A Costa Mesa personal injury lawyer at Bisnar Chase is a seasoned litigator with decades of experience in and out of Orange County courtrooms. Whether your case is a verdict or a settlement, Bisnar Chase will handle the entire legal process.
Since 1978, our personal injury lawyer in Costa Mesa has served thousands of clients and recovered over $900 million in compensation. Our law firm has not only received top ratings from prestigious organizations, but we also have the trust and support of the accident victims we have helped for the past four decades.
- 99% success rate
- Almost one billion recovered
- Familiar with all Orange County courts
- Voted Best Personal Injury Attorneys 2024 by Best Lawyers
If you have endured pain and suffering due to someone’s carelessness and are near the 92626 area, contact a Costa Mesa personal injury attorney today or call (949) 203-3814 for a free consultation.
Costa Mesa Personal Injury Lawyer
Representing Costa Mesa Injury Victims
Suffering an injury can be traumatic and life-changing. At the very least, it might leave you short-changed by medical expenses and lost wages. Many people do not know where to turn, whether they have been hurt in a car accident, suffered a dog bite, or a slip and fall injury.
That is where Bisnar Chase comes in. We are experts in the legal field, particularly in personal injury law. Millions of people suffer accidental injuries every year. If you are one of them, we can answer any questions and offer the superior representation you need to make you whole.
If you’ve been injured in an accident, don’t wait to contact a personal injury lawyer in Costa Mesa. We can help you get the medical care and compensation you deserve. No fee if we don’t win.
What Do I Do After an Accident in Costa Mesa?
If you have experienced serious injuries after an incident, seek medical attention immediately. Even if you think you did not sustain a serious injury, a medical professional should still examine you.
Some symptoms of an injury, such as a concussion, do not appear weeks or months later. Make sure to keep all medical documentation as well. This can be helpful later for your personal injury case.
Once confirmed that you have suffered from an injury, immediately file a claim through your insurance company. The insurance representative handling your claim will then speak to an adjuster to discuss the compensation you may receive.
Remember that most of the time, the job of the negligent party’s insurance company is to provide you with as little compensation as possible for your losses.
You should not have to settle for an amount that will not cover the costs of your medical bills, lost wages, or mental anguish.
The Costa Mesa accident lawyers of Bisnar Chase have taken on the most unyielding insurance companies for the last four decades.
We know insurance adjusters’ techniques and strategies to intimidate injury victims. Contact our law offices at 949-203-3814 for more information on your legal rights.
Can I Still File for Compensation if I am Partially at Fault for the Accident?
California carries out a regulation known as comparative negligence. There are two types of comparative negligence. The first is known as “pure comparative negligence.”
Pure comparative negligence means that the plaintiff can recover compensation for damages even if they contributed to the accident.
What will determine the compensation that the plaintiff will earn will depend on “how much” of the incident was their fault. The second kind of comparative negligence is known as “modified negligence.”
Twelve states operate under the modified negligence rule, which can differ slightly from state to state. If a plaintiff is more than 50% at fault for an accident, they cannot recover damages for their injuries.
States under “modified negligence” include West Virginia, Tennessee, South Carolina, Utah, Main, Idaho, Nebraska, Kansas, North Dakota, Arkansas, Georgia, and Colorado. Other states follow the 51% rule. This rule states that if a plaintiff was 51% at fault, they cannot recover any compensation.
If you are unsure if you are partially responsible for the accident, talk to a Costa Mesa personal injury attorney to determine the fault and level of financial compensation you may be entitled to. The consultation is free, and there is no fee if we don’t win your case.
Is There a Deadline I Must Meet to File a Costa Mesa Personal Injury Claim?
In California, an accident victim has two years to file a personal injury claim. This regulation states that you have two years after the actual incident to file a claim, not two years after you filed a lawsuit through your insurance company.
Experts say you should still file an insurance claim immediately after the collision or dog bite. If the insurance company denies your claim and you still want to pursue compensation, you will still be left with a window of time.
