The Baker Street Restaurant and Pub is the possible source of a recent salmonella outbreak in Kenosha County, Wisconsin. According to the Kenosha County Health Department, the restaurant has been shut down after 26 confirmed salmonella sicknesses were reported. As of July 15, there was no indication of what the cause or source of the salmonella outbreak is.
The restaurant is located in Green Bay Wisconsin, and an employee of Tricoli Restaurants, which owns the Baker Street Restaurant and Pub, stated that several people who had eaten at the restaurant became ill with salmonella according to Knosha News. According to Tom Stemple, the employee who gave the information to Knosha, the owner of the restaurant was contacting employees of the restaurant to make sure they were tested for salmonella. This is all being done in an effort to locate the source of the salmonella contamination, according to Stemple.
The owner of Baker Street Restaurant and Pub is trying to do everything possible to ensure that employees and the public are protected, and that the source of the contamination is determined. The number of people becoming ill because of salmonella bacteria continue to increase daily.
Anyone with symptoms of salmonella in this area are asked to contact the Health Department at 262-605-6700.
This food poisoning procesild salmonella symptoms such as nausea, diarrhea and abdominal pain in healthy individuals, which usually last only a few days. Other individuals, including the frail or elderly, young children, and those with a weakened immune system may be at an increased risk for serious complications. If you develop symptoms of salmonella, seek a doctors advice.
Those who have become ill with salmonella food poisoning after eating foods that were possibly tainted should contact a New York food poisoning attorney, who can advise you of whether you may be eligible for compensation of costs related to your illness
Brown Chiari is a team of experienced Buffalo personal injury attorneys helping clients with legal needs in a variety of injury types.
If you have suffered spinal injuries in an accident that was caused by another party, you need the services of a reputable Kansas City spinal injury lawyer. You have rights, and those who caused your injuries should be held accountable. You may be eligible for compensation for expenses related to your injuries, not only now, but in the future as well.
Spinal injuries can occur in any number of ways. You may have been involved in a car accident that left you injured, a slip and fall in which dangerous or slippery floors were not marked as such by the owner of the property, a boating accident or some other mishap. No matter how it occurred, if someone else is at fault you deserve justice. A highly respected Kansas City spinal injury lawyer will work hard to make sure that you get compensated for those injuries. Mounting medical bills and other costs may be depleting your bank account, but those responsible will pay.
All too often, many attorneys are quick to settle a case out of court and not take the current and future needs of the client in to consideration. A compassionate Kansas City spinal injury lawyer will make certain that your long-term needs are taken care of, and that all aspects of your accident and injuries are investigated thoroughly so that those responsible cannot worm their way out of the charges.
Your entire life may be altered when you suffer spinal injuries; you may not be able to walk, or you may have problems sitting or lying down for extended periods of time. You may never be able to work again. When someone else’s negligence changes your life forever, an aggressive Kansas City spinal injury lawyer will make certain they pay for their careless actions.
An attorney who genuinely cares about your needs and your future will interview witnesses, preserve evidence, work with law enforcement, and take any other necessary steps to ensure that you get total justice. When your livelihood and your future are affected because someone else was negligent, put it in the hands of a Kansas City spinal injury lawyer who will go the extra mile to make sure you get the compensation you deserve. Don’t let those who have changed your life forever get away with it!
A compassionate Indiana DUI lawyer has your best interests at heart, and will work hard to ensure that your rights are protected when you have been charged with driving under the influence. Right now, most likely you are in shock and just thinking “What have I done?”
Before you speak to anyone, contact a reputable Indiana DUI lawyer who can advise you on what you should or should not do. You may be tempted to run to the first lawyers office you see or one that is located in your neighborhood, but that is definitely not advisable. Just because an attorney in your area is well known does not mean he has in-depth knowledge of DUI laws, and you are putting your future at risk by hiring someone onname or location. You need an Indiana DUI attorney who has devoted himself to defending those charged with criminal offenses, and who has represented thousands of litigants in the same situation you are in.
When you decide to hire an attorney, also be leery of those who simply want to talk money and demand they be paid on an hourly basis. Some lawyers are just in it for the money, and will enter plea agreements just so they can get the case over with without representing your rights and challenging the case. They want money and a quick out, plain and simple. A reputable Indiana DUI lawyer will challenge evidence, talk to investigators, and even question whether the officers who arrested you had a reason to stop you.
When proper protocol is not followed in an arrest, it can work to your advantage. A qualified Indiana DUI lawyer knows every loop hole of the law, and he fights aggressively to ensure that you face a more positive outcome. While you may be facing stiff penalties, loss of your driving privileges and even jail time, a good attorney will do his best to make certain that your rights are protected; if there is any way possible, you will not face jail time or loss of your drivers license.
Today, people do not put up with those who drive while under the influence. Organizations such as MADD and others fight to make sure that those who drink do not get behind the wheel of a car. Because of the uproar, penalties and punishments for driving under the influence are becoming stiffer and more severe than ever before. If you have been charged, don’t wait another minute. Your reputation and freedom hang in the balance; it is essential that you contact a highly regarded Indiana DUI lawyer at once!
