San Francisco Car Accident Lawyers

Why Thompson Law As Your Car Accident Lawyers in San Francisco?

As one of the best personal injury law firms in the area, Thompson Law has a team of experienced and dedicated personal injury attorneys who are ready to fight for your legal rights.

At Thompson Law, we understand the emotional distress that comes with serious injuries, and we are committed to providing you with the best legal representation possible. Our trial lawyers are not afraid to take your case to court if necessary and have successfully secured billions of dollars in compensatory and punitive damages for our clients.

We have extensive experience working with insurance companies, large corporations, and medical professionals, and we know how to get you the results you deserve. We operate on a contingency fee basis, meaning you will not have to pay anything until we win your case.

Don’t let a personal injury case ruin your life. Contact Thompson Law’s San Francisco personal injury lawyers today and schedule a FREE CONSULTATION to discuss your legal options. Our team of dedicated injury attorneys will provide you with the legal advice and representation you need to get the compensation you deserve.

Common Types of Car Accident Cases in San Francisco

Our car accident lawyers in San Francisco handle many types of crash cases, ranging from minor fender benders to serious collisions. Here’s a breakdown of common accident types we deal with:

• Fatal Car Accidents:  These devastating crashes result in loss of life and often involve complex legal steps. We help families pursue justice and compensation.
• Rear-End Collisions:  These often happen in stop-and-go traffic or when a driver is distracted. Even at low speeds, they can cause neck and back injuries.
• T-Bone or Side-Impact Collisions:  When one car’s front hits the side of another, it can lead to severe injuries due to minimal side protection in vehicles.
• Head-On Collisions:  Among the most dangerous accidents, head-on crashes often cause life-threatening or fatal injuries and are common on streets with limited barriers.
• Speeding Accidents:  Driving above the speed limit frequently leads to crashes with severe injuries due to the high impact.
• Weather-Related Accidents:  Rain, fog, and wet roads are common in San Francisco. Failing to drive cautiously in these conditions often results in accidents.
• Accidents Involving Elderly Drivers:  Slower reaction times or vision issues may cause crashes involving older drivers. We handle these cases with care and respect.
• Hit-and-Run Accidents:  Drivers who flee the scene leave victims with injuries and financial challenges. We work to identify the driver and recover compensation.
• Rideshare Accidents:  Crashes involving Uber or Lyft can be tricky due to insurance and liability issues. Our team helps victims navigate these cases.
• Autonomous Vehicle Accidents:  With self-driving cars on the rise in the Bay Area, these accidents often involve unique legal and technological questions about responsibility.
• Intersection Accidents:  Collisions at intersections are common due to running red lights or failing to yield. These often result in side-impact or rear-end crashes.

If you’ve been involved in any of these accidents, our San Francisco car accident lawyers are ready to help you seek compensation and rebuild your life.

How to Prove Negligence in a San Francisco Car Accident Case

To hold someone responsible for a car accident in San Francisco, you need to prove they were negligent. Drivers in the city must follow traffic laws and act responsibly to keep others safe, including pedestrians, cyclists, and other motorists. When a driver fails to meet this responsibility, they can be held accountable for any harm caused.

To prove negligence, you must establish these four key points:

Duty of Care:  The at-fault driver had a legal obligation to drive safely and follow traffic laws.

Breach of Duty:  This duty was broken. Examples include running red lights, speeding, or driving while distracted.

Causation:  You need to show that the driver’s actions directly caused the accident and your injuries.

Damages:  Provide evidence of the harm you suffered, such as medical bills, lost wages, or physical and emotional pain.

To prove these points, you’ll need solid evidence like police reports, witness statements, photos of the crash scene, and medical records. San Francisco cases involving shared fault follow California’s pure comparative negligence rule. This means each party is assigned a percentage of fault, and any compensation you receive is reduced by your level of responsibility. For example, if you are 20% at fault in a $10,000 case, you could recover $8,000.

Understanding negligence can be challenging, but having an experienced San Francisco car accident attorney on your side can make the process easier and help you seek fair compensation.

