Recent Articles
Dog Bite Leaves Santa Cruz Man Seriously Injured
Jan 15, 2010 Dog Bites Leave a comment
In a shocking incident, a Live Oak man had portions of his mouth ripped out when he was attacked by an aggressive dog in Santa Cruz recently. Even more frightening is that the dog has not been located according to animal service officers, and another attack could occur.
The victim was walking late in the evening on a deserted street when the attack took place, according to Mercury News. The man was seriously injured in the facial area, including his nose and left eye. His lips had to be sewn back on after being ripped off by the dog, and the victim claims he did nothing to provoke the attack. Minor dog attacks are seen more often by animal control officers, who don’t often see vicious attacks by dogs that were not provoked.
If this dog is located, the owner likely faces misdemeanor changes for their negligence in letting a vicious dog run loose where an attack like this can occur. The most important thing at the current time is to locate the dog, which is believed to be a Rottweiller type breed that probably ways in the vicinity of 80 to 100 pounds. Animal control officers are asking for information from anyone who might have clues to this attack or who has seen a dog similar to this to call them. They are anxious due to the fact that another attack could occur, and they have no information about the vaccination history of the dog or whether it has attacked before.
Victims of vicious dog bit attacks are often left with extreme fear, as well as psychological and physical scars. California dog bite lawyers understand this, and know that victims who have suffered through such an attack can be left with severe trauma that may take them months or longer to overcome.
Physical scarring to the face, legs, arms, hands, head and neck can really take a toll on a victim, and these injuries are often very serious. In fact, just recently a Virginia woman died after being bitten by a friends dog on her neck. This dog did not attack the woman according to available information, but the bite caused her to experience difficulty breathing before being rushed to the hospital.
Thankfully, these types of incidents are not very common, but demonstrate that dog bites can be much more severe than we realize, and even fatal. California dog bite attorneys are hopeful that the aggressive dog responsible for severely injuring the Santa Cruz victim will be located by animal control officers soon before another possibly serious attack takes place.
The Reeves Law Group has offices across California and is dedicated to representing personal injury victims, including victims of dog bites. Please contact us for a free consultation at (800) 644-8000.
Senior Citizens Reason for Design of Safer Cars by Automakers
Dec 14, 2009 Auto & Car Crashes Leave a comment
Drivers over the age of 65 will account for over 20% of all drivers in this country by the year 2030. This means that a growing number of motorists will be on the road who often have mental or physical limitations that could affect their ability to drive in a safe manner. Although the reasons are completely different, the elderly have an accident rate that is equal to that of teenage drivers. Automobile manufacturers are starting to consider the limitations of senior drivers as they design automobiles, according to a report by the NPR.
The concept of designing vehicles for the safety of seniors is not a new one, but it was difficult for auto designers and engineers who are younger to understand exactly what types of limitations the elderly face when driving. Ford approached this dilemma by developing an “aging suit,” which was made with heavy padding that instantly adds 30 years to the person who is wearing its life. In its Virtual Environment Lab, Ford simulated driving conditions that the elderly often face. Test drivers in this lab wore the aging suit, along with gloves and goggles. Those who observed from the outside could see precisely what problems were encountered by the driver, and fix the issue.
More automakers are following suit, and General Motors has a division that is in the process of making a special windshield to help the elderly compensate for difficulties in vision. While this is still in the developmental stages and will not be available for at least six years, Los Angeles auto accident lawyers are happy to see that measures are being taken that allow the elderly to drive safer.
Whether the elderly should be allowed to drive has been the subject of debate. In 2006, an 86 year old man crashed into an open air market in Santa Monica after losing control of his car, resulting in 10 fatalities. George Russell was extremely frail and ill, and although convicted on 10 felony counts, he was let off on probation.
This catastrophe led to a national debate about elderly motorists and whether they should be required to take road tests when it is time to renew their license. The thought of discrimination based on their age outrages senior citizens, who claim that their are fewer accidents involving people in their age group. California’s streets are extremely congested, and elderly drivers face numerous problems such as poor vision and hearing, along with slower reflexes. Additionally, senior citizens have more medical conditions that could trigger an attack while they are at the wheel.
The Reeves Law Group has offices across California, and is dedicated to serving as Los Angeles accident attorney‘s in representing personal injury victims, including victims of auto accidents. Please contact us for a free consultation at (800) 644-8000.
