Jessica Burgoyne, leveraging a deep background in research methods and a passion for legal issues, distills complex legal concepts into accessible insights. With over 100 published articles, her work has been featured in Forbes Advisor and other respected publications. Her work, underpinned by rigorous research and a commitment to quality, offers readers trustworthy, actionable information.
Jessica Burgoyne
Jessica Burgoyne, leveraging a deep background in research methods and a passion for legal issues, distills complex legal concepts into accessible insights. With over 100 published articles, her work has been featured in Forbes Advisor and other respected publications. Her work, underpinned by rigorous research and a commitment to quality, offers readers trustworthy, actionable information.
Jeffrey Johnson has written novels and movies in addition to legal analyses of eminent domain and immigration law. His experience in writing engaging fiction makes him uniquely capable of making the most dry and academic legal topics interesting (or as interesting as possible).
Reviewed
Jeffrey Johnson, J.D.
Jeffrey Johnson has written novels and movies in addition to legal analyses of eminent domain and immigration law. His experience in writing engaging fiction makes him uniquely capable of making the most dry and academic legal topics interesting (or as interesting as possible).
Editorial Note: We earn a commission from partner links on Forbes Advisor. Commissions do not affect our editors' opinions or evaluations.
Although Anaheim sometimes seems to be under a mouse-shaped shadow, there’s plenty of other things to do in this California city. You can watch the Ducks play hockey or the Angels play baseball, enjoy the recently-revitalized downtown or eat at a world-class restaurant.
But none of this matters if you or a loved one has been injured. If you need a personal injury lawyer in Anaheim, here are some great options.
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Best Personal Injury Accident Attorneys in Anaheim
Compare Top Personal Injury Attorneys
Other California Personal Injury Lawyers
Filing a Personal Injury Accident Lawsuit in California
Most people who have a personal injury case have no previous experience with this part of the legal system. Here’s what you need to know in order to get your case started.
California Statute of Limitations
The statute of limitations refers to how long you have to bring a case after you’ve been injured. In California, the statute of limitations is two years from the date of injury or one year from the date of discovery.
In some instances, such as medical malpractice cases, you might not be aware you’ve been injured for a period of time. The statute of limitations takes this fact into account by extending to one year after discovery of the injury.
If you have been injured, it’s important to contact a qualified attorney as soon as possible to ensure that your case falls within the statute.
California Laws for Personal Injury
Here are some specific California laws you should be aware of.
- California uses a pure comparative negligence model to determine who is at fault in an accident. This means that a party can collect damages if the other party is deemed to have any responsibility in the accident. You can collect damages less the amount of your own responsibility (i.e., if your damages were $10,000 and you were 30% at fault, you could collect $7000 or 70% of your damages).
- For example, consider an accident where a car collided with a pedestrian. The court may determine that the driver of the car was 80% responsible, but that the pedestrian, who was not crossing in a crosswalk, was 20% responsible. The driver could collect 20% of their damages, and the pedestrian could collect 80% of their damages.
- California has strict liability for dog bite cases. This means that a dog’s owner is held responsible from the first time their dog bites a person.
- California generally does not have damage caps, with the exception of non-economic damages in some cases, including medical malpractice. If you are involved in a case like this, speak with your attorney to see how the damage caps could limit your recovery.
How Can an Attorney Help You?
Legal cases have strict requirements and even a seemingly minor oversight can cause major issues with your case. Here are some ways lawyers can help.
- An attorney can explain the laws to you. Your lawyer will be well-versed in California law and will be able to help you understand how the laws apply to your case.
- An attorney can help with paperwork. There’s a large amount of paperwork required to bring a lawsuit, and much of it can be confusing. Your lawyer can steer you through this paperwork, ensuring that it’s filled out properly.
- An attorney can negotiate a settlement on your behalf. You don’t have to accept the first settlement that you’re offered by an insurance company. Lawyers are skilled negotiators who may be able to get you an acceptable settlement.
- An attorney can represent you in court. Although many cases are resolved without the need to go to court, it’s always best to have an attorney who can litigate your case in court if required.
How to Find the Best Personal Injury Accident Lawyer in Anaheim, CA
Use these methods to locate an attorney for your case:
- Ask around. Do you have friends or family who have been in an accident? What attorney did they use? Do they recommend their attorney?
- Look for experience. Make sure the lawyer you are considering has experience with your sort of case. Car accident cases and medical malpractice cases are both personal injury, but they can be very different.
- Interview potential attorneys. Most attorneys offer a free initial consultation. Schedule one of these before hiring a lawyer. Does the attorney seem like someone you could work with? Trust your gut, and if you don’t feel like it’s a good fit, move on.
Methodology
To come up with the Best Personal Injury Accident Lawyers in Anaheim in 2024, Forbes Advisor considered many factors. Forbes Advisor’s mathematical module considers and weighs the information collected to calculate a specific rating and reviews these results to find the best attorneys in a given practice area.
Within the model, we take into account factors that legal professionals and consumers value in an attorney’s qualifications. After assigning weighted scores to hundreds of data points, we narrowed the field down to our top choices based on:
- Legal experience
- Special licenses & certifications
- Ethics and bar disciplinary measures
- Legal thought leadership
- Education & employment background
- Scholarly lectures & writings
- Awards & honors
Forbes Advisor collects public data from a variety of sources, including state bar associations, court records and other published sources on the internet. This information should not be considered comprehensive, however. It might not include additional relevant information on an attorney’s legal skills and experience.
Each lawyer listed here has their own merits. Bear in mind that our list relates to these lawyers’ legal backgrounds, but does not evaluate their personalities or their knowledge of the law. One attorney may be more suitable than another for your specific legal situation.
One thing that can’t be quantified, though, is the rapport you establish with your attorney. Personality goes a long way when teaming up with an attorney, especially when going through a potentially difficult legal situation. These rankings should serve as a reference and potential starting point in your search for the right lawyer for you and your legal concerns.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Do I have to use a California attorney if I’m from another state?
In order to practice in California, an attorney must be licensed by the State Bar of California. You definitely want an attorney who is familiar with the laws of the state. If you were hurt in California, your case will be tried in California, so it makes sense to find someone local to represent you.
How much does a personal injury attorney charge in California?
Most personal injury attorneys work on a contingency basis, meaning that they only get paid if you win your case. Typically, attorneys take a portion of the recovered damages. Although exceptions exist, most fees are between 30 to 40%. The actual percentage should be spelled out when you hire an attorney. Do not sign any agreements before you understand the fee structure.
Am I required to hire an attorney in California?
You aren’t required to hire a lawyer for a personal injury case in California, but it’s probably best to do so. Studies have shown that people who hire attorneys for their personal injury cases tend to have better outcomes even after attorney’s fees are factored in. It’s in your best interest to have a professional by your side.
