California Car Accident Lawyer
TL;DR — Car Accident Lawyers in California
Compass Law Group represents people injured in California car accidents and has recovered $5,000,000 and $2,500,000 on individual car accident cases, part of over $250 million recovered for injury victims overall. California gives you two years from the crash date to file suit under CCP §335.1, and because California is a pure comparative-fault state you can still recover even if you were partially at fault. Free 24/7 consultation in English, Spanish, Farsi, and Korean. Past results do not guarantee future outcomes. Every case is unique.
California Car Accident Lawyers Who Try Cases, Not Just Settle Them
California sees more than 3,000 traffic fatalities and hundreds of thousands of injury crashes every year according to the California Highway Patrol’s SWITRS database. The Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim metro area alone accounts for a disproportionate share of those crashes because of freeway density, late-night commuting, and the highest vehicle-miles-traveled per capita in the state. When a crash leaves you with a broken bone, a concussion, or a back injury that will not heal on its own, the question is not whether you have a claim — it is whether you have a lawyer who treats your case like it is going to trial from day one.
Compass Law Group, LLP handles California car accident cases from seven offices — Beverly Hills, Los Angeles, Long Beach, San Francisco, Sacramento, Oakland, and Bell Gardens. Our firm has recovered $5,000,000 and $2,500,000 on individual car accident cases and more than $250,000,000 in total for California injury victims. Managing partner Joseph Shirazi, CA Bar #265403, has been recognized among the National Top 100 Trial Lawyers.
California Is a Pure Comparative-Fault State — and That Changes Everything
California is one of only thirteen pure comparative-fault states in the country. That means even if you were 99% responsible for the crash, you can still recover 1% of your damages. More importantly for most of our clients: if the insurance company tries to argue you were 30% at fault for looking down at a text or not wearing a seatbelt at the moment of impact, that does not kill your case — it reduces your recovery by 30%. The fight is never “win or lose.” It is always about how much. Insurance adjusters who know they cannot zero you out will often push the percentage-of-fault argument as a way to cut a settlement in half, and that is where having a trial-ready attorney who will call their bluff matters.
California Vehicle Code § 16056 requires every driver to carry at least $15,000 per person / $30,000 per accident of bodily injury liability coverage, but that minimum is wildly insufficient for any serious injury. When the at-fault driver is underinsured, we pursue your own uninsured/underinsured motorist (UM/UIM) policy, then the at-fault driver personally, then any third party whose negligence contributed — a commercial employer, a rideshare company, a vehicle manufacturer, a bar that over-served a drunk driver under California’s dram-shop rules.
How pure comparative fault changes what you recover
California is a pure comparative-fault state: you can recover even if you were mostly at fault, but your compensation is reduced by your share of fault. The table shows how the same $100,000 in damages pays out at different fault percentages — the math, not a promise about any specific case. See how we handle disputed fault on our Los Angeles car accident and pedestrian accident pages.
| Your share of fault | Reduction | You could recover |
|---|---|---|
| 0% | $0 | $100,000 |
| 25% | $25,000 | $75,000 |
| 50% | $50,000 | $50,000 |
| 90% | $90,000 | $10,000 |
Car Accident Questions, Answered
What is the statute of limitations for a car accident lawsuit in California?
In California you generally have two years from the crash to file a personal-injury lawsuit and three years for vehicle or property damage (Code of Civil Procedure §335.1 and §338). If a government vehicle or entity is involved, you must file a government claim within six months. Missing the deadline usually bars your claim, so act early.
Is California an at-fault state for car accidents?
Yes. California is an at-fault (tort) state, so the driver who caused the crash—and their insurance—is responsible for the injuries and damages. You file a claim against the at-fault driver’s insurer, and because California uses pure comparative fault, your recovery is reduced only by your own share of fault, if any.
How much can I get for pain and suffering after a car accident in California?
There is no fixed amount and, outside medical-malpractice cases, no cap on pain-and-suffering (non-economic) damages in California. Value depends on the severity of your injuries, how they affect your daily life, and the strength of the evidence. Serious, lasting injuries support far higher awards than minor ones.
Who pays my medical bills after a car accident in California while I wait for a settlement?
