What the claim involves
An Orange car accident claim is about more than the damage you can see.
A collision at freeway speed or at a busy Orange intersection can cause a neck, back, or head injury that only shows its full effect after imaging and follow-up care. Settling before then can leave future treatment and lost earnings out of the claim.
Kyle Scott has practiced law since 1991 and has run his own firm since 2003. He reviews how the crash happened, which drivers and policies are involved, and how the injuries affect work and daily life, and the firm handles negotiations, uninsured motorist claims, lawsuits, and trial. If you are looking for a car accident attorney in Orange, your first conversation is with Kyle Scott himself.
The Orange Crush and the freeways
The CHP says an average of 540,000 vehicles a day travel through the Orange Crush, the transition of the 5, the 22, and the 57. Its Santa Ana Area patrols I-5, I-405, and State Routes 55, 22, and 91 and lists the Orange Crush as part of its area. Freeway cases turn on speed, following distance, and lane changes. CHP reports can be requested through the CHP Crash Portal or with a CHP 190 form, and for a crash on the 57 it is worth confirming which CHP office took the report. The firm also requests dispatch records and any dashcam or camera video before it is overwritten.
City streets and Old Towne
The Orange Police Department’s Traffic Bureau investigates collisions on city streets, from the Plaza at Chapman Avenue and Glassell Street to Tustin Street and Katella Avenue, and its Major Accident Investigation Team handles fatal crashes. The Records Bureau, 1107 N. Batavia St., releases collision reports to people who were injured or whose property was damaged, at the counter or through an online request. Left-turn and red-light disputes often come down to signal timing, witnesses, and business video.
Coverage, deadlines, and where the case goes
A claim can involve more than one policy: the at-fault driver’s liability coverage, your own uninsured or underinsured motorist coverage, or an employer, rideshare, or commercial policy. For policies issued or renewed since January 1, 2025, California’s minimum liability limits are $30,000 for injury to one person, $60,000 for injury to more than one person, and $15,000 for property damage, rising to $50,000, $100,000, and $25,000 for policies issued or renewed from January 1, 2035 (Vehicle Code § 16056). Most injury lawsuits are due in two years (Code of Civil Procedure § 335.1), and a claim involving a city vehicle, a school district vehicle, a public bus, or a dangerous public road generally needs a written claim within six months (Government Code § 911.2), with claims against the city going to the City Clerk. A collision with an injury must be reported to the DMV within 10 days (Vehicle Code § 16000). Unlimited civil cases are heard at the Central Justice Center, 700 Civic Center Drive West, Santa Ana.
Hit-and-run drivers, uninsured drivers, and shared fault
If the driver is never identified, your own uninsured motorist coverage may respond, but the statute requires physical contact, a report within 24 hours to the police of the city where the crash happened, and a sworn statement to your insurer within 30 days (Insurance Code § 11580.2). Civil Code § 3333.4 generally bars pain-and-suffering damages for a person who owned an uninsured vehicle in the crash, drove without proof of financial responsibility, or was convicted of DUI for the crash. If you were partly at fault, fault reduces a recovery and no percentage bars the claim (CACI No. 405).
Cases the firm reviews
Common car accident matters.
Information that can matter
A strong claim starts with preserved evidence.
The useful records vary by case. The initial review identifies what exists, what may need to be requested, and what should be preserved before it is lost.
Legal guides
Answers to common car accidents questions.
Common questions
Questions about car accident claims.
Should I hire an Orange car accident lawyer if the insurer already accepted fault?
Accepting fault settles who caused the crash, not what the claim is worth. Insurers still dispute diagnoses, whether treatment was related, future care, and lost earnings, and a signed release usually ends the claim for good. A free consultation can help you decide whether an offer accounts for everything. Some people with minor, property-only claims handle them without a lawyer.
Who writes the police report for a crash in Orange, and how do I get a copy?
The Orange Police Department’s Traffic Bureau handles collisions on city streets, and the California Highway Patrol handles the freeways. OPD’s Records Bureau releases collision reports to people who were injured or had property damaged, at its counter on North Batavia Street or through an online request. CHP reports are requested through the CHP Crash Portal or a CHP 190 form.
What is the Orange Crush, and who investigates crashes there?
The Orange Crush is the interchange where the 5, the 22, and the 57 meet. The CHP says an average of 540,000 vehicles a day travel through it, and the CHP’s Santa Ana Area covers it. Get the report number at the scene if you can, and note the direction of travel and the nearest exit or connector ramp.
How long do I have to bring a car accident claim in California?
Under Code of Civil Procedure § 335.1, most injury lawsuits must be filed within two years of the crash. If a public entity is involved, such as a City of Orange vehicle, a school district, or a public bus, a written government claim is generally due within six months under Government Code § 911.2. The DMV SR-1 report is due within 10 days. Exceptions exist, so confirm the dates early.
What if the driver who hit me had no insurance or drove away?
If your policy includes uninsured motorist coverage, it may pay for your injuries. For a hit-and-run, Insurance Code § 11580.2 generally requires physical contact, a police report within 24 hours, and a sworn statement to your insurer within 30 days. Underinsured motorist coverage may help when the other driver’s limits are too low. California’s minimum is $30,000 for injury to one person, or $50,000 for a policy issued or renewed from January 1, 2035.
Can I still recover if I was partly at fault?
Yes. California follows pure comparative fault: your damages are reduced by your percentage of fault, not eliminated (CACI No. 405). A separate rule, Civil Code § 3333.4 (Proposition 213), generally bars pain-and-suffering damages for an injured person who drove uninsured or was convicted of DUI for the crash, even if the other driver was at fault.
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.
- California Code of Civil Procedure § 335.1
- California Government Code § 911.2 (six-month presentation period)
- California Vehicle Code § 16000 (report of accident to the DMV)
- California Vehicle Code § 16056 (minimum liability limits)
- California Insurance Code § 11580.2 (uninsured and underinsured motorist coverage)
- California Civil Code § 3333.4 (Proposition 213)
- California Judicial Council — CACI No. 405 (comparative fault), 2026 Civil Jury Instructions
- California DMV — SR-1 accident reporting
- California Highway Patrol — Santa Ana Area office (Orange Crush)
- California Highway Patrol — request a crash report
- City of Orange Police Department — Field Services Division (Traffic Bureau)
- City of Orange Police Department — Records Bureau
- City of Orange — City Clerk, claims and legal matters
- Orange County Superior Court — court designation list
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