Law Offices of Howard Kitay
“Bodily injury” is a commonly seen term in insurance documents and legal proceedings, but the definition is quite specific. A bodily injury refers to any physical illness or injury sustained by a person, including death if the death resulted from a physical illness or injury. Most commercial liability policies include verbiage referring to bodily injury,…
Whenever an American citizen receives any kind of substantial windfall there is a high probability that individual will incur a sizeable tax burden on the proceeds he or she earned. This includes lottery winnings, some types of inheritances, and even legal settlements and cash awards. However, federal and state laws exist that prevent excessive taxation…
Losing a lawsuit is a challenging issue for clients and attorneys alike; a lost cause is not only demoralizing but may also lead to financial hardships for both parties. The vast majority of personal injury attorneys face an especially high risk due to their contingency fee policies; if a client loses, the attorney may not…
The assumed high cost of legal fees very often deters some people from seeking legal counsel when they need it the most. Legal representation can be very expensive, especially for difficult cases requiring lots of time and attention. When attorneys use traditional billing methods and charge clients for time spent working on their cases, those…
The vast majority of Americans will eventually need the legal services of a personal injury attorney in 2019. When one party injures another due to negligence, the injured party has the right to seek recovery for the damages. A personal injury attorney can be a fantastic asset for handling any type of civil claim for damages…
Personal injury lawsuits allow injured people to recover their losses resulting from other parties’ negligence. Each state upholds unique laws pertaining to personal injury lawsuits, and most aim to limit the number of frivolous lawsuits eating up court system time and resources while at the same time ensuring parties with legitimate claims have open avenues…
If you have reached the end of your personal injury claims process, you are likely anticipating the arrival of your personal injury settlement check. While the amount of time it will take for you to receive your check will vary, your check will have to undergo a structured process to make sure everything is in…
If you suffered injuries in a car accident, you will likely have to receive ongoing medical treatment until you recover. As a result, you will have to pay for thousands of dollars in medical expenses. These costs may include doctor’s visit fees, hospitalization costs, medications, surgeries, physical therapy, and mobility equipment, just to name a…
If you suffer from a personal injury in California, you may wonder what your legal options are, especially if you do not have the funds to pay expensive legal fees. In fact, many people refrain from pursuing legal action because they believe they cannot possibly afford an attorney out of pocket. However, many law firms…
After you suffer an injury and file a personal injury lawsuit, you may receive a substantial amount of money as a settlement. The court usually makes these awards to compensate for certain expenses related to your injuries, such as past and future medical expenses, lost wages, and pain and suffering. You want to keep these…
When you file a personal injury lawsuit, you reach a settlement that awards you with funds as compensation for the losses you sustained. The most common types of damages are economic damages, which include expenses such as lost wages and medical expenses, and noneconomic damages, which cover pain and suffering and emotional anguish. However, you…
When you receive a settlement in your personal injury case, you may wonder if any strings are attached to your agreement. Specifically, many victims of personal injury wonder if they have to pay taxes on their settlement and if the funds they receive are truly enough to compensate for their losses. The IRS outlines several…
After you have settled your personal injury case, you may experience new symptoms of your existing injuries or notice new injuries you believe stemmed from your accident. Or, you may not feel satisfied with your settlement amount. Can you reopen a personal injury case once it is settled? What Does Settlement Mean? In legal terms,…
Insurance coverage can be a complicated discussion. Certainly, you want to purchase all the state-mandatory coverages with the mandatory minimums. However, there are other coverages that may prove beneficial as well. Is Personal Injury Protection (PIP) mandatory in California? More importantly, who or what does it cover? What Is Personal Injury Protection? In no-fault states,…
When you are involved in a personal injury accident, the last thing you want to worry about is how the settlement you need to pay your medical bills will affect the income you need to pay for daily life. However, it is a very real concern. How can settlements affect the major aid programs for…
It is no secret that car accidents can be traumatic. Some people experiencing the most severe car accidents have long held that the accident itself led to post-traumatic stress disorder or PTSD. What is PTSD? Can you get it from a car accident? More importantly, can you sue if you experience PTSD as a result…
It is never a good time for a car accident, but it seems that those minor fender benders always happen when you are in a rush to get somewhere. What’s more, accident reports may mean you run the risk of a traffic ticket, charges, and a higher insurance premium. Do you really have to report…
The rise in electric scooters brought with it a rise in scooter-related injuries and concern that a lack of regulation led to further injuries. In late 2018, the San Diego City Council met to discuss regulations, some of which could take effect in early 2019. Statewide Regulations The beginning of 2019 saw an update in…
Each year, the San Diego Emergency Medical Services releases a trauma report summary, detailing instances of trauma in San Diego County. The most recent report, for the year 2016, provides us with a great look at the number of accidents, emergency room visits, and more that took place. The report can help us get a…
Driving safely should be a priority year-round, but winter and the holidays can be particularly dangerous times for California drivers. Vacations in new places, crowded roads, and the effects cold weather has on vehicles can all increase the odds of a crash. A car accident could lead to spending the rest of the season in…
Black Friday falls on the day after Thanksgiving and marks a day of low prices and mega-sales for shoppers. Every year, millions of shoppers hit stores throughout the world to start on their holiday shopping or get deals on electronics, appliances, and other goods. Unfortunately, the popularity of the holiday has escalated into such chaos…
Most personal injury lawyers offer free consultations or case evaluations to give a potential client the opportunity to learn more about a case without paying anything upfront. The questions a client asks during this initial step can yield important information for the rest of the process. Knowing what to ask your attorney during your first…
Car accidents take the lives of Californians every day. Distracted and negligent drivers strike other vehicles and pedestrians, contributing to the annual death toll. California’s large population makes it the state with the highest number of car accidents, injuries, and deaths each year. Focusing too heavily on car accident statistics can make drivers feel like…
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…