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You probably heard the news recently: another vehicle recall. This time, millions of cars and SUVs manufactured by Hyundai were recalled. Why? The vehicles can spontaneously catch fire, which affects various Hyundai car and SUV models from 2010 to 2017. If you have one, park them well away from your home and other structures until your vehicle has been fixed. What is the defect? The defective vehicles have an anti-lock brake system module that could develop a leak, which causes the system to short circuit. This short circuit can cause the ABS module to overheat and cause the engine to catch fire. Have there been injuries or deaths? Hyundai claims there have been none. However, there have been fires, with customers who experienced damages, even if it is just the loss of their vehicles and the contents in them. Which vehicles are recalled? The affected Hyundai vehicles include the Accent (manufactured between 2012-2015), Azera (manufactured between 2012-2015), Elantra (manufactured between 2011-2015) and the Elantra Coupe (manufactured between 2013-2015). In addition, the recall includes the Equus (manufactured between 2014-2015), Genesis Coupe (manufactured between 2011-2015), Santa Fe (manufactured between 2013-2015), Santa Fe Sport (manufactured in 2013) and the Sonata HEV (manufactured between 2011-2015). Finally, the recall also includes the Tucson (manufactured between 2010-2013), Tucson Fuel Cell (manufactured between 2015), Veloster (manufactured between 2012-2015) and the Veracruz (manufactured between 2010-2012). Though, this could be expanded. Check your VIN number on the NHTSA’s website to be sure. If my car is included, what should I do? You should receive notification by mail directly from Hyundai, if your vehicle is recalled. You take your car to the nearest Hyundai dealership, and they will replace the defective products for free. You can call Hyundai directly too at 1-800-633-5151. Though, in the interim, check your car for visible smoke, warning lights and any signs of heat or fire. And, make sure you do not park your vehicle in your garage or near anything else that your vehicle could catch fire, should it spontaneously combust. However, if your vehicle has already combusted, you likely have a product liability claim. Though, you will need to file your lawsuit before the statute of limitations expires.

Dehumidifiers are essential appliances in any home or space with high humidity. They extract water from the air, helping reduce humidity and making rooms feel much more comfortable. But like any electric appliance, dehumidifiers can also have issues that can make them dangerous. Such was the case with a recent recall for over 1.5 million dehumidifiers sold in the U.S. because of their potential fire risk. Chinese manufacturer Gree Electric Appliance is recalling 42 dehumidifier models. The company sold the devices under five brands – Kenmore, GE, Norpole, Seabreeze and SoleusAir. These devices were made available through major retailers like Home Depot and Walmart from January 2011 to February 2014. Gree issued the recall after it had received reports that its dehumidifiers caused at least 23 fires and $168,000 in property damage. The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission said that Gree had advised consumers to unplug and immediately stop using the devices and to contact the company for a free refund. Product liability for dangerous devices What can you do if you’re injured in a fire caused by a defective dehumidifier? Per California law, you may be able to file a product liability lawsuit against the manufacturer to seek compensation for your injuries and any property damage caused by the fire. However, if you file a product liability lawsuit, you must remember that California uses a pure comparative fault system, which could limit the damages you can seek. Pure comparative fault Under the state’s law on pure comparative fault, you’re only eligible for compensation based on the level of your fault compared to the manufacturer. For instance, if you suffered burn injuries that cost $780,000 but were determined to be 40% at fault for the fire, you can only recover the remaining 60% ($468,000) through the lawsuit. Manufacturers facing a product liability lawsuit could use the pure comparative fault system to limit the damages they’re liable for. For instance, the manufacturer could claim in court that you used the dehumidifier for long periods without breaks. It could additionally claim that this goes against its warnings that prolonged use could lead to dangerous overheating. In a roundabout way, you could be more liable for the burn injuries you’ve suffered from a defective product. Product liability lawsuits can be challenging, especially if the manufacturer you’re suing will try its hardest to reduce its liability. Consider having a legal professional on your side to understand your case better.

Desert residents know just how hot it can get. However, even if they have learned to acclimate to the highs and lows of the desert temperature, extreme heat can still be deadly for any human being. While it is advisable to hydrate regularly and stay indoors to avoid direct sun exposure, buildings in the desert might be the exception, especially when those buildings do not have operable cooling systems and adequate ventilation. Concrete, asphalt and other materials used in building construction can absorb and release heat and can exacerbate desert living conditions. Californians are dying in their homes because of heat waves, and it is time to do something about it. Desert residents should understand premises liability and how to hold their landlords accountable. Landlords must provide a safe living environment Landlords are legally responsible for keeping the units they lease to tenants habitable. They are liable for what happens in the premises they own and lease. According to California law, landlords should maintain the premises they own and make repairs when necessary. Therefore, if a tenant requests the landlord to fix or replace an air conditioner provided in the unit, the landlord should do it. When a landlord fails to maintain utilities, and it causes heat-related injury or wrongful death, a tenant can file a lawsuit against them. Desert residents have a right to a safe living environment California habitability laws do not require a landlord to provide an air conditioning unit in their rental units, but they should maintain existing utilities and at least have proper ventilation. The landlord should ensure that the building they own and the units they put in the rental market are reasonably fit for human habitation and occupancy.

