1. Easton & Easton
Practice Focus: Car accidents, bicycle accidents, motorcycle accidents, pedestrian accidents, truck accidents, wrongful death, catastrophic injuries, premises liability
Case Types Handled: Rear-end collisions, head-on collisions, T-bone accidents, multi-vehicle pileups, drunk driving accidents, distracted driving accidents, hit-and-run cases, rideshare accidents
Legal Services: Insurance claim negotiation, litigation, trial representation, settlement negotiations, medical lien resolution, property damage claims, lost wage recovery, pain and suffering claims, wrongful death claims
Background: Douglas Easton has over 25 years of experience in personal injury law. AV Preeminent rated by Martindale-Hubbell. Named to Best Lawyers list as part of the top 5% nationally. Selected to Super Lawyers multiple times. The firm achieved a $32 million bicycle accident settlement in 2024 (ranked as the number one personal injury settlement in California that year) and a $26 million settlement in 2023 (ranked in the top 10 in California). The team includes attorneys Brian, Matt, Travis, Gabe, and Mani.
Location: Garden Grove, California (Orange County)
Contact: https://www.eastonlaw.com
Consultation: Free consultation, contingency fee arrangement
2. Setareh Law Group
Practice Focus: Car accidents, truck accidents, motorcycle accidents, pedestrian accidents, bicycle accidents, rideshare accidents, dog bites, premises liability, wrongful death
Case Types Handled: Rear-end collisions, head-on collisions, T-bone accidents, multi-vehicle accidents, drunk driving accidents, distracted driving accidents, uninsured motorist claims, catastrophic injury cases
Legal Services: Insurance claim negotiation, litigation, trial representation, settlement negotiations, medical expense recovery, lost wage claims, pain and suffering damages, property damage recovery
Background: Setareh Law Group has offices throughout California including Garden Grove. The firm focuses exclusively on personal injury representation and has recovered substantial settlements for accident victims. They provide comprehensive case evaluation and work with accident reconstruction specialists and medical experts when needed.
Location: Garden Grove, California
Contact: https://www.setarehfirm.com
Consultation: Free consultation, contingency fee basis, no recovery no fee
3. Arash Law
Practice Focus: Car accidents, truck accidents, motorcycle accidents, pedestrian accidents, bicycle accidents, Uber and Lyft accidents, wrongful death, spinal cord injuries, traumatic brain injuries
Case Types Handled: Rear-end collisions, head-on collisions, T-bone accidents, multi-vehicle pileups, commercial vehicle accidents, drunk driving accidents, distracted driving accidents, hit-and-run cases
Legal Services: Insurance claim negotiation, litigation, trial representation, settlement negotiations, medical lien resolution, lost wage recovery, pain and suffering claims, punitive damage claims
Background: The firm has recovered over $500 million for personal injury clients throughout California. With offices serving Orange County including Garden Grove, they handle cases ranging from minor injuries to catastrophic accidents. The firm employs a team approach with investigators, paralegals, and experienced trial attorneys.
Location: Serving Garden Grove and Orange County, California
Contact: https://www.arashlaw.com
Consultation: Free consultation available 24/7, contingency fee arrangement
4. Callahan & Blaine
Practice Focus: Car accidents, truck accidents, product liability, medical malpractice, wrongful death, catastrophic injuries, commercial litigation
Case Types Handled: Multi-vehicle pileups, commercial vehicle accidents, catastrophic injury cases, traumatic brain injuries, spinal cord injuries, burn injuries, amputation cases
Legal Services: Insurance claim negotiation, litigation, trial representation, settlement negotiations, punitive damage claims, wrongful death representation, appellate practice
Background: With over 40 years of experience, Callahan & Blaine has established a record of significant verdicts and settlements. The firm obtained a $934 million verdict, the largest in Orange County history. They focus on complex personal injury and wrongful death cases requiring extensive litigation. The firm serves clients throughout Orange County including Garden Grove.
