Law Office of Michael D. Waks

If you were hurt in a car accident and the police report reveals that responding officers consider you at fault, you’re probably wondering whether you can still take legal action. The short answer? Yes.   Police reports are not always accurate. They are written by human beings, who are capable of making mistakes.  What’s more, police officers may not have all of the facts when they write their reports. For example, they may not have interviewed all the witnesses or … [Read more...]

At some point when reviewing your auto coverage, you may have come across the term "excluded drivers.” An excluded driver is someone who is not covered under the policy and is therefore not permitted to drive the insured vehicle.  Unfortunately, however, that doesn’t always stop them from getting behind the wheel. And if they happen to cause an accident when they do? It’s much like an uninsured motorist causing a crash.  If you were hit by an excluded driver or your own vehicle … [Read more...]

If you were recently involved in a car accident but your injuries don’t seem too severe, you may be inclined to sign a private settlement letter. As an alternative to filing a formal insurance claim, signing a private settlement allows the at-fault party to pay the victim out-of-pocket for any damages that result. As appealing as bypassing the claims process might sound, though, there are a few major reasons to avoid agreeing to a private arrangement. Read on to learn what they are: 1. You … [Read more...]

The damages that stem from a car accident can add up fast. Fortunately, victims are usually entitled to compensation. Just because you might have grounds for a claim, though, doesn't mean you’re guaranteed a payout.  First, you’re going to have to put together a compelling. Let’s take a look at what this entails, so you can seek the maximum payout possible: 1. Document the Scene One of the most critical steps in building a strong claim is documenting the scene of the crash. This … [Read more...]

While most people would never get behind the wheel after drinking to the point of impairment, few stop to consider the risks before driving while drowsy. Since sleep deprivation affects things like reaction time and judgement the same way alcohol does, however, drowsy driving can be just as dangerous as drunk driving.  Thankfully, when someone is struck by a drowsy driver, the law is usually on their side. As long as they can put together a compelling claim, they may seek … [Read more...]

If you were struck by a police vehicle and your life has since been turned upside-down, it’s only natural to search for someone to blame. The associated losses are probably adding up fast, after all, and you won’t be able to seek compensation for any of them until you can identify the liable party or parties.  Generally speaking, the process for assigning financial responsibility for an accident involving a police vehicle is the same as it is for any other kind of collision. … [Read more...]

High-speed police chases occur fairly often in cities and towns across the country. While these pursuits are sometimes the only way for officers to apprehend suspects promptly, their chaotic nature puts everyone in traffic at risk. Sadly, it’s innocent bystanders who tend to suffer the most.  Every year, approximately 350 people are killed during police chases, and many more sustain serious injuries. Although victims are usually entitled to compensation, securing an actual … [Read more...]

Following car accidents, California takes a fault-based approach to assigning financial liability. That means those who cause wrecks are responsible for the resulting damages, and they typically take care of them through their auto insurance policy. For this reason, motorists are required to carry liability coverage in the state of California. While there are no mandatory minimums for uninsured motorist (UM) coverage, it’s wise to add this product to your policy, as well.  At … [Read more...]