personal injury

Electric Scooter Laws in California

October 5, 2018 | Gregory J. Brod

In the wake of an e-scooter fatality in Texas immediately following California’s loosening of electric scooter (e-scooter) laws, one has to wonder whether safety precautions can be taken by individuals regardless of what the law requires. Despite California’s new laws removing the requirement to wear a helmet while riding an e-scooter, California residents are well advised to stick to the following safety tips while riding an e-scooter in order to avoid accidents. If you have been involved in an accident in the Santa Rosa or San Francisco area, however, make sure to seek the counsel of an experienced personal injury attorney immediately so that you can obtain the compensation you deserve for your injuries.

Always be Alert

While sharing the road with cars, bicycles, and pedestrians, the most important safety precaution you can take is to stay alert. There are many ways you can stay alert while riding on an e-scooter, including the following:

What to do After Being Injured in an Elevator Accident

October 3, 2018 | Gregory J. Brod

It is virtually impossible to go through an entire day without taking at least one elevator. While we trust that the elevators we take are well-made and well-maintained, that is not always the case. Unfortunately, elevator accidents happen more frequently than you might think, and the resulting injuries can be severe. If you have been injured in an elevator or escalator accident, contact the personal injury attorneys at Brod Law Firm immediately to learn more about your rights and have a dedicated attorney fight for the compensation you deserve.

Causes of Elevator Accidents

Elevators can malfunction in a number of different ways, including the following:

What You Should do After Being Injured in a Hit And Run in California

September 21, 2018 | Gregory J. Brod

The only thing worse than getting in a car accident is getting in a car accident and having the other driver drive off before you are able to get his or her information. In California, it is illegal to leave the scene of an accident before performing certain duties required of all Californians who are involved in an accident. If you have been involved in an accident, and the other driver leaves before you have the opportunity to get any information, contact an experienced car accident attorney as soon as possible so that your attorney can help you investigate the case and seek the justice you deserve.

Hit and Run Laws in California

In California, a driver is required to remain at the scene of an accident, provide his or her contact information to the other driver, and wait for the police to arrive. If the driver leaves at any time before all of those events have taken place, the driver is said to have engaged in a hit and run. The only exception to this rule is if the driver left the scene in order to seek immediate medical attention, but even in those situations, it is still best practice to leave a contact name and phone number or address with the other driver before leaving the scene.

Three Things You Should Know if You Were the Victim of a Drunk Driving Accident

September 19, 2018 | Gregory J. Brod

Over 30,000 people in California are seriously injured each year in alcohol and drug related car accidents, and 2,000 are killed. Unlike most car accidents, which are just that – accidents, drunk driving accidents are senseless, irresponsible, and can be easily prevented. That is why California has enacted strict laws to deter drunk driving accidents from happening and protect its residents from being victims to this senseless crime. If you were the victim of a drunk driving accident, familiarize yourself with the guidelines below and make sure you speak with an experienced car accident attorney immediately to learn more about your options for recovery.

California has a zero tolerance policy for underage drinking and driving.

In California, if your blood alcohol level (BAC) is over 0.08, you are considered legally drunk. However, if you are under the age of 21 and have any alcohol inside your body, you can be convicted of driving under the influence (DUI) or driving while intoxicated (DWI). That means if your BAC is even 0.01, you have violated California’s no tolerance policy and are responsible for any injury you cause to others while driving.

Lead Poisoning in Your Daily Life

August 10, 2018 | Gregory J. Brod

Lead poisoning is the most common environmental illness in children in California today and can lead to lifelong injuries, including learning disabilities, speech impairment, and other developmental issues. There is no known level of lead that can exist in the body safely, so any amount of lead that seeps into your body can be considered lead poisoning. Luckily, lead poisoning is preventable in most instances, so educating yourself on what lead poisoning is and where lead particles can be found in your daily life can help prevent injury to yourself or your child. However, there are times when you may encounter lead in your home as a result of your landlord’s failure to notify you of the existence of lead in your building or another violation of California lead regulations. Call the attorneys at Brod Law Firm if you suspect there may be lead in your building or have suffered from lead poisoning.

