Free Case Review After a Car Accident in Los Angeles, California

A free case review after a car accident in Los Angeles is a no cost conversation with an injury attorney about what happened to you. Most take 15 to 45 minutes by phone, video, or in person. The attorney listens, explains California deadlines, and describes your options. You are never required to hire the firm afterward.

What Happens During a Free Case Review for a Car Accident in Los Angeles?

A free case review for a car accident in Los Angeles usually follows four steps. You describe the crash. You share any paperwork you already have. The attorney explains how California law applies to those facts. Then you decide, with no pressure, whether you want legal representation.

Expect questions about the date, the location, and the vehicles involved. You will likely be asked about police contact at the scene. You will also be asked about your injuries and your medical care so far.

Nothing is decided in that first meeting. Outcomes always depend on the facts of each case, and no honest attorney can promise a result. A first meeting is about information, not predictions.

How Long Do You Have to File a Car Accident Claim in California?

In most California car accident cases, you have two years from the date of the crash to file a personal injury lawsuit. That deadline comes from California Code of Civil Procedure § 335.1. Claims for vehicle damage alone generally carry a three-year deadline.

The timeline is much shorter when a government agency may be at fault. Think of a city bus, a county truck, or a poorly maintained road. Government Code § 911.2 requires a written claim within six months of the injury.

If that claim is denied, Government Code § 945.6 generally gives you six more months to file suit. Missing either date can end a case before it starts. This is one reason many people schedule a consultation early.

What Should You Bring to Your Consultation?

Bring whatever you already have, and do not delay the meeting to gather more. A short stack of documents helps an injury attorney give clearer answers. Nothing on this list is required.

• The police report number, or the name of the responding agency such as LAPD or CHP
• Photos of the vehicles, the roadway, and any visible injuries
• Your own auto insurance declarations page
• Letters, emails, or texts from either insurance company
• Medical records, discharge papers, and bills from your treatment
• Pay stubs or a note from your employer if you missed work
• Names and phone numbers of any witnesses

Our guide on what to bring to a free case evaluation for a California car accident walks through medical bills in more detail. If you have nothing but a memory of the crash, that is still enough to start a conversation.

Is the Review Really No Cost, and How Do Legal Fees Work?

Yes. A no cost review means you pay nothing for the meeting itself, whether or not you hire the firm. Many California injury attorneys, including Farahi Law Firm, handle car accident cases on a contingency fee. That means the attorney's fee is a percentage of any money recovered.

Under California advertising rules, one point must be clear. A client may still be responsible for case costs and expenses, such as filing fees, records charges, or deposition costs. Ask how your firm handles those costs before you sign anything.

A written fee agreement should spell out the percentage and the cost terms. Read it. Ask questions until the numbers make sense to you.

What Reporting Deadlines Apply After a Los Angeles Crash?

Two short reporting deadlines catch many California drivers by surprise. Vehicle Code § 20008 requires a written report to the CHP or local police within 24 hours when a crash causes injury or death, unless officers already investigated at the scene.

Separately, you must file an SR-1 report with the DMV within 10 days if anyone was injured or killed, or if property damage exceeds $1,000. The DMV explains its SR-1 accident reporting requirement on its official site. Failing to file can affect your driving privilege.

These reports are separate from any insurance claim. Your insurance policy likely has its own notice requirement, often described as prompt notice. Reading your policy early avoids arguments later.

How Does California Insurance and Fault Law Affect Your Claim?

California is a fault state, so the driver who caused the crash is responsible for the harm. Since January 1, 2025, minimum liability limits are $30,000 for one injured person, $60,000 per accident, and $15,000 for property damage. Serious injuries can exceed those limits quickly, which is why uninsured and underinsured motorist coverage matters so much.

California also follows pure comparative fault, from the Supreme Court's 1975 decision in Li v. Yellow Cab Co. If you were partly at fault, your recovery is reduced by your percentage of fault. Being partly at fault does not automatically end a claim.

Insurance companies sometimes deny or undervalue claims. If that happens, read about how to appeal a denied insurance claim in California. You can also contact the California Department of Insurance for consumer help.

How Do You Schedule a Consultation With an Injury Attorney?

Call, submit a web form, or send a message, and ask for a free case review. Most Los Angeles firms respond the same day or the next business day. Give the date of the crash, the city, and a short summary of your injuries.

Ask practical questions when you schedule the consultation. Who will handle my file day to day? How often will I hear from you? What happens if the case does not settle?

Farahi Law Firm focuses on injury cases across California, including Los Angeles, San Diego, Fresno, Bakersfield, and Sacramento. Riders can read our related guide to a free consultation with a motorcycle accident lawyer in Sacramento. Every case is different, and results depend on the facts of each case.