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San Francisco and Los Angeles are constantly competing for the “most dangerous city in California in terms of car accidents” title. And while Los Angeles ranks No. 1 almost every year, San Francisco is usually behind by a very small margin. In fact, in 2009, San Francisco ranked first in California in the number of car accident fatalities and injuries in terms of miles drive in cities with populations over 250,000.
San Francisco is particularly dangerous for pedestrians and cyclists, who are most prone to suffering severe injuries and getting killed at intersections in the city. Our San Francisco car accident attorney from the Allegiance Law has listed some of the most dangerous intersections in the city for motorists, pedestrians, and cyclists to exercise extra caution when driving, walking or riding through these intersections.
Although it is highly advised to be on high alert when crossing or driving through an intersection, exercise extra caution when you are at any of the above-mentioned San Francisco intersection.
Regardless of your role at the time of a car accident at an intersection – a pedestrian, cyclist, motorcyclist, car driver, etc. – you may share part of the blame for the accident. “If you are partially at fault for a car accident in San Francisco or elsewhere in California, the value of your personal injury settlement will be reduced by the percentage of your own negligence,” explains our experienced car accident attorney in San Francisco.
That is because California is a “comparative negligence state.” Meaning: multiple parties could be held liable for the same accident. The compensation will be reduced according to the percentage of each party’s fault in the accident.
What should you do if you have been injured in a car accident at a San Francisco intersection? The first step you should take is to stop the vehicle and check if anyone, including yourself, has been injured and requires medical attention. If that is the case, call 911 to get medical care.
The second step is to call the police. Notifying the cops is necessary to obtain a police report, which will later serve as your “ticket” to seeking compensation. As you wait for the arrival of the police, write down names, addresses, contact information, and license numbers from all motorists involved.
Do not underestimate the importance of obtaining names, phone numbers and other contact information of passengers and witnesses. Witness accounts may be extremely useful to prove that the other party was fully or partially at fault for the car crash.
Then, make sure that you take photographs and record videos at the scene of the crash, documenting the damages, skid marks, your injuries, and anything that could be relevant to your legal case.
Regardless of the circumstances of your accident, do not admit fault and avoid making statements that make you look guilty. Before you contact your insurance company to notify them about the accident, consult with a San Francisco car accident attorney. Failure to do so may result in you losing your right to recover damages or significantly minimize the value of your claim.
Schedule a free consultation by contacting the Allegiance Law today. Call at 415-404-6395 or complete this contact form.
Posted in Car Accident, Personal Injury