El Segundo Personal Injury Lawyer
El Segundo has about 16,400 residents in 5.46 square miles (U.S. Census), but the city’s economic development office puts its workforce population at more than 70,000 (El Segundo Economic Development). If you were hurt here, three things will shape your claim: which agency is responsible for where it happened, which deadline applies, and whose insurance pays.
El Segundo personal injury lawyer Jon Olsson is based in Redondo Beach and represents people hurt in El Segundo and across the South Bay. He answers those questions at a free consultation, and there is no attorney’s fee unless you recover compensation.
El Segundo Injury Claims at a Glance
- Deadline to sue: generally two years for injury and wrongful death (CCP § 335.1); three years for property damage such as a car or bike (CCP § 338).
- Claims against a public agency: a written claim is generally due within six months (Gov. Code § 911.2). In and around El Segundo, that can mean the City of El Segundo, the State, the City of Los Angeles (for LAX), Los Angeles County or Metro (see the table below).
- Partial fault: reduces your recovery by your share of fault but doesn’t bar it (CACI No. 405).
- Where cases are filed: generally the Inglewood Courthouse in the Los Angeles Superior Court’s Southwest District, not Torrance.
Why Jon’s Corporate Defense Experience Helps Your El Segundo Claim
Jon spent the early part of his career on the other side of injury cases, so he knows how insurers and their lawyers will size up your claim. Before founding Olsson Law, he spent six years at a large international law firm defending companies in complex litigation, including serious injury and product liability matters. He then joined a Los Angeles personal injury firm, where he represented injured people in motor vehicle collisions, dangerous property conditions, public entity cases and disputed liability matters. That background tells him what evidence moves a defense lawyer, and what they look for to justify paying less.
Jon stays directly involved from your first consultation through the resolution of your case, and works to reduce medical bills and liens so more of any settlement goes to you.
- Education: Georgetown University Law Center (J.D.); New York University (B.A.)
- Bar admissions: California, Texas and Massachusetts
- Community: member of the Consumer Attorneys Association of Los Angeles, the Los Angeles County Bar Association and the South Bay Bar Association
Prior Results
- $3.85 million: wrongful death settlement
- $700,000: car accident, back and neck injuries
- $400,000: slip and fall, knee injury
These results include matters personally handled by Jon Olsson at prior law firms and matters in which he participated as part of a legal team. Past results do not guarantee a similar outcome.
Read more about Jon Olsson, our approach, and prior results.
How Often Are People Hurt in El Segundo Crashes?
It swings widely from year to year, and some recent years have been bad. In 2022, El Segundo ranked 2nd of 104 similar-sized California cities for pedestrians killed or injured, with 23. In 2023, it ranked 12th of 103 for total people killed or injured (120) and 10th for speed-related crashes.
The California Office of Traffic Safety (OTS) compares El Segundo with about 100 California cities of 10,001 to 25,000 people, with No. 1 the worst (OTS methodology).
| Year | All crashes: killed or injured (rank) | Pedestrians (rank) | Bicyclists (rank) | Speed-related crashes (rank) | Hit-and-run crashes (rank) | Cities ranked |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | 120 (12th) | 9 (12th) | 9 (17th) | 21 (10th) | 9 (12th) | 103 |
| 2022 | 111 (46th) | 23 (2nd) | 5 (44th) | 13 (50th) | 6 (44th) | 104 |
| 2021 | 63 (75th) | 7 (32nd) | 6 (28th) | 7 (80th) | 5 (53rd) | 101 |
| 2020 | 41 (80th) | 6 (27th) | 3 (64th) | 2 (99th) | 1 (99th) | 103 |
| 2019 | 61 (67th) | 3 (80th) | 4 (61st) | 12 (43rd) | 1 (91st) | 103 |
| 2018 | 142 (28th) | 13 (14th) | 1 (93rd) | 24 (26th) | 8 (38th) | 102 |
| 2017 | 129 (30th) | 10 (28th) | 8 (37th) | 28 (26th) | 6 (53rd) | 101 |
The figures count only reported crashes, and crashes reported by the CHP, including most freeway crashes, don’t count toward the city’s totals (OTS). The pedestrian and bicyclist columns count people killed or injured; the speed-related and hit-and-run columns count crashes. Data current as of October 2026; 2023 is the most recent year OTS has ranked.
Who Do You File a Claim Against in El Segundo?
