Fighting for Simi Valley Pedestrian Accident Victims
Deep roots in Simi Valley. We know your streets, your courts, and how to win here. No attorney's fees or case costs unless we win.
Can I still file a pedestrian accident claim in Simi Valley if I was partly at fault?
Yes, you can still pursue a claim for a pedestrian accident even if you bear some responsibility for what happened. California follows a pure comparative negligence rule, meaning your compensation is reduced by your percentage of fault, but your claim is not barred entirely. If a jury finds you 20% responsible for the accident, you would still be able to recover 80% of your total damages.
The system accounts for how much each party contributed to the accident. For example, if a driver failed to yield at a crosswalk but you were distracted by your phone, the court would look at all those factors. This ensures that even if you were partially at fault, you can still seek damages for your injuries and losses from the other responsible parties.
Where do Simi Valley pedestrian accident claims get filed?
A personal injury claim arising from a pedestrian accident in Simi Valley is generally filed in the Superior Court of California, County of Ventura. This court handles civil cases for Ventura County, where Simi Valley is located. You would file your complaint at the Hall of Justice, located at 800 S Victoria Ave, Ventura, CA 93009. Because Simi Valley is in Ventura County, claims here are not filed with the Los Angeles Superior Court.
How long do you have to file a claim after a pedestrian accident?
Most personal injury claims in California, including those for pedestrian accidents, must be filed within two years from the date of injury (Cal. Code Civ. Proc. § 335.1). However, if your accident involves a city, county, or any other public agency, you have a much shorter deadline. A written claim against a public entity must be presented within six months of the accident (Cal. Gov. Code § 911.2) before you can file a lawsuit. If you do not meet this six-month deadline, you may lose your right to sue the public entity.
The deadline is generally paused while an injured person is a minor (Cal. Code Civ. Proc. § 352). However, that pause does not apply to claims against public entities. What you can recover in a pedestrian accident claim depends on the specific facts. California law allows recovery for medical costs, lost earnings, and non-economic harm such as pain and suffering.
What should you do after a Simi Valley pedestrian accident?
After a pedestrian accident, taking specific steps can protect your health and your legal rights.
Seek Medical Attention Immediately: Your health is the top priority. Even if you feel fine, some injuries, especially those affecting the brain, might not be immediately apparent. A medical evaluation creates an official record of your injuries. You can also contact our team for assistance with a Simi Valley catastrophic injury or a Simi Valley traumatic brain injury claim.
Report the Accident: Contact law enforcement to report the incident. An official police report documents the circumstances and gathers initial details from witnesses and those involved.
Collect Information at the Scene: If you are able, get the driver’s name, insurance information, license plate number, and contact details. Also, take photos of the accident scene, vehicle damage, your injuries, and any relevant traffic signs or signals. Gather contact information from any witnesses.
Avoid Discussing Fault: Do not admit fault or make statements that could be interpreted as admitting fault to anyone at the scene, including the driver, witnesses, or insurance adjusters. Stick to the facts of what happened.
Contact a Pedestrian Accident Attorney: An attorney can help you understand your rights, deal with insurance companies, and file your claim within the strict deadlines. This is especially important for pedestrian accident claims, which often involve significant injuries and complex liability issues.
What kinds of cases do Simi Valley pedestrian accident attorneys handle?
Pedestrian accident attorneys in Simi Valley help people injured when walking, jogging, or running are struck by vehicles. This includes cases involving cars, trucks, motorcycles, and bicycles. Drivers may fail to yield at crosswalks, disregard traffic signals, drive while distracted, or operate vehicles under the influence, causing severe injuries to pedestrians. We also assist with incidents where a driver may have hit a pedestrian then fled the scene.
Our work extends to cases where pedestrian injuries are compounded by issues such as poorly maintained roads or dangerous intersections. For instance, a lack of clear crosswalk markings or malfunctioning traffic lights could contribute to an accident. Whether the collision occurred on a busy street or a residential road, we pursue the full compensation available under California law for those harmed. We serve communities across Southern California, including Paramount, Pasadena, and Alhambra. We also handle related claims, such as those for car accidents in Simi Valley.
