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. 

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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. 

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Generally speaking, a property owner is not expected to control a trespasser’s movements on their property. Consequently, they cannot guarantee a trespasser’s safety.

However, this does not explicitly exonerate the property owner from blame should a trespasser get hurt while on their property. There are instances when you can successfully file a premises liability claim, for example, if you are hurt by someone’s dog while you are technically trespassing on their property.

What duties do property owners owe?

Legally, trespassing refers to entering another person’s property without their consent or permission. Most of the time, property owners owe some degree of care, even to trespassers. This duty of care may be heightened in the event of “continuous” trespassing.

When people walk trespass on a property on a regular basis, say a footpath to a common space cuts through the property, then the property ought to expect continuous trespassing. As such, the property owner is required to warn about potential hazards, like an aggressive dog, that someone may encounter while trespassing on the property. An example of such a warning would be a “Beware of dogs” label at a clearly visible location like the property’s entrance.

The property owner cannot engage in a “willful and wanton” conduct

A property owner is deemed to have engaged in wanton conduct when their reckless indifference exposes a trespasser to injury. Willful conduct, on the other hand, refers to the property owner’s knowledge of the existence of a dangerous condition or hazard, like a ferocious dog, but then failing to take steps to restrain the animal.

Protecting your rights

Legal issues concerning dog-owner liability to a trespasser can be complicated, to say the least. Learning more about California’s dog bite laws with the assistance of a legal professional can help you to pursue justice if you are hurt while on someone else’s property, even if you weren’t there with their explicit permission.

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With millions of households in America having dogs as a part of the family, they are among the most popular pets. For the most part, dogs make great companions. That being said, they are animals which means their behaviors and body language differs from humans. 

You may see a dog baring its teeth at you and know to be wary. But, is teeth baring always a sign of aggression when a canine does this? 

Distinguishing between play and aggression 

All dogs have sharp teeth and they can look intimidating when baring them, especially if the dog is a large breed. However, a dog may do this when they are simply playing, which is why it’s important to look out for other body language signals. While there are no guarantees, if a dog is sneezing lightly, wagging its tail and has a relaxed posture, then it is generally comfortable with the scenario, even if its teeth are exposed. 

Of course, a dog baring its teeth may also be a sign that it is about to attack. The reasons behind dog aggression vary. Some dogs are trained to be protective, while others are just more fearful of strangers. There are also cases when a dog will bare its teeth and potentially bite because it is in pain and feels backed into a corner. 

It’s important to be careful around any dog you do not know. If they bare their teeth, then it isn’t worth taking any chances by approaching them. Dog owners have a legal responsibility to control their animals. If you have been bitten by a dog that was not under control, then you may be able to hold the owner to account for your injuries. Seek further guidance to find out more about your options. 

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If your teen has recently been involved in their first motor vehicle crash, your primary concern is certainly that their injuries are healing. Yet, it is also important to avoid overlooking the emotional toll that a crash can take on a young driver.

This trauma can last long after physical injuries have healed. As a parent, it’s crucial to understand the signs that your teen is having some challenges processing what has happened.

It’s not unusual for someone – particularly a relatively inexperienced driver — to replay a crash in their head and think about what they could have done to prevent it, even if they weren’t at fault. However, if your teen seems to be continuously reliving it, having trouble sleeping, eating or concentrating, it’s wise to be concerned.

Helping your child regain confidence

It can be helpful for your child to see a therapist who can help them process their thoughts and feelings in a safe, healthy environment and move forward. This can also help them regain a sense of control and confidence.

Another way to regain their confidence as a driver is to get behind the wheel again. As soon as their doctor has given the okay, it’s typically a good idea to encourage your teen to start driving again if they’re hesitant. Of course, this should be done gradually, with you or another adult along at first.

It can also help your teen to be involved in the process of dealing with insurance companies and getting a fair settlement to cover expenses and damages caused by the at-fault driver. That doesn’t mean letting them deal with insurers and others alone. However, seeing how things work can help them to process what has happened and to achieve a strong sense of closure.

As you’re determining damages, remember that mental health treatment can typically be included as well. Having experienced legal guidance can help you and your teen as you seek justice and compensation as you both work to move forward.

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Many people move across town for business or family reasons. However, if safety tips are not employed, long commutes can pose danger to other road users. This is because long-distance drivers experience several factors that may contribute to an accident.

This guide discusses four of them:

Exhaustion

Driving for hours, without taking rests, can be exhausting. A tired driver can be as dangerous as a drunk one, as they can fall asleep and have impaired judgment. Exhaustion can also cause one to engage in aggressive behaviors since they want to get to their destination sooner to relax. Such a driver may refuse to give the right of way, run a red light/stop sign or speed, increasing their chances of causing an accident.

Loss of focus

Short-distance driving rarely affects concentration because before a driver loses focus, they have arrived at their destination. However, this may not be the case with long-distance driving. After a few hours of driving, someone may take their mind off driving. A driver may be so lost in their thoughts that they can fail to notice another road user, or they may see them when it’s too late.

Driving at night

With long commutes, a driver may still be on the road at night. While the state and car manufacturers try their best to make driving at night safe, compromised night vision and poor lights can lead to an accident.  

Unfamiliarity with the road

Long-distance drivers pass through new areas with roads they are not familiar with. If a route has challenging conditions, a driver may cause an accident.

Long-distance driving can be safe with the right measures. If you are injured by such a driver, you should learn more about your case to receive the compensation you deserve. 

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Injuries suffered in a car crash can prevent you from working during your recovery. For instance, a fractured spine can leave you bedridden for weeks or months. As a result, you will lose the wages you would have earned if were hadn’t been injured.

You deserve compensation for such financial losses. Lost wages are among the economic damages you can claim after a crash caused by a negligent driver. You are entitled to the earnings, overtime pay and other compensation you missed due to your injuries.

How do you prove the wages lost?

As with all other damages you claim, you must provide supporting evidence of the lost wages to get compensation. Here is what you need to do.

The first thing when seeking lost wages is providing medical evidence of your injuries. A doctor’s report will back your claim by shedding light on the nature and extent of your injuries. It will also help tie your injuries to the crash, which will rule out assertions that they were pre-existing.

Next, you need to provide financial records such as your pay stubs, bank statements and tax returns. They will help establish the actual amount lost when you couldn’t work. A letter from your employer confirming your lost income can also come in handy.

Maximizing your car accident claim

It is worth noting that you can claim lost wages and compensation for the effect of the accident on your future earning capacity. These are two separate and unrelated claims.

The necessary legal guidance after a car accident will help identify the damages you can claim and assist you through the claims process. It can go a long way in increasing your chances of getting the settlement you deserve.

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