FOLLOW THE RULE TO ITS SOURCE

The law behind
the explanations.

The guides cite statutes, court decisions, jury instructions, and government guidance. Review details appear on each guide.

Statute

California Civil Code § 1714 — Responsibility for harm ↗

Used in 18 guides · Review recorded in the linked guides

What does “negligence” mean?How do I show who caused an accident?What if I was hit from behind?What if a driver turned left in front of me?What if the other driver was distracted?Can I have a claim after a parking lot crash?Can I have a claim if I was outside a crosswalk?What if a car hit me while I was riding a bike?Does lane splitting mean a motorcycle rider is at fault?Who may be responsible after a truck crash?What if a public bus or city vehicle hit me?What if I slipped and fell at a business?What if unsafe stairs caused my injury?What if a dog knocked me down but did not bite?What if only my car was damaged?What if I was driving for a rideshare service when I was hurt?What if the crash happened around a delivery-app job?How do I know if this is a personal injury matter?

Statute

Code of Civil Procedure § 335.1 — Injury and death actions ↗

Used in 7 guides · Review recorded in the linked guides

Does a police report decide who was at fault?How long do I have to file an injury lawsuit?Is opening an insurance claim the same as suing?What should I do in the first days after an accident?How long does an injury claim take?What if someone’s dog bit me?Who can bring a wrongful death claim?

Statute

Code of Civil Procedure § 352 — Certain pauses in time limits ↗

Used in 3 guides · Review recorded in the linked guides

How long do I have to file an injury lawsuit?Are the deadlines different when a child is hurt?Why does a child’s injury settlement need court review?

Statute

Government Code § 911.2 — Presenting a government claim ↗

Used in 7 guides · Review recorded in the linked guides

How long do I have to file an injury lawsuit?What if a city or other public agency is involved?Are the deadlines different when a child is hurt?What should I do in the first days after an accident?What if a public bus or city vehicle hit me?What if I fell on a public sidewalk?Who can bring a wrongful death claim?

Statute

Government Code § 945.6 — Time to sue a public entity ↗

Used in 3 guides · Review recorded in the linked guides

How long do I have to file an injury lawsuit?What if a city or other public agency is involved?What if a public bus or city vehicle hit me?

Court guidance

California Courts — Civil lawsuits ↗

Used in 10 guides · Review recorded in the linked guides

Can I have a claim if I was partly at fault?Does a police report decide who was at fault?Is opening an insurance claim the same as suing?What evidence should I save after an injury?What should I do in the first days after an accident?What happens in a personal injury lawsuit?How long does an injury claim take?Can I use small claims court for an injury?What does a settlement release do?What can I do if insurance denies my claim?

Court guidance

California Courts — Small claims ↗

Used in 1 guides · Review recorded in the linked guides

Can I use small claims court for an injury?

Statute

Civil Code § 3342 — Dog bite liability ↗

Used in 2 guides · Review recorded in the linked guides

What if someone’s dog bit me?What if a dog knocked me down but did not bite?

Agency guidance

California Department of Insurance — Automobile insurance guide ↗

Used in 22 guides · Review recorded in the linked guides

Does a police report decide who was at fault?What if the driver borrowed someone else’s car?How long do I have to file an injury lawsuit?Is opening an insurance claim the same as suing?What should I do in the first days after an accident?How long does an injury claim take?What should I know before talking to an adjuster?Do I have to give a recorded statement?What if the driver who hit me has no insurance?What if the other driver does not have enough insurance?What insurance might help after a hit-and-run?Do I have to accept the first settlement offer?What does a settlement release do?Who pays medical bills while a claim is pending?What can I do if insurance denies my claim?Why is my settlement different from what I take home?How much is my injury claim worth?What if only my car was damaged?Can my policy help if I have only liability coverage?What if I was driving for a rideshare service when I was hurt?What if the crash happened around a delivery-app job?What do California’s car insurance minimums mean?

