Photo Credit: Mercy Health, Flickr.

Even the mildest brain injuries can be tragic and life-altering. Long-term post-concussion syndrome is increasingly understood as an alarming medical concern. Symptoms may include memory loss, blackouts, dizziness, and seizures. Often, a mild brain injury is forgotten until symptoms manifest themselves later, and that’s not good. When a brain injury is the result of an accident where another person was negligent, an experienced personal injury attorney can help.

What is good, however, is that specialists now conduct a variety of brain tests to look for brain injuries. Computerized screening, for example, directly observes the brain as it operates. Some of the recent research has focuses on a second head injury occurring before the first one has healed; neurologists call this “second impact syndrome.” Even when an initial brain injury seems to be entirely healed, the threat of long-term damage from a second brain injury substantially increases. Concussions may have compounding effects over a period of years. Brain injury victims suffer mentally, physically, and emotionally. Brain injuries also often lead to sleep disorders that cause anxiety, depression, and lethargy.

If you’ve suffered a brain injury in a traffic accident or in some other accident, and someone else’s negligence or reckless behavior was the cause of your injury, you may be able to recover medical costs, lost wages, and more with a personal injury lawsuit. An experienced personal injury attorney will work with doctors and other specialists to compile the evidence and witnesses you’ll need to win. If you are a brain injury victim, find a good personal injury lawyer who will represent you, and do it at once. Your health and your future are your top priorities. In the San Diego area, if you or a member of your family has suffered a brain injury in an accident, and another person was at fault, contact personal injury attorney Gary Sernaker at (858) 509-0188, or email him at Gsernaker@gmail.com to discuss your rights and options under California Law.

When we’re mature adults, we understand that dangers are everywhere. When a drunk person gets behind the wheel, a landlord ignores a fire hazard, or a doctor misdiagnoses a deadly disease, wrongful death can happen. When a loved one is in a fatal accident that was caused by another person, many don’t know where to turn for justice. A wrongful death claim is the way a family can obtain the compensation they need to meet their unexpected expenses and to move on with their lives. An experienced wrongful death attorney can help.

Legally speaking, a “wrongful death” is an accidental death caused by someone else’s negligence. If you lose a family member in this way, please speak to an experienced wrongful death attorney at once. If the victim was your parent, child, or spouse, you probably have legal grounds to file a wrongful death claim. Others (unrelated beneficiaries, for example) in some cases may also have legal grounds to file a wrongful death suit. You may be compensated for your loved one’s pain and suffering; for your own anguish and grief; for medical costs; funeral expenditures; and in some cases, for the loss of future earnings.

If you have a wrongful death claim, contact a good wrongful death lawyer who will fight aggressively for justice for you and your family. If you’ve lost a loved one in a wrongful death accident, it’s critical to initiate a lawsuit as promptly as possible. The law imposes a limit on the amount of time you have to file a claim. Speak to an experienced wrongful death attorney and start getting the compensation that you and your family need and deserve. In the San Diego area, if a member of your family has perished in a wrongful death accident, contact wrongful death attorney Gary Sernaker at (858) 509-0188, or email him at Gsernaker@gmail.com to discuss your rights and options under California Law.

Technically speaking, a “truck accident” happens when a trailer weighing over 10,000 pounds crashes with another vehicle or with a pedestrian. Half-a-million truck accidents with more than 90,000 injuries happen every year in the U.S. Nearly 5,000 of those truck crashes result in a fatality; a truck is involved in one out of every eight traffic-related deaths in the U.S.

The top cause of truck accidents is driver fatigue. Almost every experienced personal injury attorney has represented clients injured in fatigue-related truck crashes. The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) offers advice for truck drivers who need to stay alert:

1. Get enough sleep. Adults need seven hours for the highest alertness. The most beneficial sleep is between midnight and 6:00 a.m.
2. Nap if you need to. A nap is better for restoring alertness than coffee or energy drinks. Nap at least 10 minutes; 45 isn’t too much.
3. If you are going to drive, avoid medicines that cause drowsiness.
4. Sleep on a regular schedule whenever possible.
5. Eat a balanced diet on a consistent schedule. A poor diet causes fatigue, blood sugar issues, and other alertness problems.

