Why Choose a Car Accident Attorney After an Accident in California?
If you have been involved in a car accident in California, you'll want to work with an experienced car accident attorney to ensure your financial recovery.
The legal process can be confusing, and it can be difficult to win a claim for compensation, especially if you're nursing a severe injury. Working with an auto accident attorney will make the personal injury claim process much less nerve-racking.
Your insurance company will have a full legal team working for them, so you need to be prepared.
To make sure you receive financial damages for any property damage or medical treatment, let an experienced lawyer at Helping the Hurt assist you in obtaining a fair insurance settlement.
Common Causes of Car Accidents in California
Car accidents in California don't happen for no reason. Typically it's the result of some sort of driver negligence. Common car accident causes include:
-
Distracted Driving: The leading cause of car accidents is distracted driving. A distracted driver may be guilty of eating, drinking, reading, adjusting the radio, applying makeup, or talking or texting on their cell phone. California prohibits the use of cell phones while driving, cutting down on driver negligence.
-
Drunk Driving: Drunk driving is extremely dangerous and should never be attempted. Never get behind the wheel if you're under the influence of drugs or alcohol. Driving under the influence could easily result in catastrophic injuries or worse. Drunk drivers receive harsher penalties and jail time after accidents, especially if they were the cause of a fatal accident.
-
Speeding: We're all tempted to push the speed limit from time to time, but it's wise to remain within the posted speed limit. Excessive speeds are the third leading cause of car accidents in the United States, so it's much better to be late than in an accident.
-
Inclement Weather: When the weather is bad, drivers need to drive with caution. Slick, snowy, or icy roads can cause drivers to skid when braking into other drivers or property.
-
Construction: Improperly placed cones, signs, or construction debris can cause a driver to lose control. There are reduced speed limits in construction zones to keep construction workers and their equipment safe.
-
Aggressive Driving: Aggressive driving is punishable by law in California. Examples of aggressive driving include speeding, running stop signs and red lights, tailgating, and sudden braking.
- Vehicle Defects: There are federal safety standards that all vehicle manufacturers must follow. Most recently, there were millions of recalled airbags by the brand Takata. These airbags were the cause of over 400 accident injuries and 27 traffic fatalities.

How Much Do Car Accident Lawyers Cost in California?
A personal injury law firm won't charge by the hour. Instead, they operate on a contingency fee basis where they only get paid if there is a favorable accident settlement.
Hiring an auto accident lawyer who works on a contingency basis means there is no upfront cost to you. Your medical treatment expenses will be put into a medical lien agreement, meaning you do not have to pay any bills until your accident lawsuit is settled.
Your claim for damages will cover:
- Cost of vehicle damage
- Non-economic damages such as physical pain and suffering, emotional distress, and loss of wages
- Medical care costs
- Possible punitive damages
- Property damage
For most car accident cases, attorneys collect the industry standard, which is 33% to 40% of the final settlement. The remainder of the money will go to you to cover your bills, loss of wages, and pain and suffering.
How Long Do I Have to File a Car Accident Claim in California?
After a California motor vehicle accident, you need to notify the California DMV within 10 days if anyone involved was killed or injured and/or the car accident caused more than $1,000 in property damage.
You will need to fill out an SR 1 form with the DMV. This form is different from the police report and insurance claim. This is very important! If you do not complete this paperwork, you could have your license suspended. Your personal injury lawyer can assist with this.
There is also a time limit of 2 years from the date of the accident, known as a statute of limitations, to legally file your accident claim in California. Our car accident lawyers recommend you file as soon as possible, as it will tremendously help your claim.
How Can a California Car Accident Lawyer Help?
If you need the help of an experienced car accident lawyer, contact Helping the Hurt.
We partner with California attorneys skilled in handling auto injury claims while assisting the accident victim in getting a fair settlement from the insurance company.
Our car accident attorneys have a long history of helping all types of injury victims take action.
No matter what you're going through after your accident, our car accident attorneys will help you recover the financial compensation you deserve. We are on your side throughout the entire personal injury process.
Our car accident team will work tirelessly to achieve the best possible outcome for maximum compensation to cover unexpected expenses and medical care.
Contact Helping the Hurt today for a free accident consultation with an experienced personal injury attorney.
Keep scrolling for the locations we serve in California.
