California Personal Injury Lawyer
An injury can disrupt your life in an instant. One moment you’re going about your day, and the next you’re dealing with medical appointments, missed work, painful recovery, and pressure from insurance companies. If you were injured because someone else acted carelessly, you may be entitled to financial compensation under California personal injury law.
At Lee Arter Law, we represent injury victims throughout California in a wide range of accident and injury claims. Whether your injuries are minor but persistent or severe and life-changing, our goal is to protect your rights, pursue the compensation you deserve, and help you move forward with confidence.
100+ Years of Combined Experience
17,000 Cases Handled
$100 Million+ in Settlements
Understanding Personal Injury Law in California
Personal injury law exists to protect people who have been harmed due to another person or business’s negligence. In many cases, accidents happen because someone fails to act responsibly—whether that means driving recklessly, ignoring a dangerous hazard on a property, or placing an unsafe product into the marketplace. California law allows injury victims to pursue compensation for the financial and personal losses caused by those injuries.
A personal injury claim can help cover both immediate and long-term costs. Medical treatment is often the most obvious expense, but injury cases can also involve lost income, reduced ability to work, ongoing pain, emotional distress, and the need for future rehabilitation or specialized care. Even if you don’t feel the full impact right away, many injuries become more difficult and more expensive over time, which is why early legal guidance can be valuable.
Common Personal Injury Cases We Handle
Personal injury claims come in many forms, and every case has its own story. A number of claims involve vehicle collisions, including accidents caused by speeding, distracted driving, unsafe lane changes, failure to yield, or driving under the influence. Car accidents can lead to a wide range of injuries—from whiplash and back strain to broken bones, concussions, and more serious trauma requiring long-term treatment. When the crash is caused by another driver’s negligence, you should not be left to deal with the consequences alone.
Truck accidents can be especially devastating due to the size and weight of commercial vehicles. These cases often involve complex investigations and multiple responsible parties, such as the truck driver, the trucking company, maintenance contractors, or cargo loaders. A serious truck accident may lead to long-term disability, spinal injuries, traumatic brain injuries, or other life-altering harm. Because commercial cases can move quickly, preserving evidence early is often critical.
Motorcycle accidents are another common cause of serious injury in California. Riders face unique risks on the road, and collisions often occur when drivers fail to look carefully before turning or changing lanes. A motorcycle crash can cause road rash, fractures, head injuries, and damage that affects mobility for months or years. In many cases, motorcyclists are unfairly blamed for accidents they did not cause, making legal representation especially important.
Slip and fall accidents and other premises liability claims can happen anywhere—grocery stores, apartment complexes, office buildings, restaurants, hotels, or parking lots. If a property owner fails to address hazards like wet floors, broken steps, poor lighting, uneven pavement, or cluttered walkways, visitors can suffer serious injuries. Falls frequently cause wrist fractures, knee injuries, back trauma, or head injuries, and the recovery process can be lengthy, especially for older individuals.
Dog bites and animal attacks are also a common source of injury claims, particularly when an owner fails to control their animal or prevent aggressive behavior. These injuries may require stitches, surgery, or follow-up treatment, and they can also create lasting emotional trauma. Children are especially vulnerable, and bite-related scarring can have lifelong effects.
In more serious cases, negligence leads to wrongful death. When families lose a loved one due to a preventable incident, the emotional pain is overwhelming—and the financial impact can be just as severe. Wrongful death claims may arise from fatal traffic collisions, catastrophic falls, dangerous property conditions, or other careless conduct. While no legal case can replace what was lost, holding the responsible party accountable may provide stability and a sense of justice for surviving family members.
Workplace injuries are another area where personal injury law may apply, particularly when a third party contributed to the accident. While some injuries fall under workers’ compensation, others involve negligent drivers, outside contractors, or defective equipment. These third-party claims may offer additional recovery beyond what workers’ comp provides, depending on the circumstances.
Defective product claims can also lead to serious injuries. When a product is poorly designed or manufactured, it can fail in dangerous ways that harm consumers. Defective vehicles, unsafe household items, malfunctioning tools, and other dangerous products may lead to burns, lacerations, broken bones, or other serious harm. These cases often involve detailed investigation, documentation, and expert review.
Pedestrian and bicycle accidents are increasingly common, especially in busy California streets and intersections. A driver who fails to yield at a crosswalk, checks a phone while driving, or turns without looking can cause catastrophic injuries to someone walking or biking. These claims often involve severe trauma, long recovery periods, and long-term physical limitations.
Examples of Injuries in Personal Injury Claims
Injuries are not always obvious right away. Some people walk away from an accident feeling “okay,” only to experience increasing pain, stiffness, and serious symptoms days later. Soft tissue injuries like sprains and strains can be extremely painful and may limit movement for weeks or months. Back and neck injuries can involve herniated discs, nerve pain, or long-term complications that affect the ability to work and live normally.
More serious cases may involve broken bones, internal injuries, burns, severe lacerations, concussions, or traumatic brain injuries. In the most severe situations, injuries can result in permanent disability, spinal cord damage, or chronic pain that requires lifelong care. Emotional injuries matter too. Anxiety, sleep disruption, and post-traumatic stress can significantly affect a person’s daily life, relationships, and sense of security.
What to Do After an Accident in California
The steps you take after an accident can have a major impact on your health and your claim. Seeking medical attention early is one of the most important actions, even if you believe the injury is minor. Medical records create documentation that connects your injuries to the incident, and early treatment can prevent complications.
It’s also important to be careful when speaking with insurance companies. Adjusters may sound helpful, but their job is to protect the insurance company’s bottom line. Quick settlement offers often fail to reflect the true cost of an injury, especially when future treatment or long-term complications are involved. Before signing anything or giving recorded statements, it can help to speak with an attorney who can protect your interests.
How Lee Arter Law Can Help With Your Personal Injury Case
Handling a personal injury claim isn’t just about filling out paperwork—it’s about building a strong case backed by evidence and understanding what your injuries will cost today and in the future. At Lee Arter Law, we work to investigate what happened, identify who is responsible, gather supporting documentation, and present a clear and persuasive claim on your behalf.
We also take over communication with insurance companies, negotiate for fair compensation, and prepare the case for court when necessary. Many cases settle, but insurance companies tend to offer better results when they know the injured person has a law firm prepared to fight back. Our approach is focused on careful preparation and strong advocacy from start to finish.
Compensation Available in California Personal Injury Cases
Compensation in a California personal injury case may include the cost of medical treatment, rehabilitation, and future care. It can also include lost wages, reduced earning ability, and the physical pain that comes from the injury itself. Many clients are also affected emotionally, especially after traumatic incidents, and damages may reflect the impact an injury has on day-to-day life, sleep, mobility, and the ability to enjoy normal activities.
The value of a case depends on the severity of the injuries, how long recovery takes, whether long-term care is needed, and how clearly fault can be proven. Even when liability seems obvious, insurance companies often push back, which is why having legal guidance can make a real difference.
Why Choose Lee Arter Law?
When you hire a personal injury attorney, you deserve someone who will treat your case with urgency and take your concerns seriously. At Lee Arter Law, we focus on responsive communication, straightforward legal guidance, and a strategy designed to pursue full compensation—not just a quick payout. You’ll have a team that understands what you’re going through and works to make the process less stressful while protecting your rights at every step.
Speak With a California Personal Injury Lawyer Today
If you were injured in California and believe someone else’s negligence was responsible, you don’t have to face the legal process alone. Lee Arter Law is here to help you understand your options, evaluate your case, and take action toward the recovery you deserve.
Contact Lee Arter Law today to schedule a consultation and discuss your personal injury claim.