Lead Poisoning in Your Daily Life

Paint

Five Things to do After Being Involved in a Car Accident in California

August 3, 2018 | Gregory J. Brod

After being involved in a car accident, you may feel frazzled and disoriented. However, it is important to remain calm, assess the situation, and make sure you take the appropriate steps to ensure that you are safe and have the proper documentation in place to obtain any recovery for your injuries that you deserve. Make sure you take these five steps after being involved in a car accident, and call an experienced car accident attorney immediately so he or she can help you start seeking compensation for your injuries.

Examine yourself and your passengers for injuries.

The first thing you should do is examine yourself and others in your vehicle for any injuries. If there are any injuries whatsoever, make sure to call an ambulance immediately. Allow the emergency medical technicians (EMTs) to examine you for injuries you may not be able to see, and if they advise you to go to the hospital, follow their recommendation even if you do not feel pain at the time. Oftentimes the impact from a car accident can cause underlying health issues to arise, and a doctor will be able to detect those underlying issues and provide a medical report with your diagnosis. By refusing to go to the hospital, you are showing a future court that you were not in fact injured by the car accident and thus are not entitled to recovery for your injuries.

Stay Safe on E-Scooters With These Four Tips

July 6, 2018 | Gregory J. Brod

The newest wave of ride sharing comes not in the form of cars or bicycles but rather in electric scooters. Dockless e-scooter companies like Bird, LimeBike, Jump, and others have found their homes in California and are expanding all across the country. With the advent of this entertaining and convenient form of transportation, however, comes a new wave of potentially dangerous activity and injury. Learn how to stay safe while riding these e-scooters by recognizing common causes of e-scooter injuries and by following the tips listed below.

Read the Instruction Manual

If you purchase an e-scooter for personal use, make sure you read the instruction manual before attempting to operate the scooter. Many e-scooter injuries occur because users do not know how to use the scooter properly.

Serious Injuries Result From a Hit and Run Pedal Cab Accident

June 29, 2018 | Gregory J. Brod

On Wednesday, June 27, two people were seriously hurt when a car crashed into a pedal cab at Embarcadero and Sansome Street in San Francisco and fled the scene. A second pedal cab then crashed into the first pedal cab. The pedal cabs were carrying a family of four. Police are still investigating the case and searching for the car, which has been described as a light colored sedan.

If you were injured in a hit and run accident, do not wait to ask for legal help. The personal injury lawyers at Brod Law Firm have years of experience handling hit and run claims. By calling us, you will have an experienced attorney fighting for your rights. Contact Brod Law Firm online or call us at (800) 427-7020.

California Hit and Run Laws

CHP Vehicle Rear-Ended on I-80

May 4, 2018 | Gregory J. Brod

On Monday, April 30, a California Highway Patrol (CHP) vehicle was parked on the right shoulder of I-80 in Fairfield. It was struck from behind by a white Mitsubishi Mirage prior to 3:40 p.m. The Mitsubishi driver and two passengers, one seated in the back and the other in the front passenger seat, were all seriously injured and taken to a local hospital. The CHP officer suffered moderate injuries. The accident is currently under investigation. If the Mitsubishi driver is found to be at fault, then the injured parties may file a personal injury claim against the driver and their insurance policy.

If you were injured in a crash in California, do not hesitate to ask for legal help. The personal injury lawyers at Brod Law Firm have years of experience handling car accident claims. By calling us, you obtain an experienced and knowledgeable advocate who will fight hard for your right to compensation. Contact Brod Law Firm today online or by calling (800) 427-7020.

Common Causes of Rear-End Accidents

California Residents Hit by E. Coli Outbreak

April 27, 2018 | Gregory J. Brod

The U.S. is dealing with a large outbreak of E. coli O157:H7 associated with romaine lettuce, and a few states, including California, have been hit particularly hard. The initial announcement from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) regarding an outbreak of E. coli took place on April 10. As of the initial announcement, 17 individuals in seven states had been affected. Their illnesses had developed between March 22 and 31. Of those individuals, six had been hospitalized. One individual had been diagnosed with hemolytic uremic syndrome, which is a type of kidney failure and one of the more severe potential side effects of an E. coli infection. Since April 10, the outbreak has worsened.

Information as of April 25

The CDC reports that, as of April 25, 84 cases of E. coli infection have been linked to romaine lettuce produced in or around Yuma, Arizona. Individuals affected are spread across 19 states. There have been no deaths, though 42 people have been hospitalized and nine have developed hemolytic uremic syndrome. California has had 13 residents affected by the foodborne illness. The only state hit harder is Pennsylvania with 18 infected individuals.