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San Francisco Car Accident Lawyer

If you were injured in a car accident, a San Francisco car accident lawyer may be able to help you recover compensation for your medical bills, lost income, pain and suffering, and other losses. California car accident claims often turn on fault, the seriousness of the injuries, the insurance available, and the evidence collected early in the case. What seems simple at first can become complicated once the insurance company starts disputing liability, minimizing treatment, or arguing that the injuries are not as serious as claimed.

Anderson Franco Law represents people injured in San Francisco car accident cases and throughout the Bay Area. Our firm handles a wide range of collision claims, including rear-end crashes, intersection collisions, freeway accidents, hit-and-run cases, uninsured and underinsured motorist claims, rideshare crashes, and accidents involving company vehicles or public entities. We also help clients address issues that often affect the value of a case, including medical bills, health insurance reimbursement, liens, missed time from work, and comparative fault arguments.

This page explains what you need to know after a San Francisco car accident, including whether you may have a case, when to speak with a lawyer, who may pay medical bills while the claim is pending, how fault is determined under California law, what damages may be available, and what steps to take to protect your claim. If another driver caused your injuries, early decisions can affect both the strength of the case and the amount ultimately recovered.

Do I have a car accident case?

You have a car accident case if another driver or company caused the crash, and the crash injured you.

At Anderson Franco Law, we start with two questions: (1) who caused the crash, and (2) what harm did it cause you? If someone else was at fault and you have medical bills, missed work, pain, or other losses, there may be a claim. Here are common examples we see and cases we’ve handled:

  • Rear-end crash: Another driver hits you from behind in traffic.
  • Left-turn crash: A driver turns left in front of you and causes a collision.
  • Hit-and-run: The at-fault driver leaves the scene, but you still have injuries and insurance options may apply.
  • Rideshare crash: An accident involving Uber or Lyft, either as a passenger or another driver.
  • Company vehicle: A commercial vehicle or employee driver causes the crash while working.
  • Muni or public entity: A crash involving a city bus, train, or unsafe roadway condition.

When should I talk to a San Francisco car accident lawyer?

You should talk to a lawyer as soon as possible after a car accident, especially if you were injured or the facts are not clear. The earlier a lawyer gets involved, the easier it is to protect evidence, deal with the insurance company, and identify issues that can affect the value of the case.

We have seen many people wait too long because they assume the insurance company will be fair or because they are still trying to figure out how serious the injury is. That delay can hurt the case. Photos get lost, witnesses become harder to find, vehicles are repaired, and important records are not gathered early. Anderson Franco evaluates these issues early so clients can understand whether they have a claim and what steps should be taken next. You especially should speak with a San Francisco car accident lawyer after a crash if any of the following apply:

  • You went to the emergency room, urgent care, or needed follow-up treatment
  • You had surgery or may need future medical care
  • You missed work or your injuries affected your ability to do your job
  • The collision involved a commercial vehicle or driver working for a company
  • There is an uninsured motorist or underinsured motorist issue
  • The crash involves Muni, a city vehicle, or another public entity

These situations often involve legal or insurance issues that are more complicated than a basic claim. For example, public entity cases can involve shorter deadlines. Commercial vehicle cases may require investigation into the driver, employer, and insurance coverage. Uninsured and underinsured motorist claims can raise important questions about your own policy and how benefits are triggered. Anderson Franco has experience spotting these issues early and helping clients avoid mistakes that can weaken the case.

Even if you are not sure whether you need a lawyer, it is usually better to get clarity early. A San Francisco car accident lawyer can review the facts, explain whether there may be a claim, and help you understand what evidence matters. We would rather evaluate a case early than try to fix avoidable problems late

What to do after a car accident?

In the first 24 to 72 hours after a crash, focus on your health, the evidence, and the reporting steps that may protect your claim. We have seen early mistakes hurt otherwise strong cases. We have also seen how the right steps in the first few days can make it easier to prove fault, document injuries, and deal with the insurance company later.

