CA Laws Pertaining to Texting and Driving

The number of auto accidents in the San Fernanda Valley that are caused by distracted driving has jumped in recent years, fueled primarily from an increase of drivers who attempt to text or use their cell phones while operating their vehicles. Distracted driving results in hundreds of thousands of injuries and thousands of fatalities each year – many of which are the result of younger drivers using cell phones. If you or a loved one were injured by a distracted driver, whether in an auto accident, pedestrian accident, or bike accident, contact an experienced personal injury attorney.

CA Vehicle Codes and Texting and Driving

California has a number of laws that address cell phone use and texting while driving. One such law prevents drivers from using handheld cell phones, another which prevents drivers under 18 from using any form of cell phone in the car (even if it is “hands free”), and another law which bans texting while driving.

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Car AccidentBy Barry Goldberg

Whiplash Signs and Symptoms

While often made fun of, whiplash is a serious and, in many cases, debilitating condition that results in damage to the soft tissues or joints in the neck. Auto accident victims suffer from a “snapping” sensation where their body and head move in different directions along the axis of their neck joints, causing short-term and long-term pain and suffering. If you or a loved one are suffering from whiplash after being involved in a Woodland Hills auto accident that wasn’t your fault, contact an experienced personal injury attorney to discuss your rights and potential for financial recovery.

Many cases of whiplash occur after a rear-end auto collision, but whiplash can also result from things such as bicycle accidents, motorcycle accident, and slip-and-fall accidents. It does not take a particularly high-speed or forceful crash to cause whiplash; even low-speed “fender-bender” auto accidents can result in this injury. For more information on whiplash injury risk factors, view this colorful infograph.

Common symptoms of whiplash

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Car AccidentBy Barry Goldberg

Statute of Limitations for Filing a Personal Injury Claim

Should you ever have a legal claim against a party, including a personal injury claim after being in a Woodland Hills car accident, one of the most important reasons to consult an experienced attorney is to avoid problems with the statute of limitations that can eventually bar you from bringing suit and recovering financial compensation if you delay too long.

What is a statute of limitations?

A statute of limitations sets a deadline for filing a lawsuit. Most of the time, the clock begins to run from the time an injury or wrong occurs. Each state sets its own statue of limitations for different sets of claims, with the federal government having a separate statute of limitations for federal claims as well. In California, an auto accident victim generally has two years to file a claim. If the injury was not discovered right away, then it is 1 year from the date the injury was discovered if they delay in the discovery was reasonable.

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Personal InjuryBy Barry Goldberg

Attorney Barry P. Goldberg Featured on Lawpreneur Radio

San Fernando Valley personal injury attorney Barry P. Goldberg was recently featured on Lawpreneur Radio. Host Miranda McCroskey and Barry chatted about Barry’s experience as a “lawpreneur” and starting his own firm. A few highlights from their conversation: Barry explains that when he went on his own, he assumed business would come to him because…

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NewsBy Barry Goldberg

When a Car Accident Results in Paralysis

Paralysis, which is most often the result of a serious injury to one’s central nervous system, is one of the most catastrophic injuries a car accident victim can suffer. Muscle functions cease in one or more regions of the victim’s body, making long-term care a necessity in many cases. Bills for hospital stays, physical therapy, in-home care, and more quickly add up. If you or a loved one was paralyzed after being involved in a San Fernando Valley car accident, speak to an experienced personal injury attorney about obtaining financial compensation for your injuries.

Paralysis from direct physical injury to one’s body can be the result car accidents, truck accidents, pedestrian accidents, and motorcycle or bicycle accidents.  Sometimes, the paralysis is partial, or localized, meaning it only affects certain limbs or regions of the body. More severe forms of paralysis can affect nearly the entire body and leave a paralysis victim immobile from the neck down. As we addressed earlier, such conditions require extensive and expensive medical care. In some case, long-term bedding in medical facilities, wheelchairs, nursing care, and in-home ramps and other handicap accessible improvements may be required; resulting in bills that even the most robust insurance plans might not fully cover.

