Santa Clara Car Accident Lawyer

After a car accident in Santa Clara, it’s important to have an experienced attorney on your side. The car accident lawyers at Text Kevin Accident Attorneys understand what you’re going through and are here to help. We’ll work hard to get you money for your medical bills, lost wages, pain and suffering, and other losses. Call us today for a free consultation with a Santa Clara car accident lawyer.

Santa Clara Car Accident Statistics

Lots of people in Santa Clara enjoy driving for their daily commute or just for fun. But driving can also be risky, especially in busy areas. Car crashes can occur anytime, anywhere, and lead to serious injuries or even death. Based on recent data, there were 4 deadly car accidents in Santa Clara in 2021, involving 6 vehicles and 2 pedestrians. In 2020, the US fatality rate per 100 million vehicle miles traveled was 1.34, the highest it’s been since 2007. These statistics highlight the importance of safe, responsible driving in Santa Clara and everywhere else.

Total Injuries & Fatalities

• 2019: 326
• 2020: 204
• 2021: 207
• 2022: 298
• 2023: 326

Statistics on Fatal and Injury Causing Collisions in Santa Clara

We looked into the data on collisions resulting in injuries and fatalities over the past five years in Santa Clara. What we discovered was that there hasn’t been a significant shift in the numbers from 2019 through 2023. Despite fluctuations in individual years, the overall trend remained relatively stable. This suggests that efforts to enhance road safety may need further attention to effectively curb the incidence of accidents in the area.

Primary Collision Factor

• Right-of-Way: 93
• Unsafe Speed: 67
• Traffic Signals/Signs: 61
• Improper Turning: 40
• DUI: 22
• All Other Factors: 43

Statistics on Common Causes of Collisions in Santa Clara

Further analysis of the collision data reveals a concerning trend: failure to yield the right of way emerged as the primary collision factor in the most recent year. This finding underscores the importance of addressing driver behavior and adherence to traffic laws to mitigate the risk of accidents. Efforts to educate drivers about the significance of yielding and implementing stricter enforcement measures could be crucial steps in enhancing road safety in Santa Clara.

Which Roads and Intersections in Santa Clara Are the Most Dangerous?

While car accidents can happen anywhere in Santa Clara, some areas see more crashes than others:

El Camino Real

El Camino Real is a major street in Santa Clara known for its many shops, eateries, and local businesses. Popular spots include Chipotle, Starbucks, Walgreens, and Wells Fargo Bank. The street is busy throughout the day with both local traffic and visitors. The combination of busy intersections, stoplights, and high traffic volume often leads to congestion, especially during rush hour. This makes El Camino Real a common spot for collisions.

Highway 101

Highway 101, also known as the Bayshore Freeway, is a key route connecting Santa Clara to many other cities in the Bay Area. It has a lot of traffic every day, both from commuters and commercial vehicles. The high speeds on Highway 101, combined with the heavy traffic, increase the chances of serious accidents, especially near busy interchanges like Highway 237 in Santa Clara. Drivers on 101 should stay alert, drive at safe speeds, and be ready for sudden traffic changes or slowdowns, particularly during peak commute times.

Stevens Creek Boulevard

Stevens Creek Boulevard is a busy street in Santa Clara with a variety of businesses. You’ll see many people and vehicles here on their way to work, school, or shopping. Some notable places along Stevens Creek include Santana Row, Valley Fair Mall, and Kaiser Permanente Santa Clara Medical Center. However, the high traffic volume also makes it a potentially dangerous area. There are several intersections where accidents are more likely to occur, particularly when traffic is heavy.

San Tomas Expressway

The San Tomas Expressway in Santa Clara is a well-traveled road known for the Santa Clara Golf & Tennis Club and several tech company offices. It’s a busy route for both drivers and pedestrians every day. The combination of vehicle and pedestrian traffic, along with cars turning at intersections, greatly increases the risk of accidents here. Areas near major destinations like the golf club and busy office complexes see even more traffic and require extra caution from drivers.

What Should I Do After a Car Accident in Santa Clara?

