Category: Blog

When you’re hurt by someone else’s carelessness, you may have suffered major, life-changing effects. A traumatic brain injury (TBI), for example, can impact your life for years to come. You may even face a lifetime of damages because of your injuries.

But what long-term effects of a brain injury can you expect? While every injury is different, your injury could include any of the following symptoms and repercussions. Reach out to a brain injury lawyer if you’ve sustained brain damage in a motor vehicle accident, a slip-and-fall accident, or other type of accident you didn’t cause.

Cognitive Effects After a Brain Injury

Your brain is the control center of your body. Because of that, a brain injury can affect how those controls work. You may find yourself suffering some of the following:

• Memory loss
• Lack of focus
• Inability to speak
• Loss of senses
• Lack of attention

Your brain injury can make even simple tasks difficult. You may find yourself forgetting important things, like events, appointments, or even words. That makes communication difficult, and it can make it difficult to go back to your normal life.

Brain Injuries Can Impact Your Motor Skills

A TBI can also impact your ability to move. That’s not just walking, either. You may lose many of your fine motor skills, which you may use every day to write, hold things, and otherwise do things that you once didn’t have to think about.

In some cases, you may be able to regain some of your former mobility and skills. Rehabilitation can be a long, difficult process, but it can help you recover from your injuries and regain some or all these abilities in some cases. But rehabilitation can be a long-term process, and it can be painful or difficult. In some cases, it may even be impossible to regain all your motor skills.

Because of this, you may need household assistance, from ramps to handrails in your home, or you may need daily care. Household services may include cooking, cleaning, and making sure you’re well and safe. These needs can take both a financial and mental toll on you.

Your Mental Health Can Be Impacted

A brain injury doesn’t just have physical or cognitive impacts. It can affect your mental health, making your daily life more difficult.

Many people suffering from a brain injury find themselves also suffering symptoms of depression and anxiety. Losing your independence can be especially stressful, and many people suffer mental health effects because of these injuries. Losing treasured activities or hobbies can also impact your mental health. You may simply not enjoy life like you once did.

Get Compensated for the Effects of a Brain Injury

If you’ve been hurt in a serious accident, your brain injury may have long-term effects that impact your life for years or even forever. Luckily, you don’t have to accept those losses without seeking help. If you’ve suffered a brain injury, you may have grounds for a lawsuit.

At Kohan & Bablove Injury Attorneys, we understand how tough it can be to get compensated for the long-term effects of a brain injury. Luckily, we can help you go after your compensation as soon as possible. Reach out for a free consultation by calling 949.535.1341 or by filling out the online contact form below.

After a serious injury, you need financial security that you may have struggled with since your accident. You may be unable to work, or you may have long-term, expensive surgeries. Your personal injury settlement should give you that security and peace of mind.

But tax season will roll around eventually. What will happen to your claim then? Will you have to pay taxes on your personal injury settlement?

The answer is complex, and it may depend in part on the types of compensation you’ve received. Because of this, you may need to discuss with a lawyer the effects of taxes on your personal injury settlement. Your lawyer can help you get the max settlement without losing it all to taxes.

Taxes on Your Financial Recovery

Generally, you don’t have to pay taxes on the funds given to you for the costs of your injuries and recovery. If you didn’t take a deduction for the expenses in the past, you may be able to keep the full amount.

For example, let’s say you slipped and fell in a store a year ago, and you suffered a severe concussion. You didn’t include the hospital bills on your taxes at the time for a deduction because your Orange County injury lawsuit was underway. When you receive compensation for the economic damages you suffered, you don’t have to pay taxes on that amount.

Similar rules are applied to your non-economic damages, or the mental and emotional losses you suffered because of the accident. As long as these non-economic damages happened because of your injury or illness, you can keep the full amount from your settlement without paying taxes on these losses.

Exceptions to the IRS’ Rule

But not every part of your personal injury settlement is definitely yours, without any taxes to be paid. The exceptions can be costly. For example, you may have received compensation for the loss of income you suffered while you were unable to work. Because this is a replacement for your missing income, this amount can be taxed.

Interest on your settlement can also count as a part of your income, and punitive damages are also usually taxable. All these exceptions can lead to serious losses due to the costs of your taxes.

