Santa Ana Personal Injury Attorneys
Seek the Relief You Deserve with the Law Offices of Benjamin Arsenian
Serious accidents—whether they occur on the road, on someone’s property, in a medical facility, or even in our own homes—can turn victims’ lives upside down. The symptoms that result from your accident can be long-term and life-altering, resulting in significant medical costs in the short and long term. These injuries may also impact your ability to work and earn income to support yourself and your family, and complete damages for your accident are meant to cover all these associated costs.
In the wake of an injury, victims are often faced with logistical and financial challenges, many of which can cast doubt on their long-term well-being. You might wonder how your family is going to be able to afford extensive medical treatment after the accident, in addition to ongoing rehabilitation, medications, or even additional surgeries. Wages are often lost in the period following the accident, and your ability to generate income can be substantially reduced as a result of disabilities caused by your injuries.
Gathering evidence to incorporate into the drafting and filing of a claim when you are trying to recover from your injuries can be difficult, if not impossible. When your injuries complicate your ability to pursue the damages you and your family may be entitled to, the Santa Ana personal injury attorneys from the Law Offices of Benjamin Arsenian can be especially helpful and supportive.
In cases where the accident or incident that led to your injuries was caused by someone or something else, victims have grounds to seek relief from those responsible. If you or a loved one has been hurt due to the actions of someone else, the Law Offices of Benjamin Arsenian is ready to hear your story. Your initial case review is risk-free and cost-free, and you never pay anything out of pocket if we take your case, as we only get paid if we win. Review some of our case results to see our track record.
Don’t wait to start the claims process. Contact our office in Orange County today to request a free consultation with our Santa Ana personal injury lawyer.
Types of Personal Injury Claims We Handle
At our firm, attorney Benjamin Arsenian has a proven track record of obtaining results for his clients in various types of personal injury lawsuits. No matter the circumstances surrounding your case, we invite you to call our offices today to explore your options. Our experienced Santa Ana injury attorneys will review your case and determine whether it fits with our firm, and if so, we’ll answer any questions you might have before we get started.
Our firm is ready to handle claims involving a wide range of injury matters, including wrongful death when a loved one is tragically lost due to another’s negligence.
Traffic Accidents
Our Santa Ana accident lawyers represent individuals and families after all types of traffic accidents in Southern California. If you or a loved one was seriously injured and you have any reason to suspect that someone else may be to blame, you should talk to a personal injury lawyer about your legal rights promptly. Accident victims have clear rights under California law, and an experienced lawyer will help you seek just compensation for medical expenses, lost wages, pain and suffering, and other losses.
We have experience helping accident victims and their families recover just compensation in cases involving:
Car Accidents
One of the most common causes of personal injuries is car accidents. If you have been injured in a crash caused by someone or something else, you could be entitled to damages. While not all car accidents are reported to the police and recorded in official statistics, calling the police to create a report can be helpful as evidence later in your claim for damages.
According to the California Office of Traffic Safety, in 2022 alone, there were 1,679 accidents that led to injuries or fatalities, of which 126 were alcohol related. If you or a loved one has been injured—or worse—in a car accident that was caused by someone or something else, such as a vehicle malfunction, you could be entitled to compensation for medical costs, lost earnings, and pain and suffering associated with the accident.
Some of the most common causes of car accidents include:
- Distracted driving – When a driver engages in any activity that visually, mentally, or manually impairs them from driving, they are engaging in distracted driving. One of the most common forms is using a hand-held cell phone while driving, which is illegal according to the CA OTS. Distracted drivers are less able to respond to road conditions and can cause serious collisions.
- Drunk driving – All drunk driving is illegal, and if you were hit by a drunk driver in California, they will be liable for the damages you have experienced.
- Aggressive driving and speeding – When drivers violate the law, they are “negligent per se,” meaning their illegal conduct establishes negligence. If a driver was speeding, ran a stop sign or red light, or engaged in other illegal aggressive behaviors, they can be responsible for your injuries.
- Tailgating – Tailgating increases the risk of rear-end collisions. It limits the driver’s view of the road ahead and reduces stopping distance, making it harder to avoid a collision.
- Unsafe lane changes – Drivers must ensure lane changes are safe by checking mirrors and blind spots. Relying solely on cameras or monitors is not an excuse for causing a collision.
- Merging or turning dangerously – All drivers have a legal duty to drive safely. If a driver merges without looking or turns in front of oncoming traffic, this provides clear grounds to seek compensation.
