May 13, 2012--Riverside, CA--A 58-year-old Guatemalan native woman was hit by a police cruiser while crossing the street early Sunday morning and has since died of her injuries.

According to KABC, Isabel Pablo Tomas was residing in Riverside near her sons, one of whom owns a local business.  She was apparently attempting to cross Madison and Emerald Street early Sunday morning when a police cruiser struck her, throwing her body to the other side of the intersection.  She died later that day in the hospital.

The Riverside Police Department is investigating the crash but will not release any information at this time.  Witnesses state that the police cruiser was not displaying lights or siren when the accident took place.  The officer driving has not yet been identified.

The sons of the victim have stated that they believe the Riverside car accident was a mistake and not the result of deliberate carelessness.

My heartfelt condolences go out to the Tomas family on this terrible loss.

Accident Statistics

According to an article in USA Today, a pedestrian is killed in traffic every 110 minutes in the United States.   The elderly are especially prone to death in crosswalks, with 36 percent of all crosswalk pedestrian deaths being people 70 years or older.  The Federal Highway Administration, in response to these statistics, has suggested that crosswalk lights be timed to allow a 15 percent increase in the amount of time pedestrians have to cross safely before the light changes.  It is hoped that this will accommodate slower-moving elderly pedestrians and help decrease the incidents of injury and fatality among this group.

What Happened In This Accident

This accident is disturbing for several reasons.  First, it happened in broad daylight, not at night when pedestrian accidents are most common due to reduced visibility.  Second, the police officer was not racing to a crime scene, as evidenced by the lack of lights and sirens.  Finally, the reluctance of the police department to release any information about the accident suggests that there may be facts about the case they would prefer not to be made public.

Liability Issues

It would be advisable for a Riverside personal injury attorney to talk to the family of this victim and investigate the facts of the accident so that there is no chance of a cover-up by officials protecting a fellow officer and to inform the victim’s family of their rights under personal injury law.

Woman Dies After Being Hit By Police Car is a post from: Personal Injury Lawyers News

May 7, 2012--San Bernardino, CA--A 48-year-old female passenger on the back of a motorcycle is dead after a motorcycle accident in San Bernardino, California yesterday, according to the San Bernardino Sun.

The victim's name has not been released, but California Highway Patrol officers, who are investigating the accident, say that it appears that Thomas Donohoe, of Hemet, CA, was riding a motorcycle when he lost control, throwing the female passenger from the back.

Donohoe had on a safety-approved helmet, although his passenger was wearing only a "novelty" helmet that did not meet safety requirements set by the Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards. CHP officers suggested that this lack of proper headgear contributed to the passenger’s death.

On further investigation, CHP stated that Donohoe had only an instructional motorcycle permit. This would prevent him from carrying passengers legally.

My sincere condolences go out to the victim’s family on this tragic loss.

Accident Statistics

According to the Federal Highway Traffic Safety Administration, at least 5,200 people die each year in motorcycle-related crashes. Safety groups estimate that helmet use prevents 37 percent of fatalities for motorcycle riders and 41 percent of fatalities for passengers. These figures are based on projections derived from the number of passengers and riders killed while both wearing and not wearing helmet protection.

What Happened In This Accident

The California Highway Patrol has not finished its preliminary investigation of the accident, but officials have stated that they believe the rider lost control of his motorcycle. They do not give a reason for this loss of control, although speeding or obstructions in the road are likely factors. The flinging of the passenger from the motorcycle is a common occurrence seen in motorcycle accidents in which there is a passenger on the back of the vehicle.

Liability Issues

If the facts turn out to be as they were presented in the CHP's initial report, it is likely that the motorcycle operator will be held liable for the death of the passenger. However, there could definitely be mitigating circumstances that might change this picture. For example, if someone dropped a load of debris in the road just prior to the accident and left it there, and the motorcycle operator swerved to avoid it, it is possible that the person who left the debris could be liable. A professional personal injury attorney should examine the facts of the case as they emerge and make a recommendation about liability factors.