  1. Get medical care. If you need emergency treatment, go to the ER. If you are not taken by ambulance, get checked as soon as possible. Many injuries do not fully show up at the scene. Early treatment also helps create a clear record connecting the crash to your injuries.
  2. Photograph everything you can. Take photos of the vehicles, the crash scene, skid marks, debris, license plates, visible injuries, and anything else that may help explain what happened. If your symptoms get worse over the next day or two, photograph that too. Anderson Franco often sees cases where early photos become some of the best evidence.
  3. Identify witnesses. If anyone saw the crash, get their name and contact information before they disappear. Independent witnesses can make a major difference when fault is disputed.
  4. Preserve dashcam or video evidence. Save your dashcam footage. Look around for nearby business cameras, home security cameras, or transit cameras that may have captured the collision. Video is often overwritten quickly, so this should be addressed early.
  5. Be careful with recorded statements. You should be cautious about giving a recorded statement to an insurance adjuster before you understand your injuries and the issues in the case. What seems like a simple conversation can later be used to minimize or challenge your claim.

We advise clients to treat the first few days after a crash as important. Get care, preserve evidence, and avoid casual mistakes with insurers. Those first steps often shape how strong the case will be later.

Who pays medical bills after a car accident?

Usually, the at-fault driver’s insurance company does not pay your medical bills as treatment happens. That is one of the biggest misunderstandings after a crash. In most cases, treatment gets paid first through health insurance, MedPay, or sometimes lien-based treatment, while the injury claim is investigated and resolved later. The California Department of Insurance explains that health insurance usually pays immediate care first, and Medical Payments Coverage can pay limited medical expenses regardless of fault.

At Anderson Franco Law, we know many injured people are less worried about legal theory at the start and more worried about a simple question: how do I get treatment paid for right now? That is the right question. Anderson Franco is a San Francisco car accident lawyer who helps clients evaluate the available payment options early, because the way treatment is handled during the case can affect both the claim and the client’s net recovery later.

Health insurance

In many car accident cases, health insurance pays first for immediate treatment. That may include the ER, hospital care, imaging, follow-up visits, and other covered treatment. But that does not always end the issue. Later, the health insurer may claim a right to seek repayment from a settlement or recovery. The California Department of Insurance describes this process as subrogation, meaning an insurer may try to recover what it paid from a responsible third party or related recovery.

Medical payment coverage

If your auto policy includes Medical Payments Coverage, often called MedPay, it may help pay limited medical expenses after the crash regardless of fault. MedPay is often useful for deductibles, copays, or treatment before the liability claim is resolved. The California Department of Insurance describes MedPay as limited medical-expense coverage for people injured in the car you are driving, whether or not you were at fault.

Lien-based treatment

Some injured people receive treatment on a lien, meaning the provider agrees to wait for payment until the case resolves. This can matter when someone does not have usable health insurance, has high out-of-pocket costs, or needs care from providers willing to work within a personal injury claim. We look at lien issues carefully because treatment on a lien may help a client access care, but it also creates repayment issues that need to be managed later.

Reimbursement and subrogation later

Even when treatment is paid along the way, that does not always mean the money is “free.” A health insurer, MedPay carrier, or other payer may later assert a reimbursement or subrogation claim against the settlement. That is why a car accident case is not just about proving fault. It is also about protecting the client’s net recovery after bills, liens, and repayment claims are addressed. The California Department of Insurance specifically notes that health insurers often try to recover what they paid, and describes subrogation as the effort by one insurer to get money back from another responsible source.

Why the at-fault insurer usually does not just pay as you treat

The bodily injury claim against the at-fault driver usually gets valued and resolved later, after the insurer investigates liability, reviews records, and evaluates damages. In other words, the claim is typically not handled like an open tab where the other side simply pays each bill as it comes in. That is why people often need a plan for treatment and bill payment while the case is still ongoing.

This is one of the first issues we discuss with injured clients. Anderson Franco helps clients understand whether treatment may be paid through health insurance, MedPay, or other arrangements, and what reimbursement issues may arise later. This is also where it makes sense to link to your lien and subrogation content, because for many clients, who pays now and who gets reimbursed later are two different questions.

How is fault decided?

Fault is decided by looking at the evidence, not just by accepting what the other driver or insurance company says. In a San Francisco car accident case, fault may be evaluated using photos, witness statements, vehicle damage, video, black-box data, the police report, and the roadway layout. Sometimes fault is clear right away. Other times, the insurance company tries to shift part of the blame to reduce what it has to pay.

