TL;DR: Unsafe speed and alcohol involvement are among the traffic-safety factors specifically tracked by the California Office of Traffic Safety in Los Angeles County. Distracted driving and right-of-way violations can also contribute to serious collisions. California uses pure comparative negligence, so how the collision happened can affect fault and the compensation an injured person can recover.
Speeding, drunk or impaired driving, distracted driving, and failing to yield the right of way are some of the biggest reasons people get hurt in traffic accidents across Los Angeles County. These behaviors cause serious crashes involving drivers, pedestrians, cyclists, and motorcyclists on freeways, at intersections, and along neighborhood streets.
Los Angeles County is a mix of crowded city streets, freeways, state highways, and sprawling unincorporated areas. Where and how a crash happens can shape who’s held responsible, which agency handles the investigation, what evidence is available, and which insurance or government claims rules come into play.
California’s negligence and comparative-fault laws also come into play in traffic injury cases. When more than one person or party shares blame for a collision, fault can be divided among them, which can affect how much compensation an injured person can recover.
Call (888) 488-1391 for a free consultation with a Los Angeles County accident attorney.
Five Things That Matter Most After a Los Angeles County Crash
- Filing location depends on the case. For unlimited personal injury actions, Los Angeles Superior Court rules require filing in the Central District at the Stanley Mosk Courthouse or in the North District at the Michael D. Antonovich Antelope Valley Courthouse. The court directs filers to use its Filing Court Locator to determine the proper location.
- Speed and alcohol appear prominently in county data. OTS reported 12,319 speed-related fatal and injury collisions and 6,200 victims in alcohol-involved collisions in Los Angeles County in 2023.
- The investigating agency changes by location. A report may come from the California Highway Patrol, LAPD, the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department, or another municipal law enforcement agency.
- Public roadway claims have extra requirements. If a dangerous road condition, traffic signal, or public employee contributed to the crash, California’s government-claim rules may apply before a lawsuit can proceed.
- Different deadlines protect different rights. Personal injury, property damage, and government claims have separate deadlines. Evidence may also disappear long before any filing deadline expires.
Table of Contents
California State Bar #249405
Admitted 2007
California Personal Injury Attorney
- September 2026
How Los Angeles County Traffic Injury Cases Are Different
A traffic injury case in Los Angeles County can involve more than determining who caused the crash. Court location, local crash patterns, roadway ownership, and investigating agencies can all impact the case.
Where Your Case May Be Filed
Traffic accident cases in Los Angeles County are filed in the Superior Court of Los Angeles County. There are 36 courthouses spread across the county. The Stanley Mosk Courthouse in downtown Los Angeles handles most major civil lawsuits.
| Court | Address |
|---|---|
| Stanley Mosk Courthouse | 111 N. Hill St., Los Angeles, CA 90012 |
Source: https://www.lacourt.ca.gov/apps/filing-court-locator/home
The exact courthouse may depend on the type of civil case and the location of the vehicle collision. Use the Filing Court Locator to find the right venue for your case.
What the Local Data Says
OTS reported 58,758 people killed or injured in Los Angeles County traffic collisions in 2023. The figures below cover the entire county, not only the City of Los Angeles.
| Victim Category | 2023 Victims (LA County) | OTS Ranking |
|---|---|---|
| Total fatal and injury | 58,758 | 58 of 58 |
| Alcohol-involved | 6,200 | 58 of 58 |
| Pedestrians | 4,034 | 37 of 58 |
| Motorcyclists | 3,263 | 29 of 58 |
| Bicyclists | 1,945 | 34 of 58 |
Legal basis: OTS 2023 state-wide rankings for Los Angeles County (9,848,643)
OTS also reported 12,319 speed-related fatal and injury collisions. Its rankings should not be read as raw crash counts. OTS states that 1 is the highest (worst) ranking and 58 is the lowest (best) among California counties, using a method that considers observed crashes, population, and vehicle miles traveled.
How Local Investigation and Evidence Work
When you’re dealing with a traffic injury case in Los Angeles County, figuring out who caused the crash is really just the first piece of the puzzle. Where the accident happened matters just as much because that determines which agency handles the investigation; it could be the CHP, LAPD, the LA County Sheriff’s Department, or a local police department, depending on the location.
Call Arash Law today at (213) 277-5878 or (888) 488-1391 (toll-free) for a free consultation with a Los Angeles County accident attorney.
Top Causes of Los Angeles County Traffic Injuries
Unsafe speed, impaired driving, distracted driving, and right-of-way violations can cause different types of collisions and injuries. The severity of an injury often depends on factors such as vehicle speed, the direction of impact, whether the person was inside or outside a vehicle, and how much force the body absorbed.
