Our top-rated San Francisco personal injury attorneys at Bisnar Chase have helped clients find justice for over 45 years. Our law firm, which specializes in accidents and injuries, has a proven track record of winning 99% of our injury claims and has won over $850 million in compensation for accident victims.
While there is no shortage of law offices in California, finding the right attorney with a proven track record is difficult. Bisnar Chase has been named ‘Best Law Firms’ in America for over a decade. We always have your best interests at the heart of our representation.
Whether you’ve been injured in a car accident, dog bite, or dangerous product case, our injury lawyers have decades of experience in and out of the courtroom and are familiar with all California courts and most defense teams and insurance adjusters.
If you or a loved one has experienced injuries due to negligence, please call our San Francisco personal injury attorney for a free consultation. Our team of legal experts is always available to answer your questions and concerns.
Explore your legal options by calling 415-358-0723.
San Francisco Personal Injury Lawyer
What Are the Fees in a California Personal Injury Case?
California’s going rate for personal injury lawyer fees is typically 33%. This amount is only collected after your case is won, so there is no risk to you or out-of-pocket costs until we collect your winnings. Knowing that we shield you financially during the injury claim process leaves you with peace of mind. If we are unable to win your case, there is no fee.
The amount of resources spent defending the case—experts, evidence storage, depositions, and whether the case goes to trial—determines the case’s final percentage. To discuss the fee structure for your case, contact a San Francisco personal injury attorney at Bisnar Chase for a free consultation. Call 415-358-0723.
Injury Cases We Fight For
San Francisco, CA, is one of the most populated cities in America. With so many people residing in this city, there are bound to be accidents. Serious personal injury cases involving traffic fatalities, animal attacks, and bus incidents are the norm in this metropolitan area.
At the San Francisco Personal Injury Firm of Bisnar Chase, we have won compensation for the most unique cases for injury clients. Many personal injury law firms don’t have the resources or experience to take on tough cases. We do. The types of injury cases that we have handled and continue to handle include the following:
Car Accidents
According to Vision Zero, a collaboration with the public health department, transportation agency, and the San Francisco police department, there were 27 traffic-related deaths in 2021, a 10% increase over the previous year.
One of the leading causes of a motor vehicle collision is cellphone usage. Young people use cell phones frequently while driving. Research studies state that although 94% of teens understand that texting and driving are dangerous, 35% of that amount admitted to still taking part in this type of distracted driving. California’s law restricts cellphone usage while driving a motor vehicle. If caught, it can result in fines and offenses.
Our personal injury law firm has decades of experience handling motor vehicle accidents for personal injury plaintiffs. Our lead trial counsel, Brian Chase, is a nationwide expert in car accidents resulting from dangerous or defective car parts. Our accident attorneys are the top 1% of lawyers in America. Whether it’s a wrongful death case or serious spinal cord injuries, we have the experts to maximize compensation for motor vehicle accident victims.
Work Accidents: (non-workers comp)
Employers must make sure that their workers are safe. Research indicates, though, that many injuries occur in a work setting. The highest number of workers lost in a year was 6,632.
If employees have been hurt, they can file for compensation. A worker should seek legal counsel when an employer does not have insurance. Employers should take steps to prevent their employees from experiencing serious injuries, which involves proper training, wearing protective gear, and maintaining upkeep on machines.
We do not handle worker comp cases; however, if your injury has special circumstances involving negligence, it may qualify as a personal injury claim and not a workman’s comp.
Dog Bites
According to Pets.MD, every year, dogs in the United States bite 4.7 million people. Some reasons a dog may bite a person may be touching a sensitive area, the dog has not been socialized properly, or the dog is territorial. Children are the largest demographic that experiences dog bites. The Human Society “estimates that 51% of dog bite victims are children.”
A dog owner can prevent their animal from attacking others through constant supervision. Making sure your dog is healthy, socializing at a young age, and not entrusting your dog with a stranger are some measures a dog owner can take to prevent injuries.
A large majority of cases we handle are serious dog bite injuries. Our attorneys are personal injury trial lawyers with experience in serious injury cases and have represented those in the Bay area for over four decades. We use every tool at our disposal to get you the maximum amount of compensation, including accident reconstruction experts.
