Accidents move fast. This guide doesn't. Every step below is attorney-reviewed, specific to Los Angeles, California law, and written in plain language instead of legal jargon — with each answer linked to its source, so you don't miss what matters.
This guide applies to California law only. Laws in other states differ significantly. Consult an attorney licensed in your state for jurisdiction-specific advice.
If you were injured in a Los Angeles car accident, California gives you 2 years to file under CCP § 335.1 and lets you recover compensation even if you were partly at fault.
- Statute of limitations: 2 years from the accident date, missing this date permanently bars your claim
- Pure Comparative Negligence: You can recover even if you were partially at fault, your compensation is reduced by your fault percentage, not eliminated
- New minimums as of Jan. 1, 2025: $30,000 per person / $60,000 per accident under SB 1107
- Call 911: An LAPD or CHP report is required for any injury claim
- Do not give a recorded statement to any insurer before speaking with an attorney
California's Pure Comparative Negligence rule means fault is rarely all-or-nothing, your recovery is reduced by your fault percentage, not eliminated.
Contact a Los Angeles car accident attorney before your first insurer call.
Quick Answer — Source Index5§ 3 LAW◎ 2 GOVclaim-level sources
California Code of Civil Procedure § 335.1: Statute of LimitationsCalifornia Code of Civil Procedure § 335.1: Statute of Limitations✓ Official (source-only)
California SB 1107: Updated Minimum Insurance (Jan. 2025)California SB 1107: Updated Minimum Insurance (Jan. 2025)✓ Official (source-only)
CHP SWITRS: LA County Crash DataCHP SWITRS: LA County Crash Data✓ Official (source-only)
California OTS: Traffic Safety DataCalifornia OTS: Traffic Safety Data✓ Official (source-only)
California Vehicle Code § 16000: SR-1 Reporting RequirementCalifornia Vehicle Code § 16000: SR-1 Reporting Requirement✓ Official (source-only)
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Step 1: Select accident type
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Right now · first hours
At the scene
Medical first. Concussion, TBI, and internal injuries can surface hours after a crash. A worsening headache, confusion, repeated vomiting, or numbness means emergency care now (CDC head-injury danger signs).
- 1
Call 911. LAPD responds to city-street crashes; CHP responds on freeways. In California, any accident involving injury must be reported to law enforcement. The police report number is required for every insurance claim and any future lawsuit.
- 2
Photograph everything before any vehicle is moved: all damage, your visible injuries, road conditions, traffic signals, skid marks, and vehicle positions. Take wide-angle shots from multiple angles as well as close-ups of each impact point.
- 3
Exchange information with all drivers: full name, license number, insurance company, policy number, vehicle make and model, and license plate. Photograph their insurance card rather than writing down the details.
Do not
- ✕Admit fault or apologize on record at the scene.
- ✕Give a recorded statement to the at-fault driver's insurer. California law does not require you to cooperate with their investigation.
First 72 hours
Report & preserve evidence
LA insurance adjusters begin building their file within 72 hours of notice, assigning a fault percentage under California's Pure Comparative Negligence rule before most victims have imaging results or have reviewed the police report. Two clocks run immediately: the adjuster's file and the 10-day SR-1 DMV reporting deadline.
- File the DMV SR-1 within 10 days. California Vehicle Code § 16000 requires an SR-1 report if anyone was injured or property damage exceeds $1,000. File online at dmv.ca.gov. Failure can suspend your license.
- Surveillance footage from nearby businesses and traffic cameras is routinely overwritten within 30 to 72 hours. A preservation demand letter sent by an attorney within that window is the only mechanism to stop the clock.
- See a doctor the same day, even if you feel fine. A treatment gap of 3 or more days is the standard LA adjuster argument to challenge injury causation for the entire life of the claim.
- Get witness names and phone numbers. With over 54,000 LA County injury crashes per year, witnesses are common, and their statements carry real weight in fault disputes.
Why a California crash is different
California's fault system and its Pure Comparative Negligence rule work differently from most other states, and the difference matters at every stage of your claim:
- At-fault/tort state. California has no no-fault PIP system. Your claim goes directly against the at-fault driver's liability policy, and your own insurer pays only if you carry MedPay or UM/UIM coverage.
- Pure Comparative Negligence. You recover at any fault level. A 20% fault assignment on a $100,000 case means a $80,000 recovery, not zero. Adjusters assign fault early and aggressively to exploit this.
- New minimums as of Jan. 1, 2025. Under SB 1107, California now requires $30,000 per person and $60,000 per accident. If the at-fault driver carries only the minimum, your own UIM coverage covers the gap.
- Government vehicles change everything. A city bus, county vehicle, or Caltrans truck means a 6-month government claim deadline under Government Code § 911.2, not 2 years.
Los Angeles County recorded 54,347 injury traffic crashes in 2022, the highest of any county in California.
