San Jose Car Accident Lawyer

Catastrophic car crashes can leave serious injuries with long-lasting effects. Not long after the car accident, your mind floods with thoughts about lost income, the extent of your personal injuries, the length of your recovery, medical expenses, and how your future might be affected. You may wonder how you're going to recover from the aftermath of a serious car accident.

It's during this traumatic time that it can be valuable to have the legal services of a car accident attorney on your side to help protect your legal rights. Navigating the process of a car accident claim can be difficult, especially when you’re trying to focus on recovery. Let the San Jose car accident lawyers at Valley Accident Attorneys help ensure you get the compensation you need.

Our personal injury law firm specializes in car accident cases. We offer free consultation to all of our car accident clients to discuss the incident and the extent of your injuries. We are dedicated to fighting for fair compensation for your personal injury claim against at-fault drivers and their insurance company. Contact our San Jose car accident attorney today to get started.

Why Valley Accident Attorneys Are the Best Team for Your Case

Valley Accident Attorneys is your best choice when you need compassionate, competent representation for your car accident injury. Our San Jose auto accident lawyer has helped guide accident victims through the settlement process. Car accident claims can prove to be difficult, especially when dealing with an aggressive insurance company whose idea of a fair settlement is to pay out as little as possible. Our effectiveness is shown in the millions of dollars we’ve won for our clients.

There’s no risk in hiring our law firm and it starts with a free consultation with our personal injury lawyer. You won’t pay unless we win your case. We know your needs may not always happen during work hours, which is why we are available 24/7 to assist our clients.

In addition, our award-winning legal team has access to the best medical providers. We can put you in contact with people who can help you heal from your injuries as quickly and completely as possible.

Our goal is to obtain maximum compensation so you can recover damages from current and future medical costs, lost wages, property damage, and more. There are other advantages to hiring an expert San Jose car accident attorney to help with your car accident case against an at-fault driver and especially when dealing with an insurance company.

Benefits of Hiring a San Jose Car Accident Lawyer

A car accident lawyer can play a vital role in making sure your rights are protected while fighting for the compensation you need and deserve.

After a bad auto accident, many car accident victims usually file a claim and expect the process to be completed fairly, without dispute. Because they are the victims in the matter, the assumption is that hiring a car accident attorney is unnecessary.

However, dealing with an insurance company without legal representation can leave car accident victims shortchanged. Experienced attorneys know how to handle negotiations to get the best compensation possible. They will also know when to settle or when an insurance adjuster is presenting an unfair offer.

A seasoned San Jose car accident attorney can estimate the value of your case. They know how to navigate the settlement process. Though most car injury cases settle through negotiations, personal injury lawsuits may need to be pursued in some cases. Trial lawyers will be able to represent you at trial if negotiations are not successful.

Value of a Car Accident Claim

The compensation available to you in a car accident lawsuit depends on several factors. Fair compensation takes into account the following:

• Current and future medical bills
• Lost wages
• Permanent physical injuries
• Pain and suffering
• Psychological or emotional injuries
• Property damage
• Wrongful death

Determining the value of your car accident injury case can be complicated. An attorney will know how to estimate the value of your claim.

Common Causes of Car Accidents

Hundreds of auto accidents happen every day. They can range from minor fender benders to head-on collisions. San Jose car accidents are typically caused by driver negligence on the road. Some of the most common causes of car accidents are:

Distracted Driving

Distracted driving is the most common cause of car accidents nationwide and a leading cause of traffic fatalities. Distractions can happen for several reasons, with the most common being cell phone use topping the list. Multitasking is simply harder than you think.

Speeding

Speeding is the second leading cause of car accidents. Studies show that two-thirds of all vehicles on any road are traveling over the speed limit. This can dramatically increase the potential for losing control and the extent of damage and injuries that are sustained.

Drunk Driving

Drunk driving is another major cause of vehicle accidents. For many drivers, even a small amount of alcohol is enough to significantly increase the risk of an accident. If a drunk driver was responsible for a car wreck, you have a right to seek compensation.

Reckless Driving

Reckless driving habits like changing lanes without looking and tailgating other drivers are another common cause of accidents in the U.S. Accidents can happen when a driver is more concerned with themselves than other drivers on the road.

Road Conditions

Rain can cause motorists to lose control of their cars when driving. When the road is wet, cars can lose their grip on the surface and slide. This reduces control for the motorist and increases the risk of an accident.

Road accidents can be terrifying experiences. It’s important to know the common causes of accidents so you can work to avoid them. When the actions of another driver cause you to have a wreck and sustain injuries, call an attorney for help.

Determining Liability For a Car Accident

A successful car accident case depends on proof of legal liability. Four elements must be established to prove liability in a car accident.

When proving who was at fault for a car accident, it must be shown that:

1. There was a duty of care to exercise caution on the road
2. There was a breach of duty
3. The breach of duty on the part of the other driver caused the accident
4. The accident resulted in damages 

Car accident lawyers have the experience needed to help prove liability for your car accident lawsuit against the responsible party. Their access to investigative resources will increase the odds that your case is successful.

Common Car Accident Injuries

The National Highway Safety Administration says that in 2019, an estimated 2.74 million people were injured in car crashes. Some injuries are more common than others. These include:

Soft Tissue Injuries

The most common type of car injury includes things like whiplash or back sprains.

Scrapes and Cuts

Flying debris in the car or airbags deploying can cause scrapes and cuts. Most are minor, but some will require stitches.

Head Injuries

When a person’s head hits a window or steering wheel, it can result in bruising and tearing of brain tissue and blood vessels in the head. Traumatic brain injuries can occur depending on the extent of the head trauma.

Chest Injuries

These injuries can include bruised or broken ribs. Other internal injuries can be caused by drivers colliding with a steering wheel.

Arm and Leg Injuries

Arms and legs may be thrown against a door, or knees may hit the dashboard in front of them. Limbs can be scraped, bruised, or even broken in a car crash.

It’s important to have a complete medical exam after a crash to make sure you are aware of any bodily damage. Car accidents can cause minor to serious injuries that may not always be immediately apparent and can develop later.

What to Do After a Car Accident

There are certain things you should do after a car accident to make sure you are protected. These include taking the following steps:

1. Check yourself and passengers for injuries — if you or a passenger is injured, immediately call 911
2. If you are able, move yourself and your vehicle to a safe place off the road
3. Call for emergency services
4. Obtain a police report
5. Exchange information with the other driver (note their name and contact information as well as their insurance information)
6. Use your cell phone to document the accident scene by taking pictures of the vehicles and the location of the crash
7. Gather contact info for any witnesses
8. See a doctor immediately for medical treatment and keep all medical bills, as well as reports
9. Call your insurance company to report the accident
10. Call a San Jose car accident attorney to make sure your rights are protected

These are good steps to take in the event of any car crash, large or small. By taking these steps, you ensure that your rights stay protected in any event.

Call the Car Accident Lawyers at Valley Accident Attorneys

If you or a loved one has been injured in a car accident, don’t hesitate to call Valley Accident Attorneys. We can help make sure your rights are protected. We will fight to get the compensation you need and deserve so you can heal and move on with your life. Give us a call today for a free consultation with our San Jose auto accident attorney.