Pedestrian Accidents
Pedestrians are consistently among the most vulnerable road users in San Francisco, accounting for 48% of all
Fatalities in 2021. California law states that pedestrians always have the right away. If you do not give pedestrians, including cyclists, the right away (the opportunity to pass safely), a motorist can be left with a hefty fine or, worse, killing someone.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention stated, “pedestrians were killed in traffic crashes in the United States in one year. That’s about one death every 88 minutes.” One of the leading causes of pedestrian collisions involves inpatient driving.
Drivers are strongly encouraged to plan to get to a destination with plenty of time to spare so they do not potentially run over a pedestrian at a light.
Semi-truck Wrecks
Within ten years, 4,136 people lost their lives in large truck collisions. Of those incidents, 67% of those victims were passenger vehicles. Semi-trucks weigh thousands of pounds compared to passenger motor vehicles and have the potential to cause a large amount of property damage.
Preventative measures that can be taken to avoid a large truck incident can include adequate training for truckers, making sure that a truck is working up to par and is safe to operate, and refraining from distracted driving.
In California, 339 people died in commercial truck collisions. That is the second state with the most significant truck incident fatalities, with Texas being the first and Florida being the last.
We have handled complex commercial truck accidents, especially head-on collision accidents involving favorable jury verdicts and recovering hundreds of millions for our clients.
Slip and Fall & Premises Liability:
Slip, trip, and fall accidents may seem harmless to experience injuries, but depending on the situation and the victim’s age, they can be fatal. The largest demographic that dies in slip and fall cases are older adults 65+.
The establishment could be liable for injury or death if a property, such as a nursing home, is improperly maintained. Research has indicated that over 8 million people are rushed to the emergency room due to slip, trip, and fall incidents.
Many people suffer from bone fractures and traumatic head injuries or lose their lives in these personal injuries. Property owners must know and rectify hazardous zones such as slippery floors or damaged staircases.
Bus Crashes
Unfortunately, school bus collisions are one of the primary types of bus accidents. Within nine years, there were 1,172 school transportation incidents. Of those accidents, 301 students died. Different types of school incidents may be caused due to driver errors.
A bus driver could potentially cause a wreck by texting and driving. Bus drivers are required to have a bus driver’s license and a sufficient amount of training before carrying children. Crashes are also more likely to occur in more populated cities, such as Los Angeles, due to a large amount of traffic.
Wrongful Death
A wrongful death case in personal injury law is described as the loss of life due to someone else’s negligence. Examples of wrongful death can be a person dying at the hands of a reckless driver, an employee losing their life due to an unsafe working environment, or a customer dying from a harsh slip-and-fall incident in a grocery store.
Surviving family members, surviving spouses, or a domestic partner can file a wrongful death claim. The statute of limitations states that an individual has two years to file a wrongful death claim.
If you feel you have lost a loved one at the hands of carelessness and are seeking legal representation, contact a San Francisco personal injury attorney at Bisnar Chase to learn more about the compensation you may be entitled to. We’ve been handling wrongful death cases for over four decades.
Traumatic brain Injuries
Traumatic brain injuries, whether minor or major, can cause irreparable damage to a victim. If left immobile, the costs of completing daily tasks (brushing teeth or grocery shopping) or having round-the-clock care can be expensive. How is the severity of a TBI measured?
Medical experts use what is known as the Glasgow Coma Scale to determine the damage. Once the extent of the damage has been confirmed, treatment will follow. Treatment for a brain injury may include occupational therapy, physical therapy, hiring a social worker to help with daily care decisions, or planning and speech and language therapy.
Medical Malpractice
Medical malpractice lawyers in California represent clients who have been harmed due to medical negligence. This can include mistakes made by doctors, nurses, hospitals, and other healthcare providers. To bring a medical malpractice claim in California, the plaintiff (the person bringing the lawsuit) must prove that the healthcare provider owed them a duty of care, that the duty of care was breached, and that the breach caused the plaintiff’s injuries.
In addition, the plaintiff must also prove that the injuries resulted in specific damages, such as medical expenses, lost wages, and pain and suffering. The statute of limitations for medical malpractice claims in California is generally three years from the date of injury or one year from the date that the plaintiff discovers (or should have discovered) the injury.
However, in cases involving foreign objects left in the body after surgery, the statute of limitations may be extended to three years from the date of discovery.
A medical malpractice lawyer in California is experienced in handling these complex cases and has the knowledge and resources to navigate the legal system and fight for their client’s rights.
