Hurt in a crash? Call Big Al.
“Attorney Big Al” is California attorney Ken Klein. His law office in Sherman Oaks represents people injured in car, truck, Uber and Lyft, and motorcycle crashes throughout California.
Free consultation. No attorney fee unless we win. How fees and costs work
The short answer
If you were hurt in a crash in California that someone else caused, the person at fault is responsible for the harm (Civil Code section 1714), and the claim can cover your medical bills, lost pay, pain and suffering, and vehicle damage (Civil Code section 3333). You generally have two years to file a lawsuit for an injury, but only six months for a claim against a government entity. Attorney Big Al offers a free consultation and charges no attorney fee unless your case is won. Attorney fees are on a contingency basis. Whether and how case costs are charged is set out in the fee agreement; ask us before you sign.
Pick the crash that happened to you
Each guide explains who can be responsible, which insurance pays and what to do now, under California law.
Car accidents
Fault, insurance minimums, and what to do in the first days.
Read the guideTruck accidents
Drivers, carriers and the federal rules that can prove fault.
Read the guideUber and Lyft accidents
Which insurance applies depends on what the app was doing.
Read the guideMotorcycle accidents
Lane splitting, helmets and shared fault in California.
Read the guideThe firm also handles bicycle, pedestrian and bus accident cases. Contact us about yours.
What to do in the first days
Get medical care
Even if you feel fine. Some injuries show up later, and your records connect the injury to the crash.
Report it
Call the police at the scene if you can. If anyone was hurt, or property damage to any one person was over $1,000, each driver must report the crash to the DMV within 10 days (Vehicle Code section 16000).
Keep the evidence
Photos of the vehicles and the scene, the other driver's insurance, witnesses' names and numbers, and every medical bill.
Be careful with insurers
Before you give a recorded statement or accept an offer, talk to a lawyer. The firm handles all communication with the insurance companies for its clients.
Watch the deadlines
Two years for most injury lawsuits, six months for a claim against a public entity. The table below has them all.
How long you have
These are the general rules. Exceptions exist, which is one reason to call early.
| What | Deadline | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Lawsuit for an injury | Generally 2 years from the crash | Cal. Code of Civil Procedure § 335.1 |
| Claim against a city, county, state agency or other public entity (a government vehicle or a dangerous road) | 6 months, as a written claim, before any lawsuit | Cal. Government Code § 911.2 |
| Lawsuit for damage to your vehicle | Generally 3 years | Cal. Code of Civil Procedure § 338(c)(1) |
| Report to the DMV (form SR 1) if anyone was hurt or property damage to any one person was over $1,000 | 10 days | Cal. Vehicle Code § 16000 |
What happens when you call
Free consultation
We review what happened and your injuries, and tell you how we would pursue your claim. No obligation.
Investigation
Our team gathers the evidence: police reports, photos and video, witness statements, and the records that show who was at fault.
We deal with the insurers
We handle the communication and negotiation with the insurance companies, so you can focus on getting better.
Attorney Ken Klein
“Attorney Big Al” is the nickname of California attorney Ken Klein. His firm, the Law Office of Kenneth Klein, represents injured people exclusively on a contingency fee basis, so you pay no attorney fee unless your case is won. Attorney fees are on a contingency basis. Whether and how case costs are charged is set out in the fee agreement; ask us before you sign.
The firm's legal team, paralegals and investigators work each case, and it retains outside experts when a case needs them, so it can take on large insurance companies.
Talk to Big Al's office today
Free consultation. No attorney fee unless we win. Attorney fees are on a contingency basis. Whether and how case costs are charged is set out in the fee agreement; ask us before you sign.
Questions people ask
Who is Attorney Big Al?
"Attorney Big Al" is the nickname of California attorney Ken Klein. His firm, the Law Office of Kenneth Klein, is in Sherman Oaks and represents people hurt in accidents throughout California.
What kinds of cases does the firm take?
Personal injury cases, including car, truck, motorcycle, rideshare (Uber and Lyft), bicycle, pedestrian and bus accidents, throughout California.
How much does it cost to talk to the firm?
The consultation is free, and the firm works on a contingency fee basis: you pay no attorney fee unless your case is won. Attorney fees are on a contingency basis. Whether and how case costs are charged is set out in the fee agreement; ask us before you sign.
Should I talk to a lawyer before I talk to the insurance company?
The firm recommends calling before you speak with an insurance company, so it can protect your rights and help you avoid common mistakes that can affect your claim.
How long do I have to file an injury claim in California?
Generally two years from the crash to file a lawsuit for an injury (Code of Civil Procedure section 335.1). If a city, county or state vehicle or road was involved, a written claim to that public entity is due within six months (Government Code section 911.2). Your own deadline depends on your facts, so ask early.
Sources for this page
The law on this page was checked against these sources on November 11, 2026. It is general information, not legal advice for your case.
- Cal. Civil Code § 1714(a) (everyone is responsible for an injury caused to another by a want of ordinary care)
- Cal. Civil Code § 3333 (damages for a wrong not arising from contract: the amount that compensates for all the detriment it proximately caused)
- Cal. Code of Civil Procedure § 335.1 (two years for injury or death caused by another's wrongful act or neglect)
- Cal. Government Code § 911.2 (claim to a public entity for injury: six months after the cause of action accrues)
- Cal. Code of Civil Procedure § 338(c)(1) (three years for injury to goods or chattels, such as a vehicle)
- Cal. Vehicle Code § 16000 (report to the DMV within 10 days if anyone is hurt or killed, or property damage to any one person exceeds $1,000)