San Francisco Auto Accident Lawyers
We’ll review what happened and tell you what options may be available.
Or, get LIVE help now — call our free 24-hour accident hotline at (888) 488-1391
Our San Francisco Auto Accident Lawyers Offer Personalized Legal Support
Our San Francisco auto accident lawyers have assisted injury victims over the years. If you’ve suffered injuries in a crash, our attorneys offer legal guidance and support in pursuing claims for damages. We work to build well-supported cases and represent our clients’ interests in discussions and negotiations with insurance companies. Contact us at (888) 488-1391 for a free, no-obligation initial consultation. Our experienced legal team will listen to your story, explain your rights, and guide you through the process.
Whether your accident was caused by a careless driver, a faulty auto part, or poor road conditions, our San Francisco attorneys can help you explore your legal options. We can help you seek compensation for medical bills, lost wages, and pain and suffering. Our auto accident lawyers in San Francisco will advocate for your rights through negotiations and litigation.
What Do San Francisco Auto Accident Lawyers Do?
San Francisco auto accident lawyers can help you navigate the complexities of the claims process. From handling complex legal procedures to negotiating with insurance companies, we take care of the legal aspect of your case so you can focus on recovery.
Here’s what we can do to assist you with your claim:
- Investigate the Crash — We gather evidence, such as police reports, witness statements, and traffic camera footage. Our lawyers may collaborate with San Francisco’s accident reconstructionists to provide insights that can support your claim.
- Calculate Your Damages — Beyond medical bills, we consider lost wages, pain and suffering, and long-term rehabilitation costs. We aim to seek a fair settlement in accordance with California law.
- Negotiate With Insurers — Our attorneys have experience dealing with insurance companies. We carefully evaluate settlement offers and help you make informed decisions about your case.
- Represent You in Court — If a settlement cannot be reached, our attorneys are prepared to present your case before a judge and jury. Our San Francisco injury law firm has experience advocating for clients in pursuit of favorable outcomes.
(No guarantee of outcome. Results displayed were dependent on unique facts of that case, and different facts will bring different results.)
Why Hire Our Auto Accident Attorneys
Consulting a lawyer after an auto accident can make an impact on your potential claim. Our car accident lawyers can evaluate your case and determine if you have a viable claim.
Here are some of the reasons to hire our San Francisco auto accident attorneys:
- Comprehensive Representation — From the moment you hire us, we:
- Conduct thorough accident investigations.
- Gather and organize medical documentation.
- Handle all insurance communications.
- Prepare strategic litigation plans.
- Manage crucial deadlines.
- Legal Experience — Our firm has years of experience representing clients in a wide range of personal injury cases. This background informs our approach when handling claims involving insurance companies and corporate defendants.
- Personalized Attention — We offer one-on-one legal guidance and develop strategies based on your unique circumstances.
- Availability & Accessibility — Our team is available to discuss your case and answer any questions you may have. We can arrange to meet at a location that is convenient for you, especially if your injuries limit your mobility.
- No Upfront Legal Costs — Our attorneys work on a contingency fee basis, meaning you do not pay any attorney’s fees unless your case is successful. If there is no compensation, you do not owe any lawyer’s fees. This approach helps reduce financial barriers to pursuing your claim. The terms of this fee structure will be discussed with you before you sign any agreement.
Frequently Asked Questions About San Francisco Auto Accident Cases
Our San Francisco auto accident lawyers are here to provide clear answers and guidance on the claim process. Below are some of the common questions about auto accident cases. If you have specific questions about your case, fill out our contact form or call (888) 488-1391 for a free case assessment.
How Much Do San Francisco Auto Accident Lawyers Charge?
Many auto accident attorneys in San Francisco operate on a contingency fee basis. This means the attorney’s fees are paid as a percentage of the settlement or judgment only if your case is successful. If your case does not result in compensation, you typically do not owe any fees for the lawyer’s services.
Reviewing and understanding the terms of the fee agreement can help you stay informed about all financial obligations before proceeding with your claim.
What Is The Average Auto Accident Settlement?
Auto accident settlements vary widely based on factors like the severity of injuries, medical expenses, lost wages, and liability. Minor collisions may result in relatively modest settlements, while those involving severe injuries, long-term disabilities, or wrongful death typically lead to higher compensation.
If you’re wondering, “How much is my San Francisco auto accident case worth?” consider reaching out to our San Francisco auto accident lawyers. We can assess the specifics of your situation and estimate the potential value of your claim.
What If The Party At Fault Doesn’t Have Enough Insurance?