They also have access to medical experts who can testify on the plaintiff’s behalf and help to establish the healthcare provider’s negligence. The attorney will also help to negotiate a settlement or fight for the client in court.
Employment & Class Action
California employers are legally obligated to follow specific state-level laws that guarantee the rights of their employees. This includes providing fair wages and hours, protecting employees from discrimination and harassment, ensuring the workplace’s safety, and compensating employees in the event of injuries or illness.
California also has stringent laws that protect employees’ rights to take leave of their job without facing retribution, such as the California Family Rights Act and the California Pregnancy Disability Leave Law.
Additionally, California has a variety of laws protecting the rights of disabled and elderly employees. All employers in California must comply with these laws and provide the necessary benefits to their employees. Failure to do so can result in severe penalties and possible legal action from the state.
Our experienced California employment law attorneys fight for our clients who have had their work rights violated with a 99% success rate.
Our seasoned San Francisco personal injury lawyer also handles employee class action cases representing individuals seeking justice for lost wages, punitive damages, and other worker’s rights violations with aggressive representation.
If you have been seriously injured in a personal injury accident, it’s crucial that you contact an experienced personal injury attorney immediately. We can begin collecting evidence and negotiating with insurers on your behalf by hiring us sooner rather than later.
Plus, we work on a contingency basis, so there is no charge until your case has been completed. Our personal injury trial attorneys team has successfully recovered hundreds of millions in settlements for our clients from cases involving catastrophic injuries such as brain trauma or spinal cord injuries.
Product Liability
We are one of California’s top product defect and mass torts law firms, taking on some of the most complex auto defect and dangerous product cases. We’ve represented injured plaintiffs in Johnson & Johnson talcum powder cancer cases, Ford carbon monoxide poisoning in motor vehicles, and Camp Lejeune toxic water poisoning.
Elements of a Personal Injury Case
- Duty: The defendant had a legal obligation to exercise reasonable care to avoid causing harm to the plaintiff.
- Breach: The defendant breached their duty of care by failing to act as a reasonable person would have acted under similar circumstances.
- Causation: The defendant’s breach of duty caused the plaintiff’s injury. The plaintiff must prove that “but for” the defendant’s actions, the injuries would not have occurred.
- Damages: The plaintiff suffered actual damages due to the injury, such as medical expenses, lost wages, pain and suffering, and more.
Time to file
The statute of limitations for a California personal injury claim is two years. Be sure to file your claim promptly to avoid the expiration of the SOL.
Protect your privacy during your case
Insurance adjusters and the defendant will watch your every move. If you post information on social media, that can negatively affect the outcome of your case. If you must use social media, keep your accounts private.
How are damages calculated in a personal injury claim in California?
This includes medical costs, hospital and doctor’s bills, therapy, etc., along with pain and suffering, loss of consortium, and other factors decided by your legal team.
What is my role as the plaintiff in a personal injury case?
Your job as the plaintiff in an individual injury case is to collaborate with your lawyer to develop a compelling case.
- Please provide details: All pertinent information about the accident or incident that resulted in your injuries must be given to your attorney, including any medical records, police reports, and witness testimonies.
- Show up for appointments: You might have to attend your lawyer’s meetings, such as discussions of the case or the defendant’s lawyer’s depositions.
- Adhere to medical advice: It’s crucial to heed all medical instructions and appear at all scheduled appointments to track your injuries to support your case. Many personal injury claims fall apart because a plaintiff tires of treatment.
- Have patience: In the end, your lawyer will handle most of the legal work involved in your case, such as filing paperwork, negotiating with the defendant’s lawyer, and representing you in court if necessary. Personal injury cases can take time to resolve (months, even years), so it’s essential to be patient and trust the process.
If I have to go to trial, what should I know?
- Recognize the trial procedure: Learn about the trial procedure and what to anticipate. Your lawyer can walk you through the process and address any concerns.
- Be organized: Compile all necessary evidence and documentation, such as witness statements, police reports, and medical records, to be ready for trial. Your attorney will have this information, but you should also be familiar with all the details.
- Be respectful: Treat everyone in the courtroom with respect, including the judge, jury, and the opposing attorney. Refrain from interrupting or speaking before turn. When giving testimony, be sincere and truthful. In a case involving personal injury, your credibility is crucial.
- Pay attention to your lawyer: Pay attention to your lawyer’s counsel and do what they say. They can help you navigate the process because they have experience with personal injury trials.
