San Diego Personal Injury Attorney Alicia Slaughter » ANorman

Will $27 Million Dollar Pedestrian Bridge Curb Knockdown Car Accidents?

ANorman — Tue, 13 Apr 2010 13:47:29 +0000

Just last week, it was revealed that a $27 million dollar pedestrian suspension bridge project near the San Diego convention center and Petco Park may not be completed on schedule. Original estimates put the bridge’s completion to early next year but the committee overseeing the venture indicated it may be as late as Spring or Summer before the project is finalized. The bridge, which is being funded by taxpayer money, could be a welcome addition to the city since it could very well cut down on the number or pedestrian knockdown accidents in the area. Still, as the well-known design firm T.Y. Lin gears up to finish the ambitious endeavor, people wonder if the bridge will really help put a dint in the alarming statistics of pedestrian deaths that occur not only in the San Diego area, but nationwide.

If so, could such bridges be a remedy to the personal injury and wrongful death incidences that often follow pedestrian-to-motor vehicle collisions?

Pedestrian Knock Down Statistics

In San Diego County alone 51 fatalities and 1,068 injuries were reported as a result of pedestrian accidents in 2007. Nationwide, the numbers are staggering: Nearly 11 prevent of all traffic fatalities involve a person who was walking on foot or riding a bicycle and a motor vehicle. On the whole, pedestrians fall into the number two slot of automobile related accident deaths followed only by occupant deaths.

Unfortunately, people often assign blame solely to the victim believing that they must not have been in a crosswalk or they darted out in the street.

This may not always be the case. A distracted or drunk driver could very easily run over a pedestrian who was walking in legal areas of the street at the time. In such situations, where walkers are placing their trust in the reliability and responsible nature of the driver, they may not be able to react in time to save themselves from serious injury.

Available Walking Space

Some people without a vehicle have had to face situations where no sidewalks or bridges are available to them. This makes walking increasingly dangerous for pedestrians who have to get from point A to point B to reach school or work. Statistics indicate that a whopping 40 percent of pedestrian deaths occurred on streets that did not have crosswalks or sidewalks. In order to cut down on pedestrian deaths it would appear that city governments should consider what San Diego is doing and put pedestrian bridges or at least sidewalks in areas where pedestrian traffic is heaviest.

Pedestrian accidents unavoidable

But even with such safeguards in place we may not be able to eradicate pedestrian accidents altogether. While we will also be able to reasonably assume that an auto accident will be caused by walker error, i.e. jaywalking, crossing busy interstates, etc., the fact remains that careless drivers will also be to blame for death and injury in a pedestrian knockdown collision.

If you or someone you love has been hurt in a pedestrian to vehicle car accident, get help. Contact the law firm of Slaughter and Slaughter today for a free case evaluation and learn about your rights. The consultation is free and you may be able to learn how you can receive the financial compensation you’ll require for your injuries. Every minute counts, so call now and get the justice you deserve when a pedestrian related auto accident changes you and your loved ones lives forever.

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3 Vehicle Crash Injures 2 Motorists in Tustin

ANorman — Tue, 13 Apr 2010 13:47:08 +0000

A Tustin area car accident involving 3 vehicles and resulted in injuries yesterday, sending 2 people to the a local area hospitals. The collision, which involved a red Honda Accord, a black Scion and a gray Mercedes-Benz sedan occurred at the intersection of of Tustin Ranch Road and Bryan Avenue. The male driver of the Scion was knocked unconscious in the collision and was immediately rushed to the Western Medical Center-Santa. The Honda driver, who was female, sustained injuries to the head and face and was taken to Kaiser in Irvine. Authorities indicated that the crash occurred after the Honda plowed into the Scion shortly after the traffic light turned green. The Scion was sent spinning in the direction of the Mercedes, who was also hit.

Authorities will have to thoroughly investigate the matter to see what happened and who was at fault. Often times the answers may not be cut and dry. For example, the Honda driver did crash into the Scion but may have done so because her brakes suddenly failed. If so, both she and the Scion driver, who were injured, could sue the car manufacturer under product liability laws. This would be due to the fact that a faulty auto product, in this scenario, the brakes, were to blame for the wreck.

