Why Brea Residents Trust Reardon Injury Law
An unexpected injury can turn your world upside down in an instant. One moment, you’re commuting on the Orange Freeway or running errands near the Brea Mall, and the next, you’re dealing with physical pain, mounting medical bills, and overwhelming uncertainty. The moments after an accident are confusing and stressful, and the path to recovery can feel isolating. At Reardon Injury Law, we understand the profound disruption a serious injury causes to your life, your work, and your family. Our first priority is to provide compassionate, clear, and unwavering support to our neighbors in Brea.
Led by attorney John Reardon, our firm brings a crucial advantage to your case: a deep, practical understanding of the medicine behind your injuries. Before becoming an attorney, John Reardon practiced as a chiropractor for two decades. This experience gives him a unique ability to analyze medical records, understand the long-term consequences of trauma, and effectively communicate the full extent of your suffering to insurance companies and juries. We don’t just see a case file; we see the physical reality of a spinal cord injury, a traumatic brain injury, or the chronic pain that follows a collision.
We believe that every injured person in Brea deserves access to premier legal representation, regardless of their financial situation. That is why we operate on a contingency fee basis—you pay absolutely no fees unless we win your case. Your initial consultation is always free and confidential. This allows you to focus on what matters most—your health and recovery—while we focus on fighting for the justice and compensation you deserve.
Accident Hotspots in Brea
While Brea is known for its strong community and vibrant downtown, its roads are not immune to the dangers facing all Orange County drivers. Certain areas present a higher risk for collisions due to heavy traffic volume and driver behavior.
Recent data highlights the intersection of Brea Boulevard and Imperial Highway as a significant trouble spot. In just one year, this intersection was the site of multiple crashes, often linked to common and preventable issues like unsafe speeds, improper turning, and drivers running red lights. These actions not only lead to devastating car accidents but also place vulnerable road users at extreme risk, including those in pedestrian accidents and bicycle accidents.
Furthermore, the State Route 57 (Orange Freeway), which cuts directly through Brea, is a primary corridor for daily commuters and commercial vehicles. The constant flow of high-speed traffic, combined with complex on-ramps and merges connecting to SR-91 and SR-60, creates a hazardous environment. These conditions frequently contribute to severe rear-end collisions, multi-car pile-ups, and catastrophic truck accidents, especially during morning and evening rush hours.
Types of Cases We Handle in Brea
At Reardon Injury Law, our team is equipped to handle a wide spectrum of personal injury claims. Our unique medical and legal expertise allows us to build powerful cases for Brea residents who have been wrongfully injured. While traffic-related incidents are common, our experience extends across many types of negligence.
Our primary practice areas include:
- Car Accidents: Representing victims of collisions on SR-57, Imperial Highway, and local Brea streets caused by distracted, drunk, or reckless drivers.
- Motorcycle Accidents: Advocating for riders who often suffer catastrophic injuries due to the negligence of other motorists who fail to see them.
- Truck Accidents: Tackling complex cases involving commercial trucks, which require a deep understanding of federal regulations and trucking company liability.
- Bicycle Accidents: Protecting the rights of cyclists injured by drivers who fail to share the road safely.
- Pedestrian Accidents: Seeking justice for individuals struck by vehicles in crosswalks, parking lots, or on sidewalks.
- Rideshare Accidents: Navigating the complicated insurance policies involved in accidents with Uber and Lyft vehicles.
- Wrongful Death: Providing compassionate legal support to families who have lost a loved one due to someone else’s negligence.
No matter the circumstances of your injury, we are prepared to investigate your claim thoroughly and fight for the maximum compensation available.
What to Do After an Accident in Brea
The steps you take immediately following an accident are critical for protecting both your health and your legal rights. If you are injured in Brea, try to follow this guide:
- Ensure Your Safety: If you can, move your vehicle out of traffic to a safe location. Turn on your hazard lights to alert other drivers.
- Call 911: Report the accident immediately. The Brea Police Department will likely respond to incidents on city streets, while the California Highway Patrol (CHP) handles collisions on SR-57. An official police report is a vital piece of evidence.
- Seek Medical Attention: Your health is the top priority. Even if you feel fine, adrenaline can mask serious injuries. It is crucial to be evaluated by a medical professional. For emergency care, you may be transported to a nearby facility like Placentia-Linda Hospital or St. Jude Medical Center in Fullerton. A medical record creates a direct link between the accident and your injuries.
- Document the Scene: If you are able, use your phone to take pictures and videos of the accident scene, including vehicle positions, property damage, skid marks, traffic signals, and your injuries.
- Exchange Information: Collect the names, contact numbers, driver’s license numbers, insurance details, and license plate numbers of all drivers involved. If there are witnesses, get their names and contact information as well.
- Do Not Admit Fault: When speaking to anyone at the scene—including other drivers and police—stick to the facts of what happened. Avoid apologizing or accepting blame, as these statements can be used against you later.
- Contact a Brea Personal Injury Lawyer: Before speaking with an insurance adjuster, consult with an experienced attorney. Insurance companies are focused on minimizing their payout, and our team can protect you from their tactics and ensure your claim is valued fairly from the start.
Understanding Your Rights Under California Law
Navigating the legal system after an injury can be daunting. In California, several key laws will impact your claim.
- Pure Comparative Negligence: California follows a “pure comparative negligence” rule. This means you can still recover financial compensation even if you were partially at fault for the accident. However, your total award will be reduced by your percentage of fault. For example, if you are found to be 20% responsible, you can still collect 80% of the damages.
- Statute of Limitations: There are strict deadlines for filing a personal injury lawsuit. Under California Code of Civil Procedure § 335.1, you generally have two years from the date of the injury to file. However, a critical exception exists for claims against government entities (e.g., a city bus, a dangerous public road). The Government Claims Act requires you to file a formal claim with the public entity within just six months of the injury. Missing this deadline can permanently bar you from recovering compensation.
- California’s Minimum Insurance: The state-mandated minimum liability insurance is only $15,000 per person, $30,000 per accident, and $5,000 for property damage. In any serious accident, these amounts are rarely enough to cover the full cost of medical bills and lost income. An experienced attorney can help identify other sources of recovery, such as your own Underinsured Motorist (UIM) coverage or third-party liability.
- Types of Compensation: As an injury victim, you may be entitled to recover compensation for a wide range of damages, including past and future medical expenses, lost wages, loss of future earning capacity, property damage, and non-economic damages like pain, suffering, and emotional distress.
All civil personal injury cases for Brea residents are filed and heard at the Superior Court of Orange County - Central Justice Center in Santa Ana. Our firm is intimately familiar with the procedures and personnel at this courthouse.
Contact Reardon Injury Law Today
You do not have to face the aftermath of a serious injury alone. The legal team at Reardon Injury Law is here to provide the expert guidance and compassionate advocacy you need to move forward. We handle all communication with insurance companies, gather the evidence needed to build a powerful case, and fight tirelessly to secure the financial resources you need for your recovery.
We offer a free, no-obligation consultation to discuss your case and explain your legal options. Because we work on a contingency fee basis, you will never pay us a penny unless we win. To schedule your free consultation, call us today at (657) 522-7122 or fill out our online contact page.
