Costa Mesa Personal Injury Lawyer

Trusted Costa Mesa Personal Injury Attorney

A personal injury can happen to anyone. Whether you suffer a fall near South Coast Plaza, were assaulted in the South Coast Metro area, or were hit in a car collision on Baker Street, medical bills and lost wages can lead to serious financial hardships. With representation from a Costa Mesa personal injury lawyer, you can be compensated for the harm you endured. An injury claim can account for the emotional and financial toll of an injury caused by someone’s negligence.

A Costa Mesa Injury Firm Dedicated to Serving Victims of Personal Injury

When victims of serious injuries face sudden medical and financial hardships, they turn to Duque & Price for trusted legal representation. Over the past 9 years, our firm has successfully resolved more than 850 injury claims, achieving favorable outcomes for our clients across California. We understand the physical pain, emotional stress, and financial burden that follow an accident. Our focus when managing injury claims is to see that our clients are fully financially restored.

By working with the support of our dedicated team of injury lawyers, you gain the support of a team that genuinely cares about your recovery. We take time to understand how your injuries have affected every part of your life before building a strategy tailored to your needs. By fully understanding the circumstances of your injury, we can pursue the maximum compensation you deserve.

Understanding Personal Injuries in Costa Mesa

Personal injuries can leave victims seeking treatment at Hoag Hospital Newport Beach, located at One Hoag Drive, Newport Beach, CA 92663, which serves much of Orange County. In 2021, there were 601 car collisions resulting in injuries or fatalities in the city, according to the California Office of Traffic Safety.

Many of these incidents occurred in high-traffic areas such as Eastside Costa Mesa, Mesa Verde, and the South Coast Metro district, where dense roadways and pedestrian crossings increase the likelihood of accidents. Victims often suffer from whiplash, broken bones, concussions, and internal injuries requiring extended medical care.

The California Department of Public Health’s “Special Emphasis Report: Pedestrian Injuries” found 4,312 hospitalizations and 14,740 emergency-department visits statewide in 2021 due to non-fatal pedestrian injuries. Falls are another common form of pedestrian injury. More than 12.6% of Californians aged 65 and older report falling more than once a year, underscoring the serious hazard posed by slip and fall injuries.

Establishing Fault Following an Injury

Following a personal injury in Costa Mesa, the first step toward compensation begins with establishing fault. Negligent parties can be held financially liable for the harm they cause when there is clear evidence documenting the injury and linking the harm to another person or group’s wrongful acts or negligence.

Common forms of evidence that can be used to establish fault include:

• Police and incident reports that record the details of how and when the injury occurred
• Photographs or videos of the accident scene, visible injuries, and property damage
• Witness statements that verify what happened before, during, and after the incident
• Medical records and doctor evaluations showing the nature and extent of your injuries
• Accident reconstruction reports to clarify how the event unfolded
• Employment and wage documents that demonstrate lost income resulting from your injuries
• Surveillance or traffic camera footage that captures the collision or hazardous condition
• Correspondence with insurers or at-fault parties that helps show responsibility or admissions of fault

Civil court cases place the burden of proof on plaintiffs, who must show by a preponderance of the evidence that the defendant’s negligence or wrongful conduct caused their injuries and resulting financial harm. In simpler terms, you must convince the court that your version of events is more likely true than not.

Common Types of Personal Injuries

Costa Mesa sees many of the same types of personal injuries as the rest of the state. With the high volume of traffic in and around the urban community, traffic collisions are a leading cause of injuries that can leave negligent drivers financially liable for medical bills, lost wages, and other damages. Truck collisions, in particular, can cause devastating injuries that leave victims contending with catastrophic forms of harm.

Pedestrian and bicycle collisions are tied to car crashes and leave cyclists and bystanders stuck with broken bones, head trauma, and other life-altering injuries. When drivers fail to yield to riders or drive too close to designated walkways, they can cause devastating injuries to others. Demonstrating that the at-fault party violated a traffic law or acted with disregard for others’ safety is a key first step for anyone seeking compensation in these cases.

Premises liability claims are common in the area. One of the most common types of injuries covered by these liability laws is a slip and fall. Securing compensation following a fall on someone else’s property requires that the injured party show that the property owner had a duty of care to address hazards, failed to address dangerous conditions, and caused measurable harm to a visitor or guest due to that breach of duty.

Dog Bites

Dog bites also account for a significant number of personal injury claims in Costa Mesa each year. These incidents can occur in residential neighborhoods, public parks, or while walking along busy streets. Victims may suffer deep lacerations or lasting emotional trauma. Under California Civil Code §3342, dog owners are strictly liable if someone is bitten by their pet in a public place or while they are lawfully on private property.

Compensation You May Be Owed

Personal injuries do more than leave injured victims contending with physical harm. Long recoveries, medical treatments, and other unexpected hardships can cause serious financial stress.

The compensation you may be owed after an accident in Costa Mesa depends on the extent of your injuries, the strength of your evidence, and how the incident has changed your day-to-day life.

Economic damages typically include things like medical expenses, lost income, and the cost of ongoing rehabilitation or therapy. Victims may also pursue compensation for emotional suffering and diminished quality of life, particularly when injuries cause lasting pain or disability.

In severe cases, compensation may extend to long-term care, loss of earning capacity, or modifications to your home and vehicle.

