California Personal Injury Blog

Generally, California law defines the right‑of‑way as allowing another driver or pedestrian to proceed first when they both arrive at the same location. Under California Vehicle Code § 5251, right‑of‑way is defined as “the privilege of the immediate use of the highway.” This is a critical distinction: right‑of‑way is not an absolute right, but a privilege that […]

Yes, under California law, bicycles are considered vehicles. Their operation is regulated under the California Vehicle Code (CVC), which establishes rules for all types of vehicles on the road, including bicycles. These rules help prevent bike riders, pedestrians, and drivers from being involved in accidents. The Legal Definition California Vehicle Code § 2311 defines a […]

California Civil Code § 33421 California has a “strict liability” rule for a dog bite, which means that any time a dog attacks a person, the animal’s owner is liable for the damage caused and is required by law to compensate the victim for injuries sustained in the attack. Civil Code § 3342(a) states that […]

Curtis Legal Group is proud to support The Food Initiative of Greater Stanislaus! We truly love being part of an organization that is making a real difference in our community — providing fresh, healthy food to families who need it most and uplifting our neighbors with compassion and care. Thank you to the Food Initiative […]

Motorcycles are smaller, lighter, and can generally maneuver faster than other vehicles on the road, so they should always have the right-of-way – right? Not necessarily. Despite their smaller size, motorcycles are motor vehicles for purposes of traffic laws and do not have any special privileges – with one exception in California.

If you have been injured in an accident, you may have heard the phrase “entitled to compensation.” While often used in law firm advertisements, it is rarely explained. In everyday language, it may sound like a promise of fairness, but in legal terms, it refers to a specific legal standard. To get compensation, you must […]

California law protects pedestrians in crosswalks and requires drivers to yield, while also outlining when pedestrians must yield to vehicles. These rules are found in Vehicle Code §§ 21950, 21951, 21952, and 21954. Pedestrian Right of Way Laws California Pedestrians’ right-of-way in crosswalks California Vehicle Code § 219501 Under California Vehicle Code § 21950, all […]

Legal liability in a slip and fall claim refers to a property owner’s breached duty of care under California Civil Code § 17141. Proving liability means establishing that the property owner knew or reasonably should have known that their premises posed a slip and fall hazard. This can be accomplished by proving either actual or […]

Yes, trucking companies can be held liable for accidents if they encourage drivers to exceed hours-of-service limits, fail to monitor logbooks, neglect to enforce rest breaks, or use compensation models that reward speed over safety. Under California law, employers may be vicariously liable for the negligent acts of their employees while on duty. Proving fatigue […]

After a workplace injury in California, you may be entitled to multiple forms of compensation, including workers’ comp benefits and damages in a third-party claim. However, these are not automatic. The steps you take after a work accident matter. A simple mistake can delay treatment, weaken your claim, or give the insurance company an excuse […]