Archive for March, 2010

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Visalia Man Killed in Los Angeles Train Accident

Tuesday, March 30th, 2010

A Los Angeles train accident claimed the life of a 56-year-old Visalia man recently when a Metrolink commuter train struck his maintenance truck. Los Angeles County coroner’s investigator Brian identified the train accident victim and confirmed that he had lived in the Central California community of Visalia. The victim was an employee of Union Pacific for 30 years and was killed while working for the railroad company.

Accident investigators claim that on March 20, 2010, the victim was working in an area that both Metrolink and Union Pacific trains use. He was sitting in his truck on the railroad tracks in an unincorporated area east of El Monte. The train then struck the truck, and the impact pushed it over 300 yards. He died at the scene and three passengers on the Metrolink train received treatment for injuries.

The Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department has not yet released an official cause of the train accident, but accident investigators were quick to rule out suicide as a contributing factor in the accident.

Samer Habbas and other train accident lawyers in Los Angeles are alarmed that train accidents in and around the Los Angeles area continue to claim lives despite redundant safety features and well-publicized accidents in recent years. If you sustained injuries in a train accident or an immediate family died in a train accident, California train accident lawyer Samer Habbas may be able to help. He has many years of experience helping clients, and he has earned the reputation of a Southern California train accident lawyer who works hard to recover the compensation they are entitled to by law. Call 888.848.5084 to schedule a free consultation to discuss your case.

Resource Link: http://www.mercurynews.com/news/ci_14814992

Pedestrian Rights and Duties

Thursday, March 25th, 2010

Keeping safe on the street is everyone’s responsibility. Keeping the streets safe for pedestrians is the responsibility of government agencies such as the Department of Transportation (DOT).

Motor vehicle drivers must observe laws enforced by the state of California and the California Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV). Pedestrians are not exempt from observing regulations also offered by the DMV. In fact, the DMV has published a list of pedestrian responsibilities on their website. Some of these include:

  • Obey traffic signals.

  • Be aware of traffic conditions.

  • Watch out for hybrid vehicles because they operate silently.

  • If there are no traffic signs, let the vehicles have the right-of-way

  • Make sure an intersection is clear before you attempt to cross a street.

  • Do not hold up traffic while crossing the street.

  • Do not cross a bridge or highway unless there is a sidewalk and you are permitted to cross.

  • Walk facing oncoming traffic if there are no sidewalks.

  • Wear light clothing and carry a flashlight when walking at night.

Now that you understand what a pedestrian’s duties are, it is important to know what a pedestrian’s rights are also.

The California Vehicle Code directs the rights of pedestrians while outlining the responsibilities of government agencies to maintain safe passages. Keeping pedestrian areas safe is critical to ensuring people are not injured or die because of negligence. If an accident should occur, the victim or his or her immediate family has the right to seek the help of an Orange County injury lawyer to sue for damages.

Chapter 5 Division 11 of the California Vehicle Code represents similar regulations to the ones listed in the Pedestrian Responsibilities. However, the Code also includes these rights:

  • Pedestrians have the right to convenient access and travel without being injured.

  • Vehicles should yield the right-of-way to pedestrians at crosswalks and sidewalks.

  • Vehicles shall exercise care while reducing speed to ensure pedestrian safety.

  • When a vehicle has stopped at a crosswalk, the driver in the rear may not overtake the vehicle in front.

Samer Habbas Pedestrian Accident Lawyers

At the Law Offices of Samer Habbas, we stay current on the vehicle and pedestrian regulations that affect the safety and welfare of California residents. We want to hear from you if you have been hurt as a pedestrian in a motor vehicle accident. We can help you recover compensation for your injuries. Call us for a free consultation at 888.848.5084 or complete the web form for a prompt response.

Attorneys Top List of Dangerous Drivers

Tuesday, March 23rd, 2010

Like most personal injury lawyers, the Samar Habbas car accident lawyers represent victims of auto and motor vehicle accidents on a daily basis. We would think most lawyers since they know what risks and dangers are involved with driving, would be at the top of the list for the best drivers. Yet according to a Reuter’s article, (attorneys, and judges) top the list of dangerous drivers in the US. Researchers at Insurance.com found that more than 44% of attorneys searching for new car insurance claimed a previous accident.

According to the Vice President of Insurance.com, “Professions that demand multi-tasking—being on the phone, moving fast on a tight schedule—are prone to more distractions and, from there, more accidents.”

