Sarah Edwards is a seasoned legal writer with more than a decade of experience. Edwards has a deep understanding of advanced legal concepts and a knack for conveying complex topics in simple language. She currently resides in Southern California with her husband and two children.
Sarah Edwards
Sarah Edwards is a seasoned legal writer with more than a decade of experience. Edwards has a deep understanding of advanced legal concepts and a knack for conveying complex topics in simple language. She currently resides in Southern California with her husband and two children.
Jeffrey Johnson has written novels and movies in addition to legal analyses of eminent domain and immigration law. His experience in writing engaging fiction makes him uniquely capable of making the most dry and academic legal topics interesting (or as interesting as possible).
Reviewed
Jeffrey Johnson, J.D.
Jeffrey Johnson has written novels and movies in addition to legal analyses of eminent domain and immigration law. His experience in writing engaging fiction makes him uniquely capable of making the most dry and academic legal topics interesting (or as interesting as possible).
Editorial Note: We earn a commission from partner links on Forbes Advisor. Commissions do not affect our editors' opinions or evaluations.
With millions of cars on the road and some of the worst traffic in the country, it may only be a matter of time before you’re involved in a car accident in the city of angels. Hopefully, you can avoid this unpleasant experience, but if you do need to find a car accident lawyer in Los Angeles, this article is a great place to start.
We’ve compared hundreds of Los Angeles car accident lawyers and have found the very best. This article also tells you how to find the right car accident lawyer for you, whether it’s one of our picks or not.
Read more
Show Summary
- Best Car Accident Lawyers, Los Angeles
- Justin B. Farar
- Ilan Heimanson
- Tae-Yoon Kim
- David R. Lira
- Keith Lovendosky
- Philip Michels
- John Nojima
- Dylan Pollard
- Laura F. Sedrish
- Robert J. Stoll, Jr.
- Compare Our Top Los Angeles Car Accident Attorneys
- Car Insurance and Accident Laws in Los Angeles, California
- How To Find a Los Angeles Car Accident Lawyer
- Why Do I Need a Car Accident Lawyer in Los Angeles?
- What To Do If Someone Sues You for a Car Accident in California
- Methodology For Finding the Best Los Angeles Car Accident Lawyers
- Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) About Los Angeles Car Accident Laws
Best Car Accident Lawyers, Los Angeles
Compare Our Top Los Angeles Car Accident Attorneys
| Lawyer Name | CA Bar Association Status | Year Admitted to CA Bar | Law School Attended | LEARN MORE | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Justin B. Farar | Active | 2000 | University of Southern California Gould School of Law | View More | ||
| Ilan Heimanson | Active | 1998 | Boston University School of Law | View More | ||
| Tae-Yoon Kim | Active | 2000 | University of Minnesota Law School | View More | ||
| David R. Lira | Active | 1988 | Boston College Law School | View More | ||
| Keith Lovendosky | Active | 1980 | University of California Los Angeles (UCLA) School of Law | View More | ||
| Philip Michels | Active | 1973 | University of California Los Angeles (UCLA) School of Law | View More | ||
| John Nojima | Active | 1992 | Pepperdine University School of Law | View More | ||
| Dylan Pollard | Active | 1995 | Pepperdine University School of Law | View More | ||
| Laura F. Sedrish | Active | 1995 | University of California Los Angeles (UCLA) School of Law | View More | ||
| Robert J. Stoll, Jr | Active | 1970 | University of Southern California Gould School of Law | View More |
Other California Car Accident Lawyers
Car Insurance and Accident Laws in Los Angeles, California
California is a “fault” state for car accidents. This means that when there’s an accident, the driver who caused the accident is liable for damages. This means that when someone is harmed in a car accident, they place a claim with the insurance company of the driver who is at fault rather than with their own. They must prove the other driver was at fault.
Below is an overview of some more California car accident laws you should be aware of.
Car Insurance Requirements in Los Angeles, California
In most states, drivers are required to carry a minimum amount of car insurance in order to be able to register and drive a car. California is no exception.