We look closely at how the crash happened and what evidence best explains it. Anderson Franco has seen many cases where the first version of events was incomplete, unfair, or simply wrong. That is why early investigation matters. A case may look different once the damage patterns, scene photos, video, and witness accounts are reviewed together.

What if I was partly at fault for the car crash?

You may still have a case even if you were partly at fault. California follows comparative fault rules. That means an injured person may still recover damages even if they were partly responsible, but the recovery can be reduced by that percentage of fault. In plain English: being partly at fault does not automatically mean you have no case.

For example, the insurance company may argue you were speeding, distracted, or could have avoided the crash. That does not end the claim. The real question is what the evidence shows and how responsibility should be divided. In some cases, the insurer says a person was partly at fault simply as a negotiation tactic. We evaluate whether that argument is actually supported by the facts.

Important evidence often includes:

  • Photos of the vehicles, impact points, skid marks, debris, and intersection
  • Witnesses who saw the crash happen
  • Vehicle damage showing angle, force, and point of impact
  • Video from dashcams, businesses, homes, or transit systems
  • Black-box data or other electronic vehicle data when available
  • Police report details and party statements
  • Roadway layout, lane markings, signs, signals, and visibility issues

Anderson Franco uses this evidence to evaluate fault early and push back when an insurance company tries to place unfair blame on the injured person. If the insurer says you were partly at fault, that does not mean they are right. It means the evidence needs to be reviewed carefully.

What compensation can a San Francisco car accident lawyer recover for you?

If another driver or company caused the crash, a San Francisco car accident lawyer may be able to help you recover compensation for both the financial losses you can measure and the personal harm the injury has caused. These damages are often grouped into two categories: economic damages and non-economic damages. Economic damages cover losses like medical bills, lost wages, and other out-of-pocket costs. Non-economic damages cover the human impact of the injury, including pain, suffering, emotional distress, and the ways the injury has affected your daily life.

Economic damages you may be able to recover

Economic damages are the financial losses tied to the crash. They may include:

  • Medical expenses
  • Future medical care
  • Lost wages
  • Reduced earning capacity
  • Out-of-pocket losses

Medical expenses can include ambulance bills, ER care, hospital treatment, follow-up visits, physical therapy, imaging, medication, and other reasonable treatment related to the crash. If the injury will require care in the future, that may also be part of the claim. Lost wages may apply if you missed work, used sick time, or lost income while recovering. If the injury affects your ability to work going forward, there may also be a claim for reduced earning capacity. Out-of-pocket losses can include things like prescription costs, transportation to treatment, or other expenses caused by the accident.

Non-economic damages you may be able to recover

Non-economic damages are the personal losses that do not come with a simple receipt or invoice. They may include:

  • Pain and suffering
  • Emotional distress

These damages are often a major part of a serious injury case. They address how the injury affected your daily life, comfort, sleep, mobility, mental well-being, relationships, and ability to do normal activities. We focus not just on the bills, but also on how the injury changed the client’s life.

What affects the value of a car accident case?

The value of a San Francisco car accident claim usually depends on several factors, including:

  • How serious the injuries are
  • How much medical treatment was needed
  • Whether future care is likely
  • Whether you missed work or lost earning ability
  • Whether fault is clear or disputed
  • How strong the evidence is
  • The available insurance coverage
  • How the injuries affected your daily life

A San Francisco car accident lawyer like us evaluates both the legal issues and the practical damages issues early. A case is not valued just by looking at the crash itself. It is valued by looking at the injuries, the evidence, the losses, and how well those losses can be proven.

What if the other driver has no insurance?

You may still have a claim even if the other driver has no insurance or not enough insurance to cover your losses. This is where uninsured motorist and underinsured motorist coverage may matter.

Uninsured motorist coverage may apply when the at-fault driver has no insurance, such as in a hit-and-run or when the driver simply was not insured. Underinsured motorist coverage may apply when the other driver has insurance, but the policy limits are too low to fully cover your injuries and damages.

This is one of the first insurance questions we look at in a serious car accident case. Many injured people assume that if the other driver has little or no insurance, there is no real recovery. That is not always true. Anderson Franco evaluates whether your own policy, a household policy, or other available coverage may apply. We have successfully recovered money from policies that many other lawyers did not consider — such as household resident relative policies.

