More than $2 billion* recovered for injured California residents hurt in an accident.
The state of California has more than 27 million licensed drivers. In the city of Monterey, whether you’re traveling to Old Fisherman’s Wharf, going for a scenic drive to Pebble Beach, or deciding just to explore, chances are you’re hitting the road multiple times a day. While on the road, car accidents can happen in the blink of an eye. When you or someone you love suffer injuries in a car accident, a dedicated Monterey car accident attorney from BD&J can help you in the personal injury claims process by representing you and fighting for your rights.
Call our Monterey car accident lawyers today to find out how much you could qualify for in a personal injury claim after a car accident!
Types of Monterey Car Accidents
According to the California Office of Traffic Safety’s most recent data findings, 2,362 people were killed or injured in car accidents in Monterey County in the span of one year. Whether local or visiting, Highway 1, SR 68, and other routes throughout the city of Monterey and the county overall can often be filled with motorists trying to make it to their destination. As a result, car accidents may occur. Common types of Monterey car accidents are:
- Rear-end collisions
- T-bone collisions
- Single vehicle accidents
- Roll-over accidents
- Head-on collisions
- Multiple car pileups
- Sideswipe accidents
- Hit-and-run accidents
When you are involved in a vehicle accident, you may feel hopeless and shaken up. Speaking with a Monterey car accident attorney is the best thing to do when pursuing compensation from liable parties. An accident lawyer from BD&J can help you understand your next steps, legal options, and the details of the filing process.
What Caused My Car Accident?
There are many reasons why a Monterey car accident may occur. While most drivers go on the road with the idea that other drivers practice the same care they do, this may be far from the truth. Devastating car accidents can lead to serious injuries for both drivers and their passengers, resulting in pain and astronomical expenses. When you talk with a Monterey personal injury lawyer for your car accident claim, the cause of the accident will always be examined in order to determine liability. Some usual causes for accidents in Monterey County include:
- Distracted drivers (texting, talking, looking elsewhere, etc.)
- Aggressive drivers
- Speeding
- Driving under the influence (DUI)
- Fatigue
- Defective vehicle parts or vehicle design
- Faulty road design
- Weather conditions
Who is Liable in My Monterey Car Accident?
If you’ve been injured in a car accident that you did not cause, who could be held responsible? Depending on the type of accident and other factors, there can be a few parties deemed liable. One crucial component of every personal injury claim for a car accident is determining that the liable party had a duty of care to keep you and others safe and failed to uphold it, directly resulting in the injuries of other vulnerable parties. Liability may fall on:
Other Drivers
In 2022, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration reported that 289,310 people were injured in motor vehicle accidents caused by distracted drivers. A driver that is distracted, tired, speeding, or driving aggressively may often be the culprit of causing a car accident in Monterey.
Car Manufacturer
Cars with defective parts, such as faulty airbags, failed brakes, defective steering wheels, and other malfunctions, can also result in injuries for those involved in car accidents. For example, if a driver on the road tries to brake to prevent an accident, but their brakes fail and the accident occurs anyway, the car manufacturer would be held liable for failing to notify vehicle owners of the faulty part/design. This would become a case of product defect.
Local City Government
A flaw in the road design, lack of signage to alert drivers to any road work, or even improper lighting on the road can be a few reasons why drivers are involved in a car accident. If something like this or another similar factor caused an accident on a highway or road, the city could be held liable for ensuing injuries and damage.
What Evidence Can Help Support Liability?
Proving liability can seem daunting for injured individuals, but there are a few key pieces of evidence that can be used in a personal injury claim after a vehicle accident. Collecting photos and videos of the accident site and vehicles involved, hospital documentation of injuries, and statements from any eyewitnesses (including other drivers impacted, pedestrians, etc.) can be extremely helpful for your claim.
Frequently Asked Questions
What if I’m Partially at Fault for the Car Accident?
When a plaintiff is deemed partially at fault after a car accident, this means their actions contributed partly to the crash (such as speeding, failing to yield, etc.). Fortunately, California is a comparative negligence state, which means a person can still obtain compensation for injuries and damages even if they were deemed to be somewhat at fault for the accident. The percentage of fault they are found to be at can result in a reduction of the compensation obtained.
How Can I Prove the Other Driver’s Liability?
Proving the liability of another driver in a car accident can be done with the use of evidence. Typical evidence in a car accident claim can include photos of the accident site and injuries, dashcam footage, eyewitness testimonies, police reports, and medical documentation of injuries as well.
How Long Will My Case Take?
It can be difficult to assign all Monterey car accident claims an accurate timeline. Some cases can take months, while others may take years. A personal injury claim may take longer if taken to court, which is pretty unusual. However, failing to agree on liability, compensation amounts, etc. can lead to this. If your personal injury claim goes to trial, you will need the representation of a diligent committed car accident attorney in Monterey, like the team at BD&J.
Should I Speak to the Other Driver’s Insurance Company?
If you are filing a claim through another liable driver’s insurance company after a car accident, you should not be speaking to their insurance company without guidance from a lawyer. Insurance companies are often trying to save as much money as possible, so speaking to them will often involve them trying to find you at fault in order to avoid paying out. Once you are working with a Monterey car accident attorney, they can take over all contact with the insurance company.
What if the Other Driver’s Insurance Company Denies My Claim?
When the other driver’s insurance company denies your claim, a car accident attorney can step in to represent you. Experienced car accident lawyers will review your claim, gather strong evidence, write letters of appeal, and take on all communications with the insurance company while you recover.
How to Build Your Monterey Car Accident Personal Injury Case
- Gather evidence. – In order to build your personal injury case after a car accident, gathering evidence is essential. This means collecting photos and videos of the accident site, getting eyewitness statements, and going to the hospital to check all injuries obtained from the accident.
- Prove liability. – A personal injury case will always be based on proven liability. As a plaintiff, you must be able to demonstrate the liable party breached a duty of care, directly resulting in your injuries and damages.
- Consult with a Monterey car accident attorney. – One study found that 91% of participants received a payout with legal representation for their personal injury claim. Retaining a diligent personal attorney can help you feel at ease with the direction of your case while in recovery, and at BD&J we offer free consultations for potential clients to get to know our expert legal team better.
Monterey Car Accident Attorneys Fighting for Injured Drivers
After a car accident in Monterey, turn to a premier law firm that has helped injured drivers and passengers throughout California. With more than $2 billion* recovered for injured individuals in California, the BD&J law firm is a dedicated team that will always fight for clients’ rights to the maximum compensation possible. Let one of our skillful attorneys represent your claim while you work on recovering from injuries. Contact us now to book your free consultation!