Statute

Insurance Code § 11580.2 — Uninsured motorist coverage ↗

Used in 5 guides · Review recorded in the linked guides

What if the driver who hit me has no insurance?What if the other driver does not have enough insurance?What insurance might help after a hit-and-run?Can my policy help if I have only liability coverage?What do California’s car insurance minimums mean?

Statute

Evidence Code § 1152 — Settlement offers ↗

Used in 1 guides · Review recorded in the linked guides

Do I have to accept the first settlement offer?

Statute

Civil Code § 3333 — Compensation for harm ↗

Used in 18 guides · Review recorded in the linked guides

Can I have a claim if I was partly at fault?Can an injury matter if no one can see it?What if I already had a health problem?What should I do in the first days after an accident?What if the other driver does not have enough insurance?Who pays medical bills while a claim is pending?What losses can an injury claim cover?Can a claim include medical costs?What if I will need medical care later?Can a claim cover pay I missed?What if I cannot do the same job anymore?What does “pain and suffering” mean?Can I include other costs caused by an injury?How much is my injury claim worth?What if someone’s dog bit me?How is a wrongful death claim different from a survival claim?What if only my car was damaged?How do I know if this is a personal injury matter?

Statute

Civil Code § 1431.2 — Noneconomic damages and fault ↗

Used in 3 guides · Review recorded in the linked guides

Can I have a claim if I was partly at fault?What if more than one person caused my injury?What if an injury harms my married life?

Statute

Civil Code § 3294 — Punitive damages ↗

Used in 1 guides · Review recorded in the linked guides

Are extra damages available to punish bad conduct?

Statute

Civil Code § 3333.4 — Limits on certain damages ↗

Used in 2 guides · Review recorded in the linked guides

Can being uninsured affect my own injury claim?What does “pain and suffering” mean?

Statute

Code of Civil Procedure § 377.60 — Wrongful death claims ↗

Used in 4 guides · Review recorded in the linked guides

Who can bring a wrongful death claim?How is a wrongful death claim different from a survival claim?What if an injury harms my married life?What losses can a wrongful-death claim cover?

Statute

Code of Civil Procedure § 377.30 — Survival of a claim ↗

Used in 3 guides · Review recorded in the linked guides

How is a wrongful death claim different from a survival claim?What if an injury harms my married life?What losses can a wrongful-death claim cover?

Statute

Vehicle Code § 22350 — Basic speed law ↗

Used in 2 guides · Review recorded in the linked guides

Does a traffic ticket prove an injury claim?What if the other driver was speeding?

Statute

Vehicle Code § 21703 — Following too closely ↗

Used in 1 guides · Review recorded in the linked guides

What if I was hit from behind?

Statute

Vehicle Code § 21801 — Left turns ↗

Used in 1 guides · Review recorded in the linked guides

What if a driver turned left in front of me?

Statute

Vehicle Code § 21950 — Crosswalks ↗

Used in 1 guides · Review recorded in the linked guides

What if I was hit in a crosswalk?

Statute

Vehicle Code § 21200 — Bicycle riders’ rights and duties ↗

Used in 1 guides · Review recorded in the linked guides

What if a car hit me while I was riding a bike?

Statute

Vehicle Code § 21760 — Passing a bicycle ↗

Used in 1 guides · Review recorded in the linked guides

What if a driver passed my bike too closely?

Statute

Vehicle Code § 21658.1 — Motorcycle lane splitting ↗

Used in 1 guides · Review recorded in the linked guides

Does lane splitting mean a motorcycle rider is at fault?

Statute

Vehicle Code § 17150 — Vehicle owner responsibility ↗

Used in 1 guides · Review recorded in the linked guides

What if the driver borrowed someone else’s car?

Statute

Civil Code § 2338 — Responsibility for an agent’s conduct ↗

Used in 4 guides · Review recorded in the linked guides

Can a business be responsible for its worker?Who may be responsible after a truck crash?What if a driver was working when the crash happened?What if the crash happened around a delivery-app job?

Statute

Government Code § 835 — Dangerous public property ↗

Used in 1 guides · Review recorded in the linked guides

What if I fell on a public sidewalk?

