Immediately After Your Accident
To protect your rights after an injury, you should seek immediate medical attention and preserve evidence. Witness statements, dashcam footage (if applicable), police reports, and other evidence will be crucial in securing proper attorney representation and building a strong case.
Bisnar Chase represents people injured in Irvine and Orange County. Our office is located at 1301 Dove Street, Suite 120, in Newport Beach, and we file cases in Orange County Superior Court. Consultations are free. The firm is paid only if it recovers compensation.
If you were hurt in a crash, a fall, or another incident caused by someone else’s carelessness, call (949) 203-3814. There are no upfront fees in your injury lawsuit. Our personal injury attorneys work on a contingency fee basis. This means you only pay if we secure compensation for you. There is little financial risk for you.
Why Choose Bisnar Chase as Your Legal Team?
- Over $1 billion won
- 99% success rate
- Legal advocacy and extensive expertise
- Thorough investigations and injury assessments
- Our injury attorneys are all trial lawyers
- We negotiate medical expenses
- We request medical liens
- Courtroom and litigation representation
- Over 48 years in California, serving only plaintiffs
- Five locations to find an injury attorney near you
- 2026 Best Law Firms in America
- 2026 Litigator of the Year
- No fee if we don’t win
- Free consultation
Personal Injury Lawyer Irvine
Compassionate Legal Representation
Most Irvine injury and wrongful death lawsuits must be filed within 2 years under Code of Civil Procedure § 335.1. If the claim is against the City of Irvine, Irvine Unified School District, OCTA, the County, or the State, a written government claim is generally due within six months under Government Code §911.2. Missing that claim can bar the case even if two years remain.
California uses pure comparative negligence. An injured person in Irvine can still recover if they were partly at fault. Their share of fault reduces the recovery. A driver found 20 percent at fault can still recover 80 percent of proven damages, under Civil Code §1714 and Li v. Yellow Cab Co. (1975) 13 Cal.3d 804.
If you have been injured in a traumatic accident, such as an auto accident, a slip-and-fall accident, a dog attack, an injury caused by a dangerous or defective product, etc., you need the most qualified and competent legal representation to help ensure that you are fairly and fully compensated for your significant injuries and losses.
An experienced Irvine personal injury lawyer at Bisnar Chase understands the challenges faced by injured victims and their families as they strive to cover medical expenses and cope with lost income while recovering physically and rebuilding their lives.
Liability in Your Case
California’s minimum auto liability limits are $30,000 per person, $60,000 per accident, and $15,000 for property damage for policies issued or renewed on or after January 1, 2025, under Vehicle Code §16056. Those limits often do not cover a serious crash in Irvine. Uninsured and underinsured motorist coverage is often the next source of recovery.
What to Do After an Injury in Irvine
Get medical care first, even if the injury seems minor. Many Irvine patients go to Hoag Hospital Irvine, 16200 Sand Canyon Avenue, or Kaiser Permanente Irvine Medical Center, 6640 Alton Parkway. Serious trauma is often transferred to UCI Medical Center in Orange. A delay in treatment can make it harder to connect the injury to the incident.
If the crash was on a city street, the Irvine Police Department prepares the collision report. Drivers, injured people, vehicle owners, and their representatives can request a copy. The California Highway Patrol handles crashes on the I-5, I-405, SR-73, SR-133, and SR-241. Photograph the vehicles, the approach, traffic signals, and any visible injuries, and get names and numbers for witnesses.
If anyone is injured or killed, or if property damage exceeds $1,000, California Vehicle Code section 16000 requires a report to the DMV within 10 days.
Only give a recorded statement to the other driver’s insurer and sign a release after you understand the extent of the injury and what the document gives up. An early “I’m fine,” or a broad medical authorization, is often used later to argue that the incident caused little or no harm.
