California Personal Injury Lawyers Blog

Families of Kobe Helicopter Crash Victims Sue for Wrongful Death

April 21, 2020 | by Gary Walch

Families of Kobe Helicopter Crash Victims Sue for Wrongful Death

Earlier this year the world was shocked by the news that basketball star Kobe Bryant and his daughter Gianna, were killed in a tragic helicopter accident in Calabasas. The tragedy hit particularly hard for Southern Californians, as Bryant played for the Los Angeles Lakers for 20 seasons.

The crash occurred on the morning of January 26, 2020–Bryant was traveling to a basketball game with his daughter and eight others. These passengers and the pilot were also killed in the crash. The exact cause of the crash is still being investigated, though foggy weather conditions are thought to have contributed to the accident. Now, the surviving family members of these victims are bringing a Los Angeles wrongful death suit against the owner of the helicopter, Island Express Helicopters.

Tiger Woods Sued by Fan Claiming He was Injured by Caddie

April 20, 2020 | by Robert Walch

Tiger Woods Sued by Fan Claiming He was Injured by Caddie

Recently, NBC Golf Channel reported that Tiger Woods is currently being sued by one of his fans. The fan, Brian Borruso, claimed that back in 2018 at the Valspar Championship, he was pushed by Tiger Woods’ caddie, Joe LaCava, causing him to fall into the crowd and injure himself.

Borruso claimed that he was attempting to take a selfie at the 13th green as Woods came up to complete his shot. According to Borruso, LaCava came up and told him to get out of the way and then “intentionally shoved” him. As a result of the push, Borruso fell and suffered “permanent or continuing injuries.” Borruso has filed a personal injury claim against LaCava the caddie, as well as Tiger Woods, because he is LaCava’s employer.

Pedestrian Accidents Rise in Los Angeles Area

April 15, 2020 | by Robert Walch

Rise in LA Pedestrian Accidents

Because Los Angeles streets are typically so crowded, it is very common for residents to travel on foot and walk to get where they need to go. Even now, with the current COVID-19 crisis, people still need to walk either for exercise or to get necessities at the store or visit the doctor. Anytime cars and pedestrians are in the same area, it is possible that there could be a pedestrian accident that results in injuries or even the death of the pedestrian.

According to ABC 7 News, pedestrian accidents were continuing to grow in the Los Angeles area at the beginning of 2020. While there may currently be a slight decline because there is less traffic on the roads due to the COVID-19 pandemic, these accidents still happen. When a traffic accident involves a pedestrian and a car, it usually results in very serious injuries or death to the pedestrian. Though sometimes a pedestrian accident is caused by a pedestrian, more often than not these accidents are caused because drivers are not paying attention. LAPD deputy Moses Catillo stated, “we’re really tired of having to tell loved ones that their family is either severely injured or dead” because of the dramatic increase in accidents involving pedestrians. In 2019, “more than half of the nearly 250 traffic deaths in the city of Los Angeles involved pedestrians” and “three-quarters of the deadly hit and runs in the city involved pedestrians.”

COVID-19 Stay at Home Orders Significantly Reduces California Car Accidents

April 10, 2020 | by Robert Walch

COVID-19 Stay at Home Orders Significantly Reduces California Car Accidents

With stay at home orders in place for the entire state of California due to the COVID-19 coronavirus pandemic, California residents are doing their best to remain in their houses and only leave when necessary. This has significantly reduced traffic throughout the state and particularly on the traditionally busy Southern California roads.

According to the Los Angeles Times, this decrease in driving has led to a decrease in vehicle collisions. A UC Davis survey was conducted to examine the impact of the stay at home orders on traffic. The survey showed that there were “about 15,000 fewer collisions per month and 6,000 fewer injury accidents.” The large decrease in traffic volume, “accounts for a roughly 50% decline in collisions on roadways policed by California Highway Patrol.”

Could the Coronavirus Affect My Personal Injury Recovery?

April 6, 2020 | by Robert Walch

Could the Coronavirus Affect My Personal Injury Recovery?

Even though the coronavirus pandemic has been on the forefront of people’s minds, it remains true that injuries can and will happen from other accidents in California, even as the fight against the virus continues. If you were injured by another person, you may wonder how a case would go forward and you’d get maximum compensation from the responsible party during this time. Despite the impact COVID-19 has had, it is still possible to take steps to best maintain the value of your case.

