Glendale Auto Accident Attorneys

Motor vehicle accident cases we handle

Our auto accident practice includes claims involving drivers, passengers, riders and people on foot. The way a collision happened affects what needs to be investigated and which insurance may apply. Explore the relevant practice area:

• Rear-end collisions and other car accidents.
• Motorcycle accidents.
• Truck accidents.
• Uber and Lyft accidents.
• Uninsured and underinsured motorist claims.
• Pedestrian accidents.

Some cases also involve an employer, a vehicle owner or a public entity. Identifying the right parties early helps focus the investigation and deadline review.

What to do after a California collision

First, address immediate safety and medical needs. Call 911 for an emergency. Collect driver, vehicle and witness information only when it is safe, and preserve photographs without stepping into traffic. Keep the responding agency's name and report number.

A police report and an insurance claim are different from DMV reporting. California DMV requires an SR-1 within 10 days when anyone is injured or killed, or property damage exceeds $1,000. The SR-1 is required in addition to reports to police or insurers.

Notify your insurer promptly as your policy requires. Be accurate, distinguish what you remember from what you are unsure about, and keep copies of correspondence. Before signing a settlement release, understand which claims it resolves.

Insurance and financial responsibility

DMV lists California's standard minimum liability insurance limits as $30,000 for injury or death to one person, $60,000 for injury or death to more than one person and $15,000 for property damage. These standard limits increased in 2025; special programs can have different requirements.

A minimum policy may not cover every loss. Other available coverage, including uninsured or underinsured motorist, collision or medical payments coverage, should be checked under the applicable policy. Keep the full policy as well as the declarations page. A coverage question is different from deciding who caused the accident.

Document the full effect of the injuries

Our work on an accepted case can include investigating the cause, reviewing insurance, gathering records and negotiating with insurers. An injury claim may involve medical expenses, rehabilitation, lost income, effects on future work and pain and suffering, depending on the facts and applicable law.

Keep treatment bills, benefit statements, work absence records and receipts for accident-related expenses. Describe changes in your activities accurately. When injuries have lasting effects, medical and other appropriate evidence may be needed to evaluate future losses. A settlement estimate based only on a diagnosis or a multiple of medical bills can miss important facts.

For a family dealing with a fatal collision, the parties entitled to bring a claim and the available claims require a separate evaluation. We can discuss those issues during a consultation.

Check deadlines while the insurance claim is underway

The California Courts explain that injury lawsuits generally have a two-year deadline and property damage claims generally have three years. Exceptions apply, and insurance negotiations do not automatically extend a filing deadline.

A claim involving a public entity can require a government claim within six months of injury, followed by separate lawsuit deadlines. Minors and other special circumstances also need individual review. Bring the accident date, insurer letters and any government notices to your consultation so these issues can be identified early.

To talk with Aghabegian Law Group, call (818) 350-HURT (350-4878) or use our consultation form. We can discuss what happened and what information would help evaluate your options.