After an accident, a personal injury settlement is supposed to help compensate an injured party for any lost income or damages — but what happens when that amount gets taxed, and you’re left to cover any remaining costs? Here, we’ll explain the situations in which this may happen, as in any situation, your settlement’s tax treatment will vary depending on…
Rideshares are becoming increasingly popular, with people using them on vacation, for work, errands, and even when they need to move when their car is in the shop. But, just as rideshares are gaining in use, they are also increasing involvement in car accidents — some leaving riders injured and confused about how to file a claim since a third…
If you are an uninsured driver in California, you still have the right to sue another party if they are at fault in your car accident. Even though car insurance is mandatory in the state, many drivers still find themselves uninsured at the time of a crash. As a result, they may be unsure of their rights to seek compensation…
Any accident that results in injury is going to be stressful, but when that injury occurs on the job, the situation is only going to become more complicated. Everything from a sudden car accident to long-term exposure to toxic substances can leave you with hefty expenses. When this happens, it’s on your employer to step up and make sure you’re…
Yes, under the right circumstances you can file a personal injury lawsuit as an undocumented individual. That said, navigating this legal scape will be understandably intimidating, so you must remember, no matter what: You have rights. Regardless of your immigration status, you are entitled to certain protections under California law. By understanding your rights and the options available to you,…
If you have gotten into a car accident, you may feel unsure about what your next steps should be. Who should you call? Do the police have to be notified? Being involved in a car accident can be confusing and scary, but with a little information, you can feel more certain about the steps you need to take in the…
Imagine going about your day to complete some errands, where out of nowhere, another driver crashes into you, causing injuries that take weeks, if not months, to recover from. Then, to make matters even more difficult, when you file a claim with evidence to an insurer, they are willing to pay significantly less than what was requested, and it is…
Many people walk away from car accidents assuming they got lucky and were not hurt. This is especially true if they were in a low-speed collision or other types of "fender bender" accident, where the outcome is considered to be "property damage only." In reality, even minor car accidents can lead to major medical problems. The impact forces of a…
Traditionally, liability insurance offers users financial protection in the event that they are held liable for causing any damage or injury to another party. If you have liability insurance and you cause a car accident, chances are you’ll be able to pay for any expenses the other party incurs. But does that same coverage mean that you’ll be provided for…
Medicare is a federal health insurance program that provides coverage for eligible individuals who are 65 years of age or older, as well as for individuals with certain disabilities and medical conditions. If you are injured in a car accident and have Medicare coverage, your medical expenses may be covered by Medicare. However, Medicare is a secondary payer, which means…
If you or a loved one has been injured in an accident due to someone else’s negligence or intentional wrongdoing, you may be left wondering how you will be able to deal with the fallout. You likely have medical bills piling up, and you may not even be able to work. You may find even the simplest tasks infinitely more…
If you have been involved in a rideshare accident, you can sue for damages if the rideshare driver or another party was at-fault for the collision. Whether you can succeed ultimately depends on the circumstances of the accident and the laws in your specific county, but in California, rideshare companies are required to provide insurance coverage for their drivers. The…
Reaching a settlement for a car accident claim can be tricky. The ideal result of submitting a claim against a negligent party is that they pay whatever you ask them to. But the reality is that this is rarely the case. Oftentimes, the response received by an insurer is usually significantly lower than what was expected — and in some…
Disputing ‘fault’ in a personal injury case is a complex and often challenging process. To successfully dispute fault, you’ll need to rely on concrete evidence and reasoning. The other party involved in the accident may present their version of events, but it is your responsibility to counter their representations with factual information. Even if the evidence seems to point against…
After an accident, it can feel intimidating, yet absolutely imperative, to begin seeking fair compensation for your damages. A personal injury settlement can help you cover any medical expenses, lost wages, pain and suffering, or other losses incurred from the accident. In this way, maximizing your settlement will be an essential step in ensuring you receive the financial resources you…
California law mandates that property owners maintain their property in safe conditions, and warn visitors of any hazards. If a property owner breaches this duty of care, and you suffer injuries or damages as a result, you may be entitled to legal recourse. Moreover, unlike most states, California places a high degree of liability directly on property owners themselves. As…
Determining fault is a fundamental part of every personal injury case. By definition, determining fault means identifying who is responsible for an accident (or injury) and, thereby, determining who is liable for the resulting damages. This decision plays a pivotal role in determining any the ensuing legal actions. By establishing fault, injured parties can seek compensation for medical expenses, lost…
Car accidents happen fast and often when you least expect them. Even still, you must be focused on moving fast in order to seek compensation for the damages you have suffered, whether they were minor or severe. It can quickly become difficult to juggle unexpected doctor's appointments and insurance claims while still working and keeping track of the usual responsibilities…
The time limit for filing an accident claim in the United States varies depending on the state where the accident occurred and the type of claim being filed. These time limits are known as the statute of limitations and are set by state law. In general, the statute of limitations for personal injury claims in most states ranges from one…
Injuries can happen to anyone at any time, whether at someone's house, riding in a car, or while at a public place, like a retail center. Many injuries result in doctor visits and physical therapy sessions, so they quickly become costly and mentally burdening to the injured, impacting their ability to enjoy life. On top of that, they may result…