San Bernardino Motorcycle Crash Leaves One Dead is a post from: Personal Injury Lawyers News

Bus accidents are complicated personal injury cases because so many people and organizations may be involved in a relatively simply crash. Even if only one victim and one driver is involved, there can still be complicated liability issues in any bus accident.

This is because buses not only travel both short and long distances and on both urban and rural roads, but they may often be owned, maintained, and driven by different people or companies. This means that the liability issues can be very tangled, and finding the right court of jurisdiction for the case may be similarly difficult. Imagine a case in which a bus driver strikes a pedestrian in San Bernardino County, but the bus is owned by a company in Los Angeles County and the driver is a contracted employee of a company in Orange County. You can quickly see that liability and jurisdictional questions can arise immediately and may be difficult to answer.

California bus accident lawyers help victims make sense of the complicated legal issues surrounding bus accidents. No matter who is involved in the accident, the victim’s injuries still require medical treatment, and the victim may have both physical and psychological damage to deal with. Further, the victim may miss work because of these injuries or may be prohibited from engaging in normal activities. It is also possible that the victim may require ongoing care to fully recover from these injuries for an extended period of time.

Bus accident attorneys in California enable victims to concentrate on recovery instead of the problems associated with settling a bus accident case. Bus accident lawyers evaluate a victim’s case, including all of the possible injuries and damages that have or may occur, and give the victim a professional opinion on the value of the case. In many instances, this is a far higher figure than the amount the victim may have anticipated, because most victims do not realize all the items that can be counted in a suit for damages. Armed with this information, bus accident victims are better able to make a good decision about the pursuit of their personal injury cases.

If you have suffered injuries in a bus accident, it is important for you to talk to a professional bus accident attorney immediately. You should definitely talk to a bus accident lawyer before you attempt any type of negotiation for the settlement of your case to determine how much your case is actually worth.

What is My California Bus Accident Case Worth? is a post from: Personal Injury Lawyers News

April 30, 2012--Willowbrook, CA--The driver involved in a serious hit-and-run that put a seven-year-old girl in the hospital and killed her father remains unidentified, according to Los Angeles County officials.

Victim Anjelica Arreola was rushed to Long Beach Memorial Hospital after the car accident in Los Angeles, where she remains in a coma.

The accident took place Friday when Arreola was walking to school with her father, Jose Arreola. As they attempted to cross Santa Ana Boulevard near Willowbrook, a white Escalade struck the pair, killing Mr. Arreola instantly. Anjelica was taken to the hospital and treated for traumatic head injuries. The wife and mother of the two was on the scene and states that the father attempted to save the child's life by getting her out of the path of the car.

The driver was described as a Latino man wearing a white shirt and gold necklace. The driver fled west on Santa Ana with damage to the right front fender of the car. Authorities are asking anyone with information about the driver to contact Los Angeles County officials immediately.
My sincere condolences go out to the Arreola family on this double tragedy, and my heartfelt wishes that someone will step forward and identify the driver as soon as possible.

Accident Statistics

Pedestrians make up about 11 percent of vehicle fatalities, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. Many of these accidents involve hit-and-run scenarios like the one in this situation. Alcohol is believed to be a factor in many pedestrian accidents, especially those involving hit-and-run drivers.

What Happened In This Accident

Witnesses stated that excessive speed contributed to this accident, and neighbors have complained that traffic on Santa Ana Boulevard is often traveling too fast for conditions, especially near a school zone. The neighbors have petitioned authorities for a stop light at this intersection, although no plans for one are forthcoming.

Liability Issues

While the driver is almost certainly liable for the injuries sustained by the father and child in this accident, it is possible that the city also has some liability in this issue. If, as neighbors state, they have been asking for some time that the city investigate the speeding conditions at this intersection and the city has not done so, it is very possible that a professional personal injury attorney in Los Angeles could make a case for liability on the part of the city. The facts remain unclear at this point, but the case certain bears investigation.

Source: http://abclocal.go.com/kabc

Seven-year-old Girl in Coma, Father Dead, After Hit and Run is a post from: Personal Injury Lawyers News

Under the Fair Labor Standards Act or FLSA, employees may sue employers for a variety of disputes involving pay and hours worked. Orange County wage and hour attorneys work with these victims to help them recover compensation for unfair wage and hour practices. How do you know if you have a case of this type? There are several indicators that you may have a valid wage and hour case and should speak to a professional employment attorney immediately.

