San Francisco Personal Injury Lawyers for Serious Injury and Wrongful Death Cases

A serious injury in San Francisco can raise hard questions quickly. Who is responsible? Which insurers are involved? Do you need a lawyer who is ready to take the case to trial if it doesn’t resolve?

Bowles & Verna LLP represents people and families in San Francisco who have suffered catastrophic injuries or lost a loved one. Our attorneys handle contested claims involving pedestrian, bicycle, rideshare, truck and public transit incidents, as well as dangerous property conditions. We prepare these cases with trial in mind.  Call 925-478-5763 to discuss your situation in a confidential consultation.

Why San Francisco Clients Choose Bowles & Verna LLP

Choosing a lawyer after a serious injury is a hard decision. These are the points we think matter most:

• Trial experience. Every member of our team has acted as a trial lawyer, and our firm has tried hundreds of cases. We prepare injury claims for court from the start. If settlement is in your best interest, we negotiate with that experience behind us. If a case is better resolved at trial, we are ready to try it. We are members of the Multi-Million Dollar Advocates Forum, and many of our cases have ended in multimillion-dollar settlements and verdicts.

• Decades in practice. Most of our attorneys have practiced law for ten years or more. The firm has served San Francisco Bay Area clients since 1985. We have represented both plaintiffs and defendants, so we know how the other side evaluates and defends a claim.

• Experience with complex, high-stakes cases. Our attorneys have handled high-profile litigation involving aviation disasters, product design defects, worldwide product recalls and insurance coverage disputes. Contested injury claims often raise the same kinds of technical and liability questions.

• A focus on full compensation. We don’t just settle for the bottom line. Our goal is to recover the maximum compensation our clients deserve.

Injury Cases We Handle in San Francisco

San Francisco’s streets, transit lines and buildings create their own kinds of injury claims. Our attorneys represent clients in matters such as:

• Pedestrian accidents: People struck while crossing or walking near traffic. Disputes often turn on visibility, turning movements and right-of-way.

• Bicycle accidents: Collisions with turning vehicles, opened car doors or drivers entering bike lanes.

• Rideshare accidents: Uber and Lyft cases where the driver’s app status can affect which insurance applies.

• Truck and delivery vehicle accidents: Claims that may involve the driver, the carrier and others responsible for the vehicle or its cargo.

• Public transit injuries: Muni and other transit incidents, which can involve public-entity claim procedures and shorter deadlines.

• Premises liability and construction accidents: Injuries from unsafe stairways, balconies and building conditions, or work-site hazards.

• Wrongful death: Claims by families after a fatal accident.

For a broader overview of our injury practice, see our primary personal injury page.

Local Issues That Can Shape a San Francisco Injury Claim

Multiple potentially responsible parties. A crash near a transit stop, a rideshare pickup or a delivery route may involve a driver, a company and a public agency. Identifying each early matters, because different parties and insurers follow different rules.

Public entity deadlines. When a claim involves a city agency or transit authority, special written-claim requirements and short deadlines can apply. Ordinary insurance correspondence does not necessarily satisfy them. [Attorney to review and, if desired, add specific timeframes.]

Dangerous conditions in dense urban settings. Responsibility for an unsafe property can fall on an owner, manager, tenant, maintenance company or contractor. Sorting this out takes investigation, not guesswork.

Our Personal Injury Attorneys

Since its founding in 1985, Bowles & Verna LLP has attracted and developed some of the most skilled attorneys in California. Our lawyers bring the experience, ethics and drive that serious injury cases demand. They have the trial background to take on insurers and defense counsel, and they are ready to try a case if a fair resolution isn’t offered. When you contact us after a San Francisco injury, you’ll speak with attorneys who understand how high the stakes are for you and your family.

Serving San Francisco and the Surrounding Bay Area

San Francisco is our first priority, and we also represent injured clients in nearby communities. Because our attorneys travel to meet clients, an injury in one part of the Bay Area doesn’t limit where we can help.

• San Francisco and the Peninsula: We handle injury claims arising in San Francisco and San Mateo.

• Silicon Valley: Clients in San Jose, Santa Clara and Sunnyvale work with the same trial team.

• East Bay: We assist people in Oakland, Berkeley, Alameda, Emeryville, Concord, Danville and Walnut Creek, where our office is located.

• Sacramento and Northern California: We also take cases in Sacramento and the Central Valley, including those from collisions along the major travel routes between regions.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need to live in San Francisco to hire your firm?
No. If you were injured in San Francisco, you can ask us about your case wherever you live. Tell us where the incident happened, who was involved and whether you’ve returned home.

Where would a San Francisco injury lawsuit be filed?
That depends on the claim, the defendants and the venue rules. Many cases from San Francisco are filed in the San Francisco Superior Court, but your attorney must confirm the proper court for your case.

Can I still pursue a claim if I was partly at fault?
Often, yes. California applies a “comparative fault” rule, so your compensation may be reduced by your share of responsibility instead of being barred. Insurers sometimes exaggerate a person’s fault, so don’t accept their version before speaking with a lawyer.

What if the person who hit me left the scene or had no insurance?
You may still have options. Depending on your policy and the facts, these can include uninsured or underinsured motorist coverage and other available insurance. Bring your own policy information when you speak with an attorney.

What if my family member died in an accident in San Francisco?
Certain family members, and in some cases others, may be able to bring a wrongful death claim. The people who can bring one are set by California law. A lawyer can explain who qualifies and what deadlines apply.

Should I talk to an insurance adjuster before I speak with a lawyer?
Think carefully before giving a recorded statement or signing anything. Adjusters work for the insurer, and their questions can affect how your claim is valued. You can ask to speak with an attorney first.

Can a tourist or visitor injured in San Francisco bring a claim?
Yes. Where you live doesn’t prevent you from pursuing a claim for an injury that happened in California. An attorney can help with practical issues, such as follow-up care, while you’re away from home.

Can I recover compensation if my injury happened in an Uber or Lyft as a passenger?
Passengers are generally not blamed for a driver’s negligence. Several insurance policies may be involved, and a lawyer can help identify which ones apply.

Speak With a San Francisco Personal Injury Lawyer

If a serious accident in San Francisco has left you or your family facing difficult questions, contact Bowles & Verna LLP We’ll discuss what happened, who may be responsible and whether our firm is the right fit.

Call 925-478-5763 or fill out our online contact form to arrange a confidential consultation.