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Helping Clients Navigate Injury Claims

We’re ready to help with a variety of case-types, here’s just a small example of how we can help:

Large Firm Results & Representation with Small Firm Personalized Attention & Care

Michael is determined to provide each of his clients with personal, one-on-one legal attention. With the Beliz Law Firm, you’re not a number. Each case is important to us, and we promise to treat our clients with respect. We firmly believe in providing you with a voice in your time of need. At the same time, our Long Beach Injury Lawyers focus on maximizing the value of your case - we’re ready to handle tough negotiations with the insurance company. Finally, we won’t hesitate to take your case to trial if that’s what’s needed.

I would highly recommend The Beliz Law Firm and should I need legal counsel or a personal injury lawyer in the future, Michael Beliz has become my new go-to guy.

- M.M.
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Long Beach Personal Injury Lawyer Michael Beliz

Small Firm Attention, Big Firm Results

Michael A. Beliz, Esq., established The Beliz Law Firm in the spring of 2011. Michael has been a practicing attorney since 2006 and worked for two of the most prominent plaintiff’s personal injury law firms in Southern California. He has extensive experience with personal injury claims and has worked on and handled hundreds of cases as an attorney in all types of accident and injury cases, including car accidents, pedestrian accidents and dog bites, and successfully recovered millions of dollars for his clients.

At the University of San Diego School of Law, Michael was a multiple-year recipient of the Delroy Richardson Endowed Law Scholarship and attained the high pass in Negotiation. In addition, he was a semi-finalist in the ATLA Intramural Mock Trial Competition. Prior to graduating from law school, Michael earned a master’s degree in economics from the University of California, Santa Barbara and his undergraduate degree from California State University, Long Beach where he was a member of the Omicron Delta Epsilon, the International Honor Society for Economics. Michael A. Beliz is admitted to the State Bar of California and United States District Court, Central District of California.

What to Expect from Our Long Beach Personal Injury Lawyer

At the Beliz Law Firm, we understand the wide range of emotions you experience after suffering injuries in an accident. It can be a scary time fueled by emotions of stress, anxiety, and anger. You may have many questions but no answers. Long Beach injury attorney Michael Beliz provides you with personal, one-on-one attention so you get the answers you need during the most difficult time in your life. At the Beliz Law Firm, each case is important to us, and we treat every client with the compassion and respect they deserve.

Client Testimonials

  • "I was referred to the Beliz Law Firm by a family friend and was not disappointed. I was a passenger in a vehicle that was hit by a drunk driver and when I needed the services of an attorney, Michael Beliz came to my work to discuss my options. He is very friendly and explains everything in effectively and in detail. He recommended a great chiropractor whom I then sought treatment from and who helped me recover from my injuries. Michael created an excellent report used in my case which allowed me to receive the maximum return in my settlement. I have already referred a family friend and recommended another long time friend to seek his services. God forbid I ever get in another serious accident, but if I do I will for sure contact Michael again to seek his help. He’s a great guy who does great work!"

    Y.R.

  • Long beach personal injury lawyer Michael Beliz represented my personal injury case this year and I’m glad I found them. In summation Michael Beliz came across as intelligent, effective, friendly, and genuine. An excellent people person and well versed attorney is a hard combination to find. Michael walked us through everything; spoke to me like a person and not a case number. He just pretty much made the whole ordeal so much easier. Michael was extremely helpful, patient and responsive with my family and me the entire time. Michael regularly checked in on me during my recovery and kept me up to date on the status of the case and conversations with the other parties’ insurance company. My case wasn’t large but he treated me as if I was one of his only cases. I would highly recommend the Beliz firm to family and friends as the highest recommendation I could offer.”

    M.G.

  • "No one wants to involve an attorney in an auto claim, but sometimes you have no choice. Michael made an unpleasant situation so much easier. He really took the time to understand everything that was going on and always gave me prompt and personal attention. He was involved immediately and took over all the interactions with the insurance companies. He became the only one I had to deal with and there were never any games with him, only sound advice. My only mistake was not calling Michael sooner. I now recommend an attorney anytime an injury is involved in an auto accident, if only so they can deal with the insurance companies’ games, and you would be hard pressed to find someone better than Michael Beliz."

    T.V.

Personal Injury Frequently Asked Questions

When Should I Speak with a Long Beach Personal Injury Lawyer?

How Do I Know If I Have a Valid Personal Injury Claim?

How Long Do I Have to File a Personal Injury Lawsuit in California?

