Car Accidents
Attorney in California

Liability almost always clear under California's rebuttable presumption that the rear driver was negligent. Most common claim type; settlements range from $15,000 for minor injuries to $500,000+ for cases requiring surgery.

Failure to yield, running red lights, left-turn violations, and stop sign rolls. Often involve disputed fault requiring witness testimony and reconstruction. Comparative fault percentages can significantly affect recovery.

Lane-change collisions, freeway merging accidents, and high-speed rear-ends. Often more severe due to speed; multi-vehicle pile-ups complicate liability allocation among multiple defendants.

When the at-fault driver flees. Your own UM coverage applies as if the unidentified driver were uninsured. We pursue all available leads — security footage, witnesses, partial plates — to identify the driver when possible.

Strong liability cases that frequently support punitive damages under Civil Code § 3294 (malice/oppression standard). Drunk driving evidence — blood alcohol, criminal charges, prior DUI history — strengthens both compensatory and punitive recovery.

Texting, phone use, GPS programming, and other distractions. Vehicle Code § 23123 prohibits handheld phone use while driving. Cell phone records subpoenaed early in the case establish distraction at the moment of impact.

Complex insurance layering — driver's personal policy, rideshare contingent coverage, rideshare full $1M policy during active ride. Coverage depends on whether the app was active and whether a passenger was in the vehicle.

California car accident personal injury claims must be filed within 2 years of the accident date. Property damage has a 3-year deadline under CCP § 338. Don't wait — evidence disappears and witnesses move.

California requires minimum auto liability of $30,000 per person / $60,000 per accident / $15,000 property damage (effective January 2025 under SB 1107). Many drivers still carry the prior $15,000/$30,000 minimums, making UM/UIM coverage essential.

California holds vehicle owners liable for permitted drivers' negligence up to statutory limits — typically the same as financial responsibility minimums. Critical when the driver has limited assets or no insurance.

Pure comparative negligence — plaintiff recovers damages reduced by percentage of fault. Even at 70% fault, plaintiff recovers 30% of damages. Joint defendants are severally liable for non-economic damages.

Punitive damages available when defendant acted with malice — DUI, street racing, and gross negligence with conscious disregard for safety often qualify. Punitive damages frequently 1-9x compensatory damages.

California prohibits handheld phone use, texting, and most uses of mobile devices while driving. Phone records subpoenaed early often establish distraction at the moment of impact.

Whiplash, minor cervical strain, lumbar strain resolved with conservative treatment. Settlement covers medical bills, lost wages, and modest pain/suffering.

Disc bulges with persistent symptoms, shoulder impingement, knee injuries managed conservatively. Lifetime medical care for chronic pain often adds substantial value.

Disc herniation requiring fusion or laminectomy, rotator cuff repair, ACL reconstruction. Future medical needs (revision surgery, chronic pain management) are often the largest damage component.

Multiple body parts injured, often combined with mild TBI or post-concussive syndrome. Cases requiring extensive future care drive recoveries above $500,000.

Spinal cord injuries, severe TBI, multi-amputations. Life-care plans, future medical costs, and permanent earning capacity loss drive seven- and eight-figure recoveries when liability is clear.

DUI cases frequently support Civ § 3294 punitive damages. Combined recoveries often double or triple the compensatory amount when defendant's conduct supports malice finding.

Surviving heirs recover under CCP § 377.60 — economic losses (lost financial support, household services) plus non-economic damages (loss of love, companionship, comfort). DUI fatalities frequently include punitive damages.

Never give recorded statements to the at-fault driver's insurance. Statements made before injuries are fully diagnosed get used to minimize damages. Refer all communication through counsel.

Pre-MMI settlements almost always undervalue the case. We refuse early settlement until you've reached maximum medical improvement and all damage components are documented.

Pre-existing conditions don't bar recovery — the eggshell plaintiff rule means defendants take plaintiffs as they find them. We document the difference between pre-injury baseline and post-injury condition through treating physicians and prior medical records.

Counsel clients on social media discipline. Counter selective social media evidence with treating physician testimony and detailed activity logs documenting symptom patterns.

Defense IMEs are not independent — they're paid by the carrier and consistently produce defense-friendly reports. Counter with treating physician testimony and supplemental experts when needed.

Document defendant's fault percentage through accident reconstruction, scene evidence, and witness statements. Even modest comparative fault arguments can significantly affect recovery if not countered with evidence.