Practice Area
Personal Injury — San Francisco & Bay Area
Representation for people injured in San Francisco — and for families who have lost someone. Susan F. Reyes has been licensed to practice law in California since 1990.
An injury claim is a set of deadlines, not just a story
Most people arrive at an injury claim with the facts clear in their mind and no idea what the law does with them. The answer is that it converts them into a series of questions — who was responsible, what the injury actually cost, what evidence still exists, and how long there is to act.
Matters
The kinds of injury matters Susan handles
Each of these turns on different rules and different evidence. Where the difference genuinely changes what you should do, it has its own page.
Also handled
Assault and battery — civil claims for victims
A criminal prosecution and a civil claim are separate things. A prosecution is brought by the state and is about punishment; a civil claim is brought by the injured person and is about compensation. One can proceed whether or not the other does, and a criminal case ending without a conviction does not automatically end a civil claim.
Susan F. Reyes represents victims of assault and battery in civil claims. If you are considering one, it is worth talking through what happened, what records exist, and who might be responsible before deciding what to do.
If your situation is not listed here
The matters above are the ones set out on this site because they are the ones Susan F. Reyes has published as part of her practice. That list is not a statement about everything she has ever handled, and it is not a filter you need to pass before calling.
If you were injured and you are not sure whether it fits, telephone the office and describe it. You will be told plainly whether it is a matter she takes on — and if it is not, that is a more useful answer than a form response.
What usually happens, and in what order
First, the facts and the clock. What happened, who was involved, what injuries resulted, and which deadline applies. Where a public agency may be involved, this is dealt with immediately, because those deadlines are short.
Then, the evidence. Reports, medical records, photographs, and anything that will not survive if nobody asks for it. Some categories of evidence — vehicle data, commercial carrier records, security footage — are routinely overwritten within weeks.
Then, the claim. The claim is presented to the responsible party or its insurer, with the losses documented rather than asserted.
And if necessary, a lawsuit. Most claims resolve without one. Where a fair resolution is not available, or a deadline requires it, proceedings are filed — in San Francisco that means the Superior Court on McAllister Street.
Questions
Common questions
- How long do I have to bring an injury claim in California?
- For most personal injury claims in California the deadline is two years from the date of the injury. There are important exceptions — claims against a public agency such as Muni or BART generally require a written claim within six months, and claims involving minors or delayed discovery of an injury can work differently. Because a missed deadline usually ends a claim permanently, it is worth confirming the date that applies to your situation early rather than late.
- What if I was partly at fault for what happened?
- California uses pure comparative fault. Being partly responsible reduces what you can recover in proportion to your share of the fault, but it does not bar a claim outright. People often assume they have no case because they were partly to blame, and that assumption is frequently wrong.
- Do I have to go to court?
- Most injury claims resolve without a trial. A claim is usually presented to the responsible party’s insurer first, and a lawsuit is filed only if a fair resolution cannot be reached or a deadline requires it. If a lawsuit is filed in San Francisco, it is filed in the San Francisco Superior Court.
- Should I speak to the other side’s insurance company?
- You are generally not obliged to give a recorded statement to another party’s insurer, and it is sensible to get advice before you do. You do usually have obligations to your own insurer under your policy. If you are unsure which is which, ask before the call rather than after it.
- Can I discuss my matter in Spanish?
- Yes. Susan F. Reyes works in English and Spanish, so a Spanish-speaking client speaks with the attorney directly rather than through an interpreter.
Consultation
Talk to Susan about your injury claim
Every matter begins with a conversation about what happened and what your options are. You will speak with Susan F. Reyes directly.