California’s comparative negligence law, also referred to as the comparative fault law, states that a person can recover damages from a car accident even when partially to blame for the crash. Suppose an individual is found only to be 30% liable for the accident. Due to the comparative negligence law, they will only be responsible for paying 30% of the damages in the accident.

However, it is also important to note that California is a pure comparative fault state. This means that even if the victim is at fault for a significant amount of the accident, they can still recover some damages. Filing a car accident claim in California can feel overwhelming and complicated, but with the representation of an experienced attorney, you will have the tools and resources for a successful case.

What Is California’s Comparative Fault Law?

While some car accidents may have a precise individual at fault, not every crash is black and white. Sometimes both parties hold partial fault in an accident and can be responsible for paying damages. California’s comparative negligence law provides a way to divide fault between multiple parties. The plaintiff’s damages are also reduced based on how much their own negligence contributed to the crash.

The defendant’s lawyer will look to analyze and try to turn the case in favor of the defendant by presenting evidence of the plaintiff’s negligence. In order to protect your rights and your compensation, your car accident lawyer will offer their representation and argue in your favor against the defendant’s claim. Without legal representation, the defendant may claim you have a higher percentage of fault for the crash.

How California Determines the Level of Responsibility in Comparative Fault Cases

A judge or jury is often responsible for determining responsibility and fault for a California car accident. The defendant will claim that the plaintiff’s own negligence contributed to their own injuries and damages from the accident. However, in order for the defendant to succeed in dividing responsibility, they must prove the following:

• The plaintiff was negligent
• The plaintiff’s negligence played a substantial role in the harm they suffered

Suppose the judge or jury determines that the plaintiff’s harm was partially due to their own negligence. In that case, the percentage of fault caused by the plaintiff’s negligence reduces the amount of compensation the plaintiff receives.

Should I Contact a Car Accident Attorney?

When handling a comparative negligence claim, the higher the percentage of negligence a judge or jury finds you responsible for, the less compensation you can recover for your injuries. The defendant and their lawyer will work to increase how responsible you are for your injuries. Without the representation of a dependable lawyer, your rights and compensation are at risk.

Not only will a car accident lawyer defend your claim, but they also will provide the following services:

• Answering claim-related questions
• Interviewing eyewitnesses of your car accident
• Navigating the medical documentation process
• Negotiating with insurance agencies
• Gathering information and evidence about your case
• Advancing all costs necessary to pursue your claim

With the help of a car accident attorney, you will have someone by your side representing you throughout the challenging proceedings. Your rights and compensation may suffer without an individual familiar with a comparative negligence case’s legal complexities and strategies.

Find Experienced California Legal Representation with Younglove Law Group

We understand the challenges and frustrations that come with a California car accident. Not only may you suffer severe injuries and property damages, but you may also need to navigate complex legal proceedings. Our Younglove Law Group car accident lawyers have years of experience advocating for our clients. We understand that every person and claim is unique, so our team tailors our legal services to you and your claim’s needs.

Speak with a reliable California lawyer by calling (949) 691-3660 or filling out our contact form today.

The pregnancy journey is often a joyous and enjoyable time for many pregnant mothers. However, a woman may endure trauma and injury during pregnancy if they endure slip-and-fall accidents, car collisions, and other traumatic events. In these cases, it is essential to understand the personal injury claim process and how being pregnant can impact a claim. If an individual suffers injuries and trauma due to another’s negligence, they may be eligible to file a claim and pursue legal compensation.

For expecting mothers, this is also true, and a skilled legal team that understands the circumstances and pain and suffering a pregnant mother has endured can help the successful processing of a claim. At Younglove Law Group, our dedicated personal injury lawyers bring years of experience and dedication to every injury case. Continue reading to discover more about pregnancy and how it may impact a personal injury claim.

What to Know About Trauma During Pregnancy

Traumatic events have been associated with seven percent of maternal and eighty percent of fetal mortality rates. Trauma can cause fatal outcomes in car collisions, slip and fall accidents, and other harmful events. No matter how minor an accident or injuries may seem, even minor accidents can cause trauma to the placenta, uterine wall rupture, or other injuries that lead to premature births and other complications.

Any expectant mother who sustains any form of trauma throughout her pregnancy needs to seek medical attention for a thorough evaluation of her injuries and the baby’s risk following a traumatic event. Pregnant women require various doctor’s appointments throughout the journey to ensure the fetus is growing and progressing as it should. If they suffer trauma, they need additional medical care and supervision, especially if the accident initiated an early delivery because of stress and injury.

