Car Accident Attorney Los Angeles | Beverly Hills, Santa Monica, Malibu

Insurance companies begin working against your claim the moment the accident is reported — before you understand what your case is worth.

California has some of the most congested roadways in the country. When a negligent driver, a commercial fleet or a rideshare company causes a collision that injures you, the consequences can be severe and lasting — and the party responsible for your harm has insurance counsel already working to limit exposure.

Eagan Law represents accident victims on a contingency fee basis — you pay nothing unless a recovery is made on your behalf. Todd Eagan is personally involved at every stage, from the initial investigation through resolution of the claim.

Where a defendant's violation of a safety statute — such as California's distracted driving laws (CVC § 23123) — leads to catastrophic harm, we apply the negligence per se doctrine to establish liability without requiring independent proof of unreasonableness. Under California's pure comparative fault rules, you may still be entitled to significant recovery even if you were partially responsible. Where facts are disputed, we retain accident reconstruction experts to establish exactly what occurred. Non-economic losses — quality of life impairment, loss of enjoyment of activities and pain and suffering — are fully compensable and form a significant component of every serious claim.

The value of a serious accident claim depends on a complete accounting of all damages — present and future medical expenses, lost earnings and earning capacity, pain and suffering and non-economic losses including quality of life impairment. Where a defendant's violation of a safety statute — such as California's distracted driving laws — leads to catastrophic harm, we apply the negligence per se doctrine to streamline liability. Where facts are disputed, we retain accident reconstruction experts to establish exactly what occurred. Getting that accounting right from the outset shapes the entire trajectory of the matter. While initial X-rays may appear clear, many collisions result in latent soft-tissue injuries — including cervical acceleration/deceleration (CAD) injuries — that manifest days or weeks later. High-speed impacts may also result in coup-contrecoup brain injuries requiring specialized neurological evaluation. Beyond immediate emergency room costs, we account for the long-term life care planning necessitated by permanent spinal cord trauma and conditions such as complex regional pain syndrome (CRPS) — frequently undervalued by insurance adjusters.

Contingency Fee — No Recovery, No Fee

Eagan Law handles personal injury matters on a contingency basis. You pay no attorneys' fees unless a recovery is obtained on your behalf. Initial consultations are completely confidential.

Two-Year Statute of Limitations

California's statute of limitations for personal injury claims is generally two years from the date of the accident (CCP § 335.1). Important exceptions apply: claims against a government entity require a tort claim within six months; accidents occurring in the course of employment may be subject to workers' compensation deadlines. Consult an attorney immediately.

Pure Comparative Fault

California follows pure comparative fault — you may recover even if you were partially at fault. Your damages are reduced by your percentage of fault, but not eliminated.

Featured Practice

Rear-End Collision & Whiplash Claims

Rear-end accidents are among the most frequently litigated vehicle claims in California — and among the most undervalued by insurers. Delayed symptoms, soft tissue injuries and disputed liability require focused experience. Eagan Law has a dedicated practice covering whiplash, CAD injuries, herniated discs and spinal trauma from rear-end collisions.

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Types of Claims

Motor Vehicle Accident Claims We Handle

Car & Truck Accidents

Negligent drivers, distracted driving, speeding and failure to yield cause thousands of serious collisions each year on California roads. Commercial truck accidents involve additional complexity — federal safety regulations, multiple liable parties and insurance coverage that carriers work hard to protect.

Rear-end collision claims — including whiplash, herniated discs and delayed injury symptoms
Commercial truck and semi-trailer accidents
T-bone and intersection collisions
Hit-and-run accidents
Uninsured and underinsured motorist claims

Rideshare & Delivery Vehicle Accidents

Accidents involving Uber, Lyft and delivery drivers raise complex insurance coverage questions — coverage depends on whether the driver was logged into the app, had accepted a ride or was actively transporting a passenger. Eagan Law navigates these coverage disputes to ensure clients receive full compensation.

