1. Easton & Easton, LLP
Practice Focus: Car accidents, truck accidents, motorcycle accidents, pedestrian accidents, bicycle accidents, wrongful death, product liability, premises liability
Case Types Handled: Rear-end collisions, head-on collisions, T-bone accidents, multi-vehicle pileups, hit-and-run accidents, drunk driving accidents, distracted driving accidents, catastrophic injury cases including traumatic brain injuries and spinal cord injuries
Legal Services: Insurance claim negotiation, litigation, trial representation, settlement negotiations, accident investigation, evidence gathering, medical record analysis, expert witness coordination, wrongful death claims
Background: The firm has successfully represented thousands of clients throughout the Huntington Beach area. Attorney Matt Easton has been selected as one of the Top 10 Personal Injury Attorneys Under 40 in California for 2015 by the National Association of Personal Injury Attorneys. Doug, Brian, and Matt Easton have all been selected by the National Association of Distinguished Counsel among the Nation’s Top One Percent of Attorneys each year since 2017. The firm prepares cases for trial and reaches out to juries with compelling evidence for favorable verdicts.
Location: Orange County, California (serving Huntington Beach and surrounding areas)
Contact: (714) 426-9565 | https://www.eastonlawoffices.com/
Consultation: Free consultation
2. Younglove Law Group Personal Injury & Accident Attorneys
Practice Focus: Car accidents, truck accidents, motorcycle accidents, pedestrian accidents, bicycle accidents, slip and fall accidents, wrongful death, dog bite injuries
Case Types Handled: Motor vehicle collisions, rear-end accidents, intersection crashes, rideshare accidents, hit-and-run accidents, drunk driving accidents, catastrophic injury cases
Legal Services: Insurance claim negotiation, litigation, trial representation, settlement negotiations, medical treatment coordination, property damage claims, lost wage recovery, pain and suffering claims
Background: The firm has established itself with insurance companies as vigorous advocates for clients in their pursuit of full compensation. Attorneys Phil Younglove and Brianna Younglove are known for their professionalism, compassion, and relentless approach. The firm uses technology to be more responsive than other firms and specializes in personal injury claims throughout California. The attorneys are available 24/7 and respond to client inquiries the same day.
Location: Huntington Beach, CA
Contact: (949) 691-3660 | https://ylginjury.com/
Consultation: Free case evaluation
3. Duque & Price
Practice Focus: Car accidents, truck accidents, motorcycle accidents, pedestrian accidents, workplace injuries, wrongful death, premises liability
Case Types Handled: Motor vehicle collisions, commercial truck accidents, rear-end collisions, intersection crashes, multi-vehicle accidents, catastrophic injury cases including traumatic brain injuries and spinal cord injuries
Legal Services: Insurance claim negotiation, litigation, trial representation, settlement negotiations, accident investigation, evidence collection, medical record analysis, damage documentation
Background: The firm provides thorough legal support to clients in Huntington Beach and surrounding areas. The attorneys possess in-depth knowledge and understanding of California law. The firm handles a broad range of personal injury claims including commercial truck accidents, motor vehicle collisions, workplace injuries, and wrongful death claims. The team prioritizes extensive experience, assertive advocacy, and ethical conduct.
Location: Huntington Beach, California (serving Orange County)
Contact: https://www.duquelaw.com/
Consultation: Free consultation
4. DiMarco | Araujo | Montevideo
Practice Focus: Car accidents, truck accidents, motorcycle accidents, pedestrian accidents, wrongful death, personal injury
Case Types Handled: Motor vehicle collisions, rear-end accidents, T-bone collisions, head-on collisions, drunk driving accidents, distracted driving accidents, catastrophic injury cases
Legal Services: Insurance claim negotiation, litigation, trial representation, settlement negotiations, accident investigation, evidence gathering, medical record collection, witness statements, damage calculation
Background: The firm has been serving the Orange County and Southern California communities for over 40 years. The attorneys have extensive experience proving liability in personal injury cases by demonstrating duty of care, breach of duty, causation, and damages. The firm works with a network of professionals to build proof of negligence and uses medical records, witness statements, and other data to demonstrate liability.
Location: Huntington Beach, California (serving Orange County)
Contact: https://www.damfirm.com/
Consultation: Free consultation with no obligation
5. El Dabe Ritter Trial Lawyers
Practice Focus: Car accidents, truck accidents, motorcycle accidents, pedestrian accidents, bicycle accidents, wrongful death, catastrophic injuries
Case Types Handled: Motor vehicle collisions, commercial vehicle accidents, rear-end collisions, intersection crashes, hit-and-run accidents, drunk driving accidents, catastrophic injury cases including brain injuries, spinal cord injuries, broken bones, and amputations
Legal Services: Insurance claim negotiation, litigation, trial representation, settlement negotiations, accident investigation, medical expense documentation, lost wage recovery, pain and suffering claims
Background: For over 20 years, El Dabe Ritter Trial Lawyers has fought for injury victims in Huntington Beach and across California. The firm has helped hundreds of seriously injured clients rebuild their lives after devastating accidents. Many clients come to the firm after suffering catastrophic injuries. According to the California Office of Traffic Safety, Huntington Beach experienced significant traffic accidents in 2022, and the firm is familiar with local accident patterns and insurance company tactics.