You can file a lawsuit with a Costa Mesa personal injury lawyer if your claim is denied. Sometimes, a person involved in an accident will experience pain and soreness months later.
If a doctor confirms that you are suffering from injuries that can be related to the incident, you can still file a claim. For example, if you have pain in your back one year after the accident, you have one year left to pursue legal representation.
What Types of Damages Can I be Compensated for?
You may need medical expenses to recover from your injuries can be expensive. The types of services you may potentially need after an accident include;
- emergency transportation costs
- hospitalization
- surgery
- physical therapy
- medical equipment
- and medication (bodily injury)
In addition to medical care, injured victims may need extensive rehabilitative care. Rehabilitation for an injury, which might include physical therapy, may be required so a person can completely regain their strength and mobility.
When you are injured, you must take time off work to recover. In some cases where individuals have suffered significant injuries, they may even lose their jobs or be unable to return to work in the same capacity.
You may have a case if you have lost your livelihood due to your injuries. Pain and suffering can also be rewarded in an accident claim. This includes the physical pain you endure from an injury and emotional trauma.
For example, those severely injured, disfigured, or scarred could suffer from depression. For example, dog bite victims suffer from anxiety or post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).
Contact our personal injury lawyers in Costa Mesa for a free case evaluation. We can determine the amount of damages you are entitled to. We work with all medical providers to place your current and future medical bills on a lien and advance all costs while handling your case.
How Much is my Calfiornia Personal Injury Claim Worth?
The value of your personal injury claim will rely on the nature and extent of the injuries, damages, and losses you have sustained.
For example, if the incident resulted only in property damage or minor injuries such as scrapes or bruises that did not require medical treatment, your case may not be worth much.
However, if you suffered injuries serious enough to require hospitalization, you may be eligible to receive much more compensation.
Negligence is also crucial in a personal injury case, which might affect your compensation. A typical case a California car accident attorney might take on would have at least a few thousand dollars in compensation on the table. If there are minor injuries, it is probably a good idea to settle for your out-of-pocket costs and move on.
However, severe and catastrophic personal injury claims are very complex, and it takes an experienced team of accident attorneys to get the best compensation available to you. Your Costa Mesa personal injury lawyer and legal team can determine the potential value of your injury claim by examining the evidence in your case.
Why Should I Hire a Costa Mesa Personal Injury Lawyer?
There are two types of lawyers who deal with personal injury lawsuits: trial attorneys and litigators. Large law firms employ litigators, which can be costly since they charge clients by the hour. They generally do not have experience in the courtroom and try to avoid it altogether.
Personal injury lawyer Brian Chase explains why you should only hire a trial attorney. Chase states: “You want to hire a trial lawyer, not a settlement lawyer. So many lawyers are settling cases and getting fifty cents on the dollar because they’re not trial attorneys.
You want to find a law firm where the lawyers are trying cases. The judges and insurance companies know who they are, and if you settle that case, you’ll get a hundred cents on the dollar. At Bisnar Chase, you know we’re in trials throughout the year, every year.”
What Evidence Does My Costa Mesa Personal Injury Lawyer Need?
If you were involved in a collision, you must gather as much information as possible to prove that you were hurt or were left with extensive property damage.
It will benefit you to file a claim straight to your insurance company first. If you are unsatisfied with the amount the insurance adjuster offers, you can hire a Costa Mesa personal injury lawyer.
The evidence that is recommended to gather includes photos, witness accounts, and medical documentation. Most people do not know you can collect biological material from an incident.
For example, if you fall off an electric scooter, you can physically take it and save it for inspection later. Photos are the primary form of evidence that most victims gather before filing their injury claims.
The types of objects photographed can consist of the street where the collision occurred, any skid marks on the road from one of the vehicles, or the weather conditions when the incident occurred.
How Much Does a Personal Injury Lawyer Charge?
Every accident lawyer has a payment system set in place when charging a client for their services. There are some factors to consider when seeking legal representation that can save you money in the long term.