If the at-fault party’s insurance isn’t enough to cover your damages, you may still have options for seeking additional compensation, depending on the specifics of your case. You may be able to file a claim under your own uninsured/underinsured motorist (UM/UIM) policy, which may cover medical bills, lost income, and other losses. If unavailable, you might be able to pursue compensation from other potentially liable parties, such as a negligent employer or a vehicle manufacturer, if a defect contributed to the crash.
In some cases, you may also be able to file a claim against the personal assets of the at-fault driver, though collecting compensation this way can be challenging. Experienced auto accident attorneys in San Francisco can evaluate your case and explore possible avenues for financial recovery.
When Should I Hire A Lawyer For My Auto Accident In San Francisco?
You might be thinking, “I need a personal injury lawyer. When is the right time to hire one after a crash?” Hiring an auto accident attorney early in the process can help with tasks such as investigating the crash, communicating with insurance companies, and collecting relevant evidence.
Legal representation may be helpful in situations where there are delays, low settlement offers, or denied claims. There are also specific deadlines for filing claims and lawsuits in California, so timely action can help preserve documentation and support your case.
How Do You Know Whether You Need To Go To Court Over An Auto Accident?
Most auto accident cases settle out of court. However, you may need to file a lawsuit if the insurance company refuses to offer a fair settlement, disputes liability, or denies your claim. If negotiations stall, your San Francisco auto accident attorney may recommend taking the case to court to pursue appropriate compensation for your damages. However, many cases are settled before trial through continued negotiations or mediation, even after filing a lawsuit.
Hurt In
A Car Accident?
Traffic Congestion And Other Causes Of Auto Accidents In San Francisco
San Francisco’s unique peninsula geography, steep hills, and grid street pattern create a distinctive traffic environment. Rather than extensive highway networks, San Francisco relies primarily on arterial roads, such as urban thoroughfares like Van Ness Avenue, Market Street, and Geary Boulevard, to handle most of the traffic flow. This limited infrastructure creates significant congestion challenges.
According to the 2024 INRIX Global Traffic Scorecard Report (the most recent authoritative data available), San Francisco ranks as one of the most congested cities in the United States. This congestion contributes to the city’s concerning traffic safety statistics. Constant braking and acceleration increase the risk of rear-end collisions, which are common on heavily congested roads. Frustrated drivers stuck in traffic may also make risky lane changes or tailgate, potentially leading to accidents.
While congestion plays a role, most auto accidents are due to preventable errors.
Human Error
Below are some of the common and dangerous driving mistakes that lead to serious accidents.
- Distracted Driving — According to NHTSA data, distracted driving claims over 3,000 lives annually across the U.S. Common distractions for San Francisco drivers include texting (which increases crash risk by 23 times), using navigation apps in heavy traffic, talking on phones, and eating during commutes. Even a mere three-second attention lapse at 35 mph means traveling for over 150 feet without looking, which is enough time to cause a catastrophic collision on crowded city streets.
- Reckless Driving — Aggressive driving in San Francisco has increased since the pandemic, with more instances of tailgating, dangerous lane changes, running red lights, and excessive speeding. These behaviors pose significant risks on the city’s congested streets. By October 2024, the SFPD had issued nearly 13,000 tickets, more than double the 5,000 citations issued in 2023.
- Driving Under the Influence (DUI) — Alcohol and drugs can impair reaction time, judgment, and coordination. DUI accidents are among the most preventable yet deadly collisions.
- Speeding — Exceeding the speed limit reduces a driver’s ability to stop in time or react to sudden changes. Due to the extreme force of impact, speeding accidents often lead to serious injuries.
External Factors
Although human error is a leading cause of auto accidents, these external factors can also contribute to dangerous crashes:
- Vehicle Malfunctions — When critical vehicle components malfunction, drivers can lose control, experience sudden breakdowns, or be unable to react in time to avoid a crash.
- Poor Road Conditions — Hazards such as potholes, uneven pavement, and missing or unclear signage can make driving unpredictable and hazardous.
- Bad Weather — Adverse weather conditions, such as heavy fog (which SF is notorious for) and rain, can reduce visibility and traction, increasing the risk of collisions.
Compensation In Auto Accident Claims
Auto accidents can cause injuries, ranging from temporary to permanent. We have experience helping clients who suffer:
- Traumatic brain injuries
- Spinal injuries
- Internal organ damage
- Whiplash and other neck injuries
- Broken bones
- Soft tissue injuries
The severity of your injuries plays a significant role in determining the compensation you may be able to pursue. Severe injuries result in higher medical costs, longer recovery times, lost wages, and ongoing rehabilitation expenses.
