San Francisco Car Accident Attorney
Millions Won for Auto Accident Victims in California
Involved in a car accident? You may be able to obtain financial compensation for your physical, emotional, and economic losses – all of which can quickly add up and place tremendous strain on you and your family.
With the potential for causing serious injuries, permanent disability, and death, auto accidents are serious matters for which responsible parties must be held accountable. Ensuring you have qualified legal representation as you seek justice and recompense for your losses can make all the difference.
At Bostwick & Associates, our award-winning car accident lawyers in San Francisco have recovered more than $1 billion in compensation for the injured – including those who suffered harm and losses in a variety of motor vehicle collisions. We have the resources to fight for victims in need.
Reasons to Call Bostwick & Associates
- Our team has recovered over $1 billion in compensation for clients.
- We have secured record-breaking verdicts and settlements.
- Our lawyers have been The Best Lawyers in America© and Super Lawyers® Magazine.
- We personally attend to our clients and offer individualized service.
- We work cases on a conditional fee agreement; if we don't win, you don't pay.
Don't wait to act after a crash. Contact our San Francisco car accident attorneys for a free case review at (888) 831-8448.
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Record-Setting $21,000,000 Personal Injury, Brain Injury, Auto/Truck Accident
Largest California non-punitive verdict for a single individual (San Francisco County, Zivic v. Winterland).
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Record-Setting $17,000,000 Medical Malpractice, Birth Injury, Brain Injury, Sepsis, Medication Error
Settlement for a brain-injured baby.
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Record-Setting $16,500,000 Birth Injury, Brain Injury, Medical Malpractice, Cerebral Palsy
Record setting-settlement for a brain injured baby.
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Record-Setting $15,000,000 Brain Injury, Birth Injury, Medical Malpractice, Cerebral Palsy
Largest pretrial settlement against the United States in Hawaii for a child who suffered brain damage during birth.
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Record-Setting $14,000,000 Medical Malpractice, Brain Injury, Neonatal Injury, Surgical Injury
Surgery error on a 3-day old child resulted in brain injuries.
Why Work with a Lawyer?
The biggest mistake victims make after being injured in an auto accident is to believe they will be fairly compensated by the at-fault party's insurance company. This simply isn't true.
Insurance companies are in business to make money, and they do whatever they can to minimize claims and the sums they pay out to victims injured by their policyholders
By working with an experienced car crash attorney, you can focus on recovering while a professional handles your claim. You can also improve your chances of being fully compensated.
In fact, statistics show that on average, people who work with attorneys are paid 3.5x more in their personal injury cases than those without legal representation.
WHEN DO I NEED A LAWYER FOR A CAR ACCIDENT?
If you've been injured in a car crash in San Francisco, seeking legal help is essential. Waiting too long could mean that valuable evidence is lost, and witnesses may forget critical details. An experienced car accident attorney can collect evidence, conduct interviews with witnesses, and submit legal paperwork in a timely manner, giving you the best chance of receiving fair compensation for your injuries and losses. Would you be able to handle such tasks after suffering an injury in one of the Bay Area's many car accidents?
Without legal representation, you also risk being taken advantage of by the at-fault party's insurance company, which minimizes claims and payouts. In fact, statistics show that individuals who work with attorneys are paid, on average, 3.5 times more in their personal injury cases than those without legal representation.
Examples of the types of car accident cases we handle include:
- Drunk driving accidents
- Driver distraction collisions
- Hit-and-run accidents
- Head-on crashes
- Read-end accidents
- Driver error / negligence
- Serious injuries
- Wrongful death
- Defective auto parts
- Commercial truck accidents
- Intersection accidents
- Uninsured motorists
California Car Accident Laws
California follows a "fault" system, meaning the driver who causes the accident is responsible for the damages. If you're injured or your vehicle is damaged, you can:
- File a claim with your own insurance company.
- File a third-party claim with the at-fault driver's insurer.
- File a lawsuit against the at-fault driver in court.
California uses pure comparative negligence, which means:
- You can recover damages even if you're partly at fault.
- Your compensation is reduced by your percentage of fault.
For example, if you're 20% at fault and your damages total $10,000, you'd receive $8,000.
Mandatory Insurance Requirements
Drivers in California must carry minimum liability insurance:
- $15,000 for injury/death to one person.
- $30,000 for injury/death to more than one person.
- $5,000 for property damage.
Uninsured drivers are limited in what they can recover, even if they were not at fault (except for medical costs).
Statute of Limitations
You have limited time to file a claim:
- 2 years to file a personal injury lawsuit from the date of the accident.
- 3 years to file a property damage claim.
- If a government entity is involved (e.g., a city-owned vehicle), you must file a claim within 6 months.
Reporting Requirements
Under California Vehicle Code § 20008, if a crash results in injury or death:
- You must report the accident to the California Highway Patrol (CHP) or local police within 24 hours.
