San Francisco Car Accident Lawyer
More than 50% of San Francisco’s population owns a vehicle—that is, more than 450,000 vehicles travel the streets of San Francisco and the Bay Area daily. (San Francisco Car Accident Lawyer)
San Francisco has an average of more than 3,500 car accidents yearly, resulting in death or injury.
Our team of attorneys at the Barnes firm has decades of combined experience in helping San Francisco and Bay Area residents obtain the best results possible for their car accident claims.
Auto Accident Attorney San Francisco
Should I Hire a Lawyer After a Car Accident?
After being injured in a car accident, you may face financial hardship due to lost wages, medical bills, property damage, and more. Insurance companies often set up accident victims to pay quickly.
At The Barnes Firm, our San Francisco car accident attorneys will thoroughly investigate your accident and its circumstances, negotiate with the insurance companies, and work tirelessly to get you the best possible outcome for your accident case.
Understanding California Car Accident Law
Insurance companies often rely on accident victims unfamiliar with California car accident laws, which allow them to pay small settlements to accident victims.
With over 100 years of experience serving San Francisco and the Bay Area, our team of car accident attorneys is knowledgeable in California car accident laws. It will help you every step of the way.
Car accident claims in California can be complicated, so it’s important to understand some laws that may or may not pertain to your situation after being injured in a California car accident. Below is an overview of the things you need to know:
California is an at-fault state for car accidents, which means that the driver responsible for the accident, and their insurance company, will pay for the injuries and damages of other parties involved in the accident.
You must be able to prove liability to receive compensation. You may be found partially liable for your car accident. If you are found partially liable, you can still recover compensation.
The statute of limitations for personal injury in California is two years. This means that you have two years from the date of discovery of the accident or injury to file a personal injury claim. (San Francisco Car Accident Lawyer)
All drivers in California are required to carry vehicle insurance that covers a minimum of:
- $5,000 for property damage
- $15,000 bodily injury coverage per person
- $30,000 bodily injury coverage per accident
If you were involved in an accident with an unlicensed or uninsured driver, you might still be able to collect financial compensation for your injuries.
When you hire a trusted San Francisco car accident attorney at The Barnes Firm, our team will help you navigate the laws and liability involved to help you get the best outcome for your accident. (San Francisco Car Accident Lawyer)
How do I protect my legal rights after a car accident?
Pay attention to your health and safety immediately after a car accident. Call 9-1-1 if you have an injury and need medical care.
Move off the road to a safe place. Once you are safe and have treated your injuries, we recommend that you follow these guidelines:
Take pictures of the scene of the collision, your injuries, and the damage to your car.
Keep copies of any medical records or bills, repair receipts for lost wages, and make a record of any related expenses.
Obtain a copy of the traffic collision report from the relevant law enforcement agency as soon as possible, even if the report’s findings are unfavorable to you.
Insurance companies are eager to take advantage of accident victims who are unaware of their rights.
Their purpose is to limit or deny payment of claims. You must not admit a mistake or sign anything (e.g., any form from an insurer) to protect your rights.
Contact an experienced car accident attorney to get the full value of your case, and don’t make any mistakes that the other driver’s car insurance company will want to use against you. (San Francisco Car Accident Lawyer)
How Does California Car Accident Law Work?
California law allows injured drivers, passengers, and families of loved ones killed or injured in car accidents to file lawsuits against those responsible for the accident.
Legal responsibility for a car accident, called “liability,” often depends on proof that the other driver was at fault. However, the other driver does not have to cause the accident intentionally.
Proving that the other driver drove unsafely and improperly in the circumstances, known as negligence, is sufficient evidence to demonstrate liability.
In some cases, non-driver factors lead to a car accident. These factors may include roadway hazards, poorly marked construction sites, construction site debris, sand or gravel on the roadway, and other hazardous road conditions.
Remember, the time limit for filing a lawsuit under California, known as the statute of limitations, can be as short as six months for claims against government agencies. (San Francisco Car Accident Lawyer)
What should I do if I am injured in a car accident?
Being injured in a car accident can be a scary and traumatic experience. Taking the following steps after a car accident is important to prioritize your health and safety and protect your legal rights. (San Francisco Car Accident Lawyer)
- Get out of the way and go to a safe place.
- Call 9-1-1 to report your accident and request medical attention.
- Take pictures of the scene of the accident, the damage to your vehicle, and your injuries.
- Exchange insurance and personal information with other drivers.
- Get any witness contact information.
- Request a copy of the police report before leaving the scene.
- Seek medical attention and make sure you keep all bills and receipts for your expenses.
- Contact a skilled San Francisco car accident attorney at The Barnes Firm.
Types of Car Accidents We Handle
Our team of San Francisco car accident attorneys has successfully obtained the best possible results for our clients in the following types of accident cases.
- hit on the head
- T-bone bump
- rear end accidents
- sideswipe accidents
- left-turn collision
- multi-vehicle crash
- rollover accidents
- hit and run crash
When you choose the Barnes firm, you can be assured that our experienced car accident attorneys will fight for you and hold negligent parties accountable for their actions. Other parties may include:
- another driver
- Truck Driver
- pedestrian
- Motorcycle
- bicycle
- bus drivers
- rideshare driver
- others
After a car accident, hire a reliable car accident attorney at The Barnes Firm. No matter the cause of your accident or the parties involved, our attorneys will work hard to help you get the best possible result. (San Francisco Car Accident Lawyer)
Where are car accidents most likely to happen in San Francisco?
San Francisco has some of the most dangerous intersections in California, with hundreds of collisions each year. These dangerous intersections include:
- 13th Street and Mission Street
- 16th Street and Mission Street
- Market Street and Guerrero Street
- 13th Street and S. Van Ness Avenue
- Eddy Street and Jones Street
Common Car Accident Injuries
Medical attention is advised for any injuries sustained in a car accident. Remember that your injuries can take some time to appear after an accident. A medical professional can help you identify and treat your injuries after an accident. These injuries may include:
- Sprain
- head injuries
- spinal cord injuries
- neck and back injuries
- internal organ damage
- Burns
- amputations
- paralysis
- traumatic brain injuries
- broken bones
- dangerous result
- others
What Damage Can I Suffer After a San Francisco Car Accident?
The compensation you receive will vary depending on the severity of your accident. Our team of successful San Francisco car accident attorneys has secured car accident victims’ compensation for the following damages:
- medical bill
- physical treatment
- lost wages
- lost future earnings
- pain and suffering
- property damage
- car repair or replacement
- physical treatment
We hope you like our article on San Francisco Car Accident Lawyer.
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