San Francisco Car Accident Lawyers
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Record-Setting San Francisco Car Accident Lawyers Let Our Family Take Care of Your Family
With San Francisco being such a large city that continues to grow, the number of auto drivers continues to grow as well. As such, the number of auto-related accidents has increased. The San Francisco car accident attorneys at Arash Law, founded by famous attorney Arash Khorsandi, Esq., have helped victims get the compensation they deserve after getting hurt in a collision. Call us today at (888) 488-1391 for a free consultation.
The city of San Francisco is in Northern California and sits as the state’s fourth largest city, with a population of 808,437 people. The entirety of the San Francisco Bay Area includes nine counties, making it the second largest statistical area in the state, behind only the Greater Los Angeles Area.
As with much of California, San Francisco is known for its warm climate and cool currents that come in from the Pacific Ocean. As such, not only is it a popular residential area, but it is also a popular tourist attraction. According to the San Francisco Travel Association, about 21.5 million people visited the city in 2022, a 26.5 percent increase from 2021, which totaled 17 million visitors. The city of San Francisco benefited a lot economically, as an estimated $6.7 billion was spent.
In 2022, the City and County of San Francisco reported that there were 32 traffic fatalities in 2016, the same number of accidents that were reported in the previous six years. Vision Zero San Francisco reported that 38 collisions resulted in 39 deaths in 2022. According to the California Office of Traffic Safety (OTS), there were about 3,516 total fatal and injury-resulting accidents in San Francisco County in 2020 alone. This total includes 562 hit-and-run accidents, 674 speed-related accidents, and 359 alcohol-related accidents.
If you have been involved in an auto accident in the San Francisco area, contact the California injury lawyers at Arash Law. The attorneys have a combined experience of handling personal injury cases spanning decades. Having represented thousands of satisfied clients, you can trust us to take care of the insurance company negotiations and guide you successfully through the legal process. When you hire an attorney at Arash Law, all you need to do is focus on your recovery so you can get back to a fulfilled life.
You may be entitled to financial compensation for property damage, medical bills, lost income, or future losses that are related to the accident. If you suffered an injury in an auto accident, contact our office at (888) 488-1391 or reach out via our online chat feature to schedule a free no-obligation case evaluation today.
Our client was driving with his wife and son on a two-lane highway when a drunk driver crossed the double yellow lines, causing a head-on collision that claimed the life of a loving wife and mother.– ARASH KHORSANDI
San Francisco Auto Accident Statistics
According to the California Office of Traffic Safety, the number of traffic fatalities in San Francisco decreased by about five percent, from 3,798 (2018) to 3,606 (2019). Additionally, alcohol-related fatalities decreased about 4.5 percent, but drug-related accidents saw an uptick of eight percent.
Pedestrian fatalities that involved people 65 years old and up saw an increase of 1.9 percent during this period. The annual report of Fatal and Injury Motor Vehicle Traffic Collisions (2019) shows that 3,737 people were killed and almost 270,000 people suffered an injury. In total, there were 187,211 injury accidents and 3,438 fatal accidents that year.
Moreover, the OTS also reported that in the city of San Francisco, there were a total of 2,777 injuries and fatal auto accidents. This total is comprised of 486 hit-and-run accidents, 434 speed-related accidents, and 259 alcohol-related accidents. The National Safety Council (NSC) showed that there was a 16 percent rise in motor vehicle fatalities in the first half of 2021 as people returned to the road following the COVID-19 shutdown.
Finally, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) shows that 42,915 people were killed in motor vehicle traffic accidents in 2021. This was a 10.5 percent increase from 2020, which had a total of 38,824 fatalities. Clearly, the roads in San Francisco can be a dangerous place to travel. If you or a loved one has suffered an injury in a traffic accident, contact expert San Francisco traffic accident attorneys.
Busy Roads in San Francisco
The city of San Francisco is one of the few cities in the United States that has arterial thoroughfares instead of abundant highways. Arterial thoroughfares are defined as high-capacity roads in urban areas that are necessary due to San Francisco’s population and geography. Because these arterials lead to heavy traffic congestion, the average congestion time is 6.6 hours on roadways, according to the mobility data of the San Francisco-Oakland area.
The busiest roads and bridges throughout the city include:
- Fell Street, Lincoln Way, and Fulton Street – Each of these streets runs along Golden Gate Park and traverses the western side of the city.
- Van Ness Avenue – This highly congested road goes through the heart of the city toward the Golden Gate Bridge.
- 19th Avenue – This road goes from I-280 towards the Golden Gate Bridge and extends north and south on the edge of California State Route 1.
- Geary Boulevard
- Grant Avenue
- California Street
- Market Avenue
- Park Presidio Boulevard
Causes of San Francisco Auto Accidents
- GPS usage – One of the most common causes of auto accidents is the use of GPS. Drivers must navigate to their destination. However, it can be easy for an accident to occur when the driver takes their eyes away from the road.
- Speeding – Speeding is also one of the most common causes of auto accidents. Driving too fast, especially in poor weather conditions, can cause a driver to lose control of the vehicle, leading to damage to themselves or others.
