Manhattan Beach Personal Injury Attorney
If you were hurt in Manhattan Beach, three things shape your claim more than anything else: who was responsible for the road or property, which agency’s deadline applies, and how much the injury will cost you over your working life. Jon Olsson is a personal injury attorney serving Manhattan Beach and the South Bay who answers those questions at a free consultation. There is no attorney’s fee unless you recover compensation.
Manhattan Beach 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 the city, county or state: a written claim is generally due within six months (Gov. Code § 911.2). In Manhattan Beach, that can mean three different agencies (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: the Los Angeles Superior Court’s Torrance Courthouse, 825 Maple Avenue, which hears Manhattan Beach cases.
- Cost: free consultation; no attorney’s fee unless we recover compensation for you.
Why Jon’s Corporate Defense Experience Helps Your Manhattan 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: 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. View all prior results.
How Dangerous Are Manhattan Beach Streets for Pedestrians and Cyclists?
More dangerous than most California cities its size, especially for children on foot. Manhattan Beach ranked in the top 10 for pedestrians under 15 killed or injured in each of 2021, 2022 and 2023, and 4th for bicyclists in 2022. The California Office of Traffic Safety compares it with about 90 cities of similar size, with No. 1 the worst (OTS methodology).
| Year | Bicyclists killed or injured (rank) | Pedestrians killed or injured (rank) | Pedestrians under 15 (rank) | Cities ranked |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | 8 (33rd) | 16 (13th) | 3 (7th) | 93 |
| 2022 | 22 (4th) | 17 (10th) | 4 (3rd) | 90 |
| 2021 | 12 (14th) | 9 (30th) | 3 (3rd) | 93 |
| 2020 | 12 (19th) | 6 (47th) | 0 (67th) | 91 |
| 2019 | 12 (12th) | 6 (56th) | 0 (78th) | 94 |
| 2018 | 6 (45th) | 13 (25th) | 1 (54th) | 97 |
| 2017 | 14 (15th) | 15 (23rd) | 0 (85th) | 94 |
The figures count only reported crashes. In 2020, Manhattan Beach ranked 1st of 91 for bicyclists under 15 killed or injured. In 2022 it also ranked 7th for alcohol-involved crashes (26 people killed or injured) and 7th for pedestrians 65 and older.
Who Is Responsible for the Road, and Where Does the Claim Go?
It depends on exactly where you were hurt, because three different public agencies are responsible for different parts of Manhattan Beach. 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 Manhattan Beach | City Clerk’s Office, 1400 Highland Ave., Manhattan Beach, CA 90266, in person or by mail; must be signed and dated (city instructions) | 6 months |
| Sepulveda Boulevard, part of State Route 1 (Caltrans) | State of California (Caltrans) | Department of General Services Government Claims Program | 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 Manhattan Beach (L.A. County) | Los Angeles County | 6 months |
| Private property, such as a store, restaurant or apartment | 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 and that the agency either created the hazard or knew or should have known about it in time to fix it (Gov. Code § 835). An unsigned city claim is returned, and the deadline keeps running.
Do Manhattan Beach’s Local Rules Affect My Claim?
They can. Breaking a statute or local ordinance can create a presumption of negligence if the violation caused the kind of harm the rule was meant to prevent, to the kind of person it was meant to protect (Evidence Code § 669). The presumption can be rebutted, and the same rules can be raised against you. Under a September 2023 ordinance (Manhattan Beach Police Department):
- No bike or e-bike riding on city sidewalks, plazas, grass areas, the Strand, parking structures or Veterans Parkway.
- Both sides of the pier are a walk-only zone.
- A 15 mph speed limit on the beach bike path.
- Riders under 18 must wear a properly strapped helmet.
- Riders must yield to pedestrians at all times.
State rules matter too. Drivers must give bicyclists at least three feet when passing (Vehicle Code § 21760), may not open a car door into traffic unless it’s reasonably safe (§ 22517), and must yield to pedestrians in marked and unmarked crosswalks (§ 21950).
Who Pays After a Manhattan Beach Accident?
Usually the at-fault person’s insurance, but which policy depends on what happened. California’s minimum auto coverage is only $30,000 per person and $60,000 per accident (California Department of Insurance), so serious injuries often require finding more than one source.
| 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 theirs is too small or missing |
| Hit by a driver who was working | The employer’s commercial policy may also apply |
| Hurt in or by an Uber or Lyft | 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 (CPUC) |
| Hit by a bicyclist or e-bike rider | Often the rider’s homeowner’s, renter’s or umbrella policy, because e-bike riders aren’t required to carry insurance (Vehicle Code § 24016) |
| Bitten by a dog | Usually the owner’s homeowner’s or renter’s policy; owners are generally liable even if the dog never bit before (Civil Code § 3342) |
| Hurt by a dangerous road, sidewalk or path | The responsible public agency, after a written claim within six months (see the table above) |
What Is a Manhattan Beach Injury Claim Worth?