If you have been hurt in a car accident, take nothing for granted. Get the facts and when you know who is liable for you injures hold them accountable. Contact our law firm today to ensure that the responsible party pays for their negligence and receive financial reparation for medical costs as well.

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Drunk Driver Holds 12 Pack after Lake Forest Accident

ANorman — Tue, 13 Apr 2010 13:46:17 +0000

A Lake Forest car accident prompted authorities to arrest a 20-year-old man for suspicion of drunk driving after the motorist emerged from a crashed car holding a 12-pack of beer. Police arrived at the scene of the accident near Serrano Road and Lake Vista after a 911 call came in at around 12:18 a.m. The caller indicated that a 4-door black Nissan had crashed into a power box and stated that a few people had poured from the car with one of them holding a 12-pack. By the time cops had arrived, the occupants of the destroyed vehicle were trying to dislodge the car from the power box. Driver Robert Ghear of Lake Forest was then given a field sobriety test and subsequently taken to the Orange County jail where he was booked under suspicion of DUI.

Indeed, the Nissan driver and occupants should be thankful that the foolhardy decision to drink and drive did not result in all of their deaths–or cause a fatal crash that could have taken countless more lives. Sadly, every day the decision to drink and drive ends with just such a conclusion.

If someone else’s bad decision causes you injury or results in the death of the loved one, you can pursue the guilty in court. Contact us today for a free case evaluation to educate yourself on your rights under personal injury law and receive due compensation for your injuries.

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Street Safety—How Pedestrians can Avoid being a Statistic

ANorman — Mon, 12 Apr 2010 14:49:19 +0000

Everyday the newspaper details an accident involving a pedestrian that is seriously injured or killed in a car accident. Little wonder, since nearly 11 percent of motor vehicle fatalities involve pedestrians. Recent calculations also indicate that a pedestrian is injured in traffic every 8 minutes and killed ever 111 minutes. Many of these accidents occur in urban areas, in fact, 72 percent of pedestrian deaths happen in the city.

In nearly all of these instances, the accident could have been avoided.

There is more to accident avoidance however than making sure you stay within the legal crosswalk. Below are a few tips so that you and your loved one avoid joining the numbers of people who are hurt in pedestrian knockdown accidents.

Walk Against Traffic –some people get confused by the fact that bicycles are supposed to ride with the flow of traffic, but people on foot are supposed to walk against it. Those who walk with the flow of traffic may not be able to see danger in enough time to get out of the way. Walking against does just the opposite.
Use sidewalks – they are not always available, but when they, are sidewalks is your best bet for staying safe while on the road. Not only do they keep you out of harms way but they enable you to see oncoming trouble in a heart beat. This can be critical when it comes to you and your loved one’s personal safety.
Look twice – We have been told to look both ways before crossing the street but it is best to look both ways twice prior to doing so. Many people who survive a pedestrian knock down accident indicate that they did indeed look only to be hit by a vehicle that “came out of no where”. The reality is, most people look quickly and proceed without being really certain if a car is coming or not. Foolish behavior. Looking twice makes you take a bit more time and guarantees safety.
Listen – sometimes a vehicle can be heard before it is seen, especially in hilly areas, where visibility can be impaired. Combining the look twice with the added safeguard of listening will help greatly reduce your chances of becoming a pedestrian knockdown statistic.

Cutting out jaywalking and only crossing the street when it is safe to do so (i.e. no darting across traffic when the light I green, even when there doesn’t appear to be a car in sight) is yet another way to keep you and your loved one safe from serious harm and injury.

An accident can happen at any time

Even when we are careful however it can be possible to be injured by a motor vehicle. In any case, if you are always safety conscience, liability will be certain in the event you are hit by a negligent driver.

If you or someone you love has been hurt in a pedestrian knockdown accident, you can pursue the guilty in court.
Contact the highly reputable personal injury law firm of Slaughter and Slaughter for a free case evaluation. During the case review you will be able to speak with a knowledgeable personal injury attorney about your lawsuit and learn if you can obtain financial reparation for you injury.

