Serious Help for Serious Injuries
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Partner George Choulos in Picture*

San Francisco Personal Injury Attorney

Serious personal injury and wrongful death cases have been the focus of our law firm since its founding in 1983. Our founding partner Vasilios B. Choulos (1927-2003) established this legacy and commitment to justice beginning in the 1950s, and his example continues to inspire and guide our team of dedicated lawyers today. Every working day, we stand up for the rights of the injured against negligent individuals, insurance companies, manufacturers, and government entities.

When our San Francisco personal injury lawyers take on a case, we are in it to win, as our track record of sizable verdicts and settlements shows. We also believe that each individual and family we counsel deserves personal attention from a senior attorney throughout the quest for justice and compensation, so we consciously maintain a manageable caseload.

Meet Attorney George V. Choulos

attorney george choulos

The determination, understanding, and sincerity George shows when working with his clients and giving advice to those in need is impossible to miss. All relationships are important to George, whether he’s working with a client, potential client, someone in need of advice, or a fellow lawyer. He works directly with his clients, giving them the personal service and attention they deserve.

Awards and Recognitions

Professional Associations and Memberships

Notable Case Results

  • $15,000,000 Nathan R. vs. Drunk Driver settlement
  • $4,200,000 Family of Mr. G v Private Bus Company settlement
  • $3,500,000 Walter B. vs. Meyer (car vs. bicycle accident) settlement
  • $3,000,000 Medical Devices and Defective Drugs settlement

Successful Case Results

“Easy to work with and truly listened to my concerns. I would not hesitate to contact Choulos, Choulos & Wyle if I should ever require their services again.” – Barry N.

Why Choose Choulos, Choulos & Wyle For This Case?

After sustaining an injury caused by another person’s actions, you need an attorney with vast experience in these cases. Choulos, Choulos & Wyle is ready to get to work.

  • We have more than two decades of experience helping clients who have been injured, and we refuse to settle for anything less than what our clients deserve.
  • We limit the number of cases our attorneys handle so that we are able to devote full attention to every client that comes through our door.
  • We take San Francisco personal injury cases on a contingency fee basis, which means our clients owe us nothing until we secure the compensation they deserve.

Personal Injury Resources:

How Will An Attorney Help A Personal Injury Case?

Unfortunately, the deck is often stacked against personal injury victims. Those who are injured due to another person’s negligence usually do not have the resources or legal experience necessary to prove the negligence of the at-fault party. A skilled San Francisco personal injury lawyer will be able to:

  • Obtain all evidence relating to the incident that caused the injury (photographs, video surveillance, accident reports, witness statements, etc.).
  • Ensure that the injury victim is evaluated by a trusted health care professional who can assess the full extent of their losses.
  • Negotiate with all parties involved, including aggressive insurance carriers or legal teams, to obtain fair compensation for the victim.

Proven Advocates for You After an Injury

Our car accident lawyers in San Francisco handle the most prolific cause of serious accidents and injuries. Motor vehicle accidents have always been a primary focus for our law firm. We are prepared to evaluate and pursue your claim arising from:

  • Driver or passenger injuries from a car accident resulting from any type of negligence, including dangerous roadways or auto manufacturing and design defects
  • A motorcycle wreck
  • A bicycle or pedestrian accident — including accidents involving MUNI buses, taxi cabs, commercial trucks, and other vehicles

Turn to Cholous, Choulos & Wyle With Confidence

Our experience also encompasses sizable recoveries after a range of other injury-causing events and those that have caused a tragic wrongful death, such as:

  • Accidents on dangerous and defective property, including serious falls, fires and construction site accidents
  • Harm caused by defective products including automobile components, medical devices, and products intended for children — whether as part of a mass tort claim or a single lawsuit
  • Dog bites and attacks that produce life-changing injuries to children or adults

Injury victim stuck in hospital bed.

San Francisco’s Personal Injury and Negligence Laws

San Francisco, California has a comprehensive legal framework that governs personal injury cases, outlining the rights and responsibilities of individuals involved in accidents or incidents resulting in injuries.

