A car accident in Montclair can be an overwhelming event that leaves you with questions about where to go from here. At Jacoby & Meyers, we have the answers. Since 1972, our law firm has been a trusted source of legal representation and advocacy for car accident victims and their families in California. Contact us today to see how we can help you during a free consultation with a local Montclair car accident lawyer.
Why Choose Jacoby & Meyers?
- For over 50 years, our mission has been to provide hard-working families in California with access to high-quality legal and medical services after automobile accidents.
- We have achieved life-changing case results for our car accident clients, with more than $2 billion recovered in settlements alone.
- You won’t pay us anything if we don’t win your case. Our Montclair car accident lawyers operate on a contingency fee basis to protect our clients financially.
Common Causes of Car Accidents in Montclair, CA
Most car, truck, motorcycle, bicycle and pedestrian collisions in Montclair can be prevented. They occur when someone is negligent, or fails to conduct themselves with the required amount of care.
Common examples of negligence connected to California traffic accidents include:
- Distracted driving
- Texting while driving
- Speeding
- Reckless driving
- Failing to yield the right-of-way
- Drunk driving
- Drowsy driving
- Tailgating
- Breaking traffic laws
- Auto defects
- Weather or poor road conditions
When someone else is responsible for causing a vehicle collision, that person or party can be made to pay through California’s car accident laws.
Steps to Take After a Car Accident in Montclair, CA
The steps that you take and don’t take after a car accident in Montclair matter. Car insurance companies will look for any reason to reject a claim. Take the following actions to protect your recovery as much as possible:
- Ensure your safety and check for injuries.
- Seek immediate medical attention at a local Montclair hospital or by calling an ambulance.
- Contact law enforcement and file a police report by calling 911.
- Gather evidence at the scene, including photos, witness contacts and driver information.
- Notify your insurance company of the crash, but don’t admit fault.
- Don’t give the other driver’s insurer a recorded statement.
- Consult with a Montclair car accident lawyer at Jacoby & Meyers before accepting any settlements.
Once you contact a car accident lawyer in Montclair, you can rest and focus on your physical recovery while we handle complex legal processes for you.
Common Injuries From Montclair Car Accidents
Automobile accidents are one of the most common reasons behind emergency department visits in California. According to the California Office of Traffic Safety, in 2023, 332 people in Montclair were injured and killed in traffic accidents.
Common injuries suffered include:
- Amputations
- Broken bones
- Burn injuries
- Facial injuries
- Head and brain injuries
- Internal injuries
- Lacerations
- Paralysis
- Scarring and disfigurement
- Soft-tissue injuries
- Spinal cord injuries
- Whiplash
Accidents with factors such as high speeds, intoxication, reckless driving, large commercial vehicles, and vulnerable bicyclists or pedestrians are the most likely to involve catastrophic and fatal injuries. However, even a “minor” collision can inflict painful and expensive injuries.
Injured in a Car Crash?
Contact Our Montclair Car Accident Attorneys Today
Understanding California Car Accident Laws
Navigating your state’s car accident laws can be difficult as an injured victim. You are already dealing with enough as you go through medical treatments and field phone calls from insurance companies. At Jacoby & Meyers, we are here to educate you about your rights under California’s car accident laws so that you can protect them.
California uses an at-fault insurance rule, where the party at fault for causing a crash is responsible for paying through his or her insurance. If multiple parties are at fault, each will be responsible for his or her degree of liability. If you are allocated a percentage of fault, you can still recover compensation under California Civil Code § 1714 – the comparative negligence law. However, your recovery will be diminished by an equivalent amount.
Finally, under California’s statute of limitations, you must bring your claim within two years of the date of your automobile accident. If you wait and your deadline passes, the courts will most likely bar you from seeking a financial recovery. This is why it’s important to act quickly and contact a car accident lawyer in Montclair as soon as possible.
Determining Liability in Your Car Accident Case
Holding someone else accountable for your car accident in Montclair takes evidence of fault. You bear the burden of proof as the plaintiff or filing party. This burden is “based on a preponderance of the evidence,” meaning that what you are claiming is more likely to be true than not true.
Liability is typically determined upon an investigation of the car accident. The goal is generally to find out which driver was in violation of a traffic law at the time of the crash. A broken roadway rule can serve as proof of evidence, or a breach of that driver’s duty of care. Intelligence is the foundation of most California car accident claims.
Your Montclair car accident attorney will work to gather evidence to support your case. Common types of evidence are the police report, traffic citations against the other driver, photos and video footage, witness statements, accident reconstruction, and expert testimony.
What Compensation Can You Recover After a Car Accident in Montclair?
Healing from a car accident refers to more than just your physical recovery. A motor vehicle collision can impact your life in many meaningful ways. Leaving the crash behind for good may require a financial recovery, as well.
Available types of compensation often include:
- Current and future hospital bills
- Lost wages and lost capacity to earn due to a disability
- Property damage
- Loss of enjoyment of life
- Loss of consortium
- Pain and suffering
- Emotional distress
- Wrongful death damages
- Punitive damages, in some cases
Be aware that insurance companies protect their own profits by devaluing claims whenever possible. Avoid accepting a lowball settlement by allowing the Montclair car crash lawyers at Jacoby & Meyers to handle your car accident claim, rather than going up against an insurance claims adjuster on your own.
Contact Our Montclair Car Accident Attorneys Today
If you’ve been injured in a recent car accident in the Montclair area, Jacoby & Meyers will fight for the justice you deserve. We take pride in handling each case with the utmost care and attention. Learn more about our Montclair accident attorneys can help you during a free case consultation. We offer extremely flexible appointments and have 14 office locations throughout California for your convenience. Call (909) 245-8920 or contact us online today.