You don’t have to face the aftermath of a car accident alone. For decades, our attorneys have fought tirelessly for car accident victims to secure the justice and compensation they need. If you or a loved one has been injured in a crash, contact us to speak with a San Jose car accident lawyer today.
A serious car accident can change your life in an instant. When another driver’s negligence results in an injury to you or a loved one, the physical, emotional, and financial consequences can be overwhelming. You may be facing long-term medical care, an inability to work, or even the heartbreaking loss of a loved one. During these incredibly difficult times, you need more than a lawyer, you need a team that you can trust, one that will stand by your side and fight for your rights.
At Caputo & Van Der Walde, we have built a reputation for being fierce advocates for the injured by helping individuals and families in the San Jose, CA, area recover after life-altering accidents. We focus exclusively on serious injury and wrongful death cases with one clear goal: to secure full and fair compensation for every client we serve.
At Caputo & Van Der Walde, we’re proud to be a part of the San Jose community, not just as legal professionals, but as neighbors who genuinely care. With offices in San Jose and Campbell, we’re always close by and ready to help when you need us most.
Our firm brings more than 65 years of combined legal experience, along with extensive knowledge of the local courts, laws, and what it takes to achieve justice for accident victims. We approach every case with a personal touch and a relentless commitment to doing what’s right for our clients.
Built on a foundation of integrity and dedication, our attorneys have earned recognition both locally and nationally for their trial results. When you choose us, you’re choosing a team that is focused on securing the best possible outcome for you.
We understand how overwhelming and stressful it can be to navigate a serious injury case and accident claim. That’s why we provide a highly personalized and accessible approach. When you work with a San Jose car accident lawyer at Caputo & Van Der Walde, you will never be lost in a sea of voicemails or passed from one staff member to another. Our attorneys are directly involved in every case and are available to answer your questions, explain each step of the process, and provide updates. We believe that direct communication with an attorney or paralegal is essential to building trust and achieving the best possible outcome for your accident case.
We are not just insurance settlement negotiators; we are experienced trial lawyers who are fully prepared to take your car accident case to court if necessary. Our willingness to go to trial enables us to secure higher settlements and verdicts for our clients, by making sure they receive the full and fair compensation they're owed. Over the years, we have recovered millions of dollars in verdicts and settlements for victims of car accidents and other serious injuries. Our results speak for themselves.
Our firm is experienced in handling cases involving serious, life-altering injuries, such as broken bones, disc injuries, spinal cord trauma, brain injuries, and wrongful death claims. We will dedicate our full resources to complex, high-stakes litigation and ensure that every case we take on receives the thorough investigation, expert testimony, and aggressive advocacy necessary for a successful outcome.
Our peers have consistently recognized Caputo & Van Der Walde attorneys for excellence in personal injury law. We are proud recipients of honors, including Super Lawyers, The National Trial Lawyers Top 100, and AV Preeminent ratings, a testament to our professionalism and ethical standards. Beyond litigation, we have actively contributed to the legal community, by teaching, lecturing, and preserving the right to justice through the appellate process. Our reputation for excellence is well-earned and continually maintained.
At Caputo & Van Der Walde, our California personal injury lawyers represent victims who have sustained life-altering harm due to the negligence of others, and we are equipped to litigate the most complex and demanding cases.
Our San Jose car accident attorneys handle a wide range of severe motor vehicle accident cases, including but not limited to:
Every car accident is unique, and each injury differs on a case-by-case basis. Things like age, health, and other factors can all impact a victim’s ability to recover from an injury, so something like whiplash may require two weeks of recovery for one person and years of ongoing surgery and physical therapy for another. This is why it is so important to work with accident attorneys who will consider the unique details of your accident as they work to build your case.
The following are just a few of the most common injuries reported in car accidents:
| Type of Crash | Victims Killed / Injured | OTS Ranking |
|---|---|---|
| Total Fatal and Injury | 393 | 58/61 |
| Alcohol Involved | 50 | 45/61 |
| Had Been Drinking Driver < 21 | 6 | 25/61 |
| Had Been Drinking Driver 21 – 34 | 22 | 40/61 |
| Motorcycles | 22 | 45/61 |
| Pedestrians | 33 | 35/61 |
| Pedestrians < 15 | 1 | 57/61 |
| Pedestrians 65+ | 4 | 38/61 |
| Bicycle | 35 | 23/61 |
| Bicyclist < 15 | 2 | 42/61 |
| Composite | 210 | 46/61 |
Even if you think your car accident injuries are “minor,” it’s critical to be examined by a medical professional as soon as possible. Severe conditions such as spinal trauma, internal bleeding, traumatic brain injuries, and soft tissue damage may not show symptoms right away but can worsen rapidly if untreated.
Prompt medical care serves two key purposes:
Do not “wait it out” or assume pain will fade. Go to the emergency room, visit an urgent care clinic, or see your doctor immediately after suffering injuries in a car accident.
The more evidence you can collect at the crash scene, the stronger your case may be. If you are physically able, or can ask a bystander for help, gather as much information as possible, including:
Photographs: Take pictures of all vehicles involved, license plates, skid marks, debris, road conditions, traffic signals, and your visible injuries.
