California Personal Injury Lawyer
Life can change in an instant. One moment you’re going about your day, and the next you’re dealing with serious injuries, mounting medical bills, lost income, and uncertainty about your future. If you’ve been injured in California due to someone else’s negligence, recklessness, or intentional actions, you’re facing challenges that extend far beyond your physical injuries.
At Eddington Law, our California personal injury attorneys understand what you’re going through. We’ve spent decades helping accident victims navigate the complex legal system, fight back against powerful insurance companies, and recover the compensation they need to rebuild their lives. We know that behind every case is a real person—someone’s parent, spouse, child, or friend—whose life has been turned upside down through no fault of their own.
We’re here to help you find your way forward. With compassionate guidance, aggressive advocacy, and a proven track record of results, we fight to protect your rights and secure the maximum compensation available under California law.
Understanding Personal Injury Law in California
Personal injury law exists to provide a legal remedy when one person’s wrongful conduct causes harm to another. In California, if you’ve been injured due to someone else’s negligence, you have the right to seek compensation for your losses through a personal injury claim or lawsuit.
What Constitutes Negligence in California?
To succeed in a California personal injury case, you must typically prove four elements of negligence:
Duty of Care: The responsible party owed you a legal duty to act reasonably and avoid causing harm. For example, all drivers owe other road users a duty to drive safely and follow traffic laws.
Breach of Duty: The responsible party violated that duty through action or inaction. This might include running a red light, texting while driving, failing to maintain safe property conditions, or providing substandard medical care.
Causation: The breach of duty directly caused your injuries. There must be a clear connection between the negligent conduct and the harm you suffered.
Damages: You suffered actual losses as a result, such as medical expenses, lost wages, pain and suffering, or property damage.
California follows a “pure comparative negligence” system, meaning you can recover compensation even if you were partially at fault for the accident. However, your recovery will be reduced by your percentage of fault. For example, if you’re found 20% at fault and your total damages are $100,000, you can recover $80,000.
Statute of Limitations in California
California law strictly limits how long you have to file a personal injury lawsuit. Generally, you have two years from the date of injury to file your claim. However, some exceptions apply:
- Claims against government entities: You typically have only six months to file a claim with the appropriate government agency before pursuing a lawsuit.
- Discovery rule: In cases where injuries weren’t immediately apparent, the clock may start when you discovered or should have discovered the injury.
- Minors: The statute of limitations may be tolled (paused) for individuals under age 18.
- Medical malpractice: Different deadlines may apply depending on when the negligence was discovered.
Missing these deadlines typically means losing your right to compensation forever. That’s why it’s crucial to contact an experienced California personal injury attorney as soon as possible after your accident.
Types of Personal Injury Cases We Handle in California
At Eddington Law, we represent clients injured in all types of accidents throughout California. Our experience spans virtually every type of personal injury case, including:
Motor Vehicle Accidents
California’s roads and highways see thousands of serious accidents each year. We handle:
- Car accidents: Rear-end collisions, intersection crashes, head-on collisions, and multi-vehicle pileups.
- Truck accidents: Collisions involving 18-wheelers, delivery trucks, and commercial vehicles.
- Motorcycle accidents: Crashes that often result in catastrophic injuries for riders.
- Bicycle accidents: Cases involving cyclists struck by vehicles or injured due to dangerous road conditions.
- Pedestrian accidents: Accidents in crosswalks, parking lots, or on sidewalks.
- Rideshare accidents: Uber and Lyft accidents with complex insurance coverage issues.
Premises Liability
Property owners have a duty to maintain reasonably safe conditions. We represent victims of:
- Slip and fall accidents
- Trip and fall accidents
- Inadequate security leading to assaults or attacks
- Swimming pool accidents
- Elevator and escalator accidents
- Falling merchandise or fixtures
- Negligent maintenance
- Dog bites and animal attacks
Wrongful Death
When negligence causes a fatal accident, surviving family members may be entitled to compensation for their devastating loss. We handle wrongful death claims arising from all types of accidents.
Product Liability
Manufacturers, distributors, and retailers can be held liable for injuries caused by defective products, including dangerous pharmaceuticals, faulty medical devices, defective vehicles, and unsafe consumer products.
