Being in an automobile accident is never fun. But being in an automobile accident with someone who isn’t insured is a nightmare. Now, you have to go after the person in court, trying to recover at least a portion of what is rightfully owed to you. While you would probably like to see the person incarcerated for their behavior, you know that they won’t be able to work while they’re in jail, making the prospect of recovering damages even more complicated. It’s a lose-lose situation. What do you do? You should immediately add uninsured motorist coverage to your insurance policy, if you don’t already have it, so that you’re prepared for just such an incident.

With uninsured motorists involved in a large percentage of the accidents on California’s roads, you have to take the initiative to make sure that you’re protected, since they won’t. Uninsured motorist coverage does just that. It provides protection in the unfortunate event that you are involved in an accident with someone whose liability limits are lower than yours. This especially applies if they have no coverage at all, which according to statistics, occurs with one in every seven drivers.

What Does Uninsured Motorist Coverage Provide?

An uninsured motorist policy covers you and any passengers in your car at the time of the accident. It also covers any other drivers in the household, even those who might be away at college, for example. It even covers you if you are in an accident with someone who has insufficient coverage or if you’re the victim of a hit-and-run incident.

You Might Never Be Compensated

If you are in an accident with an uninsured driver, chances are that uninsured motorist coverage is the only way that you will be compensated for your losses. Even if you spend the money and effort to take them to court, odds are you will never be paid, even if you win the case.

Having uninsured motorist coverage means that your losses will be compensated. This includes financial losses and others including pain and suffering, loss of abilities as a result of injuries sustained, etc. The exact amount that you would be awarded is determined by what your attorney and the insurance company are able to negotiate.

Am I Required to Carry Uninsured Motorist Coverage?

How much coverage should you get? California law requires that companies offer a minimum of $30,000 per individual and $60,000 total for all occupants. However, you should consider upping this amount to whatever you can afford since this may be your only form of coverage in some accidents.

Every automobile insurance policy issued in the state is required to offer uninsured motorist coverage. It is not a requirement that you carry this insurance, but the risks are so great that in order for you to deny it, you have to do so in writing. If you’re still not sure, talk to an attorney about what your rights are under these policies.

Call Mara Burnett for a Free Consultation

The Mandell Law Firm, in Northridge, is an aggressive personal injury and wrongful death law firm serving clients throughout the San Fernando Valley, the Greater Los Angeles area, and Southern California. If you’ve been involved in an accident with an uninsured driver and would like to discuss how you should move forward, Mara Burnett is here to help. Experienced and reputable, Mara and the other attorneys at Mandell Law provide hands-on care and a sincere commitment to victims of accidents. Contact Mara Burnett for a free consultation at 818.866.6600.

With the number of children bitten by dogs steadily on the rise, states have been forced to create and enforce statutes that specifically pertain to dog bite cases. In California, dog owners are held responsible for the actions of their pets and are, therefore, subject to strict liability if their dog attacks a child. The animal does not have to have demonstrated a tendency to attack; one instance is all it takes.

California Civil Code section 3342 applies to dog bites. It states that the dog’s owner shall be held liable for any damages or injury suffered by another in the event he is bitten by the owner’s dog. Since the liability is automatic, it doesn’t matter if the victim is a stranger to the dog’s owner, a friend, or even a family member. All dog bite cases are treated in the same manner.

Your Child Deserves Representation

For this reason, it’s important to always consider the services of a trained personal injury attorney. A child bitten by a dog is entitled to no less legal consideration than an adult. The amount that the victim is allowed to recover is often based on the degree of negligence of the dog’s owner. That’s why it’s important to have an experienced attorney in your corner, so you can be sure that your child receives the fair and just compensation they deserve.

According to the state statute, in order for a victim to receive compensation, the attorney needs to prove several key factors. One is the owner of the animal. Second, is that the owner’s dog did, indeed, bite the child. The third factor pertains to exactly where the bite took place.