Complications of Enduring Trauma While Pregnant

In a study about the risk factors for maternal injuries, traumatic injuries during pregnancy are the leading non-obstetric cause of maternal death. Miscarriages, fetal death, or neonatal death are unfortunate results of trauma sustained by a baby in the womb when a mother is injured during pregnancy. Common complications for a mother of enduring trauma while pregnant include blunt trauma, shock, respiratory failure, vaginal bleeding, and other medical issues after an accident.

Depending on the type of accident, injuries sustained, and how far along a mother is in her pregnancy, these factors can play a role in how severe a traumatic accident is for a mother and her unborn child. Many may sustain internal bleeding or serious bodily injury in a fall or car collision. Regardless of the initial apparent severity of an accident, complications may also be latent and cause difficulties later on.

Does Pregnancy Affect a Personal Injury Claim?

Injury claims involving expectant mothers are typically valued higher because they not only have to endure their own injuries, pain, suffering, and other damages, but they have the added concern of risk and harm to their unborn baby. Besides the standard compensation that can be recovered in injury cases, various factors influence the claim value for expectant mothers who sustain an injury.

Factors that influence the duration of a claim and compensation in a pregnant mother’s injury case may include:

• Any injury to the mother and baby
• If an accident resulted in premature delivery
• Extended hospital stays due to treatments, recovery, and other medical necessities
• Any surgeries and necessary life-saving procedures for the baby
• The unfortunate death of the unborn child or death after delivery due to the traumatic event

Pain, suffering, damages, medical expenses, and any other losses a pregnant mother may endure due to another’s negligence are examples of collectible injuries. Since an unborn fetus does not have legal rights until they are born, an expectant mother can file a claim to retrieve the compensation in this particular case for both their medical needs and expenses.

With a knowledgeable attorney, an injured individual can seek expert legal advice and take legal action to pursue compensation owed to them. An injured pregnant woman can benefit from a skilled attorney’s negotiation skills, aggressive defense, legal knowledge, and resources to successfully handle their case.

An Expert Personal Injury Attorney at Younglove Law Group Can Gather Evidence for Your Case

Sustaining injuries and traumatic events while pregnant adds stressors and medical complications for many expectant mothers. To file an injury claim after enduring a severe accident or injury, pregnant mothers can benefit from the skills and experience of a California personal injury lawyer.

At Younglove Law Group, our team of injury lawyers is dedicated to our client’s case, and we gather all the evidence to build a strategic defense against the negligent party. It is stressful and frightening to experience a traumatic event while expecting a child, but you do not have to handle a claim independently. To schedule a free consultation, you may fill out a contact form or call us at (949) 691-3660.

Around 8.6 million motorcycles are registered in the United States, according to IIHS reports from 2021. Many motorcycles are designed to carry a rider and a passenger on a single bike, and many motorcycles are also suited for a passenger sidecar. Motorcycling is a popular pastime in California and a preferred method of travel by many people. However, motorcyclists and their passengers are not free from harm nor sustaining a severe injury in a collision.

Motorcycle passengers may wonder about their rights after sustaining injuries in a California motorcycle accident. At Younglove Law Group, our dedicated team of professional personal injury lawyers are skilled advocates who can guide you through the process of filing a claim following an accident.

What Are California Motorcycle Passenger Laws?

Passengers on motorcycles have rights after an accident just as those riding in a vehicle do. There is no legal age limit to ride a motorcycle as a passenger in California. However, some laws outline how bikers should ride a motorcycle and what is required when riding with passengers.

California Vehicle Code 27800 states:

“It is unlawful for a driver of a motorcycle or a motorized bicycle to carry any other person thereon, except on a seat securely fastened to the machine at the rear of the driver and provided with footrests, or in a sidecar attached to a motorcycle and designed for the purpose of carrying a passenger. Every passenger on a motorcycle or a motorized bicycle shall keep his feet on the footrests while such vehicle is in motion.”

In addition to appropriate motorcycle riding regulations for passengers, California law also requires all motorcycle riders to wear a U.S. DOT-compliant motorcycle safety helmet. The DMV also highly recommends that motorcyclists and passengers wear face and eye protection as well as additional protective clothing, such as long sleeves and pants.