- Falling asleep behind the wheel – Drowsy driving can be as dangerous as drunk driving, and it becomes even more dangerous when drivers fall asleep at the wheel. California law does not allow drivers to sleep at the wheel of self-driving vehicles—reliance on technology is not a defense.
- Vehicle defects and failures – Defects and failures (i.e., brake or tire failures, defective airbags) can both cause accidents and worsen injuries. We work to identify all responsible parties on your behalf.
- Roadway hazards – From potholes to dangerous construction zones, roadway hazards can entitle victims to compensation. Claims may be brought against contractors or government agencies, so it’s important to act quickly with experienced counsel.
If you have been injured in a car accident—or any other kind of accident—our experienced attorneys are familiar with the local courts, their procedures, and how they apply the law. This experience is invaluable when navigating your personal injury claim, and we have it.
Motorcycle Accidents
Being mindful of other vehicles on the road is a duty shared by all drivers in California, whether those vehicles are motorcycles, other cars, trucks, or pedestrians. As noted by the CA OTS, in 2022 there were 57 motorcycle accidents in Santa Ana that resulted in fatalities or injuries. Common causes of motorcycle accidents include:
- Distracted driving
- Drunk driving
- Speeding and aggressive driving
Motorcycles can be more difficult to see, but that does not excuse drivers from the responsibility to look out for motorcyclists. If you or a loved one has suffered serious, long-term injuries in a motorcycle accident caused by another party’s negligence, our team is ready to review your case.
Truck Accidents
According to the California Highway Patrol, there were 6,038 accidents and 334 fatalities involving trucks on California roads in 2020. Of these, 96 fatal crashes involved a truck or truck tractor, with the truck driver at fault in 33; and 222 fatal accidents involved a truck or truck tractor with a trailer, with the truck driver at fault in 55. A careful review of the facts and circumstances of your case, provided through requests for information from the opposing party and their insurer, supports the best outcome in your claim.
Common causes of truck accidents include many of the same behaviors as car and motorcycle crashes (distracted or reckless driving), in addition to vehicle malfunctions and drowsy driving when drivers are not given sufficient time off work.
Bicycle Accidents
CA OTS recorded one reported bicycle crash in 2020, though official counts often understate the true number of incidents. If your bicycle accident wasn’t reported but you suffered injuries due to another party’s negligence, you may still be entitled to compensation—and a Santa Ana accident attorney can help.
Premises Liability Accidents
Premises-related accidents are another common source of injuries and can entitle victims and their families to compensation in many cases. Our Santa Ana accident lawyers represent victims and families in cases occurring on both private and public property, including:
- Bars, restaurants, and nightclubs
- Government buildings and public parks
- Hospitals, clinics, and other medical facilities
- Hotels, motels, and vacation rentals
- Nursing homes and assisted living facilities
- Offices, warehouses, and industrial facilities
- Parking lots and parking garages
- Private residences (including private swimming pools)
- Private schools and public schools
- Retail stores and malls
- Stadiums, concert halls, and other entertainment venues
In addition to handling premises liability claims against property owners and tenants, we also handle workers’ compensation claims for accident victims injured on the job. We also represent victims of dog bites and animal attacks. If you or a loved one was injured in any of the following types of accidents, we strongly encourage you to contact us for a free, no-obligation consultation:
- Slip and fall – Slip and fall accidents are among the most common causes of premises liability claims and can lead to serious injuries and long recoveries.
- Trip and fall – Cracked sidewalks, uneven surfaces, parking blocks, or merchandise in store aisles can create hazards that justify claims for compensation.
- Fall from heights – Loose or missing railings, inadequate safety protocols on construction sites, and other hazards can cause life-altering injuries.
- Elevator or escalator accidents – If elevators and escalators are not manufactured, installed, or maintained properly, the resulting injuries can be severe.
Other premises-related incidents range from electrocutions to physical and sexual assaults facilitated by inadequate security. If you have questions about your rights, our Santa Ana accident lawyers can explain your options. Even in cases involving accidents at other people’s homes, premises liability claims are typically covered by insurance, and many successful cases resolve through insurance settlements without the need to go to court.
To collect compensation, you must prove that another party was at fault and generally file a claim with their insurance company. You can only collect damages you can prove with evidence. The most effective way to measure short- and long-term losses from your injuries is to work with an experienced Santa Ana personal injury lawyer and qualified medical and occupational experts.