The Definition of Personal Injury in California

Personal injury refers to any harm that a person suffers to his or her mind, body, or emotions. If another person or entity is at fault for the personal injury, the victim has the right to file a legal claim and recover financial compensation for the harm that he or she suffered. 

Incidents that may lead to a personal injury claim include the following:

  • Negligence-based incidents like car accidents
  • Acts of professional malpractice, like medical malpractice
  • Intentional acts of violence, such as assault

San Francisco Car Accident Laws

California is a fault-based car accident state. When a driver causes a collision, he or she is financially responsible for any injuries and damages that the victims sustain. These victims, who may include other drivers, passengers, pedestrians, and cyclists, have the right to file a car insurance claim or lawsuit against the at-fault motorist. 

To uphold this financial responsibility, California law requires all drivers to hold the following insurance minimums:

  • $15,000 for injury or death to one person per accident
  • $30,000 for injury or death to more than one person per accident
  • $5,000 for property damage per accident

Truck Accident Regulations

Commercial trucks that operate in San Francisco, California are required to adhere to state and Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) regulations. These laws set strict rules regarding when a trucker is allowed to drive, the license that he or she must hold, and how a truck is loaded and maintained. If a truck driver or trucking company breaks any of these rules, they may be held liable for any truck accidents that occur.

Premises Liability in San Francisco 

Premises liability law involve the legal responsibilities of property owners for injuries, deaths, or accidents that happen on their properties. If a property owner fails to maintain safe premises and an accident occurs as a result, he or she could be held liable for the victim’s injuries.

Property owners have different levels of responsibility based on the victim’s visitor status:

  • Invitees: An invitee has the highest level of protection. These are individuals who are invited onto the property for a business purpose or a mutual benefit. Property owners owe invitees a duty of care to maintain a safe environment, regularly inspect the premises, and warn of any known hazards that could potentially cause harm.
  • Licensees: Licensees enter a property with the owner’s permission but for their own purposes.. Property owners are required to exercise reasonable care towards licensees, meaning they must address any known dangers or hazards and warn visitors of potential risks that may not be readily apparent.
  • Trespassers: Trespassers enter a property without permission. While property owners generally do not owe a duty of care to trespassers, there are exceptions in California law. Property owners must refrain from causing intentional harm or engaging in willful misconduct that could harm trespassers and may need to take reasonable steps to prevent injuries, such as by posting warnings or securing dangerous areas.

San Francisco Wrongful Death Laws

If someone dies as a result of another party’s actions, the victim’s family members could file a wrongful death lawsuit on his or her behalf. Any incident that could have led to a personal injury case had the victim lived could qualify for a wrongful death claim. The decedent’s spouse, domestic partner, children, heirs, and financial dependents have the right to pursue a lawsuit on his or her behalf. Contact an experienced wrongful death attorney in San Francisco to discuss your legal options. 

Injury victim stuck in cast.

What Types of Personal Injury Damages Are Recoverable?

In a personal injury lawsuit, you can recover compensation for three types of damages: economic, non-economic, and punitive. 

Economic Damages

Economic damages refer to the financial losses that you experienced as a result of the accident. Often, medical expenses make up the bulk of your economic damages. These include your past and ongoing healthcare costs, such as surgical procedures, hospital stays, prescription medication, and physical therapy.

You can also recover economic damages for the following:

  • Loss of income and earning potential due to the injury
  • Property damage that you sustain as a result of the accident
  • Disability accommodations, such as mobility equipment or home modifications
  • Funeral and burial costs, in the event of someone’s death

Non-Economic Damages

Non-economic damages involve the pain and suffering that you experienced as a result of your injuries. They are intangible and can be difficult to quantify; unlike economic damages, you cannot prove them with documents like bills or receipts. Instead, courts and insurance companies use different formulas to calculate pain and suffering, often based on the severity of the injury or the number of days away from work.

