Orange County Personal Injury Lawyer

What Kinds of Personal Injury Cases Do You Handle?

The lawyers at the personal injury law firm of Beckerman Anderson have the ideal combination of resources, talent, and experience to get our injured clients the financial compensation they are entitled to. We have achieved successful outcomes for hundreds of Southern California personal injury cases over the years.

Personal Injuries

Our qualified attorneys handle a variety of personal injury cases, such as:

• Catastrophic Injuries
• Amputations
• Brain injuries
• Back injuries
• Fractured or broken bones
• Burn injuries
• Child injures
• Dog Bites
• Laceration injuries
• Neck injures
• Head injuries/Traumatic brain injury
• Orthopedic injuries
• Paraplegia/Quadriplegia
• Whiplash injuries
• Spinal cord injuries
• Wrongful Death
• Premises Liability

Orange County Personal Injury Laws: Catastrophic Injuries

If an accident causes you catastrophic physical injury, a life care plan that lists your current and projected medical bills and needs will be created. Your extensive medical treatment and other needs will be detailed, along with accurate descriptions of the cost of care, equipment, support, and services resulting from your injuries.

What Expenses Does a Catastrophic Injury Entail?

The expenses involved with treating a catastrophic injury often include:

• Present and anticipated medical treatment
• Present and anticipated mental health assistance
• Home healthcare costs
• Modifications to your home, like a wheelchair ramp
• Transportation costs, like a van that is wheelchair accessible
• Medical devices, like crutches and catheters
• Other accommodations, devices, and special aids

Following the life care plan that was developed for them, catastrophic injury victims are able to correctly estimate the overall value of their personal injury claim and reclaim some quality of life with the maximum jury verdict or settlement award possible. The southern California catastrophic injury attorneys at Beckerman Anderson can get to work creating a life care plan for you. All you have to do is give us a call at (949) 409-4299.

What Compensation Can I Collect For My Catastrophic Injury?

The financial compensation available for a catastrophic injury, such as a spinal cord injury, that was caused by someone else’s deliberate, reckless, or negligent conduct is usually significant. Depending on the circumstances surrounding your accident, compensation in the following forms might be available to you:

• Economic Damages: Current and projected medical bills, current and projected lost income, necessary vehicle replacement or repairs, diminished earning capacity, and modifications to your home or car
• Non-economic Damages: Physical pain, emotional trauma, lifelong disfigurement or disability, and loss of fellowship.

In order to prove that the respondent was liable for your injuries through negligence, you and your Costa Mesa catastrophic injury lawyer will have to satisfy the court that:

• The respondent owed you a duty of care.
• The respondent violated that duty through a negligent act
• Due to the respondent’s negligent conduct, you were injured
• Those injuries resulted in financial damages

Orange County Personal Injury Laws: Wrongful Death

Under California law, a wrongful death suit can be filed in civil court when the victim was killed because of the reckless, negligent, or otherwise unlawful conduct of another person or business. These claims are distinct from any criminal charges filed against the liable party. The only goal of a wrongful death claim is to obtain financial compensation for the grieving family.

Who Can File a California Wrongful Death Claim?

In California, there are strict laws that govern who may and may not file a claim for wrongful death. Those most entitled to file a wrongful death suit are:

• A Surviving Spouse: If your husband or wife was a wrongful death victim, you are entitled to bring a wrongful death suit and pursue financial compensation for your loss. Surviving spouses are typically eligible for multiple damages.
• Surviving Children: If you lost a birth parent or adoptive parent due to a wrongful death, you are also eligible to pursue financial compensation. This category also includes several additions. For instance, if you were the deceased’s stepchild and can show that you were financially dependent on them, then you may also file a wrongful death suit. Any persons under the age of 18 that lived with the deceased for 180 days or more prior to their death may also file if they can prove financial dependence.
• Surviving Parents: If you are the mother or father of the victim, then you are also eligible to file a claim. Keep in mind that this only applies if your son or daughter was under 18 when they died or an adult with no children.
• Other Surviving Heirs: If the victim had no surviving spouse, child, or parent, then another surviving relative can be considered a beneficiary. A beneficiary is someone who can logically and legally inherit the deceased’s property, assuming the victim died intestate.

How Long Do I Have to File a Wrongful Death Claim in California?

Although this law, known as the statute of limitations, varies somewhat from state to state, California law states that the victim’s survivors have two years from the day the death occurred to file a suit with the appropriate court.