Unsafe Speed
Speed can increase both the likelihood of a crash and the force of impact. High-speed collisions may cause traumatic brain injuries, spinal cord injuries, fractures, internal organ damage, and other serious trauma.
Under California’s basic speed law, CVC § 22350, drivers must travel at a speed that is reasonable and safe for actual road, traffic, visibility, and weather conditions. A driver may therefore violate the law even when traveling at or below the posted limit.
Evidence of unsafe speed may include skid marks, vehicle damage, witness statements, surveillance footage, and event data recorder information. Depending on the vehicle, EDR data may show pre-impact speed, braking, or throttle inputs.
Distracted Driving
A distracted driver may fail to notice stopped traffic, a pedestrian in a crosswalk, or another vehicle entering an intersection. These crashes can result in rear-end collisions, pedestrian impacts, sideswipes, and intersection crashes.
Injuries may include whiplash, concussions, back injuries, fractures, and joint trauma. Pedestrians and bicyclists may suffer more severe injuries because they do not have the protection of a vehicle around them.
CVC § 23123.5 restricts the use of handheld cellphones while driving. Evidence of distraction may include witness statements, photographs, video, device records, and lawfully obtained cellphone or carrier records.
Impaired Driving
Alcohol or drug impairment can affect reaction time, judgment, coordination, and the ability to respond to changing road conditions. Impaired-driving crashes may involve excessive speed, lane departures, rear-end impacts, head-on collisions, or failure to yield.
These crashes can cause traumatic brain injuries, spinal injuries, fractures, internal bleeding, and other severe injuries. In the 2023 OTS data, Los Angeles County recorded 6,200 victims in alcohol-involved collisions.
CVC § 23152 prohibits driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs. Relevant evidence may include police reports, toxicology results, field observations, witness statements, and video. In some cases, particularly serious misconduct may also support a request for punitive damages.
Right-of-Way Violations and Unsafe Turns
Right-of-way violations often cause intersection crashes because vehicles, pedestrians, and bicyclists may cross each other’s paths with little time to react. Side-impact collisions can cause head injuries, chest trauma, fractures, and spinal injuries, while pedestrian and bicycle impacts may result in particularly serious trauma.
Common violations include:
- Running red lights or stop signs: CVC § 21453 governs red traffic signals, while CVC § 22450 requires drivers to stop at stop signs.
- Unsafe turns: Improper left turns, U-turns, or other turning movements may place a vehicle directly in another road user’s path.
- Failure to yield to pedestrians: CVC § 21950 generally requires drivers to yield to pedestrians crossing within marked or unmarked crosswalks at intersections. Pedestrians must also use reasonable care for their own safety.
Evidence such as traffic-camera footage, vehicle damage, witness statements, roadway markings, and the collision report can help show how the impact occurred and whether a right-of-way violation contributed to the injuries.
| Common Causes and Resulting Injuries | ||
|---|---|---|
| Traffic Factor | Common Crash Pattern | Injuries That May Result |
| Unsafe speed | High-force rear-end, intersection, or roadway-departure crashes | TBI, spinal injuries, fractures, internal organ damage |
| Distracted driving | Rear-end, pedestrian, bicycle, or intersection crashes | Whiplash, concussion, back injuries, fractures |
| Impaired driving | Head-on, lane-departure, rear-end, or high-speed crashes | TBI, spinal injuries, fractures, internal bleeding |
| Right-of-way violations and unsafe turns | T-bone, pedestrian, bicycle, or turning collisions | Head and chest injuries, spinal trauma, fractures |
Medical records help connect the collision to the injuries it caused or aggravated. Useful documentation may include:
- Emergency room and hospital records
- Imaging studies
- Specialist reports
- Physical therapy notes
- Work restrictions
- Future-care recommendations
Some symptoms may not be obvious immediately after a crash. Prompt medical evaluation can document when symptoms began and help establish how the collision affected the injured person.
What Arash Law Has Recovered in Los Angeles Traffic Cases
Arash Law has recovered over $1 billion for injured clients across California. The results below include a Los Angeles County verdict and representative California traffic-injury cases handled by our firm.
$12,000,000: Settlement for a 74-year-old pedestrian. They were hit while crossing the street and suffered serious injuries. The incident required extensive medical care. The case resolved on the courthouse steps just as jury selection was about to begin.
$10,000,000: After our client was seriously injured by a speeding vehicle, our firm not only secured a substantial financial recovery but also connected him with top medical care to support his recovery. Our team helped bring closure and peace of mind to his family.
