San Francisco Bicycle Accident Lawyer

Under California Code of Civil Procedure §335.1, you have two years from the date of your accident to file a personal injury lawsuit. If a government entity — such as the City of San Francisco or SFMTA — shares liability (for example, a pothole on Market Street or a poorly timed signal on The Embarcadero), you must file a government tort claim within six months of the injury. Missing either deadline typically means losing your right to compensation entirely, so contact us as soon as possible.

Liability in a San Francisco bicycle accident depends on the facts, but potentially responsible parties include negligent drivers, employers of commercial drivers, the City and County of San Francisco for dangerous road conditions, property owners whose driveways or loading zones created hazards, and manufacturers of defective bicycle components. We investigate every angle — if a Muni bus doored you on Valencia Street or a rideshare driver cut across a protected lane on Market, we identify every party responsible and pursue each of them.

California follows pure comparative fault, meaning you can recover damages even if you were partially responsible for the accident. If you are found 30% at fault, your compensation is reduced by 30% — but you still collect the remaining 70%. We build the strongest possible case to minimize any fault assigned to you and maximize what you recover.

You may be entitled to compensation for medical bills (past and future), lost wages and diminished earning capacity, pain and suffering, emotional distress, bicycle repair or replacement, and in cases of severe negligence, punitive damages. Catastrophic injuries — traumatic brain injuries, spinal cord damage, fractures — often carry six- or seven-figure values once lifetime care costs are properly documented.

A police report is helpful but not required to pursue a claim. We use incident reports, traffic camera footage, Muni surveillance video, witness statements, and physical evidence from the scene to establish what happened. San Francisco has extensive camera coverage along major corridors like Folsom, Howard, and The Embarcadero — that footage can be invaluable, but it must be preserved quickly before it is overwritten.

Yes. If you carry uninsured motorist (UM) coverage on your own auto policy, it typically extends to bicycle accidents involving uninsured drivers. We also investigate whether any other parties share liability — an employer, a vehicle owner, or a government entity. Even without UM coverage, we explore every available recovery option and will advise you honestly about what is realistically collectible.

Many of our clients use their own health insurance, medical payment coverage (MedPay), or negotiate treatment on a lien basis — meaning providers agree to be paid from the settlement. We work closely with your medical team and lien holders to ensure treatment continues without interruption while your case is resolved. You should never delay necessary care over fear of cost.

We handle bicycle accident cases on a contingency fee basis — you pay nothing unless we recover compensation for you. Our fee is a percentage of the settlement or verdict, and all case costs are advanced by our firm. There are no upfront charges, no hourly billing, and no out-of-pocket expense to get started with a free consultation.

Cases with clear liability and documented injuries often settle within six to twelve months. Cases involving disputed fault, serious injuries requiring ongoing treatment, or multiple defendants — such as an accident near the Wiggle or along the Panhandle path involving the City — can take one to three years, particularly if litigation is necessary. We keep you informed at every stage and will never pressure you to accept a lowball offer just to close the file quickly.

Almost never. Initial offers from insurance adjusters are designed to minimize the company’s exposure, often before the full extent of your injuries is known. Once you accept a settlement and sign a release, you cannot seek additional compensation — even if your injuries worsen. We evaluate the true value of your claim, including future medical costs and long-term wage loss, before any settlement discussions.

Call 911, get medical attention even if you feel okay, and document everything you can — photos of the scene, your bike, road conditions, and any visible injuries. Get the driver’s name, insurance information, and license plate, and gather contact information from any witnesses. Report the accident to SFPD and notify your own insurance company, but do not give recorded statements to the at-fault driver’s insurer before speaking with an attorney.

A driver who strikes a cyclist inside a designated bike lane or protected intersection has almost certainly violated a duty of care, and that violation is strong evidence of negligence. San Francisco’s growing protected lane network — on Folsom Street, JFK Promenade, and the Polk Street corridor — creates a clear legal expectation that drivers stay out of those zones. We document the lane markings, signage, and any contributing infrastructure failures as part of building your case.

If your case proceeds to litigation, it would be filed in San Francisco Superior Court at the Civic Center Courthouse on McAllister Street. Most personal injury cases are heard in the unlimited civil division when damages exceed $35,000. Our attorneys are experienced litigating in San Francisco Superior Court and know the judges, local rules, and procedural expectations in this courthouse.

Yes. California Vehicle Code §22517 prohibits opening a vehicle door without first checking for approaching traffic — a driver or passenger who doors a cyclist is negligent per se. Dooring accidents are common on San Francisco streets like Valencia and Haight where parking lanes sit adjacent to bike lanes. We investigate whether the driver, a passenger, or both bear responsibility, and whether the employer of a commercial vehicle driver is also on the hook.

A free consultation is a no-obligation meeting where we review the facts of your accident and give you an honest assessment of your legal options. Bring whatever you have: the police report number, photos from the scene, your medical records and bills, insurance correspondence, and any communications from the at-fault driver’s insurer. If you have nothing yet, that’s fine — we can help you gather what is needed. Call or submit a contact form anytime, and we will schedule a time to talk.