Did you know that San Jose appears on the list of US cities with the highest rate of traffic fatalities? According to the San Jose Police Department, there were 60 traffic deaths in 2019, up from 51 in 2018. Most of these deaths involved pedestrians, bicyclists, and motorcyclists, who are vulnerable to injuries in collisions with motor vehicles.
San Jose has a large and competitive market for personal injury attorneys, with hundreds of firms and attorneys offering their services.
In San Jose, just like in most states in the US, some of the factors that can affect the choice and quality of a personal injury lawyer are:
- Experience
- Reputation
- Specialization
- Fees
- Communication skills
The plaintiff (that is, you, the client who has been injured) should do some research and comparison and look for reviews, testimonials, and referrals from previous clients before hiring a personal injury lawyer.
Some facts that are worth knowing about personal injury lawyers in San Jose include:
Legal Jurisdiction
Personal injury lawyers in San Jose operate under California state laws and the San Jose municipal code, which regulate various aspects of personal injury law, such as the statute of limitations, the comparative fault rule, and the types and limits of damages.
In California generally, the statute of limitations is 2 years from the occurrence of the accident, for personal injury, wrongful death, and other injury claims.
You should familiarize yourself with these laws and codes before hiring a personal injury lawyer in San Jose, as they may affect your case and your rights.
San Jose Lawyer Charges
Personal injury lawyers in San Jose charge different fees depending on their experience, reputation, specialization, and the complexity of your case. Some personal injury lawyers in San Jose may charge an hourly rate, a flat fee, or a contingency fee.
A contingency fee means that you only pay the lawyer if they win your case or obtain a settlement for you. The contingency fee is usually a percentage of the recovery, which can range from 25% to 40%.
A smart course of action would be to ask the personal injury lawyer about their fee structure and agreement before hiring them, making sure you understand the terms and conditions.
Consultation Fees
Personal injury lawyers in San Jose may offer a free consultation or a paid consultation, depending on their preference and availability.
A consultation is an opportunity for you to meet with your lawyer and discuss your case, your goals, and your expectations. The consultation can also help you determine if the personal injury lawyer is a good fit for you and your case.
Preparing for the consultation with your personal injury lawyer entails bringing any relevant documents, evidence, and witnesses to support your claim and asking any questions you may have about the attorney and their services.
Verifying Who to Trust with Your Case
Different firms and personal injury lawyers in San Jose, like anywhere else, may have different facts and statistics about their success rate, their client satisfaction, and their case outcomes. These facts and statistics may be based on their records, their online reviews, their testimonials, or their referrals.
Looking through these facts and statistics when choosing a personal injury lawyer in San Jose can give you an idea of their performance and credibility and help you make a more informed decision about the lawyer you’d want handling your case.
However, it’s worth noting that these facts and statistics may not be accurate, reliable, or representative of your case, as every case is different and unique. So it would definitely be wiser not to rely solely on these facts and statistics but also on your judgment and intuition.