Statute

Business and Professions Code § 6147 — Contingency fee agreements ↗

Used in 3 guides · Review recorded in the linked guides

What should I ask before hiring an injury lawyer?Why is my settlement different from what I take home?How much is my injury claim worth?

Statute

Code of Civil Procedure § 372 — Representation of a minor ↗

Used in 2 guides · Review recorded in the linked guides

Are the deadlines different when a child is hurt?Why does a child’s injury settlement need court review?

Agency guidance

California Public Utilities Commission — Rideshare insurance requirements ↗

Used in 1 guides · Review recorded in the linked guides

What if I was driving for a rideshare service when I was hurt?

Statute

Vehicle Code § 20013 — Accident reports in evidence ↗

Used in 1 guides · Review recorded in the linked guides

Does a police report decide who was at fault?

Statute

Evidence Code § 669 — Presumption based on violation of law ↗

Used in 2 guides · Review recorded in the linked guides

Can I have a claim if I was partly at fault?Does a traffic ticket prove an injury claim?

Statute

Civil Code § 1542 — General releases and unknown claims ↗

Used in 3 guides · Review recorded in the linked guides

Do I have to accept the first settlement offer?What does a settlement release do?What if someone’s dog bit me?

Statute

Code of Civil Procedure § 437c — Summary judgment ↗

Used in 1 guides · Review recorded in the linked guides

What happens in a personal injury lawsuit?

Agency guidance

California DMV — Current auto insurance requirements ↗

Used in 1 guides · Review recorded in the linked guides

What do California’s car insurance minimums mean?

Statute

Insurance Code § 11580.1 — Motor vehicle liability policies ↗

Used in 1 guides · Review recorded in the linked guides

What do California’s car insurance minimums mean?

Court rule

California Rules of Court, rule 7.950 — Minor settlement petitions ↗

Used in 1 guides · Review recorded in the linked guides

Why does a child’s injury settlement need court review?

Court rule

California Rules of Court, rule 7.955 — Fees in minor settlements ↗

Used in 2 guides · Review recorded in the linked guides

What should I ask before hiring an injury lawyer?Why does a child’s injury settlement need court review?

Statute

Probate Code § 3600 — Court control of minor settlement funds ↗

Used in 1 guides · Review recorded in the linked guides

Why does a child’s injury settlement need court review?

Court rule

California Rules of Court, rule 7.950.5 — Expedited minor settlement approval ↗

Used in 1 guides · Review recorded in the linked guides

Why does a child’s injury settlement need court review?

Agency guidance

California Department of Insurance — Standard minimums effective in 2025 ↗

Used in 1 guides · Review recorded in the linked guides

What do California’s car insurance minimums mean?

Agency guidance

IRS — Tax implications of settlements and judgments ↗

Used in 1 guides · Review recorded in the linked guides

Why is my settlement different from what I take home?

Statute

Code of Civil Procedure § 377.61 — Wrongful death damages ↗

Used in 1 guides · Review recorded in the linked guides

What losses can a wrongful-death claim cover?

Agency guidance

California Highway Patrol — Lane splitting and motorcycle safety ↗

Used in 1 guides · Review recorded in the linked guides

Does lane splitting mean a motorcycle rider is at fault?

Jury instructions

CACI No. 400–401 — Negligence and the standard of care (2026 edition) ↗

Used in 16 guides · Review recorded in the linked guides

What does “negligence” mean?Does a police report decide who was at fault?Does a traffic ticket prove an injury claim?What if more than one person caused my injury?Can a business be responsible for its worker?Can an injury matter if no one can see it?What evidence should I save after an injury?What if the other driver was speeding?What if the other driver was distracted?Can I have a claim after a parking lot crash?What if I was hit in a crosswalk?Can I have a claim if I was outside a crosswalk?What if a driver passed my bike too closely?Does lane splitting mean a motorcycle rider is at fault?What if a driver was working when the crash happened?What if a dog knocked me down but did not bite?

