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Costa Mesa Car Accident Lawyer

If you get injured in a motor vehicle accident in Costa Mesa, California, your life could be turned upside-down in a matter of seconds. At Bridgford, Gleason & Artinian, our Costa Mesa car accident lawyers are committed to helping injured victims and their families seek justice so that they can move forward. We will review your case to give you personalized legal advice and guidance regarding your rights and options as a car accident victim. Start with a free initial consultation at our local Orange County law office. Call us at (949) 831-6611 today.

Costa mesa car accident lawyer

Why Choose Our Costa Mesa Car Accident Lawyer?

  • Our Costa Mesa personal injury attorneys have more than 30 years of experience and a long track record of success. We have the knowledge and expertise you need for a strong car accident case.
  • We have obtained close to $2 billion in settlements and jury verdicts on behalf of our personal injury clients. This includes many successful car accident cases in California.
  • We are a team of trial attorneys and seasoned litigators who are not afraid of taking your car accident case to trial in Costa Mesa, if necessary, for maximum compensation.
  • Our clients benefit from individualized care and custom-tailored legal services. We are proud to have a reputation for providing outstanding client experiences during difficult times.
  • You won’t pay your Costa Mesa car accident attorney from Bridgford, Gleason & Artinian unless you win your case. We operate on a contingency fee basis, with $0 charged upfront.

Areas We Serve

At Bridgford, Gleason & Artinian, our team of trial attorneys provides unparalleled legal representation to clients across California from conveniently located law offices. Our personal injury attorneys in Orange County serve all of the following areas:

  • Costa Mesa
  • Newport Beach
  • Irvine
  • Santa Ana
  • Tustin
  • Huntington Beach
  • Orange
  • Anaheim

Our Orange County office is located at 26 Corporate Plaza, Suite 250, Newport Beach, CA 92660. We proudly serve clients throughout all of California who need our assistance for automotive accident claims.

Types of Car Accident Cases We Accept

Bridgford, Gleason & Artinian has years of experience pursuing compensation for costs related to car accidents of all types. We will put you in the best possible position to win your claim with an aggressive legal strategy suited to your unique needs. We accept all of the following types of cases in Costa Mesa, among others:

Our lawyers offer assistance with the car insurance claims process from start to finish, as well as insurance litigation and court trials in Orange County. We understand what it takes to recover from a traumatic car crash, including the medical care needed by injured victims and how to navigate the legal process.

What Can a Car Accident Attorney in Costa Mesa Do to Help?

Whether or not this is the first automobile accident case you’ve been a part of in Costa Mesa, you can benefit from hiring a qualified car accident attorney. A lawyer can provide significant assistance and legal counsel throughout your claim to alleviate the burden of the legal process from your shoulders. A personal injury attorney can help you navigate the unique elements of your case using an in-depth understanding of California’s car accident laws. You can trust your lawyer to handle conversations and negotiations with an insurance company to fight for a fair settlement on your behalf. Though most car accident cases reach settlements, an attorney can also bring your case to court in Orange County. While you focus on healing from your car-accident-related injuries, your lawyer will investigate the crash to determine fault and gather strong evidence. Your lawyer can collect police reports, witness statements, medical records and expert testimony from specialists, as necessary, to support your claim. Hiring the right car accident lawyer can vastly increase your chances of securing a positive case result.

Steps to Take After Your Car Accident in Costa Mesa

After getting involved in a car crash in Costa Mesa, it is important to know what steps to take to get the care you need and pursue a financial recovery from the correct party/ies. You can protect your safety, health and legal rights by taking the following actions:

  1. Pull your vehicle over in a safe location and call for help. You should always call 911 to report a car accident, even if it is minor, to obtain a police report.
  2. If you have been injured, get medical care immediately. Request paramedics through 911 or visit the nearest emergency room without delay.
  3. While you are still at the scene of the crash, gather information. Exchange names and insurance details with the other driver. Take photographs and speak to eyewitnesses.
  4. Notify your car insurance provider about the car accident as soon as possible. Avoid admitting fault or giving a recorded statement.
  5. Do your best to gather information, evidence and documentation surrounding your case. This can include a copy of the police report, your medical records and communications with insurers.
  6. Consult with a car accident attorney in Costa Mesa for legal advice before moving forward. Our attorneys offer free consultations to get answers to your questions at no cost or obligation.

Always put your safety first. Once you have seen a doctor and are ready to pursue financial compensation for your crash-related losses, bring your documents to a free case review at Bridgford, Gleason & Artinian.

Do I Have a Case?

After any car accident takes place in California, the individuals involved have the right to file insurance claims under state law. In some cases, crash victims can also benefit from filing personal injury lawsuits. To secure financial compensation from the other driver or a third party after a car wreck in Costa Mesa, you or your attorney must prove negligence. Negligence refers to the failure to exercise adequate care based on the circumstances. Proving negligence takes evidence that the accused party or defendant owed you a duty or responsibility to act reasonably, breached or failed to meet this duty of care, and caused your car accident. You must also show proof of your damages, or compensable losses caused by the collision.

