How Long Do You Have to File a Personal Injury Claim in Torrance? | Feher Law
- Tom Feher, Esq.
In California, you generally have two years from the date of your injury to file a personal injury claim. At Feher Law, we help clients throughout Torrance understand this critical deadline, called the statute of limitations, which applies to most accidents, including car crashes, slip and falls, and other incidents where someone else’s negligence caused your harm.
Missing this deadline typically means losing your right to seek compensation entirely. That’s why understanding the timeline and the exceptions that might apply to your situation is so important. We’ve helped injured people throughout the South Bay protect their claims for over 30 years, and we know that time matters when you’re dealing with medical bills, lost wages, and recovery.
If you’ve been injured in an accident, contact our Torrance personal injury attorneys today at (310) 340-1112 for a free consultation to discuss your case timeline.
Key Takeaways
- Two-year deadline applies to most cases — California law gives you two years from the date of injury to file a personal injury lawsuit, with the clock starting on the accident date in most situations
- Government claims require action within six months — If your injury involves the City of Torrance, LA County, or any government entity, you must file an administrative claim within just six months before pursuing a lawsuit
- Exceptions may extend your deadline — The discovery rule, minor status, and mental incapacity can all pause or extend the statute of limitations under specific circumstances
- Missing the deadline bars recovery permanently — Once the statute of limitations expires, courts will dismiss your case and you cannot recover compensation for medical bills, lost wages, or pain and suffering
- Acting quickly strengthens your case — Early action preserves evidence, secures witness testimony, and gives you more negotiating leverage with insurance companies
- Local legal help matters — An experienced Torrance personal injury attorney understands local court procedures and can protect your claim while you focus on recovery
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How Feher Law Can Help Protect Your Claim
When you’re recovering from an injury, tracking legal deadlines probably isn’t your first concern. That’s where our team steps in. We handle the time-sensitive aspects of your case so you can focus on getting better.
From the moment you contact us, we work to preserve critical evidence, gather medical records, and communicate with insurance companies on your behalf. We know the tactics insurers use to delay claims and run out the clock. Having an experienced advocate in your corner helps ensure you don’t lose your right to compensation simply because you didn’t know the rules.
Our firm has recovered millions for clients injured in Torrance and throughout Los Angeles County. We understand local court procedures at the Torrance Courthouse (located at 825 Maple Avenue) and have relationships with medical experts who can document your injuries properly. Whether you’re wondering should I get a lawyer for a minor car accident or dealing with a serious collision, we can help evaluate your options.
Understanding California's Two-Year Statute of Limitations
California Code of Civil Procedure Section 335.1 establishes the two-year deadline for personal injury claims. This law applies whether you were hurt in a car accident on Hawthorne Boulevard, injured at a Torrance business, or harmed anywhere else in the state.
The clock typically starts running on the date of your accident. For example, if you were rear-ended on September 15, 2024, you would generally need to file your lawsuit by September 15, 2026. Waiting until September 16 could result in your case being dismissed permanently.
This deadline exists to ensure cases are resolved while evidence is still available and memories remain fresh. Courts strictly enforce it, and judges rarely grant exceptions without compelling circumstances.
Torrance-Specific Filing Considerations
When filing a personal injury claim in Torrance, understanding local factors can impact your case timeline and strategy:
High-Traffic Accident Locations in Torrance
Torrance sees significant accident activity along major corridors, including:
- Pacific Coast Highway (PCH) — One of the busiest routes through Torrance with frequent collisions near intersections with Hawthorne Boulevard and Crenshaw Boulevard
- Sepulveda Boulevard — Heavy commercial traffic creates accident risks, especially near the Del Amo Fashion Center
- Artesia Boulevard — Connects multiple South Bay cities with congestion-related incidents
- Torrance Boulevard — High pedestrian activity near downtown Torrance increases accident potential
According to the California Office of Traffic Safety, Los Angeles County consistently ranks among the highest in the state for traffic-related injuries, with the South Bay seeing thousands of reported collisions annually.
Local Court Information
Personal injury lawsuits in Torrance are typically filed at:
Torrance Courthouse825 Maple AvenueTorrance, CA 90503
This courthouse serves the South Bay region and handles civil matters, including personal injury cases. Understanding local court procedures and filing requirements helps ensure your claim proceeds smoothly within the statutory deadline.
