California Car Accident Laws: Deadlines, Fault Rules & Insurance
A plain-English guide to the rules that shape a car accident claim in California — how long you have to file, how the state handles fault, whether it's a no-fault state, and the minimum insurance drivers must carry. If you were injured and want help, we can connect you with a vetted, California-licensed attorney in our network.
General information, not legal advice. Filing deadlines and fault rules change and have many exceptions. The figures below are a starting point only — confirm the details of your specific case with an attorney licensed in California before relying on them.
Filing Deadline
2 Years
Statute of limitations (injury)
Fault Rule
Pure Comparative Negligence
No-Fault Auto?
No
Min. Liability
$30,000 / $60,000
Worth knowing in California
Claims against a government entity generally require a formal notice within six months — far shorter than the standard deadline.
The deadline to file in California
California generally gives injured people 2 years from the date of a crash to file a personal-injury lawsuit. Miss it and the court will almost always refuse the case, no matter how strong it is. The clock can run differently for claims involving a government vehicle, an injured minor, or a death, so the single most important early step is to confirm your actual deadline.
How California handles fault
California uses pure comparative fault: you can recover even if you were mostly to blame, with your compensation reduced by your own percentage of fault.
No-fault vs. at-fault in California
California is an at-fault (tort) state. The driver who caused the crash — and their insurer — is responsible for the resulting damages, so establishing fault is central to your claim.
Minimum insurance in California
Drivers in California must carry at least $30,000 / $60,000 in liability coverage. Those minimums are often far below what a serious injury actually costs, which is why your own uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage can end up being the coverage that matters most.
Injured in California? Talk to a California-licensed attorney.
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How long do I have to file a car accident claim in California?
California's personal-injury statute of limitations is commonly cited as 2 years from the date of the crash. Deadlines have important exceptions (for minors, government defendants, and wrongful death, among others) and can change, so confirm the deadline that applies to your specific case with a California-licensed attorney before relying on it.
Is California a no-fault or at-fault state?
California is an at-fault (tort) state. The driver who caused the crash — and their insurer — is responsible for the resulting damages, so establishing fault is central to your claim.
What happens if I was partly at fault for the California crash?
California uses pure comparative fault: you can recover even if you were mostly to blame, with your compensation reduced by your own percentage of fault.
What is the minimum car insurance required in California?
California's minimum liability limits are commonly cited as $30,000 / $60,000. Minimum coverage is often far less than a serious injury actually costs, which is why underinsured/uninsured motorist coverage matters. Confirm current requirements with the California insurance regulator or a licensed attorney.