The typical cost of a California personal injury attorney is 33 1/3 percent of what they win, but it’s only paid after they collect your compensation. More complicated cases involving non-standard resources can charge more to cover the costs of experts, witnesses, and other fees associated with the case.
At Bisnar Chase, a legal expert will be assigned to you and analyze your case free of charge. It is also best to seek out a law firm that operates on a contingency fee basis.
A personal injury attorney working on a contingency fee basis means you do not have to pay for their services if a lawyer does not win your lawsuit. The law firm of Bisnar Chase offers its clients a free consultation and functions on a contingency fee basis.
We understand that lawyer fees can become costly and want to alleviate those costs as much as possible. When you call a Bisnar Chase personal injury attorney, you will receive free legal advice from a top-notch legal team.
Do your Personal Injury Lawyers Handle Wrongful Death Claims?
After losing a loved one, many grieving families are too distressed to think about what legal steps to take. One of the first steps is determining whether you can file a wrongful death claim. In California, a spouse, surviving parent, or surviving child of the deceased can file a wrongful death claim.
People who were not related to the deceased can file a claim if they can prove that the deceased was legally responsible for their livelihood.
Types of compensation you can file for as a surviving family member include income the deceased would have accumulated in their lifetime, medical bills that the deceased acquired due to their injury, and mental anguish.
If you lost a loved one due to someone else’s carelessness, let Bisnar Chase’s lawyers hold those wrongdoers accountable. Your loved one deserves justice. Call our Orange County law offices today for a free case analysis.
An Experienced Personal Injury Attorney Serving Costa Mesa
After an accident, many injury victims are scared and confused. How do you know if your case is strong enough to recover compensation or whether you should move forward with a lawsuit?
If you pursue legal representation, your Costa Mesa personal injury lawyer will provide more information on what you are up against and how much compensation you can earn. The law firm of Bisnar Chase has maintained a 99% success rate in securing the best possible results for clients for over 45 years.
The practice areas we specialize in include:
Car accidents
According to DriverKnowledge.com, twenty-seven percent of car crashes result in serious injuries. One study shows about 1,500 car accidents in Costa Mesa every year. Car wrecks, truck accidents, or motorcycle crashes can leave victims with serious physical injuries and leave behind an extensive amount of property damage.
The causes of these losses can range from a negligent driver to poor weather or road conditions. In other instances, motor vehicle wrecks can result from an automobile defect.
Auto defects can involve faulty car parts, such as a defective brake system or airbags that did not deploy on impact.
The intersection of Bear Street and South Coast Drive has proven to be one of the most hazardous areas in Costa Mesa. The Los Angeles Times reports say that over ten accidents occur annually in this area. The reason? People are running red lights. South Coast Plaza is one of the biggest shopping centers in Orange County, and the mix of signals and shopping foot traffic makes the roads dangerous.
Dog bites
Dog bites can be extremely dangerous. A canine attack can cause anything from minor puncture wounds to deep cuts, torn flesh, emotional trauma, and worse. Costa Mesa is a growing city with a lot of dogs. It has plenty of dog-walking hotspots, such as the Back Bay Loop.
Children are the most vulnerable group to being bitten by a dog, but anyone who a dog mauls can experience catastrophic and lasting injuries. California enforces a strict liability law that states that:
“The owner of any dog is liable for the damages suffered by any person who is bitten by the dog while in a public place or lawfully in a private place, including the property of the owner of the dog, regardless of the former viciousness of the dog or the owner’s knowledge of such viciousness…”
This means that any dog owner in Costa Mesa that fails to control their pet and allows it to attack another person, whether the dog has shown any prior signs of aggression or not, can be held liable. We can help victims file a dog-bite lawsuit in Costa Mesa.
Job injuries
Data from the National Safety Council shows thousands of preventable work-related deaths annually across the U.S. The industry with the most injuries and deaths was construction. Some common causes of those injuries involved a person being hit by an object, an employee overexerting, or an object falling on them.
