San Rafael Car Accident Lawyer

If you get hurt in an automobile accident, you need a legal advocate you can trust to guide you through the claims process from beginning to end.

A car accident lawyer from Jacoby & Meyers can go up against insurance claims adjusters and take on adversaries in court, if necessary, to get justice for your San Rafael car accident.

If you or a loved one needs legal advice after a serious car crash in the San Rafael area, contact us for a free initial consultation about your case and legal rights. Because you deserve justice.

Why Choose Jacoby & Meyers 

• We bring more than 50 years of combined experience to each case we accept. We understand how to navigate even the most complex and high-stakes car accident claims.

• Our law firm has successfully recovered over $2 billion in settlements for our clients. This includes many multimillion-dollar automotive accident case results in California.

• Your case will be handled by an exceptional group of attorneys, case managers and staff members making a team effort to accomplish your goals.

• We handle San Rafael car accident claims on a contingency fee basis, meaning we don’t charge any fees unless we succeed and recover compensation on the client’s behalf.

Common Causes of Car Accidents in San Rafael

It is important to determine the cause of your car accident in San Rafael, as this will decide where you should file your auto insurance claim. California is an at-fault state, meaning the party responsible for causing a crash must pay for related damages.

The most common causes of car accidents in California include:

• Distracted driving or driver inattention
• Cell phone use
• Speeding and reckless driving
• Unsafe passing
• Making dangerous lane changes
• Drunk driving
• Aggressive driving or road rage
• Bad weather or poor road conditions
• Auto part defects
  

The California Office of Traffic Safety reports that in 2023, 266 victims were injured and killed in car accidents in the City of San Rafael. The vast majority of car accidents in California can be prevented if the drivers involved act with due care.

Failing to take proper care behind the wheel is known as negligence, and it can make a driver liable or financially responsible for a wreck.

Determining Liability in Your Car Accident Case

Not all car accident cases are black and white, with fault clearly going to just one driver. Some cases involve shared liability among multiple parties, such as a negligent driver and the manufacturer of a defective car part. 

Determining and proving liability requires evidence or proof of fault. Key types of evidence often include:

• Police accident reports
• Traffic citations
• Eyewitness accounts
• Expert testimony
• Photos and video footage
• Physical evidence from the scene
• Cell phone records
• Medical records

Determining liability is something that Jacoby & Meyers can do during your car accident case to ensure that you bring a claim against the correct parties.

Types of Car Accidents We Handle

Our personal injury lawyers in San Rafael have extensive experience in automotive accident law. Jacoby & Meyers invented the personal injury category as we know it today in California over 50 years ago.

Ever since, we have been helping people secure the justice they need.

We handle all of the following types of car accident cases:

• Distracted driving
• Driving under the influence (DUI) 
• Hit-and-run
• Single-vehicle
• Multi-vehicle
• Rollover
• Rear-end
• T-bone or side-impact 
• Head-on
• Lane-change
• Red light or intersection
• Uninsured/underinsured motorist

We can help you and your family if you were injured in a car, truck, commercial vehicle, rideshare, motorcycle, bicycle, e-scooter or pedestrian accident in Marin County.

Our lawyers will use their decades of experience to build a personalized legal strategy for your specific case.

What Is the Statute of Limitations for Filing a San Rafael Car Accident Claim?

Every state has its own deadline for filing personal injury claims. These laws are known as statutes of limitations, and they serve to keep the justice system fair for both parties (the plaintiff and defendant) by encouraging the plaintiff to file as soon as possible. 

Under California Code of Civil Procedure § 335.1, you generally have two years from the date of your automobile accident to file a related claim in San Rafael.

In certain circumstances, you could have more or less time to file. Always speak to an attorney without delay to avoid missing an important time limit.

Dealing With Insurance Companies

Insurance companies can be difficult to deal with during the car accident claims process. Insurance carriers always prioritize their profits. They can use many strategies to minimize payouts, such as blaming you for failing to mitigate your damages, using the pre-existing injury argument and denying a valid claim outright.

Knowing how to deal with an insurance claims adjuster can make all the difference during your case. Do not agree to give the adjuster a recorded statement when asked. If you are offered a fast settlement, do not accept or sign anything. It is likely less than you deserve. Instead, choose to work with an attorney at Jacoby & Meyers to negotiate with the claims adjuster for a fair settlement.

What Compensation Can You Recover After a Car Accident in San Rafael?

Filing a claim with the correct party/ies after a car crash in San Rafael could lead to a financial recovery that allows you to move forward and rebuild your life. You may be eligible to recover the following types of damages, or financial compensation, as a car accident victim in California:

• Existing and future medical bills
• Permanent injury or disability costs
• Lost wages and loss of earning capacity
• Property damage repairs
• Pain and suffering
• Possible punitive damages in cases of gross negligence or recklessness

With our help, you can avoid accepting a lowball settlement that doesn’t adequately compensate you for your losses. We know how to maximize our clients’ case results with aggressive legal strategies and trial attorneys who can go to court, when necessary.

Contact Our San Rafael Car Accident Lawyers Today

If you’ve recently been involved in a motor vehicle accident in or around San Rafael, California, contact Jacoby & Meyers for a free evaluation of your case.

We are a law office in California dedicated to personal injury with proven success when it comes to the most serious injury cases. We do what we do because we believe everyone deserves justice – including you. Find out how we can help you by calling (415) 855-4289 today.