Recent Blog Posts

Dispelling 3 Common Myths About Personal Injury Lawsuits

PacificBlog — Fri, 11 May 2012 06:30:00 GMT

Many common misconceptions exist about personal injury law that tend to deter people from seeking the justice they deserve after being injured in incidents such as auto accidents, pedestrian accidents, accidents involving defective products, or even incidents involving medical malpractice. The fact personal injury law and those who practice are often misrepresented in the public's eye has probably prevented thousands of people from lawsuits they are more than entitled to pursue. Here, Riverside personal injury attorneys have attempted to dispel some common myths about personal injury law, lawsuits, and lawyers.

Myth 1: More and more people are starting to file lawsuits; lawsuits are getting out of control.

Many individuals believe that personal injury law is starting to lose its legitimacy because so many lawsuits are being filed each year. The popular belief is that tort law leaves room for people to misuse the legal system and file claims to obtain undeserved compensation for any number of faulty reasons. The prime example often cited is the one in which an individual sued McDonald's because the fast food chain's hot coffee spilled and caused her to suffer third degree burns on her body.

However, the purpose of injury law is to protect people who have suffered real harm due to the negligence, recklessness, or carelessness of other parties. Regarding the McDonald's case, over 700 claims had previously filed by people burned by McDonald's coffee in the span of a decade; this history of complaints illustrated that McDonald's was aware of the hazard its product presented to customers, but refused to do anything about it. The woman burned had sustained severe third-degree burns that necessitated an 8-day hospital stay, during which she was forced to undergo skin grafts and other surgical procedures.

Myth 2: Medical malpractice lawsuits are causing health care costs to rise.

While it is true that health care costs have increased in recent years, these increases are not a result of people filing too many medical malpractice lawsuits. In fact, according to Congressional Budget Office data, medical malpractice suits account for less than 2% of overall spending on health care. Medical malpractice lawsuits are designed to help victims of medical disasters such as misdiagnoses, botched surgeries, or improper prescription of medication cope with the costs they have incurred as a result of medical professionals' negligence.

Myth 3: Personal injury attorneys charge ridiculous fees on an hourly basis.

Injury lawyers actually do not charge on an hourly basis like the majority of other lawyers. Rather, they are paid on a contingent basis, meaning that they do not get paid unless they win their clients' cases for them. In fact, most attorneys, including the ones at the Pacific Attorney Group, conduct clients' case evaluations, during which they determine whether or not clients have viable injury cases, free of charge. Riverside personal injury attorneys from the Pacific Attorney Group are dedicated to helping injured individuals recover the compensation that is rightfully owed to them; their goal is to obtain justice on the behalf of victims who are not knowledgeable or experienced enough in tort law to properly acquire compensation themselves.

Teenage Drivers Most Likely to Engage in Distracted Driving

PacificBlog — Thu, 10 May 2012 01:05:00 GMT

Teenage Drivers: Riskiest of All

The thought of any 16-year-old driver gleefully sitting behind the wheel of any vehicle for the first time can be a frightening one. Statistics show that teenage drivers are the highest risk group for becoming involved in auto accidents. In fact, the Center for Disease Control and Prevention states that traffic accidents are the number one cause of death for teenagers of both sexes across the United States. Drivers under the age of 18 are roughly 2.5 times more likely to get into a fatal collision than the average driver. Moreover, research indicates that the trend in teenage driving accidents is getting worse: between 2010 and 2011, the number of 16- and 17-year-old driver fatalities in the U.S. increased by 11%, according to the Governors Highway Safety Association. These sobering statistics lead many to ask: why is it that teens are at such high risk for car accidents?

Lack of Experience and Skill

The answer is that there are many factors that explain why teenagers are the riskiest group of drivers. Perhaps most obviously, teenage drivers do not have the experience and skill most drivers have been able to accumulate over years of driving. Most newly licensed 16-year-olds have only had to complete 50 hours of supervised driving practice, only 10 of which must have been completed at night. With so little time spent behind the wheel, young drivers may not be fully capable of detecting hazards, skillfully handling their vehicles, and navigating roadways once the sun has gone down.

Riskier Behavior in General

Teenagers in general are also more likely to engage in risky behavior than other age groups. This is partially due to biological reasons—teens' brains are not fully developed to calculate the consequences of risky behavior—as well as social reasons—teenagers are at a crucial age in which they seek the attention and approval of others. Thus, teens are more likely to engage in risky driving behaviors, such as speeding, making abrupt lane changes or turns, tailgating, and violating traffic signs and signals. They are less likely to wear their seatbelts, and they often severely underestimate just how dangerous certain circumstances may be, such as running a red light.

