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How Are Car Accidents Investigated?

February 3, 2021 by Michael Waks

How Are Car Accidents Investigated in California

If you were hurt in a motor vehicle collision, a personal injury attorney can conduct a thorough investigation to gather the evidence needed to prove liability, causation, and damages. The initial police investigation—and corresponding report—could still prove valuable, however, because it may provide preliminary information that guides your legal team. How Do Police Investigate Car Accidents? When officers arrive at the scene of a crash, their first priority is safety. Once traffic is … [Read more...]

Which Auto Insurer Should Handle My Property Damage Claim?

August 19, 2020 by Michael Waks

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If you were involved in a motor-vehicle collision through no fault of your own, you may be wondering whether to file a first- or third-party claim for the resulting property damage. Because California is a fault state in regard to auto accidents, you might be inclined to opt for the latter and bring the claim against the liable party’s insurer. It's reasonable to assume that filing a third-party claim has advantages. You won’t have to cover the deductible, for example. Also, you may already … [Read more...]

Is My New Car Covered by My Old Auto Insurance Policy?

July 10, 2020 by Michael Waks

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If you buy a new car and then get in a wreck on your way home from the dealership, would the insurance policy attached to your old vehicle cover the damages? Unfortunately, this is a question that most motorists don’t even consider—until they’re facing just such a predicament. Crashing a brand-new vehicle—or a vehicle that’s new to the motorist, at least—happens more often than you might realize. After all, when you’re driving a car you’re unfamiliar with, maneuvering it safely in traffic can … [Read more...]

When Might Uninsured Motorist Coverage Apply?

June 30, 2020 by Michael Waks

When Might Uninsured Motorist Coverage Apply

Because California is a tort state, negligent drivers are financially accountable for the damages they cause in accidents. The victims of these accidents usually seek compensation by bringing a third-party claim against the insurance company of the liable party. California requires passenger-vehicle motorists to carry liability insurance for both bodily injury and property damage. That doesn’t mean, however, that all drivers maintain an active policy. For this reason, it is advisable to … [Read more...]

How Might Black Box Data Contribute to My Car Accident Claim?

May 1, 2020 by Michael Waks

How Might Black Box Data Contribute to My Car Accident Claim?

If you were hurt in a car, truck, or motorcycle accident, there’s a good chance at least one of the vehicles involved was equipped with an event data recorder (EDR). Also known as “black boxes,” these devices track a number of operational specifics, and more than 9 out of 10 passenger cars and light-duty vehicles manufactured after 2012 have one. Big rigs are also equipped with EDRs, among other recording devices. Because of the metrics they record, black boxes often allow investigators to … [Read more...]

Statute of Limitations for Car Accident Lawsuits in California

April 24, 2020 by Michael Waks

auto accident in long beach, ca

Like most states, California follows a fault system when it comes to car accident claims. Under this system, accident victims can bring a claim against the liable party rather than bringing a claim against their own no-fault insurance. In most cases, the claim is brought against the liable party’s insurance company. Unfortunately, insurance providers have the incentive to deny or undervalue claims whenever possible. If no settlement can be reached through correspondence between the insurer … [Read more...]

Can You Sue for Punitive Damages If Defendant Was Drunk or on Drugs?

February 28, 2020 by Michael Waks

Can You Sue for Punitive Damages If Defendant Was Drunk or on Drugs?

There are two categories of damages that might be available after a personal injury or wrongful death: compensatory damages and punitive damages. Compensatory damages encompass the economic and non-economic losses arising from the tort. They are awarded to make the victim(s) “whole again.” Punitive damages, however, are intended to punish the defendant and to deter similar transgressions in the future. Every successful personal injury or wrongful death case will yield some amount of … [Read more...]

Uber Discloses Nearly 6,000 Sexual Assault Reports & Accident Data

February 10, 2020 by Michael Waks

Uber car Sexual Assault Reports in CA

The recent release of Uber’s 84-page safety transparency report has revealed thousands of sexual assaults and serious accidents involving the world’s most popular ridesharing service. According to the long-awaited safety disclosure, there were nearly 6,000 reports of sexual assault and 107 traffic accident deaths involving Uber vehicles in 2017 and 2018. According to the Los Angeles Times, more than 460 of the sexual assault claims involved nonconsensual penetration or rape, 587 reports of … [Read more...]

8 Signs You Have a Strong Car Accident Claim

February 5, 2020 by Michael Waks

Car crash Accident Claim in California

If you were injured in a car accident, there are certain elements you must be able to prove in order to recover compensation for medical bills, pain and suffering, and other damages. Even if you’re certain that someone else was responsible for the crash, there may still be weaknesses in your case that can be exploited by the insurance company to undervalue your claim or deny it outright. The easiest way to find out if your case has merit is to speak with a car accident lawyer. An attorney can … [Read more...]

Woman Dies After Loose Tire Crashes into Her SUV on 405 Freeway

November 20, 2019 by Michael Waks

Change A Flat Car Tire At Car Park With Tire Maintenance, Damage

A 61-year-old woman was tragically killed on the 405 Freeway in Long Beach recently when a tire came off another vehicle and smashed into the windshield of her SUV. The victim died before paramedics could arrive. Her passenger was rushed to Long Beach Memorial Medical Center. According to the California Highway Patrol, the crash occurred just after 1 p.m. when the rear-left tire of a southbound Dodge Ram pickup came loose and entered the northbound lanes. Reports indicate that the tire crushed … [Read more...]

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LONG BEACH, CA

300 East San Antonio Drive

Long Beach, CA 90807

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CARDIFF-BY-THE-SEA, CA

160 Chesterfield Drive
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Cardiff-by-the-Sea, CA 92007

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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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