But paying your taxes on a personal injury settlement shouldn’t bankrupt you. Your Orange County personal injury lawyer can help you understand what you’ll pay in taxes before your claim is settled. They can also help you maximize your settlement, even if you have to pay taxes on some parts of your claim.

Talk with a Personal Injury Lawyer About Your Settlement

When you’re injured, you need to know that you no longer have to worry about the costs of your accident. Hiring a lawyer from Kohan & Bablove Injury Attorneys can help you get the guidance and assurance you need about taxes on your personal injury settlement. If you’re worried about your financial recovery and you need help, reach out to a lawyer for guidance. Call 949.535.1341, or fill out the online contact form below.

Car accidents can impact a victim’s life in countless ways, but when you file an insurance claim and possibly bring your case to court, you need to be sure to include every single loss to maximize the amount of your injury settlement.

Below, we go into further detail about some of the various economic losses you shouldn’t forget to include in your claim, and the non-economic damages that can be sought after under California law.

Financial Losses You Can Recover in Your Orange County Car Accident Claim

Economic damages, also known as financially based losses, are the most commonly thought of type of loss a person experiences after being involved in a car accident in Orange County. The first thing that probably comes to your mind is:

• Medical expenses
• Lost wages

The good news is that both of these economic damages are recoverable. But they may be worth more than you might think. When we take a closer look at medical expenses, this should encompass every single healthcare cost related to your injuries. This might include:

• Medical equipment, such as hospital beds or prosthetic limbs
• Costs of physical or occupational therapy
• Copays
• Costs of diagnostic imaging
• Fees associated with mental health counseling
• Costs of prescription medications

These are just a few of the different types of medical expenses you may be able to recover in your car accident claim.

Then, when we look more closely at your lost wages, we may also find that you are entitled to far more than the income you lost while out of work. Perhaps you are unable to continue working due to your injuries, which means you’re out of a job entirely. Such lost earning capacity could include compensation for:

• Lost contributions to your retirement savings plan
• Loss of salary increases and bonuses you may have earned
• Reasonable lost future earnings

In addition to your lost wages and medical expenses, you will also want to be sure that you don’t forget to seek restitution for other economic damages such as:

• Housekeeping expenses
• Property damage
• Unexpected childcare costs

What Are Non-Economic Damages in California?

Non-economic damages refer to the losses you have suffered that do not pertain to money. This might include your pain and suffering and emotional distress, for example.

These items do not have a set monetary value, but they are often equally, if not more, impactful. Some of the lesser known non-economic damages you may be able to include your Orange County car accident settlement include:

• Reputational damage
• Inconvenience
• Scarring
• Loss of companionship and love
• Disfigurement
• Diminished quality of life

Get Help from an Orange County Car Accident Lawyer

If you would like to get a better idea of what your car accident claim could be worth, schedule a free, no-obligation consultation with a respected Orange County car accident lawyer at Kohan & Bablove, Injury Attorneys. We can be reached through the quick contact form below or by phone at 949.535.1341.

Find a Car Accident Lawyer Office below:

Kohan & Bablove Injury Attorneys
Address: 20371 Irvine Ave Suite 110, Newport Beach, CA 92660
Phone: +1 949.535.1341

It is more common than you might think for accident survivors to be hesitant to file personal injury lawsuits against the individual or entity that is to blame for their injuries. Most often, this is due to the fact that they aren’t sure whether contacting an attorney is the right move.

With this in mind, we have provided more information below about the ways you can tell that contacting an Orange County personal injury lawyer may be the right move for you.

Is Someone Else at Fault for Your Injuries?

To outsiders, civil court is sometimes seen as a place for frivolous lawsuits. But people who take the time to file a claim after suffering a devastating injury are, more often than not, doing so because their lives have been seriously impacted by the accident they were involved in and/or their injuries.

If you are unsure whether you should pursue a personal injury claim, you can start by asking yourself if someone else is to blame for your injuries. This may not always be easily determined at first glance, so you may need to discuss your accident with a personal injury lawyer to find out. But you can review the table included below to see what party or parties are typically found liable for your type of accident.

Type of Accident	Liable Party
Car, Motorcycle, Bicycle, Pedestrian Accident	Another driver’s negligence, auto parts manufacturers, city/state/county department of transportation
Truck Accidents	Same as other motor vehicle accidents but also includes cargo loaders, truck owners, safety inspectors, and trucking companies
Dog Bites	Owner of the dog
Slip-and-Fall Accidents	Property owners
Defective Products	Product manufacturers and distributors

Have You Suffered Considerable Losses?

