Jeffrey Johnson has written novels and movies in addition to legal analyses of eminent domain and immigration law. His experience in writing engaging fiction makes him uniquely capable of making the most dry and academic legal topics interesting (or as interesting as possible).
Jeffrey Johnson, J.D.
Jeffrey Johnson has written novels and movies in addition to legal analyses of eminent domain and immigration law. His experience in writing engaging fiction makes him uniquely capable of making the most dry and academic legal topics interesting (or as interesting as possible).
Adam has resided at the intersection of legal and journalism for two decades. An award-winning journalist and legal strategist, he’s covered high-profile trials in Florida.
After law school, Adam and spent two years clerking for a U.S. District Court judge. He researched and wrote legal precedent in published opinions on behalf of the Court.
He has been an editor, columnist and journalist at the Miami Herald, The Dallas Morning News, The Oregonian, Golf Digest, FindLaw.com and other media outlets.
He lived in Colombia and Argentina teaching legal English to attorneys and law students. He is also a Spanish-language subject matter expert.
An avid waterman, he surfs and scuba dives frequently.
Reviewed
Adam Ramirez, J.D.
Adam has resided at the intersection of legal and journalism for two decades. An award-winning journalist and legal strategist, he’s covered high-profile trials in Florida.
After law school, Adam and spent two years clerking for a U.S. District Court judge. He researched and wrote legal precedent in published opinions on behalf of the Court.
He has been an editor, columnist and journalist at the Miami Herald, The Dallas Morning News, The Oregonian, Golf Digest, FindLaw.com and other media outlets.
He lived in Colombia and Argentina teaching legal English to attorneys and law students. He is also a Spanish-language subject matter expert.
An avid waterman, he surfs and scuba dives frequently.
Editorial Note: We earn a commission from partner links on Forbes Advisor. Commissions do not affect our editors' opinions or evaluations.
The best personal injury lawyers in Los Angeles are experienced with the ins and outs of California law, have a track record of success in negotiating settlements and are ready and able to win verdicts in court. There are plenty of great personal injury attorneys in Los Angeles, and our guide can help you find one of the best.
To come up with this list of the Best Personal Injury Lawyers in Los Angeles, Forbes Advisor considered many options. See our Methodology section below for a detailed breakdown of how we selected the attorneys on our list.
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Show Summary
- Best Personal Injury Attorneys in Los Angeles, CA
- Compare Our Top Attorneys
- California Personal Injury Laws
- How to Find the Best Personal Injury Lawyer in Los Angeles, CA
- How Los Angeles Statutes Affect Personal Injury Claims
- What is Covered by Personal Injury Law In Los Angeles?
- What is the average personal injury settlement in Los Angeles?
- Methodology
- Frequently Asked Questions
Best Personal Injury Attorneys in Los Angeles, CA
Compare Our Top Attorneys
| Lawyer Name | California Bar Association Status | Year Admitted to CA Bar | Law School Attended | LEARN MORE | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Michael L. Baum | Active | 1985 | University of California, Los Angeles - School of Law | View More | |
| Kevin R. Boyle | Active | 1997 | University of Arizona, James E. Rogers College of Law | View More | |
| Bruce A. Broillet | Active | 1975 | University of Texas School of Law | View More | |
| G. Ronald Feenberg | Active | 1971 | University of San Diego School of Law | View More | |
| Steven A. Heimberg | Active | 1987 | University of California, Los Angeles - School of Law | View More | |
| Pete Kaufman | Active | 2010 | University of Florida - Fredric G. Levin College of Law | View More | |
| Philip Michels | Active | 1973 | University of California, Los Angeles - School of Law | View More | |
| David M. Ring | Active | 1990 | University of Southern California, Gould School of Law | View More | |
| Lyssa A. Roberts | Active | 2004 | University of Southern California, Gould School of Law | View More | |
| Dennis J. Sherwin | Active | 1972 | Loyola University School of Law | View More |
Other California Personal Injury Lawyers
California Personal Injury Laws
California’s personal injury laws are important because other states typically follow their lead on many legal precedents. Here are a few of the more important California laws and concepts:
- Statute of Limitations: In every state there’s a limit for how long you have to file a personal injury lawsuit. That limit under California law is two years. That means that failing to file a personal injury suit within two years of your injury will cost you an opportunity to hold those who harmed you responsible.
- Statute of Limitations (Against Government Officials): The statute of limitations is shorter if you want to file against a city, county or state government official. In order to overcome sovereign immunity, you have to notify any government entity of your intention to file a claim in less than six months.
- Determining Fault: California determines who’s at fault using the rule of pure comparative negligence. That means that when someone is at fault for causing an injury, they can argue that some of the blame rests with the injured person, too. In practice, this means that if you suffered $10,000 of harm but a jury determined that you were 10% responsible, you would only recover $9,000.
