Why Santa Clara Residents Trust Reardon Injury Law
A sudden accident on the 101, a collision on El Camino Real, or a slip and fall at a local business can leave you feeling overwhelmed and uncertain. In an instant, you’re facing physical pain, mounting medical bills, and the stress of being unable to work, all while navigating the fast-paced demands of life in Silicon Valley. At Reardon Injury Law, we understand that your world has been turned upside down, and our first priority is to provide the compassionate and knowledgeable support you need to move forward.
Our firm is uniquely positioned to serve the residents of Santa Clara. John Reardon, our founding attorney, practiced as a chiropractor for 20 years before earning his law degree. This extensive medical background gives him an unparalleled understanding of the physical trauma and long-term consequences of your injuries. He doesn’t just see a case file; he sees the full medical picture, allowing him to build a more compelling case and advocate effectively for the full compensation you deserve.
We are not a high-volume firm that treats clients like numbers. We are deeply familiar with Santa Clara, from the traffic patterns around Levi’s Stadium on game day to the specific procedures at the Downtown Superior Courthouse in San Jose. We operate on a contingency fee basis, which means you pay absolutely nothing unless we win your case. Your recovery is our only goal.
Accident Hotspots in Santa Clara
While an accident can happen anywhere, certain roads and intersections in Santa Clara present a higher risk due to high traffic volume, confusing layouts, and high-speed travel. As a firm that serves this community, we are acutely aware of these local hazards.
- Expressways (Lawrence, San Tomas, Montague): Santa Clara County’s expressway system is a major source of serious collisions. While designed for efficient travel, intersections like Lawrence Expressway and Stevens Creek Boulevard or San Tomas Expressway and Homestead Road combine high speeds with traffic signals, creating a significant risk for devastating T-bone and rear-end car accidents. The high speeds also make these corridors particularly dangerous for motorcycle accidents.
- El Camino Real: As a major commercial artery (State Route 82), El Camino Real is congested throughout the day. The intersection with Scott Boulevard is a well-known hotspot, with heavy traffic turning to and from commercial centers, frequent stops, and a mix of vehicles, buses, and pedestrians.
- Major Freeways (US-101, I-880, CA-237): These freeways are the lifeblood of Silicon Valley’s commute, but they are also the site of daily gridlock and high-speed crashes. Bumper-to-bumper traffic can lead to multi-car pileups, and the significant presence of semi-trucks makes catastrophic truck accidents a constant danger.
- Event and Entertainment Venues: The areas surrounding Levi’s Stadium and California’s Great America become saturated with traffic during games and events. This influx of drivers, many of whom are unfamiliar with the area, combined with increased foot traffic, elevates the risk of both pedestrian accidents and distracted driving collisions.
Types of Cases We Handle in Santa Clara
Reardon Injury Law is dedicated to helping victims of negligence in Santa Clara and across California. Our deep medical and legal knowledge allows us to handle a wide range of complex injury claims.
We frequently represent clients injured in:
- Car Accidents: From fender-benders on The Alameda to serious collisions on the Bayshore Freeway.
- Truck Accidents: We have the resources to take on complex cases involving commercial trucking companies and their insurers.
- Motorcycle Accidents: We understand the unique biases motorcyclists face and fight to protect their rights on the road.
- Bicycle Accidents: With Santa Clara’s growing network of bike lanes, we help cyclists who have been injured by inattentive drivers.
- Pedestrian Accidents: We advocate for individuals struck by vehicles in crosswalks, parking lots, or on neighborhood streets.
- Rideshare Accidents: The constant presence of Uber and Lyft in a tech hub like Santa Clara leads to complex accidents involving multiple insurance policies. We know how to navigate claims for rideshare accidents.
- Premises Liability: Slip and fall accidents and other injuries caused by unsafe property conditions.
If you have been injured in any type of accident caused by someone else’s carelessness, please explore our full list of practice areas to learn more.
What to Do After an Accident in Santa Clara
The steps you take immediately following an accident are critical for both your health and your potential legal claim.
- Prioritize Safety: If possible, move your vehicle out of traffic to a safe location. Turn on your hazard lights. Check on yourself and your passengers for injuries.
- Call 911: Report the accident immediately. Depending on your location, the responding agency may be the Santa Clara Police Department, the Santa Clara County Sheriff’s Office, or the California Highway Patrol (CHP) if you are on a freeway like US-101 or I-880. Insist on a police report.
- Seek Medical Care: Even if you feel fine, it’s crucial to get a medical evaluation. Adrenaline can mask serious injuries. Go to an emergency room at a facility like Kaiser Permanente Santa Clara Medical Center. For severe, life-threatening injuries, you will likely be transported to the region’s Level I Trauma Center, Santa Clara Valley Medical Center in San Jose.
- Document the Scene: Use your phone to take pictures of the vehicle damage, the accident scene, any visible injuries, and relevant road signs or conditions. If there are witnesses, get their names and contact information.
- Exchange Information: Exchange driver’s license, insurance, and contact information with the other party. Do not apologize or admit any fault.
- Contact an Attorney: Before you give a recorded statement to any insurance company—even your own—contact an experienced personal injury lawyer. The insurance adjuster’s goal is to minimize their payout, not to protect your interests.
Understanding Your Rights Under California Law
Navigating the legal system can be confusing, but understanding a few key California laws is essential for protecting your rights.
- Statute of Limitations: In most personal injury cases, California law gives you two years from the date of the injury to file a lawsuit (California Code of Civil Procedure § 335.1). If you miss this deadline, you will likely lose your right to recover compensation forever.
- Claims Against Government Entities: A critical exception exists for claims against public entities (e.g., a VTA bus, a city-owned vehicle, or an accident caused by poor road maintenance). Under the Government Claims Act, you must file a formal claim within just six months of the incident.
- 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. However, your total compensation will be reduced by your percentage of fault. For example, if you are found to be 20% at fault, you can still collect 80% of your total damages.
- Minimum Insurance Requirements: California’s mandatory minimum liability insurance is only $15,000 per person, $30,000 per accident, and $5,000 for property damage. These low limits are often insufficient to cover the costs of a serious injury, which makes having your own Uninsured/Underinsured Motorist (UIM) coverage vitally important.
An experienced attorney can help you navigate these laws and ensure all deadlines are met, maximizing your chances of a fair recovery for medical expenses, lost wages, and pain and suffering.
Contact Reardon Injury Law Today
If you or a loved one has been injured in Santa Clara, you don’t have to face the aftermath alone. Let us handle the legal burdens so you can focus on your recovery. Attorney John Reardon’s unique medical insight and our firm’s commitment to personalized service can make all the difference in your case.
Call us at (657) 522-7122 or visit our contact page to schedule a free, no-obligation consultation. We are here to listen, answer your questions, and fight for the justice you deserve. Remember, there are no fees unless we win.
