If you drive in California, you need to be aware of the current state's car accident laws and
major updates in 2025.
Higher Insurance Requirements:
Starting January 1, 2025, California is increasing the minimum auto insurance coverage drivers must carry:
Bodily Injury Liability – Now $30,000 per person and $60,000 per accident (previously $15,000 / $30,000).
Property Damage Liability – Now $15,000 (previously $5,000).
These changes, enacted under Senate Bill 1107, ensure that accident victims receive more adequate compensation, reducing the likelihood of significant out-of-pocket expenses.
Determining Fault in Accidents
California follows comparative negligence meaning, fault is divided between all parties involved:
How is Fault Determined by Insurance companies?
Insurance companies in California generally follow their own internal procedures, guided by traffic laws and evidence, to determine fault, aiming for fairness and consistency. If you disagree with an insurance company’s fault decision, you have the right to dispute it or take legal action.
Example:
If you are found 20% at fault and your damages total $100,000, you can still recover $80,000 (100k – 20%).
If you disagree with an insurance company’s fault decision, you have the right to dispute it or take legal action. Many times, an attorney can fight for you to dispute the insurance company’s fault decision.
Traffic Violations Matter – If a driver was speeding, ran a red light, or violated traffic laws, that evidence will carry greater weight when assigning fault. The goal? Encourage safer driving and fewer reckless accidents.
Uninsured Motorist Coverage: Optional, But Highly Recommended
While uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage isn’t mandatory by California law, it’s one of the smartest options you can add to your policy.
Why consider it?
Because too many drivers in California are on the road without insurance. If you’re ever hit by one of them, this coverage helps protect you financially, covering your medical bills, lost wages, and more when the other driver can’t.
Filing a Claim?
The statute of limitations (deadline to file a lawsuit) for car accident cases:
⏳ Personal Injury Claims – You have 2 years from the date of the accident
⏳ Property Damage Claims – You have 3 years from the date of the accident.
If you’re injured in a car accident, you must file a claim within the timeframe or you may lose your right to sue for damages.
Accident Reporting Rules:
If you’re involved in a crash that causes:
Injury
Death
More than $1,000 in property damage
You must report it to the DMV (SR-1) within 10 days.
⚠ Failure to do so can lead to:
🚫 License suspension
💸 Fines between $250 and $1,000
The DMV now offers an online portal for easier reporting.
DUI Laws Are Now Tougher Than Ever
California is cracking down on driving under the influence (DUI), with new penalties in place:
🚗 First-Time DUI – Requires 6 months of an ignition interlock device (IID).
🚔 Repeat DUI Offenders – Face longer jail time and extended IID requirements.
🌿 Zero Tolerance for THC – If you have any detectable level of THC in your system while driving, you can now be charged with a DUI, even if you don’t seem impaired.
More Protection for Pedestrians & Cyclists
With pedestrian and cyclist accidents on the rise, California is implementing new laws to make roads safer:
🚴 Safe Passing Law – Drivers must give cyclists at least 4 feet of clearance when passing.
🚶 Crosswalk Violations – Fines for failing to yield to pedestrians have doubled.
🏙 Better Infrastructure – Local governments now get state funding for bike lanes & pedestrian-friendly zones.
Autonomous Vehicles: Who is Liable in a Crash
Self-driving cars are becoming more common, and new laws now regulate them:
📌 Accident Reporting – Any accident involving an autonomous vehicle must be reported, no matter how minor.
📌 Insurance Requirements – AV owners and manufacturers must carry special insurance policies.
📌 Liability Rules – If an AV causes a crash, fault will be assigned based on the vehicle’s programming and manufacturer compliance with safety regulations.
Hit-and-Run Penalties Are Now Much Stricter
🚗 If you leave the scene of an accident, expect harsher punishments:
💰 Property Damage Only – Fine increases to $5,000, plus up to 6 months in jail.
🚑 Injury or Fatality – Now a felony, with fines up to $20,000 and up to 4 years in prison.
The message is clear: Don’t flee the scene.
What to Do If You’re in an Accident
🚑 Seek Medical Help – Get checked, even if you feel okay.
📸 Gather Evidence – Take photos, witness statements, and police reports.
📄 Report It – File with the DMV & your insurance company ASAP.
⚖ Talk to a Lawyer – New laws make legal claims more complex. Get expert guidance.
California’s 2025 car accident laws are designed to make roads safer, but they also bring stricter penalties and new challenges for drivers.
Whether you’re dealing with higher insurance costs, new DUI rules, or faster lawsuit deadlines, being informed is key.
If you’re involved in an accident, don’t try to navigate the new laws alone. Seek legal help to ensure you get the compensation and protection you deserve.