Los Angeles Car Accident Lawyer
If you were hurt in a car crash in Los Angeles, you generally have two years from the date of the crash to file a personal injury lawsuit under California Code of Civil Procedure section 335.1. Get medical care first, report the crash, and talk to a lawyer before you give the other driver’s insurer a recorded statement.
What should I do after a car accident in Los Angeles?
Get checked out by a doctor, even if you feel okay. Adrenaline hides injuries, and a gap in treatment is the first thing an adjuster will point to later.
Call the police or CHP so there is a report. Photograph the vehicles, the road, the signals, and your injuries. Get names and numbers for anyone who saw it happen.
Then slow down. You do not have to give the other driver’s insurance company a recorded statement, and you do not have to sign a medical release just to make the calls stop.
Who pays my medical bills after a crash in California?
California is an at-fault state. The driver who caused the crash, through their liability insurance, is responsible for your damages. But that money usually arrives at the end of the case, not while you are treating.
In the meantime, bills are often covered by your health insurance, your own MedPay coverage if you have it, or by providers willing to treat on a lien. Those amounts get repaid out of the settlement, so it matters that someone tracks them.
Working with a car accident lawyer in Los Angeles
Our office is at 10850 Wilshire Blvd # 375 in Westwood, just off the 405 and a short drive from West LA, Brentwood, Santa Monica, Century City, and Beverly Hills. Sam Schmuel handles cases throughout Los Angeles County.
We work on a contingency fee, which means you pay nothing up front and nothing at all unless we recover money for you. We speak English and Spanish, and we can come to you if you are still in the hospital or recovering at home.
If you're not sure where to start, just call us at (310) 601-7289. The consultation is free, and there's no fee unless we win your case.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long do I have to file a car accident claim in California?
Generally two years from the date of the crash under Code of Civil Procedure section 335.1. If a government entity is involved, such as a city bus or a dangerous roadway, you usually must file a government claim within six months.
What if the other driver was uninsured?
You may be able to recover through the uninsured motorist coverage on your own auto policy. That is a claim against your own insurer, and it has its own notice deadlines, so it is worth reviewing your policy early.
What if I was partly at fault?
California uses pure comparative fault. You can still recover even if you were mostly at fault; your compensation is reduced by your percentage of responsibility.
Do I have to talk to the other insurance company?
No. You are required to cooperate with your own insurer under your policy, but you are not obligated to give a recorded statement to the other driver’s carrier.