Archive for June, 2010

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Auto Accident Emergency Kit, What to Have in Your Glove Box

Wednesday, June 30th, 2010

No one plans on being involved in a car accident. Unfortunately statistics tell us that one out of every four of us will be involved in some type of car accident during our lifetime. Given those odds, it is a good idea to think ahead for what you will need in the event that you are involved in a car accident. Whether the accident you are involved in is a small “fender-bender” or a catastrophic accident, there are things that you can have handy in your vehicle that will help you with injuries if you sustain any as well as help you document the accident in the event that you ultimately need to legally pursue compensation from the other driver. So what can you put in your vehicle now that may help you in the event of an accident?

1. First aid kit. A first aid kit should include-at a bare minimum- antibiotic ointment, antiseptic wipes, aspirin, instant cold compress, bandages, sterile gauze and a thermometer.
2. Blanket. Keep a blanket in your trunk in the event someone goes into shock.
3. Road flairs. These can be placed along the road to warn oncoming traffic to slow down.
4. Reflective triangle. These can also be placed in the road and used to warn oncoming traffic.
5. Disposable camera. If you are able to take photos of the accident then you should do so immediately following the accident if it is safe to do so.
6. Pen and paper. Always have something to write on and with handy to get driver and witness information.
7. Bottled water and energy bar. You never know how long it will take emergency personnel to respond or where you will be when an accident happens. Having a bottle of water and an energy bar handy may keep you from suffering from dehydration and weakness caused by hunger.
8. Flashlight. If the accident happens at night you will need a way to see what you are doing if your car headlights are not functioning.
9. Cellular telephone. Most people have one these days but even if you aren’t someone that talks on a cellular phone it is good to have one in the event of an emergency.
10. Emergency contact numbers. Keep a list of emergency contact numbers in your glove box. We all hope that even in an accident we will be awake and able to answer questions from emergency personnel, but that isn’t always the case. If you are unconscious and unable to tell them who to call, it can be invaluable for them to simply be able to look in the glove box for a list of people to call for you.

This list has been brought to you by the California personal injury firm of Ledger & Associates. If you have been in an accident and would like a free detailed evaluation of your California accident case, please contact Emery Ledger at 1-800-300-0001 or visit the firm’s website at www.ledgerlaw.com.

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Truck Driver Fatigue Results in Accidents

Tuesday, June 29th, 2010

All of us have been on the road at some point in time with the big trucks. Sharing the road with semis is something that all of us accept if we spend any time at all on America’s highways. Trucks are still one of America’s main forms of transportation for commercial good and products. Without them, and the drivers that are willing to pass their days over the road, we would not have the variety of produce, meats, clothing and household goods that we enjoy today. The truth is that we are dependant on these rolling behemoths to bring us the goods and products that we use every day. What do who know though about who is driving these trucks and whether or not they are taking required safety precautions? What happens when one of the drivers pushes their body too far – past the point at which the body must rest?

The fact is that each year truck accidents kill over 5,000 people and injure another 150,000 on America’s highways. According to one report, one in every four multiple-vehicle accident involves a large truck. Large trucks are involved in vehicular accidents twice as often as passenger vehicles resulting in over 800 drivers of large trucks dying each year. Despite the stringent requirements for obtaining a commercial driver license, it appears as though truck drivers are still involved in a disproportionate number of accidents each year. Commercial truck drier’s are required to complete a rigorous hands on training school as well as pass background checks, drug test, driving tests and written tests before they can obtain a commercial driver license. So why are these highly trained and screened drivers still getting into accidents?

One of the leading causes of truck driver accident is fatigue. The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) is charged with overseeing large trucks on American roadways. The FMCSA tells us that in recent years, as many as 750 people were killed and another 20,000 injured as a direct result of driver fatigue. Long hours on the road can take its toll on a driver. Although the federal government has set strict regulations regarding the number of hours a driver can spend on the road, drivers continue to reach the point where fatigue takes over and they loose control for that split second-just long enough to cause an accident. In a passenger vehicle, if you start to lose control you can generally gain back the control rather easily if you react quickly enough. In a large truck, however, once you start to lose control getting it back may be impossible due to the sheer size and weight of the truck. As a result, thousands of Americans are injured or killed each year due to the negligence of a driver that was simply too tired to drive.

