Law Office of Frederick S. Schwartz

Home
United States
Encino, CA
Law Office of Frederick S. Schwartz

Call Directions Website

Los Angeles-based attorney fighting against injustice

11/01/2026

ACCIDENTS HAPPEN EVEN WHEN YOU ARE CAREFUL
Although Southern California is known for its relatively dry climate, rainfall can substantially increase the risk of automobile accidents throughout the San Fernando Valley. Communities including Sherman Oaks, Encino, Tarzana, Woodland Hills, Reseda, Northridge, Van Nuys, North Hollywood, Studio City, Chatsworth, and Granada Hills experience driving hazards when rain reduces visibility, decreases tire traction, and makes road surfaces slippery.

Unlike regions where motorists routinely drive in wet weather, Southern California experiences extended dry periods followed by occasional significant rainstorms. These conditions create particular challenges.

During dry periods, motor oil, grease, tire residue, and other contaminants accumulate on road surfaces. When rainfall begins, water can mix with these substances and reduce traction, particularly before sufficient rainfall washes away the accumulated material.

The danger is compounded by congested freeways, high-speed traffic, and drivers who fail to adjust their speed or following distance.

Research demonstrates that rainfall is associated with a substantial increase in automobile collision risk.

A University of Southern California report discussing research into Los Angeles traffic accidents found that drivers were approximately 80% more likely to experience an accident during rainfall than under normal, clear conditions. The report also described an average 140% increase in accident counts during wet weather, depending on the comparison used.

These findings are particularly relevant to the San Fernando Valley, where major freeways and heavily traveled surface streets carry substantial daily traffic.
The Law Office of Frederick S. Schwartz is located at 16133 Ventura Boulevard, Suite 700, Encino, CA 91436

You can reach us at (818) 986-2407

Legal Advisory. This content is for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice or the entering into of a attorney-client relationship.

10/29/2026

A Saturday Halloween means the trick-or-treating runs later, parties run longer, and both crowds share the same dark streets.

Costumes are dark, masks cut peripheral vision, and kids cross between parked cars right as the light fades. If you're driving through a Valley neighborhood on the 31st, go well under the limit and assume a child will step out where you least expect it. If you're walking with them, add something reflective and stick to the sidewalk.

Have a great night out there! If something does happen, you can reach me directly at (818) 986-2407 or through www.fsslawoffice.com.

The Law Office of Frederick S. Schwartz is located at 16133 Ventura Boulevard, Suite 700, Encino, CA 91436

You can reach us at (818) 986-2407

Legal Advisory. This content is for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice or the entering into of a attorney-client relationship.

10/22/2026

The manager hands you an incident report and a pen. You can fill it out, just not the way they're hoping.

I've seen how these forms get used, because I used to work for the side that used them. The store wrote the questions, and they tend to steer you toward minimizing what happened. "I'm fine, just embarrassed" in your own handwriting becomes their main argument months later when your MRI says otherwise.

Report what happened, factually. Ask for a copy. Don't guess at the cause, and don't rate your injuries before a doctor has looked at you.

If you've already signed one, it isn't the end of your claim. Call me at (818) 986-2407 or send me a note through www.fsslawoffice.com.

The Law Office of Frederick S. Schwartz is located at 16133 Ventura Boulevard, Suite 700, Encino, CA 91436

You can reach us at (818) 986-2407

Legal Advisory. This content is for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice or the entering into of a attorney-client relationship.

10/18/2026

A car accident can happen in seconds on the 101, 405, Ventura Boulevard, or anywhere across the San Fernando Valley.

Common causes include distracted driving, speeding, unsafe lane changes, red-light violations, DUI, and hazardous road conditions. Even a brief rainstorm, poor lighting, potholes, or worn pavement can make a serious difference.

In California, fault is not always all-or-nothing. More than one driver may share responsibility, and evidence—such as crash reports, witness statements, vehicle damage, and traffic laws—can matter greatly.

If you were hurt in a Los Angeles-area crash, getting legal guidance early can help protect your claim. At the Law Office of Frederick S. Schwartz, I personally handle every case and bring more than 35 years of experience, including experience representing insurance companies.

Free consultation. No fee unless I win.

Call (818) 986-2407.

Law Office of Frederick S. Schwartz
16133 Ventura Blvd. Sute 700
Encino, CA. 91436

www.FssLawOffice.com

LEGAL ADVISORY

The Law Office of Frederick S. Schwartz is located at 16133 Ventura Boulevard, Suite 700, Encino, CA 91436

You can reach us at (818) 986-2407

Legal Advisory. This content is for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice or the entering into of a attorney-client relationship.

10/15/2026

Falling on someone's property doesn't automatically make it their fault, and I'd rather tell you that up front.

Three things generally have to line up, including a dangerous condition, an owner who knew or should have known about it, and an injury that condition caused.

The middle piece is where these cases get won and lost. How long was the spill there? When was the last inspection? Is there video?

