CALIFORNIA AUTO ACCIDENT LAWYERS WHO GET RESULTS

Auto Accident Lawyer in California

Auto accidents can turn your life upside down in an instant. One moment you’re driving to work or running errands — and the next, you’re facing medical bills, lost wages, and the stress of dealing with insurance companies. At the Law Offices of Faud Haghighi, we help victims of car crashes secure the compensation they deserve so they can focus on recovery while we handle the legal complexities.

California law requires all drivers to exercise reasonable care when operating a vehicle. This means staying alert, maintaining safe speeds, obeying traffic signals, and taking precautions to prevent harm to others on the road. When a driver fails to uphold this duty — by speeding, texting while driving, or ignoring road signs — their actions constitute negligence. Proving that negligence is at the heart of every successful auto accident claim.

Our firm has extensive experience handling auto accident cases involving complex liability issues, disputed fault, and serious injuries. Whether you were rear-ended at a stoplight or injured in a multi-vehicle collision, our team uses proven legal strategies and advanced evidence-gathering techniques to build a strong case on your behalf.

Understanding Negligence and the Duty of Care

Every driver on California roads is legally obligated to operate their vehicle with care and attention. This is known as the duty of care. When that duty is breached, and someone gets injured as a result, the negligent driver may be held legally responsible for the damages that follow.

Examples of negligent driving behavior include:

• Speeding or reckless driving
• Failing to yield or stop at traffic signals
• Distracted driving (texting, phone use, eating, or other distractions)
• Driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol
• Following too closely or making unsafe lane changes
• Driving while fatigued or inattentive

To prove negligence, it must be shown that the at-fault driver failed to act as a reasonably careful person would have under similar circumstances. In auto accident cases, this typically involves demonstrating that the driver’s conduct directly caused your injuries and damages.

Our attorneys know how to identify every factor that may have contributed to your crash — from road design issues and vehicle defects to violations of traffic laws. This detailed approach ensures that no potential source of liability is overlooked.

Proving Fault in Auto Accident Cases

In most car accident claims, establishing fault can be straightforward — for example, when a driver rear-ends another vehicle at a stoplight. However, in other cases, fault may be disputed, with each party offering conflicting versions of how the collision occurred. This is common at intersections when both drivers claim to have had a green light or when there are no witnesses to support either side.

In these situations, it’s vital to act quickly. The insurance company for the at-fault driver will immediately begin gathering evidence to minimize its liability. If you wait too long, important proof can disappear — dashcam footage may be erased, witness memories fade, and vehicle data can be lost. Our legal team takes immediate steps to preserve this evidence by sending preservation of evidence letters to all parties involved, including opposing insurance carriers and vehicle owners.

We also work with professional accident reconstruction experts to analyze the crash scene, collect physical evidence, and extract data from the electronic data recorders (EDR) — often referred to as “black boxes.” These devices record crucial details like speed, braking, and steering input right before the collision. Combined with witness statements, police reports, and expert testimony, this data helps us construct a clear and persuasive narrative showing exactly how the accident occurred and who is responsible.

Having an experienced auto accident attorney can make the difference between a denied claim and a successful recovery. At the Law Offices of Faud Haghighi, we’ve handled hundreds of cases where the initial fault determination was challenged — and we’ve successfully overturned those findings by uncovering the facts that insurance companies often overlook.

Preserving Evidence After an Accident

One of the most important steps after a car accident is ensuring that all critical evidence is preserved. Evidence can quickly be lost, destroyed, or altered, especially if insurance companies or repair facilities get involved before an attorney does. Our office takes immediate action to prevent the spoliation of evidence — a legal term referring to the destruction or alteration of key evidence that could impact your case.

Immediate Steps Our Firm Takes

• Send preservation of evidence letters: We notify all relevant parties, including insurance carriers and vehicle owners, to retain photographs, dashcam recordings, and electronic vehicle data.
• Document the scene: We work with specialists to photograph skid marks, debris patterns, and impact points before they fade or are removed.
• Obtain surveillance footage: Nearby businesses or traffic cameras often capture valuable footage that can confirm fault.
• Secure vehicle inspections: We arrange for an expert inspection of both vehicles involved to identify mechanical failures, braking issues, or impact trajectories.

These proactive measures ensure that your case is supported by solid, verifiable evidence. Without early legal intervention, key information may be lost — and once it’s gone, it can be impossible to recover. That’s why consulting with an experienced attorney immediately after a crash is so critical.

Our firm’s approach is both aggressive and detail-oriented. We know that the success of your case often depends on what happens in the first few days following the collision. The earlier you contact us, the stronger your case will be when it’s time to negotiate with the insurance company or go to trial.

