1. William D. Shapiro Law, Inc.
Focus Area: Personal injury litigation with emphasis on catastrophic injuries
Practice Areas: Car accidents, truck accidents, motorcycle accidents, pedestrian accidents, premises liability, wrongful death, medical malpractice, product liability
Background: William D. Shapiro and Brian D. Shapiro have practiced personal injury law in the San Bernardino County area for over 40 years. The firm holds a Tier 1 “Best Firm in America” ranking from U.S. News and World Report, an AV Preeminent rating from Martindale-Hubbell, and a 10/10 rating from Avvo. The attorneys have extensive experience with local courts, insurers, and defense attorneys throughout the region.
Location: 893 E Brier Dr, San Bernardino, CA 92408
Contact: (909) 890-1000 | https://wshapiro.com
Consultation: Free initial consultation, contingency fee arrangement
2. Alvandi Law Group, P.C.
Focus Area: Personal injury representation with a focus on workplace and construction accidents
Practice Areas: Car accidents, truck accidents, workplace injuries, construction accidents, wrongful death, premises liability, catastrophic injuries
Background: The firm has recovered over $1 billion in compensation for clients across California. Notable case results include $5,400,000 for a tree trimming accident, $4,400,000 for a construction site incident, $1,500,000 for a worksite accident, and $850,000 for a roofing injury. The firm maintains 24/7 availability and provides bilingual services.
Location: Serves Fontana and San Bernardino County with offices in the Inland Empire
Contact: (951) 322-4046 | https://www.alvandigroup.com
Consultation: Free case review, contingency fee basis
3. Imani Injury Firm
Focus Area: Boutique personal injury practice with attorney-direct case handling
Practice Areas: Car accidents, truck accidents, motorcycle accidents, bicycle accidents, rideshare collisions, dog bites, premises liability, wrongful death
Background: Founded by Faran Imani, a California personal injury attorney who dedicates his entire practice to representing victims of serious personal injury cases. The firm distinguishes itself from high-volume firms by ensuring each client works directly with an experienced attorney rather than paralegals or case managers. The firm maintains offices in Fontana and Irvine, serving San Bernardino County, Orange County, Riverside County, and Los Angeles County.
Location: Fontana, CA (with additional office in Irvine, CA)
Contact: Contact through website | https://www.imanifirm.com
Consultation: Free consultation, personalized one-on-one attention throughout the case
4. Heidari Law Group
Focus Area: Personal injury and lemon law with contingency-based representation
Practice Areas: Car accidents, wrongful death, lemon law, premises liability, truck accidents, motorcycle accidents
Background: Heidari Law Group operates on a contingency fee basis and offers personalized service tailored to each client’s unique circumstances. The firm is familiar with local courts and regulations in the Fontana area, providing what they describe as a strategic advantage in cases. The attorneys handle negotiations with insurance companies and prepare cases for litigation when necessary.
Location: 337 N Vineyard Ave, Suite 409, Ontario, CA 91764 (serves Fontana and surrounding areas)
Contact: 1-833-225-5454 | [email protected] | https://www.heidarilawgroup.com
Consultation: Free case evaluation, no upfront costs
5. Moet Law Group
Focus Area: Personal injury law with direct attorney involvement throughout the case process
Practice Areas: Car accidents, truck accidents, pedestrian accidents, motorcycle accidents, rideshare accidents (Uber/Lyft), slip and fall, dog bites, wrongful death, traumatic brain injuries, workplace accidents
Background: Moet Law Group has an office in Fontana and serves San Bernardino County. The firm emphasizes that each case receives personal representation by an attorney throughout the entire process, rather than being handed to paralegals or case managers. The attorneys stay current with California insurance law legislation and regulations, and they assess how injuries occur while overseeing each case through settlement.
Location: Fontana, CA (San Bernardino County)
Contact: Contact through website | https://www.moetlaw.com
Consultation: Free consultation with a licensed attorney, contingency fee basis
Personal Injury Laws in California
Statute of Limitations
California provides a two-year statute of limitations for personal injury claims under California Code of Civil Procedure Section 335.1. The clock typically begins on the date of the accident or injury. For wrongful death claims, the deadline is also two years from the date of death.
For cases where the injury was not immediately discoverable, California applies a “discovery rule” that allows the statute of limitations to begin when the plaintiff discovers (or reasonably should have discovered) the injury.
