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Los Angeles County Personal Injury Lawyer
If you were hurt in a car crash, truck crash, fall, or other accident in Los Angeles County, Geller Legal can help you pursue a claim against the person, company, or public agency responsible. Your case is usually filed in the LA County Superior Court district where you were hurt. A claim against the County itself must be filed within six months. Call 213-770-4870 for a free, confidential consultation.
Which LA County Superior Court hears personal injury cases?
The Los Angeles County Superior Court district where the injury happened. Since October 10, 2022, new personal injury cases have been filed in the judicial district where the incident arose, and the assigned judge handles the case from start to finish.
| Where the injury happened | Where the case is heard |
|---|---|
| Central District (downtown and central Los Angeles) | Since January 8, 2024, new Central District personal injury cases go to independent calendar courtrooms at the Stanley Mosk Courthouse, 111 N. Hill St., Los Angeles. Older cases remain in the Personal Injury Hub at the Spring Street Courthouse. |
| Long Beach and the South District | Governor George Deukmejian Courthouse, 275 Magnolia Ave., Long Beach. |
| Other districts (for example, the San Fernando Valley, San Gabriel Valley, South Bay, and Antelope Valley) | A courthouse in the district where the injury happened. In 2024, the court opened new personal injury courtrooms at the Alhambra Courthouse (Northeast District) and the Van Nuys Courthouse (Northwest District). |
Enter the city or ZIP code where you were hurt in the court’s Filing Court Locator to see the courthouse. The court warns that caseload shifts in the San Fernando Valley, East Los Angeles, and the North Central District can change the result. Source: General Order 2024-GEN-003-00; LASC FAQ on non-Central PI cases; LASC: Where Do I File My Case?
Who takes crash reports in Los Angeles County?
It depends on where the crash happened. LAPD covers city streets in the City of Los Angeles. The LA County Sheriff’s Department covers unincorporated areas and contract cities. The California Highway Patrol (CHP) covers freeways and state highways, and cities such as Long Beach have their own police departments.
LAPD
Traffic reports for crashes in the City of Los Angeles. Source: LAPD: Request a Traffic Report
LA County Sheriff (LASD)
Unincorporated communities and contract cities. Records requests go through the Records and Identification Bureau in Norwalk. Source: LASD Records FAQ
CHP Area offices in Los Angeles County
CHP Southern Division covers Los Angeles County. Report requests go to an Area office, not the Division headquarters.
| CHP Area | Address | Phone |
|---|---|---|
| Central Los Angeles | 777 West Washington Boulevard, Los Angeles | (213) 815-2000 |
| West Los Angeles | 6300 Bristol Parkway, Culver City | (424) 577-8700 |
| South Los Angeles | 19700 Hamilton Avenue, Torrance | (424) 551-4000 |
| East Los Angeles | 1601 Corporate Center Drive, Monterey Park | (213) 987-0520 |
| Santa Fe Springs | 10051 Orr and Day Road, Santa Fe Springs | (562) 649-6800 |
| Baldwin Park | 14039 Francisquito Avenue, Baldwin Park | (626) 517-8500 |
| Altadena | 2130 Windsor Avenue, Altadena | (626) 646-0500 |
| West Valley | 5825 De Soto Avenue, Woodland Hills | (747) 373-3000 |
| Newhall | 28648 The Old Road, Valencia | (661) 600-1600 |
| Antelope Valley | 2041 West Avenue I, Lancaster | (661) 743-6060 |
Source: CHP Southern Division and Area office pages; CHP: Request a Crash Report
How do I file a claim against Los Angeles County?
File a signed, written claim with the Executive Officer, Clerk of the Board of Supervisors, within six months of the injury. Mail it or deliver it in person to 500 W. Temple Street, Room 383, Los Angeles, Attention: Claims. Use one claim form for each person making a claim.
- Deadline: 6 months for death or injury to a person or personal property, and 1 year for other claims (Gov. Code §911.2).
- Form: the County of Los Angeles Claim Form (PDF). Return the original.
- Questions: the Claims Unit at 213-974-1440, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. It does not give legal advice.
- After filing: the County generally has 45 days to act on the claim (Gov. Code §912.4). After a written denial, you generally have six months to sue (Gov. Code §945.6).
