Frequently Asked Questions
Get straight answers to common personal injury questions from award-winning attorney Ike Orjiakor.
How much does a personal injury lawyer cost in Los Angeles?
At Moorpark Law Group (Call Big Ike), all personal injury cases are handled on a contingency fee basis. You pay absolutely nothing upfront — no retainer, no hourly fees, no hidden costs. We only collect a fee if we win your case. If we don’t recover compensation for you, you owe us nothing.
What should I do immediately after a car accident in Los Angeles?
After a car accident in LA, take these critical steps to protect your health and your legal rights:
- Call 911 and get a police report — this is essential evidence
- Seek medical attention immediately, even if you feel fine (some injuries like TBI have delayed symptoms)
- Photograph the scene — damage, skid marks, traffic signals, weather conditions
- Exchange information with the other driver but do NOT admit fault
- Do NOT give a recorded statement to the other driver’s insurance company
- Contact a personal injury attorney before accepting any settlement offer
Insurance companies will try to settle quickly for far less than your case is worth. Call Big Ike at (888) 244-2407 before you sign anything.
How long do I have to file a personal injury claim in California?
Under California Code of Civil Procedure §335.1, you generally have two years from the date of injury to file a personal injury lawsuit. However, there are important exceptions:
- Government entities: You must file a tort claim within six months
- Minors: The clock typically starts on their 18th birthday
- Discovery rule: In some cases, the deadline begins when you discover (or should have discovered) the injury
Don’t wait until the deadline is near — evidence disappears and witnesses forget. Call us as soon as possible.
How long does a personal injury case take in California?
Every case is different, but here are typical timelines:
- Simple car accident (clear liability): 3–6 months to settlement
- Moderate injury case: 6–12 months
- Complex or high-value cases: 1–2 years
- Cases that go to trial: 2–3+ years
Attorney Ike Orjiakor will never pressure you to settle for less than your case is worth just to close it faster. We fight for full compensation.
How much is my car accident case worth?
The value of your case depends on several factors:
- Medical expenses — past, present, and future treatment costs
- Lost wages — income lost during recovery and reduced future earning capacity
- Pain and suffering — physical pain and emotional distress
- Property damage — vehicle repair or replacement
- Severity of injuries — TBI, spinal cord injuries, and permanent disabilities increase value significantly
Ike Orjiakor is recognized on TopVerdict’s Top 100 list for plaintiff settlements in California (2023) and Los Angeles County (2024). We know how to maximize your recovery.
Do I need a lawyer for a car accident in Los Angeles?
Technically, no. But insurance companies have teams of lawyers working to minimize what they pay you. Without your own attorney, you are negotiating against professionals whose job is to protect the insurance company — not you.
Studies consistently show that accident victims who hire attorneys recover 3–4x more than those who negotiate on their own, even after attorney fees. And with our contingency fee model, there’s zero financial risk to you.
What if the accident was partially my fault?
California follows a pure comparative negligence rule. This means you can still recover damages even if you were partially at fault — your recovery is simply reduced by your percentage of fault. For example, if you’re found 20% at fault and your damages total $100,000, you can still recover $80,000.
Insurance companies love to assign you more fault than you deserve. Ike Orjiakor fights to ensure fault is assessed accurately.
Does Call Big Ike handle Uber and Lyft accident cases?
Yes. Attorney Ike Orjiakor has extensive experience with rideshare accident cases including Uber, Lyft, Wingz, HopSkipDrive, LimeBike, and Bird scooter accidents. Rideshare companies carry up to $1 million in liability coverage when a driver is actively transporting a passenger, which means significant compensation may be available for your injuries.
What compensation can I recover in a California personal injury case?
California law allows you to recover both economic and non-economic damages:
- Economic damages: medical bills, lost wages, property damage, future medical costs
- Non-economic damages: pain and suffering, emotional distress, loss of enjoyment of life
- Punitive damages: in cases involving extreme recklessness or intentional harm
What is a contingency fee?
A contingency fee means you pay nothing unless we win. We advance all costs — filing fees, expert witnesses, medical records, investigation — and only collect a percentage of your settlement or verdict. If we don’t win, you owe us absolutely nothing. This ensures that everyone has access to top-quality legal representation, regardless of their financial situation.
Can I still get compensation if I didn’t go to the hospital right away?
Yes, but it can make your case more complicated. Insurance companies will argue that your injuries aren’t serious if you delayed treatment. However, many injuries — especially traumatic brain injuries, soft tissue damage, and internal injuries — have delayed symptoms that don’t appear for hours or days. Ike Orjiakor has experience overcoming these insurance company arguments.
Important: See a doctor as soon as possible. The longer you wait, the harder it becomes to connect your injuries to the accident.
What areas does Call Big Ike serve?
Moorpark Law Group serves accident victims throughout Los Angeles County, including:
Sherman Oaks
Inglewood
Compton
South Los Angeles
Crenshaw
Leimert Park
Baldwin Hills
Ladera Heights
View Park
Carson
Hawthorne
Torrance
Glendale
Burbank
Pasadena
Van Nuys
Woodland Hills
Encino
Calabasas
Santa Monica
Santa Clarita
Ready to Get the Compensation You Deserve?
Free consultation. No fee unless we win.