Personal Injury Representation for Rancho Palos Verdes
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Can you still file a personal injury claim in Rancho Palos Verdes if you were partly at fault?
Yes, you can still pursue a personal injury claim in Rancho Palos Verdes even if you shared some responsibility for the incident. California follows a pure comparative negligence rule, which means your compensation may be reduced by your percentage of fault, but it does not prevent you from recovering at all. If a jury finds you were 20% at fault and the other party 80% at fault, you would still receive 80% of your total damages.
Where do you file a personal injury lawsuit in Rancho Palos Verdes?
In Rancho Palos Verdes, personal injury lawsuits are generally filed in the Superior Court of California, County of Los Angeles. Specifically, cases for incidents occurring in Rancho Palos Verdes are heard at the Torrance Courthouse. This courthouse is located at 825 Maple Ave, Torrance, CA 90503. Local court rules in Los Angeles County require personal injury cases to be filed in the judicial district where the incident happened and then assigned to that district's Personal Injury Hub department.
How much time do you have to file a personal injury claim?
You typically have two years to file a personal injury lawsuit in California, as stated in California Code of Civil Procedure § 335.1. This two-year period usually begins from the date of your injury. However, if your claim is against a city, county, or another public entity in Rancho Palos Verdes, you must present a written claim to that entity much sooner. California Government Code § 911.2 requires this claim to be filed within six months of the injury. Missing this six-month deadline for a public entity claim can permanently bar your right to sue.
If the injured person is a minor, the deadline is generally paused under California Code of Civil Procedure § 352 until they turn 18. This pause, however, does not apply to claims against public entities. For those claims, the six-month deadline still applies, regardless of the injured person's age. It is important to confirm the specific deadlines for your unique situation with an attorney.
California law allows recovery for medical costs, lost earnings, and non-economic harm like pain and suffering. The specific amount you might recover depends on the particular facts of your case.
What should you do after an injury in Rancho Palos Verdes?
After an injury in Rancho Palos Verdes, take these steps to protect your health and your legal rights.
Get immediate medical attention. Your health is the priority. See a doctor or go to urgent care, even if you feel fine. Some injuries, like those related to a traumatic brain injury, might not show symptoms right away. Timely medical records also link your injuries directly to the incident.
Report the incident. If it was a car crash, call the police. If it happened on someone else's property, notify the owner or manager. Make sure there is an official record of what happened.
Gather information. If possible, collect contact information from witnesses and the at-fault party. Take photos or videos of the scene, your injuries, and any property damage.
Keep detailed records. Save all medical bills, receipts, police reports, and communications related to the incident. These documents help build your case.
Do not give recorded statements. Insurance adjusters may try to get you to provide a recorded statement shortly after an incident. Politely decline and speak with an attorney first.
Contact a personal injury attorney. A lawyer can explain your rights, investigate the incident, and handle communication with insurance companies. They can also explain how the deadlines apply to your case and help you understand what kinds of personal injury claims you can make.
What types of personal injury cases do we handle in Rancho Palos Verdes?
We represent individuals across a wide range of personal injury matters right here in Rancho Palos Verdes. This includes cases arising from car accidents, where we help recover compensation for injuries and damages. We also assist those affected by motorcycle accidents, which often result in severe injuries due to limited protection. Pedestrian accidents are another area where we advocate for injured victims, particularly given the vulnerability of pedestrians on the road.
Beyond traffic incidents, we handle claims involving slips and falls, which can lead to serious injuries on someone else's property. If you have suffered a traumatic brain injury, we work to secure the resources needed for long-term care and recovery. Our firm is dedicated to seeking the full compensation available under California law for these and other incidents where someone else's negligence causes harm. Our work extends to various locations, including helping clients in places like Claremont and Compton.
What working with Casa Legal Los Angeles involves
When you work with Casa Legal Los Angeles, you get a firm focused solely on personal injury and employment law. We begin by listening to your story and assessing the details of your injury in Rancho Palos Verdes. We then investigate thoroughly, gathering evidence, securing expert opinions, and building a strong case on your behalf. Our goal is to handle the legal complexities so you can focus on your recovery.
We communicate clearly about your case's progress and your options. We negotiate with insurance companies and, if necessary, represent you in court. We pursue the full compensation available under California law for your medical expenses, lost wages, and other damages. Our firm operates on a contingency fee basis. This means no attorney's fees or case costs unless we win.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is pure comparative negligence in California?
Pure comparative negligence in California means that an injured person can still recover damages even if they were partly at fault for the incident. Their recovery amount will be reduced by their percentage of responsibility. For example, if you are found 30% at fault, you can still collect 70% of your total damages.
How long do you have to file a claim against a government entity in Rancho Palos Verdes?
If your injury in Rancho Palos Verdes involved a government entity, you must present a written claim within six months of the injury date, as per California Government Code § 911.2. This deadline is much shorter than for claims against private parties, and missing it can prevent you from suing the entity later.
Do I have to go to court for a personal injury claim?
You might not have to go to court for a personal injury claim, as many cases are resolved through negotiations and settlements outside of trial. However, if a fair settlement cannot be reached, filing a lawsuit and proceeding to court may be necessary to pursue the compensation you deserve.
Can a minor file a personal injury claim?
A minor can file a personal injury claim, but it typically must be done through a parent or legal guardian. While the general two-year deadline is usually paused for minors, it is crucial to remember that this pause does not apply to claims against public entities in California.
If you have been injured in Rancho Palos Verdes, you have legal options. Don't let uncertainty prevent you from seeking justice. Contact Casa Legal Los Angeles for a free consultation today at 888-585-2529. No attorney's fees or case costs unless we win.
Serving Rancho Palos Verdes
Our attorneys represent clients throughout Rancho Palos Verdes and the greater Los Angeles area.
Where a Rancho Palos Verdes claim is filed
A personal injury claim arising in Rancho Palos Verdes is filed in Torrance Courthouse, Southwest 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 Rancho Palos Verdes
The California filing deadlines that apply to an incident in Rancho Palos Verdes (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).