Can I recover for my medical expenses?

Yes.  All medical bills that are reasonable and necessary and related to your car accident are recoverable. These medical bills include, but are not limited to the following types of expenses: emergency hospital visits, hospitalization, medical doctors for treatment and prescriptions; regular treatment from a chiropractor, physical therapist or doctor of osteopathic medicine; surgeries; medication, medical appliances, such as a wheelchair, walker, brace, etc., and transportation expenses for your medical appointments.

Theoretically speaking, in California the person at fault for the collision is responsible for paying all of your reasonable and necessary medical expenses.  But as a practical matter in the absence of substantial assets, the total monies available is usually what amount of insurance coverage the at fault party possesses.  The minimum bodily injury insurance coverage required by law in California is $15,000.00 per person/$30,000.00 per incident.