1. Sanford A. Kassel, A Professional Law Corporation
Focus Area: Personal Injury, Medical Malpractice, Employment Law
Practice Areas: Car accidents, truck accidents, motorcycle accidents, slip and fall accidents, wrongful death, medical malpractice, Kaiser arbitration, employment law
Background: Over 50 years of combined legal experience serving the Inland Empire since 1981. Attorney Sanford Kassel has tried more than 100 cases and holds the distinction of earning the largest medical malpractice jury trial verdict in San Bernardino County history. Three generations of trial attorneys have served clients throughout Southern California.
Location: San Bernardino, California (High Desert and Inland Empire regions)
Contact: (909) 884-6451 | https://www.skassellaw.com/
Consultation: Free initial consultation. No attorney fees for accident, personal injury, or medical malpractice cases unless the firm recovers compensation.
2. KJT Law Group
Focus Area: Personal Injury and Accident Claims
Practice Areas: Car accidents, truck accidents, motorcycle accidents, pedestrian accidents, slip and fall accidents, wrongful death, catastrophic injuries, medical malpractice
Background: The firm has secured substantial verdicts and settlements including a $16,000,000 recovery for a family injured in a crash requiring multiple surgeries, $3,000,000 for a truck driver hit by a commercial vehicle, and $2,800,000 in arbitration for a client rear-ended by a garbage truck.
Location: San Bernardino, California (serving the greater Inland Empire)
Contact: Available through https://www.kjtlawgroup.com/san-bernardino/
Consultation: Free case review. Works on contingency fee basis with no upfront costs or fees required before investigation begins.
3. Kenny Ramirez Law Firm Personal Injury Lawyers
Focus Area: Personal Injury for Accident Victims
Practice Areas: Car accidents, motorcycle accidents, truck accidents, wrongful death, slip and fall accidents, pedestrian accidents, general negligence claims
Background: A bilingual, family-run firm that has recovered tens of millions of dollars for accident victims throughout Southern California. The firm emphasizes personalized service and compassionate representation for clients in the San Bernardino and broader Inland Empire community.
Location: San Bernardino, California (serving the Inland Empire)
Contact: Available through https://kennysramirezlaw.com/
Consultation: Free initial consultation available. Contingency fee structure where no fees are charged unless compensation is recovered.
4. The Dominguez Firm
Focus Area: Personal Injury and Accident Law
Practice Areas: Car accidents, truck accidents, motorcycle accidents, slip and fall accidents, wrongful death, drunk driving accidents, dog bites, premises liability
Background: The firm reports a 96% success rate in cases that have gone to trial and has assisted thousands of clients in recovering over $750 million in injury compensation over the years. Multiple attorneys and support staff work collaboratively on each case, with regular oversight from senior partners.
Location: San Bernardino County office serving the Inland Empire region
Contact: (800) 818-1818 | https://dominguezfirm.com/locations/san-bernardino/
Consultation: Free consultation available. Contingency fee arrangement where clients pay no fees unless the firm secures compensation.
5. Vetchtein Law
Focus Area: Personal Injury for Accident Victims
Practice Areas: Car accidents, motorcycle accidents, truck accidents, pedestrian accidents, slip and fall accidents, wrongful death, premises liability, insurance disputes
Background: A local San Bernardino firm with deep understanding of regional laws, court procedures, and insurance company practices. The firm provides personalized service with direct attorney access and offers home or hospital visits when clients cannot travel to the office.
Location: San Bernardino, California
Contact: (888) 963-9999 | https://www.vetchteinlaw.com/
Consultation: Free initial consultation available. Works on contingency fee basis.
Personal Injury Laws in California
Statute of Limitations
California Code of Civil Procedure Section 335.1 sets a two-year deadline to file personal injury lawsuits. The clock typically begins on the date of the injury. Property damage claims allow three years from the date of damage. Medical malpractice claims must be filed within three years from the date of injury or one year from the date the injury was discovered, whichever occurs first.
Claims against government entities require filing an administrative claim within six months of the injury date. If the government agency denies the claim, plaintiffs have six months from the denial date to file a lawsuit in court.
Negligence Rules
California follows a pure comparative negligence rule under Wash. Rev. Code Section 4.22.005. Under this system, an injured party can recover damages even if they share fault for the accident. However, compensation is reduced by the percentage of fault assigned to the plaintiff. For example, if a plaintiff is found 30% responsible for an accident and damages total $100,000, the recovery would be reduced to $70,000.
Damage Caps
California does not impose caps on compensatory damages in most personal injury cases. However, the Medical Injury Compensation Reform Act (MICRA) limits non-economic damages in medical malpractice cases. As of 2023, MICRA caps pain-and-suffering damages at $350,000 for negligence cases and $500,000 for wrongful death cases. These caps increase annually until 2034, when they will reach $750,000 for negligence and $1,000,000 for wrongful death, with 2% annual increases thereafter.
Uninsured drivers face restrictions on recovering non-economic damages after accidents, even if another driver was at fault. An exception applies when the at-fault driver was operating under the influence of alcohol or drugs.
Auto Insurance Requirements
As of January 1, 2025, California increased minimum auto insurance requirements under Senate Bill 1107, also known as the Protect California Drivers Act. The new minimums are:
- $30,000 for bodily injury or death per person
- $60,000 for bodily injury or death per accident
- $15,000 for property damage per accident
California operates as an at-fault insurance state, meaning the driver who causes an accident is legally responsible for resulting damages. The at-fault driver’s liability insurance pays compensation to injured parties up to policy limits.
Frequently Asked Questions
What happens if the driver who hit me in San Bernardino only has minimum insurance?
With California’s new 2025 minimum limits of $30,000 per person, serious injuries can quickly exceed policy limits. If your damages surpass the at-fault driver’s coverage, you may need to pursue a claim under your own uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage or file a personal lawsuit against the driver directly. An attorney can help identify all available sources of compensation.
How does California’s comparative negligence rule affect my case if I was partially at fault?
California’s pure comparative negligence system allows you to recover damages even if you share significant fault. Your compensation is reduced proportionally to your percentage of responsibility. Unlike some states that bar recovery if you are 50% or more at fault, California permits recovery at any fault level. If you were 40% responsible for an accident with $100,000 in damages, you could still recover $60,000.
What is the MICRA cap and how does it affect medical malpractice claims in California?
The Medical Injury Compensation Reform Act limits non-economic damages in medical malpractice cases. As of 2023, caps are $350,000 for injury cases and $500,000 for wrongful death cases. These limits apply only to non-economic damages like pain and suffering. Economic damages including medical bills, lost wages, and future care costs have no cap and can be recovered in full.
Can I file a claim against a government entity in San Bernardino?
Yes, but special rules apply. You must file an administrative claim with the government agency within six months of the injury date. The agency has 45 days to respond. If denied, you have six months from the denial to file a lawsuit. If no response is received, you have two years from the injury date. Working with an attorney familiar with government claims is advisable given the strict procedural requirements.
How does California’s new auto insurance law affect accident claims?
The January 2025 increase in minimum liability limits from $15,000/$30,000/$5,000 to $30,000/$60,000/$15,000 provides injured parties with access to more insurance coverage. However, serious accidents involving hospitalization, surgery, or long-term care can still exceed these limits. Adding uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage to your own policy provides additional protection if you are injured by someone with minimum coverage.