If you were injured in a car crash, a fall or another accident in Pasadena, the first weeks decide a lot: which agency wrote the report, whether a public agency shares the blame, and which deadlines are already running. This page explains how those pieces work in Pasadena specifically, and how our Los Angeles personal injury attorneys can help.
Looking for a Pasadena personal injury lawyer? B&D Law Group, APLC handles Pasadena car, truck, motorcycle, pedestrian and premises injury cases, and the first consultation is free.
Getting your Pasadena collision report
For crashes inside city limits, the Pasadena Police Department provides copies of reports:
- The department’s website sends traffic collision report requests to CRASHDOCS, an online report service.
- The Records Section counter also handles requests for copies of police reports. Counter hours are 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., Monday through Friday, closed weekends and holidays.
- The Records front counter phone is (626) 744-4565.
Freeway crashes are generally handled by the California Highway Patrol. The CHP Altadena Area office, at 2130 Windsor Avenue in Altadena, lists State Route 134, State Route 710 and portions of Interstate 210 among the freeways it patrols. The CHP can confirm which office took a particular report. The office’s phone is (626) 296-8100.
Major roads in Pasadena
According to the city’s Mobility Element (August 2015), Pasadena is located at the critical junction of the I-210 Freeway and State Route 134 and at the entrance to the I-110 Freeway, and the city has access to SR-110, SR-134, I-210 and I-710. The element also describes Pasadena Transit as a network of routes focused on the city’s major business districts.
The California Office of Traffic Safety’s most recent crash rankings (2023 data) counted 978 people killed or injured in Pasadena crashes that year, including 75 pedestrians, 45 bicyclists and 30 motorcyclists, with 65 victims in alcohol-involved crashes. Among 62 California cities with populations of 100,001 to 250,000, Pasadena ranked 7th for total victims, where 1st is worst. Pasadena ranked 1st of 62 for pedestrians 65 and older killed or injured. OTS weights its rankings by population and miles driven, so a rank is not a simple head count. (OTS crash rankings)
When the City of Pasadena or another public agency may be responsible
- City streets and sidewalks: the City of Pasadena’s Liability Claims and Insurance Division accepts claims entirely online through its claims portal. You can also complete the Claim for Damages form and deliver or mail it to the City Clerk, 100 N. Garfield Ave., Room S228, Pasadena, California 91101. The form lists (626) 744-6773 for questions.
Whichever agency is involved, the six-month claim deadline below applies, so it is worth sorting out the right agency early.
Courts serving Pasadena
Los Angeles Superior Court’s Local Rule 2.3 requires unlimited personal injury cases to be filed at the Stanley Mosk Courthouse, 111 North Hill Street, Los Angeles, or the Michael D. Antonovich Antelope Valley Courthouse, 42011 4th Street West, Lancaster. The local Pasadena Courthouse, 300 East Walnut Street, is part of the court’s Northeast District. If your case goes to court, we handle where and how it is filed.
Cases we handle for people hurt in Pasadena
Our personal injury attorneys represent people injured in Pasadena in cases including:
You can also read about our past case results and what clients say about working with us.
What a Pasadena injury claim can cover
California law sorts personal injury damages into a few categories:
- Economic damages: objectively verifiable money losses, such as medical expenses, lost earnings and the cost of repairing or replacing property (Civil Code section 1431.2).
- Non-economic damages: subjective losses such as pain, suffering, emotional distress and loss of companionship (same section).
- Punitive damages: available only in limited cases, when it is proven by clear and convincing evidence that the defendant acted with oppression, fraud or malice (Civil Code section 3294).
What a particular claim is worth depends on the injuries, the evidence and the insurance available, so we review each case individually and never promise a result.
How a Pasadena personal injury case usually moves
- Free consultation. You tell us what happened and we explain your options. There is no attorney fee unless we recover compensation for you.
- Investigation. We gather the collision or incident report described above, photos, witness information and your medical records.
- Claim and negotiation. We present the claim to the insurance company and negotiate for a fair settlement.
- Government claim if needed. If the City of Pasadena or another public agency may share responsibility, we prepare the written claim before the six-month deadline.
- Lawsuit if needed. If the case does not settle, we file a lawsuit in the proper California Superior Court and keep pushing toward trial.
Deadlines and fault rules that apply to every California injury claim
- Two years to file a lawsuit. Most personal injury lawsuits must be filed within two years of the injury under Code of Civil Procedure section 335.1.
- Six months for claims against a public agency. If a city, county or state agency may be responsible, for example because of a dangerous road condition or a government vehicle, a written claim generally must be presented within six months after the claim accrues under Government Code section 911.2. Missing that deadline can end the claim.
- Partly at fault does not mean no recovery. California uses pure comparative fault (Li v. Yellow Cab Co. (1975) 13 Cal.3d 804). If you share some of the blame, your compensation is reduced by your share rather than barred.
Pasadena personal injury FAQ
How much does a personal injury lawyer cost in Pasadena?
B&D Law Group, APLC handles personal injury cases on a contingency fee, which means no attorney fee unless we recover compensation for you. The consultation is free.
How long do I have to file a personal injury claim in Pasadena?
Most California personal injury lawsuits must be filed within two years of the injury (Code of Civil Procedure section 335.1). If a city, county or state agency may be responsible, a written claim generally must be presented within six months (Government Code section 911.2).
What if I was partly at fault for the Pasadena accident?
California follows pure comparative fault (Li v. Yellow Cab Co.). If you share some of the blame, your compensation is reduced by your share rather than barred.
Can I make a claim against the City of Pasadena?
Yes, but California requires a written claim to the public agency before a lawsuit can be filed (Government Code section 945.4), and the claim generally must be presented within six months. The section above on public agency claims explains where Pasadena claims go.
Where do I get my Pasadena accident report?
The “Getting your Pasadena collision report” section above lists the agency that handles crashes inside city limits and how to request a copy. Freeway crashes are generally handled by the California Highway Patrol.
Nearby cities we serve
We also represent injured people in communities near Pasadena:
- Glendale personal injury attorneys
- Los Angeles personal injury attorneys
- Burbank personal injury attorneys
- West Covina personal injury attorneys
- North Hollywood personal injury attorneys
- Downey personal injury attorneys
- Our Los Angeles office
- All areas we serve
Talk to a B&D Law Group attorney
B&D Law Group, APLC represents people hurt in Pasadena from our Los Angeles office at 10700 Santa Monica Blvd, Suite 200, Los Angeles, CA 90025. The consultation is free, and we handle personal injury cases on a contingency fee, which means no attorney fee unless we recover compensation for you. Call (888) 977-2238 or send us your case details.
Attorney advertising. This page is provided for general informational purposes only and is not legal advice. Reading this page or contacting us does not create an attorney-client relationship. Agency procedures, fees and data on this page were checked against official sources in October 2026 and can change. Prior results do not guarantee a similar outcome.