Modesto Injury Lawyer Blog

Car Accidents in Modesto and Elsewhere Caused by Blinkerless Drivers

Tue, 08 May 2012 04:49:02 -0800

A recent study, from the Society of Automotive Engineers, revealed that drivers' failure to use turn signal results in twice as many car accidents in Modesto and elsewhere.

That's right. This dangerous driving habit contributes to roughly 2 million auto accidents every year. Drivers aren't using their turn signals approximately 50 percent of the time when making a lane change and another 25 percent when making a turn in traffic. That means that drivers are making unannounced maneuvers in traffic nearly 800 billion times a day. That's putting us all at some serious risks for accidents on a daily basis!

"This breakthrough represents a perfect opportunity to significantly reduce multi-vehicle crash rates, reduce vehicle cost and make driving a lot more friendly and courteous across the U.S.," said Richard Ponziani, P.E., an author of the recent study.

Our Modesto car accident lawyers understand that drivers need to hold themselves accountable for following all road laws, even when no one's looking. We say that because officials believe that drivers might not be using their turn signals all of the time because they know that officers aren't really looking for this bad behavior. Recent studies conclude that officers are more on the lookout for drivers engaging in other dangerous behaviors, like speeding, running through red lights and stop signs, driving aggressively and drinking and driving.

Safe driving advocates say that there's a quick fix though! It's called the "Smart Turn Signal" and it works a lot like a seat belt warning system. If the system senses that a driver's turn signal has been left on or that their signal isn't being used as it should, then it will send out a friendly warning, like a beep, to remind them to start using it. Researchers say that this new system is less expensive than the current system that's being used in vehicles and has the ability to help to prevent millions of accidents every year.

The truth of it all is that drivers have a responsibility to practice safe and effective driving habits behind the wheel. Following roadway laws and making your moves in traffic as predictable as possible can help to keep you safe on our roadways and to reduce your risks of a car accident in Modesto and elsewhere. In 2009, there were nearly 11,000,000 car accidents on roadways across the country, according to the U.S. Census Bureau. In these accidents, there were nearly 36,000 lives lost. Many of these accidents could have been prevented if drivers took as simple of steps as using a blinker. We all need to work together to make our roadways safer for everyone and that means abiding by all road laws, including the use of a turn signal. It's a quick and easy way to save lives.

Sharrock v. United States Addresses Questions about Employer Liability in Modesto Negligence Cases

Sun, 15 Apr 2012 07:24:39 -0800

When involved in a lawsuit over an accident, there are usually several parties involved. There are the plaintiff, the defendant, their respective insurance companies, and even sometimes employers.

However, there is still such confusion within the public and court as to when an employer can be held liable for the negligent driving of an employee.

If you have been involved in a car accident in Modesto you may be confused with all the parties involved in your case. Our experienced Modesto injury attorneys understand, and we can help you work towards getting the award you deserve.

Sharrock v. United States is a case that exemplifies the confusion surrounding employer liability. Quinten McCoy ("Sailor") was a sailor for the United States navy ("US"). On the naval base in Guam sailor was driving his vehicle negligently. This negligence caused the off-duty sailor to crash with the vehicle of Richard Sharrock ("Plaintiff"). Plaintiff's sued the U.S. for sailor's negligence under the doctrine of respondeat superior.

Negligence is where a person fails to exercise the requisite reasonable care. This is based on how a reasonable person would behave in a similar situation. In order for a defendant to be guilty of negligence, the plaintiff must prove that the defendant had a duty of care, this duty of care was breached, the breach of duty was the direct and proximate cause of the plaintiff's injuries and the plaintiff suffered damages. Negligence does not require a specific intent because the only requirement is that the defendant acted recklessly.

Respondeat superior is a liability principal used in negligence cases. It is commonly referred to as vicarious liability and it is based on agency principals. This theory of liability is used to impute liability onto an employer where an employee is negligent while acting in the scope of the employment. Basically, if an employee is performing the specific job activities negligently, the employer can be held liable.

There are many things that are taken into account when establishing whether this doctrine is applicable. The court in this case looks to whether the negligent conduct was performed within the scope of the employee's employment and whether the employee was furthering the employer's business when the negligent action was taken.

Sharrock shows the importance of details in a case. Earlier on the day of the accident, McCoy had been dismissed from duty. When he was involved in the accident he was driving to basketball practice on base as part of the morale program for the U.S. As a sailor, McCoy was encouraged but not required to attend this practice.

Plaintiff's argued that because this practice was requested the U.S. should be held liable for the negligence of McCoy because of the doctrine of respondeat superior. Plaintiffs argued that because the U.S. stressed physical fitness, this basketball practice should be considered as part of a sailors training because of the inference between encouraging physical fitness and the basketball practice. The U.S. denied this by arguing that this practice was not a job function.

