California Car Accident Lawyers
More than 200,000 people are injured in California car crashes every year. If you are one of them, the insurance company is not on your side. We are. We fight for full compensation for medical bills, lost wages, and pain and suffering. Free consultation. No fee unless we win.
What to Do Right Now
Follow these steps immediately to protect your health and your legal claim.
Call 911
An official police report is the most powerful piece of initial evidence in your case.
Document the scene
Take photos of vehicle damage, road conditions, and skid marks before vehicles are moved.
Exchange information
Get names, phone numbers, and insurance policy details. Do not admit fault.
Identify witnesses
Ask for contact info from anyone who saw the crash. Witness memories fade quickly.
Seek medical care
Visit an ER or urgent care within 24 hours. Adrenaline can mask internal injuries.
Call a lawyer before an adjuster
Anything you say to the insurance company can be used to reduce your claim. Call us first: 800-707-0707.
Types of Car Accident Cases We Handle
Each type of collision has its own liability questions, evidence, and insurance tactics. We have handled all of them across Northern California.
Rear-End Collisions
The most common crash in Contra Costa County, usually at signals on Willow Pass Rd, Monument Blvd, and Clayton Rd. Fault is often clear, but insurers dispute the injuries. We document whiplash, disc, and concussion claims properly.
Hit and Run Accidents
When the driver flees, we pursue your own uninsured motorist coverage and work with police to identify the vehicle. You can recover even if the driver is never found.
Drunk Driving Accidents
DUI crashes can support punitive damages on top of your injuries. We obtain the arrest record, blood alcohol results, and bar or restaurant liability where it applies.
Distracted Driving Accidents
Phone records and vehicle data prove distraction. We subpoena them early, before they are gone.
T-Bone and Intersection Crashes
Left-turn and red-light collisions come down to who had the right of way. Intersection cameras, witness accounts, and vehicle damage patterns settle the question.
Head-On and Wrong-Way Crashes
Among the most severe injuries we see, often on two-lane roads like Kirker Pass and Ygnacio Valley. These cases frequently involve catastrophic injury and wrongful death claims.
Uber, Lyft, and Rideshare Accidents
Rideshare crashes involve layered insurance policies that depend on whether the app was on. We identify every policy that applies, including the $1 million commercial coverage.
Multi-Vehicle and Freeway Pileups
Chain-reaction crashes on I-680, Highway 4, and SR-242 involve multiple insurers pointing at each other. We sort out liability so you are not caught in the middle.
Leveling the Playing Field Against Insurance Companies
Insurance companies have teams of lawyers working to reduce your payout. You need a team working to maximize it.
| What matters | Handling it alone | With Scranton Law Firm |
|---|---|---|
| Accident reconstruction | Based on the adjuster's opinion | Forensic experts establish liability |
| Medical bills | You pay full retail price | We negotiate medical liens for you |
| Policy limits | Additional coverage stays hidden | We audit for umbrella and secondary policies |
| Trial preparation | Settling for whatever is offered | Litigation-ready strategy for full value |
Car Accident Settlement Ranges in California
There is no formula, and anyone who quotes you a number before reviewing your case is guessing. But settlements follow patterns, and the severity of the injury drives them more than anything else.
Soft tissue injuries, sprains, and bruising that resolve with short-term treatment.
Fractures, herniated discs, concussions, and injuries needing months of treatment or physical therapy.
Surgery, permanent impairment, significant lost earning capacity, or long-term care needs.
Traumatic brain injury, spinal cord injury, amputation, or wrongful death. Value is often limited only by available insurance.
What moves a case up or down the range
- Medical costs, past and future
- Lost wages and lost earning capacity
- Whether fault is clear or disputed
- Available insurance coverage, including your own UM/UIM
- Permanence of the injury and effect on daily life
- Aggravating conduct, such as drunk or reckless driving
Ranges are illustrative and based on general experience with California car accident claims. They are not a prediction for any individual case. Past results do not guarantee a similar outcome.
Northern California's Most Dangerous Roads
We analyzed every fatal crash in Contra Costa County recorded by the federal government from 2019 through 2024. The roads our clients are hurt on are the roads the data flags.
From the Caldecott Tunnel on Highway 24 to the Sunol Grade on I-680, high-speed collisions happen every day. On the surface streets, Monument Boulevard, Willow Pass Road, Clayton Road, and Treat Boulevard combine high speeds with heavy left-turn traffic and retail driveways. Whether your crash happened on a freeway or at a neighborhood intersection, the aftermath is the same: physical trauma, financial stress, and an insurance company working to pay you as little as possible.
Car accident lawyers near you
The Most Dangerous Roads in Contra Costa County
509 people killed in 469 fatal crashes over six years. Half of them at night. See the full rankings, hotspots, and methodology.
Read the report →What California Law Means for Your Claim
Pure comparative negligence
Under California law, you can still recover compensation even if you were partially at fault for the accident. If a jury finds you were 25 percent responsible, you can still recover 75 percent of your total damages. Insurance adjusters use this rule to push blame onto you. We use forensic evidence to make sure you are not unfairly penalized.
