You Need a Truck Accident Lawyer!

There are many different causes of trucking accidents.  Some accidents might result from a series of facts, including negligent driving, mechanical problems, and road or weather conditions. The most common causes are:

• Fatigued driving: many truck drivers tend to ignore the laws regarding how long they can drive, which results in lost concentration or falling asleep at the wheel
• Improperly or overloaded trailers
• Limited visibility: trucks can have blind spots directly behind, in front and on the sides
• Poor maintenance: faulty brakes and defective tires are especially dangerous
• Inexperienced driving
• Dangerous roads

Regardless of what caused the accident , if you are the victim it is advisable for you to speak with a personal injury attorney to discuss the legal options. Because the potential financial costs of such an accident are extremely high, the lawyer should conduct a knowledgeable investigation into all possible causes of the collision. Uncovering all possible causes allows him or her to file suit against all relevant defendants.  This may include the driver and or the company he works with.

If you were involved in a truck accident, you may be experiencing an overwhelming burden of medical treatment, household and medical bills, and concerns about lost wages and the loss of your car or other property.  Soon after the accident a representative of the trucking company or their insurance company will contact you to make a statement. In order to receive proper compensation you will need competent legal assistance.

What should you expect your truck accident attorney to do?

• Provide an investigator to make a report which includes photos and measurements
• File required paperwork to halt any repairs on the truck which might alter the evidence
• Make sure that the victim receives the best medical care possible for the injuries
• Build the case as soon as possible and aggressively fight for the victim’s rights

If you or a loved one have been injured in a truck accident, contact the Orange County Law Office of personal injury lawyer Jeffrey Dawson.  As an accident attorney who used to work for the insurance companies, Jeff has a unique perspective on how to deal with those companies, and achieve the best personal injury settlement offer for your truck accident.

An incident report should have been filed at the time of your slip and fall accident.  Whether it occurred at a retail establishment, public street, or private home, it is important to have a record of the conditions which contributed to your slip and fall case.  Documentation of the dangerous condition can include photos which show the unsafe condition.  Was the floor wet with no warning sign?  Was the pavement uneven?  Were the stairs poorly lit?  These conditions should be photographed.

Witness statements are particularly helpful.  Perhaps the retail establishment knew of the dangerous condition previously, but did not take proper corrective action.  Slip and fall cases in California usually involve insurance companies.  If you have slipped at a neighbor’s home or tripped over a piece of equipment in a store, you will be dealing with a potential slip and fall settlement.  Trying to do this on your own, without proper representation can be futile.  An insurance company wants to settle as quickly as possible, for the least amount of money.  You need someone to look after your interests and get the full amount of compensation to which you are entitled.

Contact Orange County attorney Jeffrey Dawson for a private consultation to discuss your case.  Do not attempt to discuss your slip and fall case with the insurance company yourself.  Hiring a competent attorney to properly represent your interests can make a big difference in your slip and fall settlement. Irvine personal injury lawyer Jeff Dawson will meet with you to determine the proper process for filing a personal injury claim for you.

As the dog had escaped from his yard and attacked the man in his own yard, the incident was treated as manslaughter and the investigation has been taken on by the Homicide and Serious Crime Command. The dog owner was eventually charged with manslaughter.

In another dog attack case highlighted on the internet, a segment on a morning television talk show featured a rescued dog, and a grateful owner giving his thanks to the hero firefighter who pulled the dog from the ice. Sounds like a perfect story to watch while eating your breakfast. However; there was a glitch. The dog, an Argentine Mastiff who was named Gladiator Maximus, attacked the host, Kyle Dyer, anchorwoman at NBC’s KUSA Denver affiliate, during a live, in-studio segment that was meant to celebrate the dog’s rescue from an icy lake the day before.

The host was petting the mastiff during the segment, “nice doggy”, when she knelt to get a little closer and the 85-pound pooch bit her in the face. Dyer was rushed to a Denver hospital where she had reconstructive surgery overnight. The 3-year-old dog was taken to a Denver animal shelter where it is being “quarantined.”

Several people had had contact with the dog prior to the show, and nothing seemed out of the ordinary. The dog attacked, unprovoked, for no apparent reason. Such can be the case with this type of dog, unfortunately.

