Hulburt Law Firm represents people and families in San Diego car accident cases involving life-changing injuries, wrongful death, traumatic brain injuries, spinal injuries, drunk driving, distracted driving, dangerous roads, and other serious crashes.
Our experienced attorneys investigate what happened, identify every responsible party, preserve key evidence, and look for every available source of insurance or compensation. From the first investigation through settlement or trial, our focus is simple: uncover the truth, demand justice, and pursue the full value of the harm caused.
Injured in a San Diego car accident? Talk with a serious injury attorney.

Car accidents happen in many different ways. Some involve speeding, drunk driving, distracted driving, or reckless lane changes. Others happen at intersections, on freeways, in rideshare vehicles, or involve a driver who flees the scene.
The type of crash often determines what evidence should be preserved, who may be responsible, and what insurance coverage may apply. Hulburt Law Firm handles all types of serious car accident cases throughout San Diego County.
Speed is involved in roughly one in three California fatal crashes. The baseline rule is California Vehicle Code § 22350 (the “basic speed law”), which requires drivers to go no faster than is reasonable for weather, visibility, traffic, and road conditions, regardless of the posted limit. A driver going 55 in a 55 zone during heavy rain or fog can still be in violation. When the speed crosses into recklessness, such as racing, street takeovers, or extreme excess over the limit, California courts treat the conduct as eligible for punitive damages under Civil Code § 3294. We investigate event data recorder (EDR) downloads, surveillance footage, and witness statements to establish actual speed at impact.
Driving under the influence is criminalized under Vehicle Code § 23152, which makes it unlawful to drive with a BAC of 0.08% or higher (0.04% for commercial drivers, 0.01% for drivers under 21). DUI crashes in California almost always support a punitive damages claim under Civil Code § 3294, and there may be a social-host claim against the party host that served alcohol to a minor driver. We pull chemical test results, breath testing logs, hospital toxicology, body-worn camera footage, and bar receipts to build the full liability picture.
Handheld phone use while driving has been illegal in California since 2008 under Vehicle Code § 23123, and texting is separately prohibited under Vehicle Code § 23123.5. Distraction is now a leading cause of serious San Diego crashes, often eclipsing speeding. The challenge in a distracted driving case is proof, because the at-fault driver almost never admits to phone use. We preserve cell phone records through litigation holds, subpoena carrier data showing exact timestamps of texts, calls, and app activity, and pull dashcam footage from nearby vehicles before it is overwritten.
Rear-end crashes are governed by Vehicle Code § 21703, which requires drivers to maintain a safe following distance based on speed, traffic, and road conditions. The trailing driver is almost always presumed at fault, but California recognizes exceptions: sudden unexpected stops, brake-checking, missing or broken tail lights, and multi-vehicle chain reactions can shift or share liability. Rear-end impacts produce a disproportionate share of cervical spine and traumatic brain injuries, including whiplash-associated disorders and concussions that may not surface for hours or days.
Head-on collisions often result from a driver crossing the centerline, making an unsafe pass, entering a roadway in the wrong direction, or losing control because of speed, distraction, impairment, fatigue, or unsafe road conditions. California generally requires vehicles to remain on the right half of the roadway, and drivers may not cross double solid yellow lines or enter an opposing lane to pass unless the movement is lawful and can be completed safely. Because the vehicles’ combined closing speeds concentrate tremendous force at the point of impact, head-on crashes frequently cause catastrophic injuries, including brain and spinal cord injuries, multiple fractures, internal organ damage, and death.
Intersection crashes, particularly left-turn T-bone collisions, are among the most serious in San Diego because the impact often strikes the side of the vehicle where there is minimal crumple protection. Vehicle Code § 21801 requires a left-turning driver to yield to oncoming traffic that is close enough to constitute a hazard. When the turning driver misjudges the gap, the oncoming driver who is struck broadside frequently suffers catastrophic injuries. We reconstruct intersection crashes using traffic signal timing data, surveillance footage from nearby businesses, and the physical evidence on the vehicles themselves.
Vehicle Code § 22107 prohibits any lane change unless it can be made safely and only after the driver signals the intended movement. Sideswipe collisions on freeways like I-5, I-8, I-15, and I-805 routinely produce serious injuries when one or both vehicles lose control after contact. These cases turn on freeway camera footage (preserved only briefly by Caltrans before being overwritten), dashcam from other vehicles, and accident reconstruction of the contact patterns on the vehicles.