How uninsured motorist coverage can help

An uninsured motorist claim is usually made through your own auto insurance policy. Even though it is your own policy, the insurance company may still dispute fault, the extent of injury, or the value of the claim. In other words, the fact that it is “your” insurance company does not mean the process is simple or automatic.

These claims often come up when:

  • the other driver had no insurance
  • the crash was a hit-and-run
  • there is a dispute over whether the at-fault vehicle can be identified

Recovering through underinsured motorist coverage

An underinsured motorist claim may arise when the other driver’s insurance exists, but it is not enough. For example, the at-fault driver may carry a small policy, but the injuries, treatment, and losses are much larger. In that situation, underinsured motorist coverage may help fill part of the gap, depending on the policy terms and available limits.

We look closely at whether the injury value is greater than the other driver’s coverage and whether additional coverage may be available through your own policy.

How long does a car accident case take?

There is no one timeline for a San Francisco car accident case. Some cases resolve in a few months. Others take much longer. The timeline usually depends on the injuries, the medical treatment, whether fault is disputed, and how the insurance company responds.

In most cases, it makes sense to understand the full injury picture before trying to settle. If treatment is still ongoing, surgery is being discussed, or future care is unclear, settling too early can undervalue the case. At Anderson Franco Law, we look at whether the medical evidence is developed enough to fairly evaluate the claim before pushing for resolution. A car accident case may take longer if:

  • The injuries are serious or still being treated
  • Future care is unclear
  • Fault is disputed
  • There are multiple vehicles or parties involved
  • The crash involves a commercial vehicle, rideshare, or public entity
  • The insurance company delays, denies, or undervalues the claim
  • A lawsuit needs to be filed

Some claims resolve through insurance negotiations before a lawsuit is filed. Others require litigation, discovery, depositions, and possibly trial. Anderson Franco has seen straightforward cases move faster and more complex cases take substantially longer because the real issue is not just time—it is whether the case is ready to be valued and whether the defense is acting reasonably.

The most important point is this: a faster result is not always a better result. A case should usually move when the evidence, treatment, and damages are clear enough to evaluate properly. At Anderson Franco Law, Anderson Franco works to move cases forward efficiently while avoiding the mistake of resolving a claim before its value is understood.

Why clients hire Anderson Franco Law for car accident cases

Not every San Francisco car accident case is handled the same way. Some claims appear straightforward at first, but become more complex once the insurance company disputes fault, questions the medical treatment, points to gaps in care, or argues that the injuries were preexisting or not serious. Car accident cases also often involve coverage issues, policy-limit problems, uninsured or underinsured motorist claims, lien and reimbursement issues, and timing decisions about whether a case should settle or move into litigation.

Clients hire Anderson Franco Law because they want direct attorney involvement and a careful evaluation of the issues that actually affect case value. That includes liability, damages, insurance coverage, medical documentation, future treatment, wage loss, and the defense arguments likely to be raised by the insurance company. A strong car accident claim is not just about making a demand. It is about preparing the case from the beginning with those disputes in mind.

We have recovered millions of dollars for injured clients overall, including substantial recoveries in motor-vehicle injury cases. Publicly reported results include a $350,000 recovery in a rear-end truck collision case, a $275,000 recovery in a vehicle-collision case involving a fractured ankle, a $345,000 pedestrian crosswalk settlement, a $210,000 policy-limits pedestrian recovery, a $139,000 policy-limits uninsured motorist head-on collision recovery, and a $100,000 policy-limits freeway sideswipe recovery.

What areas of San Francisco produce serious car crashes?

Serious car crashes are not spread evenly across San Francisco. The City tracks corridors with a high concentration of severe and fatal traffic injuries through its High Injury Network. The HIN identifies the relatively small share of streets where the worst crashes are concentrated. According to San Francisco’s published HIN materials, about 13% of city streets account for 74% of serious traffic injuries and fatalities.

San Francisco’s most serious car crashes tend to cluster in specific parts of the city, not randomly everywhere. The City’s 2024 High Injury Network shows heavy concentration in and around SoMa, the Tenderloin, downtown, the waterfront, the Mission, Bayview/Visitacion Valley, and other major arterial corridors, with additional high-risk segments on routes such as Alemany, the Embarcadero, Fulton, and Point Lobos. In a serious crash case, those locations matter because roadway design, visibility, signal timing, and available camera footage can all affect how fault is analyzed.