Perhaps realtors and other salespeople would be at the top of that list also.

Multiple distractions invade everyone’s driving, not just attorneys. Although cell phone use is banned while driving in California and most states, how many of us can count drivers using the phone as they turn a dangerous corner or exit a freeway?

There are other distractions other than cell phone use. For example, reaching into a glove compartment, talking to passengers, adjusting the radio and even yelling at your kids can cause an accident any time of the day or night.

Driving in Los Angeles can make anyone a dangerous driver, not just attorneys. The California Highway Patrol stayed on their toes dealing with all the accidents this winter from weather and dangerous driving conditions. Roads in California, although providing beautiful scenery, can also be treacherous because of sharp turns, blind spots, traffic and narrow shoulders.

Who knows, maybe this list will lead to a new reality show called, “Auto Accident Lawyers Los Angeles.”

Samer Habbas, A Car Accident Lawyer with Experience

If you sustained injuries in a Los Angeles car accident, you may be entitled to damages such as the recovery of medical costs, lost wages, pain and suffering and more. Contact our law firm for more information at 888.848.5084 for a free consultation by phone or in person.

A Brief History of the Motorcycle Helmet Law

Thursday, March 18th, 2010

Motorcycle aficionados across the country were saddened to hear of the passing of Harry Hurt, known for his research on motorcycle safety in 1981. Hurt’s study has been instrumental in preventing motorcycle crashes and saving lives.

According to a story in webBikeWorld, Hurt’s team of experienced motorcyclists investigated bike accident scenes over a two-year period. The team compiled information from interviews with more than 2,310 motorcyclists, approximately 3,600 police reports and over 900 accidents.

National Motorcycle Fatalities

In 1975, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) began collecting data concerning motorcycle fatalities. Since the 1980s, fatalities have more than doubled; and since the 1990s, motorcyclist deaths continue to rise. Unfortunately, even with all the data and research compiled by Hurt and the NHTSA, there were still more than 5,000 motorcyclist fatalities in 2008, the highest number ever reported.

Has the Motorcycle Helmet Law made an impact?

Some form of the national helmet law has been in place since the late 1960s. Throughout the years, the federal government has attempted to coax states into compliance with a motorcycle helmet law by dangling funding for safety programs and construction. This attempt did not work. When the 1990s rolled around, only 27 states had a form of limited motorcycle helmet law (typically for individuals under 18 years old). Currently, three states have no helmet law at all.

Motorcycle Accident Attorneys South Los Angeles

The Samer Habbas motorcycle accident lawyers love the open road as much as our fellow motorcyclists and we hope you wear a helmet whenever you ride. However, accidents do happen that can dramatically change your life and the life of someone you love. Call the Law Offices of Samer Habbas for a free consultation to discuss your motorcycle accident. You can reach us by using our web form or by calling 888-848-5084.

Is 15-Passenger Van Safety Still An Issue?

Tuesday, March 16th, 2010

Just when you thought it was safe to drive in any vehicle other than a Toyota, the subject of 15-passenger van rollovers is still a major concern among our Orange County residents. Summer is approaching with schools, community groups and churches heading to beaches, camps and hotels. Unsuspecting passengers will assume that because these vans are large and heavy they are the safest vehicles on the road. That misconception couldn’t be more far from the truth according to the National Highway Transportation Safety Administration (NHTSA).

In May 2009 the NHTSA issued yet another warning about these death trap vehicles. Research done by the NHTSA has shown that these vans have a higher risk of rollover than any other passenger vehicle, especially when a van full of passengers and luggage. The NHTSA has provided tips to make a trip in a van a safer one; however, many of these tips are not in the control of a passenger. For example, someone cannot control a fellow passenger using their seat belt or know if the driver has proper training and experienced. In addition, how would an everyday passenger know there should not be loads on the roof and that defective or unsafe tires can cause a rollover?

In another publication by the NHTSA called Traffic Safety Notes, research has shown that the number of passengers has a major impact in the rate of rollovers. The report highlights how a van carrying ten passengers or more has tripled the chance of rolling over than a van with less than five occupants.

Personal Injury Attorney in Irvine

If you sustained injuries in a van rollover accident, or if you have lost a family member in such an accident, the Samer Habbas passenger van rollover accident lawyers have the experience to guide you through the judicial process for recovery of damages to which you may be entitled to under the law. You can contact us by web form or by calling 888-848-5084 for a free consultation by phone or in person.

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