Distractions, Distractions, Distractions

Finally, teenage drivers are highly likely to be distracted behind the wheel. Today's teenagers are rarely seen without some form of electronic device in their hands, including iPods, iPads, and cell phones. Teenagers, studies have shown, are the least likely group of drivers to be able to put these devices away when they are driving. In one study, a third of teenage drivers admitted to texting and driving. This act, while dangerous regardless of who commits it, is particularly hazardous because, as mentioned earlier, teenagers lack the skill set and common sense to be able to react appropriately to changing conditions on the road. With a cell phone in hand, their abilities decline even more significantly.

What to Do if You Have Been Injured by a Teenage Driver

Graduated driving laws have attempted to limit teenage driving abilities in order to curb the dangers associated with teenage driving. For instance, California State law prohibits teens from driving with any other passengers in the car during the first 12 months of being licensed, with a few exceptions. New drivers also cannot drive between the hours of 11 p.m. and 5 a.m. Regardless of these safety measures that have been put in place, teenagers continue to be America's riskiest drivers. If you or a loved one have been injured due to the negligence, recklessness, or carelessness of a teenage driver, a Riverside personal injury attorney may be able to help you obtain financial compensation to assist with the costs associated with your injuries. Contact the Pacific Attorney Group today to speak with an attorney dedicated to getting you the compensation you deserve.

The Basics of Bus Accidents: Statistics and Information for Accident Victims

PacificBlog — Fri, 04 May 2012 01:20:00 GMT

California Bus Accident Statistics

Any time an individual boards a public or school bus, he or she is putting faith in not only in the driver of the bus, but also the manufacturer of the bus and the multitude of other drivers on the road. Although bus accidents are some of the rarest types of accidents that occur every year, they can still cause people to be injured and even killed. In California, for the past decade, roughly 40 individuals are killed in bus accidents; in 2009 alone, approximately 1,100 people suffered injuries due to California bus accidents.

What Qualifies as a Bus?

Buses, according to the United States Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards, are specified as motorized vehicles with the capacity to carry more than ten passengers. Under this definition, city transit buses, large vans used for public transport, school buses, church buses, many types of shuttles, tour buses, trolleys, and interstate transit lines such as Greyhound buses can all be considered buses. When any of these types of vehicles are involved in accidents, passengers are at great risk because buses rarely come equipped with seat belts. This means that when a bus strikes another vehicle or obstacle, passengers can be thrown from their seats about the cabin of the bus, opening up the possibility for a wide range of injuries.

Injuries Sustained from Bus Accidents

Victims of bus accidents have been known to suffer from injuries both minor and severe. Cuts, bruises, and lacerations are common results of bus accidents, but more serious injuries, such as broken bones, concussions, brain trauma, neck/back injuries, and even spinal cord damage can occur. Anyone who sustains these types of injuries in a bus accident may be slammed with medical bills, and may have to miss work because of debilitating injuries. Having been cornered into a situation of financial instability, victims may be wondering what their options are after an accident. The answer is that they can consult with a personal injury attorney to find out whether they might be able to take legal action against the party deemed liable for the accident.

Determining Liability in a Riverside Bus Accident

In a bus accident, there are several parties that may be held legally responsible for victims' injuries. If the accident was caused due to a bus driver's negligence or irresponsibility, the bus company would be held liable. If a bus' brakes went out, or if one of its tires popped and caused an accident, the company responsible for maintaining the bus would be at fault. The municipal or state government may also be liable if the bus was government-owned and the negligent driver was a city or state employee. These are just a few examples of the most common ways liability is assigned; school boards, drivers of other cars on the road, and the manufacturers that produce bus parts could also be liable for causing a catastrophic bus accident.

Riverside Bus Accident Attorneys Help Victims Recover

Whichever party in an accident is determined to be responsible for the accident will also be held liable for compensating any individuals who have been injured in the accident. This compensation can help relieve victims suffering from injuries, lost income due to missed work, and even psychological trauma resulting from a bus accident. Victims who have been injured in a Riverside bus accident should immediately contact a Riverside bus accident attorney who can help them determine what their legal rights and options are. With the help of a Riverside personal injury lawyer from the Pacific Attorney Group, victims can file a personal injury claim to seek damages in the aftermath of a bus accident. If you are a victim of a Riverside bus accident, contact the Pacific Attorney Group to have an injury lawyer evaluate your case today.

