Frequently Asked Questions

A loved one in San Jose died as the result of negligence. Should we hire a lawyer?

Causes of Wrongful Death

Wrongful death is the tragic loss of life due to another party’s negligence. Wrongful death may result from:

     
  • Car Accidents
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  • Medical Malpractice
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  • Slip and Fall Accidents
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  • Defective Products
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  • Construction Site Accidents
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  • Motorcycle Accidents
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  • Workplace Related Accidents

When these types of accidents result in an individual’s death, families should contact a personal injury lawyer specializing in wrongful death cases.

How Negligence May Go Unnoticed

Unfortunately,  a wrongful death may appear on the surface to be the result of natural causes or unavoidable circumstances. However, under close investigation and scrutiny, evidence may surface that provides sufficient proof that the death was the result of negligence. In a wrongful death case, the facts surrounding the victim’s death must be organized in a clear and concise manner. When those in positions of authority fail to interview witnesses, examine the scene of the victim’s death, or ask the appropriate questions regarding the circumstances of the victim’s demise, a wrongful death can easily go unreported. To ensure this does not occur, the victim’s family or loved ones should not hesitate to contact personal injury lawyer.

Importance of Proving Wrongful Death

There are at least three reasons that a wrongful death should not go unnoticed. First, the victim and their family deserve justice. Allowing a wrongful death to occur without any type of investigation is a disservice to the victim’s memory. Second, the party responsible for the victim’s death should be held accountable for their actions to help ensure that others aren’t harmed by their negligence. Third, the victim’s family deserves to be compensated for their loss. They may be entitled to financial remuneration for things such as funeral expenses, medical bills, and emotional pain and suffering. For these reasons, families should retain the services of experienced and skilled wrongful death attorneys. These personal injury attorneys will work diligently to prove that another party’s negligent actions was the proximate cause of the victim’s death.

Hiring a San Jose Wrongful Death Attorney

Many times, family members may be reluctant to hire the services of an attorney for any reason, especially wrongful death. However, there is much at stake in cases such as these, and having a wrongful death expert working on behalf of the family can be extremely helpful.  When a wrongful death victim’s family needs the help of an attorney,  they should contact the San Jose law office of Edward Clements. It is Mr.  Clements’ desire and goal to ensure that family members understand the legal processes surrounding their case. For this reason,  communication is of the utmost importance to Mr. Clements. To schedule a consultation with Mr. Clements, please feel free to contact him at (408)289-8500.

What is the best course of action for the victim of a truck accident?

Due to their sheer size and their inability to brake quickly, tractor trailer trucks can be highly dangerous to passenger vehicles,  motorcyclists, bicyclists, and pedestrians.  Accidents involving tractor trailer trucks are often disastrous or even fatal. While many tractor trailer truck drivers are responsible and follow safety rules and regulations, many others fail to do so. When innocent victims are injured or killed in a truck accident, the truck driver or their employer may be held responsible. In cases such as these, truck accident victims will require the legal services of a personal injury lawyer.

Driver,  Employer, or Manufacturer Negligence

Both the federal and state government have established safety regulations for the trucking industry. These rules and regulations are designed to ensure the safety of both the truck driver and the general public.  Unfortunately, in the quest for more money, many truck drivers fail to obey these regulations. To further complicate matters, the driver’s employer often chooses to ignore employee violations of trucking industry regulations. Drivers may maintain duplicate log books, take illegal drugs to stay awake, violate speed limits, or lack proper credentials and training. When truck drivers or their employers fail to follow   regulations and an accident with injuries occurs, the driver and their employer could be held responsible for negligence.

Additionally,  truck part and component manufacturers have a responsibility to ensure they they produce safe and reliable products. The failure of the manufacturer to do so could be considered negligence. When a truck accident occurs due to faulty equipment, such as brakes or tires, the manufacturer may be held liable for the truck accident victim’s injuries. Identifying all of the parties responsible for the victim’s injuries can be complicated. Therefore, it will be important for the victim to secure the legal expertise of a skilled personal injury lawyer.

Obtaining Compensation for Truck Accident Victims

Victims of truck accidents may be entitled to compensation for their injuries and lost wages. They may also be awarded damages for their physical or mental anguish. However, the victim must provide evidence to the courts that the accident was the result of negligence. This negligence may be the responsibility of the driver, their employer, a manufacturer, or a combination of the three. Establishing fault and negligence can be painstaking and time consuming.

