After a car accident resulting in injury, you may feel angry, fearful, and completely overwhelmed. Trying to deal with physical pain and parties pointing blame, all while medical costs and other bills are piling up can cause intense emotional trauma and financial difficulties.
At the Hulburt Law Firm, we understand the challenges you are facing and are committed to providing the highest level of legal representation during this stressful time. Our attorneys have extensive experience handling car accident cases and are here to guide you step-by-step through the legal process to ensure you receive the best outcome possible.
Over 10,000 people are killed or injured in traffic crashes every day across California.*
Throughout the process, we keep you informed, answer any questions you may have, and provide ongoing support. We limit the number of cases we take on so that we can dedicate the time and attention needed for each case.
With Hulburt Law Firm by your side, you can focus on your recovery while knowing that your legal claims are being taken care of. If you or a loved one has been involved in a car accident, contact us today for a free case review.
Our attorneys have a proven track record of achieving extraordinary results.
A sudden tire failure caused an SUV to fishtail and crash, killing a beloved husband and father.
An event producer’s negligence led to a participant’s death.
A freeway collision resulted in brain and spine injuries.
A seatback collapsed in a rear-end collision, causing the occupant life-changing injuries.
Campus security was speeding and collided with a student’s vehicle, killing her.
A head restraint broke off in a rear end collision, causing the driver to suffer a spinal cord injury.
During your free case review, we listen to your story, collect preliminary information, and provide an honest evaluation of your case’s strengths and potential challenges.
Once the scope of work is signed, our team gets to work conducting a thorough investigation to build a strong foundation for your case including accident scene examinations, conducting a vehicle damage analysis, reviewing police reports, witness statements, and surveillance and traffic camera footage.
To strengthen your case, our firm collaborates with experts, including accident reconstructionists, medical professionals, and economists in order to recreate the accident scenario, provide detailed assessments of your injuries and necessary treatments, and calculate the full extent of your financial losses.
Based on our investigation and expert collaboration, we develop a tailored legal strategy involving identifying all liable parties, determining claims, and calculating damages.
We are skilled negotiators committed to securing a fair settlement. During negotiations with insurance companies and opposing parties, we present a strong, evidence-backed case, counter attempts to undervalue your claim, and advocate for the compensation you deserve.
If a fair settlement cannot be reached, we take your case to court. Our trial attorneys have extensive courtroom experience and are skilled at telling your story, presenting evidence and expert testimony, cross-examining witnesses, and making compelling arguments to the judge and jury.
If you’re involved in a car accident in California, it’s important to understand the basic legal principles that govern these cases. See several key points below to help you navigate the aftermath of a car accident.
Minimum Liability Coverage: California law requires all drivers to carry minimum liability insurance. The minimum limits are:
Contact the Hulburt Law Firm to help you navigate the legal process, gather evidence, and recover maximum compensation.
Forget surface-level research and mediocre inquiries. We dive deep to conduct extensive investigations and gather evidence in order to build your strongest case.
We use technology to your advantage. By using video and photography, scene recreations, and graphics, we tell your story in a visually-compelling way that other law firms cannot match.
Defense attorneys and insurance companies know us and respect us. We assess the full extent of your damages and pursue all responsible parties in order to maximize the compensation you deserve.
Catastrophic injury and wrongful death cases are rarely simple. We have taken on the largest corporations, insurance companies, and defense firms in the country and won.
We understand how important it is to have a compassionate and considerate lawyer. From providing regular case updates to ensuring clients are adequately prepared for each step of the case, we continually demonstrate our care for all of our clients.
You may have a valid case if:
An attorney can help evaluate the specifics of your situation and determine the viability of your case.
Key evidence includes:
Anyone whose negligence caused or contributed to your accident or injuries is responsible for compensating you. This includes:
At the Hulburt Law Firm, our attorneys have experience suing all of these potentially responsible parties. By pursuing all responsible parties, we have recovered millions of dollars for our clients even where the negligent driver only had minimal insurance.
Car accident victims are entitled to financial compensation (called “compensatory damages”) from the parties who caused their injuries. This includes:
Economic Damages: These damages compensate you for financial losses resulting from the accident. Economic damages include:
Non-Economic Damages: These damages compensate you for intangible losses that are more challenging to quantify, but are often worth far more than your economic damages. Non-economic damages may include:
Punitive Damages: In cases involving extreme negligence or intentional misconduct, punitive damages may be available to punish the responsible party and deter similar behavior. Punitive damages are not covered by insurance. Any punitive damages must be paid by the responsible individual or business. Generally speaking, punitive damages are rare and reserved for exceptional circumstances.