1) Unpaid wages. If you have been promised pay for work performed but have not yet been paid, it is possible you have a wage and hour case. This could include paychecks that were never delivered or a changing of your time sheet to indicate that you did not work hours that were in fact worked for your employer. Unpaid wages may include pay for your regular work hours or, more commonly, unpaid wages at a standard overtime rate for hours worked beyond your normal working scheduled.

2) Off-the-clock work. If you have been asked to work without “clocking in” and were not given credit for the hours work, you may have a valid wage and hour claim. It is against the law for employers to require employees to work "off the clock," although this does happen frequently.

3) Unpaid meal or rest periods. According to both federal and state laws, employers are required to give you breaks during the work day. Some of these breaks are required to be “paid” breaks during which you continue to earn your hourly wage; some can be given as "unpaid" breaks, during which you are generally required to clock out. If you have been required to clock out for all your breaks during an eight-hour day, it is possible you

4) Unlawful commission deductions. If you are being paid on commission, there are laws that govern how much your employer can deduct from your pay for various expenses. If you believe that your employer has violated these laws, you should talk to a wage and hour attorney immediately.

5) Unpaid reimbursements for uniforms and other job-related expenses. Many of your costs as the employee of a company are required by law to be reimbursed by your employer, including uniforms and other expenses necessary for your job. Refusal of your employer to pay these expenses can result in a violation of wage and hour law.

Wage and hour lawyers in Orange County will help you determine if you are the victim of a wage and hour violation and take steps to recover your expenses or unpaid wages.

How Do You Know if You Have An Orange County Wage and Hour Case? is a post from: Personal Injury Lawyers News

There are very specific state and federal laws that govern wage and hour issues, yet every day employees’ rights are violated in this regard. Why are there so many wage and hour cases if the law is so clear? Sometimes it is because employers are simply unaware of the laws, but in many cases the employers are simply trying to get more work from employees for less money. In either case, employers are bound by law to pay employees a fair wage and to create a safe and fair work environment. If your rights have been violated in the workplace, Irvine wage and hour lawyers are here to help.

Minimum wage is set by both federal and state law. While there is a federal minimum wage standard, there are also local minimum wage laws that might force your employer to pay you more than the federal standard. For example, in San Francisco, local minimum wage is set by law at a level higher than the federal minimum wage. However, employers may count on employees being uninformed in this area and might try to pay an employee less than the minimum wage.

In most cases, however, employers comply with the minimum wage laws but attempt to get extra work out of employees without extra pay. In general, employers are required to pay time and a half for anything over 40 hours per week, although there are exceptions to this rule. Many employers attempt to deny employees the extra compensation they have earned, resulting in a wage and hour violation.

Other areas that fall under the wage and hour standards are costs of employment such as uniforms and equipment. In general, if an employer requires employees to wear a particular uniform or use specific equipment, the employer must provide these things free of charge to employees. When an employer forces employees to pay for such items, the employer may be guilty of a wage and hour violation, as well.

Wage and hour attorneys in Irvine help employees to understand their rights under the law and collect compensation for wage and hour violations. If you have been the victim of a wage and hour problem and you have been unable to get your employer to resolve the situation, it may be time to talk to a professional wage and hour lawyer about your situation. An expert in wage and hour law can explain your rights and help you recover the money you are owed.

Where Should You Look After a Wage and Hour Dispute? is a post from: Personal Injury Lawyers News

A slip-and-fall accident can cause serious injury that may make a significant impact on your life. Many times, these types of accidents occur at stores and retail locations. Under New Jersey law, property owners have a responsibility to make sure that their property is safe and free of any dangers that could result in injury. This includes things such as maintaining not just the interior of their store but also the parking lot and outside areas. If you or someone you love has been injured in a store speak with skilled NJ personal injury lawyers today to find out your legal rights and options.

What Causes Slip-and-Fall Accidents in Stores?

