May 5, 2012--Santa Ana, CA--Santa Ana officials are hoping to find more witnesses in an odd hit-and-run accident that left two victims injured on Saturday night, despite the fact that video footage is available of the accident, according to ABC News.

The two victims, Pablo Ortiz and Karina Tejeda, were hit by a van separately as they were leaving a nightclub in Santa Ana.

Surveillance video outside of Spoons Nightclub shows the van hitting Tejeda then running over Ortiz as he chased after it.  Ortiz was hospitalized with his injuries, although there is no word on whether Tejeda was injured.

The van was later found and impounded.  Fernando Toscano of Oakland, CA, appeared to claim the van and was arrested for attempted murder.  Authorities are still investigating whether Toscano was indeed the driver seen on the video footage, and the Santa Ana police are asking for witnesses to come forward with any available information regarding the car accident in Santa Ana.

I want to extend my sincere wishes for a speedy recovery to Mr. Ortiz and Ms. Tejeda after this terrible accident.

Accident Statistics

The National Center for Statistics and Analysis reports that almost 50 percent of pedestrian fatalities occur at night and alcohol is a factor for either pedestrians or drivers in at least 18 percent of fatal pedestrian accidents.  The report compiled by NCSA for the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration also states that about one in five pedestrians killed by a motor vehicle is a hit-and-run accident.

What Happened In This Accident

While it is clear that the van driver hit these two pedestrians, what is unclear is if this was an accident or a deliberate act.  The fact that the police charged the alleged driver with attempted murder does not necessarily indicated intent to kill; it could be that the driver was so reckless in his behavior that he was charged as if he intended to kill the victims.  On the other hand, this type of charge is usually connected with an act that signifies intent, and from the surveillance video it appears that the driver backed up to hit the second victim.  If so, it is likely he will be charged with attempted murder and tried criminally on that charge.

Liability Issues

Whether or not the police do end up charging the driver criminally, a civil liability lawsuit may well be appropriate for this case as well.  When someone hurts another person deliberately, judges often award punitive damages in the case as well as the expenses and costs associated with the injury.  A professional personal injury attorney in Santa Ana can examine the facts of the case when the investigation is concluded and determine if this is an appropriate plea.

Strange Hit-and-Run Leaves One Hospitalized in Santa Ana, CA is a post from: Personal Injury Lawyer Report

If you have been involved in a situation at work that requires you to seek legal advice, California employment attorneys are available to help you. You can get answers to your questions and find out what the law says about your particular situation. However, there are some things that you should know before you hire an employment attorney, and these facts will help you choose the right attorney to handle your case.

1) Not all attorneys are employment attorneys. There are many different types of attorneys specializing in certain areas of the law. Some attorneys handle only personal injury, while others generalize their practices, doing a bit of everything. While it may be wise to have a general attorney who practices in many areas to help you with general legal matters, this may not be the best approach if you are facing an employment lawsuit. Attorneys who specialize in employment law have a deeper knowledge of both federal and state statutes than many general attorneys and spend most of their time focusing on these types of cases.

2) Employment law covers a large and diverse area of the legal field. An employment attorney should never know only state law regarding employment. Workplace laws exist at the state, federal, and even local levels that can affect the outcome of your case. A good employment lawyer understands the law at all of these levels and can easily move between the various statutes to give you sound advice about your case.

3) Employment lawyers in California work with a large variety of case types. A good employment lawyer not only handles wage and hour cases, but also deals with discrimination in the workplace, unsafe working conditions, and a number of other sub-types of employment lawsuits. Look for an attorney who has experience in a wide variety of employment cases to get the best and broadest viewpoint of your employment problem.

4) Employment lawyers build client trust. It is vital that you work with an attorney who builds confidence in you about your case and its outcome. Never settle for an attorney who will not answer your questions or work closely with you to resolve your case.

5) Employment lawyers get results. A lawyer who is only interested in settling your case quickly, without regard to your needs or the realities of your lawsuit, is not the one for you. Talk to several attorneys, if necessary, to find one who is interested in working with your case and can explain the strategy he or she will use in easy-to-understand terms that allow you to be a part of the case at every step of the process.

What You Need to Know Before You Choose A California Employment Attorney is a post from: Personal Injury Lawyer Report

May 7, 2012--San Bernardino, CA--A 48-year-old female passenger on the back of a motorcycle is dead after a motorcycle accident in San Bernardino yesterday.

