Costa Mesa Personal Injury Attorneys
We’ll tell you if you have a case or not, call (888) 488-1391 — We’re here 24 hours a day.
Costa Mesa Personal Injury Attorneys Dedicated To Upholding Your Rights After An Accident
Injuries sustained in accidents can significantly impact your life in multiple ways. Our Costa Mesa personal injury attorneys can help you pursue compensation for your losses. Call us at (888) 488-1391 or complete our “Do I Have A Case?” form for experienced legal guidance and representation. We provide a free initial consultation.
Costa Mesa, California, is one of the most diverse and vibrant cities in Orange County. However, in this dynamic environment, the risk of accidents remains a constant concern. Anyone can sustain personal injuries due to negligent drivers on busy streets or unsafe conditions in public areas.
Accident victims may suffer serious bodily injury and death. Some might incur a temporary or permanent disability due to the nature of their injuries. Post-traumatic stress disorder can also be experienced by those who survive accidents. Medical bills, physical rehabilitation, and therapy can also cause families financial and emotional stress.
Arash Law is committed to helping accident victims in Costa Mesa and throughout California understand what they can do next. Whether it’s a car crash, slip-and-fall accident, or workplace injury, we work to advocate for our clients.
What Is A Personal Injury?
Personal injury refers to the harm that one person or entity inflicts on another person. An injury falls into this category if it was caused by intentional, negligent, or reckless behavior or by an action covered by strict liability. Our team can offer practical guidance to help you learn about your rights and whether you have a valid claim.
What Is A Personal Injury Claim?
A personal injury claim or lawsuit aims to prove that another party was negligent and thus caused the accident victim’s injuries. It also seeks to hold them accountable while helping clients pursue compensation that aligns with the value of their losses. The liable party’s insurer may be asked to cover the costs of the accident victim’s property damage, medical bills, pain and suffering, and other expenses.
We take cases involving minors very seriously, and they are near and dear to our hearts. As a society we must place the highest value on our children and their safety!– ARASH KHORSANDI
How Can Our Costa Mesa Personal Injury Attorneys Help You With Your Case?
Our dedicated Costa Mesa personal injury lawyers are committed to helping clients handle their claims. Our goal is to provide them with dedicated support as they pursue compensation.
Here’s how we can guide you through your claim process:
- Starting with a free initial consultation, our personal injury lawyers can help explain your rights and options to inform the decisions you make after an accident.
- We can leverage our extensive knowledge and experience to investigate your case. This includes gathering relevant information, interviewing witnesses, consulting with experts, and examining evidence to support your claim.
- Our Costa Mesa personal injury lawyers are skilled negotiators who can engage with insurance companies on your behalf. During our discussions, we’ll work to agree on a settlement that aims to cover your losses following an accident.
- If a settlement cannot be reached through negotiation, our attorneys are prepared to advocate for your rights in court. We will work to present a case backed by strong evidence and expert testimony.
The Most Common Injuries Suffered By Accident Victims
Injuries sustained in accidents can vary widely in severity and impact. Our Costa Mesa personal injury lawyers understand the most common ones that occur across accidents, enabling us to discuss and help you decide on whether to take the legal actions available in your case.
Head & Brain Injuries
These injuries can result from a wide range of incidents, such as falls, car crashes, and sports-related accidents. They range from concussions to traumatic brain injuries, leading to symptoms like headaches, dizziness, memory loss, and impaired cognitive function.
Back & Spine Injuries
Accidents like trips, slip-and-fall incidents, and car crashes often involve high-impact forces that can cause back and spine injuries. These include strains, sprains, herniated discs, and even spinal cord damage that can lead to partial or complete paralysis. They may exhibit symptoms like pain, numbness, tingling, and loss of motor function.
Broken Bones
Whether from car accidents, sports collisions, or falls, broken bones are common injuries. They can occur in any part of the body and vary in severity from simple fractures to compound breaks. Symptoms include pain, swelling, deformity, and restricted mobility.