Will My Personal Injury Case Go to Trial?

Why Do I Need an Attorney?

How Much Does a Long Beach Personal Injury Attorney Cost?

How Much is My Case Worth?

Can I Still Receive Compensation If I Am Partially at Fault for My Injury?

Who Can Be Liable for My Injuries?

What Should I Expect During the Free Consultation?

Recent Blog Posts

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How to Obtain Your Anaheim Police Incident Report

| Read Time: 4 minutes

After a vehicle crash, many drivers need documentation showing what occurred. An Anaheim police incident report often serves as that official record. This report contains observations from the responding officer, statements from people involved, and identifying details about the vehicles and location. Many individuals search for this document soon after leaving the scene. Obtaining a police incident report helps support insurance communication and may clarify how the collision happened. At the Beliz Law Firm, we can review your Anaheim police report, discuss the surrounding circumstances, and help determine how the claims process may proceed. Why is an Anaheim Police Incident Report Important? An official record created by the Anaheim Police Department provides a neutral summary of the incident. Insurance adjusters frequently review this document when evaluating responsibility and determining how a claim should proceed. An Anaheim police report commonly includes information such as: Because officers prepare these documents shortly after the incident, the report can preserve details that might otherwise be forgotten. When Do Anaheim Officers Prepare a Police Report? Police officers often respond to accidents involving injuries, blocked roadways, or substantial vehicle damage. When an officer investigates the scene, they may complete documentation and store it in the department’s records system for later use. Not every collision results in a formal report. Minor crashes sometimes lead to an exchange of information without an officer writing an official summary. When documentation is prepared, the incident report is normally available several days after the investigation concludes. Confirming whether a report exists is typically the first step before starting a police report lookup. How Do I Request an Anaheim Police Incident Report? The Anaheim Police Department offers several ways for people involved in an accident to obtain a copy of the record. Drivers, passengers, insurance representatives, and attorneys are generally allowed to request the document when they have a connection to the incident. Common ways to obtain an Anaheim police report include the following options: Each request method requires basic identifying details about the crash. Accurate information helps the records unit quickly locate the correct police report. What Information Do I Need for an Anaheim Police Report Lookup? Providing accurate information when requesting records can reduce delays. Records staff typically search their system using several details connected to the accident. Helpful information may include the following items: Supplying this information helps the records department complete an Anaheim police report lookup more efficiently. How Long Does It Take to Receive the Report in Anaheim? Police documentation is rarely available immediately after an accident. Officers must complete written summaries and submit the paperwork through internal review before the report becomes accessible. In many situations, an Anaheim police report becomes available within a few business days. Collisions involving injuries or additional investigation may require more time because officers may need to finalize diagrams, witness statements, or supplemental notes. Contacting the records bureau directly can provide an estimate of when your police report will be ready. Reviewing Your Anaheim Police Report Carefully Once the document is obtained, reviewing the details carefully can help ensure the information accurately reflects the incident. Reports may contain names, insurance details, and descriptions that influence how insurers evaluate the claim. Items worth reviewing in the report include: If important information appears incorrect, contacting the reporting agency may allow for additional clarification to the record. How Can an Anaheim Police Report Affect an Insurance Claim? Insurance companies frequently review official documentation when analyzing accident claims. A detailed police incident report can help provide context about how the collision occurred and who was present at the scene. The report may assist insurers by: Although the report itself does not determine legal responsibility, insurance representatives often consider the officer’s observations during their evaluation. When Is Legal Guidance Helpful After an Anaheim Accident? Following a serious crash, individuals sometimes face medical care, lost income, and insurance discussions simultaneously. Determining how documentation fits into the claims process may feel overwhelming.  Speaking with a lawyer may provide clarity about how accident records and insurance policies interact. Legal guidance can help identify additional evidence and explain potential next steps. The Beliz Law Firm and Accident Documentation Obtaining an Anaheim police incident report is often an important early step after a collision. While the process may feel confusing, reviewing that document may clarify what happened and help guide you on how to pursue your accident claim.  The Beliz Law Firm represents individuals injured in accidents in Anaheim and Southern California, including Orange County and the greater Los Angeles area. Michael A. Beliz founded the firm in 2011 after gaining experience with established plaintiff personal injury practices in the region. His work focuses on helping injured individuals understand documentation, insurance coverage, and the claims process following an accident. If you suffered injuries in an accident and don’t know where to begin, contact the Beliz Law Firm today. We can help take you through the process of getting your accident report and explain the options available to you.

