Blog | Maineri Law Firm

Are Drunk Drivers Always Liable for Car Accidents in California?

2026-07-20 00:00:00

Drunk drivers bear liability in many of the accidents they are involved in. However, they are not automatically liable for every accident. Other people may also have acted in ways that contributed to an accident and so bear some liability.

If you or someone you love was hit by a drunk driver in 2026, a Riverside, CA car accident attorney can assess your situation and help you understand what compensation may be available.

Are Drunk Drivers Automatically at Fault for Accidents Under California Law?

Driving under the influence violates California Vehicle Code § 23152. If that violation caused an accident and resulting injuries, it may create a rebuttable presumption of negligence under California’s negligence per se rule. This can help an injured plaintiff establish that the driver failed to exercise reasonable care, although the plaintiff must still prove causation and damages.

Who Is Liable When a Bus Hits a Pedestrian in California?

2026-06-14 00:00:00

When a California bus hits a pedestrian, liability often falls on the bus driver and the company or agency that employs them. However, other parties may also share fault.

Pedestrian cases like this can be difficult to sort out because of the overlapping liability. The specific facts of the case and whether the bus was run by a private or public agency all factor into determining who is liable.

If you were hit by a bus in 2026, a Temecula, CA personal injury attorney can help you identify who's responsible.

Who Can Be Held Responsible for a Bus-Pedestrian Accident in California?

Pedestrian accidents are some of the most deadly in the country. The National Highway Traffic Administration reports that, on average, one pedestrian was killed roughly every 72 minutes in recent years. Even if the accident is not deadly, a vehicle as large as a bus can do severe damage to pedestrians.

What Is the "Open and Obvious" Defense in California Premises Liability?

2026-05-15 00:00:00

Property owners are responsible for maintaining safe conditions for visitors on their property. When they don’t, and someone gets hurt, they can be held liable for the resulting damages. In some cases, though, they may argue that a hazard was so obvious that they have no liability for anyone who hurts themselves on it. This may be referred to as the "open and obvious" defense. However, depending on the circumstances, this may not actually be a good enough defense to keep them from paying.

If you've been hurt on someone's property in 2026, a Riverside, CA premises liability lawyer can help you understand whether this defense applies to your case and what you can do about it.

What Qualifies as an "Open and Obvious" Hazard in California?

California property owners have a legal duty to keep their premises reasonably safe for visitors. When someone is injured on their property, they can face a premises liability claim. The "open and obvious" defense is one way property owners try to avoid responsibility for those injuries.

How Much Is a Wrongful Death Claim Worth in California?

2026-04-17 00:00:00

Losing a family member because of someone else's negligence is probably one of the most painful experiences a person can go through. In addition to grief, many families are left dealing with significant financial pressure from funeral costs and possibly loss of income.

Even so, are wrongful death claims worth the emotional toll the filing process takes? Understanding how much you may stand to gain financially can help you make a more educated decision about filing. A Temecula wrongful death lawyer can review your case and help you get an estimate.

What Kinds of Damages Can You Recover in a California Wrongful Death Case in 2026?

California's wrongful death statute (California Code of Civil Procedure Section 377.61) allows certain surviving family members to file a claim against the party responsible for the death. The damages available fall into two general categories: economic and non-economic.

How Can a Commercial Truck's "Black Box" Help My Personal Injury Case?

2026-03-23 00:00:00

You may want to make a personal injury claim against the semi truck you were in a wreck with, but feel you don’t have enough evidence to be convincing. In truth, you may have more evidence available than you realize.

Most large commercial trucks are equipped with a device that records critical data about the vehicle and driver. This data can be used to verify what happened in the moments before, during, and after a crash. This kind of evidence can make a significant difference in a legal claim. A Riverside County personal injury attorney can check for this information and help you use it to build your 2026 case.

What Is a Commercial Truck's Black Box?

The term "black box" is an informal term that may refer to multiple systems, including ELDs (for hours-of-service) and EDRs or engine control modules that store vehicle data. These are onboard systems required on most commercial trucks under federal law 49 CFR part 395. The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) requires that commercial motor carriers use ELDs to track hours of service, meaning the number of hours a driver has been behind the wheel.