Understanding the California Comparative Negligence Standard

PacificBlog — Tue, 01 May 2012 22:30:00 GMT

Victims of Negligence

Whenever an individual is injured due to the negligence of another party, he or she may be eligible to seek damages incurred by the incident that caused injury. This means that injured victims may be able to receive financial restitution that will help compensate for their sustained injuries, medical bills, lost wages due to missed work, and pain and suffering. However, establishing negligence in a single incident, no matter how straightforward it may seem, is not always easy. There are some cases in which fault cannot be completely placed onto a single party or individual.

Multiple Parties At Fault: California Comparative Negligence

In cases where blame for an incident may be shared by two or more parties, any legal proceedings that occur must operate under the relevant state's comparative negligence standard. Comparative negligence is a broad legal standard outlined in the domain of tort law that is used for determining liability. The state of California follows a "pure" form of comparative negligence law, which states that more than one party can in fact be held responsible for any given accident. Under the pure comparative fault doctrine, an injured victim can seek compensation after an accident even though he or she may have been partially to blame for the accident. However, the amount of compensation he or she receives will be reduced by the amount of damages the jury decides the victim is liable for. To provide an example, a victim who is injured in a car accident may sue another party for $1 million; even if the court finds the victim to be 40% at fault for the accident, the victim can still recover $600,000 from the other party.

California's pure comparative fault system is different from other states' "modified" systems, in which a victim cannot recover any damages at all if he or she is found to be more than 50% at fault in an accident. Thus, those who are injured in California accidents have somewhat of an advantage when they are seeking compensation relative to those in other states. Regardless, victims should always play it safe and hire a personal injury attorney who can help them both minimize their own fault and maximize the amount of compensation they may be entitled to receive after an accident.

Contact a Riverside Personal Injury Attorney Immediately

Anyone who has been injured in an incident involving negligence would be wise to seek legal counsel before attempting to pursue a personal injury lawsuit. Riverside personal injury attorneys are experts when it comes to injury law, and they know how to litigate on a client's behalf in order to reach the best possible settlement for their client possible. At the Pacific Attorney Group, which serves Riverside, Fresno, Bakersfield, Los Angeles, and many other areas in the state of California, our injury lawyers have over 35 years of aggregate experience in personal injury law. Year after year, we have helped accident victims gain the financial compensation they were entitled to. If you believe you might have a personal injury case, please do not hesitate to contact our offices at once so that one of our qualified attorneys may speak with you about your legal options. Contact us today to begin your case evaluation immediately.

Victims of Riverside Brain Injuries May be Eligible for Compensation

PacificBlog — Fri, 27 Apr 2012 00:30:00 GMT

Brain Injuries Due to Another Party's Negligence

Individuals in the state of California who have been injured in an accident that resulted from the negligent actions of another party have the right to seek compensation for their suffering. Even if other factors may have also contributed to an individual's injuries, negligent parties can be held legally responsible for injured victims' injuries, medical expenses, lost income, lowered earning abilities, or emotional or psychological damage caused by the accident. Of the many types of injuries that can result from a Riverside accident, brain injuries can be some of the most devastating. Many head trauma accidents causes irreparable damage to the brain, and the resulting difficulties a victim can experience can be so expansive that determining how much negligent parties are liable for can be an extremely complex process.

This is why anyone who has suffered brain trauma or injury in an accident should speak with a personal injury attorney who is extremely familiar with the complicated issues involved in seeking damages after a brain injury accident. Brain injuries can result from many different situations, although the most common causes are slips and falls; motor vehicle accidents such as car accidents, truck accidents, motorcycle accidents, bicycle accidents, and even pedestrian accidents; assault and battery incidents; and workplace or construction accidents.

The consequences of brain injuries can be severe and life-changing. Depending on which part of the brain is injured in an accident, a victim's cognitive, emotional, sensory, motor, and communicative functions can be impaired or even inhibited altogether. A victim may require hospitalization, surgical procedures, or even full-time assisted care after being injured. Rehabilitation and therapy are often used to victims attempt to regain brain functioning, but this process can take anywhere from weeks to months to years, and victims and their families are often unprepared for the magnitude of commitment and stress the recovery process may involve.

Riverside Brain Injury Attorneys Are an Essential Resource

Luckily, Riverside brain injury attorneys can help victims and their families recover monetary restitution for all of the difficulties resulting from a brain injury accident. Experienced personal injury lawyers negotiate on the behalf of brain injury victims in personal injury lawsuits, acting as a mediator between victims and negligent parties' insurance companies. Riverside brain trauma lawyers from the Pacific Attorney Group have been helping victims recover damages for past, present, and future medical bills for over 35 years, and they continually been successful in negotiating for the best possible settlements for their clients. Contact the Pacific Attorney Group today if you have ever been injured in a brain injury accident and would like to learn more about filing a personal injury claim.