Soft Tissue Injuries
Soft tissue injuries involve damage to muscles, tendons, and ligaments. They can occur in accidents involving sudden movements, impacts, or overexertion, such as car crashes, falls, or sports injuries. Symptoms include pain, swelling, bruising, and a limited range of motion.
Catastrophic Injuries
Whether victims suffer an amputation, severe burns, paralysis, or organ damage, catastrophic injuries can have significant consequences. They may require potentially expensive and long-term medical treatments.
Fire-Related Injuries
Fires can cause burns, smoke inhalation, and other trauma. Whether due to residential fires, workplace accidents, or defective products, we advocate for victims of fire-related injuries seeking compensation for medical treatment, reconstructive surgery, therapy, and emotional distress.
Other Types Of Personal Injuries
The following are some other common injuries that victims experience:
- Herniated discs
- Spinal cord injuries
- Neck injuries
- Hip injuries
- Knee injuries
- Contusions, lacerations, abrasions, cuts, and bruises
- Puncture wounds
- Internal bleeding
- Internal organ damage
- Amputations
Accident victims may experience prolonged pain and suffering due to these injuries. Additionally, some may require long-term medical treatment that can affect their quality of life. Psychiatrists, surgeons, and physical therapists may all be needed to treat an injured victim. A personal injury attorney in Costa Mesa can use their knowledge of these injuries to understand the extent of your losses and assess how they can be factored into your claim.
Usual Personal Injury Cases Our Attorneys Handle In Costa Mesa
Our Costa Mesa lawyers for personal injury cases have been helping injured individuals across California for many years. As such, we’re ready to review and potentially pursue various kinds of claims.
Some of the most common types of personal injury cases we handle in Costa Mesa include the following:
Wrongful Death Cases
When a family member dies, the surviving relatives can bring a personal injury case against the person or legal entity that caused a fatal accident. Many wrongful death actions involve criminal conduct, reckless driving, and accidents at construction sites.
Pedestrian Accident Cases
Pathways, walking trails, parking structures, and construction sites can pose dangerous conditions that cause serious bodily injury to people on foot. Car accidents also sometimes involve pedestrians in Costa Mesa.
Motorcycle Accident Cases
Motorcyclists enjoy exploring Costa Mesa all year round. However, the numerous motorcycles on the road mean it is more likely that an accident involving a motorcyclist will occur. When involved in an accident, motorcycle riders often suffer serious injuries or even death.
Trucking Accident Cases
Costa Mesa relies heavily on commercial trucks for the transportation of goods. Unfortunately, trucking accidents can potentially cause catastrophic injuries, extensive property damage, and fatalities.
Slip-And-Fall Cases
Slip-and-fall cases involve owners and occupiers who may be liable for dangerous conditions on their property. Injured individuals may suffer fractured bones, traumatic brain injuries, and spinal cord injuries. Structural problems often cause slip-and-fall accidents. Inadequate lighting, faulty staircases, and wet surfaces may cause serious bodily injury or death.
Car Accident Cases
Despite Costa Mesa being one of the best places to reside in Southern California, car accidents are a daily occurrence on the busy streets and freeways within the city limits. Distracted driving is one of the primary causes of automobile accidents in Costa Mesa. Also, many drivers lose control of their vehicles while driving at excessive rates of speeds on the freeway.
Car accidents change the lives of millions of individuals every year. Serious bodily injuries can cause temporary or permanent disabilities. Approximately 3,900 automobile accident fatalities occurred in 2020. In 2021, there were around 4,200 traffic fatalities in the state, representing a 7.6% increase from the previous year. Some individuals injured in car accidents may require long-term medical treatment.
Damages In A Costa Mesa Personal Injury Claim
Personal injury accident victims may be able to pursue different types of damages. A personal injury lawyer can help you assess which ones you can seek depending on the circumstances of your case.