A warning sign doesn't automatically clear the owner, especially if nobody can see it or it's propped up instead of properly fixed. I build that proof through incident reports, surveillance footage, maintenance logs, and witness statements.

Not sure whether you've got a case? That's what a free review is for, so call me at (818) 986-2407 or visit www.fsslawoffice.com.

The Law Office of Frederick S. Schwartz is located at 16133 Ventura Boulevard, Suite 700, Encino, CA 91436

You can reach us at (818) 986-2407

Legal Advisory. This content is for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice or the entering into of a attorney-client relationship.

10/08/2026

The first real rain of the year catches Los Angeles off guard every single time, and I see the results in my office.

Months of oil and grime sit on the pavement, and that first storm tends to lift it into a slick layer before it washes away. The 101, the 405, and Ventura Boulevard all get less forgiving at once.

What people don't expect comes after the crash. The other driver's insurer will often blame the weather, then try to move some of that blame onto you. California uses pure comparative fault, so shifting even a small percentage your way lowers what they pay.

Hurt in a wet-weather crash? Call me at (818) 986-2407 or visit www.fsslawoffice.com for a free case review.

The Law Office of Frederick S. Schwartz is located at 16133 Ventura Boulevard, Suite 700, Encino, CA 91436

You can reach us at (818) 986-2407

Legal Advisory. This content is for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice or the entering into of a attorney-client relationship.

10/01/2026

Summer's over, and if you got hurt in June or July and still haven't done anything, the clock has been running the whole time.

California generally gives you two years from the date of injury to bring a personal injury claim (generally one year on medical malpractice cases). That sounds like plenty until you count how long treatment takes, how long records take to gather, and how long an insurer can drag out a negotiation. Claims against a government entity can have a first deadline that arrives in a matter of months.

If the accident wasn't your fault, it helps to know where you actually stand.

It costs nothing to find out. Call me at (818) 986-2407 or reach out through www.fsslawoffice.com for a free case review.

The Law Office of Frederick S. Schwartz is located at 16133 Ventura Boulevard, Suite 700, Encino, CA 91436

You can reach us at (818) 986-2407

Legal Advisory. This content is for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice or the entering into of a attorney-client relationship.

09/24/2026

In plenty of states, a dog's first bite is free for the owner. Not in California.

Under our strict liability rule, a dog owner is generally responsible for a bite that happens in public or while you're lawfully on private property, even if the dog never showed a sign of aggression and the owner did nothing careless.

That surprises people on both sides. And when it's a friend's or neighbor's dog, it's often their homeowner's or renter's policy that responds, not them personally, which is good to know before you let it go to keep the peace.

Bitten and not sure what to do next? Call me at (818) 986-2407 or visit www.fsslawoffice.com for a free and confidential consultation.

The Law Office of Frederick S. Schwartz is located at 16133 Ventura Boulevard, Suite 700, Encino, CA 91436

You can reach us at (818) 986-2407

Legal Advisory. This content is for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice or the entering into of a attorney-client relationship.

09/17/2026

Somebody at the insurance company put a price on your case before you ever heard an offer. I know, because that used to be my job.

As former in-house counsel for a national insurance company, I helped decide what claims should settle for. That number tends to get set within days, on incomplete information, which is why what goes into your file in the first couple of weeks matters more than most people realize.

When I build a case now at the Law Office of Frederick S. Schwartz, I'm building it for the person who eventually has to justify that number to their supervisor.

Call me directly at (818) 986-2407 or visit www.fsslawoffice.com for a free case review.

The Law Office of Frederick S. Schwartz is located at 16133 Ventura Boulevard, Suite 700, Encino, CA 91436

You can reach us at (818) 986-2407

Legal Advisory. This content is for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice or the entering into of a attorney-client relationship.

09/16/2026

If the other driver's insurer called you within days of the crash, that wasn't a courtesy call.

The sooner an adjuster gets your version of events on record, the better for them. It usually happens before you've seen a doctor, and "I'm fine, just a little sore" can end up in your file and get used against you months later.

You don't have to give the other driver's insurer a recorded statement. Be polite, take the adjuster's name and the claim number, and tell them you'll follow up.

Not sure what to say when they call? Call me first at (818) 986-2407 or visit www.fsslawoffice.com for a free consultation.

The Law Office of Frederick S. Schwartz is located at 16133 Ventura Boulevard, Suite 700, Encino, CA 91436

You can reach us at (818) 986-2407

Legal Advisory. This content is for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice or the entering into of a attorney-client relationship.

Address

16133 Ventura Boulevard , Suite 700
Encino, CA
91436

Telephone

(818) 986-2407

Website

http://www.FssLawOffice.com/

Alerts

Be the first to know and let us send you an email when Law Office of Frederick S. Schwartz posts news and promotions. Your email address will not be used for any other purpose, and you can unsubscribe at any time.