Additionally, these injuries often come with significant pain and suffering, emotional distress, and a reduced quality of life, all of which factor into your claim’s value. If your injuries leave you unable to work or require lifelong medical care, your settlement or verdict should reflect these long-term financial burdens.
Our San Francisco personal injury attorneys can help you seek the following damages on your behalf:
- Medical Bills — Coverage for emergency room visits, hospital stays, surgeries, medications, physical therapy, chiropractic care, and any expenses related to your injuries.
- Lost Wages — Compensation for your lost income due to missed work and diminished earning capacity if your injuries prevent you from returning to your previous job.
- Property Damage — Reimbursement for vehicle repairs or replacement and any personal belongings damaged in the crash.
- Pain and Suffering — California places no cap on non-economic damages for auto accidents. This allows us to seek compensation for your:
- Physical pain
- Emotional distress
- Anxiety
- Depression
- Post-traumatic stress disorder or PTSD.
- Loss of enjoyment of life.
Our attorneys can help document these damages through your daily pain journals and by consulting qualified professionals, such as psychologists or a life planner.
- Loss of Consortium — Compensation for the impact of your injury on your relationships, including loss of companionship or support for your spouse or family.
Our San Francisco auto accident attorneys work to account for both current and future losses.
How Our Lawyers Determine Fault In Auto Accident Cases
Under California’s personal injury law, liability is generally established by proving negligence. To do so, your accident lawyer must demonstrate that the at-fault party’s reckless or careless actions directly caused your injuries and damages.
Our auto accident lawyers in San Francisco work to help you establish the four essential elements of negligence:
- Duty of Care — Every driver has a duty of care to prevent harm to others. They must obey speed limits, yield the right of way, and avoid reckless driving behaviors, such as texting.
- Breach of Duty — The defendant breached their duty of care by acting negligently or recklessly behind the wheel. Examples include speeding, running red lights, driving under the influence, or failing to check blind spots before merging.
- Causation — We must establish both “actual cause” and “proximate cause” to prove that the defendant’s reckless actions directly caused the accident and that your specific injuries were a foreseeable result.
- Damages — Demonstrate that you have suffered actual losses due to the crash. Some examples are medical expenses, lost wages, vehicle repairs, pain and suffering, emotional distress, and other financial hardships caused by the accident.
Our San Francisco auto accident lawyers conduct thorough investigations, gathering accident reports, witness statements, surveillance footage, and expert analysis to assess liability. If the responsible party disputes or challenges your claim, we respond with documented evidence and legal arguments.
Potential Liable Parties In Auto Accidents
In some auto accidents, more than one party may share liability for causing the crash. Here are some of them:
- Negligent Drivers — Drivers who engage in reckless behaviors, such as speeding, distracted driving, DUI, or running red lights, are the most common at-fault parties in auto accidents.
- Commercial Vehicle Operators — In auto vs. truck accidents involving 18-wheelers, semi-trucks, or delivery trucks, the trucking company may be held liable for crashes caused by their employees while performing job-related duties. In rideshare accidents involving Lyft or Uber vehicles, the company may be held responsible if it fails to vet drivers, allowing individuals with DUIs or traffic violations to transport passengers.
- Government Entities — Poorly maintained roads, dangerous intersections, missing traffic signs, or malfunctioning traffic lights create hazardous driving conditions. State, county, or city agencies responsible for road maintenance may be held accountable in such cases.
- Vehicle and Parts Manufacturers — When brake failures, tire blowouts, or defective airbags contribute to an accident, the automaker or parts manufacturer may be held responsible.
- Mechanics and Repair Shops — Poorly executed repairs or negligent maintenance can make a vehicle unsafe to drive. If a mechanic or auto shop fails to service a car properly, leading to an accident, they may be liable for the damages.
- Property Owners — Hazardous conditions, such as obstructed signage, unsafe parking lots, or poorly maintained driveways, can contribute to accidents. Property owners who fail to keep their premises safe may share liability for crashes that occur as a result.
California follows a “pure comparative negligence” system, which means that an injured party’s compensation can be reduced by the percentage of fault attributed to them. This law highlights the importance of identifying all potentially responsible parties in a claim. Our auto accident attorneys in San Francisco conduct thorough investigations to assess liability and seek accountability from all responsible parties.
