San Francisco Personal Injury Lawyers | GJEL Attorneys

If you were hurt in San Francisco, a San Francisco personal injury lawyer at GJEL Accident Attorneys can tell you what your claim is worth and what to do next. We represent injured people across the city in car accidents, truck and motorcycle crashes, bicycle and pedestrian injuries, traumatic brain injuries, and wrongful death cases. We have recovered more than $950 million for injured Californians with a 99% success rate, and you pay nothing unless we win. Call (415) 986-4777 for a free case review, available 24/7.

A car accident in San Francisco can turn your entire life upside down in seconds. One moment you’re driving through the city. The next, you’re dealing with pain, missed work, mounting medical bills, and an insurance company that’s already looking for ways to pay you less than you deserve.

Nobody should have to deal with this on their own. That’s where we come in.

Our San Francisco car accident lawyers and personal injury team handle every part of your case so you can focus on what actually matters: getting better. We investigate the collision, deal with the insurance companies, document your injuries, and pursue the full compensation you’re entitled to under California’s fault-based system, including medical expenses, lost wages, property damage, and pain and suffering. With a driver crashing and injuring someone approximately every 2.89 hours in San Francisco, we’ve seen firsthand how devastating these accidents are for real people and real families across the Bay Area. With more than $950 million recovered for injured clients and a 99% success rate built over five decades, we bring that depth of experience directly to your San Francisco car accident case.

Proven Results for San Francisco Injury Victims

5.0 stars from 43 Google reviews on our San Francisco Business Profile. More than $950 million recovered for injured Californians, a 99% success rate, and more than 50 years of trial experience serving San Francisco and the Bay Area since 1972.

Recent Bay Area verdicts and settlements

• $20.452 million jury verdict against AC Transit for a Bay Area public bus collision. Read the case.
• $7.5 million settlement for a commercial big-rig truck collision. Read the case.
• $2.2 million wrongful death settlement after a multi-vehicle car accident in Santa Clara County. Read the case.

Prior results do not guarantee or predict a similar outcome. Every case is different and is decided on its own facts. The results above are examples of recoveries obtained by GJEL attorneys across the Bay Area.

Attorneys who handle San Francisco cases

Andrew R. Gillin, Founding and Managing Partner. California State Bar No. 45226 (admitted 1970). J.D., University of Chicago Law School; B.A., University of California, Berkeley. AV Preeminent rated by Martindale-Hubbell and selected to Best Lawyers in America and Super Lawyers. Andy founded GJEL in 1972 and served as one of the lead attorneys in the Tenet Healthcare litigation, which recovered $117 million for injured patients.

Luke Ellis, Partner. California State Bar No. 68863 (admitted 1976). J.D., University of California, Berkeley School of Law (Boalt Hall). Named 2024 Lawyer of the Year for personal injury litigation by Best Lawyers and AV rated by Martindale-Hubbell. Luke holds one of the largest personal injury jury verdicts on record in Alameda County and serves as a Settlement Commissioner by appointment of the Alameda and Contra Costa County Superior Courts.

What San Francisco clients say

Our San Francisco office holds a 5.0 star rating across 43 Google reviews. Read the reviews on Google.

I felt my legal team at Gillin, Jacobson, Ellis, Larsen were masterful in their negotiations, compromise, and legal skills. I received straight-forward, clear communication from start to finish. Sound legal advice, no over-promising.

M. S., GJEL client

The Law Firm of GJEL was excellent and kept me informed. For results, call GJEL.

E. M., GJEL client

San Francisco Personal Injury Cases We Handle

Car accidents are the most common way people get hurt in San Francisco, but they are far from the only way. Our San Francisco personal injury lawyers handle the full range of injury claims across the city and the wider Bay Area. If someone else’s carelessness left you injured, there is a good chance we have handled a case like yours before.

• Truck accidents and large commercial vehicle crashes
• Motorcycle accidents
• Bicycle accidents and pedestrian injuries
• Traumatic brain injuries and other catastrophic injuries
• Wrongful death claims after a fatal accident
• Rideshare, scooter, dangerous property, and other negligence claims

Not sure whether you have a case? That is exactly what a free consultation is for. You can also learn more about our statewide work on our California personal injury page.

Hurt in a Car Accident in San Francisco?