There can be a variety of factors that contribute to a fall including:

• Wet floors
• Spilled liquids or foods on the floor
• Broken or hanging items
• Ice or snow on outside property
• Damaged or uneven floors
• Falling items that were not stored properly
• Pot holes in parking lots

These are all hazards that should have been addressed before they caused injury, and the store may be liable when they failed to ratify the dangers.

What Should I Do Following a Fall?

When you are a victim of a slip-and-fall accident there are several steps you should take to ensure that the responsible parties are held accountable for their actions. Following these steps are key should you decide to file a personal injury claim.

1. Report the incident to the store manager
2. In addition to filing an accident report with the store, you should also make sure the police are called so that they can file a report as well.
3. Seek medical attention. The types of injuries that are typically seen in slip-and-falls may not present themselves immediately so it is imperative that you are examined even if you do not think your injuries are severe.
4. If you are not too injured to do so, take down the names, contact information, and statements from any witnesses. Also, if you can, take photos of the scene specifically noting anything on the floor that caused your fall.
5. Following your accident and initial treatment, keep a daily journal of your injuries and pain levels. Make note of any daily activities that you are unable or are having difficulty performing. You may not decide to file a claim immediately, but if you do these notes will prove useful to your case.

The importance of seeking medical treatment cannot be stressed enough. Failure to properly treat your injuries can result in further aggravation of the initial injury. With injuries that are seen with slip-and-falls it could be weeks or even a month before you experience symptoms, which is why you need to be treated as soon as possible.

If you or someone you love has been a victim of a slip-and-fall at a store you should contact experienced New Jersey injury lawyers. Together they will assist you with determining fault as well as ensuring that you are properly compensated for your accident.

How to Protect Yourself Following a Slip-and-Fall Accident is a post from: Personal Injury Lawyers News

When one thinks of a personal injury lawsuit their mind may first envision an adult that was wrongfully injured who is now seeking compensation for those injuries. However, despite the stigma to believe that all lawsuits involve only adults, children are largely affected by personal injury each year and also have rights to be properly compensated. If your child has been injured in an accident speak with qualified personal injury attorneys in Atlantic County today.

Unintentional Injury and Death in Children Under 14

SafeKids.org reported that in 2009 6,178,000 children under the age of 14 suffered nonfatal, unintentional injuries that needed to be treated in an emergency care facility. In 2008 there were 4,643 children under 14 who died as a result of unintentional injuries. The leading cause of these deaths was motor vehicle accidents. It may surprise many to learn that motor vehicle accidents are in fact the leading cause of death in individuals aged one to 49.

Also, the leading cause of the nonfatal, unintentional injuries in children was unintended falls. These falls could range from falling off of a high surface to slipping at a store. When the injury to your child was the direct result of someone else's negligent actions your child may be entitled to compensation.

The website cited several ways in which these deaths and injuries could be prevented including making safety devices more easily attainable and less of a financial burden. Another way in which these accidents can be prevented is by educating yourself on the risks and dangers facing your child and putting measures in place to reduce that risk. This can be something as simple as storing your cleaning supplies in a locked or high cabinet or ensuring that your child is properly supervised while in a private or community pool.

The Numbers

In 2008 unintentional deaths in children occurred in the following ways:

• 1,350:Motor vehicle accidents
• 1,294:Choking or suffocation
• 745:Drowning
• 366:Fire/burn related
• 269:Pedestrian accidents
• 94:Poisoning
• 91:Falls
• 84:Bicycle accidents

While in most cases these types of injuries have declined compared with the data from 1987 they are still too high. We are making progress, but in instances such as preventing choking and suffocation we are failing. In 1987 there were a reported 690 children who died and that has increased nearly 88 percent since to almost 1,300.

As parents, we have an obligation to protect our children from unintentional injury or death. While we can take safety measures on our own end, we cannot control the negligent actions of others. When someone’s blatant disregard for the safety of others leaves your child injured speak with skilled New Jersey child injury lawyers to ensure that justice is served.

