Best San Francisco Car Accident Attorneys

Car accident lawyers in San Francisco represent drivers, passengers, cyclists, and pedestrians hurt by careless driving. They take on sideswipes, intersection wrecks, and collisions with delivery vans or driverless cars. A lawyer can pull the police report and medical records, then press the insurer for a fair payout. That money can cover hospital bills, lost wages, car repairs, and pain and suffering. Many charge nothing unless the claim pays out.

Listed San Francisco Car Accident Lawyers are ranked by one score, applied the same way to every firm. It draws on public signals, including:

  • Client satisfaction and overall online reputation
  • The volume and consistency of client feedback
  • How established the firm is
  • Peer recognition within the legal community and across the web

Rankings are calculated independently from public data. Paid placements don't change a listing's score.

Leading SF Auto Accident Lawyers for Rideshare, Muni & Pedestrian Crashes

Screenshot of the Walkup Personal Injury Lawyers Website
650 California St 26th Floor, San Francisco, CA 94108, USA

Walkup, Melodia, Kelly & Schoenberger is a San Francisco personal injury firm founded in 1959. It has recovered more than $1 billion for injured clients. That includes a $47.5 million settlement against a trucking company.

The firm keeps a physician-attorney on staff. This doctor reviews medical records and helps find the right expert witnesses. Walkup lawyers try cases in court and have won Trial Lawyer of the Year honors.

Its caseload covers car, bicycle, and pedestrian crashes, plus Uber and Lyft claims. It works on a 100% contingency basis, so clients pay no upfront fees.

Screenshot of the Nadrich Accident Injury Lawyers Website

Since 1990, Nadrich Accident Injury Lawyers has recovered over $750 million for injured Californians. Its largest auto accident verdict reached $32.7 million.

The firm has offices across the state, including San Francisco. Its lawyers represent victims of car, truck, and motorcycle crashes. Its trial team also takes hard cases that other firms turn down.

Screenshot of the Dolan Law Firm, PC Personal Injury Lawyers Website

Christopher B. Dolan is a San Francisco trial lawyer whose firm has collected more than $1 billion for clients. He supervises every case and has won over 26 settlements and verdicts above $1 million.

Dolan Law Firm has also changed California law. Its work is the reason Uber and Lyft must carry $1 million in coverage for injured passengers.

Its injury docket includes auto, truck, motorcycle, and bus accident claims. The firm has four California offices, including Oakland and Los Angeles.

Screenshot of the Anderson Franco Law Website
71 Stevenson Street, Suite 400, San Francisco, CA 94105, USA

A former insurance defense attorney, Anderson Franco switched sides to represent people hurt in Bay Area crashes. He knows how insurers argue fault, treatment gaps, and claim value.

Franco handles every case himself, so clients talk directly to their lawyer. He is a native Spanish speaker. His results include $800,000 for a woman hurt in a freeway collision with an uninsured driver. Anderson Franco Law has offices in San Francisco and Marin County.

Screenshot of the Law Offices of Matthew J. Quinlan Website
3223 Webster St, San Francisco, CA 94123, USA

Matthew J. Quinlan is a car accident attorney in San Francisco who has represented local crash victims since 2005. His firm, MJQLAW, works only on accident injury and fire claims.

The office also pursues Muni, BART, and AC Transit cases. One wrongful death claim followed a Muni bus dragging a 90-year-old rider. It ended in a $660,000 settlement with the city. Attorney Quinlan works alongside Daniel R. Aguilar.

Screenshot of the Abramson Smith Waldsmith LLP Website
19 Tehama St, Suite A, San Francisco, CA 94105, USA

Abramson Smith Waldsmith limits its caseload on purpose. The boutique firm has won more than $300 million for injured clients.

Its motor vehicle results include $15.13 million. In that case, a city park truck ran over a mother resting on a blanket. Another case brought $10 million from Caltrans over a dangerous guardrail. The firm's push for courtroom civility helped create the State Bar's Oath of Civility.

Screenshot of the Lieff Cabraser Heimann & Bernstein, LLP Website
275 Battery St 29th floor, San Francisco, CA 94111, USA
Screenshot of the Callaway & Wolf Website
1388 Sutter St Suite 1010, San Francisco, CA 94109, USA

Since 1995, Callaway & Wolf has handled injury and medical malpractice cases from San Francisco and Oakland. Boone Callaway is AV-rated, a Super Lawyer, and an ABOTA member.

Its practice covers drunk driving crashes and rear-end collisions, plus BART and cable car accidents.

Screenshot of the Jacoby & Meyers Accident & Injury Lawyers - San Francisco Website

Jacoby & Meyers is a California injury firm that has recovered over $2 billion since 1972. Its San Francisco office answers calls 24/7, and consultations are free.

Hit-and-run, Waymo, and Tesla crashes are part of its practice. Its own study of local crash data flagged Market and Octavia as one of the city's riskiest intersections. Results include $19 million for a rideshare passenger left quadriplegic.

Screenshot of the The Brandi Law Firm Website
354 Pine St, Floor 3, San Francisco, CA 94104, USA

A $26.6 million verdict for a pedestrian hit in a crosswalk is among The Brandi Law Firm's results. The evidence showed the State signal gave too little time to cross.

Based in San Francisco since 1992, founder Thomas J. Brandi's firm has won over $1.75 billion in verdicts and settlements. It focuses only on personal injury, with attorneys licensed in California, Nevada, and Arizona.