Stark Law Offices, Criminal & DUI Defense
201 N. Illinois St., Indianapolis, IN 46204 (317) 273-8888
450 E. 96th St., Ste. 500 Indianapolis, IN 46240 (317) 818-6035
23 South 8th Street, Noblesville, IN 46060
3209 West Smith Valley Road, Greenwood, IN 46142
A Clearlake Oaks woman was traveling with her husband and eight-month-old daughter when an accident occurred in Santa Rosa, leaving the woman and her baby seriously injured.
The accident involved alcohol on the part of Faustina Vega Xicohtencati, who was driving the Ford pickup truck that struck the victims Mercury Mountaineer. The woman and baby are expected to recover, and the baby’s father sustained only minor injuries in the crash. Xicohtencati was extremely intoxicated when officers arrived at the scene of the crash, and has been arrested on charges of felony DUI, as well as driving without a valid license. He had picked up a hitchhiker before the accident occurred, who he insists was driving although the hitchhiker fled the scene.
With spring around the corner, California car accident lawyers and law enforcement expect that the incidence of driving while under the influence will increase. Many high school and college kids consider spring break party time, which means more people on the roads will be put at risk of being seriously injured in an accident involving alcohol. Law enforcement agencies are at heightened alert during this time of year, and are ready to enforce the law when it comes to these young men and women who decide to get behind the wheel after having a few drinks. Partiers are only concerned about having a good time, and not the risk they put themselves and others at when they decide to drive in an intoxicated condition. MADD is getting involved across the country in various cities, and parents are encouraged to talk with their children about the dangers of drunk driving.
How Alcohol Contributes to Accidents
Those who have had a few drinks often feel carefree and invincible. They decide to get behind the wheel because they feel that they are in perfectly good condition to drive, and any caution they would feel if sober is abandoned.
Alcohol contributes to recklessness and loosens inhibitions, which is why California accident lawyers often witness those who are intoxicated behind the wheel participating in risky driving practices such as speeding or other unsafe behavior. Alcohol also impairs reflexes and sense of judgment, which may lead to an accident due to the drivers inability to determine distances or slow a car down in time to avoid a crash. Drunk drivers react slower to an emergency, simply because their response is delayed due to alcohol consumption.
Drunk driving is all too common, and is one of the most risky behaviors young people can participate in. Driving while under the influence puts the driver at risk, as well as other motorists, pedestrians or bicyclists who may be on the road. Severe injury or even death may be the result.
The Reeves Law Group has offices across California and is dedicated to representing personal injury victims, including victims of drunk driving accidents. Please contact us for a free consultation at (800) 644-8000.
A 20-year-old woman driving a Toyota Celica set a multi-vehicle crash in motion in Los Angeles that ended with four people being injured. The crash involved three other cars, according to the San Gabriel Valley Tribune.
The woman driving the Toyota veered off to the right, striking a white Honda after being unable to stop when she noticed traffic had come to a halt on the freeway. She then struck a Cadillac, which was sent rolling on top of a Mercedes. So far in the investigation, California Highway Patrol do not believe that drugs or alcohol played a role in the accident, which left one person on advanced life support and three others with back, shoulder and neck injuries.
Multi vehicle accidents often result in catastrophic injuries and deaths, so the victims in this incident were very fortunate. In this accident, it appears that the woman was driving at speeds that were too fast for traffic conditions, or driving at excessive speeds in general. Observing the speed limit is essential, but some conditions require that motorists drive even slower than limits posted to avoid serious accidents. Motorists should pay close attention when driving on the freeway, particularly when weather conditions are bad or traffic is congested. Tailgating in conditions like these is especially risky.
California car accident lawyers know that excessive speed plays a major role in car accidents every day. A motorist doesn’t necessarily have to be exceeding posted speed limits to cause a serious accident; driving too fast for weather or traffic conditions put the driver and other motorists at risk. Peak times of heavy traffic such as rush hour should be observed as well, and adverse weather conditions often leave roads slick and hazardous.
Other factors that frequently cause serious auto accidents is driving while distracted or driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol. While increased efforts are made to educate motorists on the dangers of drunk driving and law enforcement is cracking down harder on those who drive under the influence, it still appears to be a growing problem in our country. In California, more than 1,000 people are killed in accidents involving drunk drivers every year. Lawmakers and law enforcement agencies are taking huge steps to educate and inform motorists, and numbers seem to be decreasing as motorists who are repeat DUI offenders have their rights to drive taken away.
In recent months, distracted driving has been making headlines across the country. Motorists talk on cell phones, text, eat, apply make up, search for CD’s and engage in conversation with other passengers, which all take the motorists mind off of the road. Distracted driving contributes to thousands of serious accidents each year.
The Reeves Law Group has offices across California and is dedicated to representing personal injury victims, including victims of auto accidents. If you need an experienced Los Angeles personal injury lawyer, contact The Reeves Law Group. Please contact us for a free consultation at (800) 644-8000.
A Los Angeles crash that involved at least eight vehicles including a big rig recently took the life of one person. This accident took place on the 101 freeway, leaving several people injured. According to the CHP, at least one big rig was involved in the fatal crash. Right now, it is unclear what set the crash in motion.
Investigations into the cause of the accident are ongoing, and California Highway Patrol states that it was drizzling lightly when the crash took place. There are several factors that can lead to a pile up involving several vehicles.
