Posted on December 27, 2023 in Car Accidents

Drunk driving remains a significant problem in the United States, contributing to a large number of car accidents and fatalities each year. Despite the numerous public awareness campaigns and strict laws against driving while under the influence of alcohol or drugs, many people continue to get behind the wheel while they are intoxicated. By understanding why drunk driving is so likely to lead to car accidents, people can take steps to avoid acting in ways that put others at risk. For those who have been injured by drunk drivers, an experienced attorney can help them take legal action to recover compensation for their damages.

Drivers who have drunk alcohol before getting behind the wheel may experience a variety of impairments, including:

Impaired Judgment and Decision-Making

Alcohol impairs various cognitive functions that are necessary for safe driving, including the ability to make prudent decisions and exercise good judgment. When under the influence of alcohol, drivers are more likely to take unnecessary risks, such as speeding, running red lights, tailgating closely behind other vehicles, or engaging in dangerous maneuvers that they would not attempt while sober. They may feel invincible and overestimate their driving abilities, leading them to make reckless decisions on the road. They may also struggle with assessing distances accurately or reacting promptly in emergency situations. This impaired judgment significantly increases the likelihood of being involved in a car accident.

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 Posted on December 19, 2023 in Car Accidents

San Jose is a vibrant city known for its technological advancements and bustling streets. However, with this growth has come an unfortunate increase in fatal pedestrian accidents. Families of people who have been killed in car accidents will need to determine who was responsible, and with the help of an experienced attorney, they can take legal action to recover financial compensation that will address their losses. An attorney who has experience with cases involving fatal car accidents can ensure that families in these situations will be able to achieve justice for their tragic losses.

Over the past 15 years, there has been a troubling trend throughout the United States in which pedestrian accidents have increased, with a large number of people being killed after being struck by drivers during the nighttime. People in San Jose have been affected by this issue, with 32 pedestrian deaths occurring in 2022, a significant increase from previous years. While several issues have led to more pedestrian accidents, some of the most common factors in these cases include:

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 Posted on February 05, 2021 in Catastrophic Injuries

In a severe car crash or workplace accident, it is possible for a victim to suffer a variety of catastrophic injuries. Many of these injuries, including brain injuries, spinal cord injuries, and broken bones, are caused by a forceful impact, such as in a collision or a fall. However, burns are another common form of catastrophic injury, and they tend to have a different set of causes. If you suffer burn injuries due to someone else’s negligence, you should be aware of the compensation to which you may be entitled.

Common Causes of Burn Injuries

When a vehicle accident results in burn injuries, it is often because fuel, oil, or another flammable substance leaks and ignites, causing a fire or even an explosion. A person who is caught in the flames or trapped in a burning vehicle can suffer severe injuries, including third-degree burns that penetrate to the deepest layer of skin. Burn injuries are also possible in a truck accident when the truck is carrying flammable cargo or dangerous chemicals.

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 Posted on January 15, 2021 in Truck Accidents

Semi-trucks and other large commercial vehicles are already challenging to control when all of their parts are working properly. If a part malfunctions due to insufficient or improper maintenance, it may be enough to cause a serious accident. Truck accidents account for thousands of injuries and hundreds of fatalities in California every year, and improper maintenance is a factor in many of these cases. If you have been injured in a crash with a truck, you may be able to pursue compensation from multiple negligent parties.

Common Faulty Parts in a Truck Crash

If any of the following truck parts are poorly maintained, they may fail at an inopportune moment and lead to a crash:

• Brakes - Working brakes are crucial to ensure that a truck can slow or come to a stop if necessary to avoid a collision. When brakes fail on the highway, a truck can easily lose control of its speed.

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 Posted on January 08, 2021 in Personal Injury

If you have been injured in a car crash caused by another driver’s negligence, one of your biggest concerns is likely recovering compensation for your medical bills. However, depending on the situation and the severity of your injuries, you may have other financial concerns as well, not the least of which are your lost earnings from any missed work time due to your accident. Fortunately, lost wages in both the past and future are included in the economic damages that you may pursue in a personal injury lawsuit.

