1. Sanford A. Kassel, A Professional Law Corporation
Practice Focus: Car accidents, truck accidents, motorcycle accidents, pedestrian accidents, wrongful death, medical malpractice, defective products
Case Types Handled: Rear-end collisions, head-on collisions, T-bone accidents, multi-vehicle pileups, drunk driving accidents, distracted driving accidents, commercial vehicle accidents, uninsured motorist claims, catastrophic injury cases
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, Kaiser arbitration
Background: Three generations of San Bernardino trial attorneys have practiced at the firm for over 50 years combined. The firm has tried hundreds of cases to trial or mediation with a high success rate. Attorneys Sanford A. Kassel, Gavin Kassel, and Brian Kassel handle complex personal injury and medical malpractice matters. The firm has been featured in major media outlets including CNET for employment discrimination cases.
Location: 509 West 4th Street, San Bernardino, CA 92401
Contact: (909) 884-6451 | https://www.skassellaw.com/
Consultation: Free consultation, contingency fee arrangement (no fee unless recovery is obtained)
2. William D. Shapiro Law, Inc.
Practice Focus: Car accidents, truck accidents, motorcycle accidents, pedestrian accidents, premises liability, wrongful death, catastrophic injuries
Case Types Handled: Rear-end collisions, head-on collisions, T-bone accidents, multi-vehicle pileups, drunk driving accidents, distracted driving accidents, commercial vehicle accidents, traumatic brain injuries, spinal cord injuries, burn injuries
Legal Services: Insurance claim negotiation, litigation, trial representation, settlement negotiations, accident reconstruction, medical expense recovery, property damage claims, lost wage recovery, pain and suffering claims, wrongful death claims
Background: Attorneys William D. Shapiro and Brian D. Shapiro have over 40 years of combined experience and have recovered hundreds of millions of dollars for injury victims and their families. Many attorneys throughout Southern California refer their most complex personal injury matters to the firm. The attorneys collaborate with medical teams, accident reconstruction experts, and police officials to evaluate the full extent of damages.
Location: San Bernardino, CA (Inland Empire)
Contact: (909) 890-1000 | https://wshapiro.com/
Consultation: Free consultation, contingency fee arrangement
3. The Dominguez Firm
Practice Focus: Car accidents, truck accidents, motorcycle accidents, pedestrian accidents, bicycle accidents, rideshare accidents, wrongful death
Case Types Handled: Rear-end collisions, head-on collisions, T-bone accidents, multi-vehicle pileups, drunk driving accidents, distracted driving accidents, commercial vehicle accidents, catastrophic injuries, spinal cord injuries, traumatic brain injuries
Legal Services: Insurance claim negotiation, litigation, trial representation, settlement negotiations, medical expense recovery, property damage claims, lost wage recovery, pain and suffering claims, wrongful death claims, underinsured motorist claims
Background: The firm has been successfully helping car accident victims for over 30 years and has recovered more than $1 billion for clients throughout Los Angeles and the Inland Empire. The Dominguez Firm is a full-service personal injury law firm with trial attorneys recognized for outstanding customer service. The firm does not farm out complex cases to other law firms and has the resources to take on insurance companies directly. The firm has achieved a 96% success rate and has been recognized for outstanding client service.
Location: 473 E. Carnegie Drive, Suite 230, San Bernardino, CA 92408
Contact: (800) 818-1818 | (909) 500-3177 | https://dominguezfirm.com/
Consultation: Free consultation, contingency fee arrangement
4. Krasney Law Accident Attorneys
Practice Focus: Car accidents, truck accidents, motorcycle accidents, pedestrian accidents, dog bites, wrongful death, catastrophic injuries
Case Types Handled: Rear-end collisions, head-on collisions, T-bone accidents, multi-vehicle pileups, drunk driving accidents, distracted driving accidents, commercial vehicle accidents, slip and fall injuries, premises liability
Legal Services: Insurance claim negotiation, litigation, trial representation, settlement negotiations, medical expense recovery, property damage claims, lost wage recovery, pain and suffering claims, wrongful death claims
Background: The firm has been practicing law since 1987 and has grown significantly over the years. Krasney Law maintains a personal, direct one-on-one working relationship with clients rather than handing cases off to other attorneys. The firm operates as a full-service California personal injury law firm with locations in San Bernardino, Ontario, and Riverside, practicing statewide.
Location: San Bernardino, CA (with additional offices in Ontario and Riverside)
Contact: Contact via website | https://krasneylaw.net/
Consultation: Free consultation, contingency fee arrangement
5. Jacoby & Meyers
Practice Focus: Car accidents, truck accidents, motorcycle accidents, pedestrian accidents, bicycle accidents, wrongful death, catastrophic injuries
Case Types Handled: Rear-end collisions, head-on collisions, T-bone accidents, multi-vehicle pileups, drunk driving accidents, distracted driving accidents, commercial vehicle accidents, soft tissue injuries, nerve damage, traumatic brain injuries, spinal cord injuries
Legal Services: Insurance claim negotiation, litigation, trial representation, settlement negotiations, medical expense recovery, property damage claims, lost wage recovery, pain and suffering claims, wrongful death claims, medical specialist referrals
Background: Jacoby & Meyers has been helping seriously injured individuals since 1972 with over 50 years of service. The firm has recovered over $2 billion for clients and holds an AVVO 10.0 rating. The San Bernardino attorneys understand the specific challenges of practicing in the Inland Empire and have extensive experience with local insurance adjusters and court procedures.
