1. Aghabegian Law Group, P.C.
Focus Area: Motor vehicle accidents and catastrophic injury litigation
Practice Areas: Auto accidents, trucking accidents, slip and fall injuries, dog bites, defective products, spinal cord injuries, traumatic brain injuries, wrongful death
Background: The firm has served clients throughout Los Angeles and the San Fernando Valley since 1998. The attorneys are licensed to practice in California and have extensive experience handling cases involving insurance negotiations and litigation in state courts.
Location: Glendale, California (San Fernando Valley area)
Contact: (818) 507-4311 | https://www.aaesqlaw.com/
Consultation: Free initial consultation offered. The firm works on a contingency fee basis, meaning no attorney fees are charged unless compensation is recovered.
2. KJT Law Group, LLP
Focus Area: Personal injury and wrongful death representation for the Armenian community and all Glendale residents
Practice Areas: Car accidents, motorcycle accidents, truck accidents, pedestrian accidents, bicycle accidents, slip and fall injuries, premises liability, wrongful death
Background: The firm has recovered over $100 million for clients, including a $16 million recovery for a family injured in an auto accident. Attorneys and staff provide services in English, Armenian, and Spanish. The firm is familiar with local Glendale courts and insurance providers.
Location: Glendale, California
Contact: Contact through website | https://www.kjtlawgroup.com/glendale/
Consultation: Free, no-obligation consultation offered. The firm operates on a contingency fee basis with no upfront costs.
3. The Shirvanian Law Firm
Focus Area: Auto, truck, and motorcycle collision representation
Practice Areas: Car accidents, truck accidents, motorcycle accidents, slip and fall injuries, premises liability, catastrophic injuries, wrongful death
Background: Founding partner Narbeh Shirvanian is a member of the Beverly Hills and Los Angeles County Bar Associations. The firm holds an AV rating from Martindale-Hubbell, indicating professional excellence. Attorneys are fluent in Armenian and provide 24/7 client access.
Location: 100 W. Broadway, Suite 760, Glendale, California 91210
Contact: (866) 410-2396 | https://www.shirvanianlawfirm.com/
Consultation: Free case evaluation offered. The firm advances all costs and works on a contingency fee basis with no payment required unless compensation is obtained.
4. Glendale Law Group, APC
Focus Area: Personal injury litigation for accident victims
Practice Areas: Car accidents, truck accidents, motorcycle accidents, traumatic brain injuries, spinal cord injuries, slip and fall accidents, wrongful death
Background: The firm has recovered over $60 million for clients. Attorneys Vilen and Arman provide 24/7 availability for client communications. The team handles cases ranging from minor fender benders to catastrophic injury claims and has trial experience for cases requiring jury presentation.
Location: Glendale, California
Contact: (818) 745-0101 | https://glendalelaw.com/
Consultation: Free, zero-obligation consultation offered. The firm works on a contingency fee structure.
5. Agemian Law Group
Focus Area: Car accident and personal injury representation
Practice Areas: Car accidents, truck accidents, Uber and Lyft rideshare accidents, slip and fall injuries, premises liability, employment law, wrongful death
Background: Attorney Vinny Agemian leads the firm and has recovered significant settlements for clients, including policy limit settlements in complex cases. The firm is BBB-listed and serves Glendale and Los Angeles County. The team handles all aspects of cases including medical referrals and rental car arrangements.
Location: Glendale, California (serving Los Angeles County)
Contact: Contact through website | https://agemianlawgroup.com/
Consultation: Free consultation offered. The firm operates on a contingency fee basis.
Personal Injury Laws in California
Statute of Limitations
California law requires personal injury lawsuits to be filed within two years from the date of injury (California Code of Civil Procedure Section 335.1). Wrongful death claims must also be filed within two years. Property damage claims have a three-year deadline. The discovery rule may extend these deadlines in cases where injuries were not immediately apparent, allowing the clock to start when the injury was discovered or reasonably should have been discovered.
Claims against government entities in California require filing an administrative claim within six months of the injury date. If the claim is denied, a lawsuit must be filed within six months of the denial. Workers’ compensation claims require notification to the employer within 30 days and formal filing within one year.
