The Importance Of Going To The Hospital After A Car Accident

Posted on May 14, 2019March 26, 2019 by admin

Every day in the U.S., approximately 6,438 drivers and passengers are injured in car crashes. Another 102 or so are killed in car crashes. Car accidents occur all the time, but when you’re in one, panic takes over and often keeps you from rationally thinking about what you need to do.

One thing that people overlook is the importance of a trip to the hospital after a car accident. Some worry about the cost. Remember that auto insurance pays for medical care after a car accident. Don’t let that keep you from seeking medical care. You may feel okay and think it’s a waste of time and money. It’s always best to go to a hospital, and here’s why.

There May Be Hidden Injuries

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When To Call An Attorney After A Car Accident

Posted on May 7, 2019March 26, 2019 by admin

You’ve collided with another vehicle. No matter who is at fault, there are several steps you should take immediately after the crash. They are:

Do not admit fault. Let an experienced accident investigator look at the conditions and impact and determine if you, the other driver, the conditions, or a mix of issues led to the crash.
Take photos of your vehicle, other vehicles that were involved, the road conditions, and the area around you. If there is a busy intersection, take photos of the design, lights, and signage.
Call police to have them complete an accident report.
Ask to be seen by paramedics.
Get the other driver’s insurance information.

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Should I Always Go To The Hospital After A Car Accident?

Posted on April 30, 2019March 26, 2019 by admin

Every hour, there are around four fatal vehicle crashes in this nation. That’s just crashes involving fatalities. Of the almost 7.3 million crashes in 2016, only 34,439 of them were fatal. More than 2.1 million of these crashes caused injuries that range from mild to severe.

When the crash is not your fault, the stress, time away from work, medical expenses, and cost to replace your car add up. Crash prevention is key, but some crashes are hard to avoid. Whether it’s a single-vehicle crash or a multi-vehicle crash, people can sustain serious injuries. If you’re in a car accident and don’t feel any discomfort, you may wonder if you should really go to the hospital. Yes, you should!

While there are many reasons you should seek medical care, four main reasons stand out.

Four Reasons Why You Immediately Need to Go to the Hospital

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What is the Statute of Limitations for Car Accidents in California?

Posted on April 23, 2019March 26, 2019 by admin

Between 2015 and 2016, many statistics for car accidents in California saw increases. The number of fatalities related to accidents went up by 7 percent. Fatalities involving impaired drivers, motorcyclists, and passengers not using seat belts all increased. Even fatalities involving cars vs. bicycles, cars vs. pedestrians, and teen drivers increased.

That’s just fatal accidents. The number of injuries also saw increases. In just Los Angeles County, the total number of injuries, including fatal injuries, increased by more than 9,000 people between those years.

When you’re in a car accident, you have certain responsibilities. You need to stay at the scene. You should call police if there is significant damage. Even an accident that seems minor can be costly, so it’s often best to get an accident report filed. You should see a doctor to make sure you don’t have bone fractures, muscle injuries, head injuries, or internal injuries.

It’s also important to know what your legal requirements are. These are the deadlines for filing personal injury lawsuits. In California, there are statutes of limitations you need to know and adhere to.

What Are the Statutes of Limitations Regarding Car Accidents?

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The 5 Most Dangerous Intersections in California

Posted on April 16, 2019February 26, 2019 by admin

Los Angeles Intersection Accident Attorney

Any number of situations can lead to an auto accident. Distracted driving, speeding, and equipment failure are just a few of the reasons car crashes occur. Sometimes, the design of an intersection also plays a part in auto accidents.

Using 2017 statistics gathered from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, 854 of the crashes in that state occurred in intersections. Left turns in an intersection are the most common crash. Incorrectly judging another driver’s plans, misjudging the speed of oncoming traffic, and turning with an obstructed view are the common reasons driver’s ended up crashing.

Take a Closer Look at the Five Most Dangerous Intersections in California

The dangerous intersections in California have multiple lanes for traffic going straight, some have right turn lanes, and there are also left turn lanes. Add crosswalks and sometimes parallel parking spaces to the mix, and it’s not hard to see why the intersections are filled with hazards. The five intersections on the list have seen dozens of crashes per year and some of them have been fatal.

