San Jose Car Accident Attorney
A car accident can be one of the most traumatic experiences imaginable for many San Jose residents. Most of us do not think twice about the potential danger of getting behind the wheel, but the truth is that we take our lives into our own hands whenever we drive. As it turns out, the sense of control we feel when we drive our cars can be misleading. Sometimes, you can experience a car accident as a result of factors completely outside of your influence. As hard as we might try to drive safely and respect traffic laws, there will always be the possibility of a negligent driver who puts everyone else’s safety at risk.
If you have been injured due to someone else’s negligence, you do not have to merely accept your injuries and carry on with your life. There is help available for those who need it, and you can take legal action against those responsible. Enlist the help of a qualified, experienced San Jose car accident attorney, and you can pursue justice in an efficient manner. These legal experts can provide you with guidance, and they can explain the entire process of a personal injury claim in a clear, concise manner.
If you are dealing with a serious injury as a result of a car accident, your medical bills may be considerable. On top of that, you could be missing work. This combination of missed wages and unexpected medical expenses can lead to serious financial concerns. A personal injury lawsuit is an obvious way to address these concerns, as you can receive a settlement that will adequately cover all of your damages. You can even be compensated for your inability to work in the future, as many individuals become disabled after serious car accidents. Enlist the help of a qualified attorney who specializes in car accident cases, and you can give yourself a strong chance of recovering the compensation you need to continue with your life. Reach out to Mary Alexander & Associates today.
Common Types of Car Accident Injuries in San Jose
While car accidents can cause a wide range of potential injuries, victims are more likely to experience these common injuries:
- Whiplash: One of the most common car accident injuries is whiplash. While this might not seem like a major injury, the consequences can lead to months or years of discomfort. Whiplash occurs when victims are rear-ended, causing their necks to suddenly jerk backward. This can cause significant issues with the spine, and this injury needs to be addressed as soon as possible.
- Lacerations: Again, lacerations might not seem like a major injury. On the other hand, certain lacerations can prove to be much more serious than others. If you receive a cut in a vital area where there is an artery, you could be in serious trouble. In addition, victims can become disfigured if they receive a cut across their face, and this can seriously impact their lives.
- Chest Injuries: A common chest injury is a broken rib. In many situations, drivers collide with their steering wheels after a heavy impact, and the force can cause serious damage to the chest area.
- Knee Injuries: Sudden impacts can also cause injuries to the legs. When drivers experience a sudden impact, their knees can be thrust forward. In certain cars, the ignition is located directly above the kneecap. When the kneecap strikes the ignition system, it can cause the bone to become shattered.
- Head Injuries: Perhaps some of the most serious examples of car accident injuries are head injuries. Head injuries can be a cause for alarm not only in the short term, but also in the long term. These injuries can cause permanent changes to a person’s cognitive and physical well-being, and they can even cause personality changes.
- Spinal Injuries: When a person’s spine becomes seriously injured, it can leave them paralyzed. Serious car accidents can leave people with quadriplegia or paraplegia. It goes without saying that this type of injury can permanently affect a person’s ability to work and be self-sufficient.
Is California a ‘No-Fault’ Car Insurance State?
It is important to understand that California is not a ‘no-fault’ car insurance state. This means that in order to file a claim or lawsuit, you will need to establish that someone else’s negligence led directly to your injury. In contrast, other states might not require you to do this, which means that you could theoretically file a claim and never establish fault. The fact that you will need to establish negligence means that hiring an experienced, qualified attorney is very important in the state of California.
What is Comparative Negligence?
While establishing fault is important in California, this does not mean that you have to put the blame entirely on someone else’s shoulders. The Golden State is a ‘pure comparative negligence state,’ which means you can file a claim even if you are partly responsible for your own injuries.
Technically speaking, there is no limit to this system (that is why it’s called ‘pure’ comparative negligence). This means that you could theoretically be 99% responsible for your own injuries, and you would still have a chance to recover compensation. That being said, your total compensation amount is reduced by the degree to which you are responsible for your own injuries. For example, someone who is 50% responsible for their own injuries would receive half the amount they would normally receive.
What Kind of Evidence Do I Need?
When you rely on a qualified, experienced attorney, you can rely on them to compile and collect evidence on your behalf. That being said, there are a number of steps you can take to assist your attorney and increase your chances of receiving a compensation amount that adequately reflects the true extent of your injuries.
One of the best things you can do after suffering a car accident injury is to get medical treatment as soon as possible. To some extent, this seems like a pretty obvious piece of advice. Responsible individuals should always keep their well-being in mind. However, the expensive nature of medical treatment in the United States can make many individuals hesitate to get the treatment they need.
From a legal perspective, it is important that you receive an adequate assessment by a healthcare professional. When you get medical treatment, you create a written record of your injuries. You can also receive written statements from doctors that detail the extent of your injuries. Medical images such as X-rays and MRIs can also be very important from a legal standpoint. All of these medical documents are crucial pieces of evidence that you can use to prove that your injuries are legitimate and severe. Without this evidence, you may find it difficult to prove that your injuries occured in the first place.
Enlist the Help of a Qualified Attorney Today
If you have been searching the San Jose area for a qualified, experienced personal injury attorney who can help you with this matter, look no further than Mary Alexander & Associates. We have considerable experience with personal injury lawsuits and claims involving car accidents, and we have a long track record of helping injury victims in California. If you have been injured in a car accident, there is no reason to simply accept this difficult situation without taking legal action. A personal injury claim could provide you with meaningful compensation for a range of damages you might have incurred as a result of your accident. Reach out today, and we can start developing an effective action plan together.
