Author Archives: Jay Butchko
Formal and Informal Defenses in Bicycle Crash Claims
The evolution of bicycle crash negligence defenses is one reason the plaintiffs’ winning percentage in civil claims has plummeted since the 1990s. As late as the early 1990s, even mediocre lawyers could obtain maximum compensation in these matters. After a cursory investigation, a lawyer made a “take it or leave it” settlement offer. Because… Read More »
What is the Punishment for a Hit-and-Run Accident?
For practical purposes, in criminal court, the punishment is usually nothing. Over 90 percent of these cases are closed unresolved, and in many cases, police investigators don’t try very hard to solve them. As far as most law enforcement investigators are concerned, any personal injury incidents, like a vehicle collision, is a civil matter,… Read More »
The Workers’ Comp Claims Process Explained
In the early 1900s, a string of workplace disasters, like the Triangle Shirtwaist Factory fire in 1911, drew attention to the plight of people who worked in dangerous factories. Over a hundred workers died in the TFF fire, most from smoke inhalation or because they jumped to their deaths. The factory’s doors were locked… Read More »
What Causes Uber Crashes?
Rideshare drivers have tough jobs. They must safely operate motor vehicles, often in unfamiliar parts of town, while dealing with sometimes grumpy, incorrigible, or just plain weird passengers. Yet the company does almost nothing to prepare drivers for all these responsibilities. In fact, Uber contributes to Uber crashes, mostly because of the driver compensation… Read More »
Do I Need a Lawyer for a Car Crash Claim?
Yes, for the same reason that high school football teams don’t play NFL teams. The competition isn’t fair, and the high school kids would probably get seriously injured in the game. Insurance companies routinely hire lawyers who charge more than $2,000 per hour. A competition between such lawyers and car crash victims is no… Read More »
Multi-Million Dollar Settlement in Bicycle Accident Claim
The City of San Diego agreed to pay $7 million to resolve a claim that improper street maintenance caused a 2022 fatal bicycle crash in Old Town. According to court documents, the victim was riding his bike home from his job at the San Diego Zoo when a car backed into the road on… Read More »
What to Do When There is a Fall in the Nursing Home?
Thousands of San Diegans wrestle with this question. Almost two-thirds of long-term care residents fall every year. In many cases, an earlier fall prompted the nursing home admission. Repeat fall physical and emotional injuries are much worse than initial fall physical and emotional injuries, which is saying a lot. Most older people never entirely… Read More »
Setting the Table for a Truck Accident Settlement
Most truck accident victims can expect stiff opposition. Many insurance defense lawyers charge more than $2,500 per hour. So, a busy day for a team of lawyers could easily cost $10,000 for an insurance company. Insurance companies can easily afford these legal fees because they earn more than $1 trillion a year. However, at… Read More »
Legal Options in Dog Bite Cases
Every year, animals attack millions of Americans. A few of these incidents are little more than annoying. But most cause serious physical and emotional injuries. Physically, dog bite knockdowns usually cause head injuries and severe broken bones. Then, when dogs bite, their teeth cause deep puncture wounds as well as severe tearing lacerations. Emotionally,… Read More »
What is an Example of a Driver Distraction?
Basically, driver distraction is any activity that prompts motorists to take their eyes off the road (visual distraction), minds off driving (cognitive distraction), or hands off the wheel (manual distraction). Hand-held cellphone use, which has declined in recent years, combines all three forms of distraction. However, hand-held device distraction makes up only a small… Read More »
