California · Car accident · Updated
Car accident cases in California: the rules and the lawyers
The deadline to file, the fault rule and the other California rules that matter for a car accident case, each with the law it comes from. This is general information, not advice about your case.
We don’t list firms in California that take car accident cases yet.
At a glance
Checked 6 Nov 2026 · Not legal advice
Deadline to file
We don’t show California’s deadline here until we have checked it against the official text. Ask a lawyer, or each firm you call, which deadline applies to you.
If you were partly at fault
We don’t show California’s rule for shared fault here until we have checked it against the official text. If you may have been partly at fault, ask a lawyer how that affects your claim.
Firms we list
0 firms
None yet for car accident cases.
Know this first
Step 1: Your deadline to file in court
We don’t show California’s deadline here until we have checked it against the official text. Ask a lawyer, or each firm you call, which deadline applies to you.
When the clock starts, and whether an exception applies, can depend on the facts. A lawyer can tell you your exact date.
How fault is counted
Step 2: If you were partly at fault
We don’t show California’s rule for shared fault here until we have checked it against the official text. If you may have been partly at fault, ask a lawyer how that affects your claim.
Next
Step 3: What to do with this
- Write down the datesThe day you were hurt, the day treatment ended, and anything a government body or hospital sent you.
- Ask a lawyer about your factsThese rules have exceptions that depend on details. A lawyer licensed in California can tell you which ones apply.
- Ask each firmWhich deadline applies to me, does a notice need to go out, and by when?
More California rules
This page keeps to the rules that matter most for a car accident case. The California page has all of them.
Injured in California: all deadlines and rules
Other case types in California:
After a car accident: the general guide
Plain steps after a crash: stay safe, get care, keep a record, talk to insurance companies carefully, and learn your state’s deadline to file.
How to check a lawyer’s license in California
Each state keeps a public list of lawyers. Before you hire anyone, look the lawyer up by name and read what the listing says about their license. If it isn’t clear, call the office that keeps the list.
Search the State Bar of California’s list of lawyersLink checked 7 Nov 2026
How we list firms
How we list firms
We don’t rank firms. Listing is free and doesn’t depend on buying anything.
Firms are listed for free, in A–Z order, when they say they take car accident cases. Every fact shows its source and date. We don’t recommend lawyers, and we don’t pass on your details.
This is general information, not legal advice.