Personal Injury
Attorney in California

Car, truck, motorcycle, rideshare, and commercial vehicle collisions. Fault-based liability under California's pure comparative negligence rule. Insurance limits drive much of the recovery; UM/UIM coverage is critical when at-fault drivers carry minimum policies.

Pedestrians and cyclists hit by vehicles — almost always producing catastrophic injuries given the size disparity. Right-of-way rules under Vehicle Code §§ 21950–21954 typically favor the pedestrian/cyclist, with comparative negligence allocation handled at trial or settlement.

Slip-and-falls, negligent security, swimming pool accidents, dog bites, elevator/escalator injuries, and falling merchandise. Property owner duty under Civil Code § 1714; dog-bite strict liability under Civil Code § 3342.

Defective products causing injury — vehicles, machinery, consumer goods, pharmaceuticals, medical devices. California recognizes three theories: design defect, manufacturing defect, and failure to warn. Strict liability applies — no negligence proof required.

Death caused by another's wrongful conduct. Surviving heirs (spouse, children, dependents) can recover economic losses and non-economic damages under CCP § 377.60. Often combined with a survival action recovering the decedent's pre-death damages.

Traumatic brain injury, spinal cord injury, severe burns, multi-amputations, and permanent disfigurement. Lifetime medical care, life-care planning, and permanent loss of earning capacity drive seven- and eight-figure recoveries when liability is clear.

Most California personal injury claims must be filed within 2 years of the date of injury. Property damage has a 3-year deadline under § 338. Government claims have a 6-month administrative claim deadline under Gov § 911.2.

California uses pure comparative negligence — plaintiffs recover damages reduced by their own percentage of fault. Even a 99%-at-fault plaintiff can recover 1% of damages. Joint defendants are severally liable for non-economic damages under Proposition 51.

Every person is responsible for injuries caused by lack of ordinary care. The foundation of California negligence law — applies to property owners, drivers, businesses, and individuals.

California imposes strict liability on dog owners for bites occurring in public places or when the victim is lawfully on private property. No prior-bite or knowledge requirement — first bite is the owner's liability.

Punitive damages are available when defendant acted with malice, oppression, or fraud — proven by clear and convincing evidence. Common in DUI cases, intentional torts, and gross negligence with conscious disregard for safety.

Personal injury claims against state, county, city, or other public entities require an administrative claim filed within 6 months of injury. Failure to file timely usually bars the claim entirely.

Eligible heirs (surviving spouse, domestic partner, children, and certain dependents) can file wrongful death claims. Multiple heirs file collectively in a single action; recovery is then allocated among heirs.

All reasonable medical care from the date of injury through trial or settlement. Established by medical bills, lien-based provider documentation, and treating physician testimony. Carriers often contest 'reasonable and necessary' standard, which we counter with treating-physician declarations.

Established by treating physician projections, life-care plans, and economic experts. Includes future surgeries, therapy, medications, equipment, and home modifications. The single largest damage component in catastrophic cases.

Income lost from the date of injury through trial. Established by pay stubs, tax returns, and employer testimony. Includes lost overtime, bonuses, and self-employment income.

Calculated by economists comparing pre-injury career trajectory to post-injury earning capacity, discounted to present value. Often the second-largest damage component in catastrophic cases.

Compensates for physical pain, emotional distress, anxiety, disfigurement, and loss of life enjoyment. No statutory cap in most California PI cases (medical malpractice excepted under MICRA).

Spouse's recovery for loss of intimate relationship, companionship, and support. Independent claim filed alongside the injured party's claim.

Vehicle, personal property, and other tangible property destroyed or damaged. 3-year SoL under CCP § 338. Often handled separately from injury claim.

Available under Civ § 3294 when defendant acted with malice, oppression, or fraud. Common in DUI cases, intentional torts, and gross negligence with conscious disregard.

California's pure comparative negligence allows recovery even when plaintiff was partially at fault. We document defendant's percentage of fault with reconstruction experts and limit plaintiff's percentage through careful witness and exhibit selection.

Pre-MMI offers almost always undervalue serious injuries. We refuse strict-deadline offers and instead build the case to maximum value before negotiating from strength.

Counsel clients on social media discipline from day one. Counter selective surveillance footage with daily-activity logs and treating physician testimony documenting symptom patterns.

Document medical necessity through treating physicians, MTUS-equivalent standards of care, and (when needed) independent medical examination experts who corroborate the treatment plan.

Mediation works when both sides have the same information. We refuse early mediation until our damage model is fully developed — economic experts, life-care plans, and future medical projections in place.

Soft-tissue injuries (whiplash, strains, post-concussive syndrome) are real and compensable. We counter with neurological testing, biomechanical experts, and detailed symptom documentation showing functional impact.