Dealing With An Accident on 1-680 in San Jose

Living in gorgeous and prosperous San Jose near Silicon Valley is one of the best things in life. The weather is usually warm and sunny, and enjoying California’s many natural beauties is easy. However, San Jose is growing quickly and has more than one million residents in a relatively small area. So many Californians living near each other means traffic and auto accidents.

San Jose’s traffic problem is growing worse by the day. The TomTom Traffic Index found several years ago that the city is the #65 most congested city worldwide. I-680, I-280, and other heavily traveled interstate highways are some of the most crowded in the Bay Area. Sadly, I-680 has many severe and fatal auto accidents every year.

It’s important to understand how to deal with an auto accident on I-680 in San Jose and on other local roads. That way, you’ll be prepared if another driver or party injures you in a car accident. Always talk to a San Jose car accident lawyer if another driver causes an accident. You can receive compensation in a lawsuit.

Where Do Most Car Crashes Happen In San Jose?

Many people call San Jose home because of the high quality of life, great weather, and strong job market. However, severe and fatal car accidents are a regular occurrence. In just 10 years, 556 people were killed in San Jose car crashes. Thousands more suffered an injury on I-680 and other packed interstates. It takes only one or two seconds for a serious accident to happen that changes your life.

One of the most hazardous roads in San Jose is I-680. Interstate 680 connects the East Bay and San Jose through Walnut Creek, Pleasanton, and Fremont. The highway has breathtaking views but is known for its dangerous stretches, which often lead to serious auto accidents. The interstate has narrow, crowded lanes, and drivers often need to switch lanes to get on and off. Also, the interstate winds through hilly terrain, especially around Bernicia and Sunol. You should always retain a car accident attorney in San Jose if you have an accident on I-680.

But Interstate 680 is far from the only road that has many severe and fatal car accidents in San Jose. Other problem roads with many auto accidents are:

There are dozens of accidents in San Jose every day, and you should always call the police if you suffer an injury. Then, speak to a San Jose auto accident attorney to learn if you have a strong case. Your attorney will review the claim at no charge to determine if another driver violated their duty of care and injured you.

Why Do San Jose Auto Accidents Happen?

There are many reasons why there are so many serious auto accidents on the I-680 and other busy roads in San Jose.

Highways

Interstates, including I-680, present many dangerous challenges for harried drivers. Heavy traffic during rush hour, high speeds, and a limited quantity of access roads present ideal conditions for car accidents. Frequent causes of serious and fatal auto accidents on San Jose highways and interstates are:

• Changing lanes without signaling: Heavy traffic on I-680 and other highways may cause some drivers to change lanes suddenly without using turn signals. This is a dangerous maneuver that can cause car accidents involving many motorists.
• Tailgating: Many people use I-680 daily to go to and from work. Traffic congestion during rush hours may lead to many drivers tailgating. This is unsafe driving that can cause rear-end accidents and highway pileups.
• Sleepy driving: Many people in San Jose face long commutes on I-680 because buying and owning a home in the Bay Area is so expensive. Long driving times can lead to fatigued driving and many auto accidents.
• Cell phone use: Driving a long way on the interstate can be boring, and some drivers may pass the time by texting or surfing the Internet. Distracted driving on Bay Area interstates is illegal and can lead to devastating accidents.

Intersections

San Jose intersections are often hectic and crowded, and it doesn’t take much for a serious car accident to happen. Accidents happen frequently at Capital Expressway and Story Road, Curtner Avenue and Monterey Road, and King Road and Story Road. Common reasons for San Jose car accidents at intersections are:

• Failing to yield: Drivers in the Bay Area may be in a hurry and not stop and yield at stop signs and red lights, leading to deadly T-bone collisions. A T-bone crash is extremely dangerous because the sides of vehicles offer little protection in car accidents.
• Speeding: Traffic slows people down in San Jose, and drivers may speed when they can to make up time. Crashes are much worse at high speeds, and not stopping when necessary at an intersection can lead to severe accidents.
• Fatigued driving: Long commutes can lead to driver fatigue, which can cause a driver to fail to stop at a red light or stop sign.
• Distracted driving can be a serious problem when driving through intersections. Looking at a cell phone, adjusting the radio or GPS, or eating and drinking can cause drivers to miss the red light.

