Frequently Asked Legal Questions
Take a Look at Common Questions by California Injury Victims Seeking Legal Counsel in 2025
Table of Contents The short answer to this question is that the person who caused the accident is responsible for paying the damages in California. California is an at-fault state for car accidents. However, the full answer is complex. Each car accident is a unique scenario where fault can often be difficult to determine. Fortunately, the law can be...
A rear-end accident can happen in an instant. The impact may leave you startled, in pain, or unsure of what to do next. Whether you’re dealing with pain, car damage, or confusing insurance steps, what happens in the first few moments can affect your health, recovery, and ability to file a claim. Staying safe is the top priority. If your...
Getting hurt while doing construction on someone else’s property can leave you facing medical bills, missed work, and uncertainty about your legal rights. In California, you may be able to recover compensation through workers’ compensation, premises liability, or a third-party personal injury claim, depending on how and where the accident happened and who was responsible. Workers’ compensation can cover medical...
When an insurance company gives you a repair estimate that you don’t agree with, you’re allowed to challenge it. You can question how the estimate was calculated, get outside opinions from licensed repair shops, and push back with supporting evidence. If the issue remains unresolved, a lawyer can step in to help you challenge the estimate and pursue a...
If no police report is filed after a car accident, there’s no official record of what happened. You’ll be responsible for gathering your own evidence in case problems come up later. You can rely on other types of evidence, such as: Photos or videos from the scene Medical records Vehicle damage reports Witness statements Communication with the other driver ...
When you’re alone on the road and your car breaks down without cell service, those yellow boxes with blue signs along the highway could save you. Highway call boxes let you report collisions, hazards, breakdowns, or other emergencies when your phone doesn’t work. By using one, you can reach an operator who may dispatch roadside help or alert emergency services....
Familiarizing yourself with the common types of accidents can help you get a better understanding of the scope of the problem. Collisions can happen at high speeds, while others occur in stop-and-go traffic. Some of the most common car accidents on the road include: T-bone collisions Head-on collisions Rear-end accidents Sideswipes Single-car accidents Rollover accidents Hit-and-runs Multi-vehicle crashes Blind spot accidents ...
Drunk driving accidents happen most often on weekends, with Saturday being the most dangerous day of the week. Analysis of national crash data from 2018 to 2022 shows that about 22% of all DUI-related collisions occur on Saturdays, followed closely by Sundays. These accidents are more likely during late-night hours and holiday weekends, when alcohol use and social activities...
Construction sites are dangerous places where serious or even life-threatening injuries can happen. A collapsing trench or a fall from scaffolding can cause long-term damage in seconds. If you were injured in a construction accident, hiring a lawyer can offer key support. They may help with:...
Rear-end accidents make up nearly 29% of all motor vehicle crashes in the U.S., making them one of the most common types of accidents. They also account for about 7.5% of fatal crashes. These accidents often happen when drivers are distracted, follow too closely, or fail to react in time. In some cases, the front driver may brake suddenly...
The Fourth of July is a time for celebration and outdoor fun with family and friends. While these gatherings bring joy, they also come with serious risks. The top injuries during this holiday include burns, traffic-related injuries, water accidents, and slip-and-falls....
Table of Contents Employees can face many hurdles after a workplace injury. For one, worker’s compensation insurance adjusters will not hand over benefits easily. Worker’s compensation insurance adjusters often request that injured employees submit to an exam with a Qualified Medical Examiner. A Qualified Medical Examiner (QME) evaluates injured workers to test the validity and cause of their injuries....
Research Shows How to Reduce Traffic Accidents Involving Children Every year, thousands of children across the United States are injured in car accidents. Some are even killed. It is every parent’s worst nightmare to see their child injured in any type of preventable accident. While parents can take some steps to reduce the likelihood their children will be injured...
Table of Contents Better weather is just on the horizon, which means more people are going to be planning vacations and road trips. Although the holiday season is the peak long-distance traveling time of the year, an upcoming road trip outside of the holidays shouldn’t lull you into a false sense of security. The journey to your final destination...
When an insurance company refuses to make a fair settlement offer, you can be forced to file a lawsuit and litigate your case all the way to trial. Sometimes this process goes smoothly. Other times, the insurance company refuses to cooperate and violates the discovery rules that allow your attorney to investigate your claim. This costs you time and...
Table of Contents Neuroscientists are constantly learning more about how human beings perceive and react to the world around us. During a dangerous car accident, these perceptions can have fatal consequences. The split seconds between seeing an obstacle and reacting to it can determine whether you will live or die. These actions also have legal consequences because each driver’s...
