• What Are the Common Causes of Motorcycle Accidents?

    Motorcycle accidents have a higher potential for serious personal injury or death than many other types of automobile accidents. This is because motorcycles leave riders much more vulnerable to injury when they are struck or lose control. If you have been involved in a motorcycle accident or any other type of vehicle collision, contacting an auto accident lawyer near Riverside, CA, is an important step you should take to protect your rights and seek reparations for injuries that may have occurred. Regardless of the cause for your accident or the party at fault, working with a car accident lawyer is a smart move that will ensure your case is treated properly under California’s personal injury law.

    Causes of Motorcycle Accidents by Law Offices of Harlan B. Kistler

    Poor Handling

    Motorcycles are unique vehicles that handle very differently than enclosed vehicles. One of the most common causes of motorcycle accidents is poor handling, either through rider inexperience, unexpected occurrences such as animals, people, or obstacles in the path ahead, and changes in weather that make driving and handling more hazardous. As a driver, it’s important to understand that motorcycles are less stable in poor conditions, and provide extra space and time for riders to stop and maneuver to avoid an accident. If you own a motorcycle, ensuring you have the skill and strength to handle it is vital to your safety.

    Inattentiveness

    Car and truck drivers often cause motorcycle accidents. When driving a traditional vehicle, many drivers unintentionally ignore the presence of two-wheeled vehicles, such as bicycles and motorcycles, or misjudge the likelihood of a collision. This most frequently occurs at intersections and when making turns or lane changes, when drivers often miss or misjudge the presence of pedestrians, bikes, and motorcycles. The best way to avoid this issue as a driver is to be aware of your own tendency toward ignorance; as a motorcyclist, slowing down when a car in front of you signals to turn or change lanes and assuming they do not see you is the safest way to avoid a collision that could cause serious personal injury.

  • A Brief Overview of Wrongful Death Claims

    Losing a loved one is a difficult experience, regardless of the circumstances. However, that loss can feel more acute when your family member died as a result of another’s negligence. A wrongful death claim may be brought by the surviving family members of a deceased individual against one or more persons when it is believed that the circumstances surrounding their loved one’s death could have been prevented. These lawsuits seek to provide reparations for the family members to atone for factors such as the financial, physical, and emotional losses suffered as a result of the death, such as the loss of financial support, physical actions, guardianship or companionship, and even funeral and burial expenses. If you are considering filing a wrongful death claim, it is essential to work with an experienced personal injury lawyer in Riverside, CA , to file your claim and support your case.

    Accident attorneys have an up-to-date working knowledge of your legal resources if you have suffered an injury or loss due to negligence. Your personal injury attorney will provide you with the guidance, counsel, and legal knowledge you need to file a successful wrongful death claim or a personal injury claim.

     wrongful death claim

  • Understanding the Process Behind Personal Injury Cases

    If you have been injured in an accident, a personal injury attorney serving Riverside, CA, is your best resource when seeking reparations for your losses. Understanding how personal injury law works and how you can expect a personal injury case to proceed can reduce stress and uncertainty associated with your situation.

    Personal injury cases explained in detail by Law Offices of Harlan B. Kistler

    Settlement

    When a personal injury claim is made, the parties involved have the opportunity to settle the claim outside of court. During a settlement, you and your personal injury lawyer will determine whether the offers made by the party at fault for your accident are adequate to close the case. The person or party responsible for your accident may offer an out-of-court settlement before or after you have filed a personal injury claim; the option to settle remains after your case has gone to court and even while the jury is deliberating, provided no final verdict has been made. However, once you have accepted a settlement for your injury, you may no longer file further legal claims for additional reparations.

    Civil Lawsuit

    If the personal injury case cannot be settled out of court to the satisfaction of both parties and their accident attorneys, or a settlement is not offered at all, your personal injury claim will go to court and proceed through the civil trial process. During a civil lawsuit, both parties and their accident lawyers will appear in court and make their cases to a judge and jury. The trial process may include the submission of evidence, such as accident reports and tickets served, as well as the examination of eyewitness accounts and the testimony of any law enforcement offices that handled the situation, such as during an auto accident. Finally, a judge or jury will determine the validity of the claims and whether the defendant was at fault for the accident, as well as assign the final monetary value of any reparations the plaintiff receives.