The victim's name has not been released, but California Highway Patrol officers, who are investigating the accident, say that it appears that Thomas Donohoe, of Hemet, CA, was riding a motorcycle when he lost control, throwing the female passenger from the back.

Donohoe had on a safety-approved helmet, although his passenger was wearing only a "novelty" helmet that did not meet safety requirements set by the Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards. CHP officers suggested that this lack of proper headgear contributed to the passenger's death.

On further investigation, CHP stated that Donohoe had only an instructional motorcycle permit. This would prevent him from carrying passengers legally.

My sincere condolences go out to the victim's family on this tragic loss.

Accident Statistics

According to the Federal Highway Traffic Safety Administration, at least 5,200 people die each year in motorcycle-related crashes. Safety groups estimate that helmet use prevents 37 percent of fatalities for motorcycle riders and 41 percent of fatalities for passengers. These figures are based on projections derived from the number of passengers and riders killed while both wearing and not wearing helmet protection.

What Happened In This Accident

The California Highway Patrol has not finished its preliminary investigation of the accident, but officials have stated that they believe the rider lost control of his motorcycle. They do not give a reason for this loss of control, although speeding or obstructions in the road are likely factors. The flinging of the passenger from the motorcycle is a common occurrence seen in motorcycle accidents in which there is a passenger on the back of the vehicle.

Liability Issues

If the facts turn out to be as they were presented in the CHP's initial report, it is likely that the motorcycle operator will be held liable for the death of the passenger. However, there could definitely be mitigating circumstances that might change this picture. For example, if someone dropped a load of debris in the road just prior to the accident and left it there, and the motorcycle operator swerved to avoid it, it is possible that the person who left the debris could be liable. A professional personal injury attorney should examine the facts of the case as they emerge and make a recommendation about liability factors.

Source: http://www.sbsun.com

Motorcycle Crash Leaves One Dead is a post from: Personal Injury Lawyer Report

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Michigan Motorcycle Accident Lawyers Create Helmet Law Graphic For Bikers is a post from: Personal Injury Lawyer Report

April 29, 2012--San Bernardino, CA--A 17-year-old driver was speeding along Highway 18 this weekend when he struck an oncoming car, causing the driver of the vehicle to be ejected. Both the victim and his passenger were hospitalized with extensive injuries.

The accident occurred about 11:45 a.m. on Sunday morning as a Crestline teenager sped north in a Pontiac Firebird along the highway. He apparently crossed the center line and struck an oncoming Nissan Altima driven by Robert Munoz of Los Angeles County. According to the California Highway Patrol, Munoz was ejected when the Pontiac struck his driver’s side door. Both Munoz and a 14-year-old passenger were taken to Loma Linda Medical Center following the accident. No word has been released on their condition at this time.

My heartfelt wishes for a speedy recovery go out to the victims of this accident.

Accident Statistics

The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety states that traffic accidents are the leading cause of death for those under the age of 35, and speeding is often a factor in car accidents. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration estimates that 31 percent of all fatal car accidents involve speeding, making it one of the leading causes of traffic accident deaths, just behind the use of alcohol while driving.

Young drivers are also involved in car accidents at a much higher rate than other age groups. According to the California Department of Motor Vehicles, younger drivers tend to have poorer judgment skills in avoiding accidents and tend to overestimate their ability to handle higher speeds and riskier situations.

What Happened In This Accident

As with many younger drivers, the at-fault driver in this accident apparently overestimated his ability to handle the car through a sharp turn at high speeds, leading to a collision with the victim’s vehicle. It is not clear at this point whether the victim or his passenger were wearing safety belts at the time of the accident.

Liability Issues

The driver of the Pontiac who struck Munoz’s vehicle clearly has liability for causing the accident due to excessive speed. However, there could be other mitigating factors which may emerge as the investigation into the accident continues. For example, was the teenager speeding because something in the car had malfunctioned? If so, the car manufacturer or the mechanic who installed the faulty equipment might have liability. Did the victim allow his young passenger to ride without proper safety restraints? If so, he might have some liability for the passenger’s injuries. A professional personal injury attorney should examine the facts of the case carefully to determine if other liability issues exist.

Source: http://www.pe.com

Speeding Driver Causes Motorist to Be Ejected from Vehicle is a post from: Personal Injury Lawyer Report

Last week, tragically in Henderson, NV a 1-year-old boy was killed by his grandparent’s dog. Apparently the dog had been around the child and had never shown any signs of aggression. The dog bite the baby’s face and shook it, resulting in the death of the 1-year-old. The dog was scheduled to be euthanized on Tuesday morning, but animal rights groups anxiously worked to have the dog spared. The judge has issued a restraining order to spare the dog for the time being.

