Auto Accident Injury in San Jose, CA

San Jose’s traffic is a high-stakes mix of speed and congestion. The combination of narrow surface streets and high-speed thoroughfares makes the risk of injury higher than many realize.

If you’ve been injured in a crash—whether it’s a T-bone on Story Road or a rear-end on Blossom Hill—you might be dealing with more than just property damage. Missed income, hospital bills, physical therapy, and anxiety can quickly spiral into long-term burdens.

This guide is designed for San Jose drivers who want clarity after a collision. You’ll find everything you need to know—from local crash statistics to post-accident steps and legal rights under California law.

Auto Accident Injury Statistics in San Jose, California

San Jose, California’s third-largest city, continues to face serious road safety concerns despite targeted efforts to reduce accidents. In 2022, the city recorded 65 traffic fatalities, its deadliest year in decades. While fatalities dropped to 49 in 2023, the overall number of crashes and injuries remains high, especially in pedestrian-heavy neighborhoods like East San Jose and downtown (San Jose City Council Report, 2024).

According to the California Office of Traffic Safety, San Jose reported:

• 318 pedestrian injuries in 2022
• Over 2,400 total injury crashes
• Scores of incidents involving motorcycles, bicyclists, and hit-and-runs (OTS Crash Rankings – San Jose, 2022)

What to Do After an Auto Accident

Whether you’re involved in a collision on I-880 or a fender bender in downtown San Jose, the steps you take immediately afterward can significantly impact your health, finances, and legal rights. Here’s a comprehensive guide to help you navigate the aftermath of an auto accident in San Jose.

Receive Immediate Medical Attention

First, assess yourself and others for injuries. If anyone is hurt, call 911 immediately. Even if injuries seem insignificant, it’s crucial to get treatment promptly, as some symptoms show up later.

File a Police Report

First, assess yourself and others for injuries. If anyone is hurt, call 911 immediately. Even if injuries seem minor, it’s crucial to get a medical evaluation promptly, as some symptoms may appear later. Prompt medical attention not only safeguards your health but also provides essential documentation for any future claims.

Police reports and records can be obtained from the San Jose Police Department Records Unit online, in person, or by U.S. mail.

Gather the Appropriate Documentation

Collect the following details from all drivers involved:

• Full name and contact information
• Driver’s license number
• Vehicle registration and license plate number
• Insurance company name and policy number

Additionally, gather contact information from any witnesses. Their accounts can provide valuable insights into the accident’s dynamics.

Recovering Damages After an Auto Accident Injury

Economic damages are the actual financial losses you’ve sustained as a result of the accident. These can include:

• Medical bills: This covers everything from ambulance rides and emergency room care at facilities like Santa Clara Valley Medical Center or Kaiser Permanente San Jose, to follow-up visits, physical therapy, and specialist consultations.
• Rehabilitation and treatment costs: Ongoing care, including chiropractic visits, occupational therapy, and pain management.
• Loss of future earning capacity: If your injuries limit your ability to work in the future, even part-time, you can seek compensation for diminished earning potential.
• Property damage: This includes repair or replacement of your vehicle, electronics, or any other personal property damaged in the collision.

Some of the most significant consequences of an accident aren’t easily quantifiable. California law also allows injury victims to recover non-economic damages, which compensate for the human cost of your injuries. These may include:

• Pain and suffering: Physical discomfort and chronic pain that interferes with your daily life.
• Emotional distress: Anxiety, depression, PTSD, and other mental health issues that develop after the trauma of a crash.
• Loss of enjoyment of life: If your injuries prevent you from participating in hobbies, sports, or social activities you once enjoyed.

Unlike some states, California does not cap non-economic damages in standard car accident cases, which means the amount you can recover depends on the severity of your injuries and how well your case is documented.

Auto Accident Laws in California

Liability Laws for San Jose

California uses a fault-based or tort liability system, which means the person responsible for causing a crash is financially liable for the injuries and damages that result. If you’re hit by a negligent driver in San Jose, their insurance company is typically the first source of compensation.

To comply with state law, every driver in California must carry minimum liability insurance of:

• $15,000 for injury or death to one person

• $30,000 for injury or death to more than one person

• $5,000 for property damage (California Insurance Code § 11580.1b)

These limits are considered bare minimums and often fall short of covering the total damages from a moderate or serious crash. That’s why many drivers also carry uninsured/underinsured motorist (UM/UIM) coverage, which kicks in when the other driver has little or no insurance. UM/UIM claims are common in San Jose, where hit-and-run accidents and drivers with inadequate coverage are a growing concern.

Statute of Limitations in San Jose

If you suffered physical injuries in a car accident—whether as a driver, pedestrian, cyclist, or passenger—you generally have two years from the date of the crash to file a personal injury lawsuit (California Code of Civil Procedure § 335.1).

For claims involving only damage to your vehicle or other personal property, California law gives you a bit more time: three years from the date of the accident to file a lawsuit (California Code of Civil Procedure § 338).

Work With an Experienced Auto Accident Lawyer Near San Jose, CA

A local auto accident attorney understands not just California’s personal injury laws, but also the nuances of navigating claims in and around San Jose.

By working with an attorney, you can:

• Accurately assess the value of your claim—including future losses and non-economic damages
• Avoid mistakes that could delay or derail your case
• Push back against lowball insurance offers or disputed liability
• Stay on top of deadlines, paperwork, and complex legal requirements
• Focus on healing, while your lawyer builds and manages your case

Submit a request online or call us today at (866) 345-6784 to get in touch with an experienced lawyer in California!

About the Author

Aaron is a professional legal writer with a B.S. in English Education from Southern Illinois University – Carbondale. He has written, published, and edited thousands of legal articles for RequestLegalHelp, which has connected over 5 million people to legal help in the United States.

With over five years of experience writing thousands of legal articles for law firms across the U.S. and Canada, Aaron specializes in covering federal, state, and city-level legal issues ranging from auto accidents to wrongful terminations.