Pedestrian Accidents: Threat to Young Students

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Pedestrian accidents are likely to happen in crowded areas like school zones. Because of this, it is imperative for drivers to mind their surroundings when driving and to slow down when passing by crosswalks or crowded places. This is because school zones are hotspots for pedestrian accidents. According to reports, in 2010, about 100 children died due to pedestrian accidents near school zones.

In the State of California, pursuant to California Vehicle Code (VC) 21950, drivers must give way to crossing pedestrians. The VC specifically states that: "The driver of a vehicle shall yield the right of way to a pedestrian crossing the roadway within any marked crosswalk or within any unmarked crosswalk at an intersection.”

California drivers must therefore remember that even a simple traffic violation like failing to give way to crossing pedestrians could result in horrific and fatal consequences. This is because child pedestrians do not have the ability to effectively protect themselves from road accidents. Additionally, children who get involved in a pedestrian accident are likely to sustain major injuries, including:

•    Fractured bones

•    Extreme lacerations

•    Spinal cord injury

•    Traumatic brain injury

•    Severe bruises

•    Multiple bone fractures

•    Head concussion

•    Internal bleeding

•    Brain hemorrhage

Accordingly, parents of children who got injured in a pedestrian accident are advised to file a pedestrian accident claim against the driver involved in the incident. Under the tort law, injured parties in a road accident may be entitled to compensations for them to recover from the injuries they sustained. However, claiming for the said payments is not easy, which is why parents of injured children should hire a competent Los Angeles injury attorneys who can assist them in claiming for injury damages.

    

On this note, a Los Angeles pedestrian accident attorney can provide the following assistance:

Case analysis – This involves reviewing the nature of the case in order for the client to learn the legal actions that he or she must take.

Gathering of evidence – A pedestrian accident attorney can assist his or her client in collating necessary evidence that could prove the negligence of the defendant. Accordingly, documents that are usually deemed helpful in pedestrian accident claims are medical records, photos of the accident scene and injury, police report, and others.

Representation – During negotiation with the insurance company, the client can be assured that his or her attorney will deal with all the legal and complex aspects of the negotiation. The lawyer will likewise take charge of convincing the insurer that the injured party deserves high amount of payments.

Avoiding Intersection Accidents in Los Angeles

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Intersections are hotspots for different types of traffic accidents in California. Every year, hundreds of accidents involving cars, motorcycles, bicycles, and trucks happen in different intersections in Los Angeles. 

According to studies and statistics, about one-third of all traffic mishaps occur at intersections.
There are certain causes of intersection accidents in Los Angeles. The following are some of these causes:

•    Congested traffic at the intersection
•    Unsafe turns committed by drivers
•    Speeding
•    Impaired driving
•    Distracted driving
•    Beating the red light or stop sign

According to the Los Angeles Department of Transportation, the following intersections are the common hotspots for traffic accidents:

1. Lankershim Boulevard and Victory Boulevard
2. Lincoln Boulevard and Rose Avenue
3. Lincoln Boulevard and Venice Boulevard
4. National Boulevard and Overland Avenue
5. Barham Boulevard and Cahuenga Boulevard East

Los Angeles drivers can avoid getting involved in intersection accidents by following these suggested measures:

•    Make sure that no other vehicle is crossing before crossing or turning to intersections
•    Slow down when approaching an intersection
•    Stop on the red light
•    Do not drive if you are under the influence of alcohol
•    Avoid texting or using handheld electronic devices while driving

Motorists or passengers who get injured in an intersection accident in Los Angeles and who are clearly not at fault may be eligible to claim for personal injury damages. Under the law, traffic accident victims may be entitled to receive any or all of the following types of injury compensations:

•    Medical expenses payment
•    Loss of income payment
•    Loss of future income payment
•    Pain and suffering damages
•    Loss of consortium damages

Claiming for car accident compensations is not easy, which is why it is advisable for accident victims to seek assistance from a Los Angeles auto accident attorney to successfully recover for damages.

4 Most Dangerous Cars in History

 There are times when a car accident is not caused by the driver but by the vehicle itself. Commonly, vehicle accidents are caused by drivers who are under the influence, distracted, speeding, or aggressive. However, sometimes even the safest and most responsible driver gets involved in a car accident due to his or her malfunctioning vehicle.

Driving a dangerous vehicle brings the driver closer to serious or even fatal road accident. According to Car Insurance Quotes, the following are some of the vehicles that are often involved in car accidents in the United States:

  Kia Rio (2000-Present) – If there is one thing wrong about Kia Rio it is its lack of side and rear protection. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) gave Rio poor marks because of this serious safety issue. Also, the agency noted that Rio’s small size makes it even vulnerable to fatal accidents.