Costa Mesa has a broad mix of businesses, from retail stores and office buildings to construction sites, to support the city’s growing population.
Employers have a duty of care to their employees and should prioritize their safety as a worker. If you did not receive proper training or were working with faulty equipment, speak to a personal injury attorney in Costa Mesa, CA, for more information.
Slip and fall accidents
Slip and falls usually take place at locations such as department stores or construction sites. For example, if a grocery store manager was informed about a leaky fridge and did not place a “caution when wet” sign or inform customers to be careful around the area within a reasonable time. The manager or company can be sued for negligence.
Trip and slip lawsuits can also be filed when stairs, floors, sidewalks, and other underfoot areas are damaged or unsafe—our personal injury attorney litigation team are experts in dealing with premises liability issues in Costa Mesa.
Product liability lawsuits
You can file a product liability lawsuit in Costa Mesa if you have suffered an injury due to a dangerous or defective product. There are a few reasons that a product may be defective.
It may have been designed poorly or manufactured, or the company may have cut corners with materials. It may also have come without proper use instructions or appropriate warning labels.
When a company involved in the distribution chain is negligent and puts consumers at risk, it should be held accountable. Contact our personal injury lawyers to determine if you could recover compensation for your injuries.
Bicycle accident
Bicycle accidents can result in serious injuries for the victims. Cyclists are particularly vulnerable because bikes have little in the way of protection. A collision between a bicycle and a motor vehicle can be catastrophic.
California Highway Patrol’s Statewide Integrated Traffic Records System (SWITRS) shows that more than 80 people are injured in cycling accidents in Costa Mesa every year.
One incident that took place involved a cyclist being severely harmed. When a pickup truck suddenly struck a 34-year-old woman from Costa Mesa while she was riding her bicycle. The collision took place on Cecil Place and Newport Boulevard. She was rushed to the hospital and treated for serious injuries.
The Los Angeles Times reported another collision in which Jose Vasquez-Perez of Costa Mesa was killed in a bike collision. The 41-one-year old was killed in a hit and run. Authorities eventually caught the perpetrator, Taylor Evans, and arrested him on a DUI felony, hit-and-run charges, and vehicular manslaughter.
Motorcycle accident
Motorcycle accidents in Costa Mesa can be deadly. They often involve higher speeds but are also very dangerous because bikers are exposed without much in the way of safety devices.
Statistics show more than 400 motorcycle accident deaths across California annually, and there are plenty of examples of dangerous motorcycle incidents in Costa Mesa.
In recent years there have been several serious incidents in the area. One biker was critically injured in a crash with an SUV, while another motorcyclist was killed in a collision.
Truck accident
Trucks can be deadly in the wrong hands. Large vehicles can do serious damage, from large semi-trucks and big rigs to smaller pickups.
The average commercial truck weighs 80,000 lbs and can reach 72 feet long. Anything from speeding and distracted driving to driver fatigue can result in collisions. In addition to driver error, vehicle flaws like brake failure may be the cause of some truck accidents in Costa Mesa.
Wrongful death
When someone loses their life due to the negligence of another person or entity, it could constitute wrongful death. For example, if somebody is killed in a fatal accident in Costa Mesa, such as a car accident, the victim’s family could file a wrongful death lawsuit.
You could secure compensation for your losses when you file a wrongful death lawsuit in Costa Mesa. Nothing can bring a loved one back, but this can hold the wrongdoer accountable, give you a sense of justice, and recover the financial compensation you deserve.
Employment
At Bisnar Chase, we do not only handle personal injury cases. We also have an expert legal team taking on Costa Mesa employment cases. Our accident attorneys handle employment cases, including wrongful termination, wage and hour disputes, workplace harassment and discrimination, whistleblower lawsuits, and more.
Establishing Fault for your Costa Mesa Accident Claim
Liability is one of the primary terms used to refer to a fault in a personal injury case. Responsibility for your injuries will fall on the wrongdoer, an individual, or an organization. One of the main aspects that must be proven is negligence.
