San Jose Motorcycle Accident Lawyers

Motorcyclists traveling through Santa Clara County face risks that drivers in passenger vehicles often ignore. A distracted motorist or a sudden lane change turns a routine ride into a life-changing event. 

Our San Jose Motorcycle Accident Lawyers at Harris Personal Injury Lawyers provide the assertive representation you need to manage the legal process. Our firm has recovered more than $800 million for injured clients. This history of success demonstrates our ability to secure results against major insurance carriers.

Why Choose Harris Personal Injury Lawyers for Your San Jose Motorcycle Accident Claim?

Selecting a legal team with deep local roots and a history of significant recoveries changes the trajectory of your claim. We treat every person we represent as a neighbor while providing professional, capable assistance.

• Our firm handles all communication with insurance companies so you can focus on physical healing.
• We send investigators to the crash site immediately to preserve physical evidence and video footage.
• Our attorneys have secured hundreds of millions of dollars for clients throughout California.
• We work on a contingency fee basis which means you owe us nothing unless we win your case.
• Our team recognizes the specific physics and mechanical issues involved in motorcycle crashes.
• We utilize a network of professional accident reconstructionists to prove how the collision occurred.
• Our San Jose office remains accessible to you throughout the entire legal process.
• We hold negligent drivers accountable for the changes they cause in your life.

Common Causes of Motorcycle Collisions in San Jose

Negligent motorists often overlook riders on busy roads like the Lawrence Expressway or Highway 101. We investigate these incidents to determine where the driver failed their duty of care. Pinpointing the exact cause allows us to build a strong argument for your recovery.

Left-hand turn accidents at intersections

Drivers often fail to see oncoming motorcycles when they prepare to turn left at busy intersections. This error leads to a driver turning directly into the path of a rider. 

Intersections near Santana Row and Downtown San Jose see these incidents regularly. We use witness statements and traffic camera footage to show the driver violated your right of way.

Unsafe Lane Changes and Blind Spot Intrusions

Motorists frequently change lanes without checking their mirrors or blind spots properly. A motorcycle occupies less space than a car, which makes it easier for a distracted driver to miss. These collisions often happen at high speeds on I-280 or I-880. We prove the driver failed to ensure the lane was clear before moving their vehicle.

Rear-end collisions and distracted driving

Distracted drivers using phones or navigation systems fail to notice a motorcycle slowing down ahead of them. A light tap that might only dent a car bumper causes a rider to lose control entirely. Our team examines phone records and skid marks to demonstrate the motorist's lack of attention.

Door zone incidents in urban areas

Parked car occupants sometimes open their doors into traffic without looking for oncoming riders. This hazard occurs in congested areas like the San Jose State University campus or Willow Glen. 

Riders have little time to react which leads to high-impact collisions with the door or other traffic. We hold the vehicle occupant responsible for failing to check their surroundings before exiting.

Establishing Liability with San Jose Motorcycle Accident Lawyers

Proving that a motorist caused your injuries involves gathering physical data and reviewing witness accounts. Our San Jose motorcycle accident lawyers collect these details immediately to build your claim. We focus on showing that the other party acted negligently under California law.

Analyzing police reports and citations

Responding officers from the San Jose Police Department create reports that document the scene and any traffic law violations. A citation issued to the other driver for speeding or failing to yield serves as strong evidence of negligence. We obtain these records and use them to anchor your claim against the insurance carrier.

Securing surveillance and dashcam video

Many businesses and intersections in Santa Clara County have cameras that capture traffic flow. Dashcam footage from your bike or other vehicles nearby provides an unbiased account of the crash. We send legal notices to preserve this footage before the owners overwrite it.

Utilizing accident reconstruction professionals

Mechanics of a crash often require a deeper look from a safety professional. We work with individuals who analyze debris patterns and vehicle damage to recreate the collision. This process helps us prove vehicle speeds and the exact angle of impact when the driver denies fault.

California Laws Governing Motorcycle Claims

California has specific rules that apply to riders on public roads. Grasping these statutes helps you recognize the strength of your legal position.

Lane splitting and safety standards

California law allows motorcyclists to ride between rows of stopped or moving vehicles under certain conditions. The California Highway Patrol provides guidelines for performing this maneuver safely. We use these standards to defend your actions if an insurance company tries to claim you were riding recklessly.