If you are injured in a truck accident, don’t admit any fault or sign any insurance forms before speaking with an experienced personal injury attorney. If possible, take pictures of your injuries both prior to and subsequent to medical treatment. Keep and make copies of medical, police, or insurance documents pertinent to the crash. Most importantly, contact a good personal injury lawyer right away.

If you or a member of your family has been injured in a truck accident, or if you are the survivor of a loved one killed in a truck crash, please speak to an experienced personal injury attorney as quickly as possible. Compensation for personal injury is your legal right. In the San Diego area, if you or a member of your family has been injured in a motorcycle accident, contact personal injury attorney Gary Sernaker at (858) 509-0188, or email him at Gsernaker@gmail.com to discuss your rights and options under California Law.

Photo Credit: Mercy Health, Flickr.

MYTHS ABOUT WORKPLACE SAFETY

The U.S. Department of Labor reports that a worker is injured on the job in the United States every seven seconds. After making payroll, workers’ compensation claims are the most costly expenditure that a business makes. Employers can safeguard both their workers and their bottom line by debunking these myths about workplace accidents and personal injuries.

One common myth is that employers don’t care about the safety of employees; that’s the exception, not the rule. Workplace injuries in the United States cost employers approximately $250 billion a year in medical costs and lost productivity. If an employer cares about profits, he or she also cares about safety. Safety awareness – on the part of owners, management, and labor – benefits any business and makes it a better place to work.

Another myth is that accidents in the workplace simply aren’t preventable. The fact is, if employers and employees both stay alert, most accidents are easily avoided. Encourage everyone at your workplace to pick up rubbish and report faulty equipment. With just a little diligence, everyone can spot and eliminate potential hazards. Make sure all employees use and wear personal safety equipment when needed.

If you’ve been injured at your place of work, speak promptly to an experienced personal injury attorney. A good personal injury lawyer can help you win compensation for your medical expenses, lost wages, and lost earning capacity. Injured victims may also receive pain and suffering damages, and in some cases, punitive damages. A good personal injury lawyer can evaluate your case, explain your options, and direct you through the complex legal landscape. Don’t hesitate; if you’ve suffered a workplace injury, protect yourself and contact an experienced personal injury attorney as quickly as possible. In the San Diego area, if you or a member of your family has been injured in a workplace accident, contact personal injury attorney Gary Sernaker at (858) 509-0188, or email him at Gsernaker@gmail.com to discuss your rights and options under California Law.

There’s no doubt about it; most car wrecks in California are caused by drivers. However, in some cases neither driver is at fault in a crash. These are the crashes caused by defective equipment. When a tire on an automobile fails due to defective manufacturing, an injury or fatality can be the tragic end result. If you’ve been injured in a traffic accident in California, and the accident was caused by a defective tire, speak immediately to an experienced California personal injury attorney.

Properly-produced tires can blow out as easily as defective ones; vandalism, sharp objects, and the wrong air pressure cause a big percentage of all tire blowouts. In other cases, a tire may not be recommended for use on a particular vehicle, or the tire itself was manufactured improperly with air bubbles or with poorly-mixed rubber. When a tire on your car is not approved for that make and model, and a crash happens, you may have a legitimate claim against whoever installed or replaced your tires. When a tire is produced defectively, and that defect causes your injury, you have grounds for a claim against the manufacturer.

In defective product cases, the maker of the defective product is usually compelled to pay for injuries and damages caused by the product. Nevertheless, a manufacturer will only pay if a lawsuit or an out-of-court settlement forces payment. If a defective tire leads to an accident where you suffer injury, act quickly. You’ll need to contact a good personal injury lawyer. An experienced personal injury attorney can win compensation for your medical costs, lost wages, and more. There are time limits for filing personal injury suits, so if you’ve been injured, speak to a good personal injury lawyer right away. In the San Diego area, if you or a member of your family has been injured in a defective tire-related accident, contact personal injury attorney Gary Sernaker at (858) 509-0188, or email him at Gsernaker@gmail.com to discuss your rights and options under California Law.

