Why Costa Mesa Residents Trust Reardon Injury Law
A serious accident can happen in an instant, turning a routine drive through Costa Mesa into a life-altering event. One moment you are navigating traffic near South Coast Plaza, and the next you are dealing with the shock, pain, and confusion of a collision. The physical injuries are only the beginning. Soon, you face mounting medical bills, calls from aggressive insurance adjusters, and the stress of being unable to work or enjoy your life as you once did. During this overwhelming time, you need more than just a lawyer; you need an advocate who truly understands what you are going through, both medically and legally.
Reardon Injury Law was founded on the principle of providing compassionate and knowledgeable representation to injury victims throughout California. Our firm is led by John Reardon, who brings a unique and powerful perspective to every case. Before becoming an attorney, John Reardon practiced as a chiropractor for 20 years. This extensive medical background gives him an unparalleled understanding of the human body and the complex nature of injuries caused by trauma. He can decipher medical records, understand diagnostic reports, and effectively communicate the full extent of your suffering to insurance companies, judges, and juries.
This dual expertise means we don’t just see a case file; we see the person behind it. We understand the long-term impact of a spinal cord injury, the chronic pain from soft tissue damage, and the recovery process for a traumatic brain injury. We use this insight to build a comprehensive and compelling claim on your behalf, ensuring that every aspect of your injury is accounted for. We proudly serve clients throughout California, including the Costa Mesa community.
Accident Hotspots in Costa Mesa
While an accident can happen anywhere, certain areas in Costa Mesa see a disproportionate number of collisions due to high traffic volume, complex designs, and proximity to major freeways like the SR-55 (Costa Mesa Freeway). Understanding these hotspots can highlight the daily risks residents face.
- Newport Boulevard & Victoria Street/22nd Street: Often cited as one of the most dangerous intersections in all of California, this junction is notoriously confusing. Drivers transitioning from the high-speed SR-55 freeway often fail to slow down, leading to severe T-bone and rear-end car accidents. Abrupt lane changes are common as motorists navigate the complex roadway.
- Gisler Avenue & Harbor Boulevard: According to county-wide data, this is one of Orange County’s most hazardous intersections. Its proximity to freeway on-ramps and heavy commercial traffic contributes to a high rate of crashes and injuries.
- Del Mar Avenue & Newport Boulevard / Pomona Avenue & Victoria Street: These busy intersections are major arteries for local traffic. High vehicle volumes and frequent turning maneuvers make them common sites for collisions, including those involving motorcycle accidents.
- Harbor Boulevard & South Coast Drive: The heavy commercial traffic flowing to and from major retail centers like South Coast Plaza creates significant congestion, increasing the risk of accidents, especially during peak shopping hours and holidays.
- Pedestrian and Bicycle Dangers: Newport Boulevard and Harbor Boulevard are also known for being high-risk corridors for vulnerable road users. The areas near Orange Coast College and 17th and 19th Streets see significant foot and bike traffic, creating a dangerous mix with fast-moving vehicles. These incidents often result in catastrophic injuries, making it critical for victims to seek representation for pedestrian accidents or bicycle accidents.
Freeways like the SR-55 and the nearby SR-73 are also frequent sites of serious truck accidents and multi-vehicle pile-ups, especially during commute hours.
Types of Cases We Handle in Costa Mesa
At Reardon Injury Law, we focus exclusively on personal injury law, allowing us to provide dedicated and expert representation for those harmed by negligence. Our deep understanding of Costa Mesa’s traffic patterns and common accident types enables us to build stronger cases for our clients.
We handle a wide range of injury claims, including:
- Car Accidents: From rear-end collisions on the 55 Freeway to intersection crashes on Harbor Boulevard, we help victims of car accidents recover the compensation they need.
- Motorcycle Accidents: Motorcyclists are extremely vulnerable on Costa Mesa’s busy roads. We fight to protect the rights of injured riders who are often unfairly blamed for collisions.