A desert’s striking landscape captivates any adventurer. From a plethora of flora and fauna to vast expanses of sand and rock formations, even drivers prefer a scenic road trip every chance possible. But driving through the desert at night presents particular dangers, which may lead victims to tragic injuries and, in the worst cases, death. Desert dangers at night Per California’s Office of Traffic Safety, traffic deaths increased by about 7.6% from 2020 to 2021. If you decide to have a nighttime cruise in the desert, the following are hazards that may increase your chances of figuring into a fatal vehicular accident: Reduced or lack of visibility: Limited visibility, on top of only a few landmarks, makes it difficult to navigate through a desert. Aside from the darkness of the night, drivers may also encounter dust storms consisting of high winds that can lead to zero visibility. Extreme temperatures: From scorching heights to dramatic drops at night, these drastic changes can affect a driver’s physical and mental wellness necessary to focus on the road. Deadly wildlife: Some species are more active at night. With predatory instincts and unpredictable behavior, they may wander off and cause collisions. Under the state’s vehicular accident laws, every driver must have insurance coverage amounting to $15,000 for injury or death to another individual and $30,000 for multiple parties, and $5,000 for property damage. If you sustained injuries, you only have two years to file a claim. But you must know that the state follows a pure comparative negligence model. This system reduces the damages you can receive depending on your percentage of fault. If you are 10% partially responsible, you can only recover 90% of the damages. Stay vigilant to stay alive Driving through terrain with innumerable erratic elements makes you vulnerable to hazards. So, being alert and prepared can be your lifeline to safety. But even with your best efforts, you may still be in a car crash. When this happens, seeking medical attention and reporting it to the authorities must be your immediate action. A legal team can work with you to pursue damages against all responsible parties.

There are many risks related to driving in the desert. On hot days, vehicles, especially those in poor condition, might overheat. Motorists also need to protect themselves from running out of fuel while they are far from a service station or any other kind of amenities. Such concerns often take top priority, with people checking their fuel and fluid levels carefully before heading to the desert or leaving a gas station. However, there is another safety risk that looms large out on the desert roads and which could have catastrophic implications for the people in a vehicle. Especially when temperatures rise in the summer, motorists need to understand what might cause a tire blowout. Speed and low pressure are a dangerous combination The design of the tires on vehicles helps them to grip the road while maintaining structural integrity even at high speeds. Most vehicle and tire manufacturers provide clear instructions on the pressure level required for proper performance. However, motorists tend to ignore the warning signs of their air pressure dropping in their tires. Low pressure in tires can be very dangerous, as it may increase the heat generated while driving and therefore put the motorist at elevated risk of a tire blowout. The best-case scenario in a tire blowout is that the driver slows down and replaces their tire shortly afterward. Often, they might have to wait for hours in the scorching heat for someone in a tow truck to provide assistance, especially if they have had their tires replaced or rotated at a facility that uses special tools to tighten the lug nuts on the tires. The worst-case scenario involves somebody losing control of their vehicle because of a blowout at high speeds. They might collide with another vehicle or experience a rollover that leaves them injured and incapable of contacting help. Safety should be the top priority in a dangerous environment Motorists don’t necessarily have control over where they need to travel, but they can at least be proactive about making their safe arrival a top priority. Those who understand what causes blowouts will be in a better position to ensure that their tires are safe to drive on during the hottest months in the desert. Identifying and addressing known risk factors can help someone avoid a collision – or at least avoid a designation of personal fault for a crash – because of preventable issues, like a tire blowout.

