Reporting a hit-and-run one day after it happens is still possible in California, though it's best to act quickly rather than wait. Under California Vehicle Code § 20008, when a collision results in injury or death, drivers typically have a...
Local Accident News: Guide
Road accidents can be controlled by making road users, vehicles, speeds, roads, and post-crash care safer. These protections work together to prevent crashes and reduce the risk of death or serious injury when a collision still occurs. Drivers can help...
Auto insurance is important in California because it can protect you from the financial costs of a crash and help you meet the state's financial responsibility requirement. Depending on the policy, coverage may pay for injuries or property damage caused...
A pre-existing condition does not automatically prevent you from seeking compensation after a California car accident. If the crash caused a new injury or made an existing physical or emotional condition worse, you may be able to seek damages for...
In California, workers' compensation benefits are regulated by the Department of Industrial Relations (DIR). The Division of Workers' Compensation (DWC) is part of the DIR and oversees the workers' compensation system. Workers’ compensation judges adjudicate benefit disputes, and the Workers’...
Yes, auto insurance covers pedestrian accidents, typically through the at-fault driver's bodily injury liability policy or your own, if it includes uninsured/underinsured (UM/UIM) or Medical Payments (MedPay) coverage. Under California law, the sequence in which insurance policies apply determines how...
What happens to your medical bills after a personal injury case settles depends on how the bills were handled during the case. Some medical providers may still be owed money. Others may have a lien against the settlement. Health insurers,...
The most common preventable mistakes in California auto accident claims are delaying medical care, losing evidence at the scene, mishandling insurer communications, settling too early, missing deadlines, and failing to identify all available coverage. Any one of these can weaken...
Speeding, drunk or impaired driving, distracted driving, and failing to yield the right of way are some of the biggest reasons people get hurt in traffic accidents across Los Angeles County. These behaviors cause serious crashes involving drivers, pedestrians, cyclists,...
If you were injured in an accident and are looking for legal help, understanding what it takes to become a personal injury lawyer can help you evaluate the attorneys you're considering. In California, a personal injury lawyer must have completed...
Yes. In California, your auto policy's UM coverage can cover a pedestrian accident. The coverage follows the person, not just the vehicle. Whether it pays in your specific situation depends on your policy terms, the driver's status, and INS §...
There is no fixed timeline for a California motorcycle accident lawsuit. A case may take several months to several years, depending on the severity of the injuries, disputed liability, discovery, motions, court scheduling, settlement negotiations, and whether the case proceeds...
Yes, you should usually report a hit-and-run in California, even if your vehicle appears undamaged. A clean bumper does not always mean the vehicle escaped damage, and you may not notice an injury right away. There is an important legal...
Once you hire an attorney, your lawyer begins protecting and building your claim. Early steps may include notifying insurers and other parties of the representation, preserving important evidence, obtaining accident or incident reports, and gathering medical and financial records. As...
To get workers' compensation in California, tell your employer about your injury as soon as possible, usually within 30 days. Then, request a DWC-1 claim form. Submit the completed form to your employer. California's workers' compensation system generally operates on...
California generally allows you 2 years to file a personal injury lawsuit after a slip-and-fall on private property. If a public entity may be responsible, however, you may need to present a written government claim within 6 months after the...
Most pedestrian accidents occur in the evening and at night. The Traffic Safety Facts 2023 from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) reveals that most accidents involving injured pedestrians (49.7%) occur between 3 p.m. and 9 p.m. Meanwhile, pedestrian...
In 2023, Los Angeles County ranked 37th out of California’s 58 counties for pedestrians killed or injured, with 4,034 pedestrian victims. For pedestrians age 65 and older, the county ranked 9th out of 58, with 562 victims killed or injured....
Depending on your situation, it can be too late to make an insurance claim. In California, there’s no actual deadline to file every type of insurance claim. That is why, when gauging if you can still pursue compensation from your...
If you fail to make or cause to be made a required accident report within 24 hours, you may violate California Vehicle Code (CVC) § 20008. The violation can result in a traffic infraction and a fine. For most non-common-carrier...
The deadline to file a motorcycle accident claim can vary depending on the type of claim, when the cause of the claim began, and whether special rules apply. Under California law, you generally have two years from the date of...
No, it’s generally not too late to report a hit-and-run. Missing a reporting deadline does not necessarily mean you can no longer report the hit-and-run or pursue a claim. The more important question is what rights may have been affected...
Orange County has announced an e-bike buyback program that highlights legal issues riders and parents should understand under California law. Some high-powered electric two-wheelers do not qualify as electric bicycles under California law and may instead be treated as motorcycles...
You may be able to get free legal guidance during an initial consultation with a personal injury lawyer. Also, you may be able to get free or low-cost help from legal aid groups and State Bar-certified lawyer referral services, depending...
Yes, California imposes separate time limits for accident reports depending on the circumstances and the type of report required. Some reporting deadlines begin immediately after the accident. One important filing deadline concerns the California Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) SR-1...
In California, insurers generally must acknowledge a claim, initiate any necessary investigation, and provide the required forms and assistance within 15 calendar days of receiving notice of the claim. Additionally, they typically have to accept or deny a claim, in...
Pedestrian negligence happens when a pedestrian, driver, or both act carelessly, and that conduct contributes to a crash. Fault depends on what each person did before the accident, not simply on the fact that a pedestrian was hit. California recorded...
After an accident in California, do not admit fault, delay medical care, or sign any document until you understand what it covers. Also, avoid oversharing with insurance adjusters, posting about the accident online, or waiting too long to report the...
The driver may be financially responsible if their negligence caused or contributed to the pedestrian's injuries. In practical terms, this means that the driver failed to use reasonable care while driving, which contributed to the collision and caused the pedestrian...
California does not publish an official list naming one intersection as the most dangerous in the state. The answer depends on what is measured. An intersection could be ranked the most dangerous based on: Total traffic accidents. Injury crashes. People...