A 2D finite element approach is used to model the mechanical coupling between faults and the interaction between large earthquakes. The regional tectonic stress, the fault geometry and the Coulomb friction law control the resulting slip patterns. To test the potential of this approach we investigate the Landers and Hector Mine earthquakes which occurred in southern California. The resulting coseismic displacement satisfactorily fits the available GPS data. We show that the stress changes induced by the 1992 MW = 7.3 Landers earthquake modulate the applied regional tectonic stress reducing the slip on the faults of the subsequent 1999 MW = 7.1 Hector Mine rupture. We emphasize that fault interaction due to stress transfer can alter the slip distribution of impending earthquakes.