If you suffered an injury or significant property damage in a car accident, the outcome of your insurance claim could have a huge impact on your financial future. You may be wondering how the insurance adjuster will investigate your claim and what you can do to increase the odds of approval. We’ll discuss both in this blog. How Auto Insurance Companies Determine Fault After an Accident When you file a claim with an insurance company, a claims adjuster will be assigned to your case. It’s the … [Read more...]
Can I File an Injury Claim If I Wasn’t Wearing a Seat Belt?
It’s no secret that wearing a seat belt can greatly reduce the risk of injuries in the event of an accident. But at some point, most drivers hit the road without buckling up. If you were hurt in a collision but you weren’t strapped in, you might be wondering how this fact might affect your car insurance claim. In many states, the “seat belt defense” is commonly used by insurance companies and personal injury defendants to reduce their liability. Even if the injured party played no role in … [Read more...]
Why You Should File a Police Report After Any Car Accident
After a minor car accident, calling the police may seem like a waste of time. But some injuries have latent symptoms, and vehicle repairs often cost more than expected. In either scenario, a police report will serve as valuable evidence to strengthen your case. Even if the other driver admits fault at the scene, there’s no guarantee they will accept blame when you file the claim. In fact it has been my experience that defendants will often change their recollection about how the accident … [Read more...]
Who Pays When A Driver Causes An Auto Accident Without Insurance?
California does not require drivers to have uninsured motorist (UM) coverage or underinsured motorist (UIM) coverage. Since it is optional, many drivers think it is not needed. As an experienced car accident attorney, I consider UM and UIM coverage to be essential protections for all drivers. In my 35 years of representing car accident victims, I have seen too many cases where a driver causes an auto accident without insurance, leaving the victim with lifelong injuries and no insurance … [Read more...]
Will my insurance increase after an auto accident?
A major personal injury is one of the top 10 most stressful life events. Car accidents are a primary cause of major personal injuries. Even when car wrecks don’t cause serious injuries, they generate significant stress. On top of injuries and repair bills, car crash victims worry about an insurance increase after an auto accident. Thankfully, auto insurance companies do not penalize victims in car accidents by increasing their premiums. Who pays for the costs of a car crash? In California, the … [Read more...]
Fatal Car Accident Reports Show Distracted Driving is a Big Problem
Distracted driving kills about one Californian per week. Nationally, in 2015, almost 3,500 fatal car accident reports involved a distracted driver. In addition to the tragic human loss, the economic loss from distracted driving is staggering: approximately $46 billion per year. Compounding the tragedy is the fact that distracted driving auto accidents are completely preventable. So why do they still account for 10% of fatal car accident reports? Fatal Car Accident Reports Indicate No Reduction … [Read more...]
Car Accident Back Pain is Common, Compensable, and Often Correctable
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...]
When Might Drivers Face Car Accident Criminal Charges?
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: DUIHit-and-RunRoad Rage incidentsDriving a getaway carFleeing law enforcement 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 … [Read more...]