Hermosa Beach Personal Injury Lawyer
Hermosa Beach fits about 18,500 residents into roughly 1.4 square miles. Downtown restaurants and shops sit along Hermosa Avenue, Pier Avenue and Pier Plaza, which leads to the beach. On the Strand, people on foot share the walkway with people on wheels. With that many people in so little space, pedestrians, cyclists and drivers can end up close together.
Olsson Law, a Redondo Beach firm, represents people injured throughout Hermosa Beach and the South Bay. If a crash injured you while walking, riding or driving here, Hermosa Beach personal injury lawyer Jon Olsson will review what happened and explain your options. He will also tell you honestly what your case is worth.
Key Facts About Hermosa Beach Personal Injury Claims
- Deadline to sue: generally two years for injury or wrongful death claims (Code of Civil Procedure § 335.1). For damage to property such as your car or bike, it’s generally three years (§ 338).
- Claims against the City: you generally must present a written injury claim within six months after the claim arises (Government Code § 911.2). This applies to the City of Hermosa Beach and other public entities.
- Partial fault: being partly at fault lowers your compensation by your percentage of fault, but you can still recover (CACI No. 405).
- Minimum insurance: $30,000 per person and $60,000 per accident in bodily injury coverage, required since January 1, 2025 (California Department of Insurance).
- Where to file: generally in the Los Angeles Superior Court district where the injury occurred (LA Superior Court). For Hermosa Beach, that’s the Southwest District’s Torrance Courthouse.
- Cost: free consultation, and no attorney’s fee unless we recover compensation for you.
Why Jon’s Corporate Defense Experience Helps Your Hermosa Beach 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 settlement: wrongful death
- $700,000 settlement: car accident, back and neck injury
- $400,000 settlement: 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. View all prior results.
How Common Are Bike Crashes in Hermosa Beach?
Much more common than they used to be. From 2017 through 2019, the California Office of Traffic Safety counted 2 to 6 bicyclists killed or injured in Hermosa Beach each year. From 2020 through 2023 it counted 9 to 18 a year, and in 2023 Hermosa ranked 3rd of 103 similar-sized California cities for bicyclist injuries, with No. 1 the worst (OTS methodology).
| Year | Bicyclists killed or injured (rank) | Pedestrians killed or injured (rank) | Alcohol-involved crashes (rank) | Cities ranked |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | 18 (3rd) | 7 (23rd) | 10 (31st) | 103 |
| 2022 | 13 (7th) | 6 (38th) | 17 (11th) | 104 |
| 2021 | 9 (13th) | 7 (30th) | 11 (35th) | 101 |
| 2020 | 11 (10th) | 8 (15th) | 5 (56th) | 103 |
| 2019 | 2 (70th) | 12 (8th) | 12 (21st) | 103 |
| 2018 | 5 (42nd) | 6 (49th) | 10 (34th) | 102 |
| 2017 | 6 (36th) | 6 (46th) | 11 (27th) | 101 |
The figures count only reported crashes and include both regular bikes and e-bikes. Hermosa also ranked 4th for bicyclists under 15 in both 2022 and 2023, and 10th for motorcyclists in 2023.
Hermosa Beach E-Bike Rules
Hermosa Beach has a number of local rules for e-bikes and other wheeled devices. Here are a few of them. This is not a complete list. The Beach Cities Health District’s summary covers the rest, including fines and other penalties.
- An e-bike can go onto the Strand walkway, Pier Plaza or the beach only with its motor off.
- Nothing on wheels may go faster than 8 mph on the Strand.
- E-bikes may not go on the Greenbelt.
- Rental e-bikes must have geofencing that stops their motors in restricted areas such as the Strand and Pier Plaza.
- Anyone under 18 on an e-bike, as a rider or a passenger, needs a fastened helmet.
Why These Rules Matter After a Crash
Under California law, breaking a statute, ordinance or regulation creates a presumption of carelessness in some cases. The presumption applies when the violation caused the type of harm the rule exists to prevent, to someone the rule aims to protect. The other side can try to rebut it (Evidence Code § 669).
A rider who hits a pedestrian while speeding under motor power on the Strand may be in that position. If you were the rider, the same rules can work against you. That’s why it helps to have someone review the facts early. Read our bicycle and e-bike accident guide or learn more about bicycle accident claims.
Who Is Responsible for the Road or Path, and Where Does the Claim Go?