For a car accident case, that matters because the roadway itself can be important evidence. On serious-crash corridors, roadway layout, sightlines, signal sequencing, turning patterns, curb activity, and nearby camera footage can all affect how the collision happened and how fault is evaluated. A strong case often requires looking beyond the drivers’ statements and examining the physical scene carefully.

How to request police report after a San Francisco car crash

If the San Francisco Police Department investigated your crash, you can request the report through SFPD’s online portal or in person at Police Headquarters, 1245 3rd Street. SFPD says traffic collision reports are free, are handled through its Crime Information Services Unit, and are not available through district stations

If the crash happened on a highway, freeway, or another area investigated by the California Highway Patrol instead of SFPD, you may need to request the report from CHP. CHP allows eligible parties to request crash reports through its online crash system.

Although this page focuses on San Francisco car accident claims, some crashes involve issues that go beyond a standard passenger-vehicle case. Depending on the facts, a collision may also involve motorcycles, pedestrians, bicycles, trucks, construction vehicles, rideshare companies, or uninsured-motorist coverage. Those cases often raise additional questions about liability, insurance, evidence, and damages.

Car accident cases are the core of many vehicle injury claims. They can involve rear-end collisions, intersection crashes, freeway crashes, lane-change collisions, failure-to-yield collisions, distracted driving, drunk driving, and disputed liability cases. Even when the crash looks straightforward, insurers often challenge causation, treatment, or the seriousness of the injuries.

Truck accident cases are often more complex than ordinary passenger versus car claims. They may involve commercial drivers, employer responsibility, maintenance issues, company records, multiple policies, and higher-stakes damages. A truck collision can also produce severe injuries because of the size and weight disparity between vehicles.

Motorcycle accident cases often involve serious orthopedic injuries, road rash, surgery, and long recovery periods. Insurers sometimes try to rely on unfair assumptions about riders instead of focusing on what actually caused the crash. These cases often require careful liability analysis and a strong presentation of damages.

Pedestrian accident cases can involve crosswalk impacts, parking lot incidents, turning-vehicle crashes, school-zone collisions, and failure-to-yield scenarios. Because pedestrians have little protection, these claims can involve fractures, head injuries, internal injuries, and long-term functional loss. They also frequently raise comparative fault arguments that must be addressed carefully.

Bicycle accident claims often arise from unsafe passing, turning movements, intersection conflicts, dooring incidents, and collisions where drivers fail to see or yield to cyclists. These cases may involve roadway-visibility issues, helmet arguments, and disputes over lane positioning or right of way.

Hit & run accident cases can still be viable even when the at-fault driver is never identified. A claim may exist through uninsured motorist coverage, depending on the facts and the policy. These cases usually require prompt reporting, strong evidence preservation, and careful handling of insurance issues from the beginning.

Rideshare accident cases can be more complicated because coverage may depend on whether the driver was offline, waiting for a ride request, en route to pick someone up, or actively transporting a passenger. These claims often require close attention to insurance layers, app status, and who is legally responsible.

Anderson Franco Law also handles many related car and motor vehicle matters, including:

Frequently asked questions about car accidents

Do I have a car crash case?

You may have a car crash case if another person or company acted negligently and caused the crash that injured you. The strength of the case usually depends on liability, injuries, insurance, and the available evidence. Even if fault is disputed, the case may still be viable.

What if I was partly at fault?

If you were partly at-fault for your car accident, you may still be able to recover money. California applies comparative fault principles, which means fault can be shared and the case may still have value depending on the facts.

How long do I have to sue after a car accident in San Francisco?

Usually, a car accident claim must be filed within 2 years of the injury. But that is not the whole story. Claims against public entities usually require a much earlier government claim, often within 6 months, and different rules can apply depending on the facts.

What if the other driver is uninsured or underinsured?

If the other driver is uninsured or underinsured, you may still recover money, depending on the policy and the facts. One of the first questions in a serious case is whether all available insurance has been identified. We have successfully recovered money when the at-fault driver was uninsured or did not have enough insurance — in one case we recovered $800,000 in a car crash case.

Should I give a recorded statement to the other driver’s insurance company?

