Posts Tagged ‘bus’
Thursday, June 24th, 2010
If you have been involved in an accident in the State of California, you may be deciding whether or not to hire a lawyer to represent you in your case. Accident cases come in many forms from care accident to airplane accidents and nursing home abuse to mesothelioma lawsuits. All of these are considered negligence cases in the State of California and all may be entitled to compensation. If you have been the victim of someone else’s negligence in the State of California, you may be entitled to compensation for the injuries you have suffered. So what exactly does an accident lawyer do and how can they help you in your accident case?
A California accident lawyer actually wears many hats so to speak. The first thing that he will do for you is become your voice throughout your entire case. You will no longer need to talk to anyone about your case. Your accident lawyer will immediately open up a dialogue with the insurance company, your medical providers and the courts. The only time you will need to speak to anyone about your case is with your lawyer by your side protecting your interests. This can lift a huge burden off your back and allow you to focus on taking care of yourself and healing.
Your accident lawyer will also aggressively investigate your accident case in an attempt to determine who was responsible for your injuries. This investigation may take a prolonged period of time and may require the assistance of experts that you may not have access to yourself. Your accident lawyer knows what to look for in an accident case and how to find it based on the yeas of experience he has had investigating accident cases.
Your accident lawyer will also help you locate the medical care that you need in order to heal. Many times, victims are unable to locate a medical provider that will work with them if they are not insured. An accident lawyer may be able to help you with this problem if you are faced with it.
Most importantly, your accident lawyer will fight for the compensation that you deserve for the injuries that you have suffered. Your California accident lawyer knows how the legal system works and how to get the maximum amount of compensation possible for you. Many times, the physical injuries you received in an accident are just the tip of the iceberg. You may also have suffered emotional or psychological injuries as well. Additionally, injuries that may not appear to be severe at the moment may continue to cause you problems for years to come. You are entitled to be compensated for ALL your injuries – even those that cannot be seen or that have yet to be seen.
If you have any additional questions about what your California accident lawyer can do for you, please feel free to schedule a free and detailed consultation with California accident lawyer Emery Ledger of Ledger & Associates. He can be reached at 1-800-300-0001 or online at www.ledgerlaw.com.
Tags: accident, accident case, accident cases, accident lawyer, accidents, airplane, airplane accident, airplane accidents, assistance, bus, california accident lawyer, compensation, consultation, emery, emery ledger, insurance, insurance company, juries, law, lawsuit, lawsuits, lawyer, Ledger, ledgerlaw.com, Negligence, negligence cases
Posted in Auto Accident Lawyer | No Comments »
Monday, June 7th, 2010
Each year millions of our parents, grandparents, aunts, uncles and family loved ones are victimized by the very people that are entrusted with their care. Nursing home abuse is far more prevalent than most of us would like to think. Exact statistics are very difficult to come by showing the number of citizens aged 65 and older that are exploited, abused, neglected or mistreated each year in the United States but even the most conservative estimates put that number at over one million. Some experts estimate that for every one incidence of elder abuse that is actually reported, there may be as many as five that go unreported. Much like the victims of child abuse, victims of elder abuse may be afraid of reprisals if they report the abuse or may be in a deteriorating mental state and unaware of the abuse that they are suffering. Elder abuse can happen anywhere, in any setting, and be perpetrated by any type of caregiver. Sadly, the nursing homes that we depend on to take care of our elderly loved ones are one of the most common settings for elder abuse.
For most of us, the decision to put an elderly relative in a nursing home is not an easy one. Weeks, months, even years can be spent debating what to do with an aging relative. Many people choose to bring the relative to live with them only to find that they can’t give them the attention and security that they need in their twilight years. Taking care of an elderly loved one can be physically, emotionally and financially draining. Even with the best of intentions, many people eventually come to the conclusion that they must put their elderly loved one in the care of a nursing home. The idea, of course, is that they will be safe, secure and comfortable in a nursing home. You have been assured that their health will be monitored on a daily basis, they will be able to interact and socialize with other seniors and all their practical concerns will be attended to by the staff at the nursing home. Ideally, this is how a nursing home works. Sadly, sometimes instead of treating our loved ones with the care and respect they deserve, they are mistreated, neglected and even abused in the nursing home that was entrusted with their care.