That turns on the exact spot where you were hurt. Some places that feel like El Segundo aren’t: LAX, just north of the city, is owned and run by the City of Los Angeles through Los Angeles World Airports (LAWA). Send a claim to the wrong agency, or miss the six-month window, and it can be rejected before anyone looks at the merits.
| Where you were hurt | Responsible party | Where the claim goes | Deadline |
|---|---|---|---|
| City streets, sidewalks, city property, city vehicles | City of El Segundo | City Clerk’s Office, City Hall, 350 Main Street, on the city’s claim form. The city refers claims to its liability claims administrator, Adminsure (city instructions) | 6 months |
| Pacific Coast Highway (State Route 1), which El Segundo renamed from Sepulveda Boulevard in June 2018 (City of Manhattan Beach) | State of California (Caltrans) | Department of General Services Government Claims Program | 6 months |
| LAX (Los Angeles International Airport) | City of Los Angeles, through Los Angeles World Airports, the city department that owns and runs LAX (LAWA) | Los Angeles City Clerk, online, by mail or in person at City Hall, 200 N. Spring St., Room 395. Emailed or faxed claims aren’t accepted (City Clerk) | 6 months |
| The beach bike path (Marvin Braude Bike Trail) | Los Angeles County, which maintains the path except for a few listed stretches, none in El Segundo (L.A. County) | Los Angeles County | 6 months |
| Metro buses and the K Line’s Mariposa, El Segundo and Douglas stations | Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority (Metro) | Metro | 6 months |
| Private property, such as an office campus, parking structure, store or restaurant | The owner or business (Civil Code § 1714) | The owner’s liability insurer | 2 years to sue |
Against a public agency, you generally have to show the property was in a dangerous condition that caused your injury, that the injury was the kind of harm the condition made foreseeable, and that the agency either created the hazard through an employee’s negligent or wrongful act or omission, or knew or should have known about it in time to protect against it (Gov. Code § 835). The City of El Segundo warns claimants: “Your claim form is generally your only opportunity to present information you wish the City to consider.”
Who Pays After an El Segundo Accident?
In most cases, the insurer for whoever caused the injury, though the right policy depends on how you were hurt. California’s minimum auto coverage is only $30,000 per person and $60,000 per accident (California Department of Insurance), so a serious injury may call for looking beyond one policy.
| What happened | Usual source of payment |
|---|---|
| Hit by a driver | The driver’s auto policy, then your own uninsured/underinsured motorist (UM/UIM) coverage if they’re uninsured or their limits are lower than your UM/UIM limits |
| Hit by a driver who was working | The employer’s commercial policy may also apply |
| Hit-and-run driver who can’t be found | Your own UM coverage, if you meet California’s requirements for unidentified drivers (Ins. Code § 11580.2) |
| Hurt in or by an Uber or Lyft, including on airport runs | Rideshare coverage: at least $50,000 per person while the app is on and waiting, and $1 million once a ride is accepted or a passenger is aboard (Pub. Util. Code § 5433) |
| Hit by a bicyclist or e-bike rider | Possibly the rider’s homeowner’s, renter’s or umbrella policy, if they have one. E-bike riders aren’t subject to the financial responsibility (insurance) rules that apply to drivers (Vehicle Code § 24016) |
| Bitten by a dog | Possibly the owner’s homeowner’s or renter’s policy, if they have one |
What Should I Do After an Accident in El Segundo?
- Get checked by a doctor promptly, even if you feel okay. The signs of a concussion may not appear for hours or days (CDC). For the most serious injuries, Los Angeles County has five Level I trauma centers, including Harbor-UCLA Medical Center.
- Report the crash to the El Segundo Police Department, 348 Main Street. If the other driver left and can’t be identified, report it within 24 hours to protect your uninsured motorist claim.
- Take photos before anything is moved or fixed: the vehicles, the intersection or hazard, and your injuries. Get the names and phone numbers of anyone who saw it happen.
- Ask nearby offices, hotels and shops to save any security video before it’s recorded over.
- Get your El Segundo police report. Most crash reports are available through LexisNexis BuyCrash using the report number (including the “T”), your last name and the date. The department provides reports for DUI, fatal and juvenile-involved crashes directly. Questions go to the Records Division at (310) 524-2215 (El Segundo Police Department).
- Don’t give the other driver’s insurer a recorded statement until you’ve talked to a lawyer. Save your medical records and bills, plus anything showing work you missed.
