Posted on September 14, 2021 in Uncategorized

A little less than half of California residents rent their homes or apartments. Although many people choose to rent due to the costs of owning a home, renting can also be expensive. In fact, California has some of the highest rents in the country, responsible for seven out of the top ten expensive cities to rent in the United States. Many residents are considered rent-burdened, with 30 percent or more of their monthly income going to pay their rent. California does have a rent control law that some renters are fortunate enough to benefit from, but as a recent lawsuit shows, the law can frustrate landlords required to obey the law, and this can cause a great many landlord/tenant disputes.

San Francisco Lawsuit

The lawsuit involved a couple renting an apartment in San Francisco. The city has some of the highest rents in the state, with the rent for a two-bedroom apartment averaging $3,500. The couple filed the lawsuit in May 2015, accusing their landlord of subjecting them to months of harassment and erratic behavior. The landlord had purchased the property about a year before the lawsuit was filed.

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 Posted on August 24, 2021 in Car Accidents

Under California law, when a person is injured in a car accident caused by a drunk driver, that driver is legally liable for any losses the victim suffers because of those injuries. These losses can include medical expenses, lost wages if the victim was unable to work while they recovered, pain and suffering, emotional anguish, and more. Tennessee’s “dram shop” law also provides another avenue of financial justice for victims of drunk driving accidents: the right to sue the source of where the drunk driver obtained the alcohol that caused their intoxication.

California’s Dram Shop Law

The majority of states in the U.S. have passed some form of dram shop law. The word “dram” originated in the 18th century by the British and referred to a measurement of a three-quarter teaspoon of alcohol.

Under most dram shop laws, any vendor that sells alcohol falls under the dram shop law. This includes restaurants and bars, but can also include liquor stores, grocery stores, convenience stores, and gas stations. A drunk driving accident victim can bring a dram shop claim against a vendor if they can show that the vendor sold alcohol to a person who was “visibly intoxicated,” and the driver’s alcohol consumption was a direct cause of the accident that caused the injury.

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 Posted on July 07, 2021 in Truck Accidents

The trucking industry has faced driver shortages for years, but recently, this demand has become an even more pressing matter. The COVID-19 pandemic and the surge in demand for delivery have left many trucking companies scrambling to meet consumer demands. When truck drivers are under pressure to deliver goods faster, they can sometimes make mistakes behind the wheel that lead to truck collisions. Whether due to unsecured truck cargo, speeding, fatigued driving, or other reasons, truck crashes often have devastating consequences. If you or a loved one were injured in a truck crash, a truck accident lawyer can help you determine who may be liable for your medical bills and other damages.

Determining Legal Responsibility for a Truck Accident

Identifying who is at fault in a truck accident can be complex. In many truck crashes, multiple factors contribute to the collision. The actions of the truck driver and the other drivers on the road, the weather road conditions, issues with the truck itself, and many other factors can all result in a serious truck accident. Understanding how and why a truck crash occurred is the first step in determining liability.

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 Posted on July 01, 2021 in Car Accidents

There are many forms of negligence by drivers that can cause car accidents. Among these, distracted driving is one of the most common. Even though there are laws prohibiting drivers from using electronic devices or engaging in other activities that distract them from the act of driving, many people disregard these laws out of the belief that they can drive safely while multitasking. Drivers in California will want to understand the specific laws that address distracted driving. Those who have been injured in a motor vehicle collision will need to work with an attorney to determine how they can hold a negligent driver responsible for their damages.

California Laws Regarding Electronic Devices

Drivers in California are prohibited from using handheld cell phones or other electronic devices while they are in control of a vehicle. However, drivers are allowed to use a device in hands-free mode, including having phone conversations through their car’s speakers or Bluetooth devices or using voice-activated commands. Drivers who are under the age of 18 are prohibited from using electronic devices in any way while behind the wheel.

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