San Francisco Car Accident Lawyer

Dealing with the aftermath of a car accident in San Francisco can be a tiresome task for one person to handle. You need a seasoned San Francisco car accident lawyer to advocate for your rights and steer you towards the compensation you’re entitled to. You need a team who truly cares and has actual experience winning cases in court, not just through outside settlements. 

At West Coast Trial Lawyers we will do our duty to ensure that you are fairly represented in the California court system and receive fair compensation for any car accident claim you may have. We are a reputable law firm with over 20 years of legal experience and our team of car accident attorneys are well versed in handling car accident cases. 

From rear-end collisions to drunk driving accidents, our team of dedicated lawyers are ready to help you through the legal process and are available 24/7 to answer any questions and concerns you may have. No matter what kind of accident you have been involved in, our team will be there with every step of the way to make sure you are on the right path of recovery.

To schedule a FREE consultation, you can get in touch with us by calling (213) 927-3700 or by filling out our quick online contact form.

Why Choose Us as Your San Francisco Car Accident Lawyers

Choosing the right legal representation can make all the difference in your car accident claim. Our team of experienced car accident attorneys are renowned for:

• Competence
• Transparency
• Responsiveness
• A wealth of experience in handling car accident cases.

We’ve been consecutively nominated, year after year for Best Trial lawyer and Trial Lawyer of the Year. Our law firm has secured close to 2 billion dollars in awards for clients and garnished hundreds of 5 star customer ratings on Google, Yelp and other platforms. We are Ivy League grads who left the corporate world to help those in need of high level legal representation.

Our Approach to Personal Injury Cases

At WCTL, we believe in providing empathetic representation, ensuring that our clients feel understood and supported throughout the legal process. Our attorneys advocate tenaciously for clients’ rights, aiming to secure the best possible outcome for each case.

Our lawyers work on a contingency fee basis, meaning clients pay nothing upfront and only pay a percentage from their settlement if the case is won; if not won, there are no attorney fees. This approach not only reduces the financial burden on the client but also reflects our confidence in securing favorable outcomes. It also guarantees your SF auto accident lawyer works to secure the highest compensation for your legal trouble.

Client-Centric Services and Support

Our commitment to our clients goes beyond just legal representation. We offer comprehensive support to our clients, including:

• Coordinating medical treatments if clients are unable to use their providers
• Providing valuable emotional and legal assistance
• Prioritizing transparent communication, keeping clients informed throughout the duration of their case.

At West Coast Trial Lawyers, we are committed to the well-being of our clients. We strive to alleviate the burden of legal proceedings so that our clients can focus primarily on their recovery. Our client-centric approach is a testament to our belief that our clients are not just cases, but individuals who deserve our utmost attention and care.

Important Facts About San Francisco 

San Francisco stands as California’s second most densely populated city, home to nearly one million residents within its 49.2 square miles, or roughly 7×7 miles. Given this density, it’s inevitable to see a high number of accidents occurring. San Francisco has become a hub for booming tech, culture, and unfortunately, many accidents. 

Over 55,000 distracted driving tickets were issued by the California Highway Patrol just in 2021. Back In 2018, traffic accidents took 48 lives per every 100,000 people in the city by the bay. The city still boasts one of the highest property values in the country and claims to be the epicenter of innovation. With Twitter, Uber, Open A.I, Google and many more companies still headquartered in San Francisco county.

Navigating the Aftermath of a San Francisco Car Accident

Experiencing a car accident can be a life-altering event, leaving you in a state of shock and confusion. At that moment, determining the next steps is vital. Actions taken immediately after the accident, like seeking medical attention, and consultation with a car accident attorney all significantly contribute to the protection of your rights and interests. We help provide better outcomes for clients by navigating the legal process with precision.

Immediate Actions at the Accident Scene

The moments following a car accident can be chaotic. However, it’s vital to stay calm and take the necessary actions. Calling 911 should be your initial action, as it allows you to report the incident and request medical assistance if needed. Obtaining the report number from the officers at the scene is also important, as it permits you to request a full report for your records at a later stage.

Additionally, if possible, you should exchange essential information with other parties involved. This includes driver’s license, vehicle registration, proof of insurance, and current address. Thorough documentation of the damages is also of great importance. This can be done by taking pictures of the vehicle damage, any physical injuries, and collecting all associated receipts for repairs, medical records, and bills. 

Throughout this process, avoid making statements that admit fault at the accident scene as they can impact your claim and be used against you by insurers. Try and keep your communication with the insurance company to the core details and let your attorney do the rest.

