If you or someone you love has recently been injured in a car accident in San Bruno, California, help is available from the car accident attorneys at Jacoby & Meyers. Since 1972, our law firm has fought for the rights of injured accident victims in the pursuit of justice.
Let our office and team handle everything, from initiating your car accident case to maximizing your settlement, while you focus on healing during this difficult time. Contact us to get started with a free initial consultation.
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Injured in a San Bruno Car Crash? Contact us for a Free Consultation
Why Choose Jacoby & Meyers
- Our local car accident attorneys are highly experienced, trained and advanced in this practice area. Our legal team has more than 50 years of combined legal experience.
- Your goals will become our goals. We are known for providing clients in California with access to high-quality legal and medical services to maximize their recoveries.
- No other law firm in California has such a long history of achieving outstanding case results. We have collected more than $2 billion in settlements for our clients.
- We take car accident clients in San Bruno on a contingency fee basis, meaning you won’t be charged anything in legal fees unless we win your case and recover compensation on your behalf.
Common Causes of Car Accidents in San Bruno
In 2023, 94 people were injured and killed in auto accidents in San Bruno. Car accidents in California can almost always be prevented with due care behind the wheel. Driver negligence (meaning a lack of proper care taken) is behind the vast majority of serious collisions.
The most common causes include:
- Distracted driving
- Texting and driving
- Driving under the influence
- Speeding
- Reckless driving
- Drowsy driving
- Following too closely
- Making unsafe lane changes
- Failing to yield to others
- Inexperienced drivers
- Other traffic violations
Driver error is the number one cause of car accidents, but other common issues are poor road conditions (e.g., potholes, debris, dangerous construction zones, etc.) and auto part defects. Understanding the cause of your San Bruno crash is key to proceeding with your claim.
Understanding California Car Accident Laws
California is a fault state, which means the driver who is at fault for an automobile accident is responsible for paying for the damage it causes. All motorists in California are legally required to maintain minimum amounts of insurance to pay for collisions they cause. To receive compensation from another driver’s insurance provider, you or your attorney must prove liability.
Determining Liability in Your Car Accident Case
Liability, meaning legal and financial responsibility, for a car accident in San Bruno depends on the cause of the crash. In most cases, the driver who committed a traffic infraction will be held liable for a resultant car accident. However, there are cases where parties such as employers, product manufacturers and the government can be held liable in addition to or instead of a driver.
What Is the Comparative Negligence Law?
According to California Civil Code § 1714, each individual is responsible for the degree by which his or her own negligence contributed to an injury. If you are found to share fault for a car accident in San Bruno, your financial award will be reduced accordingly under California’s pure comparative negligence law. If you are 15 percent at fault, for example, a $100,000 settlement would be reduced to $85,000.
Act Quickly: Time Is Not on Your Side
An important law to be aware of is the statute of limitations. Under Code of Civil Procedure § 335.1, injured individuals have no more than two years from their accidents to file related lawsuits, with some exceptions that shorten or lengthen the time limit. If you wait too long, you are at risk of missing this deadline and losing the ability to seek financial compensation.
Dealing With Insurance Companies
Automobile insurance companies maintain a profit by minimizing the payouts they give to their clients as much as possible. You may encounter many strategies designed to underpay you or avoid a payout entirely after you file a car accident claim, such as:
- Denying liability or shifting the blame
- Downplaying your injuries and losses
- Requesting an early recorded statement from you
- Blaming you for the auto accident
- Denying your claim based on “pre-existing injuries”
- Delaying your payout
- Requesting excessive documentation
- Refusing to offer a reasonable settlement
- Pressuring you to accept lowball initial settlement offers
- Rejecting your claim without valid reason
Do not accept settlement offers without first getting legal advice from Jacoby & Meyers. Having legal representation during negotiations with an insurance claims adjuster can make all the difference to the outcome of your case and the value of your final settlement. Before getting locked into an unfair amount, contact us for assistance.
Frequently Asked Questions
What if the other driver is uninsured or underinsured?
If an uninsured or underinsured motorist crashes into you, your recovery options may be limited. Contact your own car insurance provider to find out if you have uninsured/underinsured motorist insurance. Other options may be suing the at-fault driver directly or holding a third party accountable. Discuss your situation with a lawyer at Jacoby & Meyers for legal advice.
What types of compensation are available?
Holding one or more parties accountable for your car accident in San Bruno could lead to financial compensation for your present and future medical bills, disability or disfigurement, lost wages, lost capacity to earn, property damage, pain and suffering, the wrongful death of a loved one, and more.
Do I need to hire a car accident attorney?
Hiring a car accident attorney in San Bruno can make the claims process easier and more rewarding from start to finish. You will have the peace of mind to focus on healing while your lawyer investigates the crash, determines liability, gathers evidence, builds a compelling claim, and goes against one or more parties on your behalf in pursuit of maximum compensation.
Contact Our San Bruno Car Accident Lawyers Today
If you’ve been injured in an accident in San Bruno, Jacoby & Meyers will fight for the justice you deserve. We have earned the trust of tens of thousands of clients with exceptional legal services and personalized experiences. We take pride in handling every car accident case with the same level of care – big or small.
Discuss your case with our local car accident lawyers today at no cost or obligation to learn more about your rights. Contact us online or call our 24/7 hotline at (415) 855-4289 to schedule your free consultation.