A serious California crash can generate medical bills and lost income far beyond the at-fault driver's insurance coverage. Even after the state's liability minimums increased in 2025, a minimum-limit policy may leave injured people with substantial unpaid losses. Knowing which coverage applies and how to manage the wait matters.
What California's Minimum Policy Covers
For policies issued or renewed on or after January 1, 2025, California requires at least $30,000 per injured person, $60,000 per accident for bodily injuries, and $15,000 for property damage, under Vehicle Code Section 16056.
The $30,000 limit applies even when one person's medical expenses exceed it. Multiple injured people share the $60,000 accident limit.
Fault also affects recovery. Under California's pure comparative fault rule, damages are reduced by the injured person's share of responsibility. A driver found 20% at fault generally receives 20% less.
Coverage That May Help Before Settlement
An injured person's own policy can provide additional protection. Uninsured motorist coverage addresses qualifying crashes caused by uninsured drivers, while underinsured motorist coverage may help when the other driver's limits are too low relative to the injured person's coverage.
MedPay can cover eligible medical bills regardless of fault. Health insurance may also pay for treatment while a liability claim is pending, although reimbursement obligations can arise after settlement.
Check your policy's declarations page to see which protections you purchased.
When Cash Is Needed Before the Claim Closes
Some people consider pre-settlement funding when bills arrive before a claim resolves. Car accident cash advances from Tribeca are an example of non-recourse funding, where repayment depends on the claim producing proceeds.
The California Consumer Legal Funding Act requires contracts signed from January 1, 2026, to disclose the funded amount and maximum repayment on the first page. Consumers generally have five business days to cancel by returning the funds, and funding charges cannot accrue beyond 36 months.
Funding reduces what remains from a settlement. Review the total repayment figure and alternatives with your attorney before signing.
Why Timing Matters
California Code of Civil Procedure Section 335.1 generally gives injured people two years to file a personal injury lawsuit.
California's 2026 court metrics report that 65% of general unlimited civil cases concluded within 12 months during fiscal year 2024–25. Those figures cover many case types, not just car crashes.
A longer case may mean more months of expenses and higher funding charges.
Questions to Ask Your Attorney
Confirm the at-fault driver's policy limits, whether other injured people share those limits, and what uninsured or underinsured coverage you hold. Ask how fault disputes might affect recovery, what timeline is realistic, and what each short-term funding option would cost.
Start with the numbers: compare monthly income with essential expenses and determine the actual shortfall. That gives you a clearer basis for discussing insurance benefits, settlement timing, and whether an advance is worth its cost.
This article provides general information, not individualized legal advice.
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