Damages You Can Recover in Distracted Driving-related Car Accident

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Sending text-based messages on your cell phone can be very helpful and fun at the same time; but if it is done at the wrong place and at the wrong time, disaster could strike.

 Accordingly, Los Angeles drivers should practice discipline when driving, and refraining from texting is one way to do that. Drivers who use their cell phones while driving are certainly closer to accidents. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, in the year 2009 alone, more than 5,400 people were killed and at least 448,000 were injured due to distracted driving-related accidents.

 Although there are various forms of distracted driving, texting while driving is becoming the most common and dangerous act. Hence, it is a must for all Los Angeles drivers not to use their cell phone while driving to avoid major and fatal accidents.

 Accordingly, Los Angeles motorists or pedestrians who got injured in an accident caused by a distracted texting driver should file a personal injury case. Under the tort law, accident victims may be eligible for certain compensations if they were injured as a result of another person’s negligence or irresponsibility. Commonly, personal injury accident victims are entitled to these payments:

·         Payments for hospital and medication expenses
·         Payments for damaged property
·         Payments for loss of income
·         Payments for loss of future income
·         Payments for pain and suffering
·         Payments for emotional distress
·         Payments for mental anguish
·         Payments for loss of consortium

As it is, accident victims who believe that they deserve any of the said compensations should hire a Los Angeles car accident attorney to have their case pursued and represented. Hiring an attorney for a distracted driving- and negligent driving-related case in Los Angeles is advisable because a legal expert’s help is essential in establishing the case for the claimant to win just compensations.

Top 10 Safest and Worst Cities to Drive in the United States

In the latest Allstate America’s Best Drivers Report Los Angeles did not show up in the top 10 list of cities with worst drivers. The city placed 182nd in the tally of cities with best drivers – not a perfect spot but still better than being on the top list of cities with unsafe and irresponsible motorists.

The list named the following cities as places with highest rate for road accidents due to unsafe drivers:

1.    Washington DC – 112 percent chance of accident versus national average
2.    Baltimore – 88 percent chance of accident versus national average
3.    Providence, R.I. – 81 percent chance of accident versus national average
4.    Hialeah, Fla. – 78 percent chance of accident versus national average
5.    Glendale, Calif. – 76 percent chance of accident versus national average
6.    Philadelphia – 64 percent chance of accident versus national average
7.    Alexandria, Va. – 63 percent chance of accident versus national average
8.    Newark, N.J. – 59 percent chance of accident versus national average
9.    Miami – 58 percent chance of accident versus national average
10.    San Francisco – 55 percent chance of accident versus national average

Los Angeles City recorded at least 48 percent chance of accident versus national average.

The report listed the following cities as the safest in terms of traffic accidents:

1. Sioux Falls, S.D. – 27.6 percent less likely to have traffic accidents
2. Boise, Idaho – 27.3 percent less likely to have traffic accidents
3. Fort Collins, Colo. – 26.7 percent less likely to have traffic accidents
4. Madison, Wisc. – 23.0 percent less likely to have traffic accidents
5. Lincoln, Neb. – 19.3 percent less likely to have traffic accidents
6. Huntsville, Ala. – 19.1 percent less likely to have traffic accidents
7. Chandler, Ariz. – 18.9 percent less likely to have traffic accidents
8. Reno, Nev. – 18.4 percent less likely to have traffic accidents
9. Knoxville, Tenn. – 18.1 percent less likely to have traffic accidents
10. Springfield, Mo – 17.4 percent less likely to have traffic accidents

Even though Los Angeles is not on the top list of cities with high chances of traffic accidents, Los Angeles drivers, riders, passengers, and pedestrians should not underestimate the dangers of the road. Los Angeles car accident attorneys always remind motorists to mind their actions while on the road to make sure that they are not inching their way towards accident and possible lawsuits.

Recoverable Damages for California Large Truck Accident Claim

In 2009, almost 30 people were killed in truck and big rig accidents in California. But despite the relatively low fatality rate in large truck accidents in the state, nobody should overlook and underestimate the damages that such mishaps could lead to.

Large truck accidents, even though they are not as common as accidents involving smaller vehicles, can still cause catastrophic life situations. For example, truck accident survivors commonly sustain life-altering injuries, such as traumatic brain injury, spinal cord injury, multiple bone fractures, severe abrasion and laceration, internal bleeding, and even immobility. They are also more likely to suffer from major injuries than automobile accident victims because trucks are heavier.

Accordingly, Los Angeles motorists who get injured in a truck or big rig accident should claim for damages from the liable parties involved to get financial aid for their recovery. Under the tort law, individuals who get injured in an accident caused by another person’s negligent action have a claim for personal injury damages.

The following are the common recoverable damages for large truck and big rig accidents:

•    Payments for hospitalization, rehabilitation, and medication expenses
•    Payments for loss of income
•    Payments for future loss of income
•    Pain and suffering damages
•    Mental anguish damages
•    Emotional distress damages
•    Loss of consortium damages

In order for truck accident victims to recover the said damages, they should first criminally charge the liable party involved in the incident. If the accident was caused by the truck driver, the victim can file a case against the driver and his company.

Claiming for personal injury damages in a truck accident case is not easy because the victim has to deal with large insurance companies. However, despite this, claimants should not be discouraged to pursue a claim because they can seek for legal assistance from a Los Angeles personal injury lawyer.

Tips on Avoiding Car Accidents during Rainy Season in California

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When the rainy season starts in California, car accidents become more common. Slippery roads, zero road visibility, and heavy rains are the common recipes for road disasters in California during this season.

Even though car accidents are common during rainy days in California, drivers could avoid such mishaps provided that they are willing to practice proper road decorum and preventive measures. Accordingly, a California motorist may avoid road accidents by following these simple advices:

Slow down – Given the fact that rain makes the road slippery, it is imperative for drivers not to speed. However, drivers should not also drive in a very slow pace so as to avoid rear-end collisions. Also, drivers are advised not to tailgate and to leave at least a car-length space from the vehicle in front of them. Weaving in and out of the road is also a big no-no because the roads are slippery and can easily cause rollover.

Focus on the road – Distracted driving could heighten the dangers of slippery roads; hence, drivers must focus their attention on the road rather than on other things such as electronic devices. Drivers must also be extra attentive when driving under the heavy rains because the visibility during this type of weather is limited.

Turn on the headlights – Heavy rain may cause poor road visibility, and when this occurs, drivers should turn the headlights and hazard lights of their car in order for other motorists to recognize them. Also, it would be helpful to turn on hazard lights to further caution other drivers who may have a hard time noticing other vehicles.

Avoid sudden brakes – Abrupt braking may cause the vehicle to skid uncontrollably and may result in unsafe lane changes. Skidding on a slippery or wet surface can easily cause the vehicle to rollover.

Safe and responsible driving should always be highlighted during rainy season in California so that traffic fatalities and injuries can be avoided. Los Angeles drivers must see to it that they are following all safety protocols and laws for them to ensure the public’s safety. They should likewise always remember that even a single minor mistake can result into road tragedies, especially when the roads are wet and slippery.

Los Angeles auto accident attorneys remind drivers to be extra careful when driving during rainy days to avoid suffering from different types of major injuries like spinal cord injury, traumatic brain injury, internal bleeding, immobility, bone fracture, and others.