Your own health insurance or medical-payments (MedPay) coverage typically pays your bills up front, and those amounts are reimbursed from your settlement at the end. The at-fault driver’s insurer usually pays a lump sum only once the claim resolves. If the at-fault driver was uninsured, your uninsured-motorist coverage applies.
Can I still get compensation if I was partially at fault for a car accident in California?
Yes. California follows pure comparative fault, so you can recover even if you were mostly to blame—your award is reduced by your percentage of fault. At 30% fault on a $100,000 claim you recover $70,000. Insurers push comparative fault to lower payouts, so your fault percentage is worth fighting over.
What happens if the driver who hit me doesn’t have insurance in California?
Your uninsured/underinsured motorist (UM/UIM) coverage steps in to pay for your injuries as if it were the at-fault driver’s policy, and it also covers hit-and-run crashes where the driver is never identified. Report the crash to police and your insurer promptly, because UM claims have strict notice deadlines.
How does comparative negligence work in California car accident cases?
California uses pure comparative negligence, established in Li v. Yellow Cab Co. (1975): each party’s fault is assigned a percentage and your recovery is reduced by your share. Unlike states that bar recovery at 50% fault, California lets you recover even at 99% fault—just reduced accordingly.
Do I need a lawyer for a minor car accident in California?
Not always—for a truly minor crash with no injuries you may handle it yourself. But even minor collisions can cause delayed injuries like whiplash, and insurers routinely undervalue claims. A free consultation costs nothing and helps you avoid accepting a lowball offer before you know the full extent of your injuries.
Who Pays When You Get Hit on a California Road
Identifying every source of recovery is the difference between a mediocre settlement and a case that actually makes you whole. A car crash case is rarely just “driver vs. driver” — multiple layers of coverage and multiple defendants can be in play at once:
- The at-fault driver’s bodily injury policy — the first and usually smallest layer, often just $15,000 to $100,000
- Your own UM/UIM coverage — critical when the other driver is uninsured or carries only the state minimum
- Your own MedPay and health insurance — pays medical bills regardless of fault while we build the third-party case
- An employer’s commercial auto policy — when the at-fault driver was on the job, even for a short errand, the employer’s policy is usually primary
- A rideshare platform’s policy — Uber and Lyft carry $1 million in liability coverage while a driver is on a trip; our Uber accident attorneys and Lyft accident team handle these cases regularly
- A vehicle or component manufacturer — for defective brakes, airbags, tires, or stability systems that contributed to the crash
- A dram-shop defendant — in limited California circumstances, a commercial host who served an obviously intoxicated driver can be held liable (see our drunk driving accident attorneys for details)
Common California Car Accident Injuries We Handle
The mechanism of a typical car crash produces a predictable injury pattern that insurance companies try to minimize at every turn. We see and treat as serious: whiplash and cervical disc injuries, traumatic brain injury (especially in rear-end impacts where the head snaps forward and back), spinal cord injury and lumbar herniation, thoracic and rib fractures from seatbelt loading, wrist and ankle fractures from bracing at impact, post-concussive syndrome and PTSD, and severe burn injuries in post-collision fires. Soft-tissue injuries are real injuries. “Low-speed” collisions still produce herniated discs. An adjuster’s “no visible damage” to the bumper is not a reason to dismiss a client’s symptoms — biomechanics, not body-shop estimates, determine injury causation, and juries understand that once it is properly explained.
When a car crash becomes a fatality, we handle the wrongful death claim under California Code of Civil Procedure § 377.60. When the victim was on two wheels, the case follows the rules for motorcycle accident or bicycle accident claims. When the victim was on foot, our pedestrian accident attorneys apply California’s pedestrian right-of-way statutes (CVC § 21950). And when a commercial truck or a bus was involved, an entirely different federal regulatory framework controls the case.
How We Value a California Car Accident Case
No honest attorney quotes a number on the first call. California car accident case value depends on liability clarity, the severity and permanence of injury, total economic losses (medical bills, wage loss, future medical, household services), non-economic losses (pain, suffering, loss of enjoyment of life), the venue of suit, and the available insurance. What we can say is which factors push a case toward the top of its range:
- Clear liability — rear-end, red light, signed police report naming the other driver
- Documented injury — ER records, imaging, ongoing treatment, specialist referrals
- Permanent injury or surgical intervention — disc fusion, joint replacement, scarring
- Strong economic losses — provable wage loss, out-of-pocket medical, long-term care needs
- Multiple layers of coverage — commercial policy, umbrella policy, UM/UIM stacking
- Venue — Los Angeles, Alameda, and San Francisco juries tend to return higher awards than some rural California counties
Our $5,000,000 car accident settlement and $2,500,000 car accident settlement came from cases with strong injury documentation, clear liability, and defense carriers who knew we were ready to try the case. Past results do not guarantee future outcomes. Every case is unique.