California makes it a crime to leave the scene of an accident involving injury or death under Vehicle Code § 20001, and to leave the scene of any accident involving only property damage under Vehicle Code § 20002. When the at-fault driver is never identified, the injured person’s own uninsured motorist (UM) coverage often becomes the primary compensation source under Insurance Code § 11580.2. We canvass for surveillance footage, work with SDPD and CHP investigators on the criminal side, and structure UM/UIM claims to maximize the available coverage. For a deeper look at the immediate steps to take, see our guide on what to do after a car accident in San Diego and on your legal responsibilities at the scene.
Crashes involving Uber, Lyft, and other transportation network companies are regulated under Public Utilities Code § 5430 et seq., which sets minimum insurance requirements that change depending on what the rideshare driver was doing at the moment of the crash. App off: only the driver’s personal policy applies. App on but no passenger: a contingent $50K/$100K/$30K layer applies. Passenger in the vehicle or en route to pickup: a $1 million liability policy applies. The right insurance layer can mean the difference between a six-figure recovery and a seven-figure one, and we routinely fight insurers over which phase was active at impact.
Conor and Leslie Hulburt founded Hulburt Law Firm to provide serious car accident cases with the attention, preparation, and expertise they deserve. The firm takes a limited number of cases so clients work directly with the attorneys responsible for investigating the crash, developing the evidence, and guiding the case toward settlement or trial.
Conor Hulburt has spent his career representing people and families in serious injury and wrongful death cases throughout California. He has recovered more than $150 million for injured clients and has experience handling cases involving catastrophic injuries, disputed liability, dangerous road conditions, commercial defendants, and defective vehicles.
Conor and Leslie combine careful investigation, strategic advocacy, and direct client communication to build each case around what happened, how the injuries changed the client’s life, and what will be required for the future.

Our attorneys have achieved life-changing results against negligent drivers, employers, event organizers, vehicle manufacturers, and other parties whose conduct contributed to catastrophic injuries or death.
A sudden tire failure caused an SUV to fishtail and crash into a tree on the side of a San Diego County highway, killing a beloved husband and father.
An event producer’s negligence led to a participant’s death in a vehicle collision.
A San Diego I-5 freeway collision resulted in brain and spine injuries.
A passenger seatback collapsed in a rear-end collision, causing the occupant life-changing spinal injuries and paralysis.
Campus security was speeding and collided with a student’s vehicle, killing her.
The driver's head restraint broke off when he was rear-ended at high speed on the 15 freeway, causing the driver to suffer a spinal cord injury and paralysis.
During your free case review, we listen to how the crash happened, what injuries you’re dealing with, and what questions you have. We look at any information you already have—such as police reports, photos, medical records, or insurance letters—and give an honest assessment of whether a car accident claim makes sense under California law. This conversation is confidential and there’s no obligation to move forward.
If you decide to work with us and the scope of representation is signed, we begin a focused investigation into the collision. That can include obtaining and reviewing police or CHP reports, visiting and photographing the scene, documenting vehicle damage, securing any available video (such as traffic, dash-cam, or security footage), and interviewing witnesses. Acting early helps preserve key evidence before it is lost, altered, or overwritten.
As you receive medical care, we gather and organize your medical records and bills to understand the nature and extent of your injuries and your future treatment needs. At the same time, we identify all available insurance coverage—not only the at-fault driver’s policy, but also any coverage held by vehicle owners, employers, or your own uninsured/underinsured motorist (UM/UIM) policy. This helps make sure no potential source of recovery is overlooked.
Using the facts, medical information, and coverage analysis, we develop a tailored strategy for your case. That includes identifying all parties who may be liable (such as negligent drivers, employers, government entities responsible for dangerous roads, or, in some cases, vehicle or component manufacturers), and carefully evaluating your damages—medical expenses, lost income, future care needs, and the impact on your day-to-day life. Our goal is to present a clear, evidence-based picture of what the crash has taken from you.
We take over communications with insurance adjusters and defense lawyers so you don’t have to. We present the evidence of fault and damages, respond to attempts to minimize your injuries or shift blame onto you, and negotiate with both the at-fault driver’s insurer and, when applicable, your own UM/UIM carrier. Throughout negotiations, we keep you updated, explain any settlement offers in plain language, and help you weigh the risks and benefits of settlement versus litigation.
If the insurance companies are not willing to resolve your case fairly, we are prepared to file a lawsuit and take your case to court. Litigation can involve written discovery, depositions, motion practice, and, when necessary, preparing for trial. At trial, we work to tell your story clearly and respectfully—through your testimony, medical providers, other witnesses, and expert evidence—so that judges and juries understand how the collision happened and what it has meant for you and your family.
If you’re involved in a car accident in California, it helps to understand the basic rules that apply to driving, fault, compensation, insurance, and time limits.
Every driver in California owes a baseline duty of ordinary care to everyone they share the road with. See Civil Code § 1714. At trial, the judge reads CACI Jury Instruction No. 700 to instruct the jury on the basic duty of care owed by a driver: "A person must use reasonable care in driving a vehicle. Drivers must keep a lookout for pedestrians, obstacles, and other vehicles. They must also control the speed and movement of their vehicles. The failure to use reasonable care in driving a vehicle is negligence."
More specific driver duties are set forth in the California Vehicle Code. For example, drivers must control their speed under the conditions actually present, not just the posted limit (Vehicle Code § 22350). They must yield right-of-way to oncoming traffic when turning left (§ 21801) and to pedestrians in crosswalks (§ 21950). They must maintain a safe following distance (§ 21703) and signal lane changes only after they can be made safely (§ 22107). They must stop at stop signs (§ 22450) and red lights (§ 21453). They must not drive while impaired by alcohol or drugs (§ 23152) or while using a handheld phone (§ 23123). After a crash involving injury, they must stop, render aid, and exchange information (§ 20001). Each of these sections defines a duty the driver owes by virtue of being on the road.
Certain drivers carry heightened duties beyond the baseline Vehicle Code obligations. Commercial drivers operating under a CDL must comply with federal Hours-of-Service limits and FMCSA equipment regulations on top of every standard Vehicle Code section. Rideshare drivers operating under Uber or Lyft owe duties shaped by Public Utilities Code § 5430 et seq., which imposes specific insurance and operational requirements that change depending on which phase of a trip the driver is in. Emergency vehicle operators have modified right-of-way under Vehicle Code § 21055, but that modification comes with its own care obligation under § 21056, which strips the protection when the operator fails to drive with due regard for the safety of others.
When a driver’s failure to meet any of these duties is proved through admissible evidence (roadway markings, dashcam footage, EDR data, witness testimony, cell phone records, surveillance video), the breach becomes the foundation for a negligence claim and the basis for recovering money damages.
California follows a “pure comparative negligence” system. The California Supreme Court adopted it in Li v. Yellow Cab Co. (1975) 13 Cal.3d 804, replacing the older “all-or-nothing” contributory negligence rule. Under pure comparative negligence, an injured person can recover damages even if they are 99% at fault; the recovery is just reduced by their share of fault. The general duty-of-care framework is codified at Civil Code § 1714, which makes every person responsible for injury caused by their own want of ordinary care.
When a driver violates a Vehicle Code section (running a red light, speeding, texting while driving, drunk driving), Evidence Code § 669 creates a presumption of negligence under the “negligence per se” doctrine. The violation itself proves the breach of duty. The other side must then rebut the presumption with a recognized excuse, which is rarely available. The common causes of car accidents in San Diego we see in practice (distracted driving, speeding, DUI, failure to yield, and lane-change errors) almost all map directly to specific CVC violations that trigger negligence per se. For a deeper walkthrough of how this works in practice, see our guide on fault determination in San Diego car accidents.
California allows three categories of damages in a car accident case:
Economic damages cover quantifiable financial losses: medical bills (past and future), lost wages, lost earning capacity, property damage, out-of-pocket expenses, and the cost of household services the injured person can no longer perform.
Non-economic damages cover pain and suffering, emotional distress, loss of enjoyment of life, disfigurement, and (for spouses) loss of consortium. There is no cap on non-economic damages in standard California car accident cases.
Punitive damages are available under Civil Code § 3294 when the at-fault driver acted with malice, oppression, or fraud, most commonly in DUI cases, street-racing cases, and intentional-misconduct cases. Punitive damages are designed to punish the wrongdoer, not just compensate the victim, and can substantially increase total recovery in qualifying cases.
Damages also vary widely across the different types of car accidents we see in San Diego, where a high-speed freeway pile-up or a DUI broadside collision produces a substantially different damages profile than a low-speed parking lot crash, even when the named injuries look similar on paper. For a deeper look at how damages are valued, see our compensation guide for San Diego car accident victims.
California requires every driver to carry minimum liability insurance. As of January 1, 2025, the new minimums under Insurance Code § 11580.1 are $30,000 for bodily injury or death of one person, $60,000 total per accident, and $15,000 for property damage. The financial responsibility framework is at Vehicle Code § 16056. These minimums are the floor, not the ceiling: a single trip to the emergency room often exceeds the entire policy limit on its own.
When the at-fault driver is uninsured or has insufficient coverage, the injured person’s own policy often becomes the primary recovery source. Insurance Code § 11580.2 governs uninsured motorist (UM) and underinsured motorist (UIM) coverage and is one of the most frequently litigated insurance statutes in California. Carriers will not volunteer that this coverage applies. We routinely identify UM/UIM coverage that injured clients did not know they had.
There is one significant limitation. Under Civil Code § 3333.4 (Proposition 213), an injured driver who was uninsured at the time of the crash cannot recover non-economic damages (pain and suffering, loss of enjoyment of life), only economic damages (medical bills, lost wages, property damage). The same limit applies to drivers convicted of DUI in the crash. Both limits have narrow exceptions, and the rule does not apply to passengers.
For a comprehensive walkthrough of the insurance claim process itself, see our guide on the insurance claims process after a San Diego car accident.
The clock starts ticking the day of the crash, and missing a deadline almost always ends the case. The core deadlines include:
If you are unsure how the deadlines apply to your case, our deeper guide on the car accident statute of limitations in San Diego walks through the most common scenarios. For an end-to-end walkthrough of what happens once a lawsuit is filed, see the car accident lawsuit process in San Diego. When the crash results in a death, see our guide on fatal car accident cases and what families need to know.
Not every San Diego car crash is caused by another driver. Some are caused by the road itself: missing or obscured signage, defective traffic signal timing, dangerous design of an intersection or freeway interchange, unmarked construction zones, potholes that have been reported but never repaired, or shoulders that are unsafe for emergency stops. When the road is the problem, the responsible party is the public entity that designed, built, or maintains it: usually Caltrans for state highways, the City of San Diego for city streets, and the County of San Diego for unincorporated areas.
The governing statute is Government Code § 835, which makes a public entity liable for injury caused by a “dangerous condition of public property” if the condition created a foreseeable risk of the kind of injury that occurred, AND the entity either created the condition or had actual or constructive notice of it in time to take protective measures. “Constructive notice” means the condition existed long enough, and was obvious enough, that the entity should have known about it.
Government-liability cases have shorter deadlines and stricter procedural requirements than ordinary car accident claims. The six-month written-claim deadline under Government Code § 911.2 applies.
Forget surface-level research and mediocre inquiries. We dive deep to conduct extensive investigations and gather evidence in order to build your strongest case.
We use technology to your advantage. By using video and photography, scene recreations, and graphics, we tell your story in a visually-compelling way that other law firms cannot match.
Defense attorneys and insurance companies know us and respect us. We assess the full extent of your damages and pursue all responsible parties in order to maximize the compensation you deserve.
Catastrophic injury and wrongful death cases are rarely simple. We have taken on the largest corporations, insurance companies, and defense firms in the country and won.
We don’t just talk the talk, we walk the walk. From providing regular case updates to achieving life-changing results, we genuinely care about each and every one of our clients.
After a crash, your safety comes first. Move to a safe place if you can, check for injuries, and call 911. Accept medical care at the scene if it’s offered.
If you’re able, take photos or video of the vehicles, skid marks, road conditions, and any visible injuries, and get names and contact information for witnesses and all drivers involved. Even if you feel “okay,” see a doctor soon after the collision—some serious injuries don’t show symptoms right away. Before giving a detailed statement to any insurance company, consider speaking with a car accident attorney about your rights.
For a more detailed walkthrough of what to do next, see our Steps to Take After a Car Accident in San Diego.
You may have a case if another driver or party was careless and that conduct was a substantial factor in causing the crash and your injuries. Signs it’s worth exploring a claim include needing medical treatment, missing work, ongoing pain or limitations, or facing questions about fault or insurance coverage.
You are not required to hire a lawyer, but serious car crashes often involve multiple parties, contested fault, and complex insurance issues (including uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage). A San Diego car accident lawyer can investigate the collision, gather and preserve evidence, deal with insurers, and guide you through the process so you can focus on your health.
Useful evidence often includes:
In some cases, additional evidence—such as traffic-camera or security-camera footage, vehicle data, or records from employers or bar/party hosts—can also be important. Because certain evidence can be lost or overwritten quickly, it’s helpful to act promptly.
Responsibility usually starts with the at-fault driver, but it can go beyond that. Depending on the facts, potentially liable parties may include:
Identifying all responsible parties and their insurance coverage is a key part of many serious car accident cases.
The compensation available depends on your injuries, how the crash happened, and the insurance involved. In many California car accident cases, injured people may pursue:
If a loved one is killed, surviving family members may bring wrongful death and related survival claims, which have their own rules and categories of compensation. In rare cases involving extreme or intentional misconduct, punitive damages may also be available.
If a family member is killed in a car crash in California, certain relatives may have the right to bring wrongful death and survival claims.
These cases can be emotionally difficult and legally complex. A lawyer experienced in both car accident and wrongful death matters can explain who may file, what claims are available, and what deadlines apply.
If the at-fault driver is uninsured or underinsured, it doesn’t automatically mean you’re out of options. In many cases, it’s important to:
UM/UIM coverage under your auto policy can help cover the difference between the at-fault driver’s limited coverage and your actual damages, up to your UM/UIM limits. An attorney can help you explore all available sources of recovery.
Often, yes. California follows pure comparative negligence, which means you can usually seek compensation even if you share some responsibility for the collision. Any recovery is reduced by your percentage of fault.
For example, if your total damages are valued at $100,000 and you are found 20% at fault, your potential recovery would be reduced to $80,000. Insurance companies may try to overstate your share of fault to pay less, so careful investigation and advocacy are important.
California has strict deadlines, called statutes of limitations. In many car accident cases:
If a government entity (such as a city or county) may be responsible, you typically must file an administrative claim within six months before you can sue. There are also special rules for minors and certain other situations. Missing a deadline can mean losing the right to pursue a claim, so it’s important to get legal advice as early as reasonably possible.
Every case is different, but many car accident matters follow a similar path:
Some cases resolve in several months once your medical picture is clearer and liability is reasonably established. Others—especially those involving serious injuries, multiple defendants, or disputed fault—can take a year or longer and may require going to court. A lawyer can give you a better sense of timing after learning the specifics of your case.
Medical liens arise when a health insurer or medical provider has paid for accident-related treatment and claims a right to be reimbursed from any settlement or judgment. Common lien holders include private health insurers, Medi-Cal, Medicare, and hospitals or providers that agree to treat you on a lien basis.
Your attorney will typically identify and confirm any liens, communicate with lien holders, and, when possible, negotiate to reduce the lien amounts. Properly handling medical liens is an important part of resolving a car accident case and can significantly affect how much you receive at the end of the process.
Car crashes can cause a wide range of injuries, including:
Serious injuries can require ongoing treatment and may have long-term effects on work, family life, and daily activities.
Many crashes are preventable and result from one or more unsafe choices or conditions. Common causes include:
Understanding the true causes of a crash is a critical step in determining who may be responsible and how a claim should be pursued.
There is no meaningful “average” settlement number because car accident cases vary enormously in injury severity, fault clarity, available insurance, and lost income. A whiplash case with $5,000 in medical bills and a fast recovery may settle for low five figures. A serious traumatic brain injury case with $500,000 in medical bills and permanent disability can resolve for seven or eight figures. The right question is not the average — it is what your specific case is worth. We evaluate that case-by-case and explain the analysis in plain language during the free consultation. See our compensation guide for the factors that drive value.
MedPay (sometimes called “medical payments coverage”) is no-fault coverage you may have purchased as part of your own auto policy. It pays medical bills regardless of who caused the crash. Typical limits run from $1,000 to $25,000. Using MedPay does NOT raise your premiums in the same way a liability claim would, and the carrier generally cannot subrogate against your settlement unless the policy specifically provides for it. In most cases, MedPay should be used early to cover out-of-pocket medical costs while the liability case develops. We review the policy language case-by-case to confirm there is no reimbursement clause that would make use disadvantageous.
Hulburt Law Firm proudly serves car accident victims throughout San Diego County, providing experienced legal guidance, compassionate support, and aggressive advocacy to help clients recover maximum compensation for injuries, medical expenses, lost wages, and long-term impacts.

Simply fill out the form or call 619.821.0500 to receive a free case review. We’ll evaluate what happened, your injuries, and potential defendants to determine how we can best help you.