Location: San Bernardino, CA (Inland Empire)
Contact: Contact via website | https://www.jacobyandmeyers.com/
Consultation: Free consultation, contingency fee arrangement
Car Accident Laws and Regulations in California
Statute of Limitations for Personal Injury Claims: California Civil Code Section 335.1 provides a two-year statute of limitations for personal injury claims arising from car accidents. The deadline generally begins on the date of the accident. If the injury was not discovered immediately, the statute may begin from the date the injury was discovered or reasonably should have been discovered. Missing this deadline results in permanent loss of the right to pursue compensation.
Statute of Limitations for Property Damage Claims: Property damage claims in California have a three-year statute of limitations under California Code of Civil Procedure Section 338.
Fault vs. No-Fault Insurance Status: California is a fault-based (at-fault/tort) state, not a no-fault state. The driver who caused the accident is financially responsible for the injuries and damages. Victims may file claims directly against the at-fault driver’s insurance company or pursue a lawsuit in civil court.
Comparative Negligence Rules: California follows a pure comparative negligence rule. Under this system, an injured party can recover damages even if they are found to be 99% at fault for the accident. However, their compensation is reduced by their percentage of fault. For example, if you are found 30% at fault and your damages total $100,000, you would recover $70,000.
Minimum Auto Insurance Requirements: California requires the following minimum liability coverage: $15,000 for injury or death to one person, $30,000 for injury or death to more than one person, and $5,000 for property damage. These are among the lowest minimums in the nation, and many drivers carry only these minimum amounts, which may be insufficient for serious accidents.
Uninsured/Underinsured Motorist Coverage: California insurers must offer uninsured motorist (UM) and underinsured motorist (UIM) coverage, though drivers may reject it in writing. Given the high rate of uninsured drivers in California, this coverage is strongly recommended.
Personal Injury Protection (PIP): California does not require PIP coverage as it is a fault-based state. However, drivers may purchase medical payments (MedPay) coverage as an optional add-on.
Damage Caps: California does not impose caps on compensatory damages (economic or non-economic) in standard car accident cases. Medical malpractice cases have separate caps under MICRA (Medical Injury Compensation Reform Act), which was updated in 2022 to increase the caps.
Dram Shop Liability: California has limited dram shop liability. Under California Business and Professions Code Section 25602, establishments that serve alcohol are generally not liable for injuries caused by intoxicated patrons. However, liability may apply when alcohol is served to obviously intoxicated minors.
Vicarious Liability Rules: Vehicle owners may be held liable for accidents caused by permissive users of their vehicles, though liability is generally limited to the state’s minimum insurance requirements under certain circumstances.
Rideshare Accident Liability: Rideshare companies like Uber and Lyft must maintain specific insurance coverage. When the app is on awaiting a ride request, coverage of $50,000/$100,000/$30,000 applies. When a ride is accepted or a passenger is in the vehicle, $1,000,000 in liability coverage applies.
Accident Reporting Requirements: California Vehicle Code Section 20008 requires drivers to report accidents to the DMV within 10 days if the accident resulted in injury, death, or property damage exceeding $1,000.
Wrongful Death: Wrongful death claims in California must generally be filed within two years of the death. Eligible claimants include the surviving spouse, domestic partner, children, and in some cases, other dependents or heirs.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: What is the deadline for filing a car accident lawsuit in California?
A: California law provides a two-year statute of limitations for personal injury lawsuits arising from car accidents under California Civil Code Section 335.1. This means you must file your lawsuit within two years from the date of the accident. For property damage claims, the deadline extends to three years. If you were a minor at the time of the accident, the two-year period typically begins when you turn 18. Missing these deadlines generally results in permanent loss of your right to pursue compensation through the court system, regardless of how clear the other driver’s fault may be.
Q: How does California’s pure comparative negligence rule affect my car accident claim?
A: California’s pure comparative negligence rule means you can recover compensation even if you were partially at fault for the accident. Your recovery is reduced by your percentage of fault. For example, if the total damages are $100,000 and you are found 25% responsible for the accident, you would recover $75,000. Unlike Virginia and a few other states that follow contributory negligence (where any fault bars recovery), California allows recovery even if you are 99% at fault. However, insurance companies and defense attorneys will still try to maximize your share of fault to reduce what they must pay.
Q: What should I do immediately after a car accident in San Bernardino?
A: First, check for injuries and call 911 if anyone needs medical attention. Move to a safe location if possible. Exchange information with the other driver including name, insurance information, and contact details. Take photographs of the accident scene, vehicle damage, injuries, and any relevant road conditions. Obtain contact information from witnesses. Request a copy of the police report from the law enforcement agency that responded. Seek medical attention even if you feel fine, as some injuries like traumatic brain injuries or soft tissue damage may not present symptoms immediately. Notify your insurance company about the accident. Contact a San Bernardino car accident attorney before providing recorded statements to the other driver’s insurance company.
Q: What types of compensation can I recover in a California car accident case?
A: California allows recovery of both economic and non-economic damages. Economic damages include medical expenses (past, present, and future), lost wages, loss of earning capacity, property damage, rental car costs, and other out-of-pocket expenses. Non-economic damages include pain and suffering, emotional distress, loss of enjoyment of life, and loss of consortium. Unlike some states, California does not cap non-economic damages in standard car accident cases. In cases involving particularly egregious conduct, punitive damages may also be available to punish the defendant and deter similar behavior.
Q: Should I accept the insurance company’s first settlement offer after my San Bernardino car accident?
A: Insurance companies typically make initial settlement offers that are significantly lower than the true value of claims. These early offers often do not account for future medical treatment, long-term effects of injuries, or full non-economic damages. Once you accept a settlement, you release all future claims and cannot seek additional compensation even if your injuries prove more serious than initially thought. According to Stanislaus County civil court data, over 90% of personal injury cases settle before trial, and victims with legal representation tend to recover three to five times more compensation than those without attorneys. An experienced San Bernardino personal injury attorney can evaluate whether an offer fairly compensates you for all damages.