Buses About to be Buckled Up

Seatbelts are some of the most important safety feature of a vehicle. During crashes, these safety belts are responsible for restraining one’s body, preventing it from hitting anything inside the vehicle, or getting thrown out of it. This very old technology for a lot of people doesn’t seem to make much sense. However, almost all the other passive safety systems like the airbag, the whiplash protecting headrests, among others will not work properly without the help of the seatbelt.

Absence in Motorcoaches
While seatbelts are available in taxis, the same could not be said when it comes to motorcoaches. According to the information compiled by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), there are 21 motorcoach and large bus passengers that are killed, while 7,934 people gets injured every year because of motor vehicle crashes. The agency added that the absence of seatbelts on these public transport vehicles is one of the major reasons why such things happen.

Buckling up on Motorcoaches
According to US Transportation Secretary Anthony Foxx, “Safety is our highest priority and we are committed to reducing the number of deaths and injuries on our roadways.” And so, the NHTSA has just issued a final rule regarding the use of lap and shoulder seat belts on motorcoaches. According to this rule, a lap and shoulder seat belts should be made available for each of the passenger and the driver of large buses and motorcoaches. This new rule aims to prevent fatalities and serious injuries among passenger in frontal crashes, or the risk of occupant ejection in cases of rollovers by enhancing the safety of these vehicles. According to studies, seat belt use can reduce fatalities by up to 44 percent an can lessen the number of moderate to severe injuries by up to 45 percent.

This new amendment to the Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard 208 will be applied to new, over-the-road buses as well as new, buses that have a gross vehicle weight rating (GVWR) higher than 11,793 kilograms. Exempted are transit buses and school buses. This new rule is in accordance to the “Moving Ahead for Progress in the 21st Century Act” (MAP-21). So buses that will be manufactured beginning November 2016 will be required to equip the driver and all passenger seats with lap and shoulder belts.

Private Sector’s Initiative
With the announcement of such rules, some companies have voluntarily purchased buses that have seat belts; a move that a Injury Lawyer in Los Angeles is lauding. The Transportation Department continues to encourage the industry to adhere to this new ruling before the mandatory deadline comes. This new ruling, the agency said, is just one of the many initiatives that they will be pushing for to help boost safety on motorcoaches. They said that the people can expert more initiatives as the agency continues to implement the Motorcoach Safety Action Plan.

Staying Safe on the Road with Semis

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On freeways and main thoroughfares, semi-trucks are a common sight. Other names for these large vehicles are transport, semi, tractor-trailers, big rigs, 18-wheelers, or lorry. These behemoths are the prime movers of the heaviest of things from one place to another. Every time you’d go out for a drive on the biggest and busiest interstate roads, you’d normally see one passing by. These are very important parts of a country’s economy as the goods that it carries help move the nation forward.

Scary Semis
Upon seeing one, a person can’t help but get intimidated by these huge vehicles. More than its size, the heavy cargo that these semis carry can overwhelm an average driver driving a regular vehicle. You’d naturally be terrified, just thinking about the consequences should the trailer snap or if its cargo falls on you. These thoughts have basis though as some of the deadliest and nastiest accidents on freeways are caused by semis. Just a few days back, a semi rolled over along the Interstate 80 one early morning. While the real cause of the accident is still unknown, the semi rolling over almost got other vehicles involved with the mishap. Such is just one of the many recorded accidents involving semis every year. According to the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety, more than 500,000 semis and large commercial vehicles have been involved or have caused traffic crashes in 2010 alone. These recorded accidents have injured more than 100,000 people and killed 5,000 more. That is why a lawyer for auto accident in Los Angeles get more concerned with the safety of people, sharing the roads with this big rig.

Keeping Safe with Semis
Semis, despite its huge size and heavy loads are rather safe. However, some precautions must be taken to ensure that these behemoths will not be involved in an accident. Here are some tips for safety as compiled through the help of an auto accident lawyer in Los Angeles that has handled many cases involving semi-trucks.

Wear your seatbelts. This can’t be stressed enough. One should always wear his or her seatbelts every time they are on board cars. This makes sense all the more while driving on roads with semis. This will help protect you in the event of a collision, lessening the chances of you getting badly injured.

Be conspicuous and keep distance. Driving huge semis is such a chore. That is why you should help the driver by staying visible and staying away from blind spots. This way, there would be lesser chances of you and your vehicle getting entangled with these trucks.

Be a responsible, defensive driver. The best safety system of a vehicle is its driver. The more responsible and defensive driver you are, the safer you and your passengers are on the road.

Semis may be dangerous but these are a part of your life as a commuter. And so, an attorney for auto accident in Los Angeles says that we can’t do anything much about the presence of these giants on the road. The only thing that we can do to stay safe is by doing everything that is necessary to avoid a collision or minimize the chance of collisions from happening. This way, you can enjoy driving around while sharing the road with these semi-trucks.

101 Freeway Crash Leaves 6 with Different Injuries

Almost every single day, hundreds of motor vehicle accidents are recorded in the State of California. These mishaps are causing the state hundreds of thousands worth of damages to property, thousands of injuries and death. These do not only affect drivers and passengers of the vehicles plying by the roads. It also involves pedestrians, innocent passersby that do not have anything to do at all with the situation.

Car Sparks Huge Accident

It only takes one irresponsible driver or a badly-maintained vehicle to spark a huge accident on the road. Especially on the freeway where motorists are travelling at high speeds, avoiding accidents are just harder than the usual. For example, one car was traveling early morning on the northbound lane of the 101 Freeway at Oak Street. Initial investigations revealed that a car collided with another vehicle. For reasons yet undisclosed, the three passengers of the car, one of which received severe, life threatening injuries were badly hurt and was rushed to the Ventura County Medical Center. Three more victims were brought to the Community Memorial Hospital in the area. Good thing, the fuel tank of the car that got semi-ruptured in the accident did not explode. Crews were able to prevent 40 gallons of fuel from entering a nearby storm drain, preventing what could have been an even more deadly accident. It took hours for CalTrans to be able to clean up and assess the condition of the road.

Avoiding Motor Vehicle Accidents

Yes, accidents happen at times when one least expects it. However, doing the necessary precautions can help a lot in helping minimize the chances of these mishaps from happening. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), impaired and distracted driving remains on top of the list of reasons why motor vehicle accidents happen. The condition of the road and the vehicle also plays a huge role as to why mishaps occur.

What to Do When Accidents Strike

Your safety is the most important thing to consider. That is why you have to go and ensure your safety first above everything. Documenting pieces of evidence is also important as this would help should you decide filing a claim against the other party whom you collided. Hiring an attorney for auto accident in los angeles
to help you prepare and file a claim, and represent you in any legal proceedings can help you avenge what has happened to you, get the justice that you need, and make the negligent and irresponsible people held accountable for their actions. There might be no fool-proof way of staying away from such accidents. However, equipping yourself with the right information and tools can help you stay on top of the situation and have things working in your favor.

According to study: Los Angeles Not Safe for Pedestrians

 Los Angeles is a hotspot for different types of road accidents, and pedestrian accidents are not an exemption.

A study conducted by the University of Michigan Transportation Research Institute found out that Los Angeles pedestrians are particularly at risk of getting involved in traffic accidents. read more about traffic accidents here

The said study found that pedestrians make up to about a third of all traffic fatalities in the Los Angeles area. This means that the rate of pedestrian accidents in Los Angeles is nearly triple the national average of 11.4 percent.

Meanwhile, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) reported that in 2009 alone, about 563 Californians were killed as a result of pedestrian accidents. This number accounted for 19 percent of the total fatal road accidents in the state.

