Recent Blog Posts
Will the One-Bite Rule Apply to My California Dog Bite?
A sudden dog attack can turn a normal day into a painful and frightening ordeal. Beyond the physical injuries and emotional trauma, victims are left with several questions: Who is responsible? Can the dog owner be held accountable? And does the so-called "one-bite rule" really mean the dog gets a free pass?
These misconceptions can cloud the path to justice, especially in California, where the law is far more victim-focused than many people realize. If you have been harmed by a severe dog bite, a South Bay area personal injury lawyer can help you understand your rights under state law and take action to recover the compensation you deserve.
Does California Follow the One-Bite Rule?
The one-bite rule is a common law doctrine that is still used in some states. It essentially allows a dog "one free bite" before the owner is held legally responsible, assuming the owner had no prior knowledge of the dog’s aggressive behavior.
Can Motorcyclists File an Injury Claim After Lane Splitting?
Lane splitting is a common sight on California highways. While it can help motorcyclists avoid traffic and shorten commute times, it is also very risky. When a crash happens during lane splitting, many riders may wonder: Can I still file an injury claim, or will I automatically be blamed for the accident?
California’s unique stance on lane splitting means that injured motorcyclists may have a valid path to compensation. However, the outcome often depends on how the crash occurred and who was at fault. A Santa Clara County motorcycle accident lawyer can help riders assert their rights and build a strong case for financial recovery.
What Is Lane Splitting and Is It Legal in California?
Lane splitting refers to a motorcyclist who rides between lanes of slowed or stopped traffic. This practice is legal in California, the only state where it is explicitly permitted. However, just because lane splitting is legal does not guarantee that it is always safe or that other drivers will expect it.
Can You Sue an Uninsured Driver in California?
A car crash is already a stressful experience, and it can become even more frustrating when you find out the driver who hit you has no insurance. As medical bills pile up and your car sits in the shop, you are likely to be left wondering who will pay for the damage. Unfortunately, this scenario is more common than you might think. California ranks among the top states for uninsured drivers, which creates serious challenges for those injured in car accidents.
If you are facing this situation, do not panic—there are still possible ways to secure compensation. A San Jose personal injury attorney can help you determine your legal options and fight for the fair outcome you deserve.
What Does California Law Require Regarding Insurance?
Under California Vehicle Code §16028, all drivers are legally required to carry proof of financial responsibility, typically in the form of liability insurance. The minimum required coverage includes:
5 Steps to Take After a Truck Accident in California
Truck accidents can cause serious injuries and lead to long and stressful recovery periods. If you have been involved in a crash with a commercial truck in California, it is important to take the right steps to protect your health, your rights, and any future legal claim you may have. Knowing what to do in the hours and days after the accident can make a big difference. An experienced San Jose, CA personal injury lawyer can help you understand what compensation you could be eligible for and navigate the process of pursuing it.
Step 1: Call 911 and Seek Medical Attention
The first thing you should do after a collision with a truck is call 911. Even if you do not feel hurt, it is important to let medical professionals check you. Some injuries, like brain injuries or internal damage, may not be obvious right away. A medical record can also help later if you decide to file a personal injury claim.
How Can Technological Advancements Impact Personal Injury Claims?
Technology has transformed how we live, travel, and communicate. It is also changing how personal injury accidents occur and how injury claims are pursued. As artificial intelligence (AI), self-driving cars, rideshare apps, and even delivery robots become part of everyday life, accident victims can face unfamiliar legal challenges. Determining fault, gathering evidence, and understanding insurance coverage can become more complicated when advanced technology is involved.
If you have suffered from injuries in an incident that involved these emerging technologies, speak with a knowledgeable California personal injury attorney who can answer questions about who is responsible and how you can get compensation.
What Influence Can Technology Have Over Personal Injury Cases?
Modern personal injury claims can involve a variety of technologies that did not exist before, that can introduce new legal considerations. For example:
Can Road Closures Increase Accident Risks?
Specific sections of California roadways can be temporarily closed for many reasons. Road construction, accident scenes, and public events on downtown streets are a few reasons for closures. While requiring detours is sometimes necessary, closing roads to traffic may increase the chances of accidents. Understanding the risks may keep you safer.
If you are injured in a car crash, our dedicated South Bay Area, CA personal injury attorney can help. We will investigate your accident, find out who was responsible, and work to get the best possible results for your insurance claim.
How Are Road Closures Dangerous?
People like routines. They expect to get into their car, travel a familiar route, experience minimal delays, and get to their destinations safely. If the road they expect to take is temporarily closed, several things can disrupt the routine and increase accident risks, including:
How Common Are Pedestrian Accidents?
The San Jose Police Department tracks traffic fatalities. In 2022, pedestrians accounted for 32 of the 65 total traffic deaths in the city. As of March 3rd, 2025, four out of the six total traffic fatalities in San Jose have been pedestrians. Historically, San Jose has a high rate of pedestrian deaths as compared to overall traffic fatalities.
Not all pedestrian accidents kill the victims. Some result in extremely severe injuries that change the victims’ lives in an instant. A personal injury or wrongful death claim could provide you with much-needed and well-deserved compensation, but you are unlikely to receive as much as you are entitled to without the assistance of a skilled San Jose, CA pedestrian accident attorney.
Who Is Liable for Multiple-Vehicle Collisions?
A multiple-vehicle accident critically injured at least one person and shut down part of the Almaden Expressway for several hours on February 18th. That crash came shortly after a February 11th collision on I-880 that involved multiple vehicles and a motorcycle. Multiple-vehicle collisions are common with the heavy traffic in the South Bay Area, often causing serious injuries and fatalities.
You could be entitled to compensation if you are injured in a multi-car crash, but determining who is at fault is a complex process in these accidents. Our skilled Santa Clara County, CA personal injury lawyer’s investigation into your accident should reveal all at-fault parties and provide the supporting evidence you need to file a successful claim.
How Can Insurers Try to Cheat on Catastrophic Injury Claims?
From workplace accidents and motor vehicle collisions to slip-and-fall accidents and assaults due to negligent security, catastrophic injuries can happen due to multiple causes. When someone else is responsible for causing these injuries, the victim could be entitled to compensation. Unfortunately, the liable insurance company is unlikely to offer a fair amount. In fact, you will probably receive an intentionally low offer.
What are catastrophic injuries? Why would insurers try to cheat you? With over 45 years of experience, our knowledgeable Santa Clara County, CA personal injury attorney knows how to spot these underhanded tactics and will fight for the full amount you deserve.
What Are Catastrophic Injuries?
While there are not any good injuries, some are worse than others. Catastrophic injuries typically cause severe or permanent damage, and victims may not ever recover completely. Catastrophic injuries include:
Do I Qualify to Bring Wrongful Death and Survival Actions?
People are injured in car or truck crashes, workplace accidents, and a wide variety of other incidents every day. While some injuries are minor, others are immediately fatal. Some critically injured victims fight for their lives, only to eventually succumb to their injuries. If someone else’s negligence or intentional actions caused the death, whether immediate or after time passed, you may be entitled to compensation.
What are survival and wrongful death actions? How do I know if I qualify? Consulting an experienced San Jose wrongful death attorney can get your questions answered and put you on the road to receiving the full compensation you are due.
What Is a Survival Action?
In personal injury cases, injured victims may qualify for compensation if their injuries are caused by negligence or an intentional act, like assault. Although that victim might die as a result of the incident, his or her eligibility to file a personal injury claim survives. A survival action gives eligible persons the right to pursue a claim on behalf of the deceased to collect specific types of damages, such as: