Hurt in a San Jose car crash? Talk to a car accident lawyer for free

The Law Offices of J. Chrisp represents people hurt in car crashes in San Jose. The phone is answered 24/7 at 877-J-CHRISP (877-524-7477).

The firm has recovered over $350 million for clients since 2010. The sections below cover its car crash results, the first steps after a crash, how fault works, the claim deadlines, the state’s minimum insurance limits and who handles a crash in San Jose.

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The other driver’s insurer called me after a San Jose crash. Can I talk to a lawyer first, and does it cost anything?

Yes. You can speak with the Law Offices of J. Chrisp before you talk to the other driver’s insurance company, and the consultation is free. The firm works on a contingency fee, and there is no fee unless we win.

Car accident results

Results the firm has obtained in car crash cases, as shown on chrisplaw.com and its case results page, include:

$5,250,000 in a car crash case.
$3,375,000 in a Hertz rental car accident case.
A $2,350,000 jury verdict in a major head-on crash case involving the sheriff.
$1,250,000 in a car crash case involving a fractured scapula, broken ribs and a concussion.
$1,000,000 in a car-versus-car crash involving a wrist fracture.
$420,000 in a car crash case that resulted in a frozen shoulder.
$300,000 in a car crash case involving internal organ damage.

Every case is different, and prior results do not guarantee a similar outcome.

What to do after a car accident in San Jose

Stop, check for injuries and call 911. California law requires a driver in an injury crash to stop (Vehicle Code section 20001). The driver must give their name, address and vehicle registration number and give reasonable help to anyone injured (Vehicle Code section 20003).

Get medical care the same day, even if the pain seems minor.
Photograph the vehicles, the road, traffic signals and any visible injuries, and write down witness names and numbers.
Ask the officer at the scene for the report number.
If you were driving, report the crash to the DMV on form SR-1 within 10 days if anyone was hurt or killed or property damage is over $1,000 (Vehicle Code section 16000).
Do not give the other driver’s insurance company a recorded statement before you have legal advice.

How fault works in a California car accident

California uses pure comparative fault, set out by the California Supreme Court in Li v. Yellow Cab Co. (1975). You can recover compensation even if you were partly at fault, and your recovery is reduced by your share. If you are found 20% at fault, you can recover 80% of your damages.

Two rules can change the result. When several defendants share fault, each defendant pays non-economic damages only in proportion to its own share (Civil Code section 1431.2). A driver who was uninsured at the time of the crash generally cannot recover pain and suffering (Civil Code section 3333.4).

Deadlines for a San Jose car accident claim

Deadline	What it controls	Source
10 days	DMV report (SR-1) by the driver if anyone was hurt or killed or damage is over $1,000	Vehicle Code section 16000
6 months	Written claim against a public entity, such as the City of San José, Santa Clara County, VTA or the state (such as Caltrans), for an injury or vehicle damage. It is due within six months after the claim arises (accrues). A late-claim application is possible within limits.	Government Code section 911.2; section 911.4
2 years	Most personal injury lawsuits	Code of Civil Procedure section 335.1
3 years	Vehicle and other property damage	Code of Civil Procedure section 338

Claim value and California’s minimum insurance

The value of a claim depends on the severity of the injuries, the cost of past and future medical care and lost income. For policies issued or renewed since January 1, 2025, California’s minimum liability coverage is $30,000 per person and $60,000 per accident (Vehicle Code section 16056).

