San Francisco Personal Injury Attorneys

When you’re injured in an accident in San Francisco, recovery involves more than just physical healing—it often requires financial stability, emotional support, and legal advocacy.

If someone else’s negligence caused your injuries, you might be entitled to compensation for medical expenses, lost wages, and more.

An experienced San Francisco personal injury lawyer can guide you through this process, ensuring you can recover what you’re owed while focusing on your recovery.

Our attorneys handle a wide variety of cases, from car accidents and wrongful death to dog bites and sexual assault claims. With a dedicated team and a history of success, we work tirelessly to secure justice for accident victims like you.

Contact our firm online or call (209) 600-4389 today to speak with a dedicated lawyer on our team.

Claims a San Francisco Injury Attorney Can Handle 

Personal injury claims arise when someone suffers harm due to another party’s negligence, carelessness, or intentional misconduct. Our personal injury attorneys in San Francisco represent clients in the following types of cases.

Accidentes de tráfico

The California Highway Patrol (CHP) reports nearly 200,000 injury-related car crashes annually statewide, with San Francisco ranking as one of the cities with the highest rates of collisions per capita.

Causes often include speeding, distracted driving, and driving under the influence. If you’ve been injured in a car accident, our San Francisco car accident lawyers will help you secure compensation for your medical expenses, vehicle repair, and more.

Accidentes de camiones

Due to their immense size and weight, large trucks can cause devastating accidents, which are often catastrophic.

According to the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA), nearly 5,000 fatalities nationwide were caused by truck crashes in 2022 alone. Trucking companies and insurers often use aggressive tactics to avoid liability.

They know that unsuspecting and trusting survivors often fall for such strategies.

However, when you are represented by a professional, the insurer knows that those tactics will not work. Your San Francisco truck accident lawyer knows what your case is worth and will work to get you the compensation needed to cover all your losses.

Accidentes de moto

Motorcyclists face a high risk of severe injuries in accidents. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) reports that motorcyclists are 28 times more likely to suffer fatal injuries than passengers in cars.

Common injuries include traumatic brain injuries, fractures, and road rash, often requiring long-term care.

Demandas por homicidio culposo

Losing a loved one due to negligence is devastating. Wrongful death claims allow surviving family members to seek compensation for funeral costs, lost income, and emotional suffering. These cases often involve fatal car accidents, defective products, or workplace accidents.

Mordeduras de perro

California has some of the strictest dog bite laws in the nation, holding owners strictly liable for injuries caused by their pets.

Strict liability means that the dog does not have to have shown a propensity for being aggressive for you to hold the owner liable. They are responsible regardless of whether they had prior notice of the dog’s aggressiveness. 

Dog bites can lead to significant medical costs, scarring, and emotional trauma. Victims may require surgeries, physical therapy, and ongoing psychological support, particularly in cases involving children.

Additionally, dog bite incidents often result in lost income if victims cannot work during their recovery. A good legal team can help you pursue compensation for these losses and protect your rights.

Accidentes de peatones

San Francisco’s walkable streets are both a benefit and a risk. The California Office of Traffic Safety (OTS) reports that pedestrian fatalities rose more than 25% between 2018 and 2022. Pedestrians have little protection, and when they are struck by cars, they often suffer costly, debilitating injuries.

Agresión sexual

Sexual assault survivors often face emotional trauma, medical costs, and lost income. Our attorneys work to hold perpetrators and any negligent third parties, such as employers or property owners, accountable for their actions.

Daños y perjuicios 

If you’re injured in an accident caused by someone else’s negligence, you may be entitled to financial compensation for the losses you’ve incurred. Let’s look at some types of damages that are available. 

Daños económicos

Economic damages are intended to reimburse you for direct, tangible financial losses related to your injury.

These may include:

• Medical expenses, including hospital stays, surgeries, and physical therapy;
• Lost wages for time missed at work or a lower earning capacity post-accident; and
• Property damage, such as repairs to your vehicle.

For example, according to the National Safety Council (NSC), the average cost of a disabling workplace injury in the U.S. exceeds $45,000. The NSC also reports that the average cost of a disabling car accident injury is around $162,000.

But these averages may be far greater or far less than your losses.

Each case is very different, and your lawyer will ask for receipts, bills, invoices, and pay stubs to assess your specific economic losses.