Car crashes are the most common serious-injury cases we handle in the city. Our dedicated San Francisco car accident lawyers page covers what to do after a crash (including SFPD reporting and the DMV SR-1 requirement), fault and insurance rules, real case results handled by Andy Gillin, and the deadlines that apply — including the six-month government claim window for crashes involving Muni or city vehicles.

How a San Francisco Personal Injury Claim Works

Every case is different, but most San Francisco personal injury claims move through the same four stages. Knowing what to expect makes the process far less stressful.

Investigation

We gather the evidence that proves what happened and who was responsible. That can include the police or incident report, photos, video, witness statements, and your medical records. Acting early matters, because video footage gets overwritten and physical evidence disappears.

Insurance claim

We handle every conversation with the insurance company for you and present a documented demand for your medical bills, lost income, and other losses. You never have to argue with an adjuster or worry about saying the wrong thing.

Negotiation

Most personal injury cases settle. We negotiate for a settlement that reflects the full value of your injuries, not the first low offer the insurer puts on the table. We do not recommend accepting an offer until we understand the long term cost of your recovery.

When a lawsuit becomes necessary

If the insurance company refuses to pay what your case is worth, we are ready to file a lawsuit and take your case to trial. Insurers know our record, and being prepared to go to court is often what moves a fair settlement forward.

California Comparative Fault and Liability

California follows a pure comparative negligence rule. That means you can still recover money even if you were partly responsible for the accident. Your compensation is simply reduced by your share of fault. If your damages are $100,000 and you are found 20% at fault, you can recover $80,000. California has followed this pure comparative fault rule since Li v. Yellow Cab Co. (1975).

Insurance companies know this rule and often try to shift blame onto you to shrink what they pay. This is why preserving evidence early is so important. Photos, witness contact information, and prompt medical care all help establish what really happened and protect your right to full compensation. Do not assume you have no case just because you think you were partly at fault.

This section is general legal information, not legal advice. How California’s comparative fault rule applies to your situation depends on the specific facts of your case. For advice about your claim, speak with a licensed attorney. A GJEL attorney will review the details with you during your free consultation.

Recoverable Damages After a San Francisco Injury

The goal of a personal injury claim is to make you whole for everything the accident cost you. In San Francisco, that typically includes:

• Medical bills, including emergency care, surgery, hospital stays, and rehabilitation
• Lost income for time away from work, plus reduced earning capacity if you cannot return to the same job
• Pain and suffering for the physical pain and emotional toll of your injuries
• Future care for ongoing treatment, therapy, and long term needs after a serious injury

Serious and permanent injuries are worth far more than a few weeks of soreness, and insurers rarely offer the full value on their own. We document every category of loss so nothing you are owed gets left on the table.

We Know San Francisco Because We Work Here

Winning an injury case in San Francisco isn’t just about knowing the law. It’s about knowing this city, its institutions, and the people and systems that will shape the outcome of your claim. We work in this ecosystem every day, and that familiarity directly benefits our clients.

Personal injury lawsuits in San Francisco are filed in the San Francisco County Superior Court at the Civic Center Courthouse, located at 400 McAllister Street. Civil cases, including motor vehicle personal injury claims, are handled through the Civil Division in Room 103. The court also maintains a Complex Civil Litigation department, one of only six in the state, for cases that require additional judicial resources. We’ve filed and tried cases in this courthouse for years, and we understand local procedures, timelines, and the expectations of the judges who hear San Francisco personal injury matters.

When seriously injured people in San Francisco need emergency care, they’re most often taken to Zuckerberg San Francisco General Hospital and Trauma Center at 1001 Potrero Avenue. It’s the city’s only Level I trauma center, serving 1.5 million residents across San Francisco and northern San Mateo County and treating nearly 4,000 trauma patients every year. ZSFG was the first hospital in the country to earn certification for a traumatic brain injury program, which matters enormously for clients dealing with TBI after a collision.

We also work with medical teams at UCSF Medical Center, with campuses at Mission Bay and Parnassus Heights, and at Sutter Health’s California Pacific Medical Center (CPMC), which operates the Van Ness Campus, Davies Campus, and Mission Bernal Campus across the city. UCSF Health also now operates Hyde Hospital (formerly Saint Francis Memorial) on Nob Hill, home to the Bothin Burn Center, which treats some of the most severe burn injuries from vehicle accidents. Kaiser Permanente San Francisco and Chinese Hospital round out the city’s major hospital network. We coordinate with these San Francisco institutions regularly to obtain medical records, document injuries, and connect clients with the specialists they need.

