Motorcycle Accidents

San Jose Motorcycle Accident Attorneys

Helping Injured Riders Throughout Santa Clara County

Have you suffered serious injuries or lost a loved one in a motorcycle accident?

Our San Jose motorcycle accident lawyers at Caputo & Van Der Walde can help guide you through the process of presenting your claim. We offer free consultations so we can learn about your accident, explain your rights, and discuss your options for pursuing financial compensation.

Common Causes of Motorcycle Accidents

Some of the most common causes of motorcycle accidents include:

Left-turn collisions: Intersections present some of the biggest dangers to motorcyclists. Drivers may not see oncoming motorcyclists in their path when making left turns, which can lead to T-bone accidents.
Rear-end collisions: While rear-end collisions are typically minor when two motor vehicles are involved, they can be devastating to motorcyclists. Even a low-speed collision can cause the motorcyclist to be thrown from their bike.
Dangerous road conditions: Debris, grooves, railroad tracks, gravel, potholes, uneven pavement, and other road hazards can cause a motorcyclist to lose control of their bike and get into an accident.
Broadside collisions: The majority of broadside collisions occur during daytime and at intersections without signals. In these cases, the liable party plows through a stop sign and straight into the motorcyclist who has the right of way.
Merging without looking: Many motorcycle accidents occur when riders are cut off, either because a driver doesn’t look or signal his or her attention to merge lanes. There are also situations when motorcyclists can be in a driver’s blind spot, and the merging vehicle can sideswipe the motorcycle rider.
Car doors opening: When an individual is on the driver’s side while parallel parked, they must look to ensure no vehicles are approaching before opening their door. When they open their car door into an oncoming rider, there can be disastrous results.
Speeding: Speeding is one of the most common causes of all types of accidents, including those involving motorcycles. It’s easy to lose control or fail to stop in time when traveling at a high rate of speed near other motorists.

Examples of Common Motorcycle Injuries

We can help you calculate damages for common motorcycle accident injuries like:

Broken bones
Concussion
Scarring and disfigurement
Soft tissue damage (road rash)
Spinal cord injury and paralysis
Traumatic brain injury

Why It's Important to Work with an Attorney

When it comes to recovering damages, filing a claim is only the beginning. The claims process can be difficult and drawn out, especially if the opposing insurance company refuses to pay a fair settlement.

Our legal team has resolved countless insurance disputes, and best of all, we can handle your legal affairs while you focus on recovery.

Why should you call Caputo & Van Der Walde?

We offer FREE initial consultations
We have 85+ years of collective experience
We've recovered millions for our clients
You don't pay unless we win your case

Get the Compensation You Deserve

Unfortunately, motorcyclists are more likely to suffer serious injuries in an accident than other motorists. This is due to the fact that they lack the protections passenger vehicles provide; motorcyclists have no windshield, seat belt, cushion, or other barrier, which exposes the rider to the environment and its many hazards in an accident.

A motorcycle accident can happen in the blink of an eye, but the consequences can last a lifetime. As the victim of a motorcycle accident, you have the right to pursue compensation for:

Medical costs
Property damage
Lost wages
Pain and suffering
And more

If you were hurt, our firm will complete a thorough investigation, document your injuries, and fight to ensure you are treated fairly by the insurance company.

Millions Won for Motorcycle Accident Victims

At Caputo & Van Der Walde, we have secured millions of dollars in compensation on behalf of our clients. Some of our most notable recoveries in motorcycle crash cases include:

Motorcycle Accident FAQ

How Long Do I Have to File a Claim?

The time limit, known as the statute of limitations, to file a personal injury lawsuit in California is two years, starting from the day of the accident. If you want to file a lawsuit over damage to your motorcycle, you have three years. If these deadlines pass and you try to file a lawsuit, the court will likely refuse to consider your case.

Should I Talk to the Insurance Company?

It is wise to have your San Jose motorcycle accident attorney speak with the other party's insurer on your behalf. This prevents the insurance company from taking advantage of you. Insurance companies will usually offer the bare minimum in a settlement, which may not be enough to cover your medical expenses and property damage.

What Can I Do to Help My Case?

After a motorcycle crash, it is imperative that you seek medical attention immediately. Many symptoms may not be obvious right away, so even if your injuries don't appear to be serious, you should still see a doctor. This will also create a paper trail and documentation of your injuries in case you are accused of lying or exaggerating.

Call Caputo & Van Der Walde for a Free Review

California is a comparative liability state, meaning the at-fault party may try to blame the accident on you to reduce the amount of your settlement. We are prepared to draw upon our extensive resources and knowledge to dismantle arguments from the other side.

Our motorcycle accident lawyers in San Jose can help you investigate the cause of your crash and identify all liable parties so you can get the compensation you need to recover. Contact Caputo & Van Der Walde for answers to your questions and guidance on your next steps.

Don't wait to get started on your case. Contact our San Jose motorcycle crash attorneys at (800) 900-0863 or contact us online for your free consultation.

Wrongful Death Skydiving Accident $40,030,000
Attorney Paul Van Der Walde recovered a total of $40,030,000 in compensation for a couple bereft of their 18-year-old son in a tandem skydiving accident.
School Bus vs. Pedestrian Accident $8,825,000
School bus vs. pedestrian accident resulting in traumatic brain injury.
Train Maintenance Vehicle vs. Auto $7,411,492
Caputo & Van Der Walde received a jury verdict in the amount of $7,411,492 for a surviving widow, who lost her husband when his pickup truck was involved in a collision with an on-track maintenance of way vehicle.
3rd-Degree Burns During a Pedicure $7,291,986
Paul Caputo received a $7,291,985.58 decision for Plaintiff in a case where a client received severe 3rd-degree burns during a pedicure, resulting in the need for numerous skin grafting procedures.
Paraplegia from Defective Seat $5,650,000
Product liability case involving a defective seat design that resulted in paraplegia.
Pick-up Truck vs. Pedestrian Accident $4,250,000
Pedestrian crossing a four-lane street in the crosswalk, hit by a full-size pick-up truck. Injuries included a left knee dislocation with complete tears of all ligaments and requiring surgery, right scaphoid fracture requiring surgery, right shoulder AC joint separation with clavicle fracture and PTSD.
Auto vs. Bicycle Accident $4,000,000
Bicycle rider attempted to maneuver to his left, around a recessed manhole in the bike lane, and was struck by a vehicle that was driving too closely to the bike lane. Significant injuries included traumatic brain injury, skull fracture, and permanent brain damage.
Big Rig vs. Auto Accident $3,000,000
Big rig vs. auto accident resulting in wrongful death.
Physical Abuse $3,000,000
Child protective services failed to adequately protect young child from physically abusive foster parents.
Injury Onboard a SCTVA Bus $3,000,000
Injury onboard a SCTVA bus resulting in Complex Regional Pain Syndrome (CRPS).

View more results

Client Testimonials

Highly Rated & Reviewed

“I am happy with the outcome and highly recommend Caputo and Van Der Walde to anyone seeking an injury lawyer.”
- Karen B
“Our lawyer and his entire staff were extremely approachable and effective in getting a very good settlement from my own insurance company's under-insured motorist coverage. Our lawyer guided my husband and me through the process.”
- Chris G.
“Paul has a great understanding of people's rights and drives to obtain all that is due to you. He listens and answers questions that anyone could understand without legalize. I contacted him through the recommendation of a friend.”
- Gary G.

WHAT SETS US APART?

A Supportive Team on Your Side
Included in Multi-Million Dollar Advocates Forum
Perfect 10/10 Superb Rating on Avvo
You Do Not Pay Unless We Win Your Case
All Initial Case Reviews Are Free of Charge
Legal Services Available in Spanish
Tens of Millions of Dollars Recovered for Our Clients
Over 85 Years of Combined Legal Experience

GET STARTED TODAY

No Fees Unless We Win