Palos Verdes Personal Injury Lawyer
“Palos Verdes,” or just “PV,” isn’t one city. The Peninsula is four cities, plus some unincorporated county areas: Rancho Palos Verdes, with about 39,700 residents; Palos Verdes Estates, with about 12,600; Rolling Hills Estates, with about 7,900; and Rolling Hills (U.S. Census). Each city has its own claims process, and Palos Verdes Estates has its own police department while the rest of the Peninsula is served by the Sheriff. If you were hurt on the Peninsula, which city you were in can decide where your claim goes and how fast you have to act.
Palos Verdes personal injury lawyer Jon Olsson is based in Redondo Beach and represents people hurt in Rancho Palos Verdes, Palos Verdes Estates and across the Peninsula and the South Bay. The consultation is free, and there is no attorney’s fee unless you recover compensation. Request a free case review.
Palos Verdes 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). On the Peninsula, that usually means one of the cities, the County in unincorporated areas, or the State for Western Avenue (see the table below).
- Trails: public agencies generally aren’t liable for injuries caused by the condition of a trail (Gov. Code § 831.4), which matters for hikers and riders in the Palos Verdes Nature Preserve.
- Partial fault: reduces your recovery by your share of fault but doesn’t bar it (CACI No. 405).
- Where cases are filed: Los Angeles County’s directory lists all four Peninsula cities under the Torrance Courthouse.
Why Jon’s Corporate Defense Experience Helps Your Palos Verdes 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 Dangerous Are Palos Verdes Roads for Cyclists?
In recent years, more dangerous than in most similar cities. Palos Verdes Estates ranked 5th of 101 similar-sized California cities for bicyclists killed or injured in 2021 and 6th of 104 in 2022, even though it ranks in the safer half for total crash injuries. In 2021, bicyclists were 13 of the 25 people killed or injured in the city’s crashes.
The California Office of Traffic Safety (OTS) compares Palos Verdes Estates 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) | Bicyclists (rank) | Motorcyclists (rank) | Speed-related crashes (rank) | Cities ranked |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | 27 (62nd) | 6 (15th) | 1 (76th) | 3 (63rd) | 103 |
| 2022 | 26 (80th) | 10 (6th) | 2 (49th) | 5 (55th) | 104 |
| 2021 | 25 (83rd) | 13 (5th) | 3 (41st) | 12 (39th) | 101 |
| 2020 | 10 (92nd) | 3 (52nd) | 0 (97th) | 2 (89th) | 103 |
The figures count only reported crashes. The bicyclist and motorcyclist columns count people killed or injured; the speed-related column counts crashes. OTS lists zero people killed or injured in Rancho Palos Verdes for 2021 through 2023 (OTS) and in Rolling Hills Estates for 2023, so we haven’t relied on those cities’ rankings. Data current as of October 2026; 2023 is the most recent year OTS has ranked.
Palos Verdes Drive South and the Portuguese Bend Landslide
Land movement from the Portuguese Bend landslide has repeatedly damaged Palos Verdes Drive South, and the City of Rancho Palos Verdes says it alone is responsible for keeping the road accessible (City of Rancho Palos Verdes). The movement has slowed sharply since its 2024 peak, but it hasn’t stopped (Spectrum News 1).
After a crash there, a road defect caused by land movement may support a claim against the City, which generally must be filed within six months.
Which Peninsula City Do You File a Claim Against?
Usually the city where you were hurt, and each handles claims differently. The exceptions are the unincorporated areas, where the County is responsible, and Western Avenue, which is a state highway. A claim sent to the wrong agency, or filed late, can be rejected before anyone looks at what happened.
| Where you were hurt | Responsible party | Where the claim goes | Deadline |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rancho Palos Verdes streets, sidewalks and city property, including Palos Verdes Drive South and the Palos Verdes Nature Preserve | City of Rancho Palos Verdes | City Clerk’s Office, 30940 Hawthorne Blvd., Rancho Palos Verdes, CA 90275. The form must be signed (claim form) | 6 months |
| Palos Verdes Estates streets, sidewalks and city property | City of Palos Verdes Estates | Human Resources, 340 Palos Verdes Drive West, Palos Verdes Estates, CA 90274, or by email to humanresources@pvestates.org (city instructions) | 6 months |
| Rolling Hills Estates streets, sidewalks and city property | City of Rolling Hills Estates | Risk Manager, 4045 Palos Verdes Drive North, Rolling Hills Estates, CA 90274 (claim form) | 180 days |
| Streets in the Peninsula’s unincorporated areas | County of Los Angeles (Public Works maintains these roads) | Executive Officer, Board of Supervisors, Attention: Claims, 500 W. Temple Street, Room 383, Los Angeles, CA 90012. The claim must be signed | 6 months |
| Western Avenue (State Route 213), which briefly passes through Rancho Palos Verdes | State of California (Caltrans) | Department of General Services Government Claims Program | 6 months |
| Private property, such as a home, store, restaurant or golf course | 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).