Medical malpractice claims follow a different timeline: three years from the date of injury or one year from the date of discovery, whichever occurs first.
Claims against government entities require filing an administrative claim within six months of the injury date. If the claim is denied, the plaintiff has six months from the denial to file a lawsuit.
Negligence Rules
California follows a “pure comparative negligence” system. This means an injured party can recover damages even if they were partially at fault for the accident. The compensation amount is reduced by the percentage of fault attributed to the plaintiff.
For example, if a plaintiff is found 30% at fault for an accident and their total damages are $100,000, they would recover $70,000 (the original amount minus their 30% share of responsibility). Unlike many other states, California has no threshold percentage that bars recovery entirely.
Damage Caps
California does not impose a general cap on compensatory damages in personal injury cases. However, specific limitations apply in certain situations:
Medical malpractice cases are subject to the Medical Injury Compensation Reform Act (MICRA), which was amended in 2023. The current cap on non-economic damages (pain and suffering) is $350,000 for negligence cases and $500,000 for wrongful death cases. These caps will increase annually until 2034, when they reach $750,000 for negligence and $1,000,000 for wrongful death. After that, two percent annual increases account for inflation.
Uninsured drivers face restrictions on recovering non-economic damages in car accident cases, even if the other driver was entirely at fault. An exception exists if the at-fault driver was operating under the influence.
There is no statutory cap on punitive damages in California, though courts apply constitutional reasonableness standards.
Auto Insurance Requirements
California is an at-fault state, meaning the driver who causes an accident is responsible for damages. As of January 1, 2025, minimum liability insurance requirements increased significantly under Senate Bill 1107, the Protect California Drivers Act.
The new minimum requirements are:
- $30,000 bodily injury liability per person
- $60,000 bodily injury liability per accident
- $15,000 property damage liability per accident
Prior to 2025, minimums were $15,000/$30,000/$5,000, which had remained unchanged since 1967.
Drivers may alternatively satisfy financial responsibility requirements by depositing $75,000 with the DMV (increased from $35,000) or obtaining a surety bond for the same amount.
Uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage is optional but strongly recommended, as approximately 15% of California drivers lack insurance.
Frequently Asked Questions
What happens if I was partially at fault for my car accident on Interstate 10 or Interstate 15 in Fontana?
California’s pure comparative negligence system means you can still recover compensation even if you share some blame for the accident. Your award will be reduced by your percentage of fault, but you are not barred from recovery regardless of how much fault is attributed to you. Given the heavy truck traffic on the major highways passing through Fontana, liability can sometimes be shared between multiple parties, including commercial trucking companies.
How do Fontana’s trucking industry conditions affect personal injury cases in the area?
Fontana serves as a regional hub for the trucking industry, with Interstate 10, State Route 210, and Interstate 15 passing through the city. This means a significant number of commercial big rigs and semi-trucks travel through the area daily. Accidents involving commercial trucks often involve additional liable parties beyond the driver, including the trucking company, vehicle manufacturers, or maintenance providers. These cases typically require investigation into compliance with Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration regulations.
Can I file a claim against a government entity if poor road conditions in Fontana caused my accident?
Yes, but the process differs significantly from claims against private parties. You must file an administrative claim with the relevant government agency within six months of your injury date. If the agency denies your claim or fails to respond within 45 days, you then have six months from the denial (or two years from the incident if no response) to file a lawsuit in court. Given the strict deadlines, consulting an attorney immediately after a government-related injury is advisable.
What types of compensation can I pursue after a serious injury accident in San Bernardino County?
Injured parties in California can pursue economic damages (medical expenses, lost wages, property damage, future medical care costs) and non-economic damages (pain and suffering, emotional distress, loss of enjoyment of life). If the defendant acted with extreme recklessness or intentional misconduct, punitive damages may also be available. Unlike some states, California does not cap non-economic damages in most personal injury cases, though medical malpractice claims are subject to MICRA limitations.
How does the new 2025 auto insurance minimum affect my potential recovery if I am hit by an underinsured driver?
While the increased minimum requirements of $30,000/$60,000/$15,000 provide more coverage than the previous $15,000/$30,000/$5,000 limits, serious accidents can still result in damages that exceed these amounts. If the at-fault driver’s coverage is insufficient to cover your losses, your own uninsured/underinsured motorist (UM/UIM) coverage can provide additional compensation. Given rising medical costs, many attorneys recommend carrying UM/UIM coverage that matches or exceeds your liability limits.