Another way you can tell that contacting a personal injury lawyer may be a good option for you is if you have suffered significant losses due to the accident.

Maybe you have exorbitant medical expenses that need to be paid, or maybe you’ve been struggling to deal with the emotional trauma that you’ve been through, for example. There are many other losses you may be able to recover if you move forward with a civil claim against the liable party, including:

• Lost quality of life
• Property damage
• Pain and suffering
• Lost wages and earning capacity
• Loss of consortium
• Inconvenience
• Reputational damage
• Loss of household services

These are just a few of the various losses you may be able to recover in your lawsuit. Speaking with a lawyer about the extent of your damages doesn’t cost anything, and it could provide you with the opportunity to obtain the compensation you need to put this experience behind you.

Get Help from an Orange County Personal Injury Lawyer

To learn more about what legal options may be available to you after being involved in an accident caused by the negligence of another, schedule a free, no-obligation consultation with an experienced Orange County personal injury lawyer at Kohan & Bablove Injury Attorneys.

You can reach our office by phone at 949.535.1341 or through the quick contact form we have included at the bottom of this page.

One of the leading causes of car accident injuries is distracted driving. Texting and driving increases the risk of getting into a car crash threefold. Aside from texting and driving, there are multiple other forms of distracted driving, such as eating, talking to others, looking away from the road, or reaching for something in the backseat. Being distracted behind the wheel is far too common.

Although it’s often hard to tell what’s going on in another driver’s car before an accident occurs, there are ways to rule out other causes and pinpoint distracted driving as the cause of your collision. If you’ve been injured in a car accident and you think distracted driving was the reason, you have the right to sue the liable driver for compensation.

Suing another driver for distracted driving will require proof of negligence and a detailed calculation of what you think your claim is worth. A California car accident lawyer at Kohan & Bablove, Injury Attorneys can assist you in gathering the appropriate documentation to file your claim. We’ll guide you through the legal process from start to finish and ensure every concern you have is put to rest.

Determining Fault

When determining fault in a distracted driving lawsuit, your attorney will investigate your accident by gathering all of the evidence available, which includes police reports, medical records, photographs, video footage, and witness testimonies. Using this evidence, your lawyer can build a case that proves the negligence of the opposing driver.

Once fault has been determined, your attorney will speak with your doctor to discuss your injury, the side effects you’re experiencing, and your expected recovery time. Each of these factors will play into your overall claim value.

Full Compensation for Your Claim

When seeking full compensation for the damages you’ve suffered, your car accident attorney will take into account more than just your medical expenses. Although medical bills will play a large role, other economic damages will also be examined, such as future expenses that can accumulate as a result of your injury, future lost income from being out of work, and any property damage to your vehicle.

Non-economic damages will be examined, as well, which are ways in which the injury has affected your lifestyle. These might include pain and suffering, loss of enjoyment of life, loss of consortium, or scarring and disfigurement.

Reach out to a California Car Accident Lawyer

Dealing with the aftermath of a car accident is never easy, especially when you’ve experienced injuries because of someone else’s negligence. At  Kohan & Bablove Injury Attorneys, our attorneys have years of experience dealing with distracted driving lawsuits and we have specific strategies for proving negligence in these cases. If you’re seeking compensation for a car accident claim, we’re here to help.

To speak with a car accident lawyer and discuss your case in further detail, you can schedule a no-obligation consultation today by calling us at 949.535.1341 or by filling out the contact form below.

Motor vehicle accidents are terrifying. They happen suddenly, without warning, and can cause serious injuries. But, many people are surprised to learn that the impact of a car accident often far exceeds physical trauma alone. In fact, it is not uncommon for injury survivors to suffer from psychological trauma and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Mental health conditions such as PTSD can be debilitating and feel impossible to overcome. When you’re dealing with the aftermath of a car accident, you shouldn’t have to worry about how you’ll pay for the care you need or provide for your family when you struggling just to function on a day-to-day basis. An Orange County car accident lawyer can help you seek the compensation you’re entitled to so you have the best opportunity to recuperate.

