Congratulations to Cynthia McGuinn for once again receiving the Martindale-Hubbell AV Preeminent Attorney rating!

Congratulations to June Bashant, named 2023 Lawyers of Distinction as seen in the New York Times!

Injured in a Car Accident?

San Francisco Car Accident Attorneys

Helping Auto Accident Victims in the Bay Area Since 1980

Car accidents in the Bay Area happen every day, many leading to serious injuries for the people involved. Too often, these collisions occur as a result of drivers being distracted, disregarding traffic laws, or driving drunk. In other cases, defective auto parts are to blame. Is it fair for someone else to pay the price for these negligent parties? An auto accident lawyer in San Francisco may be able to help.

If you were injured in a San Francisco car crash caused by someone else's negligence, you may be entitled to compensation for your losses.

Contact our SF Car Accident Lawyers

Take the first step by contacting Rouda Feder Tietjen & McGuinn. We can answer all of your questions, providing a voice of clarity during what may be a confusing time.

Reasons to call our San Francisco accident lawyers after a crash:

  • Thousands of cases handled in the Bay Area
  • Over $500 million recovered for our clients
  • Listed in Best Lawyers® and Super Lawyers®
  • You won't pay unless we win your case

Don't face the aftermath of a car accident alone. Our San Francisco car accident attorneys will handle every aspect of your claim, keeping your voice at the center.

Ready to learn more about your options? Call our car accident lawyers in the Bay Area at (415) 940-7176 for a free consultation.

Get answers to the following questions:

  • Car Crash $24,000,000
  • Auto Accident $13,400,000
  • Martinez V. State of CA $11,400,000
  • Illegal Car Rental – Drunk Driver Causes Fatal Accident $5,700,000
  • Husband/Father Killed-Tractor-trailer Rig Highway Accident $4,600,000
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Who Will I Be Filing a Car Accident Lawsuit Against?

Victims of another person’s negligence have the right to sue that negligent person for compensation. When negligent companies and corporations are at fault for an accident, then any legal action taken should be aimed at them.

If you have qualms about suing another person, you may be relieved to learn that when you sue a driver, you are actually suing their insurance company. It is the insurance company that will be responsible for compensating you, and it is the insurance company that will attempt to negotiate a settlement with you.

Car Accident with Uninsured Driver

In the event that the at-fault driver is uninsured, you may be able to seek compensation through your own insurance company. Should it refuse to compensate you, the potential for a lawsuit remains.

To sue the correct party, victims must first determine who was responsible for the accident. Our Bay Area auto accident team can help you investigate your accident and find the answers you need to move forward with your case.

How to Determine Fault for a Car Accident in San Francisco

Whether it was a negligent driver or a manufacturer that created a defective car, the bottom line is, somebody made a mistake that led to your accident. Finding who is at fault can still be tricky—especially for complex collisions involving multiple parties and commercial vehicles.

The most common causes of car accidents include:

Proving that these factors were the fault of the other party can be difficult. An auto accident attorney in San Francisco can help make the connections you need in order to prove fault in your accident case. This is why it is important to discuss the variables of a car crash with our car accident lawyers in San Francisco as soon as possible. We will review the specific causes of your vehicle accident to help you determine who is at fault.

What If I Was Partially Responsible for the Accident?

California accident laws allow a victim less than 50% responsible for the crash to be compensated. Their settlement or verdict award will be reduced by however much they were found to be at fault.

An example would be if a driver was found to share 20% of the blame for a crash that caused them $50,000 in damages. Here, they would only be compensated for the remaining 80%, or $40,000, of the damages.

Liability for car accidents isn't always straightforward. Sometimes, the clients we represent are partially to blame for their accident; other times, the defendant's insurance company attempts to shift blame in order to reduce the amount of compensation they must pay. In either case, it is essential to have an experienced Bay Area accident attorney on your side to support you and maximize your compensation.

What Types of Damages Can I Be Compensated For?

Understanding what damages qualify for compensation in our state is critical to ensuring the success of your claim. Discussing how your life was affected by a crash will help your San Francisco auto accident lawyer determine what is owed to you and how to pursue proper compensation for your suffering.

Available damages in a car accident case may include:

  • Pain and suffering
  • Scarring and disfigurement
  • Loss of quality of life
  • Loss of earnings
  • Property damage, such as to your vehicle
  • Reduced future earning potential
  • Hospital treatment and medical expenses
  • Assistive devices and other disability accommodations

Injuries caused by a collision often require significant, ongoing medical treatment. Getting back on your feet may require extensive rehabilitative therapy sessions as well. Any compensation you seek should account for all aspects of your recuperation.