I don’t get it personally, the dog killed a baby, the dog in my opinion should be put down. If this were a person that had killed a baby, we would be screaming for the death penalty, but because it’s an animal we should save it. I wouldn’t take it home, and I guarantee the family doesn’t want it anymore. The dog is nothing more than a horrible reminder of why you need to really think about having a big dog around a baby. It is a harsh reminder that as tame as you think your pet is, it is still an animal.

A national rescue group called the Lexus Project has offered to pay for the dog to be shipped to Colorado to live on a sanctuary, but it isn’t an option since the dog has been deemed vicious. I can’t imagine that anyone is going to want to adopt this dog, it should be put down.

Las Vegas Dog Bite Attorney

If you or a loved one has been the victim of a dog bite, contact an experienced Las Vegas attorney today. Most personal injury lawyers offer a free consultation, and can help you with your case. Don’t wait, if you have been the victim of a dog bite, or animal attack, act now, get a lawyer on your side. Make sure your rights are protected.

Dog that killed 1-year-old has execution halted is a post from: Personal Injury Lawyer Report

Have you ever experienced a slip and fall accident? If not, you may not be aware of the very real pain and suffering you can experience as the result of a "simple" slip and fall accident. Many people tend to see these accidents as "minor," and not worthy of pursuing a claim against the at-fault party. However, many slip and fall accidents can be very serious, causing traumatic head injuries, broken bones, and other life-altering injuries.

Slip and fall lawyers in Irvine handle cases involving injuries that result from one of two types of accidents. A slip and fall can occur on the same level as which the victim is standing or from a level above or below that on which the victim is standing.

Same-level slip and fall accidents occur when a victim is standing or walking and trips or slips, usually falling to the ground. Some surprisingly serious injuries can occur with same-level slip and fall accidents if the victim falls in the wrong way. For example, some victims have suffered brain injury or even death simply by falling backwards on slippery concrete.

Other slip and fall accidents occur because the victim falls from one height to another. Common among these types of injuries are those accidents that occur on stairs. People often trip up or down stairs, and at the very least suffer hand or wrist injuries trying to break their falls. More serious injuries may result if the victim falls down more than one or two steps or is unable to break his or her fall in time to prevent a tumble down the stairs. Many people have died from broken necks in stairway falls, and others have suffered broken hips, broken legs, and other serious injuries.

Irvine slip and fall attorneys can help if you have been injured in any type of slip and fall accident. Talk to a professional slip and fall lawyer immediately if you have experienced any type of trip, slip, or fall injury that resulted in damages. Your attorney can help you determine who is responsible for your slip and fall injury and file your claim. You can recover damages for medical bills, pain and suffering, mental anguish, rehabilitative therapy, and other incidental costs related to your accident. Be sure that you talk to an Irvine slip and fall lawyer as soon as possible so that you do not run out of time to file your slip and fall injury claim.

Recovering from a Slip and Fall Accident is a post from: Personal Injury Lawyer Report

Our dog bite lawyers in Michigan handle cases involving dog bites and attacks throughout the state of Michigan. Dog bite attacks can be a very traumatic and frightening experience for anyone to have to go through. The injuries sustained from a dog bite can be considerable. They may include broken bones, scarring, deformities, serious lacerations, permanent nerve damage, and even death. Many may also suffer psychological and emotional distress, well after the dog bite attack incident occurred.

According to the American Humane Association, approximately 24 percent of deaths involved an unrestrained dog off their owner’s property. In addition, 58 percent of deaths involved an unrestrained dog on the owner's property.

77% of dog bite victims are friends of the dog's owner, or a member of the owners' family. Therefore, these victims were familiar with the dog prior to the dog bite attack. Surpassing playground injury, dog bites rank second in causes for childhood injury.

The American Humane Association provides tips to dog owners on how to prevent a dog bite attacks. These tips include:

• Getting your do neutered
• Supervise your dog
• Train and socialize your dog
• Restrain your dog
• Unchain your dog

Victims of a dog bite attack in Michigan do have the right to file a Michigan dog bite lawsuit against the owner of the aggressive dog. The Insurance Information Institute says that, "dog bites accounted for about 25% of all claims on homeowner's insurance, costing more than $321 million in 2003." The limits for insurance coverage are different in every case, but most homeowner's usually have a minimum of $100,000.00 in liability coverage. This means that the insurance company will pay the dog bite victim up to that amount if the injuries are severe enough.

