New Laws for 2023 in California

Happy New Year everyone!

2023 brings in a spate of news for California drivers, pedestrians, and bicyclists.

Here are some of these new laws, in no particular order.

1. Yellow Alerts

Starting this year, the California Highway Patrol is authorized to issue yellow alerts when a hit-and-run results in the death of a California motorist. In this case, the CHP is authorized to publicly disseminate as much identifying information about the offending vehicle as possible. More information about yellow alerts can be found here.

2. Jaywalking

As I discussed here, jaywalking is now legal in California. You can also read more news coverage about this issue here.

3. Passing Bicyclists

Starting this year, drivers who intend to pass a bicyclist can only do so by changing lanes and moving over to the left. If that is not an option, the driver must slow down and wait to pass the bicyclist when it is safe.

4. Safe e-bike use

CHP is working on developing standards and safety training for e-bike users in California. The training and further information will be published on the CHP’s website in September of 2023. You can read more about that here.

5. Time-limit settlement demands

Many personal injury cases settle without the need to file a lawsuit or go to court. A hallmark of these types of cases is the “settlement demand”. Every personal injury lawyer knows what that is, but not every lawyer knows how the procedural rules for settlement demands changed starting this year. These changes can be found in the California Code of Civil Procedure (sections 999-999.3) More information about time-limit settlement demands can be found here.

If you have questions about any of the above matters, or if you or someone you know was injured in a Los Angeles or Orange County area car, bicycle, or pedestrian accident, give my office a call and I’ll see what I can do for you.

And remember, my office is ready to assist, 24/6.