Most accident victims are too busy recuperating to devote the time and attention necessary to establish negligence. For this reason,  accident victims should contact a lawyer to find the proof they need.  An experienced personal injury lawyer can interview witnesses, obtain police reports, take pictures of the accident scene, and accurately document the accident victim’s injuries. All of this information is critical in order for the victim to obtain the financial compensation they both need and deserve.

Consulting with a San Jose Personal Injury Attorney

If you’ve been injured in a truck accident in San Jose, you should contact a personal injury attorney as soon after the accident as possible. Edward Clements is a trustworthy and experienced San Jose personal injury attorney that you can trust. Mr. Clements knows how to aggressively and diligently pursue the financial compensation that his clients need. For a consultation, please call (408) 289-8500. Mr.  Clements also encourages potential clients to review his website to answer any questions they might have.

I was injured in a car accident in the San Jose area. Should I hire a lawyer?

According to some estimates, more than 6 million car accidents occur in the U.S each year. With more cars and drivers on the roads across the nation,  this number probably will only increase. This means that no matter how safe a driver a person may be, the odds of being involved in a car accident are significant. Even when drivers take all necessary precautions to drive safely, they cannot control whether those around them are driving with the same care and concern. Victims of car accidents in the San Jose area should seek legal expertise and guidance from a San Jose car accident lawyer.

Most people are probably blissfully unaware of the dangers that surround them on the roadways—until they are involved in a car accident. Car accident victims know firsthand the risks of driving and the very real possibility of car accident injury.

Here are some sobering statistics related to car accidents:

     
  • Approximately 3 million people are injured in car accidents each year.  
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  • Over 2 million of these accident victims sustain some type of permanent injury.  
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  • More than 40,000 car accident related fatalities occur each year.  
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  • Car accidents are the leading cause of death for individuals 30 years old and younger.  
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  • Leading causes of car accident fatalities include: drunk driving, speeding,  and reckless driving.

Car accidents can have devastating and—as you’ve seen from the statistics—even deadly consequences. If you have been injured in a car accident in the San Jose area through no fault of your own, you need the services of an experienced and dependable San Jose personal injury attorney.

Car Accidents Due to Negligence

Driving is a privilege, not a right. With this privilege come responsibilities and obligations. Drivers must obey traffic rules and regulations, and they are responsible for driving safely and carefully. When a driver behaves irresponsibly and an accident with injuries occurs, the at-fault driver may be held liable for negligent driving. Negligent driving is sometimes called distracted driving.  There are many reasons why a driver may be distracted on the road,  but a distracted driver still may be held responsible for causing a car accident. Negligent drivers can and should expect to be held accountable for their careless or reckless actions.A personal injury lawyer can help victims in the San Jose area ensure that those responsible for their injuries are held liable for their negligent actions.

Compensation for Car Accident Victims

When individuals are injured in a car accident due to another driver’s negligence, they may be entitled to compensation. This financial remuneration is typically awarded to victims of car accidents for things such as lost wages, medical expenses, and physical and emotional anguish. However, victims will need to provide the courts with evidence that the other driver acted carelessly or recklessly.  To do so, accident victims usually need the assistance of a knowledgeable and skilled car accident lawyer. When you employ a lawyer’s services, you can expect to receive fair and reasonable compensation for your injuries.

Contact a San Jose Attorney Today

When you need assistance with your car accident case, please do not hesitate to contact the San Jose law office of Edward Clements. Mr. Clements is a car accident injury specialist, and he can assist with all facets of your legal claim. Mr. Clements is a lawyer who is dedicated to helping his clients achieve a satisfactory outcome for their case.  For a consultation or more information, please contact Mr. Clements at (408) 289-8500 today.

I’ve been injured in a construction accident. What are my legal options?

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, construction work is ranked among the top 15 most dangerous jobs in the U.S. While this statistic may be surprising to some, workers in the field can attest to the many hazards present at construction sites. Even with strict safety rules and regulations currently in place, construction work continues to expose workers to many risks. Construction accidents often have serious consequences on the life of the victim. Victims may be unable to work either temporarily or permanently. The victim’s recovery will depend on the magnitude of the injury and the medical care and rehabilitation services they receive. Victims of construction site accidents are often entitled to financial remuneration beyond worker’s compensation. A San Jose personal injury attorney can help injured workers in this area receive the compensation to which they may be entitled.

Construction Accidents Due to Negligence

Construction accidents are often the result of negligence. Assigning negligence to the responsible party or parties can be a complicated and time-consuming task. However, with the right legal help, it is possible to identify the parties that should be held responsible for the victim’s injuries.

