If you’ve recently been injured in an accident caused by the careless or reckless actions of another person in Garden Grove, California, don’t hesitate to seek help from the award-winning legal team at Bridgford, Gleason & Artinian. We can help you understand your rights and seek fair financial compensation for the losses you have suffered because of the accident.
With over 75 years of combined experience, our top-rated team of litigators can take on tough cases and win big for our clients. We have obtained close to $2 billion on behalf of our clients and are available to take your call 24 hours a day. Contact us now to begin your Garden Grove personal injury case with a free consultation.
Why Choose Us for Your Garden Grove Personal Injury Lawyer
- We take the time to dedicate personal care and attention to each of our clients. Our testimonials and client reviews showcase our commitment to client success.
- Since 1990, our law firm has been a leader in personal injury litigation in Orange County. We understand the nuances of personal injury claims and how to navigate them for optimal results.
- Our attorneys are fully prepared to go to trial to help clients achieve the case results they deserve. We are accomplished litigators who have handled thousands of arbitrations and jury trials.
- We have been awarded some of the highest honors in the legal industry, including Top 100 Trial Lawyers, Best Lawyers, Best Law Firms by US News & World Report, and America’s Most Honored Lawyers.
- Bridgford, Gleason & Artinian operates on a contingency fee basis. You won’t be charged anything in attorney’s fees unless we win your personal injury case.
Types of Personal Injury Cases We Accept at Bridgford, Gleason & Artinian
Our law firm is equipped to handle all types of personal injury cases in Garden Grove and throughout Southern California. We use our in-depth knowledge of California personal injury laws to secure optimal results for each case.
Our Garden Grove personal injury lawyers near you are available for representation for the following types of cases:
- Motor vehicle accidents
- Catastrophic injuries
- Slip and falls
- Workplace accidents
- Construction accidents
- Defective products
- Mass torts
- Business/commercial fraud
- Medical malpractice
- Dog bite injuries
- Wildfire litigation
- Insurance bad faith
- Physical assault or violence claims
- Wrongful death claims
If you don’t see your type of claim on this list, contact us to discuss your individual circumstances with a lawyer at no cost or pressure to hire us. We are here to help you understand your legal rights after you get hurt in Garden Grove.
Relevant Case Results
$800 Million
Las Vegas Shooting Settlement
$57 Million
Wrongful Death Settlement
$5 Million
Personal Injury Settlement
$2.5 Million
Wrongful Death Settlement
View more case results and settlements here.
How a Personal Injury Attorney in Garden Grove Can Help
Pursuing fair financial compensation for a personal injury in Garden Grove can be difficult, as the insurance company that receives your claim will not want what is best for you. Insurance providers are for-profit, with their sights always set on how they can save money on payouts. This is the exact opposite of a personal injury attorney, who works for you and only you.
A lawyer is someone you can trust to advocate for your rights and best interests during the legal process. Your lawyer will be dedicated to your physical, emotional and financial recovery in the aftermath of a harmful accident. When you hire a lawyer, you will benefit from professional accident investigation, critical evidence preservation and aggressive settlement negotiation.
While your lawyer handles communications with insurance claims adjusters on your behalf, you will have the ability to focus on healing from your injuries. Your attorney will ensure that you don’t make common mistakes, such as settling quickly for a lowball agreement. This can help ensure fair results for your personal injury case. An attorney will put you in touch with everything you need to rebuild your life during this difficult time.
What Is a Personal Injury Claim?
Many unintentional injuries and deaths that occur in California each year can be prevented. They are caused by negligence, meaning a lack of proper care. When someone is negligent and this results in harm, injury or death to others, the negligent party can be held responsible through a personal injury claim.
The goal of a personal injury claim is to hold a wrongdoer (defendant) accountable for his or her actions, as well as to make the accident victim (the plaintiff) whole again by providing a financial compensation award. It is a type of civil lawsuit that requires the plaintiff to prove fault “based on a preponderance of the evidence.”
The definition of this burden of proof is more likely to be true than not true, or true with at least a 51 percent certainty. Common types of evidence used in personal injury law are police reports, incident reports, photographs, surveillance footage, witness statements, cell phone records, property maintenance records and expert testimony.
Proving Negligence in a Personal Injury Claim
Winning a personal injury case in Garden Grove requires you or your attorney to prove certain legal elements. Since most of these cases are based on negligence, evidence of the following is likely required:
- Duty of care: a legal responsibility to act in a way that prevents foreseeable harm to others.
- Breach of duty: an act or omission that violates the duty of care (something that a reasonable and prudent party would not have done in similar circumstances).
- Causation: proof that the defendant’s breach of duty was the proximate or main cause of the plaintiff’s injuries or harm.
- Damages: compensable losses sustained by the victim in the accident, such as physical injuries and medical costs.
There are situations where a personal injury claim can be filed for reasons other than negligence, such as under the strict liability doctrine. Discuss your particular situation with our attorneys to understand your legal rights.
How Much Does a Personal Injury Lawyer Cost?
Recovering from an accident is expensive enough without adding the cost of hiring a personal injury lawyer. With a law firm such as Bridgford, Gleason & Artinian, you don’t have to worry about how you will afford a high-quality personal injury attorney. Our contingency fee payment arrangement means you won’t have to pay out-of-pocket, win or lose.