Nothing beats a bowl of popcorn as a snack, whether you’re watching a blockbuster movie or want something light to nibble. Popcorn also is quite versatile because you can combine it with various ingredients to produce different flavors. Yet when you think of popcorn flavors, you don’t think of stuff like perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl. The two “forever chemicals” – because they don’t degrade naturally – are why two Northern California residents have filed a lawsuit against Campbell Soup Company. According to the complaint, Campbell’s Pop Secret popcorn product had dangerously high levels of PFAS, which studies have linked to health problems such as liver and immune system damage and cancer. The two claimants also said the chemicals were present in 10 of Pop Secret’s flavored popcorn products. In their lawsuit, the claimants cited consumer report test results which found that Pop Secret had 3,641 parts-per-million of total fluorine content, proving that the products had PFAS. They also maintained that the fluorine came from the microwavable bags used for the products. The lawsuit was filed earlier this week in the Northern District of California. Food product liability lawsuits You can sue for a defective food product like you can file a lawsuit for a defective car. Unlike regular personal injury cases, the consumer doesn’t have to prove the manufacturer’s negligence in these lawsuits. Instead, you must demonstrate the following: The food product had a clear defect. You consumed the food product as intended. The defect harmed you in some way. The manufacturer can pay compensation for the harm you suffered. Using the toxic popcorn case as an example, you could sue the product manufacturer if it’s proven that you suffered damage to your immune system or liver from overeating the popcorn. The damages from the lawsuit can help pay for your medical expenses. If you plan to file a lawsuit for a food defect that caused you harm, you must remember that you’ll be up against a large business with many resources at its disposal. Expect your lawsuit to be an uphill battle, especially if the food manufacturer employs its legal team to attempt to dismiss the case. You might want to consult an attorney who can help build your case and defend your rights in court.

SUVs are the success story of the last decade for car manufacturers. Somehow, they have managed to take a vehicle designed for those driving around ranches or through the mountains and persuade scores of city dwellers that they too need one. One of the ways they did this was to talk about how the higher driving position gives you a better view of the road. The manufacturers are not telling you the whole truth Yes, you can see more when you are sitting higher off the ground. Yes, that sturdy build may protect you and your passengers more than a smaller car if you roll your vehicle. However, you need to offset that with the fact that your chances of crashing are increased by the thicker pillars needed to make the roof so sturdy. SUVs were designed for off-road use, where the chance of a rollover was high. People driving around cities don’t roll their cars that often as they are driving on flat tarmac, not off-camber gravel. So they have less need for a bombproof roof. While added safety is always nice, the thicker pillars make seeing out of the windows much more difficult because they increase the blind spots. That can be bad news for anyone inside the vehicle and for others around them. If an SUV hits you, its weight and size mean you will likely need significant compensation for your injuries. Finding out more about your legal options can help you get it.

It’s very dangerous to turn left. This is true for any driver in any situation. Left turns are inherently more dangerous than most other driving maneuvers because they require one car to cross the oncoming traffic lanes. But one group that faces an elevated level of risk is motorcyclists. There are two reasons why left turns are more problematic for them and why they are one of the most common motorcycle accidents to take place. Drivers don’t see motorcycles The big problem is that a lot of drivers will turn left in front of motorcycles that they didn’t see. Some drivers don’t even really look for motorcycles, concentrating on larger vehicles. Others may not see a motorcycle because the dark color blends into the pavement. Still others may see the bike but assume that it is farther away because of its small size. They might misjudge the speed of the bike and turn when there is not enough space to do so. Riders have no protection The second part of the problem is that a motorcycle rider has very little protection. A left-turn accident means the bike is going to impact the side of the car that is turning. The rider can’t swerve to avoid that crash, as they would be swerving into oncoming traffic. Helmets and other equipment can help, but riders face a severe risk of serious injuries. Have you been injured in a motorcycle accident? Those who have been injured need to know all of the legal options they have to seek financial compensation. If you have been injured, compensation may help with medical bills, lost wages and many other costs. Experienced guidance can help you learn more.

Jaywalking has already been common, even if not actually legal. When people need to get across the street, they don’t always want to go out of the way to wait until they’ve reached a crosswalk or intersection. If there’s no oncoming traffic, why not? Here’s what you should know: Understanding jaywalking laws At the beginning of this year, it became easier to jaywalk without risking getting a traffic citation. The Freedom to Walk Act says that officers can only ticket pedestrians who jaywalk if they cross “when a reasonably careful person would realize there is an immediate danger of a collision.” Many of those who advocated for the new law argued that police were handing out these tickets disproportionately. One civil rights attorney noted that “our jaywalking laws were used as a pretext to stop and harass people, especially low-income people and people of color.” These were often people who live in areas where crosswalks are rare, and a jaywalking citation is often unaffordable. It remains to be seen whether car vs. pedestrian collisions will increase due to this new law. Pedestrians typically suffer far worse injuries in these crashes than those in vehicles. Both pedestrians and drivers need to be aware of their surroundings. Drivers need to realize that there may be pedestrians crossing the street outside of a crosswalk or intersection. Unfortunately, if a driver is speeding, under the influence or distracted, they may not be able to stop in time to avoid a pedestrian. If you or a loved one has suffered injuries caused by a driver, you may be looking at significant medical bills and a lengthy recovery time. It’s crucial that you get the compensation you’re due. Having legal guidance can help you ensure that you do.