Jury instructions

CACI No. 405 — Comparative fault (2026 edition) ↗

Used in 1 guides · Review recorded in the linked guides

Can I have a claim if I was partly at fault?

Jury instructions

CACI No. 430 — Causation: substantial factor (2026 edition) ↗

Used in 1 guides · Review recorded in the linked guides

How do I show who caused an accident?

Jury instructions

CACI No. 1000 — Premises liability (2026 edition) ↗

Used in 2 guides · Review recorded in the linked guides

What if I slipped and fell at a business?What if unsafe stairs caused my injury?

Jury instructions

CACI No. 3900 — Tort damages (2026 edition) ↗

Used in 3 guides · Review recorded in the linked guides

What losses can an injury claim cover?Can I include other costs caused by an injury?How much is my injury claim worth?

Jury instructions

CACI No. 3903A — Medical expenses (2026 edition) ↗

Used in 2 guides · Review recorded in the linked guides

Can a claim include medical costs?What if I will need medical care later?

Jury instructions

CACI No. 3903C — Past and future lost earnings (2026 edition) ↗

Used in 1 guides · Review recorded in the linked guides

Can a claim cover pay I missed?

Jury instructions

CACI No. 3903D — Lost earning capacity (2026 edition) ↗

Used in 1 guides · Review recorded in the linked guides

What if I cannot do the same job anymore?

Jury instructions

CACI No. 3905A — Noneconomic harm (2026 edition) ↗

Used in 2 guides · Review recorded in the linked guides

What does “pain and suffering” mean?What if an injury harms my married life?

Jury instructions

CACI No. 3927 — Aggravation of a preexisting condition (2026 edition) ↗

Used in 1 guides · Review recorded in the linked guides

What if I already had a health problem?

Jury instructions

CACI No. 3920 — Loss of consortium (2026 edition) ↗

Used in 1 guides · Review recorded in the linked guides

What if an injury harms my married life?

Jury instructions

CACI No. 3921 — Wrongful death of an adult (2026 edition) ↗

Used in 1 guides · Review recorded in the linked guides

What losses can a wrongful-death claim cover?

Case law

Li v. Yellow Cab Co. (1975) 13 Cal.3d 804 ↗

Used in 7 guides · Review recorded in the linked guides

Can I have a claim if I was partly at fault?What if I was hit from behind?What if a driver turned left in front of me?What if I was hit in a crosswalk?Can I have a claim if I was outside a crosswalk?What if a car hit me while I was riding a bike?Does lane splitting mean a motorcycle rider is at fault?

Case law

Rowland v. Christian (1968) 69 Cal.2d 108 ↗

Used in 5 guides · Review recorded in the linked guides

What does “negligence” mean?What if I slipped and fell at a business?What if unsafe stairs caused my injury?What if only my car was damaged?How do I know if this is a personal injury matter?

Case law

Ortega v. Kmart Corp. (2001) 26 Cal.4th 1200 ↗

Used in 1 guides · Review recorded in the linked guides

What if I slipped and fell at a business?

Case law

Howell v. Hamilton Meats & Provisions, Inc. (2011) 52 Cal.4th 541 ↗

Used in 6 guides · Review recorded in the linked guides

Who pays medical bills while a claim is pending?What losses can an injury claim cover?Can a claim include medical costs?Can I include other costs caused by an injury?Why is my settlement different from what I take home?How much is my injury claim worth?

Case law

Cabral v. Ralphs Grocery Co. (2011) 51 Cal.4th 764 ↗

Used in 9 guides · Review recorded in the linked guides

What if the other driver was speeding?What if the other driver was distracted?Can I have a claim after a parking lot crash?What if I was hit in a crosswalk?What if a car hit me while I was riding a bike?What if a driver passed my bike too closely?Who may be responsible after a truck crash?What if a public bus or city vehicle hit me?What if I was driving for a rideshare service when I was hurt?