Dealing With Insurance Companies After an Accident

After an accident, one of the first calls you’ll receive will be from an insurance adjuster — either from your own insurer or the other driver’s carrier. While these adjusters may seem friendly, it’s important to remember that their goal is to minimize the amount their company pays out. Anything you say can be used to reduce or deny your claim.

In a typical auto accident, two adjusters are usually assigned: a property damage adjuster and a bodily injury adjuster. The property damage adjuster handles issues like vehicle repair costs or the fair market value if your car is declared a total loss. Meanwhile, the bodily injury adjuster focuses on your physical injuries and medical expenses — and often attempts to gather information that could harm your case.

Common Tactics Used by Insurance Adjusters

• Requesting unnecessary personal information such as your Social Security number, employment details, or prior medical records
• Using your past accidents or medical history to argue that your current injuries are “pre-existing”
• Offering quick “nuisance settlements” to close your case before you understand the true value of your claim
• Asking you to provide recorded statements that can later be taken out of context

Insurance companies have dedicated departments that handle represented versus unrepresented claimants. Once you retain an attorney, your case is transferred to a different department that deals exclusively with legal professionals — and typically, the settlement value increases substantially. This is why having an experienced attorney handle communication with insurers can make a dramatic difference in the outcome of your case.

At the Law Offices of Faud Haghighi, we take over all correspondence with insurance companies immediately after representation begins. We ensure that your claim is properly documented, your medical records are presented in context, and your rights are fully protected throughout the claims process.

Our attorneys know the tactics insurers use — from lowball settlement offers to delays designed to frustrate victims into accepting less than they deserve. We handle all negotiations so you can focus on your recovery, not on phone calls and paperwork.

Damages Recoverable in an Auto Accident Case

Victims of car accidents in California may be entitled to several types of compensation, depending on the circumstances of the crash and the severity of the injuries. In legal terms, these are called damages, and they fall into two main categories:

• Economic damages (Special Damages): The measurable financial losses you suffer as a result of the accident, such as medical bills, lost income, and property damage.
• Non-economic damages (General Damages): The physical pain, emotional suffering, and loss of enjoyment of life that cannot be easily measured in dollars.

Our firm thoroughly investigates each case to identify every potential source of compensation. We work with medical experts, vocational specialists, and economists to quantify your losses and ensure that your final settlement reflects the full extent of your damages — both now and in the future.

Examples of Recoverable Damages

• Medical expenses (emergency care, surgery, rehabilitation, ongoing therapy)
• Lost wages and loss of future earning capacity
• Vehicle repair or replacement costs
• Loss of use of the vehicle (rental costs or fair market value of use)
• Pain and suffering, emotional distress, and loss of enjoyment of life
• Permanent disability or disfigurement

In some cases, punitive damages may also be available — for instance, when the at-fault driver acted with extreme recklessness or willful disregard for safety, such as in drunk driving accidents. Although rare, these damages serve to punish egregious behavior and deter future misconduct.

Economic Damages (Special Damages)

Economic damages — sometimes called special damages — represent the tangible financial losses directly resulting from an accident. These are losses that can be documented with bills, receipts, pay stubs, or other financial evidence. Although these damages may seem straightforward, calculating them accurately requires attention to detail and a comprehensive understanding of California’s personal injury laws.

Types of Economic Damages

• Medical Expenses: Hospital stays, surgeries, diagnostic tests, physical therapy, medication, and future medical care related to your injuries.
• Property Damage: Repairs or replacement of your vehicle, as well as any personal items damaged in the crash.
• Loss of Use: Compensation for the time you were without your vehicle — either through rental costs or the fair market value of use.
• Lost Wages: Income you lost while recovering from your injuries.
• Loss of Earning Capacity: Future income you can no longer earn due to lasting physical limitations or disabilities.

While some of these damages are easy to document, others require expert analysis. For example, determining loss of future earning capacity often involves vocational and economic experts who can project how your injuries will affect your long-term income. Our firm works with these professionals to present compelling, evidence-based claims for maximum recovery.

Calculating Economic Damages in California

Under California law, you are entitled to recover the reasonable value of the financial losses caused by another person’s negligence. However, this does not necessarily mean the amount that was billed for services — rather, it reflects what was actually paid or still owed. For example, if a hospital bills $100,000 for emergency treatment but your insurance company negotiates and pays $15,000 as full satisfaction of the bill, then your recoverable damages for medical expenses are limited to that $15,000. This principle is known as the negotiated rate differential.

The California Supreme Court clarified this in Howell v. Hamilton Meats & Provisions, Inc. (2011) 52 Cal.4th 541, stating that a plaintiff may recover only the reasonable value of medical services actually received or owed. The Court noted that “an injured plaintiff whose medical expenses are paid through private insurance may recover as economic damages no more than the amounts paid by the plaintiff or his or her insurer for the medical services received or still owing at the time of trial.”