If you have been attacked by any dog, you need medical care immediately. After that, you need a good dog bite attorney. Irvine personal injury lawyer Jeffrey Dawson is one of the best. Contact him today to review your dog bite lawsuit.

If you are a victim of an unfortunate accident, and the insurance company agrees to pay the medical bills, you may feel some reluctance to talk with an accident lawyer. However, this may turn out to be unwise. Just because an insurance company agrees to cover your medical bills, this may not be the only thing you are entitled to. You may be entitled to additional items other than just the basic medical expenses. Many people are not aware that lost wages due to missing work, in addition to pain and suffering and possible rehabilitation expenses are part of what can be your fair settlement. An experienced accident attorney can assist and guide you in this area. The personal injury attorney will inform you about your rights regarding compensation claims.

Finding an experienced personal injury attorney in Orange County can be the best thing you can do after seeing a Dr. for your injuries. Once your immediate medical needs have been met, contact the law office of Irvine personal injury lawyer Jeffrey Dawson. Jeff not only has a strong legal background, he previously worked for the insurance companies that will try to get you to settle soon, and for less. As he knows the system, Jeff can advise you as to the best way to proceed with your potential accident lawsuit in Orange County. The best thing is to have never been in an accident in the first place. The next best thing is to have a qualified lawyer to represent you. Jeffrey Dawson is that lawyer, practicing personal injury law in Irvine. Call today for a consultation about your potential accident lawsuit.

Now You Need an Attorney!

Next morning, however, things aren’t looking so good.  You can barely move your neck.  Just getting out of bed is difficult and trying to turn your head is painful.  Even walking down the hall hurts.  What is wrong here?  You were shaken up, but felt fine after the accident. It’s quite possible that you have a classic case of whiplash.  Now what?

Whiplash is a layman’s term for damage to the soft tissue area of the neck. Medically speaking,  it is an acceleration flexion-extension neck injury or a soft tissue cervical hyper-extension injury.  Your Dr. may explain it to you as a cervical sprain, cervical strain, or hyper-extension injury.  All you know is that your neck hurts, and the apparent cause of it was the car accident.  You don’t need  just a  Dr., you need a lawyer.  A personal injury lawyer who will negotiate on your behalf with the insurance company.  You may have a whiplash that goes on for quite some time, not just a week or so.   A whiplash injury which is caused by a car crash  is not typically life threatening, but it’s a real pain in the neck, literally!  It can however; lead to a period of partial disability.

Proper medical evaluation is extremely important. The insurance company just wants to settle your personal injury lawsuit for as little as possible, as quickly as possible.  You need to contact the law offices of Jeff Dawson, an Orange County personal injury attorney.  Jeff used to work with the insurance industry and is knowledgeable about how best to reach a fair settlement for you. As your personal injury lawyer, Jeff will be able to assist you in properly evaluating your whip lash injury lawsuit.

First the Crash, Then Whiplash!

"He's never bitten before!"

California is one of several states which have statutes that make dog owners liable if their dogs cause injury. Commonly known as dog-bite statutes, most of these laws include all kinds of dog-inflicted injuries, not just bites. Strict liability statutes impose liability without fault – that is, an injured person does not have to prove that the dog owner did anything wrong.  If you or a friend or family member have suffered injuries caused by “man’s best friend” you may need some legal advice to know how to proceed.  Let’s begin by offering the following questions and answers:

1.  My neighbor’s dog bit me when I was visiting her the other day.  She feels she has no responsibilities for my Dr. visit because she says the dog has never bitten anyone before.  I say differently.  Who is right?
In California,  it does not matter that the dog had no prior history of being a vicious dog. This is covered by our strict liability statue which demands the owner be responsible for all damages and injuries caused by the attacking dog.

2. My neighbor also states that since the attack occurred on her property , it was my fault for being there.  True?

No, quite the opposite in fact.  Under California dog bite laws, the dog owner has an obligation to restrain his or her dog. If you were on private property legally the dog owner will be strictly liable for all personal injuries, and/or property damage caused by the animal in question.