Call today, toll free, at 888.207.5321 and get the money you need to pay your car accident related medical costs and protect your financial future.

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Trolley Strikes and Kills Bicyclist in Mountain View

ANorman — Mon, 12 Apr 2010 14:48:55 +0000

An unfortunate trolley accident resulted in the death of a bicyclist in the Mountain View area. The collision occurred early Tuesday evening just after 5 p.m. near Greenwood Memorial park and Mortuary on Imperial Avenue. The cyclist was struck on a stretch of tracks near the Park and died at the scene. The gender, name, and age of the victim were not available at press time.

Of course the greatest impact of this tragedy will be felt by the victim’s family. So often when we hear about these types of horrific traffic accidents they can appear to be mere headlines on a page–for the loved ones of the cyclist, it will be a real and lasting nightmare. It is for this reason that family members should investigate the cause of the accident. If the bicyclist was not at fault for the collision, surviving loved ones should pursue a wrongful death lawsuit against the driver and or/company the driver worked for.

When a loved one is take from you through someone else’s negligence it pays to know your rights. Contact the law offices of Slaughter and Slaughter today for a free legal consultation and find out what you can do to receive true justice. Our wrongful death lawyers have years of experience in the field and comprehend the sensitive and complex nature of wrongful death cases. Call now and get the law on your side.

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Proctor and Gamble Recall Raises Serious Consumer Questions

ANorman — Mon, 12 Apr 2010 14:48:20 +0000

Some 120,o0o bottles of Vicks Sinex nasal spray was recalled after the company discovered B. cepacia bacteria in primary test batches. The bacteria can cause illness in people with lung problems
or weakened immune systems.

Proctor and Gamble, a Cincinnati based company, voluntarily alerted the proper authorities in the United States, Germany and the Untied Kingdom, where three lots of the spray had been sent.

This newsflash adds Proctor and Gamble onto a long list of businesses that have had to recall products because of potential contamination. With so many instances of consumer products being consistently compromised via the production process, one has to wonder how often Americans are placed at risk.

Alarming statistics

Annually some 76 million Americans become ill via the use of products that have been tainted by a bacterial or viral source. Some of the symptoms of these f illnesses induced by these products include but are not limited to:

Nausea and vomiting
Diarrhea
Fever and chills
Gastrointestinal upset
Dehydration

More often than not sickness and injury is brought on via food consumption, with meats, fruits and veggies being the highest risk group for contamination. Of course, individuals can bring the issue upon themselves by failing to observe safeguards like cleaning cooking services or cooking food thoroughly. On average, however, prior product contamination accounts for a vast majority of the .

Sadly, some 300,000 people will be hospitalized because of these contaminated products and of this number, some 5,000 will die.

keeping them honest

With such shocking data it is easy to see why government regulatory entities like the FDA put stringent rules in place when it comes to consumer food and drug manufacture. Thankfully, many in the industry have become self-regulating, taking it upon themselves to contact the proper authorities when a problem arises . Still, when one considers the fact that 76 million Americans are sickened by consumer products every year, one has to wonder how often companies, unknowingly or otherwise, allow products to hit the shelves with harmful bacteria or viruses lurking within them. Scarier still, there may not be a way to increase safeguards to ensure consumer safety even if those numbers are high.

Of course, conventional wisdom dictates that we make sure our kitchen counters are clean and we cook our food thoroughly to kill harmful bacteria, but how do we protect ourselves
from contaminated nasal sprays, lotions or foodstuffs like raw veggies and fruits.

What you can do

Individuals who have been harmed by tainted products can file a product liability lawsuit via a personal injury lawyer. When you pursue a negligent company via litigation, you do two very important things 1) you hold the business accountable for their actions and 2) you receive financial compensation for your injuries.

The latter outcome can enable you to pay the ensuing medical costs associated with your illness as well as protect you and your loved ones finances.

If a contaminated consumer product like a food or health and beauty item has caused you injury, take action today. Call the law firm of Slaughter and Slaughter to obtain financial reparation and bring attention to the negligent company that hurt you. In this way, you aid others as well as yourself.

