If you were injured in a car crash, a fall or another accident in Orange, 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 Orange specifically, and how our Orange County personal injury attorneys can help.
Looking for a Orange personal injury lawyer? B&D Law Group, APLC handles Orange car, truck, motorcycle, pedestrian and premises injury cases, and the first consultation is free.
Getting your Orange collision report
For crashes inside city limits, the Orange Police Department releases traffic collision reports from its Records counter:
- The department’s Request for Release of Police Records Information form (OPD R-48) covers traffic collision reports. Valid identification is required, and reports go to eligible parties under Vehicle Code section 20012, such as an involved driver, an injured party or a vehicle or property owner.
- The records window is in the lobby of the police department, 1107 North Batavia Street, Orange, CA 92867. The form lists hours of Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m., and Saturday, 8:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m., and a phone number of (714) 744-7380.
- The form does not list a fee, but says payment is required when the report is released, and Records staff contact you when your request is ready.
- The department’s FAQ page, which covers police reports in general rather than collision reports specifically, says the process may take up to 10 days.
Freeway crashes are generally handled by the California Highway Patrol. The CHP Santa Ana Area office, at 2031 E. Santa Clara Ave., Santa Ana, lists Interstate 5 and 405 and State Routes 55, 22 and 91 among the freeways it patrols. Its page does not name the City of Orange, so the CHP can confirm which office took a particular report. The office’s phone is (714) 338-5500.
Major roads in Orange
According to the Circulation & Mobility Element of the city’s General Plan, Interstate 5 passes through the southwest corner of the city, State Route 55 passes north-south through the center of Orange, State Route 22 crosses through the southern portion of the city, and State Route 57 originates at the junction of I-5 and SR-22. The plan also describes State Route 91 as providing access to key arterials in Orange and the Eastern Transportation Corridor (SR-241) as a north-south toll facility. It names Tustin Street, Glassell Street, Main Street and The City Drive as key north-south arterials, and Chapman Avenue, Katella Avenue, Taft Avenue and parts of La Veta Avenue as key east-west arterials.
The California Office of Traffic Safety’s most recent crash rankings (2023 data) counted 744 people killed or injured in Orange crashes that year, including 50 pedestrians, 38 bicyclists and 38 motorcyclists, with 78 victims in alcohol-involved crashes. Among 62 California cities with populations of 100,001 to 250,000, Orange ranked 19th for total victims, where 1st is worst. 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 Orange or another public agency may be responsible
- City streets and sidewalks: according to the City Clerk’s claims page, claims against the City of Orange are made on a Claim for Damages form, which may be filed electronically. Paper claims, with an original signed copy, must be mailed or delivered to the City Clerk Department, 300 E. Chapman Avenue, Orange, CA 92866. Questions go to the City Clerk’s Office at (714) 744-5500, and the City Attorney’s Office at (714) 744-5580 can give a claim’s status.
Whichever agency is involved, the six-month claim deadline below applies, so it is worth sorting out the right agency early.
Courts serving Orange
Orange County Superior Court says unlimited civil actions are heard at one of its justice centers, depending on which judicial officer is assigned to the case: the Central Justice Center, 700 Civic Center Dr., Santa Ana; the North Justice Center, 1275 N. Berkley Ave., Fullerton; or the West Justice Center, 8141 13th Street, Westminster. If your case goes to court, we handle where and how it is filed.
Cases we handle for people hurt in Orange
Our personal injury attorneys represent people injured in Orange in cases including:
You can also read about our past case results and what clients say about working with us.
What a Orange 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 Orange 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 Orange 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.
Orange personal injury FAQ
How much does a personal injury lawyer cost in Orange?
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 Orange?
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 Orange 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 Orange?
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 Orange claims go.
Where do I get my Orange accident report?
The “Getting your Orange 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 Orange:
- Santa Ana personal injury attorneys
- Tustin personal injury attorneys
- Anaheim personal injury attorneys
- Irvine personal injury attorneys
- Westminster personal injury attorneys
- Costa Mesa personal injury attorneys
- Our Orange County office
- All areas we serve
Talk to a B&D Law Group attorney
B&D Law Group, APLC represents people hurt in Orange from our Orange County office at 2 S. Pointe Dr, Ste 248, Lake Forest, CA 92630. 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.