Car Accidents

A tourist hit me after going wine tasting – who is responsible for paying for my injuries?

April 9, 2019 | Vann H. Slatter

One of the things California is famous for is wine tasting. People flock to the state from all over the world looking to sample from some of the best vineyards. Unfortunately, they bring with them an increased risk of car accidents.

Many of the people visiting these wine destinations are driving from vineyard to vineyard and imbibing alcohol along the way. This compounded with the fact that out-of-towners are unfamiliar with the local roads means the chance of one hitting and injuring you or someone you know increases dramatically.

When you or someone you know is hit by a person who you suspect may have been sampling wines (or any other alcohol for that matter), the question of who is responsible for your injuries can get messy.

You Should Delay Signing a Release and Letting the Other Parties Insurance Company off the Hook Until Your Injuries Are Known and Treated.

March 20, 2019 | Vann H. Slatter

These days, driving in California is more dangerous than ever. The number of accidents has grown steadily, and with it the number of back injuries attributed to those car accidents. When you or someone you know is the victim of a car accident some injuries are visible right away, but the majority of injuries from car accidents are internal and difficult to spot.

Even more challenging is the fact that sometimes you feel fine right after the accident, maybe even after the initial shock of the accident wears off, and only days later do you start to realize the true scope of the injuries you’ve received. Back injuries in particular have been shown to often take days (or longer) to develop after a car accident without having any outside signs of the real damage your body has sustained.

A headache could often indicate soft tissue injury to the back or neck, and what you may think is whiplash can very frequently be instead a pinched nerve or herniated disc. Even low speed crashes that don’t seem particularly bad can result in numbness or some tingling in your limbs or fingers/toes and these have been shown to be linked to spinal cord injuries and damage to your lumbar region (your lower back).

What Do I Need To Know When Filing A Personal Injury Claim Against A Government Entity?

January 10, 2017 | Vann H. Slatter

If you are injured by an actor that is owned by a city, county, state, or even federal government, it is VERY important to know that there are special rules that you must follow in order to properly pursue your claim against a government entity. In this article, we discuss the basics of what you need to know if you are injured by a government entity.

Every state has their own time limits for bringing a lawsuit against those who may be responsible for injuries to another. These time limits are known as the “statute of limitations”. Typically, California has a two (2) year statute of limitations during which to file an injury claims agains a private party, such as a negligent driver or an insurance company. If the party you deem to be responsible is a government entity, however, there are different time limits and procedures that you must be aware of. These rules, known as the California Tort Claims Act (CTCA) have been codified, and can be found by clicking on this link to California Government Code. Continue reading ›

What Do I Need To Know If I Am The Victim Of A Bus Accident?

October 31, 2016 | Vann H. Slatter

Unfortunately, bus accidents are much more common than you would think. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) there are approximately 300 bus accidents each year. The recent tragedy near Palm Springs, California involving the USA Holiday bus returning to Los Angeles from Red Earth Casino in Thermal, California, is a terrifying reminder that these types of accidents occur much more often than we realize.
Continue reading ›

How Much Is My Motorcycle Accident Claim Worth?

September 28, 2016 | Vann H. Slatter

Every day, motorcyclists are injured by negligent drivers. This is especially true in busy metropolitan cities such as Los Angeles. If you or someone you know is injured in a motorcycle collision, how do you know how much your case is worth?

In this article, we discuss what you should know if you are the victim of another driver’s negligence, how to make an estimation of what your case might be worth, and why having a personal injury attorney experienced in motorcycle accidents on your side can make all the difference in the outcome of your case. Continue reading ›

Can I Recover For The Lost Resale Value Of My Vehicle From The Insurance Company?

August 6, 2016 | Vann H. Slatter

Over the years as a personal injury attorney in Los Angeles, clients have often asked me if they can recover the lost resale value (“market value”) of their vehicle after property damage arising from a collision. As is often the case in the law, the answer is “it depends.”

In this article, we discuss the circumstances that lead up to a loss of future resale value of a vehicle, the current law governing such cases, and what you need to know about this when purchasing an automobile insurance policy.

How Long Do I Have To File An Underinsured Motorist Claim With My Insurance Company?

August 6, 2016 | Vann H. Slatter

In our article entitled “What is Underinsured Motorist (UIM) Coverage?” we explained what underinsured motorist (UIM) coverage is, and how it is different than uninsured motorist (UM) coverage. In this article, we discuss exactly how long you have to file an underinsured motorist claim with your insurance company from the time of the collision, and explain the recent legal cases that can help you recover from your insurance carrier.

First, it is helpful to understand exactly what UIM coverage is, and how it is different than UM coverage. If you haven’t read our articles on these subjects, here is a quick explanation of UIM coverage.

What Is Proposition 213 And How Can It Limit My Damage Recovery After An Accident?

July 11, 2016 | Vann H. Slatter

If you have been in an automobile collision that was not your fault, and you were driving without car insurance at the time of the accident, there is a law in California that will prevent you from getting what would be the full value of your claim against the at-fault driver’s insurance had you been insured at the time of the collision. In this article, we discuss Prop 213, and how it can affect the injured victim of an automobile collision.

In 1996, California voters approved Proposition 213, also known as the Limitations on Recovery to Felons, Uninsured Motorists, and Drunk Drivers Initiative. This law prohibits recovery of anything beyond special damages for victims injured by the negligence of another driver if either (1) the victim was uninsured at the time of the accident; or (2) the victim was subsequently convicted of driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs at the time of the accident.

Should I Submit To An MRI After My Injury?

June 29, 2016 | Vann H. Slatter

During the course of 30+ years practicing personal injury law in Los Angeles, I have been asked by many clients whether it is a good idea to submit to an MRI as a part of their personal injury claim.

In this article, I discuss the pros and cons of having an MRI as part of your treatment plan in pursuing a claim for an injury, and whether it can increase the value of your claim.

What Type Of Insurance Should I Carry On My New Car?

June 20, 2016 | Vann H. Slatter

Getting a new car can be a very exciting time in a person’s life. That new-car smell, all the newest technology, bells, and whistles. Looking out into the driveway to see it sitting there, new paint glimmering in the sun. You love your new car, and like a responsible driver, you purchased both comprehensive and collision coverage on your new vehicle. But is that enough to ensure that your new car is protected against the potential perils of the road, especially in busy cities such as Los Angeles?

In this article, we discuss new car replacement coverage, repair provision coverage, and Guaranteed Asset Protection (GAP) coverage.