Proof and Circumstances Determine the Outcome

But there are other points that your attorney will be required to prove. There has to be proof that the bite caused some type of harm, injury or suffering to the child. Another point is that the owner either had prior knowledge of the dog’s tendency to bite or the owner was somehow negligent in allowing the dog an opportunity to bite the child.

However, the occurrence of a bite is not always grounds for compensation. There are times when an owner cannot be held liable for their dog biting someone. In certain instances, such as the child was trespassing or otherwise provoking the dog, the owner could be free of liability.

Given the assortment of circumstances that can be involved, it’s always wise to seek the services of an experienced attorney to handle your dog bite case. Choosing to take on this type of action on your own could result in losing what is fairly owed to the victim.

Let Laurence Mandell Evaluate Your Case

The Mandell Law Firm, in Northridge, is an aggressive personal injury and wrongful death law firm serving clients throughout the San Fernando Valley, the Greater Los Angeles area, and Southern California. Experienced and reputable, our attorneys provide hands-on care and sincere commitment to victims of dog bites and other animal attacks. Contact Laurence Mandell for a free consultation at 818.866.6600.

When a lawsuit is filed, all parties are given a court date at which time they are to share their evidence and opinions as to why the court should find in their favor. Often, the best case scenario is to reach a mutual agreement before the case makes it’s way to the courts. A “998 Offer to Compromise” offers just such an opportunity.

The 998 offer to compromise statute has been in existence in the state of California since 1851. The statute provides for an attempt to be made to reach agreement no less than ten days before the scheduled court date. A written offer can be made by any involved party in an effort to reach an amicable settlement. According to the statute, any party “may serve an offer in writing upon any other party to the action to allow judgment to be taken in accordance with the terms and conditions stated at that time.”

The Clock Is Always Ticking

If an offer is not accepted within the allotted time frame, it is automatically considered to be withdrawn. Time frames can be established in one of two ways: within 30 days of being submitted or when the trial begins, whichever comes first. When an offer is accepted, the judgment is filed with the court and is immediately imposed. The 998 offer to compromise has served it’s purpose and the case is closed.

There Is Risk In Saying “No”

The 998 offer to compromise was put into place to encourage parties to reach a mutual agreement before a trial begins. Therefore, there is a certain degree of risk involved in rejecting such an offer. If the person who rejects the offer proceeds with the trial and the resulting judgment does not end up being better than the original 998 offer to compromise, the rejecting party is subject to certain penalties. The specific penalties imposed are determined based on whether the rejecting party is the defendant or the plaintiff.

When the rejecting party is a plaintiff, they must pay for all of the defendant’s costs that have accumulated from the time that they (the defendant) made the offer to the plaintiff. Costs prior to the offer being made cannot be recovered. Even though the plaintiff is considered to have won the case, they will not be entitled to recover their court costs from the defendant.

Penalties and Interest May Also Be Imposed

When the rejecting party is the defendant, the court may award the plaintiff an additional sum on top of what they were already seeking. If the settlement is not paid immediately, Civil Code Section 3291 allows the plaintiff to charge an interest rate of 10 percent, which will commence on the date that the trial judgement exceeds the 998 offer.

Ultimately, the decision whether to accept or reject a compromise offer is yours. But before taking that step it’s best to discuss all aspects of the offer, and the ramifications of your choice, with your attorney. He or she is trained to recognize the advantages and the pitfalls of the options you may be contemplating.

Do You Have Questions About the Law?

Robert Mandell and the entire team at The Mandell Law Firm are experienced and knowledgeable in all areas of personal injury law. Let them evaluate your case. If you’re considering a claim for injury resulting from accident or negligence, it’s important to work with a personal injury attorney who has demonstrated a determination to fight for his clients. To arrange a free consultation, contact Robert Mandell at The Mandell Law Firm in Northridge. 818.886.6600.

