$36.0M
Recovery for a pedestrian who suffered a traumatic brain injury after being struck by a vehicle.
Personal Injury
What to Do After a Car Accident in California
Not sure what to do after a car accident? Wilshire Law Firm — an award-winning, nationally recognized team — guides you through the steps that protect your health and your claim. Contact us 24/7 for a free case review with a legal professional — there are no fees unless you get paid.
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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.
Take six steps to protect your health and your legal rights after a crash: (1) ensure safety first by moving to a safe location and checking everyone for injuries; (2) call 911 so police create an accident report and medical help is dispatched; (3) document the scene with photos of the vehicles, road conditions, and any visible injuries; (4) exchange names, contact details, insurance information, and license plate numbers; (5) seek medical attention even if you feel fine, because some injuries surface later; and (6) consult a legal professional before giving any recorded statement to an insurer. If you need help now, our attorneys are available 24/7.
Yes — you should generally call the police after any California crash involving injury, death, or significant property damage. Officers document the scene and create an official accident report that can become key evidence for your claim. Under California law, drivers are also generally required to report a crash to the DMV within 10 days when it causes injury, death, or property damage over $1,000. When in doubt, report it and let a legal professional review the details.
Getting evaluated promptly protects both your health and your claim, even when you feel okay. Adrenaline can mask injuries like whiplash, concussions, and internal trauma that only appear hours or days later. A medical record created soon after the crash also links your injuries directly to the accident, which helps counter an insurer's argument that your injuries were pre-existing or unrelated.
Wilshire Law Firm is an award-winning, nationally recognized team that reviews your case, explains your legal options, and advocates for you at every stage. Our California-licensed attorneys handle all communication with the insurance companies, investigate how the crash happened, and pursue compensation for your medical bills, lost wages, and pain and suffering. There are no fees unless you get paid. If your crash was caused by a drunk driver, our Los Angeles drunk driving accident lawyers can help.
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.
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Past results do not guarantee similar outcomes. Each case is unique and evaluated on its own facts.
What Is the Most Important Thing to Do After a Car Accident in California?
The single most important thing to do after a car accident is get medical attention and create a documented record of what happened. Prioritize safety and health first, then call 911, photograph the scene, and exchange information with the other driver. Before you speak with any insurer, contact Wilshire Law Firm for a free case review — California's statute of limitations generally gives you two years to file a personal injury claim (California Code of Civil Procedure §335.1), and preserving evidence early makes a real difference.
Start Your Free Automobile Accident Case Review
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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.
In general, California drivers must report a crash involving injury, death, or significant property damage — to law enforcement at the scene and to the DMV within a set number of days. Failing to report can create problems for your claim and your license. The exact reporting thresholds and deadlines should be confirmed by an attorney.
Adrenaline can mask injuries like whiplash, concussions, and internal trauma that may not surface for hours or days, so a prompt medical evaluation protects your health. It also creates a medical record linking your injuries to the crash, which supports your claim. Delaying care can give an insurer a reason to dispute your injuries.
If it is safe, photograph the vehicles, the roadway, and any visible injuries, get the other driver's insurance details, and collect names for witnesses. On LA's busy freeways like the I-405, nearby traffic and dashboard cameras may also have captured the crash, so noting locations can help. An attorney can move quickly to preserve that footage.
Most injury claims must be filed within two years of the crash under Cal. Code Civ. Proc. § 335.1, with three years for property damage. If a government vehicle or roadway was involved, a six-month government-claim deadline can apply first. Confirm your deadline promptly, since exceptions exist. If a distracted driver injured you, our Los Angeles distracted driving accident lawyers can help.