Expert Advocacy

Self-Driving Cadillacs May Hit Market in 2015, Say Developers

Cadillacs that can pilot themselves on the road and navigate traffic safely may be available to purchase as soon as 2015, according to the vehicle’s developers. The system, known as “Super Cruise,” incorporates automatic steering, automatic braking, and a system that centers the vehicle in its lane. Using the system to drive the vehicle is optional, and the driver can switch it on or off at any time.

Components of the system will be available in some 2013 Cadillacs. These vehicles will include features like reverse-gear auto-braking and a driver’s seat that vibrates to warn the driver of certain dangers, like leaving the lane or getting too close to another vehicle.

General Motors, which makes the Cadillac, has been working on auto-drive safety features since 1997, when it started by covering vehicles with magnets used to sense the vehicle’s distance from other magnet-covered cars. A significant breakthrough came in 2007, when the company developed a way to integrate information from multiple sensors fast enough for the vehicle’s computers to “understand” and react so as to avoid a motor vehicle collision.

Vehicle sensors and other safety technology help drivers avoid accidents by letting them know what’s going on around the vehicle, alerting them to possible dangers, and making it easier to steer or stop the vehicle safely. However, every driver still has a responsibility to pay attention to the road and avoid accidents. If you’ve been injured in a car accident, the experienced auto accident lawyers in San Diego can help. Call us today for a free consultation.…

Highland Entomologist Killed in San Diego County ATV Accident

Highland resident Benjamin Lobato Huante, 49, who was an entomologist working in San Diego County in Fallbrook on Wednesday, was killed after his car tumbled off of a cliff more than 100 feet, and died.

Huante had been setting traps for insects around the avocado trees in the area for the study had been in an all-terrain vehicle that crashed when he overcompensated and fell down a cliff around 11 a.m. San Diego County sheriff’s and coroner’s officials reported that Huarte died at the scene, as noted on the county coroner’s Web site.

The victim of the San Diego County auto accident worked for Integrated Growers Service of Escondido, as Dean Fryer, a spokesman for the California Department of Industrial Relations’ Division of Occupational Safety and Health said.…

SDSU Students Create “Ghost Bike” In Honor of Slain Cyclist

Members of San Diego State University’s student organization The Bike Stand and fellow students recently created a “ghost bike” in memory of a bicyclist killed in a car-bicycle crash at the intersection of Collwood and Montezuma streets near campus, not far from where the fatal accident occurred.

A “ghost bike” is a bicycle painted white and chained near the area in which a bicyclist lost his or her life in an accident. Along with flowers and other markers, it serves as a memorial, as well as a visible warning to motorists to pay attention, share the road, and avoid injuring or killing another person on a bicycle.

The ghost bike honors the memory of a man killed in a bicycle accident on Montezuma earlier this month. Although the SDSU students did not know the man personally, they rallied to create a memorial because they have first-hand experience with the dangers of navigating the area on bicycle and the need to remind drivers to share the road and take care around bicyclists. Students and other area bicyclists have also begun lobbying City Hall and taking other steps to get traffic-quieting measures implementing on Montezuma and surrounding streets.

Our skilled San Diego bicycle accident attorneys have represented many injured cyclists and their families after an accident. We have the legal resources and courtroom experience to help you get the compensation you need. For a free, confidential consultation by telephone, call our office today.…

Teen Bicyclist Dies In Los Angeles Hit-And-Run Auto Accident

Alex Romero, 17, suffered fatal injuries in a Los Angeles bicycle accident that occurred on April 20, 2011, about 9 p.m. in the right lane of De Soto Avenue. According to Officer Rosario Herrera, a spokeswoman for the Los Angeles Police Department, Alex Romero was riding his bike on the far right lane of De Soto when a gray Toyota Corolla rear-ended his bicycle. Romero was pronounced dead at the accident scene.

