California Car Accident Attorney
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California Car Accident Attorney
Car accidents happen every day across California and the consequences can be life-changing. Families often face immediate medical bills and missed work, along with long-term costs such as physical therapy, counseling, home modifications, and in-home care when injuries involve the spine or brain.
According to the California Office of Traffic Safety, thousands of people are killed and hundreds of thousands are injured in traffic collisions statewide each year. When negligence causes a crash, the financial and emotional toll can follow victims for years.
A California car accident attorney at Gomez Trial Attorneys can investigate what happened, identify every liable party, and fight for the full compensation you need to recover and move forward. We represent injured people, not insurance companies, and we prepare every case as if it will go to trial. With hundreds of millions recovered for injured clients across California, our attorneys understand how insurers evaluate—and undervalue—serious injury claims.
Free Consultation — No Fees Until We Win.
Do I Need a California Car Accident Attorney?
Not every car accident in California requires a lawyer. Minor collisions with no injuries and clear insurance coverage are often resolved without legal representation. However, when injuries are involved, the risk of undervaluation increases significantly.
You should strongly consider speaking with a California car accident attorney if:
- You were injured or sought medical treatment
- Symptoms are ongoing or worsening
- You missed work or lost income
- The insurance company disputes fault or delays payment
- The crash involved multiple vehicles or uninsured drivers
Insurance companies are trained to minimize payouts—even when their driver is clearly at fault. An attorney can investigate the crash, preserve evidence, protect you from recorded statements, and prevent mistakes that permanently reduce claim value.
If your injuries require ongoing treatment, our guide on who pays for physical therapy after a car accident explains common insurance scenarios and coverage issues.
How Much Does a Car Accident Lawyer Cost in California?
Most California car accident lawyers work on a contingency fee basis. This means you do not pay any upfront legal fees, and the attorney is only paid if compensation is recovered on your behalf.
Under a contingency arrangement, legal fees are typically a percentage of the recovery and are discussed transparently before representation begins. This structure allows injured victims to pursue justice regardless of financial circumstances and aligns the attorney’s interests with the client’s outcome. If no recovery is obtained, you generally owe no attorney’s fees. This structure shifts financial risk away from injured victims and places it on the law firm, incentivizing attorneys to pursue the maximum possible recovery.
At Gomez Trial Attorneys, consultations are free, and there are no fees unless we win. This allows accident victims to understand their options and potential case value without financial risk.
We Have Helped Many Others Like You
Over the past decade, Gomez Trial Attorneys has recovered more than $500,000,000 in verdicts and settlements for injured clients, including more than 100 results of $1,000,000 or more.
Representative car accident results include:
- $13,500,000 verdict for a client who suffered a brain injury
- $5,200,000 settlement for a traumatic brain injury case
- $1,700,000 verdict for a serious ankle injury
- $1,250,000 settlement for a wrongful death DUI case
- $1,000,000 settlement for a rideshare auto accident
Every case is different, and past results do not guarantee future outcomes. What they do show is our willingness to prepare cases thoroughly and take them to trial when insurers refuse to act fairly.
How We Maximize Your Settlement
Insurance companies move quickly after crashes to limit what they pay. Our job is to protect you from common mistakes and build leverage from day one.
We do this by:
- Helping you avoid early missteps that can damage a claim, including gaps in medical care or incomplete documentation
- Handling all communication with insurance companies so your words are not used against you
- Presenting clear, well-documented evidence of the full impact of your injuries
- Working on a contingency fee basis, meaning you pay nothing unless we win
Our interests are aligned with yours: maximizing the outcome, not settling fast.
The Most Common Causes of Car Accidents in California
There are many reasons car accidents occur in California. While weather or road conditions may contribute in some cases, most serious crashes result from driver negligence. Accidents are more common at night, when reduced visibility, fatigue, and alcohol impairment increase risk.
Some of the most common causes of car accidents include:
Speeding
Speeding remains one of the leading causes of serious and fatal car accidents nationwide. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, speeding contributes to more than a quarter of all traffic fatalities in the United States. Excessive speed reduces a driver’s ability to control their vehicle, increases stopping distance, and dramatically raises the severity of injuries when a crash occurs.
Alcohol-Impaired Driving
Alcohol impairment continues to be a major factor in fatal crashes. The Governor’s Highway Safety Association reports that alcohol is involved in nearly one-third of all traffic fatalities nationwide. Impaired drivers experience reduced reaction time, poor judgment, and difficulty maintaining lane position, placing everyone on the road at risk.
Distracted Driving
Distracted driving claims lives every day. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reports that approximately nine people are killed and hundreds more are injured daily in crashes involving distracted drivers. Activities such as texting take a driver’s eyes, hands, and attention away from the road simultaneously—making them especially dangerous at highway speeds.
Fatigued Driving
Driving while drowsy can be as dangerous as driving while impaired. The National Safety Council reports that nearly half of U.S. drivers admit to driving while tired, and drowsy driving significantly increases crash risk by slowing reaction time and impairing judgment. Drivers are estimated to be three times more likely to crash when fatigued.
Aggressive Driving
Aggressive driving behaviors—such as tailgating, unsafe lane changes, failure to yield, and excessive speeding—are a contributing factor in a large percentage of traffic collisions. The Insurance Information Institute notes that aggressive driving may play a role in more than half of all crashes nationwide.