Medical Attention and Documentation

It’s of utmost importance to receive immediate medical attention after a car accident. Some injuries, such as neck and back injuries, may not show symptoms immediately but could lead to serious complications if left untreated. Moreover, seeking medical treatment provides official documentation of your injuries, which is essential for establishing a connection between the injuries and the accident for insurance and legal purposes.

Adherence to all the doctor’s recommendations is key to safeguarding your health and legal rights. This includes taking prescribed medications, engaging in physical therapy, and attending all follow-up appointments. These measures ensure that your injuries are well-documented, providing a solid foundation for your personal injury claim.

Consulting with a San Francisco Car Accident Attorney

Consulting with an experienced car accident attorney as early as possible can be a game-changer in protecting your rights and preparing for a successful personal injury claim. An attorney can provide early legal advice, helping you understand personal injury claims and determining the best strategy for your case. Their support can reduce the burden of dealing with the legal intricacies that follow a car accident, allowing you to focus on your recovery. Some benefits of consulting with a car accident attorney include:

• Understanding your rights and legal options
• Gathering evidence to support your claim
• Negotiating with insurance companies on your behalf
• Representing you in court, if necessary
• Maximizing your compensation by recovering your economic and non-economic damages

By seeking legal guidance, you can ensure that your rights are protected and increase your chances of receiving fair compensation for your injuries and damages.

The Role of an Experienced Car Accident Lawyer in Your Claim

An experienced car accident lawyer can be your best advocate, providing the following services:

• Navigating the complexities of insurance company involvement
• Pursuing maximum compensation for your damages
• Guiding you through the litigation vs. settlement process

Their role extends beyond legal expertise, offering personalized attention and comprehensive support throughout the entirety of your case.

Assessing Insurance Company Involvement

Insurance companies play a significant role in car accident claims. However, dealing with them can be a daunting task, as their main aim is often to minimize payouts. This is where a car accident lawyer can make a difference. They can lead effective negotiations with your own and other parties’ insurance companies, protecting you from potential under-compensation.

Car accident attorneys are instrumental in negotiating fair settlements, using their knowledge and experience to combat initial low offers from insurance companies. They can support clients in challenging claim denials or unfair practices from insurance companies using rebuttal letters, additional evidence, and if required, filing complaints.

The attorney’s experience and the legal firm’s reputation are factors insurance companies consider when evaluating a settlement offer, underscoring the importance of a respected legal representative.

Pursuing Maximum Compensation for Damages

When it comes to car accident lawsuits, the main aim is to restore victims financially, physically, and emotionally. This is achieved through compensatory damages, which cover both special compensatory damages for monetary losses and general compensatory damages for non-monetary losses. Accurate damage recovery requires considering all expenses related to the accident, supported by comprehensive documentation such as medical records, receipts, and financial statements. This helps establish the full extent of incurred and projected costs.

The emotional impact of the accident is a critical aspect of claims and often assessed with psychological expert testimonies and a detailed account of the accident’s effects on the victim’s life. This significantly adds to the compensation for pain and suffering and are considered non-economic damages. A well-defined legal approach involves meticulous documentation of all damages and strategic negotiation to secure settlements that exceed what clients might achieve individually.

Litigation vs. Settlement: What to Expect

While most victims prefer settling car accident claims due to its predictability, lower stress, faster resolution time, and direct control over the outcome, it’s important to know what to expect in either scenario. Financial benefits of settling include avoiding court costs and lengthy proceedings, which can reduce the net compensation received by the victim.

Now, if a settlement is unattainable, a lawsuit can exert pressure on the insurance company, although it may escalate litigation expenses and prolong the wait for compensation. Litigation entails various steps including:

• Service of process
• Status conferences
• The discovery phase
• Culminating in a trial where negligence and damages must be proven.

Before proceeding to court, alternatives such as mediation or arbitration could be explored, potentially providing a more cost-effective resolution and evading the challenges of a trial. At times, choosing litigation may be the only solution in resolving a case. That’s where we shine the most, we are actual trial lawyers that have won thousands of cases through tough litigation and scrutiny. Our law firm does not outsource any work to third party representatives, which we are noticing is becoming extremely popular in our industry.

Common Types of Car Accidents in San Francisco

San Francisco’s bustling streets and highways can be a hotspot for San Francisco car accidents. Common causes can range from a variety of reasons and no matter what the reason was, if you have been involved in a car accident it is imperative that you understand the different types of accidents to have a better understanding of your case.  

Single Car Accidents

A single-vehicle accident is an accident that causes damage to only one vehicle. This type of accident typically occurs when a driver is attempting to avoid crashing into another driver, or if the driver loses control and swerves into something because of a road hazard or poor weather conditions.

