What Really Happens at a Settlement Conference, From the Person Running It

Authored by Mason Rashtian | Personal Injury Attorney, The Mason Law Firm

Dedicated Personal Injury Lawyer in Santa Clarita, Valencia, Canyon Country, Newhall, Saugus, Stevenson Ranch, Castaic, Val Verde, Antelope Valley, Palmdale, Lancaster, the San Fernando Valley, and the Greater Los Angeles Area

Most people who file a personal injury lawsuit picture the end of their case as a courtroom, a jury box, and a verdict. In reality, most cases in Los Angeles County end somewhere much less dramatic: a mediation or settlement conference via Zoom, and a long day of demands and offers going back and forth.

Whether it is private mediation or a Mandatory Settlement Conference, i.e. I've seen it from three different sides.

For nearly a decade, I sat at the defense table representing insurance companies, drivers, property owners, grocery companies, contractors and subcontractors, and bus companies. Today, I represent injured people in Santa Clarita, Valencia, Canyon Country, Saugus, Newhall, Stevenson Ranch, Castaic, Val Verde.

I also serve as a Settlement Officer for the Los Angeles County Superior Court, which means I'm often the neutral person in the middle, trying to help both sides reach a number they can live with.

I'm writing this because clients are often nervous before their settlement conference. They don't know what to expect, and the insurance company is counting on that. So here is what actually happens.

Call The Mason Law Firm, managed by Santa Clarita Personal Injury Attorney Mason Rashtian, today at 661-506-2992 for a FREE consultation. We serve clients throughout Santa Clarita, Valencia, Newhall, Saugus, Canyon Country, Stevenson Ranch, Castaic, Val Verde and all of Los Angeles County.

What is a Mandatory Settlement Conference?

A Mandatory Settlement Conference, generally referred to as an 'MSC", is a court-ordered meeting, usually set a few weeks before trial. Its purpose is simple: to give the case one last serious chance to settle before everyone spends the time and money at trial. 

The key word is mandatory. Under California Rules of Court, rule 3.1380, the conference is not optional. Trial counsel, the parties, and people with full authority to settle are required to attend personally, unless the court excuses them. That means you, your lawyer, the defense lawyer, and someone from the insurance company who can actually approve a settlement.

In Los Angeles County Superior Court, many of these conferences are run by settlement officers. These are experienced attorneys, not judges, who volunteer to help the court resolve cases. That's the role I fill.

What I Read Before You Walk In

Before the conference, each side must submit a settlement conference statement. Under the rules, these are due no later than five court days before the conference. They summarize the facts, the injuries, the damages, the legal issues, and each side's current settlement position.

I read every page. What I'm looking for tells you a lot about what matters.

First, I'm looking at liability. Who is really at fault, and how would a jury likely see it? A clean rear-end collision on the I-5 near Magic Mountain Parkway reads very differently from a disputed left turn on Soledad Canyon Road with no independent witnesses.

Second, I'm looking at the medical story. Is the treatment consistent? Are there gaps? Do the injuries make sense given how the accident happened? When I was on the defense side, gaps in treatment were one of the first things we attacked. Settlement officers notice them too.

Third, I'm looking at the distance between the two numbers. If the plaintiff is at $500,000 and the defense is at $15,000, I know I have a long day ahead of me. That's not a sign that either side is acting in bad faith. It usually means one side sees risk that the other doesn't yet.

How the Day Actually Runs

People often imagine a settlement conference as a heated face-to-face argument. It rarely looks like that.

The majority of settlement conferences take place virtually.  When the conference begins, each side is placed in their own "virtual room".  This means that the Plaintiff and Plaintiff's lawyer are placed in one virtual room and the defense attorney and the insurance adjuster are placed in a separate virtual room.

Plaintiffs are generally not familiar with these conferences.  So, I first explain how the process works, and then we begin.  Because Plaintiff filed this action, he or she has the burden of proof.  So, I start with the Plaintiff's team first.

Even though I have a copy of their settlement brief, I still want to hear from the Plaintiff because a settlement brief, written by an attorney, doesn't tell me anything about Plaintiff, the person. I want to know how the injuries affected 

*I move back and forth between them. In legal terms this is called "caucusing." In practical terms it means you will spend a lot of time waiting while I talk to the other side.

That waiting is normal. It doesn't mean things are going badly.

When I sit down with each side privately, I'm doing two things. I'm listening, because every side has a version of the case they believe, and I need to understand it. And I'm reality testing. With the plaintiff, that might mean asking hard questions about a gap in treatment or a pre-existing condition. With the defense, it might mean pointing out that a jury in Los Angeles County is not going to like their liability argument, or that their expert is going to have a rough cross-examination.

My job isn't to take sides. It's to help each side see the risk they aren't fully accounting for.

Who Holds the Real Power in the Room

This is one of the most important things my defense experience taught me. In most personal injury cases, the defendant isn't the one writing the check. The insurance company is.

That means the most important person at the conference is often the claims representative with settlement authority. Sometimes they're in the room. Sometimes they're on the phone. That person works within a settlement range set internally, often long before the conference begins. The insurance company has already placed a value on your file, and that value is built from the same things I just described: liability, medical records, treatment consistency, and how credible you'll appear to a jury.

A big part of a settlement conference is persuading that representative to go back to their supervisors and request more authority. That doesn't happen because someone raises their voice. It happens when the facts and the risk of trial make the current number impossible to defend.

What Actually Moves the Number

After sitting in the middle of many of these conferences, I can tell you what works and what doesn't.

What works is preparation. A case with complete medical records, clear documentation of lost wages, photos, witness statements, and a credible explanation of future care gets taken seriously. A well-organized settlement conference statement often does more work than anything said in the room.

What also works is credibility. When one side makes a realistic move, it often creates pressure for the other side to respond. When one side stays stuck on an unrealistic number, the conversation stalls.

Trial readiness matters too. Insurance companies pay attention at a settlement conferences because trial is only a few weeks away.  So, the risk of a jury trial is real and close.

What doesn't work is theater. Walking out, making threats, or refusing to move rarely produces a better result. It usually produces a trial date.

California law also gives both sides another tool: a formal offer to compromise under Code of Civil Procedure section 998. If one side makes a reasonable 998 offer and the other side rejects it, then fails to do better at trial, the rejecting side can face serious cost consequences. These offers often come up in settlement discussions, and your lawyer should explain exactly how one could affect you.

Why Some Cases Don't Settle

Not every case settles at the conference, and that's not always a failure.

Sometimes the defense believes it has a real liability defense. Sometimes there's a genuine medical dispute that only a jury can resolve. Sometimes the insurance company simply hasn't granted enough authority yet, and the case settles closer to trial or even on the courthouse steps.

A case that doesn't settle at the MSC still benefits from the process. Both sides usually leave with a clearer understanding of where the case stands and what a jury is likely to do.