Manifestations and Treatment of Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder

Similar to many other mental health conditions, PTSD can range in severity, but the majority of people only discover that they have PTSD when it begins to affect their daily lives. Some of the most common symptoms of post-traumatic stress disorder include:

• Nightmares
• Irritability
• Social isolation
• Insomnia
• Substance abuse
• Self-harm
• Flashbacks
• Emotional detachment
• Anxiety

Fortunately, with the right treatment, individuals can manage their symptoms and find new and healthy coping mechanisms. Treatment options might include working with a cognitive behavioral therapist and clinical psychologist, as well as SSRI medications that help regulate the symptoms associated with anxiety and depression.

Losses You Can Recover in Your Claim

The impact that PTSD can have on your life is undeniable, and our goal will be to obtain maximum repayment for the losses you’ve endured as a result of your PTSD diagnosis. Your economic damages have negatively influence your finances and might include lost wages, out-of-pocket costs, medical treatment and care, and the damage to your earning capacity in certain cases. But that’s not all you’re entitled to recover. Your non-economic damages are those that have had an impact on your life and emotional health. Some frequently sought-after non-economic damages include pain and suffering, lost quality of life, mental anguish, inconvenience, loss of companionship and love, and even a loss of household services.

Work with an Orange County Car Accident Lawyer

Retaining exceptional legal representation is critical to the success of your case. Your attorney will be responsible for conducting an investigation so fault can be established, gathering evidence to support your claim, and calculating the value of your claim so you come away with an award that can really make a difference in your life. For assistance in pursuing a car crash claim that improves your quality of life, reach out to a qualified Orange County car accident lawyer at Kohan & Bablove Injury Attorneys.  We offer injury victims across Orange County a complimentary consultation so we can learn more about your case. You can schedule yours by giving our office a call at 949.535.1341 or by submitting the quick contact form we have included at the bottom of this page.

Find a Car Crash Lawyer Office below:

Kohan & Bablove Injury Attorneys Address: 20371 Irvine Ave Suite 110, Newport Beach, CA 92660 Phone: +1 949.535.1341

It’s your worst fear: losing someone you love before it’s their time to go. No one wants to face this possibility, but sometimes we’re forced to deal with losing a family member too soon. Sometimes, the death of a loved one is caused by another’s careless or reckless behavior.

You certainly want justice if your loved one was lost in an accident that could have been prevented. What can you do? There are laws in California that allow you to seek justice and compensation from the party that caused the death of your loved one, if the death was caused by negligence or wrongful actions.

What Is a Wrongful Death Case?

A wrongful death case is when you file a lawsuit against the party that caused your family member’s death.

Filing a lawsuit can serve several purposes: It can hold the at-fault party accountable for what they’ve done; it can prevent other people from being hurt by the negligent party; it can give you and your family justice for the wrongful death; and, it can compensate you and your family for the damages the death has brought to your life.

Fatal accidents that often involve negligence include the following:

• Vehicle wrecks
• Dangerous products
• Exposure to hazardous fumes or chemicals
• Premises liability accidents
• Motorcycle crashes
• Medical negligence
• Trucking collisions
• Construction or workplace accidents

Benefits of Winning a Wrongful Death Case

Many people file wrongful death claims because they don’t want the person who caused the death of their loved one to harm others. Filing a case has the benefit of also compensating the family for the losses they’ve been forced to face.

No amount of money can ever replace your lost family member, and no amount of money will ever truly set things right. However, winning a case might be the only justice you can receive for the death of your beloved family member.

Monetary compensation can be helpful for you and your family. In some cases, you could even use the money from a successful case to honor your loved one’s memory. You could found a charity organization in your loved one’s name, for example, or put the money toward something your family member cared deeply about.

Below are some of the damages often awarded in successful fatal accident cases:

• Pain and suffering damages
• Lost income the deceased would have brought in, had they lived
• Trauma and anguish the family experienced due to the death
• Loss of consortium
• Funeral and burial costs
• Medical expenses related to the accident or injury that resulted in death

Secure Help with Your Wrongful Death Case

You and your family deserve to be compensated for the death of your loved one, and a negligent party must be held to account. Not only will you be protecting others from injury by one careless party, but your case could also change important elements of injury laws.