When a person is injured in a slip-and-fall, an auto accident, or through sports contact, we look for the obvious signs of injury: cuts, bruises, swellings, and abrasions. Even though we now know – at least from the news stories about NFL players – that closed head injuries are frequent, a closed head injury isn’t always immediately recognized. If the brain is bruised, a closed head injury (such as a concussion) may not be apparent until later, as the bruised brain swells inside the skull. Symptoms include vision impairment, dizziness, headaches, and sleep disorders. The most serious closed head injuries require surgery to alleviate the swelling.

Concussions can be serious; multiple concussions have growing, long-term effects. If you or a family member has been involved in a traumatic accident and suffered a closed head injury, it’s imperative – after obtaining medical treatment – to seek legal advice immediately from an experienced personal injury attorney. With the guidance of a good personal injury lawyer, you can take the steps to get the justice you deserve. You may be compensated for current and future medical expenses, lost and projected earnings, and more.

If you’re in an accident, seek immediate medical treatment and a prompt diagnosis as well as legal counsel from an experienced personal injury attorney. The long-term damage from a serious closed head injury can cause seizures, brain function impairment, and in some cases, complete and permanent disability. If you need help, get it now. Your health, your family, and your future must be your top priorities. In the San Diego area, if you or a member of your family has suffered a closed head injury in an accident, and another person was at fault, contact personal injury attorney Gary Sernaker at (858) 509-0188, or email him at Gsernaker@gmail.com to discuss your rights and options under California Law.

Like drinking and driving, cell phones and driving don’t mix. In the last ten years, the number of car accidents involving cell phones has dramatically increased. Texting while driving is the primary cause of crashes involving cell phones, but even hands-free phone use can be a hazard. According to AAA (formerly the American Automobile Association), 18 percent of drivers text regularly; for drivers under 18, that statistic jumps to 46 percent. While texting, drivers take their eyes off the road an average 4.6 seconds, long enough to cruise the length of a football field. Also according to AAA, 10 percent of the time drivers are texting, they swerve out of their own lane.

The National Safety Council reports that 1.6 million traffic crashes a year (or 28 percent of all accidents) involve cell phones. AAA has found that even hands-free talking causes “cognitive distraction,” and decreased attention to the road. AAA also reports that drivers who text while driving are 23 times more likely to be in an accident than drivers who are fully focused on driving. The truth could not be any clearer; all cell phone use while driving is distracting and risky.

If you’ve suffered a personal injury in a traffic accident in California, and you believe the other driver was distracted by a cell phone – and therefore negligent – you may have grounds for a personal injury claim. Speak with an experienced California personal injury attorney. A good personal injury lawyer will assess your situation and give you sound legal advice. Should you pursue a personal injury claim, an experienced personal injury attorney will fight aggressively for every cent of compensation you deserve. In the San Diego area, if you or a member of your family has been injured in an accident with a distracted driver, contact personal injury attorney Gary Sernaker at (858) 509-0188, or email him at Gsernaker@gmail.com to discuss your rights and options under California Law.

If you have lost a family member due to another person’s intentional, negligent, or reckless behavior, you may pursue a wrongful death claim against that person. Even when you’re still grieving, it’s important to get an early start on the case. Medical expenses, funeral costs, and a loss of income are sudden, unexpected burdens that surviving loved ones must face.

A death is legally “wrongful” in California when it is the result of another person’s negligent, reckless, or conscious action. Businesses and sometimes even government agencies may also be named in wrongful death suits. The burden of proof for civil cases like wrongful death is somewhat lower than the burden of proof in criminal trials. Surviving family members can file for wrongful death; usually, the claim is pursued by a spouse or child. In some cases, parents who lose a child may also be able to file a wrongful death claim.

Survivors may receive compensation for damages associated with the wrongful death of their loved one. In a wrongful death lawsuit in California, plaintiffs may be compensated for medical bills, burial and funeral expenses, loss of projected earnings, and loss of consortium, love, companionship, and moral support.

