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Welcome to the Michael Waks Blog

8 California Bicycle Riding Regulations You Should Know

November 20, 2018 by

With beautiful landscapes, an eco-friendly culture, and thousands of miles of scenic trails, California is home to some of the most enthusiastic bicyclists in the entire country. But with more riders on the road comes a higher accident rate. In fact, California had more cyclist fatalities in 2016 than any other state. To curb this statistic and keep riders safe, state legislators have enacted laws aimed at preventing cyclists from putting themselves and other people at risk. Below are eight … [Read more...]

Motor-Vehicle Driver Responsibilities & Personal Injury Liability

November 19, 2018 by

All motorists have a duty to avoid behaviors that would threaten the safety of other people. Yet every day, millions of drivers breach this duty by speeding, texting behind the wheel, and engaging in other negligent misconduct. If you were hurt or lost a loved one in a crash that another driver caused, you may have grounds for a personal injury claim. Unfortunately, it is not uncommon for insurance companies to dispute liability and attempt to pay claimants less than what they deserve. … [Read more...]

Treatments for Spinal Cord Injuries After Accident Trauma

November 16, 2018 by

Although treatments for spinal injuries have advanced tremendously over recent years, there is at present no way to reverse damage to the spinal cord. Fortunately, patients have several options when it comes to promoting nerve cell regeneration, improving nerve function, preventing further injury, and enhancing independence and quality of life. Below is a brief overview of spinal cord injury (SCI) treatments that may be administered after accident trauma: At the Scene of the Accident Prompt … [Read more...]

Umbrella Coverage: A Potential Source of Recovery in Tort Claims

November 15, 2018 by

Recovering a fair settlement after a serious injury or wrongful death is a tricky process that may involve several insurance policies. Ideally, the person or entity that caused your injury or loss will have liability insurance that covers such scenarios, whether it was a car accident, slip and fall, product defect, etc. In addition to auto, home, and renter’s insurance, some defendants have umbrella coverage. This is extra liability insurance that will kick in if the policyholder is held … [Read more...]

9 Hazardous Conditions That May Warrant a Premises Liability Claim

November 13, 2018 by

Most people feel relatively safe when they’re shopping for groceries, having dinner at a restaurant, or spending a night on the town with friends. For the most part, these scenarios are fairly predictable and almost never lead to accidents. But when property owners are negligent and fail to keep their premises in reasonably safe condition, serious injuries are likely to occur. If you or a member of your family was injured due to hazardous conditions on someone else’s property, you may have … [Read more...]

4 FAQs About Car Accident Wrongful Death Claims

November 5, 2018 by

No tragedy can match the grief of losing a family member in a sudden car accident. When the death is expected, you at least have the opportunity to say goodbye, but if the loss was caused by another person’s negligence, the burden can be especially difficult to bear. Beyond the emotional trauma, you and your family may also be facing financial turmoil due to medical bills, lost income, and funeral costs. In the state of California, though, certain family members can bring tort claims against … [Read more...]

3 FAQs About Car Accident Claims Against Government Entities

November 2, 2018 by

If you or someone you know has ever been in a car accident, you may already be familiar with the basic process of filing a claim. But there are special rules that apply to tort claims filed against government entities. Suing a city, county, or state government agency is far more complicated than suing an individual because there are more steps involved, and you have a shorter timeframe within which to file an administrative claim. In this blog, we’ll answer a few FAQs about such claims and … [Read more...]

What Is the “Act of God” Defense Against Personal Injury Claims?

October 19, 2018 by

A serious personal injury accident can cripple the finances of even a fairly well-off family. Medical bills, lost income, and other damages add up quickly. Victims injured due to another person’s negligence, expect that individual’s insurance company to cover at least a portion of their losses. When you file a personal injury claim, the other side will try everything to reduce the amount they have to pay you. They will try to use several defenses to avoid paying you anything. One such defense … [Read more...]

The Long Beach Law Office of Michael D. Waks Announces Winner of 3rd Annual Essay Contest for Students Living with A Disability

August 16, 2018 by

Attorney Michael D. Waks is pleased to award $1,000 to Kristi Alarcon, the winner of the 3rd Annual Michael D. Waks Essay Contest for students living with a disability. Disabled high school seniors and undergraduates attending a 2 or 4-year accredited university or college, were invited to participate. Kristi Alarcon of Long Beach has been selected the winner of the 2018 Essay Contest. Kristi is a third-year student at California State University, Long Beach, studying journalism and … [Read more...]

Motorcycle Riders Can Be Awarded Damages When They Don’t Wear Helmets

August 9, 2018 by

Motorcycle riders must be more vigilant about safety than vehicle drivers. Despite motorcycles having the same rights and responsibilities as passenger vehicles, a motorcyclist seems to have a heightened responsibility to prevent a motorcycle accident. This is an unfair burden, especially since vehicles cause most collisions between cars and motorcycles. Why Do Cars Hit Motorcycles? The main reason cars cause motorcycle accidents is that drivers don’t see the motorcycles. Most passenger vehicle … [Read more...]