San Diego County Personal Injury Blog

Walking out of harm's way

On behalf of The Law Offices of C. Bradley Hallen posted in blog on Monday, October 2, 2017.

Walking is great exercise, but if you're not careful, it could also be dangerous. California pedestrians and people in wheelchairs and infants in strollers are the most vulnerable when it comes to potential accidents. You have to be mindful of what's ahead of you, beside you and behind you at all times, especially when you're walking on roadways.

Stats show that on average in a 24-hour period, 430 people will get treatment for injuries they sustain while out walking. While walking is great for your health, suffering injuries while doing so defeats the purpose. There are things you can do to keep yourself and your companions safe while experiencing the benefits of walking.

Things you might want to do after a car accident

On behalf of The Law Offices of C. Bradley Hallen posted in blog on Tuesday, September 5, 2017.

Life in California can get pretty hectic. Between bringing your kids to their sports games and accompanying your mom on shopping trips, you're probably spending a lot of time behind the wheel. Curve balls can come out of nowhere, and on one of those driving escapades, you could just find yourself smack in the middle of a car accident.

After getting over the initial shock, taking a deep breath and regaining your composure, there are some things you really should do after being in a car crash. Make sure you take stock of the situation and have pen and paper handy to gather some information.

Driving your teens to be careful behind the wheel

On behalf of The Law Offices of C. Bradley Hallen posted in blog on Monday, August 28, 2017.

American teens have been dying behind the wheel in vehicles for generations. In fact, vehicle crashes are the leading cause of death for teenagers in the United States. This is becoming an even more pervasive issue with the advent of driving and texting – something that has become a dangerous pastime.

Teens are at an age where they feel immortal – like nothing can interfere with or change their lives. That can be an incredibly dangerous belief when it comes to operating a motor vehicle.

Was braking distance a factor in your truck accident?

On behalf of The Law Offices of C. Bradley Hallen posted in blog on Tuesday, August 1, 2017.

Due to the heavier weight and larger size of semitrailers, these vehicles are capable of inflicting serious damage when involved in accidents with smaller vehicles. Because of their tremendous size and weight, drivers of these types of vehicles must be aware of all of the factors that can increase the chance of an accident, including the distance needed to brake and stop completely.

It takes longer for a large truck to stop, which means California truckers must know how to stop properly and determine how much distance to leave between a truck and a passenger vehicle. Failure to drive safely could result in unnecessary accidents and the injury of innocent drivers and passengers.

The unseen damage of a car accident

On behalf of The Law Offices of C. Bradley Hallen posted in blog on Monday, July 3, 2017.

A car accident can cause significant damage, both physically and emotionally. While many people focus on the outward damage and physical injuries, the emotional and mental trauma of a California motor vehicle accident can be significant, affecting many areas of a victim's life.

If you suffered injuries in a car accident, your pain and suffering may be much more than skin-deep. It may be possible for you to claim damages related to emotional harm in addition to the physical damages and financial harm you suffered. Proving emotional duress in a civil claim can be complicated, but you may find it beneficial to explore this possibility.

Insurance companies may hurt you more than help you after a crash

On behalf of The Law Offices of C. Bradley Hallen posted in blog on Thursday, June 1, 2017.

Getting into an injury motor vehicle accident in California can understandably be one of life's most frightening experiences. It can also be frustrating if the accident was the result of another driver's poor judgment behind the wheel. For example, perhaps the other motorist was driving while distracted by his or her cellphone or a passenger in the car.

In today's do-it-yourself society, you may be tempted to try to address your accident claim by yourself. You may tell yourself that, after all, if a homeowner can find out how to fix a plumbing problem from YouTube, surely you can find out on your own how to deal with an insurance company. The problem is that insurance companies generally do not have your best interests at heart following an accident.

Tired drivers are dangerous drivers

On behalf of The Law Offices of C. Bradley Hallen posted in blog on Thursday, May 4, 2017.

At some point, almost every driver gets behind the wheel of a vehicle while sleepy or tired. Being a little groggy after a bad night's sleep is normal, but when a person makes the choice to drive when they are too tired to be safe or think clearly, it is a danger to themselves and every other person on the road.

Fatigued driving is a major problem on every road and interstate, and it plays a big role in a surprisingly high number of accidents. If you are the victim of an accident that happened in California, it is possible that a fatigued driver is to blame for your pain and suffering. Victims of negligent and reckless driving have the right to seek compensation, but they would be wise not to attempt the civil claims process alone.

Don't ride the road to recovery alone after a motorcycle accident

On behalf of The Law Offices of C. Bradley Hallen posted in None on Tuesday, April 4, 2017.

If a better place in the world to ride a motorcycle exists than along the Southern California coast, you'll never hear a local rider admit it. Great weather, great scenery and inviting highways make Encinitas and all of San Diego County a mecca for motorcyclists.

Although you and other riders would sometimes prefer otherwise, you have to share the pavement with motorists operating much larger vehicles. No matter how careful you may be, interactions with cars and trucks can't be avoided. When motorcycle accidents do happen, the results rarely go the rider's way.

I can drive after taking over-the-counter medications. Right?

On behalf of The Law Offices of C. Bradley Hallen posted in Car Accidents on Friday, March 10, 2017.

Many people take over-the-counter medications for their aches, pains and illnesses. You might not think twice about taking an OTC med and then getting behind the wheel of your car. After all, you would need a prescription if taking it would impair your ability to function and drive. Unfortunately, the reality presents a different story.

When truck accidents happen, who is liable for damages?

On behalf of The Law Offices of C. Bradley Hallen posted in Car Accidents on Thursday, February 2, 2017.

Many auto accidents that occur on California roads have serious, if not fatal, consequences. Collisions happen for various reasons. Some truly are accidents, but there are those that result from negligent actions.