What You Should Do to Prepare

If you're a plaintiff heading into a settlement conference, preparation starts long before that day.

Stay consistent with your medical treatment. Keep track of your expenses, missed work, and how the injury affects your daily life. Be honest with your lawyer about everything, including prior injuries and claims. The other side will find out anyway, and it's much better to address those issues on your terms.

On the day itself, plan to be there for a few hours, and clear your schedule. Bring patience.

Talk with your lawyer ahead of time about your realistic range, so you aren't making a major decision during the settlement conference.  Finally, remember, that you aren't required to accept any offer. A settlement only happens if you agree to it.

Frequently Asked Questions

1.  Do I have to attend my settlement conference in person?

Yes. California Rules of Court require parties and people with full settlement authority to personally attend settlement conference.  Since you are the Plaintiff, you must attend. 

2.  Is the settlement officer a judge?

Not always. In Los Angeles County Superior Court, many settlement conferences are handled by experienced attorneys serving as settlement officers. They're neutral and don't decide your case. Their role is to help the parties reach an agreement.

3.  Can what I say at the conference be used against me at trial?

Discussions held at settlement conferences, including offers are confidential.  So, generally, no.  Nothing you say at a settlement conference can be used at trial against you.  

4.  What happens if my case doesn't settle?

The case moves toward trial. Settlement discussions can continue, and many cases resolve after the conference but before the date of trial. 

5.  Will I be forced to accept an offer?

No. A settlement officer can offer perspective to get both sides to evaluate risk honestly, but the decision to settle is entirely yours.

The Bottom Line

A settlement conference isn't a trial, and it isn't a formality. It's often the moment when a case is truly valued, by people who understand what a jury is likely to do.

Having sat on the defense side, in the neutral chair, and now beside those injured in an accident, I know that the best outcomes come from careful preparation and realistic expectations.

If you are hurt in Santa Clarita or anywhere in Los Angeles County, we offer free consultations and work on a contingency fee basis, meaning you pay nothing unless we win your case.

“We Meet Our Clients by Accident!”

and

“We Put Personal in Personal Injury Law.”

Car accidents, bicycle accidents, bus accidents, motorcycle accidents, pedestrian accidents, truck accidents, slip and falls, dog bites, nursing home abuse cases, burn injuries, construction site accidents, amusement park accidents, brain injuries, spinal cord injuries, wrongful death cases, ride share accidents

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Authored by Mason Rashtian, founder of The Mason Law Firm

Dedicated Personal Injury Lawyer in Santa Clarita, Valencia, Canyon Country, Newhall, Saugus, Stevenson Ranch, Castaic, Val Verde, Antelope Valley, Palmdale, Lancaster, the San Fernando Valley, and the Greater Los Angeles Area

It's a Tuesday afternoon on Soledad Canyon Road. You're heading east toward Canyon Country in the right lane, just past the Sand Canyon intersection.

A transit bus pulls away from its stop, drifts into your lane, and scrapes down the entire passenger side of your car. Your mirror is gone, your door is crushed, and by that evening your neck and shoulder are stiff.

The next few weeks go the way they usually do. You see your doctor, start physical therapy, and deal with the rental car. You figure you'll call a lawyer once things settle down. After all, everyone knows you have two years to bring an injury claim in California.

Except in this case, you don't.

Call The Mason Law Firm, managed by Santa Clarita Personal Injury Attorney Mason Rashtian, today at 661-506-2992 for a FREE consultation. We serve clients throughout Santa Clarita, Valencia, Newhall, Saugus, Canyon Country, Stevenson Ranch, Castaic, Val Verde and all of Los Angeles County.

The Two-Year Myth

For most personal injury cases in California, the statute of limitations is two years. That's the number people hear from friends, read online, and carry around in their heads.

However, when the party responsible for your injury is a government or public entity, a different set of rules applies: the Government Claims Act. Under Government Code section 911.2, a claim for personal injury or wrongful death against a government or public entity must be presented to that entity within six months of the incident.

This isn't the deadline to file a lawsuit. It's the deadline to file a formal written claim with the agency before you're even allowed to sue. Miss it, and in most cases you lose the right to sue that entity at all, no matter how clear the fault or how serious the injury.

In the bus example above, an accident on March 10 means the government claim generally has to be presented by early September. That's six months, which passes quickly when you're in treatment, missing work, and trying to get your life back to normal.

Is a Government Entity Involved in Your Accident?

Most people don't realize how often a public agency is involved in an everyday Santa Clarita accident. Here are some of the most common situations I see.

Public vehicles

Collisions with transit buses, city maintenance trucks, county vehicles, sheriff's patrol cars, fire department vehicles, or school district buses may all trigger the six-month rule. When a public employee causes a crash while on the job, the claim generally goes against the agency that employs them.

Road and sidewalk conditions

California law allows claims against public entities for a "dangerous condition of public property" under Government Code section 835. That can include a deep pothole that sends a motorcyclist down in Saugus, a heaved sidewalk slab that trips a pedestrian in Valencia, or a malfunctioning traffic signal.

Depending on where it happened, the responsible agency might be the City of Santa Clarita, Los Angeles County (for unincorporated areas like Castaic, Stevenson Ranch, and Val Verde), or Caltrans (for state highways like the 14, the 126, and Interstate 5).

Trains and rail

Metrolink is operated by a public joint powers authority.  So accidents on the Antelope Valley line and at its stations and crossings often fall under the government claims process.

Schools, parks, and public facilities

Injuries at public school campuses, community college facilities, public parks, libraries, and other government-owned property can all require a government claim.

Less obvious ones

This is where people get caught. Some services that look private are run by or for a public agency, and some agencies don't clearly identify themselves as public entities.

Certain hospitals and medical facilities in Antelope Valley, Los Angeles and Ventura are publicly owned.  If you are injured while visiting a public hospital or were injured because someone at the hospital failed to meet the standard of care, i.e. caused medical malpractice, you must file a claim with the appropriate government entity within six months.

Some transit and maintenance services are operated by private contractors on behalf of a government agency, which can mean you need both a government claim against the agency and a standard claim against the company.

If there's any chance a public agency is connected to your accident, assume the six-month clock is running until a lawyer tells you otherwise.

What I Learned Defending Bus Companies

Before I represented injured people, I spent nearly a decade on the defense side, and some of my clients were bus companies. I can tell you that the defense in a transit case starts with the calendar, not with who was at fault.

The first question we asked was whether the claim had been presented correctly and on time. The second was whether it went to the right agency. The third was whether it contained what the statute requires. If the answer to any of those was no, the case could end right there, before anyone talked about injuries or damages.

Public entities and their lawyers know these rules extremely well. Most injured people have never heard of them. That gap is exactly why these cases need to be handled early.

What Happens After the Claim Is Filed

Once a proper claim is presented, the public entity generally has 45 days to accept or reject it.

