A serious accident in Anaheim can change your life in a matter of seconds, leaving you with hospital bills, lost income, and an insurance company that is already working to limit what it pays. When another party’s negligence is the reason you were hurt, you have the right to hold that party accountable and to pursue full compensation for what the injury has cost you. At Callahan & Blaine, PC, our Anaheim personal injury attorneys stand between you and the insurers so that you can focus on healing while we pursue the recovery you are owed.
Callahan & Blaine, PC has represented seriously injured Californians since 1984. Our managing partner, Edward Susolik, is recognized among the Super Lawyers Top 100 in Southern California and is regarded as one of the state’s leading authorities on insurance and coverage law, which sits at the center of almost every serious injury claim. That combination of trial readiness and command of insurance and coverage law is what allows us to take on negligent parties and their carriers throughout Anaheim and greater Orange County.
Time Sensitive Filing Deadline in California
Most California personal injury claims must be filed within two years, and as little as six months when a government entity is involved.
Evidence such as surveillance video, vehicle data, and witness memory fades quickly. Speaking with an attorney early protects both your evidence and your deadline.
Personal Injury Cases We Handle in Anaheim
Callahan & Blaine, PC represents injured people across the full range of serious personal injury matters in Anaheim. From collisions on Interstate 5 and the busy corridors near the Platinum Triangle to catastrophic harm that reshapes a family’s future, our attorneys build each case for maximum recovery. The following are among the Anaheim practice areas we handle.
Car Accidents
Our Anaheim car accident attorneys pursue drivers and insurers responsible for collisions on the city’s freeways and surface streets.
Truck Accidents
Collisions with large commercial trucks demand early investigation, and our truck accident attorneys move quickly to preserve the evidence.
Motorcycle Accidents
Riders often suffer severe harm in a crash, and our motorcycle accident attorneys counter the bias riders frequently face.
Bus and Transit Accidents
Claims against a public transit agency carry shorter deadlines, and our bus accident attorneys protect those rights.
Catastrophic Injuries
Life-altering harm requires long-term planning, and our catastrophic injury attorneys document the full lifetime cost of care.
Traumatic Brain Injuries
A head injury can cause lasting cognitive harm, and our brain injury attorneys work with medical professionals to prove its effects.
Spinal Cord Injuries
Damage to the spine can mean chronic pain or paralysis, and our spinal cord injury attorneys pursue the resources these cases require.
Wrongful Death
When a family loses someone to negligence, our wrongful death attorneys pursue accountability and financial security for survivors.
Aviation Accidents
Aviation cases involve complex federal rules, and our aviation accident attorneys handle the technical investigation these claims demand.
Proving Fault in an Anaheim Personal Injury Claim
To recover compensation, you must show that another party was negligent and that the negligence caused your injuries. As the injured person bringing the claim, you carry the burden of proof, which is why a careful investigation matters so much. California negligence rests on four elements, and our attorneys build the record needed to establish each one.
Duty of Care
The at-fault party owed you a legal duty to act with reasonable care, such as a driver’s duty to follow the rules of the road.
Breach of Duty
The party breached that duty by acting carelessly or by failing to act when a reasonable person would have.
Causation
The breach directly caused the accident and the injuries you suffered, connecting the conduct to your harm.
Damages
You sustained real losses, such as medical bills, lost income, and pain and suffering, as a result of the injury.
Our attorneys gather the evidence that ties these elements together, including medical records, police reports, video footage, and witness testimony. This attention to detail gives you the strongest possible position when it is time to negotiate or to try your case.
Damages You May Recover in an Anaheim Injury Claim
The value of your claim depends on the severity of your injuries, your prognosis, and the way the injury has changed your daily life. Our attorneys work with medical and financial professionals to document both the losses you have already incurred and the care you will need in the future. Recoverable damages in an Anaheim personal injury claim commonly include the following.
- Past, present, and future medical bills
- Rehabilitation and physical therapy
- Lost wages and reduced earning capacity
- In-home care and household services
- Property damage
- Pain and suffering
- Emotional distress
- Reduced quality of life
- Punitive damages in cases of especially reckless conduct
Insurance companies often try to undervalue these losses, particularly the future care and the non-economic harm that follow a serious injury. We calculate the full value of your claim so that an early settlement offer does not leave your future needs unpaid.
Shared Fault and California Comparative Negligence
Insurance companies frequently argue that the injured person was partly to blame in order to reduce what they pay. California follows a pure comparative negligence rule, which means you can still recover damages even if you were partially responsible for the accident. Your compensation is reduced by your percentage of fault rather than barred entirely, so a finding that you were fifteen percent at fault reduces your recovery by that amount instead of eliminating it. Our attorneys build the liability record that keeps any shared fault argument to a minimum and protects the value of your claim.
What to Do After an Accident in Anaheim
The steps you take in the hours and days after an accident can protect both your health and your claim. If you are able, keep the following actions in mind, and ask someone you trust to help when your injuries make it difficult to act.