Speeding and driving under the influence are two of the most common causes of serious multi-vehicle crashes. In California, speeding is a serious problem. Speed limits are meant to be observed, and motorists driving above or below these limits can increase the risk of a multi-vehicle crash. Driving at excessive rates of speed leads to loss of control of the vehicle, which can result in crashing to other motorists. Speed related accidents often cause the most serious injuries and even fatalities.
Drunk driving also increases the chances of a serious crash. Alcohol does several things to a person, which puts not only himself but other motorists at risk:
* Alcohol impairs good judgment and the ability to reason
* Someone who is intoxicated is more likely to take risks
* A person under the influence is more likely to speed, which is often the case in alcohol related accidents
* Alcohol dulls a persons ability to stop quickly or make decisions in a split second, such as in the case of an emergency
While driving under the influence is usually regarded as someone who has imbibed in alcohol or taken illegal drugs, those taking prescription drugs are also involved in a high number of crashes. Certain medications leave people feeling drowsy or disoriented, which can lead to a crash. Certain medicines used to treat heart disease and hypertension have adverse effects on an individual’s ability to drive safely.
Another major contributing factor in the instance of multi vehicle accidents is distracted driving. Engaging in conversations with passengers in the car, texting, talking on a cell phone and even billboards and highway signs can distract drivers, which can lead to a serious accident. Los Angeles accident lawyers know that motorists have been driving while distracted for years.
Los Angeles personal injury lawyers at The Reeves Law Group have offices across California and is dedicated to representing personal injury victims, including victims of auto accidents. Please contact us for a free consultation at (800) 644-8000.
Motorcycle accidents continue to be more deadly than other types of traffic accidents in California, and this year is starting out as no exception. The first day of this year resulted in a 53 year old man crashing his motorcycle on Friday afternoon, killing him. The victim, a Porterville man, lost control wile attempting to negotiate a right turn according to news reports. He was ejected from the motorcycle when it overturned, resulting in fatal injuries. No one knows yet what caused the man to lose control, but investigations are on going.
Motorcycle accidents are often due to several factors, including:
* Reckless behavior like speeding or driving under the influence
* Not wearing an approved helmet while riding
* Failure of motorists to stop for motorcycles
* Defective and poorly maintained roads, or roads that are not designed for good visibility
* Poor lighting on the roadways
* Motorcyclists who are inexperienced
* Motorcycles that are not well functioning or properly maintained
With some motorists, there seems to be a certain amount of rage when it comes to motorcyclists. They believe that those who ride motorcycles should have no rights, and that all simply want to drive fast or “show off.” This is not a fair picture, and California motorcycle accident lawyers know that motorists have huge changes to make in order to make our streets safe for those who ride motorcycles. Sure, motorcyclists may ride at speeds that are too fast, or engage in other dangerous practices. This certainly does not mean they all do; in fact, many motorcyclists abide by the rules of the road.
One major area of concern in California is lane sharing, which is perfectly legal in the state. If done at slow speeds, lane sharing can be completely safe; however motorists who object to lane sharing tend to be rather hostile. California personal injury attorneys know that the rage that exists between motorists and motorcyclists is responsible for a large number of motorcycle fatalities that occur in California. The growing age of motorcyclists is another factor. Many who ride motorcycles all over the nation are 50 and older. Sometimes they do not have the skills and techniques necessary to operate a heavy motorcycle on busy and congested streets. Other times, they do not realize how lightweight and powerful the motorcycles of today really are. In both instances, fatalities often occur.
Across the United States, the incidence of motorcycle fatalities has been steadily increasing over the last 11 years. In 2008, 14 percent of all fatalities in traffic accidents were motorcyclists, as unbelievable as it seems.
The Reeves Law Group has offices across California and is dedicated to representing personal injury victims, including victims of motorcycle accidents. Please contact us for a free consultation at (800) 644-8000.
The family of Maria Arellano, a 71-year-old resident at the Fillmore Convalescent Center, has been awarded $7.75 million by a Ventura County jury for abuse inflicted on Arellano by the nursing home in 2006. During this time, the family took note of bruises on Arellano’s body and complained to management at the nursing home, who failed to investigate the bruises.
Eventually, the family took matters into their own hands by setting up a hidden video camera recording system in Arellano’s room. What they would find would shock them. Monica Garcia, an employee of the nursing home, was seen slapping Arellano and also pulling her hair. Arellano, who is a stroke victim, was also tormented by the employee twisting her wrists, fingers and neck. Garcia also violently abused the victim while she was in her shower chair. She has pleaded no contest to simple battery, and was charged with a criminal offense.
The family of Arellano sued and has been awarded $7.75 million, which includes punitive damages of $5 million and actual damages of $2.7 million. Eduardo Gonzalez, owner of the center, was assigned 40% of the liability, the center also 40%, and Garcia, the employee who abused the victim, was assigned 20% liability. This incident has brought to light the plight of another resident of this nursing home, 83 year old Daniel Sanchez. His family has also suspected abuse of their loved one, and he has since passed away. The lawsuit filed by his family is scheduled to go to trial next month. He was also a stroke victim.
The arrogance shown by the center is shocking to lawyers for Arellano’s family, who say they showed no interest in settling the claim. When the Arellano family was unsatisfied with the measures taken by the center to investigate their abuse worries, they took action themselves and uncovered the facts. The video recording that captured Garcia abusing Arellano weighed heavily in the trial.
California nursing home abuse lawyers ask families of nursing home residents to be aware and alert to any signs of abuse of their loved ones.
