If you were injured in a car crash, a fall or another accident in Lancaster, 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 Lancaster specifically, and how our Los Angeles personal injury attorneys can help.
Looking for a Lancaster personal injury lawyer? B&D Law Group, APLC handles Lancaster car, truck, motorcycle, pedestrian and premises injury cases, and the first consultation is free.
Getting your Lancaster collision report
For crashes inside city limits, the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department Lancaster Station, which provides law enforcement services to residents of the City of Lancaster, is the agency to ask for a report:
- The station is at 501 West Lancaster Boulevard, Lancaster, CA 93534, phone (661) 948-8466.
- For a property damage only report you filed yourself at the station, the city’s Sheriff’s Department FAQ says a copy can be picked up at the station where you filed it, for a fee, and that the Lancaster Station’s fee is currently $23 for traffic reports. Bring the file number you were given, and allow at least two weeks after filing.
- The Sheriff’s Records and Identification Bureau in Norwalk also releases traffic collision reports to involved parties. Call (562) 345-4441 to submit a request and schedule an in-person pickup.
Freeway crashes are generally handled by the California Highway Patrol. The CHP Antelope Valley Area office, at 2041 West Avenue I in Lancaster, patrols about 30 miles of State Route 14 from Acton to the Kern County line, along with State Route 138 and State Route 18. The CHP can confirm which office took a particular report. The office’s phone is (661) 743-6060.
Major roads in Lancaster
According to the Lancaster General Plan 2030, adopted in 2009, the Antelope Valley Freeway (State Route 14) provides the primary access between the Antelope Valley and the greater Los Angeles area, and the plan describes Metrolink as an alternative link to the Los Angeles area, with a station within walking distance of the downtown business district. The plan also names focus areas along Lancaster Boulevard near the freeway, at 15th Street West and Avenue J, and along 10th Street West near Avenue L.
The California Office of Traffic Safety’s most recent crash rankings (2023 data) counted 1,541 people killed or injured in Lancaster crashes that year, including 56 pedestrians, 22 bicyclists and 49 motorcyclists, with 144 victims in alcohol-involved crashes. Among 62 California cities with populations of 100,001 to 250,000, Lancaster ranked 1st for total victims, where 1st is worst. Lancaster also ranked 6th of 62 for nighttime fatal and injury collisions. 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 Lancaster or another public agency may be responsible
- City streets and sidewalks: a Claim Form against the City of Lancaster must be delivered in person or by mail to the City Clerk Department, 44933 Fern Avenue, Lancaster, CA 93534, open Monday through Thursday 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. and Friday 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Faxed or emailed claims are not accepted, the claim needs an original signature, and proof of damage must be included.
- Other agencies: the city’s page notes that it has no jurisdiction over agencies such as the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department or Caltrans, and that claimants are responsible for filing with the correct public entity.
Whichever agency is involved, the six-month claim deadline below applies, so it is worth sorting out the right agency early.
Courts serving Lancaster
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 in the North District at the Michael D. Antonovich Antelope Valley Courthouse, 42011 4th Street West, Lancaster. If your case goes to court, we handle where and how it is filed.
Cases we handle for people hurt in Lancaster
Our personal injury attorneys represent people injured in Lancaster in cases including:
You can also read about our past case results and what clients say about working with us.
What a Lancaster 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 Lancaster 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 Lancaster 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.
Lancaster personal injury FAQ
How much does a personal injury lawyer cost in Lancaster?
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 Lancaster?
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 Lancaster 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 Lancaster?
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 Lancaster claims go.
Where do I get my Lancaster accident report?
The “Getting your Lancaster 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 Lancaster:
- Santa Clarita personal injury attorneys
- Burbank personal injury attorneys
- North Hollywood personal injury attorneys
- Pasadena personal injury attorneys
- Glendale personal injury attorneys
- Van Nuys 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 Lancaster and across the Antelope Valley 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.