That is one of the reasons it is essential for the deceased’s heirs to speak with a reputable personal injury lawyer from the law firm of Beckerman Anderson and file their lawsuit as soon as they can.

Orange County Personal Injury Laws: Premises Liability

Management groups and property owners are required to adhere to all federal, state, and local criteria. These criteria can vary, but the general requirements state that managers and owners are to maintain their buildings and land in a reasonably safe condition for the protection of their tenants and guests.

If a visitor or tenant is injured on their premises due to the manager’s or owner’s failure to maintain the required safety standards, the property management company and/or property owner could be held liable for any damages the victim incurs. Speak with a personal injury attorney about your premises liability personal injury case today.

What is Premises Liability?

Legally speaking, premises liability is the area of law that governs the civil ramifications of a person or persons being injured because of hazardous conditions on another person’s property. Just like other California personal injury claims, premises liability centers around the theory of negligence.

This means that in order to seek compensation, an injured victim or their premises liability lawyer will have to show that the property owner was negligent with respect to the operation or maintenance of their property.

In order for your premises liability case to be valid, the following must be proven:

• Your injuries were sustained on another person’s property,
• The property was kept in a hazardous condition
• The landlord or property owner was aware of or reasonably should have been aware of the hazardous condition on their premises
• The landlord or property owner failed to exercise due care by fixing or amending the hazardous condition on their property

Common Causes of California Premises Liability Accidents

Premises liability law covers a long list of scenarios that can cause serious injury. Listed below are some common causes of premises liability accidents in California:

• Dangerous conditions/Building code violations
• Missing fencing or guardrails
• Obstructed pathways
• Inadequate security/Negligent security
• Improper construction
• Dog bite accidents
• Stairwell accidents
• Amusement park accidents
• Swimming pool accidents
• Flooding or water leaks
• Accidents caused by failing to remove snow or ice

Orange County Personal Injury Laws: Motor Vehicle Accidents

Sadly, common modes of transportation, such as automobiles and bikes, are frequently involved in accidents. The side effects of an automobile crash can be catastrophic. Luckily, the practiced lawyers at Beckerman Anderson are capable of handling even the most complicated personal injury claim. Speak with a personal injury attorney about your motor vehicle personal injury case today.

As one of the preeminent personal injury law firms in the state of California, each personal injury lawyer at Beckerman Anderson has represented injured clients in multiple types of motor vehicle accident cases, including:

• Car accidents
• Commercial truck accidents
• Motorcycle accidents
• Pedestrian accidents
• Bicycle accidents
• Rideshare accidents
• Bus accidents

When it comes to your serious injury claim, you should never accept less than you deserve. The personal injury lawyers at Beckerman Anderson are familiar with all of the ins and outs of the state’s personal injury laws and can help you obtain maximum compensation for your injuries.

What Causes Car Accidents?

With state-of-the-art features such as forward-collision warning, lane-keep assist, and autonomous braking becoming available on the market over the last twenty years, it is obvious that vehicle manufacturers are developing more technologies designed to prevent car accidents and ensure the safety of both drivers and passengers.

Despite the numerous accident deterrents we have been introduced to during the past two decades, there were over 7 million reported automobile crashes in the United States in 2016. This number represents an increase of about 15% from the year before. Although automobiles are safer now than they have been in previous decades, driving a car is still very dangerous.

Driver error is the number one cause of southern California auto accidents. Driver error can be seen in many different forms, including:

• Driving While Distracted: Distractions can be found everywhere you look. Talking to passengers, making phone calls, sending text messages, adjusting your seat, and eating are all forms of distracted driving that could result in a Costa Mesa auto accident.
• Driving While Under the Influence: Drivers who were under the influence of drugs or alcohol were responsible for nearly 30% of all fatal traffic accidents in 2017.
• Reckless Driving: Speeding, the most common form of reckless driving, played a role in over 10,000 fatal traffic collisions in 2016, the highest since 2012.
• Dangerous Roadway Conditions: Gusting winds, torrential rains, and heavy fog all contribute to their fair share of vehicle accidents. When weather conditions are adverse, drivers can easily lose control of their vehicle, hydroplane, or suddenly swerve into oncoming traffic. Also, roadways that are not properly maintained by government agencies can also contribute to serious car accidents.
• Mechanical Defect: Anytime a vehicle is sold, built, or designed with defective or faulty parts or is not properly maintained, the chances of a mechanical malfunction causing a car crash are extremely high.