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What to Do If Bitten by a Dog in Long Beach: Steps to Take

| Read Time: 4 minutes

Maybe you were out for a run, walking through your neighborhood, or spending time at a dog park when an animal suddenly lashed out. In Long Beach, a dog bite is not just painful. It can lead to concerns about infection, rabies, missed work, medical bills, and a possible injury claim under California law.  If you are wondering what to do if bitten by a dog, start with the essentials: Get to safety, clean the wound, seek medical care, report the bite, and preserve evidence. Taking those actions early can protect both your health and your legal rights. Below, we explain the steps to focus on after a dog bite in Long Beach and why they’re important. If you have question, please call (562) 452-3772. What Should You Do Immediately After a Dog Bite in Long Beach? First, get away from the dog and make sure you are safe. Once you are out of danger, check the wound and begin basic first aid. Wash the bite thoroughly with soap and water, apply antibiotic ointment if you have it, and cover the area with a clean bandage. If the bite caused deep puncture wounds, torn skin, or heavy bleeding, apply pressure and get medical help right away. Try to stay calm enough to notice the details. Pay attention to what the dog looked like, where the bite happened, whether anyone saw it, and who had control of the dog. Those details may matter later when you report the bite, seek medical treatment, or deal with an insurance claim. When Should You Go to a Doctor or the ER After a Long Beach Dog Bite? You should see a doctor soon after a dog bite, even if the wound looks minor at first. Dog bites can cause more damage than people realize. They may lead to infection, nerve damage, tendon injuries, or scarring. Some bites also raise concerns about exposure to rabies. You may need a tetanus shot, especially if you are not sure when you last had one. Some warning signs mean you should go to urgent care or the emergency room without delay, including: These symptoms should not be ignored. Dog bite complications can worsen quickly, and waiting too long can make treatment more difficult. What Information Should You Gather After the Attack in Long Beach? Try to gather as much information as you can while the details are still fresh. The more you document early, the easier it is to explain what happened later. This can help with the public health investigation, an insurance claim, or a legal case. Focus on collecting: Good records are often more useful than memory alone. A simple folder with photos, paperwork, and notes can make a big difference later. How Do You Report the Bite in Long Beach? Report the bite as soon as possible. In Long Beach, dog bites to humans are reportable, and making a report creates an official record of what happened. That record matters for public health reasons, but it can also become important if the dog owner later disputes the facts. Long Beach allows bites to be reported online through the Veterinary Diseases Reporting System. If the online option is unavailable, a reporting form may be used instead. In some situations, you may also need to call the appropriate public health division for guidance. What Happens After You Report a Dog Bite in Long Beach? Once a dog bite is reported, animal control or public health officials may investigate the incident. Part of that process may involve locating the dog, confirming ownership, reviewing vaccination records, and deciding whether the dog must be quarantined. In Long Beach and elsewhere in Los Angeles County, dogs that bite people are often subject to a 10-day isolation or observation period. That process is important, but it is separate from any injury claim you may have. A public health investigation focuses on safety and rabies prevention. It does not decide whether you should be compensated for your injuries. In other words, the reporting process helps document the incident, but it does not replace a personal injury case. What Are Your Legal Rights After a Dog Bite in Long Beach, California? California law generally provides strong legal protection to dog bite victims. In many cases, a dog owner is responsible when their dog bites someone in a public place or while that person is lawfully on private property. That rule often applies even if the dog had never bitten anyone before and had never shown signs of aggression. This matters because it shifts the focus away from whether the owner had prior warning. Instead, the main questions are usually whether the dog bit you, where it happened, and how badly you were hurt. Depending on the facts, you may be able to pursue compensation for medical expenses, lost wages, future treatment, pain, emotional distress, and scarring. When Should You Talk to a Dog Bite Attorney in Long Beach? You should speak with a lawyer sooner rather than later if the bite led to medical treatment, permanent scarring, missed work, or any dispute about how the attack happened. A Long Beach dog bite attorney can help you preserve evidence, deal with the insurance company, and identify available coverage, including homeowner’s or renter’s insurance. They can also step in when the dog owner starts minimizing the attack or trying to shift the blame. Don’t Wonder What to Do If Bitten by a Dog—Explore Your Options  At The Beliz Law Firm, we believe injured people deserve clear answers, not legal jargon. If you were bitten by a dog in Long Beach, we can review what happened, explain your options in simple terms, and help you pursue compensation for the harm the attack caused. When you are dealing with medical treatment, paperwork, and insurance calls at the same time, having a straightforward plan can make the process more manageable. Contact our office online or call (562) 452-3772 today to schedule a free consultation and learn more about how...

