San Jose

A collision near the SAP Center or a fall in a downtown office building leaves you with more than just physical pain. Medical bills and missed paychecks create heavy stress while you try to recover. 

Our San Jose Personal Injury Lawyers at Harris Personal Injury Lawyers provide the assertive advocacy you need when negligence disrupts your life. We have recovered more than $800 million for injured Californians, demonstrating our ability to stand up to powerful insurance companies.

Our team recognizes the heavy burden of managing health care while fighting for fair treatment. We provide steady guidance and clear communication throughout the legal process. Our firm handles the complex details of your claim so you can focus on your well-being. 

Every client receives the individual attention they require to pursue a resolution that honors their experience.

Why Choose Harris Personal Injury Lawyers for Your Case?

Selecting a legal team with extensive experience in the Santa Clara County court system changes the trajectory of your claim. We prioritize aggressive representation and meticulous case preparation for every person we represent.

• Our firm has secured more than $800 million in settlements and verdicts for our clients.
• We handle all interactions with insurance adjusters and defense attorneys on your behalf.
• Our investigators move quickly to secure surveillance footage and witness statements before they disappear.
• We operate on a contingency fee basis, which means we only receive payment if we win your case.
• Our team utilizes local resources and accident reconstruction professionals to prove liability.
• We maintain a deep knowledge of California statutes and San Jose traffic patterns.
• Our attorneys provide personalized updates so you always know the status of your claim.
• We fight for a recovery that reflects the true impact of the incident on your future.
• Our history of success includes multi-million dollar results for victims of catastrophic incidents.

Common Incidents Handled by San Jose Personal Injury Lawyers

Negligence takes many forms on the busy streets and commercial properties of San Jose. Our team handles a wide variety of claims involving different types of incidents. Identifying the specific legal requirements for each case allows us to build a strong foundation for your recovery.

Motor vehicle claims and San Jose personal injury lawyers

Drivers on Highway 101 or the Lawrence Expressway often engage in reckless behaviors like speeding or distracted driving. These actions lead to high-impact crashes that cause severe injuries to everyone involved. 

We examine police reports and electronic data to prove the other driver failed their duty of care. Our team also looks for evidence of vehicle defects or poorly maintained roads that may have contributed to the collision.

Fall injuries and San Jose personal injury lawyers

Property owners in retail centers like Santana Row must maintain safe environments for all visitors. Negligence occurs when a manager ignores a spill or fails to repair a broken walkway. 

We hold commercial and residential property owners accountable for the hazards they leave behind. Our slip and fall attorneys gather maintenance logs and inspection records to show the owner had notice of the danger.

Legal Support from San Jose Personal Injury Lawyers for Animal Attacks

Dog bites often lead to permanent scarring and deep emotional trauma for the victim. California law holds dog owners strictly liable for injuries caused by their pets in most situations. 

We work to identify the owner and any insurance policies that provide coverage for the attack. Our team documents the medical treatment needed for infections or reconstructive surgeries.

Establishing liability with San Jose personal injury lawyers

Proving that another party caused your injuries involves gathering physical data and reviewing witness accounts. Our San Jose personal injury lawyers collect these details immediately to protect your interests.

• Every person and business carries a legal responsibility to avoid harming others through reckless actions.
• We establish that the defendant owed you a duty of care and failed to meet that standard.
• Evidence often disappears in the days following an incident if you do not take action.
• Our firm sends legal notices to preserve surveillance video and obtain maintenance logs from businesses.
• We interview witnesses while their memories of the event remain fresh.
• Complex collisions sometimes require a deeper look from safety professionals.
• Our reconstructionists analyze skid marks and vehicle damage to recreate the incident.
• We use this data to prove facts like vehicle speed and the exact cause of a fall.

California Laws Governing Your Recovery

California statutes provide specific protections for injured people while also defining the rules for seeking compensation. Recognizing these laws helps you appreciate the strength of your legal position.

Pure comparative negligence

California follows a pure comparative negligence system which allows you to seek recovery even if you share some fault. A jury may find you 20 percent responsible for the incident, which reduces your total recovery by that same percentage. We work to minimize any fault assigned to you by highlighting the defendant's primary negligence.

