How to choose a car accident lawyer in San Diego
San Diego has hundreds of lawyers who take crash cases, and the ads all sound alike. You want a car accident attorney who knows the CHP and San Diego Police reports, the insurers that write most local policies and the San Diego Superior Court. Run each name through five checks before you sign.
- Look them up. The State Bar of California attorney search shows whether a lawyer is licensed and lists any public discipline.
- Ask who works your file. The lawyer at the first meeting may hand your case to someone else.
- Ask about trials. Most claims settle, but insurers pay more to lawyers who will try a case. Ask how many crash cases the lawyer has taken to a verdict at the Hall of Justice.
- Read the fee agreement. California requires a written contingency agreement signed by both of you. It states the percentage, how case costs come out of your recovery and that the fee is negotiable.
- Say no to pressure. Be careful with anyone who wants a signature at the hospital or names a dollar figure at the first meeting.
California deadlines and the pure comparative fault rule
For most injury claims, California gives you two years from the crash to file a lawsuit. For damage to your car, the limit is three years. The deadline people miss most is shorter: if a city, the County of San Diego, Caltrans or another public agency may share the blame, for example for a broken signal or a dangerous road, you must file a written claim with that agency within six months.
California uses pure comparative fault. If you were partly to blame, your award goes down by your share, but there is no cut-off. A driver who was 60% at fault can still recover 40% of their losses.
Example: your losses are valued at $50,000 and you are found 30% at fault. You would recover $35,000.
One rule cuts the other way. Under Proposition 213, a driver who had no insurance at the time of the crash, or who was convicted of driving under the influence, cannot recover pain and suffering damages. Medical bills and lost wages can still be claimed.
Insurance after a San Diego crash
California is an at-fault state. The driver who caused the crash pays through their liability insurance, and there is no no-fault (PIP) system. Policies issued or renewed since January 1, 2025 must carry at least $30,000 per person and $60,000 per crash for injuries, and $15,000 for property damage. Those limits run out quickly after a serious crash, so your own policy matters too.
Which insurance pays for what after a crash| Coverage | Whose policy | What it pays |
|---|
| Liability | The at-fault driver’s | Your injuries and your car, up to their limits |
|---|
| Uninsured and underinsured motorist | Yours | Your injuries when the other driver has no insurance or too little |
|---|
| Medical payments | Yours, if you bought it | Medical bills, whoever caused the crash |
|---|
| Collision | Yours | Repairs to your car, minus the deductible |
|---|
Expect a call from the other driver's insurer within days. Confirm who you are and where the car is, but you do not have to give a recorded statement on their schedule. Do not sign a release for your injuries until your treatment is finished or its course is clear.
What the free case review covers
The four questions check whether your crash fits this review path: it happened in the last six months, another driver caused or may have caused it, you have pain or injury symptoms, and you have not signed with a lawyer for it.
Then our partner’s automated assistant calls, confirms a few details and can connect you with the intake team. The review is free, and you are under no obligation to hire an attorney.