Daños no económicos

Noneconomic damages compensate you for intangible losses, such as:

• Dolor y sufrimiento,
• Angustia emocional, y
• Pérdida del disfrute de la vida.

These damages address the personal and emotional toll of an injury, recognizing that the impact of an accident goes beyond financial losses.

By working with an experienced San Francisco personal injury attorney, you can ensure these noneconomic factors are thoroughly considered in your claim.

Daños punitivos

In cases involving gross negligence or intentional misconduct, courts may award punitive damages to punish the wrongdoer and deter similar behavior in the future.

Cases involving such egregious misconduct are relatively rare, but your attorney will know if these damages are available to you.

 Accurately calculating damages requires in-depth knowledge of personal injury law and often involves input from medical professionals, economists, and other specialists. A personal injury attorney in San Francisco will ensure your claim reflects the full scope of your losses.

Signs You Should Hire a Personal Injury Lawyer

Some personal injury claims can be resolved without legal representation.

However, you always run the risk of not knowing the true value of your claim and accepting a weak offer that does not cover your losses and leaves you out-of-pocket for the difference. Therefore, having a lawyer for all injury cases is incredibly helpful.

But there are some cases where it is even more important than usual:

• Your injuries are severe or life-altering. If you’ve suffered significant injuries that require extensive medical treatment, an attorney can ensure you seek enough compensation to cover both current and future expenses. It can be devastating to realize, years later, that you are still paying medical bills from the incident that were not covered in the settlement.
• Disputed liability. When the other party denies fault or blames you for the accident, a lawyer can gather evidence to establish their liability.
• The insurance company offers a low settlement. Insurance adjusters often aim to minimize payouts. An attorney can negotiate a fair settlement on your behalf.
• You’re unsure of your legal rights. Understanding California’s personal injury laws and managing the legal process can be overwhelming without professional guidance.

Hiring legal representation can significantly increase your chances of getting an amount that truly takes care of all your losses. 

How a Personal Injury Lawyer Can Help 

Hiring a personal injury lawyer after an accident is one of the most impactful decisions you can make when pursuing compensation.

Attorneys do much more than file paperwork or negotiate settlements—they advocate for your rights, ensure the process runs smoothly, and maximize the value of your claim. 

Gathering and Analyzing Evidence to Build a Strong Case

One of the first things a personal injury lawyer does is gather and analyze evidence. This includes police reports, medical records, witness statements, and any relevant video footage.

In complex cases like truck or multi-vehicle accidents, attorneys may also consult accident reconstruction experts to determine liability.

For example, if you suffered a traumatic brain injury (TBI) after a motorcycle accident, a lawyer would work with neurologists and life care planners to calculate your future medical expenses accurately.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reports that TBIs result in nearly 223,000 hospitalizations annually, with many victims requiring lifelong care. Without legal representation, these long-term costs might be overlooked.

Negotiating Fair Settlements with Insurance Companies

Insurance companies often attempt to minimize payouts or deny claims altogether.

A seasoned personal injury attorney knows their tactics and can counter them effectively. 

Representing You in Court When Necessary

While most cases settle out of court, some require litigation. A personal injury attorney can file a lawsuit, present your case before a judge or jury, and argue for the full extent of your damages. 

Contact a San Francisco personal injury attorney today to discuss how we can help you pursue the justice and compensation you deserve.

Do You Have Questions for a San Francisco Personal Injury Lawyer?

If you or someone in your family was recently injured in a preventable accident, the dedicated team at Silva Injury Law is here to help.

Our attorneys have decades of experience successfully handling all types of personal injury cases, including motor vehicle accidents, falls, workplace accidents, and more.

We offer free consultations to all prospective clients and will not accept payment for our services unless we obtain compensation for you.

To schedule a free consultation with a San Francisco injury attorney, call Silva Injury Law at (209) 600-4389 or fill out our online contact form today, and we will be in touch shortly. 

Resources:

• The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Traumatic Brain Injury & Concussion, TBI Data, link
• National Safety Council, Work Injury Costs – Work Injury Costs and Time Lost, link
• California Office of Traffic Safety, Pedestrian Safety – Think Two Steps Ahead, link
• California Office of Traffic Safety, Pedestrian Safety, link
• National Safety Council, Guide to Calculating Costs, link