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How to Report a Dog Bite in Los Angeles County

| Read Time: 4 minutes

If you’re trying to figure out how to report a dog bite in Los Angeles County, the short answer is this: Report it to the appropriate public health authority as soon as possible, get medical care, and keep a record of what happened. In Los Angeles County, animal bites from species subject to rabies are reportable, and California treats all 58 counties as rabies areas.  That means a dog bite is not something to shrug off and “deal with later.” Reporting a dog bite is not the same as filing an injury claim. Reporting helps control rabies and may result in the dog being quarantined. Filing a legal claim is about getting compensation for your injuries. In California, dog owners are usually responsible if their dog bites someone, whether it happens in public or on private property. What Should You Do First After a Dog Bite in Los Angeles County? Start by cleaning the wound and getting medical help. State public health officials recommend washing bite wounds with soap and water.  For serious bites, go to the emergency room, get a tetanus shot, and ask about rabies treatment. Even small bites can lead to infection, nerve or tendon damage, or scarring. Getting medical care protects both your health and the community. You should also preserve key information as soon as possible. That includes: Gathering this information helps with investigations and any future claims. It’s much easier to record details right away than to try to remember them later. Who Do You Report a Dog Bite to in Los Angeles County? Who you report the dog bite to depends on which city the bite happened in. Different parts of Los Angeles County have their own offices for handling reports. If the bite happened in most areas of LA County, report it to the Veterinary Public Health. This office handles bites that occur outside Long Beach, Pasadena, or Vernon. You can submit a report by phone, fax, or online. The reporting portal will ask for details about the victim, treatment, location, and the animal involved. In Long Beach, you should report all animal bites to people, except those from rodents, rabbits, or non-mammals. Use the online Veterinary Diseases Reporting System, fill out a PDF form if you cannot access the website, or call the Communicable Disease Surveillance and Control Division if you need help. Each city may have its own process, so do not assume county instructions apply everywhere. The reporting system can be complicated. How Do You Report a Dog Bite in Long Beach? If you’re bitten in Long Beach, report it right away. Veterinarians, doctors, or anyone who knows about the bite must report it if it involves a dog or another relevant mammal. Here is the straightforward process: After you report the bite, officials may ask for more details about what happened. They use this information to assess the risk of rabies. If the animal is found, it may be observed or tested. In Long Beach, dogs and cats are usually quarantined for at least 10 days after a bite is reported. Reporting a bite will not get you compensation for your injuries, but it does create important records. How to Report a Dog Bite in Los Angeles County: Other Areas If the bite happened outside Long Beach, Pasadena, or Vernon, report it to LA County Veterinary Public Health. The forms are available online and can be filled out by anyone who knows about the bite. The reporting form asks for details such as: The more details you include in your report, the easier it is for public health officials to find the dog, assess the rabies risk, and decide if quarantine or more testing is needed. In Los Angeles County, animals that bite people must follow quarantine rules, and owners who know their animal bit someone must report it and allow officials to inspect and observe the animal. Why Does Reporting the Bite Matter for a Personal Injury Claim? Reporting creates records about the dog, owner, incident, and quarantine status, supporting your claim. California’s dog bite law favors victims, holding owners liable even without prior dog aggression. The core elements of a dog bite personal injury claim involve proving: Our Long Beach dog bite attorney explains the same core point in plain language: California applies strict liability to many dog bite cases, so the victim usually does not need to prove the owner was negligent in the usual sense. Every case still needs proof. Medical records, photos, witness statements, and your report all help. Simply documenting your injuries and keeping your report can strengthen your claim. When Should You Talk to a Long Beach Dog Bite Lawyer? Speak with a lawyer soon if you need medical treatment, have scars, the victim is a child, or the canine owner is avoiding responsibility. A dog bite lawyer in Long Beach can help you gather evidence, deal with insurance, and understand the difference between reporting and seeking compensation. Bitten By a Dog in LA County? At The Beliz Law Firm, we keep things simple. If a dog bite left you injured, confused, or worried about medical care, reporting, or insurance, we’re here to help. We’ll review your case, explain how California’s dog bite law works, and help you seek compensation while the details are still clear.

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