Why Gilroy Residents Trust Reardon Injury Law
A sudden accident on US-101 during your commute or a collision at a busy local intersection can turn your life upside down in an instant. The physical pain is only the beginning. Now you face mounting medical bills from Saint Louise Regional Hospital, calls from aggressive insurance adjusters, and the stress of missing work while you try to recover. You may feel overwhelmed, confused, and unsure of where to turn. We understand, and we are here to help.
At Reardon Injury Law, we see you as a person, not a case number. Our first priority is to listen with empathy and understand the full impact the injury has had on your life and your family. We serve clients throughout California, including the Gilroy community, providing dedicated and compassionate legal guidance. Our firm is founded on a unique principle: that a deep understanding of medicine is essential to winning a personal injury case.
Founding attorney John Reardon practiced as a chiropractor for 20 years before becoming a lawyer. This dual expertise gives our clients a distinct advantage. He can decipher complex medical records, understand the long-term physical consequences of your injuries, and effectively communicate the severity of your condition to insurance companies and juries. This medical insight allows us to build a more compelling case aimed at securing the full and fair compensation you deserve.
Accident Hotspots in Gilroy
While Gilroy is known for its garlic and welcoming community, its roads and highways present significant risks. As a key junction between Silicon Valley and the Central Coast, Gilroy sees heavy commute and commercial traffic that contributes to frequent accidents. Data shows several areas are particularly hazardous for drivers, motorcyclists, and pedestrians.
Based on traffic studies, some of the most dangerous intersections and roadways in and around Gilroy include:
- Murray Avenue and Leavesley Road: This intersection has one of the highest crash rates in the city. Its proximity to the US-101 on-ramp, numerous gas stations, and heavy peak-hour traffic lead to a high number of rear-end collisions.
- Pacheco Pass Highway (State Route 152): This major east-west artery is a corridor for serious accidents. Intersections like Camino Arroyo and Pacheco Pass Highway and Miller Avenue and First Street see high collision volumes, including severe injury crashes. The constant flow of commercial trucks and passenger vehicles creates a dangerous mix.
- Welburn Avenue and Monterey Road: As part of the SR-152 corridor, this area contributes to a high concentration of accidents, making it a known trouble spot for local drivers.
- Chestnut Street and Tenth Street: Factors like high traffic volume from US-101, access to industrial zones, and worn pavement markings have led to severe injuries here, with a high percentage of dangerous head-on or broadside collisions.
- US-101 Corridor: The stretch of US-101 between Gilroy and San Jose is notorious for accidents caused by high speeds, dense traffic, and frequent merging as commuters head to and from Silicon Valley.
Whether you were injured in a multi-car pile-up on the freeway or a T-bone crash downtown, our firm has the experience to investigate the specific circumstances of your accident.
Types of Cases We Handle in Gilroy
Our firm focuses exclusively on personal injury law, allowing us to provide skilled representation across a wide range of accident types. We frequently help Gilroy residents who have been injured in:
- Car Accidents: From fender benders on Monterey Road to high-speed collisions on US-101, we handle all types of auto accident claims.
- Truck Accidents: Given the heavy commercial traffic on SR-152 and US-101, accidents involving semi-trucks and other large commercial vehicles are unfortunately common and often catastrophic.
- Motorcycle Accidents: Motorcyclists are extremely vulnerable on busy roads. We fight to protect the rights of riders who have been injured by negligent drivers.
- Pedestrian Accidents: An accident at a crosswalk or in a parking lot can cause life-altering injuries. We hold careless drivers accountable.
- Bicycle Accidents: We represent cyclists injured due to distracted or aggressive driving on Gilroy’s streets.
- Rideshare Accidents: Accidents involving Uber and Lyft have unique insurance complexities that require an experienced attorney to navigate.
If you have been hurt in these or any other type of accident caused by someone else’s negligence, please visit our practice areas page to learn more or contact us directly to discuss your case.
What to Do After an Accident in Gilroy
The steps you take immediately following an accident are critical for both your health and your potential legal claim.
- Check for Injuries and Call 911: Your first priority is safety. If you are able, move your vehicle out of traffic. Call 911 to report the accident and request medical assistance. The Gilroy Police Department typically responds to incidents on city streets, while the California Highway Patrol (CHP) handles crashes on US-101 and SR-152.
- Seek Immediate Medical Attention: Even if you feel fine, it is crucial to get a medical evaluation. Go to the emergency room at Saint Louise Regional Hospital in Gilroy or, for very severe injuries, a trauma center like Good Samaritan Hospital in San Jose. Adrenaline can mask serious injuries, and a medical record creates a vital link between the accident and your injuries.
- Document the Scene: If you are able, use your phone to take pictures and videos of the accident scene, vehicle damage, road conditions, and any visible injuries.
- Exchange Information: Get the names, contact information, driver’s license numbers, and insurance details of all other drivers involved. Also, get the contact information of any witnesses.
- Do Not Admit Fault: Avoid saying things like “I’m sorry” or “I think it was my fault.” Stick to the facts when speaking with police and other drivers. Liability can be complex, and an early admission can be used against you.
- Contact an Experienced Personal Injury Attorney: Before you speak with an insurance adjuster, call our firm. An adjuster’s goal is to minimize the insurance company’s payout. We will protect your rights and handle all communications on your behalf.
Understanding Your Rights Under California Law
Navigating the legal system after an injury can be daunting. An experienced attorney can help you understand the California laws that will shape your case.
- Pure Comparative Negligence: California follows a “pure comparative negligence” rule. This means you can still recover financial compensation even if you were partially at fault for the accident. For example, if you are found to be 20% responsible, your total compensation award will be reduced by 20%.
- Statute of Limitations: Time is limited. Under California Code of Civil Procedure § 335.1, you generally have two years from the date of the injury to file a personal injury lawsuit. However, there is a critical exception: if your claim is against a government entity (e.g., a city bus, a poorly maintained public road), you must file a formal claim within just six months under the Government Claims Act. Missing this deadline can permanently bar you from recovering compensation.
- Minimum Insurance Requirements: California’s minimum liability insurance coverage is just $15,000 for injury to one person, $30,000 for all injuries in one accident, and $5,000 for property damage. A serious injury can easily exceed these low limits. We are skilled at identifying all possible sources of recovery, including your own Uninsured/Underinsured Motorist (UIM) coverage.
- Recoverable Damages: A successful claim can provide compensation for economic and non-economic losses, including past and future medical expenses, lost wages and earning capacity, property damage, and compensation for your physical pain and emotional suffering.
Contact Reardon Injury Law Today
You do not have to face the aftermath of a serious injury alone. Let us put our unique combination of medical and legal expertise to work for you. At Reardon Injury Law, we handle every case on a contingency fee basis, which means you pay nothing unless we win your case.
Your fight is our fight. For a free, no-obligation consultation to discuss your Gilroy personal injury case, call us today at (657) 522-7122 or tell us about your case through our contact page.
