A serious injury can be enormously disruptive to your life, causing not only physical pain and suffering, but also significant financial strain. If you or a loved one were injured because of someone else’s carelessness and are now struggling with expensive medical bills and missed wages, now is the time to get in touch with an experienced California personal injury lawyer at BD&J, headquartered in Los Angeles, CA. Driven by a passion for justice, our legal team is constantly fighting to recover the maximum compensation for the injured and their families.
Helping You Navigate Any Situation
California Personal Injury Attorneys
Key Takeaways
- 2026 data from the CDC notes that about 21 million people are treated at emergency departments throughout the country for nonfatal injuries every year.
- Common personal injury accidents include car accidents, motorcycle accidents, pedestrian accidents, product defects, wrongful death, e-bike or bicycle accidents, and more.
- If another party acted in a reckless or negligent manner and directly caused the accident that led to your injuries, you have the legal right to seek compensation from them.
- Specialized California personal injury lawyers from the BD&J law firm are ready to fight tirelessly in the pursuit of your maximum compensation.
What Accidents Count as Personal Injury?
California is a sprawling state with a population of more than 39 million people. With such a large population, accidents are inevitable, whether on the road, at work, in shopping malls, and so much more. Personal injury accidents are often caused by the negligent or reckless acts of another party, where innocent and vulnerable victims are left injured. The accidents that the California personal injury attorneys at BD&J represent often include:
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California car accidents
These are instances of vehicle collisions like rear-end accidents, T-bone collisions, head-on collisions, and multiple vehicle pileups.
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California pedestrian accidents
A pedestrian accident occurs when a vehicle strikes a person who is traveling on foot.
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California truck accidents
Typically involve a collision between a large commercial truck and other smaller vehicles. Common truck accidents include wide-turn collisions, spilled cargo accidents, and underride accidents.
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Wrongful death in California
This is the death of an individual through a preventable incident caused by another person or entity’s negligent or reckless acts, such as medical malpractice and car accidents.
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Product defects
A product defect accident occurs when a person is injured through use of a product as it is directed to be used, often due to manufacturing or design flaws in the product, the existence of harmful substances in the product, etc.
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Premises liability accidents in California
Premises liability accidents occur when a person is injured on a public or private property, including slips and falls, being struck by fallen objects, electrocuted by loose wiring, or assaulted due to negligent or reckless security.
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Traumatic brain injuries
Traumatic brain injury accidents result in a person retrieving trauma to the brain through a blow or blunt force to the head. This can cause concussions, pain, hematomas, and in more severe cases, brain death.
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California workplace accidents
Accidents that occur in the workplace can often include slip-and-falls, being struck by falling objects, and exposure to harmful substances.
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Police brutality
This includes incidents of excessive force and misconduct by police officers on vulnerable civilians. Common examples of police brutality include shootings, unlawful searches and seizures, and the use of unreasonable physical force like excessive tasing, punching, and kicking.
Were you involved in an accident caused by another person or entity’s negligence?
Fill out our contact form to speak to a California personal injury lawyer at BD&J today!
Personal Injury Statistics in California
California’s large population, notorious traffic rates, commercial hubs, and presence of major tourist cities mean people are constantly commuting, working, and doing daily activities within the state. This also means a higher risk of preventable accidents happening every day. The most recent statistics of California injuries show:
- Alcohol-impaired driving fatalities make up 32% of California’s overall fatal traffic accidents (OTS)
- In 2024, California was one of the states with the most motorcycle deaths, reporting 522 fatalities (NSC)
- California is the leading state in the country with dog bite insurance claims, with 2,830 claims filed in 2025 (III)
- There have been over 7,700 serious pedestrian injuries in the last 3 years, with the most injuries taking place in LA County (TIMS)
The numbers don’t lie, so you’ll want to sit down with a personal injury attorney as soon as possible to see if you have a case.
Are Personal Injury Lawsuits Only for Serious Injuries?