Whether the driver himself made the decision to keep on truckin’ or whether his employer was pushing him on, the bottom line is that if you were involved in an accident with one of these “kings of the road” and you believe that accident may have been caused by fatigue, then you may be entitled to compensation for any injuries that you suffered. Contact the California truck accident law firm of Ledger & Associates at 1-800-300-0001 or visit them online for more information at www.ledgerlaw.com.

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Personal Injury Lawyer Delivers Deposition Tips

Monday, June 28th, 2010

If you have been involved in a California personal injury accident that was not your fault, you probably have a number of questions about how the legal process works once you have filed a lawsuit against the negligent driver. A personal injury lawsuit begins with the filing of a complaint against the negligent party or parties. Each side then tries to determine what happened in the accident and what evidence is available to support or contradict the claim of negligence. One way that lawyers try to determine what evidence will be presented in a court trial is to take depositions.

A deposition is the sworn testimony of a witness taken before trial. The testimony is generally taken at one of the lawyer’s offices. There is no judge present during a deposition but each witness is placed under oath and must swear to tell the truth. Lawyers for both sides may then ask questions. The questions and answers are recorded and later transcribed by a court reporter.

In most cases, anything that you testify to in a deposition may be introduced at a later trial. Additionally, if the witness is unavailable when it is time for the trial, the answers given during the deposition may be entered into the record as if the witness were present. The deposition process is very formal as a rule. You will sit with your attorney and a representative from the opposing party will be there with their attorney. Once you are sworn in, the attorney for the opposing party (in this case the other driver) will begin asking you questions. Taking part in a deposition can be an intimidating process but the better prepared you are the more relaxed and comfortable you will feel. California personal injury attorney Emery Ledger of Ledger & Associates offers the following tips to help make the deposition process easier for witnesses:
1. Spend time preparing with your lawyer before the deposition. The legal process in general can be scary if you are new to it. A deposition can be very formal and may make you feel somewhat uncomfortable if you are not prepared well. Spend as much time as you need with your lawyer ahead of time practicing what the deposition will be like. By doing this, you will know better what to expect and be more comfortable answering the questions.
2. Listen carefully to the question. Always listen to what the lawyer is asking you. If your lawyer objects to the question being asked then wait until the lawyers have finished debating the objection and your lawyer gives you the go ahead to answer it.
3. Answer only the question being asked. Try to focus on exactly what the lawyer is asking you. Do not add any additional information. Be truthful in your answer but do not offer additional information. If you feel that an explanation for your answer is needed, speak to your lawyer and they can decide whether to bring that information out when it is his turn to ask questions.
4. Stay calm. Sometimes, the lawyer for the opposing party may ask questions that you feel are offensive or that anger you. Try to remain calm and simply answer the question unless your lawyer tells you that you do not need to. If you feel that the question creates a misunderstanding or leads to an incorrect conclusion then tell your lawyer and let him straighten it out when it is his turn to question you.

If you have any additional questions about the deposition process or accident litigation in general, please feel free to contact California personal injury lawyer Emery Ledger at Ledger & Associates 1-800-300-0001 or online at www.ledgerlaw.com.

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How Can California Motorcycle Lawyer Help Me Win My Motorcycle Accident Case?

Monday, June 28th, 2010

California is one the most beautiful places to enjoy riding a motorcycle. Not surprisingly, there are over 1.3 million motorcycles registered in the state of California. Whether people are riding for pleasure or for the economy of riding a bike, there are certainly a lot of them riding. Despite efforts by both public and private groups to make other drivers on the road more aware of motorcycles, motorcycles continue to account for a disproportionate number of accidents each year. While bikers represent only 2.1% of all registered vehicles in California, they account for 9.4% of all traffic fatalities in the state. Each year, about 500 people are killed in the State of California in motorcycle accidents and another 10,000 are seriously injured. Sadly, those figures are going up instead of down. If you have been involved in a motorcycle accident, you may be considering hiring a lawyer to represent you. You may also be wondering how a motorcycle accident lawyer can help you in your motorcycle accident case.