Hiring a Personal Injury Attorney Saves Time & Collects More
- We will handle all the legal aspects of your case, saving you the time and energy of dealing with the defendant’s team and the insurance companies.
- We shield you from liability until the case is won, ensuring you pay nothing out of pocket.
- We only get paid if you get paid. We offer a contingency fee structure, so if we don’t win your case you will not pay.
- Protection from insurance companies: The last thing the insurance company wants to do is pay your claim. They’ll try every trick in the book to deny or reduce your personal injury claim. We fight so that you don’t have to.
- Medical bills: We will work to get your medical and hospital bills, therapy, etc., on a medical lien so that you are not worrying about how you’ll pay those bills. We also work to reduce what you owe so that you collect more of what you win.
- Experience and knowledge: We don’t do anything but handle personal injury lawsuits and claims, so you can be sure our legal team knows what we are doing and will work hard to get you the best recovery possible.
Increase in Injuries Among the Homeless in San Francisco
The homeless population in San Francisco may be at greater risk of suffering injuries from cars, pedestrian accidents, and premises injuries for a few reasons.
Homeless people live on the streets, which means they are often in areas with high traffic and may be more likely to be hit by a car or involved in a pedestrian accident. Additionally, homeless individuals do not have access to safe and stable housing, making them more likely to suffer injuries on someone else’s property.
Most homeless people have underlying health conditions and have difficulty navigating the city and avoiding dangerous situations. They also have difficulty accessing medical care when injured, and many won’t even seek care. Homeless people are also more likely to be victims of violent crimes, typically assault and battery.
The drug epidemic in San Francisco also contributes to the number of injuries the homeless suffer because they are often high and can stumble into traffic, fall down a flight of stairs, and put themselves in dangerous situations.
If you have an at-risk loved one or you have been injured in the city, contact our San Francisco personal injury attorney for a free case review. There is no obligation. Call 415-358-0723.
Compensation in a California Personal Injury Case
As an injury victim, you should not rely on insurance companies to understand what you are entitled to after an accident. Remember, at the end of the day, the insurance company aims to offer you as little compensation as possible for the damages you have experienced.
When you seek the help of an experienced personal injury lawyer in San Francisco, you can gain more insight into what damages you can be compensated for.
Damages or costs that you can be compensated for after an incident could be:
- Medical bills
- Mental anguish (emotional distress)
- Pain and suffering
- Property damage
- Punitive damages
Types of injuries suffered in a PI case
- Brain injuries
- Burn injuries
- Spinal cord injuries
- Food poisoning
- Asbestos exposure and mesothelioma
- Broken bones
- Soft tissue damage
Some of the best personal injury attorneys are experienced in trials, not just settling claims. Look for a law firm that will go the distance for you.
Steps to Take After Experiencing an Injury
Many are at a loss for who to turn to for help after an accident. You can take steps to ease the process of receiving compensation for the damages and injuries you or your loved one have experienced. Measures you should take after experiencing personal injuries:
Seek medical attention and call the police immediately
It is essential that, after an accident, you call an ambulance or are admitted to an emergency room immediately. If an incident involves multiple people, wait for the police to arrive to assess the situation. If an injury victim(s) waits an extended time without seeking medical aid, the injury may worsen.
File an insurance claim
When you are conscious or know your family member is safe, file a claim through the insurance company. This will then begin the claims process, which will lead you on the path to receiving compensation. Legal experts say to always be in constant communication with your insurance company to inquire about the status of your claim.
Speak to an experienced San Francisco personal injury lawyer
At times, insurance companies may purposely delay your claim process. This can lead to you accumulating more costs and being potentially left out of work for longer, losing out on wages. The San Francisco personal injury lawyers of Bisnar Chase have been helping victims severely injured or killed by negligence for over four decades. Call today for a free consultation with a legal team member at 415-358-0723.
Reasons To Hire a San Fransico Accident Attorney
Many injury victims believe their cases can be handled at a lower level through insurance companies. Still, victims must understand that the insurance company is not on their side. When you hire our San Francisco personal injury lawyers, we will protect your rights and walk you through every step of the claims process.
An experienced San Francisco personal injury attorney with a proven track record: Bisnar Chase has been named one of the Best Law firms with top-rated attorneys for decades. Some of our prestigious honors include Super Lawyers, Best Attorneys, National Institute of Trial Attorneys, and the Distinguished Council.