Get help with your wrongful death case by partnering with an attorney from Kohan & Bablove Injury Attorneys. Fill out the online form below and receive a free, confidential case review. You can also reach an attorney by dialing 949.535.1341.

As a passenger in a car accident, you have as much a right to fight for compensation as the driver of the car you were traveling in. In fact, depending on where you were sitting in the vehicle, you could have endured far worse injuries than the driver did. But when you’re dealing with debilitating injuries, the last thing you’ll want to do is take on more than you can handle. What if we told you that you could seek the compensation you are entitled to without being overwhelmed by a greedy insurance company or a pile of personal injury paperwork? All you have to do is call an attorney at our firm. Working with a lawyer can be the best choice when you need a legal professional on your side. Continue reading to learn more about recovering compensation as an injured passenger in an auto accident.

Who Should Cover Your Damages?

You may be thinking that the driver of the car that struck you should be responsible for compensating you. While this could certainly be the case, there are many instances in which the other driver could also be a victim. First, let’s take a look at circumstances under which the driver who struck you would be at fault. If a person chose to drink or use drugs and drive, if they were distracted at the wheel, if they were being aggressive in their driving, or if they were too tired to safely operate their vehicle, then they should be expected to repay you for the damage they’ve caused. Other times, a large pothole or another road hazard can cause an accident. Roadway dangers that cause a crash can sometimes be blamed on a government road safety authority. Here’s another possible scenario: The driver of the car you were in could be at fault for the crash that injured you. If that’s the case, you may be able to sue that person. To find out who will be financially liable for your damages, you may need to allow an attorney to investigate the cause of the wreck. Once this investigation is complete, we’ll know who should be brought to justice for their negligent actions.

How Much Compensation You Can Expect as an Injured Passenger

Car accident claim awards aren’t cookie-cutter, as each person who is affected by a crash will suffer different injuries and have their lives impacted in different ways. However, injury victims do tend to endure similar losses in car accidents, even as passengers. Some of those common car accident damages include the following:

• Lost income
• Physical and emotional distress
• Inconvenience
• Property damage
• Medical bills

You could be entitled to recover compensation for several other types of damages. You will need to be prepared to go into great detail with your lawyer as you discuss the ways your life has been influenced by your injuries. That way, each hardship can be factored into our calculations of how much we will seek as we pursue your claim.

Consult a Car Accident Attorney at Our Firm

Securing the compensation you deserve shouldn’t be an uphill battle, and working with a car accident lawyer in Riverside or Orange County can ensure that your case is settled as soon as possible. Schedule your free consultation with Kohan & Bablove Injury Attorneys today by picking up the phone and calling our office at 949.535.1341 or completing the brief contact form below.

Find a Car Accident Lawyer Office below:

Kohan & Bablove Injury Attorneys Address: 20371 Irvine Ave Suite 110, Newport Beach, CA 92660 Phone: +1 949.535.1341

As a cyclist, you are at an increased risk of injury than someone who is traveling in a motor vehicle. A bicycle is simply no match for an automobile weighing thousands of pounds. When you’re involved in a wreck caused by a negligent driver, you should be able to recover a portion of your losses from the at-fault party.

However, you can be sure that the defense is going to do everything they can to minimize the total amount they’ll be required to pay you. If you weren’t wearing a helmet, for example, your claim could be impacted dramatically, per California’s negligence laws. Continuing reading to learn more about how your claim can be affected by your lack of helmet use.

California Negligence Laws

The state of California practices comparative negligence in regards to personal injury claims. This essentially enables injury victims to file claims even when they are partially responsible for the cause of the accident. Now, you might be wondering how you contributed to the cause of the accident by not wearing a helmet.

The answer is: You didn’t. But, you did contribute to your injuries by making the decision to not put on a helmet. The defense will argue that this shows a disregard for your safety. You will still be able to file a claim, but your final award will be reduced based on the percentage of liability you are found to carry.

For example, if you were considered to be 10 percent culpable for your injuries and were awarded $250,000, your award will be deducted by 10 percent, or $25,000, and you’ll come away with a total sum of $225,000.

When you’re already at an increased risk when sharing the road with vehicles capable of causing catastrophic injuries, choosing not to wear a helmet simply isn’t worth the risk. If not for your personal safety, than for the risk of diminishing the value of your claim and leaving you with out-of-pocket expenses.

