Getting a driver's phone-company records generally takes a subpoena in a filed case that includes the driver's signed consent, and a handheld phone violation that caused a crash can create a rebuttable presumption of negligence.

A scooter app's waiver can bar ordinary negligence claims against the rental company, and sometimes against a city the agreement names as a released party, but it does not cover gross negligence or your claim against the driver who hit you.

Pileup fault is split by percentage, and each at-fault driver can owe all economic damages but only its own share of non-economic damages.

A delivery van driver usually works for a small contractor, but the brand behind the route may still be liable if it controlled how the work was done.

A left-turning driver must yield to close oncoming traffic, but a speeding or red-light-running driver can carry much of the fault.

California law makes the drinking, not the serving, the legal cause of a drunk driver's crash, so bars are usually not liable.

Rear-end crashes are usually blamed on the following driver, but California law does not make that fault automatic.

Collision reports are confidential and released only to involved parties, and an unfavorable report can be challenged.

Pain that shows up days after a crash is normal, but gaps in treatment make it easier for insurers to dispute your injury.

California sorts e-bikes into three classes with age and helmet rules, which affect how a bicycle or e-bike crash claim works.

Under California's pure comparative negligence rule, you can recover even if partly at fault, minus your share of the fault.

California requires DOT-certified helmets for riders and passengers, and helmet use can come up in a motorcycle injury claim.

Drivers owe pedestrians a heightened duty of care in California, especially in crosswalks and school zones.

In an Uber or Lyft crash, which insurance applies depends on which of three app periods the driver was in at impact.

Truck cases differ from car cases through multiple liable parties, federal rules, higher policy limits and urgent electronic evidence.

After a crash, stay safe, document the scene, get medical care, report to the DMV when required and talk to a lawyer first.