--- title: "Car Accident Lawyer | Northern CA | Frank Penney" source: https://penneylaw.com/car-accidents --- > Injured in a California car accident? Frank Penney Injury Law has recovered $1 billion+ for victims. Free consultation. No fee unless we win. # Car Accident Lawyer Aggressive Representation for Auto Accident Victims Legal review by [Frank D. Penney](https://penneylaw.com/frank-d-penney/), founding attorney · Last updated October 7, 2026 ## Fighting for Car Accident Victims Throughout California Car accidents can change your life in an instant. From mounting medical bills to lost wages and emotional trauma, the aftermath of a collision can be overwhelming. At Frank Penney Injury Law, we understand what you're going through, and we're here to help. With over $1 billion recovered for our clients and more than 30 years of experience, our car accident lawyers have the knowledge and resources to fight for the maximum compensation you deserve. We handle every aspect of your case so you can focus on your recovery. ## What Is My Car Accident Case Worth? Get an instant, no-obligation estimate of your accident case value, then call (888) 888-0566 for a free, personalized review. **Disclaimer:** The estimate provided by this calculator is based on general statistical data and is not a guarantee of any outcome. Case values vary significantly based on individual facts and circumstances. This tool does not create an attorney-client relationship. For a personalized assessment, call us at [(888) 888-0566](tel:8888880566) or [submit a free consultation request](https://penneylaw.com/contact). Powered by [Case Value Calculator](https://casevalue.law/states/california?utm_source=embed&utm_medium=widget&utm_campaign=powered_by) ## Results That Speak for Themselves Over $1 billion recovered for injury victims across California. A sample of our case results: $10.5M Wrongful Death $4.5M Motorcycle Accident $3.4M Truck Accident $2.41M Auto Accident $1.2M Pedestrian Accident Any case results shown represent individual experiences and outcomes. These results are not a guarantee or prediction of the outcome of your case. Individual results may vary based on the unique circumstances of each case. [See full disclaimer](https://penneylaw.com/disclaimer). ## Types of Car Accident Cases We Handle Our experienced attorneys handle all types of car accident cases, from minor fender benders to catastrophic collisions. ### Rear-End Collisions Whiplash and spinal injuries from being struck from behind. ### Intersection Accidents Crashes caused by running red lights or stop signs. ### Drunk Driving Accidents Holding intoxicated drivers accountable for their actions. ### Distracted Driving Accidents caused by texting, phone use, or inattention. ### Hit and Run Pursuing compensation when the at-fault driver flees. ### Head-On Collisions Catastrophic injuries from frontal impact crashes. ### Side-Impact Crashes T-bone accidents at intersections and parking lots. ### Multi-Vehicle Accidents Complex pile-ups involving multiple parties. ## What to Do After a Car Accident Taking the right steps immediately after an accident can protect your health and strengthen your case. ### Check for Injuries Assess yourself and passengers for injuries. Call 911 immediately if anyone is hurt. ### Move to Safety If possible, move vehicles out of traffic to prevent additional accidents. ### Call the Police Always file a police report, even for minor accidents. This documents the incident. ### Exchange Information Get the other driver's name, contact info, insurance details, and license plate number. ### Document the Scene Take photos of vehicle damage, injuries, road conditions, and traffic signs. ### Get Witness Information Collect names and contact information from anyone who witnessed the accident. ### Seek Medical Attention See a doctor as soon as possible, even if you feel fine. Some injuries appear later. ### Contact an Attorney Call Frank Penney Injury Law before speaking with insurance companies. ## Why Choose Frank Penney Injury Law When you're injured in a car accident, you need a law firm with the experience, resources, and dedication to fight for you. ### Proven Track Record With over $1 billion recovered for our clients, we have the experience and results to back up our reputation. We've helped 10,000+ accident victims get the compensation they deserve. ### No Upfront Costs We work on a contingency fee basis, which means you pay nothing unless we win your case. We advance all costs and only get paid when you receive compensation. ### Personalized Attention Unlike large firms that treat clients like numbers, we provide personalized attention to every case. You'll work directly with experienced attorneys who know your situation. ### Aggressive Negotiation Insurance companies know we're willing to take cases to trial. This leverage helps us negotiate maximum settlements for our clients without unnecessary delays. ### Full-Service Representation We handle everything from investigating your accident to negotiating with insurance companies and, if necessary, taking your case to court. ### Local Expertise With offices and service areas across California, we know the local courts, judges, and insurance adjusters. This local knowledge gives our clients a strategic advantage. ## California Car Accident Law: What You Need to Know California has specific rules that can make or break your claim. Here are the ones that matter most after a crash. ### Two-Year Filing Deadline Under California Code of Civil Procedure § 335.1, you generally have **two years** from the date of the crash to file a personal injury lawsuit. If a government vehicle or agency is involved, a claim may be due in as little as **six months**. Miss the deadline and you can lose your right to recover entirely. ### Pure Comparative Negligence California uses a **pure comparative negligence** rule. You can recover damages even if you were partly — or mostly — at fault; your award is simply reduced by your percentage of fault. Insurers often try to shift blame to cut what they pay, which is why representation matters. ### Minimum Insurance: 30/60/15 As of **January 1, 2025**, California's minimum liability limits rose to **$30,000 per person, $60,000 per accident, and $15,000 property damage** (up from 15/30/5). Many drivers still carry only the minimum — carrying your own uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage protects you when they do. Not sure what your claim could be worth? Try our [case value calculator](https://penneylaw.com/how-much-is-my-case-worth), read the latest [California accident news](https://penneylaw.com/accident-news), or explore our [injury law blog](https://penneylaw.com/blog) for more on your rights. We serve clients in [Sacramento](https://penneylaw.com/sacramento), [Roseville](https://penneylaw.com/roseville), [Oakland](https://penneylaw.com/oakland), and across Northern California. ## Car Accident FAQs ### How long do I have to file a car accident claim in California? In California you generally have two years from the date of the accident to file a personal injury lawsuit (California Code of Civil Procedure § 335.1). If a government vehicle or agency is involved, you may have as little as six months to file a claim, so it is important to speak with an attorney quickly. ### Can I still recover money if I was partly at fault for the crash? Yes. California follows a pure comparative negligence rule, so you can recover damages even if you were partially at fault. Your compensation is reduced by your percentage of fault — for example, if you are found 30% at fault on a $100,000 claim, you can still recover $70,000. ### What is the minimum car insurance required in California? As of January 1, 2025, California's minimum auto liability limits are $30,000 per injured person, $60,000 per accident, and $15,000 for property damage (30/60/15), increased from the old 15/30/5 minimums. Many drivers carry only the minimum, which is why uninsured and underinsured motorist coverage is so important. ### How much does it cost to hire Frank Penney Injury Law for a car accident case? Nothing upfront. We work on a contingency fee, which means you pay no attorney fees unless we recover compensation for you. The initial consultation is always free. ## What Our Clients Say Real five-star reviews from clients on our Google Business Profile. > Was involved in a car accident not my fault and I called Penney and they got me in right away. Josh my lawyer at Frank Penney fought hard for me. They were able to get me 5 times the settlement originally offered by State Farm. Couldn't be happier. > I was assigned to Mark McCauley and have been impressed with his work-ethic and caring demeanor since our very first meeting. Over the last 18 months, I have had extensive treatment all because Mark was willing to push even when my insurance company resisted. I will continue to recommend Frank Penney Injury Lawyers to anyone that is in need of an exemplary attorney. > If you have been in an auto accident, seek out Frank Penney Injury Lawyers. They are the best at what they do. A very special thanks to Joshua Boyce — my guiding star, the man in my corner, and an incredible and caring human being. > My case was a motor vehicle accident involving a motorcycle and car — I broke my femur. In the end, the opposing party was negligent and I won the case and earned the maximum settlement offered by the opposing insurance company. Stop looking around and choose Frank Penney Injury Lawyers. > I feel so blessed to have had Frank Penney Injury Lawyers represent me after I was injured in an auto accident. I was a victim of a hit and run and I am so thankful I found them to help. My attorney, Mark, was so responsive and made sure I received updates on my claim. > From the very beginning, the team was professional, compassionate, and always made me feel like a priority. Frank and his staff truly cared about my recovery and worked hard to make sure I received a fair settlement. I'm so grateful for their dedication and highly recommend them to anyone in need of a reliable and trustworthy personal injury lawyer! > Working with Frank Penney as my personal injury attorney has been an amazing experience. He's dedicated and fights hard for his clients. I would highly recommend Frank Penney Injury Lawyers and his team to anyone needing a trustworthy and powerful firm. > Mark McCauley was just astounding. He fought hard for me and my settlement was more than I thought possible. If you are looking for a personal injury attorney, make them your first call. > I can't say enough about Frank Penney Injury Lawyers and all the hard work they put into winning my case. I am very impressed on how they got such a great settlement for me and my daughter. They will be my personal injury lawyer for life. > Frank Penney and his team seriously came through for me. I got rear ended on the freeway, and had no idea what to do next. They handled everything — paperwork, calls, negotiations — and when the settlement hit, I was astonished. > While stopped at a red light, a very high speed motorcycle went into the back of my car, completely totaling my vehicle and creating significant injuries for me. From the very first call to Frank Penney Injury Lawyers, I felt sympathy, compassion and a desire to help me. I could not have asked for a better legal team in my corner. > After I was injured in a substantial rear-end collision, the other insurance company fought hard to avoid accepting responsibility — but James and Priscilla fought both harder and smarter on my behalf. I was shocked when my case ultimately went all the way to trial, but James delivered a solid victory — a victory that not only met but exceeded our last demand. > Joshua, at Frank Penny Injury Lawyers, handled my very complex injury case as if I was part of their family. His dedication and thoroughness resulted in a settlement that will help me overcome the injuries and complications I had suffered. Thanks again, Frank Penney and Staff. > I was in a car accident and rear ended. My chiropractor actually referred me to Frank Penney! They lined me up with the medical help I needed and negotiated a great settlement for me in a timely manner. Highly recommended. > Me and my husband got into a car accident back in October 2020. We went with Frank Penny Injury Lawyers because they're only the best around! We closed our case without having to go to court. Thank you Frank Penny Injury Lawyers — we were very pleased! Testimonials reflect the individual experiences of past clients and are not a guarantee or prediction of the outcome of your case. [See full disclaimer](https://penneylaw.com/disclaimer). ## Related Practice Areas ### Truck Accidents ### Motorcycle Accidents ### Wrongful Death ### Slip and Fall ### All Practice Areas