Where Most Accidents Happen in Irvine
Irvine’s serious crashes tend to follow the commute rather than any single neighborhood. The I-405 and I-5 meet at the El Toro Y, at the south end of the city, and that interchange produces high-speed and chain-reaction collisions. Merge crashes are also common at the Sand Canyon Avenue-405 interchange and along SR-73, SR-133, and SR-241.
On city streets, claims often arise on Jamboree Road, Culver Drive, Barranca Parkway, Alton Parkway, Irvine Center Drive, Jeffrey Road, Walnut Avenue, Michelson Drive, University Drive, and Sand Canyon Avenue. These are wide, multi-lane roads. Left-turn and red-light collisions are a regular pattern.
The same roads run through Woodbridge, University Park, Turtle Rock, Northwood, Westpark, Oak Creek, Quail Hill, Woodbury, Orchard Hills, Portola Springs, Cypress Village, and the Great Park neighborhoods. Irvine Spectrum and the Irvine Business Complex add evening traffic, delivery trucks, and rideshare pickups. UC Irvine adds pedestrian, bicycle, and scooter infrastructure around University Drive, Campus Drive, and Culver Drive.
Deadline to File Your Claim
Most injury and wrongful death lawsuits in California must be filed within two years of the injury or death. That period is set by Code of Civil Procedure section 335.1. A claim for property damage alone is generally subject to a 3-year statute of limitations.
A shorter deadline applies when a public entity is involved. A written claim against the City of Irvine, Irvine Unified School District, OCTA, the County of Orange, or the State of California is generally due within six months under Government Code section 911.2. Sending the claim only to an insurance company does not meet that requirement. If the agency serves a written rejection, the time to file suit is often 6 months from the date of that notice.
A minor’s lawsuit deadline is often extended, but a government claim involving a child should not be left until later. The right deadline depends on the facts of your case.
Fault and Compensation
California follows pure comparative negligence in a car accident. A person who was partly at fault may still recover. The recovery is reduced by that person’s share of fault, not barred. Someone found 20 percent responsible can still recover 80 percent of proven damages. The rule comes from Civil Code section 1714 and Li v. Yellow Cab Co. (1975) 13 Cal.3d 804.
Available damages may include emergency care, hospital and surgical bills, medication, therapy, medical equipment, lost wages, and reduced earning capacity. Non-economic damages cover pain, anxiety, and the activities the injury took away. California does not cap pain and suffering in an ordinary negligence case. Punitive damages are uncommon and generally require more than carelessness.
Dog-bite claims are treated differently. Under Civil Code section 3342, an owner is generally liable when a dog bites someone in a public place or while that person is lawfully on private property, even if the dog has never bitten before. These incidents often occur on village paths, in parks, and in shared apartment or association areas.
There is no standard value for an Irvine case. Liability, medical proof, future care, lost income, and available insurance determine the result. A result in another case is not a prediction.
Insurance Auto Policies
For auto policies issued or renewed on or after January 1, 2025, California’s minimum liability coverage is $30,000 per person, $60,000 per accident, and $15,000 for property damage, under Vehicle Code section 16056. A policy that has not yet been renewed may still show the older, lower limits. An emergency room bill often uses up those amounts.
If the at-fault driver has little or no insurance, the injured person’s uninsured or underinsured motorist coverage may apply. A commercial policy may apply to a delivery truck or a work vehicle. In an Uber or Lyft crash, the policy depends on whether the driver had accepted a trip. A fall may be covered by a property owner’s or association’s policy rather than an auto policy.
Where the Lawsuit Is Filed
Irvine does not have its own courthouse for these cases. Unlimited civil cases, generally those seeking more than $35,000, are filed at the Orange County Superior Court Central Justice Center, 700 Civic Center Drive West, in Santa Ana. Some smaller civil cases are assigned to a justice center, including the Harbor Justice Center in Newport Beach. Filing fees change with the statewide schedule and are currently in the mid-$400s for an unlimited complaint.
