California Car Accident Lawyer | Free Consultation
- Top Rated Trial Firm
- Over $100 Million Recovered For Clients
- No Fees Unless We Win
FEATURED ON
Key Takeaways
- California drivers have a duty of care to others on the road. When they breach that duty and cause an accident, they can be held financially liable
- You have two years from the date of your car accident to file a lawsuit in California under CCP Section 335.1. If a government vehicle was involved, the deadline is six months
- Compensation can include medical bills, lost wages, property damage, pain and suffering, emotional distress, and in cases of extreme negligence, punitive damages
- California follows a pure comparative negligence rule, you can recover damages even if you were partially at fault, though your recovery is reduced by your percentage of fault
- If the accident involved a road defect, the responsible municipality may also be liable
- Feher Law handles all car accident cases on a contingency fee basis, no fees unless we win
Do You Have a California Car Accident Claim?
If you’ve been in a car accident and are wondering whether you can file a claim, it’s essential to understand the core legal elements that must be proven:
Duty of Care: You must first establish that the other party owed you a duty of care. In car accidents, this is typically straightforward—drivers are required to follow traffic laws and operate their vehicles safely to avoid causing harm to others.
Breach of Duty: After establishing a duty of care, it must be shown that the other party violated this duty. A breach occurs when someone acts recklessly or negligently, such as by speeding, texting while driving, or ignoring traffic signals.
Causation: You must demonstrate that the breach of duty was the direct cause of your injuries. In other words, your injury must have been a result of the accident caused by the other party’s negligence.
Damages: Finally, to have a valid claim, you must have suffered damages, such as physical injuries, property damage, medical bills, lost wages, or emotional distress, as a result of the accident.
If these elements are present, you likely have a strong basis for a car accident claim.
Types of Damages You Can Recover
When you file a car accident claim, you may be eligible to recover several different types of damages, depending on the severity of your injuries and the impact on your life:
Economic Damages:
These are the measurable, financial losses you’ve incurred due to the accident. Economic damages typically cover:
- Medical expenses (both immediate and future)
- Lost income or wages
- Property damage (like vehicle repairs or replacement)
- Rehabilitation costs
Non-Economic Damages:
These damages address the emotional and psychological toll of the accident. Examples of non-economic damages include:
- Pain and suffering
- Emotional trauma or distress
- Loss of enjoyment of life
- Permanent disfigurement or disability
Punitive Damages:
In certain cases where the at-fault party’s actions were especially reckless or intentional, you may be awarded punitive damages. These are intended to punish the wrongdoer and deter similar behavior in the future.
Wondering What Your Car Accident Case Could Be Worth?
Our car accident settlement calculator helps you estimate potential compensation by inputting your medical expenses, property damage, lost income, and pain and suffering multiplier. Simply enter your specific damages and receive an instant projection of your claim’s potential value.
Disclaimer: The results generated by this car accident settlement calculator are for informational purposes only. They are not legal advice or a substitute for professional evaluation. This tool offers a general estimate and does not reflect the unique details of your case, such as specific laws, liability factors, or additional specifics.
Selected Value: 0%
How to Contact Our California Car Accident Law Firm
If you’ve been involved in a car accident and believe you may have a case, we encourage you to contact us for a free consultation. You can reach us through the following methods:
- Contact Form: Submit an online inquiry through our contact form.
- Telephone: Call us directly at (310) 340-1112
Our consultations are completely free of charge, and we’re here to guide you through the process of evaluating your case and explaining your legal options.
Why California Car Accident Victims Choose Feher Law
At Feher Law, APC, we’re committed to helping those harmed by the negligence of other drivers recover on their full range of losses, which are also called legal damages. Your ability to regain your health and well-being hinges on your settlement or court award, and we are standing by to help.
We represent clients throughout the LA area and across California, and we’re proud to stand out for all the following important reasons:
- Imposing Experience – Our legal team has a wealth of experience successfully guiding challenging car accident claims toward successful outcomes that honor our clients’ rights and support their fullest recoveries.
- Clear Priorities – We never lose sight of the fact that you, the client, are our top priority. You’ve been injured by another motorist or entity’s negligence, and our focus is skillfully advocating for the compensation to which you are entitled.
- From Filing the Claim to Trial – While most accident claims are settled outside of court, we are well prepared to take your case to trial in the face of the insurance company’s refusal to engage in fair negotiations.
- Maximum Compensation – We are in the business of recovering maximum compensation for our valued clients, and we have the seven- and eight-figure settlements and court awards to back this up.