While each motorcycle accident case is different, statistics tell us that there is a very good chance the accident you were involved in was not your fault. About 75% of all motorcycle accidents are caused by the other driver. In the majority of those cases, the driver of the other vehicle admits that they simply did not see the motorcycle. If the accident was not your fault, then a motorcycle accident attorney may be able to help you receive compensation that you are entitled to for the injuries that you suffered as a result of the accident. Under the California laws of negligence, if someone else was negligent (at fault) in your accident, then they must compensate you for your physical and emotional injuries that are a result of the accident. A motorcycle lawyer has years of experience handling these claims and is better able to negotiate a settlement for you. While it is true that you may be able to deal directly with the insurance company and they will likely offer you a settlement without the assistance of a lawyer, chances are that they will offer you far less than what you deserve.

Additionally, if your case does not settle – either because the other driver is not admitting negligence or because they are not offering you what your case is worth – then you will have an experienced and knowledgeable litigator at your side fighting for your rights and for the compensation that you are entitled to for the injuries you have suffered. Only a lawyer knows the ins and outs of a trial. Everyone hopes that their case can be settled quickly and efficiently without the need to go to trial, however if a trial is necessary, there is nothing like the feeling that someone is by your side and will lead the way through the process.

If you have been injured in a California motorcycle accident and would like a free and detailed evaluation of your potential motorcycle case, please contact motorcycle lawyer Emery Ledger of Ledger & Associates today for an appointment. He can be reached at 1-800-300-0001 or online at www.ledgerlaw.com

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Who is responsible for My California Accident?

Monday, June 28th, 2010

If you have been involved in an accident in the State of California, you may be entitled to compensation for the injuries you sustained in the accident. Accidents come in many forms: car accidents, airplane accidents; train accidents; motorcycle accidents; pedestrian accidents and many more. Regardless of what type of accident you were involved in, if someone else was negligent, you may be entitled to compensation to cover your medical bills, lost wages, pain and suffering and other things associated with the accident. First, however, you must determine who was responsible.

According to California accident lawyer Emery Ledger of Ledger & Associates, accidents in the State of California are covered under the laws of negligence. Negligence is basically a legal term that means fault or blame. Under the laws of negligence, you must prove four basic elements in order to be entitled to compensation for your accident. The first element that you must prove is that the defendant owed a duty of care to the plaintiff. The defendant is the person that you believe is responsible for the accident. You are the plaintiff. The relationship between the two of you must have included a duty of care owed to you. This can be shown in many ways. Sometimes, the duty of care is obvious. For instance, if you were the passenger on an airplane – clearly the pilot owed you a duty to be careful flying the plane. In car accidents, the duty of care is often inferred by the simple fact that the other person was operating a vehicle on a public roadway. Each case is fact specific, but must include a duty of care owed to you.

Second, the defendant must have breached that duty of care. Again, sometimes this is obvious. If the defendant was driving while intoxicated for instance, they have clearly breached the duty of care. Other times, it is not so obvious. In the case of products that have caused injuries, it may take months or even years to determine who was responsible for breaching the duty of care, but is the product was defective then SOMEONE breached the duty. Airplane accidents can also take a substantial amount of investigating to determine the reason for the accident. Once the reason has been determined, your lawyer will have a better idea of who was responsible for breaching the duty of care.

The third element necessary for a negligence claim is that the defendant’s breach caused your injuries. The last element is that you show damages. “Damages” is the legal terms used to describe injuries. Damages can refer to property damages as well as physical and emotional injuries.

Once all four of these elements have been met, you and your lawyer are ready to file a personal injury accident lawsuit and recover the compensation that you are entitled to for the injuries that you suffered. If you have been injured in a California accident, then the responsible party is required to compensate you under the laws of negligence in the State of California.

For more information, or to schedule a free detailed evaluation of you accident case, please contact accident lawyer Emery Ledger of Ledger & Associates at 1-800-300-0001 or visit him online at www.ledgerlaw.com.

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Airplane Accident Lawyer

Monday, June 28th, 2010

If you have personally been the victim of a California airplane accident, or have lost a loved one to an airplane accident, then you are probably aware of the need to ascertain the services of a qualified and experienced California airplane accident lawyer. Finding the right lawyer can be a frustrating and time consuming process. While choosing a lawyer can be a highly personal decision and may be based on a number of individual criterion, there are a few things that you may want to consider to help you make the right choice.