Hurt on a Palos Verdes Trail?
A claim against the City is usually hard to win, but a claim against another trail user who caused the injury may not be. The City of Rancho Palos Verdes owns the Palos Verdes Nature Preserve, about 1,500 acres with hiking, equestrian and bicycle trails (City of Rancho Palos Verdes). Public agencies generally aren’t liable for injuries caused by the condition of a trail (Gov. Code § 831.4) or by a natural condition of unimproved public land (§ 831.2).
Those immunities don’t protect other trail users. If another rider or a dog owner caused the injury, the claim may be against them.
Who Pays After a Palos Verdes Accident?
Usually the at-fault person’s insurer. The problem is that California only requires drivers to carry $30,000 per person and $60,000 per accident (California Department of Insurance), and a serious injury can cost far more than that.
| What happened | Usual source of payment |
|---|---|
| A driver hit you or your car | Their auto liability policy first. If they’re uninsured, or their limits are lower than your own uninsured/underinsured motorist (UM/UIM) limits, your UM/UIM coverage |
| The driver was on the job | Their employer’s commercial policy may cover the crash too |
| The driver fled and can’t be found | Your own UM coverage, if you meet the state’s rules for unidentified drivers (Ins. Code § 11580.2) |
| An Uber or Lyft was involved | The rideshare insurance: at least $50,000 per person while the driver is logged in and waiting for a request, and $1 million from the time a ride is accepted until the passenger is dropped off (Pub. Util. Code § 5433) |
| Another cyclist or an e-bike rider hit you | The rider’s homeowner’s, renter’s or umbrella policy, if they have one. Unlike drivers, e-bike riders don’t have to meet the state’s financial responsibility (insurance) rules (Vehicle Code § 24016) |
| A dog bit you | The owner’s homeowner’s or renter’s policy may cover it |
| A damaged road or sidewalk caused your injury | The city, County or State responsible for it, through a government claim (see the claims table above) |
More than one of these can apply to the same injury, so it pays to find every policy that could cover yours, including your own.
What Should I Do After an Accident in Palos Verdes?
- See a doctor the same day, even after a fall or crash that seems minor. Signs of a concussion can take hours or days to show up (CDC), and an insurer can point to a delay in treatment to argue you weren’t really hurt. Harbor-UCLA Medical Center is one of the county’s five Level I trauma centers.
- Report the crash to the right agency. Palos Verdes Estates has its own police department. Rancho Palos Verdes, Rolling Hills Estates, Rolling Hills and the Peninsula’s unincorporated areas are served by the Sheriff’s Lomita Station, 26123 Narbonne Ave., Lomita, (310) 539-1661. After a hit-and-run, make the report within 24 hours, or you may lose your uninsured motorist claim.
- Photograph the road, not just the damage. On the Peninsula’s hills and curves, a crack, slope or blind turn may be what caused the crash, and damaged roads can be repaired quickly. In 2024, the City said Palos Verdes Drive South needed repaving about every two to three weeks (City of Rancho Palos Verdes). Photograph your injuries too, and get the name and number of anyone who stopped.
- Ask nearby homes and businesses to save doorbell and security video before it’s recorded over.
- Get your police report. For a Sheriff’s report, contact the Lomita Station at (310) 539-1661. In Palos Verdes Estates, ask the Palos Verdes Estates Police Department.
- Call a lawyer before the other driver’s insurer records a statement from you. Keep every medical record and bill, and anything showing time you missed from work.
Palos Verdes Accident Cases We Handle
Palos Verdes Bicycle 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). And no one, driver or passenger, may open a car door into traffic unless it’s reasonably safe (§ 22517). Our bicycle and e-bike accident guide explains both rules and what they mean for an injured rider. Bicycle accident claims
Palos Verdes Car Accident Lawyer
We represent drivers and passengers hurt in rear-end, broadside, left-turn and parking-lot crashes across the Peninsula, including on Palos Verdes Drive and Western Avenue. Car accident claims
Palos Verdes Truck Accident Lawyer
If the truck driver was on the job, the company that employs them can generally be held responsible too (CACI No. 3701), which can bring the company’s commercial policy into the claim. Ask early for the driver’s records and any dash camera or tracking data to be saved, before they’re lost or overwritten. Truck accident claims
Palos Verdes Motorcycle Accident Lawyer
Nationally, the other vehicle was turning left in 42% of fatal two-vehicle motorcycle crashes, according to NHTSA. On the Peninsula’s curves and blind turns, insurers often try to blame the rider, so early photos, video and the damage to the helmet and bike matter. Motorcycle accident claims
Palos Verdes Pedestrian Accident Lawyer
Drivers must yield to pedestrians in any marked crosswalk and in unmarked crosswalks at intersections (Vehicle Code § 21950). Where you were crossing is often a key question in deciding fault, so photograph the exact spot and look for doorbell or security cameras that face it. Pedestrian accident claims
Palos Verdes Uber and Lyft Accident Lawyer
After an Uber or Lyft crash, the key question is what the driver was doing in the app: logged off, waiting for a ride request, or on an accepted trip. That decides which policy applies and how much coverage there is, so it’s worth pinning down early. Rideshare accident claims
Palos Verdes Slip and Fall Lawyer
Spills, broken stairs, poor lighting and uneven walkways at homes, stores, restaurants and clubs can support a claim when the owner failed to use ordinary care. Slip and fall claims
Palos Verdes Wrongful Death Lawyer
When a crash or fall takes someone’s life, their spouse or domestic partner and children can bring the claim. In some cases, other family members, such as parents or stepchildren, can too (CCP § 377.60). Wrongful death claims
Dog Bites and Brain Injuries
California generally makes a dog’s owner responsible for a bite in a public place, or on private property where you were lawfully present, even if the dog had never bitten anyone before (Civil Code § 3342). We also handle brain injury claims, from concussions to more serious traumatic brain injuries. Dog bites · Brain injuries
What Is a Palos Verdes Injury Claim Worth?
