Car accidents can cause serious injuries and major medical expenses. Some accidents leave victims with ailments that can forever change their lives. If you suffered damages because of a car accident that was not your fault, you might be able to recover financial awards with the help of a Bakersfield car accident lawyer from Jacoby & Meyers Law Offices.
Our Bakersfield Office
2020 Eye St,
Bakersfield, CA 93301
24/7 Hotline: (661) 402-8934
Why Choose Jacoby & Meyers?
- We have more than 50 years of experience handling automobile accident cases in Bakersfield and throughout California. Our attorneys have in-depth knowledge of this practice area, and have secured billions of dollars on behalf of our clients.
- We know how to get real results. Our past auto accident case results include $19 million for a rideshare passenger vs. auto case, $17.5 million for a bicycle vs. truck case and $11.9 million for a wrongful death truck accident case.
- We will guide you through your car accident claim and get you the justice you deserve, so that you can get back to the life you love. We take pride in handling every case with the same level of care – big or small.
How Much Does a Bakersfield Car Accident Attorney Cost?
When you choose Jacoby & Meyers, you won’t have to worry about whether hiring an attorney is worth the cost. You will never pay us out of pocket, win or lose. Our law firm operates on a contingency fee basis for all car accident cases in Bakersfield, meaning we charge $0 upfront. You won’t pay us unless we secure financial compensation for your losses.
If we do win your case, we will take our attorney’s fee directly from the settlement or judgment award won on your behalf. The percentage of our fee will depend on the case, such as whether it is a complicated legal matter that has to be resolved in court. We are always honest and upfront about our fees for your peace of mind.
How Your Lawyer Can Help You after a Bakersfield Car Accident
Your Bakersfield injury lawyer can help you with an insurance claim against the party who caused your crash.
They can help you gather evidence to prove another party’s negligence caused your injuries. This may include:
- Medical bills and records
- Accident reports
- Video and photographs
- Witness testimony
Your lawyer will actively gather and analyze critical evidence, such as accident reports, video footage, and medical records, to build a compelling case proving the other party’s negligence.
Other ways your auto accident attorney can help you include:
- Negotiating with the insurance company for a fair settlement
- Ensuring your rights are protected
- Explaining your options
- Going to court to argue your car accident claim, if necessary
- Retaining the help of accident reconstructionists and medical experts
- Interviewing eyewitnesses to the accident
- Valuating all of your losses
- Supporting you in this difficult time
- Keeping you in the loop throughout your case
Treating car accident injuries can add up. You might face surgeries, rehabilitation services, hospital stays, and more—and this is just considering medical costs. If you have serious injuries and costly damages (in addition to other, various losses), you might want help getting back on your feet.
What Is Negligence?
Negligence is the foundation of most car accident cases in Bakersfield. Negligence means someone has not used the proper amount of care for a situation, such as a motor vehicle driver who breaks traffic laws or drives while distracted.
To qualify for financial compensation after a car crash, you or your attorney may need to prove negligence. This takes evidence of four main things:
- Duty of care: the defendant owed you a duty of reasonable care, meaning an obligation to act in a way that a reasonable person would in the same circumstances.
- Breach of duty: the defendant committed an act or omission that did not meet the duty of care, such as careless or reckless driving.
- Causation: the defendant’s negligence or breach of duty caused or greatly contributed to your automobile accident in Bakersfield.
- Damages: because of the car accident, you suffered compensable losses, such as medical bills and property damage.
A lawyer from Jacoby & Meyers can help you establish negligence to prove your car accident case using clear and convincing evidence. We can hire qualified crash reconstruction experts and medical experts to strengthen your claim, as needed.
We Will Establish Liability for Your Car Accident
In California, determining fault for a car accident is necessary before you can file a claim, as the state abides by a fault-based car insurance law. You or your attorney will have to determine who is liable, or legally responsible, for your crash based on the cause of the accident.
Depending on your crash circumstances, liable parties could include another driver, the entity responsible for the roadway, or a car or vehicle parts manufacturer.
Car accident causes may include:
- Reckless driving
- Defective brakes
- Excessive speeding
- Driving drowsy or sleeping at the wheel
- Hand-held cell phone usage
- Faulty tires
- Inadequate road maintenance
- Vehicle defects
- Intoxicated driving
- Traffic law violations, and more
- Hit and run accidents
Our attorneys will carefully investigate your crash to identify the liable parties and help you establish fault.
Types of Car Accident Cases We Handle in Bakersfield
At Jacoby & Meyers, our attorneys have the resources and experience to take all types of motor vehicle accident cases in Bakersfield. We are experts in automotive accident law.
We can help if you’ve been injured in any type of car accident, including:
- Rear-end collision
- T-bone accident
- Head-on collision
- Speeding-related accident
- Drunk driving crash
- Rollover accident
- Hit-and-run accident
- Commercial truck accident
- Motorcycle accident
- Bicycle or pedestrian accident
- Bus accident
- Uber or Lyft accident
Don’t hesitate to contact us after you get injured in any kind of car crash in or around Bakersfield. We will dedicate individualized care to your case and tailor our legal services to your specific needs.