Before you provide a recorded statement to the other driver’s insurance company, consult with a San Francisco car accident lawyer. Anything you say in a recorded statement could be used against you as evidence. We have consulted with clients whose cases were worsened because they gave a recorded statement before calling us.

How much is my car accident case worth?

The value of your car accident case depends on liability, the nature of the injuries, treatment, permanency, lost income, insurance limits, future care, and how well the case is documented and presented. We have seen car crash cases worth as little as zero dollars to multiple millions of dollars. Only an experienced personal injury lawyer can tell you what your car accident case is worth — don’t trust online calculators!

Do I need a lawyer for a car accident claim?

Not every car accident case requires a lawyer. But representation becomes especially important when injuries are serious, fault is disputed, multiple parties may be involved, coverage is unclear, or the insurer is minimizing the claim. We have negotiated several cases where the insurance company offered more money once a lawyer became involved.

What if the other driver was uninsured?

If the other driver was uninsured, there may still be a path to recovery under your own uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage, if you have it. In California, insurance companies are required to offer UM/UIM coverage, and that coverage exists precisely for accidents caused by uninsured/underinsured drivers. We have handled many cases where our clients recovered money under their own uninsured or underinsured motorist coverage.

What if it was a hit-and-run?

If it was a hit-and-run, you may still have a valid car accident case. Depending on the facts and your policy, an uninsured motorist claim can be a significant source of recovery. We have handled many hit and run cases where we recovered money for a client — in one case we recovered $100,000 for a freeway hit and run accident.

Who pays my medical bills after a car accident?

Who pays your medical bills after a car accident depends on your coverage. In many cases, your health insurance, Med Pay if you have it, or in some cases UM/UIM coverage, comes into play first, and then those damages are claimed as part of your personal injury case. Med Pay coverage is optional and can pay limited medical expenses for people injured in the vehicle, regardless of who was at fault.

Does the other driver’s insurance company pay my medical bills right away?

No, the other driver’s insurance company typically doesn’t pay your medical bills immediately. In most cases, that insurance company investigates the claim, and any payment usually comes at the end of the case through a settlement or resolution. Insurance companies typically use this financial pressure to convince you to settle early. But a good car accident lawyer has relationships with medical providers who can treat injury victims on a lien basis; which means medical bills can be paid at the conclusion of the car accident case.

Can I have a case even if I didn’t go to the hospital the same day?

Yes, you can have a case even if you didn’t go to the hospital the same day. In fact, we have handled many cases where our clients treated with a doctor days or weeks later. However, the delay in seeking medical attention may give the insurance company grounds to question the severity of the injury or whether it was actually caused by the crash.

Can I have a case even if the damage to my car was minor?

Yes, you can have a case even if the damage to your car was minor. The extent of the property damage doesn’t always reflect the true extent of the injury, and many insurance companies try to use that argument to minimize legitimate claims. We recovered one million dollars in a case where there was zero damage to any vehicle. So just because there is no damage does not mean you do not have a case

What if you were a passenger in the car?

If you were a passenger in the car accident, you very likely have a personal injury claim you can pursue. Passengers often have strong claims because they were typically not controlling either vehicle. As such, passengers can pursue claims against the at-fault driver or even against more than one party, depending on how the crash occurred. We have handled many cases in which injured passengers recovered compensation. In one matter, we recovered $261,000 for our client against the family member who was driving the vehicle.

What if the accident happened while you were working?

If the accident happened while you were working, there may be both a workers’ compensation claim and a separate personal injury claim against the at-fault driver or another third party. This type of case should be carefully analyzed because there may be multiple sources of recovery. We have handled dozens of workers compensation claims resulting from a negligent party. It is always worthwhile to speak with a San Francisco car accident lawyer if your work injury was caused by someone else.

What if the crash involved Uber, Lyft, or a commercial vehicle?

If the crash involved Uber, Lyft, or a commercial vehicle, the case can be more complex because there may be additional issues regarding employment, insurance coverage, commercial use, and multiple policies. This doesn’t make the case impossible, but it does typically require a more thorough investigation. A San Francisco car accident lawyer can help you understand this further.

What if a city, county, or other public entity vehicle was involved?

If a city, county, or other public entity vehicle was involved, the case should be reviewed immediately because claims against public entities typically have much shorter timeframes than a standard personal injury case. Often, an administrative claim must first be filed within six months.

