You were hit in Glendale or Pasadena, maybe on the 134 at rush hour, maybe on Brand Boulevard or Colorado Boulevard. Your car is damaged, your neck is stiff, and an adjuster already wants a recorded statement. Here is who has your report, which deadlines apply in 2026, and the three moves that protect you now.
The short answer
See a doctor, get the report number, and give the other driver's insurer no recorded statement. Freeway crashes on the 134, 210, and 2 usually go to the California Highway Patrol. City street crashes usually go to Glendale Police or Pasadena Police. In 2026 you generally have two years to sue, but only six months to file a claim if a city vehicle, a bus, a train, or a road defect played a part.
Who writes the report: CHP or city police?
Where the crash happened decides which agency has your report.
- Freeways including the 134, the 210, and the 2: usually the CHP, even inside city limits.
- Glendale city streets such as Brand Boulevard and Glendale Avenue: the Glendale Police Department.
- Pasadena city streets such as Colorado Boulevard and Lake Avenue: the Pasadena Police Department.
- Ramps and unincorporated areas such as Altadena or La Crescenta: ask the officer which agency is writing the report.
Before anyone leaves, get the report number and the officer's name.
How do I get my accident report?
Request it from the department that responded, online or at the records counter. For a city street crash, that is the Glendale or Pasadena police records section. For a freeway crash, it is the CHP area office that took the call.
Read it when it arrives. Check names, plates, direction of travel, and what each driver said. A wrong detail left alone becomes the insurer's favorite fact.
What about Metro light rail crossings in Pasadena?
The Metro A Line, the light rail many locals still call the Gold Line, runs through South Pasadena and Pasadena. It crosses some streets at street level and runs down the median of the 210 in east Pasadena. A crash at a rail crossing raises questions an ordinary crash does not: signal timing, gate arms, sight lines, and how the train was operated.
Metro is a public agency. So are the cities that run local buses, such as Glendale Beeline and Pasadena Transit. That changes your deadline.
What if a city vehicle, bus, or bad road was involved?
California Government Code section 911.2 requires a written claim to the public entity within six months of the injury. That covers a city truck, a police car, a Metro train or bus, or a city bus. It can also cover a crash caused in part by a dangerous road condition, such as a broken signal. Miss the six months and you can lose the right to sue.
How long do I have to sue for everything else?
For a crash between private drivers, California Code of Civil Procedure section 335.1 gives you two years from the date of the injury to file a lawsuit. Treatment and negotiation eat that time fast. Our guide on the California personal injury statute of limitations explains how the clock works.
Your next three moves
- See a doctor today. If you are seriously hurt, call 911. If you feel sore, dizzy, or foggy later, go to an emergency room or urgent care and describe every symptom. Insurers treat a gap in treatment as proof you were not hurt.
- Lock down the evidence. Photograph the cars, the scene, and your injuries. Get witness names and numbers. Businesses along Brand and Colorado often have cameras that record over old footage, so ask quickly.
- Keep your words to yourself. Give your own insurer the basic facts. Do not give the other insurer a recorded statement, and do not sign a release before a doctor has finished evaluating you.
Before you talk to any adjuster, request a free case review. No fee unless we win. For the full checklist, read what to do after a car accident in California, see how we handle car accident cases, and find help across the county on our Los Angeles page.
This guide is general information, not legal advice. Deadlines and rules change; talk to a lawyer about your situation.
Keep reading
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