California Accident Lawyer FAQs

The case evaluation is free, and you are not obligated to hire the firm. You can explain what happened, ask questions, and discuss whether MMG can help. An inquiry is an opportunity to understand your options; it is not a promise that the firm will accept the case or that you will recover compensation.

Not every claim requires a lawyer. A straightforward vehicle-damage claim may be manageable directly with an insurer. Legal advice becomes especially useful when you have injuries, disputed fault, an unclear settlement offer, several potentially responsible parties, or a deadline concern. A consultation can help you decide what assistance is appropriate. California Courts explains how a lawyer can help with a civil case.

Yes. You can ask for an evaluation without deciding for yourself whether your injury is “serious enough.” Explain when symptoms began, what care you received, and any delay or gap in treatment. Those facts can affect how the claim is evaluated. A lawyer evaluates legal issues; a healthcare professional should assess symptoms and treatment needs. Do not postpone appropriate care while waiting to speak with a lawyer.

No. Start with what you know. Share the accident date and location, the type of collision, a brief description, and a safe way to reach you. If available, keep the report number, insurer’s letters, photographs, witness details, and information about treatment. Missing documents do not prevent an initial conversation. Preserve original files and messages; wait for instructions before sending sensitive records.

Not by itself. MMG reviews inquiries, checks for conflicts, and discusses whether the firm can help. For an accepted contingency-fee matter, the firm uses a written representation agreement. Confirm whether MMG has accepted your matter and what work it will handle. An automated acknowledgment is not acceptance of your case. Read the Website Legal Disclosures.

Bring what you have.

You can contact us before every record is ready.

Accepted accident cases are handled on a contingency-fee basis, with rates that vary by case stage. The written agreement explains the percentage, when each rate applies, how expenses are treated, and how deductions from a recovery are calculated. MMG advances case expenses without an upfront payment. Ask the firm to walk through the agreement before you sign; no standard percentage is quoted here because the applicable terms must be explained for your matter.

You owe MMG no attorney fees or case expenses if there is no recovery. That is MMG’s confirmed arrangement for its contingency-fee accident cases. Medical bills, liens, and other obligations to third parties are separate; those obligations are not automatically erased by the firm’s fee arrangement. Ask about both the representation agreement and any separate medical-payment agreement.

An injury claim does not automatically stop bills or collection activity. Possible payment sources include health insurance, applicable medical-payments coverage, or other arrangements, depending on your circumstances. Providers and insurers may have reimbursement or lien rights that affect the final distribution. Keep bills and benefit statements, and ask about payment responsibilities before agreeing to an arrangement. California’s auto-insurance guide explains medical-payments coverage.

Yes. Lack of health insurance does not prevent an initial legal consultation. Tell the firm about difficulties obtaining care and any bills or payment agreements. Ask providers about available financial assistance or payment options. MMG cannot promise free treatment, a particular provider, or that every medical bill will be covered by a recovery. Do not confuse a medical-treatment obligation with the firm’s no-recovery fee arrangement.

No recovery. No MMG fees.

Compare the fee, expense and third-party questions in one place.

Possibly. Being partly responsible does not automatically prevent a California negligence claim. Compensation can be reduced by your share of responsibility. For illustration only, a 20% fault allocation would generally reduce otherwise recoverable damages by 20%; that is not an estimate of your case. Fault depends on evidence, not simply what a driver or adjuster says. See California’s civil jury instruction 405 on comparative fault.

First identify whose insurer is asking and what it wants. Your own policy may require timely reporting and cooperation. Requests from another driver’s insurer present different considerations. Before giving a recorded statement, a broad medical authorization, or a detailed account while facts are uncertain, ask about your obligations and options. Be truthful and do not guess. The California Department of Insurance explains the claim investigation process.

An offer alone does not mean it is too late to ask for advice. Bring the offer and any release for review before signing. A release can give up rights beyond the immediate payment, and vehicle-damage and injury settlements may address different claims. If you already signed something or accepted payment, share the documents promptly so a lawyer can assess their effect. California Courts discusses legal help with settlement offers and agreements.

