Understanding and Avoiding Situations of Vicarious Liability

How many times have you loaned your automobile to a friend or family member?  Even if you trust the person you are lending your car to, incidents can occur that can put you at risk for legal liability. Many automobile accidents involve parties other than the owners of the vehicle and, in the event of…

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Hit & Run Motorcycle Accidents

As many Los Angeles County residents have witnessed firsthand, motorcycle accidents are all too common. From the curves of Mulholland Drive to the Gridlock of the 405, motorcyclists and drivers compete for space on a relatively small amount of roadway in an very slow moving attempt to get to their final destination. Sometimes, this competition…

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Smartphones, Maps, and Distracted Driving

What? Is texting and driving now legal in California? Not quite… But the California Court of Appeals has recently ruled that it is permissible to view maps on smartphones while driving. In a law that took effect in 2008 (and which has been subject to several updates), the state of California banned talking on a…

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Why Won’t the Insurer Tell Me the Policy Limits?

Woodland Hills personal injury attorney Barry P. Goldberg is asked this question all the time—why won’t the insurer for the driver that hit me disclose the available policy limits information? The insurers’ continued refusal to cooperate and disclose is often viewed as “shady” by auto accident victims. Ironically, the insurers’ steadfast refusal drives potential clients…

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What Happens When Driver Who Caused the Accident Doesn’t Have Insurance?

Anytime you are involved in an auto accident in the San Fernando Valley, it is of crucial importance to obtain the contact and insurance information of the other driver(s). Unfortunately, many drivers in California are driving either without insurance or with expired insurance policies. One would think that these uninsured drivers would take extra precautions…

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Do I Need to Hire an Auto Accident Attorney?

You were involved in an auto accident in the San Fernando Valley, but thankfully it seemed relatively minor. You didn’t break any bones or suffer a concussion, and your car only has minimal damage. So should you just avoid filing a claim with your auto insurance company and move on? As an experienced auto accident…

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Elderly Drivers and Car Accidents

Are you concerned about an elderly loved one’s determination to remain mobile and independent and not give up the keys to their car? Were you injured in a San Fernando Valley car accident caused by a senior citizen who technically should not have been driving? If you can relate to either of these experiences, keep…

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Police Pursuit Accidents and Liability

Residents and drivers in the greater Los Angeles area are no strangers to police chases. We seem to see one on the news on weekly basis! Have you ever wondered what happens in the cases when the driver trying to get away hits an immobile object or another car? Who’s at fault? Is the Suspect…

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The Strange case of the UM/UIM Arbitration

Article Summary There are many strange twists and turns in handling Uninsured and Underinsured Motorist Arbitrations. This article highlights some of the unique nuances in handling these arbitrations and suggests a model for an agreement to use certain statutes and rules in addition to Insurance Code §11580.2. With adequate planning, agreement of counsel at the…

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