JUSTICENTER Personal Injury Lawyers | November 11, 2024 | Car Accidents
Yellow lights often cause confusion because drivers do not know what to do when they encounter a yellow light signal. The rules are clear, but those rules have not made yellow light situations any safer. Knowing the rules is only one part of the battle. Drivers must also know how to solve timing problems and remain vigilant for negligent drivers.
A solid yellow light is the most common type of yellow light traffic command you will encounter. It appears after a green light and before a red, signaling that red is coming. The imminence of a red light can cause problems in traffic.
The law states that drivers can enter an intersection on a yellow light. As long as any part of the vehicle has crossed the threshold of the stop line, the vehicle may proceed through the intersection.
Flashing Yellow Light
A flashing yellow light simply means that drivers are to proceed with caution. Stopping is not required with a flashing yellow light in traffic.
Yellow Arrow
A yellow arrow is similar to a yellow light in that it signifies the end of a permitted passage. However, a driver could see a red arrow or a green or red traffic signal after a yellow stop light. Drivers may turn left on a yellow arrow as long as their car has crossed the stop threshold at the intersection.
Flashing Yellow Arrow
A flashing yellow arrow allows for an unprotected left turn. Oncoming traffic has the right of way with a flashing yellow arrow.
What To Do At A Yellow Signal
Now that you know the rules, you still must understand what precisely to do at a stop light yellow signal. In other words, it is important to learn how to put the knowledge of yellow light laws into practice.
First and foremost, you should always remain calm and attentive. As you approach the intersection, beware of other drivers and pedestrians. Once you assess the type of traffic light (yellow in this case) you are dealing with, proceed to execute the action while watching for negligent drivers or pedestrians.
As you may have experienced, yellow light traffic light situations often involve various types of driver negligence, including:
Entering the intersection after the yellow light
Speeding to beat any traffic light yellow light that may appear
Victims should also get witness statements and their contact information whenever possible. Taking witness statements at the time of the accident is much better for compensation cases than getting them later. Photos and video footage are also helpful.
Ultimately, victims with damages should seek the services of an experienced car accident attorney to ensure they get the compensation their injuries deserve, especially when catastrophic injuries are involved.
Knowing The Law Can Help Keep You Safe
Yellow lights can be tricky. Knowing what to do when one lights up will keep you safe and out of liability. Knowing and obeying the traffic laws is the ultimate goal because the road is dangerous.
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JUSTICENTER Personal Injury Lawyers | November 8, 2024 | Car Accidents
It’s no secret that LA freeway traffic is no walk in the park. Freeways in Los Angeles, California, have a widespread reputation for being some of the worst in the country, and this reputation may be well earned. The highways in LA often cause massive delays for travelers.
While any freeway in Los Angeles can be challenging to use, some unfortunately serve as accident sites more than others. Here’s what you need to know about traveling the city’s roads safely.
What Time Is Rush Hour in Los Angeles?
No matter which roads you use, it can be helpful to know when the most difficult times to travel on them are. For example, when is LA traffic the worst, and what time is rush hour in LA?
LA traffic rush hour is typically considered to be on weekdays between 7 a.m. and 10 a.m., as well as between 3:30 p.m. and 7 p.m. However, rush hour does not affect all freeways in Los Angeles, CA, equally.
For instance, the worst time of day on I-110 is typically 8 a.m. Conversely, the worst time of day on CA-133 is 5 p.m. These differences have to do with road usage and what types of businesses the roads connect to.
Similarly, traffic data shows that every road has better and worse days. For some roads, though, the risk of getting into an accident may be higher on any day.
5 Common Accident Sites in Los Angeles
To reduce your risk of encountering heavy traffic or experiencing a car accident, you may want to choose a route that doesn’t include the following five highways and freeways in LA:
1. US-101
According to the Los Angeles Times, US 101 is the worst road for gridlock in all of Southern California and one of the worst in the entire U.S. Between 8 a.m. and 9 a.m. on Wednesdays — the most crowded time of the week — drivers average almost an hour’s delay during a 26-mile commute.
The prevalence of traffic on this road is one of the main reasons that California has lane-splitting laws that help decrease motorcycle accidents.
2. I-10
While US-101 is considered the worst, I-10 comes with its own challenges. It often averages 45-minute delays for drivers despite the busiest section being 10 miles shorter than the busiest section of US-101. Traffic on this road is generally heaviest in the evening hours.
3. I-5
This highway is a challenge to navigate because it has multiple high-traffic sections, and traffic accumulates at different times on each of them. On Tuesday mornings, the northbound route toward Cesar E. Chavez Ave. is a parking lot. The traffic leaving that area southbound is the heaviest on Friday evenings.