Most cases settle. A case still has to be prepared as if it will be tried. That preparation is what gives a settlement discussion its weight.
Cases the Firm Handles in Irvine
The firm represents clients in car crashes; truck and delivery-vehicle collisions; motorcycle, bicycle, and pedestrian incidents; falls in stores, restaurants, apartments, and common areas; dog bites; wrongful death; and injuries caused by defective products.
Workplace injuries are usually workers’ compensation claims, which follow different rules. A separate injury claim may still exist if someone apart from the employer caused the harm, such as a negligent driver who hits a person making a delivery.
Working with Bisnar Chase
Bisnar Chase has represented injured plaintiffs since 1978. The firm reports recovering more than $1 billion and handles cases on a contingency fee, typically about one-third if the case resolves before a more complex stage. Costs are separate and should be explained in the fee agreement. You can ask who will handle the file, whether the firm has handled cases like yours, and how the fee will change if the case is litigated.
Call (949) 203-3814 for a free consultation. Spanish-language assistance is available.
I recently had the unfortunate need for a personal injury case but was happy I was referred to Bisnar Chase and attorney Gavin Long for my car accident claim, (I was not at fault). From the beginning, the entire process was handled with professionalism and care. Mr. Long provided me with guidance and support every step of the way, and he was always responsive and went above my expectations throughout the negotiations and settlement.
There was a lot I didn’t know about how the process worked, but he was really patient in explaining everything to me. The other person’s insurance offered me $50,000, but Mr. Long kept fighting and got me substantially more. Thank you so much for making an unfortunate situation easier to navigate through! Also, thank you to Renee, who was awesome!
Why Do You Need an Injury Lawyer?
You may need an Irvine personal injury lawyer after an accident for several reasons. Here are some of the most common reasons:
- To assess the value of your serious injury claim, an Irvine personal injury attorney can help you determine its worth by evaluating your damages. They can also assess the strength of your case and advise you on whether it is worth pursuing.
- To negotiate with insurance companies and negligent parties: Insurance companies are notorious for offering low settlements to accident victims. A personal injury attorney can negotiate with the insurance company on your behalf and help you get fair compensation.
- To file a lawsuit with the insurance companies: If the insurance company refuses to offer a fair settlement, a personal injury law firm can file a lawsuit and represent you in court.
Negotiating with Insurance Companies to Maximize Compensation
We regularly negotiate with insurance companies following accidents and injuries. It’s a delicate balancing act: we aim to secure the maximum reasonable settlement for our injured clients, while insurance companies try to pay as little as possible.
Insurers have teams of experienced adjusters, while accident victims often navigate the claims process for the first time. This power imbalance means individual claimants are at a disadvantage without legal representation.
Our job is to level the playing field. We come to the negotiating table armed with deep knowledge of injury law and years of experience handling these cases. We will never accept an initial lowball offer from an insurance company. We will present evidence methodically and build a case for why our client deserves additional compensation.
Negotiating requires patience and perseverance. We diligently advocate for our clients while avoiding quickly burning bridges with adjusters. Even in adversarial situations, preserving mutual respect improves outcomes.
Can I Act as My Own Personal Injury Attorney?
If you have been injured in an Irvine car accident or another incident, you are not legally required to have a lawyer handle your injury claim. In some cases, especially those that do not involve injury, you may be able to file all the required paperwork yourself and represent yourself to the insurance company that is handling the claim.
But if you have been injured and incurred significant expenses, a lot is at stake. If you retain the services of experienced Irvine personal injury lawyers, you are much more likely to get the compensation you need and rightfully deserve.
Personal injury claims are not as straightforward as they may appear. Depending on the incident and your injuries, you may need expert witnesses and evidence to prove your case.
This is because the burden of proof is on the plaintiff in injury cases. This means that the injured plaintiff must prove that the defendant’s negligence resulted in his or her injuries and losses.
