California Personal Injury Attorneys

Car Accident Attorney in California

If a negligent driver injured you anywhere in California, you may be entitled to compensation for your medical bills, lost income, and more.

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What Is a Car Accident Case?

California roads are among the busiest in the nation. From the freeways of Los Angeles to the bridges of the San Francisco Bay Area, millions of drivers share the road every day — and collisions are an unfortunate reality. If you were hurt in a car accident caused by another driver’s negligence, California law may allow you to recover compensation for your losses.

California is a fault and pure comparative negligence state

California follows a traditional “at-fault” system, which means the driver who caused the crash (and their insurer) is generally responsible for the resulting harm. California also applies a pure comparative negligence rule established in Li v. Yellow Cab Co. (1975). Under this rule, you can recover compensation even if you were partly at fault, though your recovery is reduced by your percentage of fault. For example, if you are found 20% responsible, your award is reduced by 20%.

Deadlines matter

Under California Code of Civil Procedure section 335.1, the statute of limitations for most personal injury claims is two years from the date of the accident. If a government entity is involved (for example, a collision with a city vehicle in Sacramento or San Diego), you may have as little as six months to file a claim under the California Government Claims Act. Because deadlines vary, it is wise to speak with an attorney promptly.

How an attorney can help

Insurance companies often move quickly to limit what they pay. An attorney can help you preserve evidence, obtain the police report, document your injuries, calculate the full value of your losses under Civil Code section 3333, and handle communications with the insurer so you can focus on recovery. Our firm investigates how the crash happened, identifies every source of insurance coverage, and pursues fair compensation on your behalf.

Golden State Injury Lawyers represents injured drivers and passengers throughout California, including Los Angeles, San Jose, Fresno, Oakland, and Long Beach. Your consultation is free, and you pay no fee unless we recover for you. This information is general and is not legal advice; every case depends on its own facts.

Common Causes

What Causes These Cases

Distracted driving (texting)
Speeding and unsafe lane changes
Driving under the influence
Running red lights and stop signs
Fatigued or drowsy driving
Tailgating and rear-end collisions
Poor weather and road conditions
Defective vehicle parts

After an Injury

What to Do After a Car Accident

  1. 01

    Get Medical Attention

    Your health comes first. See a doctor promptly even if you feel fine — some injuries are not obvious right away, and prompt records also help document your claim.

  2. 02

    Report the Incident

    Notify the appropriate party — call law enforcement, or tell the property owner, manager, or employer — and make sure a written report is created.

  3. 03

    Document Everything

    If you can, photograph the scene, your injuries, and anything that contributed to the car accident. Collect names and contact details for any witnesses.

  4. 04

    Keep Your Records

    Save medical bills, proof of lost wages, and out-of-pocket expenses. Keep a simple journal of how your injuries affect your daily life.

  5. 05

    Talk to an Attorney First

    Before giving a recorded statement or accepting any offer from an insurance company, speak with an attorney. The consultation is free.

Know Your Rights

California Laws You Should Know

In California, the statute of limitations for most personal injury claims is generally two years from the date of injury under Code of Civil Procedure section 335.1. If a government entity is involved, you may have as little as six months to file a claim under the California Government Claims Act. Because deadlines vary, it is best to speak with an attorney promptly.

California follows a pure comparative negligence rule, established in Li v. Yellow Cab Co. (1975). You may still recover compensation even if you were partially at fault — your recovery is simply reduced by your percentage of responsibility.

Under California Civil Code section 1714, everyone is generally responsible for harm caused by their failure to use reasonable care. Establishing that another party breached this duty is a key part of most injury claims.

California Civil Code section 3333 sets the measure of damages for most non-contract claims — the amount that will compensate for all the detriment caused, whether or not it could have been anticipated. This can include economic and non-economic losses. Compensation amounts vary based on the specific facts of your case.

Compensation

Damages You May Recover

Economic Damages

  • Medical expenses (past and future)
  • Lost wages and lost earning capacity
  • Rehabilitation and therapy costs
  • Out-of-pocket and travel expenses
  • Property damage
  • In-home assistance or future care

Non-Economic Damages

  • Pain and suffering
  • Emotional distress
  • Loss of enjoyment of life
  • Disfigurement and scarring
  • Loss of consortium or companionship
  • Inconvenience and disruption

Compensation amounts vary based on the specific facts of your case.

Case Results

Car Accident Case Results

Past results do not guarantee future outcomes. Each case is unique.

$1.1M Car Accident

Settlement for a client with spinal injuries from a rear-end collision.

$640K Car Accident

Settlement after a distracted-driving collision on a Los Angeles freeway.

Our Team

Meet Your Legal Team

Experienced California personal injury attorneys dedicated to your recovery.

Shannon Ramos

Founder & Attorney at Law

Shannon Ramos is a California-licensed attorney practicing family law since 2013. Loyal, detail-driven, and known in the courtroom as “El Toro,” she brings relentless preparation and trial skill to every case.

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Elena Marquez

Senior Trial Partner

Elena leads the firm’s trial practice, focusing on catastrophic injury and wrongful death cases throughout California.

SBN 245118

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Daniel Cho

Senior Trial Attorney

Daniel represents clients in serious motor vehicle and trucking cases, with an emphasis on thorough case preparation.

SBN 268904

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California law may limit the time you have to file a claim. Act now — there is no cost and no obligation to speak with our team.

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