The steps you take after a car accident can have a big impact on any legal case:

Document the Accident

Documenting the accident scene means gathering as much information as you can. Note the exact time and place it happened, what the weather was like, and any relevant road signs or signals. If it’s safe, take photos or videos of the scene, including the positions of the vehicles, damage, skid marks, and road conditions. Get contact info from everyone involved (names, addresses, phone numbers, insurance details) and any witnesses. This information helps with insurance claims and legal proceedings by providing evidence of what occurred.

Keep Good Records

Keeping detailed records after a car accident is key. Collect and organize all documents related to the crash and your injuries. Make sure to keep copies of the police report, medical records, receipts for accident-related expenses (medical bills, prescriptions, transportation to doctor visits), and documentation of missed work and lost wages. These records are essential for insurance claims and legal action, serving as proof of how the accident impacted your life.

Follow Medical Advice

Listening to your doctor after a car accident matters not just for your health, but also for any legal case. Go to all your appointments, follow your treatment plan, take prescribed medications, and go to any recommended therapy or rehab sessions. Following medical advice shows that your injuries are serious and you’re committed to getting better, which is important for legal and insurance matters. Skipping appointments or ignoring doctor’s orders can hurt your insurance claim and potential compensation.

Notify Your Insurance

You should inform your insurance company after a car accident, but be cautious about what you say. Stick to the basic facts without speculating about who was at fault or going into great detail about your injuries. Remember that insurance adjusters may try to use your statements to reduce your claim. It’s often wise to talk to a lawyer before giving a full statement to your insurer. An attorney can advise you on what to share to protect your interests.

Preserve Evidence

Preserving evidence after an accident means not getting your vehicle repaired until an insurance adjuster has assessed the damage since repairs can erase signs of how severe the crash was. Keep any damaged personal items from the accident, like clothing, and take photos of any injuries. This physical evidence can be powerful in showing the extent of the accident and linking it to your injuries, which is crucial for insurance claims and potential legal action.

Call a Lawyer

The next step is to consult with an experienced car accident attorney. A Santa Clara car accident lawyer can guide you through the insurance claim and legal processes. At Text Kevin Accident Attorneys, we’ll protect your rights, negotiate with insurers, and make sure you get fair compensation for your injuries and losses. We can also evaluate the strength of your case, the odds of winning, and the best path forward, whether that’s settlement talks or going to court. It’s especially important to have a lawyer if there are disputes over who was at fault or if the insurance company questions your claim.

We’ll Fight to Recover Compensation for All of Your Car Accident Injuries

Car accident injuries in Santa Clara range from minor to life-changing:

Whiplash and Neck Injuries

Whiplash and neck injuries commonly result from rear-end collisions. They happen when the impact forces your head to snap back and forth rapidly, straining the neck muscles and ligaments. Whiplash symptoms include neck pain and stiffness, headaches, dizziness, and sometimes blurred vision or fatigue. Some people heal within a few weeks, but others may have chronic neck pain and long-term issues. Always get checked out after a car accident, even if your symptoms seem minor at first, since whiplash can get worse if untreated. Treatment often involves pain meds, physical therapy, and possibly a neck brace for support.

Concussions and Traumatic Brain Injuries

Both major and minor car accidents can cause concussions and traumatic brain injuries (TBIs). These happen when a jolt or shake causes your brain to hit the inside of your skull, even without a direct hit to the head. Symptoms range widely, from headaches, confusion, and memory loss to more severe effects like passing out, seizures, or ongoing cognitive problems. A concussion or TBI can have temporary effects or lead to long-term issues with memory, focus, and even personality changes. Get medical attention right away, as these injuries aren’t always obvious immediately. Treatment may include rest, medication, rehab therapies, or, in severe cases, surgery to relieve brain pressure or bleeding.

Broken Bones and Fractures

The sudden, powerful impact of a car crash often causes broken bones and fractures, especially in the arms, legs, and ribs. These injuries range from simple fractures, where the bone cracks but doesn’t break through the skin, to more serious compound fractures, where the bone shatters or sticks out through the skin. Typical symptoms are immediate pain, swelling, and inability to move the affected body part. Treatment depends on how severe the break is and where it’s located. It may involve a cast, splint, or surgery to realign and stabilize the bones. Recovery times vary – some fractures heal in weeks, while others take months and may need physical therapy to regain full function.