Compensation for Lost Earnings and Earning Capacity

There are two primary reasons why you may lose income in the aftermath of a car accident injury. The first is missed time from work during your treatment and recovery. For relatively minor injuries, this could be limited to a couple of days in the hospital, but if your injuries are severe, your recovery may extend for several weeks during which you are unable to perform your usual work tasks.

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 Posted on December 31, 2020 in Car Accidents

According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), pedestrian fatalities from car accidents have recently reached a 30-year high. California is responsible for more pedestrian deaths than any other state, with almost 900 in 2018 alone. In part, this is due to the state’s large population, but California also has a higher rate of pedestrian fatalities than many other states, with pedestrians accounting for almost 25 percent of all traffic deaths. In light of these shocking statistics, you may be wondering why pedestrian accidents are so common, and what you can do to avoid becoming a victim.

Factors That Lead to Pedestrian Accidents

One likely reason for the prevalence of pedestrian accidents in California is the presence of several major cities. The NHTSA reports that 80 percent of fatal pedestrian accidents happen in urban areas, and California is home to four of the 15 largest U.S. cities by population, including San Jose and San Francisco. If you are walking in an urban area in California, you should take extra care to stay aware of your surroundings and avoid putting yourself at risk.

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 Posted on December 11, 2020 in Personal Injury

If you have been injured in a car crash or any other accident, the financial costs can be high due to medical bills, property damage, missed time from work, and other expenses. A personal injury claim can often help you recover compensation for these economic damages if your injuries were caused by the negligence of another party. However, in some cases, the economic damages may not fully reflect the impact of your injuries on your life, and it may be worth working with your attorney to pursue further compensation for non-economic damages.

Examples of Non-Economic Damages

The purpose of non-economic damages is to provide compensation for losses due to injury that are not easy to quantify. Often, these losses are related to your mental state or your personal life. Some reasons to pursue compensation for non-economic damages include:

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 Posted on November 30, 2020 in Car Accidents

While it may not attract as much attention as drunk driving or distracted driving, drowsy driving is another serious issue that contributes to car accidents, many of which result in injuries and fatalities. The most recent statistics from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) show more than 90,000 annual accidents in which driver fatigue was a factor, with nearly 800 resulting fatalities. Understanding some of the common factors in these accidents may help you avoid falling victim to one yourself.

Common Factors in Accidents Involving Driver Fatigue

Research shows that all of the following are possible factors in accidents involving drowsy drivers:

• Time of day: Perhaps unsurprisingly, drowsy driving crashes are more likely to occur late at night. What may be more surprising is that they are also more common in the late afternoon, in part due to the human body’s natural sleep rhythms.

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 Posted on November 24, 2020 in Workplace Accidents

Construction sites are common places for injuries to occur, with the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) reporting that falls and scaffolding accidents, machinery, and improper hazard communication are some of the most frequent causes. Usually, the workers on these sites are the most likely victims.

If you are injured in the course of your construction job, you are likely entitled to workers’ compensation benefits from your employer, and if you or your employer were responsible for the accident that caused your injury, this may be your only option for compensation. However, many construction site accidents involve the negligence of a third party, in which case you can pursue additional compensation through a personal injury claim.

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 Posted on November 23, 2020 in Car Accidents

On an annual basis, around 18,000 people are injured and more than 1,000 people are killed in car accidents involving alcohol throughout California. Suffering a serious injury or losing a loved one in a crash with a drunk driver can be devastating, and it is important to know how you can obtain compensation and find some degree of solace for your losses. Fortunately, an attorney can help you do so through a personal injury or wrongful death claim.

Building Your Case for Compensation

If you have been injured in an accident caused by a drunk driver, there are important steps you should take to give yourself the best chance at recovering compensation. Namely, you should:

• Seek medical attention: This ensures that you receive the proper treatment for your injuries, and it also serves to create a record that demonstrates the extent of your medical expenses and other damages and connects your injuries to the accident.

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