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 Santa Ana, the attorneys at Cefali & Cefali can help you pursue the compensation you deserve. We represent people hurt in car, truck, and motorcycle accidents, pedestrian and bicycle collisions, dog bites, and other incidents throughout Santa Ana and Orange County. As a firm that handles personal injury exclusively, we know how to stand up to the insurance companies and build a strong case on your behalf. 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 difficult recovery while an insurance adjuster works to pay you as little as possible. A dedicated Santa Ana personal injury lawyer levels that playing field. We also offer help in Spanish so you can explain your case in your own words. You can review a sample of our results on our case results page.
Serving Santa Ana, the Heart of Orange County
As the county seat of Orange County, Santa Ana is the center of the region's legal and commercial activity, and it is where injury cases from across the county are actually decided. The Orange County Superior Court's Central Justice Center, at 700 Civic Center Drive West, handles the civil personal injury and wrongful death lawsuits for the entire county. Our attorneys appear there regularly and know its judges, procedures, and deadlines.
Santa Ana also sits at one of the busiest freeway crossroads in Southern California. Interstate 5 (the Santa Ana Freeway), State Route 55 (the Costa Mesa Freeway), and State Route 22 (the Garden Grove Freeway) all run through or alongside the city, and the interchanges where they meet see a high volume of serious collisions. Heavily traveled surface streets such as Bristol Street, First Street, Main Street, and Harbor Boulevard add to the risk, particularly for pedestrians and cyclists. Crashes on city streets are handled by the Santa Ana Police Department, while the California Highway Patrol responds to freeway collisions, and seriously injured victims are often transported to Orange County Global Medical Center or to UCI Medical Center in nearby Orange, the county's Level 1 trauma center.
Personal Injury Cases We Handle in Santa Ana
Our firm focuses exclusively on personal injury. We represent Santa Ana clients in cases including:
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:
Duty of care. The other party owed you a legal duty to act reasonably.
Breach. They failed to meet that duty.
Causation. That failure caused your accident and injuries.
Damages. You suffered real harm as a result.
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 routinely try to shift blame onto the injured person to reduce what they pay, which is why a careful investigation matters.
California also imposes strict deadlines. 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.
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
Other losses
Out-of-pocket costs and, in cases of egregious conduct such as a drunk driver, punitive damages 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.
Why Families Choose Cefali & Cefali
Cefali & Cefali is led by the husband-and-wife team of Michael J. Cefali and Courtney L.C. Cefali, who represent every client personally. When you hire our firm, you work directly with your attorneys, not a call center. Because we focus solely on personal injury, we bring real depth to negotiations and are fully prepared to take a case to trial when an insurer refuses to offer a fair settlement. That readiness to litigate is one of the biggest factors in driving up the value of a claim.
We take cases on a contingency fee basis, so you pay no attorney fees unless we recover compensation for you, and every consultation is free and without obligation.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where are Santa Ana personal injury lawsuits filed?
Civil personal injury and wrongful death lawsuits for Santa Ana, and for all of Orange County, are filed at the Orange County Superior Court's Central Justice Center, located at 700 Civic Center Drive West in Santa Ana. This is the main civil courthouse for the county, and our attorneys appear there regularly.
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 thorough investigation matters.
How much does it cost to hire a Santa Ana 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.
Do you offer services in Spanish?
Yes. We provide assistance in Spanish so you can explain your case with confidence and in your own words. Call us at (949) 325-7790 for a free consultation, available 24/7, with no obligation.
Contact Our Santa Ana Personal Injury Lawyers
If you or someone you love was injured in an accident in Santa Ana or anywhere in Orange 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 represent clients throughout Orange County, including San Juan Capistrano, San Clemente, Irvine, and the surrounding communities.
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.
