients.
You may be eligible for compensation for losses such as:
- Past and future medical costs
- Property repairs
- Lost wages and lost future capacity to earn
- Disability costs
- Pain and suffering
- Wrongful death damages
- Punitive damages (for gross negligence)
You can prove your damages by gathering documentation such as receipts, wage statements, property repair estimates, medical bills and an injury journal. If an insurance company refuses to offer a fair settlement upfront, you have the right to hire a Grand Terrace car accident attorney to represent you during negotiations for a better outcome.
Dealing With Insurance Companies
When you report an accident to a car insurance company, they will assign a claims adjuster to handle your case. This person’s job is to minimize payouts as much as possible to save the insurance company money.
You may face many tactics by the insurance claims adjuster as you try to recover fair compensation, such as:
- Convincing you to give a recorded statement
- Refusing to offer a reasonable settlement or pushing for litigation
- Trying to blame you or a third party for the car accident
- Arguing that your injuries were pre-existing
- Denying a valid claim without reason
Do not accept a quick settlement offer from a car insurance company, as it will most likely be too low. You don’t want to get locked into a settlement agreement that vastly underpays you. Instead, bring your case to an experienced car accident attorney in Grand Terrace. An attorney will give you an accurate case evaluation and take over insurance negotiations to maximize your recovery.
Contact Our Grand Terrace Car Accident Attorneys Today
If you’ve been in a car accident in Grand Terrace, California, the team at Jacoby & Meyers can help you get the most out of your settlement. We will listen to your story, identify your needs, determine the right way forward and guide you through every step of the recovery process. This might be your first car accident case, but we’ve helped tens of thousands of clients just like you.To get the justice and case results that you deserve, count on Jacoby & Meyers. Contact us online 24/7 or call our local law firm directly at (909) 245-8920. Our Grand Terrace car accident attorneys will arrange a free consultation to help you understand your legal rights.