If you’ve hired a personal injury attorney, they may know laws the average person isn’t familiar with. These can help your case if the at-fault party violated any such regulations, especially if they relate to any of our practice areas. Some of them can seem unusual. The attorneys at the Law Offices of Jacob Emrani have detailed knowledge of any law that may pertain to your case. Whether little known, written in complex language, or seemingly bizarre, the following rules can significantly impact your lawsuit and final settlement.
- Driving Too Slow
- Statute of Limitations for Medical Malpractice Claims
- Claims Filed with a Public Entity
- The Medical Injury Compensation Reform Act (MICRA)
- Insurance Is Not Obligated to Cover Willful Acts
- Keep Your Camel Off the Road
- Speed Limits for Autonomous Vehicles
- Don’t even think of driving your car in reverse in Glendale.
- When you’re in Glendale, think twice before jumping out of a moving car.
- If your case goes to court in Los Angeles, don’t cry on the witness stand.
- Always give peacocks the right of way in Arcadia.
- Give passing ducks the right-of-way on Rancho California St. in Temecula.
- Never drive more than 2,000 sheep down Hollywood Boulevard at once.
- If driving in Redlands, always make sure a man with a lantern is walking ahead of your car.
- Anywhere in California, women cannot drive a car while wearing a house coat.
- Don’t shoot any wildlife from your car, unless you have a clear shot of a whale.
1. Driving Too Slow
Driving faster than the posted speed limit is illegal. You’ll probably get a ticket or warning from the police if you go five or 10 miles per hour over it. However, did you also know driving too slow can result in a citation? It’s uncommon, but if your sluggishness on the road creates a hazard or blocks traffic, it could get you a ticket.
2. Statute of Limitations for Medical Malpractice Claims
Generally, an adult has two years from the date of an injury to file a personal injury claim. The clock usually starts running for an injured minor when they turn 18. The rules for medical malpractice claims are a little less clear. Reading the language of the statute reveals the time limit can be one or three years.
This can seem confusing. To clarify, you must file an action against a healthcare provider within one year after the injury is discovered or should have been discovered. The three-year limit applies when the injury or its cause was not realized for over a year. California law also requires the defendant to receive at least 90 days’ notice of a plaintiff’s intent to sue them. This is intended to give the healthcare professional a chance to resolve the claim.
3. Claims Filed with a Public Entity
To sue a state, county, city, or other public entity in California, you must file an injury or death claim with that entity. You have six months from the date of injury or death to do so. The public entity can choose to pay the claim. Or, they can expressly reject or deny it. Only then do you have six more months to file a lawsuit with the court. Since public entities often deny personal injury claims, compensation must be pursued by filing another lawsuit with your personal injury attorney.
4. The Medical Injury Compensation Reform Act (MICRA)
California law sets a limit of $250,000 for personal injury victims in a medical malpractice case. Enacted in 1976, the MICRA limit has not changed despite increases in costs. Therefore, victims often aren’t compensated enough for their losses. It can also be a strain after the death of a loved one due to medical neglect, as some medical costs, plus funeral/burial expenses, may not be covered.
5. Insurance Is Not Obligated to Cover Willful Acts
This pertains to automobile and slip-and-fall accidents. A victim is typically compensated by the wrongdoer’s insurance carrier, except when an injury is caused by an intentional or willful act. Insurance companies are not obligated to pay for damages caused by one.
Therefore, if someone intentionally harmed you, their insurance company is not responsible for paying you damages. However, if they were working at the time, their employer may be found negligent depending on the circumstances.
6. Keep Your Camel Off the Road
In Palm Springs, city law prohibits walking a pet camel on Palm Canyon Drive from 4:00 to 6:00 p.m. Camel owners may not appreciate this. However, it’s believed the law is intended to prevent traffic jams or accidents during busy times.
If you’ve had a run-in with the law walking your camel, ask your personal injury attorney if they’re familiar with this rule.
7. Speed Limits for Autonomous Vehicles
A more recent law prohibits autonomous vehicles from driving more than 60 miles per hour. This applies everywhere in the state of California. Regulations have also been proposed to reduce the speed limit further for autonomous heavy-duty motor vehicles. Ironically, self-driving cars have also been pulled over for driving too slow.
Other Unusual California Laws
Your personal injury attorney may also know about other unusual laws, whether they pertain to your claim or not. California law should have you taking the following considerations:
- Don’t even think of driving your car in reverse in Glendale.
- When you’re in Glendale, think twice before jumping out of a moving car.
- If your case goes to court in Los Angeles, don’t cry on the witness stand.
- Always give peacocks the right of way in Arcadia.
- Give passing ducks the right-of-way on Rancho California St. in Temecula.
- Never drive more than 2,000 sheep down Hollywood Boulevard at once.
- If driving in Redlands, always make sure a man with a lantern is walking ahead of your car.
- Anywhere in California, women cannot drive a car while wearing a house coat.
- Don’t shoot any wildlife from your car, unless you have a clear shot of a whale.
Have You Violated an Unusual Law? Call Jacob Today!
If you’ve violated a little-known law or were injured by someone who has, The Law Offices of Jacob Emrani can help. We’re available 24 hours and don’t charge a fee unless your case wins. Our practice areas include personal injury law, transportation accidents, slip and fall accidents, premises liability, and more. Call (888) 952-2952 to set up a free case consultation with our Los Angeles personal injury attorney.