San Francisco Car Accident Attorney

Most San Francisco residents own a vehicle, and nearly half a million automobiles drive our streets daily. Not surprisingly, there are almost 3,000 San Francisco car accidents each year. Last year, twenty-six people in this city were killed in a car accident.

Some of the most dangerous intersections in California are found in San Francisco. The intersections at 5th Street and Market Street, Market Street at Octavia, and Mission Street at Van Ness Avenue are known hotspots for serious car accidents.

When you have been injured in a San Francisco car accident, you may be feeling stressed and overwhelmed. We understand that the medical bills can add up quickly, and you may be unable to work while recovering from your injuries.

If your accident was caused, even partially, by the negligence of another party, you may have the right to seek compensation. An experienced San Francisco car accident attorney can help you pursue compensation.

Why Choose Jacoby & Meyers? 

At Jacoby & Meyers Injury Lawyers, our San Francisco personal injury lawyers have represented accident victims for 53 years. Stephen Meyers and Leonard Jacoby opened the first location in 1972. The firm reports more than $2 billion in settlements and awards recovered on behalf of clients.*

Ratings & Awards*

• Better Business Bureau A+
• National Trial Lawyers Top 100 Firms
• Voted top personal injury lawyer on Avvo

Cases We’ve Handled

Below are examples of car accident case results. To see more, visit our results page.* 

• Ride Share Passenger vs. Auto / Quadriplegic = $19 million
• Auto vs. Pedestrian / Spinal Cord Injury = $ 9.24 million
• Auto vs. Truck = $ 8 million
• Auto vs. Truck = $ 5.1 million

*Past results do not guarantee future outcomes.

Latest Client Reviews For San Francisco

With over 50 years in business, 121 reviews averaging 4.8 stars; we are here to help you with your case. 

If a car accident has caused challenges in your life, consider speaking with an attorney. Call Jacoby & Meyers Injury Lawyers at (415) 855-4289 or visit our contact page today to schedule a free consultation.

We will listen to your story, answer your questions, explain your rights, and discuss potential next steps.

Why Do I Need a Car Accident Attorney?

A car accident claim in San Francisco may not be simple or straightforward. Car insurance companies are businesses, and disputes can arise regarding liability or the value of a claim.

Hiring a car accident lawyer can help protect your rights during conversations and settlement negotiations with an insurance provider. An attorney can also file a lawsuit and take a case to trial, if necessary.

When you hire an attorney, communications with the insurance company typically go through your lawyer. Your attorney can handle tasks such as crash investigation, evidence collection, and claims filing while you focus on recovery.

How Much Is My San Francisco Car Accident Case Worth?

This is a question that depends on the specific facts of your case. The value of a car accident claim in San Francisco will vary based on many individual factors.

Your case value may depend on factors such as:

• The seriousness of your injuries
• The medical care you need, now and in the future
• How your injuries have impacted your ability to work
• Pain and suffering
• Property damage
• Comparative negligence
• Available insurance coverage and policy limits

Some car accident claims settle for modest amounts, while others may result in significant recoveries depending on the circumstances. Each case is different.

Important Information About Your Car Accident Settlement

The majority of car accident cases in San Francisco resolve through settlement, meaning an agreement between the parties without going to trial. Settlements are often preferred because they can resolve a case more efficiently and with greater certainty.

The car accident settlement process in San Francisco typically involves the following steps:

• The insurance company receiving your claim and assigning a claims adjuster
• An investigation of the accident and review of submitted documentation
• Interviews with witnesses and involved parties
• Ongoing medical treatment until maximum medical improvement
• A settlement offer, negotiation, or denial of the claim
• If no agreement is reached, the case may proceed to court

The timeline for settlement can vary depending on the complexity of the case and the cooperation of the parties involved. Some cases resolve in a few months, while others may take longer, especially if litigation is required.

What to Do After a Car Accident in San Francisco

In addition to the tasks that you are legally required to carry out in the aftermath of a car accident in San Francisco, there are steps that you may take for your own interests and safety. They include the following:

1. Seek medical care for your injuries right away. San Francisco has several hospitals, including UCSF Health, Zuckerberg San Francisco General Hospital and Kaiser Permanente.
2. Gather evidence. Take pictures while you are still at the crash scene. Write down the names of any eyewitnesses for statements. Look around for local surveillance or traffic cameras.
3. Keep copies of relevant documents. Contact the San Francisco PD for your police report and obtain copies of your medical records.
4. Notify your insurance company. Report the accident to your insurer, but avoid admitting fault or giving the insurance company a recorded statement without legal advice.
5. Consult with Jacoby & Meyers. Contact our local attorneys at (415) 855-4289 to discuss your case. We can also help you handle communications with insurance companies.

Once you’ve brought your car to a local mechanic in San Francisco and received medical care for your injuries, you may consider speaking with an attorney about the next steps.

Important California Car Accident Laws

If you are injured in a car accident in San Francisco, you must be aware of several important laws in California. It is useful to know your deadline for filing a claim, how being partially at fault impacts your rights, how to prove your claim, and more.

