Is a Landlord Liable If A Tenant’s Dog Bites Someone?

July 6, 2018 by Michael Waks

California dog owners are responsible for all damages resulting from their dogs’ bites. That sounds straightforward. Unless you are the dog bite victim and the dog’s owner is a tenant without insurance. In that case, you may wonder about landlord liability for dog bites. Determining liability is important to victims because the liable person must pay for the victim’s injuries. Dog bites can cause serious scarring and permanent damage. Injuries may require multiple surgeries. Dog bites can leave … [Read more...]

Who Pays for Injuries Caused By Poor Road Conditions?

July 2, 2018 by Michael Waks

Poor road conditions are costly and dangerous. One auto insurance industry study looked at car damage and injuries caused by poor road conditions from 2009 to 2014. It concluded that over five years, the price tag for automobile damage resulting from potholes was at least $27 billion. The study found that 50% of vehicle owners experienced auto damage attributed to potholes. In addition to vehicle damage, potholes can lead to serious head, neck, and spine injuries. The impact of hitting a deep … [Read more...]

How long will it take to settle my car accident claim?

June 29, 2018 by Michael Waks

Most auto accident victims want to put the trauma of a car crash behind them as quickly as possible. When potential clients talk to me about their car accident, one of their most pressing questions is “How long will it take to settle my car accident claim?” When I explain that the answer depends on many factors and I don’t yet have enough information to answer, their next question is “What is the average time for a car accident settlement?” Because every car accident is unique, there is no … [Read more...]

Car Accident Injury Claim: Settle or Sue in Court?

June 27, 2018 by Michael Waks

After suffering the pain and injury of a serious car accident, it is natural that you want to obtain compensation quickly. You have medical bills to pay. Working is difficult or impossible. The mortgage is due. That is why many people decide to settle out of court instead of sue for their car accident injuries. But before you decide to take a settlement for you car accident claim, I want to explain critical factors to consider first. Careful thought is required when it comes to deciding to … [Read more...]

Who Pays When A Driver Causes An Auto Accident Without Insurance?

June 25, 2018 by Michael Waks

California does not require drivers to have uninsured motorist (UM) coverage or underinsured motorist (UIM) coverage. Since it is optional, many drivers think it is not needed. As an experienced car accident attorney, I consider UM and UIM coverage to be essential protections for all drivers. In my 35 years of representing car accident victims, I have seen too many cases where a driver causes an auto accident without insurance, leaving the victim with lifelong injuries and no insurance … [Read more...]

What To Do After A Car Accident In An Uber Car

June 20, 2018 by Michael Waks

To say that rideshare companies like Uber and Lyft are popular in Southern California is quite an understatement. Rideshare trips are used for daily work commutes, running errands, and going out on the town. They’re so popular because they provide flexibility and ease of mind: passengers don’t need to worry about parking or how many drinks they have at a party. Passengers might worry, though about what to do after a car accident in an Uber, Lyft, or other rideshare vehicle. If you are the … [Read more...]

Who Pays For A Victim’s Injuries When A Property Owner Has No Liability Insurance?

June 18, 2018 by Michael Waks

If you’ve recently been injured on someone’s property, you have many concerns. Maybe you twisted your ankle after tripping on a hidden sprinkler head at a neighbor’s house. Perhaps you fell while walking on uneven steps at a local store. Or maybe you slipped on water in your grocery store produce section. Regardless of how you got hurt, you’d like some help paying your bills and making up for lost time at work and home. You shouldn’t have to pay for someone else’s negligence. If your injury … [Read more...]

What if an Uber driver hits your car?

June 15, 2018 by Michael Waks

Tens of thousands of Uber and Lyft drivers cruise the streets of Southern California. Some of these drivers cause car accidents. So, who pays you if an Uber driver hits your car and injures you and your passengers? As a car accident victim, you are entitled to compensation for your all your damages. This includes expenses related to any personal injuries, pain and suffering, and auto accident damage. The at-fault driver’s auto insurance should pay you. But when the at-fault driver is an … [Read more...]

Which Dog Bites Are The Most Dangerous?

June 13, 2018 by Michael Waks

Parents want to keep their children safe from dog attacks without making them scared of dogs. My advice to parents is to teach children how to be safe around all dogs. After representing dog bite victims for 35 years, I know that any dog can bite in certain situations. If a dog bites your child, contact an experienced dog bite attorney as soon as possible after seeking medical care. California dog owners are responsible for damage caused when their dogs bite people. An experienced dog bite … [Read more...]

How Use Of Social Media After Slip And Fall Accidents Hurts Personal Injury Claims

June 12, 2018 by Michael Waks

It is rare to find a person in Long Beach or the greater Los Angeles area who does not use social media. This includes victims of all kinds of personal injury accidents. So, it may come as a surprise when personal injury attorneys advise victims to cease all use of social media after slip and fall accidents. Following that advice is hard. The Pew Research Center, which studies social media use, says that over 70% of Americans use social media platforms. Social media users include people of all … [Read more...]

Welcome to the Michael Waks Blog