According to Michael Sivak, a professor at the University of Michigan Transportation Research Institute, it is not surprising that pedestrian accidents are common in Los Angeles because of its urban setting. He added that crowded and highly-urbanized areas like Los Angeles and New York are common places for fatal pedestrian accidents.

As it is, the odds are unfortunately not on the side of Los Angeles commuters and pedestrians; hence, they have to equip themselves with the right knowledge about traffic safety.

The following are some of the simple and effective safety tips for pedestrians:

Use designated crosswalks – Never attempt to jaywalk because you would only put your life in danger when a driver failed to notice you crossing.

Wear something bright – Wearing bright-colored outfit will make you easily noticeable by motor vehicle drivers.

Avoid walking on busy roadways – Roadways packed with vehicles are likely to become a pedestrian accident scene. Avoiding such places can spare you from one.

In case you get hit by a vehicle while walking in Los Angeles, the best way you could do after receiving medical treatment is to contact an expert injury attorney in los angeles. He or she can represent you and help you in claiming for personal injury damages.

Role of Emergency Response Teams in Ensuring Safety on the Road

 

Ambulances are very important emergency response vehicles. That is why on the road, everyone must and are ordered to yield to these vehicles as they carry people battling for their lives and survival. And so, what are the odds of the very tool to save lives can endanger it?

An unlikely accident

In Orange County, California recently, two people got hurt as the ambulance they were riding crashed into one of the poles, just outside the Children’s Hospital of Orange County. According to authorities, the accident took place around 7:00 AM. The driver of the ambulance as well as a passenger, were both trapped inside the vehicle. While both have suffered minor injuries, it was not at all easy for the rescuers to free the victims from the ambulance. Ironically, this happened right in front of a hospital.

The responsibility of ambulance drivers and crew
Given the importance of these emergency response vehicles, drivers and the crew on board these vehicles must take all necessary precautions when operating such vehicle. While the concern is to bring the patients to the nearest medical facility as quickly as possible, these professionals must ensure that safety not just of the patient they are transporting, but of everybody else on the road remains on top of their priorities.

An Auto Accident lawyer in Los Angeles reminds members of emergency response teams that though they are given priority in as far as road use is concerned, they should always act responsively. These people are not exempted from traffic laws and can be held liable for their negligent actions that cause the injuries of people they share the road with. If you have been involved in an accident because of the arrogant behavior on the road of these emergency response teams, you can file personal injury claims against them. If you have the pieces of evidence needed and can prove that your injuries, damage to property, even the loss of a loved one’s lie have been caused by such accidents, you can ask for damages to avenge what has happened to you.

So whoever you are and whatever it is that you drive, always make sure that you exercise safe driving habits. Cause one small mistake on your part can affect the lives of others.

Winning Your Personal Injury Claims in the Event of a Train Accident

 

While trains have been there for more than a century, this mode of transportation remains very popular among the people. For one, trains can move hundreds of people, tons of cargo, and more effortlessly. And even if it is very old, trains’ design and the technology that moves it continue to evolve, making it still relevant during these times. Moreover, there is no such thing as traffic jams when one talks about trains. That is why, over the years, trains have remained to be a very popular transportation means to people.

Accidents on trains
However, no matter how study and safe trains seem, you can still get into trouble for riding one. For one, train accidents can really get nasty. In the past few months, incidences of train accidents have been making rounds on local news programs. Recently, dozens of people were hurt when two commuter trains crashed at a station west of Chicago. According to authorities, the accident happened during rush hour one morning. An eastbound train of the Chicago Transit Authority crashed with a stationary westbound train at the Harlem Station in Forest Park. 33 people were brought to the hospitals to be treated of minor injuries. The officials are still trying to figure out what is the real cause of the accidents.

Train safety
The government for its part has been making ways to ensure that these accidents can be avoided. Also, the train operators are compelled by law to make sure that their riders are safe and must provide the necessary compensation to its injured passengers or those who died because of such accidents. As a victim, you can hire personal injury lawyer that handles train accident to help you file a claim against the train company. This way, you can ensure that you will get enough compensation, not just to have yourself treated, but get the medications and undergo therapy needed to help you recover from this sad episode of your life.

Secret to winning claims
Filing a claim is easy but winning it can be a bit more difficult than it seems. That is why you should not just leave your claims to chance and make sure that you do everything to help ensure that you will win with the claims that you have filed. This way, you’d be able to avenge what has happened to you and hold the train companies liable in doing everything that they can to ensure the safety of the riding public.

Los Angeles Bicycle Safety: Use Your Head, Wear a Helmet

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Bikes can be equally (or even more) dangerous than riding a vehicle. Bikes are often involved in crashes that cause injuries to riders. In worst cases, these accidents can even claim the lives of these poor bikers.

Using your head to protect it
While there is not much that you can do to stop these accidents, what you can do as a rider is to lessen the negative effects of such mishaps. Wearing biking safety gear can help lessen the chances of you getting severe injuries that can cause disabilities to people. According to a Los Angeles bicycle accident attorney, of all the personal injury claims he handled, injuries were lessened because of these gear. Especially with injuries on one’s head, wearing a helmet significantly lowers the risk of brain injuries that can get one permanently disabled, or killed.

What's in it with helmets?
So helmets help protect one’s head. But is it all that one needs to know about these biking safety gears? Here are some of the things that you should keep in mind when it comes to helmets.

What if he doesn't wear his helmet?... watch carefully...

There are three types of helmets; road, multi-sport, BMX helmets.

• A road helmet is the best kind of protection that meets the needs of most bicyclists. Made of foam, it has soft pads that improve fit and comfort. This is held on the head of the rider with the use of adjustable straps.
• Multi-sport helmets on the other hand are designed for people who use bikes, skateboards, or rollerblades. These have fewer air vents with a thicker plastic shell.
• BMC helmets provide more protection to the rider’s head. These look at lot like motorcycle helmets with a chin bar that protects the rider’s head in the event of big crashes.

What are the features that helmets offer?

• Vents. Helmets have vents to keep you cool your head down while riding.
• Straps. These help keep your helmets snugly fit on your head, keeping your head protected in the event of a crash.
• Pads. These removable pads in the helmets helps improve fit to the rider’s head. Moreover it also provides comfort and additional protection as it helps absorbs some of the impact in the event of a crash. The same pads can be interchanged for sanitary purposes.

Getting the “perfect” fit

• Like seat belts, helmets work best when worn correctly. That is why the helmet you should buy must not slide or bounce around on your head. On the front end, it should be at least two finger-widths from your eyebrows.

Helmet replacement 

• As soon as you see damage on it, you should immediately replace it. You must also replace that in the event of a crash where you hit your head. Finally, only get helmets certified by CPSC, ASTM, or Snell.

Biking can really be dangerous. That is why you should use your head properly and do anything you can to protect it. If you ever get injuries that got you injured on any part of your body, hiring the services of a Los Angeles attorney can help you make those negligent people accountable for their actions, of their lack of it.

Things to Keep in Mind to Avoid Spinal Cord Injuries

 

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The spinal cord is such an important part of one’s body. It serves as the medium for the human brain to transmit and receive signals from various parts of our body. It is largely responsible for our body’s motor and sensory functions. This is a very sensitive part of the human body and it requires special attention.

The spinal cord is encased inside the vertebrae or the backbone. While the backbone is tough and durable, a bad blow to your back can cause great damage to the spine. This damage could lead to serious problems like the loss of one’s motor or sensory abilities.

