Los Angeles Injury Lawyers Blog

A few months back I read about how dangerous big rig trucks are on our freeways. In Los Angeles lots of big trucks leave the ports in San Pedro and Long Beach and head out across the freeways through the San Fernando Valley, Valencia, Palmdale, Lancaster, Riverside ...

These trucks pose serous threats to the safety of our population. When a truck accident happens the results are often serious injury or death. That is because of the sheer force and weight of these vehicles.

On often overlooked area of injury in a truck accident is brain injury. The victim may be dazed or confused at the scene but not mention these symptoms to the initial medical providers, only later they develop confusion, dizziness memory problems and changes in their personality. Every intake of any accident should include questions about possible brain injury - this is important so that the victim of a brain injury can be directed to the appropriate medical providers.

Here are some staggering statistics.
According to Motor Carrier Management Information System
In 2007 in California alone there were 5,315 Injuries in Crashes Involving Large Trucks and in every year since 2003 there have been between 300 and 400 fatalities as a result of large truck accidents. These statistics are derived from the Fatality Analysis Reporting System (FARS), the Motor Carrier Management Information System (MCMIS) Crash and Census data, and the Federal Highway Administration's (FHWA's) Highway Statistic Series.

The federal government mandated that a study be performed to determine the cause of large truck accidents. This study was authored by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA). In a press release the US Department of Transportation claims that "This study makes it clear that we need to spend more time addressing driver behavior, as well as making sure trucks and buses are fit for the road," FMCSA Administrator Annette M. Sandberg said. "The multitude of data now available will allow us to analyze specific areas of behavior and work with our industry and safety partners to develop an agenda on driver safety that will improve commercial motor vehicle driver performance."

This study demonstrates what we all know. Big trucks are dangerous, they speed tail gate and cant slow down with the sudden changes we experience on our freeways. And the results of these dangers is death and destruction of lives.

If you or a loved one has been injured in a truck accident. It is important to speak with an attorney with experience in these matters and one who can listen to you to make sure you not only get the best legal representation but also that none of your potential injuries go overlooked. Contact The Halpern Law Firm to speak to a knowledgeable and carrying attorney.

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Posted In: Auto Accidents

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It seems that pedestrian accident are on the rise. Just this week I have read about two fatal pedestrian accidents in the city of Thousand Oaks and Glendale near Los Angeles. In each case a vehicle struck the pedestrian as they crossed in a marked crosswalk. These are very sad tragic stories. In Glendale an 11 year old student was killed as she walked to school, while in Thousand Oaks a middle aged women was killed while walking from the Janns mall to her car.

Crossing the street can be lethal. The National Highway Transportation and Safety Association reports that In 2007 there was 4654 pedestrian killed by cars or trucks in the United States. Over 73 % of these fatal accident occurred in urban areas such as Los Angeles.

In each case, from a legal prospective an attorney must carefully examine each facts with careful attention to not only the accident but also the surroundings and how the configuration of the streets and crosswalks may have contributed to the accident. Obviously the driver of these accidents bear great responsibility - but with losses so deep it is improtant to examine and evaluate all of the reasons and causes of these events. The entity that owned the location must be determined, is it the city, the mall, the school district etc ... . In each case there may be unique rules that govern the timing of claims the liability and responsibility.

Government Code Section 835 provides the law which allows you to sue a government entity for dangerous conditions of the public property. This would include streets, sidewalks and crosswalks that are owned and maintained by the Government. These laws are very sensitive and a lawyer must be familiar with all of the ins and outs of these laws and immunities.

Losing a family member in any type of accident is a devastating tragedy. What makes some of these events even more tragic and devastating is that they could have easily been avoided by a careful driver or diligent city planning. In some cases a City will go for years ignoring known dangers in the hopes that they can avoid responsibility.

Contact The Halpern Law Firm if you or loved one has been injured or killed in a senseless accident. Let us offer you free consultation so that we can provide professional evaluation of your case.

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Posted In: Auto Accidents

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Its seems like every few months another person, usually a child is attacked and bitten by a dog in Southern California. These attacks seem to be prevalent in areas such as Los Angeles, Oxnard, Santa Paula, Palmdale, Bakersfield and surrounding Southern California Counties.

By example, just last week a five year old girl was killed by a pit bull attack in Simi Valley. These are the saddest cases. Tragedies and death that should be prevented, by responsible dog ownership.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) report that dogs bite more then 4.7 million people a year in the United States. Of those bites, over 800,000 seek medical attention with dozens of fatal attacks. The majority of injuries and deaths are to children aged 5 to 9 years old.

Its important that children are taught basic dog safety rules to help prevent attacks and injuries. Tell your kids never to approach a dog they do not know, when they see a dog not to run or scream as this may trigger an attack instinct and instead to slowly back away without looking the dog in the eye and to find an adult. Parents and children should also exercise common sense, do not play with a dog unsupervised and avoid playing with breeds of dogs who have reputation for being aggressive.

Continue reading " Dog attacks and bites in Southern California take the most devastating toll on children " »

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Posted In: Dog Bites

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