Southern California Accident Blog

Information You Should Know to Keep Your Family Safe in a Southern California Car Accident

Child safety seats and seat belts are crucial when it comes to minimizing the risk of death and serious injury in a Southern California car accident. Read this blog to learn how to protect your family in an auto accident.

Compensation from a Southern California Car Accident

Find out what compensation you could be entitled to following a Southern California car accident. Contact a Santa Monica car accident attorney from our office at (800) 350-8888 for legal advice.

Will the Trucker Texting Ban Impact California Truck Accidents?

President Obama has developed a federal texting ban on truckers. It will be interesting to see the impact on California truck accidents, since our state already has such a restriction in place. If you have been injured in a Southern California semi accident, contact a San Bernardino truck accident attorney at our office at 800-350-8888.

When a Loved One is Killed in a Southern California Car Accident

Losing a loved one in a Southern California car accident can be devastating. It can leave the victim’s dependants wondering what to do. If the accident was caused by negligence by the other driver you can file a wrongful death suit and collect damages. You should contact an experienced Southern California car accident attorney at Steinberg & Spencer at (800) 350-8888.

Deadly Bakersfield Truck Accident Being Investigated

A deadly Bakersfield truck accident is a sad reminder of the immense dangers posed in truck wrecks. Read this blog to learn more about a recent accident involving two trucks in Bakersfield and contact Steinberg & Spencer Injury Lawyers at 1-800-350-8888 for legal advice.

Southern California Car Accidents Claim Too Many Young Lives

The leading cause of death among children and young adults has been identified as car accidents. A Southern California car accident can be deadly to a child. If your child has been injured in an accident, contact an experienced Los Angeles car accident attorney at Steinberg & Spencer at (800) 350-8888.

Many Truckers are Driving with Fraudulent Licenses

Licensing fraud has been identified as a big problem within the trucking industry. Read this blog to find out how a fake commercial license can lead to a serious Los Angeles truck accident.

Have You Ever Heard of the No-Zone Campaign?

Have you ever heard of the No-Zone Campaign? If not, you are probably not a trucker. However, even if you’re not a trucker, as a driver, you need to continue to read this article. It pertains to all those that drive on the Southern California roads and freeways.

Truck accidents can be very serious and in many cases, lead to catastrophic injuries and even death. We are all aware of the dangers that blind spots pose to truckers and other drivers. Over 4,000 people lost their lives in truck accidents in 2008.

The good news is there is something being done to minimize the dangers created by these blind spots. The No-Zone Campaign is a program designed to educate and alert other drivers about the dangerous locations surrounding big trucks. It seems obvious, but we cannot as drivers, assume that a truck driver can see us when we drive along side a truck or attempt to pass it.

Many trucking companies are participating in this campaign by attaching decals on their trucks, as well as conducting seminars. Again, it is important that all drivers are aware of the dangers created by blind spots.

If you or someone you know is has been inured in a Los Angeles, Orange County or Riverside truck accident, you should contact an experienced Los Angeles truck accident attorney at Steinberg & Spencer at (800) 350-8888.

Be Aware of Dangerous Road Conditions

Hazardous road conditions, such as dangerous intersections, sign defects and inadequate warnings, can causes serious car accidents in Orange County or Los Angeles. If you or a loved one has been injured in a Southern California accident, contact Steinberg & Spencer Injury Lawyers today.

Burn Injuries Caused by a Truck Accident Can Lead to Complications

There are many complications associated with burn injuries from truck accidents. Read this blog to learn more and contact a Los Angeles truck accident lawyer at Steinberg & Spencer Injury Lawyers for legal advice regarding your truck accident injuries.

Don’t Discount the Severity of a Broken Leg

A broken leg can be more serious than you may realize. Read this article to learn about the complications associated with a tibia fracture. If you have suffered a leg fracture from a car accident caused by the other driver, contact Steinberg & Spencer Injury Lawyers at 800-350-8888 for a free legal consultation.

Young Drivers' Risky Behavior Can Lead to Deadly Car Accidents

Young drivers are involved in many fatal car accidents every year. Find out more by reading this blog and contact a Los Angeles car accident attorney at Steinberg & Spencer for legal advice if you have been injured in a Southern California accident.

Ways to Avoid a Car Accident During the Holidays

The holidays tend to be accompanied by an increase in car accidents. Read this blog to learn some important safety tips to help you avoid an auto accident.

Driving Drowsy can be Deadly

Drowsy drivers are a serious danger to other people on the road. This blog gives recommendations to avoiding a car accident caused by drowsiness.

