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Welcome to the Michael Waks Blog

When Might Drivers Face Car Accident Criminal Charges?

January 19, 2018 by

If you asked most Californians what driving violations can lead to criminal charges, what replies would you expect? The answers probably reflect scenarios common in police shows: It is true that everything on this list can constitute a crime under California law. It is also true that most people don’t think they will be charged with a crime following an accident. Is their belief accurate? When is a car accident a crime? In my 35 years representing accident victims, I have seen tragic, … [Read more...]

Car Accident Attorney Warns: Don’t Lie on Your Insurance Application

January 17, 2018 by

Automobile insurance is something that usually resides in the background of people’s lives. People purchase insurance and pay ongoing premiums, but don’t think much about it beyond that. People do, however, expect it to be there when they need it. Unfortunately, some drivers with auto insurance find that when they make a claim, their insurance isn’t there for them. Their claims are denied because they weren’t completely honest when they applied for their insurance policies. If your insurance … [Read more...]

What to Do If You Are a Hit-and-Run Accident Victim

January 8, 2018 by

If you drive, bike or walk in Los Angeles County, there is a good chance you will be a hit-and-run accident victim. After an increase in hit-and-runs in the Los Angeles area in 2015-2016, a local news station studied California Highway Patrol (CHP) car crash data. The reporters found more than 28,000 reported hit-and-run accidents in Los Angeles County in 2015. In fact, half of all traffic incidents in Los Angeles County are hit-and-run cases, compared to a national average of 11%. While most … [Read more...]

4 Things to Know Before Accepting a Car Accident Settlement Offer

January 3, 2018 by

After the trauma of being in a car accident, it's natural to want life to return to normal as quickly as possible. You want to regain your health, get your car fixed, and get back to work. So a quick car accident settlement with the insurance company can sound very inviting. Resolving your claim and getting cash quickly can take a big item off your to-do list. But before you accept a car accident settlement offer, you should understand the whole picture.  As a car accident attorney, I walk … [Read more...]

2017 Michael D. Waks Essay Contest Winner

November 1, 2017 by

This summer, the Law Office of Michael D. Waks, held the second annual Essay Contest for students living with a disability.  Disabled Los Angeles County high school seniors and students attending an accredited college or university, competed for the $1,000 scholarship.  Participants wrote about the educational challenges presented by their disability, how they overcame them, and how their disability has influenced their educational and career path. The theme of the essay contest reflects the … [Read more...]

Pedestrian Accidents & the Uninsured Motorist

September 1, 2017 by

Pedestrians and bicyclists can be seriously injured when struck by a car or truck. And the chances of being involved in a pedestrian accident is greater than you think. According to the NHTSA, in 2015, almost 5,400 pedestrians died and 66,000 were injured by cars nationwide. That means a pedestrian or bicyclist was hurt or killed every seven minutes. In California, pedestrian accident fatalities were the highest in the nation two years in a row. As you can imagine, being hit by a … [Read more...]

The Police Car Accident Report Says I Was At Fault. Can I Still Sue?

August 18, 2017 by

Let’s say you are in a car accident with another driver and suffer a broken arm. You call the police, and after accessing the scene, he writes a car accident report. To your surprise and dismay, when you get a copy of the report, you see the responding officer blames you for the accident. Can you still sue the other driver for your broken arm? The short answer is, yes. As a Long Beach Car Accident Lawyer I have seen more inaccurate police accident reports than you can imagine. So just because a … [Read more...]

Lost Earnings Claim: What Type of Evidence is Needed?

August 17, 2017 by

You are cruising home from your job at 5 pm. Suddenly, a truck slams into you from behind at a traffic light. Your car is wrecked. Worse, you have a broken arm and leg. Working is out of the question for at least six weeks. These serious personal injuries may prevent you from paying your mortgage and other bills. The financial devastation could cripple your family. In cases such as this, filing a personal injury claim can help you obtain compensation for your lost income. Keep reading to learn … [Read more...]

Are There Really A Lot of Frivolous Personal Injury Cases?

June 9, 2017 by

Claims that there is an epidemic of frivolous lawsuits have become common place. Frivolous lawsuits, ones with no legal basis, are said to be clogging courts and costing taxpayers billions. But is that really true? The short answer is no. But as a Long Beach personal injury attorney, I have seen defendants discount the legitimacy of valid lawsuits by calling them frivolous. Several mechanisms built into the legal system help prevent, dismiss or correct frivolous cases. Strangely … [Read more...]

Excluded Driver in an Accident? Know Your Legal Options

May 25, 2017 by

There are lots of ways to save money on your car insurance, but is it always the right thing to do? As a Long Beach car accident lawyer, I have seen that some savings are not worth it. California law requires all drivers to purchase at least a minimum amount of liability insurance. You can control the cost by adjusting how much coverage you buy and what deductible you set. But the main factor in determining your insurance premium, is risk. Insurance carriers judge risk using … [Read more...]