This case discusses at length this concept of "scope of employment." The court looks to California law to guide in their analysis of this concept.

Another important thing to take not of is the "going and coming rule." This rule is used to release employers from liability for employee's negligence when the employee is on their way to and from work. There is an accepted exception to this rule where an employee acts negligently while on a "special errand." This exception allows for employer liability where an employee acts negligently while commuting to and from work as a part of his regular duties or where the employer orders or requests the special errand.

To determine whether this special errand rule applies to this case, the court looked to whether the defendant was required to attend the basketball practice, whether the practice was mandatory, and whether the basketball practice was part of defendant's regular duties.

It is noted that the court decisions on whether to apply liability to an employer have been inconsistent. Thus the court posed the applicable question in this case. Its decision hinged on whether the U.S. created and maintained an environment that would have made the sailors negligent conduct foreseeable.

Therefore, the holding in this case was that where a service member acts negligently while commuting to a recreational activity which was encouraged by the employer but not required, the employer cannot be held liable because this commute would not be considered as being in the "scope of employment."

Basically, this case affects what type of award you can recover for the negligence of another. Knowing your rights is a critical part of your personal injury case.

Pledge to Fight Car Accidents in Modesto through National Distracted Driving Awareness Month

Wed, 04 Apr 2012 09:03:08 -0800

Every year, the Modesto Injury Attorneys and the National Safety Council (NSC) works to raise awareness about the dangers of driving while distracted.

During the month of April, we urge drivers to hang up the phone behind the wheel and participate in National Distracted Driving Awareness Month.

With this year's anti-distraction campaign, we are urging drivers throughout the state to take the pledge to drive distraction free. The campaign may only be a month long, but we're asking drivers to make the pledge for life.

In 2010, there were about 3,000 people who were killed in distraction-related car accidents in Modesto and elsewhere. The saddest thing about these kinds of traffic accidents is that they're completely preventable.

All drivers have to do is toss away their cell phone or text messaging device while the vehicle is in drive. The first step toward making this change is to help drivers to understand the very real and dangerous risks associated with this driving habit.

A number of studies have proven that the human brain is not able to efficiently focus on two demanding tasks at the same time. In recent studies, it was proven that the brain function is depleted by nearly 40 percent when a driver attempts to use a cell phone and drive at the same time. You may think you can do it, but you'd be wrong. Any little distraction will take focus off of the roadway. Don't risk it.

For National Distracted Driving Awareness Month 2012, we're asking all California drivers to make a pledge to curb the distractions behind the wheel. Taking this pledge, and following through, may be one of the easiest and most effective ways to help improve the safety of our roadways.

Take the Pledge:

-Keep cell phones, text messaging devices and other electronics out of the driver's seat while the vehicle is on.

-Vow to stay away from hands-free devices, too. They're no safer than hand-held devices.

-Speak up if you're riding with a driver who is engaging in distractions. Your intervention could help to save a life.

-Share the message about the risks and dangers that are associated with distracted driving with your friends and family members.

According to the National Safety Council, about 25 percent of car accidents involve a cell phone-using driver. Driving is a difficult task that involves eye, hand and brain coordination. Nothing should hinder this coordination, especially a cell phone.

"While many understand the dangers, they still use their cell phones when they drive. We hope people will take the pledge this April to help prevent needless tragedies and keep our roadways safer," said Janet Froetscher with the National Safety Council.

Modesto Back-Over Accidents Prove Dangerous for Children

Wed, 14 Mar 2012 10:36:44 -0800

A young child who was seriously injured in a Modesto car accident has remained in critical condition. The 18-month-old girl was struck by her mother's vehicle, according to police, who say the woman accidentally backed over the child.

Our Modesto car accident attorneys have seen first-hand the anguish and devastation that can be wrought when a child is hurt or killed in a wreck. Most often in back-over cases, the person in the driver's seat is a family friend or relative who simply didn't see them. It's rarely ever intentional, but that doesn't make the injuries sustained any less devastating.

According to The Modesto Bee, the incident happened at the family's home on Kerr Avenue shortly after 9 a.m. The California Highway Patrol reported that the young girl had left her home through an open fence and walked out behind her mother's Lincoln.

That's when the 21-year-old mother reportedly backed over her daughter. Another family member rushed the child to a nearby hospital, where she was then flown to Children's Hospital and Research Center in Oakland.

Children's services is investigating.

According to KidsandCars.org, a non-profit site that aims to educate the public about the most common causes of child injury involving vehicles, there are thousands of children killed and seriously injured each year because drivers don't see them. Typically, these accidents happen when the vehicle is moving at fairly slow speeds, either backing out of a driveway or parking space.