About California Insurance Laws
The law requires that California drivers carry liability insurance to pay for injuries and property damages they cause. According to the State of California Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV), motorists must have a minimum of $15,000 in coverage for injuries to one person, $30,000 for injuries to two or more people, and $5,000 in property damage liability.
In the interest of increasing profits, insurance companies try to minimize the amount they pay in car accident claims. To that end, the insurer you are dealing with may try to offer you a settlement that is lower than you need or deserve. Your auto accident lawyer will work to negotiate the best settlement possible for your case.
You Can Take Action in Court
In some cases, an insurance settlement is not possible. It could be that the insurance company refuses to agree to a satisfactory settlement or outright denies your car accident claims. When this happens, you can pursue compensation in civil court.
You have two years to file a personal injury or wrongful death case, according to CCP §335.1. Your time limit starts when your injuries occur or at the time of your loved one’s passing.
If you do not take action before the statute of limitations expires, the court will likely throw out your case. Once you file your case, you can still settle at any time before going to trial.
Acting quickly after an accident is crucial. Preserve evidence like photographs, medical bills, and police reports to strengthen your claim. Your lawyer can guide you in gathering these documents effectively.
Your Lawyer Can Help You Seek the Money You Need
Recovering from an accident can be a long and expensive process. Your car accident attorney can help you seek awards for past medical bills and future care needs, as well as vehicle damages. You may also be eligible for pain and suffering damages if your accident led to:
- Scarring
- Disfigurement
- Loss of a limb or bodily function
- Loss of mobility
- Depression
- Sleep disorders
- Post-traumatic stress disorder
- Anxiety
- Mental anguish
Pain and suffering damages go beyond physical injuries, compensating you for emotional and psychological impacts that alter your quality of life. These include anxiety, depression, and even strained relationships with loved ones.
If your loved one died because of injuries sustained in a car accident, you could seek compensation on their behalf. Depending on your relationship, you may also be eligible for damages for loss of consortium.
Additionally, you could seek damages for any lost wages, benefits, tips, or bonuses that you should have earned in the time that you were out of work due to your injuries. Sometimes, accident-related injuries can cause victims to seek out lower-paying jobs. You could pursue the difference between the amount you used to earn and the amount you now earn.
What Our Clients Say About Us
Client review: ⭐⭐ ⭐⭐⭐
The law firm was very helpful. Did their best to get me the best outcome. Very satisfied with their help. I already recommended my family member.
– Jenny
Steps to Take After a Car Accident in Bakersfield
If you get involved in a car crash in Bakersfield or anywhere in Kern County, it is important to know what steps to take to protect yourself during this vulnerable time. You can lay the groundwork for a strong insurance claim or injury suit by taking the right actions after your crash.
If you can, take the following steps:
- Check yourself for injuries and get medical care immediately. Do not delay in seeking treatment, as this can hurt your physical health and your insurance claim.
- Call the police to report the car accident while you are at the scene. Do not admit fault for the crash or apologize. Write down your police report number.
- Exchange names, contact information and insurance details with the other driver(s) involved. Get the information of any eyewitnesses and vehicle passengers, as well.
- Take the time to capture photos of the crash scene before you leave. Look around for any traffic or surveillance cameras that may provide additional evidence.
- Call your own car insurance company to report the crash. Keep your answers to their questions short and do not agree to give the insurer a recorded statement.
When you are ready to begin the process of collecting compensation for your car accident case, start by consulting with an attorney at Jacoby & Meyers. We will provide a comprehensive overview of your case and explain your legal rights to help you know what steps to take next in the pursuit of justice.
How to Deal With Auto Insurance Claims Adjusters
An insurance claims adjuster is the individual who will be assigned to your case by an auto insurance company to review the facts and recommend to the insurer whether to accept or reject financial benefits. The adjuster will also give a recommendation as to the value of your claim.
It is important to know how to speak to an insurance claims adjuster to handle the process effectively and preserve your best interests. First, do not trust the adjuster; they represent the insurance company’s interests, not yours. Be polite but cautious during conversations with an adjuster.
Do not admit fault for the car accident or provide unnecessary details about what happened. Stick to the facts. Do not provide a recorded statement, as this can be used against you. Most importantly, don’t rush to accept the first settlement offer. Initial offers are often lower than the claimant deserves. Instead, contact a lawyer to negotiate with an adjuster confidently.
Call the Attorneys at Jacoby & Meyers Law Offices Today
Our team of Bakersfield car accident attorneys can get you started with a no-obligation consultation. If you choose our services, you pay us nothing upfront or out of pocket.
Don’t wait to get the help you need. Every day you delay could harm your case. Our experienced attorneys are ready to provide personalized support and fight for the compensation you deserve.
We work on contingency, which means you owe us nothing if we do not win your case. To learn more, call us today at (661) 402-8934.
Call or text 888-522-6291 or complete a Free Case Evaluation form