An experienced San Francisco car accident attorney can advise you on these laws and how they apply to your case.

Statute of Limitations and Exceptions

One of the most important San Francisco car accident laws to understand is the statute of limitations for personal injury claims. This rule sets the deadline for filing your claim for damages.

Under California law, you generally have two years to file a claim for personal injury or wrongful death caused by another person’s negligence or wrongdoing. Missing the deadline may prevent recovery.

However, there are a few exceptions to the two-year rule.

• If the defendant in your case is a government entity, you have a much shorter deadline for filing a claim. Any claim against a government or government employee follows the rules set forth under the California Tort Claims Act. San Francisco even has a designated form for filing against the city, and there is a special process for pursuing your recovery.
• If the defendant is a minor, temporarily lacks capacity, or left the state after the accident but before you could file a claim, the statute of limitations may be tolled temporarily.
• Additionally, if the defendant is in prison or if there is a reasonable delay in the discovery of an injury, you may have an extended time to file.

You should consult with an experienced San Francisco car accident attorney to determine the deadline for filing your claim.

You may be wondering when the clock begins to run on your deadline to file a claim after a car accident in San Francisco.

Usually, the statute of limitations period begins to run on the day of the car accident. Therefore, you must generally file your claim within two years from the date of your accident.

However, if the car accident resulted in death, the loved ones of the deceased may bring a wrongful death claim. In a wrongful death claim, the statute of limitations begins on the date of death, not on the date of the accident that caused the death.

Can I Recover Compensation If I Was Partly at Fault?

Yes, you can still be eligible for financial compensation if you are partially at fault for a car accident in San Francisco. California has a pure comparative negligence law that permits accident victims to recover partial compensation even if they are allocated a percentage of the blame.

California Civil Code §1714 states that “Everyone is responsible, not only for the result of his or her willful acts, but also for an injury occasioned to another by his or her want of ordinary care or skill in the management of his or her property or person, except so far as the latter has, willfully or by want of ordinary care, brought the injury upon himself or herself.”

Under this law, if you are assigned a percentage of fault, your financial recovery will be reduced by an equivalent amount. Since California follows a pure version of this rule, there is no percentage of fault that automatically bars an injured person from recovering damages.

California Negligence Laws

Unlike most other states, California follows a pure comparative negligence rule. This rule recognizes that two or more parties could be partially at fault.

For example, if a driver runs a stop sign but the other driver was speeding when they struck the first driver, they may both be found partially responsible. Under this rule, each party found to have some fault in the accident is liable for their percentage of fault to the other party.

Most states follow a modified comparative rule that bars a party from recovering any damages if their fault is above a certain threshold. In many states, the threshold is between 49% and 51%. In these states, if your level of assigned fault is greater than that percentage, you can not seek recovery for your injuries.

This is not the case in California. In our state, if you are partially at fault in the accident, you may still recover compensation for your damages from the other at-fault parties. This applies even if you were 99% at fault.

However, your compensation will be reduced by the percentage of fault assigned to you. So, if you were found to be 20% at fault in the accident, your compensation will be reduced by 20%. For example, if the compensation award is $100,000, you would receive $80,000 because your percentage of assignment of fault (20%) would be deducted from the total award.

Because fault determinations can significantly affect the value of a claim, many injured individuals choose to work with an experienced San Francisco car accident attorney during this process. An attorney can help review the facts of the case and address arguments raised by insurance companies regarding fault allocation.

The dedicated lawyers at Jacoby & Meyers work to build your strongest possible case, and can evaluate claims and compensation percentages.

California is a Fault State For Car Accidents

Sometimes clients ask whether California is a no-fault or fault state for accidents. California is a fault state.

Some states are considered “no-fault” states. In these states, drivers purchase their own Personal Injury Protection (PIP) from their insurance provider. New York and Florida are examples of no-fault states.

After an accident in these states, an injured person would typically contact their PIP insurer to recover payment of reasonable medical expenses and a portion of lost wages.

By contrast, states like California hold the responsible party financially liable for the damages caused by an accident. In these states, an injured person may file a claim against the at-fault party to recover damages. The at-fault party’s insurance company may then be responsible for paying covered damages under the policy.

California Insurance Requirements

California law requires car owners to have a minimum level of insurance coverage for accidents. Currently, the California Insurance Code mandates a minimum liability coverage commonly referred to as 15/30/5. This means that each vehicle owner must carry at least:

• $30,000 for the injury or death of one person
• $60,000 for the injury or death of two or more people
• $15,000 for property damage

In serious accidents, these minimum limits may not fully cover the total damages suffered by an injured person.

If your damages exceed the at-fault party’s insurance coverage, you may have the option to pursue a claim directly against that individual for amounts not covered by insurance.

California law also requires insurance companies to offer uninsured motorist bodily injury and underinsured motorist coverage. These coverages can help protect you if the at-fault driver does not carry insurance or does not have sufficient coverage to fully compensate for the damages caused.

