Choose your state
The law that governs your claim depends mainly on where the crash happened. California and Arizona differ on insurance minimums, how fault is shared among defendants, and deadlines for claims against public agencies.
California car accident guide
Proposition 213, the $30,000/$60,000/$15,000 insurance minimums, DMV reporting and government-claim deadlines.
Arizona car accident guide
Nonparty-at-fault defenses, the 180-day notice of claim, $25,000/$50,000/$15,000 minimums and no caps on damages.
Types of car crashes we handle
Rear-end collisions
The trailing driver is usually, but not always, at fault, since drivers must keep a safe distance. Rear-end crashes commonly cause neck and back injuries that insurers try to dismiss as "soft tissue." Prompt medical care and imaging are often what prove the injury is real.
T-bone and intersection crashes
Side impacts at intersections offer little crush space and can cause serious head, chest and pelvic injuries. These cases often turn on who had the right of way. Traffic camera or business security video, signal timing data and independent witnesses can decide them, and that evidence disappears fast.
Head-on and wrong-way collisions
Head-on crashes are among the most violent. They frequently involve impairment, fatigue or a driver who crossed the center line while distracted. They often produce catastrophic injuries and claims that exceed the at-fault driver's insurance.
Hit-and-run crashes
When the driver flees, your own uninsured motorist coverage may stand in for the missing insurance. Policies and state law set conditions, such as reporting the crash promptly. Reporting to police right away and looking for camera footage nearby protects the claim.
Drunk and drugged driving crashes
Impaired drivers can face criminal charges, but a criminal case does not compensate you. A civil claim does. In some cases, impaired driving can also support punitive damages.
Distracted driving crashes
Both California and Arizona restrict handheld phone use while driving. Phone records, vehicle data and witness accounts can show a driver was looking at a screen instead of the road.
Rideshare and autonomous vehicle crashes
Crashes involving Uber, Lyft or Waymo vehicles raise special insurance and evidence issues. See rideshare accidents.
Injuries common in car crashes
Whiplash and other neck injuries, back injuries and herniated discs, concussions and traumatic brain injuries, broken bones, shoulder and knee injuries, internal injuries, scarring, and post-traumatic stress. Some injuries, particularly concussions and disc injuries, may not be obvious for days. That is why seeing a doctor promptly matters even if you feel "okay."
What your claim can include
Medical expenses (past and future), lost income and reduced earning capacity, pain and suffering, emotional distress, loss of enjoyment of life, and vehicle damage. In both states, being partly at fault reduces your recovery but does not eliminate it.
Why your choice of lawyer matters
Before representing injured people, Eli worked as in-house counsel for an insurance company, defending injury lawsuits through discovery, mediation and jury trial. He knows how adjusters value claims and what moves them. When you hire the firm, Eli handles your case himself, so you always know who is working on it.
Videos: after a car accident
Minimal impact DOES NOT mean minimal injury.
Why little or no visible vehicle damage does not prove you were not hurt, and how insurers use "low impact" arguments against injured people.
Before You Give Insurance a Recorded Statement, Watch This
What to know before you talk to the other driver's insurance company or agree to give a recorded statement.
Car Accident? These 3 Mistakes Could Ruin Your Case.
Three common mistakes after a car accident that seem harmless in the moment but can hurt a claim later.
About to Accept That $20,000 Settlement? Watch This First.
Why it pays to understand the full value of your claim before accepting an early settlement offer.
Car accident FAQ
Which state's law applies to my crash?
Usually the state where the crash happened. If you live in one state and were hurt in the other, or the drivers are from different states, ask early, because deadlines and insurance rules differ.
How long do I have to make a claim?
In both California and Arizona the general deadline to file an injury lawsuit is two years. Claims involving government vehicles or roads have much shorter notice deadlines: generally six months in California and 180 days in Arizona.
What if I was partly at fault?
Both states use pure comparative fault. Your compensation is reduced by your share of fault, but you can still recover.
This page explains general rules of California and Arizona law. It is not legal advice, laws change, and every case depends on its own facts. Reading it or contacting the firm does not create an attorney-client relationship.
