WWII Veteran Struck, Killed by Bus

On April 7, 2013, a world war II veteran and prisoner of war was struck and killed by a MBTA bus. The accident occurred while the man was crossing the street in Melrose, Massachusetts at night. The man was 88 years old and was headed to his weekly VFW meeting just before the incident.

The accident occurred at the intersection of Franklin Street and Pratt Street. The Middlesex District Attorney’s office is still investigating what the cause of the accident was. Speculation is that the sun may have blinded the driver causing him to strike the man.

The accident occurred around 7 PM and the bus driver was moving at a speed of 20 miles per hour. Consequently, the driver is not allowed to operate a bus until the investigation is over.   

Fatal Bus Accident Causes

Today, there are numerous bus accidents injuring pedestrians, passengers, and even the driver. Bus accidents can occur for various reasons. Often times, these fatal bus accidents are a result of human error. In the story told above, the accident may have been caused the driver being blinded by the sun.

Other bus accidents are a result of:

•          The bus driver operating the vehicle at speeds too fast for current conditions due to weather and slick roads
•          The bus driver operating the vehicle while fatigued and drowsy
•          The bus driver becoming distracted by technology
•          The bus driver operating the vehicle while impaired by alcohol, drugs, or prescription medication
•          The bus driver simply making a poor judgment call and causing an accident as a result

Seeking Legal Retribution

Bus drivers are trained and legally responsible to drive in a manner that protects their passengers and does not harm nearby pedestrians. If you or someone you know was recently injured by a bus driver, you should contact a personal injury attorney immediately. A personal injury attorney may be able to win you monetary compensation against the driver or the associated bus company for your injuries. Contact us today in order to seek legal retribution for your pain and suffering.  

Three Die in Fiery SUV Crash

On the afternoon of April 28, 2013, a car accident occurred between two vehicles killing three people. The accident occurred Sunday afternoon in Fort Worth Texas when a Honda Odyssey and Kia Soul collided into each other at an intersection. The traffic accident took place south of Eagle Mountain Lake on Highway 1999 around 2 PM.

Apparently, the Kia was traveling northbound on Jacksboro Highway when it collided with the Honda traveling westbound. Five people were seated in the Kia. Unfortunately, only two of them survived – the driver and front seat passenger. The three people located in the back were unable to get out. Those that perished in the fire were a 15 year-old boy, a woman in her 30’s, and an elderly man. Witnesses endeavored to get the three out, but were unable to save them.

The two people in the Honda were not seriously injured. Officials are unsure what the cause of the accident was, whether one of the vehicles ran a red light. Officials must also investigate further to determine what caused one of the vehicles to catch on fire. The family in the Kia was headed to church before the accident.

Determining Liability in a Car Accident

In certain instances, determining what caused an accident can be extremely difficult. In the story told above, it is unclear which vehicle ran the red light. There may not be enough witnesses to determine who is at fault, or witness accounts may tell different stories.

Unfortunately, determining liability can be challenging, but is extremely necessary in order to resolve and repair the situation. Those who are injured may require compensation for medical treatment, expenses, damages, and lost wages. The person at fault should be held liable for damages and compensate those involved.

Personal Injury Attorney

When car accidents are complicated, it is imperative to hire a personal injury attorney immediately. A personal injury attorney will work to determine and prove liability. Insurance companies may take advantage of you and blame the accident on you, holding you accountable for the costs and expenses. Do not allow this to happen. Contact a personal injury attorney today to help resolve the situation and earn you the compensation you deserve. 

Driver Fatigue Causes Crash that Kills Infant and Two Adults

The crash occurred between a van and a dump truck that took the lives of two adults and one infant. The cause of the trash was driver’s fatigue as the driver of the van fell asleep at the wheel and struck the dump truck. The van was carrying ten people. Of the deceased was a 27 year-old male driver, a 30 year-old female, and a one month-old baby.

Six children in the van were taken to the hospital; four remain to be in critical condition while two are in stable conditions. A 25 year-old female that was in the crash, and mother of the deceased infant, is undergoing surgery. Officials believe that not all the passengers were wearing seat belts as there were more children than there were car seat devices.

Dangers of Driver’s Fatigue

The story described above had many dangerous elements; the first being: driver’s fatigue. Driver’s fatigue is a common cause of car accidents today. Many people suffer from driver’s fatigue when they have lack of sleep, extended work hours, or strenuous work. When drivers are sleepy, they tend to lose focus on the road. Even just the slightest disruption on the road can lead to a fatal accident, like the one described above. In addition, when drivers are sleepy they have slower response times and are less likely to prevent an accident.