- Tailgating – Tailgating is when one driver follows another driver too closely to their tailgate or back bumper, meaning that if the driver who is being tailgated must suddenly stop, there is no room for the driver behind them to avoid crashing into them.
- Talking to passengers – Distraction can be caused when the driver turns their head to speak with the passenger, particularly someone who is sitting behind them.
- Adjusting car controls – Driving distractions can be caused by adjusting the inside controls of the vehicle, including the music, temperature, or other dashboard controls.
- Grooming – Whether it’s applying makeup or combing hair, many accidents are caused by people grooming themselves on the way to their destination. Combing your hair, putting on makeup, or even wiping your face while driving involves having to take your hands off the wheel and eyes off the road, which can lead to potential accidents.
- Zoning out – Zoning out while driving is a very common occurrence and can be caused by weariness, emotional distress, business, etc. This negligence can lead to potential harm for the driver, the passenger, and the surrounding drivers.
- Lack of attention paid to the road – Numerous accidents are caused by drivers simply not looking at the road. The lack of attention does not always allude to texting while driving, but the driver can become distracted by road signs, weather patterns, business advertisements, etc. It is vital for the driver to be aware of their surroundings and not be distracted by them.
- Driving under the influence – A very unfortunate cause of accidents is when someone is driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol. These substances can impair a driver’s mental clarity, meaning they are in no position to be driving on the road. Poor decisions can be made, leading to the potential injury or death of someone involved in a DUI accident.
- Road rage – Some accidents can even be caused by a driver becoming too irate while driving. Yelling, cursing, or making gestures all serve to be distractions that can cause the driver to ignore traffic and remove their hands from the steering wheel.
- Recall – Recalls occur due to there being a defective part of a vehicle. Every manufacturer who constructs automobile parts must meet industry standards to ensure that the driver will not be at risk of harm. If there is a defective part, it can cause the driver to lose control of the vehicle and sustain serious injuries.
Common Auto Accident Injuries
- Broken bones – Broken bones or fractures often occur when a driver collides with another vehicle, causing them to be ejected from the vehicle.
- Road rash – Road rash can be sustained when a driver is ejected from a vehicle and slides across the road. The injury normally happens to the hands, arms, knees, or legs and can lead to infection if not treated
correctly. - Spinal cord injuries – Spinal cord injuries can occur that lead to
more extensive injuries, such as brain trauma or paralysis. - Internal organ injuries – Sometimes, internal bleeding and organ
damage can result from an accident. - Brain injuries – Brain injuries can also occur when a driver has been struck in the head because of the accident.
- Amputation – Severe auto accidents can sometimes result in the loss
of a limb, which is known as an amputation injury. The limb must be surgically removed due to the damage being too extensive. - Fatalities – The most unfortunate result of any auto accident is when there is a death that occurs.
What to Do Following an Accident
- Get out of harm’s way – The most important thing following an auto accident is to get out of the way of any danger. One should move away from traffic to avoid more damage being caused to other drivers or themselves.
- Move the vehicle – The driver should move their vehicle if they are physically able to.
- Contact law enforcement – Contacting the authorities is important, as they will arrive to gather witness statements and write a police report.
- Take pictures – Take pictures of the accident scene, along with any damage to the vehicle.
- Collect witness statements – Gather the information of any person who witnessed the accident occur, including names, addresses, and phone numbers. This information will be useful in determining liability.
- Obtain a copy of the police report – Getting a copy of the official police report is critical for the legal process when determining liability.
- Seek medical attention – Even if the bodily damage is minimal, one should always seek medical attention following an auto accident to ensure no potentially long-term injuries occur.
- Contact experienced car accident attorneys in San Francisco – The sooner an auto accident attorney is called, the better. The goal is to expedite the legal process and ensure proper guidance is received.
Auto Accident Claims in California
To file a car accident claim, evidence against the liable party will be needed. The more concrete the evidence (including pictures of the accident and damage, witness statements, etc.), the greater the chance of receiving a settlement amount. Additional documents needed are transcripts of the medical procedures that are performed, transportation costs, property damage value, and lost income. These will help the attorney to compile a total compensation amount to demand from the liable party’s insurer.
Compensation That Can Be Recovered
Compensatory Damages
- Medical bills (i.e., doctor visits, surgeries, diagnostic tests, and hospitalizations)
- Cost of prescription medications
- Loss of companionship or consortium
- Loss of enjoyment of life
- Current and future lost income
- Loss of earning capacity
- Diminished capacity
- Physical pain and suffering
- Decreased self-esteem due to physical scarring or disfigurement
- Emotional pain and suffering
- Cost of hiring professional domestic help (i.e., childcare providers and housekeeping services)
- Twenty-four-hour home healthcare
- The cost of home modifications (i.e., wheelchair ramps or walkers)
- Cost of ongoing rehabilitative therapies (i.e., physical therapy)
- Loss of guidance and inheritance (if the accident results in wrongful death)
- Funeral and burial expenses
Punitive Damages
Getting the Best Auto Accident Settlement
- Shared fault – Often, insurance companies will try to make the case that either the victim or another involved party was partially responsible for the accident.