1. Decide what type of lawyer you are looking for. This may seem like an obvious point, but lawyers generally specialize in one or two areas of the law. While any lawyer that is licensed to practice is technically allowed to handle an airplane accident case, wouldn’t it make more sense to choose a lawyer that handles nothing but accident cases? Therefore, when you are making your list of possible lawyers, make sure you ask what type of cases they handle and what percentage are injury cases.
2. Ask for referrals. This is frequently the best source for information on a lawyer. Ask friends, relatives or people you work with whether they have ever used the services of an accident lawyer. First hand experience can be an invaluable insight into the service you can expect to receive from a lawyer.
3. Search the Internet. These days, almost everything can be found on the Internet. Most lawyers have websites that can give you an overview of who they are and what type of cases they handle. You may also be able to find information about how long they have been practicing, where their offices are located and get a feel for what their philosophy of practice is just by spending a few minutes perusing their website.
4. Narrow your list. Once you have spoken to friends and relatives and spent some time looking over websites, narrow down your list to three to five potential lawyers in your area. Make calls to them and find out if they offer free consultations and make an appointment to meet with them in person.
5. Prepare for your consultation. Again, this may seem obvious, but many people leave a lawyers office and realize they forgot to ask some of the most important questions. Prepare a list before hand and make sure you get all the answers you seek. Ask the lawyer how long they have been practicing, how many trials they have done and what their success rate has been for starters. Feel free to ask anything else that applies to your specific circumstances. You only get one chance at a first meeting so make it count.

Once you have done all of the above, you should be in a better position to make a decision regarding who you wish to hire to represent you in your California airplane accident case. If you are looking for a lawyer and would like a free detailed evaluation of your case, please make an appointment with the airplane accident law firm of Ledger & Associates. They can be reached by calling 1-800-300-0001 or visit them online at www.ledgerlaw.com

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Helicopter Accident Lawyer Discusses Helicopter Accidents

Sunday, June 27th, 2010

With the increase in the number of vehicles on the roadways and the increasing need to get from one place to another in a hurry, helicopters have become a popular mode of transportation. A busy executive can get from one side of Los Angeles to the other in just minutes versus a two hour commute on the interstate. In addition, pleasure rides on helicopters have become a fun and unique way to see the coastline or the vineyards of Napa Valley in California. Unfortunately, with the increase in helicopter travel, has come an increase in helicopter accidents.

Helicopters are complex machines that can operate where no other type of aviation machine can. With the exception of super high tech military aircraft, helicopters are the only aircraft that can fly vertically. This makes them invaluable in the confines of a large city. Only a helicopter can take off and land off of the top of a high rise on downtown Los Angeles. Additionally, making room for a private helicopter pad on your property requires far less room than a private runway for even the smallest airplane. It is no wonder that we have seen an increase in helicopter travel. Sadly, when a helicopter crashes, the consequences can be tragic – even fatal.

Due to the complex nature of these incredible machines, they require an expert pilot to operate them and a regular maintenance schedule to find any potential mechanical issues that could lead to an accident. Statistics tell us that the accident rate for helicopter travel is as much as 30% higher than that for general aviation accidents. However, as in general aviation accidents, the most common cause of helicopter accidents is pilot or human error. Mechanical failure comes in as the second most common cause for helicopter accidents. Weather can play a more critical part in helicopter accidents than it does in general aviation accidents as helicopters are more susceptible to weather issues than a large airplane. Where a commercial jet may not be affected by strong winds, a helicopter can lose control fast resulting in an accident.

When a helicopter accident happens, the results can be life altering for the victims and their families. If you have been the victim of a California airplane accident, you may have legal options. Under the laws of the State of California, helicopter accidents are considered a type of personal injury and as such the victims may be entitled to compensation for their injuries. If the pilot, the manufacturer of the helicopter or the owner of the helicopter were at fault – in whole or in part – then you may have a valid California helicopter accident case. If someone was negligent and that negligence caused or contributed to the accident, you may be entitled to compensation for your hospital and medical bills, lost time from work, property damage and pain and suffering.

To find out whether you have a valid California helicopter accident case, contact California helicopter accident lawyer Emery Ledger of Ledger & Associates at 1-800-300-0001 or visit him online at www.ledgerlaw.com.

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