This isn’t abstract legal knowledge. It’s the practical, on-the-ground familiarity that comes from handling San Francisco injury cases day after day. Knowing the local hospitals means faster medical record retrieval. Knowing the courthouse means understanding local procedures and timelines. Knowing law enforcement means knowing exactly how to get complete, accurate accident reports. All of that translates directly into a stronger case for you.

Injuries We Fight to Get Compensated

We’ve represented San Francisco clients across the full range of serious injuries — from fractures and soft tissue damage to traumatic brain injuries, spinal cord damage, severe burns, amputations, and wrongful death.

Traumatic brain injury (TBI) is among the most serious. It can range from concussions to severe cognitive impairment, and insurance companies often challenge TBI claims because the damage isn’t always visible on standard imaging. We build these cases with the right medical evidence: neurology notes, advanced imaging, neuropsych testing, and expert opinions that connect daily limitations to the injury.

Spinal cord injuries that result in partial or full paralysis. Severe fractures requiring surgery, hardware, and months of rehabilitation. Burn injuries from vehicle fires or chemical exposure. Internal injuries involving significant blood loss that demand emergency surgical intervention. And permanent disability that fundamentally changes how you live and work.

Each of these requires extensive medical attention, ongoing therapy, and careful documentation. We work closely with your medical team to make sure your medical records reflect the true scope of what you’re going through.

Why San Francisco Accident Victims Choose Our Firm

Local Experience That Matters

We know San Francisco. We know the courts, the judges, the local traffic laws, and the tactics that Bay Area insurance adjusters use. This isn’t generic statewide representation. It’s legal advocacy built on deep familiarity with this city and the unique challenges that come with auto accidents here. Learn more about our firm.

A Record of Results

Our results tell the story better than any advertisement. Backed by Best Lawyers in America recognition and five decades of trial wins, we’ve secured substantial settlements and verdicts for San Francisco car accident victims across the Bay Area. View our car accident settlements.

You Pay Nothing Unless We Win

Our contingency fee basis means you don’t pay a dollar out of pocket, ever. Our fee is a percentage of what we recover for you, and if we recover nothing, you owe us nothing. That structure keeps us personally invested in getting you the highest possible result.

San Francisco Personal Injury FAQ

How much does a San Francisco personal injury lawyer cost?

Nothing up front. GJEL works on a contingency fee, so you pay no attorney fees unless we win money for you. The consultation is free, and there is no risk in finding out whether you have a case.

How long do I have to file a personal injury claim in California?

In most California personal injury cases you have two years from the date of the injury to file a lawsuit (Cal. Code Civ. Proc. § 335.1). If your claim is against a government agency, such as a city bus or a dangerous public road, you may have only six months to file a formal claim (Cal. Gov. Code § 911.2). Because these deadlines are strict, it is best to talk to a lawyer as soon as possible.

How long does a personal injury settlement take?

It depends on the severity of your injuries and whether the insurance company disputes the claim. Some cases resolve in a few months, while serious injuries that require ongoing treatment can take a year or more. We do not rush you into settling before we understand the full cost of your recovery.

When should I call a personal injury lawyer?

As early as you can, ideally before you speak with the insurance company. Early legal help protects the evidence, keeps you from saying something that hurts your claim, and lets us start building your case while the facts are fresh. Calling us costs nothing.

Visit Our San Francisco Office

• Address: 883 Sacramento St, Apt A, San Francisco, CA 94108 (Financial District, at the edge of Chinatown)
• Phone: (415) 986-4777
• Hours: Our phone line is answered 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
• Appointments: Office visits are by appointment. In person and online consultations are available.
• Accessibility: Wheelchair accessible entrance and restroom.
• Directions: Near the corner of Sacramento Street and Powell Street, a short walk from the Montgomery Street and Powell Street Muni and BART stations. Public parking garages serve the Financial District and Chinatown.

Our office is located at 883 Sacramento St Apt A, San Francisco, CA 94108, United States. The office is in the Financial District near Chinatown and North Beach. It’s close to restaurants, offices, and public transit serving the downtown core. The location is easily accessible via Montgomery Street and nearby Market Street, with Muni and BART stations within walking distance. Street parking is limited, with nearby public parking garages serving the Financial District and Chinatown.

Getting started takes one phone call. Tell us what happened, we give you an honest assessment at no cost, and if we take your case, we handle everything from that point forward while you focus on healing.