Los Angeles Wrongful Death Lawsuit Involving Singer Brandi Settles Out of Court
Dec 10, 2009 Wrongful Death - Murder Leave a comment
An accident that took place three years ago involving the singer Brandi has been settled out of court. In December of 2006, Brandi hit a car from behind on a Los Angeles interchange, which resulted in a chain reaction that left Awatef Aboudihaj dead. The singer has been settling with Aboudihaj’s family since then, and paid $30,000 to each of Awatef’s two children. Now apparently she has reached a settlement with the parents of Awatef, but the details are not being disclosed. In this accident another motorist was injured, and Brandi settled with that motorist earlier this year.
It is sometimes difficult for the families of victims to file Los Angeles wrongful death lawsuits. They are grieving, and know that no amount of money can bring their loved one back. However, expenses begin to add up quickly in the time period following the death, and survivors often need the compensation to carry on a normal way of life. This is also a way to gain closure for some, because they realize that the responsible party is having to pay for their actions.
While most families do not think about money issues at the time a loved one dies, soon after they will realize that they need money for medical expenses, household bills, funeral and burial of their loved one and other basics. This is especially true when the deceased was the primary breadwinner of the family, and now the income is gone. Victims families quickly realize that meeting just basic financial needs is very tough. This is why it is essential in many instances that a wrongful death claim be filed.
Surviving family members should understand that it is their right to file for financial compensation when a loved one is killed because of negligence. California laws allow benefactors of the victim to file wrongful death damages in court. Medical bills, funeral expenses, and lost wages are just a few examples of the compensation that survivors may be entitled to. If the victim was the sole income provider, family members should include all of the expenses that their loved one would have been responsible for had he lived.
Survivors must carry on with their lives, and realize that they need to factor in all possible expenses when considering a wrongful death claim. Not only should the short-term be examined, but families should carefully consider the future and how they will have sufficient funds to live. They may also want to consider loss of consortium and damages, and take into account all possible factors when filing a claim. It is greatly to the advantage of survivors to consult with a California personal injury lawyer before you file a claim, to make certain you get maximum compensation for your loss.
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.
Faulty Accelerator Pedals May Result in Toyota Spending $5 Billion
Dec 7, 2009 Auto & Car Crashes Leave a comment
Automakers often deny that defects exist in their vehicles, or won’t admit that defects could put motorists at risk of accidents, and Los Angeles California car accident lawyers are clearly aware of this. Therefore, when Toyota Motor Corporation delayed announcing that it would recall about 3.5 million vehicles due to faulty floor matt issues, it was really no great surprise.
The NHTSA and consumers are pressuring Toyota to look further than the floor mats to determine what the real problem is. According to reports in the media, the auto company may consider a $5 billion program to replace the accelerator pedals on the Camry, Prius, certain Lexus models and others. Toyota has apparently come to an agreement with the NHTSA to repair the accelerator pedals in these vehicles, according to Reuters, who quotes Kyodo news from Tokyo.
Even through all of this, representatives of Toyota deny that any agreement such as this has been reached with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. However, it is confirmed that Toyota is continuing talks with the NHTSA. These talks are concerning what can be done to prevent the unintended acceleration incidents from taking place, and many are familiar with some of the incidents that have taken place over the past few months. Some Toyota customers have blamed the accelerator for the unintentional acceleration that has occurred, and this is one topic being discussed between Toyota and the agency. Toyota is staunch, and still insists that the accelerators have gotten stuck because of loose floor mats that may slide over the gas pedal causing acceleration.
Numerous Toyota customers have experienced the acceleration first-hand, and are relieved that Toyota may be taking steps to determine the real problem and why unintended acceleration takes place. Toyota is adamant about the fact that replacing these models floor mats with the correct floor mats will remedy the accelerations problem; however, that fails to answer the question of how the same dangerous incidents have occurred in models with the correct floor mats. Investigators are looking closely at the floor mats, to determine if they are likely to slide forward against the accelerator pedal. If you have been injured from this defective product, immediately contact a California car accident attorney to review your case.
To add insult to injury, customers who drive certain Toyota models may not only be subject to the unintended acceleration problem, but also an issue in which some owners are not aware that an electronic push button ignition must be pressed for three consecutive seconds before the car will stop in an emergency. Some are not aware that this switch must be held continuously, and will not stop unless it is held for the full 3 seconds.
The Reeves Law Group has offices across California, and is dedicated to representing personal injury victims, including victims of motor vehicle defects. Please call us for a free consultation at (800) 644-8000.
Bridge Safety Issues a Concern After Bay Bridge Debris Collapse
Nov 16, 2009 Pedestrian Accidents, Personal Injury, Product Liability Leave a comment
In October, repair work was done on the San Francisco Bay Bridge which resulted in steel from that work breaking off and crashing into an upper deck. The bridge was closed off until further notice, but thankfully there were no injuries caused by the accident. Many motorists who were lodged in rush hour traffic no doubt did get the scare of their lives as they witnessed cable and large blocks of steel flying everywhere.
