Articles Posted in Car Accidents

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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 →

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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.
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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 →

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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In this article, we explain the California law regarding hit-and-run accidents, and discuss what you are required to do if you are at fault in such an accident.

Over the course of 30-plus years practicing law in Los Angeles, I have seen countless drivers flea from the scene of an accident after seriously injuring my clients, and in more serious collisions, even killing them. The most common reason I hear from these hit-and-run drivers as to why they drove away after the collision is “I was scared.” Scared of what? Well, many times these drivers are intoxicated, and are afraid of getting a DUI. Other times, they are unlicensed or uninsured. And sometimes, they are just afraid of actually seeing the damage they caused. No matter their reasoning at the time of the collision, these drivers all made a decision at that moment that cost them dearly. So let’s review what California requires you to do in the event of an accident causing injury or death to another.

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In this article, we explain the medical nature of what typically happens after an accident, and discuss why it is important to seek and follow up on your treatment after an injury.

When it comes to a bodily injury, whether it be from an automobile collision, slip-and-fall, dog bite, or any other type of accident, it is very important that you seek immediate medical treatment and follow up on all of your doctor appointments. There are two major reasons for this. First, it is important to your physical health that you get the appropriate medical treatment so your injury heals or at least improves. Second, it is important to your personal injury claim that you seek and maintain treatment in order to legitimize your case against the defendant and/or their insurance company.

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