Imperial Valley injury attorneys · El Centro, Calexico, Brawley · Calls answered 24/7
Imperial County Personal Injury Lawyer
From truck traffic near the Calexico ports of entry to long desert drives on I-8 and heat in the fields, Imperial County has hazards few places share. We help injured people here build strong claims. Your review is free.
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Key Takeaways
- I-8, SR-86, border-crossing truck traffic and summer heat in agriculture cause many of the valley's serious injuries.
- High-speed rural crashes can cause spinal and brain injuries, pedestrians near the ports risk fractures, and field workers face heat stroke.
- Claims against the County of Imperial, Imperial Valley Transit, cities like Calexico and Brawley, or Caltrans usually must be filed within six months Gov. Code 911.2.
- The CHP's El Centro and Winterhaven Areas report highway crashes; city police or the Sheriff's Office handle other roads.
Why people in Imperial County choose Green Law Group
Valley farmworkers, cross-border truck drivers and families in El Centro and Calexico come to Green Law Group for a free phone or video review that fits around long shifts and a lawyer who reads medical records closely.
- Medicine first. Before he practiced law, Steven D. Green trained surgeons in the operating room on spine and cardiac devices. Heat illness in the fields or a back injury in a highway crash leaves detailed records, and he goes through them carefully.
- Reviewed by clients. Our 5.0-star Google rating comes from 53 client reviews.
- Built for working families. Calls are answered 24/7, and the case review is free.
Common causes of serious injuries in Imperial County
Serious injuries in the valley tend to come from high-speed rural highways, commercial trucks moving through the border ports, farm work in extreme heat, and crashes at busy crossings in El Centro and Calexico.
- Interstate 8. The main east-west route connects San Diego, El Centro and Arizona. ICTC recently finished an I-8/Imperial Avenue interchange project in El Centro. See our car accident page.
- Calexico border truck traffic. The CHP runs a commercial vehicle enforcement facility in Calexico, and freight moves north from the East Port of Entry. Read about truck accident claims.
- SR-86 and rural farm roads. SR-86 carries traffic north through the valley and past a Border Patrol checkpoint that ICTC is expanding. Slow farm equipment and fast through traffic are a dangerous mix.
- Fields and packing sheds. Heat rules require shade above 80 degrees and high-heat procedures at 95 degrees for agricultural work 8 CCR 3395. See workplace injuries.
- Pedestrians near the ports. People walking to and from the Calexico crossings share streets with heavy traffic. See pedestrian and bicycle claims.
Common injuries after accidents in Imperial County
Fast desert highways, heavy freight and extreme summer heat shape the injuries we see in the valley. Rural crashes at highway speed cause the most severe harm, while field work adds heat illness and equipment injuries.
- Spinal and head injuries on I-8 and SR-86. Head-on, rollover and farm-equipment collisions at highway speed can cause spinal cord injuries and brain trauma. Fatal crashes may give families a wrongful death claim.
- Neck and back injuries in truck traffic. Rear-end and sideswipe crashes with freight trucks near Calexico often cause neck injuries and back injuries.
- Fractures and head injuries for pedestrians. People walking to and from the ports of entry can suffer broken legs, hip injuries and head trauma when struck.
- Heat illness in the fields. Summer work in the valley can cause heat exhaustion and heat stroke, which can damage the kidneys, heart and brain.
Getting your crash report
The CHP's El Centro and Winterhaven Area offices patrol the state highways. El Centro, Calexico, Brawley and Imperial run their own police departments, and the Imperial County Sheriff's Office covers unincorporated communities such as Ocotillo and Winterhaven.
Filing deadlines for Imperial County injury claims
Most injury lawsuits must be filed within two years CCP 335.1. A claim against a government body has a much shorter deadline: usually six months for a written claim Gov. Code 911.2. That covers the County of Imperial, the Imperial County Transportation Commission and Imperial Valley Transit, and all seven cities.
School districts and Caltrans fall under the same rule, for example when a defect on a state highway contributed to a crash. After a written denial, the lawsuit is generally due within six months Gov. Code 945.6. Children do not get extra time on government claims CCP 352. Our Claim Clock shows the dates for your case.
Injury cases we handle in Imperial County
We handle highway and border-area crashes, farm and warehouse injuries, pedestrian cases, falls on unsafe property and wrongful death claims across the Imperial Valley.
- Personal injury
- Car accidents
- Truck accidents
- Motorcycle accidents
- Bicycle and pedestrian accidents
- Back injuries
- Neck injuries
- Spinal cord injuries
- Premises liability and slip and fall
- Medical malpractice
- Wrongful death
- Workplace injuries and workers' comp
Curious about the range for a vehicle crash? Try our California car accident settlement calculator.
Cities and communities we serve in Imperial County
El Centro is the county seat. We serve all seven incorporated cities and the unincorporated desert communities.
- El Centro
- Calexico
- Brawley
- Imperial
- Calipatria
- Holtville
- Westmorland
- Ocotillo
- Winterhaven
Nearby counties
Imperial County borders Riverside and San Diego counties in California, along with Arizona to the east and Mexico to the south. We take cases in all 58 California counties.
Reviewed by Steven D. Green, Esq. · Updated October 13, 2026
Client reviews
Every one of our 53 Google reviews is five stars.
“Steve and his team were always available, handled all insurance details and my questions always with complete professionalism.”
“Steven will cut right through the noise and directly tell you the objective facts, which I highly appreciated.”
“Working with Steven Green and Jen Kearney has been a very easy and smooth ride.”
Testimonials and reviews do not guarantee, warrant or predict the outcome of any legal matter. Every case is different.
Questions
Imperial County personal injury FAQ
A car hit me while I was walking near the Calexico port of entry. What should I do?
Get medical care right away, because leg, hip and head injuries are common when a pedestrian is struck. Ask Calexico police for the report number, and write down the names of anyone who saw the crash. Shops and the crossing area may have cameras, so ask about video quickly. Keep every medical bill, including treatment you receive in Mexicali.
I live in Mexicali and was hurt in a crash in Calexico. Can I bring a claim in California?
Yes. A crash that happened in Imperial County is generally governed by California law, wherever you live. You have two years for most injury suits (Code of Civil Procedure section 335.1), and less time if a city or state vehicle was involved. Your free case review can happen by phone or video.
What is the deadline for a claim involving an Imperial Valley Transit bus?
Imperial Valley Transit operates under the Imperial County Transportation Commission, a public agency. A written claim is usually due within six months of the injury (Government Code section 911.2). If it is rejected in writing, you generally have six months from that notice to file suit (Government Code section 945.6). The County of Imperial and its cities follow the same rule.
Can farmworkers hurt by heat in Imperial County get compensation?
Usually through workers' compensation, which does not require proving the employer was at fault. California requires agricultural employers to provide shade above 80 degrees and follow high-heat procedures at 95 degrees (California Code of Regulations, title 8, section 3395). If a labor contractor or another company outside your employer contributed, a separate injury claim may also be possible.
Hurt in the Imperial Valley? Call us any time.
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