Screenshot of the Berg Injury Lawyers Website
2440 Santa Clara Ave., Alameda, CA 94501

Berg Injury Lawyers is a Bay Area accident firm based in Alameda that has served clients since 1981. One auto case settled for 60 times the insurer's first offer. Under its No Fee Guarantee, clients pay nothing if they don't win.

Screenshot of the Guy O. Kornblum, A Professional Law Corporation Website

Insurance claim disputes are a core focus for attorney Guy O. Kornblum. His work also covers serious injury, brain injury, and malpractice cases across the Bay Area. A longtime Super Lawyers honoree, he serves as an expert witness and writes on trial practice.

Screenshot of the Brod Law Firm Website
100 Pine St #1250, San Francisco, CA 94111, USA

Gregory J. Brod is a San Francisco injury and tenant lawyer who founded Brod Law Firm. The firm takes car, bus, bicycle, and train accident claims. It also has offices in Los Angeles and Petaluma.

Screenshot of the Accident Lawyers SF - Tork Law Website

TorkLaw has handled more than 10,000 cases and obtained over $250 million for accident victims. The plaintiffs-only firm runs a San Francisco office. Founder Reza Torkzadeh co-wrote a book on what to do after an accident.

Screenshot of the Law Offices of Benjamin Winslow Website
3223 Webster St, San Francisco, CA 94123, USA

Benjamin Winslow is a San Francisco native and trial attorney with Martindale-Hubbell's AV rating. An avid cyclist, he focuses on bicycle accidents. Auto, motorcycle, and wrongful death claims round out his practice.

Frequently Asked Questions

How long do I have to file a car accident claim in California?

Two years for injuries. California gives you two years from the crash to file an injury lawsuit. Claims for vehicle damage alone have three years. Waiting too long can end your case, so act early.

What if I was partly at fault for the crash?

You can still recover. California uses pure comparative negligence. Your award shrinks by your share of fault, but it is not wiped out. A driver found 30% at fault can still collect 70% of their damages.

How do I file a claim against Muni or the City of San Francisco?

You must file a government claim first. Injury claims against the City and County of San Francisco generally must be filed within six months. The City Attorney's Office handles these claims. You can sue only after the claim is denied or ignored.

Can I recover damages if I was driving without insurance?

Only part of them. Under Proposition 213, uninsured drivers generally cannot recover pain and suffering. You may still claim medical bills, lost wages, and property damage. There are exceptions, such as when the other driver was convicted of DUI.

How much does a San Francisco car accident lawyer cost?

Most work on a contingent fee. The lawyer takes a share of the settlement or verdict instead of billing by the hour. The firm usually advances costs like expert witness fees. Ask how those costs come out of your recovery before you sign.

How long does a car accident case take?

It depends on your injuries and the insurer. Clear-fault cases with minor injuries may settle within months. A lawsuit in San Francisco Superior Court can take a year or longer. Most lawyers wait until you finish treatment before negotiating.

Do I have to report the crash to the DMV?

Yes, in many cases. California drivers must file an SR-1 form within 10 days if anyone was hurt. The same applies when property damage tops $1,000. This report is separate from any police report.

Types of Car Accident Cases in San Francisco

Freeway Collisions. High-speed wrecks happen on US-101, I-280, and the I-80 approach to the Bay Bridge. Chain-reaction crashes can involve several drivers and insurers. Sorting out legal liability often takes accident reconstruction.

Pedestrian Crashes. Busy corridors in SoMa, the Tenderloin, and along Van Ness see frequent pedestrian injuries. Drivers who fail to yield in a crosswalk are often found negligent. These cases tend to involve serious injuries.

Bicycle and Scooter Crashes. Cyclists and scooter riders are hurt by right hooks and opened car doors. Evidence like helmet cameras and nearby video can prove what happened. Injuries often include fractures and head trauma.

Rideshare Collisions. Coverage depends on whether the driver had the app on and a passenger aboard. A lawyer can identify which policy applies. Passengers usually have the clearest path to recovery.

Autonomous Vehicle Crashes. Driverless cars operate on city streets every day. These claims may target the operating company rather than a human driver. Onboard sensor data can be key evidence.

Delivery and Commercial Vehicles. Delivery vans double-park and make sudden stops across the city. The driver's employer may share responsibility for the crash. Commercial policies often carry higher limits than personal ones.

Uninsured and Hit-and-Run Crashes. Your own uninsured motorist coverage may pay when the other driver has none. The same coverage can apply after a hit-and-run. Report the crash to police quickly to protect this claim.

How to Choose a Car Accident Lawyer in San Francisco

Ask about government claims. Crashes involving Muni, city vehicles, or road defects follow strict deadlines. Choose a lawyer who files these claims often.

Check their courtroom experience. Insurers offer more when they expect a lawyer to go to trial. Ask how many cases the lawyer has tried to a verdict.

Find out who handles your case. Some firms pass cases to junior staff. Ask who will answer your calls and attend your deposition.

Ask about expert resources. Serious cases may need reconstruction experts, doctors, and economists. Confirm the firm can fund them.

Read the fee agreement closely. Check the percentage and whether it rises if the case goes to trial. Ask what happens to costs if you lose.

Average Car Accident Settlements in San Francisco

Settlements vary widely from case to case. Injury severity drives value more than anything else. A traumatic brain injury or spinal cord injury is worth far more than a sprain. Medical costs, lost income, and future care all count.

Insurance limits also cap many recoveries. California's minimum policy pays just $30,000 per injured person. Your own underinsured motorist coverage can fill part of that gap. Under comparative negligence, shared fault reduces the final amount. A local attorney can review the evidence and give you a realistic range.

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