California Car Accident Lawyer

If you or your loved one has been injured in a motor vehicle accident, you have legal options available to you to pursue compensation. Our knowledgeable California car accident lawyers can navigate your case from start to finish, collecting evidence and negotiating with insurers.

The Barnes Firm is a trusted legal ally, representing individuals across the Golden State who have sustained a personal injury. Our California personal injury law firm is here to help victims recover physically, emotionally, and financially. For more information and to schedule a free consultation, call us at (800) 800-0000 today.

Reasons To Choose The Barnes Firm for Your California Car Accident Case

We are a nationally recognized organization with a reputation for delivering high-quality service and results. Our attorneys have secured over $9 million in car accident cases and have won acclaim from prestigious organizations, such as Best Lawyers and Super Lawyers.

Our experienced attorneys are local and have in-depth knowledge of the courts, judges, hazardous intersections, and top medical providers across our three California offices. The following are the knowledgeable and experienced lawyers on our California team:

• Mory Ahmadi – Los Angeles, CA
• Jeffrey Bodily – San Diego, CA
• Corinne Brophy – Oakland, CA
• Cody Christiansen – Oakland and San Francisco, CA
• Scott Kennedy – Los Angeles and San Diego, CA
• Mason Aria – Oakland, CA
• G. Seth Mitchell – Los Angeles, CA
• Allen Oghassabian – San Diego, CA
• Christian Oliver – San Diego, CA
• John Sheehan – Los Angeles, CA
• Landon Vivian – Oakland, San Francisco, and San Jose, CA
• Ronni Whitehead – Los Angeles, CA

Julian R.

Richard Mackie of The Barnes Firm offered me hope during my most challenging time after a car accident. His unwavering dedication and hard work in my case helped me get my life back. I highly recommend The Barnes Firm.

Settlements and Verdicts We Have Achieved for California Clients

We have secured numerous successful case results for our clients in California, such as the following:

• $1,500,000 – Our client was in a parked vehicle when it was struck by another vehicle, resulting in neck and back injuries.
• $850,000 – Our client was rear-ended while driving for Uber, sustaining ankle and back injuries.
• $750,000 – Our client was struck by a vehicle that ran a red light, causing ankle, rib, hand, and elbow injuries.
• $600,000 – Our client was in a rear-end collision that caused head, neck, shoulder, and wrist injuries.

Debbie D.

I am very pleased with The Barnes Firm. Phil Maiarana was my personal injury attorney. Phil kept in constant contact with fighting for what I deserve.

Common Causes of Auto Collisions in California

The most common factors that contribute to car crashes in California include the following:

• Distracted drivers, including texting or eating: California has some of the strictest laws regarding distracted driving, including the hands-free driving law, which bans the use of handheld cell phones while driving. Violations can be used as evidence of negligence in car accident cases.
• Speeding or reckless driving: In a 2023 survey, 19.7% of respondents cited speeding or aggressive driving as the most significant safety problem on California roadways.
• Unsafe lane changes: According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, approximately 530,000 lane-change crashes occur annually, constituting 10% of all yearly roadway accidents.
• Failing to yield to motorcycles: In 2021, motorcyclists accounted for 13.8 percent of all traffic fatalities in the country.
• Driving under the influence: In 2023, 1,355 people were reportedly killed in alcohol-involved crashes.
• Poor road conditions or inadequate signage: According to the American Society of Civil Engineers, approximately 39% of major roads in the US are in poor or mediocre condition.
• Vehicle or motorcycle defects: Brake and tire defects accounted for roughly 65% of reported vehicle defects in crashes, according to a study published in the Heliyon science journal.

Understanding the cause of a crash is essential for proving fault, and The Barnes Firm has the tools and resources to obtain the necessary evidence to support this.

What Are the Most Common Injuries From Car Wrecks in California?

Car collisions can result in a range of injuries, from minor to severe and permanent. Common injuries resulting from car accidents include:

• Broken bones and fractures
• Traumatic brain injuries, or TBIs
• Spinal cord injuries and paralysis
• Burn injuries
• Internal bleeding or organ damage
• Loss of limbs or amputation
• Facial disfigurement or dental injuries

Our team helps clients secure compensation for car accident injuries, whether they require short-term care or lifelong treatment.

Nandy C.

Very Satisfied with this law firm. Joe did an exceptional job getting me a settlement that I never expected. I would definitely recommend using The Barnes Firm.

What Is the Time Limit To File for Traffic Accident Injuries in California?

The statute of limitations sets the legal deadline for filing a claim. California’s deadline for personal injury claims is generally two years from the accident date. Missing the deadline costs an accident victim the right to seek compensation. Because of this, it is essential not to delay filing. Speak with an experienced California car accident attorney at The Barnes Firm as soon as possible so we can ensure you file your case on time.

What Types of Compensation Are Available in an Auto Accident Lawsuit?

