California Accident Attorneys Blog

Published on: July 23, 2015

The Dangers of Duodenoscopes

A functional duodenum is paramount to proper digestion and intestinal health. The duodenum handles a large portion of food digestion and acid neutralization. A condition within that body part can cause symptoms such as stomach pain, vomiting, diarrhea, nausea, bloating and more. A specialist may have to use a duodeonoscope in an endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography to confirm a diagnosis of a duodenal disorder. The patient must ensure that he or she uses a reliable facility with a reliable team of experts. The dangers that can come from a duodenoscope are almost equal to the dangers that can arise from an undiagnosed duodenal problem. Two facilities were involved in duodenoscope malpractice scandals recently.

The Danger of Duodenoscopes

Two facilities had recent medical scandals that included the use of a duodenoscope. The Cedars Sinai Medical Center in Los Angeles and the UCLA Medical Center are the two facilities that were involved in such incidents. At least two patients died at the UCLA Medical Center after receiving a procedure that involved a bacteria infested duodenoscope. Similar incidents occurred at medical centers such as the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center and an Illinois facility called the Advocate Lutheran General Hospital. More recently than the previously stated incidents, the Virginia Mason Medical Center lost 11 patients to death after they contracted infections from duodenoscopes. The outbreaks of deadly duodenoscope infections caused great concern, as more than 280 people developed infections from dirty devices.

Published on: July 22, 2015

Many Different Defective Auto Parts Can Lead To Collisions

by Steven M. Sweat

Too often, auto manufacturers negligently produce defectively designed or assembled parts that can cause a driver to lose control, cause a risk of fires, or create other dangerous hazards. In the wake of the Takata recall of an estimated 34 million cars,¹ much attention has been focused on the possibility of having defective airbags in our vehicles. However, while you should definitely check whether your vehicle has been affected by the airbag recall, there are many other active recalls for defective auto parts that may lead to serious accidents and injuries. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) reports new safety recalls² on a constant basis so that consumers can always determine whether their car or truck is safe for use.

The following are only some examples of recalls that have been issued in recent months of which drivers should be aware:

Fleetline fender brackets – Fender brackets that were manufactured in early 2015 were reportedly not sufficiently welded and can cause a fender to either fall against the tires, causing steering hazards or can fall off of the vehicle entirely, potentially causing other vehicles to crash into the fender in the road.

Published on: July 21, 2015

Dangers of Distracted Driving in California and Beyond

by Steven M. Sweat

As the use of cellular phones has become almost ubiquitous in today’s everyday culture, both in California as well as across the country, distracted driving has becoming a correlative increasing danger. Many people are seriously injured or even killed in accidents every year caused by a distracted driver, both in California as well as elsewhere in the U.S.

While the idea of distracted driving has become almost synonymous with talking or texting on a cell phone while driving, the activity encompasses much more. As a recent study reported in the LA Times reports, cell phone use has become an increasing problem. Despite the risks, drivers continue to use cell phones and do other activities while they are driving.

National Statistics

Published on: July 15, 2015

Traumatic Brain Injury Deaths in California

by Steven M. Sweat

Brain injuries have been found to be a leading cause of many deaths in the United States. However, the state of California is recorded to have the most cases of brain injury death cases. According to the Center of Disease Control, there were 35,000 people who acquired brain injuries over a six year period specially 2004 to 2010. These numbers are evident that brain injuries can cause extensive damage to a person’s well-being.

Causes of Brain Injury

There are several ways a traumatic brain injury can occur. Some of the most common ways include:

Published on: July 9, 2015

Will “Smart” Car Dashboards Lead to More Distracted Driving?

by Steven M. Sweat

Distracted driving is a safety issue typically associated with performing other tasks while driving. Any non-driving activity you are engaged in while operating a motor vehicle significantly raises a risk of crashing and fatalities. Distraction transpires at any time you take your eyes off the road and do not concentrate on the primary task of driving.

Even with the alarming statistics, the car companies continue to furnish their vehicles with elaborate dashboards and enticing displays of information. Originally, the idea was created to aid the drivers with their transportation needs by providing Global Positioning System (GPS) allowing them to easily find their destination. The technology has since advanced into other methods of navigation that may lead to interference with safe driving causing an increased number of accidents worldwide.

The youngest drivers are at most risk as in addition to being distracted by the displays on the dashboard, they also engage in texting and talking on the cell phone simultaneously. On average, 660,000 cars are being operated by someone who is using their Smartphone accounting for 16 percent of distracted driving crashes involving people less than 20 years of age.