The law firm of Bisnar Chase holds wrongdoers accountable, be they individuals, entities, or large corporations. In doing so, we encourage the public to be more responsible, governments to properly carry out their duties, and manufacturers to make safer products.
Our passionate representation and pursuit of justice for injured clients and their families make us unique. You will see this passion when you call and schedule your free consultation. We’ve won cases where others have said it couldn’t be done.
Our personal injury trial attorneys have had a successful track record in proving tough cases to juries. We go the extra mile for our clients to collect every cent in your case that the law and the circumstances allow.
Our mission is to provide superior client representation compassionately and professionally while making our world safer.
Having a Plan with Your Personal Injury Lawyer
The better prepared you are, the more effective your search will be. If you don’t know exactly what you’re looking for in a personal injury lawyer, you won’t be able to recognize the right fit when you find it.
Think about the type of case you are involved in and what you want to get out of it.
- What were the circumstances of the accident or injury?
- What type of injuries do you have? How much money do you need?
- Do you want to pursue a claim for pain and suffering, or are you just seeking reimbursement for your medical bills?
Our Costa Mesa personal injury attorney can help you form a plan for what is best for you, how to maximize your recovery, and help with future medical costs.
2024 Top-Rated Personal Injury Attorney
Many organizations provide certification for personal injury attorneys, and we have hundreds of honors & awards.
Some of the most well-known organizations include
- The American Bar Association (ABA)
- The American Board of Trial Advocates (ABOTA)
- The International Society of Barristers (ISBA)
- The National Board of Trial Advocates (NBTA)
- and The Million Dollar Advocates Forum (MDAF)
They hold lawyers accountable for their actions and results, so you can trust that our personal injury lawyers are competent and ethical.
Bisnar Chase has been voted not only the Best Places to Work for eleven consecutive years, but also Best Law Firms 2019-2024 by US Attorneys. We have also been named as the Top 1% of Lawyers in the nation.
Beware of Lead Generation Firms in Orange County
There are a lot of companies out there that specialize in publishing misleading ads. Some ads promise large cash payouts in exchange for a small fee. Others suggest that you can file a claim online when this isn’t possible. These companies are often called “no win, no fee” law firms, but they aren’t law firms at all.
They’re third-party companies that publish ads designed to get your attention and trap you in a contract. Many don’t have an actual law firm or attorneys. They use advertising to make it appear that they are a lawyer.
A Track Record Winning PI Cases
The best way to determine how a lawyer operates is to look at their track record.
- How many cases have they handled?
- What kind of results have they been able to achieve?
- Do they abandon tough cases?
- Will the attorney go to trial – many won’t, and we do.
You can also check out our lawyer’s record on sites like Martindale-Hubbell and Avvo. The American Bar Association runs these sites and doesn’t just track the results of current cases. They also collect information about a lawyer’s background, education, and disciplinary history; we are proud members of both.
Decades of Personal Injury Experience
With so many personal injury attorneys in your area, finding the right one can be daunting. Our Costa Mesa personal injury attorneys have decades of experience and are familiar with all Orange County courts. We’ve taken on some of the most challenging cases that other law firms would not, with winning results!
Beyond supporting negotiation efforts in securing fair settlement offers from insurance companies notorious for offering lowball estimates, the best lawyers operate sensitively toward each client’s situation, and we are proud of our proven track record.
California Personal Injury Resources
If you are facing a personal injury accident in California, there are often options for aid and support during legal processes. Contact these sources.
1. Review Department of Consumer Affairs guides on hiring attorneys or filing complaints against professionals. Very beneficial when starting out getting yourself prepared
2. Check out resources about road safety standards by the Office of Traffic Safety in reducing accidents, injuries, and death while driving.
