Personal Injury

Personal Injury

How Much Are Personal Injury Lawyer Fees in California?

Oct 16, 2017 | By Michael Beliz | Read Time: 3 minutes

California Personal Injury Lawyer Fees Injured in an accident? You might wonder if you’re eligible for compensation to cover your medical bills and other issues. You might also be unsure if hiring a personal injury attorney is worth the money. Unlike most other lawyers, personal injury attorneys work on a contingency basis. This means inability to pay is never an issue. You will never lose money by hiring a personal injury lawyer to handle your case. What Does “Contingency” Mean in Personal Injury Cases? If a personal injury attorney decides to take your case, you will not owe any money up front. Instead, the attorney will collect a fee for his services once they settle or resolve your claim. The attorney’s fees are a percentage of the total amount you recover from your personal injury claim. If you do not recover any money, the attorney does not charge you anything. An experienced personal injury lawyer will usually offer a free consultation to anyone injured in an accident. The attorney will review the facts and legal issues in your case, as well as the damages you have suffered. If he believes he can be an asset in your case, he will offer to represent you on a contingency basis. What Is a Fair Contingency Fee in California? Most contingency fees in California range from 33% to 50% of the total settlement. Most times the fees change based on various steps on a case. Usually, there is a lower fee if the case settles before you file a lawsuit or arbitration. The fees increase once the case is in litigation. It is not unusual to see fees go up once the first mediation passes, date of expert experation, or the start of the trial. You are your attorney will sign an agreement that defines the fee structure. California law prohibits an attorney from charging “unconscionable” fees for legal representation. This means the legal fees must not be unreasonable or outrageous. However, there is no standard maximum (or minimum) fee permitted. A personal injury attorney will usually cover the costs of litigation until final judgment or settlement. These costs are separate from the attorney’s fees. In most circumstances, the attorney’s fees are taken out first from the settlement then cost. For example, if you receive a $150,000 settlement, the attorney will collect his fee (let’s say one-third, or $50,000), plus the cost of litigation expenses (which can be several thousand dollars). What to Look for in a Personal Injury Attorney Every attorney has different levels of contingency fees. It is important to consider the value of finding the right attorney. You don’t just hire the cheapest attorney. A skilled personal injury lawyer may be able to obtain a bigger settlement offer or judgment. Clearly, this will yield a larger net recovery. Look for a personal injury lawyer with experience handling your type of case. You may find that someone who handles personal injury cases exclusively provides more focus to your case. Choose an attorney with a good reputation and a personality that meshes well with yours. You could be working closely with this person for quite a while. Do you need legal assistance? Michael Beliz is an experienced personal injury attorney dedicated to helping individuals receive fair compensation for their injuries. Contact our office in Long Beach, California to schedule a free, no-obligation consultation.

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Personal Injury

How Long Does the Personal Injury Claims Process Take?