Am I Covered as a Passenger Riding a Motorcycle?

If you were involved in a motorcycle accident as a passenger, you might be wondering what your options are and if you are covered under a given policy. Depending on the type of coverage a liable driver has, you may receive compensation and coverage once negligence is determined.

If the amount exceeds the guidelines of their active policy, their responsibility may be to still compensate your bodily injury and damages through an injury claim. However, it is important to understand California’s comparative negligence rule and how this is used to determine who is responsible for the cost and compensation owed to you as an injured passenger. Depending on the claim result, your insurance policy or the motorcycle driver’s policy may also cover the injuries and expenses from the accident.

Can I File a Claim if I Am an Injured Passenger in a Motorcycle Collision?

In an at-fault state such as California, pure comparative negligence is used in determining fault. An injured person can recover damages even if they share a percentage of fault in an accident. If you were riding a motorcycle with friends or family members, you may be wondering if you would be filing a claim against them. However, this may not be the case. Your own insurance may cover you as a passenger.

In many cases, the responsible, liable party will cover the costs of damages, bodily injuries, property damage, medical bills, lost wages, and mental or emotional suffering. If you were injured in a collision with a driver on the road, they are responsible for compensating for those damages through their insurance company. By filing a personal injury claim within the two-year deadline, you can pursue compensation and take legal action.

What if I Share Fault During an Accident?

In some instances, a passenger and motorcycle operator may share negligence in an accident, regardless of who is injured. If you were not wearing a helmet, riding improperly, or the operator of the bike was not following the traffic laws, there may be room for the other party to discredit the negligence presented in a claim. This can be the case for motorcycle riders that take part in lane splitting when it results in a serious accident.

Even if you share a percentage of the negligence in an accident, you still have the right to seek the compensation owed to you. A skilled injury attorney who understands California laws and how to build an expert strategy for your claim can help you win your case.

A California Attorney Helps You File a Claim After You Are Injured in an Accident

Our team at Younglove Law Group is prepared to continue helping clients after an accident. We provide the resources and evaluate police reports, injury documentation, insurance coverages, and other necessary components to a successful injury claim. You do not have to settle for a low settlement offer from the responsible party’s insurance company. Trusting a skilled lawyer at Younglove Law Group helps you go through the claims process, court proceedings, and any other aspects your case may require to be resolved. To schedule your free consultation after a motorcycle accident, you may fill out our contact form or call (949) 691-3660.

While there may be many instances of dog bites, many of those injured do not report the accident out of concern for the dog and the owner. Most people do not want to punish the dog and cause the animal to be put down. Authorities in California only require euthanasia after a dog attack if the animal has rabies, if the injuries were severe, if the dog has bitten two other individuals, or if they were trained to fight and attack people. Before ordering euthanasia, there must be a court hearing unless the dog has rabies.

For the most part, many less severe dog bite accidents do not involve punishing the dog. Instead, it seeks to punish the owner for any bites inflicted by their dog. There are many reasons why reporting a dog bite is vital to you and your community. Not only does a report notify proper agencies to create a physical record of the bite, but it also allows authorities to track the aggressive behaviors and intervene if others are in danger. Reporting a dog bite might also protect vulnerable children and senior citizens from an untrained and violent animal. If an aggressive dog bites you, contact a California dog bite lawyer as soon as possible.

5 Steps to Take After a Dog Bite in California

Your automatic reaction to a dog bite might be to brush it off or assure the person that you are fine, but that can be extremely dangerous if the bite causes severe injuries and other damages. Depending on the dog and the area of the bite, you could suffer injuries that significantly affect your life. Follow the below steps after you suffer injuries from a dog bite in California:

Get Medical Care

Your number one priority should be your health and safety. After suffering a dog bite, clean the injury and seek immediate medical treatment. Many injuries can become infected, bleed excessively, or scar without the proper treatment, so it is vital that you have your wounds examined by a doctor immediately following the bite.

Exchange Information

Like with any personal injury case, it is critical that you exchange information with the dog’s owner. This will help your lawyer gather information and talk with the defendant about your dog bite claim. You will want to collect their name, phone number, insurance, type of dog, and any other relevant information like whether it was on a leash at the time.

Look For Witnesses and Evidence

If anyone watched the event or happened to record the attack, you will also want to get their information and possibly the video as well. Pictures of the surrounding area and your injuries can also be vital to your dog bite claim.