In other words, there are two separate deadlines: one to present the claim and one to file the lawsuit. Both can be shorter than people expect, and missing either one can end the case.

What If the Injured Person Is a Child?

Parents often assume the rules are relaxed when a child is hurt.  However, under the Government Code, that is not the case. 

If the injured person is a minor, the code still requires that a written claim be submitted to the public entity within six months from the date of the incident.

So, keep this in mind if your child is hurt on a school campus, in a public park, or by a public vehicle (such as a school bus or public transportation).  Don't wait.  Submit the written claim form within six months from the date of the incident. 

Missed the Deadline? There May Still Be a Way In, But Don't Count on It

If the six-month deadline has passed, the law provides a narrow path. You must first apply to the public entity for permission to present a late claim.  This must be done as soon as possible and no later than one year from the date of the incident. 

If the public entity denies that application, your only option is to petition the Court for relief under Government Code section 946.6.  The code provides limited reasons which you must provide as to why the claim was not submitted in time.  

I've handled these petitions, and they can succeed when the facts support them. For example, the injured person may have been incapacitated or the agency may not have made its public status clear. But they're a rescue effort, not a strategy. You're asking a judge to excuse a missed deadline while the public entity argues that you've lost your rights. You never to be in that position.

What You Should Do Right Now

If you were hurt in an accident in Santa Clarita or anywhere in Los Angeles County and there's any chance a government agency was involved, here's what I recommend:

The Bottom Line

The six-month government claim deadline is one of the strictest rules in California personal injury law, and one of the least known. It doesn't care how badly you were hurt or how obvious the fault was. It only cares whether the claim was filed correctly and on time.

📞 Call 661-506-2994 for a free consultation.

“We Meet Our Clients by Accident!”

and

“We Put Personal in Personal Injury Law.”

Car accidents, bicycle accidents, bus accidents, motorcycle accidents, pedestrian accidents, truck accidents, slip and falls, dog bites, nursing home abuse cases, burn injuries, construction site accidents, amusement park accidents, brain injuries, spinal cord injuries, wrongful death cases, ride share accidents

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Home page, testimonials, blogs, videos, awards, Mason Rashtian, Vision Statement, Facts and questions, contact page.

Dedicated Personal Injury Lawyer in Santa Clarita, Valencia, Canyon Country, Newhall, Saugus, Stevenson Ranch, Castaic, Val Verde, Antelope Valley, Palmdale, Lancaster, the San Fernando Valley, and the Greater Los Angeles Area

Living in Santa Clarita, most of us have spent a summer afternoon at Six Flags Magic Mountain or attended Fright Fest during Halloween. 

Whether it was your first coaster ride with the kids or a birthday trip with friends, parks such as Six Flags are built for fun.  But sometimes a fun ride or a fun day at an amusement park can turn to tragedy when an unfortunate accident happens.

Amusement parks, including Six Flags Magic Mountain, are massive commercial operations.  They do their best to protect their guests, but sometimes things go wrong and when they do, someone gets hurt.  That's when the risk management teams, insurance adjusters, and legal departments come into the picture. 

For almost a decade, I worked for the insurance industry. In that capacity, I helped insurance companies defend various personal injury cases some with serious injuries.  That experience taught me exactly how these claims get evaluated, and why so many injured guests walk away with far less than they deserve, or nothing at all, because they didn't understand how the process works.

Call The Mason Law Firm, managed by Santa Clarita Personal Injury Attorney Mason Rashtian, today at 661-506-2992 for a FREE consultation. We serve clients throughout Santa Clarita, Valencia, Newhall, Saugus, Canyon Country, Stevenson Ranch, Castaic, Val Verde and all of Los Angeles County.

Amusement Parks Are Not Exempt From Negligence Law

A lot of people assume that riding a roller coaster is inherently risky, so if something goes wrong, it's just "part of the ride." That's not how California law sees it.

Amusement parks owe their guests a duty of reasonable care. That means properly maintaining rides, training operators, inspecting equipment, and warning guests of known hazards.

When a park cuts corners on any of that, such as a harness that isn't checked, a wet walkway that isn't marked, a ride operator who isn't following protocol, and someone gets hurt as a result, that's negligence, not bad luck.

Common causes of amusement park injuries I see include:

Why These Claims Get Complicated Fast

Here's what most people don't realize: the moment an incident report gets filed at a major park, it often triggers a well-rehearsed response. Ride logs get reviewed. Witness statements get taken by the park's own risk management staff, not yours. Surveillance footage may or may not be preserved, depending on how quickly someone asks for it in writing.

Having sat on the insurance defense side of cases like this, I can tell you the goal in that early window is containment, get a statement before you've spoken with a doctor or a lawyer, characterize the injury as minor, and close the file quickly and quietly. None of that is illegal. It's just standard practice, and it works because most injured guests don't know it's happening.

"Assumption of Risk" Doesn't Cover Everything

Most parks post signage, and most tickets include fine print, stating that guests assume the "inherent risks" of amusement rides. Insurance adjusters lean on this language hard, and it does carry real weight in California as courts have recognized that some risk is simply built into riding a roller coaster or bumper car.

But assumption of risk has limits, and this is where a lot of injured guests give up on a valid claim too early. The doctrine covers risks inherent to the activity itself, the jolt of a coaster, the sudden drop, the ordinary bump of a ride operating as designed.

However, it does not cover a park's own negligence. A frayed harness, a ride that wasn't inspected on schedule, a wet floor left unmarked near an exit ramp, or an operator who loaded a ride out of sequence are not "inherent risks" of the ride.  They are failures of the park's duty to maintain safe conditions. I've seen adjusters cite the waiver on the back of a ticket as if it ends the conversation. It doesn't, and it shouldn't.

Who Can Actually Be Held Liable

One of the first things I look at in these cases is who was actually responsible for the failure that caused the injury, because it isn't always just "the park." Depending on the facts, liability can extend to:

Identifying every responsible party matters because it affects both the available insurance coverage and the deadlines that apply to your claim. A manufacturer defect claim, for example, can carry a different statute of limitations analysis than a straightforward premises liability claim against the park itself.

What Compensation Can Cover

Depending on the severity of the injury, damages in an amusement park case can include:

Because parks like Six Flags Magic Mountain draw guests from Southern California and other states, these cases can also involve complicated questions about which court has jurisdiction and which state's law applies, particularly for out-of-state visitors.

That's another reason it helps to get a local Santa Clarita Personal Injury Lawyer involved early rather than assuming a general customer service settlement offer reflects the true value of the claim.

Don't Wait to Get Answers

California's statute of limitations for most personal injury claims is two years from the date of the injury, but that clock can move differently depending on who's at fault, whether a government entity is involved, or whether the claim involves a minor.