Because of this, it is important that you should protect it from any kinds of injury or damage. A spinal cord injury advocate, the United Spinal Association provided a list of tips that one must remember to prevent injury to the spine. Here are some of them`:

• Be mindful of your step. Even the best fall down at times. But why let yourself experience that and cause irreversible injury to your spine? Be mindful of where you are stepping so that you can avoid slipping, tripping, and falling. You wouldn’t want to sustain these kinds of life-threatening injuries, so you better be really careful.
• Buckle up when traveling. When driving or riding a vehicle, make sure you buckle up to keep yourself planted on your seat at all times. When accidents happen, this safety gadget protects you from possible injuries to the spine, preventing nasty injuries.
• When riding a bicycle or motorcycle, wear your protective helmet. When you ride a motorcycle or bicycle, you must do so safely. It is a must, too, that you use your helmet to protect your head from possible injuries.

If you or your loved one has suffered from a serious spinal cord injury because of one’s negligence or fault, you must remember that there are laws there to help protect your rights. You can file a personal injury complaint for the spinal cord injury and have the people responsible held liable.

Just seek the help of a Los Angeles personal injury lawyer and they will guide you through the entire process hearing you case. They will help you gather all documents necessary in proving the fault of the person or party responsible for your injury. Fight for your rights and protect your spine at all times.

Wrongful Death Defined

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Death is something that every living being in this world will face. It is a reality of life that cannot be avoided, only delayed. However, it doesn’t mean that one can’t live a full life. That is why people always ask questions about why someone dies ahead of them. This is also one of the reasons why losing important people for you really do hurt. People can die because of diseases or freak accidents. Though painful, those are causes of death that are much easier to deal with and accept. However, when the death of your loved one is something that is caused by the actions or negligence of some people that is when it gets harder to deal with. You can’t and must not just let their death go in vain.

Giving justice to your loved one’s untimely passing

Losing your loved one because of an unfortunate incident brought about by one’s actions or negligence is truly painful. That is why the federal and state laws came up with a way on how you can make the people responsible for the passing of a loved one liable for their actions. A wrongful death charge is something that you can file against someone who has indirectly caused the death of a loved one. This civil action can be filed by the close relatives of the victim. There are certain statues that depend on which state you are residing as to when and how you can file such claims.

Filing a wrongful death claim

While a lot of people know that you can file a wrongful death claim to avenge the death of your loved one, not a lot of people know how it is filed. And so, here is a quick guide on how you can file a wrongful death claim.

• Meet the basic requirements in filing a claim. First up, a proof of death is needed. Then you need to collect pieces of evidence or present witnesses that can prove that the death of your loved one is caused by a particular person or a group of people. Finally, you need proof that you, or a group of people are suffering from trauma, whether emotional or financial as a result of the death of that loved one.
• Hire a Los Angeles wrongful death lawyer to help you. You need the assistance of a legal expert before you do file a claim. They will guide you in doing the best things that could make your claims strong. These lawyers will be legally representing and guiding you in this highly technical battle.
• File your claims in compliance to the statutes in your state. Depending on what state you are on, there are statutes that limit the filing of wrongful death claims. That is why you should consult a Los Angeles attorney to help you file your claims according to the laws governing such claims.

After filing such claims, expect a hard-fought legal battle if this does not end up in a settlement. So make sure that you also are ready for all of the consequences and the challenges that come with filing a wrongful death claim. What matters here is that you have legal avenues to seek justice for the untimely loss of a loved one.

Is Your Car Included in Vehicle Safety Recalls

 

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Every customer in the United States has the right to demand nothing but the best from the products that they buy. With every dollar and penny that an American spends on a particular item that they buy is their trust for that particular product. That is why there are consumer protection laws in the country to help ensure that these companies are held accountable for the quality, or the lack of it, of their products.

The same goes for big ticket items such as houses and vehicles. Not too long ago, Japanese carmaker Toyota got into trouble for the failure of some other components. The carmaker’s manufacturing defects have caused serious injuries and even death to its customers. That prompted the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) to put in place stringent quality control testing to ensure that the products that reach the market are free from the said problems.

Vehicle recalls
However, there are times when some defects are not discovered during the extensive qualitative testing of the vehicle manufacturer. If left unchecked or undetected, these pending problems on the vehicle can cause problems while travelling causing accidents. These accidents if left undetected could lead you and family hurt, or worse died. That is why you have to keep yourself updated about the latest recalls to have the things that need fixing on your vehicle fixed.

Left behind
Usually, vehicle recalls are done in batches. Certain series of a particular make and model are included in the recall and the others, not. Because of this nature of vehicle recalls, some manufacturers fail to serve and fix all of the vehicles that need to be recalled. There are also times when one person fails to have their vehicles serviced because they are not aware that their vehicle needs servicing.

NHTSA’s free Vehicle Identification Number searches
To help customers have their vehicles checked if it is included in the recall or no, the NHTSA offers vehicle owners a free VIN searches to help determine a certain vehicles inclusion or not in the vehicle recall. This online tool can be accessed by visiting the NHTSA website at www.SaferCar.gov. Just key in your vehicle’s VIN and you will be notified if your vehicle is part of any recall activity. This project by the NHTSA aims to keep all American motorists safe from danger.

A Los Angeles personal injury attorney reminds every American motorist that their safety and their occupants should be on top of these carmakers’ priorities. That is why you should demand your vehicles be serviced if it is included in the NHTSA’s list of vehicles that need to be recalled. If they fail to do so and these defects caused injuries to you or your loved ones, you can file the necessary complaints through the help of a Los Angeles lawyer.

Wanted: Car Accident Lawyer

 

Some people who have been involved in an accident think that filing a complaint by themselves help save them money. Because think about it, you will be paying a huge sum to your lawyer as attorney's fees if they ever win the case for you. However, there are some cases when you really need the assistance of a lawyer to help you win the case you are filing. Here are some of the instances when you should really be asking for the help of a good Los Angeles car accident lawyer to bail you out of possible imprisonment.

• When you are the one at fault. No matter how you try to explain and defend yourself hard, nobody can do it better for you than a trained and experienced lawyer. While you may not be able to get away from liability and may still be asked to pay for damages, at least, you won't be taken advantage of and pay for excessive damages.
• When the case is quite complicated and the negligence is disputed.  In cases where you are partly to blame for the accident, you would need to defend yourself from the situation. In such situations, a lawyer can better represent you and also prove the other's party's negligence. Which can effectively lessen the damages you need to pay.
• When disputes are made about the damages that needs to be paid. In accidents, it is normal for victims to jack up the prices of the repairs needed to the hospitalization fees made to treat their injuries. On the other hand, the one liable can also play low ball and haggle the amount of damages that he or she needs to pay in very low levels that it gets really unfair for the victims. A lawyer can help you with this as they will be able to defend you, if you happen to be the one responsible; or go after those who caused damages and injuries to you, if you are the victim.
• In cases where the injuries are grave. When one victim suffers severe injuries due to the accident, it is the best to ask for the help of a lawyer. A good attorney will be able to bolster your chance in winning your claims. This will make sure that you get what you truly deserve and that the ones liable for your injuries are held accountable for their fault.

While in many situations, hiring a lawyer may not be the best idea as some claims are easy to file. One more thing is that attorney's fees can eat up a huge chunk of the damages that you are ought to get. But when it comes to the situations that were mentioned earlier, you wouldn't want to jeopardize your claim's possible success by not asking for the help of someone who's very knowledgeable when it comes to personal injury laws. In these times, hiring a personal injury attorney will help ensure that you get the justice that you deserve.

Determining Pain and Suffering Damages for Victims of Personal Injury

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Every personal injury victim is entitled to damages, especially if he or she sustains a significant injury that subsequently affects his or her life in general. To begin with, damages refer to the award given to him or her as a form of compensation for a certain loss. However, before a victim is entitled to such, it is important for him or her to prove that the other party negligently caused him or her that injury.

