Recovering from a serious car accident in San Jacinto can be hard on you and the whole family. It may feel like you are facing an insurmountable challenge as a crash victim.
Jacoby & Meyers is here to tell you that you don’t have to face it alone. We can represent you as your San Jacinto car accident lawyers to help you rebuild your life and move forward. Contact us to learn more about how we can help during a free case evaluation.
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Why Choose Jacoby & Meyers
- Our team has more than 50 years of combined legal experience in car accident law.
- We have achieved millions of dollars in recoveries for our car accident clients.
- We are right where you need us, with 14 conveniently located law offices throughout California.
- You will benefit from true compassion and care from your San Jacinto car accident attorney.
- Our car accident lawyers are free if we don’t win you financial compensation for your case.
Common Causes of Car Accidents in San Jacinto
Every day, careless and reckless drivers cause automobile accidents in San Jacinto and throughout Riverside County. In 2023, 274 victims were injured and killed locally in San Jacinto, according to the California Office of Traffic Safety.
The most commonly reported causes of car accidents in the area include:
- Distracted driving
- Speeding and reckless driving
- Drunk and drugged driving
- Broken traffic laws
- Aggressive driving
- Following too closely
- Drowsy driving
- Inexperienced and untrained drivers
- Poor road conditions
If you need help determining or proving what caused your car accident in San Jacinto, contact Jacoby & Meyers for assistance. We can revisit the scene of your accident to investigate and make a fault determination.
Steps to Take After a Car Accident in San Jacinto
If you get hurt in a car, truck, motorcycle, bicycle or pedestrian accident in Riverside County, take as many of these steps as you can to protect yourself:
- Move to the side of the road or to a place of safety. Check yourself and others involved in the accident for injuries.
- Call 911 to report the car accident and request an ambulance, if needed. Always get medical care immediately after an auto accident, even if you initially feel fine, in case of hidden injuries.
- At the scene, gather driver and witness information. Take photos of the accident scene and any relevant details. Write down your police report number.
- Call your own car insurance company to report the collision. Then, file a claim with the insurance provider of the at-fault party.
- Before accepting any settlements from an insurance company, consult with a car accident attorney at Jacoby & Meyers.
There are also things you should not do after a car accident in San Jacinto. You should not admit fault, give an insurance adjuster a recorded statement or accept a settlement offer without discussing it with a lawyer first. You should also avoid social media in case you post something that harms your claim.
Understanding California Car Accident Laws
In California, the fault-based insurance law gives you the opportunity to hold someone else liable, or legally and financially responsible, for your car accident. California is not a no-fault state, where all drivers seek compensation from their own insurance companies regardless of fault. In California, you have the right to bring a claim against another driver.
Determining fault and liability for your San Jacinto car accident often takes an investigation into who or what caused the crash. The liable party could be another driver, a trucking company, an employer, a delivery service, a part manufacturer or the government.
What Is the Pure Comparative Negligence Doctrine?
If you are partially at fault for a car accident, California’s pure comparative negligence law means you are still eligible for financial compensation. However, your financial recovery will be diminished by an amount equivalent to your percentage of fault. This could significantly impact your settlement or judgment award – making it important to contact an attorney if you are being blamed for the crash.
What Compensation Can You Recover After a Car Accident in San Jacinto?
A car accident claim in San Jacinto could lead to two main types of compensatory damages: economic and non-economic. Economic damages are the monetary or financial losses caused by the crash, such as:
- Past and future medical bills
- Property damage
- Lost wages
- Lost future earning capacity
- Disability accommodations
- Rental car costs
- Out-of-pocket expenses
Non-economic damages are the intangible losses suffered by the plaintiff. Examples include:
- Physical pain and suffering
- Emotional distress
- Mental anguish
- Psychological trauma
- Post-traumatic stress disorder
- Anxiety or depression
- Grief over losing a loved one
- Diminished quality or enjoyment of life
- Loss of consortium
In some cases, punitive damages are also awarded. This is an additional amount of compensation granted as a means of punishing a defendant for egregious acts of wrongdoing, such as gross negligence or recklessness. You should always discuss the potential value of your claim with an attorney before accepting the amount an insurance company offers you.
How Long Does It Take to Settle a Car Accident Claim?
The answer to this question varies significantly from case to case. A claim could take anywhere from six months or less to one year or longer, depending on the circumstances. In general, simple car accident claims reach settlements faster than complicated cases.
Several factors could increase the length of time your case takes:
- Catastrophic injuries
- Wrongful death
- Long recovery timelines
- Multiple liable parties
- Legal disputes
- Uncooperative insurer
While you may be in a hurry to resolve your car accident claim, it is critical not to rush into a fast settlement. This could lock you into an amount that far underpays you. Instead, try to be patient and hire an attorney to make your claim as efficient yet effective as possible.
Contact Our San Jacinto Car Accident Lawyers Today
You may have lost a lot already as the victim of a serious car accident in San Jacinto, California – but even more could be at stake if you don’t hire a qualified and experienced personal injury attorney to represent you during the claims process.
Jacoby & Meyers is a trusted source of legal representation in Riverside County and beyond. We have dedicated our careers to providing the highest quality representation to personal injury victims and their loved ones.
Contact us today to find out how we can help you after a San Jacinto car accident, starting with a free case consultation. Call our local Riverside branch at (951) 579-4854 anytime.Because you deserve justice.