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Questions Answered by William John Light
4 Answers | Asked in Car Accidents for California on
Q: Hi, I rented a uhaul and added mom as an additional driver, my insurance lasped and mom caused crash, who is responsible
William John Light
William John Light
answered on Jan 5, 2024

You and your mom are responsible to U-Haul. Your mom is responsible to any third parties who were injured, and maybe you. Not certain about your liability to third parties without some research.

If you added liability insurance to the rental contract with U-Haul, you and your mom would be...
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2 Answers | Asked in Car Accidents for California on
Q: CHp was apologetic after he crashed into our family car parked on the street. I only have PL/PD.Who handles my end w/CHp

My insurance only cared to document that they have no responsibility otherwise they are no help. How do i reach out for rental to get and my damaged car out of the street that will probably get ticketed? Is there a best way to handle my end?

William John Light
William John Light
answered on Jan 4, 2024

You have 6 months to file a Claim with the State of California. This is a requisite to filing a lawsuit. You can find directions to filing the Claim here: dgs.ca.gov/ORIM/Services/Page-Content/Office-of-Risk-and-Insurance-Management-Services-List-Folder/File-a-Government-Claim

Your Claim...
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4 Answers | Asked in Car Accidents for California on
Q: My insurance company says that neither side involved in the accident was determined to be at fault so no payments were

Giving to neither side, i have a a dash cam that shows I got hit, they reviewed and say that was enough evidence, to show that the other parties was a fault, they then told me to pay for my deductible and that they will issue me back the money as soon as they get it from the other party, two month... View More

William John Light
William John Light
answered on Dec 26, 2023

After consulting with, and getting permission from, your collision insurer, sue the other party in Small Claims court. You need to inform your insurer and get its permission in advance, because it owns a portion of your property damage claim, and the entire claim must be presented at once or the... View More

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3 Answers | Asked in Car Accidents, Divorce, DUI / DWI and Family Law for California on
Q: Not divorced yet but wife wrecked car in DUI. Vehicle is in my name but I don’t want to report it to insurance she does
William John Light
William John Light
answered on Dec 19, 2023

Whether she reports the damage to the insurance company isn't really up to you. She was driving with permission, as such she is an insured under the policy. The premiums for that policy presumably come from community property funds. The payments for the car presumably come from community... View More

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2 Answers | Asked in Personal Injury for California on
Q: long story short after alm ost 4 years i got a 65 thous law suit for a car accident that was the other driv ers fault.

so the attourney was payed 27 thous i got 9 thous the rest was supose to pay my doctors bills wich still hav ent been payed,a collection office for one of my doctor bills have called mde.i called my other doctors and they two havent been payed so ev erything is goin g to end up in collections can i... View More

William John Light
William John Light
answered on Dec 14, 2023

It depends on what your settlement documents say, and whether the doctors were on a lien. Attorneys are required to protected properly perfected liens. If there were no perfected liens, and your attorney disclosed that it was your responsibility to pay the doctors, a lawsuit doesn't sound... View More

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2 Answers | Asked in Sexual Harassment and Personal Injury for California on
Q: Hello, I had a question. I got molested by my teacher when I was about 9 years old. In Los Angeles CA.

I went to court but the case was dropped because it "wasn't in the benefit of the children" according to reports. I still remember court the question the faces. My parents were brainwashed not to proceed any further by the school. I've gathered information I've been able to... View More

William John Light
William John Light
answered on Oct 23, 2023

There is a very lengthy statute of limitations for childhood sexual abuse, both for criminal and civil cases. You should make a report to LAPD. You should then talk to a knowledgeable personal injury attorney. A case against LAUSD (assuming this was a public school) is still possible.

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4 Answers | Asked in Car Accidents, Employment Discrimination and Employment Law for California on
Q: I have a friend that works at Dennys she was in a car accedent on the way to work. She ended up going to the hospital

She contacted her employer to let them know she wasn't going to make it in. When she was discharged she provided the company with a copy of the discharge papers. They are now asking for a copy of the police report. Can they ask for this

William John Light
William John Light
answered on Oct 8, 2023

Denny's can ask. She is not required to provide it. If she needs sick leave due to injuries, an off work note from her MD is sufficient. However, Denny's may look down upon a refusal, and your friend might then be looking for a wrongful termination attorney.