Knowledgeable personal injury lawyers will also help you deal with insurance companies, which can be difficult if you are trying to get compensated for your injuries and damages, given their inclination to reject or undervalue claims, often leaving you with less money than you deserve.
Dealing with the Insurance Company After an Irvine Accident
One mistake that many injury claimants make is to trust the insurance company. The one thing personal injury attorneys will tell you almost unanimously is this: The insurance company is not your friend.
While your insurance adjuster may seem extraordinarily nice and helpful, it is his or her job to protect the insurance company’s interests. They are trained negotiators whose job it is to minimize the amount of money paid out on each claim. They won’t hesitate to deny the claim or minimize its value.
If the insurance company offers you a quick settlement offer, do not accept it. If you closely examine this offer, you will find that it is not beneficial to you and certainly works in the insurance company’s favor.
Insurance companies know that injured victims are vulnerable, which is why they almost always offer a lowball settlement right away.
They know that you want to put this behind you as fast as possible and move on with your life. When you accept a settlement without realizing the full extent of your injuries and losses, you may be signing away your rights to seek maximum compensation for your losses.
During this process, it is also important not to give any statements to the insurance company about the specifics of your injuries or disclose any pre-existing conditions you may have had.
The insurance company may use what you tell them or the statements you provide after your Irvine injury accident against you. Do not sign anything unless you are sure you understand what it means or unless your Irvine personal injury attorney has reviewed it.
An experienced Irvine accident lawyer can help with the insurance company on your behalf and ensure you receive fair and total compensation for your injuries and losses. Call 949-203-3814 for a free consultation.
Monetary Damages in a Irvine Personal Injury Case
If you have been injured in an Irvine car accident or some other type of traumatic event, you may be able to seek compensation for the injuries, damages, and losses you have sustained.
Here are some of the damages you may be able to seek if you have been injured as a result of someone else’s negligence:
Medical expenses
Medical costs are often a significant part of the expenses injured victims face. Medical expenses include the cost of emergency transportation, hospitalization, surgeries, medication, medical equipment, etc.
Injured victims and their families often struggle as these costs pile up. This situation is made worse because the injured victims lose their ability to work and earn an income.
Loss of income
When you are injured, it becomes difficult or sometimes impossible, to continue working. Sometimes, you need days, weeks, or months off to make sure you fully recover from your injuries.
For many, this means they lose a significant portion of their household income or receive diminished income because they are on disability.
For some who have suffered catastrophic injuries such as brain trauma or spinal cord damage, this could mean losing their jobs and livelihoods.
These losses should be included in your injury claim, including loss of future income and loss of the ability to work or earn a livelihood.
Rehabilitation costs
Many who suffer serious injuries don’t just require hospitalization but also need rehabilitative treatment, such as physical and occupational therapy.
For example, you may be hospitalized for a week or so if you have suffered multiple bone fractures in a car accident.
Still, you will need physical therapy and other services to ensure you can walk properly again. Regaining balance, strength, and mobility can often take weeks or even months. The cost of rehabilitative therapy sessions could also add up quickly, and health insurance usually does not fully cover these expenses.
Pain and suffering
Known as “non-economic damages,” pain and suffering refer to the physical and mental suffering you endure in the aftermath of a traumatic event.
An Irvine personal injury lawyer can help evaluate your circumstances and determine an amount that would be appropriate for these types of damages.
Punitive damages
In injury and product defect cases, punitive damages are sometimes awarded by judges and juries when the conduct on the part of the defendant is particularly outrageous or egregious.
For example, if a product manufacturer knew that their products were defective and dangerous and had the potential to cause serious injury or death but did nothing about it, they could be slapped with punitive damages.
The purpose of awarding punitive damages to plaintiffs is to not just punish the defendants for their actions (or sometimes, lack of action) but also to deter such egregious behavior in the future.
