How to File a Car Accident Claim in Inland Empire w. Deborah Song

How you handle the first hours after an Inland Empire car accident decides what your California claim is worth. Deborah Song of Empire Law walks Kara through it. Questions answered in this episode: What should you do immediately after an Inland Empire car accident? What is Proposition 213 and how does it limit your damages? How long do you have to file a California car accident lawsuit? What if the other driver has no insurance? How does UM/UIM coverage work? Topics covered: SR-1 reporting to the California DMV, California two-party consent recording, $30K/$60K/$15K minimum auto insurance, UM/UIM coverage, pure comparative negligence, Proposition 213, recorded statements, preservation of evidence and spoliation, commercial vehicle dash cams, diminution in value, personal injury liens, the two-year statute of limitations, six-month government claims deadline, tolling for minor plaintiffs, and Inland Empire venue considerations. California statutes referenced: Vehicle Code § 16000 (SR-1 reporting), Vehicle Code § 16056 (minimum liability), Insurance Code § 11580.2 (UM/UIM), Civil Code § 3333.4 (Proposition 213), Code of Civil Procedure § 335.1 (two-year SOL), Government Code § 911.2 (six-month government claims), and CCP § 352 (minor tolling). Deborah Song on California's pure comparative negligence rule: "You can recover damages even if you were mostly at fault. So your recovery is reduced by percentage of fault. For example, if you are 70% at fault, you can still recover 30% of your damages." Deborah Song on recorded statements with insurance adjusters: "Do not give a recorded statement without consulting an attorney first." Deborah Song founded Empire Law and serves clients across San Bernardino and Riverside Counties on contingency. Free consultation: empireatty.com Phone: (951) 456-3891 Email: [email protected] #InlandEmpireCarAccident #CaliforniaProp213 #CaliforniaPureComparative #SR1Form #UMUIMCoverage #RiversideCountyLawyer The information shared in this episode is for educational purposes only and is not legal advice. Every case is different. To discuss your specific situation, contact Empire Law or a licensed California attorney. Chapters 00:00:00 How to File a Car Accident Claim in the Inland Empire 00:00:45 What Should You Do Immediately After an Inland Empire Crash? 00:05:55 Are You Required to Report a Car Accident in California? SR-1 Form 00:07:35 Where to Get Medical Care After an Inland Empire Car Accident? 00:10:35 How Does California's Fault-Based Insurance System Work? 00:11:55 What Are California's Minimum Auto Insurance Limits? $30K/$60K/$15K 00:14:00 What Is California's Pure Comparative Negligence Rule? 00:16:00 How Do You File a California Car Accident Claim? 00:21:00 What Damages Can You Recover in a California Car Accident? 00:27:00 Should You Give an Insurance Adjuster a Recorded Statement? 00:29:30 How Do California Insurance Companies Reduce or Deny Claims? 00:34:00 What Evidence Wins an Inland Empire Crash Case? 00:39:00 How Do Medical Records Affect a California Settlement? Medical Liens 00:44:00 How Long Do You Have to File a California Car Accident Lawsuit? 00:45:10 California Government Claims: 6-Month Deadline for City and County 00:49:20 How Is Fault Determined in an Inland Empire Crash? Police Report 00:52:15 Can You File a Claim If You Were Partly at Fault in California? 00:52:55 What If the Other Driver Has No Insurance? UM/UIM in California 00:55:10 What Makes Inland Empire Car Accidents Different? 00:57:25 When Should You Hire an Inland Empire Car Accident Attorney? 00:59:50 Common Mistakes That Hurt a California Car Accident Claim 01:02:30 Why Social Media Can Sink Your California Car Accident Case 01:03:50 Final Advice for Inland Empire Car Accident Victims 01:04:25 How to Reach Empire Law in the Inland Empire