Lowell Steiger's Los Angeles Law Blog

A California Personal Injury Lawyer's Perspective on Accidents

                A California personal injury case can take on many forms.  If you, or someone you love, has been injured in any one of the following situations, you may have a personal injury case worth pursuing. 

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• Assault Injuries
• Bicycle Accident
• Bus Accident
• Car Accident
• Dangerous Product
• Defective Product
• Dog Bite / Animal Attack
• Elevator / Escalator Accident
• False Arrest
• Medical Negligence
• Motorcycle Accident
• Nursing Home Neglect / Abuse
• Pedestrian Accident
• Railroad Crossing Accident
• Sexual Abuse
• Slip & Fall Accident
• Trip & Fall Accident
• Truck Accident
• Wrongful Death

Call me to discuss whether you have a personal injury case.  Consultations are free and unlike a vicious dog, I won’t bite! (But I will give you my undivided attention).

Text, Drive and Kill: Go To Jail

I'm burning mad. It takes a moment to pull over to read or respond to a text, to program your GPS, to dial the phone (should you not have voice command) yet people do it while their car is moving.  And, more importantly, while other cars, bicyclists, pedestrians, cats and dogs are moving.  And while buildings are stationary.  Taking our eyes off the road seems harmless enough but it can cause injury and death.

 

In New Hampshire, 18 year old Aaron Deveau was sentenced to jail for vehicular manslaughter.  He was convicted of causing an accident which never, ever would have happened had he been watching the road.  Instead, he was texting his girlfriend. Now an innocent 55 year old grandfather has been taken from his family. His girlfriend was critically injured.  And Aaron will spend, at most, one year in jail.  And, oh yeah, his driver's license will be suspended for 15 years.

This is unconscionable.  This must stop. 

Write to your legislators and tell them NO MORE (US House of Reprentatives).

Click here to Find out which states have Cell Phone & Texting Laws in U.S. (A Chart provided by Governors Highway Safety Association)

 

Wear Your Seatbelt - Embrace Life, the Viral Video

Well, I think I'm coming late to the party because this beautiful video, entitled Embrace Life, has already had over 10 million hits.  My good friend up north, Lynnette Lipp, sent it to me today and, frankly, I was moved.  I think you'll  be moved, too.  In case you haven't seen it before, I beseech you to watch this video now. 

Seat Belts do save lives!!!  Produced by the Sussex Safer Roads Project

Seat Belt related links:

National Safety Council making our world safer

Wikipedia detailed seat belt discussion, examples

State Seat Belt Laws Governors Highway Safety Association - seat belt laws state by state

National Highway Traffic Safety Administration on Seat Belts

Questions? Concerns?

If You, Or Someone You Know, Was In an Accident

Call For Your Free Consultation

Please Contact Attorney Lowell Steiger Immediately at

              (323) 852-1100       or (877) 487-8221

[email protected]

Skype (with or without video): Lowell_Steiger

"Treated With the Respect and Understanding That You Deserve"

Disturbing Car Accident Compilation Video: This Could Happen To You

This could happen to you.  Every disturbing, graphic car accident in this video could happen to you, to me, to any one of us or our loved ones.  Pay attention on the road.  One millisecond of inattention can change someone's life, and the lives of their loved ones, forever... and ever.

The original video was posted by Tanvir Ahmad on Facebook and, after some sniffing around on  Youtube, I was able to find it.  I've only been able to watch parts of it, it was too disturbing for me to watch in its entirety.  You may be braver.  I'd like your comments.

The message, though, is clear:

• Don't drink and drive
• Don't speed
• Don't text and drive
• Don't road rage
• Be patient when driving

Questions? Concerns?