The death of a young member of the family is devastating. If I were a member of his family, I would want to know how this accident took place. Who was at fault? Did the Toyota driver do enough to prevent the accident? Was he driving under influence of drugs or alcohol? If my daughter or brother had lost his life due to someone else’s negligence, I would go to any extent to ensure that the guilty were punished and that my family received maximum compensation for the loss of life—money that could be used to help family members grieve or fulfill something positive.

It would be wise for Romero’s family to seek counsel from an experienced Los Angeles bicycle accident lawyer to learn about their legal right and options, even if they ultimately decide not to file a claim. As family members of the deceased, they might be able to obtain compensation to pay for funeral and burial costs, loss of future earnings, loss of love and companionship, and other accident-related damages.

Our law office offers our sincere condolences to all those who knew and loved Romero for their tragic loss.…

San Diego Scooter and Moped Accident Attorneys

Scooters can be a great alternative to using a car in Downtown San Diego and the neighboring urban areas without breaking the bank. Due to their small engine and size, they provide good gas mileage and can be parked virtually anywhere. Scooters and mopeds also have a better safety record than motorcycles as well. However, scooters do not have the safety measures that automobiles do such as an exterior frame and crash cage as well as seatbelts.

Many victims of scooter accidents in San Diego have sought out the help of our Law Group for their personal injury claim. Our lawyers are experienced scooter accident attorneys and we are familiar with the facts and issues involved in these cases, including investigating any design or manufacturing defect. If you or a loved one has been injured in a San Diego scooter accident, please contact us for more information about how our lawyers can help you.

Experienced San Diego Scooter Accident Lawyers can Help You if are Injured when Struck by a Car.

With the increased cost of gas, riding a scooter in San Diego seems like a viable alternative to driving a car in Downtown San Diego and in nearby neighborhoods such as Bankers’ Hill, Little Italy, and Hillcrest. Scooters make up for their speed with their gas efficiency on the city streets. However, despite all of the good qualities about scooters, they can be dangerous if they are involved in a collision.

Use Extra Caution When Riding a Scooter

Since most scooters do not have much (if any) safety features, scooter drivers must be extremely careful when they ride a scooter, especially on a crowded road. It is important to wear a helmet at all times. Wearing a helmet will decrease the scooter rider’s chances of suffering a permanent brain or spinal injury. It is also not a bad idea to wear a motorcycle jacket and/or pads as well, especially if you are new to the scooter.

Here are some more safety tips when you’re riding a scooter:

• Drive extra slow while going through speed bumps
• Pretend like you are on a bike, use that same amount of care
• Assume that other cars cannot see you
• Make sure your lights are working and you are wearing light clothing at night

Even if scooter drivers take all safety precautions, they cannot control the other cars on the road. Some scooter accidents are just unavoidable, and scooter drivers can be seriously injured from no fault of their own. If this ever happens to you when riding a scooter in San Diego or California, be sure to talk to an experienced San Diego scooter accident attorney. We have represented several people injured in scooter accidents and have achieved favorable results for our clients. If you or someone you know has ever been involved in an accident involving a scooter, please contact us for a free initial consultation.…

Motor Home Accident Attorneys in San Diego

Motor homes and recreational vehicles (RVs) can be very beneficial on long road trips or camping trips in San Diego or throughout the many beautiful areas of California where people love to visit or play. These motor vehicles provide people with the amenities of being in a home, yet they are mobile and able to visit and live in areas not necessarily near any hotel. Unfortunately, this freedom may come with a price if drivers and passengers are inexperienced, not careful, or are placed in danger by other motorists. Motor home and RV accidents can lead to catastrophic injuries or even death following a rollover or traffic accident.

The San Diego RV accident lawyers have experience with motor home and RV accidents. We can help you if you understand your legal rights, obtain much needed medical treatment, and recover monetary compensation to assist you and your family. Contact us for more information and to see how we can help you.…

San Diego Tour Bus Accident Lawyers

San Diego is a very popular tourist spot. Our beautiful neighborhoods, beaches, zoos, and amusement parks attract visitors from all over California, the United States, and the world. To accommodate these tourists and to show off our great city, several tour bus companies operate tours on buses and trolleys mostly through Downtown San Diego and along the waterfront near Seaport Village.

