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Can Lane Splitting Prevent Motorcycle Accident Injuries?

March 5, 2018 by

Lane splitting is a common, even expected, practice of motorcycle riders around the world. In the United States lane splitting is illegal in every state but California. Lane splitting explicitly became legal in California on January 1, 2017. Other states considering whether to legalize lane splitting are looking to California for guidance. One of the big questions is whether lane splitting reduces motorcycle accident injuries. What is lane splitting? Lane splitting, also called lane sharing, … [Read more...]

What accident victims should know about premises liability insurance?

March 2, 2018 by

What is premises liability insurance? Premises liability insurance is similar to other liability insurance policies that pay for damages caused by the policy holder. By issuing the policy, the insurance company agrees to pay legitimate insurance claims for covered risks. Premises liability insurance is not that different from auto insurance. If you get hit by another driver who has auto liability insurance, that driver’s auto insurance pays for your injuries and property damage, with some … [Read more...]

3 Facts Every Pedestrian Should Know About California Crosswalk Laws

February 28, 2018 by

Jaywalking is a violation of California Crosswalk Laws, but you won’t find a statute prohibiting it. Instead, you will find rules about where to cross a street. While “jaywalking” is not used in the California Vehicle Code statutes, it is found deep in Appendix B. This appendix contains a list of Vehicle Code violations. In this list, violating the rule about crossing the street at intersections is called “jaywalking.” Jaywalking is an infraction punishable by a fine that can be as much as … [Read more...]

Car Accident Back Pain is Common, Compensable, and Often Correctable

February 21, 2018 by

Car accident back pain is a common consequence of vehicle collisions because of the extraordinary force involved. Car accident victims deserve compensation for the costs of their injuries and changes in their lives due to back pain. They are also entitled to treatment to correct spine and back injuries or to alleviate the resulting pain. Car Accident Back Pain Occurs in Most Collisions Auto and motorcycle crashes cause the majority of spinal cord injuries in the U.S. About 50% of new spinal cord … [Read more...]

After You Fall: Why the Premises Liability Definition Matters

February 19, 2018 by

Have you recently eaten dinner at a restaurant? What would happen if you had fallen in the parking lot afterward? The California premises liability definition explains who would have been responsible for your fall and for paying for your injuries. Imagine your evening had ended like this: While you ate dinner, the sky became dark. As you left the restaurant and entered the attached parking lot, you realized it was hard to see. There was no moon, and an overhead parking lot light was out. That … [Read more...]

Three Things Savvy Cyclists do to Prevent Bicycle Accident Injuries

February 5, 2018 by

Cycling to work is great for the environment and great exercise, but it can be dangerous. In 2017, 62 people in Los Angeles County died from bicycle accident injuries. The number of bicycle accident deaths has declined, however, since 2012. In that year, California had the highest number of bicycle accident deaths in the country. Thousands of people safely bike to work each day in Long Beach and throughout Southern California. Commuting while avoiding bicycle accident injuries is possible when … [Read more...]

Are Spilled Milk and a Torn ACL Elements of a Premises Liability Case?

February 2, 2018 by

An aspiring dancer walked into a store and slipped on some milk. That sounds like the beginning of a bad joke, but it’s actually the beginning of a premises liability case. Anna’s story illustrates what happens when all four elements of a premises liability case exist. What is a premises liability claim? A premises liability claim is a request by an accident victim to be compensated for injuries occurring on someone’s property. “Premises” refers to a place such as a business or home. “Liability” … [Read more...]

How to Reach a Car Accident Settlement for a Child

January 31, 2018 by

California law treats child victims of car accidents differently than adult victims. The state has specific rules about approving a car accident settlement for a child. Parents must follow the rules to protect their child’s legal rights. As you consider your next steps following a car accident that hurt your child, keep the following points in mind. Children must file lawsuits through a GAL In California, a child under the age of 18 is considered a minor. Minors cannot agree to contracts or file … [Read more...]

What are the Top 5 Causes of Pedestrian Accidents?

January 29, 2018 by

Los Angeles County is one of California’s most dangerous counties for pedestrians. Reducing the danger begins with knowing the top causes of pedestrian accidents. How Dangerous is Los Angeles County for Pedestrians? Out of California counties, Los Angeles County is the second most hazardous when measured by non-fatal pedestrian injuries. San Francisco County has the highest rate of pedestrian injuries and Alameda County has the third highest rate. For pedestrian fatalities, though, Los Angeles … [Read more...]

Is a car accident settlement taxable?

January 26, 2018 by

Taxes are a big topic right now. Accountants and lawyers are hard at work figuring out how the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act changes clients’ tax liabilities. Personal injury clients want to know, “Are car accident settlements taxable?” After representing car accident victims for the last 35 years, I can tell you there is no single answer to that question. The answer depends on the claims underlying the settlement, the types of damages awarded and the settlement structure. The new tax law, effective … [Read more...]