Case law

State of California v. Superior Court (Bodde) (2004) 32 Cal.4th 1234 ↗

Used in 3 guides · Review recorded in the linked guides

What if a city or other public agency is involved?What if a public bus or city vehicle hit me?What if I fell on a public sidewalk?

Case law

Fox v. Ethicon Endo-Surgery, Inc. (2005) 35 Cal.4th 797 ↗

Used in 3 guides · Review recorded in the linked guides

How long do I have to file an injury lawsuit?Is opening an insurance claim the same as suing?How long does an injury claim take?

Case law

Priebe v. Nelson (2006) 39 Cal.4th 1112 ↗

Used in 1 guides · Review recorded in the linked guides

What if someone’s dog bit me?

Case law

Mitchell v. Gonzales (1991) 54 Cal.3d 1041 ↗

Used in 4 guides · Review recorded in the linked guides

What does “negligence” mean?How do I show who caused an accident?Can an injury matter if no one can see it?How do I know if this is a personal injury matter?

Case law

Box v. California Date Growers Assn. (1976) 57 Cal.App.3d 266 ↗

Used in 1 guides · Review recorded in the linked guides

Does a police report decide who was at fault?

Case law

Alarid v. Vanier (1958) 50 Cal.2d 617 ↗

Used in 3 guides · Review recorded in the linked guides

Does a traffic ticket prove an injury claim?What if I was hit from behind?What if the other driver was speeding?

Case law

Perez v. Van Groningen & Sons, Inc. (1986) 41 Cal.3d 962 ↗

Used in 4 guides · Review recorded in the linked guides

Can a business be responsible for its worker?Who may be responsible after a truck crash?What if a driver was working when the crash happened?What if the crash happened around a delivery-app job?

Case law

Souza v. Corti (1943) 22 Cal.2d 454 ↗

Used in 1 guides · Review recorded in the linked guides

What if the driver borrowed someone else’s car?

Case law

American Motorcycle Assn. v. Superior Court (1978) 20 Cal.3d 578 ↗

Used in 1 guides · Review recorded in the linked guides

What if more than one person caused my injury?

Case law

DaFonte v. Up-Right, Inc. (1992) 2 Cal.4th 593 ↗

Used in 1 guides · Review recorded in the linked guides

What if more than one person caused my injury?

Case law

Cedars-Sinai Medical Center v. Superior Court (1998) 18 Cal.4th 1 ↗

Used in 2 guides · Review recorded in the linked guides

What evidence should I save after an injury?What should I do in the first days after an accident?

Case law

Fergus v. Songer (2007) 150 Cal.App.4th 552 ↗

Used in 2 guides · Review recorded in the linked guides

What should I ask before hiring an injury lawyer?Why is my settlement different from what I take home?

Case law

Murphy v. Allstate Ins. Co. (1976) 17 Cal.3d 937 ↗

Used in 1 guides · Review recorded in the linked guides

What should I know before talking to an adjuster?

Case law

Brizuela v. Calfarm Ins. Co. (2004) 116 Cal.App.4th 578 ↗

Used in 1 guides · Review recorded in the linked guides

Do I have to give a recorded statement?

Case law

Winet v. Price (1992) 4 Cal.App.4th 1159 ↗

Used in 2 guides · Review recorded in the linked guides

Do I have to accept the first settlement offer?What does a settlement release do?

Case law

Waller v. Truck Ins. Exchange, Inc. (1995) 11 Cal.4th 1 ↗

Used in 5 guides · Review recorded in the linked guides

What can I do if insurance denies my claim?Can my policy help if I have only liability coverage?What if I was driving for a rideshare service when I was hurt?What if the crash happened around a delivery-app job?What do California’s car insurance minimums mean?

Case law

Capelouto v. Kaiser Foundation Hospitals (1972) 7 Cal.3d 889 ↗

Used in 3 guides · Review recorded in the linked guides

Can an injury matter if no one can see it?What losses can an injury claim cover?What does “pain and suffering” mean?

Case law

College Hospital Inc. v. Superior Court (1994) 8 Cal.4th 704 ↗

Used in 1 guides · Review recorded in the linked guides

Are extra damages available to punish bad conduct?

