Types of Car Accidents in Pasadena

T-Bone (Side-Impact) Collisions

T-bone crashes happen when the front of one vehicle strikes the side of another, most often at intersections. In Pasadena, police have identified intersections such as Lake Avenue and Orange Grove Boulevard, and San Gabriel Boulevard and La Tierra Street, among those with the most reported collisions in recent monitoring periods.

A T-bone accident can be especially dangerous because all that stands between you and the other vehicle is a door and a window. Car design and manufacturing may save your life during this type of collision, but defective airbags can put you at risk.

• Typical causes: running red lights, failing to yield, and unsafe left turns.
• Common injuries: head, chest, pelvic and spinal injuries, because there is little vehicle structure between you and the other car.

Rear End Collision

According to The Washington Post, there are about 1.7 million rear-end collisions on U.S. roadways each year. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) claims they are the most common type of collision and account for about 29% of all car accidents. The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) supports this statistic, showing that nearly half of all two-vehicle crashes between 2012 and 2014 were rear-end accidents. This type of car crash also made up 7.2% of fatal accidents in 2017.

Rear end collisions are frequently caused by driver inattention and tailgating, and the in-front driver is rarely at fault. Victims often sustain broken bones, concussions, and soft-tissue injuries from this type of car crash.

• Typical causes: following too closely, distracted driving, sudden stops, and driving too fast for conditions.
• Common injuries: whiplash, neck and back injuries, concussions, and soft-tissue injuries. Symptoms can appear hours or days later.
• Fault: the rear driver is often found at fault, but not always. A sudden, unsafe stop, faulty brake lights, or a chain-reaction crash can change the analysis.

Fender Bender

Fortunately, fender benders don’t usually lead to fatalities. Unfortunately, they are notorious for causing whiplash and other soft tissue injuries, many of which emerge when the adrenaline of the initial collision has worn off. While it may be tempting to skip calling the police and/or your insurance company, you should document your fender bender as if it were any other type of accident. If you do end up with an injury, you will need a good lawyer. Defendants often accuse those injured in fender benders of exaggerating or even faking their ailments.

Sideswipe and Lane-Change Collisions

Sideswipes occur when vehicles traveling in the same or opposite direction scrape sides. They are common on multi-lane roads like the 210 Freeway and the 134 interchange.

• Typical causes: blind-spot lane changes, drifting, merging errors.
• Common injuries: neck and shoulder injuries, and secondary injuries if a driver overcorrects into another lane or a barrier.

Multi-Vehicle Pileups

Freeway chain-reaction crashes can involve several drivers, each of whom may share some responsibility. Sorting out fault often requires accident reconstruction, event data recorders and CHP reports.

• Why it is complex: multiple insurers, competing accounts, and several possible at-fault parties.
• What to do: get the CHP report number, note the order of impacts, and avoid recorded statements before you have advice.

Single-Vehicle Accidents

Not every serious crash involves another car. Single-vehicle accidents include hitting a pole, tree or barrier, running off the road, or swerving to avoid an animal or debris. Responsibility may still rest with someone other than the driver, such as a negligent third party who forced the swerve, a vehicle manufacturer or a public entity responsible for a dangerous roadway. Claims against government entities in California have very short notice deadlines.

Parking Lot Collisions

Parking lot crashes happen at lower speeds but can still cause injuries, especially to pedestrians. Busy lots near Old Pasadena, Lake Avenue shopping areas, and hospitals see frequent backing and pulling-out collisions. Fault can be less clear because there are no traffic signals and fewer police reports, so photos and witness details matter.

Fender Benders

A ‘minor‘ collision is not always minor for the people inside. Whiplash and other soft-tissue injuries can take time to appear after adrenaline fades. Document the scene, see a doctor, and report the crash even if damage looks small. Insurers often challenge injury claims after low-speed impacts, so medical records and prompt treatment are important.

Hit-and-Run Accidents

If the other driver left the scene, you still have options. You may be able to recover through your own uninsured motorist coverage if you have it. Report the crash to Pasadena police or CHP right away, and give any details you remember: vehicle description, plate fragments, direction of travel, and nearby cameras. 

Uninsured and Underinsured Driver Crashes

California drivers must carry liability insurance, but some do not, and minimum limits can be low relative to serious injuries. California raised its minimum liability limits in 2025. Your own uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage may be an important source of recovery, so check your policy before you speak with an adjuster.

Rideshare and Commercial Vehicle Crashes

Crashes involving Uber, Lyft, delivery drivers or commercial trucks can involve layered insurance and corporate defendants. Insurance coverage can depend on whether the driver was logged in, waiting for a ride or carrying a passenger. See also our truck accident page. [ATTORNEY REVIEW]

Pedestrian and Bicycle Collisions With Vehicles

Walking and cycling are part of life in Pasadena, and collisions with cars can cause severe injuries. California Office of Traffic Safety data have ranked Pasadena poorly among similarly sized cities for pedestrian-vehicle collisions. See our bicycle accident page.

