Car Accident Lawyer in California

Injured in a California?

We’ll Handle the Insurance Battle

The aftermath can be overwhelming. You may be dealing with pain, bills, lost work, and a confusing insurance process. We step in to protect your rights, handle negotiations, and fight for the compensation you need. If you’ve been hurt in a crash, let’s talk.

Types of Accidents We Handle

Not Every Crash Is the Same

We represent people injured in a wide range of car accident scenarios, including:

Rear-End Collisions

Often caused by distracted or tailgating drivers, these crashes may seem minor but can lead to lasting injuries like whiplash or herniated discs.

T-Bone or Side-Impact Collisions

Common at intersections, these can cause serious trauma, especially to the driver or passenger nearest the impact.

Drunk or Drugged Driving Crashes

When impaired drivers cause harm, we fight to hold them fully accountable under California law.

Rideshare Accidents (Uber & Lyft)

We represent both rideshare passengers and people hit by Uber or Lyft drivers. These cases involve overlapping insurance policies and require fast action.

Uninsured or Underinsured Driver Claims

If the at-fault driver has no coverage—or not enough—we help clients pursue recovery through their own UM/UIM insurance policies.

Multi-Vehicle & Highway Crashes

When multiple cars are involved, determining fault and handling insurance claims can get complicated. We’re ready to untangle the details and protect your interests.

Car Crash Claims in Context

California Law Moves Fast—So Should You

Although it has a reputation for safety, serious crashes still occur here daily. From heavy traffic to tricky merges on highways, we see accident patterns repeat again and again. California's personal injury laws recently changed—and acting quickly is more important than ever.

New 2-Year Deadline:

California car accident lawsuits now have a strict 2-year statute of limitations (as of March 2023).

Limited PIP Coverage:

No-fault PIP insurance only pays up to $10,000—often far less than what serious injuries cost.