Uber and Lyft accident claims
Delivery vehicle and fleet accident claims
Coverage disputes involving rideshare insurance
Third-party claims against rideshare platforms
Uninsured motorist claims in rideshare context

Motorcycle Accidents

Motorcyclists are among the most vulnerable road users and suffer disproportionately serious injuries in collisions. California's lane-splitting laws add complexity to fault analysis — and insurers frequently attempt to exploit bias against motorcyclists to minimize claims.

Motorcycle-vehicle collision claims
Lane-splitting accident fault analysis
Helmet defense and comparative fault
Road hazard and government liability claims
Catastrophic and severe injury cases

Pedestrian & Bicycle Accidents

Pedestrians and cyclists struck by motor vehicles frequently suffer catastrophic injuries. California law provides strong protections for vulnerable road users — and where a government entity is responsible for a dangerous roadway condition, additional claims may be available.

Pedestrian crosswalk accident claims
Bicycle collision claims
Dooring and parking lot accident claims
Government entity road condition claims
Wrongful death claims for fatal accidents

Medical Reality

Why You Might Not Feel Injured Yet

One of the most damaging things a car accident victim can do is assume they are uninjured because they feel fine at the scene. Adrenaline and shock are powerful pain suppressants — and soft tissue injuries, disc herniations, traumatic brain injuries and nerve damage often take hours, days or even weeks to fully manifest.

0–2 Hours After Impact

Adrenaline and cortisol released during the collision suppress pain signals. You may feel shaken but not injured. This is precisely the window in which insurance adjusters attempt to obtain recorded statements — before your injuries are apparent. Do not give a recorded statement before speaking with an attorney.

24–72 Hours Later

Inflammation sets in. Neck pain, headaches, shoulder stiffness and back pain become apparent. Cervical acceleration/deceleration (CAD) injuries — commonly called whiplash — typically peak within 24–72 hours. Many victims describe waking up unable to move their neck the morning after a crash that seemed minor.

Days to Weeks

Herniated disc symptoms — radiating arm or leg pain, numbness, tingling and weakness — may not appear until inflammation presses on nerve roots. Concussion and traumatic brain injury symptoms can be similarly delayed. In severe cases, conditions such as complex regional pain syndrome (CRPS) may develop weeks after the initial trauma.

See a doctor immediately — even if you feel fine. While initial X-rays may appear clear, many collisions result in latent soft-tissue injuries that manifest days or weeks later. A same-day or next-day medical visit does two critical things: it protects your health by identifying injuries before they worsen, and it creates the medical record that forms the foundation of your legal claim. Gaps in treatment are one of the primary tools insurers use to dispute injury severity — and an insurer's recorded statement taken at the scene, before your symptoms appear, can seriously damage your claim. Rear-end collision victims in particular face this risk, as whiplash and spinal injuries are frequently underestimated in the immediate aftermath.

Why Eagan Law

Counsel That Works For Your Recovery

Insurance companies are sophisticated adversaries. They begin minimizing claims immediately. Eagan Law brings the level of representation to accident victims that insurers deploy to protect themselves.

Investigation Begins Immediately

Evidence that determines the value of an accident claim disappears quickly — witness memories fade, vehicles are repaired and surveillance footage is overwritten. Eagan Law moves fast to preserve what matters.

Full Damages — Present and Future

A serious accident claim must account for all damages: future treatment costs, lost earning capacity, pain and suffering and other non-economic damages. Getting this right from the outset determines the trajectory of the entire matter.

Experienced With Insurer Tactics

Insurers use well-established tactics to minimize payouts — recorded statements, early low-ball offers and medical record fishing expeditions. Todd Eagan's experience with high-stakes litigation means those tactics do not work here.

Personal Involvement at Every Stage

Todd Eagan is personally involved in every matter at the firm. Your case is not delegated. You work directly with the attorney handling your matter from consultation through resolution.

California Law

California Auto Accident Law

California follows a pure comparative fault system under Civil Code § 1431.2 — meaning that even if you were partially at fault, you may still recover damages. Your recovery is reduced proportionally by your share of fault but not eliminated. This is more favorable than contributory negligence states, which can bar recovery entirely if the plaintiff bears any fault.