Finally, a completely different stretch is packed on Thursday evenings.
4. CA-110
Wednesday morning is generally the day to avoid CA-110. Regardless of whether you are driving northbound or southbound, this highway can result in some of the slowest average speeds of any freeway in the LA area. Pedestrians can run almost as fast as cars move when traveling northbound toward Stadium Way at a snail’s pace of eight miles per hour.
5. I-405
Unfortunately, if you are looking to avoid CA-110 on Wednesday morning, the alternative may not prove to be much of an improvement. I-405 averages even longer delays, though its traffic-filled segment is nearly twice as long as any nearby CA-110 segment.
Navigating LA’s Traffic Accident Sites Safely
Traffic may be an inevitable part of traveling in LA, but accidents don’t have to be. Avoiding these five frequent crash sites during the busiest times of the day can reduce your risk of getting into an accident, as well as help you reach your destination on time.
If you can’t adjust your route to avoid freeway traffic in Los Angeles, allowing plenty of time to travel and practicing safe driving can go a long way in ensuring you navigate the city’s roads successfully.
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JUSTICENTER Personal Injury Lawyers | October 11, 2024 | Car Accidents
A car accident can shake you to the core. While your body may heal, the mental impact can linger long after the crash. If you’re still feeling anxious or can’t get rid of those flashbacks, you might be dealing with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). And you’re not alone. Many people suffer from PTSD after an accident. Recognizing the signs is the first step toward healing.
What Exactly Is PTSD?
PTSD is a mental health condition triggered by a traumatic event. It’s not just experienced by combat veterans or victims of violence. Car accidents can leave emotional scars, too. The trauma can disrupt your life in ways you may not expect, even if the accident wasn’t severe.
Spotting PTSD Symptoms After a Crash
After an accident, it’s easy to focus on the visible—cuts, bruises, and broken bones. Mental health often takes a backseat.
Consider the following:
Do memories of the crash pop up out of nowhere? Do you have vivid dreams or flashbacks?
If you’re avoiding driving or even getting into a car, that’s your mind trying to dodge the trauma.
Feeling jumpy or overly cautious? If every sound or sudden movement makes you tense, that’s a PTSD red flag.
If you’re feeling constant fear or unease in the days and weeks after the accident, PTSD might be creeping in.
How PTSD Can Disrupt Your Life
PTSD isn’t just an emotional burden—it can flip your entire life upside down. Relationships may suffer as you become irritable or withdrawn. Work might become a struggle. Without treatment, PTSD can spiral into more severe mental health issues like depression or turn to unhealthy coping mechanisms such as substance abuse.
The mental impact of PTSD can make it feel like you’re constantly reliving the worst moment of your life, trapping you in a loop that’s hard to escape.
What To Do If You Think You Have PTSD
If you’re showing signs of PTSD, don’t just hope it’ll fade away or that you can tough it out.
Taking action early can help you get back to feeling like yourself.
The following may be helpful:
Professional help: A therapist experienced in trauma recovery can guide you through processing the accident.
Talking about it: Bottling up your feelings only makes things worse. Find a trusted person to open up to.
Trauma-focused therapies: Treatments like EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing) and CBT (Cognitive Behavioral Therapy) can help your brain reprocess the trauma and get you on the road to recovery.
Medications. Prescribed medication can help alleviate the symptoms of PTSD.
In addition, a steady, predictable routine can be a lifeline for those dealing with PTSD, offering stability when everything else feels chaotic. Your routine doesn’t have to be elaborate—it could be as simple as following the same route to work or sitting in your favorite spot for breakfast.
Can You Get Compensation for PTSD?
PTSD is not just an invisible wound—it’s a real and debilitating injury. If someone else caused the accident, you might be able to seek compensation for your mental and emotional trauma, just as you would for physical injuries. Compensation helps cover therapy costs, lost wages due to time off work, and any other expenses related to your condition.
Don’t let anyone tell you that PTSD doesn’t “count” just because you can’t see it. Your mental health is just as important, and you deserve support if someone else’s negligence caused you harm.
Suffering from PTSD? Get the Help You Need
If you’re struggling with PTSD after a car accident in California, don’t face it alone. There are qualified professionals who will understand the emotional toll trauma can take and are here to help. Reach out to an experienced legal team for a free consultation, and begin the process of securing the support and justice you need to move forward.
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JUSTICENTER Personal Injury Lawyers | July 17, 2024 | Car Accidents
If you’ve been injured in a car accident you didn’t cause, you’re probably eager to file an insurance claim against the other driver. But as you likely know, an insurance company isn’t just going to take your word for it — they need some kind of proof.
Most of the time, a California Highway Patrol (CHP) report is the best kind of proof. Here’s what you need to know about CHP reports and why they’re so important to your case.
