There are all sorts of scenarios that can lead to a motorcycle accident, but one of the most common is when a passenger-vehicle driver is turning left at an intersection and hits a motorcyclist who is traveling straight. Due to their small structure, motorcycles are more difficult to notice than typical cars, trucks, and SUVs—and the widespread prevalence of distracted driving certainly hasn’t helped matters. If you were hit by a motorist who failed to yield the right of way, you may be … [Read more...]
Statute of Limitations for Motorcycle Accident Lawsuits in California
If you were hurt in a motorcycle accident through no fault of your own, you have the right to seek compensation for the resulting damages from all liable parties. While putting together a claim may be the last thing on your mind when recovering from serious injuries, it is essential that you act fast. Should the opposing party refuse to pay a fair settlement, you may have no choice but to file a lawsuit, but you have a limited amount of time in which to do so. In California, the standard … [Read more...]
6 FAQs About Motorcycle Accidents Caused by Unsafe Lane Changes
Although it’s fairly easy to hear motorcycles in traffic, it’s hard to see them. And since the average driver isn’t listening for hazards but, rather, looking for them, riders are incredibly vulnerable to motorcycle accidents — especially when other drivers fail to exercise reasonable care. To exercise reasonable care means to follow the speed limit, abide by all applicable traffic laws, and generally drive in a predictable manner. It also means checking for motorcyclists before changing … [Read more...]
What Does Maximum Medical Improvement or Permanent and Stationary Mean?
Maximum medical improvement (MMI) means a patient has reached a point in their recovery where their condition is unlikely to improve over the next year with or without treatment. Permanent and stationary (P&S) means roughly the same thing. Below we’ve answered a few questions about MMI and P&S: How Might P&S Affect My Disability Payments? If you are receiving temporary disability benefits due to a work-related injury, those payments will probably stop once you reach P&S. … [Read more...]
Under What Circumstances Can I File a Boating Accident Claim?
If you were injured or lost a family member in a boating accident, you may be wondering if you have grounds for a personal injury or wrongful death claim. Unfortunately, proving that you were injured or that your loved one died in the accident won’t be enough to win a settlement or verdict. You will also have to demonstrate how the defendant was liable for the injury or death, which will require evidence of either negligence or strict liability. Read on to learn about the circumstances that may … [Read more...]
What Should I Bring to My Consultation with a Personal Injury Lawyer?
After a serious accident, one of the smartest steps you can take to protect your claim is to speak with an attorney. Most personal injury lawyers offer free initial consultations, so you won’t have to pay anything to get answers to your questions and the guidance you need to make informed decisions. This first meeting is also an opportunity to find out if the prospective attorney has the experience and credentials to handle your case. There are certain documents you should bring to the initial … [Read more...]
What Tactics Might the Insurance Company Use to Dispute My Claim?
If you were seriously injured and either you or the at-fault party carries insurance, you’re probably hoping the applicable policy will cover at least a portion of your medical bills, lost income, and other damages. Unfortunately, insurance carriers will go to great lengths to reduce the amount of compensation they have to pay or to deny claims outright. After all, their profits increase with every dollar they don’t have to pay out. Insurance bad faith laws are intended to prevent insurers from … [Read more...]
What Are Liens and How Do They Affect Personal Injury Cases?
After you've won a personal injury settlement or verdict, it can feel as though a long and difficult journey has come to a successful end. But if a medical provider or insurance carrier has asserted a lien on the proceeds resulting from your case, your final award may be reduced. A lien is a claim of a right to payment from proceeds received in a settlement or judgment. In some cases, a lien claim can be so costly that it prevents the injured party from receiving any net recovery at all. This … [Read more...]
How Use Of Social Media After Slip And Fall Accidents Hurts Personal Injury Claims
It is rare to find a person in Long Beach or the greater Los Angeles area who does not use social media. This includes victims of all kinds of personal injury accidents. So, it may come as a surprise when personal injury attorneys advise victims to cease all use of social media after slip and fall accidents. Following that advice is hard. The Pew Research Center, which studies social media use, says that over 70% of Americans use social media platforms. Social media users include people of all … [Read more...]
Five Reasons Your Personal Injury Claim May Be Denied
“Personal injury” is an often-used term that means different things to different people. In my 35 years serving as a personal injury attorney, personal injury claims have ranged from physical harm caused by a vehicle accident, a chemical burn injury, dog bites, defective productive liability, to slip-and-fall and swimming pool accidents. One constant in personal injury cases, regardless of the accident type, is the insurance companies’ attempts to deny claims. The insurance … [Read more...]