Pasadena Crash Trends and Local Hot Spots

Pasadena police publish collision data in periodic community briefs. In a recent reporting period, unsafe speed, right-of-way violations and improper turning ranked among the top primary crash factors, and the busiest intersections included San Gabriel Boulevard at La Tierra Street. Earlier city data identified Lake Avenue at Orange Grove Boulevard as one of the most collision-prone intersections. Colorado Boulevard, Washington Boulevard and Orange Grove Boulevard have also been flagged in city pedestrian-safety studies.

At KP Law, we have access to leading expert witnesses, who can provide ample evidence of your injuries in a court of law.

A Team that Fights for Your Rights

No matter what type of car crash you are in, you can sustain injuries and losses. When this happens, you will need an attorney to help you recover compensation. Our lawyers at KP Law understand the ins and outs of all kinds of car accidents in Pasadena and have an intimate knowledge of the laws surrounding negligence in California.

What to Do After a Car Accident in Pasadena

1. Get safe and call 911. Move out of traffic if you can. Request police and medical help.
2. Get medical care. See a doctor or go to the nearest emergency department promptly, even if you feel okay.
3. Document the scene. Photos of vehicles, plates, road conditions, signals and injuries. Collect witness names and phone numbers.
4. Exchange information. Names, insurance and contact details. Avoid discussing fault.
5. Report the crash. Get the police report number. California may also require a DMV report (SR-1) within 10 days in some crashes. [VERIFY]
6. Be careful with insurers. Notify your insurance company, but speak with an attorney before giving a recorded statement to the other driver’s insurer.
7. Call a lawyer. Deadlines apply, and evidence can disappear quickly.

How KP Law Helps After a Pasadena Car Accident

KP Law’s attorneys have more than 40 years of combined experience handling personal injury and civil cases. Our lawyers also have experience working on the insurance defense side, giving us insight into how insurance companies evaluate and defend claims.

When you contact us, we can:

• Listen to your account of the accident and explain your legal options in plain language.
• Review the police report, medical records, and applicable insurance policies.
• Identify potentially responsible parties and available insurance coverage.
• Communicate with insurance companies on your behalf.
• Coordinate with medical providers and, when appropriate, accident reconstruction specialists or other experts.
• Explain your options if a settlement is offered and, when necessary, pursue litigation to protect your interests.

Frequently Asked Questions About Car Accidents in Pasadena

What is the most common type of car accident in Pasadena?

Rear-end collisions and intersection crashes (including T-bones) are among the most common nationwide, and Pasadena police data point to unsafe speed, improper turning and right-of-way violations as leading causes locally. Exact rankings change from year to year, so check the most recent city report. [VERIFY]

Who is at fault in a rear-end collision in California?

The rear driver is often found at fault because drivers must leave enough space to stop safely, but fault can be shared or shift in some situations, such as a sudden unsafe stop or a chain-reaction crash. An attorney can review the facts.

Who is at fault in a T-bone or left-turn accident?

Under California law, a driver turning left generally must yield to oncoming traffic that is close enough to be a hazard, but each case depends on signals, speeds and witness accounts.

Can I recover compensation if I was partly at fault?

Often yes. California uses pure comparative negligence, so your recovery is generally reduced by your percentage of fault rather than barred.

How long do I have to file a car accident claim in California?

The general deadline to file a personal injury lawsuit is two years from the date of injury, and property damage claims generally allow longer. Claims involving a government entity, such as a dangerous road condition or a city vehicle, can have much shorter notice deadlines, as short as six months. Talk to an attorney as soon as possible.

What if the driver who hit me fled or has no insurance?

You may have options through your own uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage. Report the crash right away and contact an attorney to review your policy.

Do I need a lawyer for a minor fender bender?

Not every minor crash needs a lawyer, but if you are hurt, if fault is disputed, or if an insurer pressures you to settle quickly or give a recorded statement, a free consultation can help you understand your options.

What should I do after a crash on the 210 or Colorado Boulevard?

Call 911, get medical help, document the scene and get the CHP or Pasadena police report number. Avoid discussing fault, and contact an attorney before speaking with the other driver’s insurer.

Talk to a Pasadena Car Accident Lawyer Today

If you or someone you love was hurt in any type of car accident in Pasadena, you do not have to figure out the next steps alone. Call KP Law any time, day or night, for a free consultation.

KP Law 140 S. Lake Ave, Suite 305 Pasadena, CA 91101

Phone: (866) 973-5691 Request a Free Consultation