Personal Injury Lawyer in Pasadina, California

Why Pasadena Residents Trust Reardon Injury Law

A sudden accident can turn your life upside down in an instant. One moment you might be commuting on the 210 or enjoying a walk in Old Town, and the next you’re dealing with physical pain, emotional trauma, and the overwhelming stress of medical bills and lost wages. At Reardon Injury Law, we understand that this is more than just a legal problem; it’s a profound disruption to your life, your family, and your future. Our first priority is to approach your situation with the empathy and respect it deserves.

For residents of Pasadena, choosing the right legal partner is critical. Reardon Injury Law offers a unique advantage. Our founder, John Reardon, practiced as a chiropractor for 20 years before becoming an attorney. This deep medical background gives him an unparalleled ability to understand the true nature and long-term impact of your injuries. He can interpret medical records, challenge insurance company doctors, and articulate the full extent of your suffering in a way that few other attorneys can. This medical insight is invaluable when building a strong case for the compensation you need to truly recover.

We serve communities throughout California, including Pasadena, and we understand the specific challenges you face. We know the traffic patterns on Arroyo Parkway, the dangers of the historic SR-110, and the procedures at the Pasadena Courthouse. We operate on a contingency fee basis, meaning you owe us nothing unless we win your case. Your recovery is our only focus.

Accident Hotspots in Pasadena

While Pasadena is known for its beauty, its busy streets and freeways present daily risks. Commuters, students, tourists, and residents all share the road, creating several known accident hotspots. If you’ve been injured, chances are it happened in an area where negligence is all too common.

• Lake Avenue and Colorado Boulevard: As the heart of Old Town Pasadena’s shopping and dining district, this intersection is a constant hub of activity. The high volume of vehicle traffic combined with significant foot traffic creates a high risk for serious pedestrian accidents. Distracted drivers, illegal U-turns, and failure to yield the right-of-way are frequent causes of collisions here.

• Fair Oaks Avenue and California Boulevard: This major intersection serves as a key artery for commuters heading toward South Pasadena and accessing the SR-110 freeway. The combination of high-speed through traffic on Fair Oaks, drivers turning onto California, and cars queuing for the freeway leads to frequent rear-end collisions and dangerous T-bone accidents.

• The I-210 and SR-134 Interchange: This massive freeway interchange is one of the most congested and complex in the San Gabriel Valley. Drivers weaving across multiple lanes to make their connections, combined with large commercial vehicles navigating the same space, create a perfect storm for high-speed car accidents and devastating truck accidents. The on- and off-ramps connecting to local streets like Orange Grove Boulevard are also notoriously dangerous.

Other challenging areas include the notoriously archaic and winding Pasadena Freeway (SR-110), where short on-ramps and blind curves contribute to accidents, and the streets surrounding the Rose Bowl, especially during major events.

Types of Cases We Handle in Pasadena

Our firm is equipped to handle a wide range of personal injury claims. With our combined legal and medical expertise, we are prepared to fight for clients who have been injured in nearly any type of negligence-based incident.

Our practice areas include:

• Car Accidents: From fender-benders on Walnut Street to multi-car pileups on the I-210, we help victims recover compensation for their injuries and losses.
• Motorcycle Accidents: Pasadena’s proximity to scenic routes like the Angeles Crest Highway makes it popular for riders, but motorcyclists are incredibly vulnerable. We fight the unfair bias they often face from insurance companies.
• Truck Accidents: The commercial traffic flowing through Pasadena on the freeways can lead to catastrophic accidents. We have the resources to take on trucking companies and their complex insurance policies.
• Bicycle Accidents: While Pasadena has made efforts to become more bike-friendly, cyclists still face significant dangers from inattentive drivers. We help injured cyclists get the justice they deserve.
• Pedestrian Accidents: In busy commercial areas like Old Town and the Playhouse District, pedestrians are at constant risk. We hold negligent drivers accountable for the harm they cause.
• Rideshare Accidents: Accidents involving Uber and Lyft are increasingly common and involve complicated insurance questions. We know how to navigate these complex claims to ensure you are properly compensated.

What to Do After an Accident in Pasadena

The steps you take immediately following an accident are crucial for both your health and your potential legal claim.

1. Prioritize Safety: Move to a safe location if you can. Check on others involved and turn on your hazard lights.
2. Call 911: Report the accident to the authorities. Depending on your location, the Pasadena Police Department (for city streets) or the California Highway Patrol (CHP) (for freeways like the I-210 or SR-110) will respond. A police report is a vital piece of evidence.
3. Seek Medical Attention: Even if you feel fine, it’s essential to get a medical evaluation. Adrenaline can mask serious injuries. Go to an emergency room or an urgent care clinic. In Pasadena, excellent options include Huntington Health (a Cedars-Sinai affiliate), which is a designated Level II Trauma Center, or the nearby USC Arcadia Hospital.
4. Document Everything: Take photos and videos of the accident scene, vehicle damage, your injuries, and any relevant road signs or conditions. Get the names and contact information of any witnesses.
5. Do Not Admit Fault: Be polite, but do not apologize or accept blame. Stick to the facts when speaking with police.
6. Contact an Attorney: Before you speak to any insurance adjuster—even your own—contact a personal injury lawyer. The insurance company’s goal is to minimize their payout. Your attorney’s goal is to protect your rights and maximize your recovery.

Understanding Your Rights Under California Law

Navigating the legal system after an injury can be confusing. It’s important to understand the basic laws that govern personal injury claims in California.

• Pure Comparative Negligence: California follows a “pure comparative negligence” rule. This means you can still recover financial compensation even if you were partially at fault for the accident. Your total compensation award will simply be reduced by your percentage of fault. For example, if you are found to be 20% at fault, you can still collect 80% of the damages.
• Statute of Limitations: In most cases, you have two years from the date of the injury to file a personal injury lawsuit (California Code of Civil Procedure § 335.1). If you miss this deadline, you will likely lose your right to sue forever.
• Government Claims: A crucial exception exists for claims against government entities (e.g., being hit by a city bus, or tripping on a broken public sidewalk). Under the California Government Claims Act, you must file a formal claim with the correct government agency within six months of the incident. This is a very strict deadline.
• California’s Minimum Insurance: The state requires drivers to carry a minimum of only $15,000 per person for bodily injury, $30,000 per accident, and $5,000 for property damage. These low limits are often insufficient to cover serious injuries. An experienced attorney can help identify all potential sources of recovery, including your own uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage.

Contact Reardon Injury Law Today

You do not have to face this difficult time alone. Let us put our unique medical and legal expertise to work for you. At Reardon Injury Law, we are dedicated to helping Pasadena residents secure the financial resources they need to heal and move forward.

We offer a free, no-obligation consultation to discuss your case and answer your questions. We handle all personal injury cases on a contingency fee basis, so you pay absolutely nothing unless we win. Call us today at (657) 522-7122 or visit our contact page to schedule your free consultation.