If you are a victim of a personal injury—car accident, slip and fall, and the like—caused you injuries because of someone else’s negligence, you must know that you must first establish proof in order for you to obtain compensation for the damages you incurred. For this to happen, you must hire a Los Angeles personal injury attorney who can effectively and aggressively handle your case.

For the most part, damages are usually determined in monetary value. In either a court decision or off-court settlement, the party liable for your injuries must provide you with the determined amount of compensation. While compensatory damages usually cover the injured party’s medical treatment, lost income and future earnings, there are damages that are, in essence, not quantified monetarily. Case in point: pain and suffering damages.

This form of compensatory damages refers to the overall physical and emotional trauma that a personal injury victim may have to endure after an accident. Although non-quantifiable, pain and suffering damages are determined nonetheless based on the type and nature of the injury the victim sustained in the accident, as well as the injury’s severity and the pain the victim may have to endure.

As it is, putting a value on pain and suffering is difficult. In determining the monetary value that will comprise the injured victim’s pain and suffering damages, law firms and insurance companies often consider the following:

• The occurrence of a preexisting injury that would prolong the victim’s pain;
• The victim’s tolerance to pain, whether or not he or she can endure it; and
• The victim’s ability to perform basic life activities, or lack thereof.

As a personal injury victim, having a lawyer by your side is very important, since your injury will be evaluated based on your doctor’s findings to help determine if you are entitled to receive compensation for your pain and suffering.

Mother and Two Kids Injured in Panorama City Crash; 70-year-old Driver Fled

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Anybody can (literally) drive a vehicle. Just how hard could that be? You just manipulate a few pedals, a shift stick (or a shifter for automatics), and the steering wheel and you are good to go. The real question is how many people can actually drive vehicles PROPERLY. When getting your driver’s license, you are subjected to many tests, which determine your capability in operating a vehicle while developing the right attitude for driving.

A bad case of hit-and-run

Sadly, a lot of people tend to forget these lessons that they have learned and end up figuring in accidents. What’s worse though is that some people have the audacity to leave their victims behind as if nothing has happened. In Panorama City, California, a mother and her two kids have been treated and are recovering from the injuries they sustained as they were hit by a car. According to reports filed by the authorities, a 70-year-old driver kept driving after hitting a family near Van Nuys Boulevard and Chase Street.

Manning up for one’s responsibilities

Though statistics are yet to prove this, the prevalence of hit-and-run cases reported on local media outfits is quite bothering. In almost every week, incidences where drivers are running from their responsibilities to their victims have been growing. That is why authorities are calling for more responsibility for drivers in the state. More than just being more careful when behind the wheel, people should at least be responsible enough to check on the victims should one get ever involved in an accident.

Reasons for hit-and-runs

Some lessons are learned the hard way. This is what a Los Angeles personal injury lawyer shared as he recalls experiences handling hit-and-run cases. Most of his clients relate to him how overwhelmed they are when it dawned on them the gravity of the responsibility that they will be facing because of the accident. However, this Los Angeles attorney reminded people not to be afraid and instead face their responsibilities as running away from it doesn’t solve their problems but instead worsens their situation. In the end, he reminded drivers to always be careful to avoid accidents, so they won’t ever need to face such huge responsibilities.

Keeping National Parks Safe for Adventure-seekers

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Some people just love the great outdoors and who wouldn’t? It feels good to be in touch with the cool breeze, the fresh air, the sight of trees, leaves waving, and birds chirping. It is just so serene that is perfect for relaxing. That is why people who get worn out during the busy work week would want to go nature tripping. This is one of the reasons why mountain biking is becoming a very popular hobby nowadays. In the US, camping is one all-time favorite hobby of American families, with them going out and enjoying the great doors whenever they get the chance to do so.

Safety in the great outdoors

However, one must consider the aspect of one’s safety whenever they go out camping. There are many dangers in the great outdoors like wild animals, dangerous terrain, landslides, rocks falling, you name it. These things are ones that you should consider when going out on camping out enjoying outdoor trails. Good thing there are park keepers that ensure these natural parks are well kept and that park goers’ safety is prioritized.

Recently in the United Kingdom, a walker slipped and fell to a rock fissure in the Yorkshire Dales. This has caused him to be wedge in the fissure where he was later rescued. The park keepers always made it a point to remind their visitors of the dangers when visiting the park and the need to exercise great caution to prevent accidents like that from happening.

Although the situations in U.K. and in the United States are not similar, Americans can learn from the said incident. The State of California is home to many adventure-seekers, and picking some lessons from the said incident can help them further ensure their safety.

Putting safety first

Yes, adventure trails can give you real fun and the danger that comes with traveling in one could boost your adrenaline up. However, accidents in such adventure-filled trips can spoil all the fun. That is why you should always strive hard to follow these rules to continue enjoying without the hassles of accidents from happening.

However, if you got injured for any reason because of the negligence of park keepers, you can always ask for the help of a Los Angeles premise liability lawyer. They will help you prepare and file the necessary charges to bring these people to justice. With a successful claim filed, you can receive damages that could help you cure and rehabilitate those injuries so you can go back into living your life. Remember, seeking adventure is a great experience. But as a Los Angeles lawyer reminds everybody, one’s safety should always be our number one priority.

Can Speech-to-text Devices Save You From Crashing?

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When voice-activated functionality came out on on mobile phones like Apple’s “Siri” and Google Voice, people thought that this could actually be the end of one motorist’s driving woes. Imagine, just say what you need and what you want the phone to do and it’ll figure things out all by itself. You just need an Internet connection and a good understandable speaking and you’re all good to go. However, it seems like this new tech doesn’t work as promised.

Even more distractive

The main reason why voice to text apps was made is to eliminate distraction. Especially when driving, these apps promise to be great tools to minimize, if not completely avoid distracted driving. However, tests made by researchers from the University of Utah say that these cause even more distractions while driving. About 12 male and 20 female drivers aged 18 to 33 were equipped with sensors were given a battery of tests in vehicle simulators and real cars. These studies prove that sending text messages using a speech to text app were more distractive than just listening to the car’s radio or talking to passengers.

Consumer Electronic groups challenge the studies

An industry group, the Consumer Electronic Association has disputed the findings of the University of Utah research. According to the group, the researchers of the university have made “a number of methodology flaws” that resulted in the findings that they have. The group questions the results of the research of the popular university.

The dangers of distracted driving

In another report made a year ago, the National Safety Council said that the use of mobile phones have something to do with 24 percent of all vehicle crashes in the US. A Los Angeles attorney finds this strange since most states now have laws banning the use of mobile phones while driving a motor vehicle. Every year, thousands of Americans die because of accidents caused by distracted driving. The government, even consumer electronic groups are trying hard to do everything to come up with a solution to end distracted driving. This will prevent injuries and deaths that is caused by accidents and there would be no need for a Los Angeles wrongful death lawyer to make claims for these loss of lives.

4th of July: Celebrating Freedom Responsibly with Motorcycle Riding Safety in Mind

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Today, the whole nation celebrates Independence Day and a lot of Americans would probably be seen riding their motorcycles during the weekend. Americans are such big fans of motorcycles. If anything, riding a motorcycle gives you that feeling of freedom of mobility. It lets you zip through tight spaces that its 4-wheel counterparts can’t go. There are also different motorcycles for different uses. A perfect testament of the Americans’ love affair with motorcycle is its active role in the development of the motorcycle that we know now.