* Look for the common signs of abuse. Bruises, wounds, bed sores, unsanitary conditions, and failure of staff to bathe your loved one regularly should be reported to the facility at once.
* Be alert to signs of malnutrition, and check to insure that needed medications are given on time.
* Notice personality changes such as depression, anxiety or fear that wasn’t there before. These could be naturally occurring due to dementia, but may also be signs that some form of abuse is taking place.
The Reeves Law Group has offices across California and is dedicated to representing personal injury victims, including victims of nursing home abuse. Please contact us for a free consultation at (800) 644-8000.
Recently, the NHTSA has released information about the number of teen deaths related to driving accidents in California and around the country. This is part of an effort to increase awareness in the public about trends emerging, which is found by analyzing accident statistics. According to this newly released information, about 1/5th of all traffic fatalities occur in accidents involving young drivers.
There were 669 deaths in traffic accidents involving drivers between the ages of 15 and 20 in California in 2007. Of this total, 238 of the victims were the drivers. Passengers riding with teen drivers accounted for 199 of the deaths, and out of these 199:
15 were under 15 years old
127 were between the ages of 15 and 20
57 were over 20 years old
Other than passengers of the teen drivers vehicle, occupants of other vehicles that were involved in these accidents accounted for 157 deaths, and 75 deaths resulted in those not riding in a car such as pedestrians.
Teen motor safety is still a huge concern, especially in light of these statistics and the high rates of fatalities occurring in teen accidents. Statistics from FARS (Fatality Analysis Reporting System) which were used in the data show that:
*In 2007, drivers between the ages of 15 and 20 made up 9 percent of the population and 6 percent of licensed drivers. Drivers of this age made up an alarming portion of the accident fatalities. 19 percent of traffic fatalities nationwide were due to accidents involving young drivers in 2007.
*There were 7650 deaths in 2007 in accidents involving these motorists.
*The majority of the time, those who died were the drivers or a passenger in their car. 2029 fatalities nationwide in 2007 were passengers between the ages of 15 and 20.
*67 percent of passenger fatalities were in the same age group as the driver, between 15 and 20 years old.
*The highest accident rates in teen drivers occur on rural roadways. About 57% of accidents involving the death of a teen occur on rural or country roads.
Most teenage motorists enjoy traveling with passengers in their own age group, which explains why young motorists and their passengers are the most likely age group to die in traffic accidents.
There are many suspected reasons that more fatalities occur on country roads, and California auto accident lawyers know that rural roads often have higher rates of speeding and reckless driving than other roads. Drunk driving is more common on the rural and back roads as well. Country roads are often rougher and not as well designed as other roads, which may account for the increased risk of accidents in these rural areas.
The Reeves Law Group has offices across California and is dedicated to representing personal injury victims, including victims of auto accidents. Please contact us for a free consultation at (800) 644-8000.
Two women will be awarded $103 million by the pharmaceutical giant Pfizer after developing breast cancer because of using hormonal drugs. One of the women received $75 million, and the other $28 million. The judgment for $75 million for the first case had been sealed to avoid influencing the jury on the second case.
The companies Wyeth and Pharmacia were acquired by Pfizer at an earlier date. Wyeth is the maker of Premarin, an estrogen drug, and Prempro, a combination of estrogen and progestin. Provera is a hormone drug that is made by Pharmacia. These lawsuits were brought against Pfizer after the acquisition.
Hormonal drugs have been used for years to treat menopausal symptoms in women, and in 2002 the FDA mandated black box warnings on the labeling of these drugs that they were intended to be used in the “smallest possible doses for the shortest possible time.” Since then, fears have risen about the long term effects and possible cancer caused by these drugs. These lawsuits are only the beginning in a long line, and Pfizer has at a minimum 1,500 product liability lawsuits facing them, which are all filed in a Philadelphia court, and all pertain to the hormone treatment drug. Philadelphia is Wyeth’s headquarters, which is the reason that the lawsuits have been filed there. Across the country, lawyers state that more than 10,000 lawsuits are being filed.
Statistics show that women who have developed breast cancer and gone to trial before a jury have been the victor in 10 out of 12 cases. Many of these were won when the verdict was appealed. In the case of the first woman , a $27 million award was overturned by the court because of testimony given by experts that was found to be improper. A new trial on punitive damages was ordered by the court because there was reason to believe that a jury may find that Wyeth acted with careless disregard in the making of the drug. Pfizer is wasting no time, and requesting this decision be reviewed by the panel.
Millions of women continue to use hormonal drugs, even after the 2002 study that proved that estrogen therapy could be a factor in breast cancer. Prior to this study, hormone treatment drugs brought in a staggering $2 billion in sales, but decreased significantly after the warning by the Food and Drug Administration. It seems that after the initial shock, sales have risen quite a bit which means that millions of women are putting themselves at risk of developing breast cancer by using these drugs.
It is usually exceptional circumstances that call for punitive damages to be awarded, such as when a Los Angeles California injury lawyer has the ability to prove that the defendant acted with careless disregard. Sometimes these types of damages are referred to as exemplary damages, due to the fact that they are often awarded more to make an example of the defendant rather than to compensate the victim. It is the hope of attorneys that by awarding punitive damages to victims, other companies will be deterred from reckless behavior in the manufacture of drugs and other products.