#5 – Los Angeles: Lindley Avenue and Roscoe Boulevard

Situated on main roads between Northridge Middle School and Cantara Street Elementary School, this dangerous intersection in California sees a lot of traffic. Van Nuys Airport and a hospital are just a few blocks away, too.

In 2015, two fatalities occurred at this intersection. In one of them, a 19-year-old college student was driving her Ford Mustang when a Honda Civic crashed into her vehicle. The driver of the Civic was arrested for DUI. She didn’t survive her injuries.

#4 – Downey: Firestone Boulevard and Lakewood Boulevard

All around this dangerous Downey intersection are stores, banks, restaurants, and hotels. Stonewood center is on one corner, a hospital is nearby, and lots of residences are within a block or two, which increases the number of cars going through the multi-lane intersection.

This intersection made it to fourth place due to NHTSA records showing there were 36 crashes. Of those crashes, there were 32 injuries received at that intersection during 2015.

#3 – Northridge: Balboa Boulevard and Nordhoff Street

Northridge has several dangerous intersections. Balboa and Nordhoff are surrounded by fast food establishments, entertainment venues, banks, gas stations, and the Balboa Nordhoff Shopping Center. In 2017, the intersection was the site of a fatal crash. Also, additional fatalities happened near the intersection in 2015 and 2017.

The 2017 fatal crash occurred when the driver of a vehicle crashed into an 18-wheeler. The passenger in the car was taken to the hospital in critical condition but survived. Tera Wilson died at the scene.

#2 – Playa Del Rey: Imperial Highway and Vista Del Mar

This end of the Imperial Highway meets Vista Del Mar, a highway that hugs the Californian coastline. With Los Angeles International Airport, Hyperion Treatment Plant, and Dockweiler Beach right there, the amount of traffic that intersection sees is tremendous. Between 2015 and 2017, three fatal crashes have taken place near this intersection.

To try to prevent some of these accidents, the Los Angeles Department of Transportation added another travel lane in areas and put in angled parking areas to help people parking to go to the beach avoid opening car doors into traffic.

#1 – Northridge: Devonshire Street and Reseda Boulevard

The most dangerous intersection in all of California is in Northridge. Devonshire Street and Reseda Boulevard meet at an intersection surrounded by the Devonshire-Reseda Shopping Center, Northridge Shopping Center, fast food establishments, and gas/service stations. With a load of traffic passing through, the posted speed limit of 40 doesn’t help prevent accidents. In a 10-year span, researchers found records of 108 crashes.

What Do You Do If You’re in a Crash?

When you’re in a crash, try to stay calm. Fear and panic can make it hard to think clearly. It’s important that you do three things: File a police report, seek medical care and call an attorney who specializes in auto accidents. If you can, get photos of the scene, damage to your car, and record or jot down notes regarding what happened.

Insurance companies are going to offer a settlement that’s in their best interests. KJT Law Group protects your interests. You don’t have to negotiate a settlement on your own. Get a free case evaluation from an experienced attorney.

Sources:

https://cdan.nhtsa.gov/STSI.htm

https://crashstats.nhtsa.dot.gov/Api/Public/ViewPublication/811366

https://losangeles.cbslocal.com/2018/01/31/northridge-calif-most-dangerous-intersection/

https://www.abc10.com/article/news/local/california/most-dangerous-intersections-in-california/351775385

https://losangeles.cbslocal.com/2015/06/21/police-investigating-fatal-northridge-crash/

https://www.safestreetspdr.org/vdm/

https://abc7.com/1-killed-1-critically-hurt-in-northridge-crash/2439124/

https://mynewsla.com/crime/2017/06/12/driver-killed-after-rear-ending-big-rig-on-nordhoff-in-northridge-a-van-nuys-woman/

http://www.thedowneypatriot.com/articles/firestone-and-lakewood-fourth-most-dangerous-intersection-study-says

I Was Injured by a Drunk Driver. What Should I Do?