Medical Malpractice
Healthcare providers who deviate from accepted medical standards of care can be held accountable for resulting injuries, including surgical errors, misdiagnosis, medication errors, and birth injuries.
Workplace Accidents
While workers’ compensation typically covers workplace injuries, third-party liability claims may be available when someone other than your employer caused your injuries.
Catastrophic Injuries
We have extensive experience handling cases involving life-altering injuries:
- Traumatic brain injuries (TBI)
- Spinal cord injuries and paralysis
- Severe burn injuries
- Amputation or loss of limb
- Multiple fractures and broken bones
- Internal organ damage
- Disfigurement and scarring
No matter how you were injured, if someone else’s negligence was to blame, we can help you pursue the compensation you deserve.
Compensation Available in California Personal Injury Cases
California law allows injured victims to recover various types of damages designed to make them “whole” again—compensating for both economic losses and the intangible ways the injury has impacted their lives.
Economic Damages
These are quantifiable financial losses with specific dollar amounts:
Medical Expenses: Past and future costs of treatment, including emergency care, hospitalization, surgery, medication, physical therapy, assistive devices, and ongoing care needs. California law allows recovery for all reasonably necessary medical treatment.
Lost Wages: Income you’ve already lost due to missing work during recovery, including wages, salary, commissions, bonuses, and self-employment income.
Lost Earning Capacity: If your injuries prevent you from returning to your previous occupation or reduce your ability to earn income in the future, you can recover compensation for this diminished earning potential.
Property Damage: Repair or replacement costs for damaged vehicles, personal belongings, or other property.
Household Services: Compensation for tasks you can no longer perform yourself, such as cleaning, yard work, or home maintenance.
Non-Economic Damages
These compensate for subjective, intangible losses:
Pain and Suffering: Physical pain, discomfort, and ongoing symptoms resulting from your injuries.
Emotional Distress: Anxiety, depression, PTSD, fear, and psychological trauma caused by the accident and its aftermath.
Loss of Enjoyment of Life: Inability to participate in activities, hobbies, and daily pleasures you enjoyed before the injury.
Loss of Consortium: Compensation to spouses for loss of companionship, affection, and intimacy.
Disfigurement: Permanent scarring or physical changes affecting your appearance and self-esteem.
California does not cap non-economic damages in most personal injury cases, though caps apply to medical malpractice claims.
Punitive Damages
In cases involving particularly egregious conduct—such as drunk driving or intentional harm—California courts may award punitive damages designed to punish the wrongdoer and deter similar behavior. These damages are awarded in addition to compensatory damages.
The total value of your claim depends on many factors: the severity of your injuries, the clarity of liability, your age and occupation, the impact on your daily life, the strength of the evidence, and the available insurance coverage. Our experienced attorneys thoroughly evaluate every aspect of your case to maximize your recovery.
Why Insurance Companies Don't Have Your Best Interests at Heart
After an accident, you’ll likely be contacted by insurance adjusters who seem friendly, helpful, and concerned about your wellbeing. Don’t be fooled. Insurance companies are for-profit businesses that make money by collecting premiums and minimizing payouts. Every dollar they pay you is a dollar that doesn’t go to their shareholders.
Common Insurance Company Tactics
Insurance adjusters use well-practiced strategies to reduce or deny your claim:
Quick Settlement Offers: They may offer a fast settlement before you fully understand the extent of your injuries or know the true value of your claim. Once you accept and sign a release, you typically cannot pursue additional compensation—even if your injuries turn out to be far more serious than initially apparent.
Requesting Recorded Statements: Adjusters will ask you to give recorded statements about the accident. Your words can be taken out of context, twisted, or used against you to minimize your claim or deny it entirely.
Disputing Medical Treatment: Insurance companies often claim your treatment was unnecessary, excessive, or unrelated to the accident. They may pressure you to see their doctors who are incentivized to minimize your injuries.
Blaming You: Even in cases where liability seems clear, insurers will look for any way to shift blame to you, reducing their payout under California’s comparative negligence rules.
Delaying the Process: Insurers may drag out the claims process, hoping you’ll become desperate for money and accept a lowball offer just to get something.
Surveillance: Insurance companies sometimes hire investigators to follow injured victims, looking for any activity that might contradict your injury claims—even if it’s taken completely out of context.