Will the Other Driver's Insurance Pay for My Lawyer After a Car Wreck?

2026-02-19 00:00:00

After a car accident that you had no responsibility for, you may wonder if the person at fault will pay your legal fees if you decide to hire a lawyer. This is one of the most common questions people ask when they are hurt in a crash that was not their fault.

If you’re in need of legal guidance after a car wreck in 2026, a Temecula car accident attorney can help you know what you can be compensated for.

Is My Attorney Fee Considered Part of My Damages from the Car Wreck?

"Damages" refers to the money you can get to compensate you for damage to property, damage to yourself, and other money you may lose because of the accident, like missed wages at work. In most car accident cases, the other person's insurance company will not directly pay your attorney fees as part of your settlement. California follows what is called the "American Rule" for attorney fees: each party in a lawsuit pays their own lawyer. This is in contrast to the "English Rule," where the losing side pays for both lawyers.

Can I Get Compensation If I Was Injured by an Animal?

2026-01-22 00:00:00

When most people think about animal attacks, they picture dog bites. However, our Riverside County personal injury attorney knows that injuries from smaller pets like rabbits, cats, rats, parrots, reptiles, and even "house pigs" can be just as serious. If someone else's pet has hurt you in 2026, you may be wondering whether you can get compensation for your medical bills, pain, and maybe even lost wages from missing work.

Good news: California law does allow injury victims to seek compensation when someone else's animal causes harm, even if that animal is not a cat or dog. Understanding your legal rights can help you decide whether to pursue a personal injury claim.

What Types of Small Animals Can Cause Compensable Injuries?

Many households keep pets beyond the traditional dog or cat. These animals can cause unexpected injuries through bites, scratches, and disease transmission. Common small pets that may cause injury include rabbits, guinea pigs, hamsters, rats, mice, parrots and other birds, ferrets, reptiles like snakes and lizards, turtles, house pigs, and chickens and other poultry.

How Long Do I Have To File An Injury Claim In California?

2025-12-21 00:00:00

After suffering an injury in an accident, you may be focused on your recovery and dealing with medical bills. But California law sets strict deadlines for filing injury claims. Missing these deadlines can mean losing your right to compensation forever.

How long will you really have if you get hurt in 2026? And how long does it take to get a case started? Our Temecula, CA personal injury attorney can answer these questions and any others you may have.

What Is the Deadline to File a Personal Injury Lawsuit In California?

California Code of Civil Procedure Section 335.1 gives most injury victims two years from when the accident occured to file a lawsuit. This rule applies to many common types of personal injury cases, including:

What Happens if You Get in a Car Crash with an Uninsured Driver?

2025-11-22 00:00:00

Getting hit by an uninsured driver is frustrating and scary. Even though California law requires all drivers to carry liability insurance, many people drive illegally without it anyway. So in addition to figuring out how and when to fix your car, now you have to figure out how to pay for it, too.

Our Temecula car accident attorney is here to help with these and other questions. Call us today for a free consultation at 951-698-4200.

How Many Uninsured Drivers Are on California Roads?

California has one of the highest rates of uninsured drivers in the country. Studies show that approximately 15 to 20 percent of California drivers have no insurance. That means roughly one in six cars on the road has no coverage. Your chances of getting hit by an uninsured driver are higher than you might think.

When Car and Truck Accidents Cause Paralysis

2025-10-22 00:00:00

Among the most devastating outcomes of a car or truck crash is paralysis, the loss of movement and sensation in part of the body. Paralysis injuries do not only affect physical movement. They impact every other aspect of life, from employment and mobility to mental health and family relationships.

If you or a loved one suffered paralysis after a crash in California, you may be entitled to significant compensation. This compensation could cover your medical costs, long-term care, and emotional suffering. Understanding your legal rights is the first step toward rebuilding your future.

Many people cannot imagine going through the process of filing a lawsuit and negotiating with insurance companies when they are already grieving from serious injuries. But with the help of our Temecula personal injury lawyer, you can focus on healing while we take care of the rest. Call us today at 951-698-4200.