Table of Contents Some injury victims choose to handle their own insurance claims. While it is your right to do so, there are many reasons why it is a good idea to have a lawyer on your side. It is especially important to hire an expert TBI lawyer when your case involves a brain injury that requires technical medical...
It has never been more dangerous to be a pedestrian in California. According to the California Office of Traffic Safety, pedestrian fatalities increased by 26 percent between 2014 and 2018. More than 14,000 pedestrians were injured in traffic accidents in California in 2018. This led to millions of dollars in medical bills, lost wages, and other damages. When a...
The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) enforces its standards by inspecting workplaces, issuing citations and fines, and requiring employers to correct hazards by specific deadlines. OSHA also protects whistleblowers, refers serious cases for criminal prosecution, and offers employers free consultations to help prevent violations before they happen. Understanding how OSHA operates can help injured workers recognize safety failures, protect...
Dog parks offer a fun, safe space where you and your pet can play, walk, and socialize. Yet sometimes, things go wrong. A relaxed outing can quickly turn serious if a dog becomes aggressive and bites someone. One study found that 6.3% of reported dog bites happened in parks. While it didn’t focus on dog parks specifically, it shows...
A burn injury may range from thousands to even millions of dollars, depending on how severe the injuries are and how they affect the victim's life. Several key factors influence the compensation, including: Severity and classification of the burns. Medical treatment, surgeries, and future care costs. Lost income and reduced earning capacity. Recovery time and challenges. Location and function of the injured body part(s). Long-term...
Although crashes between bicyclists and pedestrians are rare, they do happen. These often fall under the category of a pedestrian accident, especially when the person walking suffers injuries. Unfortunately, few national reports break down this specific type of accident, making it hard to track how often these incidents occur....
Medical bills for injuries, lost income due to missed work, and the stress of dealing with insurance companies may come from a car accident. A settlement can help ease the financial burden, but how much can you realistically expect? Every case differs, so settlement amounts can vary based on what happened to you and the people involved....
After any accident, contacting a qualified personal injury lawyer as soon as possible is crucial. While you may think you still have time to file a personal injury lawsuit, waiting too long can hurt your case. The sooner you seek legal help, the stronger your case becomes. A reputable accident lawyer can protect your rights, gather crucial evidence, and...
Driverless vehicles now share California roads with conventional cars. This brings up big questions about how safe and reliable they are. The sensors help these self-driving cars "see" their surroundings. While these systems are crucial to preventing accidents, they are not always reliable. When these sensors fail, self-driving car accidents can occur....
Table of Contents Truck drivers are essential to keeping the economy moving, especially in a state like California, where goods are constantly moving through major ports, agricultural centers, and commercial hubs. However, the job comes with significant risks. Truck drivers face serious hazards on the road, including long hours, state lines, and unpredictable weather. Unfortunately, collisions involving these massive...
In the chaotic aftermath of a car accident, every second counts — not just for your physical recovery but for protecting your legal rights. You must immediately seek medical attention after a crash. This helps rule out injuries as well as establish a link between the harm you suffered and the accident. Another critical step that can determine the difference...
Motor vehicle accidents are a common and unfortunate reality, with millions of individuals injured each year. In 2022, an estimated 6,528 Americans were injured in motor vehicle accidents every day. This statistic highlights the alarming frequency with which lives are changed, often permanently, due to the negligence of some motorists. While these accidents affect people of all ages, certain...
If you love the outdoors, California is one of the best places in the United States to live. There are many parks where hiking enthusiasts can get fresh air, exercise, and use the great outdoors to relax and have fun with friends and family. Some hikers utilize hiking companies to guide them through new trails. Despite hiking guides being...
If you were involved in a hit-and-run accident in California, you may wonder, “Can I sue for a hit-and-run accident?” California is an at-fault jurisdiction, which means that the driver who caused the accident is responsible for the damages they caused. However, if the driver who caused the hit-and-run did not have automobile liability insurance coverage, they may face...
Unfortunately, you were in a car crash that left your vehicle damaged and in need of repair. Now, you must rack your mind about the next steps and how to get your vehicle safely back on the road. So, what do you do? Understanding the next steps after a car accident can be confusing, and speaking with insurance companies...
In a bicycle-involved motor vehicle accident, a number of factors need to be taken into consideration to determine who is at fault and to what degree. One of the most important factors is whether either party acted negligently by breaching their duty of care under California law, which means they were responsible for preventing harm but failed to do...
If you have ever seen a truck traveling in the left lane of a freeway in California, you probably wondered, “Can trucks drive in the left lane?” There are many misconceptions surrounding the topic of 18-wheelers and other trucks traveling in the left-hand lane, or the so-called “fast lane.” Some states explicitly prohibit trucks from driving in the left...