Obtain Full Compensation for Your Damages

The goal in pursuing a civil lawsuit is to obtain repayment for the damages you endured. Some of the different types of losses that could be considered when calculating the value of your bicycle injury claim include the following:

• Property damages
• Loss of enjoyment of life
• Medical expenses
• Pain and suffering
• Lost wages
• Damage to your earning potential
• Loss of companionship and love
• Inconvenience
• Loss of household services

The amount that you’ll be awarded will largely depend on how significant your injuries were on your life. It stands to reasons that the more impactful your condition has been on your life, the more you can expect to be awarded. Your attorney will be responsible for quantifying your damages accordingly so that you can get the most out of your claim.

Contact an Orange County Personal Injury Lawyer

Are you ready to regain control of your life? If so, reach out to a qualified Orange County personal injury lawyer at Kohan & Bablove Injury Attorneys today. Our firm will work diligently to secure maximum compensation for your suffering.

We are pleased to offer prospective clients a complimentary case assessment where we can examine the details of your bike crash in greater depth. To take advantage of this opportunity, simply complete the quick contact form we’ve provided below or call our office at 949.535.1341.

pedestriansRiverside County is home to some of the most dangerous intersections in all of California. People who suffer injuries after being involved in motor vehicle accidents in these areas are likely to endure serious damages that can be recovered when you file a claim in civil court with the help of a Riverside car accident lawyer.

If you’re interested in learning more about which intersections and streets you need to avoid or use extreme caution when traveling through, continue reading.

Ynez Road at Winchester in Temecula

This up-to-seven-lane intersection has been home to hundreds of crashes over the last ten years. With so many lanes of traffic, surrounding shopping centers, and sometimes-difficult-to-read street signs, it’s no wonder that Ynez Road and Winchester is one of the most dangerous intersections in Riverside County.

Additionally, crossing Ynez as a pedestrian can be particularly challenging, as there are only three pedestrian crosswalks available for use, and none available as you cross Ynez on the north side.

Gilman Springs and Bridge Street in Moreno Valley

Traveling along Gilman Springs Road, you’ll eventually see Bridge Street. This small intersection in a rural area in Moreno Valley is a one-lane road with a short left-turn-only lane as you turn onto Bridge Street. Unfortunately, there are no street or traffic lights in this area.

Where Bridge Street meets Gilman Springs, there is one lonely stop sign meant to direct and control traffic. There are no pedestrian crosswalks, and a speed limit of 55 mph is guaranteed to see plenty of speeding drivers, making this a particularly hazardous intersection in Riverside County.

Magnolia Avenue at Tyler Street in Riverside

Magnolia Avenue and Tyler Street in Riverside is one gargantuan intersection. With up to six lanes of traffic on one side and surrounded by shopping centers, banks, gas stations, and pedestrians, it’s not surprising that this intersection sees up to thirty accidents annually.

Though street signs are easily readable and there are pedestrian crosswalks on all four sides, there are no bike paths for bicyclists to utilize and the road turn signals are faded, making them difficult to decipher.

Arlington Avenue and Van Buren in Riverside

Take one look at Arlington and Van Buren, and you might find it hard to believe that it’s home to more than 200 crashes in the last ten years.

After all, there are pedestrian crosswalks on all four sides, lanes of traffic for bicyclists, and easy-to-read street signs, and there aren’t many surrounding shopping centers that might draw in additional traffic.

However, this intersection has enough traffic of its own without the dangers of coffee shops and other consumer interests. With a total of thirty-two lanes of traffic at this intersection, the large number of cars that travel throughout this intersection every day dramatically increases the number of individuals exposed to distracted driving, aggressive driving, and drunk driving, making it the most dangerous intersection in all of Riverside County.

Hurt in a Motor Vehicle Wreck? Get Help from a Riverside County Personal Injury Lawyer

Avoiding these intersections entirely is the only way to ensure you aren’t injured there, but that’s not a realistic choice, is it? If you suffer an injury in any of the previously mentioned intersections, or anywhere in Riverside County for that matter, get in touch with an experienced personal injury lawyer at Kohan & Bablove Injury Attorneys.

You can schedule your free, no-obligation consultation by calling our office at 949.535.1341 or by filling out the convenient contact form we’ve included at the bottom of this page.