What's more, at least 50 children are involved in back-over accidents in the U.S. every single week. Of those, about 48 are treated in hospital emergency rooms. An average of two children die every week in back-over accidents. Most of the victims are between the ages of 12 months and 23 months, and more than 60 percent of the vehicles involved in child back-over injuries are large trucks, vans or sport utility vehicles. In more than 70 percent of these instances, it's a parent or close relative who is driving.

KidsandCars.org offers the following preventative measures to help reduce the number of tragedies:

Before you move your car, walk around and behind it;
Know where your children are, and make them back away from your car to a place where you can see them and they are supervised;
Instruct children to understand that a "parked" car has the potential to move, and that even if they can see the car, the driver might not be able to spot them;
Hold your child's hand when you're leaving a car;
Keep your driveway clear of toys;
Consider keeping your landscaping neat so you will always be able to see your children or any others that may dart into your path as you are backing out;
Keep your car locked, even if it's only in the driveway or garage;
Instruct your children to never play in, behind or around a car;
You may want to install cross-view mirrors or audio crash detectors.

What Adler v. Clear Channel Broad, Inc. Says About Recovery for Loss of Earning Power in Your Personal Injury's Case

Tue, 06 Mar 2012 13:22:25 -0800

If you have ever been injured you can understand the concern that surrounds missing work. Just because you are injured does not mean that bills do not continue to arrive. Your Modesto personal injury lawyers can help you get the relief you need.

Questions can arise as to how you will support yourself and your family, and what kind of living you will make. In Adler v. Clear Channel Broad, Inc., the Sixth Circuit Court of Appeals discusses the law regarding the collection of damages in a personal injury action, especially an award for loss of earning capacity. Damages are a complex question after a Modesto car accident or other injury case.

It is important to have experienced and detail oriented attorneys working for you, as it is challenging to measure and prove damages in a personal injury case. Our firm can help you receive the most complete judgment, including the recovery for future damages.

Adler arose in Ohio when a woman who was visiting a local campground was injured. Adler v. Clear Channel Broad, Inc. The victim was at the campground attending a music festival and visiting friends. While Adler was walking to the restroom, she veered somewhat off the path and subsequently fell into a six-to-eight inch hole which was covered by some grass.

As a result of this fall, the victim sustained severe injuries and broke bones in both of her feet. Adler developed arthritis, which prohibited her from standing for extended periods of time. She was then forced to change her profession from childcare to that of a manicurist where she earned substantially less money.

The negligence of others has the ability to change your life and livelihood which is why you need capable attorneys in your corner. Defending your rights is critical to securing your financial future in the wake of a serious accident.

The court in Adler held that when a plaintiff is injured and loses some of their earning ability due to the negligence of a landowner, the plaintiff can be awarded future economic damages for this loss. In proving these types of damages, the court said that the plaintiff had to prove that damage to her future earnings arose because of the injuries sustained in relation to the injuries discussed in this case.

You can not prevent the negligent actions of others, but what you can do is safeguard yourself. This can be achieved by maintaining up to date and clear records of your earnings and employment history. In the event that you are injured, the court says you can be awarded the difference between your earning capacities before the injury minus your future earning capacity.

In regards to premise liability, the court discusses this as well. Landowners owe a duty to visitors on their land. Adler provides a clear cut distinction of the duties owed depending on the purpose of the visit. The three classifications of people that are identified in this case include trespassers, licensees, and invitees.

As illustrated in Adler, the victim was on the campground visiting her friends, and her friends were paying the landowner to stay on the campground. Therefore, this court classified Adler as an invitee, and held that Clear Channel Broad had a duty to perform "reasonable inspections" of their property in order to discover any obscured hazards. Because the landowner had not performed these inspections, Adler was entitled to recovery under a theory of negligence where the landowner breached their duty of care.

Although we are aware that landowners have some responsibilities, there is not widespread knowledge about the duties imposed by law on landowners. When you have devoted attorneys, your legal rights won't be overlooked.

Motorists Still Main Cause of Pedestrian Accidents in Modesto and Elsewhere

Mon, 13 Feb 2012 03:49:07 -0800

Researchers are studying a new type of pedestrian accident in Modesto. Experts with Transportation For America are looking at the number of "distracted" pedestrians who have been killed in recent years. The number of distraction-related pedestrian deaths is minimal in comparison to the problem as a whole.

Researchers have determined that the number of headphone-wearing pedestrians who have been killed in traffic-related accidents in the last six years has tripled. While it may sound like this problem is becoming epidemic, the truth of the matter is that these types of accidents still only accounted for about 0.3 percent of all pedestrian deaths during the study time. From 2000 to 2009, there were nearly 48,000 pedestrians killed on U.S. roadways in traffic-related accidents. Of the 48,000 pedestrian fatalities over the 9-year study, only about 115 were the result of pedestrians wearing headphones, according to researchers at The University of Maryland.

