What to do After a Trolley Accident in San Francisco

As one of the country’s premier destinations, San Francisco boasts numerous tourist attractions—including the city’s famous trolley network. Trolleys, also known as cable cars, are very popular as they provide leisurely public transportation and sight-seeing opportunities for tourists throughout the Bay Area. In doing so, they share many of the same roadways as motorists and pedestrians, occasionally causing accidents to occur. 

At The Barnes Firm, our team of San Francisco trolley accident lawyers understand how San Francisco trolley accidents can cause severe injuries. If you or someone you know has been injured by a cable car, call The Barnes Firm at (800) 800-0000 for a FREE case evaluation.

How Often do Trolley Accidents Occur? 

San Francisco’s trolley network has just over five miles of track along three cable car lines, called the Powell-Mason, Powell-Hyde, and California Street lines. Despite being a small network, they transport over seven million passengers annually. However, they also average about one accident per month and consistently rank among the nation’s most accident-prone methods of public transportation. From encounters with other vehicles to derailments and more, the bustling urban area of San Francisco poses numerous accident risks for trolleys. 

What Causes Trolley Accidents? 

As they share the roads with trucks, cars, motorcycles, bikes, and pedestrians, there’s a variety of factors that may cause a trolley accident in San Francisco. Our experienced attorneys have identified the following as the most common causes of trolley accidents: 

• Driver error. If the operator fails to drive safely and adjust their speed based on traffic, they can cause accidents to happen. Likewise, a negligent motorist may be distracted or use poor judgement when encountering a cable car, potentially causing a crash. 
• Poor track conditions. Failure to maintain tracks can cause bolts or cable lines to become defective, leading to the derailment and crashing of a cable car. Additionally, failure to remove obstacles from a cable car’s path may cause a crash.  
• Mechanical failures. When the trolley itself or the cable lines experience a mechanical failure, it can lead to a derailment and potential collisions with other vehicles or property. 
• Poor weather conditions. Heavy rain and other inclement weather conditions may contribute to a cable car accident, especially if there’s dense traffic. 
• Traffic Interactions. Cable car lines run throughout the busy, urban streets of San Francisco. In doing so, trolleys and motorist traffic often cross paths, sometimes resulting in accidents. 
• Pedestrian Interactions. Similar to how cable cars often encounter vehicle traffic, they also encounter pedestrian traffic along the same, busy streets.  

What To Do After a Trolley Accident in San Francisco

After a trolley accident in San Francisco, you may be left injured and unsure of what to do next. However, it is crucial that you know what measures to take so that you can protect your health and preserve evidence that may be used for filing a claim later. After a cable car accident, you should: 

• Ensure safety. If possible, remove yourself from the accident scene and evaluate yourself for physical injuries and wounds. 
• Call emergency services. Contact emergency services to ensure that the police and emergency vehicles arrive at the scene to document the incident and further evaluate you for injuries.  
• Report the accident. Reporting your accident to the local authorities enables them to document the incident and create an official police report detailing what happened.  
• Document the accident scene. Taking photographs and videos of the accident scene, your injuries, and any property damage is crucial for filing a claim later. Additionally, obtaining a copy of the police report, medical bills, and any other relevant paperwork can serve as critical pieces of evidence.  
• Seek medical attention. Even if you feel fine, it is crucial that you receive medical attention from a professional. Some injuries, like Traumatic Brain Injuries (TBIs) and internal bleeding, may not be immediately apparent and require a medical evaluation. 
• Call The Barnes Firm. Speaking with an experienced trolley accident lawyer at The Barnes Firm can help you understand your rights, develop a legal strategy, and pursue the maximum compensation available for your injuries and losses. Call us today at (800) 800-0000.

Can I File a Claim After a Trolley Accident? 

After a trolley accident in San Francisco, you may be able to file a personal injury claim. However, it is important to understand California’s statute of limitations and pure comparative negligence statute. 

Statute of Limitations

In the state of California, the statute of limitations for filing a personal injury claim is two years from the date of the injury. However, if the injury was not immediately discovered, then claimants have one year from the date of the discovery of this injury. It is crucial to speak with a lawyer and move forward on filing a claim within this timeframe. Claimants attempting to file outside of this timeframe will likely have their case discarded by the court. 

Pure Comparative Negligence

When it comes to injury-causing accidents, California follows a “pure comparative negligence” statute. This allows injured parties involved in an accident to recover compensation for damages that are not their fault, even if they are found to be 99% at-fault for the accident. In these scenarios, the percentage of fault assigned to each party reduces the amount of compensation they can collect.  

After a trolley accident, it is wise to consult a San Francisco trolley accident lawyer with decades of experience handling cable car accident cases and injury claims. Our team at The Barnes Firm can guide you through the legal process and provide support for you and your family every step of the way. Call our Bay Area office today at (800) 800-0000 to discover the true value of your case. 

After a Trolley Accident, Call The Barnes Firm 

If you or a loved one has been wrongfully injured in a trolley accident, you may be entitled to compensation. However, handling the aftermath of an accident and attempting to file a claim on your own can be very complex and stressful, especially if you’re trying to recover from your sustained injuries. While you prioritize your health and recovery, allow our team to take on your case and guide you towards getting the best result possible. Call our team of San Francisco trolley accident attorneys at The Barnes Firm today at (800) 800-0000 for a FREE case evaluation. It could be the best call you make. 

Richard Barnes – President of The Barnes Firm

Richard Barnes: “As President of The Barnes Firm, I have dedicated my career to achieving justice in hundreds of cases for the victims of injuries caused through the fault of others. Additionally, I have been honored to have been elected Best Lawyer and a Super Lawyer”

Years of Experience: 30+ years
LinkedIn Profile: Richard Barnes