Quick Resource Guide: Personal Injury

How to:

California Courts Self Help Center:

Personal Injury Cases  Information from the California Court’s Self-Help pages describing

• • Types of personal injury cases
  • Basic things to think about before you sue
  • Forms you can use
  • Keeping your information confidential
  • When talking to a lawyer is important
  • Key takeaways

Sacramento County Law Library

• • Calculating Personal Injury Damages

Forms

California Courts Self-Help Center, forms for starting a personal injury case

Library Books/Books available online

• • How to win your personal injury claim. KF1257 .M38 2021, shelved at the Reference Desk.  Also available as an eBook via Nolo
  • Win Your Lawsuit, KFC968 .D86 2010, shelved at the Reference Desk. Chapter 5, Preparing the complaint, Chapter 8, responding to the complaint
  • California practice guide : personal injury KFC311 .P4 H3, shelf 111A.  Also available electronically via Westlaw
  • California causes of action, KFC1010 .C32 2020, shelved at the reference desk.  Also available electronically via BloombergLaw
  • California elements of an action, KFC1010 .S74 2024, shelved at the reference desk.  Also available electronically via Westlaw
  • California personal injury proof, available online via OnLaw on research computers 1-8
  • California Tort Damages, available online via OnLaw on research computers 1-8

Video

From the LA Law Library, ON DEMAND: How Long After an Injury Can You Sue?

Free Legal Help

Alameda County Court Self-Help Center
The Self-Help Center does not take walk-in patrons, but you may make an appointment to talk to someone in person.  Contact the SHC via chat or phone to make an appointment.  Flyer about Self-Help Center Services: English flyer | Folleto Español

LiveChat

• • Monday-Thursday, 9AM-12PM
  • They may stop taking chats before the stated hours once they reach capacity.

Phones

• • Call: (510) 272-1393, Mon-Thurs, 2PM-4PM
  • Voicemails can only be left during phone hours; Messages are returned within 5 business days.

Community Legal Assistance Saturday Program (CLASP)
CLASP offers a monthly, free clinic open to the public.  This phone clinic occurs on the first Saturday of the month.  Volunteer attorneys meet with individuals for 15–20-minute phone consultations. CLASP Flyer (PDF, external)

Hire an Attorney

BALI: Bay Area Legal Incubator

Affordable legal services.  Some attorneys offer sliding scale fees.  In-take form available on website, and you can also read the profiles and get contact information for the BALI attorneys.

• • Address: 125 12^th St. Mezzanine Level, Oakland, CA  94611
  • Phone:  Visit the website to view BALI attorneys and get individual contact information.

Alameda County Bar Association Attorney Referral Service

Receive a match with a carefully pre-screened local lawyer qualified to help you with your legal needs.  There is a $40 administrative fee, but the initial consultation with the attorney is free.  If you want to hire the attorney, you will need to discuss that separately.

• • Call to make an appointment:  (510) 302-2222 x4
  • Can also self-book consultations online

California State Bar

The California State Bar hosts a certified lawyer referral service search page.  The organizations are certified by the State Bar and can be identified by their State Bar certification number or mark in all advertising.  Certified Lawyer Referral Services in California are managed by a variety of associations, legal service programs, and other organizations.  They operate independently from the State Bar.  You can also  find certified services in your county.

Updated 4.10.2026