For more information on your legal rights after a dog bite attack resulting in injury, call our office now at (800) 606-1717 to speak with an experienced Michigan dog bite injury lawyer. We will start working on your case immediately gathering all the evidence and witness statements to win and settle your case.

Dog Bite Lawyers in Michigan Discuss How to Prevent a Dog Bite Attack is a post from: Personal Injury Lawyer Report

Motorcycle accidents are not as common as car accidents for several reasons.  First, cars are much more prevalent on the highways than motorcycles.  Additionally, motorcycle riders are required or choose to take more safety courses than most automobile drivers, so motorcycle riders as a whole tend to be more aware of defensive driving techniques.  Finally, motorcycle riders are well aware that in a collision between themselves and a car, they will end up with far greater injuries in most cases, so motorcycle riders have a heightened interest in avoiding a collision with a car.

However, despite these facts, motorcycle riders are up to 35 times more likely than car drivers to wind up in an accident per vehicle mile traveled, according to the Hurt Report conducted early in the 1980s at the request of several states and the federal government.  This seminal study found that motorcycle riders are in great danger on the highway, despite the fact that few motorcycle accidents are directly attributable to motorcycle rider error.  Recent studies have supported the Hurt findings.

This means that in the majority of motorcycle accident cases, motorcycle riders are not at fault.  These accidents occur due to the errors of car drivers, who either do not take seriously the rights of motorcyclists on the road or who are unaware of the differences in allowing right-of-way for motorcycles and cars.  For example, when a car driver is waiting at a stop sign for cross traffic to clear, a motorcycle will often appear to be farther away than it actually is due to the differences in speed and size of the two vehicles.  Many car drivers have overestimated the amount of time they have to make it across an intersection in front of an oncoming motorcycle and have caused terrible accidents as a result.

Anaheim motorcycle accident lawyers help the victims of motorcycle accidents to recover damages when they are injured in a collision caused by someone else's negligence.  These professionals understand the laws that govern motorcycle operation and the realities of motorcycle accidents, and can help victims recover adequate damages for their injuries.

Motorcycle accident attorneys in Anaheim are ready to work with you to recover all the payments to which you are entitled, including compensation for physical injuries, emotional distress, and other problems related to your motorcycle accident.  Talk to an expert in motorcycle accident law today and begin recovering your expenses from your motorcycle accident.

Anaheim Motorcycle Accidents is a post from: Personal Injury Lawyer Report

Personal injury is a wide field of legal practice that covers many types of accidents.  Personal injury attorneys in LA handle a number of different types of claims, including car accidents, workplace accidents, accidents involving pedestrians, bicycles, and motorcycles, and slip and fall accidents.  Each of these types of accidents is different, but they all have one common factor:  someone has caused an innocent victim pain and suffering and should be held accountable for the actions that led to the injuries.

One of the saddest facts about personal injury practice is that many people who have good personal injury claims never recover damages.  Some recover nothing at all; others recover only a fraction of what they could have received and were entitled to.  In each of these cases, it is common to find that the victim attempted to negotiate a settlement with the help of a personal injury attorney.  The fact is that the legal system is far too complex to allow the average person to act with any degree of confidence when attempting to collect damages from a defendant, especially if the defendant is represented by an attorney or agents of a large insurance company.

Instead of accepting defeat, if victims of personal injury accidents would consult with professionals like LA personal injury lawyers, these stories could have a happier outcome.  When a victim hires a personal injury attorney, two things immediately happen.  First, the victim is endowed with knowledge and power, and is able to make a much more rational decision about the value of his or her case and how to pursue it.  Second, the defense side of the claim quickly begins to take the victim’s claim much more seriously, realizing that the victim cannot be railroaded into an easy settlement.

Many people are hesitant to file lawsuits, thinking that this is somehow wrong or greedy.  The fact is that defendants and their representatives are, in many cases, happy to see the victim walk away with no money for the damages caused by the defendant’s negligence.  It is hard to imagine a more appropriate picture of greediness than this.

Instead of thinking in terms of greed, victims should consider hiring an expert personal injury lawyer as an act designed to protect them from the depredations of defendants and their representatives.  You owe it to yourself and your dependents to get the maximum amount for your claim in order to protect you from financial problems.  Hiring a personal injury attorney is the best way to accomplish that goal.

Hiring a Personal Injury Attorney in LA, California is a post from: Personal Injury Lawyer Report