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Questions Answered by William John Light
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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3 Answers | Asked in Personal Injury and Workers' Compensation for California on
Q: civil code #1542 in a personal injury case what does it mean?

I deliver goods to a company in which they have you sign a yard rules agreement that contains this 1542 release. As I walking across scales I fell thru a manhole cover does that mean they are not liable for injuries?

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

You have a workers compensation claim with your company, regardles of the waiver.

As to a claim against the company, it depends on what the waiver says, who it releases, who owns the property, who owns the manhole cover and the utilities underneath it.

If you are injured, you...
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2 Answers | Asked in Civil Litigation, Contracts, Landlord - Tenant and Legal Malpractice for California on
Q: How could I find the agent for a law firm for serving court papers?

I need to file a civil lawsuit against a law firm, but I cannot find the agent of the law firm for serving court papers. I also tried to search the law firm on the California Secretary of State website and see if there's an agent assigned to the law firm, but I cannot even find the law... View More

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

The secretary of state lists agents for corporations, LLC's and LLP's. If the lawfirm isn't an organization of that type, the secretary of state won't have information on it. You can search the country Fictitious Business name datebase to see who owns the name, or the list of... View More

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3 Answers | Asked in Medical Malpractice and Personal Injury for California on
Q: What is the considered medical malpractice in the state of CA?

I broke my L-ankle and R-5th metatarsal. I went to our local ER and they scheduled an appt eithlocal orthopedic surgeon.He preformed the surgery. At the 1st f/u appt he asked if I was taking my antibiotics I told him I didn’t receive any. He prescribed some. By my 2nd f/u appt my L-leg below my... View More

William John Light
William John Light
answered on Jul 28, 2023

Malpractice is when a medical provider does something, or fails to do something, that a reasonable provider in the same circumstances would have done competently, and which caused you some significant injury.

What you describe sounds like malpractice. However, an orthopedic surgeon would...
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4 Answers | Asked in Consumer Law and Contracts for California on
Q: Are they liable for their false statements on their website that caused my failure to pay?

In 2016 I purchased a new Hyundai, financed it through Hyundai Motor Finance and managed the payments via their MyHundai app. I did so until December of last year, when upon accessing the site the payment page was replaced with a single message that read “your loan has been paid in full.” Fast... View More

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

The Loan Agreement and your debt exist regardless of a mistake on an app, which Hyundai will contest even happened. You are attempting to nullify thousands of dollars in debt, which you agreed to pay, based on something that, even if the app stated it, was obviously untrue, and which you knew was... View More

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4 Answers | Asked in Insurance Bad Faith and Personal Injury for California on
Q: Can insurance company deny to pay medical bills baed on reasonable and customary fees?

I got injured in an auto accident from other driver. His insurance company doesn't want to pay my entire medical bills only a portion of it. There reason is that they owe only reasonable and customary fees. They say that medical bills are unreasonable and "inflated." It seems like... View More

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

Until you get a judgment against the at fault driver, his insurance company can refuse to pay you anything at all, so it is certainly entitled to dispute your medical expenses.

It appears that you are attempting to handle a personal injury claim by yourself. The insurer is not taking you...
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2 Answers | Asked in Consumer Law for California on
Q: Is it actually possible to fill out a 1099-A form with the treasury as the lender and me as the borrower?

If I put my social security number in "borrowers tin" and fill it out then hand it to a bank to ask them for a letter of credit for whatever amount is on there, is that an actual thing people can do as a cestui que trust fund?

William John Light
William John Light
answered on Jul 2, 2023

Do you have a loan from the Treasury Dept.? If you did, which is doubtful, the Treasury Dept. would have an interest in whatever property you used to secure the loan. You, as a borrower, do not have an interest in the property of the lender. If I understand your question, it sounds like an... View More

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3 Answers | Asked in Insurance Bad Faith, Car Accidents and Personal Injury for California on
Q: How does it go with when a lawyer who’s going after a insurance with 100k insurance policy But I don’t understand

How does it go with a insurance with 100k insurance policy I don’t understand they only want to give 4k in recovery and we can go after 100k But we have to have 100k worth of medical expenses to get that amount Now they researching and going after a hit and run so what would I get at the end I... View More

William John Light
William John Light
answered on Jun 28, 2023

You won't get $50k out of a $100k settlement. The attorney will take 33 1/3% to 40% as a fee. The attorney will be reimbursed for the costs incurred. The medical providers/insurer will be paid for the cost of care. At best, you will get about 1/3.

Nobody will tell you what your...
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2 Answers | Asked in Criminal Law, Sexual Harassment and Internet Law for California on
Q: I have been blackmailed and harassed online. What can I do about this?

I have been blackmailed for money online. A user who had a “fake” account got hold of explicit photos of me and is threatening to share them with all of my Instagram followers unless I pay them. I have documented all interactions with this person and have access to their phone number and venmo,... View More

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

First, you would contact police to report a crime. The police can investigate and find the person responsible. If that person is in CA or at least in the US, then a lawsuit would be possible. However, unless that person is independently wealthy, do not expect an attorney to take such a case on a... View More

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4 Answers | Asked in Car Accidents, Libel & Slander and Personal Injury for California on
Q: Is Defense counsel responsible for Libel statements publicly filed in response to PI auto civil complaint?

Defense responded that plaintiff was not wearing a seatbelt when defendant rear ended Plaintiffs auto. Plaintiff, after filing civil suit for this incident, was denied employment bc of risks presented by employee applicant, (myself).

Due to employer background checking and locating the... View More

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

0% likelihood of prevailing on libel. Statements made in court are privileged, even false statements.

Sealing requests can be made. The particular statement you reference is not particularly sensitive or private, even though it was apparently damaging, so I am unconvinced that you would...
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2 Answers | Asked in Car Accidents for California on
Q: So if the other party was at fault and has lability cover shouldn’t their insurance cover the cost or repair to my

Car, because I’m being told that they won’t cover any damages or repairs for my vehicle even tho their policy holder was at fault….

William John Light
William John Light
answered on Jun 4, 2023

If everything you said was accurate, then the answer to your question would be “yes.” Insurers don’t deny claims as you have described. Either it contends you are at fault, or disputes the amount of damage, or claims that it didn’t insure the car or the driver. Have an attorney review... View More

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5 Answers | Asked in Criminal Law, Personal Injury and Federal Crimes for California on
Q: Hi, am I legally allowed to record a conversation without the other party's consent if I am trying to prove child abuse?

This is in California. The person I am wondering if I can record was not the direct abuser, but I believe they might have further knowledge of this child sexual abuse.

William John Light
William John Light
answered on May 31, 2023

California is a two party consent state where there is a reasonable expectation of privacy. Whether someone has a reasonable expectation of privacy may depend on where the conversation occurs and/or whether other persons can overhear the discussion. For example, if the other party knows that you... View More

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3 Answers | Asked in Personal Injury and Car Accidents for California on
Q: If California defendant auto PI case settles for full policy 15K. Normal practice plaintiff collects all of the money

Of Infinity policy holder declaration, max award is 15K. Infinity trying to keep 2700 USD of the 15K stating they are going to pay the lien at the hospital ER. I refused the settlement offer of less than 15K and wish to continue onto trial I told them. Infinity motion for protective order recently... View More

William John Light
William John Light
answered on May 16, 2023

If you are in California, the hospital has a lien on the recovery for emergency room services pursuant to Civil Code 3045.1-3045.6. The insurer has to withhold that money to protect the lien, or it could be liable to the hospital, in addition to the policy limit if you don't pay, which is... View More

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5 Answers | Asked in Consumer Law, Personal Injury and Car Accidents for California on
Q: So I got my car back from body / mechanic shop where they repaired my front left wheel. 1 week later the whole wheel

Fell of and caused me to crash and injured my back and neck. Do I have a case?

William John Light
William John Light
answered on May 4, 2023

Sounds like it could be a good case. You will need to save the wheel and have the car inspected by a certified mechanic to determine the cause of the failure. For a personal injury case, you also need real injuries with medical care. An attorney can help you to find medical care if you need... View More

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5 Answers | Asked in Personal Injury and Car Accidents for California on
Q: Hello so my question is, how can I find out the status of my case what's it worth ,

My accident was 8 months ago I have a lawyer that took my case ,

And a case worker and I have never spoke to one of them I have left email , messages with there answering service txt messages and not one have I got a reply

William John Light
William John Light
answered on Apr 29, 2023

No one can estimate what your case is "worth" without any information. If you are not satisfied with your current attorney, you can change attorneys. It's a good idea to talk to other attorneys first to see if they are interested in taking over before you fire the current one. You... View More

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