Law Office of Michael D. Waks

Can A Car Accident Cause Fibromyalgia? by Michael Waks Because it can take a long time to diagnose fibromyalgia, many patients are unaware they have developed this condition after a car accident occurs. Car accident victims who are experiencing any kind of pain should not settle or resolve their case without a complete diagnosis. There is a significant risk of fibromyalgia after a car accident. A Long Beach car accident lawyer explains what fibromyalgia is and what the risk means to car … [Read more...]

Side impact auto accidents, also known as a "t-bone" crash because of the shape the vehicles make at impact, are among the most dangerous types of collisions.  They most frequently occur at intersections when a driver either fails to obey traffic signals, fails to yield the right-of-way, or otherwise enters an intersection when it is not safe.  Drivers pulling out of parking spots or driveways also routinely cause side impact accidents. During my 30 plus years … [Read more...]

California law requires the person who causes an injury to pay all the victim's losses, including medical bills and expenditures. The problem is, the victim must first file a personal injury case which can sometimes take weeks, months, or years to get resolved.  While settlement negotiations are ongoing, or litigation is pending, the injured victim needs to get his or her medical bills and costs paid.  This can be challenging for victims who require costly … [Read more...]

The Risk of Whiplash After a Car Accident by Michael Waks   Car accidents are one of the most common causes of whiplash. Whiplash can be difficult to diagnose because there are limited objective medical tests which show you have this condition. … [Read more...]

While auto accidents can happen any time, the 100 days from Memorial Day to Labor Day are considered the deadliest days on the road.  This time is dangerous for lots of reasons, including increased summer travel, but as a car accident lawyer I have seen the summer months as especially risky for teenage drivers and their passengers. Car crashes are a leading cause of death for teens, and teen accident rates increase when school is out and they are spending more time in their cars. Why Are Teen … [Read more...]

According to the North American Spine Society, the term whiplash "describes both a mechanism of injury and the symptoms caused by that injury."   Whiplash occurs when an outside acceleration-deceleration force, such as the impact of an auto accident, violently throws the body forward and backwards.  The rapid, unrestrained and involuntary movement can affect the soft tissues of the body and cause significant damage.  As a car accident lawyer, I often see this type of  injury. Some … [Read more...]

Speeding both significantly increases the likelihood of an auto accident and the  severity of crashes that occur.  Drivers are legally obligated to obey the speed limit and travel at a speed that is safe for current road conditions.  If the weather is bad, visibility is obstructed or there are other adverse conditions, drivers are required to go slower than posted speed limits.   If a driver violates the posted limit or goes too fast for existing conditions and causes an … [Read more...]

Passengers in a car trust the driver to keep them safe.  They also rely on motorists in surrounding vehicles to drive safely and follow traffic laws.  Unfortunately, as a car accident lawyer I have seen passengers severely injured or killed when drivers fail to exercise reasonable care, or violate the rules of the road. Passengers aren't in control of the car they are riding in and cannot do anything to avoid accidents.  As a result, when there is a crash, … [Read more...]

If you were involved in a car accident, you may find yourself experiencing pain in your jaw.  Many people do not immediately connect their jaw pain to the car crash, but jaw pain following a car accident is common.  This is because car crashes can cause a condition known as Temporomandibular Joint Disorder, or TMJ. If you are having jaw pain after a collision, you need to see a doctor to get an accurate diagnosis and treatment.  You may also need to consult … [Read more...]

Were You Hurt In a Car Accident While Driving Without Insurance? by Michael Waks A liability insurance policy covers damages to another person caused by the at-fault driver in a car accident. California requires all drivers to carry liability insurance. What happens when an injured victim does not have insurance? Find out in this presentation. … [Read more...]