Suzuki Samurai (1986-1995) – Samurai warriors are known for their strength and efficiency, but that is not the case with Suzuki Samurai. This vehicle is prone to rollover accidents that even the Consumer Reports magazine stated that Suzuki Samurai vehicles are not road-worthy.

Chevrolet Corvette (1953-Present) – Speed is the main game of Corvette. This trait that makes the vehicle famous is also the reason why it is considered unsafe to drive. The Corvette’s speed and small size are two of the main reasons why it has been involved in numerous accidents. According to statistics, the fatality rate for Corvette accidents is 5 deaths for every 10,000 accidents

Smart ForTwo (1998-Present) – ForTwo vehicles are eye-catchers because of their tiny size. Users of this car may save a lot from their gas bills but not on medical expenses. Because of the car’s tiny size, it is very prone to accidents.







Although the said vehicles are more prone to accidents, road mishaps can be experienced by just any driver regardless of the vehicle he or she is driving. Hence, Los Angeles car accident attorneys always remind motorists to prioritize safety while on the road to avoid injuries and lawsuits.

Important Benefits of Using Bicycle Helmet in California

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If you know how to ride a bicycle, you should also know how to protect yourself from road accidents. Bicycle mishaps in the United States are fairly common; in fact, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), in 2009 alone, about 900 people died in bicycle accidents.

Because of the relative frequency of bicycle accidents in the country, the State of California implements certain traffic rules to address the issue. One of the staple bicycle-related traffic rules in California is the bicycle helmet law or the Vehicle Code (VC) 21212. Under this rule, bicycle riders under the age of 18 are required to wear bicycle helmet when riding their bicycles.

Bicycle helmets play an important role in saving bicyclists’ lives from accident-induced injuries like traumatic brain injury. These helmets are proven to be effective in keeping bicyclists away from life-altering and fatal injuries. According to the Bicycle Helmet Safety Institute (BHSI), helmets are effective in protecting riders’ head from certain types of injuries.

Additionally, there are important benefits that bicycle helmets can provide to riders who use them, and these include:

1. It provides protection to rider’s head – Bicyclists, as compared to motor vehicle drivers, do not have ample protection from road accident impacts. A cyclist’s body is highly vulnerable to different types of injuries including TBI, which is why it is vital for any rider to wear a helmet to have ample head protection in case he or she gets involved in an accident.

2. It saves minor cyclists from traffic tickets – Under California VC 21212, cyclists under the age of 18 must wear a bicycle helmet when riding in public places. Failure to do so may result in the issuance of traffic ticket or payment of hefty fines.

3. It gives riders peace of mind – Cyclists who ride on streets without their helmets on are not only prone to head injuries but also to other types of injuries like spinal cord injury (SCI). Riders of any age group who wear helmets are less likely to sustain life-altering injuries, thus, they become more certain of their safety than riders who do not use helmets.

California cyclists who got injured in an accident in Los Angeles are advised to seek consultation and representation from a Los Angeles accident attorney to receive just compensations from the liable party involved.

Top 3 Friendliest Large Dog Breeds

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Choosing the right large dog breed for your family often requires extensive research because no one wants to pick the wrong family dog. Although almost all dog breeds have the tendency to perfectly fit in the lifestyle of any family, there are those that pass with flying colors in the friendliest-family-dog category.

According to historical accounts and experts’ opinions, the following are some of the large dog breeds that are known for their friendliness and loyalty to their owners:

1. Newfoundland – This “gentle giant” is literally a giant breed with gentleness and kindness in its temperament. Some people may be intimidated with its large size but people who know the breed better could say that Newfies are indeed gentle. Newfoundland is a breed known for being gentle and friendly to kids despite its big size. Dogs of this breed are also used for search and rescue operations on waters because they are exceptional swimmers.

2. Labrador Retriever – Arguably the most famous family dog in the United States, Labrador Retrievers are known for their happy-go-lucky and friendly nature. They go gaga on almost any type of energy-filled activities like fetching Frisbees and any other items. Because of their sweet and gentle temperament, they do not make good guard dogs.

3. Golden Retriever – As the total family dog, Golden Retrievers are best for energetic and active families. Dogs of this breed find fun in running and other lively activities because they were bred to be active pets. Golden Retrievers are certified friendly pooches, which is why they make great family members. However, just like Labradors, Golden Retrievers make bad guard dogs.

Despite the exceptional kind-hearted nature of the said dogs, they can still inflict harm or injury to others if they were not well taken care of and socialized. Any dog, if it is neglected, has the tendency to be hostile to people, even to their owners.

California residents who got bitten or attacked by a dog are advised to seek medical attention immediately to avoid further injuries. Additionally, if the dog that attacked them belongs to their neighbor, they have the right to claim for personal injury damages. Seeking legal help from a Los Angeles injury lawyer is advised for them to make sure that they will recover just amount of damages.