No guarantee of outcome. Past results depend on the unique facts of each case; different facts will bring different results. Results shown are representative of the firm’s work and may not reflect the outcome of your specific matter.
Filing Deadlines for LA County Traffic Injury Claims
Different filing deadlines may apply after a Los Angeles traffic crash, particularly when a public entity is involved.
- Personal injury: California generally allows two years from the date of injury to file a lawsuit under Code of Civil Procedure § 335.1.
- Property damage: A lawsuit for damage to personal property generally has a three-year filing deadline under Code of Civil Procedure § 338(c).
-
Public Entity (City of Los Angeles, LA County, Caltrans, LADOT): If a government entity played a role in the crash because of one of the most dangerous intersections and freeways in Los Angeles County, a faulty traffic signal, or a public vehicle driver, you generally must file a government claim within six months of the injury under Government Code § 911.2.
This six-month government-claim deadline is separate from the later deadline for filing a lawsuit. If the public entity provides a written rejection notice that complies with Government Code § 913, Government Code § 945.6 generally requires suit within six months after the notice is delivered or mailed. If no compliant notice is given, a different deadline may apply.
- Minors: An extension of the statute of limitations may be possible if a crash victim is under 18. However, the government-claim rules work differently for minors. Confirm with an attorney promptly. Do not assume the tolling rules eliminate the urgency.
If you think a public entity’s actions or a dangerous situation on public property caused the crash, you might need to file a claim within six months. Talking to a Los Angeles personal injury lawyer as soon as possible protects the most options.
How to File a Claim Against the Los Angeles County
If a traffic injury claim involves an alleged dangerous condition of a Los Angeles County-controlled roadway, a county vehicle, or another county entity or employee, California’s Government Claims Act may require that a claim be presented before a lawsuit can proceed. Los Angeles County asks claimants to send a signed claim. They can file by mail or deliver it in person to the Executive Officer-Clerk of the Board of Supervisors. For claims about personal injury, death, or property damage, the County says you usually have to file within six months of the incident. This is based on Government Code § 911.2.
Los Angeles County Claims Unit
Address: 500 W. Temple St., Los Angeles, CA 90012
Website: http://bos.co.la.ca.us/PDFs/AssessmentAppealsClaimForDamages.pdf
Hours: Monday through Friday, 9:00 am to 5:00 pm
Phones: (213) 974-1440 (Primary)
The county states that the original signed claim may be delivered in person or sent by U.S. Mail. This government claim process is separate from an ordinary insurance claim. If the six-month period is over, California’s late-claim rules may apply. Just submitting the original claim late might not keep your right to file a lawsuit.
Frequently Asked Questions About LA County Traffic Injury Claims
What If the At-Fault Driver Had No Insurance?
You may still be able to recover compensation. California usually requires drivers to show proof of financial responsibility. Uninsured motorist coverage may apply if it is included in the injured person’s policy. Other potentially responsible parties, such as a vehicle owner or employer, may also have applicable coverage depending on the facts. Review the policy before resolving the claim because settlement decisions can affect available insurance rights.
Does the LADOT High Injury Network Affect a Claim?
It may. LADOT’s High-Injury Network covers over 450 miles of LA streets, accounting for 70% of the city’s pedestrian deaths and serious injuries. This data can provide useful background on a corridor’s collision history and support a claim against the City of Los Angeles when the city fails to fix a known dangerous condition.
Similar data exists outside the city, too. LA County tracks Vision Zero collision hotspots in unincorporated areas, and regional agencies like SCAG maintain broader High-Injury Network data used by groups like Metro. Whether this data is relevant to your claim depends on where the incident occurred and the condition of the roadway.
Which Agency Has My Los Angeles County Crash Report?
It depends on where the crash happened. CHP commonly investigates freeway and state-route crashes, while LAPD, the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department, and municipal police departments handle collisions within their jurisdictions. The agency named on any exchange-of-information card or report number is usually the best starting point.
Should I Give a Recorded Statement to the Other Driver’s Insurer?
No. You don’t have to give a recorded statement to the at-fault driver’s insurance. But doing it before talking to a lawyer can be risky. Adjusters are trained to ask questions that produce answers they can utilize to reduce or deny your claim. In the days after a crash, statements often understate your damages because the full extent of your injuries is not yet known. Decline the request and tell the adjuster your attorney will be in touch.
What Does the DMV SR-1 Report Require After a Los Angeles County Crash?