- You must also report to the DMV within 10 days using Form SR-1 if there’s injury, death, or more than $1,000 in property damage.
Car Accident Damages: Fighting for the Maximum Recovery Possible
In California, compensation in a car accident claim is meant to make the injured party "whole" again by covering losses resulting from the accident. Compensation may come through an insurance settlement or a personal injury lawsuit, and it can include both economic and non-economic damages.
Economic damages cover measurable financial losses such as:
- Medical expenses: Hospital bills, surgery costs, medication, physical therapy, and future medical care.
- Lost income: Wages lost due to time off work and loss of future earning capacity if injuries are long-term or permanent.
- Property damage: Repairs or replacement for your vehicle and any personal items damaged in the accident.
- Out-of-pocket expenses: Transportation to medical appointments, home modifications, or hiring help during recovery.
Non-economic damages are more subjective and harder to quantify:
- Pain and suffering: Physical pain and emotional distress caused by the accident and injuries.
- Emotional distress: Anxiety, depression, PTSD, or other psychological effects.
- Loss of consortium: Loss of companionship or relationship impact (often claimed by spouses).
- Reduced quality of life: Inability to participate in activities you once enjoyed.
Punitive damages are only awarded in cases where the at-fault driver acted with extreme recklessness or malice (e.g., DUI or intentional harm). These are meant to punish the wrongdoer and deter similar conduct, not to compensate the victim directly.
Get Answers to Other Important Questions
The other driver did not have auto insurance. Now what?
If you are insured in the state of California, you most likely carry uninsured motorist coverage in addition to your regular policy coverage. Your uninsured motorist coverage will compensate you for damages incurred from the accident.
How do I pay my medical bills?
You may have to use your private healthcare medical insurance and/or pay your medical bills first for coverage until a settlement is reached. California is a fault auto accident state, which means that the at-fault driver is responsible for paying for the damages from the accident. If a settlement is made, your health insurance may request reimbursement out of your final settlement. Your car accident attorney will help you with this.
How much is my car accident claim is worth?
No two auto accidents are the same and, therefore, many factors are taken into consideration when determining the value of a claim. As your lawyer works through the case, they will have a better idea of how much your settlement will be.
What can I expect when your law firm takes on my case?
We will formulate a plan and take into consideration the following:
- The extent of injuries resulting from the accident
- If the parties liable are individual drivers or part of a corporation (i.e., if the person involved in the accident was driving on the job)
- All insurance companies involved
- If there are multiple liable parties
How much will your firm charge to represent me?
We will work on your case on a contingency fee agreement; if we don’t win, you don’t pay.
There is no charge for our time or legal services unless your car accident case is concluded successfully. If we handle your case, we do everything in our power to help you receive a successful verdict or settlement.
You stand to lose nothing but may be able to gain a lot.
What information can I provide to help my case?
You will need to provide the police report, contact information for witnesses and/or statements, photos and/or notes of the accident, and records of any medical visits that are related to the accident.
How long will it take to resolve my case?
There may be many factors that affect how long your case takes, but most attorneys who are familiar with car accident cases should be able to provide you with a general timeline. When you contact Bostwick & Associates, we can discuss the specifics of your case.
The insurance company is offering me money. Should I take it?
Do not give a statement, sign or accept anything from the at-fault party’s insurance before consulting with your San Francisco car accident attorney.
Request a FREE Evaluation of Your Motor Vehicle Accident Case
Bostwick & Associates leverages decades of collective experience to help our clients secure the compensation to which they are entitled. Our car accident lawyers proudly serve clients throughout San Francisco, the Bay Area, and beyond – and are standing by to respond immediately to your call for help.
During a FREE consultation, we can help you understand your legal rights, whether you may be entitled to financial compensation, and what we can do to help you through the personal injury claim process and toward a full recovery of your damages.
Call (888) 831-8448 or contact us online to get started.
NATIONALLY RECOGNIZED LAW FIRM
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Inner Circle of AdvocatesInvitation-only organization of the top 100 plaintiff trial lawyers in the U.S.
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International Academy of Trial Lawyers
Former President of the International Academy of Trial Lawyers, limited to the top 500 trial lawyers in the U.S.
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American Board of Trial Advocates
Invitation-only group of the nation’s top civil lawyers and judges.
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Super Lawyers 2024
James S. Bostwick has been named top-rated medical malpractice attorneys in Northern California.
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The Best Lawyers in America
Recognized since its inception in 1983 by this peer-reviewed publication, comprised of the best legal talent in the world. Awarded Best Malpractice Lawyer in 2012 and 2013.
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Lawdragon
James Bostwick inducted into the Hall of Fame and featured among the Top 500 Leading Plaintiff Consumer Lawyers in America.
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American Board of Professional Liability Attorneys
James Bostwick is a nationally certified medical malpractice specialist and founding member.
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Best Law Firms 2024
Recognized for professional excellence with impressive ratings from clients and peers.
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