No matter what the cause, we have lawyers with years of experience in handling car accident cases who are able to help. Contact an Orange County personal injury lawyer from Beckerman Anderson today to schedule a free consultation regarding your personal injury matter and learn what legal options might be available to you.

Commercial Truck Accidents

There are more tractor-trailers, 18-wheelers, big rigs, semi-trucks, and commercial trucks on today’s roadways than ever before. Commercial truck operators typically have to cover very long distances in a relatively short period of time. Their strict delivery schedules can result in truck operators getting no or not enough sleep, and a fatigued driver behind the wheel of any type of vehicle can have disastrous consequences.

A commercial truck accident can lead to serious injuries and even death. Those who are fortunate enough to live through a catastrophic injury caused by a commercial truck crash are usually unable to return to work for a long time, causing their hospital bills and other accident-related damages to pile up as they try their best to recover. Speak with a personal injury attorney about your commercial truck personal injury case today.

Due to the fact that commercial trucks are significantly larger and heavier than any other vehicle on the roadway, they pose more of a risk to those who are riding in a standard passenger vehicle. Commercial trucks have blind spots that are considerably larger and require a greater distance to come to a full and complete stop. They could also be transporting hazardous materials or be carrying freight that is improperly secured and could come loose during transit.

Although you may not think of them as commercial trucks, even vehicles such as cement trucks, buses, sanitation trucks, cargo vans, and fire engines pose extra dangers to those around them. Any oversized truck is capable of causing catastrophic injuries and fatalities during a collision, especially one that is traveling at freeway speeds.

If you have been injured in an accident involving a commercial truck, a personal injury lawsuit can make sure that:

• The liable party is held responsible for your accident
• You receive financial compensation for any medical bills, lost earnings, property damage, pain, suffering, and any other crash-related damages

Motorcycle Accidents

Whether a motorcycle is your primary mode of transportation or simply a means of recreation, motorcycle riders are a common sight on California’s freeways and roadways. In spite of the various precautions that can be taken, motorcycle accidents happen every single day. When you work with a personal injury lawyer from the law firm of Beckerman Anderson, a qualified motorcycle accident attorney will be by your side to help you get the recovery and the justice you deserve.

Unfortunately, motorcycle accidents are a daily occurrence in California. In 2016, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration published statistics showing that there were roughly 550 fatal motorcycle collisions in California alone.

Although some accidents are unavoidable, the majority of motorcycle crashes and their resulting injuries are most often due to negligent, careless, or reckless drivers. Speak with a personal injury attorney about your motorcycle personal injury case today.

What Is the Most Common Cause of Motorcycle Accidents?

It isn’t hard to understand what makes motorcycle accidents so dangerous. Riders have very few means of protection during a collision and are often thrown from their bikes, leading to serious or deadly injuries. In fact, motorcycle riders are almost 30 times more likely than the occupant of a passenger vehicle to die in a road accident.

There are many different factors that contribute to California’s high percentage of motorcycle accidents. The number one cause in the state is drivers who are under the influence. Data published by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration shows that alcohol and/or drugs were involved in more than 25% of all motorcycle accident fatalities. This is more than any other classification of driver.

Some other common causes of California motorcycle accidents include:

• Speeding
• Inexperienced riders or drivers
• Hazardous roadway conditions/Inclement weather
• Illegal turns/Unsafe lane changes
• Distracted driving
• Reckless driving
• Lane splitting
• Defective or malfunctioning parts
• Reduced visibility
• Laying the bike down to avoid a collision

While lane splitting is against the law in almost every state, California allows it. Even though it is completely legal, accidents cause by lane-splitting are common and usually extremely serious.

Orange County Personal Injury Law: Pedestrian Accidents

In recent years, many of California’s larger cities have witnessed a worrying upsurge in pedestrian accidents and fatalities. Overcrowded roadways, speeding, smartphones, and road rage are just some of the factors that contribute to this higher number of pedestrian-involved incidents.

Unlike motor vehicle accidents, pedestrian accidents have a much higher rate of serious injuries and fatalities. In addition to debilitating injuries, accident victims are forced to deal with enormous hospital bills, lost wages from being physically unable to work, and lengthy recovery periods. That doesn’t even begin to take into account the emotional trauma that often accompanies a serious accident. Pedestrians are even vulnerable to injuries when they are involved in a collision with a motorcycle or a bicycle rider.

