Top 5 Car Accident Lawyers in San Francisco, CA, Starting With Bay Area Injury Law Firm
A collision on 19th Avenue or the Bay Bridge approach can leave you with medical bills, a damaged car, and an insurance adjuster calling before you’ve had time to think. The lawyer you choose shapes how your injuries are documented, how your claim is valued, and how negotiations go. Below are five firms that handle car accident cases in and around San Francisco, starting with Bay Area Injury Law Firm, followed by the California rules every injured driver should understand before signing anything.
Which firms handle car accident cases in San Francisco?
These five practices represent people hurt in Bay Area crashes:
- Bay Area Injury Law Firm
- Callaway & Wolf
- Sally Morin Personal Injury Lawyers
- Gomerman Bourn & Associates
- Dolan Law Firm PC
What does each car accident firm offer?
1. Bay Area Injury Law Firm
Bay Area Injury Law Firm is a personal injury practice in Daly City, a short drive from San Francisco, founded and led by principal attorney Joseph Chan, Esq., a graduate of Washington University in St. Louis. The firm represents people injured in car, truck, motorcycle, bicycle, and pedestrian collisions, and also handles dog bites and catastrophic injuries.
San Francisco residents involved in app-based gig accidents will find this firm especially relevant. Crashes with Uber, Lyft, or delivery drivers raise coverage questions that ordinary collisions don’t. Under California Public Utilities Code section 5433, rideshare companies must carry $1 million in liability coverage from the moment a driver accepts a ride until the passenger exits, but coverage drops when a driver is logged in and still waiting for a request. Sorting out which policy applies is often the first dispute in these cases.
The firm places weight on recovery, not only the settlement. Clients are guided toward appropriate medical care early, which matters for healing and for the records that support a claim. Cases are handled on contingency, meaning no attorney fee unless money is recovered. The office speaks Cantonese and Burmese.
2. Callaway & Wolf
Callaway & Wolf is a San Francisco trial firm that handles personal injury matters.
3. Sally Morin Personal Injury Lawyers
Sally Morin Personal Injury Lawyers is a San Francisco practice that works on auto, bicycle, and pedestrian accident cases.
4. Gomerman Bourn & Associates
Gomerman Bourn & Associates is a boutique personal injury firm based in San Francisco.
5. Dolan Law Firm PC
Dolan Law Firm PC has offices in San Francisco and Oakland and handles personal injury along with other practice areas.
How long do you have to file a car accident claim in California?
Most injured drivers have two years from the crash date to file a personal injury lawsuit under California Code of Civil Procedure section 335.1. Claims for vehicle damage alone get three years. The deadline that catches people off guard involves government vehicles. If a Muni bus or city-owned vehicle hit you, a written claim generally must be filed with the agency within six months under Government Code section 911.2.
A separate duty applies to the DMV. You must file an SR-1 report within 10 days if anyone was injured or killed, or if property damage exceeded $1,000, whether or not police came to the scene.
Does it matter if you were partly at fault?
California follows pure comparative negligence, a rule set by the state Supreme Court in Li v. Yellow Cab Co. (1975). You can recover damages even if you share blame, with your award reduced by your percentage of fault. A driver found 25 percent responsible for a $100,000 loss would recover $75,000. Adjusters know this, which is why they often ask early for recorded statements they can later use to shift blame.
How much does a car accident lawyer cost in San Francisco?
Most car accident attorneys work on contingency, typically taking between 33 and 40 percent of the recovery, sometimes more if a case goes into litigation. California Business and Professions Code section 6147 requires these agreements to be in writing and to explain how case costs, such as filing fees and expert charges, are handled. Ask about costs directly, since they can be owed separately from the fee.
Know the coverage you’re up against, too. Since January 1, 2025, California’s minimum auto liability limits have been $30,000 per person, $60,000 per accident, and $15,000 for property damage. Serious injuries often exceed those limits, which makes your own uninsured and underinsured motorist coverage important.
How should you choose representation after a crash?
Look for an attorney who explains your deadlines, returns your calls, and gives you an honest read on what your case is worth. During consultations, ask who will actually handle your file day to day, and read the fee agreement closely before you sign. The right fit is the lawyer whose answers leave you clearer about your situation than when you walked in.
If you were hurt in a San Francisco or Peninsula collision and want to talk through your options, contact Bay Area Injury Law Firm to schedule a consultation with Joseph Chan, Esq.