What to Do After a Car Accident in San Francisco

After a car accident in San Francisco, following the right steps can help protect your rights and get the compensation you deserve. Here’s what to do:

• Move to a Safe Location:  If you can, move to a safe area away from traffic and turn on your hazard lights to warn other drivers.
• Call 911 Immediately:  Emergency responders will secure the scene and create an official accident report. If needed, an ambulance will be dispatched. When speaking with officers:
  • Stick to the facts.
  • Don’t guess or admit fault.
  • If you’re unsure about injuries, let them know.
• Document the Scene:  Take photos of:
  • Vehicle damage, license plates, and insurance information.
  • Visible injuries like cuts or bruises.
  • The crash site, including skid marks, debris, and nearby traffic signs.
• Collect Evidence and Witness Details:  Get contact information from any witnesses and note nearby security cameras or dashcams that may have captured the crash.
• See a Doctor:  Even if you don’t feel hurt, get a medical checkup. Some injuries, like whiplash or internal damage, may not show symptoms right away.

Contact a San Francisco Car Accident Attorney:  Handling a claim on your own can be difficult and may result in less compensation. A skilled attorney can guide you and fight for the full amount you’re owed.

What Compensation Can I Get for a Car Accident in San Francisco?

If you’ve been injured in a car accident in San Francisco due to someone else’s negligence, you may be entitled to financial compensation. This compensation is divided into two main categories: economic damages and non-economic damages.

Economic Damages

These cover direct financial losses caused by the accident, such as:

• Medical expenses:  Doctor visits, surgeries, therapy, medications, and more.
• Lost wages:  Income lost during recovery or due to long-term disabilities.
• Vehicle repairs or replacement:  Costs to fix or replace your car.
• Personal property damage:  Compensation for any other items damaged in the crash.
• Replacement services:  Costs for services like home cleaning or childcare if you can’t manage them due to injuries.

Since these damages involve specific expenses, they are typically easier to calculate using medical bills, invoices, and wage statements.

Non-Economic Damages

These damages cover losses that don’t have a clear dollar value, such as:

• Pain and suffering:  Physical pain, emotional distress, and mental trauma.
• Loss of enjoyment of life:  Inability to engage in activities you once enjoyed.
• Disability or disfigurement:  Long-term physical limitations or visible injuries.
• Loss of companionship:  In wrongful death cases, family members may seek compensation for the emotional loss.

Although non-economic damages are harder to calculate, they can be significant. Our legal team ensures that you receive fair compensation for these intangible losses.

Punitive Damages

In cases involving extreme negligence, like drunk or reckless driving, courts may award punitive damages to punish the responsible party and prevent future incidents.

While compensation cannot undo the harm caused, it can help you recover financially and provide justice for what you’ve endured.

Time Limits for Filing Car Accident Claims in San Francisco

San Francisco car accident victims have a limited time to take legal action. The law allows you two years from the date of the accident to file a personal injury claim. This applies to seeking compensation for medical expenses, lost income, and car repairs.

However, there are exceptions. For example, if the victim is a minor, the two-year clock doesn’t start until they turn 18. Missing the filing deadline can result in losing the right to recover damages, no matter who was at fault.

Most Common Causes of Car Accidents in San Francisco

Car accidents in San Francisco often happen due to driver mistakes, risky choices, or external issues. Here are the main causes:

• Distracted driving:  Using phones, eating, or paying attention to anything other than driving can quickly lead to crashes.
• Speeding:  Driving too fast, especially during bad weather or in heavy traffic, raises the risk of accidents.
• Driving under the influence:  Alcohol or drugs reduce reaction time and impair decision-making, often leading to serious collisions.
• Reckless driving:  Tailgating, weaving through lanes, or ignoring right-of-way rules often causes accidents.
• Failure to yield:  Not yielding to other vehicles, pedestrians, or cyclists at intersections is a frequent cause of crashes.
• Weather-related hazards:  Rain, fog, or wet roads can create dangerous driving conditions when drivers fail to slow down or adjust.
• External factors:  Issues like defective car parts, damaged roads, or unclear road signs can

How Much Does A Car Accident Lawyer Charge in San Francisco

Most car accident lawyers in San Francisco work on a contingency fee basis, meaning you only pay if they win your case. This makes it easier for accident victims to get legal help without paying upfront. Here’s how it works:

• No Win, No Fee:  If your lawyer doesn’t win a settlement or verdict, you don’t have to pay legal fees.
• Percentage of Settlement:  If they win, their fee is a percentage of the compensation you receive.
• No Hidden Costs:  Many lawyers cover upfront expenses, like filing fees and investigation costs, and then deduct them from the settlement once the case is closed.

This setup ensures that lawyers are motivated to get you the best possible result. To learn more about legal fees and how we can help, contact our San Francisco car accident lawyers for a FREE CONSULTATION today.

San Francisco Car Accident Statistics

The streets of San Francisco are facing an ongoing public safety crisis as traffic-related accidents continue to claim lives and cause serious injuries.

On average, a car-related injury occurs every 2.88 hours, meaning more than eight people are injured each day. In 2024, drivers were responsible for 42 fatalities, underscoring the severity of the issue.

Since the Vision Zero program began in 2014, which aimed to eliminate traffic deaths by 2024, 347 people have been killed, and 3,386 have suffered serious injuries due to impatient or distracted drivers.

Despite this initiative, San Francisco has struggled to reduce its annual average of 40 traffic-related fatalities, highlighting that current measures like signs and awareness campaigns are not enough. Pedestrians, motorcyclists, motorists, and cyclists continue to face daily risks as crashes remain common across the city’s streets.

As of early 2025, two traffic-related fatalities have already been recorded, showing that comprehensive safety improvements are overdue.

San Francisco County Accident Statistics

According to the California Statewide Integrated Traffic Records System (SWITRS), San Francisco County experiences an average of 35 fatal crashes and 37 deaths each year. Pedestrian fatalities average 17 annually, while bicyclist deaths remain low at about 1 per year.

Motorcyclist fatalities, however, reach an average of 7 each year. Alcohol-related crashes claim around 5 lives per year, and drug-involved fatalities account for about 2. Distracted driving-related crashes result in 1 to 3 fatalities yearly, with speeding contributing to an average of 12 deaths annually.

High-Risk Roads in San Francisco

San Francisco’s roads experience a significant number of car accidents due to heavy traffic, urban design, and driver behavior. Here are some of the city’s most accident-prone routes:

US Highway 101

This major highway passes through San Francisco, connecting with key streets like Lombard and Van Ness. The dense traffic and frequent lane changes contribute to numerous accidents each year.

Interstate 280 (I-280)

Known for its scenic route and fast-moving traffic, I-280 can be dangerous, especially during rush hour. Sharp curves and merging traffic often lead to collisions.

Geary Boulevard

A busy arterial road, Geary sees frequent crashes involving vehicles, pedestrians, and cyclists. The mix of crosswalks, intersections, and heavy commuter traffic raises risks in this area.

19th Avenue (State Route 1)

Running through residential and commercial zones, 19th Avenue is a high-risk area with heavy congestion and speeding drivers. Intersections along the route are common sites for accidents.

Mission Street

With its dense traffic and high pedestrian activity, Mission Street experiences a high number of accidents involving both cars and pedestrians. Narrow lanes and frequent stops add to the risks.

Van Ness Avenue

As a major thoroughfare in the city, Van Ness has seen many collisions due to heavy traffic, construction zones, and distracted driving.

FAQs About Car Accident Cases in San Francisco

Can you sue a minor for a car accident in San Francisco?

Minors under 18 usually can’t be sued directly for car accidents, but their parents or guardians may be held responsible. Here’s how liability works:

• Parental Responsibility: Parents may be held accountable if they allow an unlicensed or inexperienced minor to drive.
• Minor’s Negligence: Teen drivers are expected to follow the same road rules as adults. Their age and driving experience will be considered when assigning fault.
• Willful Misconduct: If a minor intentionally causes harm, their guardians may be held liable for damages.

Our San Francisco car accident lawyers can investigate the accident, assess the driver’s behavior, and identify who is responsible. Contact us to discuss your options.

What should I do if the at-fault driver doesn’t have insurance in San Francisco?

If the at-fault driver is uninsured, you may still recover compensation through your uninsured motorist (UM) coverage or other insurance policies you have. Our lawyers can help you explore every option to get the compensation you need.

Can I file a claim if I was partially at fault for the accident?

Yes, San Francisco follows California’s pure comparative negligence rule. This means you can still receive compensation even if you share some fault. Your settlement will be reduced based on your percentage of fault.

Can I claim compensation for emotional distress after a car accident?

Yes, emotional distress is part of non-economic damages. You can seek compensation for anxiety, PTSD, or any reduced quality of life caused by the accident.

How long does it take to settle a car accident case in San Francisco?

The time it takes to settle depends on several factors, like the severity of injuries and how long it takes to negotiate with insurers. Some cases settle within a few months, while others may take longer, especially if a lawsuit is needed.