When you bring a lawsuit against another party, one type of recovery you can request from the court is called punitive damages. The definition for punitive damages is easy to remember because it comes from the same root word as “punishment”. That’s why, when an individual receives an award of punitive damages, it is meant to punish the behavior of the defendant. Punitive damages are separate and apart from awards for pain and suffering, loss of income, medical expenses, or other damages that may be recovered.

There are some instances where punitive damages will not apply, which is why they are not automatically given in every type of case. Only when the defendant acted in a particularly egregious or intentional manner will punitive damages be taken into consideration. But being awarded a specific amount in punitive damages is no guarantee that you will actually receive it. It is often the case that the trial judge, or even the appeals court, has the final say as to how much the plaintiff will receive. It can end up being considerably less than the amount that was originally awarded during trial.

Cannot Punish Past Behavior

Punitive damages can also only be applied in regards to a specific case. They cannot, in any way, refer to a defendant’s overall behavior or actions in any other incident but the one that you are involved in. Even if a defendant has a history of the same offense, it cannot be used to substantiate the award of punitive damages given in your situation.

Most states do not have limits on the amount of punitive damages that can be awarded. California, however, is one of a few states which has placed limits on punitive damages. According to the State’s Supreme Court, the range for punitive damages should be roughly 3 to no more than 10 times the amount of compensatory damages that have been awarded.

Proving Harm is Not Enough

California also limits when punitive damages can be given. For example, receiving punitive damages for a breach of contract is not allowed. California Civil Code section 3294 makes the governing decision as to when they are available. It is up to the court to decide whether or not a plaintiff is entitled to punitive damages. The very fact of being wronged is not enough. Therefore, proof is of the utmost importance.

The best way to seek punitive damages is with the help of a skilled attorney. They are trained and knowledgable in California law, and can advise you whether or not your case merits consideration of a punitive damages award. The requirements are very specific, so utilize the services of an attorney to ensure that you pursue your rights and receive the judgement you are entitled to.

Aslin Tutuyan Knows California Law

Aslin Tutuyan is a personal injury attorney with The Mandell Law Firm in Northridge. Mandell Law is an aggressive personal injury law firm serving clients throughout the San Fernando Valley, the Greater Los Angeles area, and Southern California. Experienced and reputable, our attorneys provide hands-on care and sincere commitment to victims of accidents of all kinds. Contact Aslin Tutuyan for a free consultation at 818.866.6600.

Personal injury can be any injury to a person that involves their overall health, whether it’s emotional, psychological, or physical in nature. This can encompass a wide variety of injuries that can produce residual effects which can last a lifetime. That’s why those who find themselves in this situation should hire the right personal injury specialist to ensure that they receive the representation they deserve, and that their case will receive a fair and complete hearing under the law.

It’s crucial that you seek the assistance of a personal injury specialist before contacting anyone else – including your insurance company, if possible. Why? Because once the wheels are set in motion, you could unknowingly divulge vital information to someone that could potentially damage your case. Once this information is made public, the damage has been done. The problem is that you won’t know which facts are okay to release and which ones aren’t, so it’s best to leave this determination up to a qualified professional.

How Do You Sort the Excellent from the Merely Competent?

How do you determine if you’re considering the right specialist to represent you? There are a few things to look for that will help you make the right decision.

• First, you want to go with experience. You generally only get one shot in court to make your case, so it needs to be conducted by a professional. Go with someone who has a proven track record of not only working on your type of case, but who also has a history of working with and, when necessary, against insurance companies.
• Second, it’s important to understand what constitutes a professional. The right personal injury attorney will be a specialist in his or her field, and not someone who tries to encompass every aspect of the law in order to keep the doors open. Also, be wary of those who have made contact with you first in an attempt to win you over. These “ambulance chasers” may be more interested in using theatrics and pressure to get you to work with them.
• Third, is to fully understand the fees that are involved. One personal injury law firm might require a retainer up front and a smaller portion of the settlement, while others might not charge you anything until they win the case. You could easily pay money to someone who doesn’t have the ability to win your case, leaving you out of pocket for the retainer.