Below are some common examples of non-economic damages:

  • Emotional distress
  • Mental anguish
  • Chronic pain
  • Permanent disability
  • Disfigurement
  • Loss of quality of life
  • Loss of companionship
  • Loss of reputation

Punitive Damages

In rare cases, you could claim punitive damages in a personal injury lawsuit. These damages are intended to punish a defendant rather than compensate a plaintiff for his or her laws. California courts allow plaintiffs to recover punitive damages if, by clear and convincing evidence, he or she proves that the defendant is guilty of oppression, fraud, or malice.

Most Common Injuries We Help Clients With

At Choulos, Choulos & Wyle, our attorneys have experience helping clients who have sustained all types of personal injuries. We understand that any injury can lead to tremendous medical expenses and hardships for victims. We regularly help clients who have sustained the following:

  • Traumatic brain injuries
  • Concussions
  • Open head wounds
  • Broken and dislocated bones
  • Spinal cord injuries
  • Neck and back injuries
  • Internal injuries
  • Severe lacerations
  • Sprains and strains
  • Whiplash
  • …and more

Most injuries will result in medical bills, and many could require a victim needing rehabilitation or physical therapy in order to make a full recovery. A bike accident lawyer in San Francisco can help navigate your legal options for any resulting injuries from biking related accidents.

Areas We Serve

Pacific Heights | Nob Hill | North Beach | Chinatown | Marina District | Haight-Ashbury | Castro District | Mission District | SoMa (South of Market) | Financial District | Potrero Hill | Russian Hill | Richmond District | Sunset District | Noe Valley | Inner Sunset | Outer Sunset | Pacifica | Bayview-Hunters Point | Dogpatch | Bernal Heights | Twin Peaks | Hayes Valley | Civic Center | Japantown | Fillmore District | Ocean Beach | Inner Richmond | Outer Richmond | Cow Hollow | Visitacion Valley

What Type Of Compensation Is Available For Personal Injury Cases?

In the aftermath of sustaining an injury that was caused by somebody else’s actions, victims need to know how much compensation they will be able to recover. At Choulos, Choulos & Wyle, we want you to know that the total amount of compensation awarded to victims depends on the specific elements of each particular case. However, our San Francisco personal injury lawyers regularly help clients secure the following:

  • Compensation for all medical expenses related to the incident
  • Lost income if a victim cannot work while they recover
  • Pain and suffering damages
  • Loss of enjoyment of life damages
  • Punitive damages in cases of gross negligence or intentional actions by the at-fault party

What Is The Statute of Limitations To File A Personal Injury Claim in San Francisco?

Every state is responsible for establishing time limits the victims have to file lawsuits against alleged negligent parties. These time limits are called the statute of limitations. In California, personal injury victims have two years from the date an incident occurs to file a lawsuit to recover compensation for their losses. Failure to file a claim within the allotted time frame will likely result in a victim being unable to recover any compensation for their losses.

Steps to Take After an Injury

If you have been injured in an accident, it is crucial to take the following steps to protect your health and your future claim:

  • Report the Accident: Immediately report the incident to the appropriate authorities, such as the police or property owner. This creates an official record of the incident, which can be valuable when seeking compensation.
  • Seek Medical Attention: Even if your injuries appear minor, it is important to seek medical attention promptly. Some injuries may have delayed symptoms, and documenting your injuries is crucial for your case.
  • Gather Evidence: Collect any evidence related to the accident, such as photographs, witness information, or video recordings. This evidence can strengthen your claim and establish liability.
  • Don’t Talk About Your Case: Avoid discussing your case with anyone other than your attorney. Statements made to insurance adjusters or on social media can be used against you. Let your attorney handle all communication.

Contact a San Francisco Personal Injury Attorney: Consult with a personal injury attorney in San Francisco who can guide you through the legal process, assess the value of your claim, negotiate with insurance companies, and represent your best interests.

San Francisco Accident Victim Attorney – Call (877) 702-7800 For the Legal Help You Need Now

Please contact us today if you need honest, informed legal counsel after an accident. We provide a free consultation and want to do everything we can to help you recover the compensation you need and deserve. You will pay no attorney fees unless we obtain a settlement or verdict on your behalf.

Awards & Recognitions
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