Many vehicle owners choose to purchase additional types of coverage, such as:

• Comprehensive coverage
• Collision coverage
• Increased liability coverage
• Medical payments coverage

An experienced San Francisco car accident attorney can review the available insurance policies and identify potential sources of compensation based on the facts of the case

California Parental Responsibility in Car Accidents

If you were injured in a San Francisco car accident caused by a minor driver, the teen’s parents or guardian may be held legally responsible in certain circumstances. Under California Vehicle Code Section 17707, the person who signed and verified the minor’s application for a license can be held jointly and severally liable for damages caused by the minor’s negligence or wrongful act in a car accident.

Section 17708 of the California Vehicle Code also provids that parents may be liable for foreseeable damages when they give a minor permission to drive a vehicle and the minor causes an accident.

There is no statutory cap on a parent’s financial responsibility in a car accident claim. A parent or guardian may be jointly liable for economic damages (actual expenses incurred) and non-economic damages (pain and suffering) resulting from the accident.

Required Actions After a San Francisco Car Accident

California law requires drivers to take certain actions after a car crashes. These include:

• Stop at the scene of any car accident.
• Move your vehicle off the street or highway if no one is killed or injured
• Pull over and stop if you injure or kill an animal
• If you hit a parked car, you are required to try and find the owner or leave a note on the vehicle with your contact information. You must also report the accident to the police or the California Highway Patrol.
• If anyone is injured or killed and law enforcement does not respond to the scene, the drivers must report the crash in writing to the local police department or California Highway Patrol.
• You must complete the Report of Traffic Accident Occurring in California, known as the SR 1 Form, and submit it to the Department of Motor Vehicles within ten days of an accident if anyone was injured, even slightly, or if the crash caused more than $1,000 in property damage.

How is Fault Determined in California?

Determining fault in a San Francisco car accident depends on the specific facts of the case. It typically requires an investigation to determine whether a party acted negligently or recklessly. Conduct is generally measured against how a reasonably prudent person would act under similar circumstances.

Reasonably prudent drivers operate their vehicles carefully and follow traffic laws. Examples of conduct that may support a finding of negligence include:

• Driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs
• Speeding
• Distracted driving, such as texting, adjusting controls, or eating
• Tailgating or unsafe lane changes
• Failing to keep a proper lookout
• Disobeying traffic laws or signals

Evidence can play an important role in evaluating how an accident occurred and who may be legally responsible.

An experienced San Francisco car accident attorney can review the circumstances of the crash, identify potentially responsible parties, and explain your legal options.

Common Types of Car Accidents in San Francisco

Driver negligence can result in many types of vehicle accidents in San Francisco. These crashes may involve passenger vehicles, commercial trucks, buses, taxis, motorcycles, bicycles, and e-scooters.

Common car accident types include:

• Rear-end collisions
• Chain reaction crashes
• Intersection accidents 
• T-bone or side-impact collisions
• Head-on collisions
• Sideswipe accidents
• Collisions with bicyclists and pedestrians
• Single-vehicle accidents
• Vehicle rollovers
• Tire blowouts
• Hit-and-run accidents

Certain areas of San Francisco experience higher traffic volume, which may increase the likelihood of collisions. Congested downtown areas often see rear-end collisions and pedestrian-vehicle accidents, while steep hills may contribute to single-vehicle accidents in some circumstances.

Intersection accidents remain a concern locally. A recent study on San Francisco’s most dangerous intersections conducted by the firm reviewed reported crash data in San Francisco and identified higher-incident intersections. Based on that review, the intersection of Octavia Street and Market Street experienced 37 reported crashes between 2020 and 2024.

Recoverable Damages After a San Francisco Car Accident

In California, an injured person may be able to recover three general categories of damages. They are economic, non-economic, and, in limited cases, punitive damages.

• Economic damages are typically easier to calculate and may include medical expenses, lost wages, property damage, and other out-of-pocket costs related to the accident
• Non-economic damages are more subjective and may include pain and suffering, emotional distress, loss of consortium, and similar damages.
• Punitive damages are awarded less frequently. Under California law, a plaintiff must prove by clear and convincing evidence that the defendant acted with oppression, fraud, or malice in order to recover punitive damages.

Economic and non-economic damages are intended to compensate an injured person for losses sustained. Punitive damages, when awarded, are intended to penalize particularly wrongful conduct.

Contact a San Francisco Car Accident Attorney Today

If you were injured in a car accident in San Francisco, you may wish to speak with an attorney about your rights and options. A San Francisco car accident attorney at Jacoby & Meyers with experience in car accident cases can review your case and discuss potential next steps.

Jacoby & Meyers offers free consultations for individuals seeking information about a car accident claim.

Call (415) 855-4289 or go to our contact page to request a consultation.

Visit Our San Francisco Office

Jacoby & Meyers Accident & Injury Lawyers – San Francisco
50 California St Suite 1500
San Francisco, CA 94111, United States
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