Posted on July 01,2019 in Wrongful Death

Schools, daycares, and other institutions responsible for the safety of children are held to very high standards. These facilities have a legal obligation to make the premises safe and free from unreasonable dangers. This includes keeping the buildings and grounds free from hazards like broken stairs as well as making sure children are adequately supervised. Sadly, one California family is grieving after their teenaged son passed away in an incident at a Colorado school.

Drunk Driver Hits 15-Year-Old Student Who Wandered from Campus

The young teen who tragically lost his life was adopted by his parents at age three. He had been in foster care and was suffering from symptoms related to a traumatic brain injury. The parents struggled to find a school which could appropriately meet their son’s unique needs, so they sent him to a school specializing in behavioral health issues. In August of last year, the 15-year-old wandered off of the school campus and was stuck and killed by a drunk driver. The driver, who had a blood alcohol content of 0.189 percent, fled the scene of the crime but was later found and arrested by the police. He pled guilty to vehicular homicide-DUI and leaving the scene of an accident involving death.

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 Posted on June 03,2019 in Dog Bites

While most dogs live up to their reputation as “man’s best friend,” it is important to remember that some dogs do pose a danger to people. Dogs who have been bred and trained for the purposes of fighting or guarding can be especially vicious animals. According to the California Department of Public Health, nearly 80 percent of all the animal bite injuries that took place in California between 2006 and 2010 were caused by domestic dogs. Across the country, about 750,000 dog bite victims require medical care each year. When a dog bites another person because the owner of the dog was negligent, the owner can be held liable for any damages caused by the bite.

Young Girl Brutally Mauled by Akita While Visiting Kennel

Recently, a 7-year-old girl was severely injured after she was attacked by a dog at a nonprofit Akita rescue kennel in Romoland, California. The attack was so brutal that the young girl needed an astounding 1,000 stitches and three hours of surgery. Because the bites were primarily to her face, it is possible that the girl will be permanently disfigured as a result of the bites. Disturbingly, the dog was listed on the nonprofit’s Facebook page as looking for “a kid he can play with.”

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 Posted on May 28,2019 in Premises Liability

For many, visiting a theme park or fair is one of the most exciting parts of summer. While the vast majority of rollercoasters, haunted houses, and other attractions are safe for the public to enjoy, sometimes lapses in safety precautions lead to horrific accidents. While we sometimes hear about catastrophic injuries and deaths due to ride malfunctions on the news, these are not the most common amusement park accidents. More often, unchecked environmental hazards or inadequate security are to blame for a guest’s injury or death. When a park or park staff’s negligence causes the death or injury to a visitor, the park may be held liable for damages through an injury lawsuit.

Parks That Skimp on Maintenance Can Cause Deadly Accidents

Many Californians vividly remember the terrible accident which occurred at Disneyland in September of 2003. The derailment of the rollercoaster “Big Thunder Mountain Railroad” lead to the death of one 22-year-old man and the injury of ten other park guests. Investigators eventually determined that inadequate maintenance was the cause of the fatal derailment.

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 Posted on May 20,2019 in Car Accidents

Many people consider Memorial Day to be the unofficial start of summer fun. You may have plans to take a boating trip, enjoy a backyard barbeque, or visit family this Memorial Day. Whatever your plans may be, make sure you are always taking steps to keep yourself and your family safe. Memorial Day is considered one of the riskiest days on which to operate a motor vehicle in the United States. The increase in the number of vehicles on the roads plus the common presence of alcohol at Memorial Day celebrations can be a deadly combination. Boating accidents are also common on Memorial Day for similar reasons.

Drunk Driving on Memorial Day

According to The National Safety Council, approximately 400 people may lose their lives in traffic accidents this Memorial Day weekend across the country. This estimate is based on the number of fatal accidents from previous Memorial Day weekends plus other data. Drunk driving is an especially concerning risk factor during this time because many people attend gatherings in which alcohol is served.

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 Posted on May 14,2019 in Car Accidents

Walking instead of using a car for transportation has many environmental and health benefits. Unfortunately, recent studies show that simply walking down the street is now more dangerous than ever. According to a report published earlier this year from the Governors Highway Safety Association (GHSA), pedestrian deaths from car accidents are higher than ever. In 2008, a little over 4,000 pedestrians lost their lives in the United States. In 2017, that number had risen to just under 6,000 deaths. If you or someone you love was struck by a vehicle, you may be entitled to compensation for your damages.

