California car accidents remain one of the most common causes of serious injury for families living in and around Beverly Hills. A sudden collision on Wilshire Boulevard, Santa Monica Boulevard, or the surrounding freeways can lead to significant medical bills, lost income, and a long recovery, often while insurance companies work to minimize what they pay. As a personal injury case type, a car accident claim in California follows specific rules that can affect how much compensation you ultimately recover.
Setareh Law has recovered over $400 million for injured clients throughout California, with attorneys who bring more than 60 years of combined experience to every car accident case. Our team, which includes Spanish speaking staff (se habla español), works on a contingency fee basis, so you owe nothing unless we recover compensation for you. Learn more about our attorneys and firm history on our firm profile page, including founding attorney Daniel Setareh.
Time Is Limited to File Your California Car Accident Claim
California law generally gives you two years from the date of your accident to file a personal injury lawsuit, as outlined by the California Courts Self-Help Center. Missing this window can permanently bar your right to recover compensation.
Setareh Law has recovered over $400 million for injured clients, brings more than 60 years of combined attorney experience to every case, and never charges a fee unless we win.
How California Car Accident Claims Work
California follows a pure comparative negligence rule, meaning you may still recover compensation even if you share some fault for the crash. Your total award is simply reduced by your percentage of responsibility, so a driver found 20 percent at fault could still recover 80 percent of their damages. To succeed on a claim, you generally need to establish four legal elements.
Duty of Care
Every driver must operate their vehicle reasonably and follow traffic laws to avoid harming others.
Breach of Duty
A driver breaches this duty by acting negligently, such as running a red light or texting while driving.
Causation
The breach must be shown to have directly caused the collision and your resulting injuries.
Damages
You must have suffered actual losses, such as medical bills, lost wages, or pain and suffering.
The table below shows how comparative fault can affect a hypothetical settlement of $100,000 in total damages.
| Percentage of Fault Assigned to You | Total Damages | Compensation You May Recover |
|---|---|---|
| 0 percent | $100,000 | $100,000 |
| 20 percent | $100,000 | $80,000 |
| 50 percent | $100,000 | $50,000 |
You generally have two years from the date of the crash to file a personal injury lawsuit in California, though claims against a government entity often require written notice within six months. Acting quickly helps preserve evidence and protects your right to recover compensation.
Types of Auto Accidents We Handle
Car accidents happen in many forms, and the right legal strategy often depends on how the crash occurred. Setareh Law has experience with the following case types.
- Rear-End Collisions, which often cause neck and back injuries even at low speeds.
- Head-On Collisions, among the most severe types of crashes due to combined impact force.
- SUV Rollovers, which can result from sharp turns, tire failure, or top heavy vehicle design.
- Hit and Run Accidents, where the at-fault driver flees before exchanging information.
- Uninsured Motorist Accidents, which may require a claim against your own policy.
- Drunk Driving Accidents, which may support a claim for punitive damages in some cases.
- Rideshare Accidents, involving Uber, Lyft, or other on demand driving services.
- Fatal Accidents, which surviving family members may pursue through a wrongful death claim.
If your accident does not fit neatly into one of these categories, Setareh Law can still help you evaluate your legal options.
Common Causes of Car Accidents in Beverly Hills
Understanding how a crash happened can help identify who may be responsible for your injuries. Some of the most frequent causes we see in car accident claims include the following.
- Distracted driving, including cell phone use and other in-vehicle distractions.
- Speeding and reckless driving, which reduce a driver’s ability to react to changing road conditions.
- Driving while fatigued, which can slow reaction times similarly to alcohol impairment.
- Tailgating and following too closely, a common cause of rear-end collisions in heavy traffic.
- Failing to yield the right of way at intersections and crosswalks.
Beverly Hills also sees a high volume of tourist and rideshare traffic along Rodeo Drive and Wilshire Boulevard, which can increase the risk of pedestrian and multi-vehicle collisions in that area. Once you leave the scene of an accident, California law generally requires you to report the crash to the DMV within ten days if it involved injury, death, or significant property damage.
Injuries and Compensation Available After a Car Accident
Car accidents can cause a wide range of injuries, from whiplash and broken bones to spinal cord injuries and traumatic brain injuries. Some injuries, including internal injuries, may not present symptoms right away, which is why prompt medical care matters even if you feel fine after the crash.
| Damage Category | What It May Cover |
|---|---|
| Medical Expenses | Emergency care, surgery, physical therapy, and future treatment |
| Lost Wages | Income lost during recovery and reduced future earning capacity |
| Property Damage | Repair or replacement costs for your vehicle and personal property |
| Pain and Suffering | Physical pain, emotional distress, and loss of enjoyment of life |
| Punitive Damages | Additional damages that may be available in cases involving extreme recklessness |
Insurance companies often use early settlement offers, requests for recorded statements, and delayed communication as tactics to reduce what they pay. An attorney can help you avoid these pitfalls and pursue the full value of your claim.
How Setareh Law Approaches Your Case
When you work with Setareh Law, our attorneys begin by investigating the crash, gathering police reports, medical records, and witness statements to build a strong foundation for your claim. We handle direct communication with insurance adjusters so you are not pressured into an early settlement that undervalues your losses.
In one auto versus pedestrian case, our attorneys secured a $900,000 recovery for an injured client after a thorough investigation into the at-fault driver’s conduct. Results vary by case, and past outcomes do not guarantee a similar result in your matter, but they may reflect the level of preparation our team brings to every car accident claim. You can review additional outcomes on our case results page.
Setareh Law operates from seven office locations across California and can arrange home or hospital visits for clients who are unable to travel. Every car accident case is handled on a contingency fee basis, so you pay nothing unless we recover compensation on your behalf.
What to Do After a Car Accident in Beverly Hills
The steps you take immediately following a crash can affect both your health and your legal claim. Consider the following actions.
1. Check for Injuries and Call 911
Confirm everyone’s safety first and request police and medical response if needed.
2. Document the Scene
Take photos of vehicle damage, road conditions, and any visible injuries.
3. Collect Witness Information
Names and contact details for witnesses can support your claim later.
4. Seek Medical Attention
Some injuries may not be immediately apparent, so a prompt exam creates a medical record.
5. Notify Your Insurance Company
Report the accident promptly, but avoid giving a detailed statement before speaking with an attorney.
6. Speak With Setareh Law
A free consultation can help you understand your options before talking further with insurers.
Avoid discussing fault at the scene, and be cautious about posting details of the accident on social media, since insurance companies may use these statements against you later.
Frequently Asked Questions About Car Accidents in California
Below are answers to some of the questions we hear most often from car accident clients in the Beverly Hills area.
Speak With a Beverly Hills Car Accident Attorney Today
Setareh Law has recovered over $400 million for injured clients throughout California and brings more than 60 years of combined attorney experience to every car accident case, backed by more than 900 five-star Google reviews. Our team can meet with you at one of our seven office locations, or arrange a home or hospital visit if travel is difficult after your accident.
If you were injured in a car accident in Beverly Hills or anywhere in California, fill out our contact form to schedule a free, no obligation case evaluation. Se habla español, and there is no fee unless we win your case.
