Level I trauma center · Orange
Place 1: UCI Medical Center
101 The City Drive South, Orange. Orange County’s only Level I adult trauma center, beside the Santa Ana Freeway.
On the map 6 placesThe Orange County crash guide
Car crash Orange County
Find your report, check your deadlines and plan your next step. Our map puts OC crash reports, trauma care and civil courts in one place. If you were hurt, you can also start a free case review.
Free case review
Step 1 of 5
- Free initial review
- No obligation to hire an attorney
- 4 short questions
The map
Six places that handle OC crashes
Two CHP Area offices, three trauma centers and the courthouse for civil cases. Select a number to jump to its card.
Place 1: UCI Medical CenterPlace 2: CHP Santa Ana Area officePlace 3: Orange County Global Medical CenterPlace 4: Central Justice CenterPlace 5: Providence Mission HospitalPlace 6: CHP Capistrano Area office© OpenStreetMap contributors
- CHP Area office
- Trauma center
- Courthouse
- Freeway
- UCI Medical Center
- CHP Santa Ana Area office
- Orange County Global Medical Center
- Central Justice Center
- Providence Mission Hospital
- CHP Capistrano Area office
City street crashes go to that city’s police department, or to the Sheriff in cities that contract with the county.
CHP · Santa Ana Area
Place 2: CHP Santa Ana Area office
2031 East Santa Clara Avenue. Patrols over 225 miles of freeway, including I-5, I-405, SR 55, SR 22 and SR 91.
Level II trauma center · Santa Ana
Place 3: Orange County Global Medical Center
1001 North Tustin Avenue, Santa Ana. A county-designated Level II trauma center, formerly Western Medical Center.
Superior Court · Civic Center
Place 4: Central Justice Center
700 Civic Center Drive West, Santa Ana. Hears limited and unlimited civil cases and small claims from every Orange County city.
Level II trauma center · Mission Viejo
Place 5: Providence Mission Hospital
27700 Medical Center Road, Mission Viejo. South Orange County’s Level II trauma center for adults and children.
CHP · Capistrano Area
Place 6: CHP Capistrano Area office
32951 Camino Capistrano, San Juan Capistrano. Patrols I-5, SR 73, SR 74, SR 133, SR 241 and Pacific Coast Highway.
After an OC crash
Start here
FreewaysFreeway crash? It is a CHP reportThree CHP Area offices cover Orange County’s freeways and toll roads.
- Gov. Code § 911.2The short deadline
A claim against a city, the county, OCTA or Caltrans is due within six months.
City streetsCity street? Ask the city policeEach city keeps its own reports. Some cities use the Sheriff instead.
- calbar.ca.gov Check a lawyer’s licence
The State Bar of California search shows licence status and public discipline.
Which agency has your Orange County crash report?
Freeways and toll roads
- California Highway Patrol
- Westminster, Santa Ana and Capistrano Areas. CHP Crash Portal or form CHP 190; $10 for up to 25 pages.
City streets
- City police
- Anaheim, Santa Ana, Irvine, Huntington Beach and many other cities keep their own reports.
Contract cities
- Orange County Sheriff
- Some cities contract with the Sheriff’s Department for police services, so the report comes from the Sheriff.
Unincorporated areas
How it works
Four questions, then a callback
Four questions
Timing, fault, whether you are hurt and whether you have signed with a lawyer. Then your name and number.
A callback
Our partner law firm’s automated assistant calls, says who it is and checks a few details about the crash.
Possible attorney review
The intake team can fill in what is missing and explain the next steps.
Field notes
When to speak with an Orange County crash lawyer
After a crash, first identify the police agency that took the report and get care for any injuries. If you need a lawyer, start with the State Bar of California attorney search. It shows whether a lawyer’s licence is active and whether there is any public discipline.
Then ask practical questions. Who works on the file each week? Has the attorney tried car accident cases at the Central Justice Center in Santa Ana? How are medical liens handled when the case settles? An Orange County car accident attorney should know the CHP reports, the local insurers and the county’s civil courtrooms.
Get the fee in writing. California requires a contingency agreement to be written and signed by both of you, with the percentage, how costs come out of the recovery, and a statement that the fee is not set by law and can be negotiated (Bus. & Prof. Code § 6147).
California deadlines and shared fault
You have two years from the crash to file an injury lawsuit (Code Civ. Proc. § 335.1) and three years for damage to your car (§ 338). If an Orange County city, the county, OCTA or Caltrans may share the blame, a written claim to that agency is due within six months (Gov. Code § 911.2).
California uses pure comparative fault: your damages go down by your share of the blame, with no cut-off. With $70,000 in losses and 40% of the fault, you would receive $42,000. Under Proposition 213, an uninsured driver, or one convicted of DUI, cannot recover pain and suffering, but medical bills and lost wages remain recoverable (Civ. Code § 3333.4).
Reporting duties after a crash
If anyone is hurt and no officer took a report, the driver must make a written report to the CHP or the city police within 24 hours (Veh. Code § 20008). A crash with any injury or more than $1,000 of damage must also be reported to the DMV on form SR-1 within 10 days (§ 16000).
Policies issued or renewed since January 1, 2025 must carry at least $30,000 per person, $60,000 per crash and $15,000 for property damage. Those limits can run out quickly, so check your own uninsured motorist and medical payments cover too.
When to call an attorney after an OC crash
A crash with no injuries often settles directly between insurers. Talk to an attorney when you were hurt and still need treatment, when fault is disputed, when a truck, bus or rideshare car was involved, or when a public agency may be responsible and the six-month clock is running.
Gather what you can early: photos, dashcam video and witness names. The four-question review at the top of this page is a quick first step.
Orange County crash questions
About the free review, fees, fault, reports and deadlines.
Is the case review free?
Yes. The initial review is free, and you are under no obligation to hire an attorney.
How do Orange County car accident attorneys charge?
Usually by contingency fee: a percentage of what they recover, with nothing upfront. California requires the agreement in writing, signed by both of you, stating the rate, how costs are paid and that the fee is negotiable.
What if I was partly at fault?
California uses pure comparative fault: your damages go down by your share of the blame, but the claim survives. On the form, choose “Yes” if another driver caused or contributed to the crash, or “Not sure” if intake needs to look at it.
Who has my Orange County crash report?
It depends on the road. Freeways and toll roads are CHP reports, from the Westminster, Santa Ana or Capistrano Area office, ordered through the CHP Crash Portal or form CHP 190. City streets are reports from that city’s police department, or from the Sheriff in contract cities.
How long do I have to file a claim in California?
Usually two years for an injury lawsuit and three years for damage to your car. If a city, the County of Orange, OCTA or Caltrans may be responsible, a written claim is due within six months.
What happens after I request a callback?
Our partner’s automated assistant calls, confirms a few details about the crash and can connect you with the intake team. An attorney reviews the full details before taking a case.