Costa Mesa Personal Injury Lawyer
Costa Mesa calls itself the “City of the Arts,” but for many residents it’s also the place where three freeways meet and where shoppers, students and commuters crowd the same streets. If you were injured here, a Costa Mesa personal injury lawyer can help you understand your rights and handle the insurance companies.
Costa Mesa borders Fountain Valley, where our office sits at 18837 Brookhurst Street, so we’re a short drive away from anywhere in town.
Call (949) 989-2511 — available 24/7
Costa Mesa’s Busiest Roads
- I-405, SR-55 and SR-73. The San Diego Freeway, the Costa Mesa Freeway and the Corona del Mar toll road converge near the city’s north end. The interchanges by South Coast Plaza and the 405/55/73 junction see heavy merging and stop-and-go traffic.
- Harbor Boulevard and Newport Boulevard. These north-south corridors are lined with car dealerships, restaurants and strip centers, with frequent driveway turns.
- Bristol Street, Fairview Road, Baker Street, Adams Avenue, 17th Street and 19th Street. These streets serve neighborhoods, schools and the Westside.
- Event and shopping traffic. South Coast Plaza, Segerstrom Center for the Arts and the OC Fair & Event Center draw large crowds, and Orange Coast College and Vanguard University add students on foot, bikes and scooters.
What state data shows
The California Office of Traffic Safety (OTS) compares cities of similar size, and 1 is the worst. In 2023, OTS counted 685 people killed or injured in Costa Mesa crashes, ranking the city 10th of 62 similar cities. Two numbers stand out: Costa Mesa ranked 3rd of 62 for bicyclists killed or injured (89) and 4th of 62 for speed-related crashes (115). It also ranked 11th of 62 for motorcyclists killed or injured (44).
Riding a bike or e-bike in Costa Mesa? See our bicycle accident lawyer page and our guide to bicycle safety laws in personal injury claims.
Your Accident Doesn’t Have to Be Major to Matter
A bump in the South Coast Plaza parking lot or a cyclist clipped by a car door on 19th Street may not make the news, but the injuries can be real. Sprains, concussions and back injuries often show up hours or days later. No case is too small for us to look at. Call for a free consultation before you accept a quick settlement offer.
Cases We Handle in Costa Mesa
- Car accidents on the 405, 55 and 73 and on local streets. See our Orange County car accident lawyer page and our article on car accident claims in Costa Mesa.
- Bicycle, e-bike and scooter accidents.
- Motorcycle accidents. Read about liability in a motorcycle accident case in Costa Mesa.
- Pedestrian accidents. See pedestrian accident liability in Costa Mesa.
- Slip-and-fall and premises injuries at stores, restaurants and venues. Read about premises liability claims in Costa Mesa.
- Wrongful death. If you lost a loved one, read about wrongful death claims in Costa Mesa.
Reports, Courts and Deadlines
Police reports. The Costa Mesa Police Department generally handles crashes on city streets. Crashes on the 405, 55 and 73 are usually handled by the California Highway Patrol.
Court. Orange County Superior Court generally hears personal injury lawsuits at the Central Justice Center, 700 Civic Center Drive West, Santa Ana, just a few miles north.
Deadlines. Most injury lawsuits must be filed within two years. If a public agency is involved, for example a dangerous road condition or a government vehicle, a claim usually must be filed within six months. See the statute of limitations for car accidents in California.
After a Crash in Costa Mesa
- Get medical care right away.
- Call police and ask for the report number.
- Take photos of the scene, the vehicles or bike, and your injuries.
- Ask nearby shops for security video quickly.
- Don’t sign anything from an insurer before getting advice. See our tips on dealing with insurance adjusters.
- If you were partly at fault, you may still recover. Read about comparative negligence in California.
People, Not Just Cases
Our firm is led by attorney Suzy Tafreshi and supported by a team with over 14 years of combined experience. You’ll get honest answers, regular updates and a team that handles the paperwork and phone calls. Our staff speaks Spanish (Spanish page), and Suzy speaks Farsi.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where is your office closest to Costa Mesa?
Our Fountain Valley office is at 18837 Brookhurst Street, Suite 207, in the city next door. We also have offices in Lake Forest and Riverside.
I was hit while riding my bike. Do I need a lawyer?
Bicycle crashes often cause serious injuries, and insurers sometimes try to blame the rider. A free consultation can help you understand your options.
Who handles crash reports in Costa Mesa?
Costa Mesa Police usually handle city streets, and the California Highway Patrol usually handles freeways and the 73 toll road.
Can I still recover if I was partly at fault?
Yes. Under California’s comparative fault rules, your recovery is reduced by your share of fault but not barred.
What does a consultation cost?
Nothing. Consultations are free, and we work on a contingency fee basis, so you pay no attorney’s fee unless we recover money for you.
Talk to a Costa Mesa Personal Injury Lawyer
We’re available 24/7. Hablamos español.
- Fountain Valley office: 18837 Brookhurst St, Ste 207, Fountain Valley, CA 92708
- Lake Forest office: 22600 Lambert St, Ste 1501, Lake Forest, CA 92630
- Riverside office: 4121 Brockton Ave, Ste 101, Riverside, CA 92501
Attorney Advertising. This page is for general information only and is not legal advice. Reading it does not create an attorney-client relationship. Every case is different, and prior results do not guarantee a similar outcome.
