Law Blog and Resources

Car doors may seem harmless, but when someone opens a car door into oncoming traffic, serious accidents can happen. You might be driving along, paying attention to the road, and suddenly there’s a door swinging open right in front of you. Or perhaps you parked your car and opened your door—only to have a passing car crash into it. Who is at fault in these situations? At BANA LAW, PC, we want to explain how the law looks at car-door accidents, and how a California car accident lawyer can help if you’re injured. Below, we answer key questions people often have about who bears responsibility for collisions involving open doors. What Does the Law Say About Opening Car Doors? In California, there’s a specific rule about opening car doors into traffic. § 22517 of the California Vehicle Code states that you cannot open a vehicle door on the side facing…

You have probably seen those flashy TV commercials: a lawyer appears on screen, promises quick settlements, and says everything you want to hear after an accident. While these ads can be tempting, choosing a California personal injury lawyer based solely on television fame might not be best for you. At BANA LAW, PC, we believe in transparent communication, personalized service, and, most importantly, delivering top-notch legal representation. Below, we answer common questions about why TV lawyers might not be the right fit and what to look for instead. Should I Be Wary of TV Lawyers? Many attorneys featured on TV are skilled advertisers, not necessarily skilled lawyers. They spend a lot of money to run commercials, meaning they need high volumes of clients to cover those costs. You risk becoming just a case number, not receiving the personal attention your claim deserves. Also, a lawyer’s on-camera persona might not reflect…

Have you ever been in a car accident and felt your neck snap forward or backward? If so, you might have experienced whiplash, a common but often overlooked injury. Whiplash affects the soft tissues in the neck and spine, and it can cause lasting pain, headaches, and stiffness. Despite how real the pain can be, whiplash claims often make insurance adjusters uneasy. At BANA LAW, PC, our mission is to help you understand why insurance companies can be tough on whiplash cases and how a California personal injury lawyer can assist you if you’re facing such a situation. Why Is Whiplash Hard to Prove? Soft tissue injuries like whiplash do not usually show up on standard imaging. An insurance adjuster prefers visible evidence, such as an X-ray of a fracture. When the injury is invisible (or “subjective”), adjusters get skeptical. They wonder if the pain is as severe as you…

A spinal cord injury can change a person’s life in an instant. Simple tasks like walking, bathing, or even sitting may become challenging or sometimes impossible without help. At BANA LAW, PC, we believe in standing by people who face these serious injuries, making sure they have the support and legal representation they need. Below, we answer common questions about spinal cord injuries, how they impact daily life, and what you can do if someone else’s carelessness caused you or a loved one harm. Who Pays for Treatment and Care After a Spinal Cord Injury? Medical bills can pile up fast with hospital stays, physical therapy, medication, and more. If your spinal cord injury happened due to someone else’s negligence (like a car crash or a slip and fall), you might claim compensation for damages such as: Medical Costs (Present and Future) Spinal cord injuries usually mean big medical bills…

Toys are supposed to bring joy and fun into our children’s lives. But what if a toy isn’t as safe as it seems? At BANA LAW, PC, our team often gets questions from parents who worry about toy safety. As California product liability lawyers, we help families when a dangerous or toxic toy causes harm. Let’s explore how to tell if the toys you buy for your kids are truly safe, and what to do if they’re not. How Strict Are California’s Toy Safety Laws? California has some of the strictest toy safety laws in the country. Lawmakers want to be sure that toys for kids are free from hazards, both in the materials used and in the design. HSC § 108555: This law forbids the sale or manufacture of toys with toxic substances like lead, arsenic, or mercury above federal limits. HSC § 108937: This bans certain levels of…

After suffering a sudden hit or fall, it’s normal to feel worried and unsure about what comes next. Many people wonder how doctors know if a TBI has happened and what tests they use. At BANA LAW, PC, we understand how confusing this can be. In this blog, we’ll clearly explain the steps doctors take to diagnose a traumatic brain injury. We’ll also share why these tests matter so much for your recovery, and how a California personal injury lawyer can step in to help if your injury was caused by someone else’s carelessness. Why Do Doctors Need to Test for TBI? After an accident, it may not be clear right away that your brain is hurt. Some signs, like headaches or dizziness, might show up later. That is why doctors use different tests to see if there is hidden damage. The tests help them plan the right treatments, which…

Banafshe Law Firm is now BANA LAW LOS ANGELES, May 9, 2025 /PRNewswire-PRWeb/ — After more than two decades of representing injury victims across California, Banafshe Law Firm, PC has formally changed its name to BANA LAW, PC. This update reflects a change in name only. The firm’s leadership, legal team, values, and mission remain exactly the same. “This is a name change only. Our commitment to our clients, our results, and our legal team remains unchanged,” said founding attorney P. Ryan Banafshe. BANA LAW, PC has successfully handled thousands of personal injury and wrongful death claims, securing hundreds of millions of dollars on behalf of individuals and families. The firm is known for its aggressive representation, personalized strategy, and client-focused approach during some of the most difficult moments of a person’s life. To learn more about the firm’s services, visit: https://www.banalaw.com/practice-areas/personal-injury/wrongful-death/. To accompany the transition, the firm has released a short video: The team continues to serve…

When crossing the street outside of a designated crosswalk in California, you’re entering what many call a legal and safety gray area. While recent legislative changes have relaxed the penalties for “jaywalking,” the physical dangers remain unchanged. Many pedestrians assume a quick dash across the street saves time without consequences—until they become part of California’s troubling pedestrian accident statistics. Understanding when, where, and how to legally cross streets in California isn’t just about avoiding tickets—it’s about protecting your life. As pedestrian injuries continue to rise across major California cities, knowing your rights and responsibilities has never been more crucial. Below, we’ll explore the legal issues related to jaywalking and provide tups to stay safe. If you have been injured in a pedestrian accident, you should talk to a lawyer immediately. Our California pedestrian accident lawyers offer free case evaluations to determine your rights, even if you weren’t in a crosswalk….

Every year on January 2nd, we look back on an important piece of American road history—55 MPH Speed Limit Day. This day honors the moment in 1974 when President Richard Nixon signed the Emergency Highway Energy Conservation Act, which created the first national speed limit. It was set at 55 miles per hour. Why did our country do this? And why does it still matter today, especially for drivers in California? In this blog, we will discuss this and how a California car accident attorney might be able to help you. Why Was There a 55 MPH Speed Limit? In 1973, there was an oil crisis. Many countries in the Middle East decided to stop selling oil to the United States (and some other countries). This caused a big problem: gasoline became hard to find. People had to wait in long lines at gas stations, and prices went way up….

Car insurance is meant to protect you if there is an accident. But do you know that California is changing the rules about how much insurance you must have? Starting in 2025—and again in 2035—the state will require higher minimum coverage. Our experienced California car accident attorneys will discuss this further below. What Are Car Insurance Policy Limits? When you buy car insurance, you often see numbers like “15/30/5.” These numbers tell you how much your insurance will pay if you cause an accident. For example, under the old rules: 15 means your insurance pays up to $15,000 for injuries to one person. 30 means your insurance pays up to $30,000 total if multiple people are hurt. 5 means your insurance pays up to $5,000 for damage to someone else’s property. These three parts—injury to one person, injury to multiple people, and damage to property—are called policy limits. They set…