If You, Or Someone You Know, Was In an Accident

Call For Your Free Consultation

Please Contact Attorney Lowell Steiger Immediately at

(323) 852-1100 begin_of_the_skype_highlighting

              (323) 852-1100       or (877) 487-8221
end_of_the_skype_highlighting

[email protected]

Skype (with or without video): Lowell_Steiger

"Treated With the Respect and Understanding That You Deserve"

What To Do If You're In A Car Accident

What To Do If You're In A Car Accident

Things to Do If You're Involved in an Auto Accident

 

CALL 911 IMMEDIATELY TO SUMMON POLICE and/or PARAMEDICS

Then get the following information:

1. Name, address and phone number of other driver(s) involved in the accident

2. Driver's license number of other driver(s) involved in the accident

3. Insurance information of other driver(s) involved in the accident, name of insurance company, policy number

4. Registered owner information of other vehicles involved in the accident

5. If any of the other drivers appears to be on the job for a company, get the name of that company

6. Passengers in other vehicles? Get their names, addresses, phone numbers

7. Actual location of accident (street, intersection, exact address, if possible)

8. Witness information: Names, addresses, phone numbers

9. Jot down basic information such as weather conditions, street condition, traffic (light, medium, heavy), time of day that accident happened

10. Very Important: Do not speak to anyone other than your doctor(s) without the advice of an attorney.  In particular, DO NOT give a statement to any insurance company, recorded or not, without the advice of an attorney.

What if you don't have auto insurance?  Click here to read Uh Oh, Car Accident With No Liability Insurance: "But I'm Not At Fault" 

Keep a camera in your car at all times (disposable, camera phone, digital camera, etc.) and take pictures of the cars (including damage, license plates), people, scene.

Some excellent links What To Do If You're In An Accident

MSN Money: Insure Your Car.  Important tips on basic auto insurance

State Bar of California. Links to 14 important questions such as "What Information Should I Get at the Scene" and "Do I Need Auto Insurance?" as well as a link to download an entire pamphlet on the subject.

Roadragers.com. Practical tips and advice from the site whose tagline is "when you just can't take it anymore."

Important Link: Auto Insurance Coverage From A Personal Injury Lawyer's Perspective

If you, or someone you know, has been injured in an accident, please contact me immediately at

(323) 852-1100

[email protected]

Skype (with or without video): Lowell_Steiger

"Treated With the Respect That You Deserve"

New California Vehicle Laws for 2009: Zero Tolerance DUI; No Text Messaging

With a new year on the horizon, CHP wants to remind motorists of a handful of new laws that go into effect in 2009.

"The overall safety of the motoring public is our primary concern," says CHP Commissioner Joe Farrow. "Not only will these new laws enhance a motorist's safety, many of them are a step toward ridding the roadways of drunk drivers and the tragedy they cause."

Below are the  changes to driving regulations and vehicle equipment.

Texting While Driving (Video)

(SB 28, Simitian) This new law makes it an infraction to write, send, or read text-based communication on an electronic wireless communications device, such as a cell phone, while driving a motor vehicle. Previously this was only illegal for individuals under 18 years of age, but now has been expanded to all drivers.

Driving Under the Influence: Zero Tolerance (Video)

(AB 1165, Maze) This new law prohibits a convicted DUI offender from operating a motor vehicle with a blood alcohol level (BAC) of .01 percent or greater while on probation for DUI. The law requires the driver to submit to a Preliminary Alcohol Screening (PAS) test, a portable breath test to determine the presence of alcohol. If the driver refuses, or if the driver submits and has a BAC of .01 or greater, a citation will be issued, the driver's license will be taken and driving privileges will be suspended. In addition, the vehicle will be impounded.

Ignition Interlock Devices (IID)

(SB 1190, Oropeza) This new law reduces the BAC from .20 percent to .15 percent or more at the time of arrest to trigger a requirement for the court to give heightened consideration for the installation of an IID for a first-time offender convicted of DUI of an alcoholic beverage.

Ignition Interlock Devices

(SB 1388, Torlakson) Effective July 2009, this new law transfers authority for the administration of mandatory IID programs from the state courts to the Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV). This law also authorizes the DMV to require any driver convicted of driving with a suspended license due to a prior conviction for DUI to install an IID in any vehicle that the offender owns or operates.

Alcohol-Related Reckless Driving

(AB 2802, Houston) This new law requires the court to order a person convicted of alcohol-related reckless driving to participate in a licensed DUI program for at least nine months, if that person has a prior conviction for alcohol-related reckless driving or DUI within ten years. Additionally, the court is required to revoke the person's probation for the failure to enroll in, participate in, or complete a licensed DUI program.

Global Positioning Systems (GPS)

(SB 1567, Oropeza) This new law allows a portable GPS device to be mounted in a 7-inch square in the lower corner of the windshield on the passenger side of the vehicle, or in a 5-inch square in the lower corner of the windshield on the driver's side. These are the only two locations on a windshield where a GPS device can be mounted. The GPS device can only be used for navigational purposes while the motor vehicle is being operated, and it is required to be mounted outside of an airbag deployment zone.

Motorcycles

(AB 2272, Fuentes) This new law changes the definition of a motorcycle by deleting the weight limitation and deleting the separate definition for electrically powered motorcycles. The law will now allow fully enclosed, three-wheeled vehicles to have access to high-occupancy vehicle (HOV) lanes regardless of occupancy.

Clean Air Stickers: Misuse and Penalties

(SB 1720, Lowenthal) This new law makes it an infraction for anyone who forges, counterfeits, falsifies, passes, or attempts to pass, acquire possess, sell, or offer for sale a genuine or counterfeit "Clean Air Sticker."

911 Telephone System Abuse

(AB 1976, Benoit) This new law increases the penalties for any person who knowingly uses, or allows the use of, the 911 telephone system for any reason other than an emergency. Those who misuse, or allow the misuse of, the 911 telephone system are guilty of an infraction, and subject to either a written warning or a fine.

Special License Plates

(AB 190, Bass) This new law, when approved by local authorities, allows veterans whose vehicles display plates honoring Pearl Harbor Survivors, Legion of Valor recipients, former American Prisoners of War, Congressional Medal of Honor recipients, or Purple Heart recipients to park their vehicles that weigh not more than 6,000 pounds gross weight, without charge, in any metered parking space.

Studded Pneumatic Tires

(AB 1971, Portantino) This new law allows the use of pneumatic tires with retractable metal-type studs, year round, as long as the studs are retracted between May 1 through October 31. However, the law prohibits a tire with retractable metal-type studs on a vehicle from being worn to a point that the metal-type studs protrude beyond the tire tread when retracted.

Spilling Cargo Loads

(AB 2714, Keene) This new law eases restrictions on cargo loads of straw or hay to allow individual pieces that do not pose a threat to life or property, to escape from bales of straw or hay that are being transported by a vehicle upon a highway, so long as those bales are loaded and secured according to federal regulations.

Assault on Highway Workers

(SB 1509, Lowenthal) This new law provides an increased penalty for assault and battery crimes committed against Caltrans highway workers who are engaged in the performance of their duties. 

 

If you, or someone you know, has been injured, please call me immediately at

(323) 852-1100 or send an e-mail to me at [email protected]

"Treated With the Respect That You Deserve"

Link of the Day: Report Dangerous Drivers.com

      

Will wonders never cease?  What an incredible website has now graced the Internet! www.reportdangerousdrivers.com is the ultimate in real life George Orwell (ianism).  This site has special meaning to me since part of my practice revolves around representing fault-free people who've been injured at the hands of reckless drivers.  I get enraged when I see the senseless physical and emotional pain that my clients go through because someone wasn't paying attention or, worse, was driving erratically or angrily (can you say "road rage?").  This moment of dangerous driving changes innocent lives forever.

From the home page of www.reportdangerousdrivers.com comes their description and reason for existence:

Over 40,000 people are killed every year on American roads and highways and many of those deaths are directly attributable to reckless drivers.  This website allows you to report dangerous drivers of any motor vehicle, including cars, trucks and motorcycles.  When you witness a dangerous driving incident, simply get the license plate number of the vehicle.  Then you will be able to post this incident on this website.  An anonymous violation report is very easy to post, it takes just a few seconds to complete. After a violation report is posted, interested parties are notified via email and when possible, the owner of the vehicle is notified via mail of this violation.

With a searchable database that requires only the license plate number and the state of the plate, you can search for violation reports on any vehicle.  This will give the public an opportunity to keep tabs on certain vehicles by viewing violation reports that have been previously filed.  It's also very useful to parents who'd like to know if their children are driving safely.  Additionally, company owned cars, trucks and service vehicles can be tracked to ensure that they are being operated in a safe manner. 

Many of us see dangerous driving everyday. Now, you will be able to file reports on those people that put so many innocent lives at risk. A variety of violations can be reported, for example: speeding, running red lights, road rage, tailgating, school zone violations or using cell phones in a reckless manner. click here to see a summary of recently reported violations.  

