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San Diego County Personal Injury Lawyer
If you were hurt in a car crash, truck crash, fall, or other accident in San Diego County, Geller Legal can help you pursue a claim against the person, company, or public agency responsible. Most unlimited civil injury cases are filed at the Hall of Justice in downtown San Diego or at the North County Regional Center in Vista, depending on where the injury happened. A claim against the County itself must be filed within six months. Call 213-770-4870 for a free, confidential consultation.
Which San Diego County Superior Court courthouse hears personal injury cases?
The San Diego County Superior Court decides venue by ZIP code: where the person or company you are suing lives or does business, or where the incident happened. Civil unlimited cases are filed in either the Central Division or the North County Division.
| Where the case belongs (by ZIP code) | Courthouse |
|---|---|
| Central, East County, and South County | Hall of Justice, 330 W. Broadway, Room 225, San Diego. By local rule, East County and South County civil cases are included in the Central Division. |
| North County | North County Regional Center, 325 S. Melrose Drive, Vista. |
The court’s Zip Code List (Form ADM-254) shows the correct division for each ZIP code. Source: SDSC: Where to File; SDSC Civil e-Filing FAQs; SDSC Civil Business Office
Who takes crash reports in San Diego County?
It depends on where the crash happened. The CHP covers freeways, state highways, and unincorporated roads. City police departments, such as the San Diego Police Department, cover their own city streets, and the San Diego County Sheriff’s Office takes reports in areas it patrols, including cities that contract with it.
San Diego County Sheriff
Crime, arrest, and accident report requests for incidents the Sheriff’s Office handled. Source: SDSO: Crime, Arrest and Accident Reports
City police
Crashes on city streets in cities with their own police department, such as San Diego, Chula Vista, and Oceanside, are reported to that department. Our San Diego Accident Guide covers SDPD reports. Source:
CHP Area offices serving San Diego County
Three CHP Area offices in Border Division serve San Diego County. Report requests go to the Area office that handled the crash. If you are not sure which office that is, use the CHP Find an Office page.
| CHP Area | Address | Phone |
|---|---|---|
| San Diego | 5902 Kearny Villa Road, San Diego | (858) 293-6000 |
| Oceanside | 435 La Tortuga, Vista | (760) 643-3400 |
| El Cajon | 1722 East Main Street, El Cajon | (619) 219-6900 |
Source: CHP San Diego Area; CHP Oceanside Area; CHP El Cajon Area; CHP: Request a Crash Report
How do I file a claim against San Diego County?
File a signed, written claim with the Office of County Counsel, Claims and Investigation Division, within six months of the injury. Mail it or deliver it in person to 1600 Pacific Highway, Room 335, San Diego. Faxed claims are not accepted.
- Form: the County’s Claim Against the County form, linked from the County Counsel claims page. Personal injury claims should include unaltered copies of medical bills.
- Questions: the Claims and Investigation Division at (619) 531-4899.
- Deadline: 6 months for death or injury to a person or personal property, and 1 year for other claims (Gov. Code §911.2).
- 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 San Diego, another city, a school district, or a transit agency goes to that agency, not the County. The San Diego Accident Guide lists City of San Diego claim steps. A claim against Caltrans for $12,500 or less is filed with Caltrans; larger claims against Caltrans and claims against most other State agencies go to the Department of General Services Government Claims Program. Source: San Diego County Counsel: Claims
Major routes in San Diego County
These routes in San Diego County are named on the CHP Area office pages for the county. Crashes on freeways and state highways are usually handled by the CHP Area office for that stretch of road.
- I-5
- I-8
- I-15
- SR-52
- SR-54
- SR-67
- SR-76
- SR-78
- SR-94
- SR-125
Cities we serve in San Diego County
Geller Legal represents people hurt anywhere in San Diego County, including incorporated cities and unincorporated communities. For practical steps after a crash in a specific city, see our city accident guide.
San Diego Accident Guide
SDPD, Sheriff, and CHP reports, plus City of San Diego and County claims.
More guides are on the Accident Guides page.
Injury cases we handle in San Diego 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 San Diego County?
It depends on the ZIP code where the defendant lives or does business, or where the injury happened. Civil unlimited cases are filed at the Hall of Justice in downtown San Diego (which also takes East County and South County cases) or at the North County Regional Center in Vista. The court’s Zip Code List shows the right location.
How long do I have to file a claim against San Diego County?
Six months for death or injury to a person under Government Code section 911.2. The claim goes to the Office of County Counsel, Claims and Investigation Division, at 1600 Pacific Highway, Room 335. You generally must file that claim, and have it denied, before you can sue the County.
Who do I get my crash report from in San Diego County?
From the agency that took the report. City police handle their own city streets, the Sheriff’s Office handles incidents it responds to, and the CHP handles freeways, state highways, and unincorporated roads.
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 San Diego 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.