3. I feel like I should notify someone about this bite, but who?

All  dog bites in California which break the skin or have caused puncture wounds should be reported IMMEDIATELY to the  local county animal control .  If the wounds are very serious, the police or county sheriff’s department should be notified as well.   This will also protect your case if you need to move forward with a dog bite lawsuit.

4. What should my next step be?
Contact the law offices of Jeffrey Dawson, a qualified dog bite attorney in Irvine.  He will review the facts of your California dog bite case with you and determine the best approach for you.  As each dog bite claim is unique, there is no pat answer to a possible settlement amount.  You may

be able to receive compensation for any medical bills and lost wages as well as pain and suffering, psychological trauma, physical disability, and surgeries for dog bite scars.

The attorney will have many questions for you regarding the circumstances of your case, and any injuries.  You will need to provide information as to how you were injured, the date, location and circumstances. However; are you aware that you should also being asking questions of your potential lawyer?  It is very important that you feel comfortable with this person from  the very start.  You could be spending many hours with him or her, and you need to know that you are in good and capable hands.  What should you ask your attorney?

Here are a few things to consider:

* Have they handled any cases which are similar to yours?  If so, how many?
Remember, experience does count!

* What jurisdiction will the suit be filed in?
You will need to take into consideration any travel that might be necessary for statements, depositions or appearances in court

* How will they handle the case?

* Would this attorney attempt to negotiate or attempt to settle out of court, thus saving you the time and potential trauma of a court case?

* What would be an expected settlement amount?

*  How is the attorney to be paid?
This can be crucial to you.

*What if the case is lost, do you owe money?

* If you are awarded a settlement, how much goes to the attorney?

As you can see, there are many factors in choosing an attorney other than some of the obvious ones.  Any practicing attorney can simply file a lawsuit on your behalf.  You need someone who will listen to you, help you decide on a course of action, and be there for you for the entire process.  This can be a lengthy and difficult process many times.  You may need to provide information in the form of a deposition that may be uncomfortable or even embarrassing. Having someone at your side whom you feel comfortable with can make all the difference in the world.  Contact the law offices of Jeff Dawson today for a private consultation.  Jeff is an Orange County  personal injury attorney with experience and the ability to advise you for the best outcome in your potential lawsuit.

This says it All!

Texting while driving has become so commonplace that laws have had to be passed to attempt to control this dangerous activity. While it is commonly known that this can actually injure you and others or even claim lives, the “it won’t happen to me” concept prevails.  Laws have not proven to reduce usage of texting while driving much.  What  text message or phone call is worth the risk ?  Is putting yourself into a potentially tragic situation really worth staying in contact? Annually, there are more than 50,00 drivers injured by accidents which were caused by texting and being distracted while driving.  Estimates show that  6,000 people are killed because of using the phone when driving. At one time, drunk driving was leading cause of car accidents, but it has now taken a backseat to texting and calling . According to the American Journal of Public Health, the number of deaths from ‘distracted driving’ would have dropped each year from 2002 to 2007 except for the inclusion of texting statistics in the study.  The statistics are considered to be quite low in the study, due to under reporting or incorrect reporting of the cause of the accident.

“Every study, and common sense, says that texting behind the wheel is a huge distraction because you’re taking your mind off the road but also your eyes off the road,” says Russ Rader, spokesman for the Insurance Institute of Highway Safety. Distractions involve visual, manual or cognitive issues.   A visual distraction takes the driver’s attention away from the road. Manual distractions involve the driver’s hands being taken off the wheel.  A cognitive distraction can be as simple as not having your mind focused, and takes the driver’s mind off what is happening on the road. Texting involves all three of these elements at the same time, which makes it a dangerous distraction for all drivers-whether a new teenaged driver, or one with many years of a perfect driving record.

If you or a loved one have been injured in an accident that you feel may have involved texting, you need to contact the law offices of Jeff Dawson today.  Jeff can assist  you in determining if you have an auto accident claim which may involve filing a lawsuit in Orange County. You may need guidance in how best to proceed in having your medical bills taken care of and may even be entitled to money for lost wages and or pain & suffering.  This is the job of a good Personal Injury attorney, and Jeffrey Dawson is one of the best.

Traumatic Brain Injuries Can Have a Lifelong Effect on Millions of People Each Year.