Our results coupled with our experience, integrity, legal insight, and resources have helped to position us as a top-rated California car accident firm.
Our focus is affording you the personalized attention you deserve while delivering on our commitment to results, and we encourage you to reach out for a free comprehensive case evaluation today.
Recent Case Results
Meet Your California Car Accident Attorneys
Our car accident lawyers in California come from varied legal backgrounds, and they bring a rich tapestry of experience to every case they take on. Your case is important to your recovery and future, and our auto accident attorneys will faithfully stand by you every step of the way forward.
Thomas Feher, Esq.
Founding Attorney
Stephen Wiard, Esq.
Senior Trial Attorney
Sandy Luu, Esq.
Associate Attorney
Alex Ballard, Esq.
Associate Attorney
Karen Parra, Esq.
Associate Attorney
Chase Nielsen, Esq.
Associate Attorney
Betsy Gomez
Managing Paralegal
Erica Feher
Chief of Operations
What Clients Think of Us
As car accident attorneys in California, we take great pride in our ability to connect with our clients on a personal level, and we take great satisfaction in the client reviews inspired by our dedication – and results.
What to Expect When You Hire a California Car Accident Lawyer
Step 1 — Free Case Evaluation
Contact Feher Law for a free, no-obligation consultation. We review your accident details, assess liability, and give you an honest picture of what your case may be worth.
Step 2 — Investigation and Evidence Gathering
Our team obtains the police report, medical records, witness statements, traffic camera footage, and accident reconstruction expert opinions to build a strong case.
Step 3 — Demand Letter and Insurance Negotiations
We send a formal demand to the at-fault driver’s insurance company and negotiate aggressively for full compensation. Insurers routinely lowball initial offers — we push back.
Step 4 — Settlement or Trial
Most car accident cases settle before trial. If the insurer refuses to offer fair compensation, Tom Feher has tried over 45 personal injury cases to verdict in California courts and will not hesitate to take your case to a jury.
Step 5 — You Receive Compensation
Once your case resolves, you receive your settlement or verdict award. Feher Law’s contingency fee is deducted from the recovery — you never pay out of pocket.
How Our California Car Accident Law Firm Can Help
The physical, financial, and emotional losses you experience as a result of a car accident that’s caused by someone else’s negligence in the State of California can be immense, including in each of the following basic categories:
- Property damage to your vehicle and the contents of your vehicle at the time of the accident
- Your related medical bills, including current and future expenses that may need to address health complications or secondary health concerns
- Your lost income based on lost hours on the job, which may include losses related to your career and to your overall earning potential
- Your physical and psychological pain and suffering, which can surpass the other damages you suffer
If you’re injured in a car accident, it may be the result of another driver’s negligence, but fault can extend to other causes involved in the accident, such as road defects and poorly maintained roads, which are the responsibility of the relevant municipality. Additionally, the car manufacturer can be held liable for injury-causing accidents caused by automobile defects.
If you find yourself in the difficult position of suffering losses in a car accident that was caused by another party’s negligence, it’s time to discuss your claim with dedicated car accident lawyers in California.
Important Initial Advice!
You’ve been injured on the road, you may have no idea what to do after a car accident that’s not your fault. If this is the case, you’ll be glad to know that you’re not alone. The fact is that every car accident case is specific to the situation at hand and the circumstances involved, but there are important steps that every car accident victim can take to bolster their health and protect their claim, including:
- Seek the immediate medical care you need. The shock and adrenaline you experience in the aftermath of an accident can mask the pain and symptoms of even very serious injuries, which makes erring on the side of caution paramount.
- It’s also important to carefully adhere to your medical team’s instructions and advice. This not only supports your most complete recovery but also lets the insurance company know that you’re not inflating your losses.
- Consult with a seasoned California auto accident attorney as soon as you’re able to do so. Seeking out a practiced attorney after a car accident can make a significant difference in the outcome of your case, which – in turn – can make a significant difference in your recovery.
- Don’t admit fault for the accident in question and refrain from apologizing at the scene of the accident, which many of us do by default. The bottom line is that your words can damage your claim, and the car insurance company is listening.
- Remember that you’re not required to make a statement to the car insurance rep, and it’s in the best interest of your claim to leave this to your reputable car accident lawyer. Again, the less you say, the better.
- In keeping with the same less-is-more theme, now is a good time to take a break from social media. It’s far too easy to innocently post something that ends up harming your claim. By not posting at all, you ensure that you won’t post something you’ll come to regret.
- Don’t gladly accept an early settlement offer that the insurance company hopes you’ll sign off on out of desperation. It’s very likely for an amount that doesn’t come close to covering your full range of losses, and settling without your car accident attorney’s input is never advised.