In California, where we're blessed with some pretty beautiful weather, our Modesto pedestrian accident lawyers understand that these types of accidents are all too common. During the study period, there were nearly 7,000 pedestrians killed along California roadways. In fact, there were more pedestrian fatalities in our state than in any other state in the country.

In recent news coverage, the media has attempted to shift the blame from motorists to pedestrians. Still, with less than half of a percent of these accidents being attributed to headphone-wearing pedestrians, how could it be their fault?

It's true that it's never a good idea to travel while distracted, whether you're walking, biking or driving. When traveling along the busy roadways of California, you need to make sure all of your attention is on the roadway and your surroundings.

Pedestrian advocates have found this study to be relatively meaningless, saying that it's like trying to help someone who's been stabbed in the chest and trying to find a little Band-Aid to patch the scratch on his knee. It just makes no sense.

The biggest threat was and continues to be motorists. Unfortunately, a majority of motorists travel our roadways with little to no regard for our on-foot travelers, who also have the right to be there.

Did you know that a majority of roadways where pedestrian accidents occurred in the U.S. are in fact streets that are eligible to receive federal funding? This money is supposed to be used for road projects to help make the streets safer, but it continues to be utilized to make roadways bigger and better to equip speedy travel. Nearly 70 percent of all pedestrian fatalities occurred on these dangerous roads.

Some researchers say the number of pedestrian fatalities resulting from distractions hasn't really changed with the advancement of iPods, smartphones and other technologies. The problem is less about headphones and cell phones and more about the lack of smart traffic engineering.

Experts commenting on the new research say the 0.3 percent of pedestrians killed while wearing headphones is not a large enough sample from which to draw any meaningful conclusions. Instead, their time is better spent addressing ways that we can work to protect the other 99.7 percent of non-headphone-wearing pedestrians who were killed in traffic-related accidents.

Helping to Reduce the Risks of Car Accidents in Modesto and Elsewhere among Teen Drivers

Mon, 06 Feb 2012 09:39:19 -0800

As we recently reported on our Modesto Injury Lawyers Blog, teenage drivers are most likely to be involved in a car accident during the first 30 days after they get their unrestricted driver's license. Luckily, there are a few things that can help reduce the risks for these vulnerable drivers. Parents and passengers play an integral role, according to Medical Press.

According to the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS), new drivers are prohibited from riding with passengers under the age of 20 when they have a restricted or intermediate license. It's important for parents to enforce these rules while their teen is learning to drive. It's also critically important that parents stay involved in their teen's driving habits once they've completed the graduated driver's licensing (GDL) program. The truth of the matter is that passengers greatly increase the risks of car accidents in Modesto and elsewhere among teenage drivers.

A recent study published in the Journal of Adolescent Health determined that passengers had a significant impact on a teen driver's habits behind the wheel. With both male and female drivers, they were more likely to engage in dangerous driving habits when passengers were present. According to a study of nearly 700 teen accident reports, drivers with passengers were more susceptible to car accidents. While boys were more likely to speed and drive aggressively with passengers present, girls were more likely to look at the passenger, make phone calls and text. Regardless of the type of distraction, the danger was there in nearly every scenario.

"Distraction from peer passengers appears to play a prominent role for both male and female drivers," said Allison E. Curry, Ph.D., MPH, who was also an author in the study.

Parents should know, however, that they can significantly reduce these risks for their teens. Another study published in the same journal determined that teenage drivers with parents who knew their whereabouts and passenger count typically had less chance of being in an accident. Parental involvement helped to keep teens focused on the dangers of the roadways, as well as ensuring they would practice their safe driving habits.

Researchers at the Center for Injury Research and Prevention at the Children's Hospital of Philadelphia concluded, through the study of nearly 200 teen drivers, that graduated driver's licensing laws, coupled with parental involvement, equals safer teen drivers. When teenagers drive with state laws and parental enforcement, they're less likely to screw around behind the wheel. As teens learn to drive, the habits they develop during the first few years behind the wheel will be ones they use the rest of their lives. Let's all do our part to help to mold them into safe and responsible drivers.

Modesto Bicycle Accident Leaves Officers Looking for Hit-and-Run Driver

Mon, 23 Jan 2012 09:29:49 -0800

Officers with the Modesto Police Department are asking for help from the community. They're looking for the driver who is responsible for the death of a bicyclist. The Modesto bicycle accident has been described as a hit-and-run accident in which an bicyclist was left to die after being struck by a pickup truck just before 7 a.m.

Officers say the vehicle they're looking for is a white pickup truck that may have some damage to the front bumper, according to SF Gate. If you have any information, you're urged to contact local authorities.

Our Modesto bicycle accident lawyers understand that bicyclists are free to pedal around town throughout the year. California's ideal weather is perfect for cycling. Unfortunately, these year-round conditions of great weather means more bikes on the road, which contributes to the alarmingly high number of bicycle accidents that we see each year. Motorists and bicyclists are urged to be cautious of one another on our roadways to help to prevent any future accidents. Safer roadways start with you.