  • Reducing Your Risk of a Rear-End Collision

    Automobile accidents are one of the most common causes of personal injury cases handled by accident attorneys in Riverside, CA. The majority of accidents are caused by distraction and negligent behavior, meaning that these situations are highly preventable.

    This video discusses several of the causes for rear-end collisions, as well as how you should modify your own driving behavior to avoid them. Understanding how changes in speed and vehicle distance affect accident likelihood can help drivers navigate more safely. Reducing your risk for an accident will also help you reduce your risk for facing a personal injury claim; if you are involved in any collision that causes injuries, it’s best to discuss the situation with a car accident lawyer promptly to determine your options. An auto accident lawyer will examine factors such as driver behavior, road conditions, and more to help you best present your case.

  • Seeking Compensation for Dog Bite Injuries

    Dog bites are a common type of personal injury—each year, thousands of dog bites occur across America that often lead to pain and infection, and may even result in lost work and other consequences. If you have been bitten by a dog, a personal injury lawyer in Riverside, CA , can help you seek monetary compensation for medical treatment, lost work, and other pain or suffering you may have experienced.

    Dog owners are responsible for their pet’s behavior and ensuring that others are safe from their pet in public spaces. Following a dog bite injury, your injury lawyer will clarify the details of the situation to ensure the owner is responsible for your bite under California personal injury law. He will examine the circumstances of the case, including your actions, the owner’s actions, and the results of any medical evaluation you have received for the bite. Once the facts have been established, your personal injury attorney will determine the type of compensation for which you are eligible, including recompense for property damage, medical expenses, lost wages, and emotional trauma surrounding the bite or its impact on your life.

    Dog Bite Injury Lawyer in Riverside, CA

  • What Proof Is Required in a Slip and Fall Injury Case?

    Slips and falls are common causes of injury in homes, workspaces, and public areas. When seeking legal recourse for a slip and fall injury, it’s essential to prove that factors in your environment were responsible for the accident. If you have suffered a personal injury in Riverside, CA, associated with a slip, trip, or fall, your attorney will use the facts and circumstances of the case to prove that the property owner should be held liable for your slip and fall.

    Personal Injury in Riverside, CA

    Dangerous Surroundings

    When proving another’s liability for your slip and fall, your personal injury attorney will examine the condition of the surroundings in which you suffered the accident. In many cases, slips, falls, and trips are caused by dangerous conditions, such as damaged or deteriorating walkways and safety railings, that were not addressed appropriately by the property owner. Thus, proving that your surroundings at the time of the fall were dangerous in a way that should have been recognized and repaired or addressed by the property owner is a common practice during slip and fall injury cases.

    Dangerous Situations

    Alternatively, your slip and fall may have been caused by the occurrence of a dangerous situation, rather than a permanent hazard in your surroundings. Examples of dangerous situations caused by property owners include leaving hazardous obstacles or equipment in public areas or employee walkways, as well as failing to make accommodations for pedestrian traffic during repairs or construction projects. If the property owner committed an act that made the property temporarily dangerous at the time of your slip and fall, this action may also be submitted as proof during your slip and fall injury case.

    A slip and call can cause serious injury that leads to lost work, chronic pain, and other consequences. Your accident lawyer will work with you to understand the environment at the time of your fall to build the best case for compensation.

  • Answering Common Questions About Truck Accidents

    Vehicular accidents occur every day, causing property damage, injury, and even death. When a truck is involved in an automobile accident, the consequences are often much more severe, due to the vehicle’s larger size, mass, and momentum. A personal injury lawyer near Riverside, CA, can help you understand your legal options following any type of truck accident.

    auto accident lawyer

    What Vehicles Are Considered Trucks?

    Truck are commercial vehicles used to carry goods or other materials. While tractor-trailers are the most common and most visible example of a truck that may be involved in an accident, truck accidents can also involve tankers, delivery trucks, cement trucks, and any other vehicle that requires a commercial drivers’ license to operate. If you are involved in an accident with a commercial vehicle, it’s best to work with an accident lawyer to ensure you receive the compensation you are due.

