1. The Shirvanian Law Firm
Practice Focus: Car accidents, truck accidents, motorcycle accidents, bicycle accidents, pedestrian accidents, rideshare accidents, wrongful death, catastrophic injuries
Case Types Handled: Rear-end collisions, T-bone accidents, head-on collisions, multi-vehicle accidents, hit-and-run cases, uninsured motorist claims, drunk driving accidents, distracted driving accidents
Legal Services: Insurance claim negotiation, litigation, trial representation, settlement negotiations, medical lien coordination, property damage claims, lost wage recovery, pain and suffering claims, wrongful death claims
Background: Narbeh Shirvanian is the managing attorney with over 15 years of experience. California State Bar Number: 263169. Licensed in all California state courts and the U.S. District Court for the Central District of California. J.D. from Southwestern Law School (2008). Named a Rising Star by Super Lawyers Magazine for three consecutive years. Named a Top Attorney in Los Angeles (2014, 2015, 2016). Member of the Los Angeles County Bar Association and the Beverly Hills Bar Association. Former insurance defense attorney, providing insight into insurance company tactics. The firm has recovered over $250,000,000 for clients.
Location: 100 W. Broadway, Suite 760, Glendale, CA 91210
Contact: (866) 410-2396 | https://www.shirvanianlawfirm.com/
Consultation: Free case evaluation, contingency fee basis (no fee unless recovery), 24/7 availability, Spanish and Armenian speaking representatives available
2. Aghabegian Law Group, P.C.
Practice Focus: Car accidents, truck accidents, motorcycle accidents, pedestrian accidents, premises liability, product liability, workplace injuries, wrongful death
Case Types Handled: Rear-end collisions, intersection accidents, freeway accidents, multi-vehicle pileups, catastrophic injury cases, spinal cord injuries, traumatic brain injuries, soft tissue injuries
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: The firm has been serving clients since 1998 with a focus on personal injury cases throughout Los Angeles and the San Fernando Valley. The attorneys have extensive experience handling cases from minor injuries to catastrophic accidents. The firm maintains a strong track record of successful outcomes for clients.
Location: Glendale, California (serves Los Angeles County and San Fernando Valley)
Contact: (818) 507-4311 | https://www.aaesqlaw.com/
Consultation: Free consultation, contingency fee basis (no fee unless recovery)
3. Big Ben Lawyers
Practice Focus: Car accidents, truck accidents, motorcycle accidents, rideshare accidents, pedestrian accidents, wrongful death, catastrophic injuries
Case Types Handled: Rear-end collisions, T-bone accidents, multi-vehicle accidents, commercial truck accidents, hit-and-run cases, spinal cord injuries, traumatic brain injuries, paralysis cases
Legal Services: Insurance claim negotiation, litigation, trial representation, settlement negotiations, total loss claims, property damage claims, lost wage recovery, pain and suffering claims, wrongful death claims
Background: The firm has extensive experience handling personal injury cases and has recovered millions of dollars for clients, including a settlement close to six million dollars in a trucking accident case resulting in paralysis. The attorneys focus exclusively on personal injury litigation representing plaintiffs.
Location: 144 N Glendale Ave., Suite 250, Glendale, CA 91206
Contact: (818) 423-4878 | https://www.bigbenlawyers.com/
Consultation: Free case review, contingency fee basis
4. Tahmazian Law Firm, P.C.
Practice Focus: Car accidents, truck accidents, motorcycle accidents, pedestrian accidents, bicycle accidents, rideshare accidents, wrongful death
Case Types Handled: Rear-end collisions, intersection accidents, freeway accidents, drunk driving accidents, distracted driving accidents, defective auto parts accidents, dangerous road conditions
Legal Services: Insurance claim negotiation, litigation, trial representation, settlement negotiations, property damage claims, lost wage recovery, pain and suffering claims, wrongful death claims, product liability claims
Background: The firm serves clients throughout Southern California from its Glendale office, including Los Angeles, Burbank, North Hollywood, Pasadena, Ventura County, Riverside County, Orange County, and Los Angeles County. The attorneys understand the devastating effects of car accidents on victims and families.
Location: 1518 W Glenoaks Blvd., Glendale, CA 91201
Contact: (818) 242-8201 | https://www.tahmazianlaw.com/
Consultation: Free consultation available
5. Aratta Law Firm
Practice Focus: Car accidents, truck accidents, motorcycle accidents, bicycle accidents, rideshare accidents, pedestrian accidents, traumatic brain injuries, catastrophic injuries
Case Types Handled: Rear-end collisions, T-bone accidents, TMJ injuries, intersection accidents, rideshare accidents, multi-vehicle accidents
Legal Services: Insurance claim negotiation, litigation, trial representation, settlement negotiations, uninsured/underinsured motorist claims, property damage claims, lost wage recovery, pain and suffering claims
Background: Led by attorney Art Oganesian, an experienced litigator. The firm is dedicated to representing clients in personal injury law and has received recognition including Super Lawyers selection and membership in prestigious legal organizations. The attorneys emphasize meticulous preparation and measured action for each case.
