This questionnaire is an educational reference tool only. It asks general questions about accident type to direct users toward relevant general legal information on this site. It does not provide legal advice, does not analyze the specific facts of your accident, does not create an attorney-client relationship, and does not constitute a legal opinion about your claim or rights. Consult a licensed attorney in your state before making any legal decisions.
What Kind of Accident Were You In?
Answer a few questions to identify which legal situation applies to your accident and find the right guide.
Was another vehicle involved in your accident?
Did the other driver leave the scene without stopping?
Was the other driver impaired by alcohol or drugs?
Was the other vehicle a rideshare, delivery vehicle, or commercial truck?
How would you describe the collision?
What best describes your situation?
Hit and Run Accident
Hit and run cases involve unique legal challenges: uninsured motorist coverage, law enforcement involvement, and stricter evidence preservation requirements. Your own UM/UIM policy is typically the primary source of recovery when the at-fault driver cannot be identified.
Read the Hit and Run guide →DUI / Drunk Driving Accident
DUI accidents often support punitive damages in addition to compensatory damages, and the criminal case can run parallel to your civil claim. The at-fault driver's intoxication is generally straightforward to establish if there was an arrest and BAC test.
Read the DUI Accident guide →Commercial Truck Accident
Truck accidents involve federal FMCSA regulations, commercial carrier insurance policies, and potentially multiple liable parties — the driver, the carrier, the loader, and the manufacturer. Electronic logging device data and black box records are critical and must be preserved quickly.
Read the Truck Accident guide →Rear-End Collision
Rear-end collisions create a strong presumption of fault against the following driver in most states. Common injuries include whiplash, cervical strain, and concussion — conditions that may not appear immediately. Medical documentation from shortly after the accident is especially important in these cases.
Read the Rear-End Collision guide →Intersection / T-Bone Accident
Intersection collisions often involve disputed fault — both drivers may claim they had the right of way. Traffic camera footage, witness statements, and traffic signal data are critical. Side-impact collisions also carry high injury risk due to limited structural protection on vehicle doors.
Read the Intersection Accident guide →Pedestrian Accident
Pedestrians struck by vehicles typically sustain serious injuries and face significant medical costs. Drivers generally owe pedestrians a high duty of care, particularly in crosswalks. Even if you were not in a crosswalk, comparative fault rules in most states allow partial recovery.
Read the Pedestrian Accident guide →Bicycle Accident
Cyclists are among the most vulnerable road users. Most states give cyclists the same rights and responsibilities as drivers. Dooring, right-hook, and failure-to-yield are the most common fault patterns. Helmet use and visibility equipment may be raised by the defense in comparative fault states.
Read the Bicycle Accident guide →Your Situation May Be Covered
Personal injury law covers a wide range of accident types beyond the most common scenarios. Browse the full situations index to find information specific to your circumstances, or use the SOL Reference Tool to check your state's general filing deadline.
How to Use This Tool
The Situation Questionnaire asks a short sequence of questions about your accident to identify which situation category your accident most closely matches, then links you to the legal information page for that situation.
How the questions work
The questionnaire uses a branching decision-tree structure. Each answer leads to either another question or a result identifying the most relevant situation page. Questions ask about the type of vehicle or parties involved, who caused the accident, and whether special circumstances apply such as government vehicles, rideshare platforms, or alcohol involvement. The tool does not ask for your name, contact information, or specific details about your accident.
What the result tells you
The result identifies which of the six core situation categories on this site is the closest match: Rear-End Collision, Hit and Run, Rideshare Accident, Drunk Driver Accident, Truck Accident, or Intersection Accident. The result links directly to the legal information page covering that situation under California law — including how fault is determined, what evidence matters, and what the typical process looks like.
What this tool does not do
The questionnaire does not evaluate the strength of your specific claim, estimate the value of your case, or advise you on what to do in your specific circumstances. Some accidents involve multiple situation types. Review all relevant situation pages and consult an attorney who can evaluate which legal theories apply to your specific facts.
If no situation matches well
If the result does not feel like a good match, navigate directly to the situations index to review all categories, or read the California state legal guide for a general overview of California personal injury law. You can also use the SOL Reference Tool to check California's general filing deadline.
Frequently Asked Questions
What accident types does the questionnaire cover?
The questionnaire covers six core accident situation categories: Rear-End Collision, Hit and Run Accident, Rideshare Accident (Uber/Lyft), Drunk Driver Accident, Commercial Truck Accident, and Intersection Accident. It also has a general pathway for accidents that do not match these categories, directing users to the full situations index and the California state guide.
Does this questionnaire store any of my information?
No. The questionnaire is a client-side decision tree running entirely in your browser. It does not ask for personal information, and your answers are not stored or transmitted. Closing the browser tab resets the questionnaire to its starting state. No information about your answers or accident is collected by this tool.
What if my accident involves more than one situation type?
Many accidents involve elements of multiple situation categories simultaneously. The questionnaire identifies the single closest-matching primary situation. For complex multi-category accidents, reviewing all potentially applicable situation pages is advisable. A licensed attorney evaluating your specific facts can identify which legal theories apply to your particular case.
Why does the questionnaire ask about Uber and Lyft separately?
Rideshare accidents involve a unique three-period insurance framework under California Public Utilities Code § 5433 that does not apply to standard vehicle accidents. Senate Bill 371, effective January 1, 2026, significantly changed mandatory UM/UIM coverage — making rideshare accident law materially distinct from a standard car accident even when the physical crash facts are similar.
Can I use this questionnaire to find out if I have a legal case?
No. The questionnaire identifies your accident type and directs you to relevant legal information. It does not evaluate whether you have a viable legal claim, estimate case value, or advise on whether to pursue legal action. Those determinations require a licensed attorney to evaluate the specific facts of your accident, the extent of your injuries, the identity and coverage of the at-fault party, and the applicable law.
What if the result doesn't match my accident well?
If your accident does not fit cleanly into any of the six core categories, navigate directly to the situations index to see all covered accident types. The California state guide provides a broader overview of California personal injury law that applies across all accident types.
Other Free Legal Reference Tools
SOL Reference Tool
Look up the general personal injury statute of limitations for all 50 states — with optional injury date calculation and state guide links.
Post-Accident Checklist
A 17-step interactive checklist from scene through legal consultation — with progress tracking and a printable summary.
Claim Stage Tracker
See where a typical personal injury claim stands at each stage from accident through resolution — and what typically happens next.
Need an Attorney, Not Just a Tool?
These tools provide general legal information. For actual legal representation, find a licensed attorney in your state through these verified directories.