The insurance company's job is to pay you as little as possible. Our job is to make sure they don't. We handle the investigation, the negotiation, and the legal claim — so you can focus on getting better.
The crash happened in seconds. What comes after takes months — the ER visit, the follow-up appointments, the missed work, the calls from an adjuster who sounds helpful but is documenting everything you say to minimize your claim. The insurance company has a team. They do this every day. You’ve never done it before.
California is a fault-based state. When another driver’s negligence — speeding, running a red light, texting, drunk driving — caused your injuries, their insurance company is legally required to pay your damages. But “legally required” and “actually paying what the case is worth” are two very different things. Insurers routinely offer a fraction of a claim’s real value in the first weeks after an accident, betting that you’re in pain, stressed about bills, and don’t know what the case is actually worth.
Glendale’s roads make car accidents a daily reality. The 2, 5, and 134 freeways converge in and around Glendale, creating some of the most congested traffic corridors in Los Angeles County. California Office of Traffic Safety data shows approximately 597 injury and fatality collisions in Glendale annually.
The most consistently dangerous intersections include Colorado Street and Pacific Avenue near the Glendale Galleria, Brand Boulevard and Sanchez Drive, Brand Boulevard and Goode Avenue, and Glendale Avenue and Wilson Avenue — high-traffic commercial corridors where rear-end collisions, left-turn crashes, and pedestrian accidents occur most frequently.
In January 2025, California’s minimum auto liability coverage limits increased from 15/30/5 to 30/60/15 — $30,000 per person, $60,000 per accident, $15,000 in property damage. That still leaves many victims significantly undercompensated in serious accidents. And with an estimated 16-17% of California drivers carrying no insurance at all, knowing your own coverage options is critical from the moment of the crash.
You generally have two years from the date of the accident to file a claim (CCP §335.1). If a government vehicle, driver, or roadway contributed to the crash, that window can drop to six months under the Government Tort Claims Act. The clock starts immediately.
01
The driver whose negligence caused the collision is responsible for your damages. Negligence means a failure to use reasonable care — speeding, distracted driving, running a red light, failing to yield, impaired driving, and following too closely are all negligence.
02
California uses a pure comparative fault system. Even if you were partially at fault — for example, if you were slightly speeding — you can still recover. Your compensation is reduced by your percentage of fault, not eliminated. Insurers aggressively assign fault to victims to reduce payouts. An attorney prevents this.
03
The minimum liability coverage in California increased to $30,000 per person / $60,000 per accident. This is still frequently insufficient in serious accidents — which is why uninsured motorist (UM) and underinsured motorist (UIM) coverage on your own policy matters.
04
Approximately 16-17% of California drivers are uninsured. UM coverage on your own policy pays your damages when the at-fault driver has no insurance — including hit-and-run accidents. UIM coverage steps in when the at-fault driver’s policy limits are too low to cover your actual damages. Your own insurer is required to offer these coverages; you must explicitly waive them in writing to remove them.
If you were driving without insurance at the time of the accident, California’s Proposition 213 limits your recovery to economic damages only (medical bills, lost wages, property damage). You cannot recover pain and suffering damages. This is an important reason to maintain your own coverage.
2
years
from date of the accident
CCP §335.1
6
months
to file a government tort claim
* These are general deadlines. Always note your specific circumstances, statute of limitations, and speak with an experienced attorney to know the deadlines that pertain to you and your case.
Every type of collision has its own liability structure, evidence requirements, and insurance dynamics. We handle all of them.
The most common crash type in Glendale's stop-and-go freeway traffic and commercial corridors. Rear-end crashes cause whiplash, disc herniations, and spinal injuries that may not fully manifest until days after the accident. The following driver is presumed at fault in California, though insurers will still challenge injury severity.
Side-impact collisions at Glendale's busy intersections — Colorado and Pacific, Brand and Sanchez, Glendale Ave and Wilson — frequently cause serious injuries because the door panels offer minimal protection. Fault is often disputed when both drivers claim the light was green.
Among the most litigated accident types. A driver making an unprotected left turn who misjudges oncoming traffic speed is liable for the collision. Fault assignment disputes are common; surveillance footage and witness statements are critical.