A driver or authorized representative must submit an SR-1 to the California DMV within 10 days when someone is injured or killed, or when property damage exceeds $1,000. The SR-1 is required in addition to reports made to law enforcement or an insurer.
How Long Does an LA Traffic Injury Case Take?
The timeline depends on the severity of the injury, how clearly fault is established, and whether a public entity is involved. Cases can take months to several years. Your attorney can provide a realistic projection after reviewing the specific facts.
Do I Pay Anything If My Case Does Not Succeed?
Personal injury attorneys at Arash Law work on a contingency fee basis, meaning you pay no upfront legal fees. The attorney’s fee is a percentage of what you recover if you win your case. This is based on a written fee agreement, as required by California Business & Professions Code § 6147. You owe no attorney’s fee if no recovery is obtained.
Get Help from Arash Law After Your Los Angeles County Traffic Crash
Arash Law has won over $1 billion for injured Californians. This includes a $17.9 million jury verdict and a $12 million settlement for a pedestrian case in Los Angeles County. Our California injury attorneys are familiar with the Stanley Mosk Courthouse. We know the LAPD and CHP reporting procedures, as well as the LADOT High-Injury Network corridors.
These are key areas where many crashes occur. Whether you need legal assistance in Los Angeles or statewide representation, Arash Law is ready to help.
Call Arash Law today at (213) 277-5878 for a free, no-obligation consultation. Our California accident lawyers are available 24 hours a day. No attorney fees unless we win.
About This Guide
This guide uses primary sources from the California government. It includes data from the California Office of Traffic Safety (OTS) 2023 peer-group rankings for Los Angeles County. It includes details from the LADOT Vision Zero High-Injury Network program. This guide also covers California laws from the California Legislative Information database. Court venue and filing information is sourced from the Los Angeles Superior Court courthouse locator. Financial responsibility requirements are drawn from the California DMV. Case results are sourced from the firm’s case results page and reflect actual matters handled by the firm.
Sources
- California Office of Traffic Safety, Los Angeles County 2023 Rankings:
https://www.ots.ca.gov/rankings/los-angeles-county-2023/- Los Angeles Department of Transportation, Vision Zero High-Injury Network Maps: https://ladotlivablestreets.org/programs/vision-zero/maps
- California Legislative Information, CCP § 335.1, Two-Year Statute of Limitations: https://leginfo.legislature.ca.gov/faces/codes_displaySection.xhtml?lawCode=CCP§ionNum=335.1
- California Legislative Information, CVC § 22350, Basic Speed Law: https://leginfo.legislature.ca.gov/faces/codes_displaySection.xhtml?lawCode=VEH§ionNum=22350
- California Legislative Information, CVC § 23123.5, Handheld Wireless Device Prohibition: https://leginfo.legislature.ca.gov/faces/codes_displaySection.xhtml?lawCode=VEH§ionNum=23123.5
- California Legislative Information, CVC § 23152, Driving Under the Influence: https://leginfo.legislature.ca.gov/faces/codes_displaySection.xhtml?lawCode=VEH§ionNum=23152
- California DMV, Financial Responsibility Insurance: https://dmv.ca.gov/portal/driver-education-and-safety/dmv-safety-guidelines-actions/financial-responsibility-insurance
- Los Angeles Superior Court, Courthouse Locator, Stanley Mosk Courthouse, 111 N. Hill St.: https://lacourt.ca.gov/apps/courthouse
- Los Angeles Superior Court, Civil Case Types: https://lacourt.ca.gov/pages/lp/civil/tp/civil-case-types-and-specialty-courtrooms
- Arash Law, Case Results: https://arashlaw.com/case-results/
- Los Angeles General Medical Center, formerly LAC+USC Medical Center, Who We Are: https://dhs.lacounty.gov/lageneral/who-we-are/
- California Legislative Information, CVC § 21950, Pedestrian Right-of-Way at Crosswalks: https://leginfo.legislature.ca.gov/faces/codes_displaySection.xhtml?lawCode=VEH§ionNum=21950
- California Legislative Information, Business and Professions Code § 6147, Contingency Fee Agreements: https://leginfo.legislature.ca.gov/faces/codes_displaySection.xhtml?lawCode=BPC§ionNum=6147
Legal Disclaimer
The content on this page is provided for general informational purposes only. It does not constitute legal advice and does not create an attorney-client relationship between you and Arash Law or any of its attorneys. Every traffic accident case is unique. The outcome of a claim relies on the specific facts, evidence, and legal standards involved.
Reading this page does not substitute for consultation with a licensed California attorney. If you have been injured in a traffic collision in Los Angeles County, contact Arash Law directly to discuss your specific situation.
