Hurt in Fullerton? Call (949) 989-2511 or text (949) 776-8964, any hour, for a free consultation. Our team speaks Spanish; attorney Suzy Tafreshi speaks Farsi. People Not Just Cases.
Fullerton Personal Injury Lawyer
Fullerton was founded in 1887 among Valencia orange groves and oil fields, and it’s often called the birthplace of the electric guitar, thanks to Leo Fender. Today it’s a college town and a transportation hub with 143,617 residents (2020 Census). About 29% of residents speak Spanish at home, according to American Community Survey estimates.
Between two big campuses, a busy downtown and five state highways, Fullerton crashes happen in very different settings. A Fullerton personal injury lawyer can help you get the right report, find witnesses and handle the insurance companies. Our Fountain Valley office is about 13 miles away. Lea esta página en español.
Downtown After Dark
Downtown Fullerton, especially the area south of Commonwealth Avenue, turned into a nightlife district in the 2000s. Wikipedia notes that some 30 businesses selling alcohol opened in less than five years, and OC Weekly nicknamed it “Bourbon Street West.”
Late-night crowds mean more people on foot, more rideshare pickups and, sometimes, impaired drivers. If you were hurt by an impaired driver, see our drunk driver page. If a bar kept serving someone who was obviously drunk, California law limits that bar’s liability, so the case usually focuses on the driver and insurance. If you were hurt in an Uber or Lyft, see our rideshare accident lawyer page.
Two Campuses, Thousands of Students
- California State University, Fullerton had 39,868 students in 2019, making it the largest campus in the CSU system. Its main campus is in northeast Fullerton near SR-57 and Nutwood Avenue. The CSU Police Department covers the campus.
- Fullerton College, at Chapman Avenue and Lemon Street since 1913, had 25,051 students in 2019.
Students walk, bike, ride scooters and e-bikes, and drive between classes, jobs and home. Read about e-bike accident liability in Orange County and our pedestrian accident lawyer page.
Highways and Rail
Fullerton is served by I-5, SR-39 (Beach Boulevard), SR-57 (Orange Freeway), SR-90 (Imperial Highway) and SR-91 (Riverside Freeway). Its main street is Harbor Boulevard. Amtrak’s Southwest Chief and Pacific Surfliner both serve the city.
Crashes on the freeways are handled by the California Highway Patrol. Crashes on city streets, including Harbor Boulevard and Commonwealth Avenue, usually go to Fullerton Police.
Getting a Fullerton Police Report
- Fullerton Police Department: 237 W. Commonwealth Avenue, Fullerton, CA 92832. Non-emergency (714) 738-6700. Front desk open Monday to Friday, 8 a.m. to 6 p.m., and Saturday, 8 a.m. to 1 p.m.
For an injury crash, or a hit-and-run where you have suspect information, call (714) 738-6716 right away. Fullerton’s online reporting system is only for non-injury crashes inside city limits and not on a freeway. To get a copy of a collision report, the department points to the LexisNexis BuyCrash portal. CHP reports cost $10 for 1 to 25 pages.
Emergency Care
- Providence St. Jude Medical Center, 101 E. Valencia Mesa Drive, Fullerton, has an emergency department open 24/7. With about 1,800 employees, it’s one of the city’s largest employers.
- UCI Health – Orange, 101 The City Drive South, Orange, is Orange County’s Level I adult trauma center.
Court and Deadlines
Orange County Superior Court hears civil injury cases at the Central Justice Center, 700 Civic Center Drive West, Santa Ana. Most injury lawsuits must be filed within two years. If a city or other public agency may share fault, a written claim is usually due within six months. See the statute of limitations for car accidents in California.
Cases We Handle in Fullerton
- DUI crashes around downtown and on the freeways.
- Pedestrian, bike and scooter crashes near CSUF, Fullerton College and downtown.
- Rideshare crashes.
- Car crashes on Harbor Boulevard, Commonwealth Avenue, the 57 and the 91.
Nearby: our Placentia and La Habra pages.
A Small Crash Can Still Hurt
Getting bumped by a car while crossing in a downtown crosswalk can mean a knee or wrist injury that keeps you off your feet. No case is too small to call.
Our Team
Attorney Suzy Tafreshi leads the firm, with a team that has over 14 years of combined experience. We’re available 24/7, consultations are free, our staff speaks Spanish and Suzy speaks Farsi.
Fullerton Injury FAQs
Can I file my crash report online with Fullerton PD?
Only if nobody was hurt, it happened inside Fullerton and it wasn’t on a freeway. For an injury crash, call (714) 738-6716.
A drunk driver hit me downtown. Can I sue the bar?
Usually not. California law largely protects bars that serve adults, with narrow exceptions. Your claim normally runs against the driver and their insurance, and possibly your own uninsured motorist coverage.
I was hit near Cal State Fullerton. Who has the report?
On campus, the CSU Police may. On city streets around campus, usually Fullerton Police. On SR-57, the CHP.
Do you have Spanish-speaking staff?
Yes. Our team speaks Spanish. Call (949) 989-2511 or text (949) 776-8964.
Is the consultation free?
Yes. It costs nothing to talk to us.
Contact Our Team
Call (949) 989-2511 · Text (949) 776-8964 · Available 24/7 · Hablamos español
- Fountain Valley office: 18837 Brookhurst St, Ste 207, Fountain Valley, CA 92708
- Lake Forest office: 22600 Lambert St, Ste 1501, Lake Forest, CA 92630
- Riverside office: 4121 Brockton Ave, Ste 101, Riverside, CA 92501
See all Tafreshi Law Group locations.
Attorney Advertising. This page is for general information only and is not legal advice. Reading it does not create an attorney-client relationship. Every case is different, and prior results do not guarantee a similar outcome.
Sources
- Wikipedia, “Fullerton, California” (founding, Leo Fender, 2020 population, downtown history, CSUF and Fullerton College enrollment, highways, rail, police, top employers)
- Census Reporter, ACS 2024 1-year, table C16001 (language spoken at home), Fullerton
- City of Fullerton, Traffic Collision Report (online reporting, injury line, LexisNexis copies, hours)
- California Highway Patrol, Collision Report CHP 190 (fees)
- Providence St. Jude Medical Center, Emergency Services
- UCI Health – Orange (Level I adult trauma center)
- California Civil Code section 1714 and Business and Professions Code section 25602 (alcohol-service liability)
- Orange County Superior Court, How to Start a Civil Case
- California Code of Civil Procedure section 335.1
- California Government Code section 911.2
