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8 FAQs About Car Accidents Involving Excluded Drivers 

April 19, 2023 by Michael Waks

young woman behind wheel

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...]

Why You Should Refuse to Sign a Car Accident Private Settlement Letter

April 5, 2023 by Michael Waks

two men examining cars after wreck

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...]

How to Seek the Maximum Compensation After Getting Hurt in a Car Accident

March 1, 2023 by Michael Waks

head-on collision

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...]

3 FAQs About Taking Action Against Someone Who Was Driving While Drowsy

February 16, 2023 by Michael Waks

drowsy man behind wheel

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...]

Who Is Liable for Injuries Caused by a Police Vehicle?

February 1, 2023 by Michael Waks

parked police car

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...]

3 FAQs About Filing an Injury Claim After Getting Hurt in a Police Chase

January 25, 2023 by Michael Waks

police cars at night

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...]

Evidence to Strengthen Your Drunk Driving Accident Claim

January 18, 2023 by Michael Waks

man drinking alcohol behind wheel

Drunk driving accidents claim roughly 32 lives across the country every single day. Impaired motorists are also responsible for tens of thousands of injuries each year.  If your life was turned upside-down by a drunk driver, it’s only natural to want justice. While the outcome of any criminal proceedings will depend on factors beyond your control, you can at least file a tort claim in the hopes of holding the motorist financially responsible. Granted, no amount of money will … [Read more...]

How Uninsured Motorist Coverage Protects You Even When You’re Not in Your Car

December 21, 2022 by Michael Waks

men looking at car crash

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...]

Governor Newsom Raised Liability Minimums with the Protect California Drivers Act 

December 14, 2022 by Michael Waks

insurance adjuster looking at car

When it comes to auto insurance coverage, almost every state has mandatory liability minimums that vehicle owners must carry. California’s minimums were established way back in 1967 and haven’t been updated since—until now.  Governor Gavin Newsom just signed the Protect California Drivers Act (SB 1107, Dodd) to establish new liability minimums for motorists across the state. The prior coverage limits included $15,000 per person for injury or death, $30,000 per accident, and … [Read more...]

How Do You Prove Non-Economic Damages After a Car Accident?

October 5, 2022 by Michael Waks

deployed airbag

If you’re recovering from car accident injuries, you’ve probably already realized that the associated damages can add up fast. In addition to covering out-of-pocket medical expenses and replacement services like alternative transportation, you may be losing paycheck after paycheck as long as you’re out of work. Unfortunately, such monetary losses may not actually be the worst of it. Sustaining unanticipated injuries can also result in a host of non-economic damages. Examples include … [Read more...]

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Michael Waks is The attorney you want to resolve your accident issues, period. He is knowledgeable, efficient, and gets maximum results when you are injured.

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