But what happens when you get into a car accident while on a tour bus? What happens if a tour bus company is operating a dangerous vehicle or not providing enough safety measures to protect its’ passengers? What happens if the tour bus company is not looking out for bicyclists or pedestrians and causes a collision?

When these accidents happen, the injured victims and family members should consult with a tour bus accident attorney in San Diego familiar. Our lawyers are experienced tour bus accident attorneys. When people visit San Diego and are injured while on a tour bus, we know exactly how to handle the claim. If you or a loved one has been injured or killed due to a tour bus accident in San Diego, please contact us for more information and to learn how our office can help.…

Traumatic Brain Injuries Increase Harm, Cost of Motorcycle Accidents

Motorcycle accidents can cause serious injuries of many kinds, including broken bones, severe skin and soft tissue damage, and injuries to the brain and spinal cord. Traumatic brain injuries (TBIs) are among the most expensive types of motorcycle injuries to treat, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). They also cause the most deaths due to motorcycle accidents.

According to one study of motorcycle crashes nationwide, the average costs of medical care for motorcycle riders who suffered TBIs was 13 times higher than the average costs of medical care for motorcycle riders who did not suffer a TBI. The study found that the average motorcycle crash victim spent $2,461 on hospital care if there was no TBI. When the patients had TBIs, however, the average cost for hospital care jumped to $31,979. If the injured person needed a lengthy stay in intensive care, the costs were even higher.

In addition, the more severe a San Diego traumatic brain injury is, the more care is required after a person leaves the hospital, which means even more costs. Follow-up doctor visits, medications, equipment, and therapy to help an injured person recover from the injury all increase the final cost of a severe motorcycle accident.

Our knowledgeable San Diego motorcycle accident attorneys strive to offer outstanding representation to every one of our clients. If you’ve been injured in a motorcycle accident, contact our office today for a free, confidential case evaluation.…

San Diego ATV Accident Attorneys

All terrain vehicles (ATVs) are great for traveling in rural areas and also “off-roading” for fun. ATVs have also gained a lot of popularity in San Diego during the past few years due to their quick and efficient way to get around. However, ATV related injuries have also been on the rise as well. Many of San Diego ATV accidents are unavoidable and sometimes the ATV manufacturer will be responsible for the rider’s injuries due to defective design or assembly.

Our attorneys have represented the injured victims of ATV accidents in the past. Our lawyers understand the factual and legal issues involved with ATV riding and we can help you get the compensation you need if you are ever involved in an ATV accident. If you or a loved one ever needs a San Diego ATV accident attorney, please call for more information.…

Protect Yourself and Your Family from San Diego Dog Bite Injuries

Most people associate “dog bite injuries” with strange dogs or with dog breeds raised to guard buildings and people, such as Rottweilers or pit bulls. However, any dog may bite any human being, and even the bite of a small dog can cause serious injuries.

Help protect yourself and your family from dog bites by following these tips for socializing with dogs.

• When meeting a strange dog, stand still and allow the dog to see and sniff you before attempting to touch or pet it. If the dog growls or backs away, do not try to follow or touch it. Always ask a dog’s owner, if possible, before offering your hand to a dog to sniff or trying to pet it.
• If you are approached by a strange dog, do not run away. Stand still and avoid making direct eye contact with the dog, as the dog may interpret this as aggression. If you are knocked to the ground, curl up in a ball and protect your face, head, and neck as much as possible.
• Before adopting a dog, talk to a veterinarian or licensed breeder about which breeds would be best for your family. Spend time with the new dog before bringing it into your home. If any member of the family is afraid of dogs, do not adopt one; wait until the family member has learned more about dogs and is no longer afraid of them.

Dog bites can cause serious fear, pain and suffering, and serious injuries. If you or someone you love has been bitten by a dog, please don’t hesitate to call an experienced San Diego dog bite injury attorney. We will help you understand your legal rights and protect your family’s needs. Contact us today for a free and confidential consultation by phone.…