How insurance companies value your claim
Major carriers like State Farm, GEICO, and Progressive use software to generate the lowest defensible offer. We counter with policy limit demands and medical testimony from treating physicians and specialists. We document everything from soft tissue injuries to traumatic brain injuries so the settlement covers your long-term needs, not just today's bills.
Deadlines
The California statute of limitations, Code of Civil Procedure section 335.1, generally gives you two years from the date of the crash to file a lawsuit.
Six-month government deadline: if a government vehicle was involved or a dangerous road condition contributed to the crash (a City of Concord street, a Caltrans highway, a county road), you must file a written government claim within six months. Miss it and that part of your case is gone for good.
"Insurance companies are billion-dollar corporations designed to keep their money and pay you as little as possible. Our firm was built 50 years ago to be the equalizer. We do not just process cases; we protect families. We know the tactics adjusters use, and we know how to beat them. You focus on healing. We will handle the fight."
What to Expect When You Hire Us
Filing a claim is stressful. We handle the complexity so you can focus on your recovery.
Free case review
You call 800-707-0707 or send the form. We review the accident facts, insurance coverage, and liability, and give you a clear picture of what your case involves and what happens next.
Evidence and scene reconstruction
We obtain police reports, secure dashcam and surveillance footage, and interview witnesses. If liability is disputed, we bring in forensic engineers to reconstruct the crash.
Medical care coordination
We work with doctors across Northern California who treat our clients on a lien basis, so you pay nothing out of pocket while your case is pending. Your health comes first.
Demand and negotiation
We build a comprehensive demand package covering all medical costs, future care, and lost wages. Most cases settle here because carriers know we are prepared for trial.
Litigation and trial
If the carrier will not pay fair value, we file suit. Our 50-year reputation in Northern California courts is the leverage that brings them back to the table.
Resolution and payment
We resolve all medical liens and paperwork so you receive your money as quickly as possible. You pay nothing unless we win.
The Attorneys Who Handle Your Case
Car Accident Guides
The same information insurance companies would rather you did not have. Free, written by our team, no email required.
California Car Accidents Guide: What You Need to Know
What to do in the hours and days after a crash, from evidence at the scene to dealing with the insurer.
Read the guide → Insurance & coverage · 9 minUninsured & Underinsured Motorist Insurance Explained
Roughly 1 in 7 California drivers has no insurance. Here is who pays when one of them hits you.
Read the guide → Evidence · 8 minScene Photos and Witness Statements in Car Accident Claims
Skid marks fade, vehicles get towed, witnesses leave. What to capture before it is gone.
Read the guide → Insurance claims13 Tactics Used by Insurance Adjusters
How adjusters control the conversation, the timeline, and the value of your claim, and how to avoid the traps.
Read the guide →More guides on car accidents, insurance, and injury claims in the Legal Knowledge Hub.
Frequently Asked Questions
What should I never say at the accident scene?
Never say "I'm sorry" or "I didn't see you." Even if you feel you were partially responsible, these statements can be used against you as an admission of fault. Stick to the facts when speaking to the police.
How long do I have to file a car accident claim in California?
Generally, you have two years from the date of the crash under California Code of Civil Procedure section 335.1. If the other driver was a government employee or a road hazard was the responsibility of a city, county, or Caltrans, you may have as little as six months to file a formal government claim.
Can I still recover money if the crash was partly my fault?
Yes. California is a pure comparative fault state. You can recover damages even if you were mostly at fault, though your award is reduced by your percentage of responsibility.
What if the other driver doesn't have insurance?
We look for uninsured and underinsured motorist (UM/UIM) coverage on your own policy. Many people have this coverage without realizing it protects them in hit-and-run and no-insurance cases.
Should I accept the insurance company's first offer?
Almost never. The first offer is usually designed to close your case before you know the true extent of your medical needs. Have a lawyer review the offer first. The review is free.
How do I pay for a car accident lawyer?
We work on a contingency fee basis, which means our fee is a percentage of the final settlement or verdict. You pay $0 upfront and $0 if we do not recover money for you.
What are pain and suffering damages?
These are non-economic damages for physical pain, emotional distress, and loss of enjoyment of life. There is no set formula, which is why having an experienced negotiator matters.
How long will my car accident case take to settle?
A typical case takes 6 to 18 months. Simple cases settle faster, but complex injuries require time to document the full scope of recovery before we can demand a final payout.
Hurt in a Car Accident? Tell Us What Happened.
An attorney reviews your details and calls you back. Available 24/7 in English and Spanish.
Or call 800-707-0707- 100% confidential
- No fee unless we win
- No cost, no obligation
Got it. We'll call you shortly.
While you wait:
- Do not give a recorded statement to any insurer.
- Write down what you remember.
- Keep photos and paperwork together.
Not Sure If You Have a Case?
Call us. It costs nothing to find out where you stand, and there is no obligation.
Attorney Advertising. Scranton Law Firm, 2450 Stanwell Dr, Concord, CA 94520. Responsible attorney: Christian Scranton, California State Bar #196959. Prior results do not guarantee a similar outcome.