Drunk driving fatalities account for 32% of all traffic deaths. Regardless of all the public service announcements, driver education courses and national efforts made by anti drunk driving organizations such as Mothers Against Drunk Driving – drinking and driving remains a major public health concern. Despite the amount of attention drinking and driving has received in the past three decades, annual drunk driving deaths continue to climb.

It’s surprising how many people get behind the wheel after having several drinks despite public awareness against drunk driving. When these people get behind the wheel, the consequences can be tragic, if not fatal. If you or a family member have been injured as a result of an accident involving a drunk driver in Orange County, you may need an experienced personal injury attorney to represent your interests. It is essential that the unwitting victims of drunk driving accidents get the help and compensation that is due. There is probably nothing worse than having an innocent person involved in a drunk driving fatality. It is for this reason the law allows the victims of drunk driving accidents to sue the responsible party in a personal injury lawsuit.

As drunk driving is a crime the first thing to happen will be the state taking charge of the case. They will impose criminal and administrative consequences upon a drunk driver. The filing of your personal injury lawsuit will force financial responsibility upon the guilty party. Damages from a drunk driving accident can be monstrous: from medical expenses, hospital bills, ambulance bills, lost wages to pain and suffering These should all be covered under your claim.

A personal injury attorney will be a vital asset when pursuing compensation from the liable party. They can assist you with accident reconstruction, hiring expert witnesses and challenging the insurance company. If you or a loved one were injured at the hands of a drunk driver, be sure to contact a lawyer right away. The law offices of Jeffrey Dawson can assist you in determining the proper way to go about determining your losses. An experienced, caring Orange County lawyer, Jeff will be happy to meet and discuss your case.

If He Bites, Do You Know What to Do?

If you or a loved one have suffered from a personal injury dog bite, you may need to know these important facts to be able to proceed safely and recover some of the costs you have incurred due to the vicious dog attack.

* ALWAYS seek medical care after a dog bite injury. Even in a seemingly minor attack, it is important to have treatment. Dog bites can result in serious infections and need proper medical attention. Rabies can be a significant concern.

* Photograph your injuries

* Record pertinent information about the dog attack, such as date and location, name and address of the dog owner. Get statements from any witnesses, with names and addresses.

* Gather all related medical records and bills

* Contact a dog bite injury lawyer who can advise you about dog bite law in California. Call the office of Jeff Dawson, a dog bite injury attorney in Irvine who will consult with you about your dog bite injury compensation case. The free consultation may result in an investigation into the possible avenues of recovery against the dog owner.

* Never handle your own dog bite lawsuit claim. Statistics have shown that insurance companies pay several times more to claimants represented by a dog bite attorney than to those who go it alone.

* Dog bite injury victims may be entitled to much more than just the cost of their medical bills. Loss of wages may be covered if you have lost work due to the dog attack. Pain and suffering is something that will be considered as well.

* A dog attack can be more than just physically traumatic. Children, in particular, may need therapy and counseling.

* Dog bite law in California can vary by city or county. It is extremely important to be represented by an attorney who is experienced in dealing with dog bite lawsuits. Contact Jeffrey Dawson today to discuss your potential dog bite injury compensation lawsuit.

Don't Approach These Dogs

Man’s best friend, the dog, is one of Americans most beloved companions. However, it is inevitable that dog bites will occur. Do you know how to possibly avoid a dog bite injury? The following tips may be helpful:

* Be aware of the dogs around you.

* Keep a proper distance from a dog, even one who is on a leash.

* Never “stare down” a strange dog. This can be perceived as aggressive behavior, and can result in the dog challenging you for head of the pack status.

* If you spot an unleashed dog, avoid it by crossing the street or reversing your direction.

* Before you touch a dog, ask the owner if this is a friendly dog, never just reach out to pet a strange animal.

*Never tease a dog, or reach through a fence to pet one.

* Never approach a snarling or growling dog, obviously, but it is less commonly understood that one should never approach a dog who is eating, sleeping, or even nursing.

Children are particularly vulnerable and at risk from suffering from dog bite attacks. Teaching your child from a very young age to avoid certain behaviors around dogs can avert possible disaster. If threatened, teach your child to never run from a dog, or to scream loudly. A sleeping dog that is suddenly startled awake can become violent quickly. If you or your child is attacked, roll into a ball, covering your face and head as much as possible.

Be sure to train young children to ask an owner’s permission before petting their dog. Show your child how to put their hand out first to allow the dog to sniff before they pet. Never, ever leave a baby or young child alone with a dog. No matter what the size or breed, any dog can become capable of causing harm.

Dog bite attacks can be horrible and traumatic. Learning how to avoid one can literally save a life. A dog bite injury may result in needing to retain an attorney who specializes in personal injury. If you have been involved in a dog bite attack, contact the law offices of Jeff Dawson to discuss your potential dog bite lawsuit settlement.