Parking Lots

Parking lots can also be the site of serious car crashes in San Jose, especially because pedestrians are present. Large numbers of cars in a small space in a parking lot can cause serious auto accidents if people don’t yield or drive too fast:

• Distracted driving: It only takes looking at a cell phone for two seconds to miss a pedestrian in a crowded parking lot. 
• Backing up crashes: Backing out of your parking space must be done carefully to avoid car accidents
• Strange traffic flow: Some parking lots are designed in an unusual way that can cause drivers to drive the wrong way and cause crashes.

Neighborhoods

San Jose neighborhoods are where so many families live in the Bay Area. They may seem safer than I-680 and other interstates. However, neighborhoods in San Jose are densely populated, and severe crashes happen for the following reasons:

• Speeding: Drivers often speed in residential areas in San Jose, which puts other motorists and pedestrians at risk.
• Driver distractions: Neighborhoods in San Jose often have children playing, people walking dogs, bikers, and people on mopeds. A cell phone can distract a driver and cause serious injuries at even low speeds.
• Not stopping: Some drivers in San Jose neighborhoods blow through stop signs and red lights, causing severe and fatal wrecks.

Ways That A San Jose Car Accident Lawyer Can Help

A car slammed into you while getting on I-680 in San Jose. You may be confused, injured, and clueless about how to proceed legally. After calling law enforcement and reporting the crash, you should speak to a San Jose car accident lawyer. Your attorney will be your dedicated legal advocate and help in these ways:

• Review your case at no charge. A contingency agreement compensates personal injury attorneys. They are not paid unless the case leads to compensation for the accident victim. Your auto accident attorney will go over your case and who caused the accident to determine if there is a viable case. The attorney will only take a case where another party was negligent and caused the accident.
• Investigate your auto accident: When they take your case, the attorney will thoroughly investigate the accident evidence to understand how and who caused the accident.
• Hold the liable party accountable: Once your auto accident lawyer in San Jose knows how the crash happened, they will demand a settlement from their insurance company.
• Negotiate with the insurance company: The auto insurance company wants to pay as little as possible. Your San Jose auto accident attorney is adept at insurance negotiations and will demand the most money for your losses. 
• Go to court: Most car accident claims end with a settlement. However, the insurance company may offer less than you deserve, so your attorney will be ready to take the case to court in a lawsuit.
• Estimate losses: Your car crash lawyer will review all your medical bills and other damages to get an idea of what the case is worth. They may retain paid experts to understand what your prognosis is, how much lost income you will have, and what your pain and suffering is worth.
• Communicate: A skilled car accident attorney will communicate with you regularly and any time a significant case development occurs.
• Provide legal advice and support: A serious auto accident claim in San Jose can be stressful because you don’t know what will happen and when. Your attorney will serve as your legal advisor and support during difficult times. Understanding what will happen in your case will reduce your stress.

Your San Jose auto accident lawyer offers critical client services after a serious auto accident. They aren’t paid unless you get a settlement or jury award, so you have no risk.

What Is Your I-680 Auto Crash Claim Worth?

You want to know what your serious auto accident on I-680 is worth. It’s understandable, but there isn’t a simple answer. The value of your claim depends on many factors, which we describe below. Talk to your San Jose car accident lawyer today to understand your claim’s potential value:

• How bad were your injuries? Did you break your break in a tractor-trailer crash on I-680 in San Jose? You will have a higher case value than someone who broke their wrist. More severe injuries are always worth more money because of the high amount of damage involved with long-term injuries.
• How much in medical expenses: A broken back can lead to millions in medical bills, which will dramatically increase the settlement value.
• How much insurance is available: California requires only $30,000 of bodily injury liability per accident, so your damages may be partially covered.

Speak To A San Jose Auto Accident Lawyer Now

Were you hit by another car or truck on I-680? You may be entitled to payment for your medical bills, lost earnings, and pain and suffering. Always retain a seasoned San Jose car accident attorney to negotiate the best settlement for your losses. You can speak to a car accident attorney for free in San Jose now.