Oct 16, 2017 | By Michael Beliz | Read Time: 4 minutes

Personal Injury Claims Process In California Most people involved in a personal injury lawsuit are anxious to close the book on this part of their lives. The plaintiff has medical bills and other expenses piling up. So he may find himself out of work and unable to support his family. Unfortunately, the personal injury claims process can be a lengthy one. It is impossible to predict how long your personal injury case will last. This depends on the individual circumstances of your case. If the defendant acknowledges fault for the facts of the accident, your injuries and offers fair compensation, your case may settle within a few months. If your case involves factual disputes, or either party refuses to entertain reasonable settlement offers, it can take years to obtain a final judgment in your case. Personal Injury Statute of Limitations in California A statute of limitations is a law limiting the amount of time you have to bring a legal action for any given reason. Statutes of limitation vary by state and legal matter. If you unable to settle your claim or fail to file a lawsuit before the statute of limitations passes on your claim, you will be permanently precluded from seeking compensation for your injuries in court. So, a judge will dismissal any lawsuit you file, and you may not be able to recover anything for your injuries. The statute of limitations for a personal injury claim in California is two years. This is how long you have from the date of the accident or injury to make a claim. However, this statute of limitations applies when the claim is against a citizen. Against the government, the statute of limitation shrinks to six months. It is important to seek legal counsel as soon as possible after an accident to determine if there is a governmental claim with a shorter time limit. In addition, sometimes, an injury may not be immediately apparent after an accident. Injuries can take weeks or even months to fully develop. If this is the case, contact an attorney as soon as you are aware of the injury. Understanding the Extent of Your Injuries Understanding what injuries you have and how they happened is crucial. That is why treatment is such an important step in the personal injury claims process. Injuries may take time to develop, and testing isn’t always conclusive. This can draw out this part of the process and even take several months. Learning the extent of your injuries is critical to understanding how much your personal injury claim is worth. We calculate damages on the economic and non-economic losses. You must have suffered these losses as a result of the accident. This includes expected future damages, like ongoing medical costs and reduced earning capacity associated with a permanent or long-term disability. If may take months to years to get a reliable medical prognosis for your injuries. You do not want to settle your claim premature until knowing all of your damages. Gathering Evidence to Prove Your Claim You will need to present a detailed documentation of the accident and your injuries. You can do this a variety of ways. Obtain accident reports, gather witnesses, or even take pictures of the accident scene. The information you collect can help support the facts of the case. In addition, you will need to provide doctor’s opinions and other medical records. This documents the severity of your injuries. As part of their defense, your opponent may also want to collect evidence from their own medical experts. The process of gathering evidence to support (or defend against) a personal injury claim is discovery. Parties have a duty to share any information or evidence used with the other side. Some methods for obtaining information from the other parties in a lawsuit include: Depositions: Attorneys on both sides of the case interview parties and witnesses. Subjects make statements under oath and a court reporter transcribes the process. Interrogatories: Written questions presented to either party by counsel for the opposing side. Requests for Admission: Similar to interrogatories, requests for admission are questions that each side must answer affirmatively or negatively. Attorneys use them to pin down a party’s position on a particular issue. Production of Documents: With the exception of documents protected by attorney-client privilege, parties must provide the opposing counsel with any documents they intend to use in their case. Like every other step in the personal injury claims process, gathering evidence and discovery can take many months. The actual amount of time it takes will depend on the complexity of your case. Negotiating a Settlement for Your Personal Injury Claim Once the plaintiff calculates damages, settlement negotiations can begin. The plaintiff’s attorney will usually send a letter to the defendant or his insurance company demanding a specific amount of damages. The defendant’s attorney or insurance company will typically respond with a counter-offer. It is unusual for either party to accept a first offer or demand. So negotiations could go back and forth this way for quite a while before sides reach an agreement. The parties may agree to attend mediation to try to reach a mutually acceptable solution. Litigating Your Personal Injury Claim About 95% of personal injury claims will be voluntarily settled out of court. For the small number of cases that go to trial, a judge or jury will decide what damages the plaintiff receives. The cases that go to court obviously last longer than the average personal injury claim. Once a trial date is set, prepare to see it rescheduled at least one time maybe twice. It may take at least two years, sometimes longer, from the time of an accident to take a personal injury case to trial. Hire Personal Injury Attorney in Long Beach, California If you or a loved one has been injured due to someone’s negligent behavior, reach out to a personal injury attorney as soon as possible. Michael Beliz, an experienced attorney in Long Beach, CA is eager to assist...

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Personal Injury

How Much is My Bike Accident Injury Claim Worth?

