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.
Personal Injury Resources:
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:
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:
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.
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:
For example, a San Francisco motorcycle accident lawyer can assist with your legal case that is the result of another’s negligence.
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.
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:
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:
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 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:
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.
In a personal injury lawsuit, you can recover compensation for three types of damages: economic, non-economic, and punitive.
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:
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:
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.
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:
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.
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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:
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.
If you have been injured in an accident, it is crucial to take the following steps to protect your health and your future claim:
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.
The following testimonials were originally left by happy clients at Yelp, Google and the attorney rating website Avvo. Here are a few examples of satisfied clients of Choulos Choulos & Wyle:
Joshua H
“I was involved in a bicycle accident involving a semi truck. I contacted Claude Wyle and he agreed to take on my case. I can honestly say he was very honest and forthright with me and worked tirelessly on my case. Anything that came up I was notified immediately and he talked me through everything. I was more than happy when we settled my case. I believe Claude and George are really fantastic lawyers they have a great support staff who are very responsive to anything you ask of them. I would highly recommend them to anyone who has been injured. Great communication, fast response great people.”
Amelia E.
“Claude Wyle is the best. I have used him for two accidents (don’t stand near me when there’s lightning) and he got me through both from beginning to end. I have referred so many friends in the motorcycle community to him when they were hit by stupid drivers. He is an incredible gentleman who is pleasant to everyone, even the other opposing side. He takes something that is tragic and makes it less traumatic. Oh, and money. He can get blood out of a stone. He changed my life when I almost lost it, twice! Thank you!”
Barry N.
“After being involved in a horrific car accident and not knowing where to turn – I was referred to Claude Wyle. He was a true professional and knew how to work with the insurance company of the party that hit me. Claude was sharp and clearly had command of the whole process. He was easy to work with and truly listened to my concerns. I would not hesitate to use him or his partner George if I should ever require their services again.”
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.