$36.0M
Recovery for a pedestrian who suffered a traumatic brain injury after being struck by a vehicle.
Personal Injury
How to Hire a Car Accident Lawyer in California
Not sure how to choose the right attorney after a crash? Wilshire Law Firm — an award-winning, nationally recognized team — helps injured Californians understand what to ask and what to expect. Contact us 24/7 for a free case review with a legal professional, and remember: no fees unless you get paid.
- $3B+RECOVERED
- 7X"BEST LAW FIRM" AWARDS
- 24/7AVAILABILITY & SUPPORT
- 500+LEGAL PROFESSIONALS
Understanding Your Automobile Accident Case
Explore essential resources on your rights, your options, and what to expect — everything you need to navigate the legal process, all in one place.
Hiring a car accident lawyer generally comes down to four steps: gather your accident records, schedule free consultations, ask the right questions, and sign a written fee agreement before work begins. Most reputable firms, including Wilshire Law Firm, offer a free case review so you can understand your options before you commit — and there are no fees unless you get paid.
Look for relevant experience, clear communication, and a fee structure you understand. A strong car accident lawyer handles insurance negotiations for you, investigates fault, explains the process in plain language, and is reachable when you have questions. Wilshire Law Firm is an award-winning, nationally recognized team available 24/7 to review your crash.
Ask how the firm handles cases like yours, who will manage your case day to day, how you will be updated, and exactly how fees work. You should also ask about the firm's experience with California car accident claims and how it approaches settlement versus trial. A legal professional at Wilshire Law Firm will answer these during your free case review.
In most cases, nothing upfront. Car accident lawyers generally work on a contingency fee, which means the attorney's fee is a percentage of your recovery — so there are no fees unless you get paid. Your initial case review with a legal professional is always free. Learn more about how contingency fees work.
Generally, the sooner the better. Evidence fades, witnesses become harder to reach, and California's statute of limitations — usually two years from the date of the crash for injury claims under California Code of Civil Procedure §335.1 — limits how long you have to file. Speaking with a legal professional early helps protect your claim. For the full overview, see our California car accident lawyers page.
Meet Our Automobile Accident Attorneys
Nationally-Recognized Powerhouse, Fighting for the Justice You Deserve
Our award-winning attorneys have recovered billions for clients while taking on insurance companies and major corporations.
Colin M. Jones, Esq.Senior Partner and Senior Trial Attorney, Chair of the Personal Injury Litigation Department
Jennifer P. Burkes, Esq.Senior Partner & Strategic Advisor, Personal Injury Litigation Department
Mary Lee Caruso, Esq.Senior Partner
Ryan Casey, Esq.Senior Partner and Trial Attorney
Tae-Yoon Kim, Esq.Senior Partner
Alivia E. Abreu, Esq.Partner
Shervin G. Ghanoongooi, Esq.Partner
Christopher Goodroe, Esq.Partner
Nathan A. GuestPartner and Trial Attorney
Brian M. Jacobson, Esq.Partner
Ariella Perry, Esq.Partner$28.5M
Recovery for victims of a rear-end collision involving a commercial truck.
$14.0M
Recovery for a victim injured in a motorcycle accident.
$13.5M
Recovery for victims injured in a collision involving a commercial truck.
$11.3M
$11.0M
$10.5M
$9.1M
$8.3M
$8.0M
$7.0M
$6.0M
$5.8M
$5.0M
$5.0M
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$4.6M
$4.4M
$4.4M
$4.1M
$4.1M
$4.0M
$3.8M
$3.7M
$3.5M
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$3.1M
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$2.9M
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$2.9M
Past results do not guarantee similar outcomes. Each case is unique and evaluated on its own facts.
Do You Really Need a Lawyer to Handle a Car Accident Claim?
You are not legally required to hire a lawyer, but you generally benefit from one when injuries, disputed fault, or an uncooperative insurer are involved. A car accident lawyer investigates the crash, values your losses, and negotiates with the insurance company so you do not have to. Because California's statute of limitations applies, contact Wilshire Law Firm for a free case review before deciding on your own.
Start Your Free Automobile Accident Case Review
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No fees unless you get paid.
Record breaking results
Winners of #1 Settlements in California
Our attorneys have recovered billions of dollars, including some of the biggest settlements in California.
17#1 Settlements in California, 2022–2024*
TopVerdict #1TopVerdict.com #1 settlements
1–1 of 17
#1 Truck v. Pedestrian Accident Settlement
2024
#1 Multi-Vehicle Accident Settlement
2024
#1 Equipment Malfunction Settlement
2024
#1 Car v. Stationary Object Collision Settlement
2024
#1 Bus v. Passenger Accident Settlement
2024
#1 Whistleblower Retaliation Settlement
2023
#1 Underinsured Motorist Settlement
2023
#1 Slip & Fall Accident Settlement
2023
#1 Negligent Security Settlement
2023
#1 Ladder Accident Settlement
2023
#1 Hotel Premises Liability Settlement
2023
#1 Car v. Car Collision Settlement
2023
#1 Bicycle Accident Settlement
2023
#1 Pregnancy Discrimination Settlement
2022
#1 Age/Disability Discrimination Settlement
2022
#1 Wrongful Termination Settlement
2022
#1 Meal & Rest Breaks Settlement
2022
*#1 settlements in California have been awarded by TopVerdict.com. Past results do not guarantee similar outcomes.
Automobile Accident FAQs
Our Most Frequently Asked Questions
We've answered the most common ones below. If yours isn't here, call us — we're available 24/7.
Generally the sooner the better, because evidence fades, witnesses become harder to reach, and California's injury deadline is usually two years from the crash under Cal. Code Civ. Proc. § 335.1 — and even shorter when a government entity is involved. Early involvement lets a lawyer preserve evidence and handle insurers before mistakes happen. Confirm your specific deadline promptly, since exceptions exist.
Useful factors include experience handling crashes like yours, clear communication about who will manage your case, and a fee structure you fully understand before signing. It helps to ask how the firm investigates liability and negotiates with insurers. A written agreement should spell out costs and what happens if there is no recovery.
Consider asking how the firm handles cases similar to yours, who your main point of contact will be, how and how often you will get updates, and exactly how fees and case costs work. It is also fair to ask about the firm's experience taking cases to trial if a fair settlement cannot be reached. Clear answers help you make an informed choice.
Generally, yes — clients typically have the right to change attorneys, though how any earned fees or case costs are divided depends on your existing agreement and the work already done. Whether a switch adds any out-of-pocket cost is worth confirming before you make the change. A lawyer can explain how a transition would work in your situation.
A lawyer can quickly send preservation demands for things like traffic-camera footage, vehicle data, and the other party's records before they are lost or overwritten, and can line up witnesses while memories are fresh. Prompt action also helps counter an insurer's early attempts to shift blame. This is one reason many people consult a lawyer soon after a crash. In the meantime, our guide explains what to do after a crash to help protect your claim. If a distracted driver hit you, our Los Angeles distracted driving accident lawyers can help.