Protecting Yourself Against Riverside Car Accidents

PacificBlog — Thu, 26 Apr 2012 04:30:00 GMT

Preparing for the Worst

Accidents, by definition, can not be planned ahead. Nobody knows when an accident will happen on the road. However, there are a few tips you can consider and put into practice in order to minimize any damage or injury that may occur in the event of an auto accident. First of all, remember that accident lawyers can be a helpful, if not invaluable resource in the aftermath of a car accident. One of the most important things an auto accident attorney does is negotiate how much money an insurance company will pay you to cover for any damages you have sustained due to an accident. Thus, whether your injuries are minor or severe, you should be sure to call an accident attorney immediately after you are involved in any type of car, bus, motorcycle, bicycle, or trucking accident.

In addition to being prepared to contact an accident attorney, drivers can protect themselves in the event of a car accident by always wearing a safety belt while in the car. Drivers should make certain that all passengers in their cars are wearing seatbelts in the proper designated manner, with the lap belt positioned low across the hip bones, and the shoulder belt making contact with the center of the chest. Small children should be correctly seated in car seats and child seatbelts that are appropriate for their relative size, weight, and age. Not wearing a seatbelt at the time of an accident can greatly affect both your safety and the way insurance companies calculate how much compensation you deserve. Thus, it is always, always best to comply with safety belt laws and regulations.

Drivers should also make sure the interior of their vehicles is safe for driving. This means that any heavy, bulky, or loose items that could potentially become dangerous projectiles in a collision should be either strapped down tightly or placed in the trunk, where they are less likely to injure somebody. A clear path should always be maintained between a passenger and his or her air bag, so that the air bag can effectively inflate and protect the passenger in the event of a crash. All interior car lights should be properly functioning, as they may become necessary during a nighttime emergency situation where light may be needed. Windshields and windows should also be kept clean in order to maximize visibility for drivers.

Protecting yourself as a driver can also benefit others around you. By maintaining your vehicle in a timely manner and fixing any malfunctioning or broken parts, you are not only reducing the risk that your car will break down on you; you are also reducing the risk that your car could break down in the middle of traffic and cause a catastrophic accident. Check your engine, fluids, tires, brakes, suspension, and transmission regularly, as insurance companies will not want to pay for damages caused by something you ought to have fixed (such as your squeaky brakes) months ago. As always, practicing safe driving is the best way to protect yourself and your fellow road mates from any accidents occurring in the first place.

Auto Accident Laywers in Riverside

Regardless of how safe we are with our driving, accidents cannot always be prevented. If you have been involved in a Riverside auto accident and would like to learn more about your legal options, feel free to call the Pacific Attorney Group, serving Riverside, San Bernardino, and the greater Los Angeles area, today. A trusted attorney from our firm will work closely with you to answer any of your questions, help you file a personal injury claim, and negotiate the best possible insurance settlement for you in the event that you are involved in an accident. Contact us now to have your case evaluated.

Trucking Accidents and Related Issues

PacificBlog — Tue, 24 Apr 2012 17:55:00 GMT

Trucking Accidents on the Rise

Each year, there are thousands of accidents in which drivers, pedestrians, or bicyclists are struck, injured, or killed by semi-trucks, RVs, trailers, and other large motor vehicles. It would be easy to think that just because these types of vehicles are big, they would be easy to notice and steer clear of on the road, but this is not always true. Trucking accidents occur every day and can have very serious consequences, especially those that involve smaller vehicles. Whether on highways, on small streets, or in construction zones, trucks pose a large risk to other motorists and pedestrians around them.

The number of trucks on the road grows each day. When one considers the number of 18-wheelers, construction vehicles, gas tankers, garbage trucks, or tractor trailers one sees on a daily basis, one can see just how pervasive these huge vehicles are on our roadways. Accidents that involve large vehicles such as these can be particularly dangerous because these trucks can weigh upwards of 50,000 pounds when loaded with cargo or other heavy materials. Compare this weight to that of an average car—around 4,000 pounds—and it is easy to see the magnitude of how much damage a truck accident could cause in a collision or accident.

Many times, truck accidents are caused due to truck drivers' negligence. Whether a driver is careless, reckless, or simply fatigued, his or her actions can affect others' lives in permanent ways. Victims of trucking accidents often suffer serious or fatal injuries, and victim's families can be faced with severe financial and emotional difficulties in the aftermath of a trucking accident. However, victims and their families may feel more at ease when they learn that there are Riverside attorneys who specialize in trucking accident cases such as these.

