San Diego Car Accident Lawyers

Expert Legal Representation for Motor Vehicle Accidents in America’s Finest City

Experiencing a car accident can be a life-altering event, fraught with physical pain and financial strain. At Ellis Riccobono, LLP, we’re committed to leveling the playing field against large insurance companies and ensuring you receive the justice and compensation you rightfully deserve. Trust us to handle the legal complexities so you can focus on your recovery throughout San Diego County.

Why Choose Ellis Riccobono, LLP for Your San Diego Car Accident Case

When you are involved in a car accident in San Diego, choosing the right legal representation is crucial. Ellis Riccobono, LLP is committed to providing personalized, compassionate, and effective legal services tailored to the unique challenges of San Diego’s diverse communities and complex traffic environment.

Our attorneys are not only highly skilled but also recognized leaders in the legal field, with numerous awards and publications to their names. We approach each case with the dedication and expertise that set us apart from other firms, combining our deep understanding of California law with specific knowledge of San Diego’s traffic patterns, medical facilities, and legal landscape.

Our Comprehensive Legal Services

Our attorneys will:

  • Simplify the Legal Process: Handle all paperwork and legal procedures on your behalf
  • Investigate Thoroughly: Gather evidence, including photos from accident scenes, witness statements, and medical records from San Diego’s premier medical facilities
  • Negotiate with Insurance Companies: Ensure you receive a fair settlement that reflects San Diego’s higher cost of living
  • Represent You in Court: If necessary, we will advocate for you in San Diego County Superior Court to secure the compensation you deserve

Why San Diego Families Choose Ellis Riccobono, LLP

Local Expertise

Our attorneys possess knowledge of San Diego’s legal landscape, maintaining strong relationships with local courts, medical experts, and investigative professionals. This local insight proves invaluable when building compelling cases and achieving favorable outcomes.

Proven Track Record of Success

We have secured substantial settlements and verdicts for families in Southern California, demonstrating our commitment to achieving justice while providing the financial security families need during their recovery process.

Comprehensive Investigation and Case Development

Our approach includes:

  • Immediate scene investigation and evidence preservation
  • Collaboration with leading medical and industry experts
  • Thorough discovery and document analysis
  • Strategic case preparation for trial when necessary

Common Causes of Car Accidents in San Diego

Understanding the common causes of car accidents in San Diego can help you identify the potential negligence of other drivers. In San Diego, many accidents occur due to unique local factors:

Traffic and Infrastructure Challenges:

  • Speeding on major thoroughfares including I-5, I-8, I-15, and SR-163
  • Heavy congestion during rush hours and tourist seasons
  • Construction zones throughout ongoing city development projects
  • Tourist traffic unfamiliar with local roads near popular destinations like Balboa Park, Gaslamp Quarter, and beach communities

Environmental Factors:

  • Marine layer fog reducing visibility
  • Sudden rain on roads unaccustomed to wet conditions
  • Sun glare during sunrise and sunset hours on east-west routes

Driver Behavior:

  • Distracted driving while navigating to tourist destinations
  • Driving under the influence near entertainment districts
  • Running red lights at busy intersections
  • Aggressive driving during heavy commuter traffic

Types of Injuries and Medical Care in San Diego

Car accidents can cause a wide range of injuries, from minor to life-threatening. San Diego residents have access to some of California’s finest medical facilities, and our firm works closely with these institutions to ensure proper documentation and care:

Common Accident Injuries:

  • Soft-Tissue Injuries: Sprains and strains that can cause significant ongoing pain
  • Broken Bones: Fractures that may require extensive treatment at facilities like UCSD Medical Center or Scripps Health
  • Traumatic Brain Injuries: Severe head injuries requiring specialized care and leading to long-term complications
  • Spinal Cord Injuries: Damage that can result in partial or complete paralysis, requiring advanced rehabilitation services
  • Internal Organ Damage: Injuries that may not be immediately apparent but require emergency care at Sharp HealthCare trauma centers
  • Fatal Injuries: In the most tragic cases, car accidents result in wrongful death, requiring compassionate legal support for families

Our goal is to make the legal process as straightforward and stress-free as possible for San Diego residents. We break down legal jargon into everyday language, ensuring you understand your rights and the legal avenues available to you.