Your Fee Should Not Be an Upfront Expense

The important thing to remember is that you don’t need to be out of pocket upfront. Even if their portion from the settlement will result in less of a payout in the end, it isn’t worth the risk. Let their actions and reputation speak for how confident they are in your case.

Lastly, once you have narrowed your choices, do ample research before making a final decision. Look for reviews from past clients, as well as complaints. There are bound to be some who are disgruntled at the outcome of their case, but you will be able to determine if their complaints are legitimate, or just sour grapes.

The right personal injury specialist will fight for what you need and deserve. They are more interested in seeing justice prevail than enhancing their reputation. Choosing the right specialist for your case is the first step to getting your life back on the road to recovery as quickly and completely as possible.

Discuss Your Options With Mara Burnett

The Mandell Law Firm, in Northridge, is an aggressive personal injury and wrongful death law firm serving clients throughout the San Fernando Valley, the Greater Los Angeles area, and Southern California. We will aggressively and professionally represent your personal injury claim. Experienced and reputable, our attorneys provide hands-on care and a sincere commitment to victims of accidents. Contact Mara Burnett for a free consultation at 818.866.6600.

Buses are one of the most common forms of transportation in this country. From regional transit authorities, to city transportation, to school buses, we rely on them to take us places when we don’t have the means, or desire, to drive. But with so many buses on the road, that all too often translates into bus accidents. Chatsworth bus accidents can be a very serious matter, which is why you deserve the intervention of a competent attorney if you’re involved in one.

There are several dangerous factors involving using a bus for transportation that we typically don’t think about. One is the fact that a vast majority of them, no matter their origin, don’t provide seat belts for passengers. While this is a hazardous scenario for adults, it is particularly dangerous for young children when traveling to and from school.

Buses Also Present Hidden Dangers

Another danger is presented when children are entering and exiting a school bus. This frequently results in an accident that causes serious injury, or even the loss of a child’s life. When parents turn their children over to a bus driver, they are trusting that their children will be taken care of, and arrive safely at their destination. However, no matter how competent the driver, when your child is involved in an accident on or around a bus, it often means a disastrous outcome.

But Chatsworth bus accidents don’t always have to involve you or your child as a passenger. Accidents between buses and automobiles are quite common as well. Considering the fact that buses carry such immense weight and are so much larger than most vehicles, it is understandably more difficult to bring them to a stop than for a typical passenger automobile.

Know What to Do if You’re a Victim

Buses can be cut off in traffic, cars can stop abruptly in front of them, or bad weather conditions can interfere with safe operation. Whatever the scenario, being involved in a bus accident is usually a serious matter.

Whether you’re a passenger on the bus, or someone in another vehicle, you deserve to be protected from the devastating damage that a Chatsworth bus accident can inflict. As you can imagine, buses carry a lot of responsibility, which requires a great deal of coverage. Insurance companies will try to minimize the extent of the damages since they have so much liability riding on the outcome. In order to be sure that your legal and medical rights are protected, you need the services of a competent attorney.

Seek Professional Advice Immediately

Being represented means that your needs won’t be casually overlooked. Injuries can present immediate needs, as well as more long-term requirements. It’s hard to determine exactly what your recovery will involve. An attorney can make sure that your settlement includes what you will need to regain your life and your health.

If you find yourself involved in a Chatsworth bus accident, or in any location in California, you should contact an attorney to make sure that you are well protected. Insurance companies don’t always recognize what it will take to get your life back. Your attorney will.

Laurence Mandell is Ready to Help

The Mandell Law Firm, in Northridge, is an aggressive personal injury and wrongful death law firm serving clients throughout the San Fernando Valley, the Greater Los Angeles area, and Southern California. Experienced and reputable, our attorneys provide hands-on care and sincere commitment to victims of accidents. Contact Laurence Mandell for a free consultation at 818.866.6600.