Table of Contents The short answer to this question is yes. California law does provide for this. The longer answer is, it depends on the circumstances of the dog bite in question. At least one insurance company reports that California is home to more dog bites than any state in the nation. In 2017, California accounted for 488 of...
Table of Contents Can You Sue If You Were Hit by A Car While Jaywalking? The short answer to this question is “yes.” Jaywalking is a violation of the California Vehicle Code. But that does not mean that if you are jaywalking and get hit by a car, you can not sue for damages. That said, it’s important to...
Table of Contents Can I sue Uber or Lyft to get full compensation for the injuries I sustained in a car accident in a ridesharing vehicle? If you were in an accident involving a ridesharing vehicle, you should ask for compensation for the injuries you sustained whether the Uber or Lyft driver is at fault or not. What should...
Table of Contents RELATED: What To Know About Lawsuits And Workers’ Compensation Claims Due To Covid-19 Workers Who Are at the Greatest Risk of Exposure COVID-19 has caused serious injuries and death for all too many Californians. Sadly, many of these patients are our frontline heroes who contract the disease while on the job, working hard to keep the...
Injuries sustained in a car accident, workplace accident, construction accident, or any other type of accident can dramatically affect a victim’s life. Some victims are unable to work. Others may face the loss of a limb or permanent disabilities. Some lose the simple ability to play with their children or enjoy their hobbies. All of these are painful –...
Automobile insurance operates a little differently from state to state. While California is considered an at-fault state for car insurance claims, there are certain other states in the country that are no-fault. People who live in no-fault states do not file injury claims with insurance companies for other drivers. Instead, they must file a claim with their own insurer...
If you were involved in a car accident and your vehicle sustained damage, you have several options for pursuing repairs. This situation, though, becomes considerably more challenging if your insurance coverage is insufficient, and making a claim may result in higher premiums. Fortunately, a straightforward option exists for selling an accident-damaged car online. Still, you can explore alternative actions...
Table of Contents Automobile accidents are a common occurrence in both urban and rural areas in the United States. California is one of the most diverse states in the country, and it is home to many drivers who find themselves involved in motor vehicle accidents. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration reports that over six million traffic collisions are...
Table of Contents If Los Angeles residents and Vision Zero critics could grade the Vision Zero initiative right now, they’d likely give it much, if any, more than a zero. While admirable, this initiative annually fails to meet or even come close to its goals, and 2021 proves no different. Innocent lives are still being taken on the streets...
Though you can get a good deal on a car with an accident history, it is not always a good idea to do so. Accidents can leave a car with lasting damage that cannot be seen. Even after cosmetic repairs are done, the structure of the vehicle could be permanently compromised and could leave you and your family in...
Table of Contents Life can take unexpected turns, even on what seems like a perfect day. Imagine: after a day where everything seemed to go right at work, your ride home is interrupted by a car accident, leaving you with injuries. While struggling with doctor’s appointments and the complexities of insurance, the thought crosses your mind: is it worth...
Table of Contents Whether you were injured in a car accident, sustained a dog bite, or slipped and fell at the grocery store, you might be wondering if you need a California personal injury lawyer. Filing an injury lawsuit is a complex process that can be tricky for most who are not in the legal industry to navigate. If...
Nearly every American has been impacted in one way or another by the COVID-19 crisis. Perhaps you have lost a friend or family member, work on the front lines of the pandemic, or you have been furloughed or laid off from your job. You may even be a business owner who has had to wholly or partially shut down...
The COVID-19 pandemic necessitates many difficult decisions. Decisions that most Americans never thought they would have to make. The health and well-being of the population had to be weighed against freedoms, maintaining regular life routines, and economics. Businesses have closed either temporarily or permanently, schools ended their year months earlier than usual, and even elective surgeries and dental appointments...
In our fast-paced society, most California drivers have no qualms about going through the drive-through to pick up their morning coffee and pastry or a sandwich for lunch. While this practice is highly convenient and can save a significant amount of time, eating and driving can result in traffic violations and expensive traffic tickets for those who choose to...
Over 270 cruise ships transport an estimated 30 million travelers annually. Passengers on these cruises come from different parts of the United States and even different countries. Cruise ships are inherently crowded places with closed environments that house people in close quarters, putting all passengers and staff at risk for many different communicable diseases. Staff moving from one ship...
Some Injury Attorneys Might Dislike Emailing As a client, you are probably wondering whether or not an accident attorney has to respond to your emails. You may send several emails over a period of time wanting to know updates on the case they are working on for you. Or maybe you are wondering what the proper etiquette is for...