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Woman Rushed to Medical Center after being Hit in Parking Lot

ANorman — Sun, 15 Nov 2009 19:31:31 +0000

A 46-year-old woman was rushed to the UCSD medical center after she was struck by a van in a Chula Vista parking lot this past Thursday. She suffered a skull fracture and was stated to be in critical condition late Thursday night.

The woman was hit by a 43-year-old man who was driving a van that was traveling slowly through the lot. Authorities revealed that the van collision occurred near the northeast corner of Broadway and Palomar Street around 6:45 p.m. but the driver had to be told by onlookers that he had hit the woman before he stopped.

It was then that the driver looked out his window and noticed the pedestrian lying under the van with her legs straddling the front left tire.

Could the accident be avoided?

There are so many variables that can occur with any given car or pedestrian related accident. One of the very first questions that may be asked for example, is was the driver inebriated? Seeing as he was unaware he had struck somebody, there is a good chance that was the case.

He could also have been otherwise distracted or impaired, a fact that investigators consider when such an accident occurs.

It would appear at first glance that the pedestrian had done nothing wrong as she was not in the middle of a street when the accident occurred. Forensic specialists on the other hand, could assess the situation to see if this was indeed the case.

What happens next?

When an car accident like this occurs it can take a bit of time to sort things out. Once liability is uncovered, an accident victim can file a claim against the person responsible for their injuries.

A personal injury lawsuit is often times necessary to ensure that an individual that is damaged in a collision is compensated for related medical costs and lost wages. For those who are seriously hurt after a wreck or pedestrian accident, financial reparation can also safeguard their life savings, which may be placed at risk due to the cost of long term rehabilitation and treatment.

Contact a reliable personal injury lawyer

When you or a loved one had been seriously hurt in an accident, it pays to seek the counsel of reputable personal injury attorneys.

Our legal team at Slaughter and Slaughter is well equipped to handle your accident case and will fight diligently to make sure you get the financial restitution you need. The money recovered can be applied to medical treatment and lost wages. You can also receive financial damages for your pain and suffering.

Contact the law firm of Slaughter and Slaughter today for a free case evaluation and learn what you can do after a debilitating car accident threatens you and your family’s economic future.

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Speeding Causes Head on Collision in Fountain Valley

ANorman — Mon, 09 Nov 2009 15:33:09 +0000

An Huntington Beach resident sustained serious injury Wednesday afternoon after a head on collision in Fountain Valley. Authorities speculate that the 62-year-old man was speeding prior to veering into opposing traffic and slamming into a pick-up truck. Prior to the accident, Baron L. Mahrling was driving eastbound in his gold 1996 Chevrolet Silverado in Ellis Avenue at approximately 1:45 p.m. For unknown reasons, he accelerated and charged into opposing traffic west of Bushard Street. Mahrling then struck a black 1998 Nissan Frontier truck causing minor injury to 31-year-old Todd B. Gruca. The Silverado continued on across the street, jumped a curb and slammed into a power pole and brick wall. The man was taken to an area hospital in critical condition.

Although Mahrling was no stranger to traffic accidents (he plead guilty to a DUI in September of this year), there are many cases where a car malfunctions through no fault of the driver. When this happens, the car manufacturer can be held legally accountable for subsequent injury and financial damages.

If you or someone you know has been injured in a wreck caused by a defective auto product, contact the product liability legal team at Slaughter and Slaughter. Our legal representatives understand product liability law and will work hard to ensure your receive the financial reparation you need when a car accident leaves you seriously disabled. Call us today to set up a free consualtion and learn what you can do after defective auto parts cause a debilitiating collision.

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Construction Site Accidents — Are Company Based Workman’s Comp Benefits Enough?

ANorman — Mon, 09 Nov 2009 15:32:49 +0000

Anyone who has been injured in a construction site accident knows that it can be very difficult to get back to a place of normalcy an financial security afterward. Not only do you have to worry about the physical damage you sustained, you also have to figure out a way to pay off the mounting medical bills associated with your injury.

