FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
& ANSWERS

Frequently Asked Legal Questions

Personal injury law can be complex and confusing. We’ve put together answers to some common questions, and provided a submission form so we can answer your queries directly. Send us your question today!

• How do I know if I have a personal injury case?
• What is a personal injury claim?
• I’m not sure whether or not I have a personal injury case. What should I do?
• How is a personal injury case proven?
• Can I recover financial compensation if I was sexually assaulted?
• Do I really need a lawyer? Can’t I just represent myself?

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Q
Can You Lose Your California Driver’s License Because of Vision Problems?
A
Low-vision conditions affect a significant number of U.S. adults. As the American Federation for the Blind reports, findings from the 2018 National Health Interview Survey (NHIS) data release established that an estimated 32.2 million adult Americans (or about 13% of the total adult population) reported they either “have trouble” seeing (even when wearing glasses or contact lenses) or that they are “blind or unable to see at all.”

“Depending on the severity, functional impairment, and stability of the condition, DMV may take different actions when receiving a report of a driver with a visual impairment,” the California DMV says.

What is the California DMV Screening Standard for Driver’s License Applicants?

The California DMV’s vision screening standard is the ability to see 20/40 with both eyes together (with or without corrective lenses). Drivers who fail the vision screening are referred to a vision specialist who must then examine the driver and complete a Report of Vision Examination (DL 62) form (and said form must be submitted to the DMV).

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Q
Can I Drive in California with an Out-of-State License?
A
California is the most populous state in the nation, with nearly 40 million residents. With the Golden State’s many tourist attractions, it’s also a frequent destination for travelers.

But what does the law say about driving in California with an out-of-state license? In the sections below, we will look at how the Vehicle Code impacts those who drive California’s roads and highways with a license issued by another state.

As a visitor from out-of-state, you may legally drive in the Golden State without a California license. However, you must have a current and valid license from the state in which you reside permanently, and that license must be applicable to the type of vehicle you are operating.

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Q
How do I know if I have a personal injury case?
A
Personal injury cases are based on negligence, meaning you were harmed by someone else’s fault or intent. One of the most important considerations in determining whether or not to hire a personal injury attorney involves assessing damages (i.e. financial losses). If you have suffered damages (either compensatory or punitive) due to an accident or someone else’s negligence, you may be entitled to compensation via a personal injury civil lawsuit. Insurance often covers said damages, but when resulting expenses are complex or significant, injury victims are advised to contact a personal injury attorney for a consultation (DLG offers free consultations and can explain your legal rights and options).

Damages awarded in personal injury civil lawsuits can include:

Compensatory – intended to compensate an injured party for any harm suffered (typically awarded in car accident, medical malpractice, slip and fall, wrongful death, premises liability, sex crime, and defamation cases).

Punitive – awarded selectively and intended to punish the perpetrator for certain types of egregious behavior.

Damages can be economic or non-economic, depending on the circumstances of a case.

Some examples of economic damages include:

• Lost wages
• Loss of future earnings
• Medical bills
• Cost of future medical care or rehabilitation
• Household expenses

Some examples of non-economic damages include:

• Pain and suffering
• Mental/psychological/emotional anguish or trauma
• Loss of consortium or companionship

If you have suffered harm or an injury due to someone’s (whether an individual or an institution) negligence or fault, you may be entitled to financial damages. In order to recover such damages, you must file a personal injury claim within the statute of limitations (typically two years) or deadline that typically begins at the time of the incident. If your accident or incident led to significant damages, it is advisable that you contact a qualified and experienced personal injury attorney to discuss your case.


Q
What is a personal injury claim?
A
A personal injury claim is a civil lawsuit seeking to recover monetary compensation for damages suffered via an accident or incident. Victims file personal injury claims to recover such damages, either via the perpetrator (individual or institution) or perpetrator’s insurance company.

Often, both the insurance company and at-fault party will be responsible for paying damages through a settlement or verdict. This can vary considerably, however, depending on the specific facts of each personal injury case.

If you’ve suffered an injury (essentially any type of harm – whether physical or psychological) that has resulted in financial loss, it is in your best interest to file a personal injury claim seeking to recover those losses. The goal of a personal injury claim is to make a victim “whole” following an accident or injury via financial compensation.

Personal injury claims can vary dramatically, as the personal injury law arena covers a number of different subsets. Such claims can result from car accidents, sex crimes, wrongful deaths, product liability injuries, slip and falls, medical malpractice, dog bites, and much more.

Q
I’m not sure whether or not I have a personal injury case. What should I do?
A
If you’re wondering whether or not you have a personal injury case, it’s important to assess if you sustained any financial loss from your accident or injury. For example, if you were involved in a car accident but did not suffer an injury, sustained virtually no physical damage to your car, and are not facing any financial issues, you may not not have a personal injury case. However, physical and psychological injuries can manifest weeks to months after an accident. Therefore, it’s best to document as much as possible regarding your accident or incident (pictures/videos of the scene, witness statements, medical records, any expenses or losses) to ensure that if/when an injury presents itself, you are able to provide proof that your injury is correlated to your incident/accident.

The best way to determine whether or not you should pursue a personal injury claim is to contact an experienced, qualified, and dedicated personal injury lawyer in your area for a free consultation. A personal injury attorney will be able to assess the facts of your accident and determine if you should pursue a case. Be sure to be prepared to present as much information as possible during your consultation. The more information and evidence you are able to provide, the more accurate assessment you will receive from a personal injury lawyer.

If you develop an injury after consulting with an attorney, it’s important that you follow-up to provide all facts and records related to your new condition. Injuries that develop after an accident are common, and should not be ignored. The statute of limitations for most personal injury claims is two years, and it is recommended that accident victims act as soon as possible to ensure no deadlines are missed.

Q
How is a personal injury case proven?
A
Proving a personal injury case like a rear end car accident, sexual assault, or wrongful death typically involves four main elements. Having an experienced, proven, and dedicated attorney will help ensure your case is investigated thoroughly and a solid strategy is developed that will best demonstrate all the evidence. The four main elements of proving a personal injury case include:

A Duty of Care: A duty of care doesn’t simply apply to medical professionals who have taken the Hippocratic Oath and promise to do no harm. Every time you operate a vehicle, you have a duty to not drive recklessly or impaired by drugs or alcohol. Homeowners have a duty to maintain a safe property that will not injure guests. Automotive manufacturers have a duty of care to produce products that are safe and reliable. Whenever an individual or institution breaks that duty of care, a personal injury claim may be warranted. Following an accident or injury, it must be clear that the responsible party is, at least in part, liable for that result.

A Duty of Care Breach: When a duty of care is breached, it must be obvious that the at-fault party both understood the duty of care existed, and had a responsibility to prevent an accident or injury from occurring. For example, a reckless driver operating a vehicle at high speeds and failing to monitor the surroundings is clearly violating his or her duty of care to others on the road and in the vicinity.

Injury or Harm Occurs: Part of proving a personal injury case involves demonstrating that any injuries were sustained at the time the incident (or were set in motion on that date). One of the best ways to prove that injury or harm occurred on a specific date is through medical records, which is one reason why it is so important to undergo a thorough examination by a physician after an accident. Another form of documentation can be pictures or videos of injuries taken on the date of the accident.

Direct Cause: As personal injury attorneys, we need to prove that the accident or incident caused the injury. Without tying these two precepts together, the victim does not have a claim. DLG’s experienced team of personal injury lawyers will fully explain all of your options under the law, and develop a winning legal strategy that proves these four elements of your case.

Q
Can I recover financial compensation if I was sexually assaulted?
A
In California, survivors of sexual assault have options to ensure justice is served and financial compensation is recovered for various sex crimes, such as sexual assault, sexual abuse, sexual harassment, rape, incest, clergy abuse, coach abuse, and much more. A sex crime civil lawsuit is perhaps the most effective option a sexual assault survivor has for holding the perpetrator accountable and receiving compensation for trauma, pain and suffering, psychological harm, and more.

At Dordulian Law Group, survivors contact us every day with horrific stories of sexual abuse. Sadly, many are under the assumption that they have no legal recourse, and will never be able to obtain justice and see their abuser held accountable. It’s important to remember that sexual assault is always intolerable, and even one isolated incident is grounds for a civil suit. The objective of a civil lawsuit is different from a criminal suit. In a civil suit, the needs of the survivor are the number one priority. While the pain of sexual assault can never be erased, our goal is to recover financial compensation for the damage that has been caused, allowing the survivor to secure a semblance of justice on his or her own terms.

Q
Do I really need a lawyer? Can’t I just represent myself?
A
Many people feel that hiring an attorney for a matter such as a car accident or slip and fall is unnecessary, and they can file a claim, develop a legal strategy, present a compelling case, and ultimately recover financial damages all on their own. This, however, is a common misperception, as many are unaware of the complexities involved in personal injury law. Having a qualified and experienced personal injury lawyer with previous success handling cases like yours can be invaluable.

A study by the Insurance Research Council found that personal injury settlements were 40% higher when claimants hired a private lawyer for representation. The Council’s research also indicated that the average insurance payout is 3.5 times higher for clients who hired a private attorney than for those who represented themselves. It turns out that 85% of all money paid by insurance companies for bodily injuries goes to clients who were represented by a private personal injury attorney. Insurance companies will go to great lengths, often employing dirty tricks and tactics, to ensure every payout to an injury victim is as low as possible. The insurance companies have teams of attorneys fighting for their best interests. Having a skilled personal injury attorney like Sam Dordulian on your side can be an immense advantage. Additionally, keep in mind that we never charge a penny until a maximum financial damages award has been recovered for you. You never have to worry about hidden fees, upfront costs, or out-of-pocket expenses when you choose DLG.

Before you decide to represent yourself after a car accident or sexual assault, consider that your decision could be the difference between recovering thousands of dollars (and in many cases millions of dollars). Regardless, it’s recommended that you arrange a consultation (which are always free at DLG) with a personal injury attorney before making any decision regarding legal representation. A consultation is an opportunity to ask questions and gain insight into how the legal process works. You’ll be able to gain a better understanding about what options are available to you. Contact us today to arrange a free consultation.


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Client Review

“After contacting several law firms, I was impressed with this firm. Rafi and S. Dordulian really listened and assisted me. Rafi kept the line of communication open as well as, giving excellent advice. He made you feel at ease and comfortable as a good friend would. There was sincere concern shown to the issues I was having. If I needed an attorney again, Sam would be my first call.”
Elvera T.