1. Easton & Easton, LLP
Practice Focus: Car accidents, motorcycle accidents, truck accidents, bicycle accidents, pedestrian accidents, rideshare accidents (Uber/Lyft), drunk driving accidents, distracted driving accidents, boating accidents, wrongful death from auto accidents.
Case Types Handled: Rear-end collisions, head-on collisions, T-bone accidents, multi-vehicle pileups, catastrophic injury cases, spinal cord injuries, traumatic brain injuries, burn injuries, neck and back injuries, commercial vehicle accidents.
Legal Services: Insurance claim negotiation, litigation, trial representation, settlement negotiations, medical expense recovery, lost income claims, pain and suffering claims, property damage claims, wrongful death claims, contingency fee representation.
Background: Easton & Easton has over 100 years of combined legal experience in California personal injury law. The firm has recovered more than $100 million in compensation for clients in the past five years alone. W. Douglas Easton has held the AV Preeminent rating from Martindale-Hubbell for over 30 years, the highest possible rating for ethical standards and legal ability. Doug, Brian, Matt, Travis, Gabe, and Mani Easton have each been selected to Best Lawyers for Plaintiff’s Personal Injury Litigation. Doug, Brian, and Matt Easton have been selected by Super Lawyers, an honor given to less than 5% of attorneys. The firm secured a $32 million settlement selected as the #1 Bicycle Accident Settlement in California in 2024 by TopVerdict.com and a $26 million settlement selected as a Top 10 Personal Injury Settlement in California in 2023. Brian, Matt, and Travis Easton have earned lifetime appointment to the Multi-Million Dollar Advocates Forum. The firm was selected as Best Law Firm in Orange County by OC Register voters each year since 2022.
Location: 650 Town Center Drive, Suite 1850, Costa Mesa, CA 92626
Contact: (714) 850-4590 | https://www.eastonlawoffices.com/
Consultation: Free consultation available, contingency fee basis (no fees unless recovery is obtained).
2. DiMarco | Araujo | Montevideo
Practice Focus: Car accidents, truck accidents, motorcycle accidents, bicycle accidents, pedestrian accidents, wrongful death, burn injuries, workers’ compensation, construction accidents, clergy sexual abuse cases.
Case Types Handled: Rear-end collisions, head-on collisions, T-bone accidents, multi-vehicle pileups, commercial truck accidents, DUI accidents, distracted driving accidents, uninsured motorist claims, catastrophic injury cases, spinal cord injuries, traumatic brain injuries.
Legal Services: Insurance claim negotiation, litigation, trial representation, settlement negotiations, demand letter preparation, medical expense documentation, lost wage recovery, pain and suffering claims, property damage claims, wrongful death claims, subrogation dispute resolution.
Background: DiMarco | Araujo | Montevideo has been assisting the Orange County and Southern California communities for over 40 years. The firm has extensive experience handling complex injury claims throughout California with more than 30 years of combined legal expertise. They have obtained many multimillion-dollar settlements and jury verdicts on behalf of clients. The firm takes a client-centered approach, taking time to understand each client’s particular goals and needs. Their attorneys work with accident reconstruction specialists, medical experts, and economic experts to properly calculate total expected losses.
Location: 1324 N. Broadway, Santa Ana, CA 92706
Contact: (714) 783-2205 | https://www.damfirm.com/
Consultation: Free consultation available, contingency fee basis (clients pay no upfront or out-of-pocket costs).
3. Hicks Law Firm
Practice Focus: Car accidents, motorcycle accidents, trucking accidents, bicycle accidents, pedestrian accidents, rideshare accidents (Uber/Lyft), dog bites, premises liability, product liability, wrongful death, uninsured/underinsured motorist claims.
Case Types Handled: Rear-end collisions, head-on collisions, T-bone accidents, multi-vehicle pileups, commercial vehicle accidents, DUI accidents, distracted driving accidents, intersection collisions, highway accidents, catastrophic injury cases.
Legal Services: Insurance claim negotiation, litigation, trial representation, settlement negotiations, evidence collection and preservation, accident investigation, expert witness coordination, medical treatment coordination, lost wage recovery, pain and suffering claims.
Background: Aaron Hicks is the founder and principal attorney at Hicks Law Firm. He has been recognized by Super Lawyers and Best Lawyers, has been awarded AV Preeminent rating by Martindale-Hubbell, and is the 2025 President of the Orange County Trial Lawyers Association. Mr. Hicks has extensive experience in all types of car accident claims in California. The firm has built a long list of settlements and jury awards helping car accident clients recover compensation. The firm handles cases throughout Orange County with a focus on client communication and personalized representation.
Location: 765 The City Drive South, Suite 120, Orange, CA 92868
Contact: (949) 541-9944 | Toll Free: (866) 445-2752 | https://www.hickslawfirm.com/
Consultation: Free consultation available, contingency fee basis.
