If you were injured in a car crash, a fall or another accident in Malibu, 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 Malibu specifically, and how our Los Angeles personal injury attorneys can help.
Looking for a Malibu personal injury lawyer? B&D Law Group, APLC handles Malibu car, truck, motorcycle, pedestrian and premises injury cases, and the first consultation is free.
Getting your Malibu collision report
Malibu is served by the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department Malibu/Lost Hills Station, 27050 Agoura Road, Agoura, CA 91301, (818) 878-1808.
Collision reports taken by the Sheriff’s Department are requested through the LASD Records and Identification Bureau. Its records page says involved parties can call (562) 345-4441 to request a copy and schedule an in-person pickup at 12440 East Imperial Highway, Suite 120, in Norwalk, or request one by mail, and that reports from the past six months may be available from the local station, so call the station first. The department’s published fee schedule is dated 2022, so confirm the current fee when you call.
Pacific Coast Highway (State Route 1) is a state highway, and the California Highway Patrol also patrols it. If you are not sure which agency took your report, the station or the CHP can tell you.
Major roads in Malibu
Pacific Coast Highway (State Route 1) runs the length of the city, and Malibu Canyon Road connects the coast to the Calabasas area.
The California Office of Traffic Safety’s most recent crash rankings (2023 data) counted 206 people killed or injured in Malibu crashes that year, including 20 pedestrians, 5 bicyclists and 32 motorcyclists, with 18 victims in alcohol-involved crashes. Malibu ranked first of 103 for total people killed or injured, for pedestrians and for motorcyclists. 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 Malibu or another public agency may be responsible
- City streets and sidewalks: claims against the City of Malibu go to the City Clerk, 23825 Stuart Ranch Road, Malibu, CA 90265, (310) 456-2489. Call to confirm how a claim must be delivered.
Whichever agency is involved, the six-month claim deadline below applies, so it is worth sorting out the right agency early.
Courts serving Malibu
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. If your case goes to court, we handle where and how it is filed.
Cases we handle for people hurt in Malibu
Our personal injury attorneys represent people injured in Malibu in cases including:
You can also read about our past case results and what clients say about working with us.
What a Malibu 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 Malibu 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 Malibu 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.
Malibu personal injury FAQ
How much does a personal injury lawyer cost in Malibu?
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 Malibu?
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 Malibu 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 Malibu?
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 Malibu claims go.
Where do I get my Malibu accident report?
The “Getting your Malibu 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 Malibu:
- Calabasas personal injury attorneys
- Santa Monica personal injury attorneys
- Woodland Hills personal injury attorneys
- Thousand Oaks 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 Malibu 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.