The Reeves Law Group has offices across California, and is dedicated to representing personal injury victims, including victims of product liability. Please contact us for a free consultation at (800) 644-8000.
An SUV crashed in to a tractor trailer rig in Los Angeles leaving three people dead. The accident happened on the 210 freeway after the SUV rear ended the tractor trailer, when according to news reports, it instantly exploded into flames. All occupants of the SUV died in the accident, which included a man and woman, and a 14 year old boy.
The SUV was entirely consumed by flames by the time fire crews arrived at the scene, according to the Los Angeles Fire Department. These families should consider hiring a team of Los Angeles wrongful death attorneys to represent their case Two other passengers of the SUV escaped serious injuries because an eye witness was able to quickly pull them out. The survivors of the crash are 8 and 10 years old, and the truck driver involved in the tragic accident was taken to the hospital after complaining of chest pains.
More than 5,000 people are killed across the country in tractor trailer crashes every year, and this tragedy that resulted in three deaths is heart wrenching. Many fatal crashes are caused by these big rigs, sometimes because of truck driver fatigue, negligence, speeding or driving under the influence. The maintenance of the truck may also come in to play in accidents with tractor trailer rigs. Chances of becoming involved in an accident are increased when lights, brakes, wheels, tires and other equipment are not maintained properly.
California product liability lawyers know that accidents are often caused due to defective parts on vehicles, and wonder if this particular crash warrants further investigation to learn why the driver of the SUV was not able to stop his car in time. Malfunctioning brakes are always a possibility in instances like this.
There are some important tips to keep in mind when driving near tractor trailer rigs, and California truck accident lawyers want to increase awareness of these suggestions:
* Maintain a safe speed, and don’t get in too big of a rush; these rigs are massive and weigh tens of thousands of pounds.
* Don’t drive too closely
* Prior to passing a tractor trailer, make certain the passing lane is clear and safe
* Under no circumstances should you ever race or try to beat a big rig
* Avoid sudden application of brakes when in front of a tractor trailer – they cannot stop as fast as you can, and often weight 80,000 lbs
The Reeves Law Group Los Angeles wrongful death lawyers have offices across California, and is dedicated to representing personal injury victims, including victims of truck accidents. Please contact us for a free consultation at (800) 644-8000.
Several people were injured recently when the driver of a Metropolitan Transportation Authority Bus lost control and struck the center divider before crashing into a car. The accident took place in Silver Lake in Los Angeles County on Glendale Boulevard according to the Los Angeles Times.
Several of the passengers aboard the bus were injured when bus number 92 crashed according to the LAPD, who say that at least 10 suffered serious injuries. One passenger is reportedly in critical condition, and the others injuries were not life threatening. The cause of the accident is being investigated by police.
Most people would be under the impression that riding in a bus is safer than riding in a passenger vehicle, due to the fact that a bus is much larger and heavier, and elevated to a point where complete vision of your surrounding is increased. Even with all of the advantages, there are numerous bus accidents that result in multiple injuries each year in California.
People who are injured in bus accidents may qualify for compensation, however this requires identifying all parties responsible for the accident. California bus accident attorneys identify the responsible bus company in most accident lawsuits. Responsibility may be placed on certain companies because of defects in the bus; for example parts that do not work correctly, such as brakes, tires or headlights. Blame may also be placed on the bus company because of its negligence in hiring and supervising individuals who are properly qualified, or do not have the proper training or experience.
A bus maintenance company may also be held responsible in the claim if the accident is related to malfunctioning parts or improper maintenance. Additionally, highways and other roads that are dangerous or in disrepair may be to blame for a bus accident, in which case the city and county agencies are held responsible. If the vehicle in question is a government-owned transit bus, state and local governments may be held liable in a claim. School bus accidents that are caused by the negligence of the driver may leave the school district or board liable.
While in many cases the accident is actually caused by the driver of the bus, their employer and their insurer are held financially responsible. Bus manufacturers may also be responsible, if defective parts are found to be at fault in an accident. Los Angeles bus accident lawyers sometimes name the operators of a tour service as the party responsible if the bus trip is part of a package.
The Reeves Law Group has offices across California, and is dedicated to representing clients as Los Angeles personal injury attorneys, including victims of bus accidents. Please contact us for a free consultation at (800) 644-8000.
Last year, a bicycle accident caused two bicyclist to be seriously injured, and now a Los Angeles doctor is on trial in the Los Angeles County Superior Court for charges relating to that accident. This trial has raised awareness about the growing conflicts between motorists and bicyclists, which has increased the number of bicyclists demanding changes to infrastructure.
In 2008, two bicyclists who were riding on a two-lane road in Brentwood were injured when Christopher Thomas supposedly pulled out in front of them in his car. This resulted in one of the riders going through Thompson’s windshield, and the other being slammed into the ground after being tossed several feet into the air. The cyclists claim that Thompson yelled at them, then proceeded to pull out in their path and slam on his brakes. Thompson’s attorney alleges that the accident was caused because the bicyclists yelled profanities at the doctor, who faces four felony charges.
With an increase in the number of bicyclists over the last several years, it seems that conflicts between motorists and those who ride bikes is increasing. More people are riding bicycles all over the United States, including California. Between 2000 and 2008, according to statistics, bicycling across the country has risen by 43 percent. The increased awareness of the environment has also contributed to this rise, as more people view bicycling as a “green” method to travel. Not only that, bicycling is cheap, and is a very effective activity for better fitness.