If you’ve recently lost a loved one, you’re probably not considering your own legal rights, but it’s imperative for you to speak with a good wrongful death lawyer as quickly as possible. Just having an attorney to consult can alleviate some of your anxiety or confusion. At a time when you need to concentrate on your family and on moving forward, an experienced wrongful death attorney can be your family’s advocate. In the San Diego area, if a member of your family has perished in a wrongful death accident, contact wrongful death attorney Gary Sernaker at (858) 509-0188, or email him at Gsernaker@gmail.com to discuss your rights and options under California Law.

The steps that you need to follow if you are involved in an automobile accident depends upon the severity of the collision which occurred. If you are in a major automobile collision, which not only involves significant damage to your car and includes secondary impacts such as being pushed into a light pole or your vehicle overturning after the initial impact, then you will probably experience significant pain and discomfort which will require paramedics providing medical care at the scene before you’re taken to the emergency room.

Under these circumstances it is critical, if you are able to, to describe the physical pain and discomfort that you are experiencing while you are at the scene. Hopefully you’ll be able to communicate that information to the emergency room personnel when you arrive at the hospital.

At the time that you are examined by emergency room doctors, if possible, it is helpful if you could provide an accurate medical history. Include any previous treatment for injuries or symptoms to the same areas of the body that were re-injured in this automobile accident.
It is important to point out that the majority of automobile accidents, typically involve significant impacts but do not result in immediate significant pain and discomfort to the occupants of the vehicle that were hit. In those circumstances, it is important to do the following:

1. Contact the police and insist that they prepare a report regarding how the incident happened so that you can confirm at a later date that the collision was not your fault;
2. If the police refuse to prepare a report, then use either your phone or iPad, to obtain an account for the other driver regarding how this incident occurred; and
3. Using those same devices, it is critical for you to either record or photograph the accident scene, depicting the damage sustained to your vehicle both inside and out, and to the other vehicle that caused the accident.

When obtaining the insurance information from the other driver, it is important for you to provide that information to your own insurance company so that they can contact the other driver’s insurance company to arrange for your vehicle to either be repaired or declared a total loss. It is critical that you do not provide a statement to the other side’s insurance company. Those statements can be used against you at a later date to undermine your credibility or any other aspect of your claim.

Typically most individuals do not believe that they have sustained a serious injury immediately after an automobile accident occurs. It is only after the occurrence that the occupants of the vehicle involved in an automobile collision experiences a gradual worsening of their physical complaints including headaches, dizziness, nausea, numbness and tingling in their arm or some fingers, pain in their low back with numbness or tingling down one side of the leg or other symptoms.

These symptoms can begin to occur innocuously but progressively get worse as the effects of the forces exerted upon the individual become more symptomatic.

The last step, and the most important one, is for anyone involved in an automobile accident to seek medical care immediately through the hospital emergency room or urgent care facility available. The injured person should also contact their own primary physician to obtain an appointment within 24-hours from the time that the incident occurs. Any delay in obtaining appropriate medical care for injuries which result from an automobile accident will be used as a basis by the other driver’s insurance company to deny the relationship between your physical complaints and the injuries sustained.

Therefore, if you have any other questions regarding what you should be doing if you or a close family member have been involved in an automobile accident, please contact the Law Offices of Gary Sernaker at (858) 509-0188 or email him at gsernaker@gmail.com

At least one ride-sharing company, Lyft, is attempting to improve its insurance coverage for drivers and passengers. This action began after state regulators complained that there could be gaps in the insurance coverage, which ride-sharing companies are required to have in order to protect their passengers who are injured due to the negligence of drivers who participate in this type of service.

Lyft announced that it was giving drivers the option of obtaining collision insurance to repair damage to their vehicles and to obtain uninsured and underinsured coverage. However, it’s unclear as to whether or not these changes would address the serious questions that have been raised regarding the potential gaps in the insurance required by the California Public Utilities Commission for commercial drivers.

Also, these coverages only take effect when the damages exceed the limits which are not covered by the driver’s personal insurance policy. In light of the fact, that many drivers’ insurance policies would exclude coverage for a driver engaged in a commercial activity, these changes appear in adequate to protect passengers. Therefore, there continues to be significant concern regarding whether these ride-sharing companies are really in compliance with the regulations set by the California Public Utilities Commission and the Department of Insurance.