California Car Accident Settlement Calculator

If you were injured in a car accident in California, here is what makes a California claim different, plus a free calculator to estimate what your case could be worth.

California's Fault System

California follows an at-fault insurance system. California follows pure comparative negligence. You can still recover damages even if you were up to 99% at fault — your award is simply reduced by your percentage of fault.

Filing Deadline

Generally 2 years from the date of the accident for personal injury claims (3 years for property damage).

Statutes of limitations change and can have exceptions (claims against government entities, minors, and the discovery rule can all affect your deadline). Verify your exact deadline with a licensed California attorney — see our statute of limitations guide for more context.

Minimum Insurance Requirements

As of January 1, 2025, California raised its minimum liability limits to $30,000 bodily injury per person / $60,000 per accident / $15,000 property damage.

What Makes California Different

California’s pure comparative negligence rule is relatively claimant-friendly compared to states with a fault-percentage bar.

Estimate your California settlement

Answer a few questions about your accident to get a free, instant estimate.

This page provides general information about California law and is not legal advice. CarAccidentCalculator.net is not a law firm. See our disclaimer for details.