Location: Glendale, California
Contact: Contact through website | https://arattalegal.com/
Consultation: Free consultation available
Car Accident Laws and Regulations in California
Statute of Limitations for Personal Injury Claims: Two years from the date of the accident under California Code of Civil Procedure Section 335.1. Missing this deadline typically bars recovery. Claims against government entities require filing a notice of claim within six months.
Statute of Limitations for Property Damage Claims: Three years from the date of the accident.
Fault vs. No-Fault Status: California is an at-fault (tort) state. The driver determined to be responsible for causing the accident is liable for paying damages to injured parties, typically through their liability insurance.
Comparative Negligence Rules: California follows a pure comparative negligence rule. An injured party can recover damages regardless of their percentage of fault, but the recovery is reduced by their percentage of responsibility. For example, if damages are $100,000 and the injured party is 30% at fault, they can recover $70,000. Unlike modified comparative negligence states, there is no threshold that bars recovery entirely.
Minimum Auto Insurance Requirements (Effective January 1, 2025): California increased its minimum requirements under Senate Bill 1107 to 30/60/15 coverage, which includes $30,000 for bodily injury per person, $60,000 for total bodily injury per accident, and $15,000 for property damage per accident. Previous minimums were 15/30/5.
Uninsured/Underinsured Motorist Coverage: As of 2025, UM/UIM coverage is now mandatory in California. Drivers can only waive this coverage by submitting written acknowledgment to their insurer. This coverage protects against drivers with no insurance or insufficient coverage.
Damage Caps: California does not impose caps on economic or non-economic damages in personal injury cases arising from car accidents. However, drivers without insurance cannot recover non-economic damages regardless of fault.
Dram Shop Liability: California has limited dram shop liability. Social hosts and establishments are generally not liable for serving alcohol to adults who later cause accidents, but they can be held liable for serving minors.
Accident Reporting Requirements: Drivers involved in accidents resulting in injury, death, or property damage exceeding $1,000 must report to the California DMV within 10 days using Form SR-1. Accidents involving injury or death should also be reported to local law enforcement within 24 hours.
Hit-and-Run Laws: Leaving the scene of an accident is a criminal offense in California with severe penalties including fines and imprisonment.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: What are the new California minimum car insurance requirements effective in 2025?
A: Effective January 1, 2025, California increased its minimum liability insurance requirements under Senate Bill 1107. The new minimums are 30/60/15 coverage, which means $30,000 for bodily injury to one person, $60,000 for total bodily injury to multiple persons per accident, and $15,000 for property damage. This is a significant increase from the previous 15/30/5 requirements. Additionally, uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage is now mandatory, though drivers can waive it with written acknowledgment to their insurer.
Q: How does California’s pure comparative negligence rule affect my claim?
A: Under California’s pure comparative negligence rule, you can recover damages even if you were partially at fault for the accident, regardless of your percentage of fault. However, your compensation will be reduced by your percentage of responsibility. For example, if you were found 40% at fault and your total damages were $100,000, you would receive $60,000. Unlike some states that bar recovery if you are more than 50% at fault, California allows recovery even if you were 90% responsible, though you would only recover 10% of damages.
Q: How long do I have to file a car accident lawsuit in California?
A: In California, the statute of limitations for personal injury claims is two years from the date of the accident. For property damage claims, you have three years. If you are filing against a government entity, you must file a notice of claim within six months of the accident. Missing these deadlines typically results in losing your right to seek compensation through the courts. Some exceptions may apply, such as when the injured party is a minor or when injuries were not immediately discoverable.
Q: What should I do immediately after a car accident in Glendale?
A: First, check for injuries and call 911 if anyone is hurt. Do not leave the scene. Exchange insurance and contact information with other drivers. Document the scene by taking photographs of vehicle damage, road conditions, traffic signals, and any visible injuries. Obtain contact information from witnesses. Report the accident to law enforcement, especially if there are injuries. Within 10 days, report the accident to the California DMV if there was injury, death, or property damage over $1,000 using Form SR-1. Seek medical attention promptly. Notify your insurance company and consider consulting with a personal injury attorney before providing recorded statements.
Q: Can I still recover damages if I was hit by an uninsured driver in California?
A: Yes, you have several options. As of 2025, uninsured/underinsured motorist (UM/UIM) coverage is mandatory in California unless you specifically waived it in writing. If you have UM/UIM coverage, you can file a claim with your own insurance company for your injuries and damages. The UM/UIM policy can cover the shortfall when the at-fault driver has no insurance or insufficient coverage. Any amount paid by the at-fault driver’s insurer is typically offset from your UM/UIM recovery. You may also pursue a lawsuit directly against the uninsured driver, though collecting from someone without insurance may be difficult.