You should call a California car accident attorney immediately after a crash—right now, as soon as you are safe and have gotten emergency medical help—because waiting even a few days can seriously weaken your case and your ability to recover full compensation.

If you were hurt in a car accident anywhere in Los Angeles or across California, do not wait. Speak with a car accident lawyer right now for free: call The Law Offices Of Gerald L. Marcus at 818-784-8544.

Call a California Car Accident Lawyer Right Now

Here’s the truth most insurance companies won’t tell you:
The best time to call a car accident lawyer in California is right now—before you talk to the insurance company, before you sign anything, and before evidence disappears.

You should contact a Los Angeles car accident attorney immediately if:

• You were injured or feel any pain, stiffness, dizziness, or confusion

• Your car has moderate to severe damage

• Someone else is blaming you or partially blaming you

• An insurance adjuster is already calling, texting, or asking for a recorded statement

• The other driver has minimal coverage, no insurance, is a rideshare driver, or was in a commercial / work vehicle

• A government vehicle, city bus, or other public entity may be involved

• A loved one was severely injured or killed

The sooner you call 818-784-8544, the sooner The Law Offices Of Gerald L. Marcus can:

• Preserve critical evidence before it’s lost

• Protect you from insurance tricks and lowball offers

• Help you get the medical treatment and documentation you need

• Build a strong case for maximum compensation

Don’t wait. Waiting only helps the insurance company—not you.

Why Timing Matters So Much in a California Car Accident Case

After a car crash, you’re dealing with pain, medical appointments, missed work, and car repairs. It’s easy to think, “I’ll call a lawyer later if this gets serious.” That delay can cost you thousands of dollars.

Here’s why timing is everything in a California car accident case:

1. Evidence Disappears Fast

• Skid marks fade.

• Damaged vehicles get repaired or scrapped.

• Surveillance footage is routinely overwritten or deleted.

• Witnesses move, change numbers, or simply forget what they saw.

A skilled Los Angeles car accident lawyer can act quickly to:

• Get photos, videos, and scene measurements

• Secure surveillance footage before it’s erased

• Obtain 911 recordings, police reports, and bodycam footage

• Track down and interview witnesses while memories are fresh

The longer you wait to call an attorney, the more likely it is that critical evidence will be lost forever.

2. Insurance Companies Start Building a Case Against You Immediately

The insurance company is not your friend. Adjusters are trained to:

• Get you to say things that hurt your claim

• Push you to give a recorded statement that can be twisted against you

• Offer quick, lowball settlements before you know the full extent of your injuries

• Suggest you “don’t need a lawyer”

When you call The Law Offices Of Gerald L. Marcus right away, we step in between you and the insurance company. From day one, we:

• Handle all communication with the adjuster

• Stop them from pushing you into damaging statements

• Protect your rights so they can’t take advantage of you during a vulnerable time

Call 818-784-8544 before you call the insurance company. Let us deal with them while you focus on healing.

3. California Has Strict Time Limits (Statutes of Limitations)

California law gives you a limited amount of time to file an injury lawsuit after a car accident. For most personal injury cases, you generally have two years from the date of the accident to file a lawsuit, and three years for property damage, with different, often much shorter deadlines if a government entity is involved.

That might sound like a long time, but:

• Serious cases need a deep investigation and expert opinions

• Medical treatment and future damages must be documented

• Government-related claims often require filing a special notice within six months, not years

Waiting until the end of that deadline is extremely risky. If you miss it, your claim can be barred forever.

When you call a lawyer right away, your legal team can track every deadline and make sure your case is filed on time.

When Exactly Should I Call a Car Accident Attorney in California?

To keep it simple, here’s how to think about timing:

Call a Lawyer Immediately If Any of These Apply:

• 🚑 You have any injury at all. Neck pain, back pain, headaches, numbness, dizziness—don’t assume it’s “just soreness.”