If you have suffered from paralysis or a debilitating injury as of the result of a someone’s negligence or wrongful act (such as driving while under the influence of drugs or alcohol), contacting a personal injury lawyer with experience handling cases similar to yours can provide peace of mind and help you recover financially. A qualified car accident attorney in the San Fernando Valley can provide a free evaluation of your case and determine if you are entitled to compensation for damages and expenses such as:

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Car AccidentBy Barry Goldberg

Northridge Deadly Drunk Driving Accident Sheds Light on a Serious Issue

The summer months are upon us and with an increase in beach bonfires, summer BBQs, and Sunday Fundays in the sun, drunk driving accidents in the San Fernando Valley are also on the rise. These types of auto accidents are unavoidable and often tragic, as the recent accident involving CSUN college students indicates.

Northridge drunk driving accident leaves one teen dead

This past weekend in Northridge, a driver thought to be under the influence of drugs or alcohol, killed a young woman when he crashed into her car in the early hours of the morning. The 19 year old girl was pronounced dead at the scene of the crime, perhaps from the impact of the other car hitting her driver’s side door. A total of five people were initially said to be injured in the accident, some critically. A witness stated that he saw police officers picking up beer cans at the scene shortly after the collision. Obtaining the names of potential witnesses to a car accident is always a wise idea. For more information on what to do in the immediate aftermath of an accident, click here.

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Car AccidentBy Barry Goldberg
Truck Accident Lawyer Canoga Park CA

A Passenger Encouraging a Driver to Speed or Break the Law can be Held Personally Liable for a Crash!

Woodland Hills personal injury attorney Barry P. Goldberg has seen hundreds of unusual accident scenarios in 35 years of personal injury practice.  However, liability for the actual accident has never been imposed on a passenger.  In fact, it is easy to understand why liability should not expand past the negligent driver—no matter what someone says…

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Car Accident, Motorcycle Accident, Personal Injury, Uninsured MotoristBy Barry Goldberg

Caitlyn Jenner’s Malibu Crash Brings Attention Multi-Car Crashes

As we have discussed, multi car accidents can be some of the most terrifying accidents to be involved in. With cars coming from what seems like every direction and tires squealing, it is no wonder multi-car accident victims often suffer serious emotional and mental damages.

Not even celebrities are immune to personal injury lawsuits and car accidents. In February 2015, Bruce Jenner was involved in a serious multi-car car crash on Pacific Coast Highway in Malibu that resulted in one death and several other injuries. Accident victim Jennifer Steindorff’s Prius was stopped in traffic when it was rear-ended by a white Lexus, according to sheriff’s deputies. That Lexus was then rear-ended by Jenner’s black Cadillac Escalade SUV, which was towing a trailer with an all-terrain vehicle on it. The impact from Jenner’s vehicle propelled the white Lexus into traffic, where it collided with a black Hummer H2. The driver of the white Lexus, Kim Howe of Calabasas, California, died at the scene. In addition to Ms. Howe’s death, five children and two adults were hospitalized with injuries from the auto accident. The family of Kim Howe has filed a wrongful death lawsuit against Bruce Jenner.

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Car AccidentBy Barry Goldberg

Map Apps, Distracted Driving, and Car Accidents

Many drivers in Los Angeles and the San Fernando Valley claim that Waze is the best invention since sliced bread. Waze is an app with 40 million registered users that shares real-time traffic and road info, with the goal of saving everyone time and gas money on their daily commute. Google bought the Israel-based app in 2013 for $1 billion, plus $100 million in employee retention and incentives.

Map apps and distracted driving

Waze is a lifeline for many So Cal drivers who want to avoid hours of traffic and frustration (read abut a recent case of road rage gone very bad here). For example, if someone is stuck in traffic due to a car accident, they will report their observation which in turn allows other users to view and plan their drive accordingly. The app also updates a user’s route based on current traffic conditions.

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Car AccidentBy Barry Goldberg
Los Angeles Auto Accident Attorney

Analyzing the Enforceability of a Release—Was There Gross Negligence?

Woodland Hills personal injury lawyer Barry P. Goldberg is consulted for many very serious injuries sometimes related to fairly dangerous activities and others rather routine.  More and more, we are seeing a signed “Release of All Liability” which may bar all recovery for injuries caused by dangerous equipment, negligent employees and negligent co-participants.  Most commonly,…

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Personal InjuryBy Barry Goldberg