Author Archives: Robert S. Patterson
The Role of Expert Witnesses in Auto Accident Cases
If you are hurt in an automobile accident and your injuries are more than minor, it may be necessary to hire experts to determine your physical condition, the damage to your motor vehicle and the accident scene in order to develop the evidence that will support your claim for monetary compensation. Experts prepare reports which […]
How California Personal Injury Cases Are Proceeding During the Pandemic
The COVID-19 pandemic has wreaked havoc across the United States and throughout the world. The California Superior Court system is not immune to the negative consequences. Many of the courts are under orders to remain closed or to offer limited access to prevent the spread of coronavirus. The Santa Barbara County Superior Court is open […]
What To Do if You’re in an Accident With an Uninsured or Underinsured Motorist
Under California law, drivers need to purchase liability insurance for their motor vehicles. However, there are many drivers who either do not have insurance or who carry insurance with policy limits that are inadequate to compensate victims of accidents they cause. California only requires a driver to carry insurance of at least $15,000 for bodily […]
Can You Suffer Whiplash in a Low-Speed Car Crash?
Contrary to what insurance companies would have you believe, people involved in low-speed vehicle collisions can suffer serious injuries — among them whiplash. This occurs when the sensitive muscles, tendons and ligaments in the neck are damaged by sudden head and neck movements. In some instances, a person who sustains a whiplash injury may be […]
Five Common Examples of Truck Driver Negligence
Commercial trucking is a vital part of the American economy. Tractor-trailers move everything from food to furniture to oil and gas, covering millions of miles every year. The average person expects truck drivers to be alert, skilled and safe, but that is not always the case. Truck driver negligence is one of the biggest causes […]
What Happens If You Get Injured in a Public Transportation Accident?
Californians rely heavily on public transportation. In 2019 alone, Los Angeles-area buses, subways and trolleys proved an estimated 370 million rides and covered more than 1.7 billion passenger miles, according to the Metro agency. Unfortunately, Southern California — and cities throughout the entire state — sees more than a handful of serious accidents every year […]
Unsanitary Nursing Home Kitchens Jeopardize Residents’ Health
A five-month investigation has uncovered thousands of food safety violations at nursing homes throughout the U.S. The report, published by FairWarning, a nonprofit investigative news organization, details disturbing incidents in nursing home kitchens. Mouse droppings on stoves, flies landing on uncovered food, cockroaches behind ovens and mold inside ice machines are just a few of […]
If You Slipped and Fell on a Sidewalk, Who Can Be Held Liable?
Neglected and damaged sidewalks cause hundreds of pedestrian injuries every year in California, and many victims file claims to obtain compensation for their medical bills and other out-of-pocket costs. In a sidewalk slip-and-fall injury case, there are two big issues to resolve. One is the nature of the defect and the other is identifying who […]
Can You Bring an Emotional Distress Claim Related to COVID-19?
The novel coronavirus that causes COVID-19 is not only potentially deadly, but can be transmitted by individuals who are not showing any symptoms, so people might fear that they’ve contracted the illness even if they feel fine. While the virus has existed in the United States for months, obtaining a test is still difficult in […]
Drop in Car Crashes, Spike in Bicycle Accidents Linked to Coronavirus
Once Americans came to understand how deadly the coronavirus can be and how easily it is passed from person to person, transportation habits changed. Not only did people drastically curtail business and personal travel, but many stopped going to their workplaces. That has led to a reduction in car accidents at the same time that […]