    What Are the Common Causes of Truck Accidents?

    Like other types of auto accidents, truck accidents may have one or several causes. Larger vehicles such as trucks have more limited capabilities in terms of maneuverability and stopping distance than passenger vehicles, as well as several blind spots. In many cases, the behavior of passenger vehicles is at least partially responsible for a truck accident. However, issues such as operator negligence, truck driver fatigue , bad road conditions, and poor vehicle maintenance also frequently play a role in truck accidents.

    What Happens if I Am Partially Responsible for the Accident?

    During a legal case involving a truck accident, the degree of fault of each party will be determined. Even if you are partially responsible for the accident, you may still be eligible for recompense based on the percentage of responsibility held by the truck driver or his company. Your auto accident lawyer will carefully review your actions and the actions of the driver, as well as the road conditions and vehicle conditions at the time of the accident, to show that you are eligible for at least some percentage of recompense for any personal injury or property damage suffered during the accident.

  • Signs You Need to Hire a Lawyer

    Whether you are defending your actions or seeking compensation for a personal injury, knowing when to hire a personal injury lawyer is important. Working with a personal injury law firm in Riverside, CA , can help you better understand your rights and ensure you receive proper consideration during a trial.

    In this video, you will learn a few signs that you should hire a personal injury attorney for help or advice. If you are charged with responsibility for an accident or crime that resulted in a personal injury, it is always best to work with an accident attorney for the support and advice you need to develop a solid defense. In addition, any time there are witnesses involved or evidence needed to present your case, a personal injury lawyer can help you handle these important steps to ensure that nothing is missed during a trial or negotiation.

  • Take These Steps After a Slip and Fall Accident

    Falls are one of the leading causes of emergency room visits in the United States, and they are often attributable to neglected property maintenance or poor walkway design. If you do suffer a fall, you may be entitled to compensation from the owner of the property where the injury took place, but you will need to take several key steps to ensure that you are able to build a successful personal injury case following your slip and fall accident near Riverside, CA. Read on to see what you should do after you sustain injuries from a fall in a public place or on someone else’s property. A Man Slipping And Falling Through Stairs In Riverside, CA

    Seek Medical Attention

    Falls can lead to serious injuries, so you will not want to hesitate to seek medical attention. When you visit the ER or urgent care center, be sure to get thorough documentation of the visit so that you can discuss the exact nature of your injuries with an attorney later on.

    Report the Incident

    While your medical care should take priority after a fall, it is important to report the incident to the appropriate parties. If your fall occurs in a store, speak to the manager and ask to see security footage if it is available.

    Document as Much as Possible

    In addition to reporting your slip and fall injury to a property owner or manager, you will want to gather as much documentation of the event as possible. If there are witnesses to your fall, try to get their contact information so that you might use their testimony later on. You should also keep thorough details of any medical care following the accident, as the costs of your care will be highly influential in determining your settlement.

    Talk to an Attorney

    Even if you are not sure who may be at fault for your fall or you do not know if you have a case, it is best to speak to an attorney about your accident. You should not have to be held financially responsible for medical care and time lost at work when you suffer an injury caused by negligence, so schedule a free consultation with a local personal injury attorney to see how you may seek compensation.

  • Looking at the Causes of Truck Accidents

     

    If you suffer an automobile accident in Riverside that involves a commercial truck, there are many possible causes for the accident that might be considered during a personal injury case. While truck drivers are supposed to be among the most skilled and cautious drivers on the road, they are often held to unrealistic standards when it comes to the number of hours worked in a shift and the timeline of a given delivery. As a result, truckers often end up driving more hours than they should in a workday, which can lead to fatigue and distraction on the road.

    When it comes to truck accidents , there may be more parties at fault than the driver himself. Trucking companies may be pursued in personal injury cases when the cause of the accident was related to improper maintenance, faulty equipment, or failure to follow inspection protocols. Regardless of the specific causes of your truck accident, you should not hesitate to discuss the collision with a personal injury lawyer to explore whether or not you might seek financial compensation for your injuries or the death of a loved one in a truck accident.

    An Accident Between Truck And Car In Riverside, CA