Long Beach Personal Injury Attorney

How the firm helps in Long Beach

Long Beach claims run through Los Angeles County’s court and the city’s own agencies.

Long Beach is in Los Angeles County, but it borders Orange County at Seal Beach and Los Alamitos, so a person who lives a few miles away in Orange County can be hurt under a different county’s court rules. Long Beach also runs its own police department, its own health department, and its own animal care services, so crash reports on city streets and bite reports come from city agencies, not Los Angeles County ones.

Kyle Scott Law represents Long Beach clients from its only office, in Tustin, in Orange County. A free review covers what happened, who controlled the road or property, which insurance applies, and which deadlines are running.

The 405, the 710, and Pacific Coast Highway

The 405 crosses the city, the 710 runs along its west side to the Port of Long Beach, and Pacific Coast Highway (State Route 1) runs through its southern half. Caltrans and Metro describe the 710 as the principal connection for goods movement between the ports and the rail yards in Commerce and Vernon. Truck crashes often involve a motor carrier and several insurers, so evidence is secured early.

Long Beach streets and police reports

The Long Beach Police Department investigates crashes on city streets. Copies of collision reports are requested with the department’s application form, mailed or delivered to its Information Management Division at 400 West Broadway, and the department says processing can take up to about six months. If an insurer argues the injured person was partly at fault, California’s comparative-fault rule (CACI No. 405) reduces a recovery by that share instead of barring it.

Schools, city property, and government claims

The school district that serves Long Beach also serves Lakewood, Signal Hill, and Avalon on Catalina Island. Claims against the district are handled by its Risk Management office, and claims against the City go to the City Clerk at 411 West Ocean Boulevard. For an injury claim against either, a written government claim is generally due within six months (Government Code § 911.2).

Dog bites in Long Beach

All animal bites to people are legally reportable in Long Beach. The bite is reported to the city’s Health Department, which notifies Animal Care Services, and dogs and cats are quarantined for at least 10 days. Under Civil Code § 3342, a dog’s owner is liable for bites in a public place or to someone lawfully on private property, even if the dog never bit before.

Cases the firm reviews

Common Long Beach injury matters.

Car, truck, and motorcycle collisions on the 405, the 710, Pacific Coast Highway, and Long Beach streets

Truck crashes involving port and delivery traffic

Falls and other unsafe-property injuries

Student injuries on campuses, fields, and trips, which follow the government claim rules

Dog bites in Long Beach neighborhoods and parks

Courts, hospitals, and reports

Where a Long Beach case actually happens.

The facts of a claim live in specific places: the courthouse where it would be filed, the hospitals that hold the treatment records, and the agencies that wrote the report. Knowing them from day one shortens everything that follows.

Where cases are filed: The Superior Court of Los Angeles County; every new civil case must include a Statement of Location (form LASC CIV 109), and for injury cases the listed reason is generally where the injury happened

Reports and agencies: Long Beach Police Department for city streets; California Highway Patrol for the 405, the 710, and other freeways

Reports and agencies: Long Beach Health Department, which notifies Long Beach Animal Care Services, for bite reports

Government claims: The Long Beach City Clerk, 411 West Ocean Boulevard, for the City; the school district’s Risk Management office for the district

Legal guides

Answers to questions Long Beach clients ask.

View all guides

DeadlinesHow Long Do You Have to File a Personal Injury Lawsuit in California?8 min read Government claimsWhen Is a Government Claim Required After an Injury in Orange County?14 min read EvidenceWhat Evidence Do You Need for a California Personal Injury Claim?8 min read Pedestrian accidentsWhat Are Your Rights If a Car Hits You While Walking in California?11 min read

Common questions

Questions from Long Beach clients.

Where would a Long Beach injury case be filed?

In the Superior Court of Los Angeles County, because Long Beach is in Los Angeles County. Every new civil case there must include a Statement of Location explaining the choice of courthouse, and for an injury case that is generally where the injury happened. Many claims resolve with the insurer before any lawsuit is filed.

I live in Orange County but was hurt in Long Beach. Does that change anything?

It can. A lawsuit may be filed where the injury happened or where a defendant lives (Code of Civil Procedure section 395), so a Long Beach injury often belongs in the Los Angeles court even if you live in Orange County. The police report, bite report, and any government claim also come from Long Beach agencies, not your home city.

How do I get the police report for a Long Beach crash?

For crashes on city streets, the Long Beach Police Department releases collision reports through its written application, mailed or delivered to the Information Management Division at 400 West Broadway; the department says processing can take up to about six months. Crashes on the 405, the 710, and other freeways are handled by the California Highway Patrol. Keep the report number you were given at the scene.

A dog bit me in Long Beach. Who takes the report?

Long Beach has its own Health Department, and bites are reported there; it notifies Long Beach Animal Care Services. Dogs and cats that bite are quarantined for at least 10 days. Under California Civil Code section 3342, a dog’s owner is liable for bite injuries in a public place or while you were lawfully on private property, even if the dog never bit anyone before.

My child was hurt at a Long Beach public school. What should I know?

A public school district is a public entity, so a written claim generally must be presented to the district within six months of the injury (Government Code section 911.2) before any lawsuit. Get medical care, keep the school’s incident paperwork, and note the names of staff and witnesses.

Does Kyle Scott Law have a Long Beach office?

No. The firm’s only office is at 17671 Irvine Blvd., Suite 210, in Tustin, in Orange County. It represents Long Beach clients from there. The first consultation is free and can be by phone or video, in English or Spanish, and in-person meetings are arranged when a case calls for one.

This page provides general information, not legal advice. A consultation is needed to evaluate the facts, deadlines, parties, and law that may apply to a specific matter.

Sources

Official sources.

The figures and rules of law on this page come from these official sources.

Practice areas

Cases Kyle Scott Law handles for Long Beach clients.

View every practice area

Car AccidentsKyle Scott Law represents people hurt in car, truck, motorcycle, rideshare, and pedestrian crashes across Orange County, from an office in Tustin.Dog BitesKyle Scott Law represents adults and children hurt in dog bites and dog attacks across Orange County, claims that are often paid by the owner’s homeowner’s or renter’s insurance.School LiabilityRepresentation for students and families when a school district, private school, or its employees failed to supervise, protect, or maintain — including sexual abuse by staff, playground and sports injuries, bullying and assaults, and unsafe campus conditions.Truck AccidentsRepresentation for drivers, passengers, motorcyclists, and pedestrians hurt by a big rig, delivery truck, or other commercial vehicle on Orange County roads, against the driver and every company behind it.