If a loved one is killed in a car accident in California, the family members can pursue wrongful death and survival claims against the responsible parties.
Wrongful Death Claim: A wrongful death claim is filed by the family members of someone who died because of the negligence or wrongdoing of another party. Wrongful death claims allow family members to seek compensation for the death of their loved one. Wrongful death damages include compensation for the loss of relationship, love, companionship, comfort and care They also include compensation for the loss of financial support, household services, and funeral expenses.
Survival Claim: A survival claim allows family members to pursue damages on behalf of the deceased person’s estate. A survival claim focuses on damages suffered by the deceased person before they died. For example, a survival claim may seek damage for the deceased person’s pre-death pain and suffering, and punitive damages for egregious negligence or recklessness.
In California, drivers are required to carry minimum auto insurance liability coverage to operate a vehicle. The minimum requirements are:
Bodily Injury Liability Coverage
Property Damage Liability Coverage
These minimums are often insufficient to cover serious injuries resulting from a car accident. Many drivers opt to purchase higher coverage limits to provide greater financial protection. Some drivers also purchase umbrella or excess coverage in addition to their auto insurance.
If the other driver does not have enough liability insurance to compensate you for your injuries, then it is critical to investigate whether any other parties may be responsible. Other potentially responsible parties may include employers, vehicle owners, party hosts, construction crews, government entities, vehicle manufacturers, or auto repair mechanics.
For example, we’ve had cases where our client was rear-ended at high speed, causing serious and permanent injuries. Our clients’ damages far exceeded the other driver’s insurance, but our investigation identified defects in our clients’ seatbacks (the seatbacks collapsed backwards instead of remaining upright), which contributed to their injuries. Despite the negligent driver’s minimal insurance, we recovered millions of dollars for our clients from the vehicle and seat manufacturers.
It is also important to investigate whether the driver has any significant personal assets (like business ownership or investment properties) that can be used to pay for your compensation above the policy limits. Private investigators can run financial asset checks.
Lastly, your underinsured motorist (UIM) coverage with your own insurance company will compensate you for the difference between at-fault driver’s insurance and your UIM coverage. For example, if the driver has $15,000 in coverage, and you have $100,000 in UIM, then after the driver pays the $15,000, you have the right to seek $85,000 from your own insurer under your UIM coverage.
Yes, California follows a pure comparative negligence rule, meaning you can still recover damages even if you were partially at fault. However, your compensation will be reduced by your percentage of fault. For example, if you are found to be 20% at fault, your compensation would be reduced by 20%.
In California, there are specific time limits, known as statutes of limitations, for bringing a car accident lawsuit. These statutes state the timeframe within which a lawsuit must be filed after the accident. Failing to file a lawsuit within the applicable statute of limitations can give up the right to pursue legal action.
The time limits for bringing a car accident lawsuit in California include:
Consult with the Hulburt Law Firm to make sure you timely file your claim within the applicable time limits.
While it’s possible to file a claim without an attorney, having an experienced personal injury lawyer is highly recommended. An attorney can help:
We work on a contingency fee basis, meaning you pay no upfront fees and no legal fees unless we win your case. This arrangement ensures that you can access high-quality legal representation without financial strain.
The duration varies based on the complexity of the case, the severity of the injuries, and whether a settlement is reached or the case goes to trial. It can take several months to a few years.
Many car accident cases are settled out of court through negotiations. However, if a fair settlement cannot be reached, your attorney may advise taking the case to trial to secure the compensation you deserve.
Health insurance liens arise when your health insurance provider has covered medical expenses related to your injuries caused by another’s negligence. Health insurers seek reimbursement from your lawsuit recovery for the medical bills they paid.
The Hulburt Law Firm works with your medical lien holders to resolve any liens for the lowest possible amount.
Car accidents cause a wide range of injuries, from minor to severe or even fatal. Common injuries sustained in car accidents include:
Common causes of motor vehicle accidents in California include:
Simply fill out the form or call 619.821.0500 to receive a free case review. We’ll evaluate what happened, your injuries, and potential defendants to determine how we can best help you.