A 2025 CalMatters investigation reported that close to 40,000 people had been killed on California roads in the last decade, and more than 2 million people were injured in that same time span. Accidents happen every day due to other people’s negligent or reckless acts, and it is often the most vulnerable and innocent victims who end up with the most painful and expensive injuries. Some injuries can be serious, while others can be fatal. Our California personal injury lawyers have represented injuries like:
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Broken bones or fractures
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Spine injuries or paralysis
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Lacerations
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Organ damage
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Severe burns
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Disfigurement
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Catastrophic injuries, such as amputations, traumatic brain injuries, and organ damage
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Soft tissue injuries including sprains and concussions
What if My Loved One Died From their Injuries?
Some injuries can be so serious they lead to the death of a loved one. If your loved one passed away from injury complications, you still have the legal right to hold those responsible for the accident accountable for compensation.
Filing a wrongful death lawsuit in California can be your best option to recover compensation for past medical expenses, funeral costs, and non-economic damages like loss of consortium and your pain and suffering.
Can Anyone File a Wrongful Death Claim?
No, there are specific family members who can file a wrongful death claim in California. These include:
- Spouses or legally recognized domestic partners
- The deceased’s children (biological, adopted, and stepchildren who depended financially on the deceased)
- Parents of the deceased
- Any minor who was financially dependent on the deceased at the time of their passing
- Any other heir who would be entitled to the deceased’s estate under California’s intestate laws, if none of the above apply
The loss of a loved one is never easy to navigate, so let the BD&J wrongful death attorneys in California handle your case from start to finish, speak with our team now to discuss your case by calling (855) 906-3699.
What Should I Do After a Vehicle Accident?
The moments after a vehicle accident can be overwhelming, but crucial. After an accident, you should:
- Immediately assess that you, your passengers, and other involved motorists or pedestrians are relatively okay.
- Alert emergency services to get a police response and medical attention.
- Gather all information of the parties involved, including identification, contact information, and insurance information if applicable.
- Agree to get medical attention, even if you don’t feel any symptoms of your injuries.
- Obtain a police report of the accident, though you can still file a claim even without a police report.
- Consult with a California personal injury attorney to further discuss the nature of your claim.
How Do You Prove Liability in a Personal Injury Lawsuit?
Liability in a personal injury lawsuit is proven by showing that the defendant had a duty of care to you and breached it. As a direct result of this breach, you suffered injuries. For example, a driver on the road has certain rules to abide by to ensure the safety of other motorists on that same road. If this driver practices unsafe driving (like running red lights or texting while behind the wheel), drives under the influence of drugs or alcohol, or engages in other negligent driving habits, any resulting accidents and injuries could be their responsibility. Proving liability can be done with the use of evidence, like:
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Photos and videos of the accident scene and injuries sustained
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Medical documentation highlighting injuries and treatment plans
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Eyewitness testimony from other bystanders in the accident
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Police records documenting the accident
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Incident reports or formal complaint documentation, if the accident happened at work or in a public place
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Proof of loss of wages like pay stubs and employer verification to connect injuries with an inability to work
Who Could Be Liable in My Claim?
Depending on the accident type, there can be multiple parties liable for your injuries. There can also be more than one responsible party. Liable entities may include:
- Other drivers - In the case of car accidents, pedestrian accidents, commercial vehicle accidents, and truck accidents.
- A manufacturing company - Specifically when it comes to incidents of product defects, but a manufacturing company could also be held liable for car accidents or other vehicle accidents caused by defective parts, such as faulty brakes, flawed engines, etc.
- Your employer - A typical liable party in workplace accidents caused by poor training or unsafe practices.
- Another business or corporation - These entities could be held liable for premises liability accidents, workplace accidents, commercial vehicle accidents, and product defect accidents.
- Local government agencies - Poor road conditions that lead to car accidents and excessive force used by police officers that results in injury are just a few of the instances where local government agencies could be held responsible.
What if I Had Some Fault in My Accident?
An unworn seatbelt, the lack of a helmet, and texting instead of paying attention to the path in front of you are a few of the most common errors that people make before an accident. While the accident may be caused by another party, many people are often put off from pursuing compensation for their role in an injury.
