San Francisco Personal Injury Lawyer

Under California Code of Civil Procedure §335.1, you generally have two years from the date of your injury to file a personal injury lawsuit. If your claim involves a government entity — such as a BART accident or an injury on San Francisco Municipal Railway property — you must file a government tort claim within six months. Missing these deadlines almost always bars you from recovering any compensation, so we urge you to contact us as soon as possible after your accident.

We handle personal injury cases on a contingency fee basis, meaning you pay nothing unless we recover compensation for you. Our fee is a percentage of the settlement or verdict, so there are no upfront costs and no hourly bills. This arrangement lets injured victims access experienced legal representation regardless of their financial situation.

Seek medical attention immediately, even if your injuries seem minor — adrenaline can mask serious harm, and delays in treatment are often used by insurance companies to dispute your claim. Document the scene if you are able: photos, witness names, and any police or incident report numbers. Then contact our office for a free consultation so we can advise you on preserving evidence and protecting your rights from the start.

California follows a pure comparative fault rule, which means you can still recover damages even if you were partially responsible for the accident. Your total compensation is simply reduced by your percentage of fault — for example, if you were 20% at fault, you receive 80% of your damages. Insurance companies often try to exaggerate the injured party’s share of fault to reduce payouts, and we fight to keep that number as low as possible.

You may be entitled to both economic and non-economic damages, including medical expenses, future medical care, lost wages, diminished earning capacity, property damage, pain and suffering, and emotional distress. In cases involving egregious conduct, punitive damages may also be available. We build a comprehensive damages picture from day one to make sure nothing is left on the table.

The timeline varies widely depending on the severity of your injuries, the clarity of liability, and whether the case settles or goes to trial. Many cases resolve through negotiation within several months to a year, while complex cases litigated at San Francisco Superior Court can take two years or more. We keep you informed at every stage and never pressure you to accept a lowball settlement just to close the file quickly.

The majority of personal injury cases settle before trial through negotiation or mediation, and we always pursue the most efficient path to full and fair compensation. However, if the insurance company refuses to offer a reasonable amount, we are fully prepared to take your case to a jury at San Francisco Superior Court on McAllister Street. Insurance carriers know which firms will litigate, and our willingness to go to trial often produces better settlement outcomes.

We strongly advise you not to give recorded statements to an opposing insurance adjuster or sign any releases before speaking with an attorney. Adjusters are trained to minimize payouts, and even innocent-sounding statements can be used against you. Once you retain us, all communication with insurers goes through our office, protecting you from tactics designed to undervalue your claim.

Liability depends on the type of accident — negligent drivers, property owners, employers, product manufacturers, rideshare companies, and government agencies can all be responsible under California law. San Francisco’s unique environment means we frequently handle claims involving Muni buses, ride-hail vehicles on Market Street, slip-and-falls on the steep sidewalks of Nob Hill, and construction site accidents in rapidly developing SoMa and Mission Bay. We conduct a thorough investigation to identify every party whose negligence contributed to your injuries.

Many of our clients use their own health insurance to cover treatment while the case is pending, with medical liens or letters of protection arranged with providers who will wait for payment until the case resolves. We work closely with your medical team and billing departments to make sure ongoing care is not interrupted due to financial concerns. Recovering the full value of your past and future medical costs is a central part of every case we handle.

Yes — if you carry uninsured or underinsured motorist (UM/UIM) coverage on your own auto policy, you can file a claim under that coverage. California also allows personal injury lawsuits directly against uninsured drivers, though collectability can be a challenge. We analyze all available insurance sources, including umbrella policies and third-party coverage, to maximize your recovery.

Strong cases are built on medical records, accident scene photos, witness statements, police or incident reports, surveillance footage, and expert testimony. In San Francisco, traffic camera footage from the SFMTA network and dashcam video from rideshare or commercial vehicles can be critical — but this evidence is often overwritten within days. We move quickly to issue preservation demands and gather everything before it disappears.

During our complimentary consultation, we listen to the facts of your accident, review any documents or photos you have, and give you an honest assessment of your potential claim. There is no obligation to retain us, and we will not pressure you into making a decision on the spot. Our goal is to make sure you leave the consultation with a clear understanding of your legal options and next steps.

Absolutely — delayed-onset injuries such as whiplash, soft tissue damage, and traumatic brain injury commonly appear hours or days after an accident, and California law does not require that your symptoms be immediate. What matters is that you seek medical evaluation as soon as symptoms arise and that your treatment records document the connection to the accident. We work with medical experts to establish that link and counter any insurer argument that delayed symptoms mean minor injuries.

Studies consistently show that represented claimants receive significantly higher net settlements than those who negotiate alone, even after attorney fees. Insurance companies have teams of adjusters and defense lawyers whose job is to pay you as little as possible, and they take advantage of claimants who don’t know the full value of their case. We level the playing field, handle every aspect of your claim from investigation through recovery, and let you focus on healing while we fight for the compensation you deserve.