A Powerful Legal Guide from The Law Offices of Gerald L. Marcus

When you’re injured in a California car accident, the law is supposed to protect you. But here’s the truth: the insurance companies, their lawyers, and even the legal system itself are not on your side.

If you don’t know the laws, you’re vulnerable. If you don’t have an experienced personal injury lawyer in your corner, you’re a target.

At The Law Offices of Gerald L. Marcus, we’ve fought — and won — for thousands of accident victims across Los Angeles and Southern California since 1987.

We know the system. We know how to beat the insurance companies. And we’re here to make sure you get every single dollar you’re owed.

This isn’t just a crash. It’s your life. Your health. Your financial future.

So read carefully — because this blog may be the most important thing you read after a car accident.

Table of Contents

1. California Car Accident Laws – The Basics

2. Who Pays for Medical Bills After a Car Accident in California?

3. What If You Were Partially at Fault?

4. Time Is Ticking: California’s Statute of Limitations

5. What Damages Can You Recover After an Accident?

6. Common Insurance Company Tactics — And How We Fight Back

7. Should You Talk to the Insurance Adjuster?

8. What If You Don’t Have Health Insurance?

9. When Do You Need a Los Angeles Injury Attorney?

10. Why Accident Victims Across California Trust Gerald L. Marcus

California Car Accident Laws – The Basics

Let’s break it down.

California is an at-fault state. That means the person who caused the accident is legally responsible for the damages — including your medical bills, lost income, and pain and suffering.

To win your case, we must prove:

• The other driver was negligent

• That negligence caused the crash

• You suffered injuries and losses as a result

Sounds simple, right?

It’s not. Insurance companies fight tooth and nail to deny liability or minimize your payout — especially if you don’t have an aggressive accident lawyer in Los Angeles.

That’s where we come in.

Who Pays for Medical Bills After a Car Accident in California?

This is one of the most common — and most urgent — questions we get from car accident victims: “Who pays for my medical bills?”

Here’s how it works in California:

✅ If the other driver is at fault, their insurance is legally responsible for paying your medical expenses.
✅ But that payment doesn’t happen until your case is settled — which can take months or even years.
✅ In the meantime, you’re responsible for your medical bills — unless you have medical payments coverage (MedPay), health insurance, or a letter of protection from your injury attorney.

Bottom line: Don’t wait for the insurance company to “do the right thing.” They won’t. You need an attorney to fight for your bills to be paid — and to pursue maximum compensation for everything you’ve lost.

What If You Were Partially at Fault?

California follows a pure comparative negligence rule.

That means even if you were partially at fault, you can still recover compensation — it’s just reduced by your percentage of fault.

Example:

• Total damages: $100,000

• You’re found 20% at fault

• Your recovery = $80,000

The insurance companies will always try to blame you — even when you did nothing wrong. That’s why it’s critical to have a skilled injury attorney in Los Angeles who knows how to protect your rights and push back hard.

Time Is Ticking: California’s Statute of Limitations

You only have a limited amount of time to file a claim after a car accident in California:

⏳ 2 years from the date of the crash for personal injury claims
⏳ 3 years for property damage
⏳ 6 months if your claim is against a government agency (like a city bus accident)

Miss these deadlines, and your case is dead — no matter how serious your injuries are.

Do not wait. Every day you delay, you risk losing access to justice and compensation.

What Damages Can You Recover After an Accident?

As an injured victim, you’re entitled to full and fair compensation — not just what the insurance company wants to offer.

That includes:

💥 Medical expenses (past & future)
💥 Emergency room and hospital bills
💥 Surgery, rehab, and specialist care
💥 Lost wages
💥 Loss of future earning capacity
💥 Pain and suffering
💥 Emotional distress
💥 Property damage
💥 Permanent disability or disfigurement
💥 Wrongful death (for family members of victims)

We don’t guess what your case is worth — we prove it. We work with medical experts, economists, and life care planners to maximize every dollar of your recovery.

Common Insurance Company Tactics — And How We Fight Back

Here’s the ugly truth: insurance companies don’t care about you. Their job is to protect their profits — even if that means delaying, denying, or devaluing your legitimate claim.

Tactics they use:

❌ Calling you quickly to get a statement they can twist
❌ Offering a lowball settlement before you know the full extent of your injuries
❌ Blaming you for the crash
❌ Claiming your injuries were pre-existing
❌ Arguing you didn’t need the medical care you received
❌ Dragging out your claim until you’re desperate

At Gerald L. Marcus, we’ve been dealing with these tactics for nearly four decades. We know every trick in the book — and we shut them down fast.

Should You Talk to the Insurance Adjuster?

No. Absolutely not.

When the insurance company calls, it’s not because they care about you. It’s because they want to get you on record — and use your own words against you.

They’ll ask questions designed to:

• Get you to say you weren’t hurt

• Minimize your injuries

• Confuse or manipulate you

Never speak to an adjuster without a Los Angeles accident lawyer present. We take over all communication and protect your rights from day one.

What If You Don’t Have Health Insurance?

It doesn’t matter. We can still help.

At The Law Offices of Gerald L. Marcus, we work with a network of top-tier doctors, specialists, and medical providers across Southern California who will treat you with no upfront costs.

We can:

✅ Get you the care you need — even without insurance
✅ Delay billing until your case settles
✅ Ensure your treatment is fully documented for maximum compensation

You focus on healing. We handle the rest.

When Do You Need a Los Angeles Injury Attorney?

Here’s the simple answer:

Immediately.

You need an attorney when:

• You’ve been injured in a crash

• Your car is totaled

• You’re dealing with pain, missed work, or mounting medical bills

• The insurance company is contacting you

• You’re being blamed for the accident

• You’re offered a fast settlement

• A loved one died in the crash

The sooner you call, the more we can do to protect your rights — and your compensation.

Why Accident Victims Across California Trust Gerald L. Marcus

Since 1987, we’ve helped more than 20,000 injury victims and recovered hundreds of millions of dollars across Los Angeles, San Fernando Valley, San Bernardino, Ventura, Riverside, and all of Southern California.

What sets us apart?

🔥 Relentless, aggressive representation
🔥 Trial-tested, courtroom-proven lawyers
🔥 No fees unless we win — guaranteed
🔥 24/7 access to your legal team
🔥 A reputation insurance companies fear

We take on the toughest cases — and win. When you’ve been injured, don’t settle for less.

Call Now and Let Us Fight for What You’re Owed

You only get one shot to get this right. Don’t try to navigate California car accident laws on your own. Don’t let the insurance company decide what your case is worth.

Let us take over. Let us fight for you. Let us win.

📞 Call The Law Offices of Gerald L. Marcus at (818) 784-8544
💻 www.geraldmarcuslaw.com
📍 Serving all of Los Angeles and Southern California