Many cities in California have experienced an increase in those who ride bicycles, but have not seen a rise in accidents that involve bicyclists. This is thought to be due to the fact that because so many people are riding, motorists have become more aware of them and drive safely. In fact, bicycling increased by 66% in Marin County between 1998 and 2008, but accidents between motorists and bicyclists in this county decreased by 34%.
Although many people are using bicycles as a mode of transportation, the accident rates still haven’t risen nearly at the rate that fatal motorcycle accidents have. In 2008, the NHTSA showed that 716 fatal bicycle accidents occurred, which was a drop of 6% when compared to 1998. While this is good news, Los Angeles personal injury lawyers are still concerned about bicycle accidents, and the rising number of severe injuries that result when a crash occurs.
The Reeves Law Group has offices across California, and is dedicated to representing Los Angeles bicycle accident victims, including victims of bicycle accidents. Please contact us for a free consultation at (800) 644-8000.
In California, National Teen Driver Safety Week began on October 19th and continued through October 25th, and California auto accident lawyers are thankful that stronger initiatives have been taken to promote safe driving among teens. This action was established in 2007 by Congress, and its purpose is to educate teen motorists on the dangers of driving while distracted in order to prevent accidents.
The program is promoted by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, and Ride like a Friend was the name given to the program all across the country, which focused on the distractions that passengers can cause, and how to lessen this occurrence. Car accidents are the major cause of death in teenagers according to the CDC, and it is shown that in one out of three teenage deaths, car accidents are to blame. While many may believe that alcohol is the main cause for these accidents, it is actually due to distractions. In California, teens are forced to wait before they can drive with passengers in the car by a graduated license program that is in place.
Studies have shown that with teenage motorists, the more passengers that are riding in the car the greater the accident risk. In fact, when a teenager drives with one passenger, the chances of having an accident is increased two-fold, while driving with multiple passengers seems to raise risk by 4 to 5 times.
Teenagers are encouraged to participate in numerous activities in the Ride like a Friend campaign in order to promote safe driving behavior. They may work to produce public service announcements such as videos to encourage safe behavior by passengers. Drivers and passengers work together to create radio, print, video and performance art PSAs, and also compete locally. Since teenagers often use social networking sites, they are encouraged to spread the word on sites like Facebook, Twitter and MySpace. These messages are an effort to increase the awareness of passengers about distracting the driver, and how dangerous this can be.
Los Angeles car accident lawyers believe it is a good practice to educate teenage motorists about the risks of being distracted while driving, and encouraging passengers to be responsible and engage in safe behavior as well. National Teen Driver Safety Week is one effort that is concentrated on developing our teenagers into safe, well informed drivers.
The Reeves Law Group has offices across California and is dedicated to representing California auto accident victims, including victims of car accidents. Please contact us for a free consultation at (800) 644-8000.
Devin Petelski, 25, was killed last week when she pulled out from a stop sign in front of a Los Angeles Police Department cruiser. This accident has created quite a buzz in the area, and left witnesses to the accident questioning the LAPD’s version of what occurred.
Ms. Petelski, according to the Los Angeles Times, was driving her vehicle on Glyndon Avenue after finishing her shift at work at a counseling center and was stopped at a stop sign. This was around midnight, and according to a representative of the Los Angeles Police Department she pulled out in front of the cruiser. Two police officers who were inside of the cruiser were treated at the hospital for minor to moderate injuries. Petelski died one day after the accident from her injuries. Individuals in related accidents should contact a car accident attorney in Los Angeles.
The two officers have stated that they were not responding to a call at the time the accident occurred, according to the LAPD, and questions have been raised regarding the speed of the cruiser and whether negligence may have been involved. The accident is still being investigated, and the cause of the crash is still uncertain at this time.
Residents who live near the scene of the crash suggest that the cruiser had no lights or sirens in use, and seemed to be traveling at a rate of speed between 50 and 70 mph. Other witnesses seem to agree with these reports, and Captain Paul West had already admitted to reporters that as far as he knew, lights or sirens were not in use at the time.
Those near the area when the accident occurred reported that they heard no brakes screeching or sirens just before the crash took place. These witnesses say that within a few short moments of the time that the cruiser hit Petelski’s car on the driver’s side, 10 more cruisers arrived at the scene and began blocking off the crime scene. They also stated that emergency vehicles arrived more than 15 minutes after the crash took place.
Witnesses who saw the entire event unfold claim that the officers were indeed speeding without the use of lights or sirens, and that they are clearly at fault in the accidents. Naturally, emotions are running rampant over this incident, and is very upsetting to Los Angeles wrongful death lawyers who respect law enforcement officials at the LAPD immensely.
The Reeves Law Group has offices across California and are dedicated to representing personal injury victims, including victims of car accidents. Please contact us for a free consultation at (800) 644-8000.
An alleged drunk driving accident that occurred in Carlsbad California (near San Diego) took the life of a Cape Cod motorcyclist recently. According to WBZ TV, two cyclists were stopped at an intersection red light when one was hit by a car that was driven by Keith Roles of Poway. The accident took place at approximately 1:30 a.m. Roles has been arrested.