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$15,000 for injury or death per person
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$30,000 for injury or death to more than one person
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$5,000 for property damage
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It’s important to keep in mind that these are the minimum requirements for each type of coverage. Having less coverage than this prevents you from being able to register your car in California and could lead to being cited for being underinsured. However, just because your insurance will only pay for $5,000 in property damage doesn’t mean you can’t be held responsible if you cause more than that amount of property damage.
When you consider that most cars on the road are worth at least $5,000, it isn’t hard to imagine needing more than the minimum coverage if you’re ever in an accident.
You should also know that these are the state’s requirements and that if you’re leasing or financing a car, your lender will almost certainly require much more coverage.
Other California Driving Laws
California has some driving laws that you may not see in other states, so if you’re visiting or living in the golden state you should be sure to review all the laws that may be new to you.
For example, California does not allow using your phone while driving at all if you’re under 18—this includes hands-free systems. If you’re over 18, you can only use hands-free systems on your phone and are prohibited from using your phone with your hands while behind the wheel.
California also requires the use of car seats more than most states. Some form of car seat is required in California for any child under four feet, nine inches tall and under eight years of age. Failure to use a car seat can result in a fine of $100 for a first offense, too.
How To Find a Los Angeles Car Accident Lawyer
Car accident lawyers fall into the category of personal injury attorneys, and Los Angeles has a lot of them, with billboards and bus ads everywhere. Because there are so many options, you should systematically approach how you interview and choose a car accident lawyer.
Here are five things to consider when choosing a car accident lawyer in Los Angeles:
Ask Friends for Referrals
Because there are so many accidents each year, there is little doubt that someone in your network of friends, family and coworkers has had an accident and needed an attorney. Ask around to get referrals and don’t hesitate to ask what they liked and disliked about the attorney.
Remember that there are a lot of lawyers to choose from, and you don’t have to take just anyone. You want the right fit for you in your time of need.
Get Car Accident Experts
Because car accident attorneys are generally personal injury attorneys, they may cover more than just car accidents. Feel free to ask about their niche and what they specialize in to make sure that they have the background and resources to address your case properly.
If the lawyer does handle other personal injury cases, ask them what percentage of their caseload is In car accidents. Though you might find a great car accident lawyer who does lots of other kinds of law, your odds are better if you find someone who handles nothing but the kind of case you’re dealing with.
Find out About Fees
Most car accident lawyers will not charge you an hourly fee to retain them. They work on contingency, which is beneficial for you in most cases. What you want to be careful about here is the amount they charge.
Los Angeles car accident lawyers generally charge between 33% and 40% of your settlement or judgment. Red flags should pop up with lawyers that charge more. Rarely will this yield higher settlements for you that are worth the extra fees.
It’s also a good idea to make sure you understand exactly how the payment will work. There can be a significant difference in what your settlement looks like if, for example, fees and costs come out of the attorney’s percentage or from the total amount before any split is calculated.
Research Their Prior Litigation Experience
Only about 5% of car accident cases go to trial. This is a small percentage, meaning that litigation experience is not always a significant consideration. However, if you were involved in a serious accident with significant injuries, you want a lawyer who can go the distance. In serious cases, you may be seeking lost wages with considerable pain and suffering damages. Not every car accident lawyer has the courtroom experience to handle big cases.
Set Clear Expectations For Communication
Many lawyers are good at selling their services but lack regular communication skills when in the middle of a case. Because a car accident case can go on for a while, especially if your injuries are lingering, you want to know what to expect by way of communication from your lawyer.
Ask how often they send updates and how. Some lawyers will communicate primarily via email. You may prefer someone who picks up the phone. Find a lawyer who communicates in the manner you prefer.
Why Do I Need a Car Accident Lawyer in Los Angeles?
Hiring car accident lawyers, whether they’re Los Angeles-based or located elsewhere in California, may seem like an unnecessary expense after a car accident. The temptation to forego any legal representation is likely to be especially strong in situations where you feel the other party is clearly at fault. However, it is oftentimes a costly mistake to abstain from legal representation.
Gathering the evidence and documentation you need to prepare a claim that adequately compensates you can take a considerable amount of time and energy. In some cases, you may even need to use the court system to obtain evidence. Your attorney can often do this much quicker than you and can do so while you focus on other matters.