When drivers fail to operate their vehicles with reasonable care, they can be held legally responsible for the injuries and losses they cause.
What to Do After a Car Accident in California
The steps you take after a crash can affect both your health and your legal claim. If possible, you should:
- Call 911 and seek medical attention immediately
- Exchange information with other drivers and identify witnesses
- Photograph vehicles, injuries, road conditions, and traffic signals
- Avoid admitting fault or speculating about what happened
- Notify your insurance company without giving a recorded statement
- Speak with a car accident lawyer before accepting any settlement
If you are unsure how treatment will be paid for, our guide on who pays for physical therapy after a car accident explains common insurance scenarios.
Types of California Car Accidents We Handle
Different crashes raise different liability and insurance issues. Our firm handles all major types of car accident cases, including:
- Rear-end collisions
- Side-impact (T-bone) accidents
- Head-on collisions
- Rollover crashes
- Multi-vehicle pileups
- Hit-and-run accidents
- Single-vehicle crashes involving road hazards or unsafe conditions
Each case requires a tailored investigation to determine fault and available coverage.
Common Injuries After a California Car Accident
Car crashes can cause injuries that are not immediately obvious. Some of the most serious injuries we see include:
- Traumatic brain injuries and concussions
- Spinal cord injuries and herniated discs
- Broken bones and crush injuries
- Internal bleeding and organ damage
- Burn injuries and amputations
- Emotional trauma, anxiety, and post-traumatic stress disorder
Early settlement offers often fail to account for the long-term effects of these injuries.
What Compensation Is Available After a California Car Accident
Compensation depends on the severity of your injuries and how they affect your life. Recoverable damages may include:
Economic damages:
- Past and future medical expenses
- Physical therapy and rehabilitation
- Lost wages and reduced earning capacity
- In-home care and assistive devices
- Vehicle repair or replacement
Non-economic damages:
- Pain and suffering
- Emotional distress
- Loss of enjoyment of life
- Loss of consortium for affected family relationships
In some cases involving extreme misconduct, punitive damages may also apply.
What Is the Average Car Accident Settlement in California?
There is no true “average” car accident settlement in California because every case depends on unique factors. Settlement value is influenced by the severity of injuries, medical costs, time missed from work, future care needs, insurance coverage, and the strength of the evidence proving fault.
Minor injury cases may resolve for relatively modest amounts, while serious injury or wrongful death cases can result in significantly higher compensation. Catastrophic injuries involving the brain, spine, or permanent disability often require extensive medical treatment and long-term care, which substantially increases claim value.
Insurance companies frequently promote the idea of an “average settlement” to justify low offers. A California car accident attorney can evaluate your injuries, damages, and coverage to determine what a fair recovery should look like based on your specific circumstances—not misleading averages.
California Car Accident FAQs
How much do accident attorneys charge in California?
Most car accident attorneys work on a contingency fee basis. This means you pay no upfront fees and no attorney’s fees unless your case is successful. The percentage is discussed and agreed to in advance.
Should I get a lawyer after a car accident in California?
If you suffered injuries, missed work, or face insurance pushback, speaking with a lawyer early can help protect your claim. Insurance companies often try to settle cases quickly for less than they are worth.
What is the hardest injury to prove after a car accident?
Injuries such as concussions, soft-tissue damage, and chronic pain are often harder to prove because they may not appear clearly on imaging. Consistent medical treatment and documentation are critical.
How long do I have to file a car accident lawsuit in California?
In most cases, you have two years from the date of the accident to file a personal injury lawsuit. Certain claims, including those involving government entities, may have much shorter deadlines.
Talk to a California Car Accident Attorney Today
If you were injured in a California car accident, you do not have to face insurance companies alone. Gomez Trial Attorneys is ready to explain your options and fight for full and fair compensation.
Free Consultation — No Fees Until We Win.
What We Got
$1,250,000
Original Offer
$40,000
“They held my hand the whole time and kept me in the loop on every aspect of my case which was very refreshing to me. They helped me get my settlement offer as fast as possible and I was able to keep my farm.”
Our Process... Easy as 1. 2. 3!
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550+ 5 Star Reviews
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“John helped me find doctors, he referred me to his neurologist, his physical therapist, I mean, anything I needed he was right there, every step of the way. I couldn’t have asked for a better result from all of this, I would absolutely recommend Gomez Trial Attorneys.”
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“During the time I was working with Gomez Trial Attorneys, they treated me very, very well. 100% of the time, they believed me, and they were very compassionate. They felt sorry for what happened and they understood the therapy process.”
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“They held my hand the whole time and kept me in the loop every aspect of my case which was very refreshing to me. They helped me get my settlement offer as fast as possible and I was able to keep my farm”
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“The Gomez experience was the best experience it could be for me really, only positive things to say. They really were there every step if the way. Thanks to Gomez Trial Attorneys my dad is able to support my family as a single father”
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“He opened the door for me to join his firm to help other brain Injury survivors and I never met another firm who is like this who was so understanding and caring who took the extra step and walked the extra mile with their clients and this is the best”
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“I am very satisfied with the outcome with Gomez and I would definitely recommend Gomez to anybody, we tell people all the time, Get Gomez! They are really thorough with everything and they make you feel real comfortable.”
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“Just helped us through, guided us through, I kept notes all those years, we had questions all the time and they would always keep us informed of what was going on. They just unlayered it, layer by layer, I’ve never seen anything like them. Thank God for them.”