To determine if you are entitled to financial compensation for your damages, call a seasoned Irvine personal injury lawyer for a free consultation. There is no fee if we don’t win. Our firm works on a contingency fee basis so we are motivated to win.
How Do You Pick the Right California Lawyer for Your Case?
California injury law is a very specialized area of practice. Personal injury laws are complex and constantly evolving. A law firm that handles all types of cases or someone who does not have experience dealing with insurance companies is not equipped to deal with a complex injury case.
The decisions you make during this period can significantly impact the outcome of your case and, possibly, your financial future. If necessary, you may also need lawyers to take your case to trial. While the majority of injury cases do get settled out of court, there are times when you may need to take them to a jury trial.
You should consider an Irvine personal injury lawyer with a track record of securing large verdicts and settlements. You must meet with the lawyers you plan to hire to represent you and ask how many million-dollar settlements or verdicts they have obtained.
This is especially true if you have suffered catastrophic injuries that have left you with permanent disabilities. Find out if your law firm is a member of local and state trial lawyer associations. This implies that a member is constantly benefiting from a collaborative environment and is probably well-liked by other professionals in the field.
Make sure your law firm has sufficient resources to handle your case. Serious injury cases are expensive to prepare. Experts such as doctors, economists, accident reconstruction specialists, or life care planners may have to be hired. Witnesses must be prepared to give depositions under oath.
Personal Injury FAQs - What To Ask Your Attorney
Questions to ask a personal injury lawyer: Before hiring a personal injury attorney, it is essential to ask them some questions to ensure they are the right fit for your case. Here are some questions to ask:
What is your experience with personal injury cases?
We have been representing injured plaintiffs in Orange County since 1978 and have won over $1B for our clients. Our attorneys are trial lawyers with decades of experience. Contact our personal injury attorneys in Irvine for a free consultation.
What is your legal fee structure?
Our Irvine personal injury lawyers work on a contingency fee basis, which means we only get paid if you win your injury lawsuit. Make sure you understand the fee structure before hiring a lawyer.
Our fee structure is an average of 33%, which is standard. The fees can be higher if the case is complex and requires experts, evidence storage, etc. Your consultation is free, and since we work on a contingency basis, there is no cost until the case is settled.
Who will be handling my case?
We do not farm out any of our cases. An in-house trial lawyer handles all personal injury cases while working closely with his legal team and paralegals.
How long does it take to settle my personal injury claim?
The time it takes to settle your personal injury claim can take anywhere from a few months to two years, depending on what is involved in the case. The more complex the case is, or the more resistant your insurance company is, the longer it will take to decide.
If your Irvine personal injury attorney moves quickly to settle your case, be wary. The goal should be to achieve the best possible outcome and maximum compensation, rather than settling it quickly.
What types of cases does your law firm handle?
Our law firm handles various injury and accident cases, including:
- motor vehicle accident
- dog bite claim
- pedestrian accident
- motorcycle accident
- truck accident
- wrongful death
- class action
- employment law and wage/hour cases
defective products - toxic torts
- pharmaceutical injuries (drugs, devices)
What types of injuries can I claim for my personal injury case?
- emotional distress
- pain and suffering
- medical bills
- property damage
- lost income
- catastrophic injury costs
- punitive damages
- economic and non-economic damages
What if I were in a car accident and was partly to blame?
In California, we have comparative negligence. That means you can still receive compensation for your car accident, even if you were partially responsible. The injury claim will be reduced according to your liability for causing the car accident.
What are some of the more common injuries you see in injury cases you handle in Orange County?
- spinal cord injury
- traumatic brain injury
- wrongful death
- broken bones and fractures
- internal organ damage
- severe injury to the chest or back
- paralysis
How long do I have to file a personal injury claim in California?
In California, the statute of limitations is 2 years from the date of injury. It’s essential to contact an Irvine personal injury lawyer immediately after your accident to protect your rights.
You will want to start processing your insurance claim as soon as possible to protect all the elements of your injury case and secure monetary compensation.
