If you were injured in a car crash, a fall or another accident in Oakland, 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 Oakland specifically, and how our San Francisco personal injury attorneys can help.
Looking for a Oakland personal injury lawyer? B&D Law Group, APLC handles Oakland car, truck, motorcycle, pedestrian and premises injury cases, and the first consultation is free.
Getting your Oakland collision report
The Oakland Police Department Traffic Investigations Unit provides vehicle collision reports:
- Reports are typically available 60 to 90 days after the collision.
- Online through BuyCrash for $30.00, which includes a $5.00 convenience fee. Fatal collision reports are not available online.
- In person or by mail for $25.00 at the OPD Eastmont Substation, Traffic Investigations Unit, 2651 73rd Avenue, Oakland, CA 94605, Monday through Thursday, 8 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. Mail requests need a self-addressed, stamped trackable envelope.
- Phone: (510) 777-8570.
Freeway crashes are generally handled by the California Highway Patrol. The CHP Oakland Area office, at 3601 Telegraph Avenue, covers Oakland, Berkeley, Piedmont, Emeryville and nearby cities.
Oakland roads where serious crashes happen
Oakland’s 2024 High Injury Network identifies the 8% of city streets responsible for 60% of severe and fatal collisions. Streets on the city’s earlier (2018) High Injury Network map include International Boulevard, MacArthur Boulevard, Foothill Boulevard, Telegraph Avenue, Broadway, San Pablo Avenue, Martin Luther King Jr. Way, Grand Avenue, Fruitvale Avenue and Hegenberger Road, and the map also shows I-580, I-880, I-980, SR-13 and SR-24.
The California Office of Traffic Safety’s most recent crash rankings (2023 data) counted 2,013 people killed or injured in Oakland crashes that year, including 255 pedestrians, 100 bicyclists and 119 motorcyclists, with 174 victims in alcohol-involved crashes. Oakland ranked 7th of 15 large California cities (populations over 250,000) for total victims, where 1st is worst. OTS weights its rankings by population and miles driven, so the rank is not a simple head count. Oakland ranked worst of the 15 for hit-and-run injury collisions. (OTS crash rankings)
When the City of Oakland or another public agency may be responsible
- City streets and sidewalks: claims against the City of Oakland are handled by the Oakland City Attorney’s Office. The claim form can be emailed to cl****@*****************ey.org or mailed to 1 Frank H. Ogawa Plaza, 6th Floor, Oakland, CA 94612.
- AC Transit buses: injuries involving an AC Transit bus are claimed by filing a Claim for Damages form with the AC Transit District Secretary’s Office.
Either way, the six-month claim deadline below applies, so it is worth sorting out the right agency early.
Courts serving Oakland
Alameda County Superior Court hears civil cases in Oakland at the René C. Davidson Courthouse, 1225 Fallon Street, and the Administration Building, 1221 Oak Street. The Hayward Hall of Justice also hears civil cases. If your case goes to court, we handle where and how it is filed.
Cases we handle for people hurt in Oakland
Our personal injury attorneys represent people injured in Oakland in cases including:
You can also read about our past case results and what clients say about working with us.
What a Oakland 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 Oakland 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 Oakland 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.
Oakland personal injury FAQ
How much does a personal injury lawyer cost in Oakland?
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 Oakland?
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 Oakland 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 Oakland?
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 Oakland claims go.
Where do I get my Oakland accident report?
The “Getting your Oakland 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 Oakland:
- San Francisco personal injury attorneys
- Walnut Creek personal injury attorneys
- Hayward personal injury attorneys
- San Mateo personal injury attorneys
- Vallejo personal injury attorneys
- Fremont personal injury attorneys
- Our San Francisco office
- Bay Area personal injury attorneys
- All areas we serve
Talk to a B&D Law Group attorney
B&D Law Group, APLC represents people hurt in Oakland and across the East Bay. Our nearest office is the San Francisco office at 50 California St, Suite 1500, San Francisco, CA 94111. 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.