Hurt in a car accident? Don't talk to their insurance company. Talk to us.
The other driver's insurer will call you within days. Their job is to pay you as little as possible. Ours is the opposite. Free case review, no fee unless we win.
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The first few days decide a lot of cases. In order:
Video that shows your crash is often deleted within days. Ask for camera footage quickly, and see how long camera footage is kept after an accident.
What you can get paid for
A car accident claim is more than the repair bill. It covers everything the crash took from you, now and later.
Find out what your case is worthCar accident results
See more resultsAct now. Deadlines vary.
The time to bring a car-accident claim depends on the state, the parties, and the facts. Some claims require notice within months, especially claims involving a city, county, state, or federal entity. Other exceptions can shorten or extend the time. Contact a lawyer promptly so the correct deadline can be identified and evidence can be preserved.
Car accident questions we get every day
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Published in the Daily Journal
- Whiplash and Whiplash-Associated Disorder is no jokeRead the updated article on torklaw.com · Daily Journal originalDaily Journal · June 5, 2024 · Reza Torkzadeh and Allen P. WilkinsonExplains why whiplash can cause lasting harm and reviews symptoms, injury assessment, and the effect of persistent impairment.
- Insurance considerations in maximizing medical expensesRead the updated article on torklaw.com · Daily Journal originalDaily Journal · Feb. 27, 2023 · Reza Torkzadeh and Allen P. WilkinsonReviews how insurance arrangements and payment rules affect proof and recovery of medical expenses.
- Uninsured drivers beware, the law isn't on your sideRead the updated article on torklaw.com · Daily Journal originalDaily Journal · July 15, 2025 · Reza Torkzadeh and Allen P. WilkinsonExamines uninsured drivers’ exposure and limits on damages in California, alongside changes to minimum auto insurance requirements.
Complete guide to car accident claims
Read the full guide
Updated September 2026. General information, not legal advice about your case.
What to do after a car accident
- Get medical care. Some injuries, such as concussions and neck and back injuries, show up days later. Gaps in treatment are used by insurers to pay less.
- Call the police and get the report number. The report records the drivers, witnesses and the officer's first view of what happened.
- Save the evidence. Photos of both cars and the scene, witness names, and the other driver's insurance. Ask nearby businesses to save video right away. See how long camera footage is kept.
- Do not give a recorded statement to the other driver's insurer. You do not have to.
- Talk to a lawyer before you sign anything. Early offers are often much lower than what the case is worth.
Who pays?
- The at-fault driver's insurance pays first. Minimum limits are low in many states. In California, the minimum is $30,000 per person for injuries.
- Your own uninsured and underinsured motorist coverage can pay when the other driver has no insurance, not enough insurance, or fled the scene. See uninsured motorist claims and hit-and-run accidents.
- Employers can be responsible when their employee was driving for work.
- Rideshare companies' insurance can apply when an Uber or Lyft driver is involved.
- Government agencies can be responsible for dangerous roads or government vehicles. These claims often have much shorter deadlines.
How fault works
Fault rules are different in each state. In California, Arizona and Missouri, you can recover even if you were partly at fault, reduced by your share. In Nevada, Illinois and Texas, a large share of the blame can bar recovery completely. How fault is assigned is often the main fight with the insurer.
What your case can cover
- Medical bills, now and in the future
- Lost pay and lost ability to earn
- Vehicle repair or replacement
- Pain, suffering and loss of enjoyment of life
- For families who lost someone: wrongful death damages
What a case is worth depends on the injury, the treatment, the insurance available, and the proof of fault. Anyone who gives you a number before looking at those facts is guessing.
What a lawyer costs
Nothing up front. TORKLAW works on a contingency fee: our fee is a percentage of the money we recover for you, and you see and sign it before we start. If we do not recover money for you, you owe no fee and no costs.
Deadlines
Deadlines vary by state and by case. Claims against a government agency can have deadlines measured in months, not years. Call early, and we find the deadline that applies to you.
Not sure if you have a case? Call anyway. It's free to ask.
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This is a paid advertisement for TORKLAW, not an offer or guarantee of results. Every case is different and must be evaluated on its own merits. Some matters may be referred to partner firms as appropriate. Contacting us does not create an attorney-client relationship. Tracy R. Horn, Esq. is responsible for this advertisement. Main Office: 18650 MacArthur Blvd, Suite 300, Irvine, CA 92612.