California is known as a motorcycle friendly state, and it is unfortunate that an out of town visitor has lost his life due to the negligence of a motorist under the influence. California motorcycle accident lawyers see this frequently, but know that riding a motorcycle does not necessarily have to be a risky or dangerous activity that it often appears to be. In the state, many people enjoy riding and it should be a safe and enjoyable activity if all were to wear helmets, drive the speed limit and avoid stunts. However, this is not the case many times. Other motorists often don’t pay close attention to motorcyclists, and are at fault for accidents that occur. In the unfortunate death mentioned earlier, the driver of the motorcycle was obeying the law – it was the negligence of Roles that took his life.
Driving a motorcycle seems to put a motorist at increased risk for accidents in certain instances – for example, when drunk drivers are in the vicinity. When motorists are impaired, it puts others around them at a higher risk of being involved in an accident. Since motorcyclists are less protected, they are at a far greater risk of serious injury due to people around them who drive under the influence.
Motorists who drive over the speed limit may not be able to stop soon enough to avoid a crash, especially when weather conditions are dismal. A motorcyclist is often in greater danger of being killed or severely injured than other motorists if struck by a vehicle traveling at excessive speeds. While a helmet is always recommended, it cannot protect a motorists from serious injuries. Many drivers do not obey traffic rules, which place all motorists at a great risk of being involved in a collision which could result in serious injuries.
Some motorists are very aggressive, and feel that motorcycles have no business being on the roads. This attitude often leads drivers to follow a motorcycle too closely, cut him off in traffic or acting in other aggressive ways that can cause an accident resulting in serious injury or even death. If you are injured, make sure to contact a San Diego personal injury attorney to review your case during a free consultation.
The Reeves Law Group has offices across California, and is dedicated to representing personal injury victims, including victims of San Diego drunk driving accidents. Please contact us for a free consultation at (800) 644-8000.
Back in August, a Casitas Springs woman, Susan Herman, and her dog were crossing the street when they were struck by a car that was being driven by a 16 year old. Herman died of her injuries later at the hospital. At that time, the 16 year old boy, who did stop after the accident occurred, informed officers that he did not see Herman and her dog.
At the time of the Ventura truck accident, it was not clearly evident who was at fault in the accident. Since that time, it has been determined by investigators that the pedestrian, Herman, did indeed have the right of way, and that the teen driver was not paying close attention to his actions. It is a well known fact that teens, as well as other motorists, often eat, fiddle with radio stations and perform other tasks that are not inducive to safe driving practices.
Ventura pedestrian accident lawyers see these types of incidents frequently. When motorists fail to pay attention to their surroundings, accidents occur. Cell phones are another huge cause of accidents, and in this particular tragedy there is no information on whether a cell phone was in use at the time. Recently, driving while talking on cell phones or texting has been a popular subject in the news and other media.
A study was conducted in July by the Virginia Tech Transportation Institute which strongly connected the use of cell phones for text messaging while driving and the incidence of accidents. The study concluded that texting while at the wheel increased the likelihood of an accident by 23 times. At the end of this month, US Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood will be heading a summit to determine how to effectively deal with the dangers of texting while behind the wheel.
Other than lack of attention by drivers, other things that may cause an accident involving a pedestrian are speeding, driving while under the influence, failing to consider poor weather conditions and failure to yield the right of way. Drivers, including teen drivers, must make the decision to drive safely, be cautious when nearing an intersection or crosswalk, and be extremely watchful at night or during inclement weather. Tragic accidents like those in the case of Ms. Herman can often be avoided by taking extra precautions.
The Reeves Law Group has offices across California, and is dedicated to representing Ventura personal injury victims, including victims of pedestrian accidents. Please contact us for a free consultation at (800) 644-8000.
Recently the shoe manufacturer, Crocs, Inc. has settled with at least five product liability lawsuits with families whose children have been injured in escalator accidents while wearing their famous footwear. Personal injury lawyers of these families and others allege that the shoes, which are specially designed for comfort, were causing escalator accidents that led to serious injuries for children. Apparently the shoes can become easily caught in the side walls of escalators, even when children are standing still and behaving themselves on the machinery. At least eleven sets of parents have filed product liability claims against the company, five of which have now been settled by awarding substantial amounts of money to the parents of young victims.
In one escalator accident in Kentucky, a four-year old girl became stuck on an escalator because of her Crocs footwear. She ended up sustaining broken bones and lacerations from the accidents, causing her parents to file a product liability lawsuit as well. They claim that their child was standing perfectly still on the escalator before the accident occurred. Although Crocs, Inc. has already settled five of the product liability lawsuits filed against them and will likely settled several more, they continue to deny any accusations that their footwear is unsafe or defective in any way for children and adults alike.
Although Crocs, Inc. has yet to recall any of their footwear products, there have been a number of recalls conducted by companies and the Consumer Product Safety Commission because of various safety hazards. One such recall occurred earlier this year when a number of baby cribs were recalled because of the potential for falling accidents. The cribs apparently had defective side rails that could detach from the crib itself, allowing a child to fall out of the crib. Another recall was recently conducted for Little Tikes Clubhouse Swing Sets. The swing sets did not come equipped with assembly directions, and if one of the swing seats was not assembled properly to the rest of the piece, it could become detached from the rest of the set. This could also lead to serious falling accidents for infants and young children.