Deadlines
If another person or entity’s negligence leaves you injured in a car accident, you’re facing a challenging path forward, and it can feel like time expands and then contracts. Put another way, it’s easy to lose track of time in the aftermath of a car accident, but California law implements a statute of limitations for filing car accident lawsuits, which means you face an important time limit.
The California car accident statute of limitations is a mere two years from the date of the car crash, and because car accident claims are challenging and can take a considerable amount of time to resolve favorably, you shouldn’t wait to consult with an experienced car accident attorney. This deadline is established under California Code of Civil Procedure Section 335.1. The sooner you hire a California car accident lawyer, the better protected your rights and your claim will be.
Additional reading: How long does it take to settle a car accident claim in California
Common Types of Car Accidents We See
As mentioned, every personal injury case is unique to the specific circumstances involved, but the underlying car accidents tend to fall into general categories like the following:
- T-Bone Accidents – A T-bone accident involves one driver barreling directly into the side of another driver’s vehicle, creating the shape of a T in the process. These very dangerous accidents are most common in intersections, and they’re often caused by drunk or distracted drivers.
- Rear-End Accidents – Rear-end accidents are some of the most common car accidents, and they generally involve a rear driver who fails to leave adequate distance between their own vehicle and forward traffic. Distraction often plays a pivotal role.
- Sideswipe Accidents – Sideswipe accidents refer to those instances when one driver sweeps their vehicle against the side of another driver’s vehicle. These often occur when the at-fault driver leaves their lane, and the impact can jettison the other driver into oncoming traffic.
- Rollover Accidents – Rollover accidents are some of the deadliest and the most terrifying accidents on our roadways, and they’re often caused by motorists who create deadly driving situations in which other drivers are left with nothing but dangerous options.
- Head-On Accidents – No one has to tell you how dangerous it is when another motorist hits you head on, which is not to mention the terror involved. Head-on accidents are often caused by drunk drivers.
According to the California Office of Traffic Safety, there were over 3,800 fatal and injury crashes attributed to unsafe speed in California in a recent year.
Regardless of the kind of accident that leaves you injured, it’s time to consult with the best car accident lawyer near you.
Gathering Evidence
Determining the matter of fault in a car accident claim is critical to its outcome, and fault is determined in accordance with the available evidence. While you’ve been injured in an accident and may not have the capacity to collect evidence, you can count on others at the scene to do so on your behalf, and securing an accomplished California personal injury lawyer early in the process helps to ensure that evidence won’t be lost with the passage of time.
Some forms of evidence that tend to play a critical role in car accident claims include the following:
- The testimony of any eyewitnesses of the motor vehicle accident
- The testimony of experts in fields relevant to your auto accident claim
- Any photos and videos captured in the buildup to the accident, during the accident, or at the scene
- Any footage captured by security cameras in the vicinity of the traffic accident and any dashcams that captured the accident
- The police report and any additional documentation, such as if a ticket was issued to the other driver
- Professional accident recreation models that demonstrate how the accident occurred
- Any Physical evidence gathered at the accident scene
- Evidence that points to the other driver’s negligence, such as if they were ticketed, if eyewitnesses saw them texting or engaging in some other dangerous driving practice, or if there is any other proof that they broke the law, which is sometimes established via the testimony of expert witnesses
- Evidence related to the extent of your car accident injuries, which can include your medical records, your doctor’s report, and your own account of how your life’s been affected by the automobile accident in question
While there are many common causes of car accidents in California, driver negligence is at the top of the list, and it comes in an array of dangerous forms that include all the following:
- Distraction, such as texting behind the wheel, which is considered the most alarming of all the distractions
- Failure to follow the rules of the road, such as failing to yield the right-of-way or failing to obey traffic lights and signals
- Impairment, which is seriously over represented in fatal car accident statistics
- Exhaustion, which is its own form of impairment
- Excess speed, which not only makes car accidents more likely but also makes them more likely to be fatal
- Aggression, which is in a class all its own when it comes to dangerous driving practices
You’ve been injured in a car accident and need to focus on recovering your health and well-being. This makes filing a car accident claim, which is important in its own right, something you’re likely not prepared to tackle – even if you had the insight and legal knowledge. Fortunately, your experienced California car accident attorney is on your side and here to help.
If you are wondering should I get a lawyer for a car accident that wasn’t my fault, the answer is a resounding yes, you should. While you focus on the matter of your recovery, we’ve got you covered in terms of obtaining after fair compensation that addresses your losses in their entirety.