Contact Animal Control

Reporting the incident to your local animal control center and public health department will allow the authorities to properly document the aggressive behavior and have the danger on file if something happens in the future. It will also help to prove basic factual information like the circumstances that led to and the location of the incident.

Speak with a Personal Injury Lawyer

Reporting your dog bite and going through the legal personal injury process can be stressful for those unfamiliar with the law. With the help of a lawyer with experience working on dog bite claims, you will receive guidance and honest advice for your case.

When you are dealing with medical fees and other financial losses because of a dog bite, talking with a lawyer can give you the reassurance you need. As soon as you are able, contact a dog bite lawyer and discuss the details of your case.

Speak with Younglove Law Group for an Experienced Dog Bite Lawyer in California

Our Younglove Law Group dog bite accident lawyers have years of experience protecting clients’ rights across California. We understand that a dog bite can come with many challenges and that each case is unique. Our legal services are tailored to your needs and focus on the client’s interests. After gathering reliable resources and tools, you can count on our team to do everything in our power to advocate for your case. Our main goal is to make sure you have the legal representation you deserve and that you feel comfortable and confident in your case.

Learn more about our services and schedule a free consultation by calling (949) 691-3660 or filling out our contact form today.

Driving a motorcycle is often a popular way for drivers to commute through the palm-studded streets of California. While this mode of transportation may offer a more scenic route to travelers, it can also be highly dangerous. It has been reported that there are several thousand fatal motorcycle accidents that occur in the United States annually. If you or a loved one has been involved in a damaging motorcycle accident as a result of a negligent party, it is crucial that you get in touch with a California motorcycle accident lawyer as soon as possible.

Younglove Law Group is a team of experienced California motorcycle accident lawyers who are dedicated to helping clients build strong claims. In order to pursue the maximum amount in compensation that you are owed, it is important that you know how to prove negligence in a California motorcycle accident claim.

What Are Common Injuries in a California Motorcycle Accident?

If you have been hit by a negligent driver causing a motorcycle accident, it is likely that you will have suffered severe injuries as a result of their carelessness. While the injuries sustained after a motorcycle accident in California may vary from minor to more severe, it is crucial that you file a claim in order to receive the financial compensation you deserve for the losses you have suffered as a result. Some common injuries caused by negligent drivers in motorcycle accidents are:

• Head injuries and traumatic brain injuries
• Back, neck, and spine injuries
• Paralysis
• Severe burns
• Broken or fractured bones
• Crushed limbs
• Loss of limbs
• Muscle damage
• Internal injuries
• Post-traumatic stress disorder
• Death

If you have been injured in a motorcycle accident, it is important that you know how to prove negligence when filing your motorcycle accident claim.

Proving Negligence After a California Motorcycle Accident

In order for you to be able to prove negligence after a California motorcycle accident, you must be able to prove the following four legal elements.

• Duty of Care: The first legal element that must be true in order to prove negligence is the duty of care. The duty of care is the legal responsibility owed to you by other motorists on the roads that you also owe to them. Drivers have a duty of care to drive safely and follow traffic laws. When this duty of care is broken, it may be due to driver negligence.
• Breach in Duty of Care: Once you have proved that the at-fault party had a legal duty of care to you at the time of the accident, you must then have evidence that the duty of care was breached. For example, if the driver was under the influence of alcohol at the time the accident occurred, they would be in breach of their duty of care to other motorists.
• The Breach in Duty of Care Caused the Accident: The existence of the breach of the duty of care is not enough to alone prove negligence. In addition to proving the breach, you must also prove that the breach directly caused the accident to occur.
• Losses Suffered: The final legal element that must be proven to establish negligence is that you have suffered losses as a result of the accident.

To get help proving negligence after a California motorcycle accident, contact an experienced motorcycle accident lawyer as soon as possible.

Contact a California Motorcycle Accident Lawyer

If you have been injured by a negligent driver in a motorcycle accident, you deserve to receive compensation for the losses you have suffered as a result. To get help proving negligence in your motorcycle accident claim, contact a California motorcycle accident lawyer.

Younglove Law Group is a team of experienced motorcycle accident lawyers helping clients in California prove that the driver who hit them was acting negligently at the time of the accident. We are passionate about helping our clients achieve the maximum possible amount in compensation that they are owed. To schedule a free case review with one of our skilled attorneys, contact us here or call (949) 691-3660.