Here's a smattering of the violation categories that you will find: Speeding, tailgating, reckless driving, road rage, driving too slowly and, of course my all-time favorite, cell phone stupid.

       

If you, or someone you know, has been injured, please call me immediately at

(323) 852-1100 or send an e-mail to me at [email protected]

"Treated With the Respect That You Deserve"

Motorcycle Accidents: Overview, Graphic Videos, Graphic Photos

Over the years I have represented many, many motorcycle riders who have, through no fault of their own, been involved in accidents with car and truck drivers that, for one reason or another, did not see my client until it was too late.  This emphasizes the fact that motorcyclists must proceed with caution, they must realize that defensive riding is one of the keys to their survival. 

Motorcycle injuries can be devastating.  I've had clients who have suffered broken bones, brain injury and permanent paralysis in motorcycle crashes.  None of these people were at fault yet their lives, and the lives of those that love them, have been unalterably changed for the worse.

In the past, I've blogged extensively about motorcycle accidents, injuries and safety.  Click here to read past posts and view related videos.

At the end of this article, I've posted a couple of graphic motorcycle accident videos as well as the link to a photo album containing graphic photos of motorcycle accidents.  I post these to heighten awareness of the perils the bikers face on the streets. 

Here are a brief list of safety precautions that motorcyclists should take:

• Know the Law: Be familiar with local laws
• Be Prepared: Obtain the proper insurance; be aware of adverse road conditions
• Gear Up: Wear protective gear, helmet, eye protection, sturdy jacket, long pants, boots, gloves
• Stand Out: Wear brightly colored clothing - make sure that other drivers are aware of you
• Distance Yourself: Leave enough space between you and the vehicle in front or behind you.  Give yourself enough reaction time to adapt to the immediate situation
• Ride Defensively: 3/4 of all motorcycle accidents involve cars.  Know that although you see them, they may not see you
• Ride Sober
• Practice, practice, practice

The following excerpt is taken a comprehensive article on Findlaw.com:

Motorcycle riders are in a unique position on the road. They enjoy the freedoms that come with their chosen form of transportation, but they are also left exposed to dangers not met by automobile drivers and other motorists. The lack of any substantial protective barriers between a motorcycle and the road, as well as the difficulty that other motorists may have in anticipating and seeing a motorcycle, leave riders prone to serious injury in the event of an accident. Motorcycle riders, therefore, must be aware of their legal rights and remedies if they are involved in a traffic accident. The insurance laws in your state may be very different with respect to motorcycles versus automobiles; consequently, it is very important to consult with an attorney regarding the applicable laws in your state.

The Risks of the Road for Motorcycle Riders

The risks that motorcycle riders face, and the need to protect their rights of recovery after an accident, become readily apparent through a review of the following statistics:

• In two-thirds of motorcycle accidents involving another vehicle, the driver of the other vehicle violated the motorcycle rider's right of way and caused the accident.
• Motorcyclists are about 26 times more likely to die in a crash than someone riding in a passenger car, and are 5 times as likely to be injured.
• Per mile traveled in 1998, motorcyclists were about 16 times more likely than passenger car occupants to die, and about 3 times as likely to be injured, in a motor vehicle crash.

Some of the unique problems faced by motorcycle riders on the road include:

• Visual Recognition: Motorcycles make smaller visual targets, which are more likely to be obscured by other vehicles, or by road and weather conditions. This is an issue especially at intersections, where approximately 70 percent of motorcycle-versus-vehicle collisions occur.

• Road Hazards: Hazards that are minor irritations for an automobile can be a major hazard for a motorcycle rider. These include potholes, oil slicks, puddles, debris, or other objects on the roadway, ruts, uneven pavement, and railroad tracks.

• Speed "Wobble" Accidents: Especially at higher speeds, the front end of a motorcycle may become unstable and begin to shake or "wobble." This problem may be due to a misalignment of the front and rear tires of the motorcycle. If an accident is caused by such a high-speed wobble, the manufacturer of the motorcycle might be held financially responsible for any resulting injuries, under a product liability theory.

• Riding Skills; Familiarity: A motorcycle requires much more skill and physical coordination to operate than a car. Many motorcycle accidents are caused in whole or in part by a rider's lack of basic riding skills, or failure to appreciate the inherent operating characteristics and limitations of the motorcycle.