Bicycle Safety Tips from the California Department of Motor Vehicles:

-Always stay in control of your bicycle. Don't try new tricks near traffic.

-Wear brightly-colored clothing to be more visible to motorists.

-Adhere reflective tape to your bike to be seen when it's dark.

-Attach a light to your bike when riding at night.

-Always ride on the right-hand side of the road with the flow of traffic.

-Be cautious near parked vehicles. Vehicle occupants opening car doors is creating a new wave of bicyclist accidents called dooring.

-Always stop for traffic signals and stop lights. You are to follow the same road laws as motor-vehicle drivers.

-Use crosswalks to cross lanes of traffic.

-Never ride with more than one person on a bike unless it has been designed for such use.

-Use arm signals to communicate your desired maneuvers to others.

-Never allow small children to ride alone.

According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), there were nearly 650 bicyclists killed because of traffic-related accidents in the U.S. in 2009. More than 50,000 were injured during the same year because of these types of accidents. The deaths of bicyclist accounted for about 2 percent of all of the roadway fatalities for the year.

According to accident statistics, male riders between the ages of 45- and 54-years-old are most likely to be killed in a bicycle accident, followed by males between the ages of 35- and 44-years-old. While these groups are more likely to be involved in a bicycle accident, surely everyone is at serious risks in our state.

In the state of California, nearly 100 bicyclists were killed in 2009. Our state was the second most dangerous in the country for these types of accidents behind Florida.

Fatal Motorcycle Accident in Modesto Blamed on SUV Driver

Tue, 17 Jan 2012 08:52:11 -0800

A recent motorcycle accident in Modesto left a man dead after being thrown from his bike, according to News10. Modesto police Officer Scott Nelson says that the motorcyclist was heading north on Tully Road when he ran into an SUV that was making a left turn in front of him. The driver of the SUV failed to see the oncoming bike. While airborne, the cyclist went through an elevated street signs and into someone's backyard. The cyclists ended up near a sliding door of the house.

"It was loud and bad. It seemed like it hit the house. They couldn't find the body of the person. They were looking on the roof," said the homeowner.

Our Modesto motorcycle accident lawyers understand that the state of California is fortunate enough to be able to provide residents with motorcycle-riding weather year round. Unfortunately, because of these conditions riders are faced with serious risks for accidents too. More than half of all motorcycle accidents involving another vehicle are in fact the fault of the other driver and not of the motorcyclist. It's a new year and we're using this time to reach out to drivers to ask them to be more cautious on our roadways and to keep a close eye out for motorcyclists.

According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), there were nearly 4,500 motorcyclists killed in traffic accidents across the country in 2009. Another 100,000 were injured during the same year. In the state of California, nearly 400 motorcyclists were killed throughout the year. Our state was the third most dangerous in the country for these types of accident.

Motorcycle Accident Statistics Breakdown:

-About 75 percent of all motorcycle accidents involve a collision with another vehicle.

-Only about a quarter of all motorcycle accidents are single-vehicle accidents.

-Roadway defects contribute to about 2 percent of all motorcycle accidents.

-In multiple-vehicle crashes, the other vehicle's driver failed to yield to the right-of-way of the motorcyclists nearly 70 percent of the time.

-Drivers failing to see or recognize motorcycles on the road is the predominating cause of motorcycle crashes.

-Motorcycle accidents most frequently occur at intersections.

-Weather is not a factor in 99 percent of all motorcycle crashes.

The Modesto Police Department and our personal injury attorneys are here to offer you some motorcycle safety tips to help reduce the risks of these types of accidents.

Motorcycle Safety Tips:

-Never tailgate. Vehicles may stop unexpectedly and motorcycles have a difficult time stopping on some surfaces.

-Avoid riding between lanes, even if traffic is stopped or traveling slowly.

-Know and follow all traffic laws.

-Use turn signals and hand signals to help alert other motorists of your intended maneuvers.

-Make sure that you protect yourself when riding, wear the safety gear.

-Always drive defensive and assume that other driver's don't see you.

Local Police and MADD Pushes to Eliminate Drunk Driving Accidents in Modesto

Fri, 23 Dec 2011 04:14:52 -0800

The Modesto Police Department will be deploying a number of DUI saturation patrols throughout the month of December in an attempt to bust drunk drivers. The DUI patrols are a part of the city's continuing efforts to reduce the risks of drunk driving accidents in Modesto. With the holiday season upon us, motorists are expected to travel throughout the state to gather with friends and family members. Unfortunately, many of these holidays will involve alcohol beverages and many drivers will fail to arrange a safe way home, endangering everyone on our roadways.