The statute of limitations for injury claims

The law sets a strict timeframe for taking legal action against a negligent party. The California Code of Civil Procedure section 335.1 gives you two years from the date of the incident to file a lawsuit. Missing this deadline results in the permanent loss of your right to seek compensation through the court system.

Standards for public property claims

Claims involving government entities like the City of San Jose or the VTA involve much shorter deadlines. California law requires you to file a formal administrative claim within six months of the incident. Our attorneys are well-versed in these specific requirements and ensure that you meet every deadline to protect your rights. This process falls under the California Tort Claims Act, which governs how citizens sue public agencies.

How Injuries Affect Your Legal Claim

We look at your physical condition through a legal lens to determine how it affects the value of your case. Documentation links your physical struggles directly to the negligence of the other party.

Traumatic brain injuries and long-term care

Impacts to the head often cause brain injuries in personal injury case that lead to cognitive changes and physical limitations. These conditions may require specialized neurological care and future support for many years. We ensure your claim accounts for these ongoing needs and the impact on your quality of life. Detailed medical records help us demonstrate the significant changes in your daily function.

Spinal cord damage and mobility limits

Back and neck injuries from collisions or falls often cause chronic pain or paralysis. These life-altering conditions require home modifications and intensive physical therapy. We gather data on the costs of these needs to pursue a recovery that covers your entire future. Our team works with life care planners to project the expenses associated with lifelong mobility challenges.

Bone fractures and surgical needs

Broken bones often require expensive surgery and months of rehabilitation. These injuries lead to high medical costs and significant time away from work. We track every medical bill and treatment plan to build a complete picture of your financial losses. Documenting the hardware used in surgeries or the need for future joint replacements strengthens the legal case.

Countering Insurance Company Strategies

Insurance adjusters work for the negligent party, and their goal involves paying you as little as possible. They use several strategies to undermine your claim and protect their corporate profits.

• Adjusters offer a small settlement quickly before you know the full extent of your future medical needs.
• The insurance company asks for a recorded statement to find a reason to shift blame onto you.
• Defense attorneys suggest that your injuries resulted from a pre-existing condition.
• Carriers delay the process to pressure you into accepting an inadequate or unfair offer.
• Representatives claim you were distracted or acted recklessly to cause your own injury.
• The company argues that your medical treatment was unnecessary or overly expensive for the injury.
• Adjusters may search your social media profiles for photos that suggest you are not truly injured.

Strengthening Your Claim in the Weeks After an Incident

Weeks following a collision or fall require careful attention to detail to protect your legal rights. Proper documentation makes it harder for the insurance company to deny your account. Consistent effort during this period builds a foundation for our attorneys to pursue a fair recovery.

• Attend every medical appointment to document the severity of your injuries and your recovery progress.
• Maintain a detailed calendar of all physical therapy sessions and follow-up visits.
• Record every hour of work you miss because of your physical limitations and lost paychecks.
• Keep all damaged personal items and clothing in an unaltered and unwashed state as evidence.
• Save every receipt for out-of-pocket expenses including medications and transportation to doctors.
• Organize the contact information of people who witnessed the incident for our investigators to use.
• Avoid discussing the details of your recovery or the accident on social media platforms.
• Reach out to our San Jose personal injury lawyers to discuss the details of your case.

Our team uses these organized records to build a robust claim that reflects the true impact of the incident.

FAQ for San Jose Personal Injury Lawyers

Reclaiming Your Path Forward

The days following a serious injury feel heavy with uncertainty and physical pain. You deserve a legal team that recognizes the weight of your situation and provides the strength needed to face a large corporation or insurance provider. 

At Harris Personal Injury Lawyers, we manage the complex legal work so you can dedicate your energy to your family and your health. Our history of recovering over $800 million demonstrates our ability to challenge powerful entities and win for our clients.

Every person deserves to live and work in their community without fearing the negligence of others. We believe in holding responsible parties accountable and ensuring you have the resources needed to move forward. 

Our San Jose team provides the capable assistance required to reach a fair resolution that honors your experience. Reach out to our team today to discuss your situation and learn how we can support your journey toward a recovery. 

Call us to speak with a member of our team about the details of your incident.