According to a 2021 Fatality Facts report by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety, about 55% of fatal car accidents are derived from single-vehicle accidents in California. In these cases, the liability tends to be on the driver, however, if there is substantial evidence that the accident was caused by a third party then they can be potentially held liable for all damages.

Multi-Car Accidents

A multi-vehicle accident is when two or more vehicles are involved in a collision. These types of traffic accidents usually take place in heavily congested locations where several drivers are traveling near each other. Multi-car traffic accidents are usually caused by negligent drivers who were either speeding, tailgating, or driving under the influence or from a lack of sleep.

The 2021 Fatality Facts report by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety has discovered that roughly 45% of fatal auto accidents are from multi-car accidents and pileups. In cases such as these, the driver who caused the accident will be held liable for all damages and injuries.

Head-On Collisions

A head-on collision is a type of auto accident where the front ends of two vehicles traveling in opposite directions strike one another at a significant speed. This type of auto accident is highly likely to cause serious injuries or fatalities due to the amount of force inflicted onto the drivers. Some of the most common factors that can contribute to a head-on collision are impaired driving, distracted driving, and even mechanical failures.

According to a 2021 Crash Type Infographic by the National Safety Council, roughly 27% of all head-on collisions are fatal accidents. In the same report, 29% of all accident victims involved in head-on collisions end up perishing, and the liability in these types of collisions are usually at the fault of the negligent driver.

Rear End Accidents

One of the most common types of car accidents, a rear-end accident is when one driver crashes into the back of another vehicle. Rear-end accidents are typically less intense and serious due to the amount of protective measures in place. However, they tend to happen when a driver is not paying attention to the road, the distance between each car, or their speed.

The California Office of Traffic Safety has reported in a Speeding Collision Report that approximately 35% of all speeding related car accidents were rear-end accidents. As such, rear-end crashes are usually faulted to the one who hit the vehicle’s rear bumper plate, but in rare circumstances, a manufacturing defect can be the cause of the accident. With that in mind, either the car manufacturer or a negligent mechanic may be held liable for all incurred damages and injuries.

Hit and Run Accidents

A hit and run accident is when a driver crashes into another vehicle, pedestrian, or property and leaves the scene immediately after. Doing this goes against California Vehicle Code 20002, and anyone failing to comply will face up to 6 months in county jail and a fine up to $1,000. Depending on the severity of the accident, the one responsible not only is going to be held liable for all damages and injuries, but they will face misdemeanor and possibly felony charges.

When determining why someone would commit a hit and run accident, most studies and research have determined that most hit and run accidents are derived from drunk driving accidents, and according to a hit and run study conducted by the AAA, the motivation is linked to the incentive of avoiding responsibility for one’s actions. The time of the incurred accident can also potentially incentivize people to run after an accident.

Legal Insights on California Car Accident Laws

California’s car accident laws may be intricate, but grasping these laws is fundamental to steering your personal injury claim. From comparative fault to the statute of limitations for filing a claim, each aspect of the law can have a significant impact on the outcome of your case.

Comparative Fault in Auto Accident Claims

California operates under a pure comparative fault system that permits recovery of damages even if the injured party is primarily at fault. This means that in determining fault, the jury or adjuster compares each party’s contribution to the accident and assigns a percentage of fault to each.

An injured party’s compensation will be decreased by their assigned percentage of fault in the accident. Therefore, familiarization with the nuances of California’s comparative fault laws is essential as it directly influences the potential compensation outcomes for accident victims. We highly advise clients to contact us even if they think the accident was their fault.

Statute of Limitations for Filing a Claim

The statute of limitations for personal injury claims in California, including car accidents, is two years from the date of the injury. However, if the injury was not discovered right away, the statute of limitations is one year from the date the injury was discovered.

Claims against government agencies in California have a shorter statute of limitations, requiring an administrative claim to be filed within six months of the incident. Following a denial of an administrative claim by a government agency, the claimant has six months from the denial date to file a lawsuit in court. Comprehending these timeframes is key to avoiding missing the chance to seek compensation for your injuries.

West Coast Trial Lawyers is Here to Help

Navigating the aftermath of a car accident can be a daunting process, especially when seriously injured. However, with the right legal guidance and representation, it becomes less overwhelming. From immediate actions at the accident scene to negotiating with insurance companies, and understanding California’s car accident laws, an experienced car accident attorney can make the journey less stressful.

At West Coast Trial Lawyers, we believe in providing empathetic representation, robust legal strategies, and comprehensive support to ensure our clients receive the compensation they deserve. In the end, it’s not just about winning a case; it’s about helping our clients rebuild their lives after a traumatic event.

Call us today by calling (213) 927-3700 or filling out our online contact form to schedule a free consultation with a San Francisco car accident lawyer