It depends mostly on your medical costs and how the injury affects your ability to work. In a serious case, lost earning capacity can be the largest part of the claim. California juries compare what you could probably have earned without the injury with what you can earn now, and you don’t need a prior work history to recover (CACI No. 3903D). An injury that forces a change in career, or ends one early, can be worth far more than past lost wages.
- Economic damages: past and future medical bills, lost wages, lost earning capacity, and property damage
- Non-economic damages: pain and suffering, emotional distress and inconvenience
- Wrongful death: the family’s lost financial support and household services, and the loss of their loved one’s love, care and companionship (CACI No. 3921)
What Should I Do After an Accident in Manhattan Beach?
- Get medical care, even if you feel fine. Some injuries, like concussions, don’t show symptoms right away. For the most serious injuries, Harbor-UCLA Medical Center is one of five Level I trauma centers in Los Angeles County.
- Report the crash to the Manhattan Beach Police Department.
- Document everything: photos of the scene, vehicles or hazard, and your injuries, plus witnesses’ names and phone numbers.
- Ask nearby businesses to save security video before it’s recorded over.
- Get the police report. Request it online through the city’s public records portal with the incident number, your name and date of birth, and the date, time and location of the crash. The city says collision reports can take up to three weeks.
- Talk to a lawyer before giving a recorded statement to the other side’s insurer, and keep your medical records, bills and records of missed work.
Manhattan Beach Accident Cases We Handle
Pedestrian Accidents
Manhattan Beach ranked in the top 10 of similar cities for child pedestrians killed or injured three years running, and 13th for pedestrians overall in 2023. Pedestrian accident claims
Bicycle Accident Attorney for Manhattan Beach Riders
Common causes include drivers turning across a rider’s path, passing too close or opening a door, and collisions on the bike path. Our Beach Cities bicycle and e-bike guide covers these in depth. Bicycle accident claims
Car Accidents
Rear-end, broadside and parking-lot crashes on Sepulveda Boulevard, Rosecrans Avenue, Marine Avenue and Manhattan Beach Boulevard. See our Manhattan Beach car accident lawyer page.
Motorcycle Accident Lawyer for Manhattan Beach Riders
Nationally, the other vehicle was turning left in 42% of fatal two-vehicle motorcycle crashes (NHTSA), yet insurers often try to blame the rider. Motorcycle accident claims
Truck Accident Lawyer for Manhattan Beach Crashes
Truck crashes often involve a company’s commercial insurance and several responsible parties, and driver logs and onboard data need to be preserved quickly. Truck accident claims
Dog Bite Lawyer
Owners are generally liable for bites in public places and to people lawfully on private property, regardless of the dog’s history. Dog bite claims
Rideshare, Slip and Fall, Brain and Catastrophic Injuries, Wrongful Death
We also handle catastrophic injuries, such as spinal cord injuries and injuries that end a career. Rideshare accidents · Slip and fall accidents · Brain injuries · Wrongful death
Manhattan Beach Personal Injury FAQs
Do I need a personal injury lawyer?
Not always. If your injuries were minor, you’ve fully recovered, and the insurer is treating you fairly, you may be able to handle the claim yourself. A lawyer is usually worth it when injuries are serious or ongoing, fault is disputed, a public agency is involved, or more than one insurance policy may apply.
When should I hire a personal injury lawyer?
As soon as you can after getting medical care. Security video gets recorded over, witnesses forget, and the six-month deadline for claims against the city, county or state comes quickly.
How much does a personal injury lawyer cost?
Nothing up front. We work on a contingency fee, so the fee is a percentage of what you recover, and you owe no attorney’s fee if there’s no recovery. California requires contingency fee agreements to be in writing (Bus. & Prof. Code § 6147).
I tripped on a broken sidewalk in Manhattan Beach. Who do I file against?
Usually the City of Manhattan Beach, with a signed written claim to the City Clerk within six months. If the sidewalk is along Sepulveda Boulevard or the hazard was on private property, a different party may be responsible, so confirm before you file.
I was hit by a cyclist on the Strand. Can I make a claim?
Possibly. Riding is prohibited on the Strand in Manhattan Beach, and a rider who breaks that rule and hits a pedestrian may be presumed negligent. The rider’s homeowner’s or renter’s policy is often the key source of payment.
Who pays my medical bills while my case is pending?
Usually your own health insurance pays first, along with medical payments (MedPay) coverage if your auto policy has it. Some providers treat on a lien and are paid from the settlement. Health insurers and lienholders are often entitled to repayment, which is why we work to reduce those balances.
How long does a personal injury case take?
Mostly it depends on your medical recovery. A claim’s value becomes clear once doctors know your future care needs. Cases that settle after treatment can resolve in months; cases that go to litigation often take a year or more. Most cases settle before trial.
Serving Manhattan Beach and the South Bay
Jon represents injured people throughout Manhattan Beach, including the Sand Section, the Hill Section, the Tree Section, East Manhattan Beach and El Porto, and in nearby Hermosa Beach, Redondo Beach, El Segundo, Torrance and Palos Verdes, and throughout Los Angeles County.
Talk to a Manhattan Beach 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 Manhattan 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.