Inspecting every detail of your injury case: Minor details may have been missed when you filed a claim through your insurance company. Some details that may not have been considered would be pain and suffering, property damage such as a cellphone or laptop in the car at the time of the accident, or loss of consortium.
Experience in taking personal injury cases to trial: The difference between a trial attorney and a litigator is that a trial lawyer has experience fighting for clients in the courtroom. Trial attorneys, unlike litigators, understand how to select individuals for a jury, give a closing argument, and have experience interacting with a judge. Our attorneys are well versed in personal injury litigation and spare no cost when needing accident reconstruction experts to help win your case.
Why You Shouldn't Rely On the Insurance Companies
Insurance policy holders believe that because they pay for a specific policy, that if an accident were to occur, they would be protected. Your insurance company can usually handle minor incidents, but at times if your adjuster does not vigorously fight for you, the other party’s insurance companies could:
Delay the process:
An insurance adjuster usually has many personal injury claims and is not compensated well for their position. They sometimes look to delay your claim process to catch up on prior insurance claims. The delay could lead to you accumulating more expenses. Insurance adjusters could also do the opposite and make you an offer quickly that does not cover any of the damages for your accident so they can move on to the following personal injury case.
Not compensate you for the entirety of your accident:
Do not take the first offer the insurance company hands you. When you accept the first offer that comes your way, and if you find out after that the amount won’t cover all your losses, you cannot pursue compensation in the future. Instead, consult an experienced personal injury attorney to evaluate how much you should be compensated for your incident.
Coerce you to say something that is not true:
Victims are usually physically and emotionally vulnerable after an injury. Insurance adjusters can use this to their advantage. They can take a gentle approach and steer accident victims to say certain words so the statement can imply that the victim was at fault for the incident. Just state the facts of what happened.
Top-Rated San Francisco Personal Injury Attorney
When a person is injured due to someone else’s wrongdoing, it can have serious consequences. The injured person may suffer physical, emotional, and financial damages, and the wrongdoer may be held responsible for compensating them for these losses. We can help you seek justice and compensation.
If you need a San Francisco Personal Injury Attorney, please call us at 415-358-0723. You will receive a free consultation with a top-notch legal expert. For over 45 years, we have taken on greedy insurance companies and big automakers and won millions for those injured in disastrous incidents.
Begin the healing process today and contact our office to learn more about your rights as an accident victim and how we process personal injury claims to maximize your compensation from the defendant and their insurance company.
Cities in San Francisco We Serve
Our team serves cities in and around the San Francisco County area. We also help those suffering injuries across Alameda County and other nearby areas, injury victims in Sacramento, and other major Northern California cities.
• Alameda• Albany• Berkeley• Burlingame• Calistoga• Colma• Concord• Daly City• Dublin
• Emeryville• Fremont• Half Moon Bay• Jackson
• Larkspur• Lebanon• Livermore• Meridian• Mill Valley• Napa• Novato • Oakland• Pacifica• Petaluma• Pleasant Hill• Pleasanton• Pullman• Richmond• Ross
• San Anselmo• San Bruno• San Carlos• San Francisco• San Jose• San Leandro• San Mateo
• San Pablo• San Rafael• San Ramon• Santa Clara
• Santa Cruz• Santa Rosa• Saratoga• Sausalito
• Sebastopol• South San Francisco• St. Helena
• Sterling• Summit Township• Tiburon• Walnut Creek
Most Dangerous Intersection in San Francisco**
Last 5 Years:
50 Accidents
60 Injuries
2 Deaths
City of San Francisco
Population: 837,442
Avg Annual Auto Injuries per 1,000: 6
San Diego Crime Index* 489.5
Nearby Cities Crime Indices*:
Coronado: 158.4
La Mesa: 185.1
Lemon Grove: 127.9
National City: 686
* Crime index data taken from city-data.com. The national average is 315.5. The crime index is calculated using the population and severity of crimes vs the frequency of crimes committed.
More Unsafe Intersections in San Francisco**
Accidents: 65
Injuries: 63
Deaths: 0
Accidents: 61
Injuries: 52
Deaths: 0
Accidents: 54
Injuries: 50
Deaths: 0
** All intersection data is taken from the California Statewide Integrated Traffic Records System and is measured over the last 5 years of local and arterial street car accidents (non-highway). The data is not updated in real time.
