Stockton Injury Lawyer Blog

According to ABC News - Stockton, CHP officers are out in force this Thanksgiving weekend in order to reduce car and truck accidents. As part of their plan to improve safety, officers are writing speeding tickets, clearing accidents quickly when they do occur, and helping out stranded drivers.

The increased patrol started on Wednesday and will continue through Sunday night. At least one Stockton car accident has occurred this holiday weekend.

If you are in a car accident this holiday weekend, or at anytime, a few simple tips can help ease the stress of the situation and get you back on track to your destination.

First - assess the situation - if you or anyone involved is injured, seek medical attention immediately. Some injuries - such as traumatic brain injuries - may not show up for a few days or weeks so its crucial to contact a physician if you suspect you've been hurt.

Next - exchange information. Try to gather as much information as possible concerning the other driver such as their name, telephone number and driver's license number. Also, make notes about the circumstances surrounding the accident, including weather conditions, time of day, and any other factors that may have been a factor in the accident. Remember though, don't provide any details that could impact your chances of recovery such as "It was my fault" or "I wasn't paying attention."

Continue reading "Stockton Highway Patrol Increase Enforcement To Reduce Car Accidents" »

California traumatic brain injuries (TBIs) occur in both adults and children, typically the result of a sudden jolt or blunt force applied to the head.

TBIs are the leading cause of death in children and despite the occurrence of more than 1 million cases each year, no effective treatment exists for children with TBIs. Causes of TBIs include car accidents, sports injuries, falls, and birth injuries.

Following research showing progesterone has been effective for adults with TBIs, the University of Michigan has announced plans for a nationwide pediatric patient study that will address innovative treatment for TBIs. A University of California Davis professor is serving as a co-principal investigator in the study.

Other TBI statistics include:

• More than 165,000 children require hospitalization each year as the result of TBIs.
• Those most likely to sustain TBIs include children aged 0-4, adolescents aged 15-19, and adults aged 65 and older.
• Almost 473,947 emergency room visits occur each year for children aged 0-14.

Continue reading "UC Davis Professor To Investigate Childhood Traumatic Brain Injuries" »

Earlier this week, two young Fresno women were killed on the way home from a shopping trip in San Francisco. According to KSFN-TV Fresno, the women were killed after the car they were riding in crossed two lanes and crashed into a group of trees. The driver of the car also sustained major injuries and remains hospitalized.

Car accidents are one of the leading causes of personal injury and death throughout California. In the blink of an eye - a relaxing road trip, a morning commute, a trip to school - can become a life altering, tragic event. Here, two lives were lost and another faces significant injuries as the result of a car crash.

While the cause of the accident is still under investigation, many questions are raised after an accident of this magnitude. Ranging from practical questions such as "how do I contact my insurance company?" and "how did the accident occur?" to "who or what is at fault?" When accidents happen, people often don't know where to turn for answers.

Continue reading "Bay Area Car Accident Kills Two Fresno Students" »

This past week, the U.S. Supreme Court heard arguments concerning consumer lawsuits and vehicle safety. At issue - a 2000 ruling that shields automakers from liability if their vehicles meet minimum federal standards set by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA).

According to Bloomberg News, several justices hinted that car accident victims should be allowed to sue, even if the minimum standards are met. As explained by Justice Sotomayor, "A minimum by definition gives manufacturers options."

The issue was raised as the result of state claims, including California, that manufacturers dragged their feet in installing airbags. Currently, NHTSA standards apply to numerous auto parts including windshield wipers, seat belts and trunk releases.

As a California personal injury attorney concerned about consumer safety, I am hopeful the Supreme Court will side with the victims of car accidents. Often through no fault of their own, individuals suffer serious and fatal accidents as the result of dangerous and defective parts. Shielding carmakers from improving those parts - just because a standard is in place - provides no incentive for manufacturers to do better. Ultimately, automakers must be held accountable when their products lead to serious injures, and even death.

Continue reading "Mazda Ruling May Lead To More Consumer Car Accident Lawsuits " »