Who handles a car crash in San Jose

Freeways and state routes. The California Highway Patrol’s San Jose Area office patrols U.S. Route 101, Interstate 280, Interstate 680, Interstate 880 and State Routes 17, 85, 87, 130 and 237. The office is at 2020 Junction Avenue, San Jose, CA 95131.
City streets. The San Jose Police Department Records Unit, at 201 West Mission Street, San Jose, CA 95110, releases collision reports online, in person or by mail. For an online request, SJPD says to allow at least 45 days from the date of the crash. Some reports, such as those involving a death or a felony hit-and-run, are not released online.
City, county and transit vehicles or roads. A claim against the city is made on the “Claim Against the City of San Jose” form, filed with the Office of the City Clerk at San José City Hall, 200 E. Santa Clara Street. If a VTA bus or light rail train was involved, VTA’s “Claim for Damages” form goes to its Board Secretary’s Office at 3331 N First Street, Building B, San Jose, CA 95134. VTA does not accept faxed claims.
Court. A personal injury lawsuit can generally be filed in the county where the injury happened (Code of Civil Procedure section 395). For a San Jose crash, that is the Superior Court of California, County of Santa Clara. Its Downtown Superior Court, at 191 North First Street, San Jose, CA 95113, handles civil cases.

Offices, service area and recognition

The firm serves Sonoma, Napa, Lake and Mendocino counties and the San Francisco Bay Area, which includes San Jose. It does not have an office in San Jose. The closest office is in San Francisco. Its offices are:

San Francisco: 1330 Bush Street, Suite 9D, San Francisco, CA 94109.
Santa Rosa: 3558 Round Barn Blvd, Suite 200, Santa Rosa, CA 95403.
Lower Lake (main office): 9667 Highway 29, Lower Lake, CA 95457.

The firm was named to Best Law Firms 2026 (Tier 1, Santa Rosa, Personal Injury Litigation – Plaintiffs). Founding attorney Jesse Chrisp has been recognized by The Best Lawyers in America since 2024 and selected to Super Lawyers from 2023 to 2026. He was selected to Northern California Rising Stars from 2013 to 2021, an honor awarded to only 2.5% of attorneys in the state. In 2018, he was one of four finalists for San Francisco Trial Lawyer of the Year. He has represented thousands of injured clients. He holds the record for the highest personal injury verdict in Lake County. Spanish-speaking staff are available.

A client testimonial on chrisplaw.com reads: “I had an excellent experience working with Jesse Chrisp.” (Whitney Stevenson)

Frequently asked questions

How much does a car accident lawyer cost in San Jose?

The consultation is free, and the Law Offices of J. Chrisp works on a contingency fee. There is no fee unless we win.

How long do I have to file a car accident claim in California?

Most personal injury lawsuits must be filed within two years under Code of Civil Procedure section 335.1, and property damage claims within three years. If a city, county, VTA or Caltrans vehicle or road was involved, a written claim is generally due within six months.

Can I still recover if I was partly at fault?

You can. California uses pure comparative fault, so your compensation is reduced by your share of fault rather than barred. An uninsured driver generally cannot recover pain and suffering.

What if a VTA bus or light rail train hit my car?

VTA is a public entity. A written claim is generally due within six months of the crash, before any lawsuit can be filed.

Where is the closest Law Offices of J. Chrisp office to San Jose?

The closest office is in San Francisco at 1330 Bush Street, Suite 9D, San Francisco, CA 94109. The firm answers the phone 24/7 at 877-J-CHRISP (877-524-7477).

If you were hurt in a car accident in San Jose or elsewhere in Santa Clara County, call the Law Offices of J. Chrisp 24/7 at 877-J-CHRISP (877-524-7477) for a free consultation. There is no fee unless we win.

Why choose the Law Offices of J. Chrisp?

The Law Offices of J. Chrisp is a Northern California personal injury law firm founded by attorney Jesse Chrisp, who was raised in Lake County. The firm represents injured people, with offices in Lower Lake (main office), Santa Rosa and San Francisco, and serves Sonoma, Napa, Lake and Mendocino counties and the San Francisco Bay Area. Consultations are free, the firm works on a contingency fee with no fee unless the firm wins, and the phone is answered 24/7 at 877-J-CHRISP (877-524-7477). The firm was named to Best Law Firms 2026 (Tier 1, Santa Rosa, Personal Injury Litigation – Plaintiffs). Jesse Chrisp has been recognized by The Best Lawyers in America since 2024 and selected to Super Lawyers from 2023 to 2026.