Personal Injury Lawyer & Car Accident Attorney in Long Beach & Cardiff

At the Law Office of Michael D. Waks, our goal is simple: to get you fairly compensated as soon as possible. As one of the most accomplished personal injury attorneys in Long Beach, California, Michael Waks has the experience and resources to help you navigate every step of the claims process.

The insurance company may go to great lengths to minimize your payout, but Michael and his outstanding support staff won’t let the claims adjuster take advantage of you. Our team will aggressively represent your interests from the initial consultation to the settlement negotiations and in any litigation that may follow.

We are available 24/7 to take your call, and if you cannot come to us for the initial consultation, we will come to you. Schedule a free case review today by calling (562) 206-1939.

While some attorneys accept a broad range of cases, Michael Waks limits his scope of practice to personal injury law. This allows him to stay up to date on the most recent statutes and case law pertaining to tort claims, which translates into superior representation for his clients.

Michael accepts the following types of claims:

Car Accidents: A serious motor-vehicle crash can result in debilitating injuries and devastating property damage. If your collision was caused by another driver’s negligence, we can help you pursue compensation for any expenses and non-economic damages you incur due to the accident.

Motorcycle Accidents: Motorbike riders are especially vulnerable to serious injuries in the event of a wreck. The vast majority of these accidents are caused by human error. If you or someone you love was injured in a motorcycle collision, contact our office to discuss how best to proceed with your claim.

Large Truck Accidents: Michael Waks has an extensive background handling personal injury claims against large motor carriers and their insurance companies. He knows how to use black box data, driver’s logs, bills of lading, and other evidence specific to these claims to strengthen his clients’ cases.

Bus Accidents: There are many parties who might be liable for a bus accident. If you need help determining liability and pursuing compensation after a bus crash, contact our law firm for a free consultation.

DUI Accidents: People who sustain injuries in DUI accidents may be entitled to punitive damages in addition to compensation for their economic and non-economic losses. Michael can investigate your case to determine the types of damages to pursue and how to approach the settlement negotiations.

Wrongful Death: Losing someone in an unanticipated accident can be devastating. If your loved one died due to another person’s negligence or intentional wrongdoing, Michael can help you fight for the compensation you need to maintain your financial security.

Burn Injuries: Scarring, disfigurement, infections, and other side effects of a burn injury can be physically and emotionally debilitating. In these cases, it’s not uncommon for insurance companies to offer a low settlement early in the proceedings, but you shouldn’t accept a settlement without first speaking to a personal injury lawyer in Long Beach.

Brain Injuries: A serious brain injury can affect virtually every aspect of life including relationships, personality, and the ability to earn an income. The cost of medical care can be exorbitant, but if another person was responsible for your brain injury, he or she might be liable for any economic and non-economic damages you incur.

Construction Site Accidents: If you were hurt on a construction site, you might have grounds for a claim against your employer and/or a third party. Before you file any claims or speak to the insurance company, call our law firm for advice.

Electrical Accidents: Electrical accidents can affect the heart and brain, resulting in long-term and potentially fatal complications. As your personal injury attorney, Michael can make sure your claim accounts for all past and future medical costs, lost income, loss of earning capacity, and other damages.

Slip and Falls: Falls are the leading cause of emergency room visits in the United States. If you slipped and fell on a property due to a dangerous condition call our law firm to find out if you have grounds for a claim.

Premises Liability: Property owners and occupiers have a duty to keep their premises reasonably safe for invitees. If you were injured while on someone else’s property due to a dangerous condition, you may be able to recover compensation for your medical bills and other losses by filing a premises liability claim.

Private Property Accidents: Whether you were injured on a residential or business property, the owner or occupier might be liable for your damages.

Bicycle Accidents: Tort claims involving bicycle accidents come with unique challenges. For instance, it’s not uncommon for the defendant to argue that the injured party was somehow negligent. Michael Waks can gather the evidence needed to prove negligence and liability, and if your case involves shared liability, he can take steps to potentially reduce the percentage of fault assigned to you.

Pedestrian Accidents: If you were hit by a negligent driver while on foot, you may be entitled to compensation for all resulting damages. Michael Waks can make sure your claim accounts for all potentially recoverable losses.

Boating Accidents: It’s easy to underestimate the dangers of boating until you suffer an injury. Michael Waks is familiar with the laws that govern boating accident claims in California, and he can help you determine if your case has merit and how best to proceed.

Sexual Assault: A heinous crime, sexual assault can cause both physical and psychological injuries. The person responsible for the assault might face both criminal charges and a personal injury claim. Even if the criminal case is still ongoing, it’s important that you initiate your claim right away because valuable evidence may be time-sensitive.

Spinal Cord Injuries: The lifetime cost of living with a SCI can easily reach millions of dollars. Attorney Michael Waks has a vast amount of experience in these types of cases and can consult with medical and financial experts to ensure your claim accounts for all past and future damages.

Dog Bites: These cases are usually governed by strict liability, which means you do not have to prove negligence in order to recover compensation for your damages. Michael Waks can review the facts of your case and help you understand the applicable statutes and case law, make sure that you receive the best medical care, including treatment from a board certified plastic surgeon if necessary, as well as the value of your case.

Product Liability: Companies that design, manufacture, and distribute products may be held liable for any defects that cause injuries to consumers. These cases typically require an extensive investigation. Michael Waks can handle the logistics of your case so you can focus on your health.

Legal Malpractice: If your attorney failed to provide competent, professional, quality service, you may be able to seek monetary damages by bringing a legal malpractice claim. If you had hired the attorney for defense in a criminal trial, it may also be possible to get the conviction overturned on appeal as a result of ineffective counsel.

There are dozens of tactics insurance adjusters and their defense attorneys might use to deny or reduce the value of a personal injury claim. For example, they may offer a low settlement early on—before you know the full extent of your injuries. It’s also not uncommon for claims adjusters to take statements out of context or shift fault to the injured victim.

Attorney Michael Waks is well-versed in these and other tactics and can make sure you are treated fairly throughout the proceedings. He will handle all correspondence with the insurance company and help you avoid critical mistakes that might compromise your claim.

Many attorneys accept too many cases to provide any one client with the individual attention they deserve. Michael Waks takes a different approach by limiting his caseload so he can maximize the strength and potential value of every claim he handles.

Michael will thoroughly investigate your case to account for all past and future damages. If necessary, he will bring in medical, technical and financial experts to assist with the investigation and provide testimony. Michael will prepare for settlement negotiations as if he is going to trial to give you the best possible chance of recovering a fair payout without going through the hassle of litigation.

Your Injuries Are Personal to Me

With more than 30 years in legal practice, attorney Michael Waks has a level of experience that few lawyers possess. He will use his extensive knowledge and all available resources to help you pursue the compensation you deserve.

To schedule a free consultation, call today at  (562) 206-1939. You can also reach us online using our Contact Form.