History of American Motorcycles

Ever since its introduction in the late 1800s Americans have shown their love for these motorcycles. American inventor Sylvester Roper Roxbury of Massachusetts has come up with his very own interpretation of the first motorcycles, with the Roper steam velocipede in 1869. Americans have its line of motorcycle manufacturers and one of them, Indian, became the world’s largest manufacturer until before World War I started. Though other countries have taken over the helm of motorcycle production, Americans have still come up with powerful, exciting motorcycles, particularly highway cruisers. The US has a lot of motorcycle manufacturers. That includes the ever popular Harley Davidson, the legendary Indian, and other revolutionary new brands.

Motorcycle Safety in Los Angeles during 4th of July

Up to this very day, the motorcycle culture in the country is still very much alive and thriving, just like the freedom that we enjoy. However, like this country’s freedom that we are celebrating, the same feeling that one feels while riding a motorbike, we should be aware of a rider’s responsibility for safety. A Los Angeles motorcycle lawyer pointed out studies that were held recently, motorcycle riders 35 times are more likely to get hurt or worse, die during motor vehicle accidents. In 2006, approximately 88,000 motorcyclists got hurt in highway accidents alone. Also, some 4,810 riders were killed in these accidents. With Independence Day being the worst day for motor vehicle accidents, riders should make it a point to put riding safety on top of everything else. So how can riders stay safe while having fun riding their bikes? Here are some quick tips.

Before riding, make sure to thoroughly check the condition of your motorcycle. Making sure that your bike is in tip top shape to ensure that there won’t be unexpected breakdowns that could potentially cause accidents.
Practice safe riding habits. Ride at moderate speeds. Always be on the lookout for possible hazards around you. This way you’d be able to stay away from them and keep yourself an innocent people on the road safer.
Keep distractions away. Do not drink and ride. Wear safety gear. While riding, make sure that you have all of the safety gear needed while riding to lessen if not avoid injuries in the event of a crash.

Keeping riding safety in mind will definitely help you and others on the road safe from motorcycle accident-caused injuries and death. In the event of a motorcycle crash, do not forget to ask the help of a Los Angeles attorney to help you in processing claims for your injuries after the accident. Freedom is such a great gift given to us. This Independence Day, the perfect way to celebrate this freedom is by riding our motorcycles wisely and responsibly.

Determining Two Types of Motorists on a Bad Weather Day

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 The weather condition outside is one of the many factors that many motorists often consider before deciding to drive. If the weather is fair and with no signs of precipitation, then it is obvious that they can drive their vehicles. Without any visual obstructions, drivers are able to make sound driving decisions, as well as react to any hazards that may come their way, therefore avoiding collisions or other accidents.

But what if the weather turns out to be bad? The best safety measure is to not drive at all, since bad weather conditions could prevent them from making sound driving decisions due to low to zero visibility. However, there are times when the weather unexpectedly turns bad while drivers are on the road.

As a precautionary measure, they have to drive slowly, especially that there is low to zero visibility or that the roads are slippery, which could trigger an accident if not taken into account. In these situations, drivers can be classified into two types. One is the extremely timid type and the other is the reckless type.

The first type is someone whose intentions are good, but are realistically bad. They are those who drive at very, very low speed during a bad weather day, overestimating the danger that lies within such a situation. When this happens, expect a major build-up of vehicles lining up on a roadway. While other motorists would try to get past these types of drivers, it is possible that an accident may occur, mainly because of being too careful.

The second type, on the other hand, is those who don’t seem to care about the consequences of their actions, given the high risk that an inclement weather condition brings. They are the ones who do not slow down a slippery wet road, as if they are riding down the road on a sunny day. Such a reckless attitude behind the wheel in an inherently dangerous condition may result in an accident.

These types of drivers should not be imitated or emulated. For many expert litigators such as a Los Angeles car accident attorney, whenever people drive under such a bad weather day, it is best to move along slowly and with caution, but still maintaining a considerable speed.

Curbing Road Accidents Involving Teenagers

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Teenage drivers are the most common victims in road accidents these past few years. According to a Los Angeles car accident lawyer, teenage drivers are most likely to figure in road accidents.

What makes teenagers at higher risk in road accidents?
Despite the information they have acquired from driving lessons and even after driving tests, teenage drivers have very minimal experience in driving vehicles. This inexperience makes them less capable of making the right decisions when demanding situations happen. Add this to a teenagers’ generally reckless attitude, then you have an accident waiting to happen every time they are behind the wheel of a car.

Not too long ago, a teenager behind the wheel of a car in Newport Beach together with four friends figured in an accident that got him and all of his passengers killed. An unlicensed 17-year-old Adbulrahman M. Alyahyan, drove the Infiniti travelling southbound on Jamboree Road, north of Island Lagoon suddenly veered off the road, slamming into a tree. The impact was so strong that it severed the vehicle and caught fire. All of the five children occupants of the car died at the scene.

What can you do to help stop accidents involving teen drivers from happening?
A Los Angeles attorney shared that driver error has been the most common reason why car accidents involving teenagers happen. He added that driving the influence and distracted driving are also the two major contributors as to why these kids end up in fatal crashes.

One thing that you can do is enroll your children in reputable driving schools. These will give them the right knowledge that they need when the time comes that they will be driving. Also, by being good role models to them, these children can pick up your driving style and can end up emulating you. You can also spend more time training your kids yourself. More than being able to instill in them good driving practices, you can also use this as a special time to bond with them. While you are at it, you can better guide your kid in doing the right thing while they are behind the wheel.

Teenage drivers can really get irresponsible and immature at times. But by being there for them and guiding them, you can help contribute making your kids better motorists. This could help make the roads safer for everyone using it.

NHTSA Study Reveals Greatest Safety Risks To Drivers

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One driver’s undivided attention is one very important thing to ensure everybody’s safety on road. That is why as a driver, you need to drop everything the moment you step on the car and take the driver’s seat. The reason for this is that even the smallest distraction can cause catastrophic accidents that can leave people injured or worse, dead.

Taking distractions away
Given the very bad effects of distracted driving, the government, through the Department of Transportation and the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has been coming up with various efforts to put an end to distracted driving. One of the many efforts done by these agencies had it releasing guidelines that can help minimize in-vehicle distractions that can affect one’s driving. According to the DOT, as affirmed by a Los Angeles accident attorney, any activity that require drivers to take their hands off the wheel or their hands off the road  when using them is classified as a cause of distraction. The most common examples of such distractions while driving are one’s reading and/or sending of a text message through their mobile phones. Another is the use of video-based equipment for communications and entertainment. This includes video phoning or video conferencing. Finally, displays of types of text like text messages, web pages and social media contents.

NHTSA studies
NHTSA’s “The Impact of Hand-Held and Hands-Free Cell Phone use on Driving Performance and Safety Critical Event Risk” is a naturalistic study that the agency conducted to help put an end to distracted driving. By determining the source and the effects of distraction to drivers, the NHTSA hopes to come up with solutions that will help soon end distracted driving and the accidents that it brings. These are some of the points the agency has discovered through the study:

• Visual-manual tasks degrade a driver’s focus and increases the chances of getting into a crash by up to three times
• It is found that text messaging, browsing, and dialing are the ones that cause the longest duration of a driver taking his or her eyes off the road that increases the risk of road accidents by up to 1.73 times

These findings are used by the DOT in its “Blueprint for Ending Distracted Driving”; a safety plan that has been launched by Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood. This plan aims to come up with a more systematic and strategic approach that can help the government end distracted driving, which can greatly lessen the amount and extent of damage to property, injuries, and deaths by putting a stop to accidents. A Los Angeles attorney believes that with the citizen’s support, these programs initiated by the government will bring about results that will make American roads safer.