The Department says it began enforcing its "Zero Tolerance" policy during the first two weeks of December, setting up patrols on the 2nd, 3rd, 9th and 10th. Officers will be looking for those who fail to designate a sober driver and who choose to endanger innocent motorists on our roadways.

Our Modesto drunk driving accident attorneys understand that there were 10 people killed and another 400 people injured because of drunk driving accidents in the city over the last three years. As we enter the holiday season the number of drunk driving accidents are expected to skyrocket. We're asking all drivers to party safely and to drive soberly through this holiday season.

The Modesto Police Department isn't the only organization out pushing for safe and sober roadways through the holiday season, Mothers Against Drunk Driving (MADD) is celebrating the fifth anniversary of its Campaign to Eliminate Drunk Driving.

For its fifth anniversary, the organization has released a new report that looks at each state's efforts to reduce the risks of drunk driving. Each state was rated out of five stars. The country overall ranked in at three out of five stars. That's not an excellent rating for combating some of the deadliest types of accidents on our roadways.

California was ranked with four out of five stars. Our state was recognized for starting our pilot program for interlock devices. While the pilot program only took place in four counties, covering 13 million people, the program should be expanded statewide, says the report. The report also suggested that our state consider toughening up the child endangerment law. This is the law that lists the punishments for drunk driving with a child in the vehicle.

"Drunk driving is still the deadliest epidemic on America's roads, killing approximately 11,000 people every year," said Ray LaHood with USDOT.

Drunk driving accidents cost the state more than $130 billion every year.

The $132 billion consists of:

-More than $60 billion in monetary costs.

-More than $70 billion in quality-of-life losses.

-The federal government dished out almost $5 billion of the costs.

-Local and state governments covered re than $3 billion of the costs.

-Employers contributed nearly $11 billion to the bill, which included nearly $4 billion for accidents that involved work trips and roughly $7 billion for accidents that happened outside of work involving employees and benefit-eligible dependents.

"OMG" Campaign to Curb Distraction-Related Car Accidents in Modesto, Nation

Mon, 05 Dec 2011 11:13:40 -0800

According to California Causality, half of all teenage drivers admit to text while driving. Texting at the wheel increases their risks for a car accident in Modesto and elsewhere by nearly 25 percent. California Causality has been pushing for more teen driver education for quite some time now. Teenagers face some of the most severe risks for an accident on our roadways.

Many organizations continue to share concern regarding the safety of these young drivers. Our Modesto teen car accident attorneys would like to tell you about a new campaign, "OMG," that was recently launched by the U.S. Department of Transportation (USDOT). The "OMG" campaign is made up of two public service announcements (PSAs) that will be airing at roughly 550 Regal Cinema movie theaters across the country, on 12,000 pump-top screens owned that as well as on the Distraction.gov website all through December.

"Teen drivers are particularly vulnerable to distracted driving, which is why we are making an extra effort to ensure they understand the dangers," said U.S. Department of Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood.

With the busy holiday driving season underway, teenage drivers will be venturing out on winter vacations and to visit with friends, classmates and family. These PSAs are aiming to help raise awareness about the dangers of texting while driving. The campaign uses popular texting lingo, such as "LOL and "L8R," to communicate with these young drivers. These drivers are more likely than any other age group to text message behind the wheel of a motor vehicle and are also at the highest risks for an accident.

Greg Dunn, the President and COO of Regal Entertainment Group, said that Regal is please to assist the USDOT in its fight to curb distraction-related accidents.

Nathan Gill with PumpTop TV says that he and the company are excited to be able to provide this type of information to our young on-the-go drivers and that these five-minutes can actually help to save lives on our roadways.

It's no secret that teenagers want to stay connected with one another, even if they've got to do it behind the wheel of a motor vehicle. It's important that these young drivers understand that there's a time and a place for this behavior and that behind the wheel of a motor vehicle is not it. There's no text message that's worth a life. Parents are asked to sit down and reiterate safe driving habits with your teen drivers to help keep them safe through the holiday season and long after.

Right now, there are 35 states, Guam and the District of Columbia that prohibits drivers from texting at the wheel. There are also nine states, the Virgin Islands and the District of Columbia that prohibit all hand-held cell phone use while driving a motor vehicle.

Increased Thanksgiving Travel Poses High Risk of Car Accidents in Stockton, Modesto, Statewide

Tue, 22 Nov 2011 05:40:48 -0800

Thanksgiving holiday travel can be a challenge with more motorists traveling throughout the week but our Modesto car accident attorneys are confident that with a little extra caution roadways can remain safer for all. No one wants to spend the holidays mourning the loss of a loved one so keep that in mind as you venture out to family gatherings, holiday parades or Black Friday sales events.

