This page was written and reviewed by Michael J. Cefali, Esq. Attorney Cefali is a founding partner of Cefali & Cefali, APC, based in San Juan Capistrano, CA. He holds a Juris Doctor from Chapman University Fowler School of Law and a B.A. in Global Studies & Maritime Affairs from the California Maritime Academy. Widely recognized for his advocacy in personal injury law, he has secured multi-hundred-thousand-dollar settlements in motorcycle accidents, hit-and-runs, and red-light collision cases. He maintains a perfect 10.0 “Superb” rating on Avvo.
Beyond his legal practice, Mr. Cefali actively supports his community through the Rotary Club of San Juan Capistrano, contributes to housing and meal programs for those in need, and enjoys fishing and spending time with his rescue dogs.
The date below reflects when this page was last reviewed for accuracy. Please see our Editorial Guidelines.
If you were injured by someone else's negligence in Moreno Valley, the attorneys at Cefali & Cefali can help you pursue the full compensation you deserve. We represent people hurt in car, truck, and motorcycle accidents, pedestrian and bicycle collisions, dog bites, slip and falls, and other incidents throughout Moreno Valley and Riverside County. Call (949) 325-7790 for a free consultation, available 24/7. No fee unless we win.
A serious injury can leave you facing medical bills, lost income, and a long recovery, all while an insurance adjuster works to pay you as little as possible. As dedicated Moreno Valley personal injury lawyers, we focus exclusively on personal injury, and we prepare every case as if it will go to trial. That readiness to litigate is one of the biggest factors in driving up settlement value. You can review a sample of our results on our case results page.
Serving Moreno Valley and the Inland Empire
Moreno Valley is one of the largest cities in Riverside County, and its road network sees heavy daily traffic. State Route 60, the Moreno Valley Freeway, runs east to west through the city and carries commuter and commercial traffic between the Inland Empire and Los Angeles, while Interstate 215 forms the city's western edge and connects to State Route 91. The SR-60 and I-215 interchange, along with busy surface streets like Perris Boulevard, Alessandro Boulevard, Sunnymead Boulevard, Day Street, and Cactus Avenue, are frequent sites of serious collisions.
People seriously injured in a Moreno Valley crash are often treated at the Riverside University Health System Medical Center, the county's public hospital and trauma center located in the city, or at Kaiser Permanente Moreno Valley. Policing is provided by the Riverside County Sheriff's Department, and the California Highway Patrol responds to crashes on the SR-60 and I-215. If your case becomes a lawsuit, it will be filed in the Riverside County Superior Court, which handles civil personal injury matters for the county. We also represent injured clients in neighboring Inland Empire communities including Riverside, Perris, Beaumont, Hemet, San Jacinto, and Jurupa Valley, and we have an office in nearby Hemet.
Personal Injury Cases We Handle in Moreno Valley
Our firm focuses exclusively on personal injury. We represent Moreno Valley clients in cases including:
Traumatic brain and spinal cord injuries, and defective product injuries
No matter how you were hurt, we investigate what happened, identify every responsible party, and build the strongest possible case for full compensation.
How Fault and Negligence Work Under California Law
Most personal injury claims are based on negligence. Under California Civil Code section 1714, every person is responsible for harm caused by their failure to use reasonable care. To recover compensation, you must prove four elements: that the other party owed you a duty of care, that they breached it, that the breach caused your accident and injuries, and that you suffered real damages as a result. Evidence such as the police report, photographs, witness statements, and medical records is used to establish fault.
California follows a pure comparative negligence rule, established in Li v. Yellow Cab Co. This means you can still recover compensation even if you were partly at fault; your award is simply reduced by your percentage of fault. If you are found 20 percent at fault on a $100,000 claim, you can still recover $80,000. Insurers often try to shift blame onto the injured person to reduce what they pay, which is why a thorough investigation matters.
California also sets a firm deadline. Under Code of Civil Procedure section 335.1, you generally have two years from the date of the injury to file a personal injury lawsuit. If a government entity is involved, you must first file an administrative claim within six months. Missing these deadlines usually ends your right to recover, so it is important to act promptly.
Compensation You May Be Entitled To
The compensation available depends on the severity of your injuries and how they affect your life. California law allows recovery of both economic and non-economic damages, with no cap on general damages in an ordinary injury case.