What To Do After An Auto Accident
Knowing what to do after a car accident can help protect your health, safety, and legal interests. Taking certain steps may also support any potential injury claim, including:
- Prioritize your health first. Seek immediate medical attention following a car accident. Even for seemingly minor accidents, see a doctor. This may help address and document any injuries or possible health concerns.
- Report the collision to the authorities. In San Francisco, you can file a collision report online within 24 hours if the police don’t respond to the scene. Obtain a copy of the official report to support your claim.
- Take photos and videos of the accident scene, including vehicle damage, road conditions, traffic signals, and visible injuries.
- Exchange information with all involved drivers as required by California law. This includes names, current addresses, phone numbers, driver’s licenses, license plate numbers, insurance company names, policy numbers, and vehicle makes/models.
- If bystanders saw the accident, ask for their names and phone numbers. Witness statements can support your case and provide crucial third-party perspectives.
- Speak with a San Francisco auto accident attorney. They can handle the legal matters on your behalf, from gathering evidence and negotiating with insurance companies to representing you in court if necessary. This way, you can focus on your recovery.
(No guarantee of outcome. Results displayed were dependent on unique facts of that case, and different facts will bring different results.)
Deadlines For Filing Auto Accident Claims In San Francisco
Most insurance companies require prompt reporting of an accident, often within 24 to 72 hours. Failing to notify your insurer in time could result in delays or even a denial of coverage. While you must report the accident quickly, avoid making recorded statements or accepting settlement offers without consulting San Francisco auto accident lawyers.
Under California law, personal injury claims must be filed within two years from the date of injury, while property damage claims must be filed within three years. However, claims against government entities, such as accidents involving city buses, poorly maintained roads, or negligent municipal employees, fall under the California Government Claims Act, which requires filing an administrative claim within six months (180 days) of the incident before any lawsuit can proceed.
Waiting too long to file a claim can result in lost evidence, uncooperative witnesses, and difficulties proving liability. Negotiations with insurance companies may extend, potentially affecting the ability to meet legal deadlines. Our lawyers for auto accidents in San Francisco can manage your case and work to help you file the necessary requirements within the applicable timeframe.
Auto Accident Statistics
According to the San Francisco Department of Public Health’s most recent Vision Zero SF Injury Prevention Research Collaborative data, approximately 30 people die, and over 500 are severely injured in traffic crashes each year. The city’s most dangerous corridors include sections of Market Street, Van Ness Avenue, Geary Boulevard, and 19th Avenue, which collectively account for over 75% of severe and fatal injuries despite representing only 12% of city streets.
In San Francisco specifically, California Office of Traffic Safety data shows that 4,358 people were killed or injured in traffic collisions in 2022, with pedestrian (654, approx. 15%) and bicycle (405, approx. 9.29%) accidents accounting for a disproportionately high percentage compared to other California cities.
According to NHTSA data, motor vehicle crashes claimed 42,939 lives across the U.S. in 2023, a slight increase from the previous year (in 2022, motor vehicle crashes claimed 42,514 lives across the U.S.). This figure equates to approximately 13.0 deaths per 100,000 people and 1.35 fatalities per 100 million miles traveled. Of these fatalities, approximately 54% occurred in single-vehicle crashes, and 43% happened in rural areas despite lower traffic volumes.
These statistics underscore the impact of auto accidents on road users, frequently resulting in injuries and financial hardship due to negligence. Our auto accident lawyers in San Francisco help victims hold negligent drivers accountable and seek fair compensation on their behalf.
Consult With Our Auto Accident Lawyers In San Francisco
After a serious auto accident, managing insurance claims and legal procedures can be challenging, especially while recovering from injuries and addressing medical bills or lost income. Our San Francisco accident attorneys handle the legal aspects of your case and guide you throughout the process.
Arash Law is a personal injury law firm in California, providing personalized representation for injury victims. Led by attorney Arash Khorsandi, our team has years of experience handling claims involving negligence and insurance issues.
Call (888) 488-1391 for a free, no-risk initial consultation. We handle a wide range of traffic accidents, including commercial truck collisions, motorcycle crashes, pedestrian accidents, hit-and-run cases, DUI cases, and bicycle incidents. Our lawyers also work on other types of personal injury claims, such as dog bites and slip-and-falls.
We offer our services in the following neighboring areas: Belmont, Brisbane, Burlingame, Daly City, Emeryville, Foster City, Half Moon Bay, Millbrae, Oakland, Pacifica, Redwood City, San Bruno, San Carlos, San Mateo, and South San Francisco.
Latest Traffic Reports in California
