California Trial Lawyers Blog

How New Anti-DUI Vehicle Legislation Affects Californians

By Joseph Low on November 25, 2022

man using breathalyzer

President Biden signed legislation in 2021 that requires all new vehicles to be manufactured with advanced drunk and impaired driving prevention technology installed in them to reduce DUIs across the United States. The Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act calls for this change to be made after a given date. As a Californian, knowing how this new anti-DUI legislation could affect you is crucial. We’ve outlined everything you need to know about the bill below.

Posted in: Car Accident

Is It True That California Just Legalized Jaywalking?

By Joseph Low on November 10, 2022

pedestrian jaywalking

Jaywalking was just legalized in California, meaning pedestrians can now cross the street outside of a crosswalk without getting a ticket. This is a significant change for the state, which has long had some of the strictest jaywalking laws in the country. The new law is a victory for pedestrian rights advocates, who have been pushing for looser restrictions on crossing the street. They argue that the old rules were unfair to pedestrians and disproportionately enforced in communities of color. Now that jaywalking is legal, pedestrians will have more freedom to move around the state and no longer have to worry about getting a ticket for crossing the street outside a crosswalk so long as they do it safely.

Posted in: Pedestrian Accident

What Are the Responsibilities of Parents of Teen Drivers?

By Joseph Low on October 20, 2022

new teen driver behind the wheel

As a parent, putting your teenager behind the wheel of a car can be both a good thing and a bad thing. On the upside, you can now spend your time doing other things than driving your teenager around to school and extracurricular activities. On the downside, it is difficult not to worry, considering the current teen driver crash statistics.

Posted in: Car Accident

The Importance of Proper Braking Techniques for Big Trucks

By Joseph Low on October 10, 2022

people standing around a truck accident

Thousands of people are killed or seriously injured in trucking accidents every year in the U.S. In the most recent year for which statistics are available, 4,842 large commercial trucks were involved in fatal crashes, and 107,000 were involved in injury crashes, according to the National Safety Council (NSC). Brake failure is a leading cause of truck accidents.

Posted in: Truck Accident

How To Discuss Chronic Pain In Car Accident Claims

By Joseph Low on September 15, 2022

man sustained injury to shoulder

It is hard enough to sustain a short-term injury after a Long Beach car accident and even worse to have ongoing chronic pain in the weeks and months that follow.

Chronic pain following a car accident can occur in all parts of the body, however, it is more common in certain places. Often, victims find themselves with long-term neck, shoulder, and back pain that is a result of the impact of the crash itself. Another body part in which chronic pain is common is the limbs, as they are easily broken during an accident. If a limb break does not heal correctly, this can cause long-term pain for the victim.

Posted in: Car Accident

Do ‘Beware of Dog’ Signs Affect Liability For Dog Bites?

By Joseph Low on September 5, 2022

person playing with black lab puppy

You might think that using a ‘beware of dog’ sign might offset any liability for the behaviors of the dog. The owner can argue that the sign indicated that the dog posed a risk, and the victim took the risk and interacted with it regardless. However, in the state of California, this is not the case.

Posted in: Premises Liability

What If You’re Injured as a Passenger in Your Friend’s Car?

By Joseph Low on August 15, 2022

black and white photo of car passenger

Undoubtedly one of the most horrific and terrifying experiences you can have in life is being a passenger in an automobile accident.

You can make a compensation claim for your damages or injuries, which will probably be made against the at-fault driver’s insurance coverage. You can do this if the collision was caused by that driver’s carelessness.

Posted in: Car Accident

The Most Common Forms of Police Misconduct

By Joseph Low on August 5, 2022

police officer with handcuffs

Police misconduct is a problem that has been around for decades, with the most recent reforms taking place in the 1960s. Police misconduct is generally defined as “the failure of a police officer to perform his or her duty in a lawful and competent manner.”

This definition encompasses a wide range of behavior, including brutality and abuse, discrimination, falsification of records, corruption, sexual harassment and assault, false arrest or imprisonment, failure to provide medical care or trauma care when needed, and other violations of constitutional rights or law.

Does a Big Rig Truck Have a Black Box?

By Joseph Low on July 30, 2022

blue semi-truck crashed into wall

What is a Black Box?

A black box refers to a safety mechanism historically used in the aviation industry to track data during flights. Black boxes have now expanded outside the aviation industry to include the commercial trucking industry.

Most big rig trucks now have this device to track the likely causes of accidents and improve safety measures. However, whilst the majority of trucks have a black box, not every commercial truck does.

Black boxes, also known as event data recorders, enable governmental regulators to ensure safety of the trucking industry. They also serve a retrospective purpose, allowing crash victims to determine the causes of their accidents.

Posted in: Truck Accident

The Hazards of Road Rash

By Joseph Low on July 1, 2022

injured victim receiving E.R. medical help

Causes of Road Rash

Road rash occurs where the driver or passenger falls from the motorcycle onto the road and is dragged for a distance along the road. The risk and effects of road rash is well known in motorcycling communities due to how frequently it happens.

Protective measures are often undertaken, however, leather and even additional padding cannot always prevent the skin from coming into contact with the road and other surfaces. Other accidents causing road rash also include skateboarding, cycling, walking or jogging outdoors, and treadmill use.

Posted in: Motorcycle Accident

"Joseph, Thank you for your assistance. Your understanding compassion & incredible expertise are admired & appreciated. I will be referring any of my clients who require legal help to you."
- M.D.