Palo Alto Car Accident Lawyer

People get involved in car accidents in Palo Alto, California every day. Some collisions are more serious than others.

If you or a loved one has been in a car crash that resulted in severe injuries, permanent damage or complex issues such as a liability dispute, Jacoby & Meyers can help. 

Our car accident lawyers are advanced, highly trained and educated in the field of automotive accident law in California.

We can help you and your family recover from a crash financially, physically and emotionally with tailored legal services.

Learn more about how we can help when you call us (415) 855-4289 for a free consultation.

Why Choose Jacoby & Meyers 

• You come first. For over 50 years we have put our clients first and your satisfaction, success and healthy recovery are our goals. Our team will fine-tune every detail of your case before presenting it to a car insurance company.

• We’ve recovered over $2 billion dollars for our clients and have been able to do this because our roster of outstanding car accident lawyers have years of experience in the field. We know how to pursue high settlements on behalf of our clients.

• Our Palo Alto car accident attorneys operate on a contingency fee basis, meaning you won’t pay us anything unless we win your case and secure compensation for your losses.

Common Causes of Car Accidents in Palo Alto

Santa Clara County reported 8,745 victims injured and killed in car accidents in 2023, according to data collected by the California Office of Traffic Safety.

Most, if not all, of these accidents likely could have been prevented had all drivers acted with proper care. Unfortunately, negligence is common among drivers. 

Top crash causes include:

• Distracted driving
• Texting while driving
• Driving under the influence (DUI)
• Drowsy driving
• Speeding
• Reckless driving
• Red-light running
• Disobeying traffic laws
• Ignoring traffic signs
• Bad weather or poor road conditions
• Auto part defects

At Jacoby & Meyers, we have experience handling a wide range of car accident types and causes. We’ve been representing crash victims and their families in California since 1972.

We accept car, truck, motorcycle, rideshare, bicycle and pedestrian accident claims in Palo Alto.

Common Injuries From Palo Alto Car Accidents 

Motor vehicle collisions can inflict many severe injuries on those involved.

Factors such as high speeds, high impact, large commercial vehicles and reckless driving can increase the seriousness of the injuries inflicted.

Common types of injuries from Palo Alto car accidents include:

• Bruises and contusions
• Strains and soft-tissue injuries
• Lacerations
• Broken bones
• Whiplash and neck injuries
• Back and spinal cord injuries
• Head and face injuries
• Traumatic brain injuries
• Amputation injuries
• Internal injuries
• Severe burns

When you contact Jacoby & Meyers, our first goal will be to help you recover from your injuries.

We can assist in finding doctors and providers that are best suited and accessible to you to aid in your path to healing.

Understanding California Car Accident Laws

Car accidents can be expensive. California’s fault-based car accident law is designed to hold those responsible for causing collisions accountable for their actions.

Under this system, you can file an insurance claim against one or more parties for causing or contributing to your crash in Palo Alto. 

Every driver in California is required to carry minimum amounts of liability insurance to pay for the medical expenses and property repairs of others.

To access this insurance, you may need to provide evidence proving fault. Common examples are police reports, traffic citations, eyewitness testimonies, accident reconstruction by experts, photos and surveillance footage.

What Is the Comparative Negligence Law?

“Comparative negligence” refers to an injured victim’s own degree of fault in connection with a car accident. Not all car accident cases place 100 percent of the blame on a single party.

If fault is divided between both drivers, both could still recover partial compensation under California’s pure comparative negligence law.

California Civil Code § 1714 states:

• (a) 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, a settlement or judgment award granted to a victim can be diminished by a degree equivalent to his or her amount of assigned fault.

If you are allocated 15 percent of the blame upon investigation, for example, a $100,000 settlement would be reduced by 15 percent to $85,000 for your comparative negligence.

What Compensation Can You Recover After a Car Accident in Palo Alto?

It is important to know how much your car accident case is worth before accepting a settlement offer from an insurance company. Insurance providers have a tendency to underpay clients and avoid large payouts.

A personal injury lawyer, on the other hand, will work to pursue your financial recovery as much as possible.

You may be entitled to the following types of compensation, also known as damages: 

• Medical expenses: current and future treatments
• Lost wages and loss of earning capacity
• Pain and suffering damages
• Property damage costs
• Potential punitive damages in cases of gross negligence
  

If you lost a family member in a fatal car crash in Palo Alto, you may be entitled to wrongful death damages. This may include funeral and burial costs, loss of consortium and companionship, and lost income and inheritance.

At Jacoby & Meyers, we can review your case to give you an accurate evaluation.

How Long Do You Have to File a Car Accident Claim in Palo Alto?

California has a law called the statute of limitations. Under this law, you have no more than two years from the date of your automobile accident to file a related lawsuit.

If you wait too long, you are at risk of being barred from filing by the courts. It is important to act quickly to bring someone to justice for your wreck in Palo Alto.

Contact Our Palo Alto Car Accident Lawyers Today

At Jacoby & Meyers, we believe everyone deserves justice. That is why we have dedicated our lives to representing accident victims.

As your car accident lawyers in Palo Alto, we will guide you through your claim to get you back to the life you love. Your attorney will manage, maintain and execute all of the legal legwork of your case so that you can focus on healing.

To discuss a particular car accident claim with an attorney near you, call (415) 855-4289 or contact us online to arrange a free consultation.