Westminster Personal Injury Lawyers
Accidents can happen anywhere, on the road, at work, or even while shopping, and the aftermath can leave you facing steep medical bills, lost wages, and lasting pain. If someone else’s negligence caused your injuries, you have the right to pursue compensation.
At The Beliz Law Firm, our experienced Westminster personal injury lawyers have been helping victims throughout Orange County for years. We understand how insurance companies work and what it takes to win fair settlements for our clients. Whether you were hurt in a car accident, slip and fall, or another serious incident, our dedicated Westminster personal injury attorneys are ready to fight for your recovery.
Case Spotlight
$90,000.00 Settlement amountREAR END CAR ACCIDENT
The Beliz Law Firm obtained a $90,000 settlement on behalf of a 67-year old grandmother. The client was stopped in her vehicle at the intersection of Muller Street and Lincoln Avenue in the Anaheim. While the client waited for the signal light to turn from red to green, a driver of a sedan was traveling at a speed of 60 miles per hour in an attempt to make a dentist appointment. The driver realized too late that there were stopped vehicle ahead and was unable to slow down the sedan in time. The sedan rear-ended the client’s vehicle and pushed it into the car ahead. The client’s vehicle was totaled.
The client was taken by ambulance to University of California, Irvine hospital. The client was diagnosed with a non-surgical fracture to the sternum. The client stayed under the care of medical personal for a few days. Afterwards, the client presented to her primary care physician for follow-up visits once a month for three months for the aches in her chest but no physical therapy was needed.
The Beliz Law signed the grandmother and filed a lawsuit against the negligent driver. After getting useful information about the driver through discovery and the defense of the client’s deposition, the case went to mediation and settled for $90,000.00.
Why Hire a Westminster Personal Injury Attorney?
After an accident, insurance companies often move fast, and not in your favor. A skilled Westminster personal injury lawyer protects your rights, gathers evidence, negotiates with insurers, and ensures your claim reflects the true cost of your injuries. Our firm handles everything so you can focus on healing.
What Are Common Types of Personal Injury Lawsuits?
Anytime someone suffers an injury because of another person’s or business’s actions, a potential for a personal injury lawsuit exists. Most personal injury lawsuits are based on negligence. Under this principle, injury victims must show the following:
- Duty. The other party was responsible for acting like a reasonably prudent person under the circumstances. For example, drivers have a duty to follow traffic laws.
- Breach. The at-fault party did not act responsibly. For example, the driver was speeding.
- Injury. The injured victim suffered damages because of the crash. Damages can include physical damages (such as a broken arm and a totaled car) and financial harm (such as lost wages and medical expenses).
- Causation. The at-fault party’s actions led to the accident and the victim’s injuries.
Victims typically must prove all four elements to have a valid claim. Common examples of personal injury lawsuits include the following:
- Car wrecks,
- Truck crashes,
- Pedestrian accidents,
- Motorcycle collisions,
- Slip or trip and falls,
- Premises liability,
- Product liability, and
- Dog bites.
Michael Beliz has over 15 years of experience fighting for the rights of injury victims throughout California. He understands the nuanced laws that apply to these cases. His team takes a compassionate and direct approach to help victims and their loved ones feel heard and seen. Further, he tirelessly advocates for injury victims’ rights to hold at-fault parties accountable for their behavior and help victims receive the compensation they deserve.
What Compensation Can a Westminster Personal Injury Lawyer Help Me Receive?
When you’re injured in an accident, the impact reaches far beyond your physical pain. Medical bills start piling up, time off work reduces your income, and everyday tasks may suddenly feel impossible. At The Beliz Law Firm, our experienced Westminster personal injury lawyers fight to make sure you’re fully compensated for every way this accident has affected your life — now and in the future.
Under California law, injury victims can pursue economic and non-economic damages, and in some cases, punitive damages. Here’s what each category includes:
1. Medical Expenses
You’re entitled to reimbursement for all medical costs related to your injuries, both current and future. This includes:
- Ambulance transportation and emergency room care
- Hospitalization, surgeries, and follow-up appointments
- Physical therapy, chiropractic treatment, and rehabilitation
- Prescription medications and medical equipment
- Future medical care or long-term treatment plans
Even if you have health insurance, your settlement should cover all out-of-pocket costs and any ongoing treatment required for your recovery.