In practice, this means that the billed amount — which can be dramatically higher than what is ultimately paid — cannot be used to inflate a claim. Our attorneys ensure that all economic damages presented in your case are well-supported by proper documentation, medical records, and applicable legal standards.

By carefully organizing your financial evidence and coordinating with medical providers, we build a comprehensive record that supports the full value of your claim. This level of precision is critical when negotiating with insurance companies or presenting your case in court.

Recovering Medical Expenses After a Car Accident

Medical expenses are often the largest component of any auto accident claim. From emergency room visits to ongoing physical therapy, these costs can quickly become overwhelming. Under California law, an injured person is entitled to recover the reasonable value of the medical services received as a result of another driver’s negligence.

However, insurance companies frequently dispute the value of these expenses. They may argue that certain treatments were unnecessary or that the billed amounts were excessive. This is why it’s important to have a skilled attorney who understands the intricacies of how medical damages are calculated in California.

The Howell v. Hamilton Meats & Provisions, Inc. (2011) decision by the California Supreme Court established that plaintiffs may recover only the amounts paid (or still owed) for their medical treatment — not the full billed amount. For example, if your hospital charges $100,000 but your insurer pays $15,000 as full satisfaction of the bill, your recoverable damages for medical expenses are limited to $15,000. This “negotiated rate differential” ensures that recovery reflects the actual economic loss rather than inflated billing amounts.

At the Law Offices of Faud Haghighi, we meticulously review all medical records, insurance statements, and provider invoices to ensure that your claim reflects every legitimate expense. Our goal is to maximize your recovery while ensuring full compliance with California law. For a detailed overview of personal injury compensation, visit our Personal Injury page.

Examples of Recoverable Medical Costs

• Emergency transportation and hospital care
• Surgery and follow-up appointments
• Physical therapy and rehabilitation
• Prescription medications and medical equipment
• Diagnostic imaging such as X-rays, MRIs, or CT scans
• Future medical care and long-term treatment plans

Our legal team also works closely with your healthcare providers to document ongoing treatment needs and potential future expenses — a critical step when pursuing maximum compensation in serious injury cases.

Understanding Personal Injury Liens

Not all accident victims have access to health insurance or the ability to pay for medical treatment upfront. In these cases, our office helps clients receive the care they need through a personal injury lien arrangement. A personal injury lien allows doctors, specialists, and treatment centers to provide medical services on credit, with payment deferred until your case is settled or resolved in court.

This system ensures that injury victims can obtain timely medical care without worrying about immediate costs. Once the case concludes, the provider is paid directly from the settlement proceeds. These arrangements are especially beneficial for clients who suffer serious injuries requiring extensive care, diagnostic testing, or surgery.

Medical Providers Who Commonly Accept Liens

• Orthopedic surgeons and neurologists
• Pain management specialists
• Radiologists and diagnostic centers
• Chiropractors and physical therapists
• Neuropsychologists and rehabilitation facilities

We maintain relationships with a network of reputable healthcare providers across Southern California who accept personal injury liens. This means our clients can receive prompt, high-quality medical care with no upfront cost. We coordinate directly with these medical professionals to ensure accurate billing and proper documentation for every stage of your recovery.

Having an experienced attorney manage the lien process is critical. Without proper negotiation, medical liens can consume a significant portion of your settlement. Our office carefully reviews all lien documents and negotiates reductions whenever possible, ensuring that you retain the maximum portion of your compensation.

Non-Economic Damages (Pain and Suffering)

While financial losses such as medical bills and lost wages are measurable, the emotional and physical toll of an auto accident often runs much deeper. These intangible losses — legally referred to as non-economic damages — compensate victims for the pain, suffering, and reduced quality of life caused by their injuries.

Under California law, non-economic damages may include compensation for:

• Physical pain and discomfort
• Emotional distress, anxiety, or depression
• Loss of enjoyment of life
• Disfigurement or physical impairment
• Inconvenience, grief, and humiliation
• Loss of companionship or consortium

These damages are inherently subjective, which makes their presentation critical to the success of your case. Our attorneys work closely with clients to prepare them for depositions and testimony, ensuring that every aspect of their suffering is accurately and effectively communicated. We also collaborate with psychologists and life care experts to help the jury or insurance adjuster fully understand how the accident has affected your daily life.

In Bigler-Engler v. Breg, Inc. (2017) 7 Cal.App.5th 276, the court recognized that non-economic damages go beyond emotional pain — they encompass all harm to a person’s physical integrity, including disability, disfigurement, and reduced life expectancy. This broader definition allows victims to claim full compensation for the true extent of their suffering, not just the emotional component.

Our firm takes pride in presenting these cases with compassion and professionalism. We know that behind every claim is a person whose life has been disrupted — and we work tirelessly to ensure that story is heard and understood.