The Dangers That Come With Drunk Driving

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Drinking has many health benefits
Drinking alcohol isn’t necessarily bad. In fact regular (but moderated) intake of alcoholic drinks has health benefits that can really improve one’s overall health condition. However, too much of everything can’t be good for you. High alcohol levels can get one drunk, make them lose their inhibitions and at times, make them do things that they’d regret later on.

Drunk Driving is bad.
Because it can make someone lose his or her concentration, drinking and driving are some things that don’t really get along well. It does not matter if one person has a strong sense of control; alcohol will still have an effect to one’s driving. You lose your reflexes, and your senses don’t seem as sharp as when you are sober. This makes you unable to react quickly to various hazards that come your way. Moreover, one becomes more daring when they are drunk, leading to irresponsible maneuvers and ultimately, accidents. According to a group of Los Angeles personal injury lawyers, drunk driving has been the cause of thousands of recorded road accidents in the country. These have caused thousands of injuries and deaths every year.

An accident caused by drinking
One Sunday morning, an accident happened that got eight injured people rushed to the hospital for treatment. According to police reports, an alleged drunk driver rammed the vehicle that he or she was driving on two cars that were on an intersection, waiting for their time to pass. The impact caused a multi-vehicle collision causing the damage to the cars and injuries to the victims.

Government efforts to stop drunk driving
Given the extent of the accidents caused by these incidents of drunk driving, the government has been doing their best, coming up with new programs to help make people realize further the bad effects of drunk driving. Also DUI checkpoints are done every now and then to apprehend drunk drivers. These along with the implementation of anti-drunk driving laws are some of the measures being taken by the government to help prevent, if not stop DUI accidents from happening.

As a driver, you are given a great responsibility of being control a victim. As this is more of a privilege than a right, you should be responsible when you are behind the wheel of a vehicle and try to put safety on top of your priorities.

Everything You Need to Know This Motorcycle Safety Awareness Month

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The month of May is Motorcycle Safety Awareness Month. As such, federal and state traffic safety organizations and traffic law enforcement agencies are making it a point to raise awareness about how to safely maneuver the motorcycle on the road. This national initiative does not only cater to riders, but also to motorists in general who share the road with the former.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) is once again spearheading this awareness campaign. U.S. Department of Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood has expressed his optimism with it, saying that safe riding and cooperation among all road users must be increased to essentially reduce the number of deaths and injuries in U.S. roadways.

Aside from the NHTSA providing pointers to both motorcyclists and motorists on how to share the road with each other, the federal traffic safety agency is also raising awareness about how dangerous motorcycle accidents can be. These include statistics and other vital information with regard to such unfortunate occurrences.

Here are some them:

• NHTSA statistics for the year 2011 showed that 4,612 motorcyclists died on U.S. roadways. This was a 2-percent increase from the previous year. Said figure accounted for 14 percent of all highway deaths. Per vehicle mile, it is said that motorcyclists are 30 times more likely to get killed in a crash than vehicle occupants, and 5 times more likely to get injured.
• The primary cause of death of motorcyclists in the U.S. is head injury. This is due to the lack of helmet usage. With helmets, the estimated number of lives saved, according to the NHTSA, was more than 1,600 in 2011.
• Another common cause of accident deaths involving motorcycles is alcohol consumption. About 42 percent of motorcycle riders who died in single-vehicle crashes in 2011 had blood alcohol concentration levels of 0.08 or higher. Said percentage was the highest among any other driver. In addition, the likelihood of injury or death in alcohol-induced motorcycle riding is greater at night than during the day.

These important pieces of information would benefit a lot of motorcyclists in avoiding accidents on the road. Meanwhile, every Los Angeles motorcycle attorney is hoping that awareness of safely motorcycle riding must not only observed this month, but all year round as well.

NHTSA’s Reminders Regarding Sharing the Road with Motorcyclists

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The month of May is Motorcycle Safety Awareness Month. It is a national initiative that seeks to encourage motorists and motorcyclists to look out and “share the road” with each other, and the U.S. Department of Transportation’s National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) is one of the many traffic safety organizations to spearhead the said awareness campaign.

Statistics from the NHTSA shows that despite the decrease in auto accident deaths in the United States over the years, mishaps involving motorcycles otherwise increased, especially during the past 14 years. The only exception was in 2009, where there was a 16-percent decline.

Part of the NHTSA’s aim this Motorcycle Safety Awareness Month is to provide motorists the knowledge as to how to deal with motorcyclists on the road. As such, the federal traffic safety agency has a list of reminders for drivers to help prevent motorcycle deaths and injuries. Here are some of them:

• Avoid distracted driving. This will prevent collisions with motorcyclists and other further tragic consequences.
• Use signal lights before changing lanes or merging with traffic. That way, motorcyclists will be able to determine which lane to position, therefore avoiding collisions.
• Check rear view and side mirrors while entering or leaving a lane. A motorcyclist can be hidden in a vehicle’s blind spot, which is why the motorist must check both mirrors before making a turn at the intersection or while changing lanes.
• Provide motorcyclists the right of way. Give the motorcyclist enough time to turn left or right on an intersection or making a lane change before proceeding.
• Always look out for road hazards. What may seem to be a minor inconvenience for a motorist may be a major one for a motorcyclist. The latter may change speed or adjust position upon encountering road hazards such as potholes, gravel, and wet and slippery surfaces, among others.
• Allow distance when following a motorcycle. This is recommended since motorcycles stop quicker than most vehicles, especially when they make a maneuver or a full stop.

Meanwhile, every Los Angeles auto accident attorney agrees with the NHTSA’s reminders, likewise advising car, truck, and other four-wheeled vehicles to watch out and share the road with other motorcyclists.

All of the Sudden, Traffic Deaths in the United States Increased

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The latest National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) statistics was for the year 2011, where the traffic agency recorded a total of 32,367 fatalities from motor vehicle crashes in the United States. Said figure was the lowest number of fatalities since 1949, and was also a nearly 2-percent decline in the number of people killed from the previous year (32,999, 2010 statistics).

NHTSA Administrator David Strickland credited such decrease in the 2011 motor vehicle deaths to improved driving behavior, vehicle safety, and educational and awareness campaigns against drunk driving and for the importance of seat belt use. However, the traffic safety agency may have some explaining to do after early estimates of motor vehicle traffic deaths for 2012 showed alarming statistics.

Apparently, the number of traffic fatalities in the United States spiked from the 2011 total to a staggering 34,080, which is utterly surprising. This was a 5.3 percent increase compared to the previous year, and once the true statistics are finalized late this year or next year, the United States will see its first year-to-year increase in fatalities since 2005.

The increase was also seen in terms of seasons, geography, and the type of motor vehicle accident involved. To begin with, the vehicle miles traveled last year rose by 0.3 percent in 2012, which was attributed to the fact that the economy improved, with more and more people purchasing vehicles.

Also, with regard to seasons, a 12.6 percent increase in deaths was seen in winter, among that of spring, summer, and fall of 2012. Every quarter of the year 2012 also saw a large increase in traffic deaths than in every same quarter during the previous year.

Geographically, fatalities in motor vehicle accidents went up in the Northeast by more than 15 percent, which was the most among other geographical regions in the U.S. The South also saw a significant increase with about 10 percent, and the West comprising California, Arizona, and Hawaii topping it all off with an increase of 9 percent.

What seems to be a steady six-year decline in traffic fatalities leading up to two years ago quickly became a quick reversal in 2012. Hope that these statistics will serve as a reminder of how dangerous traffic accidents can be. Every Los Angeles vehicle accident lawyer, though, still advises motorists to exercise safety while traveling on U.S. roadways.

