Los Angeles Personal Injury Help
Clear, straightforward education and information about your rights after an accident in Los Angeles — No sales pitch. Just answers.
What do you need help with?
I was just in an accident
The first 72 hours after an accident in Los Angeles can make or break your claim. Find out what to do — and what not to do — right now. What To Do After an Accident →
Dealing with Insurance
Insurance adjusters are trained to protect their employer's bottom line — not yours. Learn the tactics they use and how to protect yourself. The Insurance Playbook →
What's my case worth?
Case value in Los Angeles depends on factors most people never learn about. Get the honest framework attorneys and adjusters actually How Much Is My Case Worth? →
Most personal injury websites are thinly disguised advertisements. They tell you how hard the firm fights and how many millions they've recovered. What they don't tell you is how the claims process actually works, what insurance companies are doing behind the scenes, or what your case is realistically worth.
LAPersonalInjuryHelp.com was built to fill that gap. This site is a free, comprehensive resource for accident victims in Los Angeles County. This site is brought to you by a licensed California attorney with more than 30 years of personal injury experience — including 12 years representing insurance companies in litigation.
That background matters: the information here reflects how claims actually work from both sides of the table, not just the version insurers want you to believe.
Whether you were rear-ended on the 405, injured in a rideshare accident on the 101, hurt in a slip and fall in a Burbank parking lot, or lost a family member in a wrongful death, this site was built to answer your questions, clearly, honestly, and without a sales pitch. Browse the topics below, use the free resources, and if you want to speak with an attorney, free consultations are available at (213) 555-1234.
Explore the Resource Library
Accident Types
Car, truck, motorcycle, rideshare, pedestrian, slip and fall, dog bite, wrongful death — every major accident type covered with LA-specific detail including freeway hotspots, local court venues, and realistic case values. Explore Accident Types →
The Claims Process
A step-by-step roadmap from the moment of your accident through settlement and beyond. The complete playbook — day by day, phase by phase. See the Full Claims Process →
Insurance Playbook
What insurance adjusters know that most accident victims don't. Tactics, strategies, and the internal playbook — explained from the defense side. Read the Insurance Playbook →
Your Injuries
How different injury types affect claim value in Los Angeles — and why some of the most serious injuries are consistently undervalued by insurers. Explore Injury Types →
After the Settlement
Liens, taxes, Medi-Cal and Medicare reimbursement, special needs trusts, what happens to your money after the check arrives. The section no other PI site covers. After Your Settlement →
California Injury Law
The actual legal standards that govern your case — comparative fault, damages, statute of limitations, CACI jury instructions — explained in plain English with citations to California law. California Personal Injury Law →
Common Questions From
Los Angeles Accident Victims
1. Do I have to talk to the other driver's insurance company?
No. You are not legally required to give a statement to the opposing party's insurance company, and in most cases you should not do so without first speaking to an attorney. Insurance adjusters are trained to ask questions designed to reduce or eliminate your claim. A brief free consultation before you say anything can protect your recovery significantly.
2. How long do I have to file a personal injury claim in California?
In most cases, two years from the date of your injury under California Code of Civil Procedure § 335.1. However, there are critical exceptions — claims against government entities require a government tort claim within six months, and claims involving minors follow different rules. Missing the deadline almost always means losing your right to recover entirely. These deadlines can change so make sure you check with an attorney to see if there have been any updates or changes.
3. What is my case worth?
Case value depends on several factors: the nature and severity of your injuries, clarity of liability, available insurance coverage, your medical expenses and future treatment needs, lost income, and pain and suffering. Los Angeles County juries are among the most plaintiff-friendly in California, which directly affects settlement values. The case valuation guide covers the actual framework used on both sides.
4. Should I accept the insurance company's first offer?
Almost never — especially not before you have finished medical treatment and understand the full extent of your injuries. First offers are typically made before the insurer has complete information and are designed to close the claim quickly and cheaply. Once you sign a release, you cannot go back for more money even if your condition worsens.
5. Do I need a lawyer for my personal injury case?
Not always — but knowing when you do is critical. Minor claims with clear liability, limited injuries, and cooperative insurers can sometimes be handled without an attorney. Cases involving serious injuries, disputed liability, multiple parties, uninsured drivers, or government defendants almost always require experienced legal representation.
6. How much does a personal injury attorney cost in California?
Virtually all California personal injury attorneys work on a contingency fee basis — meaning they only get paid if you recover money. The standard contingency fee in California is 33⅓% before filing a lawsuit and 40% after. No upfront costs. This means anyone injured in Los Angeles has access to experienced legal representation regardless of their financial situation.