Posted on April 9, 2019February 26, 2019 by admin

Drunk driving is still a leading cause of death in vehicle crashes. Per National Highway Traffic Safety Administration statistics, every 48 minutes a person dies as a result of a crash involving a drunk driver. If you’re involved in a crash with a drunk driver, call the police and seek medical care. You might feel fine, but adrenaline can mask the pain and discomfort for a few hours.

In California, a DUI is charged if a urine, blood, or breathalyzer test finds a BAC of 0.08% or higher and a person is 21 or older. For underage drivers, the BAC needs to be 0.01% or higher. Urine tests are typically only used if drugs are suspected.

Calling police is your first goal. Getting checked out at the hospital is second. What do you do after that? Don’t take the amount of damages the other driver’s insurance offers. They will offer the lowest amount they feel is acceptable. You are not obligated to agree. You have every right to fight for more. Here’s a quick guide into the steps you need to take after a crash with a drunk driver.

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Will My Personal Injury Case Go to Trial?

Posted on April 2, 2019February 26, 2019 by admin

Black’s Law Dictionary estimates that only four to five percent of personal injury cases ever make it to trial. Very few cases ever do make it into a courtroom. Most reach an out-of-court settlement. This is due to two things. First, according to the Bureau of Justice Statistics (BJS), about half of all civil cases lead to a positive outcome for the plaintiff. Second, it’s time-consuming. It can take months or even years to battle a personal injury case in the courts.

Even if you do go to court, it’s uncommon to win a large amount of money. The BJS estimates that about 4 out of 100 trials actually result in compensation of more than $1 million. The median award is around $28,000. Personal injury cases involving products tend to have better outcomes.

Does this mean you shouldn’t bother filing a personal injury lawsuit? Not at all. If you’ve been injured or harmed and it’s clearly someone else’s fault, you should never have to suffer financially. It’s important to talk to an experienced attorney about your situation and see what the attorney has to say.

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What Should I Do After a Bicycle Accident?

Posted on March 26, 2019February 26, 2019 by admin

When you’re in an accident on your bicycle, call the police. Of course, if you’re badly injured, you’ll have to rely on a witness to do this for you. If you feel fine, you still must call the police. You might find more damage to your bicycle than you first thought. You don’t want the driver to leave without having a way to get hold of that driver down the road.

That said, the very second thing that should be done is to be checked by paramedics. Remember that you’re going to be filled with adrenaline following an accident. You could have serious injuries and not realize it because the adrenaline is masking the pain.

Bicycle and vehicle collisions are not uncommon. In just Los Angeles County, 4,139 bicyclists were injured or killed in traffic collisions in 2016. That’s just one county. If you look at a few other counties and cities, Orange County had 1,156 injuries and deaths, Sacramento County had 665, and San Francisco had 597. If it happens to you, there are steps you should follow immediately after the accident.

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Motorcycle Accidents – 5 Statistics That Will Leave You Shocked

Posted on March 19, 2019February 26, 2019 by admin

In 2015, approximately 8.6 million motorcycles were registered in the U.S. That same year, motorcycle riders suffered 88,000 reported injuries, and 5,029 fatalities were reported. When you’re on a motorcycle, there is very little protecting you from serious injury during a crash. Cars have a harder time seeing you. If there’s a crash, the clothing and helmet you wear are the only protection you have between the ground and other solid surfaces. Here are five shocking statistics about motorcycles and motorcycle accidents.

#5 – 35% of Riders Don’t Use a Helmet

Since 2000, protective helmet use has declined. In that year 7 out of 10 riders wore a motorcycle helmet. In 2016 and 2017, 65% of motorcycle drivers have worn a helmet. The year with the lowest usage was 2005 when only 48% wore one. This is shocking as the NHTSA and General Accounting Office report that riders wearing a helmet decrease the chances of dying in a crash by more than 70 percent.

Helmet usage is essential to your safety when riding a motorcycle. That helmet has to meet safety criteria and needs to be certified for safety. Many riders purchase novelty helmets thinking it will protect them from traumatic brain injury in a crash. That’s not the case.