Riverside Personal Injury Attorneys Help Trucking Accident Victims Recover

Truck accident lawyers in Riverside can help accident victims determine what to do after a serious trucking accident. If the accident was caused due to a truck driver's negligence, accident attorneys can help victims obtain financial compensation to aid them with the pain and suffering they have suffered as a result of the accident. Furthermore, trucking companies are unique in that they have their own sets of lawyers and attorneys who will attempt to minimize the trucking company's liability in the event of an accident. What victims often to not realize is that trucking companies could be held responsible for accidents for any large number of reasons, ranging from driver fatigue to improperly maintained vehicles and more.

What a Riverside personal injury lawyer can help victims with is ensuring that all of a victim's injuries, pain, suffering, lost wages, and psychological or emotional damage is accounted for when insurance companies are determining how much financial restitution a victim should receive after a trucking accident. At the Pacific Attorney Group, our truck accident lawyers have been helping accident victims recover damages to the fullest extent for over 30 years. We are committed to helping victims and their families receive as much compensation as possible for their difficulties. Contact us today to speak with a licensed and trustworthy attorney who will evaluate your case and provide you with crucial information regarding your legal options at this time.

Riverside Accident Attorneys Warn About Dangerous Roadways

PacificBlog — Tue, 24 Apr 2012 02:50:00 GMT

Dangerous Roadways

Many automobile accidents are caused by driver error. However, accidents caused by dangerous roadway conditions can be equally as damaging—and yet they often go overlooked. In fact, research indicates that improperly maintained or damaged roads are the cause of over 15% of all motor vehicle accidents! However, many accident victims are unaware that cities, counties, and other government municipalities can be held liable for failing to maintain their streets, roadways, and bridges according to standard safety regulations.

Any number of defective conditions on roads can lead to car accidents, such as malfunctioning stop lights, missing road signs, potholes, cracked pavement, gravel, loose debris, fallen trees, or fallen rocks. These factors can pose a serious risk to drivers, pedestrians, and bicyclists who travel under the expectation that roads will be properly functioning. Victims who are injured in accidents as a result of any of these types of hazardous conditions may be eligible to file a lawsuit with the help of a Riverside personal injury attorney who is familiar with accident cases and litigation. Personal injury lawyers in Riverside can help accident victims properly document, store, and utilize evidence of hazardous road conditions in order to obtain compensation from liable parties for any injuries, pain, and suffering caused by such conditions.

If You Are Injured in an Accident Due to Dangerous Roads

In the event that you are ever involved in an automobile accident caused by dangerous road conditions, there are certain steps you should take in order to protect yourself in future legal action. Any accident attorney will advise you to immediately document the scene of the crash by taking photos of the surrounding areas and any road damage you may see. Call 911 if anyone is injured—even if injuries seem to be minor, because the severity of injuries may not be fully established until medical professionals have inspected the wounds fully. It is also standard procedure to exchange information with any other involved parties.

Finally, we highly suggest that you contact a Riverside accident attorney from our firm who can give you further guidance on how to pursue a defective roadway lawsuit. Our lawyers know the right questions to ask in the aftermath of an accident, such as: How long has the defective roadway or hazardous condition existed? Have past accidents occurred there as a result of said conditions? How did the problem originate? What government body is accountable for maintaining the road in question? Our firm has a full investigative team that can help get to the bottom of accidents caused by a city or county's negligence.

Contact a Riverside Accident Attorney

The Pacific Attorney Group has decades of experience in helping victims pursue accident cases of all types, including those relating to dangerous roadways. From investigating accident scenes to determining liability in accidents to litigating on victims' behalf for the best possible settlements possible, our accident lawyers are fully equipped to handle accident cases of all types. Thus, if you have ever been injured in an accident attributable to governmental negligence, contact our Riverside personal injury lawyers to have your case evaluated.

Auto Accident Attorneys in Riverside Advocate for Your Best Financial Interests

PacificBlog — Fri, 20 Apr 2012 22:15:00 GMT

Every Side Has a Different Story in an Automobile Accident

In any car accident, every person involved may have a different perspective of what happened. The number of stories only multiplies when insurance companies get involved, and it can become increasingly difficult to sort out fact from fiction. If you are ever injured in an automobile accident, bus accident, pedestrian accident, trucking accident, or other type of motorized vehicle accident, it is imperative that your side of the story is properly represented should you wish to file a personal injury claim.

Riverside Accident Attorneys Can Help

This is where a Riverside car accident attorney can help. Riverside auto accident lawyers can provide you with invaluable legal services in the aftermath of a car accident. For one, they will ensure thorough investigation, documentation, and presentation of the accident. Details that may affect how your case is handled in litigation often go overlooked or ignored because insurance company investigators want to pay you as little money as possible for damages or harm you have sustained due to an accident. Your personal injury attorney, however, knows exactly what to look for in the case of an automobile accident and will make sure evidence from the scene of the accident is correctly identified, logged, and stored.

