California Crash Law is led by attorney Elham Azimy, California State Bar No. 207274. Meet the attorney , learn how the firm evaluates an inquiry , or request a free case evaluation . Submitting an inquiry does not create an attorney-client relationship.
California records more motor vehicle injuries than any other region of the state, on freeways that are the most congested in the country and arterials built for speed. If you were hurt, the process ahead has a shape: medical care first, then the insurance claim, then—when the injury is significant or the insurer is difficult—an attorney. These pages explain each part in plain language and link to the local details that matter.
If anyone is injured right now
Call 911 . If you were in a crash within the last few days and have not been evaluated, read when to see a doctor . Nothing on this site is medical or legal advice.
The order of operations
Put medical care first. Seek care based on your symptoms and a clinician’s advice; do not wait for an insurance deadline. Medical care after a crash .
Secure the evidence and the report. Photos, witnesses, camera footage, the SR-1 and the police report. What to do after a crash and how to get the report .
Understand fault and insurance. California’s comparative fault rule, the coverages that pay, and what to say to adjusters. Fault rules and insurance claims .
Know the deadlines. Two years for most injury claims, six months for government claims, 10 days for the SR-1. All deadlines .
Decide whether you need an attorney. Significant injury, disputed fault, uninsured or commercial drivers and public entities are the usual reasons. How the firm reviews your inquiry .
By type of collision
Rear-End Collisions: What Happens After You Are Hit From Behind The most common California crash. Fault usually—but not always—rests with the rear driver. T-Bone and Side-Impact Collisions Intersection crashes where one vehicle strikes the side of another. Fault turns on right of way. Sideswipe and Unsafe Lane-Change Collisions Two vehicles traveling the same direction make side contact, usually during a lane change or merge. Head-On Collisions Frontal crashes between vehicles traveling in opposite directions, often on two-lane roads. Freeway and Highway Accidents High-speed crashes on the 5, 10, 15, 91, 405 and other state routes. CHP has jurisdiction. Multi-Vehicle and Chain-Reaction Collisions Three or more vehicles, one event. Fault is divided, and insurance limits are often stretched. Hit-and-Run Accidents The other driver left. Your own insurance and fast evidence-gathering become central. Drunk and Impaired Driving Accidents Crashes caused by alcohol or drug impairment. The civil claim is separate from the criminal case. Distracted Driving Accidents Crashes caused by phones, infotainment screens and inattention. Proof is the challenge. Uninsured and Underinsured Motorist Accidents The at-fault driver has no insurance or too little. Your own policy may be the answer. Rideshare (Uber and Lyft) Accidents Crashes involving transportation network company drivers. Coverage depends on the app status. Commercial Truck Accidents Collisions with tractor-trailers, box trucks and delivery vehicles. Higher stakes, more parties, more rules. Motorcycle Accidents Riders face severe injuries and skeptical adjusters. California’s rules are rider-friendly in important ways. Pedestrian Accidents People on foot struck by vehicles. California law protects pedestrians, but fault can be shared. Bicycle and E-Bike Accidents Cyclists and e-bike riders struck by vehicles. California law gives riders clear protections. By injury
By location