Medical malpractice claims have a shortened deadline of three years from the date of injury or one year from discovery, whichever occurs first.
Negligence Rules
California follows a pure comparative negligence system. Under this rule, an injured party can recover damages even if they share some responsibility for the accident. However, the compensation award is reduced by the percentage of fault attributed to the plaintiff.
For example, if a plaintiff has $100,000 in damages but is found 20% at fault, they would receive $80,000. Unlike modified comparative negligence states, California allows recovery even when the plaintiff bears more than 50% of the fault.
Damage Caps
California does not impose a general cap on compensatory damages in personal injury cases. However, specific categories have limitations:
Medical malpractice cases are subject to the Medical Injury Compensation Reform Act (MICRA). As of 2023, caps on non-economic damages (pain and suffering) are $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. After 2034, caps will increase by 2% annually for inflation.
Uninsured drivers in California generally cannot recover non-economic damages after an accident, even if another driver was at fault, unless the at-fault driver was operating under the influence.
Auto Insurance Requirements
California is an at-fault state for auto insurance purposes. As of January 1, 2025, the state increased minimum liability insurance requirements for the first time since 1967 under Senate Bill 1107 (Protect California Drivers Act):
Current minimums (effective January 2025):
- $30,000 bodily injury liability per person
- $60,000 bodily injury liability per accident
- $15,000 property damage liability per accident
These limits represent a doubling of bodily injury coverage and tripling of property damage coverage from previous requirements. The minimums will increase again in 2035 to $50,000/$100,000/$25,000. Drivers must carry proof of insurance and present it upon request by law enforcement or during vehicle registration.
Frequently Asked Questions
How does California’s pure comparative negligence affect my Glendale car accident claim?
In Glendale and throughout California, pure comparative negligence means you can recover damages even if you were partially responsible for the accident. If you were changing lanes while another driver ran a red light on Brand Boulevard, and a jury finds you 15% at fault, your $200,000 award would be reduced by $30,000. Unlike states with contributory negligence rules, California does not bar recovery regardless of your fault percentage, though insurance adjusters may argue for higher plaintiff fault to reduce settlement amounts.
What should I do if I am injured in a slip and fall accident at a Glendale shopping center?
Report the incident to the property manager immediately and request a copy of the incident report. Document the hazardous condition with photographs before it is corrected. Obtain contact information from witnesses. Seek medical attention even if injuries seem minor, as some conditions develop over time. California property owners have a duty to maintain reasonably safe premises, and the Glendale area has numerous commercial properties where premises liability cases arise. Keep all medical records and receipts, and contact an attorney before providing recorded statements to property insurance representatives.
Are there special procedures for filing a claim against the City of Glendale or Los Angeles County?
Yes, claims against government entities in California follow strict procedures under the Government Claims Act. You must file an administrative claim with the appropriate government agency within six months of the incident. The claim form must include specific information about the date, location, circumstances, and damages. The agency has 45 days to respond. If your claim is denied or no response is received, you have six months from the denial date (or two years from the incident if no response) to file a lawsuit. Missing these deadlines typically bars your claim permanently.
How do California’s new 2025 insurance minimums affect my ability to recover compensation in Glendale?
The increased minimum coverage requirements (30/60/15) provide greater potential recovery for accident victims in Glendale. However, these minimums may still prove insufficient for serious injuries. Medical treatment at Glendale Memorial Hospital or USC Verdugo Hills for a significant injury can quickly exceed $60,000. If the at-fault driver carries only minimum coverage and your damages exceed their policy limits, you may need to pursue an underinsured motorist claim through your own policy or consider a personal lawsuit against the driver directly for assets beyond insurance.
What types of damages can I recover in a Glendale personal injury case?
California allows recovery of economic and non-economic damages. Economic damages include medical expenses (past and future), lost wages, loss of earning capacity, property damage, and out-of-pocket costs like transportation to medical appointments. Non-economic damages cover pain and suffering, emotional distress, loss of enjoyment of life, and disfigurement. In cases involving particularly egregious conduct, punitive damages may be available to punish the defendant. There is no cap on most personal injury damages in California, though medical malpractice cases have specific limitations on non-economic recovery.