Motorcycle accidents can be devastating, causing severe injuries and even loss of life. California, with its beautiful landscapes and favorable weather, attracts countless motorcyclists every year. Unfortunately, the state also routinely witnesses the highest number of motorcycle crashes in the country.

The Facts

Since motorcycles lack the protective features that standard four-wheel vehicles do, crashes involving a motorcyclist often result in serious and potentially life-altering injuries. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), motorcycles accounted for approximately 14% of all traffic-related fatalities in the United States in recent years, despite motorcycles making up only a mere 3% of all registered vehicles.

Why?

High speed, lack of visibility, and lane splitting are the common factors in motorcycle crashes. One of the significant dangers of lane splitting is the reduced visibility for both motorcyclists and other drivers. When motorcycles maneuver between lanes, they become less visible to drivers who are distracted and may not anticipate their presence. This increases the likelihood of collisions, especially when drivers make sudden lane changes without checking their blind spots, which we see all too often.

Fighting for Your Rights

Despite lane splitting being legal in California, many insurance companies and guilty drivers will attempt to blame the motorcyclist for crashes when lane splitting is at play or argue that they were speeding due to the fast nature of the bikes without merit. If you or a loved one are a victim of a motorcycle crash, you may want the help of an experienced car crash attorney to navigate the claims process.

Let us discuss your legal options in a free consultation. If you have a valid claim, we are ready to conduct an investigation and help you determine the best course of action. Our law office is ready to help, contact Ray Padilla Law, APC today at (619) 431-1187 (San Diego) to speak with Attorney Ray Padilla directly.  Please call even if it’s simply to ask, “what should I do?”

Auto insurance limits are the maximum amount of money that an insurance company will pay out in the event of an accident. These limits are set by the policyholder when they purchase their auto insurance policy.

In most states, auto insurance policies are required to have minimum limits for bodily injury liability and property damage liability. Bodily injury liability covers the costs of medical expenses, lost wages, and other damages that may arise from injuries sustained in an accident. Property damage liability covers the costs of repairing or replacing property that is damaged in an accident.

For example, in the state of California, the minimum limits for bodily injury liability are $15,000 per person and $30,000 per accident. The minimum limit for property damage liability is $5,000.

When an auto insurance policy states “$15,000 per person and $30,000 per accident,” it means that the insurance company will pay up to $15,000 for each person who is injured in an accident and up to $30,000 total for all injuries sustained in the accident.

So, if only one person is injured in the accident, the insurance company will pay up to $15,000 to cover their medical expenses, lost wages, and other damages resulting from the accident. However, if more than one person is injured in the accident, the total payout for bodily injury liability will not exceed $30,000.

Let’s say there is a crash with 3 injured claimants. In this scenario, let’s assume that each of the three claimants had medical bills that totaled $20,000, $25,000, and $30,000, respectively, for a total of $75,000. Since the 15/30 policy limits have been reached, the insurance company will only pay out a total of $30,000 for bodily injury per accident, which means that each claimant will receive a portion of the available funds based on their individual circumstances.

Assuming that the insurance company decides to pay out the claims in proportion to the amount of medical bills incurred by each claimant, the first claimant would receive $10,000, the second claimant would receive $12,500 and the third claimant would receive $15,000 (these figures are all half of their total medical bills).

It’s important to note that this is just one possible scenario, and the specific outcome will depend on the individual circumstances of the accident and the insurance policy in question. Additionally, it’s worth noting that if the total amount of damages exceeded the policy limits, the claimants may have under-insured motorist coverage available through their own policies, or have the option to pursue legal action to recover the remaining costs.

Have you or a loved one been involved in a car crash? Our law office is available and ready to help, contact Ray Padilla Law, APC today at (619) 431-1187 (San Diego) to speak with Attorney Ray Padilla directly.  Please call even if it’s simply to ask, “what should I do?”

Picture this: It’s a sunny day in San Diego, California, and you’re driving down the highway with the ocean breeze in your hair. Suddenly, out of nowhere, you’re involved in a car accident that leaves you with injuries, a damaged vehicle, and mounting expenses. What do you do next? You turn to the expert car accident lawyers in San Diego to fight for your rights and secure the compensation you deserve. Here are some of the benefits of hiring a car accident attorney:

1. Knowledge and experience: A car accident attorney has the knowledge and experience necessary to handle your case effectively. They understand the legal system, know how to negotiate with insurance companies, and can provide guidance on the best course of action for your specific situation.
2. Maximize your compensation: A car accident attorney can help you obtain the maximum compensation for your injuries, medical expenses, lost wages, and other damages. Hiring an attorney alone can increase a settlement offer by 26 times.
3. Access to resources: A car accident attorney has access to resources that you may not have on your own, such as accident reconstruction experts, medical professionals, and investigators.
4. Reduce stress: Dealing with a car accident can be a stressful experience. A car accident attorney can help relieve some of that stress by handling the legal aspects of your case and keeping you informed of your options.

When choosing a car accident attorney, here are some important factors to consider:

1. Experience: Look for a local San Diego attorney who has experience handling car accident cases similar to yours, and a proven track record of success.
2. Reputation: Check online reviews for local attorneys and ask for referrals from family and friends.
3. Communication: Choose an attorney who is responsive and communicates well with you throughout the process. You should be able to speak with your attorney directly, not only their support staff.
4. Fees: Find out how the attorney charges for their services, whether it is on a contingency basis (where they only get paid if you win your case) or hourly.
5. Comfort level: You should feel comfortable working with your attorney and confident in their ability to handle your case effectively.

Getting into a car accident in San Diego, CA, can be a traumatic and overwhelming experience. By enlisting the help of a skilled car accident lawyer, you can focus on healing while they work tirelessly to secure the compensation you deserve. Our law office is available and ready to help, contact Ray Padilla Law, APC today at (619) 431-1187 (San Diego) to speak with Attorney Ray Padilla directly.  Please call even if it’s simply to ask, “what should I do?”

Beginning July 1, 2022, a new law in California increased the asset limit for Medi-Cal programs. The increased asset limits allow qualified beneficiaries to retain a larger amount of non-exempt assets and still be eligible for Medi-Cal.

The increase raised the asset limit for individuals from $2,000 to $130,000. The threshold increases an additional $65,000 per family member living in the household. These assets don’t include necessary things such as a primary house, primary vehicle, retirement funds, or tools for work.

The increase in asset limits marks a monumental adjustment for beneficiaries. This is especially pertinent to beneficiaries involved in an injury claim. The previous asset limit of only $2,000, hindered people’s ability pursue personal injury claims for compensation out of fear that their much-needed healthcare benefits would be taken away.

Fortunately, beneficiaries no longer have to make a tough decision and be put at risk of losing benefits when obtaining a personal injury settlement within the threshold. Now, California beneficiaries can hold up to $130,000 in assets and maintain Medi-Cal eligibility.

Are you a Medi-Cal recipient and have been in injured in a car crash? Let us discuss your legal options in a free consultation. Our law office is ready to help, contact Ray Padilla Law, APC today at (619) 431-1187 (San Diego) to speak with Attorney Ray Padilla directly.  Please call even if it’s simply to ask, “what should I do?”