Contact a Skilled Irvine Personal Injury Lawyer
An experienced Irvine personal injury attorney at Bisnar Chase represents Orange County individuals who have been seriously or catastrophically injured or have lost a family member due to a serious accident or a defective product.
Our law firm comprises a team of personal injury trial lawyers with extensive courtroom and negotiation experience. Our law firm routinely wins awards for professional excellence. We have the knowledge, experience, and resources to fight for your rights and help you get maximum compensation for your losses.
We also provide a no-win-no-fee guarantee, which means you do not pay anything unless we recover compensation. Initial consultations are always free. With over $900 million won, including punitive damages, and thousands of victims represented, our firm is one of California’s toughest injury law firms.
Irvine Accident and Injury Statistics
The latest official city ranking is for 2023. Newer crash counts are available in the California Highway Patrol file through early October 2026, but the file is still being revised.
In 2023, Irvine also had 55 alcohol-involved victims, 23 motorcycle victims, and 349 DUI arrests. The population used for that ranking was 316,119. Irvine was among the safest, or nearly the safest, in most categories. The exception was bicyclists under 15: the worst of the 15 large cities in both 2022 and 2023.
Counted from the California Crash Reporting System, where the city field is Irvine. Files were updated on October 8, 2026.
| Year | People killed or injured | Rank among 15 large cities | Pedestrians | Bicyclists | Bicyclists under 15 | Speed-related injury crashes | Hit-and-run injury crashes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 467 | 15/15 | 17 | 41 | 10 (2/15) | 76 | 10 |
| 2022 | 595 | 15/15 | 41 | 75 | 29 (1/15) | 91 | 26 |
| 2023 | 570 | 14/15 | 37 | 61 | 24 (1/15) | 78 | 16 |
In 2024, the freeway share was 7 deaths and 394 injuries. The non-freeway share was 7 deaths and 703 injuries. In 2025, freeways accounted for 4 deaths and 435 injuries. Other roads accounted for 6 deaths and 798 injuries.
The 2026 file runs from January 1 through October 6, but September has 86 Irvine reports, and October has 14, compared with about 160 to 180 in earlier months. Recent months are incomplete, and the single recorded death is not a reliable year-to-date total. TIMS, which publishes SWITRS, last updated crash data on September 15, 2026, and marks 2025 as provisional.
Most Dangerous Intersection in Irvine
Last 5 Years:
- 40 Accidents
- 37 Injuries
- 0 Deaths
City of Irvine
- Population: 236716
- Avg Annual Auto Injuries per 1,000: 6
- Irvine Crime Index* 89.6
Nearby Cities Crime Indices:
- Tustin: 129.3
- Laguna Woods: 54.2
- Santa Ana: 200.6
- Aliso Viejo: 47.5
Crime index data was taken from city-data.com. The national average is 315.5. The crime index is calculated using the population and severity of crimes vs. the frequency of crimes committed.
More Unsafe Intersections in Irvine**
- Accidents: 39
- Injuries: 27
- Deaths: 0
- Accidents: 39
- Injuries: 22
- Deaths: 0
- Accidents: 38
- Injuries: 22
- Deaths: 0
All intersection data is taken from the California Statewide Integrated Traffic Records System and is measured over the last 5 years of local and arterial street car accidents (non-highway). The data is not updated in real time.
Brian Chase
Articles, blogs, and content have been reviewed by legal in-house staff. Brian Chase is the managing partner of Bisnar Chase Personal Injury Attorneys, LLP. He is the lead trial lawyer and oversees cases handling dangerous and defective products that injure consumers. Brian is a top-rated injury attorney with numerous legal honors and awards for his work relating to auto defects and dangerous products. His firm has recovered over $1B for its clients. Brian is a frequent speaker for CAOC, Dordick Trial College, and OCTLA, covering personal injury trial techniques.
