If you get hurt in an automobile accident in Portola Valley, it’s important to understand your legal rights. One or more parties may be financially responsible for your losses, including your medical bills and property damage.
At Jacoby & Meyers, our team of local car accident lawyers is prepared to guide you through every step of the claims process so that you can get back to the life you love. We believe everyone deserves justice.
If someone else caused your car, truck, motorcycle, bike or pedestrian accident in San Mateo County, we can help you maximize your financial settlement. Call (415) 855-4289 today for a free consultation.
Why Choose Our Portola Valley Car Accident Lawyer?
- As your lawyers, we will strive to achieve your satisfaction, healthy recovery and success throughout your car accident case. We have a history of making a real impact on the lives of our clients.
- Jacoby & Meyers has over 50 years of experience handling car accident claims in San Francisco, San Jose, Portola Valley, and throughout Northern California. We understand complex and high-stakes cases and are equipped to go up against major insurance companies.
- We get real results. We have collected over $2 billion in case settlements for our clients, with results that include $19 million for a rideshare accident and $17.5 million for a bicycle vs. truck accident.
- You won’t be charged anything in attorney’s fees unless we win your case. Our Portola Valley car accident lawyers operate on a contingency fee basis, with $0 in fees until we secure the client financial compensation.
How Can a Car Accident Attorney in Portola Valley Help?
A car accident insurance claim in Portola Valley can be overwhelming. From getting the right medical care and organizing your hospital bills and records to proving fault and damages in your claim, you may need assistance with the claims process.
An experienced personal injury attorney can carry out the tasks it takes to get justice for your automobile accident. Your lawyer can investigate the collision, preserve evidence showing that the other driver (or a third party) was negligent or fell short of the duty of care, and prove your damages to maximize your case value.
While you focus on healing from your injuries, your lawyer can deal with insurance claims adjusters and take over settlement negotiations for you. If necessary, your lawyer can hire highly qualified experts to testify and bring your injury claim all the way to trial to hold someone accountable. Meanwhile, you can concentrate on what matters most.
California’s Car Accident Laws
Car accident cases in Portola Valley follow a specific set of rules and regulations under California law. Understanding some of the basic laws can make it easier for you to navigate your car accident injury claim.
Is California a No-Fault State?
No, California is not a no-fault state. It is a fault state. This means all injured parties have the right to file claims against those at fault for causing the crash. In no-fault states, on the other hand, drivers file claims with their own insurance providers, regardless of fault.
In California, you can receive compensation from another driver’s auto insurance policy if you can establish that they caused or contributed to the collision. This generally takes evidence of negligence, or a lack of proper care by the driver. Evidence may include a police report, witness statements, photos from the crash scene and video footage.
What if I Am Partially at Fault?
California abides by a pure comparative negligence law (Code of Civil Procedure §1714) that allows an injured victim to recover partial compensation if found to share fault for an accident. If you are allotted a portion of the blame by an insurer, you are still eligible for a financial recovery. However, your settlement or judgment award will be diminished by an amount equivalent to your degree of fault.
How Long Do I Have to File a Car Accident Claim in Portola Valley?
In general, you have two years from the date of a Portola Valley automobile accident to file a related lawsuit against one or more parties. This is known as the statute of limitations, found in California Code of Civil Procedure §335.1. If you wait too long and miss this deadline, you will most likely lose the right to hold someone accountable for your wreck.
Note that the two-year deadline can change in certain circumstances – including shrinking to just six months if your claim is against a government agency. For this reason, it’s important to contact a Portola Valley car accident attorney at Jacoby & Meyers as soon as possible after your car crash.
Injured in a Car Crash?
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Common Causes of Car Accidents in Portola Valley, CA
In 2023, Portola Valley reported nine injuries and deaths from local automobile accidents. San Mateo County as a whole had 3,333 victims killed and injured in car accidents the same year. Identifying the cause of your car accident is one of the first steps toward achieving justice and a fair settlement.
In most car accidents in Portola Valley, a driver is found to be at fault. Drivers can be negligent or careless in many ways, such as by driving under the influence or while tired. Speeding, reckless driving, tailgating, road rage, running red lights and distracted driving are also common.
What to Do After a Portola Valley Car Accident
If you get involved in a motor vehicle collision in Portola Valley, take the following steps to preserve your health and legal rights as much as possible:
- Pull over immediately and call the police to report the collision.
- Check yourself for injuries and get immediate medical care.
- Exchange information with the other driver.
- Don’t admit fault for the crash.
- Take photos of the crash scene.
- Look around for any cameras that may have video evidence.
- Gather information from eyewitnesses.
- Report the accident to your car insurance provider.
- File a claim with the insurer of the at-fault party.
- Before accepting a quick settlement, contact an attorney.
Reach out to Jacoby & Meyers for a no-cost case review before dealing with insurance company claims adjusters. Our Portola Valley car accident attorneys will ensure the protection of your rights in the fight for justice.
Contact Our Portola Valley Car Accident Attorneys Today
At Jacoby & Meyers, we strive to offer our clients the highest quality service with our knowledgeable team of experienced Portola Valley car accident attorneys. Our law firm will handle everything for you, from initiating your case against the responsible party to achieving a fair and full settlement for your losses.
If you were recently injured in a Portola Valley car accident, contact us 24/7 to arrange a free consultation with our attorneys. Because you deserve justice.