El Segundo Accident Cases We Handle
El Segundo Pedestrian Accident Lawyer
Drivers must yield to pedestrians in any marked crosswalk and in unmarked crosswalks at intersections (Vehicle Code § 21950). A pedestrian claim often turns on exactly where you were crossing, so photos of the crossing and any nearby video matter. Pedestrian accident claims
El Segundo Car Accident Lawyer
We represent drivers and passengers hurt in rear-end, broadside, left-turn and parking-lot crashes on El Segundo streets, including speeding crashes and hit-and-runs. Car accident claims
El Segundo Uber and Lyft Accident Lawyer
Which insurance covers an Uber or Lyft crash depends on whether the driver’s app was on and whether a ride had been accepted, so getting the driver’s trip status early matters. Rideshare accident claims
El Segundo Truck Accident Lawyer
A truck crash can involve more than one responsible party. Ask early for driver logs and onboard data to be preserved, before they can be lost. Truck accident claims
El Segundo Bicycle and E-Bike Accident Lawyer
Drivers must pass a cyclist at a safe distance and never closer than three feet; if they can’t give three feet, they must slow down and pass only when it won’t endanger the rider (Vehicle Code § 21760). No one, driver or passenger, may open a car door into traffic unless it’s reasonably safe (§ 22517). Our bicycle and e-bike guide goes through both rules in more detail. Bicycle accident claims
El Segundo Motorcycle Accident Lawyer
Nationally, the other vehicle was turning left in 42% of fatal two-vehicle motorcycle crashes, according to NHTSA. Insurers often try to blame the rider, so early photos, video and the damage to the helmet and bike matter. Motorcycle accident claims
El Segundo Slip and Fall Lawyer
Spills, broken stairs, poor lighting and uneven walkways in offices, parking structures, stores and restaurants can support a claim when the owner failed to use ordinary care. Slip and fall claims
El Segundo Wrongful Death Lawyer
A spouse, domestic partner, children and certain other family members can bring a wrongful death claim (CCP § 377.60). Wrongful death claims
Dog Bites and Brain Injuries
Dog owners are generally liable for bites in a public place or to someone lawfully on private property, regardless of the dog’s history (Civil Code § 3342). We also represent clients living with brain injuries, including concussions. Dog bites · Brain injuries
What Is an El Segundo Injury Claim Worth?
A claim’s value comes from the losses the injury causes, now and in the future: your medical care, your income and the effect on your daily life. When an injury limits the work you can do, California juries weigh what you probably would have earned without it against what you can still earn (CACI No. 3903D).
- Economic damages: medical expenses past and future, lost income and earning capacity, and damage to your vehicle or other property
- Non-economic damages: physical pain, mental suffering, inconvenience and loss of enjoyment of life
- Wrongful death: lost financial support and household services, plus the loss of the person’s love, companionship, comfort and care (CACI No. 3921)
Where Are El Segundo Injury Lawsuits Filed?
Personal injury lawsuits in Los Angeles County are filed in the judicial district where the incident happened, and the court’s online filing locator decides the courthouse (LASC general order). El Segundo is in the Southwest District, and the county’s directory lists it under the Inglewood Courthouse, 1 Regent Street. That’s different from Manhattan Beach, Hermosa Beach and Redondo Beach, which the directory lists under the Torrance Courthouse.
El Segundo Personal Injury FAQs
I was hurt at LAX or on an airport road. Who do I file against?
If a dangerous condition of airport property caused the injury, the claim is usually against the City of Los Angeles, which owns LAX through Los Angeles World Airports. It must be filed with the Los Angeles City Clerk, not El Segundo, generally within six months. If another driver or a private business caused it, the claim is usually against them and their insurer.
My police report says Sepulveda Boulevard. Is that the same road as PCH?
Yes. In June 2018, El Segundo renamed its stretch of Sepulveda Boulevard to Pacific Coast Highway. Either way, it’s State Route 1, so a claim about the road’s design or condition generally goes to the State, not the city.
I was hit by a hit-and-run driver. Can I still recover?
Possibly, through your own uninsured motorist coverage. For a driver who can’t be identified, California generally requires physical contact with you or the vehicle you were in, a police report within 24 hours and a sworn statement to your insurer within 30 days (Ins. Code § 11580.2).
I was hurt while working. Can I still bring a personal injury claim?
Possibly. Workers’ compensation is generally your only remedy against your employer (Labor Code § 3602) and your co-workers (§ 3601), but it doesn’t bar a claim against an outside party who caused the injury, such as another driver or a property owner (§ 3852). There are also exceptions that allow a lawsuit against the employer itself, such as when the employer had no workers’ compensation coverage (§ 3706).
Do I need a personal injury lawyer?
Not for every claim. A minor injury you’ve fully recovered from, with an insurer that’s treating you fairly, may not need one. A lawyer earns their fee when the injury is serious or lasting, fault is in dispute, a government agency is involved, or several insurance policies could apply, as in many rideshare and commercial vehicle crashes.
How much does a personal injury lawyer cost?
You pay nothing up front. Olsson Law is paid a percentage of what it recovers for you, and if there’s no recovery, you owe no attorney’s fee. California requires contingency fee agreements to be in writing (Bus. & Prof. Code § 6147).
How long does a personal injury case take?
It largely depends on your medical recovery: a claim’s value usually isn’t clear until your doctors know what care you’ll need going forward. A case that goes to trial usually takes longer than one resolved by settlement.
Serving El Segundo and the South Bay
Jon represents injured people throughout El Segundo and in nearby Manhattan Beach, Hermosa Beach, Redondo Beach, Torrance and Palos Verdes, and throughout Los Angeles County.
Talk to an El Segundo Personal Injury Attorney Today
Video and witness memories fade, and public-agency deadlines are short. Call Jon Olsson at (310) 304-4756 or contact us online for a free case review. There is no attorney’s fee unless you recover.
This page provides general information about personal injury claims in El Segundo. It is not legal advice and does not create an attorney-client relationship. Deadlines and rules can change and may depend on the facts of your case.