Fault in a California injury case often comes down to one question: which rule did the other person break? The Vehicle Code, Civil Code, and other statutes below set the duties drivers, property owners, and dog owners owe to you. Under Evidence Code 669, a violation of one of these laws can establish negligence on its own, which is why the code section written on a crash report matters so much to your claim.

Each page explains a specific law in plain English, quotes the statute, and shows how it is used to prove fault and recover compensation. Use the list below to jump to the laws that apply to your accident.

Were you hurt because someone broke one of these laws? Maison Law reviews your case for free. Contact us to speak with a California personal injury lawyer.

After an Accident: Deadlines, Reporting, and Insurance

These are the rules that decide whether you can still bring a claim, what you were required to do at the scene, and what the insurance companies owe you. Start here if your accident was recent.

Deadlines to File a Claim

Reporting the Crash and Exchanging Information

Insurance Rules and Dealing With Adjusters

Liens, Settlement Offers, and Your Recovery

Fault, Negligence, and Damages Rules

California decides who pays based on who broke the rules. These statutes explain how a violation proves negligence, how fault is divided, who else can be held responsible, and what damages are available.

How Fault Is Proven and Divided

Who Else Can Be Held Liable

Car Accident Laws (California Vehicle Code)

The Vehicle Code sections police cite most often in crash reports, and what each one means for fault in an injury claim.

Speeding

Intersections, Signals, and Right-of-Way

Following, Lane Changes, and Passing

Distracted, Impaired, and Reckless Driving

Emergency Vehicles, Roadside Stops, and Good Samaritans

Seat Belts, Car Seats, Weather, and Visibility

Parking Lot Accidents

Vehicle Ownership, Repairs, and Consumer Rules

Truck Accident Laws

Commercial trucks are governed by federal FMCSA regulations and California’s own Vehicle Code sections. A violation of either can establish a trucking company’s fault.

Federal Trucking Regulations (49 CFR)

California Truck Laws

Motorcycle Laws

Helmet, lane-splitting, and equipment rules that insurers use to argue a rider shares fault.

Pedestrian Laws

Who has the right-of-way, what counts as a crosswalk, and how a driver’s violation proves fault when a pedestrian is hit.

Pedestrian Statutes

Common Pedestrian Questions

Bicycle, E-Bike, and Scooter Laws

Where cyclists and scooter riders are allowed to ride, what equipment is required, and the driver duties that protect them.

Bicycle Statutes

Bicycle and E-Bike Questions and Recent Changes

Scooter Laws

Golf Cart, LSV, Moke, and Skateboard Laws

Low-speed and recreational vehicles follow their own rules on where they can be driven and who can operate them.

Golf Carts

Low-Speed Vehicles (LSVs)

Moke Vehicles

California Moke Vehicle Laws

Skateboards

School and Child Safety Laws

Rules that protect children around school buses, school zones, and school buildings.

Dog Bite Laws

California holds dog owners strictly liable for bites. These statutes explain what that means and what the owner must do afterward.

Premises Liability, Pools, and Public Property

Property owners, landlords, and government agencies all owe duties to people on their property. These laws decide when they are responsible for an injury.

Other Public Safety Laws

Criminal and health-code provisions that can support an injury claim when someone is hurt by contaminated products, fireworks, explosives, or pollution.

Talk to a California Injury Lawyer About the Law That Applies to You

Knowing which statute was violated is the first step. Proving it, and getting the insurance company to pay what the law requires, is where Maison Law comes in.

California Laws Which Might Decide Fault After an Accident