- Pre-existing conditions – If the insurance company becomes aware that the victim sustained an injury prior to the accident, they will argue that the accident did not cause the present injury. Even if the accident did not initially cause the injury, it can still aggravate the injury, which makes the party still liable.
- Age – This tactic is usually used against older victims. The more we age, the more the body is susceptible to being injured. The insurance agency may try to suggest the victim’s injuries were already present prior to the accident due to their age.
- Credibility – If the insurance company discovers that the victim was not truthful about any parts of the accident, they may use this information to discourage a jury from trusting the victim.
Are Auto Accident Settlements Taxable?
Will the Auto Accident Case Go to Trial?
Benefits of Getting the Best San Francisco Car Accident Attorneys
They Have Experience
They Can Manage Some of the Stress
They Can Maximize the Claim
They Can Help in Receiving Medical Treatment
Check Out Positive Customer Reviews
A good way to determine an auto attorney’s experience is by viewing their law firm’s website for client testimonials and its track record of success. The website can provide a good idea of the entire firm’s personality, professionalism, and overall success in helping prior victims receive compensation. Independent review sites are also useful to see what past clients have experienced with the firm. In some ways, these reviews can be more realistic for helping determine if a consultation is worth the time.
Do I Need An Attorney?
Do you want to know if it is worth getting a lawyer for a car accident? A general rule to keep in mind when considering an attorney is if you sustained injuries. Impact and injury often do correlate. Many times, more extensive injuries can result from minor collisions. Another factor to keep in mind is the presence of pre-existing conditions. These conditions can worsen or lead to other injuries upon impact from a vehicle. An experienced attorney will take these types of situations into account.
Can You Sue for an Auto Accident In California?
The California Civil Code (CIV) 1714 sets down who can be sued after an auto accident. Also, this code establishes the right of a victim to sue the driver who failed to exercise prudent and reasonable care while driving on the road, known as negligence. There are several things to know when determining negligence:
- Generally, everyone owes a duty of reasonable care to other drivers and pedestrians. Each driver has a responsibility to drive safely and correctly to ensure the welfare of pedestrians and fellow drivers.
- Another facet of negligence is a breach. A breach happens when a driver fails to exercise reasonable care, which can include not stopping at a stop sign, running a red light, failing to yield, speeding, etc. This rule generally applies to a driver breaking any mandate that can cause potential harm to a pedestrian or fellow driver.
- A plaintiff must prove causation. Whoever caused the accident is generally determined to be the negligent party.
- The plaintiff must prove damages. If you file a lawsuit, your attorney will examine photos of the damage, whether it be the victim’s vehicle or personal property, to show the plaintiff’s damage.
Other Things to Take into Consideration When Filing a Lawsuit
- Was there intentional misconduct?
- Was the driver uninsured or underinsured?
- Did a wrongful death occur?
- Did the accident cause pain and suffering?
Uninsured and Underinsured Motorists
According to the California Insurance Code, the minimum liability insurance requirements for private passenger vehicles are $15,000 for injury or death to one person, $30,000 for injury or death to multiple people, and $5,000 for property damage coverage.
How Will San Francisco Car Accident Lawyers Help Me Evaluate My Claim and Get Me Financial Recovery?
Traffic Collision Report
People involved in an auto accident in California will have to contact the local police as quickly as possible to complete a Traffic Collision Report (TCR). This police report is the first piece of evidence of an injury claim and must include names, addresses, contact information, and the insurance information of all involved parties. A TCR also includes the police officer’s findings of the accident and can be received by submitting a written or in-person request to the police department.
Settlement in a motor vehicle accident involving a commercial agricultural defendant – client suffered spinal injuries– JUDD ROSS ALLEN
California Statute of Limitations
According to the California Code of Civil Procedure 335.1, the statute of limitations for an auto accident claim is two years from the date of the accident. An exception to this rule is if a victim is a minor, in which case they will have a two-year statute of limitations starting when they turn 18 years old.
Wrongful Death
These wrongful death cases can be complex, so it is recommended that the victim’s family hire an experienced wrongful death attorney to guide them in the legal process. The attorney can help the family receive the compensation they need to relieve any financial burdens that may surface from the accident.
Your Initial Consultation
When someone is involved in an auto accident, whether they did or did not suffer an injury, they can seek a free accident case consultation. This consultation will typically consist of going through the relevant documents, pictures, and statements to help point the victim in the right direction towards recovery.
- What details will you need about the accident?
- How much time is needed to file a claim?
- Is a court appearance necessary?
- What is needed after an accident?
Save the Relevant Correspondence
Compile All Evidence
- Photographs of the scene of the accident.
- The official police report.
- Statements from all witnesses.
- Medical records.
- Invoices from injury-related expenses.
Contact The Most Competent Car Accident Lawyers San Francisco Trusts Today
If you are in the San Francisco area, contact us today at (888) 488-1391, or feel free to use our online chat to schedule a free no-obligation case evaluation. We look forward to hearing from you. We are here to help.
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