Injured?

When a family member has suffered a wrongful death because of someone else's negligence, or when you have been seriously injured, you often do not have the time or energy to discuss finances and settlements with an insurance company. You do not have to. Contact us at
(626) 927-9055 for a free consultation: we can help.

The Liu Law Firm offers:

• Free initial consultations
• Flexible office hours
• Home or hospital visits available
• Work directly with your attorney from beginning to end
• Personal care and attention
• Multilingual legal services (English, Spanish, Mandarin, Cantonese, Vietnamese, Taiwanese)
  

Often, insurance companies would like you to settle quickly and for as little money as possible. You need someone by your side in these situations to make sure you receive the level of compensation that you deserve. At the Liu Law Firm, we know that after experiencing a serious injury you are dealing with medical and other expenses, rehabilitation, and perhaps even loss of income because of an inability to return to work. Let our law firm deal with the insurance settlement issues and recovering compensation, while you focus on recovering.

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Los Angeles Accident Attorneys

Every year, there are tens of thousands of motor vehicle accidents on California highways and a high percentage of those accidents result in personal injuries. If you have been seriously injured in a car accident, you will need to prove that either a person negligently operated a vehicle which caused the accident, or some defect involving the vehicle or roadway caused the accident. Our attorneys understand the dynamics of car accidents, and we make sure our clients' claims for injuries result in the highest level of compensation possible. Our Firm handles motor vehicle issues involving:

• Alcohol-related Crashes/Drunk Driver
• Hit and Run
• Driver/Passenger Injuries
• Motorcycle Accidents
• Semi-truck/Tractor Trailer/18-wheeler Crashes
• Pedestrian Accidents
• Bicycle Accidents
• Bus Accidents

At the Liu Law Firm we can help you determine who is at fault. We have access to an extensive network of experts and resources that allow us to determine liability, and to make sure our clients win their case and receive the maximum compensation. Sometimes injuries result from defective products, the professional malpractice of doctors, dentists, pharmacists or attorneys, or some defect on the floor or steps (which we call premises liability). We only get paid if you win. If you have a serious personal injury that you need to discuss, contact us at (626) 927-9055 for a free consultation.

Compassionate Attorneys When You Suffer a Loss Due to Wrongful Death

"Wrongful death" is defined as the death of a human being as the result of a wrongful act of another person. When a death occurs because of negligence, the challenges faced by the family of the victim can be overwhelming. In the case of an unexpected accident-related death, the surviving family members face life-changing emotional and financial issues in addition to legal questions.

Wrongful death may arise as the result of any type of accident, including car accidents, truck accidents and motorcycle accidents. If someone close to you has been killed in an accident in California, we will seek the fullest compensation on your behalf while you concentrate on the difficult process of getting your life back together. We also make sure you find the support you need in dealing with a tragic loss.

When a family member is the victim of wrongful death, compensation is often available for the loss of financial support and a lifetime of love and companionship. We understand that no amount of money can make up for losing someone you love, but we will always do our best to make the future as secure as possible for you. If you have any questions, please contact us at
(626) 927-9055 for a free consultation.

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Frequently Asked Questions About Personal Injury Cases

Why should I hire The Liu Law Firm to represent me?
We are compassionate about you and your family's suffering. We answer your calls. We have an excellent reputation for getting great results in all types of tort claims. Hiring us will ease the difficulties faced in your case. And we have won significant sums of money for injury victims over the years. Contact us for a free consultation.

In a California traffic collision, how can I recover under proposition 213 for my personal injury when I failed to maintain a valid "liability insurance" policy?
In California, unless the other driver was drunk, you can usually only recover your medical bills and future medical care, but not for pain and suffering. If you were a passenger in a vehicle you don't own, you are not barred from recovering for pain and suffering. If you were a pedestrian, you can always recover. There are a few other exceptions to these rules that should be explored. Call us now and get free advice.