There may be coverage to investigate, but payment is not automatic. Depending on the policy and facts, uninsured or underinsured motorist coverage may help. Hit-and-run claims can involve special proof and reporting requirements. Preserve available evidence and promptly check applicable notices and deadlines. Read the California Department of Insurance’s explanation of UM/UIM coverage.

Many personal-injury lawsuits generally have a two-year filing period, but you should not assume that deadline applies to you. Injury claims against public entities generally require an administrative claim within six months, and other rules or exceptions may change the timing. An insurance claim is different from a lawsuit. Contacting MMG does not pause any deadline. See California Courts’ personal-injury guidance and government-claim guidance.

No. DMV reporting is a separate obligation. California DMV generally requires an SR-1 within 10 days when an accident causes injury, death, or property damage over $1,000. A report to police or your insurer does not replace the SR-1. You can contact MMG while gathering documents; do not delay a required report while waiting for a consultation. See DMV’s accident-reporting instructions.

Different deadlines. Different duties.

A reporting deadline is not the same as a lawsuit deadline.

A reliable evaluation requires more than the accident type or a medical-bill total. Relevant issues include responsibility, the injury’s effects, documented losses, future needs, evidence, and available sources of payment. Depending on the case, damages may include medical expenses, lost earnings, and pain and suffering. A settlement amount is also different from the amount you receive after fees, expenses, and applicable liens. No recovery amount can be promised. California Courts outlines personal-injury claims and losses.

There is no dependable timeline before the facts are reviewed. Treatment, the availability of records, fault disputes, insurance coverage, negotiations, and any court proceedings affect timing. Ask what the next milestone is and what could delay it. A fast offer is not necessarily a complete assessment of your losses, but delaying a decision also has consequences. The appropriate approach depends on your circumstances.

Not necessarily. A claim may resolve through negotiation, and filing a lawsuit does not automatically mean there will be a trial. Litigation can still involve document requests, testimony, or other participation before a trial. MMG can explain the steps that may apply and discuss settlement decisions with you. California Courts describes settlement and other ways to resolve disputes outside trial.

A truck claim may involve several businesses and evidence with limited retention periods. Driver logs, vehicle information, maintenance records, and other materials may need prompt preservation. FMCSA states that covered carriers must retain electronic driver-duty records and backup data for six months; other evidence follows different rules. That retention period is not your lawsuit deadline. See FMCSA’s ELD guidance and MMG’s Truck Accident Lawyer page.

Lane splitting does not automatically make a rider responsible for a collision. CHP recognizes lane splitting as legal in California. The circumstances—including speed, visibility, traffic, and the actions of everyone involved—still matter when fault is assessed. Preserve video, photographs, and witness information when available. Read CHP’s motorcyclist safety guidance and MMG’s Motorcycle Accident Lawyer page.

Legal protections may apply to a prospective-client consultation even if the firm is not retained. The circumstances matter; every unsolicited website message is not automatically privileged. Keep the first form submission brief. Wait for instructions before sending medical records, identification documents, or extensive sensitive information. See California Rule of Professional Conduct 1.18 and MMG’s Privacy Policy.

MMG is a solo practice led by Mihran M. Ghazaryan, California State Bar No. 311455. The firm identifies him as the attorney who directly handles its matters. Discuss communication preferences and the scope of representation during intake. Read his biography and independently check his State Bar license record.

Phone and video consultations are available. MMG serves clients across California from its Glendale office, with office visits by appointment only. The firm offers communication in English, Armenian, and Russian. Tell the firm your preferred language and any access needs when arranging a consultation. See the Glendale office page or contact MMG.

The firm reviews your inquiry and discusses whether it can help, subject to conflicts and case evaluation. Keep your contact information current and identify any known deadline. If the firm accepts the matter, clarify the agreement and next steps. If it cannot accept, that does not necessarily mean no claim exists; seek other legal help promptly. Do not assume MMG is protecting a deadline solely because you sent a message.