Accidents in the South Bay occur unexpectedly, suddenly, and when you least expect them. A major collision accident can alter the rest of your life. Even when you drive defensively and follow the law, all it takes is one reckless driver on a busy expressway or highway to cause a crash.
Suits Litigation, Inc is here to help injured drivers and their families, regardless of the severity of the accident. Our law firm can provide assistance through the entire legal process, even all the way to trial if necessary.
To request a free consultation with an experienced car accident lawyer near you, contact our San Jose law firm today.
How Common Are Car Accidents in San Jose?
There are numerous serious accidents in and around the San Jose metro area every year. Based on 2022 numbers from the California Office of Traffic Safety (OTS), there were 3,036 auto accident injuries and fatalities that year. Broadening the scope to all of Santa Clara County, OTS recorded 8,648 auto accident injuries and fatalities in 2022.
This speaks to the sheer amount of traffic in this part of Silicon Valley. As noted by the San Jose Spotlight, commuters around Santa Clara County lose about 72 hours every year commuting to, from, and through the South Bay. Whether you’re commuting from Milpitas or Palo Alto into San Jose or are driving to a different part of the Bay Area from the South Bay, it’s crucial that you remain attentive behind the wheel.
How Long Do I Have to File a Car Accident Lawsuit?
In most car accident cases in the state of California, you have up to two years from the date of the collision to file a legal claim. Once that two-year statute of limitations has expired, you will not be able to seek damages following a crash.
There are exceptions to that two-year deadline, and time can affect a witness’ memory and the quality and availability of evidence following a crash. It’s in your best interests to speak with our San Jose car accident attorney as soon as possible after your collision.
How Can a Local Car Accident Lawyer Help?
Working with a local car accident attorney near you means you have someone committed to upholding your rights throughout the claim process. Working with a lawyer like James C. Suits II means having someone who can:
- Assess your crash and determine who was at fault and what percentage of fault they have
- Track down witnesses and key evidence in your collision
- Hire collision experts who can help with crash scene analysis and review of the injuries you sustained
- Objectively evaluate the full extent of your injuries and losses related to the car crash
- Negotiate with insurance companies and adjusters to arrive at a fair settlement
- Represent you in court if your case goes all the way to civil trial
Why Choose Suits Litigation, Inc for Your Car Accident Case
Attorney James C. Suits II is a South Bay native who is proud to call Silicon Valley his home. His legal team brings a deep understanding of the dangers on nearby freeways and expressways as well as the hazards that Bay Area commuters face on a day-to-day basis.
Suits Litigation, Inc will work closely with you wherever you’re based in Santa Clara County. Whether you were hit by a car while driving, on a bike, or on foot, our law firm can give you the support and legal guidance you need.
Request a Free Consultation with Our San Jose Car Accident Attorney
If you were in a serious car accident, don’t go it alone. You need a South Bay accident attorney on your side who can negotiate with insurance companies and fight for you in court. To request a free case review with a trusted car accident lawyer near you, contact our San Jose law firm today.
Common Causes of Car Accidents in the South Bay Area
No matter how cautious they are, most drivers will experience at least one auto accident in their lifetime. You are more likely to suffer injuries or lose your life in a car accident than you may realize. In addition to commuters in cars, pickups, SUVs, and vans, Bay Area drivers also need to look out for tractor-trailers and semi-trucks, self-driving vehicles, rideshare drivers for Uber and Lyft, parcel vehicles and delivery drivers, speeding motorcyclists, and a host of other hazards.
In the South Bay, we tend to notice many collisions are related to the following issues:
- Speeding and dangerous speeds based on weather conditions
- Weaving, overtaking, aggressive driving
- Texting while driving
- Making calls without a hands-free kit
- Driver distraction and inattention
- Incorrect or illegal turns
- Failure to observe the right of way
- Running red lights and stop signs
- Poor road conditions
No matter the cause of your car accident, you can count on Suits Litigation, Inc for legal assistance.
Dangerous Freeways and Highways in the South Bay Area
With countless commuters in the South Bay, it’s crucial that you be careful whenever you’re on local freeways. Our San Jose accident law firm can help you if you’re involved in a crash on these interstates and highways.
Interstate 880
Driving on I-880 can feel dangerous given the number of lanes and the amount of traffic at all times. Serious multi-car pileups and crashes can occur all along the Nimitz Freeway as South Bay commuters make their way to the East Bay.
State Route 17
Highway 17 provides drivers in Santa Clara County with access to Santa Cruz and scenic Highway 1, but there are plenty of hazards as the roads wind through the mountains.
U.S. Route 101
Highway 101 connects the Bay Area to Southern California as well as many parts of Northern California and Washington State. The sheer amount of daily and nightly traffic on Highway 101 makes it dangerous for many motorists.
Interstate 280
Interstate 280 is one of the most scenic drives in the Bay Area, providing great views along the Peninsula from San Jose to San Francisco. There are risks of driver distraction along the way, and commuters should keep an eye out for people speeding or weaving recklessly on the road.
Interstate 680
Interstate 680 is essential for people in the South Bay to connect with Pleasanton, Dublin, Contra Costa County and communities nestled deeper into the East Bay.