The CHP investigates accidents that happen on California’s highways. They then write up their findings in an official accident report. That report contains a number of details that are important if you intend to pursue an insurance claim or even a personal injury lawsuit, but one of the most important details is the assignment of fault.
In many cases, both drivers involved in an accident contributed to the crash somehow. But in California, the driver with the highest percentage of fault is the one responsible for paying damages to the other driver.
Why Is a CHP Accident Report So Important For Insurance Claims?
If you’re hurt in an accident another driver caused, you’ll likely want to file a claim with their insurance company. Before paying the claim, the insurance company will want a copy of the CHP report stating that the other driver was at fault.
However, the assignment of fault isn’t the only part of the report the insurer looks at. Over the course of their investigation, the CHP talks to involved drivers, and they usually write down what they hear. This is why you should never admit fault at the scene of an accident. It’s best to avoid saying, “I’m sorry,” or anything else that even suggests you were at fault.
Insurance companies usually do whatever they can to avoid paying a claim. Even if the CHP found the other driver at fault, an insurer may point to something you said during the investigation and argue that it means they can pay you less.
How Do You Get a Copy of Your CHP Report?
Generally, getting a copy of your report isn’t difficult. California lets you fill out a form to request a copy by mail. Alternatively, you can stop by your local CHP office and request a report. There is usually a small fee.
You can also ask for a copy of the report from your insurance company, and in some cases, that means you don’t have to pay a fee. If you have retained a personal injury attorney to help you seek compensation, your attorney may also be able to get a copy for you.
Keep in mind that CHP reports are not available immediately after a crash. Before creating a report, the CHP must thoroughly investigate the crash, and this takes time. In most cases, it will take a week or two for a crash report to be filed. If there were fatalities involved, it might take a few months.
Why Your CHP Report Matters
A CHP report provides evidence that is absolutely crucial in any personal injury claim; it verifies that you were not responsible for the accident that caused your injuries.
However, while getting a copy of your CHP report is important, it isn’t the only thing that matters. Whether it’s CCTV footage, witness statements, or photos of the accident scene, the more evidence you have, the better.
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JUSTICENTER Personal Injury Lawyers | February 15, 2024 | Car Accidents
If you were injured in a car accident in Encino, CA, you may be able to recover compensation for your injuries if the accident was caused by someone else. A car accident lawyer will review your case and help you seek compensation through a personal injury claim or lawsuit, if possible.
There is no requirement that you hire a car accident lawyer, but doing so may simplify the personal injury claim process, lead to greater compensation, and allow you to focus your time on your physical recovery.
Let’s look more closely at what a car accident lawyer does and how they can help with your case.
Explain Your Rights and the Claims Process
A car accident lawyer will explain your legal rights after an accident and how the personal injury claims process works. Hiring an experienced car accident lawyer in your area will ensure that you get information that applies to your case.
A car accident attorney will also explain your rights and obligations when speaking to the insurance companies and the opposing party. This can be crucial in helping you avoid making a statement that may hurt your case.
Offers Legal Advice
A skilled car accident lawyer will also offer legal advice on what steps you should take in your case. This will allow you to make informed decisions about whether to accept a settlement or take your case to trial.
Keep in mind that the decision to accept a settlement is always your decision. However, an experienced car accident lawyer has years of education and experience that they can draw on to help you understand the possible outcomes in your case.
Having this insider information and their opinion of your case can put you in the best position to weigh the options in your case.
Gathers Evidence for Your Claims
An important benefit of hiring a car accident lawyer is that they will gather evidence to support your claims. To recover full compensation for your injuries, you may need evidence showing that the other driver was at fault, evidence of how the accident occurred, and evidence of your injuries and other damages.
This may include hiring accident reconstructionists, collecting medical reports, taking witness statements, and more.
Negotiate a Settlement On Your Behalf
Many car accident cases are resolved in a settlement between the injured party and the at-fault party’s insurance provider. A car accident attorney will contact the insurance provider on your behalf and attempt to negotiate a settlement.
If you don’t have a car accident lawyer, the insurance company and their lawyers will probably try to pressure you into accepting a settlement that is less than the full amount of your damages. A skilled car accident lawyer will increase your bargaining power by leveling the playing field between you and the insurance company.
What’s more, they’ll present your case in the strongest way possible and advocate for a settlement that compensates you for all of your damages.
Represents You in Court
It’s not always possible to negotiate a favorable settlement offer with the insurance company. If this happens, and your attorney thinks you have a strong case, they may suggest taking your case to court.
If you decide to file a lawsuit, your car accident lawyer will file the necessary documents in court, hire witnesses to support your case, and appear in court to argue your case.
