When should I call a personal injury attorney after an accident in California?

August 3, 2026

Admin

Now. Today. As soon as possible after the accident.

There is no moment in the aftermath of a car accident when having an attorney involved works against you. There are many moments when not having one does.

Evidence disappears quickly.

Surveillance footage from traffic cameras, business cameras, and dashcams is frequently overwritten within 24 to 72 hours. Witness memories fade within days. Physical evidence at the scene is cleared. The accident reconstruction that can establish exactly what happened becomes more difficult and more expensive with every passing day. An attorney who is involved immediately can demand evidence preservation before any of this occurs.

The insurance company is already working.

The moment a serious accident is reported, the opposing insurance company begins building their file. Their adjusters, investigators, and legal teams activate immediately. The earlier you have an attorney on your side, the sooner that asymmetry is corrected.

Early statements can permanently damage your claim.

Every conversation you have with an insurance adjuster before retaining an attorney is a conversation that happens without anyone in your corner who understands the legal implications of what you are saying. Once an attorney is retained, all of that communication goes through us.

The window to act varies and can be shorter than you think.

The deadline to file a personal injury claim in California varies significantly depending on the type of case, who the defendant is, and the age of the person injured. In some situations that window can be as short as six months. You cannot know your specific deadline without speaking with an attorney.Call Cohn & Swartzon LLP at 888-480-3883 — available 24 hours a day 7 days a week at legalhelp123.com. The consultation is free. No upfront fees. No fee unless we recover for you. The sooner you call, the more we can do.