Leading Causes of Automobile Accidents in Costa Mesa, California

One of the first steps in collecting financial compensation for your car accident in Costa Mesa is identifying the at-fault party. The individual or entity who caused your automobile accident can be held liable, or legally and financially responsible, for the crash under California law. Some of the most common causes of car accidents include:

  • Speeding
  • Distracted driving
  • Texting while driving
  • Driving under the influence
  • Driver fatigue
  • Reckless driving
  • Failing to yield
  • Breaking traffic laws
  • Ignoring traffic signs and signals
  • Running red lights
  • Aggressive driving or road rage
  • Auto part defects
  • Dangerous road conditions

Driver error is the leading cause of motor vehicle accidents. In 2022, Costa Mesa reported 648 fatal and injury car accidents to the California Office of Traffic Safety. Of these deadly collisions, 131 involved alcohol use and 106 involved speeding.

Common Car Accident Injuries

Car accidents can cause a wide range of injuries that vary from minor to severe, depending on the case. Collisions with factors such as high speeds and no seat belt use generally result in more serious injuries. Our personal injury lawyers can help if you or a loved one suffered any type of injury in a car crash, including:

We also handle cases involving fatal injuries and wrongful death in Costa Mesa. We can help your family seek compensation for the unexpected loss of a loved one with respect and compassion.

Look Out for Delayed Injuries

Due to the possibility of adrenaline and shock masking the pain of an injury, it is important to see a doctor immediately after a car accident. Even if you initially feel fine, you may have an injury with delayed symptoms, such as whiplash, a concussion, internal injuries or a back injury. You may also experience signs of post-traumatic stress disorder or psychological injuries in the days following the crash. Prompt medical care is critical for your health and insurance claim.

When to File a Car Accident Claim in Costa Mesa

Under California law, you have no more than two years from the date of your car accident to file a related lawsuit with the civil courts in Orange County. This is the legal time limit, known as the statute of limitations, for all personal injury claims in California. Civil Code of Procedures § 335.1 states:

  • CHAPTER 3. The Time of Commencing Actions Other Than for the Recovery of Real Property [335 – 349.4]
  • 335.1.

Within two years: An action for assault, battery, or injury to, or for the death of, an individual caused by the wrongful act or neglect of another. Note that this time window could be shortened or extended in special circumstances. You should file a car insurance claim much sooner; ideally, immediately after the crash. If you wait too long to file, you put yourself at risk of missing important deadlines.

Who Is Liable?

Determining liability for a car accident in Costa Mesa requires a thorough analysis of the crash and its cause. Since California is a tort-based or fault-based insurance state, the person or party at fault for causing the accident must be determined before an insurance claim can be filed. The liable parties in your case could include another driver, the owner of the vehicle, an employer or business, an auto part manufacturer, or a government agency. Proving liability takes establishing that the defendant(s) named was negligent and caused the collision. Your attorney can help establish liability using clear and convincing evidence. The burden of proof in a car accident case is a “preponderance of the evidence,” which means enough evidence to prove that someone is more likely than not to be at fault for your vehicle collision.

How to Handle an Insurance Claims Adjuster

When you file a car insurance claim for an automobile accident, it will be handled by an individual known as the insurance claims adjuster. This person is hired by the insurance company to protect the insurer from liability as much as possible. Be wary when speaking to claims adjusters about your case. If you are asked to give a recorded statement to the claims adjuster, politely decline. This is a tactic that can be used against you to undermine your reliability. Be cordial to the claims adjuster, but do not give them too much information about the crash or your injuries. Do not speculate regarding fault for the car accident. If you are offered a quick settlement, do not accept it until you’ve spoken to an attorney. The initial settlement offer is typically set very low in the hopes that the claimant will accept without submitting any counteroffers. Our lawyers can confidently take over communications and negotiations with insurance companies on your behalf to fight for the settlement you deserve.

Compensation Available in a Costa Mesa Car Accident Claim

Getting involved in an auto accident can give you injuries that may affect you for the rest of your life. Achieving justice means recovering fair financial compensation for the full price you will pay because of your injuries, including the physical, mental and financial costs. A successful car accident case in Costa Mesa could result in compensation for the following:

  • Past and future medical expenses and hospital bills
  • Long-term disability or disfigurement
  • Lost income, wages and future capacity to earn
  • Property damage repairs
  • Pain, suffering and emotional distress
  • Loss of enjoyment of life
  • Loss of consortium
  • The wrongful death of a relative
  • Punitive damages, in rare cases

The value of your settlement or jury verdict will depend on considerations such as fault, the insurance coverage available, the number of defendants and the severity of your injuries. Our attorneys will work hard to ensure you receive the best possible case result.

Contact a Costa Mesa Car Accident Lawyer at Bridgford, Gleason & Artinian to Request a Free Consultation

If you were recently injured in a car accident that should have been prevented, contact Bridgford, Gleason & Artinian to discuss your rights and legal options at no cost or obligation. Our Costa Mesa car accident lawyers are prepared to help you restore your life to normal, hold someone responsible for causing the wreck, and confidently plan for your future with the information and resources you need. Schedule your free case evaluation with our team of Orange County car accident attorneys today when you call (949) 831-6611.

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