Who Is Liable for My Injuries on California Public Transportation?entry-title

Photo of a Bus Accident

If you ever get injured on public transportation, such as on a bus, train or subway, you could possibly be entitled to file a lawsuit against the public transportation company that was running the transport line at the time. However, every situation is different, and there are multiple circumstances that could affect this decision.

How Can I Determine Liability for an Injury on Public Transportation?

Most personal injury cases are based on negligence, or rather, whose action caused the accident and why. Public transportation injuries are still based on negligence, but the public transportation companies in some states are subject to “common carrier” law. A common carrier is a legal term that applies to people and businesses which provide transportation. Examples are public buses, trains, trolleys, and taxis. For states like California, common carriers owe their passengers a high degree of care, and they are held responsible for providing safety over and above what is considered “reasonable.” However, an injured passenger must still prove that the public transportation company was negligent in order to win his or her case.

How Do I Bring a Claim Against a Public Transportation Company?

Public transportation companies are usually owned by the state, so there are special state laws that apply to any claims brought against them. There is almost always a time deadline for filing any injury claims against a government agency, such as a public transportation company. If you or a family member were injured by a public transportation vehicle, or received injuries as a passenger on public transportation, you will need to speak to an attorney. Steve Gnau is an experienced personal injury attorney who can help obtain compensation for your injuries, so contact our firm today.

Ways to Avoid a Serious Accident While Travelingentry-title

Spring break is just around the corner, which means many families, friends and couples will be traveling to new and exciting places. Vacation time is usually a relaxing and fun getaway that many people need, and after months of physically and financially planning, you’ll be ready to hit the road. However, with so many people on the highways traveling at the same time, there is bound to be an increase in auto accidents. In any situation, getting into a car accident can be an overwhelming and confusing experience, but this is even more the case when you’re visiting a foreign city or state. Here’s what to do to prepare for this, and how you can protect yourself legally.

Know how your insurance operates in another state/country

 Depending on your auto insurance policy, you can determine your individual rights in a car accident, and most of the time your first-party medical benefits coverage will follow you to another city, state, or country. To know for sure, review your insurance policy before you leave, and ask your insurance agent any questions you have about out-of-state coverage.

Practice safe driving

No matter where you are or where you’re vacationing, you should always drive as safe as possible and follow all driving laws that apply. Avoid a lot of in-car distractions in order to stay alert, ensure that everyone is wearing their seat belts, obey speed limits and construction zone regulations, and don’t drink and drive.

Protect your legal rights

If you are involved in an accident, call 911 immediately in order to seek immediate medical attention. Keep any evidence from the accident scene, and take any photographs of the scene itself, injuries, or damages. Collect all information from the other driver and be careful of anything you say or sign. People will try to take advantage of you if they notice you’re a tourist and are unaware of the system.

Steven Gnau has expertise in representing tourists who were injured in a car accident, or if they were injured in a rental car during their travels. Contact him today if you need to discuss your case.

How to Help a Loved One Who Has Suffered a Catastrophic Head Injuryentry-title

Photo Of Head Injury

Recovering from an injury can be a tough process for anyone, but traumatic brain injuries are one of the hardest injuries to bounce back from. The recovery process from this type of an injury, also known as a TBI, can last from several months to years, depending on the severity of the injury. If a loved one in your life, like a family member, friend, or spouse, has suffered a TBI or other catastrophic head injury, there are some ways you can help them and keep the process as stress-free as possible.

Stop Asking Them What They Need

Your first instinct is to ask your loved one what they need, constantly, because you want to be there for them and help any way you can. However, this is a frustrating and vulnerable time for the person recovering, so having to answer this question all the time will eventually get old. Over time, try to assess what they need without asking, or just wait for them to ask for help.

Help Out with the Little Things

Sometimes, it’s the little things during this process that will make the most difference in a person’s recovery. Cook your loved one a meal, bring them groceries or basic household supplies, or even offer to tidy up their house. It’s these small gestures that will really end up helping out the most, because it’s the everyday chores and tasks that are the hardest to return to.

Get Them Out of the House

With permission from your loved one, their doctor and/or physical therapist, take them on an adventure. Be mindful of how much they can physically and mentally handle, but depending on their healing process, go for a walk, visit a park, or have a spa day. Sometimes being cooped up in a house all day can make the head injury recovery process more grueling.

Steven Gnau is a strong advocate for any victims of catastrophic vehicle accidents. Head injuries are one of the most common injuries that victims suffer from after an accident, and they are one of the hardest to recover from. Contact Steven Gnau today if you or a loved one has suffered a TBI or other head injury, so you can get compensated for your injury now.

Prepare Your Teen For A Car Crashentry-title

photo of ambulance in street

No matter how much parents in California want to believe that their teen drivers will be safe when on the road unsupervised, accidents happen. In fact, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, teen drivers have a three times higher risk of being killed in a crash than drivers 20 years old and older. Per mile they drive, those who are ages 16 and 17 are three times more likely to be in a crash than drivers 18 and 19 years old.

Although a lack of skill may be one of the major contributors to the higher rates of crashes and fatalities, even the most responsible driver could be in a collision. KidsHealth.org points out that knowing what to do in the event of a motor vehicle accident is important for teens. The impact often leaves drivers shaken and unable to think clearly, but parents can help teens overcome these initial overwhelming sensations with some preparation ahead of time.

The first step is to take a moment to breathe and take stock of the health status of everyone in the vehicle. If possible, the vehicle should be moved out of the way of oncoming traffic. A teen’s vehicle should have an emergency kit in it that includes some kind of visibility aid such as flares or warning triangles to alert other drivers to the disabled car. These should be set up immediately following the accident, if possible, whether the vehicle is unable to be moved or it has been pulled over to the shoulder of the road.

Immediate medical emergencies require a 911 call. If everyone seems to be okay, the teen should notify police, and then get the other driver’s license number, and contact and insurance information. He or she should take pictures and get witness contact information, as well as ask for a copy of the police report. The teen should not apologize for the accident or in any other way admit fault or accept the blame while at the scene of the collision.

Even if a teen is not injured, he or she may still feel emotional, anxious or angry in the days that follow. Parents should watch for these symptoms and others that may indicate that a teen needs to speak to a doctor or therapist about psychological trauma relating to the accident.

Piecing your life together after a commercial vehicle crashentry-title

photo of ambulance in street

From delivery trucks to vans and buses, there are various types of commercial vehicles. Unfortunately, there are certain risk factors that can increase the chances of a crash and spin the lives of innocent people upside down. For example, a company’s negligence could cause an accident, such as failure to maintain commercial vehicles properly. Or, a commercial vehicle driver could be pushed to work for excessively long hours, resulting in fatigue that affects their driving abilities. If you were hurt in an accident, our California firm understands the hardships you may be working through and we believe it is vital for you to pursue any resources that could help you recover.

From lost wages due to an injury that keeps you from work to pain and mental trauma, these accidents can be life-shattering. Worse, some people are never able to make a full recovery and their difficulties also cause problems for those they love. These collisions have turned the lives of entire families upside down and it is vital for those hurt in accidents caused by negligence to seek justice.

Many people realize the consequences of semi truck collisions, motorcycle accidents, and other types of traffic crashes. However, it is also important to keep in mind how devastating a commercial vehicle crash can be. If you are suffering because you were hit by a commercial vehicle, do not give up as you try to piece your life back together.

Our commercial vehicle accidents page offers more information concerning this type of traffic collision.