If you’ve been involved in an accident in which you suffered a personal injury, your first course of action should be to find someone who can represent your legal interests. That probably has you wondering how much a personal injury attorney will cost you and if you will be able to afford it. The good news is that you don’t have to cut corners based on your budget. You can hire the services of an experienced personal injury attorney, if you choose wisely.

The other thing you need to realize is that you really can’t afford to try and fight the case on your own, especially if your injury is anything other than minor. You need someone who knows what they’re doing to try to get you the compensation that you need and deserve for your injuries. Trying to save the attorney fees will only end up costing you in the end.

There Should Not Be Up Front Fees

When working with the right personal injury law firm, they won’t charge you anything unless your action is successful. Once your case is won, then you pay them a percentage of the settlement. The exact percentage will vary depending on which lawyer has taken the case for you, so this is something you’ll want to discuss before you agree to retain them.

When choosing a lawyer, you’ll also want to make sure that they are specialized in personal injury so that you know your case stands a greater chance success. Stay away from attorneys who spread themselves across many different specialties. If they’re accepting business anywhere they can get it, they will be less likely to be expert in any given specialty.

Expenses Don’t Go Away When You Get Hurt

When you have been hurt, you’ll find that many different expenses will accumulate. You will undoubtedly have medical costs, prescriptions, and possibly even physical therapy, depending on the severity of your injury. These bills continue to pile up even if you are out of work. You will need to be reimbursed for these expenses, as well as any loss of property that might have occurred, such as damage to your vehicle.

Another cost that will need to be recovered is lost wages, assuming you were unable to work for any period of time. Those suffering from serious personal injury are almost sure to miss work, and sometimes are never able to return to their previous position. Current lost income, as well as any future loss of wages, has to be determined in order to reach a fair settlement.

Look For an Expert in His or Her Field

If your injury was due to an automobile accident, then retaining an auto accident attorney will ensure that you are working with someone who is experienced in this area. If your injury was to the spine or neck, a spinal cord injury attorney will be well-versed in what will be necessary on the long road to recovery.

Once you choose representation, you will able to consult freely and comfortably about your case and help your attorneys plan a course of action on your behalf. These attorneys are your best chance at recovering the full and fair restitution that you deserve for your injury. If you’ve been hurt, you really can’t afford to go this alone. Personal injury attorneys know what it takes to get your life back to normal, and will advocate for you until it’s accomplished.

Robert Mandell is Ready to Help

Let us evaluate your case. If you’re considering a claim for injury resulting from accident or negligence, it’s important to work with a personal injury attorney who is knowledgeable and experienced in this field, and who has demonstrated a determination to fight for his clients. To arrange a free consultation, contact Robert Mandell at The Mandell Law Firm in Northridge. 818.886.6600.

There are those who only love specific kinds of animals, and there are those who admire the entire animal kingdom. But regardless of how deep and extensive your love of animals, they also demand a certain level of respect. Even the most docile creature is still an animal, and therefore has a natural inclination to its animal instincts. These can assert themselves at any time, often without warning. When this happens, you can easily become seriously injured. For those who have experienced a California animal attack, for example, you need to be properly represented so that your medical expenses, as well as reimbursement for pain and suffering, are not overlooked.

While many animals make wonderful companions and are nice to have around, in the case of domestic pets, there must always be someone who is responsible for them and for their actions. When those actions turn aggressive, you can’t always be sure that the responsible party will be around when you need them. Animals don’t have the ability to understand and abide by the law, but their owners and caregivers do. If someone takes on the responsibility to house and care for an animal, they also assume the responsibility for the animal’s actions, particularly when those actions become dangerous.

Respect the Territorial Imperative

One of the main reasons animals attack humans is due to territorial issues. Animals like dogs have a natural instinct to protect their close surroundings and maintain control over territory they consider to be their own. When an animal feels this security threatened, their inclination is to attack. This could happen in the yard of someone’s home that you’re visiting, even if you’ve been there before; it could be a dog that has gotten loose from its restrained area or from its leash while being walked by its owner. Regardless of the circumstances, we all deserve to be safe from aggressive behavior by other people’s pets.

