In this article, you will discover: Why California insurance companies pressure you to settle quickly after a crash. The risk of settling a personal injury claim before you are fully evaluated. Future medical or rehabilitation damages you’ll miss if you settle too quickly. Why Do Insurance Companies Pressure Victims To Settle Quickly After A Crash? Insurance adjusters have quotas, and their performance reviews track how quickly they can close claims. Specifically, their superiors evaluate how many claims or “exposures” they close monthly. For that reason, they are incentivized to close them as quickly as possible. Even if the adjuster handling your claim isn't writing you that check from their bank account, they're still motivated to minimize exposure to their company. What Are The Risks Of Settling Before My Injuries Are Fully Evaluated? The most significant risk is that you could be left holding the bag.…Read More
Is Accepting A Quick Settlement After A California Car Wreck Always Better Than Going To Trial? There’s no one-size-fits-all answer here. Some cases are better resolved through settlement; others may require trial to get full justice. It depends on the specific facts of your case: your injuries, the strength of the evidence, the offer on the table, and the risks and costs of going to court. An experienced personal injury attorney will help you weigh all those factors and make an informed decision step by step. The key is to avoid rushing into anything without understanding the long-term impact. Do I Need To Report A Minor Car Incident In California? What’s considered minor varies quite a bit. A small fender bender with no injuries and damage below your deductible likely won’t require legal help or formal reporting. But even in these situations, you should still…Read More
In this article, you will discover: Whether you can be reimbursed for co-pays and prescriptions after a California car wreck. Documentation needed to prove out-of-pocket expenses in a California car wreck. Whether lost wages are an out-of-pocket expense in a California car wreck. Are Medical Co-Pays And Prescriptions Reimbursable In California? Out-of-pocket medical costs are part of the special damages you can recover in an auto wreck case. Special damages refer to past, present and future medical bills you incur as a direct result of your injuries. If you are treated through your health insurance, you'll have a co-pay or a deductible. In an auto wreck case, the amount you pay out-of-pocket is fully recoverable. Can I Be Reimbursed For Transportation To Medical Appointments After A Car Wreck? Transportation expenses are fully recoverable in a California personal injury action, provided they are substantiated. You must…Read More
In this article, you will discover: How fault is determined in a Los Angeles pedestrian injury. Whether a pedestrian can be partially at fault and still recover compensation. How damages are calculated in a Los Angeles pedestrian injury claim. How Is Fault Is Determined Under Los Angeles Pedestrian Injury Laws? The notion that a pedestrian always has the right of way isn't entirely correct. However, as a pedestrian, you do have more leeway with the rules of the road than you would if you were in a car. As a pedestrian, you're not allowed to jaywalk. Still, if you're jaywalking and a vehicle hits you, that doesn't necessarily mean you're at fault. There are several avenues for pedestrians to obtain compensation for their injuries, even if they violate the laws governing pedestrian crossings. Even if you break the law by jaywalking, the other driver might…Read More
In this article, you can discover… Whether you need uninsured motorist coverage in California. Whether passengers are covered by a driver’s uninsured motorist coverage. How to seek compensation when hit by an uninsured motorist, and how an attorney can help. What Are California's Legal Requirements For Uninsured Motorist Coverage? Insurance companies are required to offer you uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage up to the limits of your liability coverage. However, as with any contract, you can make changes and either reduce the uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage below your liability limits or remove that coverage entirely. In California, if you elect to remove uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage from your policy, it must be accompanied by a waiver agreement you sign separately from your policy. This requirement exists because uninsured and underinsured motorist coverage is a crucial component of your overall coverage. If you remove that coverage, you may not be…Read More
How Does Failing To Report A Car Incident To The Police Impact My Personal Injury Claim In California? In California, especially after the pandemic, it’s become increasingly common for local police departments to not respond to traffic incidents on surface streets even when those involved suffer injuries. However, the California Highway Patrol (CHP) is different. If you’re involved in a crash on a highway, always contact CHP. They will typically respond and create a thorough report. Even if you’re on a surface street, it’s still a good idea to call the police. Even if they don’t write a report, having them present can help with the exchange of information names, insurance details, witness info which will be critical for your case later. If there’s no police report, that’s not the end of your claim, but it may make things more challenging. How Can Social Media…Read More
What Sets Me Apart From Other Attorneys What sets me apart from other attorneys is my personal involvement in every case I take on. Running a smaller practice allows me to handle all aspects of a case from the initial representation letters and property damage to maximizing their recovery by convincing the judge or jury in court. While my staff supports me, every action taken is under my direct guidance. More than this, as a lifelong motorcycle rider who has experienced a motorcycle crash firsthand, I bring a unique perspective and sense of empathy. This understanding from my own personal experience helps me connect with my clients on a deeper level than I otherwise could and many other attorneys can and navigate the process with their needs at the forefront. I make it a priority to provide my clients with direct access to me from…Read More
What Is A Lowball Settlement Offer In A California Personal Injury Case? A lowball offer is a settlement offer from an insurance company that doesn’t come anywhere close to covering the full extent of your damages. It’s a tactic insurance companies use to resolve cases quickly and cheaply before the injured person fully understands the value of their claim. These offers might leave out key compensation for medical bills, deny certain injuries, or ignore pain and suffering altogether. The best way to know whether an offer is fair or far too low is to consult with a personal injury attorney who has experience valuing claims and negotiating with insurers. Why Do Insurance Adjusters Ask For Recorded Statements After Los Angeles Car Wrecks? Should I Provide One? Insurance adjusters commonly ask for recorded statements sometimes even demand them after a crash. This applies to both your…Read More
One of the major benefits of hiring an attorney is that they take over all communications and negotiations with insurance adjusters and other parties involved. Once you have legal representation, insurance companies are prohibited from contacting you directly, sparing you the stress of dealing with their tactics. Attorneys bring professionalism and consistency to negotiations, which is critical for achieving the best possible settlement. Additionally, most personal injury attorneys work on a contingency fee basis, meaning they only get paid if you do. This not only aligns their interests with yours but also ensures they are fully invested in securing the maximum compensation for your case. So, now that we’ve got the fact that you should partner with an attorney out of the way, let’s discuss the mechanics of choosing the best one and what to expect as you hire them. Contacting An Attorney After An…Read More
Do Passengers Have The Same Legal Rights As Drivers In California Car Wreck Injury Claims? Yes. In many cases, passengers may actually have stronger claims than drivers. That’s because passengers are almost always fault-free in car wrecks. California is a comparative negligence state, meaning a driver’s compensation can be reduced based on their share of fault. But as a passenger, you’re not responsible for the crash, so you’re entitled to pursue 100% of your damages from the at-fault party (or parties). Can I File A Personal Injury Claim Against The Driver If I Was A Passenger In A Los Angeles Car Crash? Absolutely, and in some situations, you must. The only person you can pursue a claim against is the one responsible for your injuries. If that happens to be the driver of the car you were riding in, they may be your only option.…Read More