What damages you can recover after a California car accident
California car-accident compensation falls into three legal categories: economic damages (out-of-pocket losses), non-economic damages (human losses like pain and suffering), and — only in cases of malice, oppression, or fraud — punitive damages. Understanding which apply is how we value a claim. Learn more about how your case is valued.
| Category | What it covers | Cap in California? |
|---|---|---|
| Economic | Medical bills, future care, lost wages, lost earning capacity, property damage | No cap |
| Non-economic | Pain and suffering, disfigurement, loss of enjoyment of life | No cap in ordinary auto cases (MICRA caps apply only to medical malpractice) |
| Punitive | Only where the at-fault driver acted with malice, oppression, or fraud (e.g. egregious DUI) | No fixed statutory cap; must be proportionate (Civ. Code §3294) |
California Deadlines You Cannot Miss
California gives injured people two years from the crash date to file a personal injury lawsuit under Code of Civil Procedure § 335.1. Wrongful death claims follow the same two-year rule from the date of death under CCP § 377.60. If the crash involved a government-owned vehicle — a CHP cruiser, a city garbage truck, a public transit bus, a school bus — you have only six months to file a written government claim under California Government Code § 911.2 before you can even file suit in court. Miss either deadline and the strongest case in the world is gone.
California car accident filing deadlines at a glance
In California, most car-accident injury lawsuits must be filed within two years of the crash (CCP §335.1). The deadline is shorter or different for other claim types — missing it usually ends the case, so the table below is the fastest way to see which clock applies to you. Talk to a Los Angeles car accident lawyer before any deadline is close.
| Type of claim | Deadline to act | Statute |
|---|---|---|
| Personal injury (most crashes) | 2 years from the crash | CCP §335.1 |
| Property damage (your vehicle) | 3 years | CCP §338(c) |
| Wrongful death | 2 years from date of death | CCP §335.1 / §377.60 |
| Claim against a government entity (city/state road, gov vehicle) | 6 months to file the administrative claim | Gov Code §911.2 |
| Injured person is a minor | Clock generally tolled until the 18th birthday | CCP §352 |
California Roads Where Car Crashes Keep Happening
Car crashes are concentrated on the same corridors and intersections year after year. In LA County, the I-405 through the Sepulveda Pass, the I-5 through downtown Los Angeles, the I-10 between Beverly Hills and Santa Monica, and the I-710 through Bell Gardens produce the highest injury-crash counts in Southern California. In Long Beach, Ocean Boulevard and the I-405 interchange at Cherry Avenue are chronic hot spots. In the Bay Area, the I-880 Nimitz through Oakland, the I-80 Bay Bridge approach into San Francisco, and the US-101 through SoMa generate the bulk of serious injury collisions. In the Central Valley, the I-5 and US-50 corridors feeding Sacramento handle high-speed long-distance traffic with long downgrade stretches where braking failures and fatigue crashes concentrate.
What to Do in the First 48 Hours After a California Car Accident
Decisions made in the first forty-eight hours shape the rest of your case. Get full medical care even if you feel “mostly OK” — adrenaline masks soft-tissue injury for a day or two (see the CDC Motor Vehicle Safety Center for injury-trend data), and gaps in treatment become a weapon in the defense playbook. Keep every bill, every prescription, every discharge instruction. Photograph both vehicles, the intersection, skid marks, traffic signals, any debris, and your visible injuries. Obtain the CHP or local police report number and get the officer’s name. Do not give a recorded statement to any insurance adjuster — yours or theirs — before talking to a lawyer. Do not post about the crash on social media. Do not accept a quick “courtesy” payment from the at-fault driver’s carrier while you are still in treatment. Call a California car accident attorney who will preserve the evidence, open claims with every applicable policy, and let you focus on healing.
