If youโve been injured in San Bernardino, you could be entitled to compensation. Whether it was a car crash on the I-10, a slip and fall at a local business, or a serious injury caused by someone elseโs negligence, you deserve justice. You also deserve a powerful advocate who knows how to fight for maximum compensation.
At West Coast Trial Lawyers, our San Bernardino personal injury lawyers have helped thousands of clients across California recover more than $1.7 billion in settlements and verdicts. We handle every case with care, determination, and local knowledge to help injured victims get the medical care and financial compensation they need to move forward.
We know San Bernardino. We know the local courts, the insurers who delay or deny claims, and the tactics used to shortchange injury victims. When you choose us, youโre choosing a team that wonโt back down.
Call 213-927-3700 or send us a message to speak to an experienced personal injury lawyer absolutely free of charge.ย
Why You Need a San Bernardino Personal Injury Lawyer
Navigating a personal injury claim without legal representation can be like trying to move mountains by yourself, especially when youโre recovering from serious injuries. An experienced San Bernardino personal injury lawyer brings more than legal knowledge to the tableโthey bring the resources, strategy, and tool-kit needed to win.
- Local Expertise Matters- Our attorneys know how to handle cases in the Inland Empire. We understand local accident trends, traffic hot spots like the 210 and 215 freeways, and we have experience working with medical providers throughout the region, including Arrowhead Regional Medical Center and Loma Linda University Medical Center.
- We Level the Playing Field- Insurance companies are not on your side. Their goal is to minimize payouts. We know their playbookโand we fight back with evidence, negotiation skill, and, when needed, trial experience. We donโt settle for lowball offers. We build cases that demand top-dollar compensation.
- Full-Service Legal Support- From investigating your accident to dealing with paperwork, court filings, and insurers, we handle every aspect of your claim. That way, you can focus on what matters most: healing.
- Award Winning Legal Team- WCTL constantly ranks top of class in the legal field. With award winning Super Lawyers and Harvard Educated Leadership, Our legal team has over 20 attorneys and over 100 staff members ready to handle your case.
Types of Personal Injury Cases We Handle in San Bernardino
From downtown San Bernardino to Highland, Rialto, Colton, Redlands, and Fontana, our team knows the roads, intersections, and venues where injuries most often happen and how local agencies handle claims. We work with reports from SBPD, CHP, and the San Bernardino County Sheriffโs Department, pull traffic-camera and Caltrans data when available, and coordinate medical records from nearby hospitals like Loma Linda University Medical Center, Arrowhead Regional Medical Center, St. Bernardine, and Community Hospital of San Bernardino.
- Car accidents โRear-end, T-bone, hit-and-run, uninsured/underinsured motorist
- Motorcycle accidents โ Lane-change and left-turn crashes on SR-210, Kendall Dr, and University Pkwy near CSUSB.
- Truck accidents โ Heavy-freight collisions on I-10, I-15/Cajon Pass, and logistics corridors serving local warehouses.
- Pedestrian & bicycle accidents โ Crosswalk incidents, sidewalk accidents, road collisions. Pedestrians and cyclists may be the most exposed individuals in personal injury.
- Slip & fall/premises liability โ Injuries at grocery stores, hotels, and apartment complexes.
- Dog bites & animal attacks โ Neighborhood incidents in Del Rosa, North Park, Muscoy, and surrounding communities.
- Product liability (defective products) โ Unsafe consumer goods, tools, auto parts, and household devices sold or used in the Inland Empire.
- Wrongful death โ We guide families through San Bernardino Superior Court โ Justice Center procedures and, when required, claims against public entities (e.g., Caltrans, Omnitrans).
Every case type has its own playbook. We tailor strategy to venue and facts. Proving liability with local crash reports and scene evidence, fully documenting medical treatment and lost wages, and, when needed, filing government claims on tight deadlines. If your injury happened anywhere in or around San Bernardino, weโre ready to step in.
What Compensation Can You Recover in a Personal Injury Claim?
Under California law, personal injury victims are entitled to pursue full compensation under Civil Code ยงยง 3281 and 3333, for both economic and non-economic damages. Our San Bernardino personal injury lawyers fight to recover:
- Medical expenses (past and future)
- Lost wages and loss of earning capacity
- Pain and suffering
- Mental anguish and emotional distress
- Property damage
- Loss of consortium (for affected spouses or family members)
In cases involving gross negligence or intentional misconduct, we may also pursue punitive damagesย to hold wrongdoers fully accountable.
Each case is unique, and the value of your claim depends on several factors: the severity of your injury, your long-term prognosis, the cost of treatment, and the impact on your daily life. We consult with medical experts, financial analysts, and accident reconstructionists to ensure your claim reflects the full scope of your losses.
The Claims Process in San Bernardino
Every case is different, but most California personal injury claims move through these stages:
- Intake and Case Evaluation– Youโll share what happened, any photos or reports, medical treatment to date, and insurance information. The attorney checks deadlines and potential defendants and explains fee terms and next steps.
