Frequently Asked Questions

Nothing up front. We handle personal injury cases on a contingency fee basis, which means you pay no attorney's fees unless and until we win your case through a settlement or verdict. Your initial consultation is always free, and we advance the costs of building your claim.

If we do not recover compensation for you, you owe us no attorney's fees. That is the promise behind our contingency model: our fee is a percentage of your recovery, so our interests are completely aligned with yours from day one.

Yes. Because we work on contingency and advance the costs of building your case, you pay nothing out of pocket while your claim is pending. You focus on healing, and we handle the financial side of pursuing your recovery.

In most California personal injury cases, the statute of limitations is two years from the date of the injury. Claims against a government entity must usually be filed within six months. Because deadlines and exceptions vary, it is important to speak with an attorney as soon as possible so you do not lose your right to compensation.

Some claims resolve in a few months, while more serious cases that require litigation can take a year or longer. We always work to resolve your case as efficiently as possible while never settling for less than it is worth, and we keep you informed at every stage.

Every case is different. The value depends on factors such as the severity of your injuries, your medical bills, lost income, the impact on your daily life, and the available insurance coverage. No attorney can promise or predict a specific amount, but during your free consultation we will listen to what happened and explain the factors that affect a claim like yours.

You may be entitled to recover medical expenses (past and future), lost wages and lost earning capacity, property damage, and non-economic damages such as pain and suffering, emotional distress, and loss of enjoyment of life. In cases involving especially egregious conduct, punitive damages may also be available.

California follows a “pure comparative negligence” rule, which means you can still recover compensation even if you were partly to blame. Your award is simply reduced by your percentage of fault. Insurers often try to shift blame onto you, so having an attorney protects you from unfair fault allocations.

You may still have options. Your own uninsured/underinsured motorist (UM/UIM) coverage can step in, and there may be additional responsible parties or policies. We investigate every available source of recovery so you are not left paying for someone else's negligence.

Yes. As a passenger, you are almost never at fault, which often makes your claim one of the strongest. You may be able to recover from the at-fault party's insurance — and that can include the driver of the vehicle you were riding in, the other driver, or both. We identify every available policy so your medical bills, lost wages, and other losses are fully covered, no matter who was driving.

Often, yes. Even if you were uninsured, you can still pursue a claim against the at-fault driver and typically recover your economic damages, such as medical expenses and lost wages. California's “No Pay, No Play” law (Proposition 213) may limit an uninsured driver's ability to recover non-economic damages like pain and suffering, but important exceptions apply — for example, if the at-fault driver was under the influence. Every situation is different, so it is worth having us review the specifics of your case for free.

You can, but insurers have teams of adjusters and lawyers working to minimize what they pay you. Studies consistently show that represented clients recover significantly more than those who go it alone. Having an experienced attorney levels the playing field and lets you focus on recovery.

Generally, no. Not before speaking with an attorney, anyway. Adjusters are trained to use your own words to minimize or deny your claim. You are not required to give the other driver's insurer a recorded statement, and we recommend letting your attorney handle all communications.

Most personal injury cases settle out of court. However, we prepare every case as if it will go to trial. Insurance companies make their best offers when they know your attorney is willing and able to take them to court, and we are.

If you can, call 911 and seek medical attention, document the scene with photos, get the other driver's insurance and contact information, collect witness details, and avoid giving a recorded statement to the other driver's insurer. Then call an attorney before accepting any settlement offer.

We represent clients throughout the entire state of California. No matter where in California your accident happened, we can help — and much of the process can be handled remotely, by phone, email, and video, so you never have to travel far.

Yes. In addition to personal injury and wrongful death, Kalantaryan Law Group handles business law, healthcare law, and California Lemon Law matters. If we are not the right fit for your issue, we will gladly help point you in the right direction.