• 🚗 Your vehicle has noticeable damage. Insurance companies love to argue “minor damage = minor injury.” Your lawyer will fight that.

• ⚠️ The police report is wrong or incomplete. If the officer wrote that you were partially at fault, you need an attorney fast.

• 📞 An insurance adjuster wants a recorded statement. Never do this alone.

• 💼 The other driver was on the job (Uber/Lyft, delivery driver, company car, truck, etc.). Multiple insurance policies may apply.

• 🚌 A government vehicle or public transportation is involved. Claims against cities, counties, and the State of California have special rules and very short deadlines.

• ⚰️ A loved one was severely injured or died. Wrongful death cases are complex and time-sensitive.

If any of this sounds like your situation, do not wait another day. Call 818-784-8544 now to talk to The Law Offices Of Gerald L. Marcus for free.

What If I’m Not Sure If I Need a Lawyer?

Call anyway. It costs you nothing to ask. A quick free consultation can:

• Confirm whether you have a case

• Help you avoid costly mistakes

• Give you clear, simple next steps

If you were injured in a car accident in Los Angeles or anywhere in California because of someone else’s negligence, you have nothing to lose by calling—and a lot to lose if you don’t.

Why Waiting Hurts Your California Car Accident Case

Many people wait weeks or months before calling a lawyer. Here’s how that delay can quietly destroy your case.

1. Gaps in Medical Treatment

Insurance companies love to see:

• Delays before your first doctor visit

• Big gaps between appointments

They use those gaps to argue:

• “If you were really hurt, you would have gone to the doctor sooner.”

• “You must have been injured somewhere else, not in our insured’s accident.”

Calling an attorney early helps you:

• Get connected with doctors who understand car accident injuries

• Get your pain documented properly in medical records

• Avoid “gaps in treatment” that insurance companies will exploit

2. You May Say Things That Hurt Your Claim

Even innocent phrases like:

• “I’m okay.”

• “I feel better now.”

• “It was partly my fault.”

can be twisted to reduce or deny your claim. Adjusters are trained to ask questions in a way that leads you to minimize your injuries or accept fault.

When you have The Law Offices Of Gerald L. Marcus on your side from the beginning, we prepare you, protect you, and often speak directly with the insurance company so you don’t have to.

3. Lowball Settlement Offers Look Tempting Early On

Right after a crash, you may be:

• Out of work

• Unsure how you’ll pay bills

• Worried about rent or your mortgage

Insurance companies prey on that fear with fast, lowball offers that might not even cover your future medical care.

Once you sign, you usually can’t go back for more—even if you later discover you need surgery or long-term treatment.

A California car accident lawyer:

• Calculates the true value of your claim

• Includes future medical costs, lost earning capacity, pain and suffering, and more

• Fights for full compensation—not just what the insurance company wants to pay

Common Situations When You Must Call a California Car Accident Lawyer

Let’s break down some real-world examples of when you should absolutely pick up the phone and call 818-784-8544 immediately.

1. You Were Rear-Ended and Now Have Neck or Back Pain

Rear-end accidents might look “simple,” but whiplash, herniated discs, and nerve injuries can be life-changing. You need:

• Proper diagnosis (MRI, specialists, etc.)

• Documentation that clearly links your pain to the crash

• Protection from insurance arguments that you’re “exaggerating”

2. You Were Hit by a Distracted or Drunk Driver

These cases can involve:

• Punitive damages in some situations

• Complex evidence like phone records, bar receipts, or BAC results

An experienced California car accident attorney knows how to build a powerful case and hold reckless drivers fully accountable.

3. You Were in a Rideshare, Uber, or Lyft Accident

Rideshare cases can involve multiple insurance policies:

• The rideshare company’s policy

• The driver’s personal policy

• Another driver’s policy

The coverage changes depending on whether the driver had the app on, was waiting for a ride, or carrying a passenger. You don’t want to navigate that maze alone.