Witnesses: Obtain names, phone numbers, and statements from anyone who witnessed the incident.
Police Report: Be sure to report the accident to the San Jose Police Department or the California Highway Patrol (depending on the jurisdiction) and request a copy of the report for your records.
Medical Records and Expenses: Keep every medical bill, prescription, and discharge summary related to your injuries and treatment.
This accident documentation is vital for reconstructing the crash and establishing liability and damages later on.
Shortly after the accident, you may receive a call from an insurance adjuster, either from your insurer or the at-fault driver’s company. They may sound concerned or friendly, but remember: insurance companies are not on your side.
Adjusters are trained to ask questions that can be used to minimize your claim or deny liability altogether. They may:
You are not legally obligated to speak with them before consulting a lawyer. Doing so can damage your case. Politely decline the conversation and refer all communication to your legal representative.
After seeking medical care, your next call should be to an experienced personal injury attorney. At Caputo & Van Der Walde, we understand how devastating a serious car accident can be and we’re here to help you through every step.
When we represent you, our legal team will:
Time is not on your side. The longer you wait, the more difficult it becomes to gather evidence and prove liability. California law also imposes strict deadlines (statutes of limitations) for filing injury claims, so it’s essential to act quickly.
After suffering a serious injury in a car accident, California law gives you the right to pursue financial compensation for the full extent of your losses. This is not just about medical bills—it’s about restoring stability, protecting your future, and helping you rebuild your life after a devastating event. At Caputo & Van Der Walde, we understand the far-reaching consequences of a catastrophic accident. Injuries that require surgery, rehabilitation, or long-term care affect every part of your life—physically, emotionally, and financially. Our goal is to make sure you are fully compensated for everything you’ve lost and everything you will need in the future.
Depending on the facts of your case, you may be entitled to compensation for the following:
Medical costs following a serious accident can be overwhelming. You may be entitled to accident compensation for:
We work closely with medical experts and life care planners to estimate not just the costs you’ve already incurred, but also what your ongoing and future care will cost—whether that includes repeat surgeries, long-term therapy, or permanent disability support.
A serious injury often results in time away from work, whether for days, weeks, or months. In more severe cases, victims are unable to return to their previous occupation—or to work at all. You may be entitled to compensation for:
We retain vocational experts and economists to calculate the full impact of your injuries on your career and earning potential, so your settlement or verdict reflects the long-term financial toll.
Not all damages can be measured in dollars and cents. Car accidents often result in severe physical pain, emotional trauma, and a loss of the ability to enjoy life as you once did. Compensation for pain and suffering may include:
California law recognizes that these non-economic losses are just as important as financial ones, and we fight to ensure they are fully considered in your claim.
Beyond the physical injuries, many car accident victims experience significant psychological effects, including:
These emotional and psychological burdens can last far longer than the initial healing process and may require therapy, medication, or other support. We account for these factors when building your case.
If your vehicle or other personal property was damaged or destroyed in the accident, you may be entitled to compensation for:
Our team will help you recover every penny you’re owed for damaged property in addition to your injury claim.
If a family member was fatally injured in a car crash, we offer compassionate representation for wrongful death claims. Eligible surviving family members may recover compensation for:
No amount of money can replace a loved one, but a wrongful death claim can offer financial stability and hold the responsible party accountable.
From the moment you contact our office, you will receive the personalized attention and respect you deserve. When you call Caputo & Van Der Walde:
We work on a contingency fee basis, which means: You don’t pay us unless we win your case. No legal fees. No hourly billing. No hidden charges.
There is no law stating that victims need to work with car accident attorneys after auto accidents, but the truth is that insurance companies work aggressively to avoid paying the amount they owe victims of car crashes caused by their policyholders, and the best way to improve your chances (while also focusing on recovering from your personal injuries) is to partner with a personal injury attorney who can handle the entire claims process on your behalf.
There is no easy way to answer this question, especially without a close look at your situation. No two car accident victims are alike. Things like current and future medical bills, impact your earnings like lost wages and other income-related issues, as well as a variety of other things like any pre-existing conditions as well as the actual pain and suffering you have endured.
Car accident attorneys are highly experienced with the process of determining damages and then negotiating settlement amounts with insurers. Once you are partnered with an auto accident lawyer, they will be able to keep you updated as they continue to refine their calculations.
Working with an attorney is a great way to protect your rights and ensure you aren’t leaving any money on the table. Let your lawyer worry about your case while you focus on your recovery.
Much like determining how much you are owed, there are many factors that will go into determining how long it takes to reach a settlement. An attorney won’t be able to answer this question during your initial consultation, and won’t be able to provide you with an exact answer until the day the check arrives. It is to remember that once you settle your case, that is it. There is no turning back. Consequently, you and your attorney want to make sure that the entirety of your case has been examined, so you are fully compensated for every aspect of your case. That said, there are some things that may indicate whether or not your case will be long and complicated.
As members of the Multi-Million Dollar Advocates Forum® and the Million Dollar Advocates Forum®, we have proven our ability to negotiate and litigate on behalf of our clients successfully. Retain us to put our tactical strategies to work for you. These skills are what make our legal team such a formidable opponent in any courtroom or negotiation setting.