California Motoring Laws

California’s complex car accident laws are hard to grasp as a survivor. This is why you must contact a top car accident lawyer immediately. We can confidentially discuss information about your accident. We help clients appraise their cases during a free initial consultation at our California law offices.

• Seat belt defense

Not wearing your safety belt during a road accident can wipe out your pain and suffering damages. All passengers 16 years of age must wear a safety belt.

Auto Accident Reporting Rules

Although police aren’t always obligated to create police reports for every crash, you have a legal duty to report your collision. After colliding, you must stop, render aid, and provide papers, including their insurance information and driver’s license numbers, when road conditions are safe for validation purposes.

Reporting Car Accident Injuries To The DMV

You must file cases of death, injuries, or damage worth over a sum certain within ten days according to California Vehicle Code (CVC) §16000. The best lawyers will handle these items for clients with injuries.

• Accident Report to Law Enforcement?

CVC §20008 requires vehicle operators in crashes, including hit and run accidents, to make a written police report about the crash to the Highway Patrol or local precinct if the police car fails to appear and document the other driver’s negligence. Any injuries or fatalities must be reported within 24 hours of the crash. Our firm offers this service free of charge to new clients.

Your bodily injury deadline requires you and survivors to sue someone within two years from the crash date. Exceptions may apply to shorten or lengthen this two-year time.

Car wreck survivors have three years to file a lawsuit for damaged property. But unfortunately, suing the government shortens the period. (usually six months). You can trust our auto accident lawyer to determine everything on your behalf.

• Open fracture femur breaks, broken ankles, skull or pelvis cracks
• Mild and major post-traumatic stress disorder (‘PTSD’)
• Wrongful death
• Missing digit: nose, ear, fingertip, or foot amputation
• Deflation injury/collapsed lung
• Open cuts, scars, and wounds
• Facet Joint Syndrome
• Edema swelling joints
• Hairline fractures
• Whiplash/cervical lordosis
• Migraines
• Friction Burns
• Scrapes or cuts
• Cracked ribs
• Aching Joints
• Slipped disk
• Bruising
• Scratches
• Bleeding
• Head Injuries, including traumatic brain injuries.

California’s insurance law system is tort-based, meaning if you cause a road accident and the insurer refuses liability on your behalf, a lawsuit can be lodged against you.

• It is not in your best interest to give anyone a recorded statement or admit distracted driving, etc.
• All you have to do is provide personal information at the crash site.

The adjuster isn’t concerned about how the accident happened and looking for a way to blame you. If you did not buy enough insurance protection, you must pay out of pocket.

Our experienced Industry car accident attorney will hold those responsible legally liable for their portion of the fault.

The insurance code law requires the insurance company to present customers the option to buy or reject/waive uninsured motorist (UM) and underinsured motorist (UIM) coverage at the time of purchase.

When the at-fault driver fails to carry insurance, your UM coverage kicks in. UIM motorist coverage helps cover the difference between the driver’s more minor policy and the actual damages of car accident survivors. Another smart option is Underinsured Motorist Property Damage (UMPD). UMPD covers your items when a person with low coverage strikes your car up to your policy limits. (This collision insurance may cover dents, etc.)

When an unidentified driver flees the crash scene illegally, UM, UIM, UMPD can be tendered as our Industry auto accident attorney argues with your provider.

• Purchasing Other Forms of Car Insurance. California state insurance laws represent a floor when it comes to buying coverage.

You can amend your policy to secure medical payments coverage (Med-Pay), liability insurance, comprehensive coverage (Comp), and to add theft protection. Our firm’s Industry auto accident attorney can help negotiate a fair and reasonable victim’s recovery after suffering serious injuries.