Car accident victims may be entitled to various types of compensation. Our team works hard to ensure clients receive the full value of every damage category, not just the obvious ones. Car accident victims can pursue damages for all their losses stemming from an accident, including the following:

• Medical Expenses: This includes the current and future costs of ambulance rides, emergency room visits, doctors’ care, surgeries, medication, follow-up care, and physical therapy.
• Lost Wages and Future Earnings: These compensate for time missed from work and future income lost due to long-term disabilities.
• Pain and Suffering: This covers the physical pain, discomfort, disability, and scarring caused by the accident and injury.
• Emotional Distress: This compensates for the emotional anguish and impacts like anxiety, PTSD, or depression.
• Property Damage: You can seek reimbursement for the costs of repairing or replacing your vehicle and other personal property.

We thoroughly calculate damages to pursue the maximum results possible. Reach out to our law office today for more information.

Why You Need an Experienced Car Accident Lawyer

Auto collision cases are more complex than they seem, from proving liability to negotiating with the insurance companies. Not every attorney is equipped to handle them, but our lawyers have the experience you can rely on.

Insurance companies are businesses driven by their bottom lines. They employ various strategies to shift blame and avoid paying claims. At The Barnes Firm, our team anticipates these tactics and knows how to counter them. We have deep legal knowledge, a network of investigators and medical experts, and the resources of a large firm to level the playing field and fight for the compensation you deserve.

We also have a reputation for success in litigation, giving us a decided advantage at the negotiation table and in court.

Ross C.

Jake was super professional and kept me up to date. I will refer The Barnes firm and Jake to anyone that needs one. Thank you.

The Nuances of the Different Types of Car Accident Claims

Regardless of the type of auto wreck claim, our California lawyers possess the knowledge and resources to assist you. The following are some common types of car accidents we handle:

Hit-And-Runs

Hit-and-run cases often involve both civil and criminal proceedings simultaneously. If the investigation does not uncover the driver’s identity, accident victims might be entitled to file claims under their uninsured and underinsured motorist coverage.

Rear-End Collisions

Usually, the driver who hits another car from behind is at fault. However, these cases can be examined more closely if brake-checking or another factor has contributed to the accident. Common injuries related to rear-end accidents include whiplash, as well as spine and back trauma.

T-Bone Accidents

T-bone collisions often occur when drivers fail to stop at stop signs or red lights. Some of the injuries that can take place in these accidents include broken bones, spine trauma, and brain damage.

Multi-Vehicle Collisions

Navigating a multi-vehicle crash presents unique challenges. These cases often involve multiple parties, which complicates the determination of fault. Determining how the accident occurred may be difficult, and insurers may dispute liability.

Partially at Fault for the Accident

California has a pure comparative negligence law. Thus, you can still recover compensation for your damages if you are partially at fault in a car accident. However, the compensation will be reduced based on your share of the fault.

Uber and Lyft Accidents

Rideshare collisions can be much more challenging to navigate than a typical car crash because they involve multiple parties and insurance policies. You must determine who is liable for the incident, whether that’s the driver, the rideshare company, or another motorist. Rideshare companies carry a certain level of insurance, and the driver’s insurance also plays into the compensation recovered.

Drunk Driver Accidents

In drunk driving wrecks, criminal and civil cases can coincide. California prosecutes the at-fault driver for violating criminal laws, including DUI under Vehicle Code § 23152. However, even if the other driver is acquitted, you may still be able to win a civil case and secure compensation.

Commercial Vehicle and Semi-Truck Accidents

Federal government regulations play a crucial role in truck accident cases, particularly in determining liability and establishing negligence. These rules are primarily issued and enforced by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration, which oversees interstate commercial trucking across the U.S.

Commercial trucking companies are often responsible for their drivers’ actions on the road. Similarly, self-employed drivers should have a high level of insurance coverage. When an accident occurs, you may be able to hold more than one person responsible. The injuries from these accidents can be catastrophic due to the size and impact of the vehicle.

Accidents With a Government Vehicle

Accidents involving government vehicles, such as police cars, fire trucks, or city utility vehicles, are legally distinct from crashes involving private parties. In California, special procedures and strict deadlines apply, especially when the government is the at-fault party.

In California, if you are harmed in an accident involving a city, county, or state-owned vehicle, you must first pursue a government claim before you can sue. You generally have just six months from the accident to file a claim with the appropriate government agency.

Fatal Accidents

A wrongful death occurs when a person dies because of someone else’s negligence, recklessness, or intentional act. Under California Code of Civil Procedure § 377.60, the following people may file a wrongful death claim:

• Spouse or domestic partner
• Children
• Stepchildren, if they were financially dependent
• Parents, if they were financially dependent, or if the deceased had no surviving spouse or children
• Other heirs under the California intestate succession law, if no direct relatives exist
• The personal representative of the deceased’s estate

Schedule a Free Consultation With a California Car Accident Lawyer at The Barnes Firm Today

If you have been injured in an auto collision due to someone else’s negligence, we can help. Our California car accident lawyers are available 24/7 to take your case. Contact us to schedule a free consultation today.