Torrance Emergency Medical Facilities
If you’ve been injured, seeking prompt medical care is essential for both your health and your claim. Torrance-area facilities include:
- Torrance Memorial Medical Center — 3330 Lomita Boulevard
- Providence Little Company of Mary Medical Center Torrance — 4101 Torrance Boulevard
- Harbor-UCLA Medical Center (Trauma Center) — 1000 W Carson Street, Torrance
Documenting your injuries through medical records from these facilities creates crucial evidence linking your accident to your harm.
Exceptions That May Extend Your Filing Deadline
While the two-year rule applies to most cases, California law recognizes several situations where the deadline may be extended:
The Discovery Rule
Sometimes injuries aren’t immediately apparent. California allows the statute of limitations to begin when you discover (or reasonably should have discovered) your injury, rather than when the accident occurred. This often applies in medical malpractice or toxic exposure cases where symptoms develop gradually. Serious conditions like spine injuries or complex regional pain syndrome (CRPS) may not manifest symptoms immediately after an accident.
Tolling for Minors and Incapacitated Individuals
If the injured person was under 18 at the time of the accident, the two-year clock doesn’t start until their 18th birthday. Similarly, if someone is mentally incapacitated, the deadline may be paused until they regain capacity. These protections exist because vulnerable individuals may not be able to pursue claims on their own.
Have questions about your filing deadline? Visit our contact page or call (310) 340-1112 for a free consultation with our experienced team.
Claims Against Government Entities: A Much Shorter Deadline
If your injury involves a government agency such as the City of Torrance, Los Angeles County, or a state entity, you face a significantly shorter deadline. You must file an administrative claim within six months of the incident before you can pursue a lawsuit.
Torrance Government Claim Examples
This applies to accidents involving:
- Torrance Transit buses — The city operates local bus service, and accidents involving these vehicles require government claims
- Dangerous conditions on Torrance streets and sidewalks — Broken sidewalks, potholes, or poorly maintained intersections throughout the city
- Torrance public parks — Injuries at Wilson Park, Columbia Park, Torrance Beach, or other city facilities
- City employee incidents — Accidents involving city vehicles or employees acting in their official capacity
- Torrance Unified School District — Injuries at local schools require claims against the district
The California Government Claims Act outlines these requirements. Missing this administrative deadline typically bars your claim entirely, even if the two-year lawsuit deadline hasn’t passed.
To file a claim against the City of Torrance, you must submit the appropriate forms to the City Clerk’s office. Our attorneys can help ensure your government claim is properly prepared and filed within the strict six-month window.
What Happens If You Miss the Deadline
Filing after the statute of limitations expires usually means your case will be dismissed. The defendant’s attorney will file a motion pointing out that you missed the deadline, and courts grant these motions in almost every instance.
Once dismissed, you cannot:
- Recover compensation for medical expenses
- Seek payment for lost wages
- Obtain damages for pain and suffering
- Hold the negligent party accountable
Insurance companies know these deadlines well. Some may intentionally delay settlement negotiations, hoping you’ll run out of time. This tactic makes it essential to have legal representation early in the process. Understanding how long a car accident settlement takes can help you plan accordingly.
Why Acting Quickly Strengthens Your Case
Beyond meeting legal deadlines, filing promptly offers practical advantages that can significantly impact your compensation:
- Evidence preservation — Surveillance footage gets deleted, accident scenes change, and physical evidence disappears. Acting quickly allows your attorney to document everything while it’s still available. Many Torrance businesses and intersections have cameras, but footage is typically only stored for 30 to 90 days.
- Witness availability — Memories fade, and witnesses move away or become harder to locate. Early investigation captures testimony while details remain clear.
- Medical documentation — Seeking treatment immediately creates a clear link between your accident and injuries. Insurance companies often question delays in medical care.
- Negotiating leverage — When insurers know you have time to file a lawsuit, they’re more motivated to offer fair settlements rather than risk a trial.
