California Personal Injury Lawyer
When an accident turns your life upside down, the decisions you make in the weeks that follow — including who represents you — can determine everything. Brett Schreiber is a nationally recognized California personal injury attorney and Founding Partner of Singleton Schreiber. With decades of trial experience, a track record of multi-million dollar verdicts, and a reputation for taking on powerful defendants and winning, Brett fights for injury victims and their families when the stakes are highest.
If someone else's negligence caused your injuries, you may be entitled to significant compensation. Contact Brett's office today for a free, confidential case evaluation — there are no fees unless he wins.
$243 Million Federal Jury Verdict
In August 2025, Brett Schreiber served as lead trial counsel in Benavides v. Tesla — the first wrongful death case against Tesla to proceed to trial. The Miami jury returned a unanimous $243 million verdict, one of the largest individual-plaintiff verdicts in American civil justice history.
Why Choose Brett Schreiber for Your Personal Injury Case?
Choosing the right attorney is one of the most important decisions you'll make after a serious injury. Studies show that accident victims who hire experienced legal counsel recover up to 3.5 times more in compensation than those who navigate the process alone. But not all attorneys are equal — and your choice of lawyer can mean the difference between a modest settlement and a record-breaking verdict.
Brett Schreiber brings a rare combination of courtroom experience, strategic thinking, and genuine commitment to every client he represents. A series of firsts have defined his career — trying serious injury cases to verdict in his first years of practice, rising rapidly within national trial lawyer organizations, and winning honors typically reserved for attorneys decades his senior. He is recognized by Best Lawyers in America, Super Lawyers, the Consumer Attorneys of San Diego, and the Lawdragon 500 — among many others — for consistent, exceptional results.
When Brett takes your case, here is what you can expect:
- A thorough investigation of the facts and evidence from day one
- Expert witnesses — medical, economic, and technical — engaged to build the strongest possible case
- All communications with insurance companies and opposing counsel handled on your behalf
- Aggressive settlement negotiations backed by a genuine willingness to go to trial
- Clear, direct communication at every stage so you always know where your case stands
- No fees unless Brett wins compensation for you
Types of Personal Injury Cases Brett Schreiber Handles
Personal injury law covers a broad spectrum of accidents and injuries. Brett has extensive experience representing clients in cases involving:
Vehicle Accidents
- Car accidents — including crashes caused by distracted, reckless, or intoxicated drivers
- Truck and commercial vehicle accidents
- Motorcycle accidents
- Bicycle and pedestrian accidents
- Rideshare accidents (Uber, Lyft)
- Autonomous and driver-assistance vehicle crashes, including Tesla Autopilot and FSD
Catastrophic & Serious Injuries
- Traumatic brain injuries (TBIs)
- Spinal cord injuries and paralysis
- Burn injuries
- Amputation and permanent disability
- Wrongful death
Product & Premises Liability
- Defective vehicles and automotive products
- Dangerous consumer products
- Slip and fall accidents
- Negligent security
- Dog bites and animal attacks
Government & Public Entity Liability
- Dangerous road conditions and infrastructure failures
- Caltrans and state highway negligence
- Public property hazards
Medical & Professional Negligence
- Medical malpractice — surgical errors, misdiagnosis, medication mistakes
- Birth injuries
- Hospital and nursing home negligence
How Brett Wins
Defendants settle bigger cases when they know the attorney across the table is willing — and able — to go to trial.
Brett Schreiber's track record of taking cases to verdict is his most powerful negotiating tool. Insurance companies and corporate defendants pay more when they face an attorney with a proven history of winning in front of a jury.
How Do I Know If I Have a Personal Injury Case?
California personal injury law allows anyone injured by another party's negligence or wrongdoing to seek compensation. You may have a valid claim if you were injured:
- In a traffic accident caused by a careless, reckless, or intoxicated driver
- By a defective product, vehicle, or piece of equipment
- Due to a dangerous condition on someone else's property
- As a result of a medical professional's error or negligence
- In a workplace accident or construction site incident
- By a dog bite or animal attack
- Due to dangerous road conditions maintained by a government entity
You may also have a wrongful death claim if you lost a family member due to someone else's negligence or misconduct. The best way to understand your rights is to speak directly with an experienced attorney — which is why Brett offers every potential client a free case evaluation with no obligation.