Drivers in California often take great care to avoid getting into a crash. Those who do end up in a wreck typically expect that insurance will take care of their costs. After all, every licensed driver with a registered vehicle in the state is required to have insurance. California law mandates both property damage and bodily injury liability coverage, which means that those who are not to blame for a crash can usually pursue a simple insurance claim after a wreck. While there typically is insurance coverage that can help after a crash, many motorists discover that it will not be sufficient given the total losses they incur. Why do insurance challenges often leave people struggling financially after a wreck? People depend on the driver at fault for coverage The biggest issue with liability insurance is that people don’t control their own protection after a crash. They instead have to depend on the other driver to make good decisions about their insurance policy. Some motorists are irresponsible and cancel their policies or allow them to lapse due to missed payments. Others only ever purchase the insurance that the state says is necessary and nothing more. After a serious collision, the motorist at fault might only have $15,000 in bodily injury coverage and $5,000 in property damage coverage to reimburse the person hurt in the crash. Although drivers generally have the option of increasing what liability coverage they carry and adding additional protection to their policies, quite a few motorists only carry what the state requires, and some fail to do even now. Insurance issues often lead to civil court When there isn’t enough insurance to cover someone’s vehicle replacement expenses or medical bills after a car wreck, they may have the option of filing a personal injury lawsuit. California law permits civil claims against both individuals and businesses whose actions or negligence cause major collisions. The people who are not to blame for a crash should not have to absorb the costs generated by someone else’s mistakes, provided that they can prove who was at fault and show evidence of their economic losses. Seeking legal guidance to better understand the issues that often stem from California’s insurance approach can help people more effectively protect their interests after a wreck.

Damages in a personal injury claim can either be economic or non-economic. Economic damages are the direct financial losses from the accident, like medical bills and lost wages. On the other hand, non-economic damages are non-monetary losses like pain and suffering, emotional anguish, loss of consortium and a diminished quality of life. Proving non-economic damages in a personal injury claim can be challenging as they are subjective and cannot be quantified. For instance, you cannot provide receipts showing the degree of pain or emotional anguish you suffered. So, how can you prove the non-economic damages you are entitled to? Here is how you can go about it. Medical evidence and expert testimony are key Medical records can help demonstrate the severity of your injuries, which can help infer the pain and suffering you endured. Medical evidence can also provide a basis for expert testimony from doctors and other medical professionals like psychologists who can speak to your pain, suffering and long-term prognosis. Testimony from friends and family Your close friends and family members can also testify how your injuries have affected your emotional well-being, relationships and ability to enjoy life. Their testimony can help show how your life has changed for the worse since the accident. Your personal statements and journals Your journal entries can provide a firsthand account of how your injuries have affected your daily life and emotional well-being. These can be powerful pieces of evidence when presented in court. Proper legal guidance can go a long way Proving non-economic damages in a personal injury claim requires a combination of evidence and expert testimony. Remember, you cannot claim compensation for damages you cannot prove. It explains the importance of seeking informed counsel to help you gather the necessary evidence and build your case. It can significantly increase your chances of getting an appropriate settlement.

There are thousands of auto accidents every day. Drivers often don’t cause accidents because of who they are but because of their actions. There are a few common actions that lead to auto accidents. Two tend to stand out more than others. Here’s what you should know: 1. Distractions are a major source of modern problems One of the biggest causes of auto accidents is distractions. A distraction is anything that disrupts a driver’s attention. A distracted driver may take their hands off the wheel, eyes off the road and mind off of driving. The most modern distraction is the phone. Ever since phones have been portable, people have been carrying them into their cars. If a phone suddenly rings a driver may mindlessly reach for it. The same thing can be said if the driver gets a text, but texting may take more focus than talking. But, both are dangerous driving habits. Another kind of distraction is eating. Many people eat while they drive. Perhaps it’s a small snack on a long trip or a quick meal before getting to work. Either way, a driver who’s eating may cause a serious accident. 2. Drinking and driving still hasn’t stopped Alcohol is a commonly consumed beverage. It can seemingly make people more social and, at times, is enjoyable to drink. But, it can come with a deadly cost when people choose to drink and drive. Despite all the warnings, laws and education campaigns, drunk driving is still and issue. Drunk drivers may suffer from impaired vision, focus and judgment. For example, a drunk driver may misjudge the distance between vehicles and end up causing an accident. Or, a driver may run a red light and cause a collision. If you’re in an accident and suffer from injuries and losses, then you may need to act fast to seek compensation. There are crucial steps that can improve the outcome of a legal battle.