So what can you do if you suspect that your loved one has been mistreated, neglected or abused by the staff at a nursing home? There are a number of government agencies that are involved in the regulation and investigation of nursing homes. In California, you can call the Adult Protective Services for the county that your loved one resides in, as well as contacting the California Long Term Care Ombudsman. If you feel that legal action is warranted, you may be able to file a lawsuit against the nursing home for injuries that your loved one has suffered. For more information on your legal rights and options, contact the California elder abuse law firm of Ledger & Associates. Attorney Emery Ledger has been fighting for victim’s rights in California for over a decade. He can be reached for a free detailed evaluation of your case at 1-800-300-0001 or visit him online at www.ledgerlaw.com.
Tags: attorney, attorney emery ledger, bus, california attorney, emery, emery ledger, Ledger, ledgerlaw.com, neglect, nursing home abuse, nursing home neglect, nursing homes
Posted in Nursuing Home Abuse | Elder Abuse | No Comments »
Wednesday, May 26th, 2010
In the recent decades, much has been done to shed light on the prevalence of child abuse and domestic violence. While we would all agree that the efforts to bring the abuse of innocent and vulnerable women and children to the attention of the country, there is still one segment of the population that continues to suffer abuse and neglect at an alarming rate. Abuse and neglect of the elderly has reached epidemic proportions by most experts’ estimates. Due to the huge percentage of incidents of abuse and neglect that go unreported, exact figures are hard to come by, but estimates put the number of Americans over the age of 65 that are abused or neglected each year at over one million. Considering the fact that our senior citizen population continues to grow, we can expect that number to grow as well unless something is done to protect them.
The percentage of the population in the United States that is age 65 or older has tripled in the last one hundred years. Thanks to longer life expectancies, better medical care and a generally better standard of living, many of us are living well into our 80’s and 90’s and beyond. This should be wonderful news. Unfortunately, for some, it creates another segment of the population to exploit. As out grandparents and then out parents get older, we are faced with decisions regarding their care. For those that are lucky enough to have the time, money and resources to care for an elderly loved one at home, the decision is easy. For others that are forced to seek outside help to care for an aging loved one, the decision can be heart wrenching and difficult. The options are endless for care of the elderly – family caregivers, private nurse caregivers, retirement homes and nursing homes are all options for the care of the elderly. But what if you suspect that your loved one is not getting the care that they need and deserve? The very vulnerabilities that require them to need care in the first place are also what make them easy prey for caregivers to abuse, mistreat or neglect our loved ones.
Signs of physical abuse may be easier to spot then signs of neglect, but make no mistake that neglect of the elderly can have tragic consequences as well. That old saying that tells us “If something doesn’t seem right – it probably isn’t” truly applies in these situations. Elder neglect can come in a variety of forms. Examples include: failure to provide necessary medications or over medication sedate the patient; failure to bathe the patient or provide clean linens or clothing; failure to provide sufficient exercise for the patient; insufficient nutrition; and failure to contact family or medical personnel when needed or requested. If you suspect that your loved one is being neglected, you may want to contact the facilities’ supervisor, the caregiver’s supervisor in the case of a private nurse or the Adult Protective Services in your area. If none of these solutions solve the problem, or if you still feel that legal action is necessary, then you should contact a California elder abuse attorney. Neglect may rise to the level of legal negligence and therefore can be the basis for a civil lawsuit to recoup damages for the injuries your loved one has suffered. For a free detailed evaluation of you California elder neglect case, please contact the law firm of Ledger & Associates. For over a decade, attorney Emery ledger has been fighting for the rights of victims. He can be reached at 1-800-300-0001 or at www.ledgerlaw.com
Tags: abuse and neglect, attorney, attorney emery ledger, bus, california attorney, emery, emery ledger, juries, law, lawsuit, Ledger, ledgerlaw.com, neglect, Negligence, nursing home, nursing homes, options, physical abuse, signs of neglect
Posted in Nursuing Home Abuse | Elder Abuse | No Comments »
Wednesday, May 19th, 2010
Americans are living longer than in years past. While this should be good news, sadly, it has also led to an increase in elder abuse. According to the latest census, about 13% of the United States population is age 65 or older. Compare that figure to just 4% of the population being in the 65 or older age group in 1900. With advances in medicine and better health, diet and exercise habits, many seniors are self-sufficient well into their twilight years. For those that do eventually need help, whether it’s as simple as a weekly visit from a caregiver or around the clock care in a nursing home, studies show us that they are extremely vulnerable to abuse and neglect.
