Car accident
Car Accident Attorneys in San Bernardino, California
The firms in this guide
- Sanford A. Kassel, A Professional Law Corporation Call Sanford A. Kassel, A Professional Law Corporation: (909) 884-6451
- William D. Shapiro Law, Inc. Call William D. Shapiro Law, Inc.: (909) 890-1000
- The Dominguez Firm Call The Dominguez Firm: (800) 818-1818
- Krasney Law Accident Attorneys
- Jacoby & Meyers
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
Insurance, Scene Duties and Fault Rules in California for San Bernardino Crashes
The amount of insurance behind the other driver, what that driver had to do at the scene, and how fault is divided are three California rules that bear directly on a San Bernardino car accident claim.
Liability Limits After January 1, 2025
Under Vehicle Code § 16056(a)(2), a policy or bond issued or renewed on or after January 1, 2025 is effective as proof of financial responsibility only with limits of at least $30,000 for bodily injury or death of one person, $60,000 for two or more people and $15,000 for property damage in one accident. Older policies were measured against $15,000, $30,000 and $5,000, and subdivision (d) raises the limits again for policies issued or renewed on or after January 1, 2035.
Stopping and Exchanging Information
Vehicle Code § 20001(a) requires a driver involved in a crash that injures or kills someone else to stop immediately and fulfill §§ 20003 and 20004. Section 20003 requires giving name, current residence address, injured occupants’ names and addresses, the vehicle registration number and the owner’s name and address to the person struck, other drivers or occupants and any officer at the scene, and rendering reasonable assistance, including arranging transport to a physician, surgeon or hospital. Leaving can be punished by state prison or county jail time and a fine of $1,000 to $10,000, with a two-, three- or four-year prison term available when the crash causes death or permanent, serious injury.
Pure Comparative Negligence
The California Supreme Court in Li v. Yellow Cab Co. (1975) superseded the all-or-nothing contributory negligence rule with pure comparative negligence, assessing liability in direct proportion to fault even when the plaintiff is equally or more at fault. For example, imagine $100,000 in damages with the injured driver 25 percent at fault: the recovery would be $75,000.
Claims Against a Public Entity
A claim for injury or death against a public entity must be presented within six months after accrual under Government Code § 911.2, and § 945.6 sets the time to sue at six months after a written rejection notice, or two years from accrual if no notice is given.
San Bernardino Car Accident Questions
Do I have to report the crash to the DMV?
Yes, under Vehicle Code § 16000(a), if the crash on a street or highway caused more than $1,000 in property damage to any one person, or any injury or death. The report is due within 10 days on the DMV’s approved form and may be made personally or through an insurance agent, broker or legal representative.
Can a driver who was drunk or uninsured recover pain and suffering?
No, with one exception. Civil Code § 3333.4 bars noneconomic damages in a motor vehicle case for an injured person convicted of driving under the influence in that accident, an injured owner whose vehicle was not insured as required, or an operator who cannot establish financial responsibility. An uninsured owner injured by a driver convicted of DUI for that accident is not barred.
Does California require every adult passenger to wear a seat belt?
Yes, for passengers 16 or older. Vehicle Code § 27315 bars operating a passenger vehicle, motortruck or truck tractor on a highway unless the driver and all passengers 16 or older are properly restrained by a safety belt, subject to the exemptions listed in the section.