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How long do I have to file after a pedestrian accident in West Hollywood?
You generally have two years from the date of injury to file a personal injury lawsuit after a pedestrian accident in West Hollywood. This deadline is set by California Code of Civil Procedure § 335.1. However, if your accident involves a city, county, or public agency, you must present a written claim within six months (California Government Code § 911.2).
Pedestrian accidents in West Hollywood can cause serious injuries and significant disruption to your life. Understanding the deadlines that apply to your situation is the first step toward protecting your rights.
What kinds of pedestrian accident cases do you handle in West Hollywood?
Our firm helps people injured as pedestrians in various incidents throughout West Hollywood. This includes collisions with cars, trucks, or motorcycles while you are walking, jogging, or crossing the street. We also represent individuals hurt due to dangerous conditions on sidewalks or crosswalks. Whether the driver was distracted, speeding, or failed to yield, we pursue the full compensation available under California law for your injuries. This includes cases involving serious injuries like traumatic brain injuries, spinal cord damage, or broken bones from a West Hollywood collision.
What should I do after a pedestrian accident in West Hollywood?
After a pedestrian accident, taking specific steps can help protect your health and your legal rights.
Seek Medical Attention: Even if you feel fine, see a doctor immediately. Some serious injuries, like concussions or internal bleeding, might not show symptoms right away.
Report the Accident: Call the West Hollywood Sheriff's Department or the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department to report the accident. A police report documents the incident.
Gather Information: If you can, get contact information and insurance details from the driver involved. Also, collect names and phone numbers of any witnesses.
Take Photos: Use your phone to photograph the accident scene, vehicle damage, your injuries, traffic signs, and any road hazards.
Do Not Admit Fault: Avoid discussing fault or making any statements to insurance adjusters without first speaking with an attorney.
Contact a Personal Injury Attorney: An attorney can help you understand your rights and the deadlines that apply to your case.
Where do West Hollywood pedestrian accident claims get filed?
A personal injury case resulting from a pedestrian accident in West Hollywood is filed with the Superior Court of California, County of Los Angeles. Under Los Angeles County Local Rule 2.3, cases are generally filed in the judicial district where the incident occurred. For West Hollywood, this means your case would be assigned to the West District's Personal Injury Hub department at the Santa Monica Courthouse, located at 1725 Main St, Santa Monica, CA 90401.
How long do I have to file my claim, and what can I recover?
Most personal injury claims arising from pedestrian accidents must be filed within two years of the injury date, as stated in California Code of Civil Procedure § 335.1. However, if a city, county, or other public agency is involved, a formal claim must be presented to that entity within six months of the incident under California Government Code § 911.2. Failing to meet this six-month deadline can result in the loss of your right to sue the public entity.
The deadline is generally paused while an injured person is a minor (CCP § 352), but that pause does not apply to claims against public entities under the Government Claims Act.
When you pursue a pedestrian accident claim, California law allows recovery for medical costs, lost earnings, and non-economic harm. This can include reimbursement for hospital bills, doctor visits, medications, and rehabilitation. It also covers wages you lost because you couldn't work due to your injuries. Non-economic damages address your pain, suffering, disfigurement, and loss of enjoyment of life.
What does working with Casa Legal Los Angeles involve?
Working with Casa Legal Los Angeles after your West Hollywood pedestrian accident means having a dedicated team focused on your recovery and legal needs. We investigate your accident, gather evidence, handle communication with insurance companies, and work to build a strong case on your behalf. Our goal is to recover the compensation you deserve so you can focus on healing. We concentrate on personal injury and employment law, bringing specific experience to complex claims like those from a collision involving a pedestrian. For example, we frequently assist clients with car accident claims in West Hollywood, as well as those in other areas like Alhambra and Pasadena. If your injuries are severe, such as those that qualify as a catastrophic injury, we have experience pursuing those cases as well.
Frequently Asked Questions
What if the driver who hit me was uninsured?
If the driver involved in your West Hollywood pedestrian accident was uninsured, your own uninsured motorist (UM) coverage might cover your medical expenses, lost wages, and pain and suffering. Even if you don't own a car, you might be covered under a family member's policy. An attorney can help determine if UM coverage applies to your situation.
Can I still file a claim if I was partially at fault for the accident?
Yes, California follows a "pure comparative negligence" rule. This means you can still recover damages even if you were partially at fault for the West Hollywood pedestrian accident, but your compensation will be reduced by your percentage of fault. For example, if you were 10% at fault, your recovery would be reduced by 10%.
How quickly should I contact a lawyer after a pedestrian accident?
You should contact a lawyer as soon as possible after a pedestrian accident in West Hollywood. Early legal involvement helps preserve evidence, investigate the scene, and ensure that all important deadlines, particularly the six-month public entity claim deadline, are met. Waiting too long can make it harder to gather crucial information and witness testimony.
Do I have to go to court for my pedestrian accident claim?
Most pedestrian accident claims are resolved through negotiation with insurance companies or mediation and do not require a full trial in the Santa Monica Courthouse. However, if a fair settlement cannot be reached, filing a lawsuit may be necessary to protect your right to full compensation. Your attorney will advise you on the best course of action for your specific case.
If you have been injured in a pedestrian accident in West Hollywood, you don't have to face the legal process alone. Contact Casa Legal Los Angeles today at 888-585-2529 for a consultation. No attorney's fees unless we win — and no case costs either.
Serving West Hollywood
Our attorneys represent clients throughout West Hollywood and the greater Los Angeles area.
Where a West Hollywood claim is filed
A personal injury claim arising in West Hollywood is filed in Santa Monica Courthouse, West District of the Superior Court of California, County of Los Angeles.
In Los Angeles County a personal injury case is filed in the judicial district where the incident occurred and is assigned to that district's Personal Injury Hub department (LASC Local Rule 2.3; General Order re Assignment and Transfer of Personal Injury Cases, effective May 17, 2024).
Catchment boundaries change. Confirm the filing courthouse on the court's official locator before relying on it.
Source: Superior Court of California, County of Los Angeles — Local Rules, Chapter 2 (verified August 23, 2026).
Deadlines that apply in West Hollywood
The California filing deadlines that apply to an incident in West Hollywood (Los Angeles 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).