If possible, look for helmets that have been certified by the Snell Memorial Foundation. While it’s not required of a helmet company, Snell Memorial Foundation tests look at:

How well a helmet performs when it hits different types of surfaces at varying speeds.
How much force is needed to damage the helmet’s outer shell?
If the helmet stays in place when it hits the ground or another surface.
If the helmet’s jaw piece stays in place when it’s impacted.
If the visor/face shield remains intact when an air pellet is fired at the visor from different distances.

Department of Transportation (D.O.T.) helmets must pass similar tests in order to gain the FMVSS218 certification. The difference is the levels at which pass/fail criteria are met. Snell requires helmets to withstand more force than the D.O.T. does. If your helmet doesn’t have certification from either of these agencies, your helmet is not safe enough.

After dropping your helmet or being in a crash, you need a new helmet. It’s recommended that you replace your motorcycle helmet at least every five years. This is to avoid normal wear and tear that can reduce a helmet’s ability to protect you. It’s also ideal as helmets continue to improve thanks to new safety features and technological advancements.

#4 – The Majority of Accidents Happen Between 3 and 9 p.m.

Just under 22% of fatal motorcycle accidents take place between 6 and 9 p.m. It’s dusk or dark at those hours, which can make motorcycles harder to see. Alcohol usage is also a reason for more crashes and fatalities at night.

For non-fatal motorcycle accidents, the hours of 3 to 6 p.m. are the riskiest with 23.1% of all accidents taking place. Busier roadways during rush hour and glare from the setting sun can impact driving in the late afternoon.

#3 – Most Crashes Occur in Intersections or on Curves

The Motorcycle Safety Foundation asked 100 motorcycle riders to record their mileage driven and accidents that occurred over a period of 2 months to 2 years. Of those 100 riders, 30 of the motorcycle accidents occurred on a curve. In multi-vehicle crashes, 37 of them involved being rear-ended.

Intersections and curves are the most common site for a motorcycle accident. A car coming around a curve that’s over the line is one issue. Motorcycles are better off avoiding being near the center of the lane when approaching and going around a curve.

Intersections are also problematic. Drivers may not notice you and start to make a turn in front of you. Make sure you’re visible to the car ahead of you by being in a visible location and not in a blind spot. Bright colors and reflective clothing will improve your visibility.

#2 – Older Riders Are More Likely to Be in a Fatal Motorcycle Accident

You might think of motorcycle accidents as being most common in younger riders. That’s not the case. Of the 4,976 fatalities in 2016, 36% of them were 50 or older. Riders 29 or younger were the second highest group and accounted for 29% of fatal accidents.

One belief is that older riders are more likely to have other health issues that increase the risk of complications following a motorcycle crash. Older riders are more likely to have high blood pressure, thinner bones related to aging, and less muscle mass.

#1 – Lower Extremities Are the Most Common Body Injury After a Motorcycle Crash

Whether a crash involving a motorcycle involves another vehicle or not, injuries to the lower extremities (legs, knees, feet, and ankles) are the most common area of injury. The upper extremities and neck take second and third place.

We hope you’re never in a motorcycle crash, but if you are, hire an experienced personal injury attorney. If the accident was the result of another driver’s error or poor road conditions that should have been repaired, KJT Law Group can help you get compensation for your motorcycle repairs or replacement and medical bills. Contact us for a free case evaluation today!

Hit By A Car Crossing The Street? Here’s What To Do Next

Posted on March 12, 2019February 26, 2019 by admin

Did you know that most pedestrian accidents occur between the hours of 6 and 9 p.m.? About 3 out of 4 accidents where a car hits a pedestrian take place in the dark. This is why it’s so important to wear bright, reflective clothing. If possible, wear flashing lights that can be seen from different angles.

Children only account for 21 percent of fatalities and 9 percent of pedestrian injuries. People in the age range of 20 to 24 have the highest rate of pedestrian injuries. Fatalities happen the most in pedestrians between the ages of 50 to 54.

These are all statistics, but it’s become personal. You or someone you care about has been hit by a car while crossing the street. You need advice on what to do next.

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