What Will Auto Insurance Cover?

Auto Accident Attorney Recommendation – What Will Insurance Cover?

When a client comes to my office after they were involved in an auto accident, I often request their “Insurance Declaration Page”. This document will show every type of coverage that my client’s insurance carrier will cover in the result of an accident.

Liability Coverage vs. Collision Coverage

California law requires a minimum of $15,000 per person / $30,000 per occurrence in liability coverage as well as $5,000 in property damage liability coverage. (Also known as 15/30 or 15/30/5). (California Insurance Code §11580.1b)

What is liability coverage?

If you are at fault in an auto accident, you are “liable”. If the not-at-fault party makes an injury claim against you/your insurance, and if you have the minimum coverage of 15/30, the insurance will only pay a maximum of $15,000 to a single injured person or a maximum of $30,000 if more than one person was injured.

If the injured party’s claim is worth more than that amount, you can potentially be sued personally and be on the hook to pay a settlement or court judgment for any amount over what the insurance pays out.

Property Damage Liability:

Even if a party is not injured, but you are at-fault, you or your insurance can be responsible to pay for the damage to the other vehicle. If you have the minimum required by law, $5,000, and if there is more damage than $5,000, you can be personally responsible for any amount over your insurance coverage.

Uninsured Motorist (UM) & Underinsured Motorist:

If you were the victim of a hit and run, and the accident was not your fault OR if you were hit by a vehicle that was uninsured, this provision of your auto insurance would cover you. This coverage isn’t found on every policy, but your insurance carrier will have you sign a waiver of UM coverage, if you decline this coverage. It is highly recommended that you purchase this type of coverage so that your medical bills as well as pain and suffering can be covered in the event you are the victim of a hit ‘n run or if you were hit by an uninsured motorist.

Underinsured motorist would apply only in certain circumstances when your injury claim is worth more than the insurance coverage available by the other party.

Medical Expense (“Med-Pay”):

Regardless of fault, this coverage covers you or your passengers medical bills incurred in an accident. Some policies require this to kick in only after your health insurance is exhausted,  aka: “Excess Med-Pay”. Some policies have reimbursement provisions.

Collision Coverage and Comprehensive Coverage:

If your car was involved in an accident – whether you were in the vehicle or not, “collision” coverage will pay for the repair or replacement of your vehicle. If an uninsured vehicle hit you, the UM coverage will not pay for the damage to your car. You would need collision coverage.

Comprehensivecovers you in the event your car was stolen.

Other provisions of an auto insurance may include policy: rental, roadside, towing, “uninsured deductible waiver”.

If you were injured in an automobile accident, make sure to call our office to discuss your policy so we can assure you utilize the coverage allowed under your policy.

Ari Friedman
Personal Injury Lawyer
323-596-1234
www.AFriedman.com

Can I trust the insurance company?

So you were involved in an auto accident. Your auto insurance company says they will be handling your case for you.

“Tell me in one sentence why I need a lawyer”.

Your insurance company may handle payment or repair of your car, but they wont be paying you if you were injured!

If you were injured in an auto accident, it is in your best interest to call an experienced personal injury attorney.

Attorney Ari Friedman will work for you to get you a favorable result. Remember, car accident lawyers don’t get paid for a consultation and only get paid when money is made on a case! There is no out of pocket money you will be paying your lawyer.

Contact Ari Friedman today!

YOUR local personal injury attorney

Ari Friedman

323-596-1234

www.AFriedman.com

Why do I need a personal injury lawyer?

“I got into an accident, why shouldn’t I just deal with the insurance company directly?”

Oftentimes, having an attorney becomes essential because cases become extremely complex. Although insurance companies claim to be on your side, they really put their interests first. When dealing with your own insurance company, it may be easier for them to classify the case as “50/50” liability. Insurance companies benefit for two reasons: 1) They can close the file sooner. 2) If you are found to be partially at fault, they can raise your insurance premiums. If you retain a law firm that specializes in auto accident cases, this will decrease the chances of your insurance finding you “at fault”.

An attorney can get you monetary compensation above and beyond what is paid for doctor bills. Almost every person involved in an auto accident experiences what is called non-economic damages, specifically, “pain & suffering”, inconvenience and the like. Some cases have more non-economic damages than others. However, almost all cases where the client is found not “at fault”, the attorney will be able to recover money non-economic damages.

Another avenue an attorney may attempt recovery from: “ADL” – “affects of daily living”. How the injury may have affected his or her life. For example, a casual tennis player suffers a wrist injury which prevents him from playing tennis. The legal term is “loss of amenity”.

You can also be compensated if, as a result of the injuries, you were unable to work. This is called loss of earnings.

It is essential that you contact our office immediately after an accident so we can preserve your rights and get you the money you deserve!

Make sure you call the Friedman Law Offices to schedule your free consultation.

Ari Friedman, Esq.

Personal Injury Lawyer Los Angeles

323-596-1234

Uninsured Motorist Claim in CA

Did you know that in order for you to go ahead with an uninsured motorist claim in CA, there needs to be contact with another vehicle? For example, if a vehicle comes in to your lane and you swerve out of the way before he was able to hit you, you spin out and crash into the center divider, no UM claim allowed!

