Car Accident Lawyer in Los Angeles, California

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Los Angeles has some of the most crowded roads in the country, and a crash on the 101, the 405, or a Valley side street can change your life in a second. If another driver caused your accident, California law lets you seek compensation for your injuries and losses. Lipel Law helps injured drivers, passengers, pedestrians, and cyclists deal with insurance companies so they can focus on recovering.

Attorney Katherine Lipel has more than 25 years of experience. Consultations are free, and you pay no attorney's fees unless we win your case. If we don't win, you owe nothing, including case costs.

1. Get medical care, even if you feel okay. Concussions and soft tissue injuries often show up hours or days later, and a gap in treatment is something insurers use against you.

2. Call the police if anyone is injured. A police report creates an official record.

3. Photograph the vehicles, the scene, traffic signals, and your injuries.

4. Exchange names, license numbers, plates, and insurance information, and get witness phone numbers.

5. Report the accident to the DMV within 10 days (form SR-1) if anyone was hurt or property damage is over $1,000. This is separate from any police report.

6. Notify your own insurance company, but don't give a recorded statement to the other driver's insurer before speaking with a lawyer.

Usually the at-fault driver's liability insurance. California's minimum required coverage rose on January 1, 2025, to $30,000 per person and $60,000 per accident for injuries, plus $15,000 for property damage. Serious injuries often cost more than that. When they do, your own uninsured or underinsured motorist coverage, other responsible parties (such as an employer whose driver was on the job), or the driver's personal assets may come into play.

California uses pure comparative negligence. You can recover compensation even if you share some of the blame. Your recovery is reduced by your percentage of fault. For example, if you were 20% at fault, you can recover 80% of your damages.

Medical expenses, including future treatment; lost wages and reduced ability to earn; vehicle repair or replacement; and pain, suffering, and emotional distress.

One important rule: under Proposition 213 (Civil Code section 3333.4), a driver who was uninsured at the time of the accident generally cannot recover non-economic damages like pain and suffering, even if the other driver was at fault. Keep your insurance current.

You generally have two years from the accident to file a personal injury lawsuit in California, and three years for property damage only. If a city bus, government vehicle, or poorly maintained public road was involved, a claim must usually be filed within six months.