Evidence, on the other hand, doesn't wait for any deadline. Surveillance footage gets overwritten. Ride maintenance logs get updated in the normal course of business. Witnesses move on and their memories fade. The earlier a claim gets investigated, the stronger it tends to be.

What to Do If You're Hurt at a Park

If you or a family member is injured at Six Flags Magic Mountain or any other park in the Santa Clarita area, a few steps make a real difference in preserving your claim:

We Meet Our Clients By Accident

Amusement park injury cases move fast, and the parks' insurers know the process better than almost anyone walking through those gates. My years defending insurance companies before I started representing injured people gave me a front-row seat to exactly how these cases are built against the claimant, and I use that insight every day to build them back in my clients' favor.

If you or someone you love was hurt at Six Flags Magic Mountain, another amusement or water park, or anywhere in Santa Clarita, Valencia, Canyon Country, Saugus, Newhall, or Stevenson Ranch, I'd be glad to talk through what happened and what your options are. 

“We Meet Our Clients by Accident!”

and

“We Put Personal in Personal Injury Law.”

Car accidents, bicycle accidents, bus accidents, motorcycle accidents, pedestrian accidents, truck accidents, slip and falls, dog bites, nursing home abuse cases, burn injuries, construction site accidents, amusement park accidents, brain injuries, spinal cord injuries, wrongful death cases, ride share accidents

Santa Clarita Valley Chamber, Greater San Fernando Valley Chamber, Santa Clarita Bar Association, San Fernando Valley Bar Association, Better Business Bureau, State Bar of California, Justia, avvo, Lexinter Law, linkedin, findlaw, Instagram, Tiktok, Facebook, Youtube, experience.com, TEAM referral network, Cornell Law School, USAttorneys.

Home page, testimonials, blogs, videos, awards, Mason Rashtian, Vision Statement, Facts and questions, contact page.

Dedicated Personal Injury Lawyer in Santa Clarita, Valencia, Canyon Country, Newhall, Saugus, Stevenson Ranch, Castaic, Val Verde, Antelope Valley, Palmdale, Lancaster, the San Fernando Valley, and the Greater Los Angeles Area

For almost a decade before I started representing injured people, I represented the other side. Insurance companies, motorists, truck drivers, bus companies and bus drivers, grocery stores and property owners. I was the attorney the adjuster called when a claim needed defending, and I built entire case strategies around minimizing what the other side would recover.

I bring that up not to brag, but because it changes how I explain a personal injury case to my clients here in Santa Clarita, Valencia, Canyon Country, Saugus, Newhall, and Stevenson Ranch. Most attorneys can tell you what happens at each stage of a case. I can tell you what the insurance company is doing behind the scenes at that exact same stage because I used to be the one doing it.

Call The Mason Law Firm, managed by Santa Clarita Personal Injury Attorney Mason Rashtian, today at 661-506-2992 for a FREE consultation. We serve clients throughout Santa Clarita, Valencia, Newhall, Saugus, Canyon Country, Stevenson Ranch, Castaic, Val Verde and all of Los Angeles County.

Here's the real timeline, stage by stage.

Stage 1: The Accident and Immediate Treatment

Every case starts the same way, a crash on the 5, a fall in a Valencia Town Center parking lot, a dog bite in a Canyon Country neighborhood, whatever the incident may be. Right after, you may get emergency treatment: an ambulance, the ER, imaging, specialists.

Here's what I used to look for as defense counsel: gaps. The first thing I'd flag in a defense file was any delay between the accident and the first medical visit. A three-day gap gets written up as "possible pre-existing condition" or "not consistent with a serious injury claim."

It doesn't matter if you were trying to be tough or just didn't think it was a big deal at the time.  That gap becomes a talking point against you later. Get evaluated promptly, even if the injury seems minor at first.

Stage 2: Documentation and Choosing How to Treat

Next, you and your attorney work out how treatment gets paid for.  Will it be through health insurance, auto MedPay, or a lien basis, where doctors defer payment until the case resolves.

I ask every new client to forward records, bills, photos, and witness information at our very first conversation. Not because I enjoy paperwork, but because I need to see the case exactly the way an adjuster is going to see it.

On the defense side, every file I received came with a "strengths and weaknesses" memo attached before I ever touched it. If I build that same memo for you before the insurance company builds theirs, I know precisely where we're strong and where we need to shore things up before a demand ever goes out.

Stage 3: The Attorney Takes Over Communications

Once you hire an attorney, we notify the insurance company and the adjuster is no longer allowed to contact you directly. They deal with us from that point forward.

Something that surprises a lot of clients: adjusters aren't villains. They're managing 150 to 200 open files at once, and they're trained to close files as quickly and cheaply as possible.

That was literally my job on the defense side. Every recorded statement, every fast early offer, every "just sign this" release is a tool designed to close your file before your damages are fully known. Understanding that playbook from the inside is the reason I built my practice the way I did.

Stage 4: Treatment Continues And Why We Don't Rush It

Clients sometimes call me two weeks into their treatment asking for status of settlement negotiations.  That short time frame does not allow for treatment to be completed and for us to get a prognosis of our clients' injuries. Clients need to continue care until they are back to baseline, until they plateau, or until surgery is on the table and needs to be factored into the claim.

This is the single biggest mistake I used to exploit on defense files: cases presented too early. If a demand goes out before treatment wraps up, the defense can argue the injury wasn't serious enough to warrant more care, or worse, if new treatment surfaces after the case has already settled, there's nothing left to recover for it.

I won't let a case leave my office prematurely, because I've written the memo arguing against the attorney who did.

Stage 5: Liens, Records, and Building the Demand

Once treatment is finished, we collect every bill and report, and compile liens from health insurance companies, Medi-Cal, or Medicare. 

Then we build the demand package, which includes the demand letter, the appropriate medical records, the medical bills, any lost-wage documentation, and supporting photos including photographs of damaged vehicles and injuries.

On defense files, the first thing I read was the demand letter, because a sloppy one told me the plaintiff's attorney hadn't done the work and that told me I could offer less. A tight, well-documented demand does the opposite. It tells the adjuster that fighting this file is going to cost more than paying it fairly.

Stage 6: Negotiation And Why 30 to 45 Days Isn't Stalling

After the demand goes out, expect 30 to 45 days before we hear back. Clients frequently assume they're being ignored or the insurance company is "delaying". They're not.  That's simply how long it takes for claims to move through an adjuster's queue, and I spent years working inside that queue. 

Once the adjuster has had the opportunity to analyze our demand package and the supporting documentation, he or she will then respond to our demand.  Once we receive a response, we then negotiate the medical bills with medical providers, the health insurance company, Medi-Cal or Medicare to lower them wherever possible.

As I mentioned before, I have a defense background, having worked for insurance companies.  In 2006, founded The Mason Law Firm in my hometown of Santa Clarita to help injury and accident victims.  I also serve as a Settlement Officer for the Los Angeles County Superior Court, which puts me in a neutral seat for negotiations.

My experience as a former insurance defense attorney, current personal injury attorney, and as a settlement officer gives me a unique perspective.  So, I can usually tell within the first round of numbers where a case is realistically going to land, and I use that insight to push negotiations faster and harder than an attorney who has only ever sat on the plaintiff's side of the table.

Stage 7: Settlement or Lawsuit

If we land on a number, the insurance company sends a release, we review it, you sign it, and the check gets deposited into our client trust account. Once it clears, everyone gets paid, including the doctors, the firm, and you.

If we can't get there, we talk about filing suit. I don't push litigation as a default; I've defended enough lawsuits to know they're slower and more expensive for everyone involved, including you. But I also know exactly what happens to a case once it's filed, because I used to be the one answering the complaint. That's not theory for me, it's ten years of muscle memory.

The Bottom Line

Every stage of a personal injury case looks different once you've seen it from the insurance company's side of the file. I, a Santa Clarita Personal Injury Lawyer, have, and I use that perspective for my clients throughout Santa Clarita, Valencia, and the surrounding communities every single day.

You can also find helpful information on our area-specific pages:

• 👉 Santa Clarita Personal Injury Lawyer:  https://www.mrscvlaw.com/santa-clarita-personal-injury-law-office/ 

• 👉 Valencia Personal Injury Lawyer: https://www.mrscvlaw.com/valencia-personal-injury-lawyer/

• 👉 Newhall Personal Injury Lawyer: https://www.mrscvlaw.com/newhall-personal-injury-lawyer/

• 👉 Saugus Personal Injury Lawyer: https://www.mrscvlaw.com/saugus-personal-injury-lawyer/

• 👉 Canyon Country Personal Injury Lawyer: https://www.mrscvlaw.com/canyon-county-personal-injury-attorney/

• 👉 Stevenson Ranch Personal Injury Lawyer: https://www.mrscvlaw.com/stevenson-ranch-personal-injury-lawyer/

If you or someone you know is dealing with an injury claim after an accident in the Santa Clarita, Valencia, Saugus, Newhall, Stevenson Ranch, Canyon Country, Castaic, Val Verde, Antelope Valley, Palmdale, Lancaster, or anywhere in Los Angeles County, Ventura County and Kern County, I’m happy to talk through what you’re seeing and what your options look like.

“We Meet Our Clients by Accident!”

and

“We Put Personal in Personal Injury Law.”

Updated September 15, 2026

Car accidents, bicycle accidents, bus accidents, motorcycle accidents, pedestrian accidents, truck accidents, slip and falls, dog bites, nursing home abuse cases, burn injuries, construction site accidents, amusement park accidents, brain injuries, spinal cord injuries, wrongful death cases, ride share accidents

Santa Clarita Valley Chamber, Greater San Fernando Valley Chamber, Santa Clarita Bar Association, San Fernando Valley Bar Association, Better Business Bureau, State Bar of California, Justia, avvo, Lexinter Law, linkedin, findlaw, Instagram, Tiktok, Facebook, Youtube, experience.com, TEAM referral network, Cornell Law School, USAttorneys.

Home page, testimonials, blogs, videos, awards, Mason Rashtian, Vision Statement, Facts and questions, contact page

Dedicated Personal Injury Lawyer in Santa Clarita, Valencia, Canyon Country, Newhall, Saugus, Stevenson Ranch, Castaic, Val Verde, Antelope Valley, Palmdale, Lancaster, the San Fernando Valley, and the Greater Los Angeles Area

Here's what most people don't realize: adrenaline can mask pain for hours, sometimes days, after a car accident. So, people injured in car accidents sometimes walk away from the scene feeling fine.  So, they skip going to the Emergency Room or Urgent Care, skip setting up an appointment to see their doctor, and go home thinking everything is okay.

Then, a few days later, the real pain shows up.  Their neck is stiff and they feel neck pain, along with back pain and headaches that won't let up.  These are classic examples of a whiplash injury. 

Call The Mason Law Firm, managed by Santa Clarita Personal Injury Attorney Mason Rashtian, today at 661-506-2992 for a FREE consultation. We serve clients throughout Santa Clarita, Valencia, Newhall, Saugus, Canyon Country, Stevenson Ranch, Castaic, Val Verde and all of Los Angeles County.

By then, the damage to your claim may already be done because they never sought treatment or were seen by a health care provider for that pain.  So, when an adjuster review this file, the first question he or she will ask is: "why did you wait to see a doctor?"  The adjuster will then use your failure to seek treatment, i.e. the gap in your treatment, to argue that something else, not the accident, caused your injuries.

What is the lesson here:  even if the accident is not your fault, not seeking the medical treatment you need will severely devalue your claim.

So, regardless of where you live in and around Santa Clarita, including Valencia, Canyon Country, Saugus, Newhall, Stevenson Ranch, Castaic, or Val Verde, my advice is the same for every client: get checked out within 24 to 48 hours of an accident, even if you feel fine. It protects your health, and it protects your claim.

If you're already past that window, don't assume it's too late.  Just call us because we may be able to help.  We will take the time to understand your situation and explain your options clearly, with no pressure and no sales tactics.

Contact The Mason Law Firm, managed by Santa Clarita Personal Injury Lawyer Mason Rashtian, for a straightforward conversation about your situation, with no pressure or sales tactics.

You can also find helpful information on our area-specific pages:

• 👉 Santa Clarita Personal Injury Lawyer:  https://www.mrscvlaw.com/santa-clarita-personal-injury-law-office/ 

• 👉 Valencia Personal Injury Lawyer: https://www.mrscvlaw.com/valencia-personal-injury-lawyer/

• 👉 Newhall Personal Injury Lawyer: https://www.mrscvlaw.com/newhall-personal-injury-lawyer/

• 👉 Saugus Personal Injury Lawyer: https://www.mrscvlaw.com/saugus-personal-injury-lawyer/

• 👉 Canyon Country Personal Injury Lawyer: https://www.mrscvlaw.com/canyon-county-personal-injury-attorney/

• 👉 Stevenson Ranch Personal Injury Lawyer: https://www.mrscvlaw.com/stevenson-ranch-personal-injury-lawyer/

“We Meet Our Clients by Accident!”

“We Put Personal in Personal Injury Law.”

Car accidents, bicycle accidents, bus accidents, motorcycle accidents, pedestrian accidents, truck accidents, slip and falls, dog bites, nursing home abuse cases, burn injuries, construction site accidents, amusement park accidents, brain injuries, spinal cord injuries, wrongful death cases, ride share accidents

Santa Clarita Valley Chamber, Greater San Fernando Valley Chamber, Santa Clarita Bar Association, San Fernando Valley Bar Association, Better Business Bureau, State Bar of California, Justia, avvo, Lexinter Law, linkedin, findlaw, Instagram, Tiktok, Facebook, Youtube, experience.com, TEAM referral network, Cornell Law School, USAttorneys 

Home page, testimonials, blogs, videos, awards, Mason Rashtian, Vision Statement, Facts and questions, contact page

Dedicated Personal Injury Lawyer in Santa Clarita, Valencia, Canyon Country, Newhall, Saugus, Stevenson Ranch, Castaic, Val Verde, Antelope Valley, Palmdale, Lancaster, the San Fernando Valley, and the Greater Los Angeles Area

What May the At-Fault Driver’s Insurance Cover?