Our lawyers don’t cost you anything unless we win your case. If your personal injury claim does not result in a financial award for your losses, you won’t owe us anything for services provided. If a settlement or judgment award is collected, we will take our fee as a percentage of the overall amount won.
Will Your Personal Injury Case in Garden Grove Go to Court?
Most personal injury cases in California reach settlements, or private agreements between a claimant and an insurance company. Settlements are generally preferred, as they are faster, cost less money and involve less uncertainty. Complicated claims involving catastrophic injuries or liability disputes, however, may require court trials for fair outcomes.
If an insurance company is refusing to offer a reasonable settlement, it can benefit you to hire an attorney to represent you in court. A personal injury lawyer will be able to attend hearings and depositions on your behalf, as well as represent you in court before a judge or jury. If necessary, a lawyer can hire experts to testify on complicated subjects during the trial.
What Is the Statute of Limitations in California?
Don’t wait too long to pursue a personal injury claim in Garden Grove. Under California Code of Civil Procedure § 335.1, you have no more than two years to bring a legal cause of action. In most cases, the clock starts ticking on the date of the accident. However, it may also begin on the date of reasonable injury discovery (if this is delayed).
Some cases have unique statutes of limitations. An injured minor, for example, may have two years from the date that he or she turns 18 to file a claim. A lawsuit brought against a government agency in Garden Grove, on the other hand, must be filed within just six months. Speak to an attorney as soon as possible to file within your time limit.
Types of Financial Compensation Available
The California civil justice system allows plaintiffs to receive financial compensation for economic and non-economic damages. In some cases, punitive or exemplary damages are also available. These are awarded to punish a defendant for gross negligence or malicious behavior. Economic and non-economic damages are more common.
Economic Damages
Also known as monetary, tangible or special damages, economic damages are compensation awarded to make up for the financial toll of an accident on a victim, such as:
- Past and future medical bills
- Lost wages
- Lost future capacity to earn
- Property damage
- Out-of-pocket costs
- Funeral or burial costs (in a wrongful death case)
You can prove these losses with evidence such as bills, receipts, repair estimates and wage statements from your employer.
Non-Economic Damages
Non-economic damages refer to intangible or general losses that the victim suffered due to the accident or his or her injuries. They include:
- Physical pain and suffering
- Scarring or disfigurement
- Emotional distress or mental anguish
- Psychological harm
- Mental health disorders (e.g., depression or anxiety)
- Diminished quality of life
- Loss of consortium
Proving these invisible losses can be difficult. It can help to see a doctor or a therapist to document the impact the incident has had on your life.
What Steps Should I Take After Getting Hurt in an Accident in Garden Grove?
Even if you have a strong personal injury claim, you could hurt your odds of success or even forfeit the right to file if you make a mistake during the legal process. Learn what steps to take after an accident in Garden Grove to prevent this from happening:
- Remain at the scene and gather evidence. This includes obtaining a police report by contacting the authorities to report the accident.
- Take photos and look for surveillance footage of the accident. Images of the accident scene can help re-create the event.
- Exchange contact information with all other involved parties. This includes any eyewitnesses who can recount details of the accident.
- Get medical care for your injuries without delay and keep copies of your medical records. Even if you aren’t immediately in pain, you may have been injured.
- Contact the insurance carrier of the at-fault party to file a claim. Supplement your claim with gathered evidence and proof of your losses.
- Don’t post on social media. Insurance companies can and will peruse your social media activity to look for reasons to deny your claim.
Before you accept a settlement from an at-fault party, consult with an attorney at Bridgford, Gleason & Artinian for personalized legal advice. We may offer to represent you for the duration of your case to help you avoid common mistakes.
Garden Grove Personal Injury FAQs
When is it important to hire a personal injury attorney?
While working with a lawyer can be beneficial during any personal injury case, it is especially important to get help from an attorney in Garden Grove if your case involves catastrophic injuries, the death of a loved one, multiple defendants, a liability dispute or insurance bad faith. Legally complex cases can be difficult to handle on your own.
Should I accept the insurance company’s settlement offer?
No, you should not accept a settlement offered to you by an insurance company in Garden Grove until you have discussed your case with an attorney. Initial insurance offers are often much less than an accident victim deserves. Rather than quickly accepting, bring the offer to a personal injury attorney at Bridgford, Gleason & Artinian for review. We can engage in aggressive settlement negotiations on your behalf as your attorneys.
How long will my personal injury case take?
The length of time your personal injury claim in Garden Grove takes depends on the situation. If you suffer severe injuries, for example, your case may take longer based on your recovery period. If you have a complicated case that requires a trial, expect it to take longer than an insurance settlement. From start to finish, your case could take a few months to a few years.
Contact Bridgford, Gleason & Artinian for a Free Personal Injury Case Review in Garden Grove
You don’t have to handle a personal injury legal claim in Garden Grove alone. Bridgford, Gleason & Artinian is here to assist you every step of the way. Your goals will become our goals, and we will do everything we can to assist you in seeking justice and maximum financial compensation.
We can enable you to approach your personal injury claim with peace of mind. Start with a free case evaluation, where we will review your case and help you understand your legal options moving forward. These initial meetings are free and come with no obligation to hire us.
Call (949) 831-6611 today to arrange a meeting. We have an Orange County law office conveniently located at 26 Corporate Plaza, Suite 250, Newport Beach, CA. If you are injured, we can also come to you.