This is why you need an experienced California personal injury attorney on your side. We know these tactics, we’ve dealt with them thousands of times, and we know how to counter them effectively.
What to Do After an Accident in California
The steps you take immediately after an accident can significantly impact your ability to recover compensation. Here’s what you should do:
Seek Medical Attention Immediately
Your health comes first. Even if you don’t think you’re seriously hurt, see a doctor right away. Some injuries, like internal bleeding, concussions, or soft tissue damage, may not produce immediate symptoms but can be life-threatening. Delaying medical care also gives insurance companies ammunition to claim you weren’t really injured.
Report the Accident
For motor vehicle accidents, call law enforcement and obtain a police report. For other accidents, report the incident to the property owner, manager, or appropriate authority. Make sure there’s an official record of what happened.
Document Everything
If you’re able:
- Take photos of the accident scene, your injuries, property damage, and anything that contributed to the accident
- Get contact information from witnesses
- Write down everything you remember about the accident while it’s fresh in your memory
- Keep all medical records, bills, and receipts
- Track missed work days and other losses
Preserve Evidence
Don’t repair or dispose of damaged property. Don’t wash or discard torn or bloody clothing. Preserve anything that might serve as evidence.
Be Careful What You Say
Don’t apologize or admit fault at the accident scene. Don’t post about your accident on social media. Don’t give recorded statements to insurance companies without first consulting an attorney. Anything you say can be used to reduce or deny your claim.
Contact an Experienced California Personal Injury Lawyer
The sooner you have legal representation, the better. An attorney can protect your rights from day one, handle communications with insurance companies, preserve critical evidence, and build the strongest possible case on your behalf.
How Eddington Law Approaches California Personal Injury Cases
When you choose Eddington Law to represent you, you’re not just hiring an attorney—you’re gaining a dedicated advocate who will fight for your rights every step of the way. Here’s what sets us apart:
Thorough Investigation
We don’t take the insurance company’s version of events at face value. We conduct our own comprehensive investigation:
- Visiting the accident scene
- Interviewing witnesses
- Consulting with accident reconstruction experts
- Reviewing police reports, medical records, and other documentation
- Obtaining surveillance footage or other evidence
- Working with medical experts to understand the full extent of your injuries
Accurate Case Valuation
Insurance companies hope you don’t know what your case is truly worth. We do. Drawing on decades of experience and thorough analysis of your specific circumstances, we accurately calculate the full value of your claim—including future costs you may not have considered.
Aggressive Negotiation
Most personal injury cases settle before trial, but that doesn’t mean we accept the first offer. We negotiate aggressively with insurance companies, using our reputation, experience, and evidence to secure maximum compensation. Insurance adjusters know we’re willing to go to trial if they won’t make a fair offer, and that knowledge gives us leverage at the negotiating table.
Trial-Ready Approach
While we work hard to settle cases favorably, we prepare every case as if it’s going to trial. This preparation strengthens our negotiating position and ensures we’re ready if litigation becomes necessary. When we do go to court, we have the experience and skill to effectively present your case to a jury.
Compassionate Client Service
We understand you’re going through one of the most difficult times of your life. We treat you with the respect, compassion, and personal attention you deserve. We’ll keep you informed throughout the process, answer your questions promptly, and make ourselves available when you need us.
No Fees Unless We Win
We handle all personal injury cases on a contingency fee basis. You pay nothing upfront, and we only get paid if we successfully recover compensation for you. This arrangement ensures that quality legal representation is accessible regardless of your financial situation, and it aligns our interests with yours—we succeed only when you succeed.
California-Specific Legal Considerations
California has unique laws and regulations that can impact your personal injury case. Our in-depth knowledge of California law helps us navigate these complexities:
Pure Comparative Negligence
California’s pure comparative negligence rule means you can recover damages even if you were 99% at fault—though your recovery is reduced by your fault percentage. This differs from many states and requires strategic handling to minimize your assigned fault.
Joint and Several Liability
When multiple parties share responsibility for your injuries, California’s joint and several liability rules determine how damages are allocated. Understanding these rules is crucial for maximizing recovery when several defendants are involved.
Government Immunity Exceptions
Claims against government entities (cities, counties, state agencies) require strict compliance with special procedures and shortened deadlines. We have extensive experience navigating these complex government claim requirements.
