Law Offices of Howard Kitay
California is the first state to permit lane-splitting or the act of a motorcycle-riding between two lanes of traffic traveling in the same direction. As such, it has been a pioneer state in terms of what works and what does not with lane-splitting. Lane-splitting accidents have become an increasing issue since the legislative change in…
Hiring a personal injury lawyer typically is not as easy as calling the first one you find online, getting an appointment, and receiving an offer for representation. Many personal injury firms only take a limited number of clients to better focus their attention on each case. Others look for specific things in cases they take,…
Collisions between vehicles and guardrails are common on California highways. Drivers may collide with guardrails if they lose control of their vehicles, such as while hydroplaning or in a vehicle accident. The purpose of a guardrail is to absorb the impact of an accident, helping a vehicle slow down or lose its velocity. It is…
During a vehicle accident claim with your car accident lawyer, one might hear the phrases contributory or comparative negligence. These are two legal concepts that can apply to car accident claims in which the person claiming damages may bear fault for the accident. These rules can decide how much compensation a plaintiff receives, and are…
California is a popular state for motorcyclists. Every year, thousands of motorcyclists flood the roads and highways of The Golden State. Motorcyclists who live in the state and those who are just visiting must all obey current California motorcycle laws. Otherwise, they could face fines, points on a driving record, and other penalties. State traffic…
All drivers will encounter at least one roadway hazard in their lifetimes. Unfortunately, not all will be able to avoid them or escape collisions. In 2017, over 3,500 Californians lost their lives in motor vehicle accidents. Road hazards can cause thousands of dollars in damages for victims and their families. Preventing accidents and injuries takes…
Distracted driving is one of the deadliest driver mistakes. Failing to pay adequate attention to the road makes it almost impossible for a driver to react to changing roadway conditions or situations in time to prevent a collision. In 2016, distracted drivers contributed to the deaths of 3,450 people across the country. About 9% of…
Although single-vehicle accidents make up a large percentage of crashes each year, may involve more than one car. In 2016, multiple-vehicle crashes took 1,560 lives in the state of California. Determining fault and liability for a multiple-car accident can be more difficult than in standard crashes due to the number of people involved. It can…
Just because it’s mandatory to carry car insurance in the state of California does not mean every driver will obey the law. In fact, hundreds of uninsured and underinsured drivers are on the roads right now. Driving without insurance isn’t just a crime – it’s unfair to the law-abiding citizens who end up dealing with…
Many court cases will require depositions of key witnesses during the discovery process. A deposition refers to an official interview of a witness to learn more about the case. In general, depositions involve one party interviewing the other party’s witnesses to find out what they know. If you get called into a deposition, you may…
DISCLAIMER: If you are in need of more information in regards to obtaining a learner’s permit, please contact the DMV in your geographic area. The Law Offices of Howard Kitay offers legal representation to those who have been injured in the state of California, as we are only licensed to practice in this state. Information…
California has had handheld cell phone laws in place for years, restricting when and how drivers may use cell phones behind the wheel. Several laws ban the use of cell phones in the state when operating a motor vehicle. One law prohibits those under the age of 18 from using all phones, hands-free or handheld,…
The Golden State offers gorgeous landscapes, views of the Pacific Ocean, natural terrain, and year-round perfect weather. As a result, thousands of bicyclists use California roads all months of the year. Whether you’re a California resident who takes a bicycle to work or just planning to visit the state for a bike race or excursion,…
You must have a valid driver’s license or learner’s permit to legally operate a motor vehicle in the state of California. California Vehicle Code Section 12500 states that a person must hold a valid license to drive a motor vehicle, motorcycle, or motorized bicycle on a highway. Going against this code is a traffic violation…
All states require drivers to carry certain minimum auto insurance levels to legally operate motor vehicles. Auto insurance will provide monetary coverage in the event of a car accident. The types and amounts of coverage depend on the policy type the holder has purchased. Drivers can carry as much extra insurance as they wish, but…
The National Safety Council (NSC) recently reported that traffic fatalities decreased between 2016 and 2017 by a small margin of 227 fewer deaths. In addition to the 40,100 traffic-related fatalities in 2017, more than 4.57 million people required emergency medical attention for serious injuries and the net cost to American taxpayers totaled nearly $414 billion.…
Texting is one of the most popular forms of modern communication but the practice is causing some people to suffer injuries due to distraction. A recently coined term “petextrian” refers to a pedestrian who is distracted by a text message conversation, effectively paying more attention to his or her phone than the path ahead. Petextrians…
There are more than 102 fatal car accidents every day in the United States, and about nine of these daily fatalities occur due to completely preventable distracted driving. Driving hinges strongly on muscle memory and millions of Americans drive every day out of necessity, causing some to fall into complacency and false sense of security…
Bike-sharing programs have become increasingly popular all over the world. While they offer an environmentally friendly alternative to traditional public transportation or driving, they are also causing problems in many metropolitan areas. The practice has reached epidemic levels in China in recent years with more than two million for-hire bicycles in Beijing alone, causing enormous…
A recent phenomenon to hit the Los Angeles area is the proliferation of rideshare scooters. Apps like “Bird” allow a user to pay per minute to rent a Bird scooter, and once he or she arrives at the destination, the user simply leaves the Bird scooter on the ground for another user. After a ride,…
Sports injuries are especially common during the summer months when Americans of all ages enjoy the outdoors, recreational sports, and league play. Regardless of whether you simply exercise regularly or play competitive sports in an organized league, knowing the hazards of sports injuries and taking proper precautions can help you prevent serious sports injuries this…
When a person suffers injuries due to the negligence of another person or party, he or she can pursue compensation for damages through a wrongful death claim with the help of a wrongful death attorney. However, if the victim dies from his or her injuries, a wrongful death claim will function similarly to a personal…
The law is a highly technical profession. We often use terms that may be confusing to someone who doesn’t spend regular hours in a law office or a courtroom. We know this can be frustrating, especially when you’re directly involved with a case. At the Law Offices of Howard Kitay, we always try to use…
Car accidents are one of the leading causes of injury and fatality in this country. They account for hundreds of thousands of ER visits each year, and can result in anything from broken bones to traumatic brain injury. Most car accidents are thankfully minor, but they can result in serious or even life-threatening injuries. While…
The personal injury claims process can become highly involved. After hiring an attorney, you’ll likely provide statements and information about the details of your accident. Your attorney may also review police reports and talk to others who were at the scene of the accident. You may even hear your lawyer talk about the possibility of…
San Diego is famous for its traffic congestion and sluggish commute times. Since there are so many people out on the roadways, it would make sense that the incidence of car accidents is higher. Thousands of people die in fatal accidents throughout the county each year, which makes it nerve-wracking to get behind the wheel.…
If you’re in the process of a personal injury claim, you might want to tell the world about it. Chances are you’re feeling frustration and indignation at the party who committed negligence. However, it’s imperative to think before you speak – or maybe refrain from speaking about your case at all. Here are a few…
You pay your insurance premiums faithfully. You may have even been with the same insurer for years. When you get into a car accident, you have a reasonable expectation that they will pay your claim in full and within a reasonable time frame. Unfortunately, this isn’t always the case. In reality, insurance companies want to…
Teens have a lot more to be worried about on the road, a new study finds. Parents might feel overbearing for imposing strict rules for their novice and teen drivers but they’re often right for doing so. Learn why teens may be more susceptible to distracted driving – and what you can do to minimize…
San Diego is a congested city, like much of California. The traffic in our state is legendary, so it makes sense that these bustling urban areas would be at higher risk for car accidents. While car accidents can occur at any intersection, some are more dangerous than others. In fact, you might be surprised which…