Type of damages
What it covers
Economic damages
Medical bills and future care, lost wages, lost earning capacity, and property damage
Non-economic damages
Pain and suffering, emotional distress, and loss of enjoyment of life
Punitive damages
Available in cases of egregious conduct, such as a drunk driver, under Civil Code 3294
We calculate the full value of your losses, including future medical care and long-term effects, before entering any settlement negotiation, so you are not pressured into accepting less than your case is worth. Keeping detailed records of your bills, lost income, and other expenses helps document that value.
How Our Moreno Valley Personal Injury Lawyers Can Help
After an accident, an experienced attorney takes the pressure off you and levels the playing field with the insurance company. Insurers are for-profit companies whose goal is to pay as little as possible, and a common tactic is to offer a quick, low settlement before you know the full extent of your injuries. At Cefali & Cefali, we investigate the crash and preserve evidence, handle all communication with the adjusters, document the full value of your injuries and losses, and negotiate aggressively for a fair settlement, prepared to take your case to trial if necessary.
A few steps on your end also help protect your claim: get prompt medical care and keep all records, gather the police report and witness information, avoid giving a recorded statement to the other driver's insurer, and do not rush into an early settlement. Because we work on a contingency fee basis, you pay no attorney fees unless we recover compensation for you, and every consultation is free.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where do I file a personal injury lawsuit for a Moreno Valley accident?
Civil personal injury lawsuits for accidents in Moreno Valley are filed in the Riverside County Superior Court, which handles these matters for the county. Your attorney manages the filing and the deadlines, including the two-year statute of limitations and the shorter six-month deadline that applies when a government entity is at fault.
How long do I have to file a personal injury claim in California?
You generally have two years from the date of your injury to file a personal injury lawsuit, under Code of Civil Procedure section 335.1. If a government entity is involved, you must file an administrative claim within six months. Because there are exceptions, it is best to speak with an attorney as soon as possible.
What if I was partly at fault for my accident?
You can still recover compensation. California follows pure comparative negligence, from Li v. Yellow Cab, so your award is reduced by your percentage of fault rather than eliminated. If you are 20 percent at fault on a $100,000 claim, you can still recover $80,000. Insurers often exaggerate the injured person's share of fault, which is why a careful investigation matters.
How much does it cost to hire a Moreno Valley personal injury lawyer?
Nothing upfront. We handle personal injury cases on a contingency fee basis, which means you pay no attorney fees unless we win your case. Our fee is a percentage of the final settlement or verdict, the consultation is free, and if we do not recover money for you, you owe us nothing.
What damages can I recover in a personal injury claim?
You may recover economic damages (medical bills, future care, lost wages, and lost earning capacity), non-economic damages (pain and suffering, emotional distress, and loss of enjoyment of life), and, in cases of egregious conduct, punitive damages. California places no cap on general damages in an ordinary injury case.
Contact Our Moreno Valley Personal Injury Attorneys
If you or someone you love was injured in an accident in Moreno Valley or anywhere in Riverside County, Cefali & Cefali is here to help. We handle every part of your claim, from the investigation to negotiating with the insurance company to trial if necessary, so you can focus on your recovery. We proudly serve clients throughout Moreno Valley, Riverside, Perris, Hemet, San Jacinto, and the wider Inland Empire.
Contact us today or call (949) 325-7790 for a free consultation, available 24/7. No fee unless we win.
Michael Cefali is a dedicated accident attorney based in San Juan Capistrano, California, committed to securing justice and fair compensation for accident victims.
A graduate of Newport Harbor High School, he went on to earn his Bachelor’s degree in Global Studies and Maritime Affairs from the California Maritime Academy, followed by his Juris Doctor from Chapman University School of Law.
Deeply invested in his community, Michael is an active member of the Rotary Club of San Juan Capistrano, contributing to efforts that provide meals, housing, and support to those in need. Outside of his legal work and volunteer service, he enjoys fishing in Dana Point and spending time with his three rescue dogs—a Chihuahua, a Spaniel mix, and a Shepherd mix.
Driven by his strong belief in justice and fairness, Michael remains steadfast in advocating for individuals harmed by the negligence or inaction of others.