• Repairing or replacing your vehicle;
• Reasonable medical expenses;
• Lost income and diminished earning capacity;
• Rental-car expenses or loss of use;
• Pain, suffering, and inconvenience; and
• Other losses caused by the collision.

The Other Driver’s Insurance Company Does Not Represent You

• Dispute who caused the accident;
• Argue that you were partially responsible;
• Question whether the collision caused your injuries;
• Use prior medical conditions to challenge your claim;
• Minimize the severity or duration of your symptoms;
• Dispute your medical treatment or lost income; or
• Ask you to provide a recorded statement.

Should You Give a Recorded Statement?

What If the Other Driver Does Not Have Enough Insurance?

Can Your Own Insurance Help With Immediate Expenses?

• Collision coverage for repairs to your vehicle;
• Medical Payments coverage for accident-related medical expenses;
• Rental-car or transportation benefits;
• Uninsured motorist coverage; and
• Underinsured motorist coverage.

Be Careful Before Signing Anything

Speak With a Santa Clarita Personal Injury Attorney

Contact The Mason Law Firm for a straightforward conversation about your situation, with no pressure or sales tactics.

“We Meet Our Clients by Accident!”

“We Put Personal in Personal Injury Law.”

Car accidents, bicycle accidents, bus accidents, motorcycle accidents, pedestrian accidents, truck accidents, slip and falls, dog bites, nursing home abuse cases, burn injuries, construction site accidents, amusement park accidents, brain injuries, spinal cord injuries, wrongful death cases, ride share accidents

Santa Clarita Valley Chamber, Greater San Fernando Valley Chamber, Santa Clarita Bar Association, San Fernando Valley Bar Association, Better Business Bureau, State Bar of California, Justia, avvo, Lexinter Law, linkedin, findlaw, Instagram, Tiktok, Facebook, Youtube, experience.com, TEAM referral network, Cornell Law School, USAttorneys 

Home page, testimonials, blogs, videos, awards, Mason Rashtian, Vision Statement, Facts and questions, contact page

Dedicated Personal Injury Lawyer in Santa Clarita, Valencia, Canyon Country, Newhall, Saugus, Stevenson Ranch, Castaic, Val Verde, Antelope Valley, Palmdale, Lancaster, the San Fernando Valley, and the Greater Los Angeles Area

After a California car accident, you may receive a call from the other driver’s insurance company, or you may need to contact the company yourself to report the collision and open a claim.

Providing basic information may be necessary, but that is very different from giving the insurance adjuster a detailed or recorded statement.

Before discussing how the accident happened, the extent of your injuries, or who you believe was responsible, it is important to understand whom the adjuster represents.

The Other Driver’s Insurance Company Does Not Represent You

The insurance adjuster may sound friendly, concerned, and eager to help. However, the adjuster works for the insurance company, not for you.

The insurer’s job is to investigate the accident, evaluate its insured’s potential liability, and determine how much it may have to pay. Information you provide during a telephone call could become part of the company’s claim file and may later be used when evaluating, disputing, or negotiating your claim.

This does not mean that you should ignore the insurance company. It means that you should understand the purpose of the conversation and exercise caution before providing detailed information.

Reporting the Accident Is Different From Giving a Statement

• Your name and contact information
• The date and location of the collision
• The names of the drivers involved
• The vehicles involved
• The police report or incident number
• Your insurance information
• The general nature of the property damage

Providing this basic claim information is different from answering a long series of questions about the accident or agreeing to have the conversation recorded.

The adjuster may ask you to describe your speed, distance from the other vehicle, location immediately before impact, observations of traffic signals, or anything you did to avoid the collision.

Even when you are trying to be cooperative, estimates or incomplete recollections may later be treated as firm statements.

You should be cautious before giving the other driver’s insurance company a recorded statement. A recorded statement preserves your words and allows the insurer to compare them with later testimony, medical records, photographs, witness statements, and other evidence.

Should You Give a Recorded Statement?

You should be cautious before giving the other driver’s insurance company a recorded statement. A recorded statement preserves your words and allows the insurer to compare them with later testimony, medical records, photographs, witness statements, and other evidence.

Minor inconsistencies can occur for innocent reasons. A person may remember additional details after reviewing photographs, seeing the police report, or having time to process a stressful event. Nevertheless, an insurance company may attempt to use those inconsistencies to question the person’s accuracy or credibility.

Before agreeing to a recorded statement, consider speaking with a qualified California personal injury attorney about whether the statement is necessary and how it could affect your claim.

Notify Your Own Insurance Company Promptly

Even when you believe the other driver was entirely responsible, you should promptly notify your own insurance company of the accident.

Be Careful When Discussing Your Injuries

Injuries do not always become fully apparent immediately after a collision. Adrenaline, shock, inflammation, and the gradual development of symptoms may affect how you feel during the hours or days following an accident.

If you tell an adjuster that you are “fine” or “not hurt” before you have had enough time to understand your condition, that statement may later be cited when the insurance company evaluates your injury claim.

You should remain truthful, but you do not need to speculate. If you are still being evaluated or do not yet know the full extent of your injuries, you can simply say so.

An insurance company may ask you to sign documents while processing the claim. Read every document carefully and make sure you understand its scope before signing it.

Common documents may include:

Medical Authorization

A medical authorization may allow the insurance company to obtain medical records. Review the authorization carefully to determine which providers, records, and time periods it covers.

Property-Damage Release

Should You Give a Recorded Statement?

Minor inconsistencies can occur for innocent reasons. A person may remember additional details after reviewing photographs, seeing the police report, or having time to process a stressful event. Nevertheless, an insurance company may attempt to use those inconsistencies to question the person’s accuracy or credibility.

Before agreeing to a recorded statement, consider speaking with a qualified California personal injury attorney about whether the statement is necessary and how it could affect your claim.

Do not assume that a document is routine merely because an adjuster asks you to sign it.

If you were involved in a car accident in Santa Clarita or elsewhere in California and are unsure which insurance company to contact, whether to provide a recorded statement, or whether to sign a document, consider obtaining legal advice before proceeding.

If you were involved in a car accident in Santa Clarita or elsewhere in California and are unsure which insurance company to contact, whether to provide a recorded statement, or whether to sign a document, consider obtaining legal advice before proceeding.

Today, I use that knowledge to help injured people understand the claims process and avoid mistakes that may unnecessarily damage their cases.