Car and Truck Accidents Can Lead to Spinal Cord Compression

Spinal cord compression is a painful condition that often has serious ramifications. If you have been injured in a Los Angeles car or truck accident, you may be entitled to compensation for your injuries.

The Dangers of Improperly Loaded Trucks

Improperly loaded trucks are dangerous and can lead to serious accidents. Contact a Los Angeles truck accident attorney at Steinberg & Spencer Injury Lawyers at (800) 350-8888 if you have been injured in a truck accident in Southern California.

Are You Experiencing Back Pain Caused by a Car Accident?

Back pain can be the indication of a more serious condition. If you have suffered a back injury caused by a car, motorcycle or truck accident, you should contact an experienced Los Angeles accident attorney at Steinberg & Spencer at (800) 350-8888.

How Serious Are Pelvic Injuries?

A pelvic fracture is nothing to take lightly. It is a serious medical condition that can lead to catastrophic complications. Read this article to learn more about pelvic fractures caused by Southern California car accidents.

Cell Phones Can Cause a Serious Driver Distraction

Who doesn’t own a cell phone these days?  It is a rarity to hear about people who don’t use cell phones.  Even though the state of California has enacted laws that ban handheld devices and texting and driving, drivers still use their cell phones on a regular basis - they just use headsets. 

Studies have found that the simple act of talking on a cell phone while driving or looking down to dial, can increase the risk of being involved in a car accident.  One such study was conducted by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) and the Virginia Tech Transportation Institute.  Researchers found that it only took three seconds of being distracted for the chances of being involved in an auto accident to increase.  Dialing a telephone number can easily take your eyes off the road for three seconds.

Some safety experts believe that drivers can get so wrapped up in a telephone conversation that they have trouble concentrating on the road. They may not be capable of recognizing road hazards, as there driving abilities become impaired.

If you have been injured in an Orange County car accident caused by a distracted driver, you may be entitled to compensation for your injuries.  Contact Steinberg & Spencer Injury Lawyers at 800-350-8888 for more information about your legal rights as an accident victim.

Aggressive Drivers Cause Deadly Auto Accidents

We can all probably admit to participating in aggressive driving at one point or another.  Tailgating, speeding, running red lights, not allowing other cars to pass and weaving in and out of traffic are all considered forms of aggressive driving.  The AAA’s Foundation for Traffic Safety defines aggressive driving as “any unsafe driving behavior, performed deliberately and with ill intention or disregard for safety.”

Aggressive driving is one of the top safety concerns for drivers and rightly so.  A study by AAA discovered that aggressive driving was a factor in 56 percent of the fatal auto accidents reviewed by researchers. 

In Los Angeles, Orange County and throughout Southern California, traffic jams are a common occurrence, but often lead drivers to become stressed and anxious to get to their destinations.  This feeling of anxiety can cause motorists to drive aggressively, which puts other people on the road in danger.

If you have been hurt in a Los Angeles auto accident caused by an aggressive driver, you can and should hold that person accountable.  You should contact an experienced Los Angeles car accident attorney who can explain your legal rights and go over your options to pursue compensation for your injuries.  If your case is successful, you may be able to recover damages for medical expenses, lost income, pain and suffering, mental anguish and more.  Contact Steinberg & Spencer Injury Lawyers at 800-350-8888 for legal advice.

San Diego Truck Accidents Cause Devastation

The newest figures are in and what these numbers reflect are frightening.  In 2008, more than 4,000 people died in truck accidents nationally.  The state of California is no different.  Every year, thousands of people are injured in truck accidents.  In 2008, there were 4,594 injuries caused by truck collisions in California alone.

There are many factors involved in truck crashes, which make these collisions especially devastating.  A San Diego truck accident can result in serious injuries and death partly because of the fact that these vehicles weigh 20 to 30 times as much as passenger cars and some safety experts believe it can take longer for a fully loaded truck to stop.  Researchers have also found that truck accidents involve such factors as brake problems, drug use, driving too fast for conditions and driver fatigue.

People who are injured in Southern California truck accidents have rights and can pursue compensation.  Depending on the details of the collision, the accident victim may be able to hold the trucker and trucking company accountable.  In the case of defective brakes, the brake manufacturer could also be responsible.

For more information, contact Steinberg & Spencer Injury Lawyers at 800-350-8888 and read the article titled, Large Truck Accidents Claimed More Than 4,000 Lives in 2008.

Drowsy Truckers Cause Many California Truck Accidents

Driver fatigue is listed as one of the top ten causes of truck accidents.  Truckers are under enormous pressure to deliver their loads on time.  This pressure comes not only from the trucking companies, but also the shippers.  When unforeseen delays, such as traffic jams, poor weather or road closures, put these truckers behind schedule, they often make the fatal mistake of continuing on without a break or rest.