- Truck Accidents: Collisions involving large commercial trucks can be devastating. We have the resources to take on complex truck accidents, investigating driver fatigue, improper maintenance, and other contributing factors.
- Rideshare Accidents: Accidents involving Uber or Lyft can be legally complex due to multiple insurance policies. We navigate the specifics of rideshare accidents to ensure you are fairly compensated.
- Pedestrian & Bicycle Accidents: We are passionate advocates for victims of pedestrian accidents and bicycle accidents, working to hold negligent drivers accountable for causing serious harm.
If you have been injured in any type of accident caused by someone else’s carelessness, we encourage you to explore our full list of practice areas and contact us for a free consultation.
What to Do After an Accident in Costa Mesa
The actions you take in the minutes and days following an accident are crucial for both your health and your potential legal claim.
- Get to Safety and Call 911: If you are able, move your vehicle out of traffic. Call 911 immediately to report the accident and request police and medical assistance. The Costa Mesa Police Department will likely respond to accidents on surface streets, while the California Highway Patrol (CHP) handles incidents on freeways like the SR-55.
- Seek Immediate Medical Attention: Your health is the top priority. Accept paramedic assistance and go to the emergency room if recommended. Even if you feel fine, it’s vital to get a medical evaluation. Adrenaline can mask serious injuries, and a documented medical visit creates a crucial link between the accident and your injuries. Paramedics may transport you to a local hospital such as Hoag Hospital Newport Beach or Orange Coast Memorial Medical Center.
- Document the Scene: If you are physically 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. Get the names and contact information of any witnesses.
- Exchange Information: Exchange driver’s license, insurance, and contact information with the other driver(s) involved. Do not argue or apologize. Stick to the facts.
- Do Not Give a Recorded Statement: The other driver’s insurance company may contact you quickly and ask for a recorded statement. Politely decline until you have spoken with an attorney. These statements can be used against you to minimize or deny your claim.
- Contact a Personal Injury Attorney: Before accepting any settlement offer, contact an experienced attorney. We can handle all communications with the insurance companies, manage the legal deadlines, and fight to ensure you receive full and fair compensation.
Understanding Your Rights Under California Law
Navigating a personal injury claim requires an understanding of key California laws that will impact your case.
- Pure Comparative Negligence: California follows a “pure comparative negligence” rule. This means you can still recover damages even if you were partially at fault for the accident. However, your total compensation will be reduced by your percentage of fault. For example, if you are found to be 10% responsible for a crash, your final award will be reduced by 10%. Insurance companies often use this rule to unfairly shift blame and reduce payouts, which is why having an attorney to fight back is essential.
- Statute of Limitations: In California, you have a limited time to file a legal claim. For most personal injury cases, the statute of limitations is two years from the date of the injury (California Code of Civil Procedure § 335.1). However, there is a critical exception: if your claim is against a government entity (e.g., a city bus, a police vehicle, or an injury caused by a poorly maintained public road), you must file a formal claim within six months under the Government Claims Act. Missing these deadlines can permanently bar you from recovering compensation.
- California’s Minimum Insurance Requirements: The state requires drivers to carry minimum liability insurance of only $15,000 for injury to one person, $30,000 for injury to multiple people, and $5,000 for property damage. In any serious accident, these minimums are rarely enough to cover the full cost of medical bills and lost wages. An experienced attorney can help you explore other potential sources of recovery, such as your own Underinsured Motorist (UIM) coverage or assets from the at-fault party.
- Recoverable Damages: Victims of negligence are entitled to seek compensation for economic and non-economic losses, including past and future medical expenses, lost wages and earning capacity, property damage, and pain and suffering.
Contact Reardon Injury Law Today
If you or a loved one has been injured in Costa Mesa, you do not have to face the aftermath alone. At Reardon Injury Law, we are ready to put our unique combination of medical and legal expertise to work for you. We will handle the legal burdens so you can focus on what matters most—your recovery.
Contact us today at (657) 522-7122 or visit our contact page to schedule a free, no-obligation consultation. We work on a contingency fee basis, which means you owe us nothing unless we win your case.