Key factors in fault determination:
| Action | Recommended Timeframe |
|---|---|
| Seek medical attention | Within 24 to 72 hours |
| Report accident to insurance | Within 1 week |
| Consult with an attorney | Within 2 to 4 weeks |
| File administrative claim (government cases) | Within 6 months |
| File lawsuit (standard cases) | Within 2 years |
Suffered a broken bone in a car accident? Our Torrance car accident attorneys can help you understand your rights and protect your claim. Call (310) 340-1112 today.
Common Scenarios and How Deadlines Apply
Understanding how statutes of limitations work in real-life situations helps illustrate why timing matters.
Hypothetical scenario: Delayed injury symptoms
Consider someone who gets into a minor fender-bender in the Del Amo Fashion Center parking lot. They feel fine initially but develop severe back pain three months later. Their doctor discovers a herniated disc caused by the collision. In this scenario, the discovery rule might allow the clock to start when the injury was diagnosed, not when the accident occurred.
Hypothetical scenario: Child injured at school
Imagine a 10-year-old student injured due to poorly maintained playground equipment at a Torrance Unified School District school. Because the child is a minor and the school district is a government entity, multiple rules apply. The parents would need to file a government claim within six months, but the child would have additional time to pursue a lawsuit after turning 18.
Hypothetical scenario: Pedestrian accident in Downtown Torrance
A pedestrian crossing at Sartori Avenue and El Prado is struck by a vehicle making an illegal turn. The victim sustains serious injuries requiring surgery at Torrance Memorial Medical Center. Because this involves a private driver on a public roadway, the standard two-year statute of limitations applies. However, if the accident was caused by a malfunctioning traffic signal, a government claim might also be necessary.
Example from our practice
Our firm has handled numerous cases where clients came to us months after their accidents, worried they’d waited too long. In one matter, we were able to demonstrate that our client’s full injury wasn’t apparent until later medical testing, successfully arguing for an extended deadline under the discovery rule. Our no win, no fee approach means you can pursue your claim without upfront financial risk.
Let Feher Law Guide You Through the Process
Navigating personal injury deadlines shouldn’t add stress to an already difficult situation. Our team handles the legal complexities while you focus on healing and rebuilding your life.
At Feher Law, we offer free consultations to evaluate your case and explain exactly where you stand with timing. We work on a contingency fee basis, meaning you pay nothing unless we recover compensation for you. For over three decades, we’ve stood by injured clients throughout Torrance and the South Bay, fighting for the results they deserve.
Our Torrance office serves clients throughout the South Bay, including Redondo Beach, Hermosa Beach, Manhattan Beach, Palos Verdes, Carson, Gardena, and Lomita. Whether your accident happened yesterday or months ago, we can assess your situation and develop a strategy to protect your rights. The sooner you reach out, the more options we’ll have to build the strongest possible case.
Our Torrance personal injury team is ready to help you understand your legal options. Schedule your free consultation by calling (310) 340-1112 today.
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes, you likely still have time if your accident occurred within the past two years. However, every month that passes makes building a strong case more challenging. Evidence becomes harder to obtain, and witnesses’ memories become less reliable. Contact an attorney promptly to preserve your remaining time and begin gathering documentation.
The statute of limitations specifically governs lawsuits filed in court, not insurance negotiations. However, your ability to negotiate a fair settlement depends on the threat of litigation. Once the deadline passes, insurance companies have little incentive to offer reasonable compensation since you can no longer sue if they refuse.
If the at-fault party leaves California, the statute of limitations may be “tolled” (paused) during their absence under California Code of Civil Procedure Section 351. This prevents defendants from avoiding responsibility simply by leaving the state. The clock resumes when they return.
Wrongful death claims in California also carry a two-year statute of limitations, but the clock starts from the date of death rather than the date of the accident. If your family member passed away due to injuries caused by someone else’s negligence, you should consult an attorney immediately to understand your specific deadline.
Your personal injury case timeline and your medical treatment timeline operate separately. You’re responsible for medical bills as they arise, though you may use health insurance or negotiate payment arrangements with providers. Any compensation you later receive can reimburse these expenses, but waiting for a settlement before seeking care can harm both your health and your case.
To file a claim against the City of Torrance, you must submit a completed government claim form to the Torrance City Clerk’s office within six months of your accident. The form requires specific information about the incident, your injuries, and the damages you’re claiming. Our attorneys can prepare and file this claim on your behalf to ensure it meets all legal requirements.