This is just a short summary of some of the more important California tort laws. To get a full understanding of the specifics of your case, you should consult with an experienced personal injury attorney like those on our list.
How to Find the Best Personal Injury Lawyer in Los Angeles, CA
Personal injury lawyers help those hurt in an accident get the financial support they deserve from the liable party (or their insurance company).
While personal injury is a niche in and of itself for lawyers, there are deeper areas of focus within it that lawyers may have. For example, a workers’ compensation specialist might not have the same level of success with car accidents as an attorney specializing in that arena. Finding the right personal injury lawyer requires consideration and knowing what to look for.
Here’s what you should be considering when trying to find a personal injury lawyer in Los Angeles.
Start With Referrals
Before you start a Google search, talk to family and friends to see if you can get some referrals for personal injury lawyers in your area. Most people have at least one person in their network who has been hurt in an accident and needed a lawyer. If you have used a lawyer in the past for a divorce, bankruptcy, traffic tickets, etc., contact them and ask for a referral.
You should also contact the Los Angeles County Lawyer Referral Service for a referral. The California Bar Association also maintains a referral service.
By asking for referrals, you may quickly get a list of recommended lawyers—or lawyers you should avoid.
Seek Experience With Your Type of Claim
You may want someone who specializes in your type of claim.
For example, a motorcycle accident is handled differently than an industrial accident. Claims involving defective products are different from pedestrian accidents.
Ask the lawyer whether they have experience handling claims like yours. Experience means that they will understand the issues involved, the potentially responsible parties and the best way to prepare your case for success. This often translates into better service and higher settlement amounts.
Look for Litigators
While 96% of personal injury cases get settled, you want to know that you have someone with the experience to go to trial if necessary. If your claim is complicated, involves a very serious injury or arises from an uncommon or unique situation, you may need to go to trial to get what you deserve.
Ask the lawyer about their trial experience and success rate. If the lawyer can’t cite their success rate, you may need to consider that they don’t have the right expertise for the job.
Works on Contingency Fees
Don’t sign up with a lawyer who wants to charge you an hourly rate. Look for a lawyer to work on contingency. Contingency means that they only get paid if and when you get paid. They are vested in your success!
Los Angeles personal injury lawyers charge anywhere from 33% to 40% of the settlement or award for their services. Anyone who charges more than the average should have ample experience and success to back up their rates.
Maintains a Professional Office
You can tell a professional office the moment that you walk in. It should seem clean, orderly and pleasant.
Listen to how the receptionist talks to callers and note whether the attorney has a good sense of who their clients are and their case details. A professional office usually helps you feel more confident in the lawyer’s abilities and will give you a sense of being heard when you call with questions.
It’s also true that an attorney must be relatively successful to have a comfortable, pleasant and well-staffed office. Consider how the attorney and staff interact with others, too. This is a good sign of the level of respect and consideration you can expect when you’re a client.
How Los Angeles Statutes Affect Personal Injury Claims
Personal injury claims against a private person or business in Los Angeles are subject to the same statutes that apply elsewhere in California. However, if your claim is against the city of Los Angeles, different rules come into play.
A personal injury lawsuit against the city must be initiated within six months from when the claim arose. This is a much shorter timeframe than the statewide statute of limitations for personal injury claims. To file a lawsuit, you first must file a claim form with the City Attorney’s office. Hiring a Los Angeles personal injury lawyer familiar with claims against the city can help avoid mistakes that could damage your claim.
What is Covered by Personal Injury Law In Los Angeles?
Personal injury law in Los Angeles covers a wide range of situations where a person is harmed due to the negligence or intentional acts of another. The most common types of personal injury claims are:
- Vehicle accidents. Injuries resulting from car, motorcycle, truck, or other vehicle accidents due to someone else’s negligence.
- Slip and fall injuries. Accidents that occur on someone else’s property due to dangerous conditions like wet floors, uneven surfaces, or poor lighting.
- Medical malpractice. Injuries or harm caused by the negligence of healthcare professionals, such as doctors, nurses, or hospitals.
- Workplace accidents. Injuries that occur on the job due to unsafe working conditions or employer negligence.
- Product liability. Injuries caused by defective or dangerous products, including design defects, manufacturing defects, or lack of proper warnings.
- Dog bites. Injuries caused by dog attacks, where the owner may be held liable for the actions of their pet.
- Wrongful death. Cases brought by surviving family members when the negligence or misconduct of another has caused a person’s death.
What is the average personal injury settlement in Los Angeles?
While many variables can impact your personal injury settlement, the average settlement on a personal injury case falls between $14,000 and $29,000. Cases involving traumatic injury or wrongful death can result in significantly higher settlement numbers. Generally, a personal injury settlement is intended to cover medical bills, lost wages, and pain and suffering in severe cases.