In California, qualifying drivers can take advantage of a great program called the California Low Cost Automobile Insurance Program (CLCA). This initiative is designed to provide affordable liability insurance to low-income drivers. Nevertheless, even with these guardrails in place, a 2018 study conducted by the Insurance Research Council found that roughly 15.2% of all drivers in California are still uninsured.…
It’s difficult to give an exact number for what to expect from a car accident settlement because every car accident looks different. In some cases, a minor fender bender can result in a neck or head injury that takes months to recover from. In others, a driver may end up totaling their vehicle; yet come out unscathed. What is certain…
In the realm of insurance and accident claims, the term "no-fault" refers to a system where the individuals involved in an accident are typically compensated by their own insurance company, regardless of who is at fault for the incident. Under a no-fault system, injured parties can receive benefits such as medical expenses and lost wages from their own insurance provider,…
Personal injury claims stem from many different types of events where there is evidence of negligence from another party. Anyone can get hurt: from a slip-and-fall accident to medical malpractice to a car crash involving a reckless driver. Those victims will likely have a claim to file for compensation for their injuries. However, given that personal injury cases are caused…
With so many people on the road in California every day, car accidents are an extremely common occurrence. Luckily, some car accidents are not that severe and do not cause injury to anyone involved. However, in California, almost 200,000 car accidents a year are serious enough to cause injury. To help you understand what types of injuries you might expect…
Getting into a car accident, even if it’s minor, can be a scary and confusing experience. In the aftermath of an accident, it is important to try to keep calm and complete a few simple tasks, if you are able. The most important thing to do is to take care of yourself and the other people in your car, but…
A personal injury lawyer is a legal professional who provides legal representation to individuals who have been injured due to someone else's negligence or intentional actions. If you have been injured in an accident, it's important to consult with a personal injury lawyer as soon as possible. A skilled and experienced personal injury lawyer can help you navigate the legal…
If you have been in an accident with an uninsured driver in California, you still have the right to secure any damages you may be owed. California law requires all drivers to carry auto insurance, so the uninsured driver may face legal consequences for not securing coverage. In any case, you’ll have a few key resources at your disposal: Uninsured…
Imagine getting in the backseat of an Uber on your way to dinner with some friends, and out of nowhere, when you least expect it, your Uber driver smashes into another car — a situation that would be absolutely terrifying for everyone involved. Car accidents lead to a lot of stress and confusion, especially right when they happen. Still, passengers…
In recent years, ride-sharing services like Uber and Lyft have revolutionized the way we commute. These convenient platforms connect drivers with passengers while offering a flexible, cost-effective transportation solution. However, with the increasing popularity of ride-sharing, it’s important to understand the insurance coverage available for rideshare accidents. Unlike traditional taxi services, rideshare drivers use their personal vehicles, which can blur…
Bodily injury in a car accident refers to any physical harm a person suffers as a result of the accident. This can include a wide range of injuries, from minor cuts and bruises to serious, life-altering injuries. Another way to frame a bodily injury is anything requiring medical treatment related directly to the accident. If you have suffered bodily injury…
When you have experienced pain and suffering, it can be difficult to determine what fair compensation you should be eligible for. No two cases of pain and suffering are the same, but there are certain guidelines that can be used to help you decide what is fair. These factors include the severity of your injury or illness, the length of…
Negligence is a legal concept that refers to the failure to exercise a reasonable standard of care in a given situation, which resulted in harm or injury to another person (or their property). Determining negligence is especially important in personal injury lawsuits because it can help establish whether or not the defendant acted in a way that caused harm (called…
Personal injury cases can be overwhelming and confusing, especially if you have never worked with a personal injury lawyer before. Whether you've been injured in a car accident, slip and fall incident, or any other type of accident caused by someone else's negligence, it’s important to understand what a basic timeline will look like. The timeline of a personal injury…
Victims of personal injury should not be afraid to come forward and request compensation to help cover their stacking medical expenses. Personal injury is a broad category of legal action that can cover a series of events, commonly instigated by a negligent party, that lead to pain and injury. Negligence can be enacted by another person, company, manufacturer, or legal…
A fatal accident is always tragic. Fatal accidents distress families and friends with the unprecedented loss of a loved one. And even worse, when the said loved one is a provider for a family, it can also cause substantial impacts to their financial security. But what if the accident was caused due to the negligence of another party? Also known…
Working with a personal injury lawyer comes with many uncharted territories if one has never filed a claim before. Claimants will find that they have many questions along the way and at times, realize later that they should have asked something that they did not. Clear communication with your personal injury lawyer is an essential and critical part of a…
If you recently had a car accident in California, it's important to understand the state's rules and regulations when it comes to reporting the incident. In any situation, it’s to your advantage to report the accident as soon as possible, both to law enforcement and to your own insurance company, as these actions can ensure you're able to build a…
From buses to ferries to rail, all transport methods are meant to provide a safe way to get around. However, what happens when there is an accident? Whether because of the operator's mistakes or someone else's negligence, someone could be hurt and will need to seek compensation for their injuries. Public transportation is intended to be kept in the best…
After an accident, it’s natural to want to secure any damages owed as soon as possible. That said, depending on the complexity of your case, some cases may take longer than others. If you or the defendant suffered severe injuries, it may take more time to define the exact damages owed. Similarly, if you find yourself negotiating with a large…
