If you were injured in a car accident in Los Angeles caused by another driver, you may be entitled to compensation for medical expenses, lost wages, vehicle damage, and pain and suffering. California is a pure comparative fault state, meaning you can recover personal injury damages even if you were partially responsible for the crash. The Law Offices of Mann & Elias represents car accident victims throughout Los Angeles County on a contingency fee basis — you pay nothing unless we recover compensation for you. Call (323) 857-9500 for a free consultation, available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
Why Los Angeles Car Accident Cases Are Complex
Los Angeles County has more registered vehicles than any other county in the United States, and its freeways — the 405, 101, 10, and 110 — consistently rank among the nation’s most congested. When accidents happen on these corridors, they frequently involve multiple drivers, commercial vehicles, and disputed liability, each of which adds layers of complexity to the insurance and litigation process.
At-fault drivers and their insurers act quickly to protect their financial exposure. Insurance adjusters are trained to obtain recorded statements and offer rapid settlements that fall far short of the actual value of your injuries. Our attorneys know these tactics — we have seen them used against our clients for nearly 30 years — and we counter them at every stage.
Call us 24/7 for a free, no-obligation consultation: (323) 301-3219. Our personal injury attorneys will evaluate your case and start fighting for your recovery immediately.
California Car Accident Laws You Need to Know
Statute of Limitations
Under California Code of Civil Procedure § 335.1, you have two years from the date of the accident to file a personal injury lawsuit. If the at-fault driver was a government employee acting within the scope of employment — for example, a city bus driver or a public works vehicle — you must file a government tort claim within six months of the incident under Government Code § 911.2 before filing suit. Missing either deadline typically bars your claim permanently.
Minimum Insurance Requirements (Updated 2025)
Under California Vehicle Code § 16056, as amended by Senate Bill 1107 (the Protect California Drivers Act, effective January 1, 2025), all California drivers must carry minimum auto liability insurance of:
- $30,000 per person for bodily injury or death
- $60,000 per accident for bodily injury or death to multiple people
- $15,000 for property damage
These minimums are frequently insufficient in serious crash cases. Our attorneys pursue all available coverage — including the at-fault driver’s full policy limits, your own underinsured motorist (UIM) coverage, umbrella policies, and third-party liability where applicable — to maximize your total recovery.
Pure Comparative Fault
California follows a pure comparative fault rule. Under this doctrine, your compensation is reduced by your percentage of fault for the accident — but you can still recover even if you are found to be 99% at fault. Insurance adjusters routinely try to inflate your share of fault to reduce their payout. Our attorneys build comprehensive evidence packages from the outset to protect your fault percentage and your recovery.
What Our Car Accident Attorneys Do for You
From the day you retain us, the Law Offices of Mann & Elias handles every aspect of your case:
- Obtain the police report, traffic camera footage, dashcam recordings, and black-box data from commercial vehicles
- Retain accident reconstruction experts when liability is disputed or unclear
- Gather medical records and work with your treating physicians to document all current injuries and future care needs
- Manage all communications with insurance adjusters so nothing you say can be used to reduce your claim
- Negotiate aggressively for maximum settlement — and take your case to trial if insurers refuse to pay fair value
Our verdicts and settlements in personal injury cases range from $103,000 to over $5.2 million. We take cases to trial when necessary, and insurers know it.
Car Accident in Los Angeles: What You Need to Know
Car accidents are the leading cause of personal injury in Los Angeles County. With some of the most congested freeways in the nation — the 405, 10, 101, and 110 — and millions of daily commuters, the risk of collision is constant. Distracted driving, speeding, DUI, and unsafe lane changes are the most common causes we see.
Award-Winning Southern California Personal Injury Attorneys
The Law Offices of Mann & Elias has recovered over $50 million for injured clients throughout Southern California. When you hire us, you get attorneys with credentials that insurance companies and opposing counsel take seriously:
- Imad Elias — Named to Super Lawyers every year from 2015–2026 (12 consecutive years); AVVO Rating 10.0 Superb (highest possible rating); President of the Armenian-American Lawyers Association of Southern California (AALASC); member of CELA and CAALA
- Scott Mann — Member of the American Board of Trial Advocates (ABOTA), an elite credential awarded only to experienced civil trial attorneys; Pepperdine University School of Law (Law Review, top 10%); Vincent Dalsimer Moot Court Champion
Our verdicts and settlements range from $103,000 to over $5.2 million. We take cases to trial when insurance companies refuse to pay fair value — and we win.
