An ordinary drive along the Southern California coast can turn into a life-changing collision without warning. In Huntington Beach, where busy roads meet everyday traffic, car accidents are far too common. After a serious automobile crash, partner with a Huntington Beach car accident lawyer to have an ally fighting for justice and compensation on your behalf.
An attorney can guide you through the legal process, help you organize the facts, and build a case rooted in evidence, not assumptions. Their role is to protect your interests so you can focus on recovery rather than paperwork and pressure from insurance companies.
At Greene Broillet & Wheeler, we bring decades of trial experience to every case, and our record of results speaks for itself. Our firm has taken on major corporations and powerful insurers, always with the same purpose: to pursue the stability, security, and peace of mind car crash victims deserve.
For five decades, Greene Broillet & Wheeler, LLP has stood for meticulous preparation, meaningful advocacy, and measurable results. Every case we take reflects our commitment to protecting individuals whose lives have been disrupted by negligence. Clients trust us not just for outcomes, but for the way we approach every case—with care, precision, and persistence.
Our team’s courtroom experience has led to some of the most notable verdicts in California history. Highlights include a $4.9 billion verdict in Anderson v. General Motors—the largest individual product liability verdict ever—and multimillion-dollar results such as $3.67 million in Damron v. Laidlaw and $73 million against Ford Motor Company in a rollover crash. These results demonstrate how rigorous investigation and strategic presentation can lead to meaningful justice for our clients.
Every case begins with listening. We take time to understand each client’s story and the full impact of their injuries before developing a plan tailored to their goals. From consultation through resolution, communication remains open, honest, and focused on your needs.
Recognized statewide for professionalism and trial excellence, Greene Broillet & Wheeler continues to set the standard for advocacy in serious injury and wrongful death cases. When you need a Huntington Beach car accident lawyer, our firm is ready to stand with you no matter how complex your case or how formidable your opponent.
Because Huntington Beach and Orange County roads and highways are often congested, the threat of a traffic collision is omnipresent. Even as automobile safety has improved over the years, car accidents in Southern California occur with alarming frequency. The most recent data collected from the California Office of Traffic Safety (OTS) reports traffic fatalities statewide decreased nearly 11% from 4,539 in 2022 to 4,061 in 2023, reflecting a modest improvement in roadway safety. The 2023 Mileage Death Rate (MDR)—which measures fatalities per 100 million miles traveled—was 1.26, a 6% decrease from 1.34 in 2022.
Even with these reductions, urban coastal communities like Huntington Beach still experience a high rate of serious collisions, particularly in areas with dense traffic and frequent pedestrian activity. Several recurring behaviors contribute to serious and fatal crashes throughout Orange County and Huntington Beach:
Together, these behaviors account for a significant portion of serious and fatal accidents across Southern California, leaving victims to face mounting medical bills, insurance disputes, and emotional distress long after the crash. In situations like these, determining liability can be complex, especially when multiple drivers, commercial vehicles, or municipal factors are involved.
That’s where a Huntington Beach car accident lawyer can make a difference. Greene Broillet & Wheeler conducts thorough investigations, collecting police reports, vehicle data, and witness statements, to uncover precisely what caused the crash and who is responsible.
Understanding who is responsible for a crash is one of the most important parts of any personal injury claim. California follows what’s known as the pure comparative negligence rule, outlined in California Civil Code § 1714. Under this rule, each person involved in an accident is held responsible for their share of fault. This means even if you were partly at fault, you can still recover damages—your compensation is simply reduced by your percentage of responsibility.
For example, if a jury awards $100,000 but finds you 20% responsible for the crash, you would still recover $80,000. This system recognizes that accidents often involve multiple contributing factors rather than a single cause.
Establishing fault requires careful investigation and clear evidence. Our firm analyzes each case through documentation and factual detail, such as:
Working with a Huntington Beach car accident lawyer familiar with California’s comparative fault system helps protect your interests, especially when insurers attempt to shift blame or undervalue your claim. With thorough preparation and a fact-driven strategy, fault can be accurately assigned and your right to fair compensation preserved.
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Taking the right steps immediately after a crash can protect your health and legal rights. Following California Vehicle Code § 20003(a), every driver involved in a collision that causes injury or death must stop and exchange identifying information, including names, addresses, and vehicle registration numbers. The statute also requires drivers to render reasonable assistance, such as arranging transportation for injured individuals, if medical treatment appears necessary.
Additionally, anyone involved in a car accident should contact law enforcement for a wide variety of reasons, including official documentation of the crash. This can be valuable later during legal proceedings. Police documentation can provide important evidence such as speeding, direction of travel, braking indicators, intoxication, or red-light violations. Officers’ observations often become critical evidence when determining negligence and liability later in your case.
Furthermore, if you have been involved in a car accident in Huntington Beach and suffered injuries recently and have not been examined by a medical professional, seeing a doctor as soon as possible is vital for a wide variety of reasons. Even minor symptoms like dizziness or stiffness can indicate underlying trauma. Additionally, some injuries may not present symptoms immediately but may still require treatment. Contacting a medical professional after a car accident is not only good for your recovery, but can also build important documentation. This documentation may prove important during the legal process as you pursue justice and compensation for your injuries. Prompt evaluation creates a medical paper trail essential for proving injury-related damages. Early diagnosis also prevents complications and may prevent insurers from arguing your injuries were unrelated to the crash.
Speaking with a Huntington Beach car accident lawyer early in the process helps protect necessary evidence, such as surveillance footage or witness statements. We aim to act quickly to gather documentation, manage communication with insurers, and guide you through the next legal steps so your rights remain protected from the start.
