San Jose Car Accident Lawyers

If you need a San Jose car accident attorney after a crash, BD&J can help you understand your options and take the next step.

Injured in a San Jose Car Accident? Talk to a Lawyer Today!

After a serious crash, you may be dealing with painful injuries, mounting medical bills, missed work, and the stress of trying to recover while insurers push for quick answers. You don’t have to handle this alone, an experienced auto accident lawyer in San Jose can help you protect your rights and pursue the compensation you are due.

If you have been injured in a car crash and are wondering where to turn, we invite you to contact our San Jose car accident attorneys at BD&J for a free consultation.

If you have been injured in a car crash and are wondering where to turn, we invite you to contact our San Jose car accident attorneys at BD&J for a free consultation. We would be happy to review the details of your case, help you understand your rights, and discuss your legal options.

With our team on your side, you may be able to recover compensation for:

• Past and future medical bills
• Pain and suffering
• Vehicle repair costs
• Lost wages
• Lost earning capacity

Car Accident Types We Handle in San Jose

At BD&J San Jose, we handle a wide variety of car accident cases, including:

• Hit-and-run accidents: If the driver who hit you fled, we can help investigate the crash and pursue available options, including uninsured motorist coverage when it applies.
• Accidents with uninsured or underinsured motorists: If the at-fault driver has no insurance or not enough insurance, uninsured/underinsured motorist (UM/UIM) coverage may help pay for your injuries and losses.
• Drunk driving accidents: Impaired driving collisions often involve clear negligence and serious injuries.
• Accidents caused by drowsy drivers: Fatigued driving can be as dangerous as impaired driving and may be proven through crash evidence and witness statements.
• Accidents caused by distracted drivers: Phone use and other distractions can lead to preventable crashes that cause lasting harm.
• Rear-end collisions: These crashes are common in stop-and-go traffic and often cause whiplash and other neck and back injuries.
• Head-on collisions: Head-on impacts can cause catastrophic injuries and typically require a detailed investigation into how the vehicles crossed paths.
• Rollover accidents: Rollover crashes can involve severe trauma and may raise questions about vehicle design, tire failure, or road conditions.
• Multi-vehicle crashes: Chain-reaction collisions can involve disputed fault and multiple insurance policies.
• Failure-to-yield accidents: Crashes at intersections and turns often happen when a driver fails to yield the right of way.
• Uber & Lyft accidents: Rideshare crashes can involve layered insurance coverage depending on whether the driver was on the app, en route, or transporting a passenger.

No matter what the circumstances of your accident, our experienced team knows what it takes to pursue maximum results in each case. Whether your case involves going up against the at-fault driver’s insurance company or filing a personal injury lawsuit, we are prepared to do whatever it takes to ensure that you are properly compensated.

Common Causes of Car Accidents in San Jose

Understanding the common causes of car accidents in California can help you see how liability is established in your case, because the “why” behind the crash is often the key to proving fault and recovering compensation.

• Distracted driving: Phone use, navigation, and in-car distractions can lead to missed signals, sudden braking, and unsafe lane changes.
• Drunk driving: Alcohol and drug impairment slows reaction time and increases the risk of high-speed, high-impact collisions.
• Speeding: Excessive speed reduces stopping distance and makes injuries more severe.
• Failure to yield: Many intersection crashes happen when a driver turns or enters traffic without yielding the right of way.
• Unsafe roads: Poor lighting, faded lane markings, debris, construction zones, and dangerous intersections can contribute to crashes.
• Defective vehicle parts: Brake failures, tire blowouts, and other defects may point to manufacturer or maintenance-related liability.

Common Injuries Sustained in Car Accidents

Drivers and passengers may sustain a range of injuries in crashes, such as:

• Cuts, scrapes, and soft-tissue injuries: Broken glass or other damaged vehicle parts may cause lacerations. Soft-tissue injuries include bruises, sprains, and strains. 
• Broken bones: Breaks often occur in upper and lower extremities. You might also experience broken ribs or vertebrae. 
• Whiplash: The sudden stop when a vehicle hits something frequently causes whiplash because it forces the head and neck back and forth. 
• Traumatic brain injuries: TBIs include concussions, which cause temporary brain changes. However, a larger impact in an accident can cause severe TBIs that permanently affect your brain function. 
• Internal injuries: Internal bleeding or damage to your organs might not be immediately obvious, but the outcomes can be fatal if they aren’t treated quickly. 
• Spinal cord injuries: Damage to the spinal cord in a car accident could cause paralysis.

It’s also important to know that some injuries are delayed, as concussion symptoms, internal injuries, and soft-tissue pain may not fully appear until hours or even days after your crash.

How Fault Is Determined in California Car Accident Claims

California uses a “pure comparative negligence” rule, which means you can still pursue compensation even if you were partly at fault for the crash. Your compensation is simply reduced by your percentage of fault, so proving what happened (and why) matters.

