Auto Accident Injury in San Diego, CA

If you’ve been injured in a car accident, your concerns extend beyond vehicle repairs. Missed time at work, expensive medical bills, and insurance runarounds can turn recovery into a full-time job. Understanding your legal rights, including the compensation you may be entitled to, can make all the difference.

This guide walks you through everything San Diego drivers need to know after a crash: local accident trends, California’s legal requirements, and how to pursue the damages you deserve.

Auto Accident Injury Statistics in San Diego, California

San Diego ranks among California’s busiest metro areas for vehicle traffic, and not surprisingly, for crashes as well. According to the California Office of Traffic Safety (OTS), San Diego reported 11,141 injury crashes in 2021—the latest year for which comprehensive data is available (OTS Crash Rankings 2021). These collisions resulted in thousands of injuries and fatalities, with pedestrians, bicyclists, and motorcyclists representing a significant portion of those harmed.

Among the most dangerous areas are the intersections along El Cajon Boulevard, University Avenue, and major arteries like I-5 and I-805. Speeding, impaired driving, and distracted driving remain the top contributors to crashes in the city, with alcohol-involved fatalities particularly high compared to state averages.

What to Do After an Auto Accident

In the moments following a crash, whether you’re stopped on the 163 or involved in a low-speed collision near Balboa Park, what you do next can have a lasting impact. Emotions may be high and injuries may not be immediately visible—but your safety, your legal rights, and your ability to recover compensation all depend on how you respond in those first critical minutes.

Receive Immediate Medical Attention

Your first priority after any accident is to check for injuries—both yours and those of passengers or other drivers. If anyone is hurt, call 911 immediately. Emergency responders from San Diego Fire-Rescue or American Medical Response (AMR) will dispatch paramedics and law enforcement to the scene. Even if you don’t think you’re injured, it’s still important to seek a medical evaluation as soon as possible. Some injuries, like internal bleeding or concussions, can take hours or even days to show symptoms.

File a Police Report

In California, you are legally required to report any crash that results in injury, death, or property damage exceeding $1,000 (California Vehicle Code § 20008). In San Diego, the San Diego Police Department (SDPD) or California Highway Patrol (CHP) typically responds to traffic accidents within city limits or on state highways, respectively.

When officers arrive, they will assess the scene, take statements, and file a police report. Be sure to request the report number, and follow up to obtain a copy—it’s one of the most important pieces of evidence in any personal injury or insurance claim. If no officer comes to the scene, you must file a report yourself within 24 hours.

Gather the Appropriate Documentation

While waiting for law enforcement—or if it’s safe to do so—begin gathering key information. Exchange the following with the other driver(s):

• Full name, phone number, and address
• Driver’s license number and state
• Vehicle make, model, license plate, and registration
• Insurance provider and policy number

If there are witnesses nearby, ask for their contact information. Their testimony could be vital later, especially if there’s a dispute over who caused the crash. Also, use your phone to photograph everything:

• Vehicle damage from multiple angles
• Skid marks, traffic signs, and intersection layouts
• Road and weather conditions
• Visible injuries

Do not admit fault or make speculative statements. Even a simple “I’m sorry” can be twisted and used against you later under California’s fault-based system.

Recovering Damages After an Auto Accident Injury

Economic damages cover the actual financial costs associated with the accident. These are often the most visible and easiest to document, and they include:

• Medical expenses, including emergency transport, ER visits, surgeries, and rehabilitation. Common providers in San Diego include UC San Diego Health, Scripps Mercy Hospital, and Sharp HealthCare.
• Ongoing treatment for chronic pain, physical therapy, or in-home care
• Prescription medications and medical equipment
• Lost wages, for any time missed at work due to your injury
• Loss of future earnings if your injury impacts your long-term career or forces you to take a lower-paying job
• Vehicle repairs or replacement
• Towing fees and rental car costs
• Out-of-pocket expenses, such as travel to medical appointments or hiring help at home

Keeping thorough records of all expenses, receipts, and documentation is key. These hard numbers form the foundation of your claim and give your attorney the ability to negotiate effectively.

Not all the losses from a car accident come with a receipt. California law also allows victims to recover non-economic damages, which reflect the human cost of the crash:

• Pain and suffering: Chronic pain, discomfort, and physical limitations
• Emotional distress: Trauma, anxiety, depression, or PTSD
• Loss of enjoyment of life: Inability to pursue hobbies, travel, or social interaction
• Disfigurement or permanent disability
• Loss of consortium, or impact on your relationship with a spouse or partner

California does not cap pain and suffering damages in standard auto accident cases, which means your compensation is limited only by the strength of your case. However, proving these intangible losses often requires documentation like psychological evaluations, personal journals, or testimony from friends, family, and mental health professionals.

Auto Accident Laws in California

Liability Laws for San Diego

California uses a pure comparative negligence standard when determining liability in auto accident cases. This means that even if you were partially at fault for the accident, you can still recover compensation—your award will simply be reduced by your percentage of fault.

For example, if your damages total $200,000 and you are found to be 40% at fault, you would still be eligible to receive $120,000. This rule applies in court and in insurance negotiations, and it’s one reason why insurers are often quick to suggest shared fault to lower their payout (California Civil Code § 1714).

Statute of Limitations in San Diego

In California, the statute of limitations for personal injury resulting from a motor vehicle accident is two years from the date of the crash (California Code of Civil Procedure § 335.1). This applies to cases where you’re seeking damages for physical injuries, emotional trauma, pain and suffering, and related losses.

Work With an Experienced Auto Accident Lawyer Near San Diego, CA

A local lawyer will also understand the nuances of the regional court system, local traffic patterns, and what types of evidence make the biggest impact in San Diego County courts. They can help you preserve evidence, interview witnesses, and deal with insurance adjusters who are trained to minimize payouts—even when fault seems clear.

After a car accident, you have enough to worry about. We can help you find an auto accident attorney for your unique case. Get the financial restitution that you deserve if you’re the victim of someone else’s conduct.

Submit a request online or call us today at (866) 345-6784 to get in touch with an experienced lawyer in California!

About the Author

Aaron is a professional legal writer with a B.S. in English Education from Southern Illinois University – Carbondale. He has written, published, and edited thousands of legal articles for RequestLegalHelp, which has connected over 5 million people to legal help in the United States.

With over five years of experience writing thousands of legal articles for law firms across the U.S. and Canada, Aaron specializes in covering federal, state, and city-level legal issues ranging from auto accidents to wrongful terminations.