Location: Huntington Beach, California
Contact: https://www.erlawyers.com/
Consultation: Free consultation
Car Accident Laws and Regulations in California
Statute of Limitations for Personal Injury Claims: California has a two-year statute of limitations for personal injury claims arising from car accidents under California Code of Civil Procedure Section 335.1. This means you must file a lawsuit within two years from the date of the accident. For property damage claims, the statute of limitations is three years. Missing these deadlines typically results in losing your right to pursue compensation.
Government Claims: If your accident involved a government vehicle or occurred on government property, you must file an administrative claim with the appropriate government entity within six months of the accident before filing a lawsuit.
Fault vs. No-Fault Insurance State Status: California is a fault-based (tort) state for car accidents. The driver who caused the accident is financially responsible for the resulting damages. Victims can pursue compensation by filing claims against the at-fault driver’s insurance company, filing a personal injury lawsuit, or using their own insurance coverage in certain situations.
Comparative Negligence Rules: California follows a pure comparative negligence system under Civil Code Section 1714. You can recover damages even if you were partially at fault for the accident, and your recovery is reduced by your percentage of fault. Unlike modified comparative negligence states, California does not bar recovery even if you are more than 50% at fault. For example, if you are found 60% at fault and have $100,000 in damages, you would still receive $40,000.
Minimum Auto Insurance Requirements: California requires drivers to carry liability insurance with minimum coverage of $15,000 for bodily injury to one person, $30,000 for bodily injury to all persons per accident, and $5,000 for property damage (15/30/5). These are among the lowest minimum requirements in the nation, and many attorneys recommend carrying higher limits.
Uninsured/Underinsured Motorist Coverage: While not mandatory in California, uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage is recommended. Insurance companies must offer this coverage, and policyholders must sign a written rejection if they choose not to purchase it.
Damage Caps: California does not cap economic damages (medical expenses, lost wages, etc.) in personal injury cases. Non-economic damages (pain and suffering, emotional distress) are also generally uncapped in most personal injury cases. However, medical malpractice cases have a cap on non-economic damages under the Medical Injury Compensation Reform Act (MICRA).
Proposition 213: Under California’s Proposition 213, uninsured drivers cannot recover non-economic damages (pain and suffering) even if they were not at fault for the accident, with limited exceptions. Uninsured drivers can still recover economic damages.
Accident Reporting Requirements: In California, you must report any accident resulting in injury, death, or property damage exceeding $1,000 to the DMV within 10 days using Form SR-1.
Wrongful Death Claims: Wrongful death claims in California must be filed within two years of the date of death. Eligible claimants include surviving spouses, domestic partners, children, and in some cases, other dependents.
Dram Shop Liability: California generally does not hold bars and restaurants liable for serving alcohol to adults who later cause accidents. However, liability may exist for serving minors.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: What is the deadline to file a car accident lawsuit in California?
A: The statute of limitations for personal injury claims in California is two years from the date of the accident. For property damage claims, you have three years. If you are filing a claim against a government entity, you must file an administrative claim within six months before pursuing a lawsuit. Missing these deadlines typically results in losing your right to pursue compensation.
Q: How does California’s pure comparative negligence rule affect my compensation?
A: California follows a pure comparative negligence system, which allows you to recover compensation even if you were mostly at fault for the accident. Your recovery is reduced by your percentage of fault. For example, if you are found 70% at fault and have $100,000 in damages, you would still receive $30,000. This differs from modified comparative negligence states, which bar recovery if you are more than 50% at fault.
Q: What are the minimum auto insurance requirements in California?
A: California requires drivers to carry liability insurance with minimum coverage of $15,000 for bodily injury to one person, $30,000 for bodily injury per accident, and $5,000 for property damage. These minimums are relatively low and may not adequately cover damages in serious accidents. Many attorneys recommend carrying higher coverage limits and adding uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage for better protection.
Q: What happens if I am in an accident and do not have car insurance in California?
A: Under California’s Proposition 213, uninsured drivers cannot recover non-economic damages (such as pain and suffering) from other at-fault drivers, even if the other driver was entirely at fault. Uninsured drivers can still recover economic damages such as medical expenses and lost wages. Additionally, driving without insurance in California can result in fines, vehicle impoundment, and license suspension.
Q: Are there caps on damages in California car accident cases?
A: California does not cap economic damages (medical bills, lost wages, property damage) or non-economic damages (pain and suffering, emotional distress) in most car accident cases. This allows juries to award compensation based on the full extent of a victim’s injuries and losses. However, punitive damages may be subject to constitutional limitations, and medical malpractice cases have separate caps under MICRA.