Drunk and drugged driving crashes are both a civil matter and a criminal case. In a civil claim, impairment evidence supports punitive damages on top of full compensatory recovery. We pursue every available category of damages in DUI accident cases.
California prohibits handheld phone use while driving. Cell phone records and surveillance footage can establish that the at-fault driver was on their phone at the moment of impact — converting a disputed-fault case into a clear-liability case.
Glendale and greater Los Angeles have among the highest hit-and-run rates in California. If the at-fault driver fled, you can still recover through your own UM coverage. If the driver is later identified — by surveillance, witnesses, or law enforcement — a third-party claim becomes available.
Rideshare accident liability depends on whether the driver was active on the app, had accepted a ride, or was off-duty. Uber and Lyft's insurance coverage layers are complex — we know exactly how to navigate them for maximum recovery whether you were a passenger, another driver, or a pedestrian.
Collisions with commercial trucks involve additional liable parties: the driver, the trucking company, the cargo loading company, and potentially the vehicle manufacturer. Federal trucking regulations (FMCSA hours-of-service, maintenance logs) create additional evidence requirements and liability angles.
With ~16-17% of California drivers uninsured, this is one of the most common scenarios in Glendale. We navigate every available coverage layer — your UM/UIM policy, MedPay, and any applicable third-party coverage — to maximize your recovery.
The insurance adjuster who calls you after a crash is not on your side. Their job is to resolve your claim for as little as possible, as fast as possible — before the full extent of your injuries is known. We level the playing field.
You focus on your recovery. We handle everything else.
You speak with the attorney handling your case at every stage — not just a paralegal or legal assistant. George works directly with every client from the first call.
Free, no-obligation evaluation usually within hours. We give you our honest assessment of the case, what it's worth, and what coverage is available — even if you decide not to hire us.
If we don't recover for you, you owe us nothing. Zero out-of-pocket cost to start. Our goals are completely aligned with yours.
California law recognizes both economic and non-economic damages. We build claims that account for every category — including future costs and diminished value that many insurers never voluntarily offer.
Punitive damages can become available in cases involving DUI, extreme recklessness, or intentional conduct — where the defendant’s behavior warrants punishment beyond compensating the victim.
After a Glendale car accident, multiple insurance policies may apply to your claim. Most victims know about the at-fault driver’s liability policy — but that’s often only the beginning.
We pull every potentially applicable policy as part of every case to ensure no available coverage is left on the table.
| Court House Lawyers | Typical PI Firm | |
|---|---|---|
|
Case Review |
Same day, often within hours |
2–3 business days |
|
Attorney Access |
You speak directly with the attorney on your case |
Routed through a case manager or paralegal |
|
Evidence Preservation |
Same-day requests for traffic camera footage, dashcam video, 911 audio, and black box data |
Often delayed — footage is overwritten within days |
|
Insurance Strategy |
We identify every coverage layer and treat the adjuster as the opposing party from day one |
Many firms accept the at-fault policy as the only source |
|
Diminished Value |
Built into every vehicle damage demand |
Often not pursued at all |
|
UM/UIM Claims |
We evaluate and pursue your own coverage when at-fault limits are insufficient |
Many firms focus only on the at-fault driver’s insurer |
|
Trial Readiness |
Every case prepared for trial; insurers know it |
Settlement-only firms get lower offers |
|
Fees |
No win, no fees. Period. |
Can say the same, but watch for hidden costs at settlement |
George Mkrtchyan
Managing Attorney
George Mkrtchyan is the Managing Attorney of Court House Lawyers, a Glendale-based personal injury firm. Over the past decade, George has recovered millions for clients in car accident, rideshare, pedestrian, and other personal injury cases across Glendale and Los Angeles County — including cases involving disputed fault, inadequate at-fault insurance, and insurers who initially denied liability entirely.
He is known for thorough case preparation, a willingness to take cases to trial when insurers underpay, and a client-first communication standard. Every client speaks directly with him.
“Insurance companies bank on fear and fatigue. They count on you accepting a fast, low offer because you’re tired and hurting. Our job is to make sure you don’t have to fight that fight alone.”
A 50-year-old woman in Glendale came to us after being injured in a school bus collision while waiting to pick up her grandchildren. The insurance company had offered $500 to close the file. Court House Lawyers rebuilt the case from the medical records up. Final recovery: $50,000. This is the difference experienced representation makes.