America’s senior citizens are our parents, grandparents, aunts and uncles. They may have been pioneers in their field or simply dedicated and hard workers during their lifetime. Regardless, they deserve to spend their twilight years without worrying that someone will take advantage of them or abuse them. They deserve our respect. Unfortunately, for many, instead they become the victim of elder abuse. Elder abuse can take many forms. Elder abuse can strike in the form of financial abuse, physical abuse, emotional abuse or neglect. Estimates are that between one and two million Americans over the age of 65 have been mistreated or abused by a caregiver. Exact figures are very hard to come by because incidents of elder abuse frequently go unreported. Experts think that there may be as many as ten times more cases of elder abuse than those that are reported.
The main reason that elder abuse is so under-reported is that they are such a vulnerable population. Many seniors are terrified to say anything about abuse that they are suffering for fear of retaliation. If they are financially or physically dependent on the caregiver that is abusing them, then they may be scared to say anything for fear of making the situation worse. Additionally, many seniors suffer from mental conditions that make communicating difficult. Those that abuse elders take advantage of these situations and count on the victim to remain silent. Elder abuse can happen in long-term care facilities, retirement homes, hospitals or by private caregivers or even family members.
Abuse of the elderly is a crime in the State of California and the perpetrator can be arrested and charged with a variety of charges depending on the abuse involved. Elder abuse can also lead to civil lawsuits in the form of negligence claims or even wrongful death lawsuits. If you suspect that someone you know aged 65 or older-whether it’s a family member or friend- is being abused in any way, report your suspicions to the proper authorities immediately. If you believe that your loved one has been physically injured as a result of the neglect or abuse or that a loved one’s death was the result of abuse or neglect, you may also have the basis for a California personal injury lawsuit or wrongful death lawsuit.
If you would like more information about your legal options if you feel that a loved one has been the victim of elder abuse, please contact California elder abuse attorney Emery Ledger of Ledger & Associates at 1-800-300-0001 or visit him online at www.ledgerlaw.com
Tags: abuse and neglect, attorney, attorney emery ledger, authorities, bus, cat, claim, death lawsuit, dents, emery, emery ledger, emotional abuse, family members, fear, hospitals, injury, law, lawsuit, lawsuits, Ledger, ledgerlaw.com, legal options, neglect, Negligence, negligence claim, nursing home, options, Personal Injury, personal injury law, personal injury lawsuit, physical abuse, senior citizens, state of california, states, suffering, united states, worry, wrongful death, wrongful death law, wrongful death laws, wrongful death lawsuit, wrongful death lawsuits
Posted in Nursuing Home Abuse | Elder Abuse | No Comments »
Wednesday, March 31st, 2010
If you’ve been in an accident with your ride and discovered later that the other guy was an uninsured motorist, this does tend to make things a bit more difficult to collect when it comes to claims. Note I said a little more difficult, “not” impossible. As a motorcycle accident attorney, there are ways to deal with situations like this, and I will discuss them with you if you happen to be in my office because you were involved in a smash up.
Yes, you’re right; driving without car insurance/motorcycle insurance is illegal. However, that doesn’t stop some people from doing just that, hitting the road without insurance. I have seen many cases as a motorcycle accident attorney that just make me shake my head at what some people try to get away with when it comes to operating a vehicle illegally. It’s a privilege to drive, not a right, and those who abuse that by driving without insurance are a menace looking for an accident.
The whole point behind insurance is that it’s designed to protect the owner of the vehicle and others if they are involved in a crash. You don’t need a motorcycle accident attorney to tell you that, as it’s the law of the land and common knowledge and those who opt to not carry insurance are being reckless.
