The firm is seeking accountability after a December 2025 cable car incident in San Francisco left a passenger with serious injuries.
SAN FRANCISCO [September 01, 2026] — Berg Injury Lawyers has filed a lawsuit on behalf of a passenger injured in a December 15, 2025 San Francisco cable car accident that left him with serious injuries after a cable car abruptly stopped. The complaint, filed in the Superior Court of California, County of San Francisco, Case #: CGC-26-640085, alleges the stop resulted from negligent maintenance and operation of the cable car.
The incident occurred at approximately 3:07 p.m. while the client was riding on a cable car on California Street in San Francisco. The cable car abruptly stopped after going max speed, causing several windows of the cable car to shatter and launching numerous passengers out of their seats. According to the complaint, negligent maintenance and operation of the cable car caused the client, who was seated on the rear right side of the cable car, to sustain serious injuries in the incident. Multiple other passengers were injured as well.
Berg Injury Lawyers is representing the client as he continues to deal with the physical, emotional, and financial effects of the accident. The firm’s involvement in the case reflects its commitment to helping injured people pursue answers and accountability after serious incidents involving public transportation and preventable harm.
The client’s injuries include acute fractures of the C6 laminae bilaterally; C6-C7 anterior osteophyte fracture, splaying of the C6-C7 disc space, cervical cord injury, endplate fracture of T11, deep laceration to the forehead, pain in the head, shoulders, arms, hands, abdomen, left leg, left foot, and buttocks, as well as neurological and cognitive problems including balance issues, confusion, ringing in the ears, dizziness, and headaches. He was knocked unconscious during the incident and transported by ambulance to Zuckerberg San Francisco General Hospital and Trauma Center.
The client remained hospitalized for an extended period and did not return home until March 23, 2026. During that time, he was reportedly in a coma for four days and underwent neck surgery, including a C3-T2 posterior spinal decompression and fusion. After surgery, he was admitted to Victorian Post Acute and Pacific Heights Transitional Care Center for additional care and recovery.
“This case is about a man whose life was changed in an instant,” said Bill Berg, founding partner of Berg Injury Lawyers. “When someone boards public transportation, they should be able to trust that it is being operated and maintained safely. Our client has endured a tremendous amount of pain and suffering since this incident, and our firm is proud to stand beside him as he pursues accountability through the legal process.”
The San Francisco cable car system is one of the city’s most recognizable public transit features, used by residents and visitors alike. Incidents involving public transportation can raise serious questions about safety, maintenance, oversight, and the measures in place to protect passengers. Berg Injury Lawyers’ representation of the client highlights the importance of carefully examining what happened and advocating for people who suffer serious harm in incidents like this one.
At this stage, Berg Injury Lawyers is focused on presenting the facts of the case and advocating for its client through the legal process. The firm is not speculating about matters that remain subject to litigation. However, the seriousness of the injuries highlights the life-altering impact this incident has had on the injured passenger and the importance of pursuing the case fully and responsibly.
As the case moves forward, Berg Injury Lawyers will continue to represent the client’s interests and seek accountability through the legal system.
About Berg Injury Lawyers
Berg Injury Lawyers is a California personal injury law firm that represents people injured in accidents caused by negligence. The firm serves clients throughout Northern California and handles a range of serious injury matters, including car, truck, and motorcycle accidents, wrongful death claims, and other complex personal injury cases. For decades, Berg Injury Lawyers has advocated for injured individuals and families throughout the state. To learn more or file a claim, contact Berg Injury Lawyers