A claim’s value is built from what the injury has cost you and will cost you: medical care, work and day-to-day life. If you can’t go back to the same job or hours, a jury compares what you would probably have earned without the injury with what you can still earn (CACI No. 3903D).
- Economic damages: medical bills now and in the future, lost pay and earning capacity, and repairing or replacing your car or bike
- Non-economic damages: physical pain, emotional distress, inconvenience and the loss of activities you enjoyed
- Wrongful death: the financial support and household help the family has lost, and the loss of their loved one’s love, companionship and care (CACI No. 3921)
Where Are Palos Verdes Injury Lawsuits Filed?
In Los Angeles Superior Court, new injury lawsuits are filed in the judicial district where the injury happened, and the court’s online filing locator shows which courthouse (LASC general order). For a Peninsula case, that’s usually Torrance: the county’s directory lists Palos Verdes Estates, Rancho Palos Verdes, Rolling Hills and Rolling Hills Estates under the Torrance Courthouse, 825 Maple Avenue.
Palos Verdes Personal Injury FAQs
I was hurt hiking or biking in the Palos Verdes Nature Preserve. Can I sue the city?
Usually not for the condition of the trail itself. California generally protects public agencies from liability for trail conditions and for natural conditions of unimproved public land. But if another person caused the injury, such as a careless rider, you may have a claim against them.
I crashed on Palos Verdes Drive South. Who is responsible?
It depends on the cause. If another driver or rider caused it, the claim is usually against them and their insurer. If damage to the road from land movement caused it, the claim may be against the City of Rancho Palos Verdes, which generally must be filed within six months.
Which police department handles my crash?
In Palos Verdes Estates, the Palos Verdes Estates Police Department. Everywhere else on the Peninsula, including Rancho Palos Verdes, Rolling Hills Estates, Rolling Hills and the unincorporated areas, the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department’s Lomita Station.
The driver who hit me drove off. Can I still recover?
You may be able to, through your own uninsured motorist coverage. For a driver who can’t be identified, you generally need three things: the driver’s car made physical contact with you or the vehicle you were in, you reported it to the police within 24 hours, and you gave your insurer a sworn statement within 30 days (Ins. Code § 11580.2).
Do I need a personal injury lawyer?
Not always. If you were barely hurt, you’ve healed and the insurer is offering enough to cover your costs, you may be fine on your own. Call a lawyer when the injury is serious or lasting, the other side disputes fault, a city, the County or the State may be responsible, or more than one policy could pay. On the Peninsula, where a road defect or a six-month claim deadline can decide a case, getting advice early matters.
How much does a personal injury lawyer cost?
Nothing up front. Olsson Law works on contingency: our fee is a percentage of what we recover for you, and if we don’t recover anything, you don’t owe an attorney’s fee. California requires that agreement to be in writing (Bus. & Prof. Code § 6147).
How long does a personal injury case take?
It depends mostly on your medical recovery, since a claim’s value usually isn’t clear until your doctors know what future care you’ll need. Cases that go to trial usually take longer than cases that settle.
Serving Rancho Palos Verdes, Palos Verdes Estates and the Rest of the Peninsula
Jon represents injured people throughout Rancho Palos Verdes, Palos Verdes Estates, Rolling Hills Estates and Rolling Hills, and in nearby Torrance, Redondo Beach, Hermosa Beach, Manhattan Beach and El Segundo, and throughout Los Angeles County.
Talk to a Palos Verdes Personal Injury Attorney Today
The sooner Jon sees your case, the more evidence there is to work with: security video gets recorded over, and road damage gets repaired. If a city or other public agency may be responsible, your claim is generally due within six months. 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 on the Palos Verdes Peninsula. 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.