If your injury resulted from one of the accidents listed above through no fault of your own, you likely have grounds to seek relief from the responsible parties. We cover the concept of negligence below, as you must prove that another party is liable through negligence or another legal theory to pursue compensation.
If you have experienced resistance from an insurance provider (or received a low offer), our firm can assist. Insurance companies are for-profit businesses that aim to minimize payouts. We protect your rights, value your claim accurately, and negotiate for the compensation you deserve.
To ensure you are not taken advantage of by the insurance company, it is important to reach out to an attorney as soon as possible after you have received emergency medical attention.
Types of Damages Available for Your Personal Injury Claim
When an accident is caused by the negligence or fault of another party, you may be entitled to damages to cover all costs linked to your injuries. You can only collect what you can prove with evidence, and you must proactively seek those damages through an insurance claim or lawsuit.
Medical Expenses
Serious injuries and disabilities can entitle you to substantial compensation. Medical expenses generally include:
- Short-term medical bills such as emergency room care and immediate treatment
- Ongoing treatments, surgeries, rehabilitation, medications, and long-term care needs
- Mental health treatment and related medications
- Follow-up visits with doctors and specialists to support recovery and quality of life
Even a “minor” injury today can lead to life-altering changes later. Working with an experienced personal injury lawyer from the Law Offices of Benjamin Arsenian helps ensure the full medical costs linked to your injuries are accurately measured and recovered from the at-fault party or parties.
Lost Wages and Earning Capacity
One of the most impactful damages associated with injuries is the long-term effect on your earnings and household budget. When an injury prevents you from returning to work—or to the same level of productivity—your income can decrease while your medical expenses increase.
To measure the impact of your injuries on your ability to work, the opinion of an occupational expert is helpful evidence. An expert will consider your medical outcomes and assess how they affect your ability to perform your job.
No two individuals are alike, and we take the time to consider the unique facts and circumstances of your situation before advising on strategy. For example, after a traumatic brain injury (TBI), the National Institutes of Health note that cognitive ability and concentration can be impaired—both of which reduce earning capacity.
You may be entitled to compensation for lost wages and diminished earning capacity from the time of your injury through the remainder of your working life. A full and fair recovery is meant to replace lost income and resources to your household.
For example, for an individual with a graduate degree earning $120,000 annually, the recovery will differ from that of a construction worker earning $85,000 each year. Our experienced Santa Ana personal injury attorneys will explore the facts of your case during your initial free consultation to evaluate the extent of your damages.
How Do You Prove Negligence in Personal Injury Claims?
There are four parts to the legal concept of negligence:
- Duty – A party must owe a duty to another party, including the duty to follow the law and act reasonably (e.g., all drivers must follow traffic laws).
- Breach – The duty must be breached (e.g., using a cellphone while driving, which violates CA law).
- Causation – The breach must have caused the accident (e.g., a distracted driver causes a collision).
- Damages – You must have compensable losses you can prove with evidence (medical bills, lost earnings, property damage, etc.).
Your unique facts are applied to these elements to determine fault. It is helpful to work with a Santa Ana personal injury attorney throughout the process. Our legal team will help gather evidence, coordinate with medical and occupational experts, draft your claim, and negotiate the best possible settlement.
Do I Have to Pay My Santa Ana Injury Attorney Up Front?
One of the first questions new clients ask is how much we cost and when we get paid. The answer is simple: nothing up front, and nothing out of pocket—ever.
Your initial consultation is free. Bring any evidence and paperwork about your accident, the parties involved, and related costs. If your case is a fit with our firm, we only get paid if we win. Our fee comes from a portion of the recovery we obtain on your behalf, which we explain and agree upon before we begin.
Turn to Our Experienced Santa Ana Personal Injury Attorneys
We take an aggressive, thorough approach that clearly presents our clients’ eligibility for compensation. Attorney Benjamin Arsenian is a former prosecutor who regularly argues on behalf of his clients in court and keeps their interests at the forefront of negotiations with insurance providers.
No matter your circumstances following an accident, our firm is prepared to take the steps necessary to pursue maximum compensation. The statute of limitations for most personal injury lawsuits is two years in California, so it’s important to speak with a lawyer as soon as possible. In fatal cases, we can pursue a wrongful death action on behalf of the family.
We handle the process from start to finish, requiring your involvement only when necessary. Our experienced Santa Ana injury attorneys will give your case the attention it deserves and hold the liable party accountable for the full damages you are entitled to. Contact us today to get started.