Case law

Aguilar v. Atlantic Richfield Co. (2001) 25 Cal.4th 826 ↗

Used in 1 guides · Review recorded in the linked guides

What happens in a personal injury lawsuit?

Case law

Hartford Fire Ins. Co. v. Macri (1992) 4 Cal.4th 318 ↗

Used in 2 guides · Review recorded in the linked guides

What if the driver who hit me has no insurance?What if the other driver does not have enough insurance?

Case law

Bouton v. USAA Casualty Ins. Co. (2008) 43 Cal.4th 1190 ↗

Used in 1 guides · Review recorded in the linked guides

What if the driver who hit me has no insurance?

Case law

Pitzen v. Superior Court (2004) 120 Cal.App.4th 1374 ↗

Used in 1 guides · Review recorded in the linked guides

Can I use small claims court for an injury?

Case law

Sanchez v. Kern Emergency Medical Transportation Corp. (2017) 8 Cal.App.5th 146 ↗

Used in 1 guides · Review recorded in the linked guides

What if I already had a health problem?

Case law

Licudine v. Cedars-Sinai Medical Center (2016) 3 Cal.App.5th 881 ↗

Used in 3 guides · Review recorded in the linked guides

Can a claim cover pay I missed?What if I cannot do the same job anymore?How much is my injury claim worth?

Case law

Corenbaum v. Lampkin (2013) 215 Cal.App.4th 1308 ↗

Used in 1 guides · Review recorded in the linked guides

What if I will need medical care later?

Case law

Huckey v. City of Temecula (2019) 37 Cal.App.5th 1092 ↗

Used in 1 guides · Review recorded in the linked guides

What if I fell on a public sidewalk?

Case law

Drake v. Dean (1993) 15 Cal.App.4th 915 ↗

Used in 1 guides · Review recorded in the linked guides

What if a dog knocked me down but did not bite?

Case law

Davis v. Gaschler (1992) 11 Cal.App.4th 1392 ↗

Used in 1 guides · Review recorded in the linked guides

What if someone’s dog bit me?

Case law

Ceja v. Rudolph & Sletten, Inc. (2013) 56 Cal.4th 1113 ↗

Used in 1 guides · Review recorded in the linked guides

Who can bring a wrongful death claim?

Case law

Quiroz v. Seventh Ave. Center (2006) 140 Cal.App.4th 1256 ↗

Used in 1 guides · Review recorded in the linked guides

How is a wrongful death claim different from a survival claim?

Case law

J.M. v. Huntington Beach Union High School District (2017) 2 Cal.5th 648 ↗

Used in 1 guides · Review recorded in the linked guides

Are the deadlines different when a child is hurt?

Case law

Shalabi v. City of Fontana (2021) 11 Cal.5th 842 ↗

Used in 1 guides · Review recorded in the linked guides

Are the deadlines different when a child is hurt?

Case law

Inter-Insurance Exchange of Automobile Club v. Lopez (1965) 238 Cal.App.2d 441 ↗

Used in 1 guides · Review recorded in the linked guides

What insurance might help after a hit-and-run?

Case law

Hodges v. Superior Court (1999) 21 Cal.4th 109 ↗

Used in 1 guides · Review recorded in the linked guides

Can being uninsured affect my own injury claim?

Case law

Scruton v. Korean Air Lines Co. (1995) 39 Cal.App.4th 1596 ↗

Used in 1 guides · Review recorded in the linked guides

Why does a child’s injury settlement need court review?

Case law

Rodriguez v. Bethlehem Steel Corp. (1974) 12 Cal.3d 382 ↗

Used in 1 guides · Review recorded in the linked guides

What if an injury harms my married life?

Case law

Krouse v. Graham (1977) 19 Cal.3d 59 ↗

Used in 1 guides · Review recorded in the linked guides

What losses can a wrongful-death claim cover?

The law behindthe explanations.

Your situation deservesa closer look.

The law behind
the explanations.

Your situation deserves
a closer look.