Common Car Accident Questions

We Hear These All the Time

  • What should I do right after a car accident if I’ve been hurt?
    If you’ve been injured in a car accident, your priority should always be your health and safety. Call 911 immediately to report the accident and request medical attention, even if your injuries seem minor—some serious conditions don’t show symptoms right away. Try to remain still until help arrives. If you're able, collect basic details at the scene, such as the other driver’s insurance information and photos of the vehicles and surroundings. Beyond medical care, you’re starting a legal process whether you realize it or not. Anything said at the scene may later impact liability. In California, accidents involving injury must be reported to the DMV within 10 days, and that documentation can become a key part of your case. This step isn’t just bureaucratic—it helps establish an early record that supports your claim. Federal law doesn’t typically govern car accident claims unless a government vehicle or employee is involved. However, national safety and privacy laws like HIPAA will apply when your medical records are used to prove the extent of your injuries. Working with a legal team early ensures that this process is handled properly, so you don’t risk losing access to the compensation you’re entitled to.
  • What happens if I might be partly at fault for the accident?
    Even if you believe you were partially to blame, that doesn’t mean you lose the right to compensation. California follows a comparative negligence rule, which means your financial recovery can be reduced based on your percentage of fault—but it doesn’t block your claim. If a court finds you 30% at fault, for example, you can still recover 70% of your total damages. It’s important to understand that “fault” is not just a moral judgment—it’s a legal designation based on available evidence. Insurance companies often try to shift blame to reduce payouts, and without legal representation, you may be left accepting an unfair share of the responsibility. A skilled attorney can push back with accident reconstructions, expert evaluations, and by investigating deeper causes, like mechanical failures or road design issues. There’s no overarching federal law that changes this rule—fault determinations are handled at the state level. But federal regulations may come into play if your accident involved a commercial vehicle or government agency. That’s why having an attorney who understands both local and federal frameworks is crucial to protecting your claim.
  • Can I still file a claim if I wasn’t wearing a seatbelt?
    Yes, you can. In California, not wearing a seatbelt does not prevent you from bringing a personal injury claim after a car accident. However, it can affect how much compensation you receive. Insurance companies and defense lawyers may argue that your injuries would have been less severe if you had been buckled up, and that could reduce your recovery under the state’s comparative fault rules. But this isn’t a clear-cut deduction. The other driver’s negligence still remains the foundation of your case. To reduce your compensation, they must prove your injuries were worsened significantly by your lack of a seatbelt—something that often requires expert testimony and careful medical analysis. In many cases, even unbelted victims are still awarded substantial damages when the other party’s fault is clear. Federal agencies like the NHTSA set seatbelt use guidelines, but your personal injury case remains governed by state law. The key is to focus on the driver’s actions that caused the accident. A knowledgeable attorney can make sure that your rights aren’t unfairly reduced due to something that doesn’t excuse the other party’s negligence.
  • How long do I have to file a lawsuit after a car accident?
    In California, you generally have three years from the date of the accident to file a personal injury lawsuit. This is known as the statute of limitations, and missing this deadline can permanently bar you from seeking compensation, no matter how strong your case is. That said, there are important exceptions: if your accident involved a government vehicle, you may need to file a notice of claim within just 90 days. Understanding this timeline is critical. Evidence doesn’t last forever—witnesses forget, physical conditions change, and surveillance footage disappears. Starting the process early helps ensure nothing is lost, and that your case has the strongest foundation possible. It also protects your access to medical care and wage reimbursement under no-fault insurance, which must be accessed within 30 days of the accident. While these rules are governed by state law, federal rules come into play if you’re suing a federal employee or agency. In that case, your window to file is even tighter and must follow the Federal Tort Claims Act procedures. An experienced attorney can evaluate your situation and make sure all deadlines are met—so your chance at recovery is never compromised by red tape.
  • What kind of compensation can I expect after a car accident?
    Compensation depends on many factors—how badly you were injured, how long your recovery will take, how the injury affects your ability to work, and the emotional toll it has taken on your life. In California, you can recover both economic damages (like medical bills, lost wages, future care costs) and non-economic damages (like pain and suffering, or loss of enjoyment of life). In more severe cases, these damages can total hundreds of thousands—or even millions—depending on the facts. That said, there’s no magic calculator. Your claim must be backed by documentation: medical records, expert opinions, financial statements, and more. Insurance companies often offer quick settlements that only cover immediate costs. But serious injuries often come with long-term complications, and once you accept a settlement, you can’t go back for more. There are no federal caps on compensation for standard car accident claims, but some federal rules may apply if you’re pursuing a claim under a government insurance program or against a federally operated entity. Your attorney can help calculate a realistic and comprehensive value for your case—then fight to recover it fully. At AppelblattMazzola LLP, we believe justice isn’t about taking—it’s about taking back what’s rightfully yours. Your health, your future, your peace of mind—it all matters.
  • What if the other driver didn’t have insurance?
    If the other driver was uninsured or fled the scene, you still have options. New York requires all auto insurance policies to include Uninsured Motorist (UM) coverage. This means you can file a claim with your own insurance company to recover compensation for bodily injuries—up to the limits of your policy—even if the other driver can’t pay. But make no mistake—your insurer is not automatically on your side. These claims are handled like any other adversarial negotiation. You’ll need to prove the extent of your injuries and show that the uninsured driver was at fault. In some cases, if the crash involved a hit-and-run, you’ll also need to show evidence that supports your account of what happened—such as a police report, witness statements, or nearby camera footage. On a broader level, uninsured motorist protections stem from both state and federal efforts to ensure accident victims aren’t left with nothing. Federally, the Motor Vehicle Safety Responsibility Act gives states authority to create such protections. A legal team can help you leverage these rights fully—so that the lack of insurance on the other side doesn’t leave you bearing all the costs.
  • Will my medical bills be covered even before I settle my case?
    Yes, California is a no-fault insurance state, which means your own auto insurance policy should cover your medical bills—regardless of who caused the accident. This Personal Injury Protection (PIP) coverage is meant to provide immediate help with medical expenses, lost earnings, and other reasonable out-of-pocket costs, up to $50,000 per person. However, this coverage isn’t unlimited—and getting full access often requires quick and careful paperwork. You must submit a written application for benefits within 30 days of the accident. After that, your ability to recover these benefits can be reduced or denied. You also may need to attend insurer-requested medical exams or provide documentation from your treating physicians. If your injuries exceed the no-fault threshold—for example, if you suffer a fracture, significant disfigurement, or long-term disability—you can pursue a third-party lawsuit for additional compensation. Federal law doesn’t override these state rules, but federally funded programs like Medicare or Medicaid may later seek reimbursement if they cover your bills, so it’s important to coordinate these benefits carefully with legal guidance.
  • What if I was injured in a rideshare vehicle like Uber or Lyft?
    Rideshare accidents are legally complex because multiple insurance policies may be involved. If you were a passenger, or even another driver struck by an Uber or Lyft, you may be eligible to file a claim under the rideshare company’s $1 million liability policy—if the driver was logged into the app and on an active trip. However, if the driver was between trips or logged off, different insurance limits apply, and in some cases, the driver’s personal insurance may be the only policy in effect. Sorting out who pays what—and when—requires a detailed understanding of how rideshare coverage works under both state and company policies. Though regulated by state law, these companies often operate across state lines and invoke federal preemption defenses when sued. This means that your legal team must be ready to challenge those defenses and prove which policy should apply to your situation. Don’t assume a rideshare company will do the right thing on its own—they are profit-driven entities with legal teams of their own.
  • Can I still sue if I settled with the insurance company?
    Once you accept a settlement and sign a release, your right to sue is usually gone. Settlements are binding agreements, and insurance companies use them to close cases quickly—often before the full extent of your injuries becomes clear. That’s why it’s critical not to sign anything without speaking to a lawyer first. A settlement should reflect the total cost of your injuries, not just your initial bills. This includes future treatment, long-term impact on your ability to work, pain and suffering, and more. If you accept an offer that doesn’t account for these factors, you’ll be left to shoulder the burden alone. While courts rarely reopen settled claims, some exceptions exist—such as fraud, coercion, or newly discovered evidence. If you believe your settlement was unfairly obtained, consult a legal team right away. Time is limited to challenge it, and doing so successfully requires immediate action and strong proof.
  • Do I really need a lawyer if the insurance company seems cooperative?
    Yes. Even if the insurance company is polite and responsive, they have one goal: minimizing their payout. They are not obligated to tell you what your case is truly worth—or to advise you of your rights. Many offer quick settlements in the hopes that you’ll accept before you realize the full extent of your injuries or losses. A lawyer protects your rights, investigates the facts of the crash, helps you navigate treatment and insurance forms, and builds a case that reflects your actual damages—not just what the insurer is willing to cover. Without that support, it’s easy to overlook key losses like diminished future income, ongoing care needs, or even compensation for emotional suffering. At AppelblattMazzola LLP, we don’t just handle your case—we take on the fight that’s been put on your shoulders. You didn’t ask for this, but you can demand justice. And we’ll make sure you get every chance to take back what’s rightfully yours.