Every case is different. These results illustrate what focused, thorough representation delivers.
Personal Injury · Car Accident
Client was initially assigned 85% fault in a left-turn collision. After George and case manager Grant Abadzhyan took over, the fault assignment was reversed to zero and the client recovered full compensation.
Personal Injury · Rideshare
Client injured in an Uber accident initially received nothing from the insurer. Court House Lawyers secured a $35,000 settlement within 30 days of filing a lawsuit.
Personal Injury · Car Accident
Client was offered $500 after a school bus accident. Court House Lawyers filed suit and recovered $50,000 — 100x the original offer.
Personal Injury · UIM Arbitration
Out-of-state underinsured motorist policy. The insurer refused to pay fairly. Court House Lawyers demanded arbitration and secured the full policy limits for the client.
Personal Injury · Government Entity
A wheelchair-bound client was thrown forward when a Metro conductor slammed on the brakes. Metro denied the claim outright. Court House Lawyers filed, obtained the conductor’s own footage — including a statement caught on Metro’s camera — and settled for $35,000.
Personal Injury · Car Accident
Three people were injured in the same accident, each with separate representation. George Mkrtchyan and Grant Abadzhyan secured the largest individual recovery of the three — the result of thorough early documentation and a faster demand strategy.
Past results are specific to the facts of each case and do not guarantee future outcomes.
Every car accident matter is evaluated on its own merits.
Tell us what happened, where it happened, what your injuries are, and what insurance information you have. We'll give you our honest assessment of the case, what every available coverage layer is worth, and what to do next — even if you decide not to hire us.
You won't be passed to a junior associate or a case manager. George handles your case.
Traffic camera footage, business surveillance video, dashcam recordings, 911 audio, and vehicle black box data can be overwritten or lost within days. We send preservation requests the same day you retain us.
We identify the at-fault driver's policy, your own UM/UIM coverage, MedPay, any employer coverage, Loss of Use, and any other applicable policy. Missing a coverage layer is leaving money on the table.
The at-fault driver’s insurer can owe you this diminished value. They rarely offer it voluntarily, and most victims never ask for it. We build diminished value into every vehicle damage demand.
We treat the at-fault driver's insurer as the opposing party from day one. Because they are. Initial offers are documented, challenged, and pushed back against with full medical records, comparable verdicts, and a clear willingness to file suit.
If you don't have a doctor or can't afford specialist care, we connect you with experienced providers in Glendale and the surrounding area who treat accident victims on a lien basis — no upfront cost.
Insurers settle higher when they know we'll take the case to court. Most cases resolve before trial — but at significantly better numbers because of the preparation.
No upfront costs of any kind. No hourly billing. If we don't recover for you, you owe us nothing.
We talk through what happened, the other driver's information, your injuries, and every piece of insurance information involved. You walk away knowing what your claim is worth and what every available option is.
We send same-day requests for traffic camera footage, surveillance video, dashcam recordings, 911 audio, and the at-fault driver's cell phone records when relevant. We pull the police report, document all vehicle damage, and arrange for accident reconstruction if liability is disputed.
We identify every available coverage layer: the at-fault driver's liability policy, your UM/UIM coverage, MedPay, any employer policy, Loss of Use, and any umbrella coverage. We also evaluate whether a government entity contributed to the crash, triggering the 6-month government claim deadline.
We document your injuries, medical costs, lost wages, pain and suffering, diminished vehicle value, and future impact. We send a comprehensive demand to every applicable insurer. We push back against lowball offers with documentation, comparable verdicts, and a clear willingness to file suit.
If any insurer refuses to pay what the case is worth, we file. Every case is prepared from day one as if it will go to trial — and that preparation is exactly why most cases settle for significantly more before they ever get there.
* These are general deadlines. Always note your specific circumstances, statute of limitations, and speak with an experienced attorney to know the deadlines that pertain to you and your case.
Call 911, accept medical attention at the scene, get the other driver’s name, license, insurance, and plate number, photograph the vehicles, the scene, and any visible injuries, get witness contact information, and file a police report with the Glendale Police Department. Do not admit fault or apologize. Do not give a recorded statement to any insurance company without first speaking with an attorney. Find out more on what to do after a car accident
No. A recorded statement to the at-fault driver’s insurer is used to lock in an early, incomplete version of events — before you know the full extent of your injuries — and is used against you later. You have no legal obligation to give a statement to the opposing insurer. Tell them you’ve retained an attorney and they will call.