The Cement was Broken and I Fell

The injuries may be such that a call to 911 may be necessary. Even though it may seem most unlikely, many are severe enough that an ambulance should be called. If you are able to get up and move without too much difficulty, you must immediately get an evaluation by a medical professional. You may have injuries that you are not able to detect on your own. A proper medical valuation may include X-Rays, Cat scan or other extensive procedures to rule out unknown injuries. Head injuries may be particularly difficult to understand the severity of.

Do not leave the scene of the slip and fall accident without filing an accident report. Note the date and time of your fall. Explain what you were doing just before the fall; what, if anything, caused you to fall. Take note of any slip and fall hazards. Be specific in your details – was there a break in the concrete of the sidewalk due to tree roots lifting the sidewalk? Was a liquid spilled at the grocery store and not cleaned up properly? Be very specific as to what caused your slip and fall accident. Get statements and names and addresses from any witnesses who may have seen the slip and fall accident. Ask for a copy of the accident report. You would not want the accident report to “disappear” if you don’t get a copy when you are making the report.

If you find yourself a victim of a slip-and-fall, you may be entitled to compensation. You may have a slip and fall negligence case. Contact Orange County personal injury attorney Jeffrey Dawson to discuss the specifics of your potential slip and fall law suit.

Think You Can Deal with the Insurance Company Yourself?

You might be wondering if this can be done with or without the help of an attorney. Firstly, it is important to understand that the insurance company wants to settle all outstanding claims as soon as possible and for the least amount possible. Therefore, it is imperative that you are able to properly assess your situation to be able to make the best decision possible so that you can get the most out of your injury claim.

Of course, you can negotiate an insurance settlement offer on your own, but should you? As a general rule your first settlement offer will usually be quite low, and you will need to make sure that this accident claim settlement is in your best interest. Some things to consider include the following:

* Does the settlement cover all of your expenses? (medical, lost property, loss of wages)

* Does the settlement also consider all reasonable future injury-related issues related to your accident?

* Does the settlement offer consider the issue of pain and suffering?

The recommended option is to hire an experienced and qualified professional attorney to help you with your accident claim. Jeff Dawson is well versed in California personal injury laws and is able to help and guide you through the whole process to get the most out of your claim. While it can be assumed that an injury attorney will have strategic negotiating skills needed to receive the best settlement possible, Jeff is a uniquely qualified lawyer. He has worked on the other side, as well – for the insurance firms, and knows how they think. The advantage of hiring Jeff is that he can give you the much needed peace of mind necessary in any accident claim. This becomes even more important if you have been involved in a significant accident that will require more time, knowledge and work which you alone may not have.

Laws on Texting While Driving are Clear

The laws on texting while driving are very clear: don’t do it. It you do, you are in violation of the law, and you can be criminally and civilly responsible for any damages you may cause. There are some simple tips to keep you focused on the road and not on your phone:

* If a message needs to be read or responded to, it is safer to pull over to the side of the road and make all the calls and text messages needed.
* To avoid the temptation of having a quick peek at your phone (which can lead to reading or sending a message), place it inside your bag or inside the dashboard compartment.
* Turn the phone to silent mode before driving off so that you won’t think of checking it to see who is calling or who has sent a message.

Observing these safety precautions can further assure you of a safer trip each time you drive. If you have had the unfortunate experience of being in an accident you feel may have involved texting while driving or other driver negligence, contact the law offices of Jeffrey Dawson, an Irvine personal injury lawyer. Jeff can inform you of the laws on texting while driving and assist you in your car accident lawsuit.

The term medical injuries covers the broad range of damages you may be able to claim for injuries suffered in an auto accident.  The most commonly and widely claimed injury is referred to as a whiplash injury. Although whiplash injuries can be painful and long lasting, these are relatively minor compared to some of the more serious injuries you can suffer.  Such serious injuries would include paralysis, head trauma or a loss of limb. The most common injuries suffered in a car accident are stiffness and muscular pain in the neck and back.

The second type of auto accident injuries damage you may be able to claim for is mental and or emotional injuries. Most commonly this would result in the form of anxiety, apprehension, etc.  Has this caused you to miss work or other normal activities?  If so, these wold be significant factors in your car accident lawsuit.

Finally, you may also be able to claim for other losses – in addition to the car – which you suffered due to the car accident. These losses could involve damage to clothing or personal property like a laptop. Or it can be for lost wages.  This can also include treatments or medication you have to pay for to help with your recovery.

If you need to make a car accident claim your auto accident attorney must be able to prove that the car accident was not your fault. Sometimes it is quite easy to make this determination, perhaps from a police report.  If it’s not clear who is to blame, your case will need to depend on witness statements, pictures and most importantly where the damage on both vehicles is. One of the most helpful things in today’s age of cell phone cameras is to immediately take pictures  to gather as much evidence as possible at the scene of the car accident.

