San Francisco Car Accident Attorney

Until you are involved in a car accident, you may underestimate the trauma it can cause. A relatively minor collision resulting in some repairable vehicle damage and, perhaps, a case of whiplash, may seem like just “one of those things”, an inconvenience that can soon be forgotten and moved on from. Unfortunately, it tends not to be that simple. In fact, it would be fair to say that there is no such thing as a minor car accident. Even non-life-threatening injuries can necessitate a period away from work and, therefore, loss of earnings you and your family may be depending upon to survive.

The good news for anyone who has been involved in a car accident in the Bay Area is that Allegiance Law attorneys are highly experienced and knowledgeable in this area of law, and are ready to help you navigate your case so you can move on with your life.

An expert San Francisco car accident attorney can prove invaluable when you are dealing with the aftermath of a car accident of any level of severity. Some of the reasons why you have sustained those injuries may include distracted driving, driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs, road rage, and driving when fatigued – whatever the contributing factors were, and whatever the extent of the resulting injuries and damages, Allegiance Law’s dedicated car accident attorneys are here for you.

To find out how we can help in your specific case, call us today at 415-404-6395 to schedule an initial consultation.

In the meantime, keep reading to learn more about the various aspects of car accidents, compensation claims, and how our San Francisco attorneys could be of assistance.

What Should I Do If I am Involved in a Car Accident in San Francisco?

As with many other scenarios you may encounter as you go about your everyday life, there are some steps you should, and others you most certainly should not, do when you are involved in a car accident. While our legal expertise focuses on California law, many of these will be useful no matter where the collision occurs.

DO:

• Check yourself, your passengers, and the occupants of other vehicles to see if anyone has been injured
• Call 911 to inform the police of the incident, and to request other emergency services if required. Remember that you must call 911 even when the collision is relatively minor
• If it is safe, and possible, to do so, move the vehicles to the side of the road to minimize obstruction. Do not attempt to move any vehicles you suspect may be unsafe. Instead, make sure you, and others, are clear of any hazards
• Obtain personal information from the drivers and others involved in the accident. This should include name, telephone number, insurance information, and details of their vehicle
• Take photos of your injuries, the scene of the car accident, and the damage caused to your vehicle
• If there are any witnesses present, make sure to get their contact details
• If possible, make notes about the accident while the details are fresh in your mind. The notes app on your smartphone will come in handy here if you do not tend to carry a pen and paper with you. Do not rely on yourself to recall the details at a later date – you may be surprised by how much you forget after such a stressful event
• Contact your insurance company to inform them of the car accident
• Speak to an experienced, esteemed San Francisco car accident attorney

DO NOT:

• Give a statement to anyone other than the police
• Sign any disclaimers, waivers, or other documents at the scene of the accident
• Sign anything, other than police documents, without advice from a San Francisco car accident attorney
• Discuss the incident with anyone other than the police, your insurance company, or your car accident attorney
• Leave the scene without informing the police
• Leave the scene without recording as much information as possible, and taking photographs

Car Accidents in San Francisco – What You Need to Know

When you drive in busy areas, like San Francisco, you probably accept that car accident is likely, given the volume of traffic on the roads. If you are the kind of person who likes to study facts and statistics, we have some official California car accident figures for you. The following statistics have been taken from the National Safety Council’s estimates.

• Between 2015 and 2016, motor vehicle-related deaths increased by 6% overall, reaching a total of 40,200
• The estimated costs of these deaths, car accident-related injuries, and associated property damage amount to $432.5 billion for 2016, representing an increase of 12% when compared to 2015
• More car accidents occurred in October than in any other month, with August a close second
• California roads claimed 3,640 lives in 2016, up 13% on the previous year’s figures
• In addition to the fatal car accidents, approximately 2.5 million injuries were sustained in collisions

According to the U.S Department of Transportation’s National Highway Traffic Safety Administration’s 2016 fatal traffic crash data, 94% of all fatal car accidents were caused by human behavior, meaning that the vast majority of those deaths could have been prevented.

Common Causes of San Francisco Car Accidents

A car accident is a car accident, right? No! No two accidents are the same, meaning no two injuries are identical and, to make sure you get the best possible outcome from your San Francisco car accident claim, you need to seek legal representation from an outstanding attorney.

At Allegiance Law, our loyalty lies with our clients, meaning your best interests are at the heart of everything we do. While working on the behalf of car accident victims just like you, we have obtained extensive experience of recovering damages related to:

• Distracted driving, including drivers who are using cellphones, tuning their radios, or paying attention to objects in the cars, rather than focusing on the road and their surroundings
• Driving while under the influence of alcohol or drugs – both prescription and recreational
• Speeding
• Failure to yield
• Failure to signal
• Driving without due care and attention
• Road rage, including aggressive driving, tailgating and more
• Changing lanes without paying attention to traffic, signaling, or following the correct procedure

There are countless reasons why a car accident may have occurred and, when you consult a San Francisco car accident attorney from Allegiance Law, our priority lies in proving the negligence, or willful wrongdoing, of another driver, resulted in your injuries.

