California has some of the highest numbers of car accidents in the nation. Our lovely Santa Cruz is not immune to this problem and has more than its share of serious injuries and fatal car crashes.
Highway 17, with its sharp curves, narrow lanes, and limited visibility, is an especially dangerous highway connecting Santa Cruz and San Jose. Another hazardous roadway is Bonny Doon Road in our beautiful Santa Cruz Mountains.
While our highways and roads offer some of the most scenic drives in the world, the can, unfortunately, be the scene of catastrophic car accidents.
If you have been injured or lost a loved one in a car accident near Santa Cruz because of another party’s negligence or wrongdoing, you have the right to seek compensation. Even if you were partially at fault in the accident, you may be able to recover damages for your injuries from the other at-fault parties.
You need the representation of an experienced Santa Cruz car accident attorney to fight for your rights and get you the maximum compensation for your injuries.
Jacoby & Meyers: Your Santa Cruz Car Accident Law Firm
At Jacoby & Meyers Injury Lawyers, Our Santa Cruz personal injury lawyers have been successfully representing California car accident victims for more than 50 years. Having recovered more than $2 billion in settlements and verdicts, we know how to win big for our clients. We want to do the same for you.
Call us at (408) 341-6883 or visit our contact page today to schedule a free evaluation of your case. We will listen to you, answer your questions, explain your rights, and help you take the next steps to getting the justice and compensation you deserve.
Steps to Take After A Santa Cruz Car Accident
- Unless you need immediate medical attention, do not leave the scene of the accident until you are released by the police. If you leave the scene of an accident you could be charged with a hit-and-run violation that carries significant penalties and would be damaging to your chances of recovering compensation for your damages.
- Get a medical evaluation right away. If you are injured, call 911 and seek emergency medical assistance. Even if you believe your injuries are minor, you should be checked out by a medical professional. Many injuries do not reveal themselves for several days. However, those same injuries can lead to chronic pain and limited mobility.
- If you can do so safely, move your vehicle out of the line of traffic and to the shoulder of the road or a close safe area. However, if someone is seriously injured or has been killed, you should wait for the police and not move the vehicles until the police tell you to do so.
- Exchange contact information with other parties and any witnesses. Take a photo of their license and other documentation with your phone camera and collect their phone numbers. Also, get the attending officer’s name. Regardless of who is at fault, you must provide your information to the other driver and the police officer. Provide your driver’s license, proof of insurance, and registration paperwork. But do not give any more information than you must.
- Document information about the other vehicles, including the license plate number, year, make, model, and color and if possible, get the VIN.
- Be careful what you say. Do not admit fault, do not apologize, and do not say that you are not hurt.
- If you hit an unoccupied vehicle, you must either locate the owner and give them your license and registration, or leave a written note with your name and address in a conspicuous place on the vehicle. You must also notify the Santa Cruz Police Department or the California Highway Patrol.
- If you can do so safely, take photos or video footage of the scene of the accident, the vehicles involved, and any visible injuries.
- As soon as possible after the accident write down everything you can recall about it. Consider drawing a diagram or sketch of the scene. Record the time, date, weather conditions, cross streets, and direction of travel for each vehicle. Record anything that seems important.
- Document your injuries with photographs or video footage. Note your physical injuries as well as your emotional state.
- Report your accident immediately. California law requires you to notify the Department of Motor Vehicles within 10 days of an accident if anyone was killed or injured, or the accident resulted in more than $1,000 in damages. Accidents should be reported using California DMV Form SR1.
- Notify your insurance provider promptly. Even if the accident was your fault, you must report it. California is one of only two states that prohibits auto insurance companies from raising rates if an accident is not the fault of the policyholder.
- Contact a Santa Cruz car accident attorney as soon as possible to help protect your rights.
Contact a Santa Cruz Car Accident Attorney Today
If you have been injured in a car accident due to another person’s negligence or wrongdoing, you deserve to be compensated for your damages. Even if you were partially at fault, in California you may still be able to recover damages from the other at-fault parties.
You also deserve to be represented by a skillful, dedicated Santa Cruz car accident attorney with a proven track record of success.
The car accident attorneys at Jacoby & Meyers Injury Lawyers have more than 50 years of experience recovering maximum compensation for California car accident victims. We have secured more than $2 billion in settlements and verdicts for our clients and we want to help you too.
We understand the challenges you face when you have been injured in a car accident. You are likely angry, worried, and overwhelmed.
You need to focus on your recovery and let us handle your personal injury claim. Don’t face these challenges alone. Let us help you.
Call us at (408) 341-6883 or visit our contact page today to schedule a free consultation. We will listen to you, evaluate your case, answer your questions, and explain your options. If we represent you, we will work tirelessly to get you the justice and every dollar you deserve.
Call or text 888-522-6291 or complete a Free Case Evaluation form