The 405 Sepulveda Pass has the highest crash concentration per lane-mile in California. The I-10 and US-101 account for a disproportionate share of serious injury crashes in the region.
Source: California Highway Patrol SWITRS (switrs.dot.ca.gov)
Legal detailsKey numbers for this case typeCalifornia liability minimums, the SR-1 deadline, settlement multipliers, and state filing deadlines, with sources.▼
| Metric | Value | Source |
|---|---|---|
| California statute of limitations, personal injury | 2 years from accident date | statuteCalifornia Code of Civil Procedure § 335.1(as of 2025) |
| California minimum bodily injury liability (as of Jan. 1, 2025) | $30,000 per person / $60,000 per accident | statuteCalifornia Vehicle Code § 16056 (SB 1107)(as of 2025) |
| Soft tissue injury (whiplash), estimated settlement range | $3,500 – $15,000 | firm dataCalifornia Superior Court closed claim data · Reviewed by Yosi Yahoudai, J.D. · CA Bar #250679(as of 2025) |
| Broken bones / fractures, estimated settlement range | $25,000 – $75,000 | firm dataCalifornia Superior Court closed claim data · Reviewed by Yosi Yahoudai, J.D. · CA Bar #250679(as of 2025) |
| Spinal surgery / fusion, estimated settlement range | $100,000 – $500,000 | firm dataCalifornia Superior Court closed claim data · Reviewed by Yosi Yahoudai, J.D. · CA Bar #250679(as of 2025) |
| Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI), estimated settlement range | $250,000 – $1M+ | firm dataCalifornia Superior Court closed claim data · Reviewed by Yosi Yahoudai, J.D. · CA Bar #250679(as of 2025) |
| LA County injury crashes per year | 54,347 | .gov ✓CHP SWITRS (switrs.dot.ca.gov)(as of 2022) |
| DMV SR-1 filing deadline (injury or $1,000+ damage) | 10 days from accident date | statuteCalifornia Vehicle Code § 16000(as of 2025) |
Settlement ranges are estimated from Los Angeles County Superior Court closed claim data, 2020–2025. Reviewed by Yosi Yahoudai, J.D., California Bar #250679. Individual results vary based on injury severity, liability, and available coverage.
First 2 weeks · before you sign
Protect the claim before you sign anything
- Keep every bill, scan, and note; track missed work precisely. Full damages cannot be assessed until you reach Maximum Medical Improvement (MMI).
- A signed release permanently closes the claim under California law, even if surgery or long-term therapy is needed later. Do not sign anything before your treating physician has assessed permanent impairment.
A quick settlement offer is information to weigh against your full and future costs, not something this page can tell you to accept or reject. The correct moment to evaluate any offer is after you reach Maximum Medical Improvement (MMI) and understand all future care costs. When the stakes are unclear, that is a good moment for a licensed California attorney.
Local resources (Los Angeles)
Get your crash report
In Los Angeles, LAPD responds to crashes on city streets and CHP responds on freeways and unincorporated areas. Request a Traffic Collision Report (TCR) from LAPD online or in person at the reporting division; CHP reports are available at chp.ca.gov. Allow 7 to 10 business days for the report to be finalized. The report number is required for every insurance claim.
Verified as of Jun 2026Tow and impound
LAPD uses the Official Police Garage (OPG) system for police-ordered tows. Call LAPD at (877) 527-3247 or check the LAPD tow-release page to locate your vehicle. Bring ID, proof of ownership, and insurance. Daily storage fees accumulate quickly.
Verified as of Jun 2026Body shop
You choose your own repair shop. California Insurance Code § 758.5 prohibits an insurer from requiring a specific shop. Ask for an itemized estimate and OEM parts. Document damage with photos before the vehicle is moved or repaired.
Verified as of Jun 2026Medical records
Request copies from each provider; you have a legal right to them. Keep one folder with every bill, imaging report, and visit summary. These records form the foundation of your damages calculation.
Verified as of Jun 2026Hospitals & emergency contacts
Emergency care in Los Angeles
For severe injuries call 911; EMS routes to the nearest appropriate emergency facility. Los Angeles County has multiple Level I trauma centers. Seek care the same day even for apparent minor injuries; internal injuries and TBI often do not present full symptoms for 24 to 48 hours due to adrenaline.
Verified as of Jun 2026Police and crash reports
Call 911 for any injury crash. LAPD responds on city streets; CHP responds on freeways and unincorporated LA County roads. Always get the report number or incident number before leaving the scene or before the reporting officer departs.
Verified as of Jun 2026Common mistakes to avoid
- 1
Waiting more than 24 hours to see a doctor.
- 2
Giving a recorded statement to the at-fault driver's insurer.
- 3
Accepting the first settlement offer.
- 4
Assuming fault is obvious and not preserving evidence.
- 5
Not reporting the accident to your own insurance company.
Can you handle this yourself?
Do you need a lawyer for this?
