Car Accident Lawyer in Beverly Hills, CA
Car accidents remain the most common source of personal injury claims in Los Angeles, from rear-end collisions on surface streets to multi-vehicle freeway pileups. California follows a pure comparative negligence rule, meaning an injured driver or passenger can recover compensation even if they share some responsibility for the crash. This extends to rideshare accidents (Uber and Lyft), which add their own layer of insurance complexity depending on whether the driver was logged into the app, en route to a pickup, or transporting a passenger at the time of the crash.
Key Points
- California’s pure comparative negligence rule (established in Li v. Yellow Cab Co.) allows recovery at any percentage of fault — your award is simply reduced by your own share of responsibility, with no cutoff
- A rideshare accident’s insurance coverage depends heavily on the driver’s "period" at the time of the crash — offline, available and waiting for a ride request, or actively transporting a passenger each trigger different coverage levels
- California has a two-year statute of limitations for most personal injury claims arising from a car accident
- Common causes include distracted driving, driving under the influence, speeding, failure to yield, and hit-and-run incidents, each of which can affect the available damages and theories of liability
Considerations
- Property damage claims and injury claims are handled somewhat differently and have their own documentation needs
- A hit-and-run accident may still allow for recovery through your own uninsured motorist coverage, even without identifying the other driver
- Insurance adjusters often contact injured parties quickly after a crash — recorded statements given before speaking with an attorney can sometimes be used to minimize a claim later
California Law Note
California Code of Civil Procedure § 335.1 sets a general two-year statute of limitations for personal injury claims, running from the date of the accident — claims against a government entity (for example, involving a poorly maintained public road) require a separate, much shorter administrative claim within six months under the California Government Claims Act (Gov. Code § 911.2).
Related Questions
What if I was partially at fault for my accident?
California follows a "pure comparative negligence" rule, established in Li v. Yellow Cab Co. You can still recover damages even if you were partly at fault — even 50%, 70%, or more — your award is simply reduced by your own percentage of fault. For example, if you’re awarded $100,000 but found 30% at fault, you’d receive $70,000. There’s no cutoff point that bars recovery entirely, unlike some other states.
View this answer on its own page →How long do I have to file a personal injury claim in California?
Most personal injury claims in California must be filed within two years of the date of the injury (Code of Civil Procedure § 335.1). Claims against a government entity have a much shorter deadline — generally six months to file an administrative claim before any lawsuit can proceed. Some claim types (such as certain product liability or medical malpractice matters) can have different rules. Because the right deadline depends on the specific facts, it’s worth confirming yours directly rather than assuming the general two-year rule applies.
View this answer on its own page →See more detail on our main site: Car Accidents →
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