The following are some of the most common types of damages in personal injury cases:
- Pain and Suffering — These damages are unquantifiable and include fear, anxiety, post-traumatic stress disorder, mental anguish, and severe emotional distress.
- Property Damage — These compensate accident victims for damage and destruction of property.
- Lost Income and Lost Future Earnings — Factors that can affect the amount of lost income an accident victim can pursue include any disability caused by the accident, the approximate recovery time, and the extent of medical treatments their injuries require.
- Medical Expenses — These can include physical therapy, future surgeries, medication, and hospitalization.
- Wrongful Death Damages — Some accidents are fatal. Surviving family members may be eligible to seek wrongful death damages, including pain and suffering, pre-death medical bills, loss of consortium, and funeral expenses.
- Punitive Damages — Punitive damages are intended to punish a defendant for extremely negligent conduct and deter them from repeating such behavior. Since they are rarely awarded, you can ask one of our Costa Mesa personal injury lawyers whether they’re applicable in your case.
What To Do After An Injury In Costa Mesa, CA
No matter the type of accident, taking certain steps afterward may be helpful for upholding both your health and your legal rights. For example:
- Ensure Safety — Move to a safe location, if possible, and check for injuries. For instance, if you’re in a car accident in Costa Mesa, turn on the hazard lights for visibility.
- Contact Emergency Services — Call 911 to report the accident and request medical assistance if anyone is injured. It can also be helpful to have a police report documenting the incident.
- Exchange Information — Whether it’s a car accident, slip-and-fall, or workplace injury, gather information about the negligent party’s insurance and other relevant details. If witnesses are present, collect their contact information as well.
- Document the Scene — Take photos of the accident scene, including vehicle damage, hazardous conditions (like wet floors or debris), and any other contributing factors. These photos can serve as crucial evidence later.
- Seek Medical Attention — Even if you feel fine, try to do so promptly. Some injuries, like concussions or internal trauma, may not present symptoms immediately.
- Report the Incident — If applicable, report the accident to the relevant authorities or property owners. For workplace injuries, notify your supervisor or employer immediately and file a workers’ compensation claim.
- Preserve Evidence — Keep any evidence related to the accident, such as clothing worn during the incident, medical records, accident reports, and witness statements. This documentation may help support your case.
- Follow Medical Advice — Adhere to all medical recommendations and treatment plans prescribed by healthcare professionals. This not only takes care of your physical health but also provides documentation of your injuries and recovery process.
- Consult a Lawyer — Our personal injury attorneys in Costa Mesa can evaluate your case and see whether you can pursue compensation.
Mistakes Accident Victims Make When Filing Personal Injury Claims In Costa Mesa
Accident victims may wish to avoid the following mistakes when looking to file a claim in Costa Mesa:
- Failing to Hire an Attorney — Having a personal injury lawyer in Costa Mesa examine the settlement documents can help clarify your options so you can safeguard your interests.
- Abandoning the Scene of the Accident — If it’s safe to do so, seek out witnesses and document the accident while you’re there. If you leave the scene early, you may miss out on obtaining important evidence that can support your personal injury case. To streamline the process, you can contact a law enforcement agency so a police report can be filed regarding the accident. Insurance companies may want to see copies of this report.
- Signing Settlement Documents Without the Assistance of a Lawyer — Take a cautious and skeptical attitude when you’re asked to sign anything after an accident, as you may not have all the information you need to study these documents and assess whether they align with your interests. Having a well-versed Costa Mesa personal injury lawyer review them can help you decide whether they should be signed or not.
- Declining Medical Treatment — It is highly advisable for accident victims to seek medical assistance as soon as possible after suffering injuries during an accident. A physician can provide victims with a treatment regimen that can reduce the likelihood of them suffering permanent harm from their injuries. Two weeks is the typical time limit to request medical assistance before an insurance company denies a claim.