What Can I Expect to Pay?
You’ve been involved in an accident and, in the process, have suffered considerable financial losses, and the prospect of covering legal bills on top of everything else may be more than you can handle. You’ll be glad to learn that at Feher Law, our California motor vehicle accident lawyers work on a contingency basis, which means we don’t get paid until your claim is successfully settled or you receive a court award – if your case proceeds to trial.
Being paid on contingency refers to payment that is contingent – or based upon – the outcome of your claim. If your claim is successfully resolved, which we are committed to making happen, we’ll receive a prearranged percentage of your settlement or award. In the event that it is not, you won’t owe us anything. We accept the financial risk while you focus on your recovery.
Speak to a California Car Accident Lawyer Today
If you or someone you care about was involved in a car accident that was caused by someone else’s negligence, the losses you experience can be life-altering, and recovering on these damages is critical to your recovery. You need a knowledgeable car accident lawyer in California in your corner, and the top-rated California car accident lawyers at Feher Law, APC, are well prepared and well positioned to help.
Reach out and contact us today for a free consultation that helps you better understand the extent of your losses and the strength of your claim. Because we’re stronger together, let’s connect.
California Car Accident Broken Bone Injuries
Broken bone injuries from car accidents often require extensive medical treatment, create long recovery periods, and generate significant financial hardship through mounting medical bills and lost income. At Feher Law, our California car accident broken bone attorneys specialize in securing maximum compensation for clients whose fractures result from vehicle collisions, including substantial settlements for complex orthopedic injuries requiring multiple surgeries and long-term rehabilitation.
Car accidents create tremendous forces that frequently exceed bone structural limits, particularly in crashes occurring at speeds above 25 mph where serious fracture injuries become more common.
From simple fractures requiring casting to compound fractures necessitating surgical intervention with internal hardware placement, we work with orthopedic specialists and medical experts to fully document your fractures, treatment requirements, and long-term prognosis.
For comprehensive legal representation in car accident cases involving broken bones and complex orthopedic injuries, our California car accident broken bone attorneys provide dedicated advocacy with over $100 million recovered for clients throughout the state.
Last reviewed by Thomas Feher, Esq. — March 2026
Other Locations We Serve
Our firm covers a wide range of cities throughout Southern California – and beyond – that include but are not limited to all the following:
If you were injured in a car accident locally, visit our dedicated Huntington Beach car accident lawyer and Torrance car accident lawyer pages. If someone else’s negligence leaves you injured, our dedicated California personal injury attorneys can help.
Types of Accident Cases We Handle in California
When it comes to your recovery and peace of mind, it’s vital to have an expert by your side that really understands the bigger picture of personal injury law. Explore the full range of services we offer below.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need a lawyer for a car accident in California?
You are well advised to have a car accident lawyer on your side following a California car accident that was caused by someone else's negligence. The stakes are too high to proceed without legal counsel in your corner, which can make a serious difference in your claim's outcome.
How much do car accident lawyers charge in California?
Most reputable California accident attorneys are paid on contingency, which means their pay is based on the success of their clients’ cases. If your case doesn't settle or receive a court award, you won’t owe anything, and if it does, your attorney will receive a prearranged percentage.
How much can someone sue for a car accident in California?.
The answer to how much can someone sue for a car accident in California depends on a range of factors. If your claim doesn't settle, you can sue the negligent party based on the type of injuries you suffered and your overall losses. An experienced car accident lawyer can help.
Is California a no-fault state for car accidents?
California is not a no-fault state in relation to car accidents. Instead, every driver is required to carry liability insurance that covers the physical, financial, and emotional losses of anyone else who is injured in a car accident they cause. Contact a car accident attorney for the help you need.
What if the other driver doesn't have insurance?
California requires all drivers to carry minimum liability insurance, but uninsured drivers are common. If you are hit by an uninsured or underinsured driver, you may be able to file a claim through your own uninsured motorist coverage. Feher Law can review your policy and identify all available sources of compensation.
How long does a car accident settlement take in California?
Most car accident cases in California settle within 6 to 18 months. Cases involving serious injuries, disputed liability, or uncooperative insurers can take longer. Cases that proceed to trial typically take 2 to 3 years from the date of filing.
GET A FREE CONSULTATION
Our team is standing by and ready to assist you. Consultations are completely free and confidential. We will help you determine if you have a case.
- Over $100 Million Recovered For Clients
- No Fees Unless We Win
- We Fight for Maximum Compensation
- Get The Justice You Deserve
"*" indicates required fields