Defective or dangerous products are a hazard for everyone, but they are especially dangerous for children. Children are often unable to inform their parents or other caregivers that there is a problem with their toys, clothes, or necessities until substantial injury has already occurred. In many cases, children are even then unable to communicate that something is wrong. If your child has been injured because of a dangerous or defective product, you should call a product liability attorney. California product liability & recalled products attorneys have helped parents in the Crocs, Inc. liability lawsuits to receive compensation for the injuries their children have sustained. This compensation has helped them to pay for medical bills, as well as caused Crocs, Inc. to begin placing warning labels on their footwear so that other children can avoid future injury on escalators.
In California, when you are injured through the negligence or wrongful acts of another person, you have the option to bring a California personal injury lawsuit. If you’ve been injured in an accident that resulted because someone else was neglectful, even if you are partly at fault for that accident, an experienced California personal injury lawyer can help you recover damages to pay your medical bills and recover financial damages caused by your injury. Personal injury suits may include lawsuits arising from automobile accidents, medical malpractice, slip and fall accidents, dog bites, product liability cases and many other categories of personal injury.
In California, an injured party may bring a personal injury lawsuit against any party that was responsible or partially responsible for causing their injury either through negligence or through a wrongful act. In order for their to be a valid personal injury case, the following elements must be present.
Elements of a California Personal Injury Lawsuit
- Duty of defendant
The plaintiff must be able to prove that the defendant had an explicit or implied duty to prevent the injury in some way. “Duty” is a broad legal term which can extend to cover anything from the responsibility of a property owner to maintain safe conditions to the “duty of care” held by a physician who is charged with medical treatment for the plaintiff.
- Actual loss or damage resulting from the action or negligence
There must be an actual injury or loss resulting from the negligence or wrongful act in order for a plaintiff to bring suit and recover damages in a personal injury case.
- Causation
The plaintiff must prove that there is a link between the action or inaction of the defendant and the injury that he suffered. There are different degrees and types of causation under California personal injury law, including direct causation and proximate or legal causation. These can be extremely important in recovering damages in a personal injury case.
In addition, there are specific elements of personal injury lawsuits that exist for specific types of personal injury claims. The plaintiff in a product liability lawsuit, for instance, must prove that the product was actually defective, and that it was defective when it left the hands of the defendant in the case.
Statute of Limitations for Personal Injury Cases in California
California law also sets specific statutes of limitation – the period of time during which a lawsuit can be brought. The Statute of Limitations is different for different types of personal injury suits. In a wrongful death suit, for instance, the Statute of Limitations is two years in most cases, but there are exceptions based on the age of the plaintiff or in the case that the wrongful cause of death is delayed too late to file within the statute of limitations. Other personal injury lawsuits may have statutes of limitations ranging from one year after the injury to three years after discovery of injury.
If you have suffered an injury that was caused by the negligence or the wrongful acts of another, it’s important that you contact a Los Angeles personal injury lawyer as soon as possible. If the statute of limitations for filing a California personal injury suit has passed, you may have no recourse at all for recovering damages.
Over two years ago a woman driving an SUV, along with five of her passengers, was killed when her car was hit by an oncoming train on the railroad tracks at Claribel Road and Terminal Avenue. At this particular railroad crossing, there is a stop sign at which the woman stopped her car at the sight of an oncoming train. To her dismay, however, the front end of her SUV stuck out over the first rail of the tracks. She was unable to back up because of several cars parked directly behind her. In panic, she tried to speed over the tracks to avoid the train, but was unable to make it over the tracks in time. The train, which was traveling at nearly 80mph, hit her directly from the side, killing all six passengers in the SUV. Those passengers included the driver, her 3-year old son, her 5-year old son, another 5-year old boy, a 19-year old girl, and a 39-year old woman.
The husband of the woman driving the SUV has now filed a lawsuit against four of the railroad companies in the Stanislaus County for the California train accident, as well as the county itself. He claims that the railroads neglected to maintain the crossing at Claribel Road and Terminal Avenue, where the accident occurred, and failed to make it safe for vehicles and pedestrians. The man’s lawyers also point out that, although the California Public Utility Commission recommended that Stanislaus County remove the stop sign from this particular crossing in order to make it more safe, the county has failed to do so. In rebuttal, Amtrak has filed a lawsuit against this man, claiming that it was his wife who was entirely at fault in the accident.
For whatever reason, the number of deaths that are occurring in the East Bay area due to railroad crossing accidents in increasing all the time. These accidents involve vehicles much of the time, but pedestrians are becoming particularly prone to injuries and death in these circumstances. Although the accidents are typically the fault of the vehicles or pedestrians involved, there are a number of ways in which railroad companies can create safer crossing areas to avoid these types of accidents and the resultant injuries. One of the most significant ways in which railroad companies can accomplish this goal is by creating greater awareness of the potential danger at railroad crossings. They can also so more to teach residents, especially those in the East Bay area, how to conduct themselves safely while in an area with railroad crossings.
For those with loved ones that have been injured or killed at railroad crossings, it is important for you to seek a personal injury lawyer. It is often difficult and tedious to determine who is at fault when a person is injured or killed at a railroad crossing. The fault could lie with the railroad companies, the city or state governments, or the victim himself. Los Angeles Personal injury lawyers work on these types of cases regularly and are equipped with the experience necessary to determine who is at fault in an accident at a railroad crossing.
Next Page »
|
|
|