Location: Serving Garden Grove and Orange County, California
Contact: https://www.callahan-law.com
Consultation: Free case evaluation, contingency fee basis
5. Benji Personal Injury
Practice Focus: Car accidents, motorcycle accidents, truck accidents, pedestrian accidents, bicycle accidents, slip and fall accidents, wrongful death
Case Types Handled: Rear-end collisions, head-on collisions, T-bone accidents, drunk driving accidents, distracted driving accidents, rideshare accidents, uninsured motorist claims
Legal Services: Insurance claim negotiation, litigation, settlement negotiations, medical expense recovery, lost wage claims, pain and suffering damages, property damage claims
Background: Daniel Benji and his team focus on personal injury cases in Garden Grove and surrounding Orange County communities. The firm handles cases involving severe injuries and provides personalized attention throughout the claims process. They also sponsor the “One Step at a Time Scholarship” providing $1,000 to deserving students.
Location: Garden Grove, California
Contact: https://www.benjilaw.com
Consultation: Free consultation, contingency fee arrangement
Car Accident Laws and Regulations in California
California has specific laws that govern car accident claims and affect how victims can recover compensation.
Statute of Limitations: California Code of Civil Procedure Section 335.1 establishes a two-year statute of limitations for personal injury claims from car accidents. Property damage claims have a three-year deadline. Claims against government entities require filing a government tort claim within six months of the accident.
Comparative Negligence: California follows a pure comparative negligence system under Civil Code Section 1714. An injured party can recover damages even if they were primarily at fault. The compensation is reduced by the percentage of fault attributed to the injured party. Someone found 60% at fault can still recover 40% of their damages from other responsible parties.
Minimum Auto Insurance Requirements (2025): As of January 2025, California requires minimum liability coverage of 30/60/15 under Senate Bill 1107. This means $30,000 for bodily injury per person, $60,000 for bodily injury per accident, and $15,000 for property damage. This represents an increase from the previous 15/30/5 minimums. Uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage is now mandatory unless waived in writing.
At-Fault System: California is an at-fault (tort) state, meaning the driver who caused the accident is responsible for paying damages. Victims can file claims with the at-fault driver’s insurance company or pursue a personal injury lawsuit.
Accident Reporting Requirements: California Vehicle Code Section 16000 requires drivers to report accidents to the California Department of Motor Vehicles within 10 days if the accident resulted in injury, death, or property damage exceeding $1,000. Reports are filed using Form SR-1. Failure to report can result in license suspension.
Damage Caps: California does not cap economic or non-economic damages in most personal injury cases. Medical malpractice cases have specific caps under MICRA, but standard car accident cases do not face statutory limits on pain and suffering awards.
Dram Shop Liability: California generally does not impose liability on bars or restaurants for serving alcohol to adults who later cause drunk driving accidents. However, liability may exist for serving minors under Business and Professions Code Section 25602.1.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long do I have to file a car accident claim in California?
The statute of limitations for personal injury claims is two years from the date of the accident under California Code of Civil Procedure Section 335.1. Property damage claims have a three-year deadline. If your claim involves a government vehicle or entity, you must file a government tort claim within six months. Missing these deadlines typically bars you from pursuing compensation.
What are the new auto insurance requirements in California for 2025?
Effective January 2025, California increased minimum liability insurance requirements to 30/60/15. This means $30,000 per person for bodily injury, $60,000 per accident for bodily injury, and $15,000 for property damage. Additionally, uninsured and underinsured motorist coverage is now mandatory unless explicitly waived in writing by the policyholder.
Can I still recover damages if I was partially at fault for the accident in California?
Yes. California’s pure comparative negligence system allows you to recover compensation even if you were mostly at fault. Your damages will be reduced by your percentage of responsibility. If you were 70% at fault in an accident with $100,000 in damages, you could still recover $30,000 from the other party.
What should I do after a car accident in Garden Grove?
Call 911 if there are injuries. Move vehicles to safety if possible. Exchange insurance and contact information with other drivers. Document the scene with photographs. Obtain witness contact information. Seek medical attention even if injuries seem minor. Report the accident to the DMV within 10 days if there was injury, death, or damage over $1,000. Contact your insurance company and consider consulting a personal injury attorney before giving recorded statements.
What damages can I recover in a California car accident case?
Recoverable damages include medical expenses (past and future), lost wages and loss of earning capacity, property damage, pain and suffering, emotional distress, and loss of enjoyment of life. In cases involving drunk driving or egregious conduct, punitive damages may be available. Wrongful death claims allow surviving family members to recover funeral expenses, loss of financial support, and loss of companionship.