The most common animal attack, of course, involves a dog bite. You should always exercise a modicum of caution when around dogs and other animals that are not your own, even if you’re relatively familiar with them. If, in spite of this caution, you suffer a dog bite or other injury from an animal, the animal’s owner is responsible to compensate you for whatever injuries or damages result. Surprisingly, owners are not always willing to make restitution for damages or injuries caused by their beloved pets. They will often blame the victim for provoking the attack. Trying to threaten compensation from this kind of owner isn’t typically successful. Having the right attorney in your corner is.

Let the Law in California Protect Your Rights

In California animal attacks are handled the same way they are in most parts of the country. The owner, or other responsible party, is generally held liable for damages and injuries arising from a pet’s actions. When the owner or caregiver isn’t willing to own up to that responsibility, you need an attorney who can take charge and resolve the issue for you. Don’t let an attack by an animal alter your life and cause you needless suffering. Hire the right attorney for the job so that your best interests can be protected, and your injuries properly taken care of.

Aslin Tutuyan is Available to Advise You

Aslin Tutuyan is a personal injury attorney with The Mandell Law Firm in Northridge. Mandell Law is an aggressive personal injury law firm serving clients throughout the San Fernando Valley, the Greater Los Angeles area, and Southern California. Experienced and reputable, our attorneys provide hands-on care and sincere commitment to victims of accidents of all kinds. Contact Aslin Tutuyan for a free consultation at 818.866.6600.

Sometimes the products we use every day to make our lives easier can end up making them much more complicated. Each year, countless individuals are injured, or even killed, as a direct result of a faulty or improperly used product. When this happens, there can be a certain degree responsibility that is attributable to the product, its makers, or their agents. Any person or entity in the chain from manufacturer to retailer can potentially be held liable, depending on the circumstances of your injury and their part in the process.

Product liability differs from normal personal injury in that a product is responsible for injury or death rather than an individual or entity. How, or if, you can recover damages is another way that the two differ. A product liability action may arise in one of several ways. The liability can be a result of a defect in design or manufacturing of a consumer product, or faulty delivery of a consumer service. Or, liability might arise as the result of a safety issue that was discovered but not brought to the attention of consumers. In either instance, certain factors have to be present in order for the claim to be legitimate.

Design vs. Manufacturing Defects

Design defect covers a dangerous flaw that existed when the product was created. But proof of negligence is not always necessary in order for someone to be held liable. There are instances when a more up-to-date process of manufacturing could have been used which would have made the product safer to use. In this case, since the manufacturer did not utilize the better course of action, they could be liable for the consequences of the lesser process.

Manufacturing defects are different in that the finished product is not exactly what was intended. For example, a stove is designed, but the manufacturer makes alterations in the design while the stove is being made, resulting in the stove causing fires. The manufacturer, and not the designer, could be held liable because they did not precisely follow the design that was given to them.

Seeking Out The Responsible Party

Even if it cannot be proven that a specific entity was responsible, a plaintiff may still recover damages. All that is necessary is that they prove there was a defect in the product.

The goal of a personal injury or product liability claim is to determine who is ultimately responsible for making the unsafe product available to the consumer. Following the chain of distribution for a product might reveal that the product was sold directly from the manufacturer. It could also find that the retailer who received it from distributors and placed it on their shelves can be held liable.

Some restrictions apply to those who supply the product. In order for strict liability to exist, it must be demonstrated that it was a part of the defendant’s regular course of business. In other words, a retailer could be held responsible, whereas an individual selling an item to another person probably would not.

Protect Your Family and Your Future

If you suspect that a product or service is responsible for injury or death to you or a family member, then you should speak to a personal injury attorney as soon as possible about what courses of action may be available to you. Since these entities almost always have legal counsel at their disposal, it’s important to put your well-being in the hands of a capable attorney who knows how to work within the system to get you the compensation you deserve.