A San Jose personal injury attorney will have the time and resources to determine who should be held accountable for negligence. There are a number of parties that have a responsibility to ensure that construction sites are safe for workers and the general public as well. These parties include:

  • Construction company
  • Contractors
  • Sub-contractors
  • Architects
  • Equipment manufacturers

If any of these parties fail to provide effective warnings against inherent dangers of the construction site or fail to protect against reasonably foreseeable dangers, they may be held accountable for negligence if a worker is injured in an accident.

Common Causes of Construction Accidents

Falls are one of the most common causes of construction accidents. Workers may also sustain serious injuries due to:

  • Faulty safety equipment
  • Electrical fires
  • Defective machinery
  • Lack of proper training
  • Poorly or improperly assembled scaffolding
  • Electrocution
  • Structural collapse

The types of injuries that construction workers sustain may include: multiple broken bones, traumatic head injury, paralysis, amputation, burns and permanent scarring, or spine and neck injuries. These injuries often required extensive hospitalization, multiple surgeries, months of rehabilitation, and prescription medications for pain or infection. All of this can be quite costly. For this reason, it is crucial that the injured victim be able to identify and recoup expenses from each party responsible for their injuries. Victims of construction accidents may be entitled to compensation for lost wages, medical bills, and pain and suffering.

Hiring a San Jose Construction Accident Lawyer

Construction accident victims will need the assistance of an experienced and skilled personal injury attorney. These accident victims are encouraged to contact the law office of Edward Clements. Mr. Clements is an exceptional attorney who has the highest regard for his clients. Effective communication is extremely important to him, and his goal is to ensure that his clients understand their options and the legal processes in which they are involved. For a consultation with Mr. Clements, please call (408) 289-8500.

How do I find a personal injury lawyer?

Victims of personal injury need to know that they can find a lawyer in whom they can place their trust. If you are a victim of personal injury searching for a talented, capable, trustworthy San Jose personal injury attorney, you need to look no further than the law offices of Edward Clements. Mr. Clements is a specialist in the field of personal injury law. He is committed to effectively communicating with all of his clients. To schedule a consultation, please call (408) 289-8500 for more information.

In a personal injury case, how does the victim prove negligence or willful intent?

To prove that a victim’s injuries were the result of either negligence or willful intent, a few things need to be established. Victims will be required by the courts to demonstrate the following:

Personal Injury Due to Negligence

The defendant owed the victim a certain level of care based on the circumstances of the particular situation.

The defendant failed to fulfill this duty of care.

The breach of care resulted in the accident, which was the proximate cause of the victim’s personal injuries.

Establishing that the responsible party owed the victim a duty of care will be vital to the case. In most cases, victims of personal injury do not possess the legal training or in-depth knowledge of the law necessary to firmly establish duty of care. Attorneys that are experts in the field of personal injury law will know the steps to take to ensure that this condition is established and that the responsible party is held liable for their negligent actions.

Personal Injury Due to Intentional Acts

Willful intent of the defendant must be established.

The plaintiff must prove that they were the victim of the purposeful act.

With intentional personal injuries, such as assault and battery or false imprisonment, the degree of injury intended is of no consequence. The fact that the responsible party intended to commit the act against the victim will be sufficient. Utilizing the services of lawyers with a background in personal injury law will be most beneficial to victims of intentional injury.

What are the types of personal injury cases?

The causes or circumstances of personal injury include:

Car Accidents

Slip and Fall Accidents

Premises Liability

Construction Site Accidents

Job-Related Injuries or Accidents

Dog Bite Injuries

Medical Malpractice

Toxic Chemical Poisoning

Food Poisoning/Salmonella Poisoning

Assault and Battery

False Imprisonment

Wrongful Death

In each of these types of cases, it will be critical to establish that another party’s negligence or intentional acts were the proximate cause of the victim’s injuries. Because the burden of proof in a personal injury case is the responsibility of the victim, it is imperative that the victim have experienced and skilled legal representation.

What is the legal understanding of “personal injury”?

A personal injury may arise from any number of circumstances—from the unusual to the ordinary. Regardless of the origin of an individual’s personal injury, these types of injuries can have devastating and sometimes catastrophic effects on the life of the victim. When a personal injury occurs as the result of another party’s willful, intentional acts or acts of negligence, the party responsible for the victim’s injuries may be held accountable. In order to ensure this is the case, victims of personal injury will want to retain the service of a San Jose personal injury lawyer. A San Jose personal injury attorney can be of invaluable assistance when personal injury has resulted from another party’s malice, recklessness, or negligence.