You Need a Car Accident Attorney!

If you have been the unfortunate victim of a car accident in Orange County, contact the law offices of Jeffrey Dawson, an  Irvine personal injury lawyer.  Jeff has the knowledge and experience necessary to get the best car accident settlement for you that is possible.

Might Not Seem Serious at First...

Think a dog bite isn’t very serious? Think again. Dog bite cases now account for one-third of all homeowners insurance liability claims, costing upwards of $356.2 million annually. The average cost of a dog bite claim is over $24,511. If you have been involved in a dog bite in Irvine, you need an experienced dog bite attorney to assist you in determining whether or not you may have a case. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), more than 4.7 million people are bitten by dogs annually, resulting in an estimated 800,000 injuries that require medical attention. While the number of dog bite claims has remained about the same in the last three years, the average cost per claim continues to rise because of increased medical costs as well as the size of settlements, judgments and jury awards.

You may feel you can’t afford to hire a California dog bite lawyer to help you with your dog bite injuries. However; you couldn’t be more wrong. Most dog bite lawsuit attorneys will take a case on a contingency fee basis if they believe that the case has merit and is worth the expense. This means that you do not pay any fee unless you win your dog bite lawsuit. If you do win the attorney is generally reimbursed for his or her fees and advanced costs out of your recovery. Fees and costs vary widely from case to case. However, it is critical to retain an attorney that can afford to advance whatever costs are reasonable and necessary for you to win.

Contact the law offices of Irvine dog bite attorney Jeffrey Dawson to discuss your case. Jeff will review the specific circumstances of your dog bite injury and will advise you as to the chances you have to recover damages for past and future medical expenses, any past and future wage loss, past and future pain and suffering, and if it is found that conduct is bad enough, punitive damages against the dog owner.

Call today for your free consultation with Jeff Dawson, a qualified and experienced Orange County personal injury lawyer, specializing in dog bite injury cases

There are even special rules if the victim is a child under the age of five. Each year, a number of children are bitten by dogs at day care centers and licensed day care homes, even when it is not legal to have dogs on site. Some jurisdictions forbid dogs from being in day care centers. Even if it is not forbidden by law, it would seem that it is negligent to permit a dog to freely interact among young children. Some day care centers have required parents to sign releases involving potential dog bites, but they have not always been found to be legally binding.

As a state with a dog-bite statute, California has laws that make a dog owner legally liable for any injury or property damage the dog has caused. While called dog bite laws, most of these laws cover other kinds of dog-inflicted injuries, not just bites. Such dog bite claims could include medical costs for injuries from being knocked over, dental expenses, and the most severe of cases, death. If the statute applies, in most cases the dog owner is automatically liable for damages suffered by the victim. This would also include property damage caused by the dog in question.

If you or a loved one have been attacked by a vicious or malicious dog, or just your neighbor’s “friendly pooch,” immediately seek proper medical care. Emergency medical care is extremely important for wound treatment. It is also imperative to determine whether the animal in question may be suffering from rabies. In any case, you will next want to contact Irvine dog bite lawyer Jeffrey Dawson, who will assist you and guide you in your dog bite lawsuit settlement case. Contact Jeff today for a free consultation and assessment of your potential lawsuit.

Fox News recently showed a piece on the newest fashion trend for babies that those over cautious “helicopter parents” are buying up: safety helmets for perfectly healthy babies with the idea that they will help prevent traumatic brain injuries in infants. How likely is this to help? What are some of the real causes of head injuries in babies? Are we truly protecting against real possibilities, or is this just a new status symbol with no real prevention for those who really aren’t at risk?

Head injuries can be a common injury for infants. Partly because they are so unsteady in their movements and need constant supervision, parents can be extremely worried about head injuries in infants. An injury can occur anytime there is damage to the brain, skull or scalp. The severity can vary, from just a minor bump on the skull to something with more catastrophic results. Generally, an infant’s skull is tough enough to serve as a natural protective headgear, designed to withstand most of the wear and tear of childhood.

What are the Typical Causes of Traumatic Brain Injury?:

* Slip and Falls (35.2%)
* Motor Vehicle Accidents (17.3%)
* Struck by/against Events (16.5%)
* Assaults (10%)
* Other (21%)

Most head injury trauma in the home occurs from a fall from an unattended child. Just watching the baby more carefully will probably have the same effect as wearing one of the new trendy helmets. If, however, your baby has suffered some type of real brain trauma, a simple helmet is not what you need. After proper medical consultation, you will most likely need to be in the competent hands of a good personal injury attorney. Your baby may need further diagnosing, testing and possibly years of treatment. This can be costly beyond imagination. Don’t think you have no avenues to explore, you just need an experienced and caring personal injury attorney to guide you. Contact the law offices of Irvine brain injury attorney Jeff Dawson to discuss your traumatic brain injury settlement case. Both you and your baby will be well taken care of.