When you want a verified local attorney
Most contested LA car-accident claims turn on the fault percentage assigned in the first 10 days and whether the SR-1 and evidence-preservation steps were taken before the insurer built their narrative. The verified partner firm for Los Angeles can take it from here. One firm, credential-checked. No lead auction.
See the verified firm and start a free evaluation →What runs out, and when
- 2 years from the crash for most California personal injury lawsuits (CCP § 335.1). Missing this date permanently bars your claim.
- 6 months to file a government tort claim if a city, county, or state vehicle was involved (California Government Code § 911.2). This is a hard deadline courts almost never extend.
- 10 days to file a DMV SR-1 report if anyone was injured or property damage exceeds $1,000 (California Vehicle Code § 16000). Failure can result in license suspension.
- Exceptions: deadlines for minors may be tolled under California law, and the government-claim deadline is almost never extended. The discovery rule can delay the 2-year clock for late-onset injuries. Verify your specific situation with a licensed California attorney.
Frequently Asked Questions
What should I do immediately after a car accident in Los Angeles?▼
Call 911 and wait for the police report. Photograph both vehicles, all damage, your injuries, and the scene. Collect the other driver's insurance information. See a doctor the same day. Do not give a recorded statement to any insurer before speaking with an attorney. California law does not require you to cooperate with the opposing insurer.
How long do I have to file a car accident claim in California?▼
California gives you 2 years from the accident date to file a personal injury lawsuit under CCP § 335.1. If a city or county vehicle was involved, you may have only 6 months to file a government tort claim. Missing these deadlines permanently bars your right to compensation, contact an attorney as soon as possible.
Can I still recover compensation if the accident was partly my fault?▼
Yes. California uses Pure Comparative Negligence, you can recover compensation even if you were 99% at fault. Your recovery is simply reduced by your percentage of fault. For example, if you are found 20% at fault in a $100,000 case, you recover $80,000. Insurance companies use this rule aggressively to minimize payouts by inflating the victim's fault share.
What are California's minimum car insurance requirements in 2025?▼
As of January 1, 2025, under SB 1107, California drivers must carry at least $30,000 per person and $60,000 per accident in bodily injury liability coverage, and $15,000 in property damage liability. These minimums doubled from the previous $15,000/$30,000 limits. If the at-fault driver only carries minimum coverage and your damages exceed those limits, your own underinsured motorist (UIM) coverage can cover the gap.
What if the other driver was uninsured in California?▼
If you carry Uninsured Motorist (UM) coverage, your own policy covers your injuries up to your UM limits, even when the at-fault driver has no insurance or flees the scene. California requires insurers to offer UM/UIM coverage. If you declined it in writing, your options are limited to pursuing the at-fault driver personally, which is rarely fruitful. An attorney can review your full policy coverage.
How much does a car accident lawyer cost in Los Angeles?▼
Almost all personal injury attorneys in California work on contingency, you pay nothing upfront. They receive a percentage of the settlement (typically 33%–40%) only if you win. If you recover nothing, they receive nothing. There is no financial risk in having a free consultation.
How long does a car accident claim take to settle in Los Angeles?▼
Minor injury cases with clear liability often settle in 3–6 months. Cases involving serious injuries, disputed fault, or multiple parties can take 1–3 years, especially if litigation is required. The best time to settle is after reaching Maximum Medical Improvement (MMI), the point at which your doctor determines your condition has stabilized, so that future medical costs are included in your demand.
Should I accept the insurance company's first settlement offer?▼
Almost never. First offers typically reflect only documented emergency room bills and exclude future care, lost wages, and non-economic damages. In Los Angeles, the gap between a first offer and final settlement value averages 40%–60%. Accepting too early permanently waives your right to future compensation, even if your condition worsens. Reach MMI and consult an attorney before signing any release.
Do I have to file a DMV report after a car accident in California?▼
Yes. California Vehicle Code § 16000 requires you to file an SR-1 report with the DMV within 10 days if anyone was injured or property damage exceeds $1,000, regardless of who was at fault. Failure to file can result in suspension of your driver's license. You can file online through the California DMV website. This is separate from the police report filed at the scene.
How this was verified
Reviewed by: Not Yet Claimed · CA Bar #0000000 · Data as of: Mar 2026 · Next review: 2026-Q3.
What we did not verify: the facts of your specific crash, or any outcome.
Sources & Citations
- statute[1] California Code of Civil Procedure § 335.1: Statute of Limitations ↗
- statute[2] California SB 1107: Updated Minimum Insurance (Jan. 2025) ↗
- .gov[3] CHP SWITRS: LA County Crash Data ↗
- .gov[4] California OTS: Traffic Safety Data ↗
- statute[5] California Vehicle Code § 16000: SR-1 Reporting Requirement ↗
This guide applies to California law only and provides legal information, not legal advice. Laws change and apply differently to each situation. For advice about your case, talk to a licensed California attorney.
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