For example, if your total damages are $100,000 and you are found 20% at fault, your estimated recovery would be reduced by 20% (to $80,000). You are not barred from recovering compensation just because you share some blame.

To sort out fault, your case may rely on crash-scene evidence, witness accounts, vehicle damage, and footage, especially on busy commuter corridors like US-101, I-280, I-880, and SR-87, where traffic-camera or nearby surveillance video may help show what happened. In 2023 alone, there were over 3,000 auto accidents in San Jose, underscoring how common these crashes are and why thorough evidence collection matters in every case. 

If you’re unsure about fault—or you’re worried about what to say to an insurance adjuster—contact BD&J for a free, confidential case evaluation.

What to Do After a San Jose Car Accident

A successful car accident claim will prove that you were not liable for the crash and, therefore, are entitled to full compensation. To show that you were not liable, you need to start thinking about how to get evidence surrounding the crash, including right after it happens.

After a car accident, you should always do the following to help with your future claim:

1. Call the authorities: If someone has been seriously injured in your accident or debris from a vehicle scattered into the road, then you should call 911 and get emergency help to the scene. Police officers, firefighters, and paramedics can all help get control of the situation and provide first aid as needed.
2. Request the police report: Ask how to obtain the incident number and the completed report so you can provide it during your claim.
3. Take photographs and video: You can start to collect your own evidence while waiting for emergency services to arrive at the scene of your accident. Use your smartphone to take photos and videos of vehicular damage, injuries, and the environment surrounding you, including traffic patterns and the weather. This documentation can support your lawyer’s efforts to negotiate with the at-fault driver’s insurer and maximize your compensation.
4. Preserve dash cam footage and look for nearby video: Save any dash cam video immediately and note nearby businesses, homes, and intersections that may have captured the crash—traffic cameras and car accidents in San Jose often become closely connected when key footage is overwritten or lost.
5. Speak with witnesses: Get each witness’s name and contact information and ask for a brief account of what they saw, including where they were standing and what direction they were looking.
6. Document witnesses: Write down (or record) what each witness tells you while it’s fresh, and note details like vehicle positions, lane changes, signals, and timing.
7. Avoid recorded statements: Do not give a recorded statement to any insurance company before you understand your rights and how your words may be used against you.
8. See a doctor: You need to see a medical provider the same day as your car accident, no matter if you think you’re seriously injured or not. Waiting to get a check-up can worsen your injuries. Delaying medical help can also increase your liability if you do have an underlying injury that becomes more prominent later. An insurer can argue that your injury would have been easier, and less expensive, to treat had you acted sooner, and that they should not have to pay the full amount for your care. Keep in mind that concussions, internal injuries, and other symptoms may not show up immediately after the crash.

Why Hire a San Jose Car Accident Lawyer

When you hire a car accident attorney, you have their expertise on your side throughout the car accident insurance claims process. They collect and evaluate evidence to determine fault and back up your claims for damages. When preparing to request compensation, your attorney calculates how much you deserve. They negotiate tirelessly with insurance companies on your behalf and represent you in litigation when necessary. If you’re searching for an auto accident lawyer in San Jose CA, BD&J can step in quickly to protect your claim.

Over $3 Billion Recovered for Our Clients

Since we first opened our doors, BD&J has recovered more than $3 Billion in compensation for our clients, including several multimillion-dollar car accident settlements. Skilled, knowledgeable, and with a genuine desire to secure the very best results possible for our clients, we take pride in going above and beyond to protect the rights of the wrongfully injured.

If you’ve been hurt, you don’t have to face the claim alone. Call BD&J 24/7 for a free consultation—there are no fees to begin your case, and there is no risk to you in calling our firm to consult an attorney.

San Jose Car Accident FAQ

How long do I have to file a car accident claim in California?

In many cases, you may have limited time to take legal action, and the deadline can depend on the facts of your crash and who is involved. Contact BD&J as soon as possible so your case can be reviewed and your filing deadlines can be protected.

What if I was partly at fault for the accident?

California follows pure comparative negligence, so you can still pursue compensation even if you share fault. Your total compensation is typically reduced by your percentage of responsibility.

Should I talk to the other driver’s insurance company?

Be cautious. What you say can be used to minimize your claim. If you’re contacted, you can provide basic information, but it’s often best to avoid recorded statements and get legal guidance first.

What damages can a San Jose car accident lawyer help me recover?

You may be able to recover compensation for medical bills, lost wages, reduced earning capacity, vehicle damage, and pain and suffering, depending on the details of your case.

What if the other driver was uninsured or fled the scene?

If the at-fault driver is uninsured or leaves the scene, uninsured motorist coverage may apply. BD&J can help you understand how UM/UIM coverage works, what proof may be needed, and how to pursue compensation when the other driver can’t be identified or doesn’t have insurance. Learn more about your options if you’re hit by an uninsured driver.