A car accident can turn an ordinary drive into months of doctor visits, missed work and calls from insurance adjusters. If it happened in Pasadena, you may be sorting through all of that while you are still sore and stressed. This guide explains what to do in the first days, which California rules affect your claim, and what to look for in a Pasadena car accident lawyer.
It is general information, not legal advice for your case. If you were hurt, talking to a lawyer early is usually the safest move.
What to do right after a Pasadena car accident
The steps you take in the first hours can shape your claim later. Here is a practical order to follow:
- Get to a safe spot and call 911 if anyone is hurt. Ask for police and medical help.
- Get checked by a doctor, even if you feel fine. Neck and back injuries and concussions can show up a day or two later, and a medical record links the injury to the crash.
- Take photos of the vehicles, the road, traffic signs and any visible injuries. Write down the names of witnesses.
- Exchange names, phone numbers, license plates and insurance details with the other driver.
- Keep apologies and guesses about fault to yourself. Say what happened, but do not say it was your fault.
- Report the crash to your own insurer. Before you give a recorded statement to the other driver’s insurer, speak to a lawyer.
- Check whether you must file a report with the California DMV. In general, you must report within 10 days if anyone was hurt or killed, or if property damage passed $1,000.
Why crashes happen on Pasadena roads
Pasadena drivers deal with freeway merges on the 210 and 134, the tight curves of the Arroyo Seco Parkway and steady traffic on streets like Colorado Boulevard and Lake Avenue. Add pedestrians, cyclists and tourists who do not know the area, and there are plenty of chances for mistakes.
The causes behind most claims are familiar ones: distracted driving, speeding, drunk or drugged driving, red light running, unsafe lane changes and rear-end collisions in stop and go traffic. Who caused the crash matters, because California law ties your compensation to fault.
What compensation can cover
A car accident claim is meant to cover what the crash cost you. Depending on your case, that can include:
- Medical bills, both past and future, including therapy and follow-up care
- Lost income and, if you cannot return to your old job, lost earning ability
- Vehicle repair or replacement and other property damage
- Pain, suffering and the way the injury has changed your daily life
In a fatal crash, close family members may be able to bring a wrongful death claim. Every case is different, and no lawyer can honestly promise a number before reviewing the facts.
California rules that affect your claim
Three rules catch people off guard.
First, deadlines. In California, you generally have two years from the date of the injury to file a personal injury lawsuit, and three years for property damage. If a city, county or other public agency may share blame, such as for a dangerous road design, the deadline to file a claim can be as short as six months. Waiting can end a strong case before it starts.
Second, shared fault. California follows a comparative fault system. If you were partly to blame, your compensation can be reduced by your share of the blame, but you can still recover the rest.
Third, insurance limits. Since January 2025, the minimum liability coverage in California is $30,000 per injured person, $60,000 per accident and $15,000 for property damage. Serious injuries can pass those amounts quickly, which is why your own uninsured and underinsured motorist coverage can matter.
Do you really need a car accident lawyer?
Not always. If nobody was hurt and the damage is minor, you can often handle it through insurance. A lawyer becomes worth a call when:
- You have injuries that need ongoing treatment, or you missed work
- The other driver blames you, or the police report is wrong
- The insurer offers a quick settlement that does not cover your bills
- The driver was uninsured, drove for work, or was in a commercial vehicle
- Someone died in the crash
Early settlement offers are often lower than what a claim is worth, and once you sign a release you usually cannot ask for more.
How to choose a Pasadena car accident lawyer
Search results are full of firms that say the same things, so ask direct questions:
- How many car accident cases have you handled, and how many went to trial?
- Who will work on my case day to day, and who do I call with questions?
- How do your fees work? Most injury lawyers work on contingency, which means you pay nothing unless money is recovered.
- How do you keep clients updated, and how fast do you return calls?
- Do you know the local courts, insurers and medical providers in the San Gabriel Valley?
Pay attention to how the first call feels. A good lawyer listens, explains your options in plain language and does not pressure you to sign on the spot.
Working with the Law Offices of Mark Murad
The Law Offices of Mark Murad is a personal injury and litigation firm with offices in Pasadena, Glendale, Los Angeles and Ontario. Our Pasadena office is at 155 N. Lake Avenue, Suite 800, close to the courts and medical providers many local clients use. You can read more about Mark Murad and the firm before you call.
Our car accident lawyers handle claims from crashes involving cars, trucks and motorcycles, including serious injuries such as brain and spinal cord trauma. We work on contingency, consultations are free, and you owe no fee unless we win. If your accident happened somewhere else in the area, our Pasadena personal injury and car accident team also serves Glendale, Burbank, Arcadia, Monrovia and the rest of Los Angeles County.
Not every injury comes from a crash. If you were hurt on someone else’s property, read about our Pasadena slip and fall lawyer or our trip and fall lawyer services. For a wider look at our work in the city, see our page for a personal injury attorney in Pasadena, CA.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a Pasadena car accident lawyer cost?
Most work on contingency. At the Law Offices of Mark Murad, the first consultation is free and there is no fee unless we recover money for you. Ask any firm to explain costs in writing before you sign.
How long do I have to file a car accident claim in California?
Usually two years for injuries and three years for property damage. Claims against a government agency can have a much shorter deadline, so speak to a lawyer as soon as you can.
What if the other driver has no insurance?
You may be able to recover through your own uninsured motorist coverage. A lawyer can review your policy and tell you what is available.
What if I was partly at fault?
You can still recover in many cases. California reduces your compensation by your percentage of fault rather than barring your claim.
Talk to a Pasadena car accident lawyer today
If you were hurt in a crash, do not wait for the insurance company to decide what your claim is worth. Call the Law Offices of Mark Murad at (626) 388-1521 or visit our Pasadena page to schedule a free consultation. We will listen, explain your options and tell you honestly whether we can help.