A claim against the City of Los Angeles, Metro, or a school district goes to that agency, not the County. The Los Angeles Accident Guide lists those offices. Claims against most State agencies go to the Department of General Services Government Claims Program. A claim against Caltrans for $12,500 or less is filed directly with Caltrans; larger Caltrans claims go to the Government Claims Program. Source: LA County Board of Supervisors: Claims for Damages; DGS Government Claims Program; Caltrans: Submit a Damage Claim
Major freeways in Los Angeles County
CHP lists these as the major routes crossing Los Angeles County. Crashes on them are usually handled by the CHP Area office for that stretch of freeway.
- I-5 (Golden State and Santa Ana Freeways)
- I-10 (Santa Monica and San Bernardino Freeways)
- I-105 (Glenn Anderson and Century Freeway)
- I-210 (Foothill Freeway)
- I-405 (San Diego Freeway)
- US-101 (Hollywood and Ventura Freeways)
- SR-2 (Glendale Freeway)
- SR-60 (Pomona Freeway)
- SR-110 (Arroyo Seco and Harbor Freeways)
- SR-134 (Ventura Freeway)
Cities we serve in Los Angeles County
Geller Legal represents people hurt anywhere in Los Angeles County, including incorporated cities and unincorporated communities. For practical steps after a crash in a specific city, see our city accident guides.
Los Angeles Accident Guide
LAPD, Sheriff, and CHP reports, plus City of Los Angeles and County claims.
Long Beach Accident Guide
Long Beach police reports, city and county claims, and the Long Beach Courthouse.
More guides are on the Accident Guides page.
Injury cases we handle in Los Angeles County
Car Accidents
Crashes on surface streets and freeways, including uninsured and hit-and-run drivers.
Truck Accidents
Collisions with big rigs, delivery trucks, and commercial vehicles.
Motorcycle Accidents
Riders hurt by drivers who turn, merge, or change lanes into them.
Pedestrian Accidents
People hit in crosswalks, parking lots, and driveways.
Bicycle Accidents
Bike and e-bike riders hit by cars or hurt by road hazards.
Rideshare Accidents
Passengers, drivers, and others hurt in Uber and Lyft crashes.
Slip and Fall
Falls caused by unsafe conditions on someone else’s property.
Dog Bites
Bites and attacks, under California’s strict liability dog bite law.
Catastrophic Injuries
Brain, spinal cord, and other life-changing injuries.
See all personal injury practice areas.
Frequently asked questions
Where do I file a personal injury lawsuit in Los Angeles County?
In the Los Angeles County Superior Court district where the injury happened. Since October 10, 2022, new personal injury cases have been filed in the judicial district where the incident arose. Cases from the Central District are assigned to judges at the Stanley Mosk Courthouse. The court’s Filing Court Locator shows the courthouse for a city or ZIP code.
How long do I have to file a claim against Los Angeles County?
Six months. A claim for death or injury to a person must be presented to the County no later than six months after the incident under Government Code section 911.2. You must file that claim, and generally have it denied, before you can sue the County.
Who do I get my crash report from in Los Angeles County?
From the agency that took the report. LAPD covers city streets in the City of Los Angeles, the LA County Sheriff covers unincorporated areas and cities that contract with it, other cities like Long Beach have their own police, and the CHP handles freeways and state highways.
How long do I have to file an injury lawsuit in California?
For most injury claims against a private person or company, two years from the injury under Code of Civil Procedure section 335.1. Claims against a public entity follow the shorter government claim rules, starting with the six-month claim.
How much does it cost to hire Geller Legal?
Nothing up front. Geller Legal handles injury cases on a contingency fee, so there is no fee unless we recover. The first consultation is free and confidential.
Talk with Geller Legal about your options in a free, confidential consultation. Call 213-770-4870. No fee unless we recover.*
Contact Geller LegalCall 213-770-4870*Under our written contingency fee agreement, if there is no recovery you owe no attorney fees and do not have to repay the case costs we advanced. Medical bills and other non-litigation expenses remain your responsibility.
This page is general information about California law and Los Angeles County procedures, not legal advice, and reading it does not create an attorney-client relationship. Agency addresses, phone numbers, and procedures change; confirm with the linked official source. Prior results do not guarantee a similar outcome. Attorney advertising. Geller Legal, a dba of The Geller Firm, Inc.