By Justin King, Founding Partner, Law Offices of Justin H. King
San Bernardino County, the largest county in the contiguous United States, continues to
experience rapid economic growth, population expansion, and infrastructure development.
With that growth comes legal complexity, because the increased population brings with it
increased safety issues. From transportation collisions along the I‑10 and I‑15 corridors to
wildfire litigation, housing density reforms, and artificial intelligence regulation, the legal
landscape in San Bernardino County is evolving quickly.
While many practice areas are seeing change, personal injury law remains at the center of
legal activity in the Inland Empire.
Personal Injury Litigation Remains the Dominant Practice Area
San Bernardino County has long been a hotspot for personal injury litigation. Several factors
contribute to this, including heavy commercial trucking traffic, rapid residential growth,
expanding logistics and warehouse infrastructure, and a high volume of commuter travel
between Los Angeles and Riverside counties.
San Bernardino and San Bernardino County experience a high volume of vehicle accidents
compared to many other California communities. According to traffic data, the City of San
Bernardino averages over 1,300 traffic crashes annually that result in injury or death,
including about 42 fatal crashes and more than 90 serious injuries each year, underscoring
ongoing road safety challenges. Drivers in San Bernardino also face a greater crash risk than
drivers in many other U.S. cities, with collision claims occurring relatively frequently.
County-wide, traffic safety indicators show that nearly 14,615 people were injured or killed
in vehicle collisions in 2024, although this represented a modest decline from prior years.
The per capita rate of victims has dropped slightly over the last decade, suggesting some
progress, but the number of cyclists injured or killed has climbed, and pedestrian-involved
Collisions remain a concern.
Statewide traffic safety rankings from the California Office of Traffic Safety (OTS) for 2021
placed San Bernardino in the middle of the pack among similar-sized cities for fatal and
injury crashes, but data showed persistent issues with alcohol-involved collisions,
motorcycle crashes, and pedestrian injuries.
Overall, these reports highlight that vehicle accidents continue to be a significant public
safety issue in San Bernardino, involving motorists, pedestrians, and cyclists alike.
As the Inland Empire continues to serve as a logistics backbone for Southern California,
collisions involving commercial trucks, delivery fleets, and rideshare services remain
frequent sources of litigation. Advanced medical evidence, life care planning, and economic
damage modeling are now common in high‑value cases. At the same time, insurance carriers are aggressively contesting causation and damages, leading to more cases
proceeding to trial.
Wildfire and Environmental Litigation Expansion
San Bernardino County remains vulnerable to wildfire devastation. As development
expands into fire‑prone regions, litigation involving utility providers, insurers, and
government entities continues to grow. Personal injury claims tied to smoke inhalation,
toxic exposure, and long‑term respiratory damage are increasingly common.
Environmental contamination and pollution claims are also trending upward. Businesses
may face heightened scrutiny regarding environmental compliance, particularly as
statewide litigation trends emphasize corporate responsibility and public health impacts.
Housing Density and SB 79 Impacts
Recent legislation permitting denser housing near transit corridors is expected to
significantly impact the region. As multi‑family developments expand, construction defect
litigation, premises liability claims, and landlord‑tenant disputes are likely to increase.
Higher-density housing naturally creates more shared spaces, and poorly maintained
infrastructure may give rise to injury claims.
Artificial Intelligence and Legal Ethics
California continues to lead in AI regulation. Courts are scrutinizing the use of artificial
intelligence in legal filings and discovery. Additionally, AI systems themselves are becoming
subjects of litigation, particularly in cases involving driver‑assistance technologies and
algorithm‑based fleet management systems. Questions surrounding liability for automated
decision‑making will shape future personal injury and product liability claims.
Transportation Infrastructure and Accident Trends
San Bernardino County’s vast freeway network ensures transportation‑related litigation
remains a major trend. Commercial trucking accidents, motorcycle collisions, and
multi‑vehicle incidents are frequent sources of serious injury cases. Attorneys increasingly
rely on electronic control module data, surveillance footage, and digital evidence to
reconstruct collisions and establish liability.
Insurance Bad Faith and Underinsured Motorist Claims
Rising medical costs and inflation have made policy limits a central focus of many disputes.
Underinsured motorist claims and bad faith litigation are growing as insurers more
aggressively challenge high‑value cases. Plaintiffs’ attorneys are responding with detailed
economic projections and expert testimony to support claims for full compensation.
Workplace and Third‑Party Injury Claims