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3 Answers | Asked in Car Accidents and Wrongful Death for California on
Q: My parents and i were in a tragic accident it was the other drivers fault. They did not test him for drugs or alcohol.

Isn't it mandatory when people are killed. They also did not give us any info on the driver. And how long can they wait to give us the police report ? Its been 2 months is there a time limit?

William John Light
William John Light
answered on Oct 6, 2023

I am sorry for your loss.

There is no law requiring drug/alcohol tests. There is no law requiring a police report.

I have never seen a fatal collision where a report was not prepared. Complicated collisions require complicated reports, which take longer.

I suggest you...
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6 Answers | Asked in Car Accidents and Personal Injury for California on
Q: can you sue someone directly for car crash for being negligent other than insurance claim?

I had a car accident almost a year ago. Thank God, my children were already dropped off to school. The person who hit me head-on was high on marijuana (according to the police report) and was speeding, racing with another car and I was hit head-on, resulting in the total loss of both my car and the... View More

William John Light
William John Light
answered on Sep 19, 2023

Your injury claim and potential insurance settlement are likely the same thing, so I am not sure that your attorney is unable to help you.

Nevertheless, you are entitled to fire your attorney at any time and hire a new one. Sometimes, that can be difficult since the attorneys have to split...
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3 Answers | Asked in DUI / DWI, Car Accidents and Contracts for California on
Q: can i sue or process a claim towards Hertz Car Rental.

On 06-06-2021, a drunk driver with a rental car from hertz hit me, he was taking into custody and months later was made to under pay me. rental company Hertz denied the claim becuase the rentee didnt return the car on time, i was paid less then $2000 for car damages from the drunk driver out of... View More

William John Light
William John Light
answered on Sep 8, 2023

No, you cannot. 49 U.S.C. § 30106, the Graves Amendment, preempted state laws that made rental vehicle owners' liable for the permissive use of the vehicle. Rental companies do not carry that liability and are not responsible for their renter's negligence, unless you can find some... View More

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3 Answers | Asked in Personal Injury and Medical Malpractice for California on
Q: As an adult I was accosted by a doctor multiple times . This happened between 2010 -2017 Have statue of limitation pass

I was accounted by a doctor as an adult on multiple occasions .The years were 2010 thru 2016. I think statute of limitations has passed but I believe that there is a window that has opened for adult survivors to file a claim against the abuser. I can see now that license has been suspended and he... View More

William John Light
William John Light
answered on Aug 30, 2023

For Sexual Assaults that occurred between January 1, 2009, and January 1, 2019, the Sexual Abuse and Cover-Up Accountability Act, otherwise known as California Assembly Bill 2777, went into effect on January 1, 2023. There is now a three-year “lookback window” permitting survivors to file... View More

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4 Answers | Asked in Native American Law and Personal Injury for California on
Q: My mother fell while at a Indian gaming casino and ɓroke her femur. She is 76 years old. Do we have a case for injury?

She was getting out of her seat in front of a slot machine and caught her foot on the chair next to her. The chairs are very heavy hard to move and only have about 6 to 8 inches apart.

William John Light
William John Light
answered on Aug 25, 2023

She has to show some fault on the part of the casino. Having the chairs too close to each other to prevent egress might be a claim, but further research is required. Gaming casinos typically have a six month claims filing deadline, so do not delay in seeking an attorney with experience in that... View More

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2 Answers | Asked in Animal / Dog Law for California on
Q: So my friend asked me to watch the dog because she can’t take care of her not more and once she get the money back

The dog was covered in tics and flees and was all bone and skinny and would flinch every time I raised my hand in Fresno ca can I legally keep the dog and get her tags and register her

William John Light
William John Light
answered on Aug 15, 2023

No, you don't get to be judge and jury over whether your friend is a good dog owner. Feel free to notify Animal Control. If Animal Control decides to remove the dog from the friend's home, you are free to try to legally adopit it.

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3 Answers | Asked in Personal Injury, Products Liability and Civil Rights for California on
Q: How do I politely ask my attorney to speed up my claim?