Can I recover lost wages after a car accident?

Yes, you can recover lost wages after a car accident if your injuries prevented you from working. In certain cases, you may also be entitled to a claim for loss of earning capacity if the injury affects your job long-term. Always consider your past and future wage loss when evaluating the extent of your damages.

Can I recover money for pain and suffering?

Yes, you can recover money for both past and future pain and suffering in a car accident case. This type of damage seeks to compensate for physical pain, emotional distress, and the impact the injury has had on your daily life. In California, there is a specific jury instruction that identifies each category of pain and suffering that can be compensated — see CACI No. 3905A.

What evidence helps in a car accident case?

Evidence that helps in a car accident case can include photos, videos, police reports, witness statements, medical records, vehicle damage, repair estimates, and any other proof that shows how the crash happened and how it affected you. In our experience, we have also been successful in obtaining additional evidence that helps establish liability, including roadway markings, police body camera footage, 911 call recordings, and other scene-related evidence.

What if the insurance company says my injury wasn’t caused by the accident?

If the insurance company says your injury wasn’t caused by the accident, that doesn’t mean the case is over. That’s a common defense, and the dispute usually centers on medical history, the timing of treatment, the nature of the impact, and medical documentation. We have successfully retained experts to prove that the car accident caused our clients injuries.

Should I accept the first offer from the insurance company?

Accepting the first offer from the insurance company without fully understanding your injuries and losses can be a mistake. In many cases, an early offer doesn’t reflect the true value of treatment, future recovery, or the lasting impact of the accident. We have never accepted an insurance’ company’s first offer unless the offer was for the insurance policy limit.

What if I feel fine at first but then pain develops?

If you felt fine at first but then pain developed, you may still have a valid claim. Not all injuries appear immediately after a collision. Many people begin to feel pain hours or even days later. In our experience, that is common. Right after a crash, adrenaline can mask pain and make injuries less noticeable at first.

Does it matter that the accident happened in San Francisco?

Yes, it matters that the accident happened in San Francisco because local circumstances can affect the investigation, the availability of cameras, witness identification, traffic conditions, and, in some cases, the potential involvement of public transportation or public entities.

When should I speak with a car accident lawyer?

You should speak with a San Francisco car accident lawyer as soon as possible after the crash. The sooner the case is reviewed, the easier it is to protect evidence, identify applicable policies, coordinate medical documentation, and avoid mistakes with the insurance company.

Call Anderson Franco Law: a San Francisco car accident law firm

If you were injured in a San Francisco car accident and need clear answers about fault, medical bills, insurance, or what your case may be worth, contact Anderson Franco Law. Anderson Franco helps injured people understand whether they have a claim, what steps to take next, and how California car accident cases are actually handled. The sooner you get advice, the easier it is to protect evidence, avoid insurance mistakes, and move your case in the right direction.

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I signed on with Anderson Franco to represent me for an unfortunate auto-pedestrian accident I experienced in San Francisco in May 2024. Anderson kept me updated at each step of the process, explained the nitty...

David K.

I was in a terrible car accident and Anderson and his team were able to hold the parties at fault accountable and obtained a settlement for the injuries I sustained. They made the entire process effortless!...

Maria M.

I am pleased to give Anderson the highest recommendation possible. I had a car collision in December 2021. Anderson was very helpful throughout the whole process. He made the process easy and convenient. All of...

Jennifer R.

Best lawyer in the Bay Area.

Jose B.

I cannot recommend Anderson Franco highly enough. He is an incredible personal injury lawyer who helped me settle my case quickly with an extremely favorable outcome. He was always available to answer my...

Caroline C.

Highly recommend! Anderson was our attorney who helped me and my family on a settlement of a lawsuit. He continued to fight the case until satisfied with the results.

Daniela S.

Attorney Franco is kind and understanding. He is knowledgeable and patient to us explaining every detail of what we have to do. He will support you all the way. Thanks again Attorney.

Thelma

I was injured in a car accident while on the way to pick up my son up from preschool. My car was totaled and I was taken to the hospital. The entire experience was extremely stressful and I worried about “next...

Alexis

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Our Locations

San Francisco Office
1 Embarcadero Ctr
#2860

San Francisco, CA 94111

Marin Office
4040 Civic Center Dr
#200

San Rafael, CA 94903