Understanding Economic and Non-Economic Damages
At [firm-name], we assist those who have suffered personal injury by helping them understand their rights and determine the best course of action to successfully attain the damages they are entitled to. An area that may confuse our clients is the damages they can claim. California is one of the few states that has not put a cap or limit on the amount of damages a victim can be awarded for "pain and suffering." These are considered "non-economic" damages. Below is an explanation of economic...
Dealing with a Brain Injury After a Car Accident
Unfortunately, a traumatic brain injury (TBI), is one of the more common and most serious types of injuries that can occur after a motor vehicle accident. A brain injury is defined as an injury to the brain that occurs after birth and is not congenital, genetic, or the result of a degenerative condition such as Alzheimer’s or dementia. TBIs are usually caused by an external blow to the head or an object piercing the skull. Types of Damage Effects from a TBI can range from...
5 Benefits of Hiring a Local Personal Injury Lawyer
If you’ve suffered a traumatic injury after an accident you are probably overwhelmed with many difficulties. One of the most pressing is figuring out how to get the compensation you will need to get you through this challenging time and make you whole going forward. This is where an experienced, compassionate and local personal injury lawyer comes in. If you do an online search for “personal injury attorneys” you’ll find endless options. Why decide to go with an attorney in your area? Here are 5...
Do’s and Don’ts for Preventing Bike Accidents
In 2019 there were 846 bicyclists who died in traffic accidents according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). Many of these crashes could have been avoided if both drivers and cyclists obeyed traffic laws and were diligent about watching out for one another. Below are some do’s and don’ts for preventing bike accidents: DO: Time your trip wisely. Most fatal bike accidents occur between the hours of 6 p.m. and 9 p.m. As the sun sets visibility is limited and sun glare can...
School’s Open: Tips for Motorists
It’s back to school time and just as children are preparing for a new morning routine, drivers commuting to work need to adjust as well. The Automobile Association of America’s (AAA) annual campaign, “School’s Open – Drive Carefully” offers the following tips for drivers to protect children traveling to and from school: Build extra time into your morning schedule. Leave at least 15 minutes earlier than you do in the summer to compensate for congestion and bus stops. Be on the lookout for school zone...
Defensive Driving vs Distracted Drivers
We all know that texting while driving is both dangerous and illegal. Recent studies show that 1.6 million annual car crashes are attributed to someone using a cell phone while driving, and 14% of all fatal motor vehicle accidents involve cell phone usage. With these statistics in mind, there is no doubt there are distracted drivers on the road. A defensive driving mindset is necessary. Being aware of distracted drivers is your first line of defense. Here are some tips for recognizing a distracted driver, increasing your...
Seat Belts and Safety
It may seem hard to believe, but as recently as the 1980s only about 10% of Americans wore seat belts regularly when riding in a car. Fortunately, today this important safety feature has been widely adopted and even legally mandated. Seat belts are responsible for saving over one million lives! Make fastening your seat belt a habit. Put it on as soon as you get in the car before you even start the engine and insist that other family members do the same. This single...
5 Tips for Avoiding a Truck Accident this Summer
It’s summertime and for many people, that means a vacation that requires highway driving. One of the most stressful parts of highway driving is how to safely share the road with big trucks. An accident involving a car and a truck is almost always more serious than those between two cars due to the size and speed of a truck as well as the cargo it’s hauling. Protect yourself and your family this summer by following a few simple tips that can reduce your risk...
Avoid a Pedestrian Accident with These Do’s and Don’ts
It’s summertime and that means many more people of all ages will be out walking. As a driver this requires extra vigilance on your part when on the road. Below are some do’s and don’ts to help you avoid an accident involving a pedestrian. Do: slow down when you see someone walking. Pedestrian movements can be unpredictable. Decreasing your speed increases your reaction time. Do: make eye contact. If you can get a walker to connect with you eye to eye you can both have...
Stay Alert on Long Road Trips
Is a road trip part of your summer vacation plans? After Covid, many people are deciding to enjoy domestic travel this year. If your destination is far away it’s tempting to drive straight through to maximize the number of days at your vacation site. However, the risk of a car accident increases dramatically for drivers who are short on sleep. Consider the following statistics presented by the Automobile Association of America (AAA): Missing just two to three hours of sleep in 24 hours can quadruple...