Proving Negligence In Costa Mesa Personal Injury Cases
When someone gets injured in an accident, who’s to blame? It often boils down to negligence, or failing to do what you should’ve done to keep others safe. For example, if a store owner doesn’t clean up a spill promptly and a customer slips and breaks their arm, they might soon be facing a personal injury lawsuit. Negligence laws are pretty similar across states, but how fault is shared can differ.
In California, we follow “pure comparative negligence,” meaning you can sue for the percentage of damages linked to the other party’s fault. This also means you can still seek compensation even if you’re partially liable for your injuries. To prove negligence in California, you need to show a few things:
- The defendant had a duty of care, but they breached or didn’t fulfill it (were negligent).
- Their negligence directly caused your injury.
- Your injuries resulted in actual damages, like medical bills or lost wages.
Reach out to Costa Mesa personal injury attorneys if you need assistance with proving negligence in your case.
Our client suffered serious injuries after he was run over by a speeding vehicle. Aside from achieving a monumental financial recovery, our firm was able to secure the best medical care and treatment to ensure that he recovered from his injuries with the best medical team in the nation. We are happy to deliver closure and peace to a nice family.– BRIAN BEECHER
Statute Of Limitations For Personal Injury Claims In California
The statute of limitations creates a strict deadline for filing personal injury actions in California. Some exceptions may toll the statute of limitations, but in general, the following principles apply to personal injury cases in California:
- If you’re suing an individual or private company, you usually have two (2) years from the incident date to file a claim.
- If your claim is against a government entity like a city or county, you need to file a governmental claims form within six (6) months of the incident. If your claim is denied, you have six (6) months from the denial date to file a lawsuit. This shortens the time to file by one (1) year.
Remember, these deadlines can vary based on the situation. As such, you can discuss your case details with experienced personal injury attorneys in Costa Mesa.
Personal Injury Lawyers Can Help Accident Victims Build Cases
Even seemingly insignificant actions can affect your personal injury case. An experienced personal injury lawyer can help you avoid doing the following:
- Social Media Use — The contents of your social media accounts may be used to support arguments against your claim. Setting social media accounts to private status and refraining from posting about your accident may help you maintain your case.
- Creating Recorded Statements — It is important for accident victims to understand that any recorded statements they make for insurance companies will be admissible in court. To avoid saying something that could be misconstrued as you taking blame for the accident, you may wish to have a lawyer make statements on your behalf.
- Lacking Expert Testimony — Specialists are often used by both plaintiffs and defendants in personal injury cases. They scrutinize an accident victim’s injuries and what caused them. A personal injury lawyer can help accident victims obtain these witnesses for their personal injury cases.
- Failing to Offer Enough Evidence — If you’re handling a personal injury case on your own, you can potentially overlook important evidence that supports your claim. A Costa Mesa personal injury lawyer can help accident victims gather, review, and use such proof when pursuing compensation.
Frequently Asked Questions
What If I’m Partially Responsible For My Injuries?
In California, comparative fault is applicable. Accident victims can still seek compensation for their injuries even if they were somewhat responsible for causing an accident. However, their compensation may be reduced based on their degree of responsibility. If it is determined that you are fifty percent at fault for your accident, for example, any potential compensation you’re awarded will be cut in half.
Why Is It Important To Seek Legal Help After An Accident?
Medical bills, lost income, and reduced quality of life can make dealing with the fallout of an accident extremely difficult. If you have a case, Costa Mesa personal injury lawyers can help you handle the legal challenges you’re facing so you can focus on getting better.
How Do I Estimate The Value Of My Personal Injury Case?
The facts of all personal injury cases are unique and will be valued differently. There’s no one way to estimate how much your claim is worth. An attorney will consider multiple factors, such as the extent of your injuries, the types of damages you incurred, and who may be liable for your accident, when estimating the potential value of your case.
Which Types Of Evidence Should I Give To A Personal Injury Attorney?