Car accidents can cause a wide range of injuries, from minor soreness to life-changing trauma. Some injuries appear immediately, while others develop over days or weeks. Understanding the types of harm commonly seen in California collisions helps illustrate why medical treatment and careful documentation are essential parts of a strong claim.
Among the most frequent injuries after a car accident:
Beyond the physical harm, victims also face emotional distress, anxiety, and financial strain. A Huntington Beach car accident lawyer can connect the dots between medical evidence and financial losses, helping demonstrate how each injury affects your quality of life and earning ability. By thoroughly documenting both short- and long-term impacts, your case reflects the full scope of what the accident has taken from you.
Medical documentation plays a central role in proving the extent of your injuries and connecting them directly to the crash. Records such as hospital charts, imaging results, physician notes, and rehabilitation reports create a timeline that links the accident to your treatment and recovery. These documents help demonstrate both the severity and duration of your condition, which directly influences compensation for medical expenses and pain and suffering. A Huntington Beach car accident lawyer reviews this evidence carefully to present a clear, factual picture of how the collision affected your health and daily life.
California law entitles injured victims to seek compensation for all losses directly caused by another’s negligence. Under California Civil Code § 3333, damages for personal injury are measured by the amount that will “compensate for all the detriment proximately caused,” whether anticipated or not.
In rare cases involving extreme misconduct, such as drunk driving or reckless disregard for human life, the court may award punitive damages to punish and deter similar behavior.
Greene Broillet & Wheeler develops comprehensive claims supported by clear evidence and persuasive presentation. Drawing on customized evidentiary techniques and modern courtroom technology, we prepare every single case for the possibility of trial. This approach has helped us consistently achieve meaningful outcomes for clients and hold negligent parties accountable.
Every personal injury case in California is subject to a statute of limitations, which sets a legal time frame for filing a lawsuit. These statutes exist to encourage timely action while evidence and witness recollections remain reliable and accurate. According to the California Code of Civil Procedure § 335.1, “Within two years: An action for assault, battery, or injury to, or for the death of, an individual caused by the wrongful act or neglect of another.”
For car accident victims, this two-year period typically begins on the date of the crash. Since filing requirements and legal procedures can be complex, working with a Huntington Beach car accident lawyer early in the process helps safeguard your opportunity to pursue fair compensation.
Don’t wait to secure the representation you deserve. Call 866-634-4525 or contact us online to schedule your free consultation. We’ll review your case, explain your legal options, and help you take the next step toward recovery. At Greene Broillet & Wheeler, our mission is to protect the injured and promote accountability on California’s roads.
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Tim J. Wheeler is the Firm’s Managing Partner and a highly accomplished California trial lawyer with decades of experience in product liability, personal injury, employment, and complex negligence cases. He has secured over 150 verdicts and settlements exceeding $1 million, including landmark results such as the largest personal injury verdict against the City of Los Angeles at the time and record jury awards for brain injury and wrongful termination cases. Tim is a former Personal Injury Lawyer of the Year and Product Liability Lawyer of the Year in Los Angeles, and a long-standing honoree of Best Lawyers in America and Super Lawyers.
Named in Best Lawyers® “Best Law Firms,” Greene Broillet & Wheeler, LLP ranks as Tier 1 Personal Injury Litigation- Plaintiffs in Los Angeles.
Many firm members have been honored by the Consumer Attorneys of California, including Browne Greene, Christine Spagnoli, and Bruce Broillet, recipients of the Marvin E. Lewis Award. In addition, attorneys Bruce Broillet, Scott Carr, Molly McKibben, and Tobin Lanzetta has been honored with the Consumer Attorney of the Year Award.
All of our attorneys are proud to be active members of the Los Angeles County Bar Association or LACBA.
Our attorneys were featured in TopVerdict for having one of the Top 10 Wrongful Death Verdicts in California in 2019, with $15 million won for the plaintiff in Keck v. Bel-Air Bay Club.
Partners Geoff Wells and Ivan Puchalt were both named among the 2025 Consumer Attorney Visionaries by LA Times Studios.
Several partners are active members in the Consumer Attorneys Association of Los Angeles, with attorneys Browne Greene, Bruce Broillet, and Christine Spagnoli named “Trial Lawyer of the Year.”
Firm partners Christine D. Spagnoli and Molly McKibben have both been honored by the Women Lawyers Association of Los Angeles and are active members.
After winning $2.6 million for the plaintiff’s side in a head-on collision case, our victory was named in the Top 50 Personal Injury Verdicts in California in 2019 by TopVerdict.
Several of our partners are members in the American Board of Trial Advocates, a national invite-only association consisting of the most experienced trial lawyers.
Our team includes several Fellows and Associates with the invite-only International Society of Barristers in recognition of their trial advocacy.
Greene Broillet & Wheeler, LLP, was featured by TopVerdict in the Top 100 Settlements across all practice areas in California for 2019.
Bruce A. Broillet and Christine D. Spagnoli are Fellows with the invite-only International Academy of Trial Lawyers, a group of elite trial lawyers from over 30 countries.
Recipients of this recognition are held up to the same standards as for The Best Lawyers in America, but only legal professionals in the first ten years of their careers qualify. Four attorneys at GBW have been recognized with this award in 2021.
Founding partners Browne Greene and Bruce A. Broillet are both members of the exclusive invite-only Inner Circle of Advocates, as two of the top 100 plaintiff trial lawyers in America.
Our firm has more attorneys on the Super Lawyers® and Rising Stars lists than any other law firm in Southern California, with 15 members selected.
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