Proper Child Seating

Another dangerous factor that exists in the incident described is lack of proper child seating. There were six children and one infant and not all of them were properly seated. As a result, when the accident occurred all were injured and had to receive medical treatment. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention:

•          Children ages 4 to 7 were less likely to suffer risk by 59% by using a booster seat.
•          Child safety seats reduce the risk of fatality in car crashes by 71% for infants and 54% for toddlers ages one to four.

Remember to always place your children in proper seating to prevent the risk of injury when a car accident takes place.

Personal Injury Accident Attorney

Unfortunately, tragic car accidents take place everyday due to a drowsy driver. It is best to practice safe seating when in a vehicle by wearing seat belts and providing booster seats for your children. If you were already involved in a car accident due to a drowsy driver, you should speak to a personal injury attorney immediately. A personal injury attorney may be able to earn you monetary compensation for damages and injuries as a result of the accident. Contact us today. 

Crash Involving Tour Bus Leaves 16 Injured

At around 6 PM on April 13, 2013, a tour bus carrying 15 passengers crashed into a tree. The bus was filled with visitors leaving the Yosemite National Park. Apparently, the bus driver was traveling at an unsafe speed and lost control of the vehicle. The vehicle was going down a very winding mountain road with sharp curves and came to a stop when it hit a tree. All passengers, including the driver, suffered minor or moderate injuries.

All of the passengers were taken to local nearby hospitals for treatment. Conditions of some of the injured are unknown. Investigations are being done to figure out what other factors may have contributed to the accident. According to officials, alcohol did not contribute to the accident. The bus driver is a 49 year old male from Fremont, California.

Causes of Bus Crashes

As of recently, bus crashes have been occurring quite commonly and injuring and killing many. Last year a bus crashed killed 9 passengers and injured 39. The crash occurred because the driver was driving too fast for current weather conditions. A common factor in both the stories described is the bus driver driving too fast.

Unfortunately, one of the leading causes of bus crashes is human error. Numerous buses crash take place because the bus driver makes a poor decision or fails to pay attention to the road due to drowsiness and fatigue.

Other times, a bus crash can occur due to malfunction of the vehicle and poor brakes and tires. When this occur, it is imperative for those injured to seek legal action for their injuries. Many injuries force victims to seek medical attention or take time off from work to heal. Injuries can not only be physically painful, but financially damaging.

Personal Injury Attorney

If you or someone you know was recently harmed in a bus accident, you should contact a personal injury attorney to discuss your legal options. A bus driver should drive in a safe manner and under the speed limit. A bus driver should also not be over-worked or fatigued. If a bus driver harmed your life in anyway and caused injury, you should consider filing a personal injury lawsuit. With the help of a personal injury attorney, you may be able to earn monetary retribution for your pain and suffering caused by a bus accident.

Protect Yourself After A Car Accident

They say every 30 minutes, someone in America is getting into a car accident.  These accidents can be traumatic and can change a person's whole life in the course of minutes, if not seconds.  If you've been in a car accident, it can be difficult to know what to do.  If you've been in a car accident, the odds are pretty high that at the moment of impact, you may be disoriented and not thinking clearly.  Before you get in a fender bender, we've compiled a comprehensive list of things you should do to ensure your rights are protected. 

What To Do After A Car Accident

After a car accident, you've got moments to ensure that you protect yourself in a potential lawsuit.  If you are out cold, hopefully a witness has called 911 to obtain emergency help for you.  But if you are not disoriented, and have your wits about you, the decisions you make after an accident can be critical in establishing fault.  Memorize the following list so the next time you're in an accident, you'll know instinctively what to do.

• Call the police to obtain a record of the accident. 
• Trade insurance information with the other driver. Do not let them try to just bribe you with a check for a few hundred dollars. 
• Obtain witness information so your attorney can contact these witnesses later for a statement.
• Take out your smartphone and take pictures on the scene of the crash and the surrounding road conditions.  Make note of any physical obstacles or any points where your vision could be obstructed.
• Take pictures of any injuries you have so you have a visual record of the accident.
• Take pictures of the vehicle itself and the other person's vehicle so they can't later claim that you crashed into their side, causing it to dent, when you have a visual record that it was a minor fender bender. 
• Get checked out on scene by paramedics and make note of any pains, even if they are dull aches or pains.  Accept any additional care they recommend. 
• Collect the police officers' cards to obtain a police report from them later.
• Call a skilled personal injury attorney to protect your rights.