CNN Money reports that higher gas prices won't be keeping motorists from taking to the highways this week. The average price of gas is roughly 50 cents higher than it was a year ago. But that won't stop families from venturing out to be with loved ones for a turkey dinner complete with all the fixings. According to American Automobile Association (AAA), 90 percent of holiday traveling will be by automobile, which puts motorists at high risk of car accidents in Stockton, Modesto or elsewhere in the state.

AAA is projecting holiday travel will be up 4 percent from last year. A spokesman from AAA indicates the rise has much to do with families making a commitment to spend quality time with family members this year after several years at home. It is estimated that 42.5 million will travel in 2011 compared to 40.9 million last Thanksgiving.

The National Safety Council defines the Thanksgiving Holiday period starting at 6:00 p.m. on Wednesday to 11:59 p.m. on Sunday. During that period, the organization is predicting that 434 traffic fatalities will be caused by car accidents. In addition, approximately 43,400 holiday travelers will be injured seriously enough to need medical attention in traffic accidents during the Thanksgiving holiday period.

In 2009, the Fatality Analysis Reporting System (FARS) reported 38 fatal crashes on Thanksgiving Day in California. As a result, 111 people were killed in a traffic accident which equated to roughly 12 percent of the total traffic fatalities nationwide.

Whether you are making a quick trip downtown for a Black Friday sales event or driving 50 miles to see grandparents, we urge all motorists to use extra caution. Roadways will be congested throughout the week so we offer the following tips to keep in mind as you travel.

-If children become restless or agitated and need attended to, pull of the road into a safe spot and take care of the situation rather than take your eyes off of the road to address a problem in the back seat.

-Be prepared for delays in congested areas and don't speed to make up for lost time.

-Ensure everyone is buckled before the vehicle starts in motion.

-Don't risk a drowsy driving accident if you feel sluggish after a meal or full day of shopping. Instead, rest up or ask someone else to drive if they feel more rested.

Modesto Car Accident Attorneys Warn of The Dangerous Holiday Driving Season

Thu, 03 Nov 2011 06:19:11 -0800

A recent car accident in Modesto killed a 16-year-old passenger, according to WSVN.

The accident happened when the girl was driving around 7:30 a.m. in a Honda Civic. The driver of the vehicle swerved across to the eastbound lanes and hit a Mitsubishi Eclipse. The 17-year-old driver was injured in the accident, but is doing okay, the news station reports. The passenger died 15 days later. The driver of the Eclipse was reportedly not injured in the accident.

Both of the girls were students at Modesto High School. An investigation into the accident is ongoing, the Modesto Police Department is saying. Officials believe that road conditions could have been a factor in the accident. The roadway was wet and slippery as the area received about an inch of rain overnight.

Our Modesto car accident attorneys would like to ask everyone to travel safely throughout the remainder of the year. As kids are let out of school for winter break and we get to use up some holiday vacation time, many residents will be venturing out to gather with friends and family. With safe and defensive driving habits, we can all help to keep our roadways safe for everyone. Let's ring in the New Year safe, optimistic and injury-free!

Another teen car accident on Highway 132 seriously injured an 18-year-old and another driver when a young driver slammed into the back of a Honda Civic. The car was stopped in the westbound lane waiting to make a turn onto Stone Avenue.

Upon impact, the Civic was tossed into oncoming traffic and collided with an Acura Integra. The driver of the Integra was pinned in his vehicle and suffered injuries. A passenger in that vehicle was also hurt as a result of the impact. The 23-year-old driver of the Civic was taken to the hospital with injuries.

California Highway Patrol is investigating the accident. The highway was closed for nearly an hour with rescue crews working frantically to clear the scene.

We would like to warn motorists about the dangers we'll be facing on our roadways throughout the remainder of the year. Motorists are asked to be cautious during every car trip. Unfortunately, motorists pay little attention to what they're doing behind the wheel as some feel that driving is now second nature. It's not. Drivers need to be cautious focused and alert at all times, especially teen drivers.

Parents are urged to talk with their young drivers about the dangers we face on our roadways. These young drivers are at extreme risks for an accident as they possess much less driving experience than some of us veteran drivers.

Consider offering your teen driver with more supervised driving time. Offer them with positive encouragement while they're behind the wheel. You may be one of the most influential people in your young driver's life.

Modesto Teen Car Accidents Often Happen During First 30 Days of Driving Unsupervised

Thu, 20 Oct 2011 13:44:42 -0800

According to recent studies, young drivers seem to be most at risk for a car accident in Modesto or elsewhere in California shortly after they obtain a license. In fact, a recent study conducted by AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety found that teen drivers are 50 percent more likely to be involved in a crash in the first 30 days of unsupervised driving than after the first 12 months of driving alone in a vehicle.

Stockton car accident attorneys know that teens probably tend to be on their best behavior while practicing to drive with an adult, but safe practices shouldn't stop once they start driving solo.