How a Former Insurance-Defense Attorney Can Help

Before representing injured people, I, Santa Clarita Personal Injury Lawyer Mason Rashtian, spent years defending insurance companies and their insureds. That experience taught me how insurers investigate accidents, evaluate injuries, analyze statements, and attempt to minimize their financial exposure.

A settlement release may permanently resolve your claim. Once signed, you may be unable to seek additional compensation even if your injuries become more serious or additional treatment is required.

If you were involved in a car accident in Santa Clarita or elsewhere in California and are unsure which insurance company to contact, whether to provide a recorded statement, or whether to sign a document, consider obtaining legal advice before proceeding.

Contact The Mason Law Firm for a straightforward conversation about your situation, with no pressure or sales tactics.

“We Meet Our Clients by Accident!”

“We Put Personal in Personal Injury Law.”

Car accidents, bicycle accidents, bus accidents, motorcycle accidents, pedestrian accidents, truck accidents, slip and falls, dog bites, nursing home abuse cases, burn injuries, construction site accidents, amusement park accidents, brain injuries, spinal cord injuries, wrongful death cases, ride share accidents

Santa Clarita Valley Chamber, Greater San Fernando Valley Chamber, Santa Clarita Bar Association, San Fernando Valley Bar Association, Better Business Bureau, State Bar of California, Justia, avvo, Lexinter Law, linkedin, findlaw, Instagram, Tiktok, Facebook, Youtube, experience.com, TEAM referral network, Cornell Law School, USAttorneys 

Home page, testimonials, blogs, videos, awards, Mason Rashtian, Vision Statement, Facts and questions, contact page

Authored by Mason Rashtian | Personal Injury Lawyer, The Mason Law Firm

Dedicated Personal Injury Lawyer in Santa Clarita, Valencia, Canyon Country, Newhall, Saugus, Stevenson Ranch, Castaic, Val Verde, Antelope Valley, Palmdale, Lancaster, the San Fernando Valley, and the Greater Los Angeles Area

After a car accident or other personal injury, it is important to seek medical attention and, just as importantly, to be consistent and thorough when describing your injuries to every healthcare provider you see.

I’m Mason Rashtian, founder of The Mason Law Firm and a personal injury attorney serving the Santa Clarita area, north of Los Angeles. As a former insurance defense attorney, I’ve seen firsthand how closely insurance companies and defense attorneys examine medical records. One issue that can become particularly important is inconsistency in what a patient reports to different doctors.

A Recent Client’s Experience

Recently, we represented a client who was involved in an accident. A couple of days after the accident, she had a regularly scheduled appointment with her primary care physician.

Because the appointment was simply her annual checkup, she did not tell her doctor that she was experiencing neck pain, back pain, and shoulder pain following the accident. Those injuries were not the reason for her appointment, so she did not think they were relevant.

Eventually, her pain continued, and she began treatment with a chiropractor. When her symptoms did not improve, she was referred to an orthopedic surgeon.

At the orthopedic appointment, she discussed her neck pain, shoulder pain, and headaches. She was also experiencing ringing in her ears, known as tinnitus. However, because she was seeing an orthopedic specialist, and tinnitus is not an orthopedic condition, she did not mention the ringing in her ears.

The tinnitus continued, and she was eventually referred to an ENT, or ear, nose, and throat specialist. Because she was seeing the ENT specifically for the ringing in her ears, she focused on that problem and did not mention that she was still experiencing neck and back pain.

From a medical standpoint, it may seem perfectly understandable why she discussed different symptoms with different doctors. However, from a personal injury standpoint, this can create a problem.

Why Medical Records Matter in a Personal Injury Case

After an accident, your medical records can become extremely important evidence.

Insurance companies and defense attorneys review your records to determine what injuries you reported, when you reported them, how consistently you reported them, and whether your treatment supports the injuries you are claiming.

As a former insurance defense attorney, I know that one of the things defense lawyers look for is inconsistency in medical records.

For example, suppose you claim that you suffered significant neck and back injuries in an accident. Later, the insurance company obtains records from your primary care doctor showing that you had an appointment shortly after the accident but never mentioned any neck or back pain.

The defense may argue that if you were actually experiencing those symptoms at the time, you would have reported them to your doctor.

That argument does not necessarily mean the injuries were not real. There can be perfectly reasonable explanations for why someone did not mention a particular symptom during an appointment. But the inconsistency can nevertheless become an issue in the case.

Your Doctors Don't Have to Be Treating the Same Injury

One of the most important things to understand is that you should not assume a particular symptom is irrelevant simply because the doctor you are seeing does not specialize in that area.

If you are seeing an orthopedic surgeon for your neck and shoulder but are also experiencing headaches or ringing in your ears, tell the doctor.

If you are seeing an ENT for tinnitus but are still experiencing neck and back pain, tell the doctor.

If you are seeing your primary care physician for a routine physical after an accident, tell the doctor about the injuries and symptoms you are experiencing from the accident.

Your doctor can determine whether those symptoms are relevant to the appointment and whether additional treatment or referrals are appropriate.

Think From Head to Toe

After an accident, make sure you tell your healthcare providers about all of the symptoms you are experiencing, from the top of your head all the way down to your toes.

That could include:

• Headaches
• Neck pain
• Shoulder pain
• Back pain
• Arm or hand pain
• Numbness or tingling
• Hip pain
• Knee pain
• Leg or foot pain
• Dizziness
• Ringing in the ears
• Sleep problems
• Other symptoms that began or worsened after the accident

You do not need to diagnose yourself. You simply need to accurately tell your healthcare provider what you are experiencing and when the symptoms began.

Consistency Is Key

Documentation is extremely important in a personal injury case.

Your medical records should accurately reflect your symptoms and treatment. If you have multiple healthcare providers, make sure you are communicating consistently with all of them.

That does not mean you should exaggerate your symptoms or report something that isn't happening. In fact, the opposite is true: be completely honest and accurate with your doctors.

Tell them what hurts, what symptoms you are experiencing, when the symptoms started, and whether they are getting better, worse, or staying the same.

Your doctors are there to treat you. At the same time, their records may later become important evidence in your personal injury claim.

The Bottom Line

If you've been injured in an accident, don't assume that a symptom is irrelevant simply because you are seeing a doctor for something else.

Tell your healthcare providers about all of the symptoms you are experiencing following the accident. Your primary care physician, chiropractor, orthopedic surgeon, ENT, physical therapist, or other healthcare provider should have an accurate understanding of what you are experiencing.

Consistent medical documentation can help create a clear picture of your injuries, treatment, and recovery.