Los Angeles car accident lawyers are also better equipped than most individuals to know what compensation is possible in any car wreck claim. This knowledge and insight can help you resolve your claim more swiftly and for a fairer amount than if you attempted to do so yourself.
Without a lawyer helping you negotiate and evaluate settlement offers, you could unwittingly reject a reasonable offer and risk receiving less by needlessly going to trial. Or you could accept a settlement offer that does not adequately compensate you for all the ways you have been harmed.
Beyond these benefits of attorney representation, your attorney acts as your advocate and spokesperson for insurance companies, law enforcement officers, and other parties.
Without an attorney representing you, you would be responsible for fielding phone calls and inquiries from these people and having to formulate answers that do not jeopardize your legal rights. The more complex your accident and resulting injuries, the more you benefit from a Los Angeles car accident lawyer’s assistance.
What To Do If Someone Sues You for a Car Accident in California
If you are involved in a wreck and someone believes you are to blame wholly or in part, you can find yourself facing a lawsuit. This can be unnerving, especially if you were injured in that same accident.
As upset as you might be, you should immediately consult with one or more car accident lawyers. Los Angeles accident victims who do not can find themselves having to pay for another person’s injuries and losses.
One of the first things Los Angeles car accident lawyers do in this situation is to file an answer to the claim. This legal document objects to the other party’s claim that you owe them damages and allows you and your lawyer an opportunity to investigate the facts further.
If you do not file an answer quickly, a default judgment could be entered against you. This means that the other person obtains a judgment against you in the amount they requested in their case, and you lose the ability to contest it.
California is an at-fault car accident state, so determining who was responsible for the crash and how much each person was responsible for are critical. Your attorney will review the available evidence to see how much of the accident was your fault and how much of the crash was the fault of the other party.
Armed with this knowledge, your attorney can assist you with either settling your claim or contesting it in court. If you bear some responsibility for the accident, settling the case for as little as possible may be beneficial.
Conversely, if a reasonable settlement cannot be reached or you were not responsible for the accident, Los Angeles car accident lawyers might recommend litigating your case in court.
Methodology For Finding the Best Los Angeles Car Accident Lawyers
To come up with the Best Car Accident Lawyers in Los Angeles in 2024, Forbes Advisor considered many factors. Forbes Advisor’s mathematical analysis considers and weighs the information collected to calculate a specific rating and reviews these results to find the best attorneys in a given practice area.
Within the model, we take into account factors that legal professionals and consumers value in an attorney’s qualifications. After assigning weighted scores to hundreds of data points, we narrowed the field down to our top choices based on:
- Legal experience
- Special licenses and certifications
- Ethics and bar disciplinary measures
- Legal thought leadership
- Education and employment background
- Scholarly lectures and writings
- Awards and honors
Forbes Advisor collects public data from a variety of sources, including state bar associations, court records and other published sources on the internet. This information should not be considered comprehensive, however. It might not include additional relevant information on an attorney’s legal skills and experience.
Each lawyer listed here has their own merits. Bear in mind that our list relates to these lawyers’ legal backgrounds, but does not evaluate their personalities or their knowledge of the law. One attorney may be more suitable than another for your specific legal situation.
One thing that can’t be quantified, though, is the rapport you establish with your attorney. Personality goes a long way when teaming up with an attorney, especially when going through a potentially difficult legal situation. These rankings should serve as a reference and potential starting point in your search for the right lawyer for you and your legal concerns.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) About Los Angeles Car Accident Laws
Is the person backing up always at fault in a California car accident?
California law states that a driver occupying a lane has the right of way, which means that the car in the lane and moving forward will usually not be at fault if someone backs into the lane and gets hit. There are exceptions, but generally, the car in reverse will be at fault.
How does insurance decide who is at fault in an accident?
The fault determination in a settlement is up to an insurance adjuster. The adjuster will examine the accident, review police reports and gather other evidence as needed to reach a conclusion. Though police reports or police interviews can be persuasive, the police don’t actually determine who is at fault in the accident.
What is the average settlement for a car accident in California?
Car accident cases across the United States generally settle for amounts between $14,000 and $28,000, averaging $21,000. This settlement amount can and will vary depending on the unique details of each case.