Drowsy truckers cause countless truck accidents in California.  A tired trucker has a slower response to hazards on the road and often is too slow in reacting to a near accident.  As a result, the driver may crash his big rig, which can weigh up to 80,000, into another vehicle, causing a catastrophic outcome.  California big rig accidents can lead to serious and permanent injuries.  In some cases, a Southern California truck accident can cause death.

There is something known as hours-of-service that truckers are supposed follow.  It is a federal guideline that sets the amount of hours a trucker is allowed to travel without taking a break.  For the most part, California law follows this federal regulation, but there are some exceptions.

If you have been injured in a truck accident in Los Angeles County, Orange County, San Diego County, Riverside County, San Bernardino County or other area in California, you should contact a California truck accident attorney at Steinberg & Spencer at 1-800-350-8888 for a free legal consultation.

Confusion Regarding Runaway Ramp May Have Caused Grapevine Truck Accident

A woman was killed recently in a truck accident on the Grapevine, a portion of the 5 freeway.  According to a news report, confusion regarding a runaway ramp may have been a factor in the big rig accident.

On Sunday, August 23, 2009, 67-year-old Sumiko Imamura was fatally injured after an out-of-control truck slammed into her Mazda sport utility vehicle.  The truck had lost its brakes, as it travelled north on the 5 freeway at Fort Tejon.  It gained speed as it went down the hill and into the fast lane.  This tragic California truck accident occurred just north of a runaway escape ramp located on the west side of the road.  The impact of the truck collision caused the SUV to go into a dirt embankment, where it rolled over.  Imamura was ejected from the vehicle.

Even after the semi truck hit Imamura’s vehicle, it continued on and struck a Ford pickup and the debris from the crash hit a Subaru Impreza.  The truck didn’t stop until it reached Laval Road.

Just two days after this fatal California semi truck accident, news came out that confusion regarding the runaway ramp may have caused the crash.  According to reporters, the trucker may have been able to use one of the two runaway truck ramps that were close by.  However, there were two posted signs that said one of the ramps was closed.  Apparently, the California Highway Patrol had requested Cal Trans to remove the closure lights, but it hadn’t been done.

If you have been injured in a truck accident on the Grapevine or other area in California, you should contact Steinberg & Spencer Injury Lawyers at 1-800-350-8888.

What You Should Not Do After a Los Angeles Car Accident

You may be aware that there are certain actions you should take following a car accident in Los Angeles, Orange County, San Diego, San Bernardino, Ventura or Riverside.  Did you know that there are also things that you should never do after a serious auto accident?  Don’t hurt your chances of recovering compensation for your injuries.  Keep reading to find out what you shouldn’t do after a Los Angeles car accident (or a crash that occurred anywhere in California).

1. Don’t say that you caused the accident.  There are many factors that go into a serious traffic accident and some of these factors may not be discovered until an investigation is completed.  Emotions run high after an accident, so when you are talking with the police, just stick to the facts.

2. Don’t forgo medical care.  What you think is a minor injury could turn out to be something more serious.  You should always seek medical attention following a major collision.

3. Don’t sign insurance papers or give a recorded statement.  You should first talk with an experienced Los Angeles car accident attorney before you agree to anything with the insurance company.

4. Don’t wait too long to talk with a Los Angeles car accident lawyer.  The injury lawyers at Steinberg & Spencer can help you recover the compensation in which you are entitled. 

Call Steinberg & Spencer Injury Lawyers for advice regarding your Southern California accident case at 1-800-350-8888.

What an Orange County Car Accident Attorney Can Do For You

If you have been injured in a serious car accident in Orange County, you shouldn’t try to handle your case on your own.  Insurance companies are notorious for taking advantage of injured accident victims and you may end up accepting a settlement that is far below what your case is worth.  An Orange County car accident attorney will make sure that your interests are protected following a crash.  An experienced injury lawyer in Orange County will be able to help you with every step of the legal process, which will allow you to focus on your recovery.

First and foremost, an Orange County accident attorney will be able to review your case to determine who was at fault.  If the other driver was negligent and caused your injuries, your attorney will be able to pursue compensation on your behalf.  Sometimes insurance companies are uncooperative.  If that is the case, your car accident lawyer will be able to go to battle against the insurer to make sure that you receive full compensation for your injuries.

Steinberg & Spencer Injury Lawyers have been representing accident victims for nearly 30 years.  You should contact one of the knowledgeable Orange County car accident attorneys at Steinberg & Spencer at 1-800-350-8888, if you have been injured.