For those that may not be too up on what insurance is supposed to accomplish, it boils down to this: if you are the one who caused the accident (the at fault party) damage is covered by your insurance and this protects you from being sued personally for the accident. On the other hand, if you were in an accident and the “other” driver is the at fault party, their insurance will cover your injuries/damages so you don’t pay out any money or choose to file a lawsuit by hiring a motorcycle accident attorney.
That takes care of two parties who do happen to have insurance. They can generally cover their own damages in a no-fault crash (if applicable) or cover the other person’s damages if they were at fault. When it comes to a motorcycle accident with an uninsured motorist, you could be looking at thousands of dollars in medical expenses and damages to your ride. So what do you do?
My job as a motorcycle accident attorney is to outline that you can have your own insurance pay for your injuries, but you will generally get stuck with having to pay out a lot of out of pocket expenses when you hit your insurance limit. Plus, making a claim on your own insurance, in most instances, causes a hike in your premiums. Rather sounds like being between a rock and a hard place doesn’t it? If you haven’t been in an accident yet…don’t delay….call your insurance agent and make certain you purchase as much uninsured motorist coverage as the agency will sell. Maximize this coverage…it is critical if you are injured by an uninsured driver.
Don’t give up. My experience as a motorcycle accident attorney will serve you well, because even though you can’t file a claim for injuries/damages against the uninsured motorist’s insurance because they don’t have any, you can (and many people have) sue the driver personally. This means a civil lawsuit and this is something a skilled motorcycle accident attorney will handle with ease.
The case would be based on facts that you can prove, that the other driver caused the accident and is therefore liable for your accident related costs. Should the courts agree with the argument, the uninsured motorist is ordered to pay you fair compensation for pain and suffering, property damage, lost wages and medical expenses, etc.
If you’ve been in an accident involving an uninsured driver, come see me and we’ll talk about what we need to do in a situation like this. My years of experience as a motorcycle accident attorney will benefit you in getting fair compensation.
Tags: accident, accident attorney, at fault, attorney, biker, bus, car insurance, claim, compensation, crash, damages, driving without insurance, fault, hitting the road, injury, injury claim, insurance, juries, killed, law, lawsuit, medical expenses, money, motorcycle accident, motorcycle accident attorney, motorcycle insurance, motorists, pain and suffering, suffering, uninsured motorist, vehicle, wages
Posted in Motorcycle Accident Lawyer | No Comments »
Friday, March 12th, 2010
Last week, 46 year old William Detore was killed when his bicycle became entangled beneath a Regional Transit bus in Sacramento, California. Detore was on his bicycle just before 2:00 p.m. last Saturday heading south when the Regional Transit bus collided with him as it approached traveling westbound on L Street. Last month, in Los Angeles, a Metropolitan Transit Authority (MTA) bus collided with a convertible sending three people to the hospital – including a baby. The impact was so strong that the convertible was pushed into a stoplight post. Officials are still investigating each of these accidents to determine exactly what caused them, but one thing is clear – accidents involving city or regional buses happen more often than most of us think. The injuries that are sustained as a result are also frequently serious or fatal. Who is responsible for injuries sustained in an accident with a city bus? What can the victims, or the families of the victims, do when they have been involved in one of these bus accidents?
Bus accidents, like all vehicle accidents, are governed by the laws of negligence. Negligence is basically a legal word meaning “fault”. The four basic elements of negligence are: Duty of care; breach of duty; causation; and damages. All four elements must be proved to prevail in a negligence claim, says California bus accident attorney Emery Ledger of Ledger & Associates. When the driver that was responsible for your accident happens to be driving a city bus, then he may not be the only person – or entity- that was negligent. In states such as California, a system known as comparative negligence is used. What this means is that more than one person – or entity – can share the blame for your accident. If, for instance, the bus that was involved in the collision had faulty brakes, then the bus company – in this case the city – may have been negligent. Another example may be if the city did not complete the proper background investigation on the driver or the driver was under the influence and the city had not administered a recent drug test.