Jul 13, 2017 | By Michael Beliz | Read Time: 4 minutes

Cyclists rarely expect to spend the days after a ride talking to doctors or worrying about time away from work. Yet after a collision, medical care, pain, and unexpected expenses arrive quickly. When that happens, riders deserve to know how the law assesses those losses and what factors go into the value of a California bike accident claim. There is no single number that applies to every injured rider. California law looks at specific losses, the medical care you receive, time away from work, and the physical and emotional harm that keeps showing up long after bruises fade. Your bicycle accident claim value grows from those details, not assumptions. The Beliz Law Firm helps injured riders understand what compensation they may pursue, how damages work in California, and when calling a Long Beach bike accident lawyer can protect their legal rights. Attorney Michael Beliz works directly with every client and handles only personal injury matters, giving bike accident victims clear guidance from the start. Contact us today for a free consultation and let us walk you through your options and build a plan that fits your situation. How Do I Determine the Value of a Bike Accident Claim? Calculating a bike accident claim amount means building a picture of your losses from the day of the crash through recovery. California allows injured cyclists to recover compensation from the person who caused the collision through negligent conduct. Your case depends on the harms you can show and the support you can document. Your medical history, time away from work, pain level, future needs, and daily limitations determine the value. The more complete your documentation, the clearer your bike accident claim amount becomes. Most claims fall into two categories: economic losses and noneconomic losses.  What Are Economic Damages in a Bicycle Accident Claim? Economic damages cover losses with a clear financial trail. These numbers come from invoices, statements, and income records. Here are the most common categories. Medical Treatment  Injured cyclists rarely see only one doctor. Emergency rooms, primary care providers, imaging centers, surgeons, physical therapy clinics, chiropractors, and pain specialists may all play a part in healing. Every bill connected to the crash belongs in your bike accident claim. California also permits recovery for future medical treatment when doctors believe it will be necessary. Lost Income and Future Earnings Many injured cyclists cannot return to work immediately. Some need weeks or months before resuming their regular duties. Others cannot return to the same line of work at all. Pay stubs, tax returns, and disability notes help prove what you lost. Related Out-of-Pocket Costs Receipts add up. Medication co-pays, medical equipment, mileage to appointments, and temporary assistance also count. Keep everything and share it with your attorney. What Are Noneconomic Damages in a Bicycle Accident Claim? Some harms do not leave a record or appear on bank statements. But they still matter. Noneconomic damages recognize the personal toll of a crash. Pain and Physical Suffering Lingering pain, limited movement, and ongoing discomfort deserve compensation. You do not need a broken bone to qualify. California law recognizes that trauma takes many forms. Emotional and Mental Impact Cyclists often develop fear of riding, sleep problems, depression, or anxiety. Life may feel smaller or harder in ways outsiders cannot see. That loss belongs in your bike accident claim amount. Changes at Home Injuries affect relationships. Limited mobility, reduced participation in family life, or marital strain count as recoverable harm. Although these losses do not carry line-item totals, they influence your overall recovery. Insurance companies pay attention when backed by medical notes, therapist records, and honest personal statements. What Factors Increase or Decrease a Bike Accident Claim Amount? Two crashes may look similar but lead to different outcomes. A rider who returns to work after two weeks experiences fewer economic losses than someone who spends months rehabilitating. A retired cyclist may recover fewer wage-related damages than a parent supporting young children. A scar on a visible part of the body may create very different personal losses than one hidden beneath clothing. Factors that influence bike accident claim amount outcomes include: California also follows comparative negligence, meaning insurers may reduce your recovery if you share responsibility for the crash. A lawyer can help prevent insurers from blaming you without basis. How Does a Long Beach Bike Accident Lawyer Help Increase Claim Value? Legal support does not guarantee a dollar figure, but it often prevents you from missing out on the compensation you deserve. A skilled lawyer like Michel Beliz can: Attorney Michael Beliz handles every case personally. He has practiced personal injury law since 2006, opened The Beliz Law Firm in 2011, and recovered more than $10 million for injured clients. His small-firm structure means clients speak directly with their lawyer, not a rotating support team. Speak with a Skilled Long Beach Bike Accident Lawyer at The Beliz Law Firm Today If you suffered injuries while riding and want to know how much your bike accident claim may be worth, talk with a Long Beach bike accident lawyer at The Beliz Law Firm. We will review your medical records, learn how the crash changed your life, and build a bicycle accident claim tailored to your needs. Call today for a free consultation. You speak directly with Attorney Beliz, ask the questions that matter to you, and leave with a plan rooted in California law. Disclaimer: This article offers general information and does not provide legal advice. Consult a California attorney for guidance specific to your situation.

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Personal Injury

Who Can File a Long Beach Wrongful Death Lawsuit?