If I retain The Liu Law Firm, how will I pay for my legal fees and expenses?
Our firm will advance the costs of your case if you and Long Z. Liu agree on legal retention to represent you. This means you only pay if we achieve a settlement or verdict for you at the end of the case.

Can I learn the law?
Many free legal resources are available on websites discussing relevant California law, and even out-of-state laws such as Justicia and Lawcore.

What is the statute of limitations in California personal injury cases?
In most cases, the statute of limitations for serious injury is two (2) years from the date of the injuries. Often, the statute is one year for defamation of character cases, false light and false imprisonment. You must settle within the statute, or file a lawsuit in either federal or state court within the statutory time frames, or you will be barred from recovery. Keep in mind that state and local government agencies require you to file a government claim within six (6) months from the date of the accidents. In uninsured motorist (UM) cases, there is a two (2) year statute for minors as well as adults. The above rules generally apply in all accidents arising in the State of California.

What if I sustained catastrophic injuries and there is not enough insurance to pay?
The key is to never stop looking for additional insurance coverage. If you were a pedestrian for example, you may be able to recover from the defendant's home-owners insurance. It could also happen that the tortfeasor was engaged in the course and scope of employment when he injured you. This means he could have a policy of liability insurance covering the accident through his employer. There could be an excess or umbrella insurance policy. There could be more than one potential defendant, such as injury from a defective car, or car brakes, or seatbelt. Once the suit is filed, we can conduct discovery and see if there are other insurance policies to get money from.

Since I am paying a contingency fee shouldn't I just handle the case on my own and not pay the lawyer?
In general, this is not a good idea. In fact, this is often what insurance companies want you to do! Insurance companies know that proper legal representation often results in a much higher settlement, which hurts their bottom line - The Law Liu Group will fight on your behalf to maximize the settlement value of your personal injury case. Unfortunately, some insurance companies have a reputation for breaking promises and stringing unrepresented parties along until the statute of limitations expires and a settlement is no longer possible. Or an in insurance company might offer a settlement that is much less than what you are entitled to. We understand the system, and retain investigators and skilled expert witnesses to prepare your case for a top dollar settlement. We know where to find doctors who work on a lien basis if you are unable to afford a doctor (or don't have health insurance). Our Firm has the ability to evaluate a potential jury verdict, and can take a case to trial if an insurance company isn't willing to pay you what is fair and reasonable. Contact us for a free consultation.

What if I don't have health insurance; how do I pay for a doctor and hospital bills to treat my wounds?
Many doctors, hospitals, X-Ray centers, MRI centers, and pharmacists offer medical services to our clients on a lien basis. This means these health care providers agree to await payment until you either settle or win a jury verdict. This might be advisable over electing to use your PPO or HMO coverage under your private health insurance policy. The reason: HMOs & PPOs often have contracts that allow them to get reimbursement out of your recovery, and they often refuse to negotiate down their bills, unlike many lien basis providers. The result: your choosing a lien doctor could significantly increase how much money you actually put into your own pocket once the case has settled.

How long will it take to either settle or try my case?
As a general rule, the more devastating your injuries and the more complex your case is, the more time it will take to get a result for you. A rear end collision causing whiplash will normally take less time than a disc burst fracture. When there are multiple defendants in a serious injury case, it can take as long as two (or more) years to resolve.

In a traffic collision where no one contests liability, does the defendant's insurance company pay for car repair right away?
With few exceptions, the answer is yes. Normally you will get rental car reimbursement for up to 30 days while your car is in the repair shop. If you elect not to get a rental, you can seek recovery for loss of use. Usually you would get what the fair rental value for a car like yours would be while you don't have your car.

If I slipped and fell on another person's property, will they be liable for paying my bills and pain and suffering?
You can recover if there is a known dangerous condition to the owner you weren't aware of, or if there is circumstantial evidence of dangerous conditions by the landowner's failure to make reasonable inspections for safety. If you want to collect money damages, you must establish the property owner was negligent. This would include a loose floor board, a wet floor that is not mopped up (like from a spill for example - a common slip and fall injury), unleveled sidewalks, slippery stairs, loose handrails, etc. It is of great value if after the incident you filed an incident report, told a manager, took pictures, or got witness phone numbers to prove you were there and that you were injured.

