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When you may be able to handle it yourself
If nobody was hurt, fault is clear and the other driver’s insurer is paying for repairs and a rental, many people finish the claim on their own. Keep the repair estimate, photos and the claim number, and get everything the adjuster promises in writing. For a crash like that, read what to do after a minor car accident.
Even then, watch for two things. Pain sometimes shows up days later, so do not sign a release that covers injuries until you know you are fine. And California drivers must report a crash to the DMV on form SR-1 within 10 days when anyone was hurt or property damage is over $1,000, whether or not they were at fault.
When a lawyer helps most
Injuries change the picture. Medical bills, future care, lost income and pain and suffering are harder to value, and insurers often argue about whether the crash caused the injury. When fault is disputed, California’s pure comparative fault rule means every share of blame the insurer assigns to you lowers what you recover. A lawyer gathers the evidence to answer those arguments.
Insurance limits matter too. The minimum California liability coverage for policies issued or renewed since January 1, 2025 is $30,000 for injury to one person. When injuries cost more, a lawyer looks for other coverage, such as your own underinsured motorist coverage, a rideshare policy, or the driver’s employer if the driver was working. Each of those claims has its own rules.
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Cases with short or special deadlines
Some crashes come with deadlines that are easy to miss. If a city, county or other public entity vehicle hit you, or a road defect such as a pothole caused the crash, a written claim generally must be presented within six months of the injury. Read claims against a city or county vehicle for the steps.
Uninsured motorist claims have their own deadline. Within two years of the accident, you generally must sue the uninsured driver, agree with your insurer on the amount, or formally start arbitration by written notice sent by certified mail. Crashes with federal vehicles, such as Postal Service trucks, fall under the Federal Tort Claims Act, which requires an administrative claim within two years.
What to do now
Get medical care, even if the pain seems minor. Take photos of the cars, the scene and your injuries, and get the names and phone numbers of witnesses. Ask for the police report number. Write down every claim number and adjuster name, and keep receipts for medical care, towing, rentals and anything else the crash cost you.
Do not sign a release or give a recorded statement to the other driver’s insurer before you talk with a lawyer. Insurers may call within a day or two, and what you say can be used to lower the claim. Read what not to tell the insurance company. If you were hurt, call Beverly Law at (310) 552-6959 or use the form.
- Get medical care, even for minor pain
- Photograph the cars, the scene and your injuries
- Get witness names and the police report number
- Keep claim numbers and receipts
- Do not sign releases or give recorded statements before you talk with a lawyer
Common questions
Is it worth getting a lawyer for a minor car accident?
If there were no injuries and the insurer is paying fairly for repairs, often not. If you have any pain or missed work, or the insurer is disputing fault, a short call with a lawyer can tell you whether help makes sense. Ask how the lawyer is paid before you decide anything.
How soon should I talk to a lawyer after a car accident?
Sooner is better, ideally before you give a recorded statement or sign anything. Video and witness memories fade quickly. Deadlines also apply: generally two years for California injury lawsuits, six months for claims against a public entity, and three years for most Washington injury lawsuits.
Can I get a lawyer if the insurance company already made an offer?
Yes, as long as you have not signed a release. A lawyer can review the offer, your medical records and the insurance limits before you decide. Read should I accept the first settlement offer for what to check before you answer the adjuster.
What does a lawyer cost for a car accident case?
Many car accident lawyers work on contingency, so the fee is a percentage of the recovery set out in a written agreement. California requires that agreement to state the percentage and to say the fee is negotiable. Read how much a car accident lawyer costs for details.
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Car and truck accident lawyer — Beverly Law
If you were hurt in a car or truck crash in California and Washington, talk to a personal injury attorney. Free, confidential, English or Spanish. You owe no fees or costs unless we win.
Related pages
The insurance company made a lowball offer: how to respond · Should I accept the first settlement offer after a car accident? · How long does a car accident settlement take? · Is a car accident settlement taxable? · Car accident settlement with no injuries: what you can claim · All car and truck accident questions
Sources
- Cal. Code Civ. Proc. § 335.1
- Cal. Veh. Code § 16000(a); DMV form SR 1 (Rev. 6/2025)
- Li v. Yellow Cab Co. (1975) 13 Cal.3d 804, 828-829; CACI No. 405
- Cal. Veh. Code § 16056(a)(2), (d) (as amended by SB 1107, Stats. 2022, ch. 719); Cal. Ins. Code § 11580.1(b)(1)
- CACI Nos. 3700, 3701, 3720; Cal. Civ. Code § 2338
- Cal. Gov. Code § 911.2(a); see also §§ 911.4, 945.4
- Cal. Ins. Code § 11580.2(i)(1)(A)-(C), (b)(1)-(2)
- 28 U.S.C. §§ 2401(b), 2675(a), 2679(b)
- RCW 4.16.080(2)
- Cal. Bus. & Prof. Code § 6147(a)-(b)
Important: This page is general information about California and Washington law, not legal advice, and reading it does not create an attorney-client relationship. Every case is different; talk to a lawyer about yours. Last reviewed: November 5, 2026.