Life Jackets Can Prevent Injuries in Boating Accidents by Michael Waks Failure to wear a life jacket can have fatal consequences. Statistics reported that 84% of fatal boating accident victims drowned last year were not wearing a life jacket. … [Read more...]
"How will the insurance company and their defense attorneys treat me after I make a claim?" As a personal injury attorney, I get this question all the time. It is such an important question, that even when a potential client doesn’t ask, I explain it anyway. Why? Because no one should go down the path of litigation without understanding that it is an adversarial process. When you make a claim against an insured after a car accident, slip and fall accident, … [Read more...]
Drinking and boating is dangerous. In fact, the U.S. Coast Guard reports alcohol use is the “leading known contributing factor in fatal boating accidents.” Despite the risks, many people operate boats while intoxicated. Unfortunately, as a Long Beach personal injury lawyer, I see the aftermath of boating accidents caused by intoxicated boat operators. Operation Dry Water is part of a nationwide effort to change the culture surrounding boating and drinking. It is aimed at discouraging the … [Read more...]
Pool owners know they need to ensure their pools are safe for invited guests. But you may be surprised to find out the responsibility to avoid swimming pool injuries can extend to trespassers. Under certain conditions, a pool owner can be held liable for injuries to someone who went into the pool without permission. For instance, as a personal injury lawyer I have seen cases where children have wandered onto someone else's property and drown in an … [Read more...]
More than 80% of all motorcycle accidents result in injury or death to the motorcyclist. The bike itself provides no protection to riders or passengers. The other vehicles involved in a motorcycle crash usually have more weight, bulk and safety features than the motorcycle. This means motorcycle riders need to take special precautions, and drive defensively. As a motorcycle accident lawyer I have found that riders who place emphasis on helmets, eye protection and … [Read more...]
Slip and fall accidents are the #1 cause of accidents in hotels, restaurants and public buildings. Yet many slip and fall accident cases are unsuccessful. Why? Because a slip and fall case is not just about whether you slipped, fell and hurt yourself. It is based on a claim that the property owner was negligent in allowing some dangerous condition to exist, and that caused you to slip and fall. As a personal injury lawyer I know that getting evidence quickly after a … [Read more...]
California boating is a wonderful activity everyone can enjoy, but when you mix boating with alcohol our waterways can become very dangerous. Most people do not realize that boating while intoxicated can be more dangerous than driving while intoxicated. Like cars and trucks, boats are heavy vehicles that can travel at high speeds. Unlike cars, boats have no brakes, and the waters they travel on have no lanes or stop signs to control the flow of traffic. This means boat … [Read more...]
The spine is delicate and not built to withstand the impact of an auto accident. Unfortunately, spinal cord injury is common in car crashes. As a car accident lawyer I know that the extent of the damage and the permanency of the injuries can vary substantially. Some injuries can be made worse if the injured person is moved. Even after a low speed accident, if you feel pain in your back, seek immediate medical help. Common Back Injuries Caused By Car Accidents A … [Read more...]
The Basic Speed Law in California states drivers may not drive faster than is "reasonable and prudent and in no event at a speed which endangers the safety of persons or property." So how do you know what is "reasonable and prudent?" As a car accident lawyer, this can be a crucial question in determining who is at-fault for an auto accident. How CA Speed Limits Are Set The state's Vehicle Code establishes "reasonable and prudent" speed limits based on the type of road. … [Read more...]
Foot, ankle and knee injuries are becoming more common in auto accidents. In fact, lower extremity injuries (LEI) have become the second most common occurring injury in passenger car accidents. This is happening not because cars are less safe, but because cars have become safer. As a car accident lawyer, I have seen people survive high-impact crashes that in the past would have died from severe brain injury, spinal cord injury or abdominal injury. During the last … [Read more...]
