Personal injury
You were hurt. Someone else was careless.
California lets an injured person recover medical costs, lost income, and compensation for what the injury actually did to their life. Insurers are aware of this and are practiced at paying less than that.
Most personal injury cases turn on three questions: who was at fault, how badly you were hurt, and what insurance exists to pay for it. The first is usually the easiest. The last is where a case is won or lost, and it is the part people almost never handle well alone.
What I handle
Auto and truck collisions, motorcycle and bicycle injuries, pedestrian injuries, rideshare collisions, slip and trip and fall, unsafe or poorly maintained property, and dog bites.
What to do now
Get medical care and keep going to your appointments; gaps in treatment are the first thing an adjuster looks for. Photograph everything while it still exists. Write down what happened while you remember it clearly. And be careful about recorded statements: the adjuster who calls the day after is friendly, and is not on your side.
The deadline problem
California generally allows two years to file a personal injury lawsuit. But if the party at fault is a city, county, transit agency, or other public entity, a written claim usually has to be presented within six months. That deadline surprises people, and missing it typically ends the case. If a government vehicle, sidewalk, or property is involved, do not wait.
- Free consultation
- No attorney's fee unless you recover
- Most injury claims: 2-year deadline
- Claims against public entities: 6 months
- Direct access to the attorney
Common questions
Los Angeles Personal Injury Lawyer questions.
What is my case worth?
Anyone who answers that in a first phone call is guessing. The value depends on the medical picture, how the injury affected your work and daily life, who was at fault, and what insurance is available. Those facts take time to develop, and the honest answer early on is a range with reasons attached, not a number.
How long do I have to file?
Generally two years for a personal injury claim in California. If a public entity is involved, a written claim usually must be presented within six months. Other deadlines apply to specific claims. This is worth confirming early, because these deadlines are usually absolute.
The insurance company already offered me money. Should I take it?
Not before you know what your medical treatment will actually cost and whether you have fully recovered. Early offers arrive early for a reason. Once you sign a release, the claim is over, even if you need surgery three months later.
What if I was partly at fault?
California uses pure comparative fault, which means you can still recover even if you were partly responsible. Your recovery is reduced by your percentage of fault. Being partly at fault is not a reason to skip the call.
Do I have to go to court?
Most cases settle. But cases settle for more when the other side believes you are willing and able to try one, which is a reason to be represented from the start.
Not sure if you have a claim?
That is exactly what a free consultation is for. Call (310) 598-9614 or send a short message.
Tell me what happened