Car accidents happen all the time in San Francisco. Packed streets, steep hills, bike lanes, heavy rideshare traffic, and constant construction make driving in San Francisco challenging. Driving here is very hectic, and one crash can hit you hard with injuries, huge medical bills, missing work, and dealing with insurance companies.
If you’ve been hurt in one, a San Francisco car accident lawyer can walk you through your options and fight to protect your rights. Siegal & Richardson, LLP represents people injured in car accidents across San Francisco.
Why Car Accidents Are Common in San Francisco?
San Francisco has road conditions you don’t see in most cities. These factors often lead to crashes:
- Steep hills that affect braking and visibility
- One-way streets and sudden lane changes
- Heavy pedestrian and bike traffic
- Uber, Lyft, and delivery drivers stop often
- Tourists unfamiliar with local roads
- Congested streets like Market Street, Geary Boulevard, Van Ness Avenue, Lombard Street, and Highway 101
A car accident attorney in San Francisco understands how these conditions affect fault and injury claims.
Driving in San Francisco Requires Extra Care
Driving in San Francisco often means dealing with steep hills, limited parking, sudden stops, and frequent lane changes. Even cautious drivers can be caught off guard by these conditions, which is why accidents happen so often across the city.
Common Car Accident Types in San Francisco
San Francisco car crashes occur because of jammed-tight streets, brutal traffic, and frequent movement from drivers, walkers, bikes, and rideshares darting everywhere. Our firm helps people hurt in tons of these citywide wrecks, including:
- Rear-end collisions in endless stop-and-go traffic
- Intersection crashes from failing to yield
- Side-impact hits on narrow or one-way streets
- Wrecks are tied to distracted or speeding drivers
- Incidents with Uber, Lyft, or delivery vehicles
- Collisions involving pedestrians or cyclists
Every crash is different. Understanding how the accident happened and who was responsible is an important step in moving a claim forward.
What to Do After a Car Accident in San Francisco?
The steps you take after a crash matter. Try to do the following:
- Call 911 and get medical help if anyone is hurt
- Report the accident to the police
- Take photos of the vehicles, damage, road conditions, and injuries
- Exchange information with all drivers involved
- Get contact details from witnesses
- Seek medical care, even if symptoms seem minor
- Save medical records, repair estimates, and receipts
- Speak with a San Francisco car accident lawyer before giving a recorded statement
Insurance companies may contact you quickly. Getting guidance early can help prevent problems later.
How Fault Is Decided in San Francisco Car Accident Cases?
California follows a shared-fault approach, which means more than one person can be responsible for an accident. Fault may be determined using:
- Police reports
- Traffic or surveillance video
- Witness statements
- Vehicle damage
- Medical records
- Accident reconstruction
Even if you were partly at fault, you may still be able to recover compensation.
Common Injuries From San Francisco Car Accidents
Car crashes often cause injuries such as:
- Neck and back injuries
- Broken bones
- Head injuries and concussions
- Spinal injuries
- Soft tissue injuries
- Internal injuries
Some injuries take time to show up. That’s why medical care and records are important.
How Siegal & Richardson, LLP Helps After a Car Accident
When you work with our firm, you get steady support throughout the process. We help by:
- Investigating how the crash happened
- Reviewing police reports, photos, videos, and witness statements
- Collecting and organizing medical records
- Communicating with insurance companies
- Evaluating how the injury affects your daily life
- Building a plan focused on fair compensation
Our goal is to reduce stress so you can focus on recovery.
What a Car Accident Claim May Include
Depending on your situation, compensation may cover:
- Medical bills and future care
- Lost income
- Reduced ability to work
- Vehicle repair or replacement
- Pain and discomfort
- Emotional strain
- Loss of normal daily activities
A car accident lawyer in San Francisco can explain what may apply to your case.
When to Contact a San Francisco Car Accident Lawyer?
You should consider legal help if:
- You were injured
- Fault is unclear or disputed
- Multiple vehicles were involved
- A rideshare or delivery vehicle was part of the crash
- The insurance company is pushing for a quick settlement
- Your injuries affect your ability to work
Early guidance can make a real difference.
Get Help After a San Francisco Car Accident
A car accident can change your life fast. You do not have to deal with insurance companies, medical bills, and legal questions on your own.
Siegal & Richardson, LLP is here to help. Contact our team to talk about your San Francisco car accident and your next steps.
Frequently Asked Questions About San Francisco Car Accidents
1. How long do I have to file a car accident claim in San Francisco?
In most cases, California law gives you two years from the date of the crash to file a claim. Some situations, such as accidents involving government vehicles or city property, may have much shorter deadlines.
2. What if the other driver left the scene of the accident?
If the other driver fled, you may still have options through your own insurance coverage. A police report and any witness or camera footage can help support a claim even when the driver is not identified.
3. Can I file a claim if the accident involved a rental car?
Yes. Rental car accidents can involve several insurance policies, including the driver’s insurance, the rental company’s insurance, and credit card coverage. These cases can be complex, but they are still valid claims.
4. Why are car accidents involving rideshare vehicles handled differently?
Uber and Lyft drivers have insurance that changes based on whether the app is on and what part of the ride they are in. That can shift how claims get processed and what coverage kicks in.
5. What if I got hurt while stopped at a red light?
If someone rear-ends you at a stop, it’s usually their fault. However, insurance companies might still poke around with questions. Photos, witness accounts, and your medical records make it clear what happened and prove your injuries.
6. Do I need medical records for minor injuries?
Absolutely. What feels minor now could get worse later. Those records link your pain straight to the crash and strengthen your claim if things drag on.
7. Why should I avoid giving a recorded statement right away?
Insurers might twist your words to dispute fault or minimize your injuries. It’s smarter to know your rights first before diving into details.