Night Continues to Be the Most Dangerous Time for Pedestrians

The overall number of pedestrians who were killed in traffic incidents has risen dramatically in recent years. In fact, pedestrian fatalities for 2018 are projected to be the worst in nearly 30 years. Interestingly, daytime pedestrian fatalities have remained relatively constant while nighttime incidents have increased dramatically. During the period from 2008-2017, approximately 90 percent of pedestrian deaths happened at high. Experts suggest wearing reflective clothing when walking at night whenever possible.

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 Posted on May 06,2019 in Truck Accidents

Driving an 18-wheeler truck or tractor-trailer is not an easy job. Often, drivers are expected to drive hundreds of miles a day and deal with stresses like traffic congestion, detours, and other slowdowns which make their days even longer. Unfortunately, this leads to many drivers being chronically exhausted and sleep-deprived. Some truck drivers end up taking stimulants just to stay awake and drive. If you were injured or a loved one was killed in an accident involving a fatigued or otherwise incapacitated truck driver, you may be able to get financial compensation for your losses.

Studies Show Truck Driver Fatigue is a Major Factor in Truck Accidents

In a study conducted by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) and the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), it was found that approximately 13 percent of serious crashes involving large trucks are caused by driver fatigue. Other factors which contributed to serious truck accidents include driver drug use, including both legal and illegal drugs, inattention to the road, and driver illness. Truck drivers are often operating vehicles that can weigh as much as 80,000 pounds. A vehicle of this size can do cause colossal damage during a crash.

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 Posted on March 18,2019 in Car Accidents

Getting into a car accident can be terrifying. In the moments after an accident, most people are not considering the financial cost the accident will bring. However, after the accident is over and their injuries have been treated, the question of expense arises. If you have been hit by a distracted driver, you may wonder whether or not you have a valid personal injury claim. There are many factors which can contribute to the success or failure of accident injury claims. If you have been injured in a car accident due to someone else’s negligence, read on to learn more.

Drivers Texting and Driving Are Usually Considered Negligent

Texting and driving has become a serious danger in the United States. A shocking number of car accidents are directly linked to distracted, including texting or otherwise using a cell phone while driving. The statistics involving the dangers of distracted driving are sobering. Over 1000 people are injured every day in traffic accidents involving a distracted driver and approximately nine individuals die from these accidents each day.

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 Posted on January 07,2019 in Car Accidents

We have all done it. You are driving along the highway when your phone rings. You know you should ignore the incessant ringing until you are not driving, but temptation wins and you reach for your phone. Distractions like cell phones contribute to nearly 80 percent of car crashes, according to some estimates The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration reports that 3,450 lives were lost in accidents involving a distracted driver in 2016. If you have been in a car accident caused by a driver who was not paying attention or was distracted, you may be able to recover compensation for your damages through a personal injury lawsuit.

Distractions Which Can Cause Traffic Accidents

For many, driving a motor vehicle becomes second nature. Although most people exhibit cautious behavior when they are first learning to drive, after a while, many people become careless regarding safe driving habits. About 2 percent of all distracted driver traffic fatalities are caused simply by drivers who take their hands off the wheel to adjust the radio or climate controls. Driving with other people in the vehicle can be a major source of distractions as well. About 5 percent of traffic fatalities in relation to distracted driving are attributed to the passengers in the car. This phenomenon is especially true of teenaged drivers. Research shows that when a teen drives with two or more passengers, the likelihood that they will be involved in a fatal car accident increases by a factor of five.

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 Posted on November 20,2018 in Car Accidents

The holidays can be the most magical time of the year. Seeing old friends and family, watching children open presents, or sharing a favorite holiday meal can put a smile on anyone’s face. The holidays are also the time of year that many people travel. The increase in traffic combined with hurried drivers eager to make it to their destination on time can make travelling during the holidays challenging. When individuals add drinking and driving to the equation, the risk of getting into an auto accident skyrockets. The National Highway Transportation Safety Administration (NHTSA) estimates that drunk driving usually contributes to approximately 30 percent of highway fatalities. However, this number doubles to nearly 60 percent during the time between Thanksgiving and New Year’s Day. This holiday season, make a commitment not to drive under the influence of drugs or alcohol.

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 Posted on November 13,2018 in Car Accidents

When you have been hurt in a car accident, you may be facing a myriad of challenges, including recovering from your injuries, getting back to work, and generally dealing with the aftermath of the crash. Unfortunately, things can become even more difficult when the insurance companies get involved.

While insurance coverage is a consideration in virtually every car accident, it is not uncommon for carriers to offer much less than you would need to start putting your life back together properly. Insurance companies are well-known for their “lowball” settlement offers that seek to minimize their payouts and avoid costly litigation.

Protecting Yourself from Insurance Companies

If you were injured in a crash and are in the process of negotiating with an adjuster—either from your own insurer or that of the party who caused your accident—it is important to keep in mind that:

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