California car accident laws

Fault rules, the filing deadline, insurance minimums and crash data for California, from public sources.

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CaliforniaCA

California at a glance.

Insurance system

At-fault

The driver who caused the crash, through their insurer, pays for the injuries and losses it caused.

Fault rule

Pure comparative

You can recover even if you were mostly at fault. Your award shrinks by your share of the blame.

Injury filing deadline

2 years

Cal. Code Civ. Proc. § 335.1.

Minimum liability coverage

30/60/15

$30,000 per person and $60,000 per crash for injuries, plus $15,000 for property damage. Raised effective January 1, 2025.

Crash deaths, 2023

4,061

That's 10.4 per 100,000 residents. Below the national rate of 12.2 per 100,000.

What else moves an estimate.

State law sets the frame. The details of your crash fill it in. Each estimate weighs these against our proprietary data from hundreds of thousands of cases.

Get my estimate

Working with a lawyer: Of everything here, this moves an estimate the most. Your estimate shows the range for cases like yours with a lawyer and without one.
When you got care: Care on the day of the accident ties your injuries to the crash. Insurers often point to a delay in care to argue an injury is minor.
The injury itself: What the injury is, and how long it lasts, shapes most claims. Lasting symptoms usually count for more than injuries that heal quickly.
Medical bills: Medical bills are usually a large part of a claim, including care you'll likely still need.
Missed work: Lost wages can be claimed, and so can lost earning ability if your injury limits your work.
Who caused it: Clear fault on the other driver usually makes a claim stronger. Most states reduce what you can recover by your share of the blame.
A police report: A police report helps show what happened and who was involved.

Frequently asked questions.

Is California a no-fault state?: No. California is an at-fault state. The driver who caused the crash, through their insurer, pays for the injuries and losses it caused.
How long do I have to file a car accident lawsuit in California?: Usually 2 years from the crash for most injury lawsuits. Cal. Code Civ. Proc. § 335.1. Exceptions apply, such as claims against a government agency, so talk to a lawyer soon if time is short.
What if I was partly at fault in California?: California follows pure comparative fault. You can recover even if you were mostly at fault. Your award shrinks by your share of the blame.
What car insurance is required in California?: Drivers need at least 30/60/15 in liability coverage: $30,000 per person and $60,000 per crash for injuries, plus $15,000 for property damage. Raised effective January 1, 2025.

Sources for California.

Last updated November 2026. Laws change, so confirm your deadline with a lawyer licensed in California.

Insurance Institute for Highway Safety, IIHS state-by-state fatality facts (2023 deaths and rates)
Justia, Comparative & Contributory Negligence Laws: 50-State Survey
AccidentClaimLawyers.com, Accident claim laws by state (deadlines, fault, negligence, minimums)
QualitySpace, US 50-state auto insurance minimum liability limits (2026)
800 Perkins, Statute of limitations by state for personal injury claims

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