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Southern California Personal Injury Lawyer

Geller Legal represents people hurt in car crashes, truck crashes, falls, dog bites, and other accidents throughout Southern California, including Los Angeles, Orange, and San Diego counties, the Inland Empire, Ventura and Santa Barbara on the coast, and Imperial County on the border. California injury law is the same across the state, but crash reports, courts, and government claims are handled locally. This page explains what applies everywhere in the region and where to find local help. Call 213-770-4870 for a free, confidential consultation.

Counties we serve in Southern California

We serve all 8 counties in Southern California. Linked counties have their own page with local court, crash report, and county claim details.

City accident guides in Southern California

For step-by-step help after a crash in a specific city, see these guides.

Los Angeles Accident Guide

Local police, sheriff, and CHP reports, plus city and county claim offices for Los Angeles.

Long Beach Accident Guide

Local police, sheriff, and CHP reports, plus city and county claim offices for Long Beach.

San Diego Accident Guide

Local police, sheriff, and CHP reports, plus city and county claim offices for San Diego.

Anaheim Accident Guide

Local police, sheriff, and CHP reports, plus city and county claim offices for Anaheim.

More guides are on the Accident Guides page.

What are the deadlines for an injury claim in California?

The same two deadlines apply in every California county. You generally have two years from the injury to file a lawsuit against a private person or company. If a city, county, school district, transit agency, or the State may be responsible, you must first file a written government claim within six months.

Who is responsible	Deadline	Law
A private driver, business, or property owner	2 years from the injury to file a lawsuit	Code of Civil Procedure §335.1
A public entity, such as a city, county, transit agency, or the State	6 months from the injury to present a written claim to that agency	Gov. Code §911.2
A public entity that has denied your claim in writing	Generally 6 months from the written denial to file a lawsuit	Gov. Code §945.6

The agency generally has 45 days to act on a government claim (Gov. Code §912.4). 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. Some situations, such as injuries to minors, can change how deadlines run, so ask a lawyer about your specific dates.

Where do I get a crash report in Southern California?

From the agency that responded. The California Highway Patrol (CHP) handles crashes on freeways and on roads in unincorporated areas. City police handle crashes on city streets inside city limits. In cities that contract with the county sheriff, the sheriff’s office takes the report.

CHP reports: drivers, passengers, pedestrians, bicyclists, owners, and their legal representatives can request a copy online through the CHP Crash Portal, or in person or by mail with form CHP 190 at the CHP Area office that took the report. Fees vary, so call the Area office first.
City police or sheriff reports: request them from that department’s records unit. Many departments take requests online.
Not sure who responded? Check the card or report number the officer gave you, or call the CHP Area office for the location. The CHP office finder lists every Area office.

Source: CHP: Request a Crash Report; CHP General Order 100.69; Vehicle Code §2400

Major routes in Southern California

Major routes in the region named on CHP Area office pages include I-5, I-405, I-10, I-15, US-101, SR-91, and SR-60. Crashes on freeways are investigated by the CHP, so the report comes from the CHP Area office for that stretch of road. To find that office, use the CHP Find an Office page.

Injury cases we handle

See all personal injury practice areas.

Frequently asked questions

Which counties are in Southern California?

For our service areas, Southern California includes 8 counties: Imperial, Los Angeles, Orange, Riverside, San Bernardino, San Diego, Santa Barbara, and Ventura.

How long do I have to file a personal 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.

What if a city, county, or the State caused my injury?

You must first present a written claim to that public entity within six months of the injury under Government Code section 911.2. If the claim is denied in writing, you generally have six months from the denial to file a lawsuit.

Who takes crash reports in Southern California?

The CHP handles freeways and roads in unincorporated areas. City police handle city streets, and the sheriff takes reports in cities that contract with it. Request the report from the agency that responded.

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.

Hurt in Southern California?

Talk with Geller Legal about your options in a free, confidential consultation. Call 213-770-4870. No fee unless we recover.*

Contact Geller Legal Call 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, 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.