The short answer
A personal injury claim in California lets you recover compensation when someone else's negligence injures you. You generally have two years to file (CCP § 335.1). Compensation can include medical bills, lost wages, and pain and suffering. Seek prompt medical care, preserve evidence, and consult a lawyer before speaking to the insurer.
A serious injury rearranges your life in a single moment. One day you are commuting on the 10, working a shift in Boyle Heights, or shopping at The Grove. The next you are dealing with emergency room bills, time off work, and phone calls from an insurance company that seems very interested in getting your statement on the record. Personal injury law exists to shift the cost of those losses back to the person or business whose carelessness caused them.
Personal injury is a broad category. It covers car, truck, and motorcycle crashes; pedestrian and bicycle collisions; slip and falls and other dangerous property conditions; dog bites; burns; and injuries caused by defective products. The common thread in California is negligence: someone owed you reasonable care, failed to provide it, and that failure caused you harm. Some claims, like dog bites and defective products, can also rest on strict liability.
What makes our firm different is where we came from. Our founding attorney has fought insurers for injured Californians since 2002. We sat in the rooms where claims were evaluated and reserves were set. We know which documents move a valuation, which arguments adjusters use to discount pain and suffering, and when an insurer is simply testing whether you will accept less. We know how they work, and we build your case to meet it.
Consultations are free, and you pay no attorney's fee unless we recover compensation for you. We serve injured people throughout Los Angeles County from our office at 3435 Wilshire Boulevard in Koreatown.
From the other side of the table
How the insurer's adjuster sees your injury claim
The early recorded statement
Adjusters often call within days, sounding friendly and asking for a 'quick recorded statement.' The goal is to lock in your description of the accident and your injuries before you know the full picture. We handle those communications so your words are not used to minimize the claim later.
Gaps in treatment
Claims evaluation tools and adjuster training treat gaps in medical care as evidence that you were not really hurt or that something else caused your pain. We help you understand why consistent care matters, and we explain legitimate gaps, like waiting for insurance approval or childcare, with documentation.
Prior injuries and pre-existing conditions
Insurers search for prior claims and medical history to argue your pain is old. California law allows recovery when an accident aggravates a pre-existing condition. We work with your providers to distinguish what existed before from what the accident caused or made worse.
The low first offer
Initial offers are often set to see whether you will accept a fast, discounted payment. We respond with a documented demand that addresses the insurer's valuation factors directly, and we are prepared to file suit when that is what it takes to get serious attention.
Why it happens
Common causes
Motor vehicle collisions
Car, truck, motorcycle, and rideshare crashes on the 101, 405, and surface streets throughout Los Angeles are a leading source of serious injury claims.
Pedestrian and bicycle accidents
Crosswalk collisions in dense areas like Downtown, Koreatown, and Hollywood often cause severe injuries because pedestrians and cyclists have no protection.
Dangerous property conditions
Wet floors in grocery stores, broken stairs in apartment buildings, and poorly lit parking garages cause falls and other injuries that property owners may be responsible for.
Dog bites and animal attacks
California holds dog owners strictly liable for most bites in public places or when the victim was lawfully on private property.
Defective products
Faulty vehicle parts, e-bike batteries, household appliances, and other products can cause injuries that manufacturers and sellers may be responsible for.
Burns, fires, and explosions
Apartment fires, restaurant accidents, and electrical failures can cause burn injuries that require long-term care.
What we see
Injuries we handle
What you may recover
Compensation in a California claim
Medical expenses
Past and future medical care reasonably required because of the injury, including hospital care, surgery, therapy, medication, and assistive devices.
Lost earnings
Wages, salary, tips, and self-employment income lost while you recover, plus loss of future earning capacity when injuries have lasting effects.
Pain and suffering
Non-economic damages for physical pain, emotional distress, inconvenience, and loss of enjoyment of life.
Loss of consortium
A spouse or registered domestic partner may have a separate claim for the loss of companionship and support caused by a serious injury.
Punitive damages in limited cases
When a defendant acted with malice, oppression, or fraud, as proven by clear and convincing evidence, California law allows additional damages meant to punish and deter.
The rules that apply
California law you should know
General duty of care
Everyone in California is responsible for injuries caused by their failure to use ordinary care in managing their property or their conduct.
Cal. Civ. Code § 1714
Two-year statute of limitations
Most personal injury lawsuits must be filed within two years from the date of injury. Claims against public entities have much shorter claim deadlines, generally six months.
Cal. Code Civ. Proc. § 335.1; Cal. Gov. Code § 911.2
Pure comparative fault
If you were partly at fault, you can still recover, reduced by your share of responsibility.
Li v. Yellow Cab Co. (1975) 13 Cal.3d 804
Measure of damages and punitive damages
Tort damages are meant to compensate for all detriment proximately caused by the wrongful conduct. Punitive damages are available only on clear and convincing proof of malice, oppression, or fraud.
Cal. Civ. Code §§ 3333, 3294
General information, not legal advice. Deadlines and rules depend on the facts of your case, so talk to an attorney promptly.
Right now
Protect your claim
Evidence to gather
- Photos and video of the scene, hazards, vehicles, and your injuries
- Police, incident, or accident reports
- Names and contact information for witnesses
- Insurance information for everyone involved
- Medical records, bills, and prescriptions
- Pay stubs, tax returns, or other proof of lost income
- Damaged property such as clothing, phones, or helmets
- A written journal of your pain, limitations, and missed activities
Mistakes insurers count on
- Giving a recorded statement to the other side's insurer
- Delaying medical care or skipping follow-up appointments
- Posting about your accident or activities on social media
- Accepting a quick settlement before you know your full medical prognosis
- Waiting too long and missing a claim deadline, especially against a public entity
Step by step
How we handle your case
- 1
Free consultation
We learn what happened, answer your questions, and explain your options and deadlines in plain English, with no obligation.
- 2
Take over insurer communications
Once you hire us, we notify the insurers so adjusters contact us instead of you.
- 3
Investigate and preserve evidence
We gather reports, photos, video, witness statements, and records, and we send preservation letters where evidence could be lost.
- 4
Document your losses
We collect medical records and bills, wage information, and other proof of your damages, and we track your recovery over time.
- 5
Negotiate, then litigate if needed
We present a demand built around how insurers evaluate claims. If a fair offer does not come, we are prepared to file suit and pursue the case in court.
From the Case Vault
Related results
Past results do not guarantee a similar outcome. Every case is different and must be evaluated on its own facts.
Straight answers
Frequently asked questions
No honest lawyer can give you a number at the start. Value depends on the severity of your injuries, your medical costs, lost income, how the injury affects your daily life, the strength of the liability evidence, and the insurance available. Because we used to work for insurers, we understand the factors they weigh and can explain which ones matter in your case as it develops.
Catastrophic Injury & Death