What you do in the moments after a car crash can sometimes make or break your case.  Don't laugh and joke with the other driver that you were drinking at a party previously, that you were speeding, or anything.  The other driver may try to use these statements against you in a lawsuit.  Instead, wait for the police to arrive and calmly explain your side of the story. 

Protect Yourself

Protect yourself and obtain the necessary information on scene. And then later, call a skilled personal injury attorney to obtain the help you need.  Your personal injury attorney will contact their best investigator to obtain the details and can use the information you've collected to strengthen your case.  Don't delay and suffer in pain; call a skilled personal injury attorney today.

Hit and Run Accident in Anaheim CA Injures Pedestrian

Accidents are an unavoidable reality of life.  However, hit and run accidents always seem to shock the conscience of the community.  Yesterday, an Anaheim woman was struck by a red van on Harbor Blvd. and La Palma Ave. in Anaheim, suffering severe injuries.  The driver fled the scene while the woman was taken to the emergency room. 

Pedestrian accidents can be extremely dangerous. But when a driver flees the scene after striking a pedestrian, this can be especially shocking and damaging.  The police are encouraging any potential bystanders to come forward with information.  

Pedestrian Accidents Cause Great Injury

The reality of life is that we are at risk for injury at every moment, whether we are sitting at home or out and about in the world.  As pedestrians, we are especially vulnerable to injury. Whether by car, truck, motorcycle or bike, pedestrians are particularly vulnerable to critical injuries which can change their entire lives in the blink of an eye. As a pedestrian, when you are struck by a vehicle of some sort, you could experience the following injuries:

• broken bones, fractures, bruises
• burns on your skin
• interior organ damage
• heart problems
• trapped, crushed beneath a vehicle
• fatal bleed out
• traumatic brain injury
• paralysis
• paraplegia, quadriplegia
• shock which could lead to a heart attack
• death

We are vulnerable to injury in the face of what could be hundreds of pounds to a ton or more of steel.  As pedestrians, we don't stand a chance. If a driver loses control or is reckless or careless, pedestrians can suffer crippling and potentially life ending injuries.

If You've Been Injured

If you have been injured in a hit and run accident, you should seek immediate medical attention.  Try to gain the attention of passerby to help you get out of the way of additional vehicles which may hit you.  If you are lucid, ask a bystander to call the police and offer a statement.  Let the paramedics check you out and take you to the hospital to help you.  When you've been treated by a doctor, you may want to explore your legal rights and call an experienced personal injury lawyer.  By calling a personal injury lawyer, you will be able to preserve your rights. You may be entitled to compensation which could help you with your medical bills and help you to heal from your injuries.  Don't suffer in silence.  

CHP Says No Drunk Driving Fatalities in Orange County this New Years Eve!

This New Year's Eve, Orange County, CA escaped with no drunk driving fatalities.  However, according to police, arrests for drunk driving increased.  The California Highway Patrol arrested 71 people under suspicion of drunk driving this year, up from 57 arrested last year.  While Orange County was celebrating not having any drunk driving fatalities, statewide, California had 41 car accident fatalities, the highest total since 2005. Of the 41 in total, 22 were from side streets, including 1 bicyclist, 16 motorists and passengers, and 2 pedestrians.  8 of those passengers and motorists were not wearing their seat belts. 

These totals represent a marked increase from last year's totals and even a significant increase over the past 5 years. Statewide, 1405 people were arrested on suspicion of drunk driving, representing yet another increase over the years.  Why the increase in drunk driving cases?  Are that many people willing to take their lives and the lives of others into their hands? Are police becoming better at catching drunk drivers? What is clear is an emerging trend towards drunk driving on the traditionally booziest night of the year.

The Risks of Drunk Driving

Over the years, we've seen a marked increase of advertising outlining the risks of drunk driving.  In fact, the California Highway Patrol has actively campaigned against "buzzed" driving as well, the condition where people get into the car after a drink and feel a bit loose.  What may not be connecting with people is the dangers of drunk driving are usually to others because drunk drivers often survive with minor injuries. Drunk drivers could cause the following injuries:

• broken bones
• organ damage
• tissue damage
• severe burns
• paraplegia and quadriplegia 
• death

In addition to these life altering injuries, drunk drivers could severely injure themselves.  If caught, they also face jail time, fines, and severe penalties. 