All California drivers are required to carry minimum liability insurance — currently $15,000 per person and $30,000 per accident under California Insurance Code § 11580.1b. Serious accidents routinely produce damages that exceed these minimums, making uninsured and underinsured motorist coverage critical. California requires insurers to offer UM/UIM coverage, though insureds may waive it in writing.

Statute of Limitations: California personal injury claims must generally be filed within two years of the accident date (CCP § 335.1). Claims against a government entity — including any city, county, or state agency — require a government tort claim within six months of the incident under the Government Claims Act. If the accident occurred in the course and scope of employment, workers' compensation deadlines apply and are shorter: you must notify your employer within 30 days of the injury. Eagan Law does not handle workers' compensation matters — if your accident may be work-related, consult a workers' compensation attorney promptly. Missing applicable deadlines may permanently bar recovery.

California Vehicle Code § 22350 establishes the basic speed law and is frequently at issue in accident fault analysis. Federal motor carrier safety regulations apply to commercial trucks and create additional standards of care that, when violated, can support findings of negligence per se.

Where a defendant's violation of a safety statute — such as California's distracted driving laws (CVC § 23123) — leads to catastrophic harm, we apply the negligence per se doctrine to establish liability without requiring independent proof of unreasonableness. Under California's pure comparative fault rules, you may still be entitled to significant recovery even if you were partially responsible for the accident — your damages are reduced by your fault percentage, not eliminated.

Beyond immediate emergency room costs, we account for the long-term life care planning necessitated by permanent spinal cord trauma, traumatic brain injury and conditions such as complex regional pain syndrome (CRPS). Non-economic losses — quality of life impairment, loss of enjoyment of activities and pain and suffering — are fully compensable and form a significant component of serious accident claims. Where facts are disputed, we retain accident reconstruction experts to establish exactly what occurred.

Common Questions

Frequently Asked Questions

What should I do immediately after a car accident in California?

Seek medical attention first — even if you feel uninjured, as some injuries do not manifest immediately. Document the scene: photograph vehicle positions, damage and any visible injuries. Get the other driver's insurance information and contact information for witnesses. Do not give a recorded statement to the other driver's insurer before consulting an attorney. Report the accident to your own insurer but do not accept any settlement offer before understanding the full value of your claim.

How long do I have to file a personal injury lawsuit in California?

California's statute of limitations for personal injury claims is generally two years from the date of the accident under Code of Civil Procedure § 335.1. If the at-fault party is a government entity — such as a city responsible for a dangerous intersection — you must file a government tort claim within six months of the incident before filing a lawsuit. If the accident occurred in the course and scope of your employment, workers' compensation deadlines apply and are shorter: you must notify your employer within 30 days of the injury and generally have one year to file with the Workers' Compensation Appeals Board. Eagan Law does not handle workers' compensation matters — if your accident may be work-related, consult a workers' compensation attorney promptly. These deadlines are strict and missing them may permanently bar recovery.

What damages can I recover in a California car accident case?

California allows recovery of economic damages — medical expenses (past and future), lost wages, lost earning capacity and property damage — and non-economic damages including pain and suffering, emotional distress and loss of enjoyment of life. In cases involving egregious conduct, punitive damages may be available. Your total recovery is reduced by your percentage of comparative fault, if any.

Can I recover if I was partially at fault for the accident?

Yes. California follows pure comparative fault — you may recover damages even if you were partially at fault. Your recovery is reduced by your percentage of fault. For example, if you were found 20% at fault and your damages total $100,000, you would recover $80,000. This is more favorable than the contributory negligence rule in some other states, which bars recovery entirely if the plaintiff bears any fault.

Does it matter if the other driver was uninsured?

No — you may still have a viable path to recovery. If you carry uninsured motorist (UM) coverage on your own policy, that coverage applies when you are hit by an uninsured driver. If the other driver was underinsured, your underinsured motorist (UIM) coverage may make up the difference. California requires insurers to offer UM/UIM coverage, though drivers may waive it in writing. Eagan Law can help identify all available coverage and pursue every avenue of recovery.

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