A major factor in any accident claim is how insurance companies decide to compensate you for your pain and suffering caused by an accident. Insurance companies will employ every strategy possible to pay you the smallest reimbursement possible—meaning they will leave out important costs associated with your injuries, medical bills, psychological trauma, property damage, lost wages due to work you may have been forced to miss, and even lost opportunities. The truth is that if you were not at fault in the accident, you are likely eligible to collect compensation for all of these costs and more. Personal injury claims are often worth way more than victims expect, which is why people tend to accept quick but insufficient settlements from their insurance companies.

You can protect yourself and your family's future by consulting with an experienced Riverside personal injury lawyer from our firm who knows exactly to what measures insurance companies will go in order to avoid giving you the financial support you deserve. At the Pacific Attorney Group, our attorneys work each and every day to ensure that victims like you have all of their medical costs and lost wages rightfully covered by insurance companies. They have 35 years of practice and experience in determining liability, negligence, and compensation owed in automobile accidents.

Protect Your Future by Contacting an Injury Lawyer Today

If you have been injured in an accident and would like to learn more about how to file a personal injury claim, contact the Pacific Attorney Group, serving San Bernardino, Riverside, Fresno, Los Angeles, and Orange County, immediately. The sooner you do so, the better your chances of obtaining full compensatory relief for your difficulties.

Personal Injury Victims Should Consult a Riverside Injury Attorney

PacificBlog — Thu, 19 Apr 2012 19:20:00 GMT

Personal Injury Law

Personal injury attorneys specialize in helping injured accident victims obtain fair compensation in personal injury lawsuits. Personal injury can entail any physical or emotional harm caused by an automobile accident, pedestrian accident, defective product, vehicular malfunction, slip and fall accident, or negligent act on the behalf of another party. Personal injury attorneys in Riverside assist accident victims with filing personal injury claims on a daily basis.

Personal injury litigation falls under the intricate category of tort law. Cases can be extremely complex, as they can involve parties across multiple city, county, and even state lines. Individuals are unlikely to fully understand the concepts and procedures behind personal injury law, and thus handling their cases on their own may not be the best or most beneficial thing to do.

Personal Injury Claims

Victims of personal injury frequently cite many different reasons for attempting to litigate personal injury claims by themselves. The first and foremost reason is to "save money" by choosing not to recruit a professional attorney. What most individuals like this do not realize is that lawyers can actually gain them more money in a case settlement because they are familiar with the inner workings of personal injury legal proceedings and insurance companies. People who try to manage their own personal injury claims usually end up accepting a lower settlement amount than an experienced lawyer would have been able to skillfully negotiate back and forth between liable parties and their attorneys and insurance companies.

The biggest reason injured parties sign small settlement agreements is because they are merely unaware of how much their cases may actually be worth. Insurance companies will generally make an appealing "quick settlement" offer to accident victims, who in turn agree to accept the offer out of convenience or impatience. However, these offers are usually exceptionally inadequate to cover all of the damages suffered by accident victims. Insurance companies know that without legal representation, unknowledgeable personal injury victims are likely to take what they can get rather than to fight for what they actually deserve.

Riverside Personal Injury Attorneys Provide Invaluable Expertise

Therefore, it only makes sense that accident victims pursue personal injury claims with the help of an experienced Riverside attorney who can properly negotiate a better settlement. If you have been injured in any accident like the ones listed above, you should talk to a Riverside personal injury lawyer now about your case and how much compensation you might be able to collect from faulty parties. Attorneys from the Pacific Attorney Group will help prevent insurance companies from taking advantage of your inexperience with tort law, and will work closely with you to get you the compensation you deserve. Contact us today to speak with a personal injury lawyer about your case as soon as possible.

Should You Accept the Settlement Your Insurance Company Has Offered You?

PacificBlog — Thu, 19 Apr 2012 05:30:00 GMT

If An Insurance Company Has Made You a Settlement Offer

You were recently injured in a car accident, motorcycle accident, pedestrian accident, or trucking accident. Because you were not at fault for the accident, you decided to file a personal injury claim to recover damages for your injuries, pain, and suffering caused by the accident. However, your insurance company has offered to settle your case very soon after the accident, and you are torn: should you accept the offer, even though it is likely for a small settlement amount, or should you continue to pursue your lawsuit to fight for more compensation?