3. Learn about what kind of aid is available through the Victim Compensation Board regarding the financial costs of the injury. Also, there is information online about eligibility requirements
4. The California Courts Self-Help Center’s resources of tutorials, forms, and videos offer a path for personal injury victims to represent themselves in court without an attorney in what can be very complex litigation norms
5. Querying issues faced by an insurance company? Learn about your rights and how insurance claims are handled by the California Department of Insurance .
6. Do not overlook Legal Aid Foundation services for assistance with personal injury cases if you are within low-income groups or families in Los Angeles County. Review their eligibility requirements on their website if you need more information.
7. Search a database that State Bar Association provides for attorneys experienced in working with cases like yours under personal injury law. Extensive knowledge resources accompany this service on client rights, understanding attorney fees, etc.
8. Many counties across California bar associations have local referrals, including legal advice to understand key law points -such as different attorneys’ specialties-injury focus or filing lawsuits- relative to your situation.
Costa Mesa Statistics via Census Bureau
- As of July 1, 2022, Costa Mesa, California, has a population estimate of 109,521, which has decreased by 2.1% since April 1, 2020.
- The city’s demographic makeup is diverse, with 61.2% White, 1.4% Black or African American, 0.7% American Indian and Alaska Native, 9.2% Asian, and 35.9% Hispanic or Latino residents. Approximately 23.8% of the population is foreign-born.
- In terms of housing, the city has a homeownership rate of 40.3%, and the median value of owner-occupied housing units is $841,700. The median gross rent in the city is $2,043.
- Education levels in Costa Mesa are high, with 87.6% of individuals age 25 years and older being high school graduates or higher, and 42.2% holding a bachelor’s degree or higher. The median household income is $96,391, and the per capita income is $47,636. The poverty rate in the city is 9.6%.
- Costa Mesa has a strong economy, with notable sectors including accommodation and food services, health care and social assistance, transportation and warehousing, and retail sales. The mean travel time to work is 22.5 minutes.
- The city has a population density of 7,080.7 people per square mile.
Please take note that the information provided is intended solely as general guidance.
We advise seeking counsel from a capable personal injury attorney to obtain personalized legal guidance and representation based on your unique case.
Contact a Costa Mesa Personal Injury Lawyer
A Costa Mesa personal injury lawyer like those at Bisnar Chase has represented injured clients involved in collisions such as pedestrian and bicycle accidents since 1978.
Our injury attorneys do not hesitate to take on significant cases against giant corporations that typically have high-priced legal defense teams at their beck and call. We have the experience, expertise, and resources to get results.
We understand how a severe personal injury can turn lives upside down. It affects not only the individual who has suffered the injury but also his or her family members. It affects victims and families emotionally and financially.
Our injury lawyers will fight for your legal rights at every step and help ensure you receive fair and total compensation for all your losses.
Find a personal injury lawyer near you
Our legal services extend to multiple locations, such as Riverside County, Los Angeles County, San Diego, Fountain Valley and other regions in Southern California. Call the personal injury law firm of Bisnar Chase at 949-203-3814 for a no-cost, no-obligation consultation and comprehensive case evaluation.
Most Dangerous Intersection in Costa Mesa
Last 5 Years
- 62 Accidents
- 64 Injuries
- 0 Deaths
City of Costa Mesa
- Population: 112174
- Avg Annual Auto Injuries per 1,000: 11
- Costa Mesa Crime Index* 214.3
Nearby Cities Crime Indices
- Newport Beach: 143.6
- Fountain Valley: 153
- Huntington Beach: 184.5
- Santa Ana: 200.6
* Crime index data taken from city-data.com. The national average is 315.5. The crime index is calculated using the population and severity of crimes vs the frequency of crimes committed.
More Unsafe Intersections in Costa Mesa
- Accidents: 74
- Injuries: 61
- Deaths: 0
- Accidents: 86
- Injuries: 56
- Deaths: 1
- Accidents: 59
- Injuries: 50
- Deaths: 0
* All intersection data is taken from the California Statewide Integrated Traffic Records System and is measured over the last 5 years of local and arterial street car accidents (non-highway). The data is not updated in real time.