State Route 85
Highway 85 connects numerous communities along the western edge of Silicon Valley. People in Mountain View, Sunnyvale, Cupertino, and Saratoga count on this highway for their commute, and our law firm is here to help after any collisions or crashes on the West Valley Freeway.
State Route 87
Highway 87 may be small, but there are numerous commuters on the Guadalupe Freeway. Drivers must be cautious whether they’re heading into or out of Downtown San Jose using Highway 87.
Dangerous Roads and Expressways in the South Bay Area
Santa Clara County is full of busy roads that connect our communities and aid in commutes. The size, congestion, and high speeds on these major South Bay thoroughfares can lead to serious and even deadly accidents.
El Camino Real
El Camino Real is a critical road connecting San Jose to San Francisco. According to SF Gate, it’s also one of the deadliest roads in the region, with 129 recorded fatalities on El Camino Real from 2020–2022. During that time, there were 58 fatalities on El Camino Real in Santa Clara County alone.
Capitol Expressway
Commuters in East San Jose should exercise caution when driving on Capitol Expressway. In addition to regular commuter traffic concerns, there are also numerous hazards related to the BART extension and other ongoing construction projects.
Monterey Road
Monterey Road’s high accident rate could be due to a number of factors. During the night and high-traffic hours, crashes can occur due to reckless driving, poor lighting, badly marked crosswalks, and a host of other factors.
Almaden Expressway
Almaden Expressway connects communities in South San Jose to the rest of the city. It’s no wonder that so many accidents can happen during commuter hours and nighttime.
San Tomas Expressway/Montague Expressway
San Thomas Expressway snakes through numerous communities from Campbell all the way to Santa Clara, where it becomes the Montague Expressway and helps connect North San Jose to I-880 and I-680.
Lawrence Expressway
Lawrence Expressway connects Saratoga and nearby communities to the Sunnyvale area. The heavy traffic, poor road maintenance, and proximity of bicyclists and commuters can make driving on Lawrence Expressway potentially dangerous.
Hurt In a Crash? Contact Our San Jose Car Accident Lawyer for a Free Case Review
No matter what happened in your accident or where in Santa Clara County you got hit, you can count on attorney James C. Suits II for legal help. To request a free case review with a trusted San Jose car accident lawyer, contact Suits Litigation, Inc today.
Showing Fault and Proving Negligence After a Car Accident
If you’re thinking about taking legal action after a car accident, it’s crucial to gather strong proof of negligence. Evidence may include eyewitness accounts, video footage, and even admissions from the other driver. It’s not always easy to gather this proof, but attorney James C. Suits II can assist you.
It is necessary to show that the driver’s carelessness or recklessness caused your accident, injuries, and damages. To prove negligence, your evidence must demonstrate these four components of negligence:
- Duty (to the other drivers)
- Breach of the Duty
- Duty Caused the Accident (causation)
- Damages (injury or property damage occurred)
Damages in a Car Accident Case
Your right to compensation following a car accident will depend on your injuries, the extent of the car’s damage, insurance coverage, and other circumstances. Drivers may be able to file a claim with the appropriate insurance companies and file a personal injury lawsuit against the party or parties at fault in order to recover compensation for their injuries. Economic and non-economic damages are usually awarded in personal injury lawsuits.
Economic damages includes compensation for out-of-pocket expenses incurred as a result of the accident, such as:
- Past and present medical expenditures
- Continuing therapy and treatment fees
- The cost of replacing or repairing your vehicle
- Lost current wages
- Loss of future earning potential
Non-economic damages comprise all non-financial losses suffered by accident victims as a result of the collision, such as:
- Mental distress
- Pain and suffering
- Deterioration in quality of life
- Disfigurement
During a consultation, attorney James C. Suits II will help you understand the true value of your claim and how to maximize compensation given the circumstances of your case.
Damages in a Fatal Car Accident
If you’ve lost a loved one in a fatal crash, our team can help you file a wrongful death claim against the negligent party. Wrongful death cases allow the surviving loved ones to seek compensation that addresses the many losses associated with their tragedy.
Our law firm will make sure that funeral expenses, grief counseling, and your loss of companionship are considered when seeking damages after a fatal collision.
Car Accidents with an Uninsured or Underinsured Driver
When you own and operate a car, auto insurance can assist with compensation recovery for any injuries or property damage that may result. The majority of people purchase motor liability insurance as a sign of responsibility. Unfortunately, not all motorists have insurance, which leads to a number of issues if you are involved in a crash with such an individual.
An uninsured driver is someone who has no auto insurance, whose insurance coverage has expired, or who was involved in a hit-and-run accident when their identity is unknown. A driver who has less insurance coverage than the losses they contributed to in an accident is said to be underinsured.
If you were hit by an uninsured or underinsured driver in Santa Clara County, we can help determine the right course of action. Our goal is to ensure you aren’t left with an unpayable stack of bills because of someone else’s negligence and irresponsibility.
California Car Accident Statistics
Contact Our San Jose Law Firm for a Free Car Accident Case Evaluation
Whatever the nature of your accident, you can count on attorney James C. Suits II for help. To set up a free consultation at our San Jose law office about your potential car accident claim, contact the team at Suits Litigation, Inc.