Click here for Photo Album with Graphic Photos of Motorcycle Accidents, Injuries, Amputations, Scars

View the above photo album and the following graphic videos with caution and think twice when getting on a motorcycle: Prepare well, bike safely and make it a pleasurable experience!

If you, or someone you know, has been injured, please call me immediately at (323) 852-1100 or send an e-mail to me at [email protected]

"Treated With the Respect That You Deserve"

10 Hot Hands Free Devices to Comply With New Hands Free Cell Phone Laws

From practical to stylish, high tech companies worldwide are developing and marketing new hands-free devices to help you comply with the new hands-free cell phone laws in various states in the union.  Being an attorney who represents injured people, I'm thrilled to see the proliferation of these devices.  I can't tell you how many clients will come to me after a devastating car accident and say "She/he was on the cell phone and didn't see me."  It reminds me of a case that I had several years ago where my client was rear-ended by a guy who was watching a DVD while driving in the fast lane of the 101!

I found a great article on Channel Web entitled 10 Hot Hands-Free Devices for Cell Phone Law Compliance.  They list the following devices (click on each one for detailed information or click here to view individual photos of these devices!):

1. Plantronics Voyager 520, around $40
2. Sennheiser VMX 120, around $189
3. Jabra JX 10 Series, around $70
4. Ford Sync, built into various Ford products
5. Aliph's New Jawbone, around $100
6. Parrott Mini-Kit, $50-80
7. Magellan Maestro 3140, around $140-400 (GPS with Bluetooth!)
8. Motorola T605, around $150 (music and Bluetooth)
9. Anycom Solar Bluetooth Kit, around $80 (yep, it's solar powered)
10. BlueAnt Supertooth Light, around $90

You know how I'm always ranting and raving about driving hands-free.  Heck, I don't expect you to not talk while driving (that'd be saying "do as I say, not as I do") but, please, go hands-free and keep both hands on the steering wheel.  Please don't let this happen to you or a loved one.

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The Law Office of Lowell Steiger Represents Injured Victims

If you have suffered a Personal Injury, Call for a Free Consultation

Contact Attorney Lowell Steiger at          (323) 852-1100        

or via e-mail at [email protected]

"Treated With the Respect That You Deserve"

www.steigerlaw.com

If you have suffered a Personal Injury, Call for a Free Consultation

Smart Car: How Safe Is It? Miles Per Gallon?

Have you been noticing the proliferation of the Daimler AG's Smart Car recently?  Sure, it gets great mileage, looks pretty cute and zips right along.  But its recent emergence on the scene got me to wondering just how safe this little tiny car would be in a big crash.  According to greencar.com, "The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) recently crash tested the 2008 smart fortwo and found it performed so well it earned the Institute’s best ratings for front and side crash protection. Plus, its rear crash worthiness was rated as “acceptable,” the Institute’s second-highest rating."  Read the complete IIHS report here.

Most interesting to me is the Smart Car Crash Video below.  Crashing into a solid concrete barrier at 70 mph does not completely destroy the car (although it would likely completely destroy its occupants so DON'T TRY THIS AT HOME!).  Watch the chilling yet informative video below:"

And what kind of mileage does the Smart Car get?  According to The Daily Green.com, it gets 33 city and 41 highway.  Did you know that there's also a waiting list of 45,000?  When completely tricked out, this car still runs a little under $20,000 (and the base model starts at around $12,000). 

But, folks, I represent people who are injured -- and oftentimes injured in car accidents.  My primary focus is in keeping my clients safe so I'm hesitant to support this car because, in spite of its high ratings, it's still a dinky little car and, at least in Los Angeles, we have a plethora of gigantic cars on the road.  I don't want to get a phone call from you or, worse, a loved one telling me that you've been involved in a Smart Car crash. To me the car is tantamount to a motorcycle with a steel shell.

    Is 33/41 mpg worth the risk? Maybe not.

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The Law Office of Lowell Steiger Represents Injured Victims

If you have suffered a Personal Injury, Call for a Free Consultation

Contact Attorney Lowell Steiger at          (323) 852-1100       

or via e-mail at [email protected]

"Treated With the Respect That You Deserve"

www.steigerlaw.com

If you have suffered a Personal Injury, Call for a Free Consultation