It is impossible to predict when a car accident is going to happen. One minute you are driving down the 405 or cruising along the ocean on the Pacific Coast Highway, the next minute, your vehicle is folded like an accordion, your horn is blaring, and you are dazed and not sure what just happened. Your life can change that quickly. A car accident can involve any passenger vehicle, including a van, SUV, convertible, or sports car. In terms of the law, the common denominator is whether the person harmed deserves compensation for their medical expenses, time off work, and emotional upheaval. In order to recover compensation, it is vital to prove that the other driver was negligent or at fault for the accident. Negligence can be established by showing that the other driver breached their duty of care to operate their vehicle safely and that this breach caused the accident and resulting injuries. Getting that compensation is what Attorney Joshua can do.
Common Causes of Car Accidents in LA County
Los Angeles drivers face some of the most congested, high-speed corridors in the country — which shapes how and where crashes happen locally:
- Freeway congestion and sudden braking on the 405, 101, 110, and 10 during rush hour
- Distracted driving, especially in stop-and-go traffic where phone use is common
- Rideshare and delivery traffic — Uber, Lyft, and delivery drivers making sudden stops or turns in commercial corridors like Wilshire Blvd and Sunset Blvd
- Speeding on surface streets like the Pacific Coast Highway, where higher speed limits meet pedestrian and cyclist traffic
- Left-turn and intersection collisions at high-volume intersections throughout Beverly Hills, West LA, and the San Fernando Valley
What to Do After a Car Accident in California
- Check for injuries and call 911 if anyone is hurt or if there’s significant property damage.
- Call the police to the scene — a police report is one of the most important pieces of evidence in a claim.
- Exchange information with the other driver: name, contact info, insurance, and license plate.
- Document the scene with photos of vehicle damage, road conditions, skid marks, and visible injuries.
- Seek medical attention, even if you feel fine — some injuries (like whiplash or concussions) don’t show symptoms right away, and a medical record close to the accident date strengthens your claim.
- Avoid admitting fault or giving a recorded statement to any insurance company, including your own, before speaking with an attorney.
- File an SR-1 report with the DMV within 10 days if the accident involved injury, death, or more than $1,000 in property damage (California Vehicle Code § 16000) — this is required in addition to any police report.
- Contact a personal injury attorney before accepting any settlement offer from an insurance company.
California Car Accident Laws You Should Know
- Statute of limitations: Under California Code of Civil Procedure § 335.1, you generally have two years from the date of the accident to file a personal injury lawsuit. Miss this deadline and your claim is typically barred.
- Claims against government entities (a city bus, county vehicle, or other public entity) have a much shorter deadline — an administrative claim must generally be filed within six months.
- Pure comparative negligence: California allows you to recover damages even if you were partly at fault for the accident — your recovery is simply reduced by your percentage of fault. For example, if a jury finds $100,000 in damages and assigns you 30% of the fault, you can still recover $70,000. Unlike many states, there’s no cutoff percentage that bars recovery entirely.
- DMV reporting requirement: Accidents involving injury, death, or more than $1,000 in property damage must be reported to the DMV via an SR-1 form within 10 days, regardless of fault.
Common Injuries From LA Car Accidents
Car accident injuries range from minor to catastrophic, and often aren’t fully apparent until days after the crash:
- Whiplash and neck/back injuries
- Concussions and traumatic brain injuries
- Fractures and broken bones
- Herniated discs
- Soft tissue injuries and sprains
- In more severe crashes: spinal cord injuries or wrongful death
What Compensation May Cover
Depending on the facts of your case, compensation in a car accident claim can include:
- Economic damages — medical bills (past and future), lost wages, loss of earning capacity, and property damage/vehicle repair
- Non-economic damages — pain and suffering, emotional distress, and loss of enjoyment of life
Every case is different, and past results don’t guarantee a future outcome. A free consultation is the best way to understand what your specific case may be worth.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long do I have to file a car accident claim in California? Generally two years from the date of the accident under California Code of Civil Procedure § 335.1, though claims against government entities require action within six months. Deadlines can vary based on the specifics of your case, so it’s best to speak with an attorney as soon as possible. What if I was partly at fault for the accident? California is a pure comparative negligence state, meaning you can still recover compensation even if you share some of the blame — your award is reduced by your percentage of fault, with no cutoff that bars recovery entirely. Do I have to report the accident to the DMV? Yes, if anyone was injured or killed, or if property damage exceeded $1,000, California law requires an SR-1 report to the DMV within 10 days — separate from any police report. Should I talk to the other driver’s insurance company? It’s best not to give a recorded statement or accept a settlement offer before speaking with an attorney. Insurance adjusters are trained to minimize payouts, and early statements can be used against you later. What does it cost to hire a car accident lawyer? We work on contingency: no fee unless we win. Do I have to go to court? Most car accident claims settle before trial through negotiation with the insurance company. If a fair settlement can’t be reached, we’re prepared to take your case to court. If you or a loved one has been injured in a car accident in Los Angeles, Beverly Hills, or anywhere in California, contact The Law Office of Joshua P. Koshki for a free consultation. Free consultation. No fee unless we win.
Serving These California Communities
We help injury victims throughout the Los Angeles area and across California, including:
