Hurt in a Car Accident in Lancaster? Talk to Colvin Accident Lawyers First

In California, you generally have two years from the date of injury to file a lawsuit after a car crash (Code Civ. Proc. § 335.1). If you were hurt on a Lancaster street or on the Antelope Valley Freeway, the steps you take now can shape your claim later. This guide covers what to know if you need a car accident lawyer Lancaster drivers can call. It explains the deadlines, fault rules, insurance basics, and first steps in plain language. Colvin Accident Lawyers is based in Bakersfield and serves accident victims and families in Lancaster and nearby communities.

Car Accidents on Lancaster and Antelope Valley Roads

Lancaster crashes can happen on busy city streets and on State Route 14, the Antelope Valley Freeway. Many drivers here commute to Los Angeles County job centers, to Palmdale, and to Kern County. A crash can happen far from home, and the place where it happened matters.

The location can decide which agency responds and which crash report you request. If a crash involves an unidentified driver, California’s reporting rules name the local police department. In unincorporated areas, they name the county sheriff or the California Highway Patrol (Ins. Code § 11580.2). A crash can also involve a city, county, or state vehicle, which brings a different set of deadlines.

Colvin Accident Lawyers is based in Bakersfield. The firm serves readers in Lancaster and the surrounding Antelope Valley communities. It can review how the crash location affects your claim.

When Should I Hire an Attorney After a Car Accident?

Every accident case has its own timeline, and a lawyer can explain the steps that apply to yours. Under Code of Civil Procedure § 335.1, an action for injury to a person caused by another’s wrongful act or neglect must be brought within two years. The same section covers an action for a death caused by that kind of conduct.

Claims against public agencies work differently and move faster. A claim against a city, county, or state entity must be presented first. For death or injury to person, that claim is due within six months after the cause of action accrues (Gov. Code § 911.2). Treat that six-month deadline as urgent.

Early involvement also protects evidence. Police reports, photos of vehicle damage, witness names, and dashcam video can be lost or can fade over time. Insurance adjusters may ask for a recorded statement or a signed medical release soon after a crash. A lawyer can handle those calls so you can focus on your treatment.

What to Do at the Scene and in the Days After

Stop at the scene, get medical care, and keep records of everything. California law requires a driver in a crash that causes injury or death to stop immediately at the scene and meet the information and reporting duties (Veh. Code § 20001).

Drivers must also report the crash to the state within 10 days when it causes injury, death, or property damage over $1,000. The report can be made personally or through an insurance agent, broker, or legal representative (Veh. Code § 16000).

These steps help protect your claim:

• Call police or emergency services, and ask for the crash report number.
• Photograph the scene, the vehicles, and any visible injuries.
• Collect the names and phone numbers of witnesses.
• See a doctor promptly, even when symptoms seem mild.
• Keep every bill, prescription receipt, and record of missed work.

Before you give a recorded statement to an insurer, understand what it covers. Colvin Accident Lawyers can take over those communications so you aren’t handling them alone.

How Fault and Insurance Work in California Car Cases

Being partly at fault does not automatically end your claim.

For policies issued or renewed on or after January 1, 2025, the minimums are $30,000 for one person, $60,000 for two or more people in one accident, and $15,000 for property damage (Veh. Code § 16056). Those minimums may not cover a serious injury, so your own coverage can matter.

For non-economic losses such as pain and emotional distress, each defendant is liable only for the share allocated to it based on its percentage of fault (Civ. Code § 1431.2). That rule matters when more than one party contributed to a crash.

When the other driver can’t be identified, your uninsured motorist coverage may apply. A police report must be made within 24 hours, and a sworn statement must be filed with your insurer within 30 days (Ins. Code § 11580.2). How fault and insurance apply depends on the facts of the crash, the injuries, and the policies involved.

Injuries and Losses Common in Lancaster Car Crashes

Common car crash injuries include whiplash, broken bones, head injuries, and back and neck injuries. Some symptoms appear days or weeks after the crash. A prompt medical check matters, even when you feel fine at first.

Spinal injuries are among the most serious. The NINDS spinal cord injury overview explains that cerebrospinal fluid surrounds the spinal cord to cushion it against shock or injury. It also states that an injury between C1 and C4 can stop breathing, because the nerves in that region control the diaphragm.

A claim can include two kinds of losses. Economic damages are objectively verifiable money losses, such as medical expenses, lost earnings, repair costs, and lost employment. Non-economic damages are subjective losses, such as pain, suffering, emotional distress, and loss of companionship (Civ. Code § 1431.2).

Serious or permanent injuries may fall under a catastrophic injury claim. When a crash causes a death, a wrongful death claim can be brought by a surviving spouse, domestic partner, children, certain dependent family members, or the decedent’s personal representative on their behalf (Code of Civil Procedure § 377.60).

Who Is Handling Your Case at Colvin Accident Lawyers

Donald Norman Colvin is the lawyer at Colvin Accident Lawyers. The firm’s support staff assists with office work, records, scheduling, and client communications. Our team keeps your file organized while you focus on recovery.

The firm is a personal injury practice based in Bakersfield, California. It handles car, truck, motorcycle, bicycle, pedestrian, bus, and dog bite claims. It also handles premises liability, wrongful death, and catastrophic injury matters. The firm serves readers in Kern County, Fresno, Visalia, Lancaster, Palmdale, Delano, and Tehachapi.

Frequently Asked Questions About Car Accident Claims in Lancaster

Talk to Donald Norman Colvin About Your Lancaster Crash

If you were hurt in a collision on a Lancaster or Antelope Valley road, you may be juggling medical bills, insurer calls, and a filing deadline right now. Send your details through the contact page or call the office. The team will walk through your next steps with you.

Colvin Accident Lawyers, Bakersfield, California — responsible for this site.