Pasadena Personal Injury Lawyer

CCP § 335.1 generally allows two years from the date of injury to file a California personal injury lawsuit. Shorter deadlines and special accrual rules may apply, so a claim arising in Pasadena should be evaluated promptly in the appropriate Los Angeles County jurisdiction.

Yes. California follows pure comparative negligence, so Li v. Yellow Cab permits recovery reduced by your percentage of fault, while Civil Code § 1431.2 limits each defendant’s liability for noneconomic damages to that defendant’s share of fault.

You generally must prove that the defendant owed a duty of care, breached that duty, caused your injury, and produced compensable damages. Civil Code § 1714 establishes California’s general rule that people are responsible for injuries caused by their lack of ordinary care.

Usually, a lawsuit may be filed in Los Angeles County when the injury occurred there or a defendant resides there, subject to CCP §§ 393 through 395.5 and court assignment rules. Pasadena-area matters may be associated with the Pasadena Courthouse, although Los Angeles Superior Court can assign personal injury cases to another county courthouse.

Potentially. Vehicle Code § 17150 makes an owner liable for a permissive driver’s negligence, while Vehicle Code § 17151 generally limits that statutory owner liability unless another theory supports greater recovery.

Obtain medical care, report the collision, preserve photographs and witness information, and avoid giving an unnecessary recorded statement before understanding your rights. Vehicle Code §§ 21950 and 21200 may affect the duties of motorists, pedestrians, and bicyclists, while CCP § 335.1 generally controls the lawsuit deadline.

Yes, if an owner or occupier failed to use reasonable care and that failure caused your injury under Civil Code § 1714. Evidence such as surveillance footage, inspection records, prior complaints, and photographs can be especially important in a Pasadena premises-liability claim.

Civil Code § 3342 generally imposes strict liability when a dog bites someone in a public place or while the person is lawfully on private property. The owner may be liable even without prior knowledge that the dog was dangerous, although defenses and non-bite injuries require separate analysis.

Government Code § 911.2 generally requires a written claim for personal injury to be presented within six months after accrual. If the claim is rejected, Government Code § 945.6 commonly provides six months from written notice of rejection to file suit, making public-entity cases substantially more time-sensitive than ordinary claims.

A public entity may be liable for a dangerous condition of public property if the requirements of Government Code § 835 are proven. The claimant must also comply with the Government Claims Act, including the six-month presentation period in Government Code § 911.2.

Recoverable damages may include reasonable medical expenses, lost income, diminished earning capacity, property loss, pain, emotional distress, and loss of enjoyment of life. Civil Code § 3333 generally permits compensation for detriment proximately caused by the wrongful act, while Civil Code § 1431.2 affects allocation of noneconomic damages among multiple defendants.

It may, depending on the policy, available evidence, and compliance with notice requirements. Insurance Code § 11580.2 governs uninsured-motorist coverage and includes special requirements for unknown or hit-and-run drivers, so the collision should be reported promptly to police and the insurer.

CCP § 377.60 identifies eligible claimants, commonly including the decedent’s surviving spouse, domestic partner, children, and certain other qualifying dependents or heirs. CCP § 335.1 generally provides a two-year filing period, although public-entity and delayed-discovery issues can create different deadlines.

CCP § 340.5 generally requires an action within three years after injury or one year after the plaintiff discovers, or reasonably should discover, the injury, whichever occurs first. CCP § 364 also generally requires at least 90 days’ advance notice before filing against a healthcare provider.

Yes, many claims resolve through negotiation, mediation, or a settlement conference before trial in Los Angeles Superior Court. Any agreement should account for medical liens, future losses, comparative fault, and the release of claims because CCP § 664.6 may allow enforcement of qualifying written or court-stated settlements.