Calculating the full value of these losses requires careful documentation and a clear understanding of how California’s personal injury laws apply to your claim. To ensure that your injury claim fully financially restores you following a personal injury, you can work with an injury lawyer with a track record of holding negligent parties accountable for the harm they cause.

Understanding Shared Liability

Personal injury claims can be complex and involve accusations by multiple parties tied to the injury, whether they were harmed or accused of causing harm. In Costa Mesa and across California, more than one party may ultimately share responsibility for causing an accident.

California follows a pure comparative negligence rule, meaning that compensation is reduced by the injured party’s percentage of fault. For example, if you are found 20% responsible for a collision or slip and fall, your total recovery would be reduced by that same percentage. That would mean a $20,000 settlement would yield $16,000 in recovered compensation.

This system ensures that every party’s financial responsibility reflects their actual role in causing the injury. Shared liability often arises in complex cases, such as multi-vehicle crashes, construction site accidents, or incidents involving both property owners and third-party contractors.

Insurance Companies

Insurance companies are well aware of this rule and may try to cast blame on you for causing the accident to minimize their financial liability. Legal representation can play a key role in protecting you from accusations that could potentially reduce the compensation you are eligible to receive.

Why You Should Hire a Personal Injury Lawyer

Pursuing an injury claim without legal representation could be a costly mistake. Insurance carriers may work against you by denying your claim or minimizing the compensation that you need to recover and rebuild your life. When you work with a Costa Mesa personal injury lawyer, you benefit from their years of experience relying on personal injury laws to pursue maximum compensation for clients in Costa Mesa.

The outcome of a personal injury claim often depends on the strength of the injured party’s evidence. Beyond documenting the extent of your injury, your lawyer can gather photos, witness statements, and other critical types of evidence to link the negligent party’s acts to the harm you endured.

The decision to hire a personal injury lawyer allows you to entrust your claim to an experienced lawyer who cares about the outcome of your case and sees that you reclaim what was taken from you due to another person’s wrongful acts.

FAQs

Q: What Are the Odds of Winning a Personal Injury Case?

A: The odds of winning a personal injury claim can be strong when you have compelling evidence to back up your claim and representation from an injury lawyer. Injury cases are often won or lost based on the credibility of a claim.

By gathering photos, videos, witness statements, incident reports, and other forms of evidence, you can build a claim that can lead to full and fair compensation. Your attorney can play a key role in protecting your rights and interests.

Q: What Is the Average Personal Injury Settlement in California?

A: The average personal injury settlement in California varies considerably based on the specifics of your case. Settlement values are determined by the severity of an injury and the strength of the evidence connecting the at-fault party’s negligence to the harm you endured.

While minor injuries can lead to compensation for medical bills and out-of-pocket expenses, a life-altering personal injury can account for the emotional harm you endured, loss of earning capacity, and other damages.

Q: How Much Do Most Personal Injury Lawyers Charge?

A: Most personal injury lawyers charge on a contingency fee basis. This means they are paid only after securing compensation for clients, either through a negotiated settlement or a favorable court verdict.

This approach to legal fees favors clients who do not have to pay legal fees up front. The specific fee is a percentage deducted from the settlement you receive. Your lawyer can discuss this and other bill-related questions during your consultation.

Q: How Long Does It Take to Settle a Personal Injury Case in California?

A: The length of time it takes to settle an injury claim depends on the complexity of the case and the willingness of the at-fault party to pay you what you are owed. Straightforward insurance claims may resolve quickly, while complex cases involving litigation can last a long time. An attorney can play a key role in streamlining the injury claims process so you receive fair and timely compensation.

Q: What Factors Affect the Value of a Personal Injury Claim?

A: The factors that affect the value of a personal injury claim include the type and severity of your injury, the length of your recovery timeline, the emotional harm you endured, and the strength of your legal representation. Injury claims often hinge on the quality of the evidence that supports the claimant’s version of events. With compelling evidence and sound legal arguments, you can secure maximum compensation for the harm you endured.

Secure the High-Quality Legal Representation That You Deserve

A serious injury can disrupt every aspect of your life, leaving you uncertain about your health and financial future. At Duque & Price, our dedicated personal injury lawyer can help you reclaim what was taken from you by pursuing the compensation you need to recover. With many years of experience managing complex claims in Costa Mesa, we understand what it takes to go up against insurance carriers and other groups that may try to limit what you are rightfully owed.

From car accidents to slip and fall injuries, Duque & Price is dedicated to protecting the rights of injured individuals throughout Orange County. Our team takes the time to understand your situation, build a strong claim, and hold negligent parties accountable for their actions. Contact our office today to schedule a consultation and begin your path toward recovery and justice.

Meet Our Costa Mesa Personal Injury Attorneys

Brent A. Duque Attorney, Founder & President

Matthew R. Price Attorney Partner

Jordan Harris Davidoff Attorney

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Costa Mesa, CA Personal Injury Resources

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• Jurisdiction and Venue for Personal Injury Lawsuits
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• Are Personal Injury Settlements Taxable in California?
• Common Types of Personal Injury Cases in California
• How Long Does It Take to Settle a Personal Injury Case in California?
• All About Depositions in a Personal Injury Case
• Suing a Business for Personal Injury
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• Can Witnesses Be Forced to Testify in Personal Injury Cases
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