To discuss your case with one of our expert car accident attorneys, call us today at 415-404-6395 to schedule an initial consultation.

Your Legal Rights After a Car Accident in San Francisco

When you are coming to terms with the injuries and damages incurred because of a car accident, your legal rights may not be the first thing you think of. However, it is important to be aware of what you are entitled to, and this is where an expert San Francisco car accident attorney can prove worth their weight in gold. If you have been injured due to the actions of another, you may be entitled to compensation. Even where you are eligible to claim, your chances of success greatly increase when you instruct a dedicated car accident attorney to act on your behalf.

For example, did you know that you are legally entitled to:

• Refuse to settle immediately, no matter how much money you are offered
• Decline any medical advice offered by your insurance company, or their representatives
• Refrain from giving a recorded statement to your insurance company
• Prevent your insurance company from accessing your medical history

Following a car accident in San Francisco, as your attorney can tell you, you should:

• Enlist legal representation from a knowledgeable car accident attorney, and allow them to use their skills and expertise to review any offer you may receive. If an offer is not deemed to be fair, you are under no obligation to accept
• Seek medical advice from your own doctor, to ensure you get a true reflection of your injuries, and confirmation that they were caused by the collision
• Allow your San Francisco car accident attorney to liaise with insurance companies and other involved parties on your behalf

We firmly believe that you have been subjected to enough stress, and should not have to shoulder the burden of pursuing a claim alone. By entrusting your case to a San Francisco car accident attorney from Allegiance Law, you can rest assured that we will do everything within our power to thoroughly review all available evidence, prove that another driver was negligent and at fault, and recover the maximum compensation applicable to your case.

To learn more, call us today at 415-404-6395 to arrange your initial consultation with one of our outstanding San Francisco car accident attorneys.

San Francisco Car Accident Attorney FAQs

I don’t know if I can afford a car accident attorney

Almost all personal injury attorneys, in San Francisco and beyond, work on a contingency fee basis. In simple terms, this means that you do not pay us until you have received a compensation payment. There is no upfront cost involved, so there is no reason to let your financial circumstances disqualify you from the legal representation you are entitled to.

Will I have to go to court?

There is no set rule but, in general, many car accidents claims never actually go to court, having been resolved before the point of filing a lawsuit. Your San Francisco car accident attorney will focus on doing what is best for you – whatever that may be.

Do I have to instruct an attorney?

While you are not legally obliged to involve an attorney when making a claim for compensation following a car accident in San Francisco, it is strongly recommended that you do. Choosing to work alone could mean you unintentionally jeopardize your own case, and reduce the compensation you receive. This may occur due to:

• Being unable to accurately value your claim. Do you know how to calculate what you have lost, and what effect your injuries may have on your future?
• Not knowing what a fair settlement is
• A lack of legal expertise meaning you do not recognize when an insurance company is leaving out important information, for example, or providing misleading information about your case
• Lack of ability to litigate. Sometimes the knowledge that litigation will follow an unsatisfactory outcome is all that is needed to encourage the defendant’s legal team to offer a fair settlement
• The stress of the car accident, and pain of your injuries, meaning you cannot fully focus on building a strong case, even when you do have legal experience

For these, and various other reasons, it is truly in your best interest to work with an outstanding San Francisco car accident attorney from Allegiance Law.

Are my injuries too minor to make my case worth your while?

In short, no. If you have sustained injuries due to the negligence or deliberate behavior of another and, as such, have suffered damages or loss of earnings, we can act on your behalf. To discuss the specifics of your case, and how a San Francisco car accident attorney would advise you to proceed, call us today at 415-404-6395 to schedule your free consultation.

Why should I choose a San Francisco car accident attorney from Allegiance Law?

Firstly, you should know that availing of a free consultation does not obligate you to enlist one of our attorneys. However, we believe that there are numerous reasons why you should seriously consider doing so, including the following:

• Our loyalty is with our clients, meaning we will always act in your best interests
• Each of our experienced San Francisco attorneys abides by our three Allegiance Law Promises:

1. We will keep you informed of your case from investigation through trial
2. We return all calls and emails promptly
3. We will fight hard to get you the settlement you deserve

• We have a proven record of success in San Francisco car accident cases just like yours

To find exactly how an Allegiance Law car accident attorney can benefit you, schedule a free consultation by calling us today at 415-404-6395.