Recent Legal Developments in Personal Injury Law: What You Need to Know

As of January 1, 2024, new laws enacted in California have the potential to affect personal injury claims filed in the state. It is important that every resident has a full understanding of how these changes may impact them in the coming years.

These recent legal developments could work against you if you get hurt in an accident. A personal injury attorney can help you understand how the new and updated laws factor into your rights to claim compensation for your injuries.

New Bicycle Laws

Bicycle riders are often victims in motor vehicle accidents when other drivers fail to yield the right of way or simply don’t pay attention. A new law enacted requires that bicyclists follow all signals if traffic signals show differently colored bicycle symbols displayed simultaneously with official traffic control signals.

If you regularly ride your bike, you will need to fully understand this new bicycle law. You may wind up being unable to collect compensation for a personal injury claim if it can be proven that you were not obeying the signals at the intersection.

New Laws for Drivers

Since there are so many drivers in the state, new laws targeting them can impact personal injury claims as well. Here is a look at the applicable laws that every driver needs to know and understand before getting behind the wheel in 2024.

Changes to Laws Regarding Pedestrian Crosswalks

The new laws state that drivers are prohibited from parking within 20 feet of the side of the crosswalk deemed as the vehicle approach side. This law was put into action to prevent pedestrian accidents, which are often fatal. Restricting where vehicles can park assists drivers on the road and anyone in a crosswalk, providing an unobstructed view that will help keep everyone safe.

Adding Speed Cameras in School Zones

Many cities across California will now install speed cameras in areas that are highly prone to accidents, particularly school zones. In addition to the roads surrounding California schools, speed cameras will also be used in areas that are considered high-injury networks as well as those that frequently have street racing.

Speeding is a huge concern on the roads in the state, hence the reason that the laws now require the addition of speed cameras. It may be advantageous to those who become injured in car accidents, serving as a form of crucial evidence that can help validate an injury claim.

How Speed Cameras in California Could Help Your Car Accident Case

When cameras are posted on roadways, they can record when drivers go beyond the posted speed limit. They can also show reckless driving and other concerning behaviors.

Car accidents caused by speeding drivers often leave victims with serious injuries, which can be very expensive to treat, and for many, the impacts may cause permanent damage. Speeding accidents tend to result in broken bones, concussions, neck injuries, back injuries, internal bleeding, cuts, scars, disfigurement, amputation, and paralysis.

Speeding on California roads gives drivers less less time to maneuver safely in the event of a road hazard. When there is little time to react, drivers that speed can crash and end the lives of innocent people. If the driver who crashed into you left the scene, speed cameras can also be instrumental in providing the make, model, and color of the vehicle. Cameras may also capture images of the driver or their vehicle’s license plate, making it easier to prove liability.

You can learn more about these new legal developments that affect personal injury cases by visiting vanderwalde.com.