What to do when you’re hurt in the Golden State
As most populous U.S. state and the third largest by area, California has its fair share of accidents and personal injuries. Perhaps it was you who recently experienced a life-changing injury — or maybe it was a friend or family member who now needs a support system. Either way, you could use some help and guidance. If you or someone you know is exploring a personal injury lawsuit in the state of California and are looking for more information, Enjuris has answers.
California personal injury law: the basics
Accidents & injuries in California
Car accidents
View all articles- What to Know About Your California Car Accident
- Distracted Driving Car Accidents
- Dram Shop and Social Host Liability Laws
- HOV Laws: Driving in the HOV Lane
- How to Make a Claim in a Rideshare Accident
- Auto Insurance Laws and Requirements
- What to Do After a Hit & Run Accident
- What To Do If You’re Injured By a Drunk Driver
- Street Racing Accidents & Lawsuits
- California teens and car crashes
Catastrophic injuries
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Medical malpractice
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Bad faith insurance
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Landlord-tenant issues
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Premises liability
View all articles- Premises Liability Accidents in California
- California Ski and Snowmobile Accidents
- California’s “Beware of Dog” Sign Laws & Owner Liability
- Dog Bite Laws in California
- Gym and Fitness Center Accidents in California
- Slip and Fall Accidents in California
- Swimming Pool Accidents in California
- Toxic Tort Claims in California
- When Are Landlords Liable for Tenant Injuries?
Wrongful death
View all articlesNeed a lawyer?
Accident worksheets
Your First Meeting with an Attorney
A worksheet to prepare for your first meeting with a personal injury attorney – what to bring, what they'll ask
Download in PDF format
Documents & Evidence Checklist
Checklist of 30 items to help you prepare for making a personal injury or accident claim
Download in PDF format
Personal Injury Attorney Interview Sheet
Worksheet with questions to ask a personal injury attorney to help determine if he or she will be a good fit for your case
Download in PDF format
Damages/Expenses Worksheet
Damages worksheet to track expenses for your injury claim (medical treatment, property damage, lost wages, prescriptions)
Download in PDF format
Post-Accident Journal Form
Sample accident journal/diary to help you document the effect on your daily life
Download in PDF format
Accident Report Form
Sample post-accident report form to keep in your glove box - fill out at the scene or as soon as you can after a car accident
Download in PDF format
Truck accident lawsuits: everything you need to know
Crashes involving trucks with passenger cars often involve serious injuries. But from a legal perspective, they’re not as straightforward as car accidents involving two regular passenger cars. Learn how the process is different and what you need to do if you’re involved in a truck accident. Read more
More legal resources for California residents
California statutes online
This is where you’ll find the civil code of California. There is a lot of other information available on California’s website, such as the penal code, fishing and gaming code, and more, so try not to get confused. Stick with the civil code for personal injury law information on how long you have to bring a case, damage caps, and other information.
California’s car accident statutes of limitation
In California, you have two years to bring a personal injury claim, but you have three years to bring a property damage claim (e.g., damage to your car or house).
That doesn’t mean the whole lawsuit has to be completed in that time frame; that just means the paperwork must have been filed with the court.
Car accident lawsuit time limits by state
Choosing the best California attorney
The initial consultation for a personal injury attorney is usually free of charge. (Keep in mind that other legal fields, such as patent law or traffic law, are different.) After that, lawyers work on a contingency fee, which means that their office will receive a third of the eventual reward, plus office expenses.
If your case ends up going to trial, the percentage could rise to 40% of the eventual reward or judgment. These numbers aren’t set by law, so don’t be taken aback if your lawyer suggests something different.
- Choosing a personal injury attorney – interview questions
- Why might a personal injury lawyer deny my case?
- Preparing to meet with a personal injury attorney
- Negotiating lawyers fees – how do accident lawyers charge? Are there any hidden costs?
- When do you NOT need an attorney after an accident?
- Jurisdiction: Accidents that involve multiple states
Law libraries in California
There are many issues you can solve on your own, without the help of an attorney. And if you don’t know where to start, a law librarian will be available to help you. They are usually legally trained, and they can help you both with texts or online sources like LexisNexis or Westlaw.
- UC Berkeley Law Library
- UC Hastings Law Library
- UCLA Hugh & Hazel Darling Law Library
- LA Law Library
- San Francisco Law Library
- California County Public Law Libraries (a network of public libraries with many locations)
- San Diego Law Library
Basics of personal injury law
Are you or a loved one still reeling after an accident? You need real answers to help you deal with real life challenges facing your recovery. Get started here to learn about the core pillars of personal injury law and the common questions surrounding them.
Read our complete guide to finding the right injury attorney for your case. Read insights from Enjuris attorneys and lawyers across the USA on when and why you need to hire a car accident attorney. Learn more