Fortunately, compensation can still be recovered. This is due to California’s adoption of the pure comparative negligence doctrine. With pure comparative negligence, injured plaintiffs can still recover compensation from an accident, even if they had some fault. The compensation amount is simply reduced by the percentage of fault an injured person is assigned.
What Can a Personal Injury Attorney in California Do for My Claim?
After an accident, you and your loved ones may be left dealing with numerous painful injuries and a mountain of expenses. Going through the personal injury claims process should not be a hurdle to cross on your own. While you are recovering from your injuries, a California personal injury attorney can help:
- File your claim in a timely manner and in the proper jurisdiction
- Use past case experience to assign your claim a fair value that accounts for future expenses related to your injuries
- Negotiate with insurance companies and other legal teams for rightful compensation that covers current and future expenses
- Collect evidence to prove negligence and direct causation
- Use special attorney resources like accident reconstruction software and expert witnesses who can attest to your injuries, lifelong prognosis, and your ability to work
- Handle all communications between you and the other defendant’s lawyers, insurance company, etc.
- Be present in your corner every step of the way, handling any legal obstacles that may present themselves during your claim
Personal injury lawyers are sought out for a reason and can offer unmatched representation and knowledge to your claim. Don’t go through this legal battle alone.
BD&J is a Leading California Personal Injury Law Firm Clients Trust Since Our Establishment in 2007
BD&J is a personal injury law firm in California dedicated to protecting the rights of injured Californians and their loved ones in the aftermath of a senseless accident. Our attorneys are compassionate humanitarians who will advocate for you every step of the legal process.
What sets us apart from other personal injury law firms includes:
- Our dedication to client connection
- Expert bilingual attorneys who speak Spanish, Farsi, Armenian, French, Hebrew, and more
- Massive case results (We’ve recovered over $3 billion* in compensation for clients!)
- The attention and care we give to every single client and potential client who walks through our doors
How To Prepare for a Consultation - Tips From California Personal Injury Attorneys
If you’re getting ready for a consultation with an expert personal injury lawyer in California, being prepared can ensure you get the most out of this meeting, as well as answer any questions or doubts you may have. The BD&J personal injury lawyers recommend you do the following while preparing for a consultation:
- Gather your evidence. - Having evidence like photos and videos of the accident scene and your injuries, medical documentation, and a police report can help further support your account of the accident.
- Bring employment verification. - Loss of wages is one of the most pursued damages in a personal injury claim and bringing pay stubs and even an employment verification letter from your employer can show your work position, pay rate, and typical hours worked before the accident.
- Prepare your account of the accident. - Time passes and you may be overwhelmed by other daily events, so writing down the accident as it happened, as well as any specific details, can help you prepare to share your accident with a personal injury lawyer.
- Don’t withhold any information about pre-existing conditions. - You can still file a personal injury claim with a pre-existing condition, so be honest with the attorney about this information.
- Listen to the attorney’s advice and ask questions. - It is essential to listen to the attorney and not interrupt or argue against their advice on your case, but of course, you will have the opportunity to ask questions about the legal process, your claim’s value, and the timeline of the lawsuit.
Frequently Asked Questions
How Long Do I Have to File a Personal Injury Claim?
For most personal injury claims, plaintiffs have two years from the date of the accident to file their claim. This statute of limitations can vary depending on the type of accident. For example, a personal injury claim filed against a government agency must be completed within six months of the accident.
What Happens if I Try to File a Claim after the Statute of Limitations Has Passed?
If you attempt to file a claim after the statute of limitations has passed, it will most likely be dismissed and you will be unable to recover compensation. This is why sitting down with a California personal injury lawyer to file your claim in a timely manner is crucial!
What Can My Compensation Cover?
Compensation from your claim can be used to cover past and future medical expenses, physical rehabilitation, loss of income if unable to work, pain and suffering, punitive damages, and more.
Is it Expensive to Work with a California Personal Injury Lawyer?
At BD&J, we understand the financial strain that comes with personal injury accidents. This is why we work on a contingency fee basis, which means clients can focus on their recovery while we get to work on fighting for their compensation.