How long does an insurance company have to settle a claim in California?
In the state of California, insurance companies have 85 days total to settle a car insurance claim after it is filed. Delays may occur if you have serious injuries that linger or disputes in the claim that must be addressed. The insurance company must notify you of delays in writing.
Can I handle a car accident case in Los Angeles without a lawyer?
While you can file an insurance claim and even pursue a lawsuit for damages without assistance from car accident lawyers, Los Angeles car wrecks can be complicated. You can forfeit legal rights and unintentionally leave compensation on the table by choosing to handle your claim yourself.
You can benefit from a Los Angeles car accident lawyer’s skill and knowledge in various ways. First, your attorney can investigate your claim by reviewing the accident report, interviewing witnesses, and collecting photographs, records and other evidence. This can help determine what rights you have.
Second, if you and others are injured in Los Angeles, car accident lawyers are available to help you determine the amount of compensation to which you might be entitled. Calculating the amount of damages your claim is worth involves more than totaling your medical bills. It requires consideration of the emotional and mental impact of your crash as well, and in Los Angeles, car accident lawyers with experience can do this.
Next, your attorney can help you prepare and file your insurance claim and suit for damages. Your legal rights mean little if you do not exercise them in a timely manner. Preparing this paperwork and filing it within the statute of limitations are tasks that seasoned Los Angeles car accident lawyers can easily do on your behalf.
Finally, an attorney can help you negotiate a fair settlement for your case. They can advise you when a settlement offer is reasonable and when you should hold out for a better offer. If the other party refuses to give you a fair settlement, your attorney should be capable of presenting your case in court and seeking compensation for you there.
How much does it cost to hire a car accident lawyer in Los Angeles?
When you’re considering whether to hire car accident lawyers, Los Angeles residents are understandably concerned with cost. The average hourly rate of an attorney in California is about $300.
Before deciding that you cannot afford a lawyer and trying to handle your car accident claim yourself, you should consider how Los Angeles car accident lawyers typically bill clients.
Rather than charging an hourly fee for their services, many car accident attorneys will charge on a contingency fee basis. This means that an attorney’s receipt of fees for their services is contingent upon that lawyer obtaining compensation for you in your case. If the attorney does not recover any compensation for you, you do not owe that lawyer any fees.
Contingency fee arrangements typically call for Los Angeles car accident lawyers to receive a certain percentage of the damages they collect for you from your claim. You then receive the remainder of the damages award. The exact percentage will vary depending on the stage at which your case is resolved but generally does not exceed 40%.
For example, suppose that you receive $100,000 in damages for your claim. Your attorney charges a contingency fee of 30%. Upon receipt of your damages award, your lawyer would retain $30,000 for their fees. The remaining $70,000 would then be distributed to you. There may also be other expenses you are responsible for paying.
By working on contingency fee arrangements, Los Angeles car accident lawyers can offer their services to clients who have meritorious claims but who may lack the financial resources to pay an hourly fee. Just be certain you read the fee agreement carefully and understand how much of your compensation award your attorney will keep.
What happens if you are at fault in a car accident in Los Angeles?
California follows a pure comparative negligence rule when an injury victim is partly to blame for their accident. This rule reduces the amount of compensation the victim recovers in proportion to their degree of fault. The more responsible the victim is for the accident, the less compensation they can recover through a lawsuit.
Suppose that you were traveling five miles an hour over the speed limit when you were hit by a driver who sped through a stop light. In this situation, your ability to recover compensation will not be dramatically affected. You can still bring a claim against the other driver, and your recovery will be reduced by whatever percentage of fault you had in causing the crash.
Now, suppose that you were the one who ran the red light and crashed into a driver going the speed limit when they had a green light. In this case, you are likely to be found wholly to blame for the accident.
While you could theoretically recover compensation for any injuries you sustained even if you were 99% responsible, your recovery would be reduced by this percentage. Conversely, in this example, you would be responsible for 99% of the other party’s damages.
In any situation where you are 100% responsible for causing your accident, you are not entitled to damages from any other party. You and your insurance would pay your claim, as well as the claim of any other injured party.