No Fee Unless We Win
You pay nothing unless we secure compensation for you. No upfront costs, no hourly fees, no financial risk. We advance all litigation expenses — investigations, expert witnesses, medical record retrieval, court filing fees — and recover them only if we obtain a settlement or verdict in your favor. Call (323) 301-3219 anytime, 24/7.
Types of Car Accident Cases We Handle in Los Angeles
We represent clients injured in all types of motor vehicle collisions throughout Los Angeles County, including:
- Rear-end accidents
- Head-on and wrong-way collisions
- T-bone and intersection crashes
- Freeway and highway accidents (405, 10, 101, 110, 5, and 605)
- Rideshare accidents involving Uber and Lyft drivers
- Drunk driving accidents
- Hit-and-run accidents
- Multi-vehicle pile-ups
- Pedestrian knockdowns involving motor vehicles
- Bicycle accidents caused by motor vehicles
Compensation You May Be Entitled To Recover
Depending on the severity of your injuries and the specific circumstances of your crash, you may be entitled to recover:
- Emergency room, hospital, and surgical expenses
- Ongoing medical treatment, physical therapy, and future medical care costs
- Lost wages and loss of future earning capacity
- Vehicle repair or replacement costs
- Pain and suffering
- Emotional distress
- Loss of consortium (for injured person’s spouse or domestic partner)
- Punitive damages in cases involving drunk driving or gross negligence, under California Civil Code § 3294
Frequently Asked Questions
How long do I have to file a car accident claim in California?
You have two years from the date of the accident to file a personal injury lawsuit in California (CCP § 335.1). However, if a government-owned vehicle caused your accident — a city bus, county vehicle, or police car — you must file a government tort claim within six months. Do not wait; contact us immediately after your accident to protect your rights.
How long do I have to file a car accident lawsuit in Los Angeles?
Under California Code of Civil Procedure § 335.1, you have two years from the date of the accident to file a personal injury lawsuit. If a government entity is involved — such as a city-owned vehicle or an accident caused by a dangerous road condition maintained by a public agency — you must submit a government tort claim within six months of the incident under Government Code § 911.2. Missing either deadline generally bars your claim permanently. Contact an attorney as early as possible. Evidence, witness memories, and surveillance footage are lost quickly after a crash.
What if the at-fault driver has no insurance or not enough insurance?
California requires uninsured motorist (UM) coverage on every auto policy unless the insured explicitly rejects it in writing. If the at-fault driver is uninsured, your own UM coverage becomes the primary source of compensation. If their policy exists but is too low to cover your actual damages, your underinsured motorist (UIM) coverage may apply. Our attorneys regularly pursue UM/UIM claims and handle the coverage disputes that arise when insurers attempt to apply policy exclusions or deny claims.
How is fault determined in a California car accident?
Fault is established through the totality of the evidence: the police accident report, witness statements, photographs, physical evidence at the scene, traffic camera and dashcam footage, and expert accident reconstruction when liability is disputed. Because California uses a pure comparative fault rule, fault can be apportioned among multiple drivers. Our attorneys conduct an immediate, thorough investigation to build the clearest possible record of how the accident occurred and who bears legal responsibility.
Should I accept the insurance company’s settlement after a car accident?
No. Initial settlement offers from auto insurers are almost always far below the true value of your injuries. Once you sign a release, you cannot seek additional compensation — even if your injuries worsen. Always consult with a Los Angeles car accident attorney before accepting any offer. Our consultation is completely free.
Serving Los Angeles Car Accident Victims — Free Consultation
The personal injury Law Offices of Mann & Elias is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Call (323) 857-9500 for a free, no-obligation consultation. We serve clients throughout Los Angeles County, including Downtown Los Angeles, Hollywood, the San Fernando Valley, the Westside, East Los Angeles, and the South Bay. There is no fee unless we win your case.
Related Practice Areas & Locations
- Personal Injury Hub
- Drunk Driving Accident
- Bicycle Accident
- Beverly Hills Personal Injury Lawyer
- Downtown Los Angeles Personal Injury Lawyer
- Santa Monica Personal Injury Lawyer
Injured in Los Angeles? Don’t wait. Contact the Law Offices of Mann & Elias at (323) 301-3219 for a free, no-obligation case evaluation. Available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