Published on: June 25, 2015

Rotted Beams Cause Deadly Balcony Collapse in Berkeley, CA

by Steven M. Sweat

According to the latest investigation, rotted wood beams were the cause of a balcony collapse that killed six college students in Berkeley California. The students were having a party and many were gathered on the upper floor of a 176 unit apartment building. A probe was launched by the Building and Safety Division into the cause of the collapse. It was noted that the joists that were supposed to be supporting the balconies, which extended out of the side of the building were completely dry rotted.

What is the duty of an apartment owner in California to inspect their property and make it safe?

This tragic incident raises the question of what legal duty the owner and/or maintenance company for an apartment building has to inspect their property and make it safe. California law on this issue is as follows:

Published on: June 16, 2015

Does Paying Truckers By The Mile Cause More Accidents?

by Steven M. Sweat

The trucking industry is a huge business across the nation as more than two-thirds of goods and merchandise are transported by trucks. A large portion of this truck traffic goes through California, carrying cargo that comes into west coast ports of entry. The U.S. Bureaus of Labor Statistics reports that 2.6 million people with commercial driver’s licenses are working in the industry, but nearly a million more have commercial driver’s licenses and are not using them. The American Trucking Assns. says that the industry is understaffed by between 35,000 and 40,000 drivers. By 2022, that number is expected to skyrocket to 240,000 drivers.

While the deficit is apparent over short distances, the long-haul industry feels the pinch the most. In addition, the lack of drivers affects ocean transportation and trains as they depend on truckers to complete the last leg of the journey.

Some companies have used shorter routes and signing bonuses to encourage new drivers. Other tactics include paying for training and special motivations for former military personnel, women or immigrants. However, these incentives are not making a permanent difference.

Published on: June 12, 2015

Car Accidents Caused By New Drivers

by Steven M. Sweat

As kids become teenagers and young adults, parents all have the same worry, and with good reason: Teens and young adults are much more likely to be involved in auto accidents than virtually any other group of drivers on the road. Part of this obviously has to do with the inexperience of the new driver; however, there are also many other factors that must be considered by every parent who is facing the prospect of a new teen driver on the road.

– The Lack of Driving Skill

Many state driving tests have actually been censured by special interest groups because they do not accurately portray the skill of a new driver. Although a lack of experience definitely contributes to many of the accidents that young drivers find themselves in, the lack of driving skill is another aspect of this statistic. Younger drivers get into accidents that older drivers might be able to avoid because of their familiarity with the small hazards of the road that cannot be accounted for on a standardized, static test.

Published on: June 1, 2015

More Insurance for Uber Accident Claims in California

by Steven M. Sweat

When you do business with a professional driver in California, you certainly expect that you will not end the interaction in an accident. However, this is not been the experience for many people who have recently patronized the Uber rideshare driving service in the state.

Claims in the Golden State from users of the Uber rideshare service have gone up in recent years, creating a real dilemma for insurance companies as well as for the rideshare company itself. It seems that drivers who are affiliated with the service have been getting into a great deal of trouble both on and off the clock, and it is uncertain why this is the case.

Many of the drivers have been saying that passengers in the rideshare vehicles have been creating untenable demands on them to somehow magically get to a remote location faster than traffic would allow. Because they are supposed to be “professional drivers,” they feel a pressure to perform more efficiently than the average driver would. However, anyone who has faced down the bumper-to-bumper traffic in CA understands exactly what even a professional driver is up against. Sometimes, there is simply no fighting the flow – you simply have to wait your turn.

Published on: May 12, 2015

Is Google Hiding the Ball on Accidents Stats for Their Self-Driving Cars?

by Steven M. Sweat

Google’s self-driving cars are here, but if you are in a state other than California, you wouldn’t know it from personal experience. To this date, California is the only state to allow these vehicles to be tested on the open roads.

Of the 50 vehicles that received permits to be driven on the roads and highways since September of 2014, four of them have been involved in collisions. To be fair, only two of the accidents occurred while the car was not being controlled by a human being.

Three of the four accidents involved Lexus SUVs that Google equipped with computing power and sensors. Delphi Automotive is an automobile parts supplier that owns two self-driving vehicles. One of these was involved in the fourth crash. Executives with Google and Delphi denied that their vehicles were at fault in these collisions. They also both claimed that the crashes were insignificant.