Why Hollister Residents Trust Reardon Injury Law
An unexpected injury can disrupt your entire life. The physical pain, mounting medical bills, and time away from work create a wave of stress and uncertainty that can feel overwhelming. In a close-knit community like Hollister, the impact of a serious accident is felt by the whole family. We understand the unique challenges you face, from navigating commute traffic to finding the right medical care. Before you worry about legal complexities, we want you to know that your pain is valid, and you don’t have to face this journey alone.
At Reardon Injury Law, we combine legal advocacy with a deep understanding of the human body. Our founding attorney, John Reardon, practiced as a chiropractor for two decades before becoming a personal injury lawyer. This dual expertise gives our firm a significant advantage. We don’t just see a case file; we see the full picture of your injury. We understand the long-term physical and financial consequences of a spinal cord injury, a traumatic brain injury, or chronic pain from a collision. This medical insight allows us to build a more compelling case, ensuring that the compensation we seek truly reflects the full scope of your suffering and future needs.
We are committed to serving all of California, including the residents of Hollister and San Benito County. We operate on a contingency fee basis, which means you pay us nothing unless we win your case. Your initial consultation is always free and confidential. This approach allows you to access expert legal representation without any upfront financial burden, so you can focus on what matters most: your recovery.
Accident Hotspots in Hollister
While Hollister offers a more relaxed pace of life than the bustling Bay Area, its key roadways are critical arteries for thousands of daily commuters. This constant flow of traffic creates specific areas of risk for drivers, motorcyclists, and commercial truckers.
One of the most notable and complex areas is the intersection of Highway 25 and Highway 156, site of California’s first-ever “turbo roundabout.” While designed to improve traffic flow between Hollister and Gilroy, its unfamiliar design has unfortunately led to a documented increase in collisions since it opened. Driver confusion over yielding and lane positioning can easily lead to serious car accidents and devastating motorcycle accidents.
Beyond that specific intersection, Highway 25 itself presents ongoing hazards. As a primary route connecting Hollister to the South Bay, it carries a heavy volume of commuter and commercial traffic. High speeds and driver inattention contribute to a significant risk of rear-end collisions, sideswipes, and head-on crashes. Similarly, the Highway 156 corridor is another area where local drivers and those passing through the region must exercise extreme caution. The combination of local and regional traffic on these highways means that a single mistake can have life-altering consequences.
Types of Cases We Handle in Hollister
Reardon Injury Law is exclusively dedicated to helping injury victims. Our focused experience allows us to provide knowledgeable and effective representation across a wide range of accident types. We understand the specific physics and legal nuances involved in each case.
Our primary practice areas include:
- Car Accidents: From fender-benders on San Benito Street to high-speed collisions on the highway, we handle all types of auto accident claims.
- Truck Accidents: Cases involving large commercial trucks are incredibly complex. We have the resources to take on trucking companies and their insurers to fight for the compensation you deserve.
- Motorcycle Accidents: Motorcyclists are uniquely vulnerable on roads like Highway 25. We are passionate about protecting the rights of injured riders.
- Pedestrian Accidents: Even in a smaller city, pedestrians can suffer catastrophic injuries when drivers are distracted or fail to yield the right-of-way.
- Bicycle Accidents: We advocate for cyclists who have been injured due to negligent drivers on both city streets and rural county roads.
- Rideshare Accidents: Accidents involving Uber or Lyft have unique insurance complexities that require an experienced attorney to navigate.
What to Do After an Accident in Hollister
The moments after an accident are confusing and chaotic. Taking the right steps can protect your health and your legal rights.
- Prioritize Safety: If you can, move your vehicle to the side of the road to avoid further collisions. Turn on your hazard lights. Check on yourself and your passengers.
- Call 911: Report the accident immediately. Depending on your location, the Hollister Police Department or the California Highway Patrol (CHP) will respond. A police report is a critical piece of evidence for your claim.
- Seek Medical Attention: Your health is the top priority. Even if you feel fine, adrenaline can mask serious injuries. It is crucial to be evaluated by a medical professional. You can visit a local urgent care clinic or seek care at an emergency room in a nearby city like Gilroy. A medical record creates a direct link between the accident and your injuries.
- Document the Scene: If you are able, use your phone to take pictures of the vehicles, the surrounding area, any visible injuries, and road conditions. If there were witnesses, get their names and contact information.
- Exchange Information: Get the other driver’s name, contact information, driver’s license number, and insurance details. Provide your own information, but do not apologize or admit fault.
- Do Not Give a Recorded Statement: The other party’s insurance adjuster may call you quickly and ask for a recorded statement. Politely decline and state that you will be speaking with an attorney first.
- Contact a Hollister Personal Injury Lawyer: Call Reardon Injury Law for a free consultation. We can immediately advise you on your rights and begin handling all communication with the insurance companies on your behalf.
Understanding Your Rights Under California Law
Navigating the legal system after an injury can be daunting. In California, several key laws will impact your ability to recover compensation.
Pure Comparative Negligence: California follows a “pure comparative negligence” rule. This means you can still recover damages even if you were partially at fault for the accident. For example, if you were found to be 20% at fault, your final compensation award would be reduced by 20%. Insurance companies often try to use this rule to unfairly shift blame onto the victim to reduce their payout.
Statute of Limitations: Time is of the essence. In most personal injury cases, California Code of Civil Procedure § 335.1 gives you two years from the date of the injury to file a lawsuit. However, there is a critical exception: if your claim is against a government entity (e.g., a city bus, a poorly maintained public road), you must file a formal claim under the Government Claims Act within just six months. Missing these deadlines can permanently bar you from recovering any compensation.
Minimum Insurance Requirements: California law only requires drivers to carry minimum liability insurance of $15,000 for injury to one person, $30,000 for injury to multiple people, and $5,000 for property damage. For a serious injury, these amounts are often woefully inadequate. This is why it is critical to explore all avenues of recovery, including your own Uninsured/Underinsured Motorist (UIM) coverage.
Types of Compensation: As an injury victim, you may be entitled to recover compensation for both economic and non-economic losses. This can include:
- Current and future medical expenses
- Lost wages and loss of future earning capacity
- Property damage
- Physical pain and suffering
- Emotional distress and mental anguish
- Loss of enjoyment of life
Contact Reardon Injury Law Today
You do not have to carry the burden of an injury alone. Let Reardon Injury Law put our unique combination of medical and legal expertise to work for you. We will handle the complexities of your case so you can focus on healing.
Call us today at (657) 522-7122 for a free, no-obligation consultation to discuss your case. There are no fees unless we win. You can also reach out to us through our online contact page.