There are plenty more technicalities regarding your uninsured motorist claim or personal injury accident claim.

Make sure you call the Friedman Law Offices to schedule your free consultation.

Ari Friedman, Esq.

Personal Injury Lawyer Los Angeles

323-596-1234

Pedestrian Accident Lawyer

Important Items You Must Remember If You Are Involved In A Pedestrian Accident

First and foremost Take care of your medical needs first!

1) Don’t move. Chances are a pedestrian will come to your aid. Stay in the position you are in. Don’t move your neck or back. Stay on the ground. Let the emergency responders take you to the hospital. Do not try and be a hero and touch it out. There is a good chance that you are injured. There is always a possibility of internal injuries as well as nerve damage so you may not feel the pain right away.

2) The emergency personnel will want to take spinal injury precautions. Although most of the time its only precautionary, due to the high mechanism of injury (aka, mechanism of impact) the EMT’s, firefighters, or paramedics will take these precautions in almost every accident involving a pedestrian.

c-collar
C-collar used by emergency responders to stabilize the neck in pedestrian accidents

The c-collar will be slightly uncomfortable but it should not be painful and it should not affect your breathing. If it hurts or is affecting breathing patterns, let the emergency responders know asap.

backboard
Backboard used to stabilize the back in a pedestrian injury accident.

Just as the c-collar, the backboard will be slightly uncomfortable but it should not hurt.

3) Remain calm. The emergency personnel will tend to any other injuries you may have. Try and have a bystander call a family member.

4) The police are entitled to get your statement as to how the accident happened. If you are feeling weak or are unable to give them a statement at the scene of the accident, they will likely visit the hospital and get your statement there. If you are medically stable, and it is possible, call your pedestrian accident lawyer. (Best to call before statement is given to the police.)

5) Relax and let the doctors do their work.

 

If you or someone you know has been the victim of a pedestrian accident, contact the Friedman Law Offices today!

Ari Friedman
Personal Injury Lawyer – Pedestrian Accident Lawyer
Los Angeles
www.AFriedman.com

Bicycle Accident Lawyer

A car was going westbound on a major street and the bicycle was going east on the same street. The car makes a left turn on a green light and strikes the bike rider. The accident occurred at about midnight. The bicyclist had a functioning front and rear reflector. Who is at fault and what are the issues, if any.

California law requires a front facing light when operating a bicycle when it is dark outside.

California Vehicle Code section: 21201(d) “A bicycle operated during darkness… shall be equipped with all of the following:

(1) A lamp emitting a white light that, while the bicycle is in motion, illuminates the highway, sidewalk, or bikeway in front of the bicyclist and is visible from a distance of 300 feet in front and from the sides of the bicycle.

(2) A red reflector on the rear that shall be visible from a distance of 500 feet to the rear…

We also know the California law requires cars to yield to other traffic before making a left turn:

California Vehicle Code Secion 21801(a) The driver of a vehicle intending to turn to the left… shall yield the right-of-way to all…

If you were the bicycle rider, an insurance company for the auto might be quick to “deny” your claim simply because you didn’t have a solid front facing light.

Is that right?

Bicycle reflectors are made specifically for cars to see you at night! We have won cases where the insurance company tries to pull a quick one like this.

Representation by a bicycle accident lawyer that has specific experience with bicycle accident cases is a must!

If you or someone you know has been involved in any type of bicycle accident, contact the Friedman Law Offices today!

Ari Friedman
Personal Injury Lawyer – Bicycle Accident Lawyer
Los Angeles
www.AFriedman.com

Bicycle Safety Tips: http://www.chp.ca.gov/html/bicycleriding.html

Injury Car Accident

What Information To Get After An Injury Car Accident

I can’t tell you how many times a client has come in with little or no information about the car accident they were just involved in. If you are involved in an auto accident, obviously the first thing you need to do is worry about your health. Make sure you call 9112 if you suspect any injuries. If there is anyone in the car that is experiencing neck or back pain from the accident, and if there is no immediate threat by staying in the car, try to stay in the car and do not move your neck. The fire department / ambulance will evaluate you.

Make sure you let the 911 operator know that there is someone injured so that they will not only send the police but an ambulance as well. You may be transferred to a second operator. The first operator being the police, and then the second one being the fire department. In the City of Los Angeles, the first call taker is a police dispatcher and they gather some basic information and will then transfer you to the Los Angeles Fire Department Operator who will give you “pre-arrival” instructions and will likely advise you not to move any injured people.

What are the important items I need to get regarding the accident?

  • Name of other driver
  • Address of other driver
  • Number of other driver
  • License Plate # of other driver
  • Drivers License Number (and State) of other driver
  • Birthdate of other Driver
  • Make/Model/Color of other car
  • Insurance Company of other Driver
  • Insurance Policy # of other Driver
  • Name, number, address of all Witnesses (even if they give the info to the police)
  • If there are multiple other cars, add all information for additional cars.
  • Pictures of the scene as well as the damage to both cars.

