San Francisco Car Accident Lawyers

Types of Accidents Handled by Our Car Accident Law Firm in San Francisco

Car accidents can happen in countless ways, and no two cases are identical. A San Francisco auto accident attorney from our firm can handle various accident types to ensure victims receive the compensation they deserve.

Rear-End Collisions

Rear-end collisions are one of the most common types of crashes in San Francisco, often caused by distracted driving or tailgating. Even seemingly minor collisions can result in serious injuries, such as whiplash, spinal injuries, or concussions. These injuries often require extensive medical treatment and time away from work, leaving victims struggling to make ends meet.

Our team carefully investigates rear-end accidents, collecting evidence such as dashcam footage, eyewitness testimony, and police reports to hold the at-fault driver accountable. With the help of a San Francisco car accident attorney, you can seek the financial recovery you need to move forward.

T-Bone Accidents

T-bone, or side-impact collisions, frequently occur at busy intersections when a driver fails to yield the right of way. These accidents can have catastrophic consequences, especially for passengers seated on the side of the impact. Common injuries include broken bones, internal bleeding, and traumatic brain injuries.

T-bone accidents can involve complex liability issues involving multiple vehicles. Our firm has the knowledge and tools to address these challenges and fight for justice on your behalf.

Hit-and-Run Accidents

San Francisco has seen a disturbing increase in hit-and-run accidents in recent years. Victims of these incidents often face significant hurdles, including identifying the responsible driver. However, even if the at-fault driver cannot be located, you may still be able to recover damages through your uninsured motorist coverage.

Pedestrian and Bicycle Accidents

San Francisco is known for its pedestrian-friendly streets and bike lanes, but these spaces can also be dangerous. The SFMTA reports that injury collisions involving pedestrians have declined by 30% since 2019, but fatal pedestrian accidents remain alarmingly high. In 2022, 20 pedestrians were killed, including seven homeless individuals.

Cyclists face similar risks, with bike-related collisions making up a significant portion of reported accidents. Whether you were injured walking to work or biking along San Francisco’s iconic streets, we are here to help.

Speeding and Reckless Driving Accidents

Speeding is a leading cause of serious accidents. The data shows that crashes involving speeding increased during the pandemic years. Reckless driving behaviors such as racing, illegal U-turns, and aggressive lane changes also pose significant risks to everyone on the road.

At Silva Injury Law, we aggressively pursue claims against drivers whose negligence has endangered others.

Recent Traffic Trends in San Francisco

San Francisco’s traffic trends reveal troubling patterns in accident severity and outcomes.

Key findings from the SFMTA’s analysis of police-reported data for 2017–2022 include the following: 

• Fatal collisions. Fatal crashes rose to 39 in 2022, the highest annual total since 2007. This marks a significant increase compared to prior years.
• Fatal-to-injury ratio. The ratio of fatal crashes to crashes involving injuries nearly doubled, increasing from 5 fatalities per 1,000 injuries in 2017 to 11 fatalities per 1,000 injuries in 2022. This stark shift points to a rise in more severe collisions.
• Motorcycle fatalities. Fatal motorcycle crashes saw a sharp increase during this period, highlighting the vulnerability of motorcyclists in the face of reckless driving and unsafe road conditions.
• Hit-and-run incidents. The percentage of crashes classified as hit-and-runs increased significantly, leaving many victims without immediate recourse or assistance at the scene of the accident.
• Speeding-related crashes. Accidents involving speeding also saw a notable rise, correlating with the increase in fatal collisions during the same period.

In addition, pedestrian fatalities remain a pressing concern. Despite an overall decline in pedestrian injuries from collisions since 2019, 20 pedestrians lost their lives in 2022, with seven of those victims identified as individuals experiencing homelessness. This statistic underscores the disparities and risks faced by vulnerable populations in San Francisco. Bicycle-related crashes also declined, but cyclists remain at significant risk on high-traffic roads.

These statistics highlight the ongoing dangers drivers, pedestrians, and cyclists face in San Francisco. They also underscore the importance of legal representation for those affected by these accidents.

The Growing Threat of Speeding and Aggressive Driving

Speeding and aggressive driving are major contributors to car accidents in San Francisco. Recent data shows a significant rise in speeding-related crashes during the pandemic, as reduced traffic encouraged drivers to ignore speed limits. Even with traffic levels returning to normal, reckless behavior on the roads remains a persistent danger.

Aggressive driving is more than speeding—it involves a range of dangerous behaviors that increase the likelihood and severity of accidents.

Common examples include:

• Tailgating—following too closely leaves little time to react, often leading to rear-end collisions;
• Unsafe lane changes—weaving between lanes without signaling or checking blind spots can result in sideswipe accidents;
• Running red lights—failing to stop at intersections often leads to high-impact T-bone collisions; and
• Road rage—aggressive actions like chasing or intentionally cutting off other drivers can create unpredictable and dangerous situations, causing serious accidents.

Aggressive maneuvers put other drivers and vulnerable individuals, such as pedestrians, cyclists, and motorcycle riders, at risk.

Unique Challenges of San Francisco’s Roads

San Francisco’s geography and road design add to the risks of speeding and aggressive driving.

• Steep hills and sharp turns. These road features leave little margin for error, as the driver cannot always see cars coming towards them beforehand. Such roads make speeding or unsafe maneuvers particularly dangerous.
• Narrow streets. Limited space means little wiggle room and less space to use as a driver attempts to avoid a collision. Such narrow streets also increase the likelihood of collisions involving pedestrians or cyclists.
• Residential high-speed zones. Areas near homes and schools that allow faster speeds are especially hazardous for families and children.

While the city has implemented traffic calming measures such as speed bumps and roundabouts, these efforts can only reduce risks to a limited extent.

Victims of speeding and aggressive driving often experience life-altering injuries that require extensive medical care and recovery. You can pursue compensation and hold reckless drivers accountable by working with a lawyer from Silva Injury Law.

Discuss Your Injuries with an Experienced Car Accident Lawyer in San Francisco Today

If you or someone you care about was recently hurt in a preventable auto accident, it is important to take a few minutes to understand your rights. At Silva Injury Law, our lawyers have decades of experience successfully handling all types of personal injury cases, including motor vehicle accident claims.

We offer free consultations to all prospective clients, and we work on a contingency fee. That means that it won’t cost you anything to hire us, and we cover all upfront costs as we work to get you the compensation you need to move forward.

In other words, we don’t get paid until you do. After we obtain a settlement or award on your behalf, our fee comes out of the money you receive.

So you have nothing to lose. Call (209) 600-4389 or contact us online today to schedule a free consultation.