While accepting an offer from your insurance company right off the bat may seem like a convenient choice, it is crucial to understand that once you do so, you are thereby releasing the company and any liable parties in the accident from any further liability claims regarding the accident. When you accept the offer, you sign away your ability to ever reopen the case again. This may prove to be a dangerous move for a few significant reasons.

Things to Consider Before Accepting an Offer from Your Insurance Company

First of all, insurance adjusters generally lowball initial settlement offers. Insurance companies want to close cases as soon as possible, and enticing accident victims with a quick and easy settlement is usually how they achieve this goal. However, the settlement value is hardly ever sufficient to cover any damages you have suffered as a result of an accident.

Secondly, accident injuries may not always be as obvious as one might think. Internal bruising, head trauma, brain injury, and other such injuries may be difficult to detect immediately following an accident. Wounds may turn out to be more serious than initially diagnosed. Furthermore, complications with injuries sustained in an accident could arise as time goes on, and you may end up facing more medical bills than you ever might have expected.

If your injuries persist for extended periods of time, it is also possible that you may be forced to miss work. Lost income can truly be devastating, especially for those who live paycheck to paycheck. Regardless of financial status, victims of serious accidents are fully entitled to receive compensation for loss of income caused by injury. Thus, signing a release statement with an insurance company too soon could prevent you from obtaining compensation for unforeseen costs associated with an accident-related injury.

How a Riverside Accident Attorney Can Help

Riverside personal injury attorneys are familiar with the workings of insurance claims and personal injury lawsuits. They can help you more fully understand your legal options, obligations, and rights in the time following an accident. Best of all, Riverside personal injury lawyers have the knowledge and resources to aggressively pursue your best interests and will ensure that you receive 100% of the compensation you deserve. If you have been seriously injured in any type of accident, you should protect your rights and your future by consulting with an experienced accident lawyer familiar with insurance litigation. Contact the Pacific Attorney Group, serving Riverside, Fresno, Bakersfield, Los Angeles, and even areas of Northern California today to speak with our renowned lawyers and have your case evaluated.

Pedestrian Accident Attorneys in Riverside Can Help You

PacificBlog — Wed, 18 Apr 2012 00:35:00 GMT

Information About Pedestrian Accidents

In 2010, 4,280 individuals in the U.S. were killed in pedestrian accidents. Pedestrian fatalities have decreased by 23% since 1995, but California remains among the top four states with the highest pedestrian death rates. Injuries due to pedestrian accidents are also a concern, with an estimated 70,000 occurring in 2010 alone.

In the majority of pedestrian accidents that occur, pedestrians are usually struck by a vehicle while they are walking legally on sidewalks or crosswalks. The impact of a moving car can inflict serious injury upon pedestrian accident victims. However, negligent drivers' insurance companies are likely to try to blame the pedestrian in an accident—they may claim the pedestrian was crossing a street illegally or disobeying some other traffic rule.

Pedestrians who are hit by reckless drivers can counter these types of unfair accusations with the help of a qualified pedestrian accident lawyer familiar with accident law and litigation. Experienced accident attorneys can properly collect, analyze, and store evidence from an accident that may prove to be critical when fault is being determined by the court. Furthermore, pedestrian accident lawyers know just how devastating accidents can be, and will thus do everything in their power to make sure victims are properly compensated for losses or pain suffered.

Pedestrian accidents can induce severe damage that could even turn out to be permanent. An accident victim could be on his way to his job when a driver of an SUV knocks him over. Suddenly the man has lost the ability to walk; he is then forced to look for another means of providing for his family while simultaneously trying to pay for expensive medical costs. In this situation, the victim should immediately contact a personal injury attorney. The victim would be able to recover damages for his injuries, his pain and suffering, any medical bills or rehabilitation costs, psychological damage incurred by the accident, and even lost income due to work missed.

Contact a Personal Injury Attorney Today

Personal injury attorneys in Riverside and throughout Southern California are available today to cater to your legal needs after a pedestrian accident. At the Pacific Attorney Group, our esteemed lawyers have been helping victims like you obtain the compensation they deserve for over 30 years. We firmly believe you will be more than satisfied with our legal expertise, efficiency, and effectiveness. Contact us today to set up a case evaluation and speak with one of our experienced attorneys about your legal options.

Steering Clear of Motorcycle Accidents: Pointers from a Motorcycle Accident Attorney

PacificBlog — Mon, 16 Apr 2012 20:40:00 GMT

Some Statistics on Motorcycle Accidents

According to the California Highway Patrol, motorcycle accidents are extremely common and result in a disproportionate amount of deaths every year. A report by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration indicates that motorcyclists are approximately 28 times more likely to suffer fatal injuries than drivers of any other type of vehicle. This is likely due to the fact that motorcycles can be difficult for other drivers to see on the road, and their riders are more exposed to physical dangers as they weave throughout traffic. Fortunately, there are steps motorcyclists can take to avoid getting into a motorcycle accident.

