Temecula Car Accident Lawyer

Car accidents may be one of the most common causes of injury in California, but that does not mean you’ll be any more prepared to get into one.

An automobile accident can put you in the hospital, out of work and in a position to have to deal with insurance companies.

Luckily, you don’t have to do it alone. 

Jacoby & Meyers is here to help you fight for justice.

As a car accident victim in Temecula, you may be eligible for financial compensation from the person or party that caused your crash.

Discuss your legal options today at no cost during a free consultation at our local law firm by calling us at (951) 720-3007 or fill out this form.

Why Choose Jacoby & Meyers 

• We have been representing clients throughout California since 1972. Our law firm invented the personal injury category of law as we know it today more than 50 years ago.

• Our team of attorneys, paralegals, case managers and support staff is here to address all of your needs in the aftermath of a car crash. We always serve our clients with one-on-one care.

• We have obtained outstanding results for car accident clients. Our law firm has collected more than $2 billion in total settlements, including many multimillion-dollar automotive accident cases.

• We handle cases on a contingency basis. This means you won’t pay your Temecula car accident attorney from Jacoby & Meyers unless we win your case.

Common Causes of Car Accidents in Temecula

Motor vehicle accidents in California are often caused by driver error.

Driver negligence, which can describe any actions or behaviors behind the wheel that a reasonably prudent driver would not commit, is behind many serious and fatal collisions each year.

Some of the most common causes include:

• Distracted driving
• Texting and other cell phone use
• Driving under the influence (DUI)
• Speeding and reckless driving
• Drowsy driving
• Tailgating
• Failing to yield the right-of-way
• Running red lights and rolling through stop signs
• Violating other traffic laws
• Dangerous road conditions in Temecula
• Poor road maintenance or inadequate lighting
• Vehicle part defects

The California Office of Traffic Safety reported that in 2022, the most recent year data is available, 494 victims were injured and killed in traffic accidents in the City of Temecula.

Riverside County had a total of 15,151 victims involved in harmful accidents. When an accident is caused by negligence, the victim can seek justice through an insurance claim or injury lawsuit.

Types of Car Accidents We Handle

At Jacoby & Meyers, we are passionate about helping car accident victims and their families hold those responsible for their collisions accountable.

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

• Rear-end collisions
• T-bone or side-impact crashes
• Head-on collisions
• Multivehicle pileups
• Hit-and-run incidents
• Drunk driving accidents
• Sideswipes and lane-change accidents
• Rollovers
• Single-vehicle accidents

We accept cases involving cars, trucks, semis, buses, motorcycles, rideshare vehicles, bicycles and pedestrians. We are experts in serious automotive accident cases.

Understanding California Car Accident Laws

California uses an at-fault law to determine who is liable, or financially responsible, for a traffic accident.

This insurance system holds drivers accountable for causing automobile accidents.

Under this rule, you have the right to seek financial compensation from the at-fault driver or party.

Fault for an auto accident must be proven using evidence.

Typically, there must be proof of negligence by the defendant or accused party.

Evidence may include police reports, witness statements, photos and videos of the crash scene, medical records, documentation of injuries, and testimony from relevant experts, such as medical experts.

Statute of Limitations for Filing a Claim

If you need to file a car accident injury lawsuit in Temecula, you have no more than two years from the date of the crash to do so.

This is the statute of limitations in California under Code of Civil Procedure 335.1.

While there are some exceptions to the rule, most personal injury cases must be initiated within two years. An insurance claim, however, should be filed as soon as possible.

Comparative Negligence Rules 

If an insurance company allocates a percentage of fault for the car accident to you, you can still recover financial compensation under California Code of Civil Procedure § 1714, the comparative negligence rule.

Under this legal doctrine, victims can receive partial compensation even if they share fault. 

If you are assigned fault, the amount awarded will be reduced by an amount equivalent to your degree of responsibility.

For example, if you are given 15 percent of fault and the original settlement amount is $300,000, your recovery would be reduced by $45,000 to $255,000.

It is important to hire an attorney to help you maximize your case outcome if you think the comparative negligence doctrine will affect your claim.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the average car accident settlement?

There is no such thing as an average settlement, as every case has unique factors that affect settlement value. This includes injury severity, recovery timeline, the number of parties that share fault and insurance policy limits. Some car accident cases settle for $20,000 or less, while others reach the millions.

What if the other driver is uninsured or underinsured?

Many drivers in Temecula drive without car insurance despite it being against California law. If an uninsured or underinsured driver causes your car accident, contact your own car insurance company to ask about first-party coverage. You may have uninsured or underinsured motorist insurance that pays for your losses.

Can I still recover damages if I was partially at fault?

Yes, you can still receive compensation from one or more defendants if you are found to be partially at fault for a vehicle collision. California uses a pure comparative negligence law, which means you can be assigned up to 99 percent of fault and still be eligible for partial financial recovery.

Contact Our Temecula Car Accident Lawyers Today

Jacoby & Meyers is a trusted source of legal representation and aggressive advocacy for car accident victims in Temecula.

With our decades of legal experience, award-winning team of trial attorneys and passion for seeing justice served, we are the right choice if you or a loved one has been injured in a motor vehicle collision.

Contact us today for a free case review, where you can speak directly to a local Riverside car accident lawyer about your individual case details, situation and needs.

Call us at (951) 720-3007 to arrange your meeting. We can come to you if you cannot travel to meet with us. Jacoby & Meyers: because you deserve justice.