It depends on exactly where you were hurt. Within a few blocks, Hermosa Beach has city streets, a state highway (PCH) and a county-maintained bike path, and a claim sent to the wrong agency, or filed after six months, can fail before it starts.
| Where you were hurt | Responsible party | Where the claim goes | Deadline |
|---|---|---|---|
| City streets, sidewalks, city property, city vehicles | City of Hermosa Beach | City Clerk’s Office, 1315 Valley Drive, Room 203, Hermosa Beach, CA 90254, on the city’s signed claim form. The claim goes on a City Council agenda and may be referred to the city’s claims administrator (city instructions, claim form) | 6 months |
| Pacific Coast Highway, which is State Route 1 through Hermosa Beach (Caltrans) | State of California (Caltrans) | Department of General Services Government Claims Program | 6 months |
| The beach bike path north of First Avenue | Los Angeles County (L.A. County) | Los Angeles County | 6 months |
| The beach bike path from First Avenue south to the Redondo Beach Pier | Not maintained by the county; confirm which city is responsible before filing | The responsible city | 6 months |
| Private property, such as a bar, restaurant, shop or rental | The owner or business (Civil Code § 1714) | The owner’s liability insurer | 2 years to sue |
To hold a public agency responsible, you usually need to show the road or path was dangerous and that the agency caused the problem or had time to fix it and didn’t (Gov. Code § 835). Because the deadline is short and the details matter, Jon moves quickly to protect these claims.
Where Hermosa Beach Accidents Happen
The Strand. People on foot share the beachfront walkway with people on bikes, e-bikes and other wheeled devices, and the rules above apply there. After a collision, whether each person was following those rules can matter.
Pier Avenue, Pier Plaza and Hermosa Avenue. The City lists these streets among its dining and shopping areas. Where shops and restaurants draw people on foot, pedestrians, cyclists, parked cars and moving traffic share the same streets and crossings.
Pacific Coast Highway. PCH runs through Hermosa Beach, and the City lists it among the town’s dining and shopping areas. Through traffic shares the road with drivers turning in and out of businesses.
Personal Injury Cases We Handle in Hermosa Beach
Pedestrian Accidents
In 2023, crashes in Hermosa Beach killed or injured 7 pedestrians, according to OTS. We represent pedestrians hit by cars, bikes and e-bikes in pedestrian accident cases.
Car Accidents
We represent drivers and passengers hurt in rear-end, broadside, parking-lot and other car accidents. OTS’s 2023 data also counts 10 people killed or injured in alcohol-involved crashes in Hermosa Beach. Even a moderate-speed crash can cause lasting neck, back and head injuries.
Rideshare Accidents
Rideshare accidents can involve several insurance policies. California sets minimum coverage based on what the Uber or Lyft driver was doing (Public Utilities Code § 5433):
- Logged in and waiting for a request: at least $50,000 per person and $100,000 per incident for injuries, plus $200,000 in excess coverage per occurrence.
- After accepting a ride: $1 million.
Motorcycle Accidents
Riders hurt in motorcycle accidents often face insurers who try to blame them for the crash. We build the evidence of what the other driver did wrong.
Slip and Falls and Premises Liability
Owners of restaurants, bars, shops and rental properties must keep them reasonably safe. Spilled drinks, broken stairs, poor lighting and uneven walkways can support a premises liability or slip and fall claim.
Dog Bites
In California, a dog’s owner is generally liable when the dog bites someone in a public place or someone lawfully on private property. That’s true regardless of whether the dog had shown viciousness before or the owner knew it (Civil Code § 3342). We represent children and adults hurt in dog bites.
Brain Injuries and Wrongful Death
Falls from bikes and e-bikes can cause serious head injuries. We represent clients living with brain injuries and families pursuing wrongful death claims.
What to Do After an Accident in Hermosa Beach
- Get medical care right away, even if you feel fine. Concussions and other injuries do not always show symptoms immediately.
- Report the crash to the police and find out how to get a copy of the report. The Hermosa Beach Police Department’s Records/Business Office takes questions at (310) 318-0360.
- Photograph the scene, the vehicles, bikes or hazard, and your injuries. Get names and phone numbers of witnesses.
- Ask nearby businesses about security video right away, before they record over it.
- Talk to a lawyer before giving the other side’s insurer a recorded statement.
- Keep your medical records, bills and records of missed work.
How We Build a Hermosa Beach Injury Case
A case can turn on evidence that disappears quickly. Who was riding where on the Strand? Was a motor running? Who had the right of way at a busy crosswalk? After a free consultation, Jon starts by locking that evidence down.