Jun 9, 2017 | By Michael Beliz | Read Time: 4 minutes

The days after an unexpected loss rarely come with instructions. Bills arrive. Responsibilities shift. Families try to answer the practical questions before they can even process what happened. One of the first legal questions many people ask is simple: “who can file a wrongful death lawsuit in California?” State law limits that right to certain family members, and those limits matter. Filing a wrongful death lawsuit without the proper authority can delay a case or block recovery entirely. Knowing where your family fits makes the next decision easier. The Beliz Law Firm helps relatives understand eligibility, deadlines, and what compensation may be available under California law. Attorney Michael Beliz speaks directly with clients, explains each step in plain language, and handles the legal process from start to finish. You do not need to navigate the rules alone. The law provides a path, and our Long Beach wrongful death lawyers help you use it. What Does Filing a Wrongful Death Lawsuit Mean in California? A wrongful death action is a civil lawsuit brought against a person or entity whose negligence, carelessness, or misconduct caused someone’s death. It is a financial claim, not a criminal proceeding. Filing a wrongful death lawsuit allows surviving family members to recover the lost support, services, and relationship once provided by the person who died. California law also controls who may sue and what damages are available. A wrongful death case is separate from probate, criminal prosecution, or a survival action, which seeks damages belonging to the deceased person’s estate. Who Can File a Wrongful Death Lawsuit in California? California limits who can file a wrongful death lawsuit to a specific group of relatives and dependents. The first level of applicants includes the decedent’s: If none of those people exist, the statute widens the authority to any person entitled to inherit through intestate succession. That list may include: Relatives outside the immediate family can file only if they can show they relied on the person financially. Relatives may include a non-married partner or someone the deceased raised like a child. California sets these limits, so wrongful death cases belong to those who actually depended on the person who died. How Do Multiple Heirs Proceed? California allows only one wrongful death lawsuit for each person who passes away. This structure, known as the “One Action Rule,” keeps all claims together and prevents multiple relatives from filing competing cases arising from the same death. When more than one survivor has the legal right to sue, they must move forward in a single action. Eligible heirs often file together from the start, but the law does not require every person to take an active role. If a family member prefers not to participate directly, the lawsuit may still list them as a party to protect their rights. Combining parties avoids conflicting outcomes and ensures that any compensation reflects the full impact of the loss on everyone entitled to recover. What Is the Deadline for Filing a Wrongful Death Lawsuit? California’s statute of limitations gives most survivors two years from the date of death to file a civil wrongful death action. Missing that filing window usually ends a family’s ability to recover compensation, regardless of evidence or fault. The law imposes stricter timelines in other situations. For example, you must file claims against government entities within six months under the California Government Claims Act. Speaking with counsel early helps protect your family’s rights and prevents missed deadlines. An attorney can track the applicable timeline, gather the required documents to file, and start the legal process before the window closes. Waiting too long creates the risk that technicalities, not facts, decide whether your family receives compensation. How Can a Long Beach Wrongful Death Lawyer Help? Wrongful death cases involve multiple pieces that must line up: eligibility, deadlines, insurance coverage, economic projections, and proof of fault. Families juggling grief, paperwork, and responsibility often find the process overwhelming without legal support. Attorney Michael A. Beliz has focused exclusively on personal injury law since 2006. His practice centers on individual clients, including families pursuing wrongful death claims, and combines local knowledge with hands-on casework. When you work with Michael, he can: The Beliz Law Firm takes wrongful death matters on a contingency-fee basis, so legal fees apply only when the firm recovers compensation. Free consultations allow families to understand their position without cost or risk. Speak with a Skilled Long Beach Wrongful Death Lawyer at The Beliz Law Firm Today If someone else’s negligence caused your loved one’s death, and you want to know who can file a wrongful death lawsuit or how filing a wrongful death lawsuit works for your family, contact The Beliz Law Firm. Attorney Michael Beliz has recovered more than $10 million for injured clients and surviving families since opening his firm in 2011. He brings that experience to every case he takes. Families who work with us receive: Reach out for a free consultation today. You will speak directly with Attorney Beliz, get clear answers for your situation, and leave with a next step tailored to California law. Disclaimer: This article provides general information only and does not create an attorney-client relationship. Speak with a qualified California lawyer for legal advice specific to your situation.

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