What are contingency fees, and do they have to be paid upfront?
The contingency fee structure means our lawyers don’t get paid until after your case is settled, deducting a percentage from your compensation amount as payment. This means you don’t have to pay any fees upfront, and there are no fees until we win*.
Don’t delay your fight for compensation.
Call BD&J to speak to our California personal injury attorneys now!
Our team is ready to help
How to Get Started on a Personal Injury Claim
To get started on your personal injury claim, there are a few key steps to take. To begin the process for your claim, make sure to:
- Collect evidence after the accident. Collecting evidence can look like taking photos and videos of the accident site (including dashcam footage if appropriate), gathering medical documentation of the injuries sustained and treatment plans, the information of the other party if possible, and the testimony of other witnesses who saw the accident unfold.
- Treat your injuries. It is extremely important you treat your injuries after a personal injury accident. Failure to treat your injuries can be harmful for your health and can also minimize the amount you can recover in your personal injury claim. Contact a California personal injury lawyer.
- Contact a California personal injury lawyer. Consult with a personal injury attorney with past experience handling your type of accident. Most experienced law firms will offer free consultations, so you can sit down with an attorney and see if you have a case. At BD&J, we offer free initial consultations with our dedicated attorneys who have been fighting for the rights of injured victims and their families for more than 20 years!
Compassionate California Personal Injury Attorneys Who Fight for the Injured.
Whether you were involved in a car accident, construction site accident, or other incident, you deserve to have your story told and may be entitled to compensation for your injuries. Consult with a California personal injury lawyer at BD&J who will fight for you! With more than $3 billion* in damages recovered for injured Californians and their families, we continue to advocate for clients so their voices heard. Schedule your free initial consultation with us today!
Experience You Can Trust
Meet Our Legal Team
Chief Legal & Ethical Compliance Officer, General Counsel
Ross E. Viselman
Partner, Litigation Department
Shawn McCann
Partner
Olivier Taillieu
Partner
Dana Alden Fox
Partner
Owili Eison
Partner
Lauren Horwitz
Junior Partner
Maura Taillieu
Junior Partner
Martin Kanarek
Junior Partner
Jennifer R. Bagosy
Junior Partner
Megan E. Klein
Junior Partner
Jesse E. French
Junior Partner
Julian Sonnega
Junior Partner
Joseph Younes
Junior Partner
Kelley M. Fox
Junior Partner
Amir Khalioun
Junior Partner
Ellin Mardirosian
Junior Partner
Daniel Panahi
Director of Pre-Litigation, Junior Partner
Michael Madadi
Attorney
Garret Valerio
Attorney
Michael Daurio
Attorney
Ashkan Zamani
Attorney
Malek H. Shraibati
Head of Negotiations and Settlement Unit, Attorney
Sapir Hassid
Attorney
Sonia Pascher
Attorney
Rightly Perry
Attorney
Matthew Russell
Attorney
Tyler Miles
Attorney
Alister S. Wong
Attorney
Sean S. Khanaki
Attorney
Ivan Perez Medina
Attorney
Kelley J. Gural
Attorney
Steve Jang
Litigation Attorney
Giorgio Cassandra
Attorney
Aida Akhavan
Attorney
Elizabeth A. Hernandez
Attorney
Arnold E. Reed II
Attorney
Monica M. Martinez
Attorney
Grecia Toscano
Trial Attorney
Ian Fels
Attorney
Moshe Shemtov
Attorney
Nicole Ofir
Attorney, Head of Demands
Ronda Peters
Litigation Attorney
Lina Michael McGurk
Attorney
Shawna M. O’Donnell
Attorney
Huda Tahboub
Attorney
Stephanie K. Sivers
Attorney
Habib Lavasani
Attorney
Stephanie Alvarez
Attorney
Ronya Khateri
Attorney
Michael Scott Huebner
Attorney
Guyane Saroian
Attorney
Sophia Woods
Attorney
Rebecca John
Attorney
Ali Hashemi
Attorney
Ashley Akhavan
Attorney
Ricardo Ramirez
Attorney
Haifa M. Nesheiwat