The added burden of having to accommodate motorists who did use the bridge is being felt by the transit systems, but the inconvenience caused by this closing is the least of concerns. The incident with the Bay Bridge is just a small sampling of the problems with the county’s bridges, according to bridge safety experts. It is believed that strong winds caused the steel beams and metal rods to snap off and crash onto the deck, and investigators claim that the metal that went flying about was from the repair job that was done during the Labor Day holiday this past September.
The Bay Bridge incident really concerned San Francisco personal injury attorneys who blogged about the 2007 Minnesota bridge collapse that resulted in the deaths of 13 people. According to safety experts, the Bay Bridge incident is a symptom of what is believed to be happening with thousands of bridges across the country. In fact, the American Society of Civil Engineers claim that America’s bridges are in serious condition. The Minnesota bridge collapse two years ago was labeled as “structurally deficient” by the federal government. While these words seem to be a strong warning, according to ABC news one out of every four of our 80,000 bridges is structurally deficient.
It seems that the major cause of these problems is the age of our bridges. Most American bridges are designed to service motorists for 50 years, and the average age of bridges in our country is 43 years. Performing proper maintenance and repairs on these bridges is crucial, but apparently not all of this important work is being done. The cost of doing this maintenance is estimated at $17 billion per year to tax payers, and currently only $10 billion is being spent, according to the American Society of Civil Engineers.
A bill has been introduced that would provide more money over the next 6 years to be spent on infrastructure by James Oberstar, a representative from Minnesota, but thus far it hasn’t been high on anyone’s priority list. Several states have performed repairs on bridges using stimulus funds, but this doesn’t touch the massive repairs that are needed to avoid tragedies like the one that occurred in Minnesota.
Article provided by Dataflurry Law Firm Marketing representing personal injury attorneys in New York
School Bus Accident Involving DUI Gets Ojai Bus Driver Taken Off Route
Oct 19, 2009 Auto & Car Crashes, Drunk Driving Leave a comment
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 Leave a comment
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 Leave a comment
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 Leave a comment
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!
Newport Beach Drunk Driver to Stand Trial for Death of Huntington Beach Entrepreneur
Sep 21, 2009 Auto & Car Crashes, Drunk Driving, Personal Injury, Wrongful Death - Murder Leave a comment
Charles Lewis Jr., co-founder of a martial arts clothing company in Huntington Beach, was killed in a fatal accident that was allegedly caused by Jeffrey Kirby, a Costa Mesa resident, who was driving while intoxicated. Kirby will stand trial in the death, charged with gross vehicular manslaughter.
According to prosecutors in the case, Lewis was driving on Jamboree Road in his Ferrari, when he was struck by Kirby’s Porsche which caused the Ferrari to crash into a light pole and break in to two pieces. Mr. Lewis died at the scene, and the passenger who was riding in his car was ejected, suffering injuries. Kirby fled the scene of the crime, but has since admitted to police that he was speeding in an attempt to catch up with Lewis’ Ferrari, which he wanted the passengers riding with him to have a look at.
Kirby had two previous convictions for driving while drunk, and blood alcohol tests that were conducted a couple of hours after this crash indicated his BAC level to be .13. Kirby had been drinking prior to the crash at bars in Sang Juan Capistrano and Irvine according to evidence investigators collected from his wallet. Kirby has been denied the chance to plead guilty to vehicular manslaughter, and attorneys for him put blame for the accident on Lewis.
Over the last few years, California has been successful in decreasing the rate of drunk driving accident fatalities, but would still like to take further measures to see those rates drop further. The recent Labor Day holiday weekend brought out law enforcement in droves, in an effort to crackdown on drunk driving offenders. Still, in Orange County alone, 73 drunk drivers were arrested by the California Highway Patrol, which is a slight increase over last years number of 67. The bright news in the midst of all of the bad is that no fatal traffic accidents occurred in Orange County over the holiday weekend.
Ten people were killed over the holiday weekend in California, although it is not known if, or how many of these, involved drunk driving accidents. If you are ever in a similar situation in California, consider contacting a Huntington Beach drunk driving accident lawyer. The California Highway Patrol has confirmed that about half of the fatalities that did occur were in those who were not wearing seat belts.
The Reeves Law Group has numerous locations across California and is dedicated to representing personal injury victims and victims of drunk driving accidents. Contact us for a free consultation at (800)644-8000.