4. You Were Hit by a Commercial Truck, Delivery Van, or Work Vehicle

These cases may involve:

• Trucking company policies

• Employer liability

• Complex federal and state regulations

You need a car accident lawyer who understands how to investigate these serious accidents and preserve black box data, logs, and company records before they disappear.

5. A Loved One Died in a Car Accident

Wrongful death cases in California are emotionally and legally complex. Your family may be able to recover for:

• Funeral and burial expenses

• Loss of financial support

• Loss of love, companionship, and guidance

Calling an auto accident lawyer quickly allows us to:

• Investigate thoroughly

• Protect your family’s rights

• Handle the legal burden while you grieve

“But the Insurance Company Said I Don’t Need a Lawyer…”

Of course they did. Insurance companies know that people who hire experienced car accident lawyers in California typically recover much more money than people who go it alone.

Why would the insurance company want you to:

• Know all of your legal rights?

• Understand the full value of your case?

• Have a lawyer who can take them to court if they don’t play fair?

They wouldn’t. That’s why they tell you a lawyer is “unnecessary” or “will only take part of your settlement.”

Here’s what they won’t tell you:
In many cases, even after attorney’s fees, injured people still end up with more in their pocket when they have a strong lawyer fighting for them.

What The Law Offices Of Gerald L. Marcus Does For You—From Day One

When you call 818-784-8544 after a car accident in California, here’s what you can expect:

1. Free, No-Obligation Consultation

   • You talk directly with a legal professional about what happened.

   • We answer your questions, clearly and in plain language.

2. Immediate Protection From the Insurance Company

   • We notify the insurance companies that you are represented.

   • All calls and letters go to us—not to you.

3. Thorough Investigation of Your Crash

   • We gather police reports, photos, video, and witness statements.

   • When needed, we work with accident reconstruction experts and medical specialists.

4. Help Getting Medical Care

   • We help connect you with doctors who understand car accident trauma.

   • We make sure your injuries and limitations are properly documented.

5. Aggressive Negotiation for Maximum Compensation

   • We calculate all of your damages—medical bills, lost wages, property damage, pain and suffering, and more.

   • We fight for a settlement that reflects the true cost of your injuries.

6. No Fee Unless We Win

   • You pay no upfront fees.

   • We only get paid if we recover money for you.

FAQ: Common Questions About When to Call a California Car Accident Lawyer

1. Do I really need a lawyer for a “small” car accident?
If you are injured at all, yes—you should at least talk to a lawyer. Even “small” accidents can lead to serious injuries like whiplash, concussions, or back problems that don’t fully show up for days or weeks.

2. What if I already talked to the insurance company?
Call us anyway. We can step in immediately and work to limit the damage. The sooner we get involved, the more we can protect your rights and your claim.

3. What if I think I was partly at fault?
In California, you may still recover money even if you were partially at fault. Don’t assume you have no case—let a lawyer review the facts first.

4. How long do I have to file a claim in California?
For most injury cases from car accidents, you generally have two years from the date of the crash to file a lawsuit, and different, often shorter time limits if a government vehicle or entity is involved. But you should never wait that long to call a lawyer. Building a strong case takes time.

5. How much does it cost to hire The Law Offices Of Gerald L. Marcus?
We work on a contingency fee—that means no fee unless we win. Your consultation is free, and you pay nothing upfront.

Don’t Wait—Call The Law Offices Of Gerald L. Marcus Right Now

If you were hurt in a car accident anywhere in Los Angeles, the San Fernando Valley, or anywhere in California, do not wait to get legal help.

Every day you delay:

• Evidence disappears

• Memories fade

• The insurance company gets further ahead of you

You deserve a powerful, experienced California car accident attorney fighting for you from day one.

👉 Speak with an injury lawyer right now for free. Call The Law Offices Of Gerald L. Marcus at 818-784-8544.

Don’t wait. Waiting only hurts your case. The sooner you call us, the sooner we can protect you, fight for you, and work to get you the maximum compensation you deserve.