- The scene: the police report, photos, and security or doorbell video from nearby businesses and homes, collected before anyone records over it.
- The rules: whether the other person broke a Strand rule, a traffic law or a city ordinance. That can shift the case in your favor.
- The people: witnesses, found while their memories are fresh. Plus the other party’s insurer, employer or rental company, if any.
- Your injuries: your medical records, lost income and the ways the injury has changed your daily life.
With that in hand, Jon presents a fully supported claim and negotiates for a fair settlement. If the insurer won’t pay what the case is worth, he files suit and prepares it for trial.
Who Pays After a Hermosa Beach Accident?
Usually the at-fault person’s insurer, but in Hermosa Beach the answer depends a lot on who hit you. California only requires drivers to carry $30,000 per person and $60,000 per accident (California Department of Insurance), and e-bike riders don’t have to carry insurance at all.
| What happened | Usual source of payment |
|---|---|
| A driver hit you | The driver’s auto liability policy, then your own uninsured/underinsured motorist (UM/UIM) coverage if they’re uninsured or underinsured |
| A hit-and-run driver who can’t be found | Your own UM coverage, if you meet California’s rules for unidentified drivers, including physical contact and a police report within 24 hours (Ins. Code § 11580.2) |
| A bicyclist or e-bike rider hit you, such as on the Strand | Possibly the rider’s homeowner’s, renter’s or umbrella policy, if they have one. E-bike riders aren’t subject to the insurance rules that apply to drivers (Vehicle Code § 24016) |
| An Uber or Lyft was involved | Rideshare coverage: at least $50,000 per person while the driver is logged in and waiting, and $1 million once a ride is accepted (Pub. Util. Code § 5433) |
| The driver was working | The employer’s commercial policy may also apply |
| A dog bit you | Possibly the owner’s homeowner’s or renter’s policy |
| You fell at a bar, restaurant or shop | The business’s liability insurer |
| A damaged street, sidewalk or path caused your injury | The City, County or State responsible for it, through a government claim (see the table above) |
What Your Claim Can Include
Depending on the facts, a claim can cover medical bills now and in the future, lost wages and earning capacity. It can also cover pain and suffering, emotional distress and property damage, such as a wrecked bike, e-bike or car. When a crash takes a life, family members may be able to recover for the loss of their loved one’s financial support, care and companionship.
Collecting is often the harder problem, especially when the at-fault person has little or no insurance. Jon looks at every possible source, including your own uninsured and underinsured motorist coverage. Learn more about our approach or view our prior results.
Frequently Asked Questions
I was hit by an e-bike on the Strand. Can I recover compensation?
Possibly. The rider may be responsible if they were careless, for example by riding too fast or using the motor where the rules don’t allow it. California’s financial responsibility rules for drivers don’t apply to e-bike riders. So the rider may have no insurance that covers the crash, and finding a source of payment is often the key question. Our bicycle and e-bike accident guide explains the options.
I was riding an e-bike when I was hurt. Do I still have a case?
Yes, if someone else’s carelessness caused the crash. Examples include a driver turning in front of you or opening a car door into your path. Sharing some of the blame doesn’t end your claim; it reduces what you can recover.
How much does it cost to hire a Hermosa Beach personal injury lawyer?
Olsson Law handles personal injury cases on a contingency-fee basis. There are no upfront attorney’s fees, and you pay no attorney’s fee unless we recover compensation for you. California requires a written contingency fee agreement. It must state the fee and explain how case costs affect the fee and your recovery (Business and Professions Code § 6147).
How long does a personal injury case take?
Most of the timeline depends on your medical recovery. A claim’s fair value usually becomes clear only once your doctors know what care you’ll need. A case that settles after treatment can wrap up in months. One that goes to litigation often takes a year or more.
Serving Hermosa Beach and the South Bay
Jon represents injured people throughout Hermosa Beach and nearby Redondo Beach, Manhattan Beach, Torrance, El Segundo and Palos Verdes, and throughout Los Angeles County.
Talk to a Hermosa Beach Personal Injury Lawyer About Your Case
Video footage and witness memories fade quickly, and some deadlines are much shorter than people expect. The sooner you call, the sooner we can protect your case. Case reviews are free, and you pay no attorney’s fee unless we recover compensation for you. Contact Jon today.
This page provides general information about personal injury claims in Hermosa Beach. 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.