Premises Liability/Slip and Fall Injuries
Premises liability is when a property owner fails to make dangerous conditions on his/her property safe, and victims get injured. This includes failure to make reasonable safety inspections. It is a type of property owner negligence. You could slip and fall on a wet floor and suffer and neck and back injury. You could trip in a hole and break an ankle. You are entitled to money damages for your slip, trip, and fall injuries in certain circumstances.

In a traffic collision, can I say who repairs my car, or is it up to defendant's insurance company?
Easy - you get to choose who gets to repair your car!

Shouldn't I give a recorded statement to a defendant's insurance company?
Never! Insurance adjustors are often adept at luring you into inconsistent statements, or getting you to say you're not even really hurt. In many cases, they will often attempt to discredit you and make it harder for you to recover. They will use your statements against you later to impeach you if the case gets filed and goes to court.

If I am at fault, how can I get money for my damages and injuries?
Under California's pure comparative negligence rules, you can almost always recover something based upon your percentage of fault, no matter how great or small. Yes you can recover, but you need to speak to a lawyer.

If I lost time off work, will I be reimbursed for lost wages?
Yes you can. This is true even is you are collecting disability pay or sick leave.

If injured in a traffic accident, how do I get paid if the liable defendant didn't have
car insurance?
In many cases, you can get money from your own comprehensive insurance policy if you have uninsured motorist, or UM coverage. You can get vehicle repairs from your collision coverage if you are in possession of that type of coverage. If you purchased medical pay coverage, or have health insurance, you can pay some, if not all of your medical bills that way. Your lost wages may even be covered by California State Disability Insurance in some cases. In fact, every motor vehicle liability insurance policy in the State of California must be sold with uninsured motorist coverage. The only exception to this rule is if you signed a waiver of exclusion. If the insurance company can't produce a waiver of uninsured motorist coverage, the insurance company may be on the hook for the bills. In all events, UM claims are a challenge - get a lawyer to represent you.

I already had pre-existing injuries prior to my injuries. Can I still recover if the injury was made worse?
Yes you can recover. Under the eggshell skull theory, the tortfeasor takes the plaintiff as he finds him. If you are more likely to be injured as the result of a pre-existing condition, you get paid for the exacerbation. There is no set of available to the insurance company because of that pre-existing injury/condition.

Who decides who is at fault for my accident injury case?
Circumstantial evidence like skid marks are used, and direct evidence from witness statements. In motor vehicle collisions, the police report can be helpful in determining fault (assuming you made one). Sometimes there may be pictures from security cameras. In all events, you must be vigilant and get license plates, driver's license information, and descriptions of parties. Call the police, take pictures with your cell phone camera. Get witness names and their contact info too.

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California Car Accident Laws and DMV Codes

You Must Have Minimum 15/30/5 California Insurance Under CA Law
Basic California insurance coverage requirements for motor vehicles are mandated and regulated under the California Compulsory Financial Responsibility Law. Under this law, all motor vehicle operators in California and individuals who reside in the state and drive their cars shall be financially responsible if they drive a car and are involved in a motor vehicle accident, or asked by the police or law enforcement to show proof of auto insurance in this state. All the above Motor vehicle drivers need to establish proof they can minimally pay for damages and injuries that they caused to others due to their operating, owning, or even borrowing an uninsured vehicle they operate.

Q: 15/30/5, What is That?
A: Insurance Law Jargon for Minimum California Insurance Liability Coverage for Vehicles:

• $15,000 for bodily injury and death claims of one individual injured in an accident involving motor vehicles
• $30,000 if more than one injured and bills and damages indicate $30,000 or more in damages as to all persons in the car
• $5,000 to coverage the other party's property damage claims against you per motor vehicle accident

Insurance Not Required But Wise to Purchase
Comprehensive coverage (also known as (OTC, or other than collision coverage), underinsured motorist (UIM), uninsured motorist (UM), medical payments coverage, which may overlap existing coverage for you, collision and theft insurance are not required under CA vehicle laws.