If You Have Been Injured In a Drunk Driving Accident

If you have been injured by a drunk driver, your entire life could change. You could face lasting injuries which could potentially require years of therapy and rehabilitation.  These injuries could drain you of your savings and impact your ability to make a living.  If you have been injured in a drunk driving accident, you should contact a skilled personal injury attorney.  You may be entitled to compensation for your injuries and by consulting with a skilled personal injury attorney today, you can find out if you have a case. 

New Year's Eve 2nd Highest Night for Drunk Driving Accidents

According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, New Year's Eve is the second worst night of the year for drunk driving. The most dangerous night of the year is not a large drinking holiday, oddly enough, but instead Thanksgiving. On that night, more Americans will die in drunk driving accidents than on any other night.

How much are we talking about here? Approximately one American will die every 30 minutes, and one American will be injured in a drunk driving accident every 2 minutes.  Across America, people will be taking their lives into their hands if they drive on New Year's Eve.

Protect Yourself On New Year's Eve

Chances are, you've got a New Year's Eve party to get to on Dec. 31st or you may go out to dinner to celebrate early.  If you drink alcohol and get into your car, you're not only risking your own life, but you could be risking the lives of others.  Even if you happen to be a non-drinker, you could find yourself the victim of an accident as the result of someone else's drinking and driving.  Consider the following precautions to take on New Year's Eve to protect yourself:

• Stay home and party- no driving involved and you can drink to your heart's content
• Take a cab, bus, or limo- if you're drinking, let a sober person drive you home
• Spend the night where you party- stay over at your friend's house if you're drinking
• Wear a seat belt- even if you're in a cab, a drunk driver could hit the cab. Wear a seat belt.

Accidents are unavoidable realities of life.  But the injuries you sustain in a drunk driving accident could remain with you forever.  Your life could forever be altered. If you have been injured in an accident, you should call an experienced personal injury attorney who may be able to get you the compensation you need to help repair your life.

Federal Pilot Programs in CA and DE Aim to Discourage Distracted Driving

If you're driving through California or Delaware, maybe you've noticed some new highway signs warning motorists about the dangers of texting and driving.  So called "distracted driving" is a huge problem.  The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration estimates that in 2011, nearly 6,000 people lost their lives to distracted driving.  This not only included distraction by digital means such as cell phone usage, but eating while driving, music, and various other forms of distracted driving. 

To prevent an increase in deadly accidents due to the population's growing reliance upon mobile technology, the U.S. Department of Transportation has come up with pilot plans in various states to combine education with enforcement.  California and Delaware received $2.4 million in federal funds to roll out new campaigns aimed at deterring distracted driving via cellular phones.

How the U.S. Department of Transportation Aims to Protect Drivers

The U.S. Department of Transportation enjoyed wide success with programs such as Click it or Ticket, their campaign aimed at encouraging motorists to wear their seatbelts while driving.  Combining both education and enforcement, this program increased motorists' use of seatbelts across the country.  The U.S. Department of Transportation would like to replicate this success with campaigns to discourage cell phone usage while driving.

As a pilot program, California and Delaware drivers have begun to see increased police enforcement of cellular use laws in states.  Additional education components such as the digital signs on the freeways and public service announcements have supported these efforts.  While police cannot be everywhere at once, it's hoped that the combination education and enforcement will highlight the need for putting down the cell phone while driving to discourage potentially fatal car crashes.

Currently, 39 states have laws on the books banning cellular telephone use behind the wheel. Do you think these laws are effective when thousands of accidents result from this banned behavior?

Do Your Part

If you have been injured in an accident where the other motorist was calling or texting while driving, you could be seriously injured or killed.  These behaviors are risky to all motorists and pedestrians.  It is important to support good driving behaviors and to put down the cellular phone or mobile device while driving.  Teach your children the dangers of using mobile devices behind the wheel.  And encourage a dialogue with your children to encourage safe driving behaviors. Do your part to encourage safe driving.  Put down the phone before someone gets killed because it may be you.

And if you suffer a traumatic accident at the hands of someone using a mobile device behind the wheel, consult a skilled personal injury attorney to help you obtain compensation for your injuries.

Do You Know What to Do After a Car Accident?

Car accidents happen every day, but often, until you experience an accident, it's hard to know what you will or won't do.  Depending upon the severity of the crash, you could make some critical mistakes that you wish you could take back.