Contact an Experienced Encino Car Accident Lawyer To Schedule a Free Consultation
There’s no legal requirement to hire a car accident lawyer to handle your case. However, if you’ve been injured in a crash, hiring an experienced car accident lawyer will help you navigate the complexities of the personal injury claim process.
JUSTICENTER Personal Injury Lawyers | November 30, 2023 | Car Accidents
Minor car accidents can sometimes lead to unexpected and lasting complications. A fender bender might not seem to result in significant damage or injury. However, even a small crash can have serious repercussions.
You should always take the time to protect yourself and your finances after a car crash, no matter how large or small. Taking the time to consult a lawyer helps ensure that your bases are covered, both now and in the future.
Common Concerns After a Minor Car Crash
You might be under the impression that a minor crash will have a minor impact on your life. Unfortunately, this is often not the case. When a collision leads to minimal injuries or damage, the drivers involved tend to be more worried about a potential raise in their insurance premiums than anything else.
Unfortunately, there are plenty of reasons to be worried after a fender bender. And in many cases, insurance rates are the least of your concerns. Every driver should be aware of the top reasons to consult a car accident lawyer after even a minor crash.
Delayed Injuries
One of the most common complications after a minor car accident is delayed onset injury. In the immediate aftermath of a collision, you’re dealing with rushing adrenaline and heightened emotions. The chaos of the crash can make it easy to overlook or dismiss the signs that something is wrong.
Some of the most common car accident injuries that aren’t immediately apparent include:
In some cases, delayed onset injuries like organ or brain damage can lead to medical emergencies or even death just hours after the crash.
In other cases, it can take time for the signs of a car accident injury to appear. Sometimes, you might not even notice pain for days or weeks afterward. By then, it can be difficult to prove that the crash was the cause of your injury. Seeing a doctor and consulting a lawyer after any accident helps establish that the crash was the origin of any delayed onset injuries.
Vehicle Complications
Just as all injuries aren’t visible at the scene of a crash, not all vehicle issues are immediately apparent. For instance, even minor accidents are associated with all sorts of significant vehicle problems, which can be mechanical or electrical in nature. And simple cosmetic damage, like the need for bodywork or a new paint job, can lead to thousands of dollars in expenses.
Liability Issues
A car accident lawyer helps protect your finances after a crash. When you walk away after a minor accident without involving the police or a lawyer, you’re blindly trusting that everything will work out for the best.
While another driver might seem friendly enough, it’s a mistake to let your financial future hinge on a stranger’s apparent good faith. If they find out they have injuries or vehicle damage, they suddenly have a financial motive for accusing you of causing the crash — even if they were at fault.
In some instances, one driver will go out of their way to make it seem like everything is fine after a small accident. All too often, the other driver is suddenly blindsided when they’re accused of committing a hit and run or causing significant damage.
When this happens, it’s your word against theirs. And if they’re the only driver to report the crash, the situation can have an unhappy ending for you.
How a Car Accident Lawyer Can Help After a Minor Collision
If you’ve been involved in a minor accident, you should always take the time to consult a car accident attorney. Most lawyers offer free initial consultations, so you have nothing to lose by attending a consultation.
After a minor crash, a lawyer will advise you on the steps you should take to protect yourself. Often, this includes being checked by a doctor, reporting the crash to the police, and submitting an insurance claim. These steps help to establish the facts of the accident in official reports. If there are complications down the road, you’ll need this documentation to back up your version of events.
If you’re reluctant to report the crash, you can still benefit from a free consultation. A lawyer won’t do anything you haven’t asked them to do, so you don’t have to worry about your insurance company finding out. However, you might be surprised by how a lawyer can help.
Handling Complications After a Minor Traffic Accident
If you find yourself dealing with complications after a minor car accident, you should involve a personal injury attorney as soon as possible.
Some of the most common complications drivers encounter in the days, weeks, or months after a crash include:
Medical costs
Chronic pain
Headaches
Vehicle issues
Lost wages and benefits
Claims made by the other driver
A car accident lawyer will work with you to handle any issues that come up after the crash. If you took the time to see a doctor and file a police report, it can go a long way toward helping your case. If you didn’t take these steps, it’s particularly important to involve a car accident attorney as soon as possible.
A lawyer will immediately begin collecting evidence and building a case for liability against the other driver. Once this work is done, your lawyer can file a claim with the other driver’s insurance company. If a minor crash ends up having an impact on your finances, filing a claim is often your only option for recovering the compensation you need.
Contact an Experienced Car Accident Attorney For Guidance After a Minor Crash
Auto insurance companies might put up a fight, but they have more than enough money to pay for the costs you incurred due to the accident. You should never have to bear the cost of another driver’s negligent actions.
