What a Car Accident Means Under California Law
In California, a car accident occurs when a vehicle collision results in damage, injury, or death — often caused by a driver's negligence, recklessness, or violation of traffic laws. California is an at-fault state, which means the driver who caused the accident is legally responsible for the damages.
To recover compensation, the injured party must prove that the other driver was negligent — for example, by texting while driving, speeding, running a red light, or failing to yield.
What You Can Recover After a Car Accident in California.
If you've been injured in a car accident, California law allows you to recover financial compensation for a variety of losses, including:
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Medical Expenses: Hospital bills, surgery, rehabilitation, physical therapy, and future medical care.
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Lost Wages: Income you missed due to your injuries and any loss of future earning capacity.
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Pain and Suffering: Physical pain, emotional distress, trauma, and reduced quality of life.
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Property Damage: Costs to repair or replace your vehicle and personal belongings.
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Loss of Consortium: Impact on your relationship with your spouse or family.
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Punitive Damages: In rare cases, if the at-fault driver acted with extreme recklessness (e.g., DUI).
Even if you were partially at fault, you can still recover damages under California’s comparative negligence rule — your compensation will just be reduced by your percentage of fault.