California Politician’s Wife, Son OK after Fatal Car Accident

The wife and son of former California Lt. Gov. Abel Maldonado were reportedly doing fine following the fatal car crash Monday in which they figured.

The two only suffered minor injuries, while the 30-year-old driver of the vehicle that struck their car was declared dead.

According to reports, a 1985 Honda Accord bound North of Dominion Road failed to halt at an intersection stop sign, as a result of which, it was struck by Maldonado’s 2008 Cadillac Escalade on its front left portion. Both vehicles came to a stop in an irrigation canal of the north side of Foxen Canyon Road.

The Accord’s driver was not immediately identified by California Highway Patrol (CHP) authorities, while Maldonado and her son were transported to the Marian Regional Medical Center in Santa Maria via private vehicle. After several precautionary examinations for the injuries they sustained, the two were immediately released and are now okay.

Apparently, the Honda car driver was at fault for the accident, but still, Maldonado’s family is sending their deepest condolences and sympathies to the family of the victim.

At present, former Lt. Gov. Maldonado, a Republican is running for the 24th Congressional District seat against Democrat Lois Capps.

Beating the red light or running a stop sign is the most common cause of accidents in intersections. Therefore, drivers should strictly observe traffic rules and regulations in areas with or near intersections.

Each year, the number of car accidents that occur in the state of California reaches to tens of thousands. In some circumstances, a victim sustains serious injuries and other significant losses or damages as a result of car accident that happened due to other people’s negligence. In such case, the victim may have the right to file claims for damages, according to a Los Angeles car accident attorney.

Can DUI Checkpoints Help Reduce Car Accidents during Memorial Day Weekend

Are DUI checkpoints effective?

We cannot say so but as expected, the number of car accidents and fatalities has risen during the Memorial Day weekend as in other holiday weekends.

Although this year’s statistics showed that the number of drunk-driving arrests has dramatically declined compared to past years, more than 1,233 DUI arrests were reported throughout California throughout the weekend, the California Highway Patrol reports revealed.

In fact, in San Diego alone, the arrests rose by about 10 percent compared to last year or 75 DUI arrests.

Over the years, the number of people injured in drunk-driving incidents during holiday weekends has increased. Unfortunately, many of these violators were found to be teenage drivers who have been out drinking and were allowed to take wheels.

According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, some of the common causes of teenage death in car accidents are the following:

• Overspeeding
• Drunk driving
• Flagrant violation of traffic laws

What is welcome news is that there were no recorded fatalities nationwide during the holiday weekend, a far cry from the way some holiday weekends are remembered – with crashes and collisions.

This year’s commemoration will bring change to those weekends marred by DUI accidents and senseless loss of lives. Instead we celebrate this day with a new sense of value to the countless men and women who died in the service of our country.

To pursue your claims in DUI-related car accidents and other accident-related issues, you can consult with our experienced California personal injury attorneys. You may dial our toll free number at 1-866-772-2889, or email us at info@mesriani.com for free case analysis.

$16.5 Million Dollars Awarded to Patient Who Became Paraplegic

In Riverside, California, the jury has awarded $16.5 million in damages in a medical malpractice suit due to negligence after a man was left a paraplegic in an off-road accident in November 2003.

The jury found Palm Springs neurosurgeon, Christopher Pham negligent in his treatment of Trent Hughes who was left unattended and unseen until the next day and was only operated on two days later even though he had a fractured spine.

Hughes and his wife sued the hospital and Pham for past and future lost earnings, medical costs and damages for pain and suffering. Two years ago, the spouses settled with the hospital for an undisclosed amount.

Medical malpractice lawsuits, are one of the most complex civil lawsuits to litigate as it can be very hard to prove as it involves the technical aspect of your treatment and that doctors and hospitals will likely fight tooth and nail against the claim.

However, there are three essential elements in any medical malpractice claim which can make or break your case and all these must be present so your claim will prosper:

• There must be significant injury incurred by the patient

• The doctor or hospital staff performed in a way that was not up to the standard of care expected from such a medical professional, or that there was negligence

• The lack of care or medical mistake directly caused the injury suffered by the patient

Now depending on how severe the injury is, medical malpractice claims involve the following damages:

• Medical Expenses both present and future
• Cost of Permanent Medical Care
• Loss of wages
• Future Lost Earnings
• Pain and Suffering
• Punitive Damages

Take note that as previously mentioned, medical malpractice is difficult to litigate so getting a lawyer who can effectively prepare and present your case is the key to success. Unlike car accidents where the effect can speak for itself, medical malpractice claims often require the opinion of experts in the field and lawyers who specialize in medical malpractice are better equipped to prosecute your claim.

Police Commences 18-Day Crackdown on Drunk Drivers this Holiday Season

Bad news for drunk drivers in San Diego, various law enforcement agencies in the county has joined forces to begin an 18-day crackdown on possible DUI drivers.

Actually, this is more like good news as this program may save your life.
With the advent of the holiday season, authorities expect a rise in the number of DUI cases.

The police know that there are still a lot of negligent drivers out there who believes they can drive a car even when drunk.

Various agencies will set up a number of DUI checkpoints in key locations and flood the streets with police officers to deter these drunken drivers from causing car accidents.

This zero-tolerance effort will last through January 3, thanks to the grant from California’s Office of Traffic Safety.

This yearly program has been proven effective in decreasing the number of car accidents related to DUI.

Hopefully, this year will set another record with the lowest number of injuries and fatalities related to alcohol or drugs.

If that happens we truly will have a Merry Christmas and a Happy Holidays.

Hit and Run Ends the Dream of American Idol Aspirant

The popular talent show American Idol is all about chasing a dream and living it. But for Alexis Cohen, 25, a former AI contestant, the dream ended when she lost her life in a tragic hit and run accident.

Alexis, who was dubbed “Glitter Girl” and who got rejected twice by AI’s tough judges was planning a third attempt at singing stardom in June. But Cohen who went out to eat was later found by two pedestrians who called 911. The autopsy revealed that she suffered head, chest and abdominal injuries after being struck by a car.

According to TMZ.com, a 23-year-old man named Daniel Bark has since been charged with death by reckless driving and leaving the scene of an accident following Cohen’s death. Authorities also suspected that the driver was under the influence of alcohol.

In many car accidents involving pedestrians, drivers have been known to flee the scene of the accident. Some would claim that it was instinct and some would say that they are afraid but truly, these drivers also fail to take into consideration that their actions could spell the loss of a person’s life that could have otherwise been saved.

Most State laws provide that drivers have the duty to stop in case of an accident, regardless of whether the crash involved another car, another person’s property and even a pedestrian.

In any accident resulting to injuries or death, drivers have a legal duty to take reasonable steps to help any injured person -- including calling for assistance from emergency medical services -- and to report the accident to local law enforcement.

Leaving the scene of the accident, especially when a person is injured or may require medical intervention is a crime. Any driver who leaves the scene of an accident can be subject to serious criminal charges such as "felony hit and run."

Bark, who killed Cohen in a hit and run accident could face up to 15 years in prison if convicted.

Running after an accident and citing panic and fear is not an excuse. Drivers do not have just the duty to “save” themselves—they have the same duty to everyone else on the road especially pedestrians and cars they may hit.

For Cohen, who once memorably said that she marches to the beat of a different drummer would no longer have the chance to make her dreams come true because of a hit and run accident and a driver who refused to care.