Archives : 2009 : October

University of California Research Suggests that Bad Driving is Genetic

A small study conducted by researchers at the University of California, Irvine seems to suggest that some people are genetically bad drivers. The research suggests that individuals with a certain gene variant, are less likely to stay on the roads as well as other who don’t have the particular variant.

Read entire article

Study Warns of Dangers of Car Seats when Used Outside the Car

As California product liability lawyers, we can’t stress enough the importance of restraining your child in a car safety seat, and encourage parents to make sure that their children are restrained properly in well-made car safety seats. However, a new study shows that the newer car seat systems, which allow parents to use car seats not just for travel but also as a baby carrier, have led to thousands of injuries.

Read entire article

Bay Bridge Debris Collapse Raises Fears of Bridge Safety

Earlier this week, the San Francisco Bay Bridge was closed down indefinitely after steel from repair work done earlier this year, broke off and crashed onto an upper deck. Fortunately, no one was injured, but several rush-hour motorists likely got the fright of their lives when they saw the large blocks of steel and cable flying about. Transit systems are already feeling the strain of having to accommodate bridge users. However, inconvenience from the closure of the bridge should be the least of our problems. Bridge safety experts are already warning that the incident on the Bay Bridge is just a sign of what ails our county’s bridges.

Read entire article

San Diego Nursing Home Receives Citation after Negligent Care Causes Resident’s Death

As California nursing home abuse lawyers, we constantly monitor the quality of services of our state’s nursing homes and make note of nursing care facilities that have been fined, penalized or cited for elder abuse. This month, a San Diego county nursing home received the state’s most severe penalty for senior abuse, after a resident at the facility died.

Read entire article

Volvo’s Goal – Accident Proof Cars by 2020

Automaker Volvo has set an ambitious target for the year 2020, one which makes California personal injury lawyers very encouraged, although we have some doubts about how successful Volvo will be in reaching this target. The automaker has announced in a recent news release that its aim for the year 2020 would be that “no one should be killed or seriously injured in a Volvo.”

Read entire article

FDA to Require Botox Safety Warnings

The Federal Drug Administration has issued a warning that use of Botox for unapproved uses like treatment of muscle spasms has potential health hazards. The agency has required makers of Botox and other similar drugs to have stronger warnings about these hazards.

Read entire article

San Jose Tackles Accident Risks of Bicyclists with Leashed Dogs

In September, a San Jose resident died when she got entangled in a dog leash as she was walking down a trail. The dog was being pulled along by a bicyclist, when 62-year-old Beverly Head got entangled in the leash. She fell, and stuck her head on the pavement, sustaining serious head injuries. She was rushed to the hospital, but died the next day. The accident has San Jose authorities considering how to deal with the issue of bicycle riders with leashed dogs.

Read entire article

FMCSA Agrees to Revise 11-Hour Trucking Rule in Light of Accident Risks

As California truck accident lawyers, we watched in dismay as the Bush Administration passed a trucking rule that extended the maximum number of consecutive hours that a trucker could drive to 11.  This new legislation was severely criticized by trucking accident attorneys around the country, truck safety groups and families of truck accident victims. Now there is reason to be encouraged. The Obama administration has said that it will revise the rule.

Read entire article

NTSB Releases Fatal Bus Accident Investigation Report

The National Transportation Safety Board has released its report on the causes of the deadly bus accident that killed 17 people in Texas last year. The agency has determined that tire failure was the main factor in the accident.  Meanwhile, families of victims who died in the crash are asking Congress to work quickly to implement the agency’s recommendations.

Read entire article

Motorists Uninjured after Steel Rods Break, Crash onto Bay Bridge

The California Department of Transportation has ordered the closing down of the Bay Bridge in both directions yesterday after pieces of steel that were part of emergency repairs made recently to the bridge, broke off, and crashed yesterday afternoon. At least three vehicles were hit by the flying debris, but no serious injuries were reported.

Read entire article