Personal Injury Does Not Exclusively Affect Adults is a post from: Personal Injury Lawyers News

Should you ever become involved in a car accident, you should seek the advice of an experienced and local North Kingstown car accident attorney. Car accidents can cause life-changing injuries that can result in long-term physical problems. Hiring an experienced North Kingstown attorney can be the difference between being properly compensated and "made whole" or being made a victim twice.

Our law firm provides every client with a personal attorney-client experience; designed to get you the complete compensation for your injuries, while counseling you during the course of your case, making sure you understand everything that is going. We have serviced thousands of satisfied clients and we have gotten them excellent settlements or awards on their personal injury cases. Call (401) 490-4332 to talk to our attorneys in North Kingstown to find out what your options are.

Get Free Consultations, No Fee Until Your Case Settles

The fact is, if you drive in a city and if you become the victim of a car accident, an experienced North Kingstown accident injury lawyer is what you need the most. Initial consultations are typically free and we charge a third of your settlement award. So if you are concerned about fees, we are always paid on a contingency fee basis, so you pay no fees unless the car accident attorney settles your case out of court or obtains an aware at arbitration or in court.

Don't Try to Handle A Serious Injury Case Yourself

Most knowledgeable North Kingstown personal injury lawyers would tell you never to handle your case alone. That’s because insurance companies look out for their interests, not yours. Insurance adjusters, investigators, and insurance company lawyers will do what they can to save the insurance company money by paying you the least amount of money they can.

Put a Skilled Attorney on Your Side

An experienced North Kingstown car accident advocate will argue your case for you. Our attorneys possess the skills, experience and dedication to guide you through the process of dealing with the insurance company. They are familiar with local insurance and liability laws, and our firm has the resources to prepare a strong case on your behalf. Our highly skilled and experienced car accident attorneys, paralegals and staff will work hard to ensure you get all the compensation you deserve.

Our North Kingstown office services clients in the following areas: East Greenwich, West Greenwich, Exeter, Narragansett, South Kingstown, Richmond, Hopkinton, Point Judith, Wakefield, Charlestown, Hope Valley, Wyoming, Rockville and surrounding areas.

Local Office

d'Oliveira & Associates
7293 Post Road,
North Kingstown, RI 02852
(401) 490-4332

North Kingstown Car Accident Lawyers is a post from: Personal Injury Lawyers News

Have you been the victim of a personal injury?  Personal injuries take many forms and vary in seriousness from slight injuries to fatal injuries.  The spectrum of personal injury is so large that no one who is not trained to assess personal injury cases on a professional basis can hope to arrive at a reasonable sum for damages.  Instead of guessing how much your case is worth, consult professionals such as Riverside personal injury lawyers to get the facts about the damages to which you are entitled.

Personal injury attorneys in Riverside usually begin the assessment of a personal injury case by interviewing the victim.  This is an important meeting that allows the personal injury lawyer to assess the victim’s extent of injuries and compile facts about the other damages sustained in the case.  Depending on the nature of the accident, there may be personal property damage involved, such as when a car is damaged in an accident and must be repaired.  You may also have suffered physical damages that garner both medical payments and compensation for pain and suffering.  It is also possible that there will be other damages to seek such as lost income from work you missed due to your accident.  You may be entitled to payments for child care while you visit the doctor and other incidental expenses.

Once your personal injury attorney has compiled all the facts and figures of the case, it is time to plan a course of action.  Most personal injury lawyers begin by contacting the at-fault party’s representatives.  Usually this is another lawyer or an insurance company.  At this point, the negotiation process begins.  The personal injury attorney will discuss the case with the opposing side and try to reach an agreement for settlement.  Most personal injury cases are settled out of court because it pays both sides to avoid a lengthy and expensive trial where the outcome is uncertain.  However, some cases simply must be taken to court due to the extreme nature of the damages or the unwillingness of the opposing side to negotiate.  If your case does go to court, your personal injury lawyer will represent you and plead your case before a judge or jury.

Once your case has been resolved, your personal injury attorney will help you collect the damages you have been awarded.  These damages may include a variety of payments to you and others, but having a personal injury attorney means that the responsibility for collecting and distributing these sums will be shared with someone else and you will not have to do all this work alone.

Riverside Personal Injury Lawyers is a post from: Personal Injury Lawyers News