Traumatic brain injuries can have a lifelong effect on millions of people each year. Brain injury can result from accidents like something as simple as slipping and falling or a violent automotive accident.   The resulting injuries can lead to permanent disabilities and medical care that can result in very expensive health care costs.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) estimate that an average of 275,000 hospitalizations  happen due to traumatic brain injury (TBI) annually.  The CDC estimates that approximately 1.7 million people sustain a TBI annually. The following are the most 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%)

While TBI effects are still not completely understood, medical advances have helped minimize brain damage and increased survivability.  Brain injuries can span a myriad of effects, ranging  from changing the way a person thinks, to how they act, how they react and how they feel. Since the brain does not heal the same way as other organs, the effects of a such an injury are often permanent and require frequent support. Severe levels of traumatic brain injury could require housing assistance, respite care, physical therapy, and more. Even mild cases often require recurring counseling, behavioral assessments, and physical therapy.

While the consequences of severe brain trauma is generally known, mild brain trauma, such as concussions, may also affect physical and emotional processes. If left undiagnosed and untreated, a mild brain injury can result in depression, mood swings, and even thoughts of suicide.  Patients who have suffered mild brain trauma often have trouble concentrating and struggle with memory loss. The Brain Injury Association notes that a brain injury is usually  more devastating for a young child than a mature adult. Many times, the effects are not as noticeable initially, but can stunt future cognitive development.   A socially awkward child can be the result of an undiagnosed mild brain injury.  This is a very good reason to seek immediate medical treatment and assessment for any head injury, particularly a concussion in a child.

Be extremely proactive about head injuries. If you were involved in an automotive accident, slip and fall, or another type of accidents immediately seek appropriate medical attention from a professional. After seeking proper medical care, you may want to consult with a personal injury attorney who can advise you of your rights and the possibility of filing a traumatic brain injury lawsuit.  Jeff Dawson is an experienced and caring PI attorney who can assist you with your case.  If you need an Orange County personal injury lawyer, contact the Irvine law offices of Jeffrey Dawson today.

I fell because the stairs were not properly built

Have you been injured as a result of poor building construction,?  If so, you may be able to claim compensation from those responsible for that poor construction.  Injuries can occur from many different situations involved in the building process, from the site being in an improper location to a poor design by the architects.  Additionally,  builders can use poor construction methods or materials which may result in serious injury.

Sometimes, the results of poor construction do not show up for years.  Sometimes things such as mold, or contaminated soil can lead to disease and injury to the people who buy or live in the structures that were poorly created.  Something seemingly as benign as a leaky window, which was improperly installed can result in bacteria growth, mold and bad odors.  Inadequate ventilation can also result in these serious conditions which in some cases can even be deadly.

Mold only needs the right conditions in which to flourish.  Water, oxygen and the correct temperature allow mold to grow.  It can lie dormant for years, and when the conditions are right, it regrows.  Asthma and allergies can be caused or exacerbated by exposure to mold.

Examples of some conditions that have successfully settled on behalf of injured victims include fires caused by faulty wiring, poor drainage which caused mold growth and bad odors, and contaminated soil with hazardous waste or pesticides which caused lung disease or giving off radon gas which may cause lung cancer.  Additionally, other conditions for which claims have been filed include inadequate ventilation for the number of people using a commercial building and poor roof design and which allowed water leakage, in turn causing  mold and algae growth.  Improperly following industry building standards can be the cause of many of these avoidable conditions.  You may need to consult with a personal injury attorney who specializes in industry building standards if you are living or working in a building which has suffered from a lack of proper building standards.

A fall down a flight of stairs can result in serious injury and even death, and yet may have been avoidable as well.  Improper construction practices make  a difference here as well.  Things such as a simple warning sign could help prevent an accident in cases where there are potentially dangerous conditions such as: Low headroom, broken step, steep stairs.

If you’ve been injured by faulty building design or construction, it may be in your best interest to contact Jeff Dawson, an Orange County injury lawyer. There may be a statute of limitations involved in your case, so don’t delay in finding out if you can file a claim. An Irvine personal injury attorney such as Jeff can help you file your faulty building lawsuit.