Woman Loses Her Life after Losing Control of Her Bike

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Motorcycle riding is one fun hobby. It offers simple mobility, letting you go from one place to another. It lets you feel the warmth of the sun, the cool breeze, and at times, the very cold rain. Being subjected to the elements, a motorcycle ride gives you a sense of freedom as you don’t have to travel inside a cage-like structure like that on a car. Whenever you travel with a motorcycle, you feel more connected to your surroundings, a better feel of what’s around you.

Motorcycle riding can be dangerous
On the other hand, one rider must realize that motorcycle riding can be a little more dangerous compared to driving a car. You have to balance a bike to prevent yourself from falling, plus its easier for you to get injured should you figure in an accident. This is what happened to a female motorcyclist recently.

According to reports by the Redding Police Department, one unidentified woman was riding along with her husband on separate motorcycles during the afternoon around Bramble Place. For reasons unknown, the husband rode ahead, the wife was then left to ride alone. Not long after, the woman lost control of her bike, leaving the roadway and colliding with a building at the Bramble Creek Apartments on Victor Avenue. Paramedics soon came to rescue the injured woman and she was transported to Mercy Medical Center to be treated of her injuries. However, the woman later died because of the severity of her injuries.

This incident, according to a Los Angeles motorcycle attorney happens a lot with motorcycle riders. Citing a report from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), this lawyer said that motorcycle riders are 37 times more likely to die from injuries sustained because of motorcycle accidents. Also, motorcycle riders are 9 times more likely to be injured compared to their car driver counterparts. This data was derived from a 2007 NHTSA study.

That is why this lawyer reminds every motorcycle rider to exercise more caution while riding their bikes, or avoid long-distance rides if possible. He believes that while bikes can be safe, there are too many risks that affect a rider’s safety. If riding can’t avoid riding, one has to make sure that he or she has all of the safety gear that riders should wear and ride on moderate speeds.

Los Angeles Couple Gets Justice for Their Child’s Wrongful Death

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For parents, nothing is more important than being able to raise your kids. Being your very purpose in this world, you only want the best for your children. One of the most painful thing that can happen to parents is to see their kids die before them. But what if your child’s death is caused by somebody else’s fault? That could easily be the worst thing ever right?

Challenges of having a special child
Raising a normal kid is hard as it is. Raising a child with disabilities is simply harder. They have special needs and therefore require more attention and caring. Despite these hardships, you will still do anything that you can to ensure that they are well taken care of and that their needs are provided for. In these situations, you’d probably hire professionals that can help you give the best possible care for your kids. But what happens when the people you hired failed to do their jobs and instead cause your child’s demise?

Deadly caregivers
One California couple has lost their daughter, a woman diagnosed with schizophrenia, died due to suffocation in the presence of her caregivers. According to the investigation, 33-year-old victim got mad after one of the caregivers took a photo of her. She started to get violent prompting the caregivers to restrain her in the room. However, the victim was improperly restrained in her bed, causing her to suffocate. To make matters worse, the caregivers don’t know how to administer CPR, failing to revive the victim.

The Battle for justice
Any parent would do anything to get people responsible for their child’s death accountable for their actions, or the lack of it. That is why, the couple asked the help of a Los Angeles wrongful death lawyer and filed the proper complaint against the caregivers and the company that hired them. After a taxing legal battle, the couple was awarded $7.7 million payment for damages caused by the victim’s death.

This victory is a proof that medical professionals should have the right training to make sure that their patients get the best care possible. Moreover, this is a great affirmation that the state and federal personal injury laws are working, giving victims the justice that they deserve. While the compensation may not be enough to bring back the life of your child, the thought that you fought for and got justice for their death is what’s more important.

Fatal Chuckwalla Valley Raceway “Recreational Ride” Kills One, and Injures Another

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Speed is fun
Driving fast is one great experience. It is both liberating and exhilarating. That is why it is understandable that while it is extremely dangerous, a lot of people are still into driving fast. Almost every car nut has this need for speed that needs to be fed. As auto experts would say, an Italian tune up, or revving and driving the car fast in certain times can help keep your vehicle running well.

Speed can kill
However, too much of everything can really get you into trouble. Almost every day, you can see news about auto accidents being reported on TV.  According to a Los Angeles car accident attorney, most of the time, the driver’s excessive speeding causes him or her to lose control of his or her vehicle, ending up in a nasty accident. Injuries from car crashes may vary. Some are lucky enough to survive without a scratch. Some, on the other hand have such a tough luck that they don’t manage to get out of these accidents alive.

Speed where it should be
Public roads are there for a reason. It accommodates road users to let people travel from one place to another. Public roads shouldn’t be used for high-speed driving. Even freeways have spit limits to keep them safe and prevent accidents from happening. If you really are into feeding your need for speed, you should bring your vehicle to a race way. Here, you can unleash your car’s full potential and enjoy high-speed runs.

Safety is more important than speed
Now even if you are driving a good performance car in a race circuit, one should not forget to keep safety in mind. Just recently, a car that was used in a recreational ride hit a concrete barrier at the Chuckwalla Valley Raceway in Desert Center, east of Indio. The driver of the car was airlifted to a nearby hospital after suffering from major injuries because of the accident. However, the lady passenger in the car was not as fortunate and died. This is just one proof that accidents can happen even in a controlled environment. That is why, everybody should take the necessary precautions to prevent any more injuries and loss of lives due to speeding.

New NHTSA Survey Reveals Widespread Use of Cell Phones, Electronic Devices While Driving

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The month of April is the National Distracted Driving Awareness Month. As such, every traffic safety agency and advocate, especially the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), is urging motorists to focus more on their driving and become fully aware of the dangers of driving while being distracted with the use of phones and other electronic devices.

In fact, the NHTSA, as a way to further showcase the dangers of distracted driving and at the same time educate the people about how they can avoid it, kicked off the month-long awareness drive by releasing new survey results showing that majority of the Americans still use electronic devices while driving amidst the continuous warnings from the federal traffic agency.

The 2011 National Occupation Protection Use Survey revealed that all over America, around 660,000 drivers either tinker on their cell phones or fidget on electronic devices while driving at any given daylight moment. The said figure was relatively the same as the previous year. Notably, other NHTSA data revealed that about 387,000 people were injured in distracted driving-related crashes in 2011 and more than 3,300 were killed.

The survey data, which was first revealed via a press statement from the NHTSA released today, was a collation of obtained statistics from the 2012 Distracted Driving Attitudes and Behaviors Survey and the 2011 National Occupation Protection Use Survey on Driver Electronic Use. In other highlights from the survey data, the 2012 National Survey on Distracted Driving Attitudes and Behaviors revealed that 74 percent of respondent-drivers support hand-held cell phone use ban, while 94 percent of them likewise support the texting ban.

Department of Transportation Sec. Ray LaHood described distracted driving as “a serious and deadly epidemic on America’s roadways.” He went on to say that “powering down your cell phone when you’re behind the wheel can save lives – maybe even your own.”

Right now, a total of 39 U.S. states, including the District of Columbia, disallow texting while driving for all drivers. Moreover, 10 states plus the District of Columbia ban using handheld cell phones and other devices while behind the wheel.

In line with this month’s events, the Department of Transportation reminds drivers to turn off electronic devices and putting them out of reach before taking on the road, as well as to use safety seat belts all the time. Meanwhile, every Los Angeles auto accident attorney supports this awareness campaign on the federal level, hoping that the accidents caused by distracted driving will lessen, if not fully eradicated.