The accident scene is an important source of evidence for a personal injury case. Generally, accident victims should collect medical bills, witness statements, and photographs. Photographs are the most common type of evidence that accident victims bring to personal injury attorneys. Video evidence is also valuable, and many people make video recordings of the damage caused by an accident. Environmental conditions, the traffic at the accident scene, and other factors can also be documented to support a personal injury case.
What Is The Cost Of Retaining A Personal Injury Attorney?
As with the potential value of your claim, the answer to this question depends on the complexity of your case, such as whether it needs to be taken to court. However, our personal injury attorneys work on a contingency basis. This aims to enable injured victims to access legal services without any upfront attorney fees.
In a contingency fee agreement, clients won’t owe any attorney fees unless they are awarded compensation. However, they may need to cover other case-related expenses.
Free initial consultations offer potential clients the opportunity to understand an attorney’s fee structure and methods. Feel free to ask our lawyers for more information about our contingency fee agreement.
How Can I File A Wrongful Death Case If I Lose A Relative?
In California, a surviving child, surviving parent, or spouse may assert a wrongful death claim. Individuals who are not related to the decedent can also file claims if they assert that the decedent was responsible for their livelihood. Wrongful death claims aim to pursue compensation for lost income, medical expenses, burial expenses, and pain and suffering. A personal injury lawyer can help you decide how to bring a wrongful death claim against the entity responsible for the accident involved.
What Types Of Cases Do Personal Injury Lawyers Handle?
Personal injury lawyers in Costa Mesa handle cases involving injuries caused by another party’s negligence, recklessness, or intentional acts. They typically deal with motor vehicle accidents, elder abuse and neglect, brain injury, wrongful death, and child injury cases, among others.
Find out more about the types of personal injury cases our Costa Mesa personal injury lawyers handle by reading about our practice areas.
Why Is It Essential To Choose A Locally Experienced Personal Injury Attorney In Costa Mesa?
Choosing experienced personal injury attorneys in Costa Mesa can be essential. Their familiarity with local courts, judges, and juries can help them streamline how they handle personal injury claims. These attorneys can guide you through your case, negotiate with insurance companies, and offer tailored support applicable to your specific local case.
At Which Major Intersections In Costa Mesa Do Accidents Frequently Occur?
The intersections on Newport Boulevard in Costa Mesa are the sites of many automobile accidents. Some of the other most dangerous intersections in Costa Mesa include the following:
- Adams Avenue and Harbor Boulevard
- Gisler Avenue and Harbor Boulevard
- Pomona Avenue and Victoria Street
- Newport Boulevard and Del Mar Avenue
- Victoria Street and Pomona Avenue
What Are Some Common Injuries Sustained In Personal Injury Incidents?
After an accident, people often suffer from various injuries such as broken bones, back injuries, head injuries, brain injuries, cuts, burns, internal injuries, PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder), spinal injuries, and more. Victims may need medical care, therapy, and compensation for the pain and suffering these injuries cause.
How Does The Contingency Fee For A Personal Injury Lawyer Work?
Rather than charging by the hour or with fixed fees, we base our compensation on the result of your claim. You only pay attorney fees if you’re awarded compensation, such as through a settlement or verdict. In that case, we take a percentage as our fee, but certain case-related costs may still apply.
Have Our Costa Mesa Personal Injury Attorneys Explain The Legal Side
Arash Law has many decades of experience handling personal injury cases in Costa Mesa and throughout California. Our attorneys are here to guide you through the claims process. If you have any questions about the legal aspects of your accident, call us at (888) 488-1391 to schedule your free first consultation.
Our services cover more than just Costa Mesa. We also handle claims for accidents that occur in Orange County, Santa Ana, Huntington Beach, Irvine, Tustin, Corona Del Mar, Westminster, Garden Grove, Anaheim Resort, Midway City, Woodbridge, Oak Creek, San Joaquin Hills, Laguna Woods, and Crystal Cove. We also serve clients throughout the rest of California, including San Francisco, Riverside, Sacramento, San Jose, Los Angeles, San Diego, and Sherman Oaks.