Even though drivers have a moral and legal obligation to prioritize the safety and well-being of pedestrians, pedestrian accidents still happen, and most victims have no idea what to do after they are injured by a negligent driver. It is the goal of every personal injury lawyer at Beckerman Anderson to make sure that our clients understand California personal injury law and have all the information they need to help them take the necessary steps toward a positive financial resolution to their personal injury claims.

Our California pedestrian injury lawyers are prepared to review your case and ensure that you understand your rights. If someone else’s negligence was responsible for your accident and subsequent injuries, the law says you are entitled to financial compensation. Speak with a personal injury attorney about your pedestrian injury personal injury case today.

Orange County Personal Injury Law: Bicycle Accidents

If you were involved in an accident while riding a bike and you sustained significant injuries due to someone else’s negligence, you have already suffered enough. Make sure you receive the medical treatment and financial compensation you deserve with the help of a personal injury lawyer from Beckerman Anderson.

What are the Most Common Causes of Bicycle Accidents?

An informational report distributed by the Insurance Institute of Highway Safety showed that, in 2019, almost 850 bicyclists were killed in collisions with motor vehicles. As most cyclists are probably well aware, drivers routinely disregard their rights. They will make phone calls, send text messages, speed, and drive way too close even though they are supposed to be sharing the road.

With drivers apparently looking out for no one but themselves, bicyclists have to be attentive and alert at all times since it could be the difference between life and death. An NHTSA report that was released in 2016 listed the most common causes of California bike accidents as follows:

• Speeding
• Poorly laid-out intersections and other crossing locations
• Limited visibility
• Failure to comply with driving laws
• Reckless driving
• Distracted driving
• Dangerous driving conditions
• Insufficient space between bikes and vehicles

A factor in roughly 35% of all fatal bike crashes, drug and alcohol use greatly increases the odds of an accident occurring. Drivers and cyclists alike should avoid operating their respective vehicles while under the influence, as well as follow all the rules of the road.

In the past 13 years, the number of road accidents involving pedestrians or bicycle riders has grown. In 2015, a pedestrian injury took place once every seven minutes. Although bicyclists are entitled to use the roadway just as a driver is, infrastructure issues and driver behavior have made bike accidents an increased public health issue and traffic safety concern in California.

What Do I Do if I Am Injured in a Traffic Accident?

After an accident, you might not be able to move if your injuries are quite serious. If you can, then there are a few steps you should take in order to protect your physical well-being and your personal injury claim, such as:

• Keep Calm: Take some deep breaths and compose yourself before you do anything else.
• Get to a Safe Location: Move away from any damaged structures or hazardous materials. If possible, move yourself and your car away from the flow of traffic.
• Check Everyone for Injuries: Before you call the police, asses everyone involved in the crash and figure out if emergency medical assistance is needed. Even if you don’t think you were injured, you should seek medical attention as quickly as possible. Not only will this help your claim, but it will also prevent a minor injury from growing into something that involves exorbitant medical bills.
• Inform the Police: Once they clear you to leave the scene, make sure you get a copy of their official accident report. Police reports are often used as key evidence in proving another driver’s liability for a car accident.
• Document Everything: Exchange contact details and insurance information, such as the name of their insurance company and their policy number, with the other driver or drivers involved in the crash. After you have done so, take pictures or videos of the scene, your visible physical injuries, and any property damage that occurred. Write down details like the location, time, and any notable traffic or weather conditions. Lastly, if any bystanders witnessed the accident, get their contact details so they can give a written statement at a later time.
• Never Admit Fault: Something as simple as saying “I’m sorry” could completely tank your personal injury claim. Never admit fault or apologize for the accident. Do not go over the details or discuss “what you think happened” with anyone at the scene. When asked, give the responding officers straightforward, honest answers to their questions about the crash. Once they leave, you should call Beckerman Anderson to get the best outcome for your case.

Who is Liable for My Injuries?

Establishing liability for your injuries plays a major role in the success or failure of your California personal injury case. It is not unusual for a personal injury claim to allege that more than one party is liable for the victim’s injuries. A skilled lawyer will have the resources necessary to conduct a thorough investigation into the cause of your accident, review your medical records, and determine all potential sources of recovery.

If you or a member of your family sustained a personal injury in a car accident, liability for your injuries and other damages could include the following:

• Negligent driver
• Owner of the vehicle
• Driver’s employer
• Product manufacturer or designer
• Landlord or property owner
• Government agency
• Mechanic or repair shop

Even if you are partially to blame for the accident that caused your injuries, you can still collect fair compensation. California abides by the comparative fault laws, which means that victims can recover at least some of their damages even if they share some of the blame.