These are just examples of possible ways that the city may be held liable along with the individual driver. Every accident scenario is different and the best way to determine who was responsible for any injuries that you have sustained as the result of a bus accident is to contact an experienced California bus accident attorney. Another thing that you want to keep in mind if you have been the victim of a city bus accident is that unlike other accident claims which usually have a two year statute of limitations, claims against municipalities must be filed within 180 days of the accident. This makes consulting with an experienced California bus accident attorney even more important. If you have been injured then you deserve to be compensated and it would be a shame to lose that right because you missed the deadline to notify the city of your claim.
If you would like an experienced California bus accident attorney to evaluate your case, feel free to contact the law offices of Emery Ledger at Ledger & Associates. He can be reached online at www.ledgerlaw.com or at 1-800-300-0001.
Tags: accident, accident attorney, accident claims, accidents, amp, attorney, brakes, bus, bus accident, bus accident attorney, bus accidents, california bus accident attorney, causation, city bus, claim, comparative negligence, damages, duty of care, elements of negligence, emery, fault, four elements, juries, killed, law, Ledger, Negligence, negligence claim, statute of limitations, transit bus, vehicle, vehicle accident, vehicle accidents
Posted in Bus Accident Attorney | No Comments »
Thursday, March 11th, 2010
Tragic struck last week near Phoenix, Arizona when a charter bus lost control and slammed into an F-150 killing six and injuring sixteen other passengers. Authorities say that the crash occurred around 5:30 a.m. just south of Phoenix on Interstate 10 as the bus was heading to Los Angeles on its way back from Zacatecas, Mexico. The bus was heading west in the right-hand lane when the driver apparently lost control for an as yet unknown reason. He then rear-ended the F-150, veered left into the center median, shot back to the right across the westbound lanes and eventually ended up on the right hand shoulder where is rolled down an embankment causing a number of riders to be ejected from the bus. Including the driver and co-driver, there were a total of twenty-two people on the bus at the time of the accident. Reports say that at least six of the passengers on the bus were California residents.
What makes this accident even more tragic is that it appears as though the bus had been operating illegally for some time. Terre Santa, Inc., the California based company that owns the bus, has acknowledged that they were operating without the proper federal authorization required to operate a charter bus, much less to transport passengers across the U.S.-Mexican border. Among the violations that have been uncovered so far are: defective brakes on more than 20% of the vehicle; no seven day driver’s log for the driver or the co-driver; and the driver himself could not speak or read English. Records indicate that in April of 2009, Tierra Santa, Inc. applied for official authorization from the federal government, but when they were asked for additional documentation failed to provide the requested documents. There application was then denied, however they continued to operate their charter service. The company’s owner, Cayetano Martinez, has reportedly been shut down by federal authorities in the past, but somehow managed to re-open his charter business under a new name.
For the victims and the families of the fatally wounded, there appear to be more questions than answers. How could this company continue to operate, much less across international borders, without having the proper authorization? Who is responsible for compensating the victims in this accident? The investigation into exactly what caused the accident is still ongoing, so it is impossible to determine what the actual cause of the accident was at this time. It is clear, however, that the driver of the bus as well as the company, Tierra Santa, Inc., will likely share the liability for the deaths and injuries. The driver himself may have been negligent, but it appears as though the company was also negligent. A company can be held responsible for negligent acts of its employees under a number of circumstances, according to California bus accident attorney Emery Ledger of Ledger & Associates. For instance, if the bus was not serviced properly, then that may constitute negligence on the part of the company. If the driver was not properly trained, screened or monitored, than that may be considered negligence on the part of the company. The laws of negligence are complicated, but they do allow a victim or a victim’s family to recover from an employer for the negligent acts of its employees under certain circumstances.
If you have been involved in a bus accident, consult with an experienced California bus accident attorney to find out whether you are entitled to compensation for the injuries you have suffered. If you would like an evaluation of your case, contact California bus accident attorney Emery Ledger of Ledger & Associates online at www.ledgerlaw.com or at 1-800-300-0001
Tags: bus, bus accident, bus accident attorney, california residents, cat, charter business, compensation, crash, deaths, emery, juries, law, Ledger, liability, Negligence
Posted in Bus Accident Attorney | No Comments »
