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 Incident You should contact an attorney as soon as possible after an incident. Each day that passes increases the risk of losing evidence central to…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. If liability is shared among multiple parties, you can pursue all responsible parties, whether it's your driver, the other driver, or both. The bottom line…Read More
Calculating Lost Wages Lost wages after a rideshare incident are calculated by looking at both your past earnings and your future earning potential if the incident impacts your ability to work long-term. The first step to determining lost past earnings is to establish what you were making before the incident. This is typically done using documentation like pay stubs, tax returns, W-2s, or 1099s. You then calculate your average daily earnings and multiply that figure by the number of days you were unable to work due to your injuries. For cases where the incident affects your future earning capacity, experts such as vocational specialists or economists may be sought to weigh in. They’ll analyze your work history, skill set, and industry trends to project what your earnings would have been without the injury. They also consider your ability to work in the future as part of how to factor in any limitations caused by the incident in calculating the difference between your potential and actual earnings going forward. This comprehensive…Read More
Navigating a claim after an Uber or Lyft crash can be complex, especially when dealing with third-party insurers and corporate policies. Understanding the critical steps and having legal guidance ensures you’re equipped to protect your rights, overcome common challenges, and secure the compensation you not only deserve but are entitled to by law. We’ll tackle all this in this chapter. Critical Information When Filing A Claim Filing a claim with a ridesharing company like Uber or Lyft requires specific steps and information since they use third-party insurers to handle claims. Here are some key things you’ll need if you do: Ride Details: Provide the date, time, and location of the ride, along with any trip identification information. Incident Details: Describe what happened during the incident, including any injuries or damages sustained. Driver And Passenger Information: Include the names and contact details of all parties involved in the ride. Rideshare App Confirmation: Ensure the rideshare app was active during the incident, as coverage depends on this status. Communication With The Company:…Read More
Ridesharing Behemoths And Insurance Coverage Popular ridesharing platforms Uber and Lyft are both required to carry liability insurance for incidents involving their driver-partners during rideshare activities. Once a driver turns on the app and begins working, the rideshare company’s insurance policy is activated. The specific coverage and limits depend on the driver’s activity at the time of the incident, such as whether they are waiting for a ride request, enroute to pick up a passenger, or actively transporting a passenger. Passengers are indeed covered by the rideshare company’s insurance when using these companies’ services. Once a passenger enters the vehicle, it falls under period three of the rideshare coverage. This period provides the most comprehensive insurance policy available from Uber or Lyft, ensuring that passengers have substantial protection throughout their ride. Paying For Medical Bills After A Rideshare Incident Determining who pays for your medical bills after a rideshare incident can be complex. Generally, the person responsible for causing the injuries should cover your medical expenses, pain, suffering, and related…Read More
As you get older, many things in your life start to change. From your day to day routines to your mobility and everything in between, there are natural challenges that develop in life that may require us to change the way that we do things. As things such as your vision, hearing, and reflexes start to decline with age, you may begin to worry about your ability to drive safely and provide yourself with reliable transportation. Especially living in Los Angeles where traffic can be at an all time high, it is important to take measures to avoid any risk of a car wreck. Los Angeles is known for its intense traffic, reporting upwards of 100 incidents daily. It can already be scary getting out on the road knowing this, but it can be even more alarming when you start to worry about your vision or your reaction time. To keep yourself confident in your ability to drive safely, you can take several steps to help mitigate the risk of…Read More
Personal injury cases are like a jigsaw puzzle with many parts that the personal injury lawyer must put together before they can present a claim to the insurance company. Understanding how each of these factors affects your claim is crucial so it is clearer how the attorney comes up with their figure. Some of the more obvious factors, such as the severity of your injury and the cost of your medical bills, are more obvious, while others, like age, are more nuanced, but their impact on your claim is just as strong. Age is one of the main factors any personal injury lawyer will consider when determining your full compensation, and rightfully so, as highlighted below: Claim Filing The first impact age has on your personal injury claim is on how you file the claim. As an adult, you don’t need to reference anyone when filing the claim, although it is strongly recommended that you work with a personal injury claims attorney. If the victim is a minor, their legal…Read More
What To Do After A Rideshare Incident After an incident involving a ridesharing company, your first priority should be to ensure your safety, as well as the safety of everyone else involved. Once you do, document the scene thoroughly. Take pictures and videos of all vehicles involved, ideally before they are moved. Additionally, take a screenshot of the rideshare app showing your location and route at the time of the crash. Next, call 911 to report the incident and seek medical assistance if necessary. While waiting for help, gather details from witnesses and note any potential security cameras nearby, such as Ring or DoorBird cameras on private homes, business surveillance systems, or government-operated cameras at intersections. Acting quickly and systematically ensures critical evidence is preserved, which could be critical for your claim later on. Calling 911 immediately after a wreck is vital for several reasons. For one, there’s no guarantee the other driver will stay at the scene, exchange information, or act responsibly—they might leave, leaving you without key details…Read More
Most personal injury claims will be settled before they go to court. But sometimes insurance companies drag their feet, contest the facts, and refuse to accept a reasonable settlement, and we have to go to court to force them to pay. This article explains what to expect from that court process, including: The key stages of personal injury claim trials in California. How long personal injury trials usually last, and what the possible outcomes may be. How personal injury compensation is determined in trial. What Are The Key Stages Of A Personal Injury Trial In California? The first step of a personal injury trial is voir dire, or jury selection. A lot of times, cases can be won or lost during jury selection, as getting a sympathetic jury can go a long way toward mitigating any issues that come up later in the trial. Opening arguments allow both sides to present their version of the facts and the arguments they will be putting forward. Next, the plaintiff (that's you), or…Read More
Of all the crashes that happen every day on California roads, those involving trucks and other large commercial vehicles are some of the most deadly and dangerous. If you or a loved one ever have the misfortune to be involved in one, this article will help you figure out what to do, especially in terms of ensuring you can recover full compensation through an eventual personal injury claim. It explains: The common causes of truck wrecks and where they occur in the greater Los Angeles area. What sets truck wrecks apart from other incidents, especially when it comes to recovery. What you should do immediately after a truck crash to ensure compensation. Why Are Truck Wrecks So Common And Dangerous In The Greater Los Angeles Or San Fernando Valley Area? Throughout Los Angeles and neighboring areas like the San Fernando Valley, there are lots of cars, huge trucks, lots of congestion, and lots of people not paying attention. We also have mountain roads with windy streets, and blind, hairpin turns.…Read More
