Quiz: Sections 1-19

Rear-End Collisions

• Tailgating, or following too closely, is the most common cause of rear-end collisions.
• Rear-end collisions occur when the trailing driver cannot stop in time if the front vehicle stops abruptly.

Side-Impact (T-Bone) Accidents

• Side-impact accidents frequently occur when a driver fails to yield the right-of-way at intersections.

Head-On Collisions

• Responsibility for head-on collisions is often shared between both drivers, especially if one was driving in the wrong direction or performing an unsafe overtake.

Single-Vehicle Accidents

• Single-vehicle accidents are often caused by road hazards or vehicle malfunctions, such as brake failures or tire blowouts.
• Road hazards or dangerous conditions can reduce driver liability in single-vehicle accidents.

Multi-Vehicle Pile-Ups

• Determining fault in multi-vehicle pile-ups is difficult because multiple drivers may contribute to the collision sequence.

Parking Lot Accidents

• The driver leaving their parking space is typically at fault for parking lot collisions.
• Backing up without checking for obstacles or other vehicles is a common cause of parking lot accidents.

Bicycle and Pedestrian Accidents

• Distracted driving is a leading cause of accidents involving bicycles or pedestrians.
• Drivers are required to yield to legally crossing pedestrians.

Side-Swaps

• Side-swap accidents often occur when drivers fail to check their blind spots before changing lanes.

Determining Fault in California Car Accidents

• California uses a "pure comparative fault" system, where each driver is responsible for their share of the accident.
• Under pure comparative fault, each driver's percentage of fault determines their compensation.

Types of Car Insurance Coverage

• Liability insurance covers damages and injuries caused to others if you are found at fault in an accident.
• Collision insurance covers the repair or replacement of your car if it's damaged in an accident, regardless of who is at fault.
• Comprehensive insurance covers non-accident-related damages like theft, fire, vandalism, and natural disasters.
• MedPay covers medical bills for the insured driver and their passengers after an accident, regardless of fault.
• Uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage protects you if the other driver is uninsured or doesn't have enough insurance to pay for damages.
• PIP covers medical expenses, lost wages, and other costs, regardless of who is at fault in an accident.

Policy Limits

• Policy limits are the maximum amounts an insurance company will pay for each type of damage or injury covered by the policy.

Exclusions in Car Insurance Policies

• Insurance policies typically exclude coverage for intentional damage caused by the driver.

Declarations Page

• The declarations page details the types of coverage, policy limits, deductibles, and important information about the car insurance policy.

Lien Doctors vs. Non-Lien Doctors

• Lien doctors provide treatment without requiring immediate payment, with the promise of payment from any settlement.
• Non-lien doctors require payment upfront, either by cash, credit, or insurance.

Right-of-Way Laws

• When two vehicles arrive at a four-way stop at the same time, the driver on the right has the right-of-way.

Distracted Driving Laws

• Texting while driving takes the driver's attention away from the road, which is considered distracted driving.

DUI Laws

• A driver under the influence is typically found to be at fault if they cause an accident due to their impaired state.

Lane Usage and Change Laws

• A driver should always check their blind spots and use turn signals before changing lanes to ensure a safe maneuver.

Vehicle Equipment Laws

• If a driver's brake light is not working they may share fault with the driver behind if they are rear-ended.

Determining Fault

• Traffic laws, witness statements, photos, and police reports are crucial to proving negligence and determining fault in an accident.

Bodily Injury (BI) Claims

• A BI claim is opened to seek compensation for the costs associated with injuries resulting from a car accident.

Property Damage (PD) Claims

• A PD claim is opened to pay for repairs or replacement of the vehicle damaged in the accident.

Adjuster

• An adjuster is assigned by the insurance company to assess the accident, determine fault, and negotiate the settlement.

Why Open a Claim with Our Client's Insurance?

• Even if the accident was not their fault, we open a claim with our client's insurance to access MedPay and UM/UIM coverage.

MedPay and UM/UIM Coverage

• MedPay covers immediate medical expenses
• UM/UIM compensates if the at-fault driver has insufficient insurance

Coverage Limits

• Coverage limits set the maximum amount an insurance company will pay for a claim

Comprehensive Insurance

• Comprehensive insurance helps cover damage or loss not related to an accident such as theft, fire or vandalism

Corticosteroid Injections

• Corticosteroid injections are used to reduce inflammation and relieve pain

X-Rays

• X-rays are used to diagnose fractures and other injuries to the bones

MRI Use

• MRIs provide detailed images of soft tissues, such as muscles, ligaments, and discs

Approval of Imaging

• The attorney must approve imaging to ensure the cost will not exceed available coverage

Medical Treatment Journey

• Emergency care is the first step when a client is seriously injured