Insurance Requirements
California requires minimum liability insurance, but many drivers carry only these minimums—which may not cover your damages in serious accidents. We know how to identify all available insurance coverage, including underinsured motorist policies.
Proposition 213 Limitations
If you were uninsured at the time of an accident, Proposition 213 may limit your ability to recover non-economic damages. We can help you understand how this might affect your case.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long do I have to file a personal injury claim in California?
Generally, you have two years from the date of injury to file a lawsuit. However, claims against government entities have much shorter deadlines—often just six months. Don’t wait—contact us immediately to protect your rights.
What if I can’t afford a lawyer?
You can afford us. We work on contingency, meaning we charge no upfront fees and only get paid if we win your case. Initial consultations are always free.
How much is my case worth?
Every case is unique. The value depends on your specific injuries, medical expenses, lost income, impact on your life, and other factors. We’ll provide an honest evaluation during your free consultation.
Should I accept the insurance company’s settlement offer?
Never accept a settlement without first consulting an experienced attorney. Initial offers are almost always far below what your case is actually worth. Insurance companies count on injured victims not knowing better.
What if the accident was partially my fault?
You can still recover compensation under California’s comparative negligence rule. Your recovery will be reduced by your percentage of fault, but you’re not barred from recovery even if you were partly to blame.
How long will my case take?
Every case is different. Some settle in a few months, while complex cases involving severe injuries may take longer. We work as efficiently as possible while ensuring you receive full compensation—we never rush settlement just to close a file.
Do I have to go to court?
Most personal injury cases settle before trial. However, if the insurance company won’t make a fair offer, we’re fully prepared to take your case to court and present it to a jury.
What if the person who hit me doesn’t have insurance?
You may be able to recover through your own uninsured motorist coverage. We’ll explore all available options for compensation.
Can I still work with my own doctor?
Yes. You have the right to choose your own healthcare providers. Insurance companies may pressure you to see their doctors, but you’re not obligated to do so.
Why Choose Eddington Law for Your California Personal Injury Case?
When you’re injured, choosing the right attorney can make all the difference in the outcome of your case. Here’s why California accident victims trust Eddington Law:
Experience That Delivers Results: We’ve spent decades representing personal injury victims and recovering millions of dollars in compensation. We know what it takes to win.
Personalized Attention: You’re not just a case number to us. We take the time to understand your unique situation and tailor our approach to your specific needs.
Resources to Take On Anyone: We have the financial resources and professional network to take on large insurance companies, corporations, and well-funded defendants. We’re not intimidated by powerful opponents.
Proven Track Record: Our history of successful settlements and verdicts speaks for itself. We consistently achieve excellent results for our clients.
Aggressive Advocacy: We fight relentlessly for every dollar you deserve. Insurance companies know we won’t back down, and that knowledge works in your favor.
Transparent Communication: We keep you informed every step of the way. You’ll always know what’s happening with your case and what to expect next.
Client-Focused Service: Your recovery and wellbeing are our top priorities. We handle the legal stress so you can focus on healing.
No-Risk Representation: You pay nothing unless we win. There are no upfront costs, no hidden fees, and no financial risk to you.
Contact a California Personal Injury Lawyer Today
If you’ve been injured in an accident anywhere in California, don’t face the insurance companies alone. You need experienced legal representation that will fight for your rights and the full compensation you deserve.
At Eddington Law, we’ve been standing up for injured victims for decades, and we know how to get results. We’ll handle every aspect of your case while you focus on what matters most—your recovery.
Time is critical. Evidence can disappear, witnesses’ memories fade, and strict deadlines apply. The sooner you contact us, the better we can protect your rights and build a strong case.
Your consultation is completely free and confidential. We’ll listen to your story, answer your questions, explain your legal options, and give you an honest assessment of your case. You have nothing to lose and everything to gain.
Don’t wait another day to protect your rights.
Contact Eddington Law today:
- Call us at your convenience for immediate assistance
- Visit eddington.law to learn more about our firm
- Stop by one of our offices for a face-to-face consultation
We serve personal injury victims throughout California and are ready to fight for you. Let our experience, dedication, and proven track record work for your family.
You’ve been through enough—let us handle the legal fight from here.