What Damages are Recoverable in My Case?

If you plan to seek compensation for your personal injury by navigating a civil suit on your own, the insurance company is going to do everything in its power to undervalue your damages or possibly even deny your claim in its entirety. You need a reputable California law firm on your side, one that isn’t afraid to fight for you.

A complete accident investigation conducted by the personal injury lawyers at Beckerman Anderson and other professionals will help ensure that all vital evidence is collected and cataloged and that the full value of the damages you and your family have endured is compensated.

Based on the events leading up to your accident, you might be entitled to collect recovery for multiple damages, such as:

• Specific Damages: Current and anticipated hospital bills, current and anticipated lost earnings, reduced earning potential, essential vehicle repairs or vehicle replacement, handicap accommodations for your car or house
• General Damages: Pain and suffering, loss of companionship, emotional anguish

Calculating the actual value of any personal injury case is extremely complicated. Issues of fault, the severity of the injuries based on medical records, and the individual peculiarities of California auto accident claims are different for every case. It takes a personal injury attorney with years of experience to correctly assess your claim’s value. A personal injury lawyer from the Costa Mesa law firm of Beckerman Anderson, we have a well-established track record of getting our clients the maximum amount of financial compensation for their damages.

How Do I Prove my Case?

The form of liability that a personal injury attorney most commonly invokes is negligence.

In order to prove that the respondent is liable, you will have to show that the following occurred:

• The respondent owed a duty of care to avoid causing harm or injury to others
• The respondent violated their duty
• As a result of the respondent’s actions, you were injured
• Those injuries caused your damages

In some cases, a more rigid legal standard known as strict liability is applied to personal injury cases. Cases centering around strict liability usually involve a defective or dangerous product. The three main product liability defects are:

• Marketing defects,
• Manufacturing defects,
• Design defects.

Anyone involved in the chain of production could be found liable for any victim injuries that were the result of a defective or dangerous product, such as marketers, manufacturers, retailers, shipping companies, and more. Following an industrial accident, it is not uncommon for liability to be shared between parties.

How Long Before I Get My Settlement Award?

Sadly, there is no single correct answer to this commonly asked question. In general, the worse your injuries and the more extensive your losses, the longer your case is going to take. There are some people, and you may be one of them, who want to settle their case as quickly as possible because they do not want to risk losing at trial.

Keep in mind, though, that by agreeing to a quick settlement, you are probably leaving a significant amount of money on the table, the money you are legally entitled to. To ensure a favorable outcome to your injury claim, the best approach is to stick it out for the long haul. Building a compelling case and tracking down enough evidence to back it is usually a fairly time-consuming process, but the final settlement award will be well worth the wait.

How Do I Pick a California Personal Injury Attorney?

Most people, when they find themselves in need of legal aid, have no idea where to turn or what to do first. They usually begin by asking family and friends if they have any recommendations based on personal experience. When that doesn’t pan out, the next thing that most people do is hop on Google and search for “car accident lawyer near me,” and go from there.

While there are a lot of excellent lawyers who are licensed to practice in California, they are not all equally capable of skillfully representing personal injury victims. When selecting a personal injury attorney, you should look for one who:

• Specializes in personal injury law: The complicated and ever-changing landscape that is California personal injury law demands time-consuming and meticulous research and dedication in order to stay up-to-date with the law. Lawyers who deal primarily in elder law, family law, immigration law, or any other practice area but are willing to take personal injury cases will not have the same skill and knowledge as a personal injury lawyer from Beckerman Anderson.
• Has considerable financial resources: Going up against a major insurance company and a defendant with unbelievably deep pockets via a civil suit isn’t cheap. You need to select a law firm with the experience, talent, tenacity, and financial resources to win your case.
• Has an outstanding reputation: Working with an attorney who has the respect of judges, insurance adjustors, and their colleagues can have huge advantages for you as a personal injury victim. Insurance carriers might decide they want to avoid a trial and suddenly be more agreeable about the settlement you want, getting you more money quicker. Always ask about an attorney’s recent settlements, as well as any other accolades or awards they have received.

How Much Does An Orange County Personal Injury Lawyer Cost?

Most personal injury lawyers work on a contingency fee basis. In other words, unless they successfully settle or win your personal injury case, they do not get paid. In addition to making personal injury the one area of law that is accessible to everyone, it also allows our clients to focus on their recovery and their families without adding the financial of up-front attorney fees to an already tense financial situation.