Proving Negligence in a California Personal Injury Case
To succeed in a personal injury claim, you must prove that another party was negligent. California law requires establishing four elements:
- Duty of care — The other party had a legal obligation to act reasonably and avoid causing harm
- Breach of duty — They failed to meet that standard through careless, reckless, or intentional conduct
- Causation — Their breach directly caused your injuries
- Damages — You suffered measurable harm — physical, financial, or both
Building a compelling negligence case requires evidence — accident reports, medical records, surveillance footage, expert analysis, and witness testimony. Brett and his team begin this work from day one, before critical evidence can be lost or destroyed.
What Compensation Can You Recover?
Personal injury victims in California may recover two broad categories of damages:
Economic Damages
Tangible financial losses resulting from your injury, including:
- Past and future medical expenses
- Lost wages and loss of future earning capacity
- Costs of long-term care and rehabilitation
- Property damage
- Other out-of-pocket expenses related to the injury
Non-Economic Damages
The personal, non-financial impact of your injury, including:
- Physical pain and suffering
- Emotional distress and psychological trauma
- Loss of enjoyment of life
- Permanent disfigurement or disability
- Loss of companionship and consortium
Brett works closely with medical experts, life-care planners, and economists to accurately calculate the full value of your claim — including future losses that extend years or decades beyond the date of your injury. Insurance companies routinely undervalue claims; Brett's job is to make sure that doesn't happen to you.
How Long Do You Have to File a Personal Injury Claim in California?
California's statute of limitations for personal injury claims is generally two years from the date of the injury. If your claim involves a government entity — such as Caltrans, a city, a public hospital, or a school district — you must file a government tort claim within six months of the incident.
These deadlines are strict. Missing them will almost certainly eliminate your right to recover compensation, regardless of how strong your case is. Contact Brett's office as soon as possible after an injury to protect your rights.
Notable Results
A Representative Sample of Brett Schreiber's Personal Injury Results
- $243 Million — Federal jury verdict, Autopilot wrongful death, Benavides v. Tesla (2025)
- $30 Million — Settlement, medical malpractice, unnecessary joint replacement surgeries
- $23.5 Million — Jury verdict, dangerous public property — Top 100 Civil Verdicts in America
- $16.4 Million — Jury verdict, dangerous roadway, State Route 79
- $14.5 Million — Settlement, construction gas explosion, downtown San Diego
- $3 Million — Settlement, medical malpractice, Kaiser Permanente nerve injury
Past results do not guarantee future outcomes. Case results depend upon a variety of factors unique to each case.
Frequently Asked Questions: California Personal Injury
How do I know if I have a personal injury case in California?
You may have a claim if you were injured due to another party's negligence — in a traffic accident, by a defective product, on someone else's dangerous property, or as a result of medical malpractice. The best way to find out is to speak with Brett directly in a free case evaluation.
How much is my personal injury case worth?
Every case is different. Value depends on the severity of your injuries, their impact on your life and earning capacity, and the evidence available. Economic damages cover financial losses; non-economic damages cover pain, suffering, and quality of life impacts. Brett works with expert witnesses to accurately calculate the full value of your claim.
How long do I have to file a personal injury lawsuit in California?
Generally two years from the date of injury. Claims against government entities require a tort claim within six months. Contact Brett's office as soon as possible — delays cost evidence and can cost your case.
Does Brett Schreiber take personal injury cases on contingency?
Yes. There are no upfront costs and no attorney fees unless Brett wins compensation for you. Your initial case evaluation is free and confidential.
Contact Brett Schreiber — California Personal Injury Attorney
You don't have to face the aftermath of a serious injury alone. Brett Schreiber is here to protect your rights, fight for full accountability, and pursue the compensation you and your family deserve. Contact his office today for a free, confidential case evaluation.
Call: (619) 393-3881
Attorney advertising. Past results do not guarantee similar outcomes. This page is for general informational purposes and does not constitute legal advice.