Tips on Avoiding Riverside Motorcycle Accidents

Motorcyclists should, first and foremost, always attempt to be visible to other drivers. Because motorcycles are smaller than most vehicles and are thus harder to see, other motorists may not be able to react to the presence of a bike very quickly. Motorcyclists can help lessen this danger by keeping a safe distance between themselves and other vehicles. They should also wear clothing that is brightly colored or that incorporates reflective strips. These steps will greatly increase bikers' visibility.

Another safety tip for motorcyclists is to wear proper safety equipment that can help shield their bodies from injury in the event of a fall or accident. Jackets made of leather or other thick materials, full-fingered gloves with good grip on the palms, long protective pants, and thick boots are all clothing items necessary to maximize bikers' safety on the road. Perhaps most importantly, motorcyclists should always wear a Department of Transportation-approved safety helmet with a protective eye shield and a padded interior. By wearing these items, motorcyclists will be less likely to sustain injuries such as gashes, scrapes, and even brain trauma.

Much like drivers of other types of vehicles, motorcyclists should also avoid any activity that may divert their attention from the road. Things like texting, talking on a cellphone, or reading while driving cause thousands of collisions every year, and since motorcyclists control their vehicles using both hands on either side of their bike handles, these activities can pose special dangers to motorcyclists and those around them.

Finally, bikers should actively maintain their motorcycles with regular servicing, repairs, and tune-ups. It would also be greatly beneficial for motorcyclists to learn more about their vehicles by taking proper training courses and by practicing responding to hazardous situations. In case a motorcycle malfunction occurs midway along a trip, bikers should always keep a small tool kit and their bike's owner's manual with them on the road.

What to Do if You are Involved in a Riverside Motorcycle Accident

Accidents are, unfortunately, bound to happen no matter how safely motorcyclists may drive. The actions of others are unpredictable, after all. If you have ever been involved in a motorcycle accident for which you believe you were not at fault, it is within your rights to seek compensation. A Riverside motorcycle accident attorney from our offices can help you file a personal injury claim, from which you can obtain compensation for injuries, pain and suffering, medical expenses, and even loss of income resulting from the accident. Contact Pacific Attorney Group today to have one of our experienced lawyers evaluate your case and get started on your claim.

Motorcyclist Dies in Fatal Crash Near Temecula

PacificBlog — Wed, 11 Apr 2012 19:45:00 GMT

Reports state that a man died earlier this week after his motorcycle accident. William Dandalides, 66, was driving his motorcycle on state Route 79 near Temecula, California. He crashed his bike into a truck that was parked on the side of the road, causing him to be thrown into oncoming traffic, where another vehicle struck him. The impact proved to be fatal, and Dandalides was pronounced dead shortly after emergency vehicles arrived at the scene.

The accident is currently under official investigation to determine why the motorcyclist hit the parked car. If you or anyone you know has sustained major injuries in a motorcycle accident, contact the Pacific Attorney Group to find out what your legal options are. A Los Angeles personal injury lawyer from our established firm will meet with you one-on-one to evaluate your case and help answer any questions you may have. At Pacific Attorney Group, we are committed to providing you with the best legal services in California, so contact us today and let us help you get the compensation you deserve.

Personal Injury Claims and the Process

PacificBlog — Mon, 17 Oct 2011 15:00:00 GMT

Personal injury claims are one of the most common in our country’s court system. Stemming from what are known as tort laws personal injury claims are what allow individuals to seek financial compensation for having to deal with the side effects of injuries caused by another party. Although its simple to get injured, filing a claim and receiving compensation is everything but easy. That is why you should seek the profession help of a Riverside personal injury lawyer.
How do you know if you have a claim though? The only way to be sure is to contact an attorney like the one’s at Pacific Attorney Group and see if they will accept your personal injury claim. Often times if you find yourself getting injured from another party’s carelessness you are in fact likely to have a personal injury case. Riverside personal injury lawyers can then file a claim based off the opposing party’s negligence meaning they must compensate you for failing to behave like what the courts would acknowledge as a reasonable individual.
A Riverside personal injury lawyer will surely inform you that a case can be made based off of one of the many possible claim such as injury, disability, and even sadly death. Remember claims are not just to be made for physical injuries. Your Riverside personal injury lawyer can file and help you receive compensation for any emotional damages you have sustained as well. If you feel like you have a personal injury claim then contact us today at Pacific Attorney Group and let us help you!