When the Joy in Joyrides End

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Joyrides on highways are such a great thing to do. Speed gives you that feeling of adrenaline. It gets you excited, that help you enjoy your trips better. However, in every fun activity, you should never forget that driving, just like every privilege, comes with a responsibility. That is why while operating a vehicle; one must make sure that you keep safety in mind, above anything else.

Just recently, a vehicle that was running too fast got out of control. This made the car cross the other side of the road, crashing with another car. The wrong-way driver immediately died, as well as the driver from the other vehicle. The police are still trying to investigate what the real cause of the accident was. The authorities are once again, also looking into the possibility of alcohol or drugs, causing the accident.

Alcohol is not necessarily bad, especially when taken in moderation. Oftentimes, alcohol has psychological effects that helps one enjoy better and throw their cares away. Prescription drugs have good effects too but only when taken in proper dosages. On the other hand, prohibited drugs have no positive benefits after all and could only cause health and mental problems for its users.

The government has time and again has shown the negative effects of alcohol and drug abuse. Through the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) as well as other government agencies, federal and state agencies, many programs have been launched and many operations were held, just to put a stop to irresponsible driving and prevent drunk or drugged driving. However, all of these efforts will be put into waste if the general public won’t join the government in looking for solutions.

A Los Angeles personal injury lawyers reminded the public that as a driver or operator of a vehicle, one has the responsibility to make sure that he or she will be driving safely. He has also called on victims of such accidents or their relatives to fight for their rights and file the necessary cases and claims to get those responsible liable for their actions or lack thereof. Joyrides are fun, and you can pump up the fun by injecting a little responsibility while having fun.

How Negligence Can End One’s Life

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Nobody wants any of their loved ones subjected to great danger, right? In as much as possible, you’d want to be able to protect the people you love from harm. You’d do no matter what to ensure their safety. However, one should learn to accept that you can only try so hard to protect one from injuries and pain. You would never be able to always be by your loved one’s side to protect them from being exposed to the many dangers in life.

Knowing that you can’t always protect your loved ones from the dangers in life, it is even more painful to see them get injured or worse, die because of somebody else’s negligence. Take the case of the Valenzuela family in Palmdale, California. They are now facing great pain and despair after their kid, 18-year-old Michael, was struck and killed by a school bus while biking.

According to the California Highway Patrol, Michael just left for his first day of work and was about to go to a park nearby to play soccer with the kids. However, just as he was crossing the street, a bus carrying more than 40 students from Los Amigos School hit him.

Friends and family of Michael Valenzuela are all mourning now as they can’t comprehend why such unfortunate incident happened to their loved one. All of them are remembering how kind-hearted and passionate Michael was and how this unfortunate tragedy prematurely ended his life.

Residents in the area said that this is not the first time that such an incident happened. They have repeatedly asked the city to install warning lights at the intersection since a lot of kids are using the park’s soccer fields. This way, the residents believe that accidents such as this could be prevented. Sadly though, the City government hasn’t complied to their request yet.

Accidents like these should have not happened if the authorities were only quick to react in fixing what needs to be fixed in their areas of responsibility. In cases like these, you can file for personal injury claims if you can prove that there are negligent parties and actions that have caused the accident.

So if you or your loved one has suffered from incidents such as these and you believe that someone is responsible for such things, you can ask the help of Los Angeles personal injury lawyers to assist you in filing for claims. With the right cases filed, you don’t only get monetary compensation as payment for all of the damages that this incident has caused you and your family. Stand up for your rights and don’t let negligent people get away from their actions or the lack of it. By filing the necessary complaint, you can finally get the justice that they deserve.

Some Statistics and Other Valuable Information about the Risks of Teenage Driving

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It is often said that teenagers are highly at risk of getting involved in crashes than any other age group. Fortunately enough, there are valuable statistics that back up this proof. While the same can be said for other age groups, the risks of injuries and deaths related to teenage driving are usually due to various factors.

Therefore, it is important for both young drivers and their parents to be as educated and aware as possible with regard to the entailed risks of teenage driving. Education and awareness are two key components in helping change the behavior towards the wheel, especially for the specific age group.

Meanwhile, here are some statistics and other valuable information about the risks of teenage driving, taken from the ImpactTeenDrivers.org:

• The leading cause of death among teenagers in the United States is due to crashes involving teen drivers. While it is a common notion that teenagers behind the wheel always take risks when it comes to driving, most of these crashes are caused by their inexperience and/or other activities that distract them from operating their vehicles.
• Young drivers account for more crashes than any other age group in the U.S. In fact, about 25 percent of deaths every year involve drivers between the ages of 16 and 24.
• The crash fatality rate is highest for drivers aged 16 to 17 years old. Said rate remains high until the age of 24.
• About 20 percent of 11th grade drivers were involved in at least one accident, according to the National Young Driver Survey. Nearly 3 percent experienced two or more crashes.

Among many things to blame for the teenage driving crashes is the technology, particularly the use of cell phones, coupled with inexperience behind the wheel. According to Thomas Milewski, manager of operations at Driver’s Ed Direct, said that teenagers today “have now a multitude of items to go to and everybody is doing it (using cell phones while driving).”

Incidentally, legal experts, including Los Angeles personal injury attorneys believe that being aware of the entailed risks of teenage driving would help younger drivers become more responsible and safer motorists.

Did You Know that California Has the Third Most Number of Pedestrian Deaths in U.S.?

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Walking down the street may seem like a regular, daily activity for you. For thousands of pedestrians in Los Angeles however, walking by the side of the street can be a matter of life and death. Did you know that the State of California is currently the 16th most dangerous state for pedestrians in the United States? Furthermore, California has the 3rd most number of fatalities in pedestrians?

That is why the state government with the help of town and city governments has been doing its best efforts to make roads much safer. Over the years, city streets have been re-engineered and fitted with modern equipment to further increase pedestrian safety.

However, the government alone can only do so much. As it is your life is in danger, you more than anybody has the responsibility to protect yourself from the dangers on the road. Here are some very simple tips that you keep in mind to help ensure your safety and you walk to where you want to go.

Be Predictable. As much as possible, stay away from freeways and other restricted zones as these places are very dangerous for pedestrians like you. Also, make it a point to only cross or enter streets where you are legally allowed to do so. By doing these things, drivers can better predict your presence and exercise more care as they pass along.

Always try to walk facing road traffic. Especially in places where no sidewalks are available, make it a point to walk opposite the direction of the traffic flow. This way you will be able to see where vehicles are going to, helping you be aware of their presence and avoid them if necessary. Also in cases of accidents or in instances where a wayward vehicle passes, you can immediately react to the situation to avoid getting harmed.

Be conspicuous. One major reason why pedestrians get hit is because drivers can’t see them. Avoid walking in dark areas where it will be harder for motorists to see you. If you could wear clothes in light shades, please do so. Being seen will help minimize the chances of you getting struck by vehicles on the road. In dark areas, carry along a flashlight with you.

Be wary. While most drivers are nice, there are ones who are not. Make sure that you don’t trust them to just notice you. Watch out for them coming and try to avoid them if you can.

Don’t drink and walk on the side of the road. Drinking and driving is bad. The same goes for people who hit the road. Do not walk around drunk or drugged as you are not in your best self and you might just end up in an accident.

Be cautious. You must always cross multiple-lane or streets with high-speed traffic with caution. This way you’d be able to better react to situations whenever it is called for.

If you however get involved in a vehicular accident in Los Angeles, it is best that you have yourself treated immediately for the injuries you have sustained. After that, try to find a good lawyer to represent you in court. But you should only trust the best Los Angeles personal injury attorneys that you can find. They will help you with every step of the way to ensure that you get the reparation that you deserve for all of the injuries that you have sustained due to the accident.