Too much information to handle? Use our handy smartphone mobile site that will assist you in gathering the information www.exchangeinfo.info This tool has all the necessary fields that you need to fill out. Once complete, it will send all of the information for my office for review. Please note: The questionnaire on www.exchangeinfo.info is meant solely for the use of the consulting attorney for purposes of analyzing and evaluating the prospective client’s case. Although the information you supply is strictly confidential, submission of this form DOES NOT CREATE AN ATTORNEY / CLIENT RELATIONSHIP.

If you or someone you know has been involved in any tyoe of accident, contact the Friedman Law Offices today!

Ari Friedman
Personal Injury Lawyer – Injury Car Accident
Los Angeles
www.AFriedman.com

DO NOT DO AS SHOWN IN THIS CARTOON!

What information should I get at the scene of an accident?

I can’t tell you how many times a client has come in with little or no information about the car accident they were just involved in. If you are involved in an auto accident, obviously the first thing you need to do is worry about your health. Make sure you call 9112 if you suspect any injuries. If there is anyone in the car that is experiencing neck or back pain from the accident, and if there is no immediate threat by staying in the car, try to stay in the car and do not move your neck. The fire department / ambulance will evaluate you.

Make sure you let the 911 operator know that there is someone injured so that they will not only send the police but an ambulance as well. You may be transferred to a second operator. The first operator being the police, and then the second one being the fire department. In the City of Los Angeles, the first call taker is a police dispatcher and they gather some basic information and will then transfer you to the Los Angeles Fire Department Operator who will give you “pre-arrival” instructions and will likely advise you not to move any injured people.

What are the important items I need to get regarding the accident?

Too much information to handle? Use our handy smartphone mobile site that will assist you in gathering the information www.exchangeinfo.info This tool has all the necessary fields that you need to fill out. Once complete, it will send all of the information for my office for review. Please note: The questionnaire on www.exchangeinfo.info is meant solely for the use of the consulting attorney for purposes of analyzing and evaluating the prospective client’s case. Although the information you supply is strictly confidential, submission of this form DOES NOT CREATE AN ATTORNEY / CLIENT RELATIONSHIP.

If you or someone you know has been involved in any tyoe of accident, contact the Friedman Law Offices today!

Ari Friedman
Personal Injury Lawyer
Los Angeles
www.AFriedman.com

 

DO NOT DO AS SHOWN IN THIS CARTOON!

Immigration Status – And A Personal Injury Claim – “Can I Make an Injury Claim If I am an Illegal Citizen?”

The scenario is:

  • You or someone you know is visiting but are not currently a legal resident or citizen of the United States OR
  • You are living in the United States without citizenship, ie: illegal immigrant or illegal “alien”
  • While in California, you are injured as a result of someone else’s negligence. (Personal injury, auto accient, etc)

Do I have a right to make a claim against the negligent party’s insurance?

Do I have a right to sue the negligent party?

Will my “status” be affected by making a claim or filing a lawsuit?

These are all common questions. However, California courts have held that the immigration status of a Plaintiff is “irrelevant” and therefore considered, inadmissible evidence. The only time the citizenship status would be admissible is if the Plaintiff was trying to submit a “loss of earnings” claim and the Defendant tries to show that there were never any payments made, as the Plaintiff wasn’t even legally allowed to be paid in the United States.

A recent California case has held:

Any potential prejudice that might result from the introduction of the plaintiff’s status as an illegal immigrant can be overcome by a curative instruction by the Court.  Certainly, a plaintiff would be entitled to a limiting instruction that his status as an illegal immigrant is not relevant on the issue of liability.

There are many intricate details and considerations that go into filing a personal injury claim and/or personal injury lawsuit. Make sure you speak to a lawyer at the Friedman Law Offices as soon after the injury as possible. Call us at 323-596-1234 so we can preserve your rights.

Ari Friedman
Personal Injury Lawyer
Los Angeles
www.AFriedman.com

What is Uninsured or Underinsured Motorist and Why Do I Need it on my Insurance Policy?

Consider these scenarios:

  • You are the victim of a “hit and run”
  • Someone hit your car but their insurance lapsed and they have no coverage.
  • You have been seriously injured by another vehicle and accrue tens of thousands of dollars in medical bills. The other party carries the minimum liability insurance of $15,000.

So what do you do when the party at fault has no insurance?

You can choose to personally sue the individual at fault (if you can find him/her). OR rely on your uninsured motorist coverage to handle the claim. In any of the above scenarios, if you carry uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage, your own carrier should pay you for your damages, which includes pain and suffering.

There are so many people driving the streets that do not carry even the minimum insurance required by the law, so be smart and carry uninsured motorist coverage on your auto policy.

At the Friedman Law Offices, we know the ins and outs of the “uninsured/underinsured motorist” laws. If you have been injured as a result of a hit and run driver or uninsured motorist, be sure to contact the Friedman Law Offices as soon as possible so that your rights will be preserved and so that we can get you the maximum recovery possible.

Ari Friedman, Esq.
Personal Injury Lawyer
Friedman Law Offices
http://www.AFriedman.com