Meet the Attorneys Leading Your Case
Your case at Compass Law Group is led by one of our two managing partners. Together they bring decades of California personal injury trial experience, hundreds of millions of dollars in verdicts and settlements, and a courtroom record that forces defense carriers to take the case seriously from day one.
Joseph Shirazi — Managing Partner, CA Bar #265403. A Loyola Law School graduate named to the National Top 100 Trial Lawyers and holder of an Avvo 10.0 “Superb” rating. His results include a $14,500,000 truck accident verdict and a $13,000,000 trial verdict. He is a member of Consumer Attorneys of California, Consumer Attorneys Association of Los Angeles (CAALA), and the American Association for Justice. Read Joseph Shirazi’s full bio →
Simon Esfandi — Managing Partner, CA Bar #275307. A Southwestern Law School graduate recognized as a Super Lawyers Rising Star. He led the firm’s $9,870,000 motorcycle accident settlement and a $2,250,000 rideshare recovery, and focuses his practice on catastrophic personal injury trials. Read Simon Esfandi’s full bio →
Both partners are admitted to practice in every California state trial court and in the United States District Court for the Central District of California. Compass Law Group was founded in 2015, maintains a 5.0/5.0 rating on Google across 193+ verified client reviews, and has recovered more than $250,000,000 for injury victims across the state. Past results do not guarantee future outcomes. Every case is unique.
Why Compass Law Group
- $250,000,000+ recovered for California injury victims across all practice areas
- $5,000,000 and $2,500,000 single car accident settlements — past results do not guarantee future outcomes
- 5.0 stars on Google, 193+ verified client reviews
- Seven California offices — Beverly Hills, Los Angeles, Long Beach, San Francisco, Sacramento, Oakland, Bell Gardens
- No win, no fee — we advance every case cost and only get paid when you do
- Free consultations in English, Spanish, Farsi, and Korean — available 24/7 at (213) 320-1001
Frequently Asked Questions
How much is my California car accident case worth?
Case value depends on liability, injury severity, medical bills, wage loss, permanent impairment, and the available insurance. Minor soft-tissue claims may resolve in the $10,000–$50,000 range. Serious injuries with surgery or permanent impairment can exceed six and seven figures. Compass Law Group has recovered $5,000,000 and $2,500,000 on individual car accident cases. Past results do not guarantee future outcomes. Every case is unique.
What should I do immediately after a car accident?
Call 911, get medical care, photograph the scene and vehicles, get the other driver’s insurance and license plate, collect witness contact info, obtain a police report number, preserve dashcam footage, and do not give any recorded statement to an insurance adjuster before consulting a lawyer. Keep every medical bill and receipt.
How long do I have to file a car accident claim in California?
Two years from the crash date for a personal injury claim under CCP § 335.1. Two years from the date of death for wrongful death under CCP § 377.60. If a government vehicle was involved, you have only six months to file a written government claim under California Government Code § 911.2.
Do I need a lawyer for a car accident in California?
Not for every fender-bender, but any case involving real injuries, disputed fault, multiple vehicles, a commercial vehicle, or a carrier that has already denied coverage benefits from a lawyer on day one. Consultations at Compass Law Group are free and we work on a no-win, no-fee basis, so there is never a cost to find out where you stand.
What if the other driver does not have insurance?
If you carry uninsured/underinsured motorist (UM/UIM) coverage on your own policy, that coverage pays as if the other driver had insurance. California insurance companies are required to offer UM/UIM coverage, and most drivers carry it whether they realize it or not. We routinely open UM/UIM claims alongside third-party claims.
Can I still recover if I was partially at fault?
Yes. California is a pure comparative-fault state. Even if you were 50%, 80%, or 99% at fault, you can still recover the percentage of your damages attributable to the other driver. Do not let an adjuster’s “you were mostly to blame” line talk you out of a valid claim.
How long does a car accident settlement take?
Simple claims with clear liability and minor injuries can resolve in three to six months. Cases involving disputed fault, surgery, or lawsuits typically take twelve to twenty-four months. Our job is to move your case as quickly as possible without leaving money on the table.
Talk to a California Car Accident Lawyer Today
If you or someone you love has been injured in a car accident anywhere in California, call Compass Law Group, LLP at (213) 320-1001 or start a free case review online. Our consultations are free, our representation is no-win, no-fee, and we are available 24/7 in English, Spanish, Farsi, and Korean.