Spinal Cord Injuries

Spinal cord injuries are some of the most devastating outcomes of a car accident, potentially causing permanent disability. They occur when the spine is damaged, often resulting in loss of function or feeling below the injury site. The force of a crash can fracture or dislocate vertebrae, bruising, compressing, or tearing the spinal cord. Symptoms range from pain, weakness, or coordination problems to paralysis (partial or total). The severity depends on where the injury is on the spine and how badly the cord is damaged. Treatment usually involves stabilizing the spine, using medication to reduce swelling, and intensive rehab. Some recovery is possible, but many spinal cord injuries lead to lifelong disability requiring major life changes and ongoing care.

How Much Does It Cost to Hire a Car Accident Lawyer?

After a car accident, you may wonder about the cost of hiring a Santa Clara car accident lawyer. It’s a valid concern, since crashes often result in major losses like high repair bills, lost income from missed work, and medical expenses. Fortunately, we work on contingency. That means you can hire a lawyer without paying anything upfront. We only collect a fee if we successfully resolve your case. If we don’t get you a settlement or win your case, you don’t owe us anything.

Can I Recover Compensation if I Share Some of the Blame for a Car Accident in Santa Clara?

Many people wonder if they can still get compensation if they were partially to blame for the accident. This is a more common situation than you might think. For example, if another driver hits you while driving on the wrong side of the road, but you don’t have your headlights on at night, you may share some fault. Under California law, you can still recover damages even if you were partially at fault. However, the amount will be reduced by your percentage of blame. So, if you were found to be 30% responsible, you could recover 70% of your total damages.

Further Reading:

• Out of Pocket Expenses After Car Accident

What Causes Car Accidents in Santa Clara, CA?

In California, those injured in car accidents caused by someone else’s negligence can pursue compensation. Negligence means failing to exercise reasonable care, such as by driving distracted, speeding, or not yielding properly.

Distracted Driving

Distracted driving is a major problem in California and a common form of negligence leading to accidents. It includes anything that takes your attention away from driving, like using your phone, eating, drinking, chatting with passengers, or fiddling with the stereo, GPS, or other devices. California law specifically targets this issue in several ways. For example, Vehicle Code Section 23123 makes it illegal for all drivers to use a handheld cell phone behind the wheel, including for texting (covered under Section 23123.5). These laws exist because of the known dangers of not giving driving your full attention. If a crash happens because a driver broke these laws, they may be considered negligent and held liable for resulting damages.

Speeding

Speeding is a top cause of California car accidents and a clear example of negligent driving. Vehicle Code Section 22350 states that no one should drive faster than is reasonable or safe for the conditions, even if that means going below the posted limit. Conditions that may require slower speeds include heavy traffic, poor weather, or construction zones. When a speeding driver causes a crash, they can be held responsible for injuries and damage. That’s because they failed to meet the legally required standard of care and put others at risk.

Failure to Yield

Another common type of negligent driving in California is failure to yield the right-of-way. Vehicle Code Section 21801 requires drivers to yield to vehicles already in an intersection or close enough to be an immediate hazard. This applies when making left turns in front of oncoming traffic and when pedestrians are in crosswalks. Accidents often happen when drivers ignore these rules and proceed without yielding, particularly at busy intersections. This leads to collisions with other vehicles or pedestrians. In such cases, the driver who didn’t yield is usually found to be at fault and may have to pay for victims’ injuries and losses. The legal reasoning is that the driver was negligent by not following traffic laws intended to prevent accidents and keep everyone safe.

Santa Clara Car Accident FAQs

Contact Our Santa Clara Car Accident Lawyers for Help

If you’ve been in a Santa Clara car accident, don’t hesitate to contact Text Kevin Accident Attorneys. We have a strong track record of getting crash victims the compensation they deserve, recovering millions of dollars for our clients. We offer free case reviews and work on contingency, so there’s no cost to you unless we win. Call our office or reach out online today to schedule a free consultation with a Santa Clara car accident lawyer.

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