Helmet requirements and injury prevention

State law requires all riders and passengers to wear a helmet that meets federal safety standards. Wearing a helmet protects your physical health and prevents the insurance company from arguing you contributed to your own head injuries. We highlight your use of safety gear to show you took reasonable steps to protect yourself.

The statute of limitations for filing

California sets a strict deadline for taking legal action after a collision. The California Code of Civil Procedure section 335.1 gives you two years from the date of the crash to file a motorcycle accident lawsuit. Missing this deadline means you lose your right to seek compensation from the negligent driver.

How Injuries May Impact 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 driver.

Road rash and permanent scarring

High-speed falls often lead to severe skin damage known as road rash. This injury requires extensive cleaning and sometimes skin grafts, which leads to permanent scarring. We document the pain and the lifelong impact of these marks to seek a recovery that reflects the severity of the damage.

Traumatic brain injuries and cognitive loss

The force of an impact can cause a brain injury even when a rider wears a helmet. These conditions often involve long-term effects that change a person’s ability to work or care for their family. Traumatic brain injuries in personal injury cases frequently require ongoing medical evaluations and cognitive therapy, and we ensure your claim accounts for these future needs.

Spinal cord damage and mobility limits

Back and neck injuries from a motorcycle crash can lead to chronic pain or paralysis. These life-altering conditions often require home modifications and long-term care. Beyond medical and future care costs, these injuries also give rise to non-economic damages after a motorcycle accident, reflecting the profound impact on quality of life, pain, and emotional suffering. We gather data on the costs of these needs to ensure we pursue a recovery that covers your entire future.

Insurance Company Tactics to Avoid

Insurance adjusters work for the driver, and their goal involves paying you as little as possible. They often rely on unfair stereotypes about motorcyclists to deny claims.

• Adjusters offer a small settlement before you know the full extent of your medical needs.
• The insurance company asks for a recorded statement to find a reason to blame you.
• Defense attorneys look at your past riding history to suggest you are a risky rider.
• Insurance carriers delay the process to pressure you into accepting a low offer.
• Representatives claim your injuries were pre-existing and not caused by the collision.
• The company argues that your lane splitting was unsafe even if you followed the law.

Steps to Strengthen Your Claim in the Weeks Following a Collision

The actions you take in the days and weeks following a crash protect your legal rights and the value of your claim. Proper documentation makes it harder for the insurance company to deny your account. Consistent effort during this period builds a foundation for our personal injury attorneys to pursue a fair recovery.

• Follow every recommendation from your healthcare providers to document the severity of your injuries.
• Maintain a detailed calendar of all medical appointments and physical therapy sessions.
• Record every hour of work you miss because of your physical limitations.
• Keep all damaged safety gear and clothing in an unwashed and unaltered state.
• Save every receipt for out-of-pocket expenses including medications and transportation to doctors.
• Organize the contact information of people who witnessed the crash for our investigators to use.
• Avoid discussing the details of your recovery or the accident on social media platforms.

Our team uses these organized records to build a robust claim that reflects the true impact of the collision on your life.

Seeking Recovery for Your Losses

Our team identifies every way the crash changed your life and assigns a dollar value to those changes. We look beyond the immediate bills to find the hidden costs of a serious accident.

• We pursue a recovery for your medical expenses, including emergency room visits and physical therapy.
• Our attorneys seek compensation for your lost wages and the damage to your motorcycle and gear.
• Your claim includes the physical pain and emotional distress caused by the incident.
• We seek funds to account for your lost earning capacity if the crash led to a permanent disability.
• Our team calculates these figures to ensure we demand an amount that covers your long-term needs.
• We fight for fair compensation that accounts for the loss of enjoyment of life.

FAQ for San Jose Motorcycle Accident Lawyers

Standing Strong for San Jose Riders

A motorcycle accident creates many challenges, but you do not have to handle the legal burden alone. Our team at Harris Personal Injury Lawyers recognizes the strength it takes to rebuild your life after a serious injury. We handle the paperwork and the negotiations so you can focus on your health and your family. Our past success in recovering over $800 million shows our dedication to our clients.

Negligent drivers must answer for the harm they cause on San Jose roads. We believe in holding people 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. Call to discuss your case with our team today. We provide the support you need to pursue the recovery you deserve for your future.