California’s statute of limitations for most personal injury cases is two years from the date of the injury under California Code of Civil Procedure Section 335.1. If you miss this deadline, you typically lose your right to sue. Exceptions exist for minors and government claims, which have shorter deadlines, consult an attorney immediately after an accident.

Do not accept any settlement offer before speaking with an attorney. Insurance companies often make early, lowball offers before you fully understand your injuries or total losses. Once you sign a release, you permanently waive your right to seek additional compensation. Accident Defenders will evaluate your claim and negotiate for the maximum recovery you deserve.

You may recover economic damages, including medical bills, future treatment costs, and lost wages — as well as non-economic damages such as pain and suffering and emotional distress. In cases involving reckless conduct, punitive damages may also apply. The total value depends on injury severity, liability facts, and the insurance coverage available.

California follows a “pure comparative fault” rule, meaning you can still recover compensation even if you were partially responsible for the accident. Your final award is reduced by your percentage of fault. For example, if you were 20% at fault and the damages total $100,000, you would recover $80,000. An attorney helps dispute inflated fault allocations.

A police report is not legally required to file a personal injury claim, but it is strongly recommended. It documents the accident scene, identifies parties and witnesses, and provides an official account of events. If no report was filed, gather photos, witness contacts, and a written account of what happened as soon as possible to support your case.