- Fact Development and Medical Documentation– Evidence is gathered and preserved: incident and police reports, 911 audio, witness statements, photos/video, scene inspections, and your medical records and bills. If a public entity may be involved (e.g., city, county, transit), a government claim may need to be filed on a short timeline in addition to any lawsuit.
- Pre-Litigation Claim and Negotiations– A detailed claim package (often called a demand) is sent to the at-fault partyโs insurer with liability analysis and itemized damages (medical expenses, wage loss, and documented pain/impact). The insurer may request more records, make an offer, or propose mediation.
- Filing a Lawsuit (if needed)–ย If the claim doesnโt resolve, a complaint is filedโtypically in San Bernardino County Superior Court if thatโs the proper venue. After service of process, the defendant answers and formal discovery begins (written questions, document exchange, depositions, and, sometimes, defense medical exams). The court may set case management conferences and order mediation or a settlement conference.
- Motions, ADR, and Trial Setting–ย Either side may file motions (for example, to limit issues for trial). Many cases settle at or after mediation. If not, the case proceeds to a jury or bench trial where liability and damages are decided.
- Resolution and Post-Resolution Tasks–ย If the case settles or you receive a verdict, funds are disbursed after resolving medical liens or reimbursements (health insurance, workersโ comp, Medi-Cal). Some matters (such as settlements for minors) require court approval.
What to Do After an Accident in San Bernardino
Taking the right steps after an accident can significantly improve your chances of a successful claim:
- Get medical attention immediately, even if you donโt think youโre seriously hurt. Some injuries take time to surface.
- Report the incident to the appropriate authorities (police, property owner, etc.)
- Document the scene with photos, videos, and notes. Get witness names and contact information.
- Avoid admitting fault or making statements to insurance companies without legal guidance.
- Call a San Bernardino personal injury lawyer to protect your rights from day one.
How Long Do You Have to File a Personal Injury Claim in California?
In most cases, California gives you two years from the date of injury to file a personal injury lawsuit. For claims involving government entities (such as city-owned vehicles or public property), you must file an administrative claim within six months.
Miss a deadline, and you may lose your right to recover compensation. Contacting a San Bernardino personal injury lawyer early locks in that critical deadlines are met and evidence is preserved.
Common Causes of Injury in San Bernardino and Statistics
While every case is unique, several patterns show up in San Bernardino data:
- Traffic crashes (city): In 2022, the City of San Bernardino recorded 1,370 people killed or injured in traffic collisions. That includes 137 pedestrian victims and 80 motorcyclistsโa reminder of the vulnerability of people outside a vehicle.
- Pedestrians & cyclists (county): Countywide, pedestrians and bicyclists make up a significant share of crash victims. In 2022, 499 Latino/Hispanic pedestrians or cyclists were victims (about 51% of all such victims), with 282 White (29%) and 135 Black (14%) victims. Road design, speeds, and nighttime conditions contribute to risk. SBC Community Indicatorsย
- Falls (often from unsafe property conditions): Unintentional injuries are the leading cause of injury hospitalizations in the county (85% in 2021), with slip & falls a major driverโespecially for older adults. Nationally, falls are the leading cause of injury for adults 65+. Local hospitalization counts for injuries rose from 12,201 (2016) to 13,313 (2021).
- Dog bites/animal attacks: City records presented to council show 238 dog bites reported Dec 2021โDec 2022. At the state level, California regularly leads the nation in dog-related insurance claims (2,104 claims in 2023; 2,417 in 2024), underscoring the frequency and cost of these injuries.
- Defective/unsafe products: Dangerous consumer products are recalled year-round. The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission reports 333 recalls in FY 2024, spanning household goods, electronics, childrenโs products, and moreโany of which can cause serious injuries before a recall is issued.
How Much Does It Cost to Hire a Personal Injury Lawyer?
Our law firm uses contingency fee agreements, meaning, you donโt pay hourly; instead, the lawyerโs fee is a percentage of any money recovered. By law, contingency fee agreements must be in writing and must explain the percentage and how costs affect your recovery (Bus. & Prof. Code ยง 6147). At the end of the case, your lawyer must provide a written accounting of any client funds held and disbursed (Cal. Rules of Prof. Conduct 1.15(d)(4))
Get Help from a Trusted San Bernardino Personal Injury Lawyer
You didnโt choose to be injured, and you shouldnโt have to navigate recovery alone. At West Coast Trial Lawyers, we combine proven results with true local insight to move your case forward the right way.
- $1.7+ Billion Recovered for injured people across California
- Award-Winning Team recognized by Super Lawyersยฎ, Best Lawyersยฎ, and more
- Local San Bernardino Insightโfrom filing at the San Bernardino Justice Center to negotiating with Inland Empire insurers
- Here When You Need Usโavailable 24/7 with a multilingual staff
- Personalized Attentionโyouโre never a file number; you get clear updates and direct access to your team
If you were hurt in San Bernardino or the Inland Empire, weโll walk you through your options in a free consultationโby phone, video, or in person near downtown San Bernardino (home or hospital visits available when needed).ย
Call now 213-927-3700ย or send a message to start your free case review with a trusted San Bernardino personal injury lawyer. Weโll handle the legal work so you can focus on healing.