You can still recover through your own uninsured motorist (UM) coverage, if you have it. UM pays your damages — including pain and suffering — when the at-fault driver is unidentified or uninsured. California insurers are required to offer UM coverage; you must have expressly waived it in writing to not have it. We check your own policy as part of every case.
Your own underinsured motorist (UIM) coverage steps in when the at-fault driver’s limits are exhausted. If your losses are $200,000 and the at-fault driver only has $30,000 in coverage, your UIM policy can pay the difference up to your own limits. This is one of the most important and least-understood aspects of California car accident recovery.
That depends on your injuries. If you have any injuries beyond very minor surface-level bruising, yes — you need an attorney. What seems minor often isn’t. Whiplash and soft tissue injuries that feel manageable initially can become months-long treatment courses. And “minor” accidents regularly result in insurance offers that are far below the actual medical cost. A free consultation with us costs nothing and tells you exactly where you stand.
Nothing upfront. Our fee is contingency-based — we only get paid from the recovery we obtain for you. No win, no fee.
Yes. After a collision, your vehicle’s resale market value decreases even after repairs — because buyers discount vehicles with accident histories. The at-fault driver’s insurer can owe you this diminished value. They rarely offer it voluntarily, and most victims never ask for it. We build diminished value into every vehicle damage demand.
No. Delayed-onset symptoms are extremely common after car accidents — whiplash, disc herniations, and spinal injuries often present with worsening pain in the days and weeks following the crash. See a doctor immediately once symptoms appear and document the connection to the accident. Any gap between the accident and your first medical visit will be scrutinized by the insurer — close it by getting medical care now.
You can still recover under California’s pure comparative fault system. If you were 20% at fault and your damages are $100,000, you recover $80,000. Insurers routinely assign victims more fault than the evidence supports. An attorney ensures the fault allocation reflects what actually happened, not what the insurer wants it to be.
California’s Proposition 213 limits uninsured drivers to recovering economic damages only — medical bills, lost wages, and property damage. Pain and suffering damages are not recoverable if you were uninsured at the time of the accident. This is a significant limitation; maintaining your own coverage protects your full recovery rights.
Most cases settle within 6 to 12 months of the accident. Cases requiring full litigation typically take 1 to 2 years from filing to resolution. The key variable is completing medical treatment — we don’t finalize a demand until the full extent of your injuries is known. Settling too early frequently means leaving significant compensation behind.
Their employer’s commercial auto policy may apply — providing significantly more coverage than the driver’s personal policy alone. We investigate the driver’s employment status as part of every case where commercial or work-related driving may be involved.
Report the accident immediately. A police report creates a contemporaneous record of fault and injuries. Don't leave the scene without a report number.
Let paramedics evaluate you at the scene. If you feel any discomfort, accept the evaluation — adrenaline masks pain, and a documented on-scene medical assessment is critical evidence.
Name, driver's license number, license plate, insurance company, policy number, and contact information. Photograph the insurance card.
Vehicle damage from multiple angles, skid marks, traffic signals, road conditions, the other driver's position, and your visible injuries. Do this before vehicles are moved if possible.
Names and phone numbers of anyone who saw the collision. Bystander accounts can determine fault in disputed cases.
Anything you say at the scene can be used against you. Do not say "I'm sorry," "I didn't see you," or anything that could be interpreted as an admission.
The at-fault driver's insurer will call you, often within 24 hours. Do not give a recorded statement. Tell them you've retained an attorney and they will call.
Call (818) 293-8293 Free, same-day review. We tell you what every claim is worth and what coverage is available.
10
YEARS OF EXPERIENCE AND SUCCESS
Trusted Glendale car accident attorney holding negligent drivers and insurance companies accountable — recovering full compensation for medical bills, lost wages, pain and suffering, and everything the crash took from you.
You didn’t cause this. You shouldn’t be the one paying for it. From our Glendale office, we represent car accident victims across California — including Burbank, Pasadena, La Cañada, La Crescenta, Eagle Rock, Atwater Village, Tujunga, Downtown and throughout Los Angeles County.