This is often times where the victim’s company benefits come in. Established to give aid and assistance to individuals who are seriously hurt due to a workplace mishap, workman’s compensation can be an invaluable financial resource.

Of course, not every case is dire as some employees only suffer a somewhat minor to moderate injury while on the job, but what happens when a construction site accident leads to lasting, permanent disability?

Types of Construction Site Accidents

To be sure, there are some construction site accidents that, while unfortunate, may not translate into long term issues. For instance, a slip-and-fall may culminate in a broken wrist or leg, but bones heal and you could end up good as new in less than a years time.

There are some work site accidents however, where a person can end up grievously damaged for years or even for life. The injuries that can create this type of lasting harm include but are not limited to:

Limb amputation
Paralysis
Burn injury
Head injury
Spinal injury and
complications from slip-and fall

In cases like these company provided workman’s compensation may not be enough.

Company Based Workman’s Comp Lacking

There are certain things workman compensation will cover and others that it won’t. Unfortunately, many needful treatments may not be eligible under your companies plan. In some surprising instances, you may even find the company refusing to pay for the costs associated with your work site provoked disability.

Why they Won’t Pay

Insurance adjusters are practically trained to treat all potential claims with a high rate of skpeticism. Because of this, they may fail to assist workers who are legitimately injured. Sadly, there are even instances where they fail to pay a claim not because they feel there is no justification for it, but because they have found a legal loophole that allows them to get out of their obligation.

Get the compensation you need and deserve

Faithful, hard working employees who hurt themselves on the job deserve to be compensated for their injuries. If you find you company is giving you the run around after your construction site accident, contact the law office of Slaughter and Slaughter today for assistance.

With years of experience in personal injury law and workman’s compensation cases, our qualified attorneys can get you the money you need to pay off medical bills and other accident related costs.

When you have been hurt in a job related accident, don’t hesitate to get what you deserve. Call us right away at 858.909.9090 or toll f ree at 858.909.9090 and ensure the safety of you and your loved one’s economic future.

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Avoiding Child Related Pedestrian Injury

ANorman — Tue, 13 Oct 2009 14:38:35 +0000

In Fullerton, a 12-year old child was struck by an SUV on her way to school. The accident occurred just after 8:00 a.m. after the girl, who had been walking in the street to avoid getting wet by a sprinkler was hit by the sports utility vehicle. Accompanied by a female friend, the girls were approaching Ladera Vista Junior High School at Annin and Wilshire avenues when one of them stepped onto the street. A white Infinity then came out of no where and plowed into the hapless girl.

The twelve-year-old was not seriously hurt but was taken to the hospital with an apparent ankle injury.

Children and Road Safety

The roads can be a dangerous place for young adults who travel on foot . Although grown ups should know better, many of them speed along residential areas and school zones. If they are also distracted, disaster can strike quickly and often does.

This is why it behooves parents to make sure their kids understand how to conduct themselves when they are out and about.

Below are a few things parents should tell their children so they remain safe when they are away from parental supervision and walking along roadways.

1. Never walk in the street – as we see in the above case, walking, running or fooling around in the street can cause potential problems. Even if the road is not heavily traveled, it is better to be safe than sorry and remain away from danger by staying on the sidewalk or grass.

2. Pay attention – kids who are walking to and from a destination may get caught up in conversation or play and lose sight of the fact that they are traveling roadside. Teach your kid to actively listen out for car sounds and be attentive. In this way, a child may be able to avoid being so distracted that they accidentally walk out into the street and get hit by a car.

3. Wear reflective clothing–when traveling at night, kids should always don reflective clothing that can easily be seen by motorists. There are far too many evening accidents where kids and pedestrians are killed because the driver could not see until it was much too late.

When injury does occur

Sometimes car accidents are inevitable and even with due diligence and the best of intentions a child can be injured by a motor vehicle. If this has happened to your son or daughter, contact our law office right away for a free consultation. Our veteran personal injury lawyers care and will guide you step-by-step through the civil legislative process while educating you on your rights.

Call now and get the money you need for your child’s pain and suffering as well as accident related medical costs.

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