4. Harris Personal Injury Lawyers
Practice Focus: Car accidents, motorcycle accidents, truck accidents, bicycle accidents, pedestrian accidents, rideshare accidents, train accidents, bus accidents, boat accidents, dog bites, brain injuries, slip and fall accidents, wrongful death.
Case Types Handled: Rear-end collisions, head-on collisions, T-bone accidents, multi-vehicle pileups, commercial vehicle accidents, public transit accidents, tour bus accidents, catastrophic injury cases, spinal cord injuries, traumatic brain injuries, burn trauma.
Legal Services: Insurance claim negotiation, litigation, trial representation, settlement negotiations, immediate accident investigation, eyewitness interviews, expert witness consultation, medical expense recovery, lost income claims, pain and suffering claims, wrongful death claims.
Background: Harris Personal Injury Lawyers has resolved more than 5,000 personal injury and wrongful death claims, resulting in more than $300 million in financial awards for clients. The firm has over $1 billion in total results. The firm maintains offices throughout California including Orange County, Los Angeles, San Diego, and the Bay Area. Their attorneys conduct immediate investigations to preserve evidence and consult with medical, economic, and other experts when calculating damages. The firm identifies all liable parties to maximize potential recovery sources.
Location: 1524 Brookhollow Dr, Suite 260, Santa Ana, CA 92705 (serving Anaheim)
Contact: 1-800-GO-HARRIS (1-800-464-2774) | (213) 228-3558 | https://harrispersonalinjury.com/
Consultation: Free case review available, home and hospital visits available for injured clients.
5. Bentley & More LLP
Practice Focus: Car accidents, motorcycle accidents, truck accidents, pedestrian accidents, spinal cord injuries, brain injuries, catastrophic injuries, product liability, wrongful death.
Case Types Handled: Rear-end collisions, head-on collisions, T-bone accidents, multi-vehicle pileups, commercial trucking accidents, rideshare accidents, catastrophic injury cases, spinal cord injuries, traumatic brain injuries, broken bone injuries.
Legal Services: Insurance claim negotiation, litigation, trial representation, settlement negotiations, medical expense recovery, lost income and earning capacity claims, pain and suffering claims, future care cost projections, property damage claims, wrongful death claims.
Background: Bentley & More, LLP has decades of legal experience handling personal injury cases across California and the nation. The firm has secured significant recoveries including a $67 million judgment for a brain injury caused by a negligent contractor, a $30 million settlement for brain injury and other injuries caused by a negligent trucking company, and a $31.5 million verdict for catastrophic brain and spinal cord injuries. Their attorneys have been featured in the Wall Street Journal, Buzzfeed News, The Dr. Oz Show, and the LA Times. The firm handles cases involving corporations, government entities, and individual tortfeasors throughout the United States.
Location: Serving Anaheim, California (Orange County)
Contact: https://www.bentleymore.com/
Consultation: Free consultation available.
Car Accident Laws and Regulations in California
Statute of Limitations: California Code of Civil Procedure Section 335.1 establishes a two-year statute of limitations for personal injury claims arising from car accidents. The clock begins running from the date the injury occurs or from the date the injured person discovers (or reasonably should have discovered) the harm caused by negligence. For property damage claims, California allows three years under Code of Civil Procedure Section 338.
Fault vs. No-Fault Status: California operates as an at-fault (tort) state for auto insurance purposes. This means the driver who caused the accident is responsible for paying damages to injured parties. Victims may file claims against the at-fault driver’s insurance, file claims with their own insurance, or pursue a personal injury lawsuit directly against the at-fault party.
Comparative Negligence Rules: California follows a pure comparative negligence system under Civil Code Section 1714 and Civil Code Section 1431.2. Under this rule, an injured party can recover damages even if they are partially at fault for the accident. The recovery amount is reduced by the percentage of fault attributed to the plaintiff. For example, if a plaintiff is found 30% at fault, they may still recover 70% of their total damages. There is no threshold that bars recovery entirely, meaning even a plaintiff found 99% at fault may recover 1% of their damages.
Minimum Auto Insurance Requirements: As of January 1, 2025, California requires the following minimum liability coverage pursuant to Senate Bill 1107: $30,000 for bodily injury or death of one person, $60,000 for bodily injury or death of more than one person, and $15,000 for property damage per accident (30/60/15). Previously, the minimums were 15/30/5. California also requires drivers to carry proof of financial responsibility.
Uninsured/Underinsured Motorist Coverage: Uninsured motorist (UM) and underinsured motorist (UIM) coverage is not mandatory in California but must be offered by insurers. Drivers may reject this coverage in writing. If a driver is injured by an uninsured or underinsured motorist, UM/UIM coverage can help pay for medical expenses and other damages.