Discuss Your Options With Mara Burnett

The Mandell Law Firm, in Northridge, is an aggressive personal injury and wrongful death law firm serving clients throughout the San Fernando Valley, the Greater Los Angeles area, and Southern California. We can help you prosecute your product liability claim. Experienced and reputable, our attorneys provide hands-on care and sincere commitment to victims of accidents. Contact Mara Burnett for a free consultation at 818.866.6600.

For many who love being in the great outdoors, there’s nothing more enjoyable than spending time on a boat. And Southern California offers hundreds of beautiful locations for everything from swimming and skiing to fishing and just plain pleasure boating. With all of this available to the outdoors enthusiast only a short distance from home, a boat promises to make the most of your family’s leisure time. Sadly, a Southern California boating accident appears in the news all too often to remind us that our fun time on the water needs to be taken very seriously.

While you may be a responsible person when piloting your boat, there are plenty of others on the water who may lack the skills and training to be behind the wheel. When you add all the possible distractions, including water sports, entertaining friends, beautiful scenery, and maybe even alcohol, the potential for a disastrous accident is always present. As a responsible boater, you need to be as aware of your surroundings and just as alert as if you were driving on a Southern California freeway.

Beware Impaired and Distracted Boaters

Just like an automobile driver, a boating enthusiast can be impaired by alcohol or drugs while operating a boat. They are also subject to all the same distractions that are present in your car; music players, mobile phones, other traffic, lovely scenery, and simply not paying attention. And just like an impaired or distracted auto driver, these frequently result in a catastrophic accident with one or more persons injured – or worse.

Someone else’s neglect, or disregard for the law, can quickly turn your family’s time of fun and relaxation into disaster. If you’re the victim of a Southern California boating accident, you should seek the counsel of an experienced personal injury attorney. Whether your boating accident is the result of another’s negligence, impairment, or deliberate misconduct, you are still entitled to compensation for your injury and/or property damage.

Know California Boating Laws

The California Department of Boating and Waterways (DBW) requires neither a license to drive a boat, nor do they require boater’s insurance. It is illegal to operate a boat while under the influence of alcohol or drugs, but it’s not illegal to consume alcohol on a boat. This lack of licensing, insurance, and other restrictions and requirements in California make it even more imperative that you, as a responsible boat owner, take every precaution for the safety of yourself and your passengers.

Never leave the dock without a sufficient number of state approved personal flotation devices for everyone on board. Never operate your boat, or let another operate your boat, while impaired by alcohol or drugs. Never allow a child under 16 years of age to operate a motorboat of more than 15 horsepower, and check the DBW website for other current restrictions. And finally, to protect yourself and your passengers from medical or financial disaster, you should be certain that your current accident and liability insurance coverage applies to any mishap that might occur on the water.

What To Do When Things Go Wrong

As much fun and enjoyment as boating can provide, an unexpected mechanical failure or human error can turn your outing into an unpleasant, or even tragic event. Just as you would in your car while on the highway, take every possible step to ensure that your weekend outing on the water is safe, fun, and memorable. If, through no fault of your own, unforeseen events turn your boat trip into an emergency, know that you are entitled to the same recourse you would have if you were the victim of a careless driver on the freeway. To be sure that you know what your rights are, and that your interests are protected, contact a qualified legal expert as soon as possible.

If the individual at fault hasn’t bothered to secure insurance that covers boating accidents, they are still liable and should be pursued for restitution. If you or a loved one is injured in a Southern California boating accident, your injuries and damages are just as real, whether covered by insurance or not. You will still have medical expenses, possibly lost wages, and property damage. The responsible party should be held liable for those unexpected expenses, not you.

Let Us Help

The Mandell Law Firm, in Northridge, is an aggressive personal injury and wrongful death law firm serving clients throughout the San Fernando Valley, the Greater Los Angeles area, and Southern California. Experienced and reputable, our attorneys provide hands-on care and sincere commitment to victims of accidents. Contact Laurence Mandell for a free consultation at 818.866.6600.