Recently, I had a friend who was in a fender bender at a popular shopping mall and tourist destination.  She assessed the damage and decided she probably didn't need the other person's insurance because it looked relatively minor.  With a new touch up to the paint, she'd be good.  So she left on her merry way.  Unfortunately, what she didn't realize was that she had hidden damage to her car and injuries to her back that didn't present until later.  When both of these were discovered, she felt that she had missed a major opportunity and done herself a disservice.

It's worth mentioning again what you should do after an accident so you don't make the same mistakes my friend made.  Protect yourself early on so you don't have to make it harder on yourself later.


Steps to Take After a Car Accident

When you've been in an accident, you've just subjected your automobile and your body to trauma and pressure from thousands of pounds of steel.  Depending on the speed and circumstances, the blunt force could do serious damage to you and even the airbags could cause secondary damage.  Your body may be in shock.  No matter the circumstances, it's important to keep a cool head and keep the following tips in mind:

• Do not move if you feel you are in severe pain. Instead, try to call for help if your phone is nearby or allow a witness to help you call for help.
• Always get yourself checked out by medical personnel to ensure you don't have injuries that are far more serious than you know.
• Wait for the police to arrive on scene and obtain the information necessary to get your police report later.
• Be sure to exchange insurance information with the other party.
• Do not admit any fault, wrongdoing, or make excuses which suggest you may have caused the accident. 
• Collect any witness information and contact numbers.
• Take pictures of the scene from your smart phone including your car's damage, the view from your car, surrounding obstructions, etc...
• Report the accident to your insurance company.

Depending upon the severity of your accident, you may be left in serious pain, your car may be totalled, and you may suffer extreme financial hardship.  In such a situation, you'll want to call an experienced personal injury lawyer to ensure your rights are protected and you obtain the help you need.

What Can a Personal Injury Attorney Do For You

Personal injury attorneys want to help you after your accident and protect your rights.  They do this in the following ways:

• Arranging for you to get medical attention to ensure you're not seriously hurt
• Arranging for help to get your car fixed, or to obtain a rental car
• Contacting the insurance company on your behalf to help you maximize your claim
• Contacting expert witnesses to prove your case
• Reconstruct the accident using futuristic models or simulations
• Track down the actual witnesses on scene
• Investigate whether or not road conditions might have contributed to your accident

There are many ways in which a personal injury attorney can be helpful to you.  If you've suffered a car accident, you should consider contacting a personal injury attorney to help you.

Drunk Driving Car Accidents Can Affect the Lives of All Around You

Car accidents from drunk driving can have a dangerous and serious impact on every person who is involved in the incident. Driving while intoxicated (DWI) or driving under the influence (DUI) of drugs and alcohol is a negligent and careless act. When a driver decides to get behind the wheel of a car when he or she is intoxicated, every other driver on the road is then at risk for personal injury or even death. Although a drunk driver who causes an accident can be punished under the criminal court system, victims of the accident are left with no compensation unless one looks to the civil court system which allows victims to recover financial compensation for the injuries and other damages the drunk driver caused.

Drunk Driving Accidents Can Cause Injury and Death

Drunk driving is a very common cause of vehicle collisions that occur on the roads. Depending on several factors including speed that the cars were traveling at, road conditions, weather, and other obstacles the seriousness of the accident and the personal injury that victims suffer can vary. Most drunk driving accidents are those in which two cars collide. However, alcohol-related incidents can also involve motorcyclists, tractor-trailer drivers, boaters, pedestrians and bicyclists.

Any number of injuries can occur from spinal cord trauma, broken bones, brain damage, internal injuries and any other type of trauma. The most serious drunk driving accidents can result in death of either driver, other drivers on the road or passengers. Whether accidents are minor or quite serious, crashes that happen due to driver intoxication can be preventable and should be treated with complete seriousness. Many public campaigns targeted at raising awareness of the alcohol related collisions have helped to decrease the number of these accidents. However, drunk driving car accidents still occur more than they should.

Who is Responsible?

For car crashes that happen as a result of a driver being intoxicated, negligence is clearly a factor on the part of the driver who has been drinking. Not only can an intoxicated motorist be held responsible when collisions or injuries occur, social hosts and establishments that serve alcohol may also suffer serious consequences.

If You Have Been In An Accident With A Drunk Driver

The misfortune of being involved in a drunk driving accident is difficult for anyone to deal with. If you are a victim of a driver who was DWI or DUI of if someone in your family suffered a fatality from a drunk driving accident, then seek help and justice by contacting a personal injury attorney who can assert the rights of those harmed in the accident and get the compensation that is rightfully deserved.