Common injuries suffered in motor vehicle accidents include:

In cases where an accident results in a fatality, surviving family members can pursue a wrongful death action, which can help them pay for funeral and burial expenses, final hospital fees, and lost future wages the decedent would have earned over their lifetime.

How to Deal with the Insurance Company

At Rouda Feder Tietjen & McGuinn, we have helped thousands of Bay Area clients file auto insurance claims, deal with insurance companies, and sue these companies when they fail to pay.

Here are some important tips for how to approach your case:

  • File as soon as possible. There are time limits for personal injury claims, so make sure that you do not miss your deadline. Car accident victims have two years from the date of the crash to file for compensation. If you let this statute of limitations run out, you could lose your right to compensation. Waiting too long to take action could also weaken your case.
  • Include all the necessary information. Make sure to include all the evidence you can, such as pictures of the damage to your car, medical records of your injuries, and any other details to support your claim.
  • Contact a lawyer. Car accident claims can involve a mountain of detailed paperwork. Make sure that you prepare everything right the first time with the help of a lawyer to minimize the chance of a denied or underpaid claim. A lawyer can also help you calculate the correct amount of compensation owed to you.
  • Don’t take the first settlement offer. Insurers may pressure you to settle quickly. Be aware that most initial offers from insurers are far less than what you may actually be entitled to receive. Even if the insurance company quickly agreed to pay what you asked, it is best to speak to your lawyer before accepting the offer.
  • Exercise caution when speaking to the insurance company. You are not obligated to speak with adjusters or on-site investigators sent by an insurance company. Insurance companies can and do use victims’ own statements against them to devalue or deny their claims.

Maximizing Your Compensation: The Importance of Hiring an Experienced Car Accident Attorney

When you've been injured in a car accident, it's crucial to have a skilled and knowledgeable attorney by your side to protect your rights and help you pursue the maximum compensation you deserve. At Rouda Feder Tietjen & McGuinn, our team of San Francisco car accident lawyers has been advocating for auto accident victims in the Bay Area for years.

Here's why hiring an experienced car accident attorney is essential:

  1. Legal Expertise: Navigating the complex laws and regulations surrounding car accident claims can be overwhelming. Our attorneys have a deep understanding of California's personal injury laws and will skillfully handle every aspect of your case.
  2. Evidence Collection: Building a strong case requires gathering crucial evidence, such as accident reports, witness statements, medical records, and expert opinions. Our legal team has the resources and expertise to thoroughly investigate your accident and collect the necessary evidence to support your claim.
  3. Negotiation Skills: Insurance companies are notorious for offering low settlements or denying valid claims altogether. Our attorneys are skilled negotiators who will fight tirelessly to ensure you receive fair compensation for your injuries, medical expenses, lost wages, pain and suffering, and more.
  4. Courtroom Experience: While most car accident cases are settled out of court, some may require litigation. If your case goes to trial, our experienced trial attorneys will vigorously advocate for your rights and present a compelling case to the jury.
  5. Peace of Mind: Dealing with the aftermath of a car accident can be incredibly stressful. By hiring an attorney, you can focus on your recovery while we handle the legal complexities and fight for the compensation you deserve.

Get Started on Your Case with a Free Consultation

Our legal staff at Rouda Feder Tietjen & McGuinn pride ourselves on our ability to get our clients the best results possible. We have continually improved our advocacy over our more than 40 years of practice, recovering half a billion dollars and counting for those injured in San Francisco and all over the Bay Area.

Further, we don’t believe in taking a cookie-cutter approach. We treat each of our clients like the real people they are, tailoring our representation to fit each case we work on. Injured in a car accident in SF? Hire a legal team that genuinely cares about you.

Call (415) 940-7176 to learn more about your rights. Our San Francisco car accident lawyers will work to maximize your compensation.

Why Choose RFTM Law firm?

When you've been harmed as a result of someone else's negligence, it is important that you turn to a trustworthy advocate who can provide skilled advice and perspective.

Our San Francisco car accident attorneys are renowned throughout the Bay Area and Northern California for providing clients with legal advocacy that has a large firm’s tenacity but a small firm’s congeniality.

By staying true to our clients and focused on their priorities, we have managed to recover more than $500 million in past verdicts and settlements.

RFTM Law Firm's Team Approach

Real People. Real Stories.

See What Our Clients Have to Say
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