How to File a Car Accident Claim in California w. Lem Garcia

West Covina attorney Lem Garcia walks through California car accident claims: comparative fault, SR-1, the Brandt Rule, and when LA County Superior Court changes the negotiation. Questions answered in this episode: What should you do in the first hour after a West Covina car accident? How does California's pure comparative negligence rule affect your recovery? What is California's 2-year statute of limitations for car accident claims? What is the SR-1 form and what happens if you miss the 10-day deadline? Why should you never give the other driver's insurer a recorded statement? What is the Brandt Rule and when does California punish insurance bad faith? Topics covered: pure comparative negligence, SR-1 DMV form, 30/60/15 minimum limits, 2-year statute of limitations, Brandt Rule, insurance bad faith, UM/UIM coverage, demand letter timing, medical liens, economic and non-economic damages, pain and suffering valuation, LA County Superior Court. California statutes referenced in this episode: Cal. Code Civ. Proc. § 335.1 (2-year personal injury SOL); Cal. Veh. Code § 16000 (SR-1 form, 10-day deadline); Cal. Ins. Code § 11580.1(b) (30/60/15 minimum limits, 2025); Cal. Gov. Code § 911.2 (6-month government entity claim deadline); Brandt v. Superior Court, 37 Cal.3d 813 (1985) (bad faith attorney fee recovery). Notable from this episode: Lem Garcia on comparative negligence: "Even if you were partly at fault for a car accident, you can still get paid for your injuries. That surprises a lot of people." Lem Garcia on the statute of limitations: "Once that statute of limitation expires, it's game over. You might not be able to file suit at all, and they don't have to pay you anything." Lem Garcia on insurance tactics: "Insurance companies don't need to prove you're lying. They just need enough doubt to reduce the payout." Lem Garcia on settling too early: "Once you settle an injury claim, you usually cannot reopen it later. That money is final." Free consultation: lemgarcialaw.com Phone: (626) 337-1111 Office: West Covina, CA The information in this episode is general California legal information, not legal advice for your specific situation. For advice on your case, contact Lem Garcia Law at (626) 337-1111 for a free consultation. #WestCovinaCarAccident #CaliforniaPureComparativeNegligence #SR1Form #BrandtRule #UninsuredMotoristCoverage #WestCovinaPersonalInjury Chapters 00:00:00 How to File a Car Accident Claim in West Covina, California 00:00:45 What to Do in the First Hour After a West Covina Car Accident 00:02:10 Why Call 911 After a Minor Crash? Police Reports in West Covina 00:03:20 Where to Get Medical Care After a West Covina Car Accident 00:04:20 What Is California's Pure Comparative Negligence Rule? 00:05:50 California's 2-Year Statute of Limitations for Car Accident Claims 00:07:20 What Is the SR-1 Form? California's 10-Day DMV Filing Deadline 00:08:15 Does California's 30/60/15 Minimum Coverage Protect You? 00:10:00 How to File a California Car Accident Claim Step by Step 00:12:15 Why Refuse a Recorded Statement After a West Covina Crash? 00:13:50 How Social Media Hurts a California Car Accident Claim 00:15:00 What Is a Demand Letter in a California Car Accident Case? 00:16:15 Economic vs. Non-Economic Damages After a West Covina Accident 00:18:00 How Are Pain and Suffering Damages Calculated in California? 00:19:00 What Is the Brandt Rule? California Insurance Bad Faith Explained 00:20:30 Government Vehicle in West Covina? California Claims Act Deadline 00:22:00 When Should a West Covina Accident Victim Hire a Lawyer? 00:23:30 Uninsured Driver Hit You in West Covina? California UM/UIM Coverage 00:25:00 What Is a Medical Lien in a California Car Accident Settlement? 00:26:00 What Evidence Makes or Breaks a California Car Accident Case? 00:27:00 When to File Suit in LA County Superior Court After a Crash 00:27:45 The One Thing to Remember After a West Covina Car Accident