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Car accident in California?Talk to a lawyer for free.

Insurers count on you taking their first offer. One client was offered $410,000. We won $4.4 million.

  • No fee unless we winWe only get paid when you get paid.
  • Zero upfront costYour consultation is free, with no obligation.
  • Hablamos españolNative Spanish speakers. No confusion. No delays.
  • Available 24/7We'll meet you at your home or hospital.

No attorney's fees unless we recover compensation. Clients may be responsible for case costs. Read the disclaimer

A firefighter and an ambulance at a car crash at an intersection
Valero Law Group was professional & knowledgeable in providing the compensation that I deserved.
Patti B.Car accident clientGoogle review

Results that speak.Millions won for car accident clients.

We've won over $500 million for our clients, including the car accident cases below.

Recognized for excellence

Avvo Rating: Excellent, Top Rated Personal InjuryTop Rated by Super Lawyers
  • $6.25MPersonal injuryA confidential settlement believed to be the largest personal injury settlement ever recorded in its county.
  • $5MAuto accidentA married couple's recovery after a crash left the husband with a brachial plexus injury.
  • $2.34MAccident claimA win for a client injured in an accident.
  • $1.5MAuto accidentA result for a driver injured in a car crash.

Past results do not guarantee future outcomes, and each case is different.

View all results

On your side, not the insurance company's

Insurance companies have a team.You should have one too.

Every serious claim gets the insurer's adjusters, investigators and lawyers, whose job is to keep the payout low. The call usually comes within days of the crash, and what you say on it can follow your claim to the end.

Before you sign anything, ask yourself:

  1. Did someone else's carelessness cause the crash?
  2. Were you injured, or was your car badly damaged?
  3. Will the money still cover your care and lost pay months from now?

One client's offer, drawn to scale

Before we stepped in$410,000

After$4.4M

Our client's neck was injured in a car crash. Taking the insurer's offer would have left nearly $4 million on the table.

Past results do not guarantee future outcomes, and each case is different.

Get my free case review
A Valero Law Group office building with the firm's monument sign out front

Why choose Valero Law Group?

We champion every case,big and small.

Whether your case is worth $5,000 or $5 million, we bring the same skill, attention and determination to every client we represent.

So don't let the size of your case keep you from seeking justice: every injury deserves serious representation. Let us fight for the compensation you're owed while you focus on what matters most, your recovery.

They made me feel like a priority, and they put my needs first as a client.

IsabelValero Law Group client

400+five-star Google reviews

Car accident clients,in their own words.

  • Samuel M. smiling in the Valero Law Group office with his $881,000 settlement check
    Samuel M.$881,000
  • Victoria M. smiling in front of the Valero Law Group logo wall with her $625,000 settlement check
    Victoria M.$625,000
  • Karina C. smiling in the Valero Law Group office with her $625,000 settlement check
    Karina C.$625,000
  • Angela M. smiling and pointing to her $625,000 settlement check
    Angela M.$625,000
  • Destiny H. smiling with her $500,000 settlement check
    Destiny H.$500,000
  • Javier P. smiling in the Valero Law Group office with his $375,000 settlement check
    Javier P.$375,000
I was really stressed after my car accident, but Valero Law Group made the whole process super smooth and easy… I'm so happy with the settlement they got me!
Isabella G.Google review
Read all 400+ of our reviews
I had a car accident last year and Valero was able to get me a $86,000 settlement for my injuries! Thank you for helping me out!
Janeth A.Google review
I want to thank Kyle and Valero Law Group for making the entire process of my car accident so simple and stress free… They handled everything with professionalism and efficiency.
Viri Z.Google review

What a California caraccident claim can recover.

Under California law, the driver who caused the crash, through their insurer, owes you for every loss it caused, whether it shows up on a bill or not.

Economic damages

Losses with a dollar figure

  • Ambulance, emergency room, surgery and hospital stays
  • Physical therapy, follow-up care and future treatment
  • Wages you lost and the earning power you won't get back
  • Repairs or the value of a totaled car, plus a rental

Non-economic damages

Losses without a receipt

  • Pain and physical suffering
  • Anxiety, sleeplessness and emotional distress
  • Scarring and disfigurement
  • Time and activities you can no longer enjoy
  • $30,000The least a driver's policy covers per injured personFor policies issued or renewed since January 1, 2025, with $60,000 per accident (Vehicle Code §16056). A serious injury can use that up quickly.
  • 1 in 5drivers on California roads was uninsured in 2023An estimated 20.4%, according to the Insurance Research Council. Uninsured motorist coverage on your own policy can fill the gap.
  • 80%Still yours if you were 20% at faultUnder California's pure comparative fault rule, your share of the blame reduces the award; it never wipes it out.

After a car accident in California,what comes next.

Six things to know in the days after a crash, wherever in the state it happened.

Valero Law Group attorneys meeting around a conference table
  • Who has the crash report
    On freeways, state highways and roads outside city limits, it's usually the California Highway Patrol, and you can request a CHP report online. Inside a city it's usually that city's police department. Either one can tell you if the other took it.
  • If your car was towed
    Tow yards can charge storage for every day after the first 24 hours, so it pays to move quickly. You're entitled to collect your belongings and have your insurer inspect the car free of charge, and there's no lien fee if it's picked up within 72 hours.
  • The DMV wants its own report
    Within 10 days of a crash where anyone was injured, even slightly, or damage passed $1,000, every driver involved must file an SR-1 with the DMV. Fault doesn't matter, and a police report doesn't replace it.
  • Insurers must answer on time
    California's claim rules give the other driver's insurer 15 days to acknowledge your claim and 40 days from receiving proof to accept it, deny it or explain in writing why it needs longer. The Department of Insurance can help if it stalls.
  • Your rental can be part of the claim
    When another driver is at fault, the reasonable cost of renting a comparable car while yours is repaired or replaced counts as loss of use.
  • Government deadlines are much shorter
    You generally have two years to sue the driver. If a city or county vehicle, a public bus or a road hazard played a part, a written claim is usually due within six months, and state agencies such as Caltrans have their own claims process.
A man and a boy in traditional Colombian hats and jerseys holding Valero Law Group signs at a community event

Al Barro Foundation: supporting over 400 orphans in Mexico

From the community, for the community.

Hablamos español.

We're a Hispanic-focused firm with native Spanish-speaking attorneys. We understand your family's needs, walk you through every step in your language, and fight to get you every dollar you deserve.

Organizations we support

Sponsor of the 2024 Share the Road Scholarship

Our community outreach
  • Al Barro Foundation
  • EUNIME por Tijuana, A.C.
…they speak excellent Spanish, know how to help, and look out for their clients' best interests.
Yesica H.Google review

Organizations we support

Sponsor of the 2024 Share the Road Scholarship

Our community outreach
  • Al Barro Foundation
  • EUNIME por Tijuana, A.C.

Common questionsafter a California car accident.

How long do I have to file a car accident claim in California?
Two years from the crash for most injury lawsuits (Code of Civil Procedure §335.1). When a government vehicle or road is involved, a written claim usually has to be filed within six months. Evidence fades faster than either deadline, so it helps to call early.
Do I have to live near one of your offices?
No. We take car accident cases anywhere in California. We have offices from Stockton to Palm Desert, and if you can't travel, we'll come to your home or the hospital.
Should I talk to the other driver's insurance company?
You don't have to give the other driver's insurer a recorded statement, and anything you say can be used to value your claim. You can tell the adjuster you'll get back to them after you've spoken with a lawyer. Your own policy may still require you to cooperate with your own insurer.
Who pays my medical bills before the case settles?
Usually your own health insurance, or Med-Pay coverage on your auto policy if you carry it, as the bills arrive. They're generally paid back out of the settlement. Without coverage, some doctors agree to wait for payment until the case is resolved.
What if I was partly at fault?
You can still recover. California uses pure comparative negligence, so your compensation goes down by your share of the fault but doesn't disappear.
What if the driver who hit me has no insurance?
Uninsured and underinsured motorist coverage on your own policy can pay for your injuries. With about one in five California drivers uninsured in 2023, it's often the coverage that matters most, and we check every policy that might apply.
What does a car accident lawyer cost?
Nothing upfront. Your consultation is free, and no attorney's fees are owed unless we recover compensation for you. You may be responsible for case-related costs and expenses; we'll explain them before you sign.
Attorney Kyle Valero
Kyle ValeroAttorney, Valero Law Group

Our easy 3-stepcase review process.

We make getting legal help simple.

  1. Free consultationCall us 24/7 or fill out our form. We'll review your case at no cost.
  2. Review your caseOur experienced attorneys investigate and evaluate your case to build the strongest claim possible.
  3. Injury litigationWe fight for maximum compensation, in negotiation or in court.
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Don't wait. There are legal deadlines.

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Have a question about a potential case?Talk to a California car accident lawyer today.

Your consultation is always free, with no obligation. We're happy to answer any questions and walk you through your options. No pressure, just honest answers.

(800) 985-9565
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  • Hablamos español
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