If you were injured in a car crash, a fall or another accident in San Fernando, 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 San Fernando specifically, and how our Los Angeles personal injury attorneys can help.
Looking for a San Fernando personal injury lawyer? B&D Law Group, APLC handles San Fernando car, truck, motorcycle, pedestrian and premises injury cases, and the first consultation is free.
Getting your San Fernando collision report
Crashes inside San Fernando are handled by the San Fernando Police Department, 910 First Street, San Fernando, CA 91340. Its copies-of-reports page says you may obtain a report in person or by mail for $20 (non-refundable). The Records Bureau is listed as open Monday through Friday 8:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m., at (818) 898-1279 or Re*****@*********do.gov. The page does not state a waiting period, so ask when the report will be ready.
Freeway crashes are generally handled by the California Highway Patrol. The CHP West Valley Area office, at 5825 De Soto Avenue in Woodland Hills, lists San Fernando among the communities it serves. Its phone is (747) 373-3000.
Major roads in San Fernando
The City’s General Plan Circulation Element says San Fernando is served by the Golden State Freeway (I-5), the San Diego Freeway (I-405), the Foothill Freeway (I-210) and the Simi-San Fernando Freeway (State Route 118).
The California Office of Traffic Safety’s most recent crash rankings (2023 data) counted 101 people killed or injured in San Fernando crashes that year, including 8 pedestrians, 4 bicyclists and 8 motorcyclists, with 5 victims in alcohol-involved crashes. San Fernando ranked 24th of 103 for total people killed or injured. It ranked 9th of 103 for motorcyclists 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 San Fernando or another public agency may be responsible
- City streets and sidewalks: we could not find a published claim procedure for the City. The City Clerk’s page lists City Hall at 117 Macneil Street, San Fernando, CA 91340 and (818) 898-1204 but does not mention claims, so call the Clerk and ask where a claim against the City must be delivered. Do not wait, because the six-month deadline below runs from the date of the injury.
Whichever agency is involved, the six-month claim deadline below applies, so it is worth sorting out the right agency early.
Courts serving San Fernando
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 Antonovich Antelope Valley Courthouse, 42011 4th Street West, Lancaster. The San Fernando Courthouse, 900 Third Street, is part of the court’s North Valley District. If your case goes to court, we handle where and how it is filed.
Cases we handle for people hurt in San Fernando
Our personal injury attorneys represent people injured in San Fernando in cases including:
You can also read about our past case results and what clients say about working with us.
What a San Fernando 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 San Fernando 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 San Fernando 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.
San Fernando personal injury FAQ
How much does a personal injury lawyer cost in San Fernando?
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 San Fernando?
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 San Fernando 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 San Fernando?
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 San Fernando claims go.
Where do I get my San Fernando accident report?
The “Getting your San Fernando 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 San Fernando:
- Van Nuys personal injury attorneys
- North Hollywood personal injury attorneys
- Burbank personal injury attorneys
- Santa Clarita personal injury attorneys
- Los Angeles 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 San Fernando 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.