Category Archives: Personal Injury

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Ninth Circuit Denies Qualified Immunity Over 36-Day Warrant Delay

In Langham v. Noyd, the Ninth Circuit affirmed the denial of qualified immunity to a police officer who waited 36 days to obtain a warrant to search a seized cellphone. The panel held that the delay violated the Fourth Amendment because it was longer than reasonably necessary under clearly established law. The court relied in …

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Court of Appeal Vacates $14M Verdict for Expert Disclosure Violation

Division Eight of the California Court of Appeal vacated a nearly $14 million jury verdict in a personal injury lawsuit involving a low-impact traffic accident after finding the trial court improperly allowed a late-disclosed expert to testify. The plaintiff disclosed a new spinal surgeon just seven court days before trial without seeking court permission or …

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Court of Appeal Clarifies CCP §473(b) Relief After an Uncontested Trial

Division Six of the California Court of Appeal recently clarified how Code of Civil Procedure §473(b) applies when a party fails to appear for trial. The court held that discretionary relief may be available, even after an uncontested trial, but the statute’s mandatory relief provision does not apply in that situation. The case arose after …

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Remote Car-Sharing Company Zipcar Not Responsible for Drunk Driver’s Crash

Tavares v. Zipcar Inc. (2026). A California appeals court ruled that a car-sharing company that lets members unlock cars remotely (using a phone or membership card) is not legally responsible when one of its members drives drunk and causes a crash. Tavares v. Zipcar Inc. (2026). The court said the company does not have a …

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A Requirement that the Insurance Company Consent to a C.C.P. §998 Offer Is Valid

A recent Court of Appeal decision underscores a reality seasoned litigators already understand: personal-injury law rewards precision, experience, and a deep command of procedural strategy. In a significant ruling, Division One of the Court of Appeal reversed a trial court’s denial of prejudgment interest to a prevailing personal-injury plaintiff, clarifying the proper application of Code …

lawyer meeting with clients during a free consultation

What Can I Expect From a Free Consultation With A Personal Injury Lawyer

After an accident, it is normal to feel uncertain about whether to call a lawyer. Many people worry about cost, pressure, or whether their situation even qualifies as a case. A free consultation with a personal injury lawyer exists to answer those questions and help you decide what to do next. If you were injured …

drivers arguing after an accident

Why Legal Help Matters in UM/UIM Disputes

California ranks 8th in the nation for the highest number of uninsured motorists in 2023, according to the Insurance Information Institute. That means thousands of drivers face the risk of being hit by someone who cannot fully pay for the damage they cause. Uninsured and underinsured motorist coverage (UM/UIM) is meant to protect against this …

Self-driving Waymo on a crowded day near 8433 Sunset Blvd in Los Angeles

Legal Challenges in Autonomous Vehicle Accidents: Who is Liable in a Waymo Crash? 

If you’ve driven through Los Angeles lately, you’ve probably seen a Waymo, those white cars covered in sensors and cameras. These autonomous vehicles scan the road in every direction and make driving decisions without a human touching the wheel. But even the most driving technology isn’t perfect. When a Waymo crashes, injured victims often face …