• 👉 Santa Clarita Personal Injury Lawyer:  https://www.mrscvlaw.com/santa-clarita-personal-injury-law-office/ 
• Valencia Car Accident Lawyer: https://www.mrscvlaw.com/valencia-personal-injury-lawyer/
• Newhall Car Accident Lawyer: https://www.mrscvlaw.com/newhall-personal-injury-lawyer/
• Saugus Car Accident Lawyer: https://www.mrscvlaw.com/saugus-personal-injury-lawyer/
• Canyon Country Car Accident Lawyer: https://www.mrscvlaw.com/canyon-county-personal-injury-attorney/

“We Meet Our Clients by Accident!”

“We Put Personal in Personal Injury Law.”

Car accidents, bicycle accidents, bus accidents, motorcycle accidents, pedestrian accidents, truck accidents, slip and falls, dog bites, nursing home abuse cases, burn injuries, construction site accidents, amusement park accidents, brain injuries, spinal cord injuries, wrongful death cases, ride share accidents

Santa Clarita Valley Chamber, Greater San Fernando Valley Chamber, Santa Clarita Bar Association, San Fernando Valley Bar Association, Better Business Bureau, State Bar of California, Justia, avvo, Lexinter Law, linkedin, findlaw, Instagram, Tiktok, Facebook, Youtube, experience.com, TEAM referral network, Cornell Law School, USAttorneys 

Home page, testimonials, blogs, videos, awards, Mason Rashtian, Vision Statement, Facts and questions, contact page

Dedicated Personal Injury Lawyer in Santa Clarita, Valencia, Canyon Country, Newhall, Saugus, Stevenson Ranch, Castaic, Val Verde, Palmdale, Lancaster, the San Fernando Valley, and the Greater Los Angeles Area

After a car accident, each person involved may have a different recollection of what happened. Memories can be incomplete, and important details may be disputed.

A dash cam can provide an objective record of the moments before, during, and after a collision. Depending on the circumstances, that footage may help establish fault, support an insurance claim, or challenge an inaccurate account of the accident.

Preserve the original footage and avoid editing or posting it publicly. If the accident involves injuries, significant damage, or disputed liability, consider consulting a qualified attorney about how the recording may affect your case.

You can also find helpful information on our area-specific pages:

• 👉 Santa Clarita Personal Injury Lawyer:  https://www.mrscvlaw.com/santa-clarita-personal-injury-law-office/ 

• 👉 Valencia Personal Injury Lawyer: https://www.mrscvlaw.com/valencia-personal-injury-lawyer/

• 👉 Newhall Personal Injury Lawyer: https://www.mrscvlaw.com/newhall-personal-injury-lawyer/

• 👉 Saugus Personal Injury Lawyer: https://www.mrscvlaw.com/saugus-personal-injury-lawyer/

• 👉 Canyon Country Personal Injury Lawyer: https://www.mrscvlaw.com/canyon-county-personal-injury-attorney/

• 👉 Stevenson Ranch Personal Injury Lawyer: https://www.mrscvlaw.com/stevenson-ranch-personal-injury-lawyer/

If you or someone you know is dealing with pain that isn’t following the normal healing timeline after an accident in the Santa Clarita, Valencia, Saugus, Newhall, Stevenson Ranch, Canyon Country, Castaic, Val Verde, Palmdale, Lancaster, or anywhere in Los Angeles County, Ventura County and Kern County, I, Santa Clarita Personal Injury Lawyer Mason Rashtian, am happy to talk through what you’re seeing and what your options look like.

“We Meet Our Clients by Accident!”

and

“We Put Personal in Personal Injury Law.”

Updated September 15, 2026

Car accidents, bicycle accidents, bus accidents, motorcycle accidents, pedestrian accidents, truck accidents, slip and falls, dog bites, nursing home abuse cases, burn injuries, construction site accidents, amusement park accidents, brain injuries, spinal cord injuries, wrongful death cases, ride share accidents

Santa Clarita Valley Chamber, Greater San Fernando Valley Chamber, Santa Clarita Bar Association, San Fernando Valley Bar Association, Better Business Bureau, State Bar of California, Justia, avvo, Lexinter Law, linkedin, findlaw, Instagram, Tiktok, Facebook, Youtube, experience.com, TEAM referral network, Cornell Law School, USAttorneys.

Home page, testimonials, blogs, videos, awards, Mason Rashtian, Vision Statement, Facts and questions, contact page

Authored by Mason Rashtian | Personal Injury Lawyer, The Mason Law Firm

Dedicated Personal Injury Lawyer in Santa Clarita, Valencia, Canyon Country, Newhall, Saugus, Stevenson Ranch, Castaic, Val Verde, Antelope Valley, Palmdale, Lancaster, the San Fernando Valley, and the Greater Los Angeles Area

What you do after a car crash can affect both your health and your injury claim.

Avoid these three common mistakes:

Protect your health, preserve the evidence, and understand your options.

You can also find helpful information on our area-specific pages:

• 👉 Santa Clarita Personal Injury Lawyer:  https://www.mrscvlaw.com/santa-clarita-personal-injury-law-office/ 

• 👉 Valencia Personal Injury Lawyer: https://www.mrscvlaw.com/valencia-personal-injury-lawyer/

• 👉 Newhall Personal Injury Lawyer: https://www.mrscvlaw.com/newhall-personal-injury-lawyer/

• 👉 Saugus Personal Injury Lawyer: https://www.mrscvlaw.com/saugus-personal-injury-lawyer/

• 👉 Canyon Country Personal Injury Lawyer: https://www.mrscvlaw.com/canyon-county-personal-injury-attorney/

• 👉 Stevenson Ranch Personal Injury Lawyer: https://www.mrscvlaw.com/stevenson-ranch-personal-injury-lawyer/

If you or someone you know is dealing with pain that isn’t following the normal healing timeline after an accident in the Santa Clarita, Valencia, Saugus, Newhall, Stevenson Ranch, Canyon Country, Castaic, Val Verde, Palmdale, Lancaster, or anywhere in Los Angeles County, Ventura County and Kern County, I, Santa Clarita Personal Injury Lawyer Mason Rashtian, am happy to talk through what you’re seeing and what your options look like.

“We Meet Our Clients by Accident!”

and

“We Put Personal in Personal Injury Law.”

Updated September 15, 2026

Car accidents, bicycle accidents, bus accidents, motorcycle accidents, pedestrian accidents, truck accidents, slip and falls, dog bites, nursing home abuse cases, burn injuries, construction site accidents, amusement park accidents, brain injuries, spinal cord injuries, wrongful death cases, ride share accidents

Santa Clarita Valley Chamber, Greater San Fernando Valley Chamber, Santa Clarita Bar Association, San Fernando Valley Bar Association, Better Business Bureau, State Bar of California, Justia, avvo, Lexinter Law, linkedin, findlaw, Instagram, Tiktok, Facebook, Youtube, experience.com, TEAM referral network, Cornell Law School, USAttorneys.

Home page, testimonials, blogs, videos, awards, Mason Rashtian, Vision Statement, Facts and questions, contact page