California Car Accident Lawyer Locations
Agoura Hills
Alameda
Alamo
Albany
Alhambra
Aliso Viejo
Alpine
Altadena
Anaheim
Antelope
Antioch
Apple Valley
Arcadia
Arden-Arcade
Arroyo Grande
Artesia
Avenal
Avocado Heights
Azusa
Bakersfield
Baldwin Park
Barstow
Bellflower
Berkeley
Beverly Hills
Big Bear City
Big Bear Lake
Blythe
Bonita
Brentwood
Buena Park
Burbank
Calabasas
Camarillo
Camp Pendleton South
Carlsbad
Carmichael
Carson
Casa de Oro-Mount Helix
Castro Valley
Cerritos
Cherryland
Chico
Chino
Chino Hills
Chula Vista
Citrus Heights
Claremont
Clearlake
Clovis
Commerce
Compton
Concord
Corona
Coronado
Costa Mesa
Coto de Caza
Covina
Culver City
Daly City
Dana Point
Davis
Diamond Bar
Discovery Bay
Downey
Dublin
East Hemet
East Los Angeles
East Rancho Dominguez
East San Gabriel
Eastvale
El Cajon
El Dorado Hills
El Monte
El Segundo
El Sobrante
Elk Grove
Encinitas
Escondido
Fairfield
Fillmore
Florence-Graham
Folsom
Fontana
Fremont
Fresno
Fullerton
Garden Grove
Glendale
Hacienda Heights
Hawthorne
Hayward
Hemet
Hermosa Beach
Hesperia
Hollister
Huntington Beach
Huntington Park
Imperial
Indio
Industry
Inglewood
Irvine
Jurupa Valley
Kerman
King City
La Cañada Flintridge
La Crescenta-Montrose
La Mirada
La Palma
Laguna Beach
Laguna Hills
Laguna Niguel
Laguna Woods
Lake Elsinore
Lake Forest
Lake Los Angeles
Lakewood
Lamont
Lancaster
Linda
Lindsay
Live Oak
Livermore
Livingston
Lodi
Lomita
Long Beach
Los Alamitos
Los Altos
Los Angeles
Los Osos
Lynwood
Madera
Malibu
Mammoth Lakes
Manhattan Beach
Manteca
Marina
Marysville
McFarland
Menifee
Merced
Milpitas
Mission Hills
Mission Viejo
Modesto
Monrovia
Montclair
Montebello
Monterey
Moorpark
Moreno Valley
Mountain House
Mountain View
Murrieta
Napa
Newark
Newport Beach
North Fair Oaks
Norwalk
Oak Park
Oakland
Oceanside
Ojai
Olivehurst
Ontario
Orange
Oxnard
Pacific Grove
Pacifica
Palm Springs
Palmdale
Palo Alto
Palos Verdes Estates
Parkway
Parlier
Pasadena
Perris
Phelan
Pico Rivera
Pinole
Pismo Beach
Pittsburg
Pleasanton
Pomona
Rancho Cordova
Rancho Cucamonga
Rancho Mirage
Rancho Santa Margarita
Red Bluff
Redding
Redlands
Redondo Beach
Redwood City
Rialto
Richmond
Rio Linda
Ripon
Riverside
Rocklin
Rosamond
Rosedale
Rosemead
Roseville
Rowland Heights
Sacramento
Salida
Salinas
San Bernardino
San Buenaventura
San Clemente
San Diego
San Fernando
San Francisco
San Gabriel
San Jacinto
San Jose
San Leandro
San Luis Obispo
San Marcos
San Marino
San Mateo
San Ramon
Santa Ana
Santa Barbara
Santa Clara
Santa Clarita
Santa Cruz
Santa Fe Springs
Santa Maria
Santa Monica
Santa Rosa
Seal Beach
Sierra Madre
Signal Hill
Simi Valley
Sonoma
South Gate
South Pasadena
South San Francisco
Stanford
Stevenson Ranch
Stockton
Sunnyvale
Susanville
Temecula
Thousand Oaks
Torrance
Tracy
Tulare
Turlock
Tustin
Ukiah
Union City
Upland
Vacaville
Valle Vista
Vallejo
Victorville
Vincent
Vineyard
Visalia
Vista
Walnut Creek
Walnut Park
West Covina
West Hollywood
West Sacramento
Westlake Village
Westminster
Whittier
Woodcrest
Yorba Linda
Yosemite Lakes
Yuba City