Lost Wages and Future Earning Capacity
Serious injuries often force victims to miss work for weeks or months. You may be compensated for:
- Lost wages from missed work
- Reduced hours or light-duty restrictions
- Lost bonuses, promotions, or career opportunities
- Diminished earning capacity if you can’t return to your previous job
Your Westminster personal injury attorney will use pay stubs, tax returns, and expert testimony to calculate the full financial impact of your lost income.
Pain and Suffering
These damages compensate you for the physical pain and discomfort you’ve endured due to the accident. This includes ongoing pain, permanent limitations, or the loss of ability to participate in activities you once enjoyed.
Pain and suffering damages are especially important in cases involving catastrophic injuries or chronic pain conditions.
Emotional Distress and Mental Anguish
Many victims experience anxiety, depression, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), or sleep disturbances after a serious accident. Emotional distress damages help compensate for this invisible but very real harm.
Courts recognize that accidents impact more than your body; they affect your mental health, relationships, and overall quality of life.
Property Damage
You can recover the cost to repair or replace your damaged property, such as a vehicle, motorcycle, bicycle, or personal belongings that were destroyed in the accident.
Loss of Consortium
In some cases, spouses or family members may recover compensation for the loss of companionship, affection, and support caused by a loved one’s injuries.
Punitive Damages
When an accident is caused by gross negligence or intentional misconduct — such as drunk driving, reckless speeding, or willful disregard for safety — the court may award punitive damages.
These are not meant to compensate the victim but to punish the wrongdoer and deter similar conduct in the future.
Wrongful Death Damages (for Fatal Accidents)
If a loved one was killed in an accident caused by negligence, certain family members may file a wrongful death claim to recover:
- Funeral and burial costs
- Loss of financial support
- Loss of love, care, and companionship
- Emotional suffering from the loss
The Beliz Law Firm treats every case with the care it deserves, ensuring your compensation reflects not just your bills — but the true cost of what you’ve lost.
How Long Do I Have to File a Westminster Personal Injury Lawsuit?
California law requires an injury victim to bring their claim against an at-fault party within a certain amount of time. If they don’t file within this time, the law may prevent the victim from ever bringing the claim.
For many California personal injury claims, the filing deadline is two years from the date of the accident. In some cases, victims may have more or less time to bring the lawsuit. For example, if you file a suit for property damage arising from a car accident, you may have up to three years.
Contact a Personal Injury Attorney in Westminster Today
If you suffered a personal injury, you don’t have to go through this alone. While bringing a legal claim cannot undo the past, it can help to alleviate your burden. A personal injury attorney has the knowledge and experience to file and argue a lawsuit against the person who wronged you.
The Beliz Law Firm in Westminster, California, strives and fights to provide our clients with the best possible representation. We’re available to our clients every step of the way to help them cope with and move on from the often devastating consequences of their personal injury. Here at the Beliz Law Firm in Westminster, you won’t pay us anything unless we recover money for you.
If you suffered an injury because of someone else’s actions, contact our team today to schedule a no-obligation consultation.
FAQs About Personal Injury Cases in Westminster
Q: How much does it cost to hire a Westminster personal injury lawyer?
A: You pay nothing upfront. We work on a contingency fee basis, meaning we only get paid if we win your case.
Q: Can I still recover damages if I was partially at fault?
A: Yes. Under California’s comparative negligence law, you can recover compensation even if you were partly responsible. Your award will simply be reduced by your percentage of fault.
Q: How long do I have to file a personal injury claim in Westminster?
A: Most personal injury claims must be filed within two years, but exceptions exist — speak with an attorney right away to protect your claim.
Q: What types of injuries qualify for compensation?
A: Injuries ranging from whiplash and fractures to spinal cord injuries, brain trauma, and emotional distress may qualify if caused by another’s negligence.
What Else Should You Look For In A Westminster Personal Injury Attorney?
When you’re looking for the best legal representation for your personal injury case, you want to find someone you can trust.