What does working with Casa Legal Los Angeles involve?
Working with Casa Legal Los Angeles means you have a dedicated team representing your interests after a pedestrian accident. We start by thoroughly investigating your accident. This includes gathering police reports, witness statements, medical records, and any available video surveillance. We determine who was at fault and identify all potential sources of recovery.
We handle all communication with insurance companies. This protects you from tactics designed to minimize your claim or deny it entirely. Our firm aims to ensure all paperwork is filed correctly and on time, meeting all legal deadlines. We negotiate to recover damages for your medical expenses, lost wages, pain and suffering, and other losses. If a fair settlement cannot be reached, we are prepared to take your case to court. We work on a contingency fee basis: no attorney's fees or case costs unless we win.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is "comparative negligence" in a Simi Valley pedestrian accident?
Comparative negligence is California's rule that allows an injured person to recover damages even if they were partly at fault for their accident. The amount they can recover is reduced by their percentage of responsibility. For example, if you are found 10% responsible for a Simi Valley pedestrian accident, you can still recover 90% of your total damages.
What is the deadline to file a claim against a public entity in Ventura County?
The deadline to file a claim against a public entity in Ventura County is six months from the date of the accident (Cal. Gov. Code § 911.2). This short timeframe applies to incidents involving government-owned vehicles, public transit, or hazardous conditions on public property. Failing to submit a written claim within this period typically means you lose your right to pursue compensation from that public entity.
Where is the court for Simi Valley personal injury cases?
Personal injury cases originating in Simi Valley are filed in the Superior Court of California, County of Ventura. The Hall of Justice, located at 800 S Victoria Ave, Ventura, CA 93009, is the specific courthouse for these types of claims. This ensures that legal proceedings occur within Ventura County, rather than in Los Angeles County courts.
Can a minor's deadline for a pedestrian accident claim be extended?
The deadline for a minor's personal injury claim is generally paused until they turn 18 (Cal. Code Civ. Proc. § 352). However, this pause does not apply to claims against public entities. If a minor is injured in a pedestrian accident involving a city or county in Simi Valley, the six-month public entity claim deadline still applies and must be met.
If you or a loved one has been injured in a pedestrian accident in Simi Valley, reach out to Casa Legal Los Angeles for a consultation. Call us at 888-585-2529 to discuss your options. No attorney's fees or case costs unless we win.
Serving Simi Valley
Our attorneys represent clients throughout Simi Valley and the greater Los Angeles area.
Where a Simi Valley claim is filed
A personal injury claim arising in Simi Valley is filed in Hall of Justice of the Superior Court of California, County of Ventura.
This community is in Ventura County, not Los Angeles County. A personal injury claim arising here is filed in the Superior Court of California, County of Ventura rather than with the Los Angeles Superior Court.
Confirm the correct justice center for the specific incident location.
Source: Superior Court of California, County of Ventura (verified August 23, 2026).
Deadlines that apply in Simi Valley
The California filing deadlines that apply to an incident in Simi Valley (Ventura County) come from state statute, not a local rule. These are the deadlines cited most often.
2 years — personal injury lawsuit
Cal. Code Civ. Proc. § 335.1 — two years from the date of injury for most personal injury and wrongful death claims.
6 months — claim against a public entity
Cal. Gov. Code § 911.2 — a written claim must be presented to the public entity within six months for claims involving death or injury to person or personal property, before a lawsuit may be filed.
Injured minors
Cal. Code Civ. Proc. § 352 — the limitations period is generally tolled while the injured person is a minor, but the six-month government claim deadline is not tolled the same way.
This is general information about California law, not legal advice, and reading it does not create an attorney-client relationship. Deadlines change with the facts and with who the defendant is — a claim against a city, county, transit agency, or the state triggers a much shorter deadline, and delayed discovery, tolling, and other exceptions apply. Casa Legal Los Angeles is licensed to practice in California. Confirm any deadline with an attorney.
Sources: California Code of Civil Procedure § 335.1; California Government Code § 911.2 (verified August 23, 2026).