Stop Sign Pedestrian Accidents

Pedestrian accidents are all-too-common in the San Fernando Valley.  In California, pedestrian deaths occur in approximately 22% of all traffic fatalities. No matter how often pedestrian accidents may occur, if you are the innocent victim minding your own business and obeying pedestrian traffic laws who is hit by a motor vehicle, nothing feels common about it. Chances are you’re wondering how – and why – your accident happened and how you will recover, both financially and physically.

Drivers responsible for pedestrian accidents often claim they “failed to see” you, didn’t have time to stop, or even that it was your fault and you darted in front of their car! What’s more, their insurance company might even try to blame you for the accident. If you were hit by a drunk, distracted or reckless driver, you deserve to be compensated. Contact an experienced pedestrian accident attorney to learn more.

Driver runs a stop sign/traffic light

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The Insurance Companies are Not Your Friends or Your Neighbors—Don’t be deceived by one of the Best Ad Campaigns of All Time

Woodland Hills personal injury attorney, Barry P. Goldberg, works with insurance company representatives on a daily basis and can provide a clear perspective on what insurance is and what it is not.  What will an insurance company do for you?  What is an insurance company’s obligation? The answer to these questions are blurred and the…

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Can I Sue If I Was Hit By a Car While Jaywalking?

While California pedestrians are legally required to cross streets in demarcated crosswalks, if you were jaywalking in the San Fernando Valley and were hit by a car, you may be able to recover financial compensation for your injuries. For example, if the driver of the car was drunk or high, distracted, texting, or speeding, then negligence is involved. However, determining liability for a pedestrian accident can be difficult to establish without the assistance of an experienced personal injury attorney.

Legally speaking, if a car hits you while you are jaywalking, you may still be able to receive compensation — if the driver broke the law in some way. The driver, of course, will argue that you were at fault for not following the law. This is where the doctrines of negligence and comparative fault come into play.

What Is Negligence?

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Common Motorcycle Accidents and How to Avoid Them

As thrilling and freeing as it may be, let’s face it: Riding a motorcycle can be dangerous. Especially in Los Angeles and the San Fernando Valley, where road rage seems to be at an all-time high. As a motorcyclist, you probably are aware that bikes also offer great tools to avoid crashing — incredibly powerful brakes, obstruction-free vision, excellent handling and tires that “grip”. Here’s how to use those tools to avoid one of these common motorcycle accidents.

A Car Turns Left In Front Of You

This is the most common motorcycle accident. Either the automobile fails to see you or misjudges your speed, turning in front of you at an intersection. Avoid it by being extra alert. Look for signs that could indicate someone may turn in front of you; i.e. a car is at an intersection waiting to turn, there’s a gap in traffic near an intersection, driveway or parking lot. In either situation, slow down, cover your brakes and get ready to take evasive action.

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Halloween Injuries: Who’s Liable?

With Halloween just around the corner, many residents of the San Fernando Valley are preparing for trick-or-treaters of all ages.  While Halloween is supposed to be a fun, accident-free holiday, injuries can and do happen.  For example, trick-or-treating can wrong can lead to potential liability if the child is injured while on your property. Read…

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Pedestrian Accidents and Life Care Planning

The sad truth of the matter is that in a “scuffle” between a pedestrian and a motor vehicle, the pedestrian is most likely to lose and serious injuries are most often the result. In many cases of pedestrian accidents in the San Fernando Valley, the incident leaves the pedestrian with a fractured bones, head trauma, and ongoing emotional trauma resulting from the terror of being hit by a car or truck.

In some lucky instances, a pedestrian is left rather unscathed. Perhaps a few visits to a doctor and physical therapy or counseling are all the individual needs.  In other cases, especially when alcohol, texting and driving, or other forms of distracted driving are involved, a broken back or neck can be the outcome for the innocent pedestrian. In cases like these, where an injury can or does lead to paralysis, “Life Care Planning” is required. Pedestrian accidents are no joke, and happen with more regularity than you may believe. If you or a loved one was injured in a pedestrian accident, it would be wise to retain the experience and knowledge of a skilled personal injury attorney who has had success recovering money in other cases involving pedestrian injuries.

What is Life Care Planning?

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One Accident, Multiple Causes—Single Policy Limit.

Woodland Hills accident attorney Barry P. Goldberg tirelessly looks for every available source of recovery, especially in serious injury cases. Often an accident has many possible causes.  The obvious causes usually involve other negligent drivers, road conditions and faulty equipment.  Many lawyers without insurance coverage experience fall into a trap and argue that the owner…

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Miley Cyrus Involved in Dog Bite Lawsuit

It seems like Disney star turned pop instigator Miley Cyrus is always making the news! This time, it has nothing to do with her outrageous fashion choices or dance moves. Unfortunately for Miley, she has been named in a lawsuit along with her sister Brandi Cyrus and Brandi’s dog. A Los Angeles model has filed suit, claiming that the dog viciously attacked and injured her and her career is now ruined.

According to the complaint, the model was walking through her apartment building, where a unit is owned in Miley’s company’s name, and passed by Brandi’s dog. The dog, which was being handled by one of Miley’s employees, attacked the model without provocation, ripping her thigh open in the process. The model alleges that the scars from the attack are so bad that she will never be able to work as a model ever again. Miley Cyrus’s company and Miley’s sister are being sued for damages; including medical bills and lost wages.

dog bite attorney los angeles

If you or a loved one was attacked by a dog in Southern California and suffered emotional or physical injury as a result, you may be able to recover financial compensation as well.

Dog Bite Statistics

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Does an Insurer Commit “Bad Faith” by Refusing to Settle Your Case?

Woodland Hills personal injury attorney Barry P. Goldberg is regularly asked whether an insurer is committing “bad faith” by failing or refusing to settle a case. Most accident victims do not realize that the “at fault” party’s insurer really owes virtually no duty of care to the accident victim. Rather, the duty of care is…

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Is a Car Making a Left Hand Turn Always at Fault in California?

As many drivers in the Greater Los Angeles area know all too well, making a left turn at a light without a left turn arrow can be a challenge. Many times, cars are “forced” to make the turns as the light is turning red, or in some cases, is already red. Not surprisingly, this can lead to a large number of automobile accidents; many of which result in serious injuries. So the question is, s a car making a left turn always at fault in an accident?

Is a Car Making a Left Turn Always at Fault in an Accident

Generally speaking, a car making a left turn is almost always liable to a car coming straight in the other direction, if the light is green for the driver heading straight. As with many aspects of personal injury law, there are exceptions.

Exceptions to this near-automatic liability can exist if:

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