School Bus Accident Involving DUI Gets Ojai Bus Driver Taken Off Route
Oct 19, 2009 Auto & Car Crashes, Drunk Driving
Recently, an Ojai school bus transporting 21 students to Nordhoff High, Meiners Oaks and Matilija Junior High Schools crashed with a pickup truck when the driver of the bus made a U-turn in front of the truck. Fortunately, no students were injured in the accident, but it did result in Kim Fullenwider being booked and placed in jail on suspicion of misdemeanor drunk driving. This led to Fullenwider being taken off of the route by the Ojai School District, where she previously had a good driving record.
The accident occurred in Live Oak Acres, and investigations found that the bus driver had been drinking the night before the accident happened, but still had alcohol in her bloodstream. Charges also included child endangerment and driving with a blood alcohol content above the legal limit. Since that time, Fullenwider has gotten out of jail and trustees will make a decision about whether to suspend or fire her. This was the first accident since she started driving with the Ojai Unified School District 16 years ago. Representatives of the school district state that they have received numerous calls on Fullenwider’s behalf, stating that she is a good person.
Los Angeles bus accident lawyers know that driving under the influence is one of the most dangerous driving practices you can engage in, particularly when it involves driving a commercial vehicle. Whether Fullenwider is a good person or not has very little bearing on the fact that childrens lives were in danger, and that they could have sustained serious injuries or even death due to her negligent behavior. Unfortunately, the action she took may have destroyed her spotless reputation and driving record, but driving under the influence while transporting children must not be tolerated.
Random drug tests are conducted at the Ojai Unified School District, and no drivers have tested positive up to this point over the last ten years. Those who drive commercial vehicles must adhere to strict standards when it comes to drugs and alcohol. Drivers of commercial vehicles also have a lower threshold for blood alcohol content than the general public, at .04 percent. These safeguards are essential, because drivers are often in control of massive vehicles that carry large loads or numerous passengers, and accidents can have very serious consequences.
Driving under the influence is simply not an acceptable practice at any time, especially when it involves the lives of others. The Reeves Law Group has offices across California are lawyers dedicated to representing personal injury victims, including victims of bus accidents. For a free consultation, please call us at (800) 644-8000.
A Kansas City Criminal Attorney Can Change The Outlook For Your Future
Oct 15, 2009 Assault & Battery, Criminal Cases, Wrongful Death - Murder
When you have been accused of a crime, no matter how simple or serious it may seem, you need an experienced Kansas City criminal defense attorney on your side. When you choose to represent yourself or have an inexperienced lawyer do it, you are putting your future at great risk. If you want the best possible outcome, hire someone with the knowledge and aggression it takes to make sure you are treated fairly.
The crime you have been accused of may be something minor, or something as major as rape or murder. You may be extremely frightened and confused, not knowing what you are facing. Whether innocent or guilty, you need someone who knows the law to answer questions you may have and guide you through the process. Never represent yourself in these types of cases, as you can easily damage your own case.
When you are arrested for a crime, you may be nervous or feel that you need to defend your actions to police or other law enforcement. The worst thing you can do is to speak to anyone. While some in authority positions will act as if they are trying to help you, more than likely they are trying to incriminate you further by using anything you say against you. This is why it is crucial that you contact a highly reputable Kansas City criminal defense attorney. He knows how to best handle your case, and has the respect of not only the judge, but law enforcement and others in positions of authority.
Depending upon the seriousness of the charges against you, a reputable lawyer can often get the sentence greatly reduced, or even dropped. He knows every nuance of the law, and how to examine the evidence to determine if any missteps were taken in your pursuit. Police, investigators and other law enforcement sometimes make mistakes, and a highly qualified Kansas City criminal defense attorney can examine every detail with a fine tooth comb to find things that may be in your favor.
Have you been accused of a crime? Your future, and the future of your family may be hanging in the balance. You need to know what to expect, and what steps you should take to insure that the outcome is the best that can be expected in your particular situation. Contact an experienced and knowledgeable Kansas City criminal defense attorney NOW, and do not wait!