Either way, you must carry at least the basic statutory limits of minimum liability insurance. If not, you must prove you have a bond, which is another approved way to pay for injuries or property damage you or another consumer may have caused in the collision.

Methods of Proving and Complying With CA Financial Responsibility Laws:

1. Purchase insurance coverage from an insurance agent
2. Pay the DMV a cash sum of $35,000
3. Prove you are self insured with the DMV - usually this involves owners of vehicle fleets that have at least 25 vehicles in business use
4. Purchase a surety bond for $35,000 from your insurance agent in California

Some drivers who live in San Francisco (or Los Angeles County) are eligible to buy low cost, reduced limit, automobile liability coverage. This program, called the California Low Cost Automobile Insurance Program (CLCAIP), sets forth that the consumers on that program are deemed to be in compliance with insurance laws in California.

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How to Determine Fault in the Accident

Most individuals filing lawsuits for car accident negligence against others are entitled to recover damages for injuries. The person suing is called a "plaintiff". The plaintiff's burden is to show the defendant (the driver who caused the accident) was negligent. Simply stated, the plaintiff must establish to the jury that the other driver failed to use a reasonable degree of care when he or she operated the car that injured another individual. (See Whitford v. Pacific Gas & Elec. Co. (1955) 136 Cal.App.2d 697.) The injured party must also establish that the other driver's negligence was the cause of the plaintiff's injuries and damages. Clarke v. Hoek (1985) 174 Cal.App.3d 208; Peter W. v. San Francisco Unified School District (1976) 60 Cal.App.3d 814.)

Law schools teach that the cause of the injuries must be the actual and "proximate cause", such as the "legal cause" of the injury. This rule of tort law mandates that the injured victim plaintiff establish:

1. defendant's negligence was a contributing factor that caused plaintiff's injuries and damages. (Sagadin v. Ripper (1985) 175 Cal.App.3d 1141; Gordon v. Havasu Palms 93 C.A.4th 244, 112 C.R.2d 816 (2001);
2. it wasn't foreseeable it could have happened or that it is an independent intervening act that caused plaintiff's injuries or death. (Mitchell v. Gonzales (1985) 54 Cal.3d 1041;
   (negligence must be substantial factor in causing plaintiff's injuries).

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California Pure Comparative Negligence

Pure comparative negligence under California law states that the plaintiff's own negligence that contributed to his or her injury is offset by that degree of negligence caused by the defendant. This is a "pure form" of comparative negligence. So even if the plaintiff is slightly at fault, he/she still gets to recover the percentage he/she is not at fault from the defendant in creating the injuries and damages; these will be reduced in proportion to degrees of fault. (Li v. Yellow Cab Co. (1975) 13 Cal.3d 804.)

Examples of Negligence:

• Cannot Drive the Wrong Way - (CVC Sec. 21650); See also Altomare v. Hunt (1950) 101 Cal.App.2d 10.)
• Illegal to Turn From A Wrong Lane; (CVC Sec. 22107.)
• Must Maintain and Properly Use Your Vehicle Brakes - (Veh.C. 26450, et seq.) Maloney v. Rath 69 Cal.2d 442 (1968) 71 Cal.Reports. 897, 445 P.2d 513.)
• Failure to Maintain or Turn on Your Headlights - (CVC Sec. 24400, et seq.; See also Matlock v. Farmers Mercantile Co. (1968) 258 Cal.App.2d 362.
• Failure To Give Proper Turn and Other Vehicle Signals - (CVC Sec. 22107-22111; Pittman v. Boiven (1967) 249 Cal.App.2d 207.)
• Failure Maintain Safe Following Distance - (Veh.C. 21703 Pittman v. Boiven (1967) 249 Cal.App.2d 207.)

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