Written & legally reviewed by Compass Law Group partners
Joseph Shirazi
Managing Partner, Compass Law Group, LLP
California State Bar #265403 · Loyola Law School, J.D.
Joseph Shirazi is the Managing Partner of Compass Law Group, LLP, leading the firm’s personal-injury, catastrophic-injury, and wrongful-death trial practice. He authored the analysis on this page.
Profiles: Avvo · Super Lawyers · Justia · LinkedIn · CA State Bar · Full Bio →
Simon Esfandi
Partner & Co-Founder, Compass Law Group, LLP
California State Bar #275307 · Loyola Law School, J.D.
Simon Esfandi is a Partner and Co-Founder of Compass Law Group, LLP. He reviewed this page for legal accuracy. Compass represents California car accident victims on a No Win, No Fee basis.
Profiles: Avvo · Super Lawyers · Justia · LinkedIn · CA State Bar · Full Bio →
Past results do not guarantee future outcomes. This article is legal information, not legal advice.
California Car Accident & Injury Laws
The California statutes that govern fault, deadlines, and owner liability in vehicle-accident claims.
Do I have a case?
Contact us today for a free consultation.
California's
Gold Standard
Injury Law Firm
With Joseph Shirazi and Simon Esfandi at the helm, our firm is a trusted name in accident law in California.
Meet Our Managing Partners
National Top 100 Trial Lawyers and Avvo 10.0 Superb. Loyola Law School graduate. Recognized for his $14,500,000 truck accident verdict and a $13,000,000 trial verdict.
Read Full Bio →
Super Lawyers Rising Star. Southwestern Law School graduate. Led the firm’s $9,870,000 motorcycle accident settlement and a $2,250,000 rideshare recovery.
Read Full Bio →- ★ National Top 100 Trial Lawyers
- ★ Super Lawyers Rising Star
- ★ Avvo 10.0 Superb Rating
- ★ Top 40 Under 40
- ★ Consumer Attorneys of California · CAALA · AAJ
Countless Real Client Reviews Verified by Google
Jerry
After 10 accidents and 9 attorneys, the client met Simon, who stood out for his honesty and clear communication. Years later, after another accident, the client called Simon and was impressed by his professionalism and follow-through. Simon explained everything, connected him with top doctors, and kept every promise. It was the first time the client felt truly supported—highly recommending Simon and Joseph for their integrity and dedication.
Jacob
Jacob was rear-ended by a big rig and left nearly paralyzed for a year. He found Compass Law Group, and Joseph and Simon personally helped him through the legal process. Over two years, they ensured he got the medical care and surgeries he needed, helped repair his car, and secured the compensation he deserved. He highly recommends them for truly fighting for their clients.
Blandine
During the early days of COVID, Blandine was hit by a car while biking to work. Alone and unsure of what to do, they found Compass Law Group. Joseph was the first to respond with care and clarity. Throughout the case, the team—Joseph, Simon, and Julie—provided support, regular check-ins, and made the client feel safe and cared for. They now consider the firm like family and highly recommend them for their compassion and competence.
Understanding Your Rights:
Frequently Asked
Questions
#1 Do I have a case?
Understanding whether a claim exists is one of the challenges of personal injury law. This is why we offer free initial consultations to help you make this determination and allow you an avenue to vindicate your rights.
We’re committed to fighting for the rights of accident victims throughout Southern California, and, unlike other California personal injury attorneys, we will take on any case if we can help, no matter how big or small.
#2 What is personal injury?
Personal injury involves harm to an individual’s body or property caused by someone else’s negligence. It can range from minor to significant injuries, often requiring legal action to recover damages. We specialize in representing and securing fair settlements for such victims.
#3 Why hire Compass Law Group?
Our client-focused approach ensures personalized attention, detailed case building, and compelling evidence presentation. We’re skilled in negotiating settlements and prepared for trial with aggressive strategies. Our firm maintains transparent communication, involves clients in the process, and utilizes a wide network of expert witnesses and resources to strengthen cases. Choosing us means trusting a team dedicated to your success and justice.
#4What if I didn't go to the hospital?
No matter the injury size, you have rights that need defending. Many injuries seem minor at first but can worsen over time. Ignoring treatment or legal advice risks your health and compensation. Seek immediate medical and legal help after any accident to ensure proper diagnosis and strengthen your compensation claim.