Navigating California Car Insurance Laws in San Diego

California operates under a fault-based system for car accidents, which means that determining who is responsible for the accident is crucial for seeking compensation. If you are injured in a car accident due to another driver’s negligence, you have the right to pursue financial recovery for your damages.

California Liability Insurance Requirements

California law mandates that all drivers carry liability insurance to cover potential damages. The minimum insurance requirements are:

  • $15,000 for injury or death to one person
  • $30,000 for injury or death to more than one person
  • $5,000 for property damage

Given San Diego’s higher cost of living and medical expenses, these minimum requirements often fall far short of covering the full extent of damages in serious accidents. This is why pursuing additional compensation through various legal avenues is often essential.

Seeking Compensation Options

The At-Fault Driver’s Insurance

The most direct method of seeking compensation involves filing a claim with the insurance company of the driver who caused the accident. This includes reporting the accident promptly, providing evidence of fault such as police reports from the San Diego Police Department or California Highway Patrol, and negotiating a settlement that covers your medical expenses, lost wages, property damage, and pain and suffering.

Filing a Civil Lawsuit

If the at-fault driver’s insurance company denies your claim or offers insufficient compensation, you have the option to file a civil lawsuit in San Diego County Superior Court. This process involves filing a legal complaint detailing the accident and your injuries, proceeding through discovery where both parties exchange information, and potentially going to trial where local judges or juries determine liability and compensation amounts.

Your Own Insurance Coverage

Sometimes you may need to rely on your own insurance coverage, especially given California’s significant uninsured driver population. Options include uninsured motorist coverage for accidents with drivers who have no insurance, under-insured motorist coverage when the at-fault driver’s insurance is insufficient, and medical payments coverage to help with immediate medical bills regardless of fault determination.

Take the first step toward fair compensation—schedule a no-obligation case review today.

Recent Awards

Avvo Rating - 10.0 Santo Joseph Riccobono Top Attorney
The National Trial Lawyers Top 100 Badge
The National Trial Lawyers Top 40 Under 40 badge

Why Choose Ellis Riccobono Trial Lawyers?

Proven Trial Experience

When you retain Ellis Riccobono Trial Lawyers, you gain a powerhouse litigator in Tobin Ellis—a veteran trial attorney who has gone toe-to-toe with insurance giants, product manufacturers, and public entities across California. Mr. Ellis’s extensive courtroom résumé in catastrophic-injury and wrongful-death cases gives our clients a decisive edge at every stage, from pre-suit negotiation to verdict.

Award-Winning Advocacy

Mr. Ellis’s results have earned him statewide and national recognition, including selection as a Super Lawyer, placement among the Top 100 National Trial Lawyers, and a perfect 10.0 Avvo rating. In 2017, he received the CAALA Presidential Award for outstanding contribution to the Consumer Attorneys Association of Los Angeles—the largest trial bar in the United States.

Client-Centric Approach

We know a serious injury reshapes every aspect of your life. That’s why Mr. Ellis leads each case with empathy and open communication, tailoring legal strategies to your specific medical, financial, and emotional needs. You’ll never be “just another file”—you’ll be an essential partner in a collaborative fight for justice.

Big-Firm Insight, Boutique Attention

Before dedicating himself to plaintiffs’ work in 2004, Tobin Ellis defended Fortune 500 companies at one of Southern California’s largest defense firms. That inside knowledge of insurance tactics now powers our plaintiff-side strategy, while our boutique size ensures personalized service and rapid response times.

No Recovery, No Fee

We advance all litigation costs and charge nothing unless we win. Our contingency-fee model lets you focus on healing—not legal bills—while our team presses for maximum compensation.

Trust Ellis Riccobono Trial Lawyers—and the seasoned advocacy of Tobin Ellis—to level the playing field with skill, tenacity, and genuine care. Contact us today for a free consultation and discover how our award-winning legal team can make a difference in your case.

Consult With Ellis Riccobono Today

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Disclaimer
*Disclaimer: This website is an advertisement as defined by the Rules of Professional Conduct and applicable Business and Professions Code for each state we have an office in and practice in. ELLIS RICCOBONO, LLP is licensed to practice law in the States of California, and Hawaii. They are also licensed to practice in Federal Courts, where admitted. In certain cases, we have represented individuals in other states/jurisdictions by way of pro hac vice. The content of this website is intended to convey general information. It should not be relied upon as legal advice. It is not an offer to represent you, nor is it intended to create an attorney-client relationship.