The AAA study involved teens being monitored by an in-vehicle camera while they were learning to drive with their parents. The camera continued to monitor the same young drivers six months after obtaining a license while no longer being required to drive with an adult present in the vehicle. Researchers found that teens tend to drive in favorable driving conditions on familiar roads during most of the time spent with an adult in the learner's permit phase. Once a full license was obtained, teenage behavior behind the wheel became more risky as illustrated in video clips. Teens were caught on tape doing things like running red lights, texting, or fooling around with another passenger while driving.

Researchers have found the three most common causes of teen accidents in the first month of being licensed are failure to yield to traffic, driver distraction and neglecting to reduce speed when needed. They found that 57 percent of accidents were attributed to these three mistakes commonly made by new drivers.

The California Department of Motor Vehicles has a particular interest in reducing teen car crashes because young drivers between the ages of 15-20 were involved in crashes killing almost 600 people in 2008. Texas was the only other state to have more deaths caused by a teen driver that year than California.

Statistics have shown that for every 100 drivers, 16-year-olds are cited for a violation almost twice as much as drivers of all ages; 31.0 compared to 17.3 respectively. It has been found that 17- and 18-year-olds have a high rate of violations with 36.6 and 38.9 citations per 100 drivers, respectively.

Over the years, California DOT has found several risk factors that have attributed to the high number of crashes involving teen drivers. These include:

-Failing to detect hazards quick enough. Identifying hazardous stimuli that affect the driving environment and learning how to cope are skills that are acquired with time and experience.

-Underestimating the threat of a hazard and overestimating the ability to handle the situation.

-Becoming overconfident in your ability to drive which leads to riskier and more dangerous behaviors.

-Failing to wear a seat belt.

-Inability to eliminate distractions caused by other passengers riding in the vehicle, especially peer passengers.

-Night driving is difficult enough but adding drowsiness or the influence of alcohol to nighttime driving puts teens at severe risk of a crash.

Parents are advised to continue making safe driving a hot topic in family discussions with your teen. Frequent discussions about safe behaviors can let your teen know the importance of driving safely and help them to make better choices as they gain experience in driving alone.

Modesto Motorists Pledge to Drive Distraction-Free In Order to Reduce Risk of Car Accidents in Modesto

Wed, 05 Oct 2011 10:16:12 -0800

Taking the Distraction-free Driving Pledge could make roadways safer in Modesto and reduce the risk of car accidents in Stockton. Of course, making the pledge requires that you make a valiant effort to eliminate all distractions inside your vehicle and talk to friends, family and anyone who will listen about doing the same.

Modesto injury lawyers know that distracted driving accidents are becoming all too familiar in the state of California and throughout the country. In fact, it is estimated that almost 8,000 car accidents occur daily because a driver took the liberty of getting distracted behind the wheel.

In a recent effort to curb texting and driving behaviors among teenagers, California Highway Patrol implemented a 2-day "Zero Tolerance" Campaign for high schools located from Modesto all the way to Grapevine. CBS 45 reported that teens in the area admittedly text and drive, even when told by parents that a stipulation to being permitted to drive alone is not to practice these types of unsafe behaviors. Highlighting their focus on teens, the California Highway Patrol hoped to scare them enough to stop the behavior, or risk a $20 fine for first offenses and $50 for every violation after that.

Rather than using a scare tactic, AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety is promoting Heads-Up Driving Week from October 2-8 for a third straight year. Concerned about safety for everyone, the Foundation is asking all motorists to eliminate attempts at multi-tasking or any kind of distraction while you drive.

It seems as though multi-tasking is becoming more prevalent for motorists because we are all short on time and guilty of feeling like we need to utilize every minute of the day. The time spent operating a vehicle seems like free time that can be spent on grooming, catching a quick bite to eat, returning phone calls or other distracting behaviors like texting. Recent studies have shown that drivers are distracted more than 50 percent of the time that they are operating a vehicle. Crash data is limited, but it is estimated that 16 percent of fatal crashes involve a distraction that caused the accident.

According to the recent 2011 Traffic Safety Culture Index, most drivers, 87 percent of those surveyed, support a law that would ban texting, emailing or surfing the internet while driving nationwide. Even more of the respondents, 94 percent, admit that the behavior is extremely dangerous when trying to operate a vehicle and is unacceptable.

Why then, are a third of those surveyed still practicing the unsafe behavior during the last 30 days? Attitude has a lot to do with it. Most motorists have the attitude that a tragic accident won't happen to them or responding to one text or a minute of surfing won't hurt anything. That couldn't be further from the truth.

Just ask the family members of the almost 5,500 people killed in distracted driving car accidents in 2009. The age group most at risk is the 20-year-olds and under but I think we are all slightly guilty of thinking a tragedy won't happen to us when we are behind the wheel. By eliminating distractions, we can stay focused and make roadways safer for everyone.