It is possible to get an award of punitive damages in a personal injury case in California, but actually receiving an award of punitive damages is rare because of the high burden of proof under California law. Simple negligence can be enough for you to win compensatory damages in a personal injury...
Category: Personal Injury
How Long After an Accident Can You Sue in California?
As with many legal questions, there is a general answer to the question, “How long after an accident can you sue in California?” and there are exceptions to the general rule. The deadlines for filing any kind of lawsuit are called “statutes of limitations.” Depending on the kind of lawsuit you want...
What is Res Ipsa Loquitor?
Real-life is not like the courtroom dramas you see on television. Sometimes, the facts of a case do not fall into place neatly. For example, in a personal injury case, causation can be a challenge to prove. The legal doctrine of res ipsa loquitor creates a rebuttable presumption that the defendant must...
Car Accidents Caused By Brake Checking In California
It can be frightening and annoying to have someone tailgate you. You might feel that they have no right to expose you to the risk of a collision, so you might be tempted to tap on the brakes. Putting them in fear of a crash might teach them a lesson, you might...
Over-Served at a Bar: Are Bars Liable for Drunk Driving Car Accidents?
Usually, bars in California are not liable if customers drive drunk and injure someone. The injured person can sue the drunk driver for compensation, but not the bar. One exception to this general rule is if an adult serves alcohol to a minor, which means someone under the age of 21 in...
Guide to the Assumption of Risk Doctrine
Sometimes a defendant will raise the defense of “assumption of risk” to try to avoid liability when their negligence injures someone. California law can bar a plaintiff from recovering money damages in some situations under this doctrine, but it depends on the circumstances.
Assumption of the risk is a...
What Happens if I am Injured at a Theme Park?
We love our theme parks here in California, but if you get injured at one, you need to know what to do. You might be able to hold the park liable for your injuries and losses. Under California law, the owners and operators of amusement parks or theme parks have a legal...
What Happens When You Get in an Accident On Indigenous Land in California?
If you had an accident and you got hurt on tribal land in California, the only thing of which you can be certain is that the rules will be different from what you might be used to on non-tribal land. A federally recognized North American tribe is a separate sovereign nation. They...
How a Back Injury Affects Your Life
Many people get back injuries in car accidents, on the job, in slip and fall accidents, and by other means. Those who have never hurt their back before might not appreciate how a back injury affects your life. Having a slipped disc, fractured vertebrae, strained muscle, spinal cord damage, or another back...
Can You Sue if Harmed by a Weight-Loss Drug
Many weight loss pills make extraordinary claims about their effectiveness, but even if they work as well as promised, they might cause harm in the process. If you suffered an injury because of a medication or supplement advertised as a weight loss product, you might be wondering if you have any legal...
Does California’s Dog Bite Law Protect Trespassers?
California holds dog owners strictly liable for injuries caused by a dog bite. However, this strict liability does not apply to trespassers. So, if you’ve been bitten by a dog while trespassing, you may be wondering if you can sue the owner.
The answer is… it depends.
Can I Get Punitive Damages for a Dog Bite in California?
Although it rarely happens, it is possible to get punitive damages for a dog bite in California. The facts must be extreme and unusual to qualify for an award of punitive damages in these cases. You must show with clear and convincing evidence that the defendant acted maliciously in causing you to...
Sovereign Immunity and Your California Personal Injury Case: What You Need to Know
When you are injured because of another person or party's negligence, you may be eligible to file a personal injury lawsuit against them to recover damages. However, there are some situations in which the defendant is immune from lawsuits - this is known as sovereign immunity. Our California personal injury attorneys...
Can I File A Personal Injury Lawsuit After A Bus Accident?
If you were injured in a bus accident, you may be wondering if you can file a personal injury lawsuit. Bus accidents can result in serious injuries, and it is important to understand your legal options. In this blog post, our California bus accident attorneys will discuss what you need to...
What is the Legal Standard in a California Car Accident Lawsuit?
Did you know that when it comes to car accidents, there is a legal standard? In California, the legal standard in a car accident lawsuit is negligence. This means that you must prove that the other driver was careless or negligent in causing the accident. If you can do this, you may...
Major Types of California Vehicle Accidents
If you've been injured in a car accident, it's important to understand the different types of accidents that can occur. In California, there are six major types of vehicle accidents. Each type of accident can result in a different set of injuries, so it's important to know what to watch out for.
What Happens if I Wait to Go to The Doctor After an Accident?
Getting in a car accident can be one of the most stressful and life-changing things that can happen to us. If you have been in a car accident and aren’t yet working with a California personal injury attorney, you may start wondering how long you have to get to a doctor...
What Should I Do After a Hit-and-Run Accident?
Car accidents can be incredibly stressful and can result in potentially devastating injuries. In the best-case scenario, all vehicles pull out of traffic, create an accident report with the police, exchange information, and so on. In some situations, particularly in super-densely populated areas like California, the offending driver may cause a collision,...
What to Do if You or a Loved One Has Been Involved in a School Bus Accident
The top priority for parents is the safety and health of their children, so when they finally head off to school, it is expected that every adult responsible for their care will have their best interest at heart. While school buses are generally a safe way for students to travel, accidents happen,...
How Defective Tires Can Cause Accidents
Accidents happen every day in California, many of those produce some relatively serious injuries. While many of these accidents are caused by negligence, there is a significant number that is caused by vehicle malfunctions, and one of the most common malfunctions that cause accidents is defective tires. Many people don’t think much...