San Bernardino Accident Takes Life of Well-Known Fashion Photographer
Oct 8, 2009 Auto & Car Crashes, Personal Injury, Wrongful Death - Murder
Alberto Jose Serejo, a well-known Brazilian fashion photographer, was killed in San Bernardino County in an accident involving an impaired driver, who according to the California Highway Patrol was under the influence of prescription medication and inhalants. The photographer was involved in a photo shoot in front of the Joshua Tree Inn when the accident occurred.
Joshua Tree resident Daniel Howell was driving a Mazda pickup truck in the area when he veered off the eastbound lanes of highway 62 and ran over the curb, hitting Serejo who died from the injuries he suffered at an area hospital. Howell did not stop when the accident occurred, and continued to drive on until he crashed the Mazda again about an hour later. After the second accident, he was arrested and officers were able to determine that he was involved in the accident the took the life of Serejo as well. Howell has been booked on investigation of DUI, hit and run driving and vehicular manslaughter.
Family members who are survivors of victims in tragic accidents like this one may be eligible to receive wrongful death damages from the party who was negligent, and caused the accident. Wrongful death simply means that the victim was killed due to the carelessness or negligence of another party. Survivors may be eligible for compensation for funeral and burial expenses, as well as other losses caused by the death of a loved one, including economic and non-economic losses.
The time period following a death can be devastating and confusing for survivors. Financial worries compound the devastation, especially if the victim was the sole income provider for the family. Immediate expenses are a major concern, including monthly household bills, groceries and education expenses. Survivors may be compensated for the loss of income caused by the death of their loved one. Compensation for loss of care, affection and companionship may also be awarded to the survivors, and the spouse may be eligible to file a claim against the responsible party for loss of consortium.
While it is certainly clear that no amount of money can replace a loved one, it is important to your livelihood to know that survivors have the right to hold the negligent party responsible and accountable for his negligent actions. A San Bernadino auto accident attorney can help survivors file a claim that includes all of the compensation that the family of the deceased is eligible for.
The Reeves Law Group has offices across California and is dedicated to representing personal injury victims, including victims of wrongful death. Please contact us for a free consultation at (800) 644-8000.
What Are Lawsuit Loans, and How Can They Benefit You?
Oct 5, 2009 Legal Finance, Personal Injury
If you are involved in a personal injury claim, you may benefit from lawsuit loans, especially if you are having financial difficulties. Settlement funding companies offer this money so that you can continue your lawsuit without feeling the stress of added financial worry. If you are not familiar with this process, keep reading. How much compensation you are rewarded may depend on it!
There are many terms for this process, including pre-settlement funding and litigation financing. While lawsuit loans may sound like something that you interpret must be paid back on a monthly basis, it is not. Settlement funding companies offer this as more of an advance, based upon the specific criteria of your claim. If you merit an advance, you do not pay the money back on a monthly basis as you would a conventional loan. You pay nothing until your claim reaches conclusion. Even at that time, if you do not win you pay absolutely nothing back to the funding company.
Often when people are involved in personal injury cases, they find themselves short on money to pay bills, medical costs and other expenses. When you are injured, you sometimes cannot work. This puts a burden on your entire family, and expenses pile up. Lawsuit loans enable you to take care of these monthly expenditures while you pursue compensation. This way, you can focus on your lawsuit without worrying about how you will pay your bills.
Pre-settlement funding is a simple process, and your attorney can help you determine if it may be the solution you need to continue your case, so that you don’t end up settling for less than you deserve from insurance companies. When you do win your claim, you pay the settlement funding company back at that time, at an amount that was predetermined when you received your advance.
The money you get may be used for a variety of reasons. Paying household bills or repair costs are common, as well as medical expenses due to injuries you received in your accident. You may even need money for attorney fees. Lawsuit loans can actually help to insure that you get full compensation, and do not have to settle for less because of your financial situation, and the inability to continue with your claim.
Find out more online, or talk to your attorney. Pre-settlement funding is a simple solution in many instances, and may be just what you need to get every penny you deserve!