To learn more about how non-economic damages fit into a broader personal injury claim, visit our Personal Injury Law page.

Pre-Existing Conditions and the “Eggshell Doctrine”

One of the most common tactics used by insurance companies is to argue that your injuries existed before the accident. They may claim that your pain results from a pre-existing condition or a degenerative disease unrelated to the crash. While this defense is popular among insurers, California law makes it clear — a negligent driver cannot escape responsibility simply because the victim was more vulnerable to injury.

This legal principle is known as the “eggshell plaintiff doctrine.” It holds that the defendant must “take the victim as they find them.” In other words, even if a person’s pre-existing condition made their injuries more severe than those of an average healthy person, the at-fault party is still fully liable for the resulting harm.

For example, medical studies show that nearly every adult over the age of 20 experiences some degree of spinal degeneration. That doesn’t give an at-fault driver permission to cause additional injury without consequence. As California courts have affirmed, “the tortfeasor takes the person he injures as he finds him.” (Rideau v. Los Angeles Transit Lines (1954) 124 Cal.App.2d 466, 471 [268 P.2d 772].)

Similarly, in Ng v. Hudson (1977) 75 Cal.App.3d 250, the court stated that a defendant cannot avoid liability merely because a plaintiff’s pre-existing condition made them more susceptible to injury. These landmark rulings protect accident victims from unfair blame-shifting and ensure that negligent drivers are held accountable for the full scope of their actions.

At the Law Offices of Faud Haghighi, we have extensive experience handling complex cases involving pre-existing medical issues. Our team works with orthopedic surgeons, neurologists, and pain specialists to differentiate between pre-existing conditions and new trauma caused by the accident. Through careful medical documentation and expert testimony, we establish the true cause of your injuries and secure the compensation you deserve.

Why You Need an Experienced Auto Accident Attorney

Auto accident cases may seem straightforward, but beneath the surface lies a complex network of insurance regulations, evidentiary rules, and medical documentation requirements. Without an experienced attorney, victims risk losing critical evidence, accepting lowball settlements, or missing filing deadlines that can permanently bar recovery.

The Value an Attorney Brings to Your Case

• Comprehensive case evaluation: We assess every aspect of your accident — from police reports to vehicle damage — to identify all potential sources of liability.
• Strategic negotiation: Our attorneys understand how insurance companies operate and use proven tactics to secure higher settlements.
• Medical coordination: We connect you with trusted medical providers, ensuring you receive necessary care even if you lack health insurance.
• Evidence preservation: Immediate action is taken to prevent the loss or destruction of critical evidence, including EDR (“black box”) data.
• No upfront costs: All cases are handled on a contingency-fee basis — meaning you pay nothing unless we win your case.

Attempting to manage a personal injury claim alone can be overwhelming, especially when you’re recovering from physical and emotional trauma. Our legal team handles all communication, documentation, and negotiation on your behalf, allowing you to focus entirely on your recovery. To learn how our firm can assist in other types of injury cases, visit our Personal Injury Practice page.

Why Choose the Law Offices of Faud Haghighi

When selecting an attorney after a serious car accident, experience and dedication matter. The Law Offices of Faud Haghighi has built a strong reputation throughout California for delivering results-driven representation with compassion and professionalism. Our firm combines deep legal knowledge with a personalized approach that puts clients first.

What Sets Us Apart

• Extensive courtroom experience: We prepare every case as if it were going to trial, ensuring maximum leverage during settlement negotiations.
• Access to experts: We collaborate with accident reconstructionists, medical specialists, and economists to present irrefutable evidence supporting your claim.
• Personalized service: Each client works directly with our legal team, receiving consistent communication and case updates.
• Proven results: Our office has recovered significant settlements and verdicts for victims of car accidents, truck collisions, and pedestrian injuries.
• Client-first philosophy: We believe in transparency, integrity, and unwavering advocacy from the first consultation to final resolution.

Whether your case involves disputed liability, uninsured motorists, or catastrophic injuries, our firm has the experience and resources to handle it. We are not intimidated by large insurance companies — we hold them accountable and fight for the full compensation you are legally entitled to receive.

Clients appreciate our honesty and the depth of preparation we bring to every case. Our mission is simple: to protect your rights, restore your peace of mind, and secure the justice you deserve.

Schedule a Free Consultation

If you or a loved one has been injured in a car accident, time is of the essence. The sooner you contact an attorney, the stronger your case will be. Critical evidence can vanish within days, and insurance companies move quickly to limit their exposure. Let our experienced team step in to protect your rights from the very start.

The Law Offices of Faud Haghighi offers free, no-obligation consultations for all auto accident victims. We will review your case, explain your options, and outline a legal strategy tailored to your situation. You owe no attorney’s fees unless we successfully recover compensation on your behalf.