Posted in General on December 11, 2025
No, California is not a no-fault state. California operates using at-fault insurance requirements for motorists. The party at fault in an accident is financially responsible for the damages they cause. These standards determine who pays for damages in a Long Beach personal injury claim.
How Does Fault Work in an Accident in California?
California follows the law of pure comparative negligence. Assigning fault to one or more parties in an accident occurs. Also, under pure comparative negligence laws, each person who sustains an injury due to negligence has the right to seek compensation for their damages, regardless of their percentage of fault. Determining fault in dog bite and product liability claims differs from other personal injury cases because of strict liability laws in most cases.
You will file a claim with the negligent party’s insurance company if you suffer injuries and damages in an accident in California. You may also file a claim with your own insurance, depending on the type of insurance coverage you have. You must meet minimum auto insurance requirements to register and drive an automobile in California.
No-fault states require automobile owners to carry Personal Injury Protection (PIP) coverage. A driver will file a claim with their insurance company to cover damages, regardless of liability in an accident. Filing a claim or lawsuit against the at-fault party’s insurance may still occur when damages exceed personal insurance policy limits.
How Is Fault Determined in a California Personal Injury Claim?
Numerous forms of evidence in a personal injury claim or lawsuit in California contribute to determining who is at fault. Personal injury cases involving significant damages or uncertainty about who is at fault in an injury claim may require expert witnesses to explain and offer evidence of fault.
How Does Fault Determine Compensation in a California Accident?
Assigning a percentage of fault to any party who is found liable in an accident occurs. Each injured party’s compensation for damages is then reduced proportionately according to their contribution to the accident.
You may be partially at fault for an accident in California and still receive compensation for your damages. However, having excess fault attributed to you for the incident can significantly reduce your financial recovery.
Numerous parties may be at fault for causing your damages in an accident in California. You may be able to seek damages from all liable parties under California’s fault-based system. Legal advocacy from an accident lawyer can provide significant benefits when proving fault in a claim or lawsuit.
Can I Have a No-Fault Policy in California?
While no-fault policies are not available in California, drivers can add coverage to help cover the costs of an accident. Medical payments coverage (MedPay) can address medical expenses. Collision insurance can compensate for damage to your automobile. Both apply regardless of fault in an accident.
One advantage of no-fault laws is that injured parties in an accident can more quickly access coverage through their own insurance instead of waiting for payment from a negligent party’s insurance provider. No-fault policies are also beneficial when an accident involves an uninsured driver.
Seeking help for injuries resulting from the fault of someone else can make a difference in how you financially recover in a fault-based insurance state. Numerous options to compensate for negligence causing personal injury in California may also be available.