Seek Medical Attention Right Away
Prompt care protects your health and creates a medical record that ties your injuries to the accident.
Report the Accident and Request the Report
A police or incident report documents the scene and the responsible party’s information, and it becomes valuable evidence in your claim.
Document the Scene and Gather Witness Information
Photographs, video, and the names of witnesses capture details that may disappear within days.
Preserve Evidence and Avoid Recorded Statements
Keep your medical records and damaged property, and decline to give the insurer a recorded statement before you have counsel.
Speak With an Anaheim Personal Injury Attorney
Early legal guidance preserves surveillance footage and other evidence before it is lost or overwritten.
Time Limits for Filing an Anaheim Personal Injury Claim
California law gives you a limited time to bring a personal injury claim, and missing the deadline almost always ends the case regardless of how strong it is. Under California Code of Civil Procedure section 335.1, you generally have two years from the date of the injury to file a personal injury lawsuit. When an accident proves fatal, a wrongful death claim also carries a two year deadline, measured from the date of death rather than the date of the accident.
A much shorter deadline can apply when a government entity is involved, such as a collision with a city or transit vehicle, or an injury caused by a dangerous condition on a public road. In those situations, California Government Code section 911.2 requires you to present a formal claim to the agency within six months. Because these deadlines are strict and the exceptions are narrow, we encourage you to confirm the deadline that applies to your case as early as possible. You can review the state’s own guidance through the California Courts self help center.
Meet Edward Susolik
Edward Susolik
CEO, President, and Senior Trial Attorney
Edward Susolik leads Callahan & Blaine, PC and its catastrophic personal injury team. He is recognized among the Super Lawyers Top 100 in Southern California and is regarded as one of the state’s leading authorities on insurance and coverage matters, which are central to nearly every serious injury claim. He brings that insight to the negotiating table and the courtroom on behalf of injured people throughout Anaheim.
Why Injured People in Anaheim Choose Callahan & Blaine, PC
Insurance companies bring significant resources to defending injury claims, and you deserve a team that can match them. Callahan & Blaine, PC has represented seriously injured Californians since 1984, and our attorneys are trial lawyers at their core. When an insurer refuses to offer a fair settlement, we are prepared to present your case to a judge and jury rather than accept less than your claim is worth.
Our command of insurance and coverage law sets us apart, because the outcome of a serious injury case often turns on how a policy is interpreted and how an adjuster is challenged. We handle every part of your claim, from investigating the scene and working with medical professionals to negotiating with carriers and litigating when necessary, so that you can focus on your recovery with confidence.
With decades of courtroom success across California, our attorneys are prepared to fight for the outcome you deserve.
Anaheim Personal Injury Questions and Answers
How long do I have to file a personal injury claim in Anaheim?
You generally have two years from the date of the injury to file a personal injury lawsuit under California Code of Civil Procedure section 335.1. If a government entity is involved, such as a city or transit vehicle, you may have only six months to present a claim, so it is wise to confirm your deadline early.
What types of compensation can I recover in an Anaheim injury case?
You may recover economic damages such as medical bills, lost wages, and reduced earning capacity, along with non-economic damages such as pain and suffering, emotional distress, and reduced quality of life. In cases of especially reckless conduct, a jury may also award punitive damages.
Can I still recover if I was partly at fault for the accident?
Yes. California follows a pure comparative negligence rule, so you can recover damages even if you share some responsibility. Your compensation is reduced by your percentage of fault rather than barred entirely, and our attorneys work to keep that percentage as low as the facts allow.
Should I talk to the insurance company after my accident?
You should be cautious. Adjusters often request a recorded statement that can later be used to reduce your claim. It is better to speak with an attorney first and let your legal team handle communications with the insurer on your behalf.
Will my personal injury case go to trial?
Many injury claims settle without a trial, but a strong case is always prepared as though it will be tried. Because Callahan & Blaine, PC is ready to litigate, insurers understand that a fair settlement is often in their interest.
How much does it cost to hire an Anaheim personal injury attorney?
We discuss our fee arrangement clearly during your case review so you understand it before moving forward. To get started, you can submit the details of your potential case through our contact form and our team will follow up with you.
Contact Callahan & Blaine, PC to Submit Your Potential Anaheim Injury Case
A serious injury can leave you facing medical bills, lost income, and an insurance company focused on paying as little as possible. You do not have to face that alone. Callahan & Blaine, PC has secured record setting results for seriously injured Californians since 1984, and our attorneys are prepared to take on the insurers and negligent parties responsible for your harm.
From investigating your accident to negotiating and, when necessary, trying your case, our Anaheim personal injury attorneys handle every detail so you can focus on recovery. To put our team to work on your behalf, fill out our contact form to submit your potential case, and hire Callahan & Blaine, PC to handle your litigation matter.
