Hands-Free Devices Cause Serious Distraction for Drivers

It seems that hands-free devices may not be the solution to our distracted driving they were once thought to be. A recent study by the AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety shows some startling — and frightening — numbers about the risks of using a hands-free device (such as a smart phone or tablet) while driving. While texting and driving has been getting a lot of bad press lately (and for good reason! The number of serious injuries and fatalities associated with texting while driving are astounding), it appears that even using your device in “hands-free” mode has its downsides. If you or a loved one was injured in a car accident in Woodland Hills that was the result of a driver’s inattention or distracted driving, contact an experienced accident attorney to discuss your rights.

Hands-free devices cause distraction

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Car Accident

Was Your Infant Child Injured in a Car Accident?

Were you involved in an auto accident with your infant child? Even if your child was snugly secured in his/her car seat, you likely still have fears about your baby’s health and well-being, especially if your baby is crying.

Car accidents are traumatic experiences for everyone, and infant children are no exception. If your child starts crying after you are hit by a reckless or negligent driver, you may be concerned that the tears mean he or she is injured. While that certainly may be the case, and it is necessary to take every precaution listed below to ensure your child’s safety, he or she may also be crying because of the sound and shock of the car crash and/or because the baby senses your anxiety.

With an infant child unable to tell you what is wrong, a parent involved in a car accident with an infant needs to take the following steps immediately.

Five Things To Do After a Car Accident With an Infant

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Car Accident

Other Passengers: The Leading Cause of Car Accidents

These days, texting and driving gets a lot of backlash. And for good reason. In 2011, texting and driving was responsible for over 1.3 million car crashes, including many serious accidents in Woodland Hills. Statistically speaking, texting while driving makes a crash 23 times more likely than even talking on the phone and driving. If you or a loved one is injured by a driver who was texting instead of paying attention to the road, you may be able to bring a legal claim against them for damages.

However, texting while behind the wheel is not the only culprit of unsafe driving. In fact, many car accidents, especially among teens, are caused by other passengers in the car. Teens have the highest crash rate of any age group in the US and distraction is a factor in 58% of the accidents. And the top cause of these accidents? Not cellphone use (although that was #2): The top cause of distraction for teen drivers was interacting with one or more passengers. Researchers found that to be the cause of 15% of distracted-driving accidents among the teen drivers.

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Car Accident

Dog Bites: Safety Tips for Adults

It is estimated that over 4 million US residents are bitten by a dog each year. Many of these dog bites victims are in California, where over 40% of households own at least one dog. Some of these bites are just surface level “scrapes” and thankfully, do not cause serious injury. However, many dog bite victims are not so lucky. Approximately 885,000 bites per year — almost one out of every 5 — are serious enough to require medical attention (according to the CDC).

So what do you do if you or a loved one is bitten by a dog that requires serious medical attention and carries long-term consequences? Contact an experienced dog bite lawyer in Woodland Hills to discuss your legal rights and potential for financial recovery.

Dog Safety Tips for Adults

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Dog Bite

When Auto Accidents Lead to Burn Injuries

Burn injuries can be long-lasting, even permanent. And they can happen in the blink of an eye. Someone driving safely in their car, heading to work or to dinner or to the store, could wake up after being hit by another automobile with disfiguring, painful, and embarrassing injuries caused by burns.

When we think of auto accidents in Woodland Hills, we generally think of broken bones or whiplash and other neck injuries. We do not often think of burns. But first, second, and third degree burns are all common injuries suffered by accident victims. Indeed, car accidents involving air bag impact or a horrific fire can result in burns. If you or a loved one suffered burns or other injuries in a car accident that was not your fault, you may have a potential legal claim.

Types of Burns

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Car Accident
Sep302015

Santa Monica Successfully Asserts “Trail Immunity” For Sidewalk/Path at Palisades Park

Woodland Hills personal injury attorney Barry P. Goldberg is frequently consulted concerning fall accidents and biking accidents in and around Santa Monica.  In a recent unpublished case, the Court expanded the immunities available to public entities to include the “paths” adjacent to Ocean Avenue at Palisades Park which might otherwise be considered “sidewalks” for purposes…

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Bike Accident, Motorcycle Accident, Pedestrian Accident, Personal Injury, Slip and Fall

Pedestrian Accidents in Woodland Hills

With the emergence of new shopping centers, restaurants, and cafes in Woodland Hills, many residents are starting to appreciate the ability to walk to dinner, local boutiques, and more. Not only is walking eco-friendly, but it can be a nice way to get some exercise and take advantage of the warm Valley nights. Unfortunately, with the increase in pedestrians throughout Woodland Hills comes an increase in the number of pedestrian-related auto accidents.

Pedestrian accident statistics

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Pedestrian Accident

Hit By a Delivery Truck? Who Do You Sue?

For many Woodland Hills residents, the ease of online shopping has saved them time, money, and the stress of navigating crowded parking lots (read about parking lot accidents here) and busy retail stores. As online shopping becomes more of the norm, the number of commercial delivery trucks involved in auto accidents also increases. If you or a loved one was injured in a car accident caused by a delivery truck, speak with an experienced Woodland Hills accident lawyer about your legal rights.

Take UPS, for example. The shipping giant now boasts nearly 100,000 delivery trucks that operate 7 days a week. The 60,000 or so employed drivers log almost 900 million miles a year behind the wheel. And UPS is not the only one. Many retailers have ramped up their delivery services, meaning more trucks on the road and more trucking accidents.

Leading causes of delivery truck accidents

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Car Accident

Increased Traffic Leads to Car Accidents in Woodland Hills

Car accidents happen daily throughout Woodland Hills, and many residents blame ever-increasing traffic in and around the Warner Center. If you or a loved one is injured in a car accident that was not your fault, know that California law is on your side.

Two categories of car accidents

There are two broad categories of causes of car accidents: 1) driver error and 2) everything else. According to studies performed by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), driver error is the leading cause of car accidents in the United States.

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Car Accident
Sep182015

“Physical Contact” is required in order to make an Uninsured Motorist Claim!

Los Angeles Uninsured and Underinsured Motorist attorney Barry P. Goldberg is regularly confronted with issues which implicate the use of Uninsured/Underinsured Motorist Coverage.  It is very common that an unidentified “hit and run” vehicle is involved in serious collisions.  It is not uncommon for a “phantom” vehicle to cut someone off or run someone off…

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Bike Accident, Car Accident, Motorcycle Accident, Pedestrian Accident, Personal Injury, Uninsured Motorist