Discussing your case with a lawyer is the best way to determine a reasonable settlement amount for your circumstances. Our list of the best personal injury lawyers in Los Angeles can help you find a qualified lawyer to help with your case.
Methodology
To come up with the Best Personal Injury Lawyers of Los Angeles 2022, Forbes Advisor considered many options. Forbes Advisor’s mathematical module considers and weights the information collected to calculate a specific rating.
Within the model, we take into account factors that legal professionals and consumers value in an attorney’s qualifications. After assigning weighted scores to hundreds of data points, we narrowed the field down to our top choices based on:
- Legal experience
- Special licenses & certifications
- Ethics and bar disciplinary measures
- Legal thought leadership
- Education & employment background
- Scholarly lectures & writings
- Awards & honors
Forbes Advisor collects public data from a variety of sources, including state bar associations, court records and other published sources on the internet. This information should not be considered comprehensive, however. It might not include additional relevant information on an attorney’s legal skills and experience.
Each attorney listed here has their own merits. Bear in mind that our list relates to these lawyers’ legal backgrounds, but does not evaluate their personalities or their knowledge of the law. One attorney may be more suitable than another for your specific legal situation.
One thing that can’t be quantified, though, is the personal touch—the rapport you establish with your attorney. Personality goes a long way when teaming up with an attorney, especially when going through a potentially difficult legal situation.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is a typical personal injury settlement in California?
Just as there is no typical accident, there is no typical personal injury settlement. The settlement you receive will depend on the specifics of your situation.
In general, settlements for severe injuries with lasting consequences are much larger than settlements for more minor injuries that heal relatively quickly. Settlement amounts are also affected by the amount of money or insurance coverage the party responsible for your injury has.
How long does a personal injury claim take to go to court in California?
Personal injury lawyers try to settle personal injury cases within the first 12 months. If they are not making headway with the insurance company or responsible party, lawyers will then take the issue to the court for a decision. Going to court can add months, even years, to cases with serious injuries.
Should I get a lawyer for an accident that was my fault?
It’s best to get a lawyer for accidents where you aren’t at fault and seek to get a settlement or judgment from another party’s insurance carrier. If you feel that your own insurance company is not handling your at-fault case properly, you may retain an attorney to advocate on your behalf.
Where can I get a copy of police reports for incidents related to my personal injury case in Los Angeles?
Police reports can be requested from the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department by phone or mail. Crime report copies cost $17 per report, while traffic reports cost $11 per report.
What is the non-emergency contact number for the local police station in Los Angeles?
For non-emergency issues like noise complaints or loitering, call 877-ASK-LAPD (877-255-5273). This toll-free number is available 24 hours per day in English, Spanish and TTY.
How Much Does An Average Los Angeles Personal Injury Lawyer Cost?
The average personal injury lawyer in Los Angeles charges between 33% and 40% on a contingency fee basis. This means that they are paid a percentage of what you receive through court judgment or settlement on the case. If nothing is recovered in the case, then you owe nothing.
What Happens If I Miss the Deadline for Filing My Los Angeles Personal Injury Lawsuit?
In general, if you fail to file a personal injury lawsuit in Los Angeles before the statute of limitations deadline, then your claim is no longer valid. Determining the deadline can sometimes be complicated, which is why discussing your case with a lawyer can help if you are unsure whether the deadline has passed.
Are There Extensions for the Los Angeles Personal Injury Statute of Limitations?
Most personal injury cases are subject to a two-year statute of limitations. The two years begins from the date of injury or the date of death in wrongful death cases.
However, a personal injury that was not discovered right away has a modified deadline of one year from the date the injury was discovered.
Do You Pay Taxes On Personal Injury Settlements In Los Angeles?
Most aspects of personal injury settlements are not subject to federal or California taxation. Settlements for physical injuries or emotional distress caused by a physical injury are not counted as taxable income.
In cases involving gross misconduct, punitive damages may be awarded that are intended to punish the defendant for bad behavior. These types of damages are not common, but they are considered taxable income in California.
Contingency fees are no longer simply deductible from your federal taxes, though professional tax advice can help with this and any other tax liability concerns you may have.
How long do you have to file a personal injury claim in Los Angeles?
Most personal injury claims in Los Angeles must be filed within two years of the injury or within two years of a death in wrongful death cases.
While two years is the general rule, some cases are subject to modified deadlines. Cases brought against the City of Los Angeles must be initiated within six months. In cases where the personal injury was not discovered until later, then a claim may be filed up to one year after the injury was discovered.
How long does it take to settle a personal injury case in Los Angeles?
While every case is unique, most personal injury cases will take over one month and potentially over one year to resolve. Cases that settle are resolved more quickly than those that proceed to a trial. It is important to remember that handling your case quickly is not always the same as handling your case well. However, your personal injury lawyer in Los Angeles should be able to estimate a timeline based on the specific variables in your case.