Claim has been going on for over a year, attorney says he is waiting to receive a email to go and visit them in person, I'm on my last bit of savings.

William John Light
William John Light
answered on Aug 11, 2023

Generally, it is very difficult to "speed up" a case. Your attorney isn't in charge of when your medical care is over. Your attorney isn't in charge of when, if ever, the defendant or an insurance company makes a settlement offer on your case. Your attorney can file a... View More

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3 Answers | Asked in Car Accidents and Wrongful Death for California on
Q: We have retained a lawyer to investigate a hit and run that killed my parents. Can you give me an idea how much $$?

How much is an average retainer in San Diego?

How many accidents should occur on a single street to justify a traffic signal be installed?

William John Light
William John Light
answered on Aug 10, 2023

There are many variable into "how much", such as the amount of insurance coverage, the comparative fault of all of the drivers, the number of claimants to divide the insurance, etc. We don't know any of that so no one can even begin to say "how much." If there is an issue... View More

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2 Answers | Asked in Car Accidents, Personal Injury and Wrongful Death for California on
Q: My sister was in a fatal car accident. They made her wait 4 hours then she had to walk home. Why no ride?

My parents where killed and nobody gave her a ride home. She was told to go to a diffrent hospital and missed my moms death by 10 minutes, Why did they do this?

William John Light
William John Light
answered on Aug 10, 2023

I am sorry for your loss.

The continuous posting of questions is beyond the scope of this forum. If you have a multitude of questions, just call a wrongful death attorney to discuss your potential claims.

As to your questions: The police do not have to give anyone a ride. As to...
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2 Answers | Asked in Car Accidents, Personal Injury and Wrongful Death for California on
Q: If a driver is allowed to leave the seen of a fatal accident by SDPD why are they not looking for him now?

My family was in a fatal car accident. There were 3 young men however, the driver was allowed by police to leave the scene and is not wanted for hit and run, Why? He murdered my parents and thats it? What is my recourse?

William John Light
William John Light
answered on Aug 9, 2023

If he talked to police at the scene, it's not hit and run, by definition. The police are free to let people leave the scene.

Your recourse is to talk to a personal injury attorney about filing a lawsuit for wrongful death. It is up to the police to investigate, and up to the...
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3 Answers | Asked in Car Accidents and Wrongful Death for California on
Q: If a driver leaves the scene of a fatal car accident and his mother shows up. She is as guilty?

The mother of the driver left her son home to come see what occurred she did not turn her son over to the police. Nor should she have to the SDPD said my parents where not wearing seat belts. That does not constitute a reasonable excuse for their execution. Please Advise

William John Light
William John Light
answered on Aug 8, 2023

No, the mother is not guilty. She may be liable civilly as the owner of the vehicle, or as the person who signed the documents who allowed her potentially minor son to obtain a provisional license. The mother did not commit a crime, however, based on the little information you have provided.... View More

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2 Answers | Asked in Car Accidents for California on
Q: My sister and my parents were in a car accident. My my father died instantly. Can the police keep my sister from him?

She was there for hours but they would not let her near my father. She was with him then went to my mother who was still alive but was unresponsive she was DOA as well. My question is to the point that my sister was prohibited from my fathers body. Why?

Then they told my sister the... View More

William John Light
William John Light
answered on Aug 8, 2023

Your post is unclear.

It is unknown if your father was suspected of a crime, or whether he was at the scene of the collision or at a hospital when your sister was not allowed to see him.

As to why your sister was kept from your father's body, that is a question better answered...
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2 Answers | Asked in Car Accidents and Wrongful Death for California on
Q: My parents and sister were in a fatal car accident. The driver was able to leave the scene, why?

There were 3 men in the car only 2 stayed on scene.

Is the law in California that in a fatality breatholizer tests are mandatory?

Is this now criminal Hit and Run?

If the police report is false is it all thrown out?

Who is the SDPD protecting?

William John Light
William John Light
answered on Aug 8, 2023

I am sorry for your loss.

In response to your questions:

1. No. Vehicle Code 40300.5 allows a police officer to make an arrest at the scene with probable cause of alcohol influence.

2. No. If the driver stayed, that is sufficient. Or, if the driver exchanged information...
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