Proposition 213 Restrictions: Under California Civil Code Section 3333.4 (Proposition 213), uninsured drivers who are injured in accidents generally cannot recover non-economic damages (such as pain and suffering) even if the other driver was at fault. Uninsured drivers may still recover economic damages such as medical bills and lost wages. This law was enacted to discourage driving without insurance.
Damage Caps: California does not impose caps on non-economic damages (pain and suffering) in most personal injury cases, including car accidents. However, medical malpractice cases are subject to caps under the Medical Injury Compensation Reform Act (MICRA), as amended by Proposition 35 in 2022, which raised the cap to $350,000 for non-medical malpractice claims and $750,000 for death or catastrophic injury cases, with annual increases. Punitive damages in California are not capped by statute but are subject to constitutional due process limitations.
Dram Shop Liability: California Business and Professions Code Section 25602.1 provides limited dram shop liability. Social hosts and establishments are generally not liable for injuries caused by intoxicated patrons. However, an exception exists for furnishing alcohol to obviously intoxicated minors, which can create civil liability.
Vicarious Liability for Vehicle Owners: California Vehicle Code Section 17150 establishes permissive use liability, meaning vehicle owners may be held liable for accidents caused by someone driving their vehicle with permission. However, this liability is limited to $15,000 per person and $30,000 per accident for bodily injury, and $5,000 for property damage under Vehicle Code Section 17151.
Rental Car and Rideshare Liability: Rental car companies in California are generally not vicariously liable for accidents involving their vehicles under the Graves Amendment (49 U.S.C. Section 30106). For rideshare accidents involving Uber or Lyft, the transportation network company maintains $1 million in liability coverage when the driver is engaged in a ride. Coverage varies during other periods of app use.
Reporting Requirements: California Vehicle Code Section 16000 (the SR-1 form requirement) mandates that drivers involved in accidents resulting in injury, death, or property damage exceeding $1,000 must report the accident to the Department of Motor Vehicles within 10 days.
Bad Faith Insurance Claims: California allows policyholders to bring bad faith claims against insurers who unreasonably delay, deny, or undervalue legitimate claims. Under California Civil Code Section 790.03 and the Unfair Insurance Practices Act, insurers owe a duty of good faith and fair dealing to their insureds.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: How long do I have to file a car accident lawsuit in California?
A: In California, you have two years from the date of injury to file a personal injury lawsuit under Code of Civil Procedure Section 335.1. If you are filing a claim for property damage only, you have three years under Section 338. However, insurance claims should be filed much sooner, as most policies require prompt notification. If you are filing a claim against a government entity (such as for accidents on state highways or involving government vehicles), you must file a government tort claim within six months of the accident under the California Government Claims Act.
Q: How does California’s pure comparative negligence rule affect my recovery?
A: California’s pure comparative negligence system allows you to recover damages even if you were partially at fault for the accident. Your recovery is simply reduced by your percentage of fault. For example, if your damages total $100,000 and you are found 25% responsible for causing the accident, you would receive $75,000. Unlike some states that bar recovery if you are 50% or more at fault, California has no such threshold. Even if you are found 90% at fault, you can still recover 10% of your damages from other liable parties.
Q: What if I was driving without insurance at the time of my accident in California?
A: Under Proposition 213 (California Civil Code Section 3333.4), if you were driving without valid liability insurance at the time of your accident, you cannot recover non-economic damages such as pain and suffering, even if the other driver was completely at fault. You may still recover economic damages including medical bills, lost wages, and property damage. There are limited exceptions, such as if the at-fault driver was convicted of DUI. This law serves as a significant penalty for driving uninsured in California.
Q: What is the process for filing a claim against a city or county vehicle in Anaheim?
A: If your accident involved a government vehicle or occurred due to a dangerous road condition maintained by a government entity, you must follow California Government Claims Act procedures. You must file a written administrative claim with the appropriate government entity (city, county, or state) within six months of the accident. The claim form must include specific information about the incident, injuries, and damages. The government entity then has 45 days to respond. If the claim is denied or not responded to within the statutory period, you may then file a lawsuit in court. Failure to file the administrative claim within six months typically bars your ability to sue the government entity.
Q: How do Orange County courts handle car accident personal injury lawsuits?
A: Car accident personal injury cases in Anaheim are filed in the Orange County Superior Court. The Central Justice Center is located at 700 Civic Center Drive West in Santa Ana. Cases proceed through several stages including filing of the complaint, discovery (exchange of evidence, depositions, interrogatories), mandatory settlement conferences, and potentially trial. Orange County courts use case management procedures to move cases toward resolution. Many cases settle during the discovery phase or at mandatory settlement conferences. California law allows jury trials for personal injury cases, and Orange County juries hear these matters at the Central Justice Center. Alternative dispute resolution methods such as mediation and arbitration are also commonly used to resolve cases before trial.