Medical Treatment

Debunking Personal Injury Myths – Part 6

April 2, 2020 | by Robert Walch

Myth: Personal injury lawyers have no ethics.

We hold our firm to the highest ethical and moral standards. If someone wants to make a fake accident, or set up a false insurance claim, we are not the firm to call. We believe that as lawyers, members of the California State Bar, we have a duty to do what is right and help our clients in every legal way possible. We are not the only firm that operates this way. We have many friends, colleagues and associates in the industry who strive to help people the right way. We know that cutting corners or acting unscrupulously can have a very short term benefit, but we are not doing this for the short term. In the long term, all our clients benefit because they have lawyers who they can trust. However, it is not just that. Our adversaries know that we pursue honest, legitimate claims, and that helps us obtain the best settlements possible for our clients. Insurance companies know which attorneys are honest and which attorneys are running scams. Our reputation gets us the best possible results. We have been around for over 45 years and our reputation is something we hold dear.

There are personal injury lawyers who are unscrupulous. There divorce lawyers who are unscrupulous. There are mechanics that are unscrupulous. There are doctors and teachers who are unscrupulous. No particular field or profession is immune to this problem. It is important that there are regulating authorities, like the California State Bar, who have a duty to do their best to weed out those who are unscrupulous.

COVID 19 VIRUS UPDATE: OUR PERSONAL INJURY AND WRONGFUL DEATH LAWYERS ARE TAKING NEW INJURY ACCIDENT CLIENTS AND WRONGFUL DEATH ACCIDENT CASES DURING THIS CORONAVIRUS PANDEMIC

March 25, 2020 | by Robert Walch

We are accepting new car accident, truck accident and motorcycle injury accidents that occurred in Los Angeles, the San Fernando Valley and California

During these uncertain and difficult times caused by the coronavirus (sometimes called COVID-19) pandemic, we must stick together and help each other. While social distancing, washing hands frequently with warm water and soap, and avoiding any group gatherings are critical, we know that clients, former clients, friends and members of our Los Angeles, San Fernando Valley and California communities may be involved in injury accidents. As a result we are continuing our mission to provide legal guidance, assistance and protection to victims of injury accidents who need immediate guidance, including in finding medical care (without worry of payment), investigation of the circumstances of the incident with preservation of evidence, and legal representation.

If you were involved in any collision involving a car, truck, motorcycle, bus or bicycle accident, or a pedestrian hit by a car or truck, please contact us now for an absolutely FREE consultation and case evaluation.

Covid-19–Staying Safe and Healthy During the Pandemic

March 24, 2020 | by Gary Walch

The Covid-19 coronavirus pandemic has taken a serious toll on our country and the world. The State of California is in a state of lockdown in an attempt to slow the spread of the virus. According to ABC7 News, California residents are ordered to stay home and practice “social distancing” unless you need to perform an “essential activity.” Essential activities include things like getting food, getting medical help or supplies, caring for a family member or pet, exercising as long as you maintain six feet distance from other people.

Covid-19–Staying Safe and Healthy During the Pandemic

At this time of uncertainty and concern, it is crucial that we try to come together and comply with what officials have asked in order to stop the spread of this virus and protect particularly vulnerable populations.

The Importance of Defensive Driving–Tips to Avoid Los Angeles Car Accidents

March 23, 2020 | by Robert Walch

The Importance of Defensive Driving–Tips to Avoid Los Angeles Car Accidents

Los Angeles is known for its heavy traffic. With so many cars on the road, accidents are bound to happen. It is important to make sure that you do your part as a driver to help avoid accidents–you can do this by driving defensively.

What is Defensive Driving?

What You Should do After a Rideshare Accident

March 17, 2020 | by Robert Walch

What Should You Do After A Rideshare Accident?

Accidents happen everyday in Los Angeles but figuring out who is to blame when the crash involves a rideshare car or scooter can be confusing. Uber, Lyft, Lime and other companies make a killing off of getting people where they need to go and when a driver plays a role in causing an accident, they also need to pay.

What Should I Do After My Rideshare Accident?