Northern California Accident Attorney Blog

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has released data about traumatic brain injury-related fatalities in the United States from 1997-2007. Sacramento brain injury attorneys and others throughout the nation are aware that traumatic brain injury (TBI) is a main cause of death and disability in our country. What most people don't realize, however, is that about 53,000 individuals die from TBI-related injuries every year.

In evaluating data from January 1, 1997 to December 31, 2007, it was determined that a yearly average of 53,014 deaths (18.4 per 100,000 population) that befell U.S. residents were related to TBIs. It was noted that TBI-related fatality rates dropped among individuals aged 0-44 years and increased among individuals over the age of 75. In addition, the rate of brain injury fatalities was three times higher among men than among women. The main causes of brain injury-related deaths are reported to be firearms (34.8%), motor vehicle accidents (31.4%), and falls (16.7%).

It can be shocking to learn that traumatic brain injury-related deaths account for nearly one third of all injury-related deaths in the nation. Individuals who are fortunate enough to survive an accident that causes a brain injury often face years, if not a lifetime, of rehabilitation and medical care. According to the CDC data, long-term TBI-related disability leads to reduced quality of life for an individual as well as extended medical, social, and economic effects on society. A TBI can also impose substantial physical, financial, and psychological challenges for a person and their family to overcome. It is estimated that about 3.2-5.3 million individuals have long-term disabilities, such as the loss of one or more physical or mental functions, that are caused by a brain injury.

The results of the collected data emphasize that TBI-related fatalities are higher in some population groups than others and are mainly related to certain external causes. The report also mentions that the incidence of TBI in the U.S. can be reduced by stronger and more effective enforcement of existing seat belt laws, execution and heightened coverage of stricter helmet laws, and the application of existing evidence-based fall-related prevention tactics.

It is important to help spread the word about brain injury causes, risk groups, and other information to help people better understand and prevent TBI-related injuries and deaths.

Continue reading "CDC Releases Traumatic Brain Injury-Related Fatalities Data for 1997-2007" »

No one ever images that they or a loved one will be in an accident, let alone an accident that causes a traumatic brain injury (TBI). Most Oakland brain injury attorneys will tell you that awareness plays a key role in helping prevent brain injuries. The more a person knows about the common causes of brain injury and certain risk factors that increase the chances of a brain injury, the better the chances are that they won't suffer such an injury or could help someone they love from suffering such a life-altering injury.

One of the most hazardous aspects of a traumatic brain injury is that a bump, blow, or jolt to the head can significantly alter the way a person's brain normally works. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), brain injuries are most frequently caused by falls, motor vehicle collisions, struck by/against incidents, and assaults.

About 25 percent of brain injury incidents among children aged 0 to 14 are caused by struck by/against incidents, which include hitting a moving or stationary object. Among all age groups, on average, 17.3 percent of brain injuries and 31.8 percent of brain injury-related fatalities are caused by motor vehicle collisions and traffic-related events. Approximately 10 percent of brain injuries are caused by assaults, accounting for only 2.9 percent in children aged 0 to 14 and 1 percent in adults aged 65 years and older. The CDC notes that 21 of brain injuries result from unknown causes.

There is no denying that motor vehicle accidents in the United States are the leading cause of death for individuals between the age of 5 and 34. Considering that brain injuries in Northern California are common, and very serious, consequences of motor vehicle collisions, the importance of avoiding distracted driving and driving while under the influence of alcohol and/or drugs cannot be stressed enough. Every driver has the duty to operate their vehicle in a safe manner and follow traffic laws. If a motorist causes an auto accident that results in other people suffering brain injuries, they may be held legally responsible for pain and suffering, medical bills, lost wages, and other damages.

Continue reading "Increasing Awareness about Brain Injuries in Oakland" »

A motor vehicle accident in Fresno that involved a small motorcycle, also referred to as a pocket bike, and a pick-up truck has left a father and son with head injuries. According to an ABCLocal.Go.com report, the crash took place at the intersection of Jackson and Kings Canyon shortly after 8 a.m. on the morning of Thursday, March 31. Police reported that the small motorcycle was traveling south when it failed to stop, therefore striking a pick-up truck that was traveling west on Kings Canyon. The father and son were reportedly not wearing helmets and the small motorcycle bike did not have any brakes.

Apparently, the boy needed a ride to school because he was running late. However, Police stated that the pocket bike is not legally permitted to operate on city streets. At the time the article was published, it was stated that the pick-up truck motorist would not be cited for the crash. However, it is possible that this decision could change after a thorough investigation of the collision.

Accidents involving motor vehicles on the road can happen due to various forms of negligence. While crashes involving small motorcycles do not happen as frequently as collisions involving motorcycles that are legally allowed to travel on the road, any type of motor vehicle accident can have serious consequences.

The aftermath of a motorcycle collision presents many physical, financial, and emotional challenges for an accident victim and their family. Fresno motorcycle crash lawyers can help individuals injured in motorcycle collisions hold negligent parties liable as well as obtain compensation for pain and suffering, lost wages, hospital bills, medical treatment, and other expenses.

Continue reading "Fresno Accident Involving Small Motorcycle and Pick-Up Truck Results in Injuries" »

In a recent case, a jury determined that the city of Sacramento was mainly responsible for the serious brain injury of a woman who was hit by a vehicle while running in a crosswalk almost four years ago. News10.net reports that the jury concluded that the Land Park crosswalk on the active two lane street that used to travel in one direction was too hazardous. Since the Sacramento pedestrian accident, the road now has one lane in both directions, pedestrians do not have to walk as far to get across the street, and there is a pedestrian-activated signal light that envelops the crosswalk.

According to the article, the two week trial consisted of testimonies made by city planners and Former Mayor Heather Fargo stating that the crosswalk was unsafe. Apparently, some evidence even described the crosswalk as "the Bermuda Triangle of Sacramento." The jury decided that the city of Sacramento knew about the dangers of the crosswalk and believed the pedestrian crash ended the woman's medical career, tragically cutting her livelihood short.

It's difficult to imagine that in 2009, 4,092 pedestrians were killed and 59,000 were injured in traffic accidents in the United States. Based on data provided by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), about 72 percent of pedestrian deaths occurred in urban environments as opposed to rural settings. Moreover, approximately 76 percent of pedestrian fatalities took place at non-intersections, about 90 percent happened during normal weather conditions, and almost 70 percent occurred during the evening hours.

With these high risk factors in mind, each city and state has a responsibility of ensuring that crosswalks and intersections are safely designed and have proper signage. Unfortunately, there are already many other potential risks of pedestrian accidents occurring due to distracted driving, speeding, and other forms of negligence without dangerous road conditions or inadequate crosswalks playing a role.

Pedestrian accidents sadly often result in catastrophic injuries or death. Pedestrians are at significant risk of suffering a spinal cord injury, brain injury, broken bones, and other serious damage. Anyone who is injured in a Sacramento pedestrian collision may want to get in touch with a Sacramento pedestrian accident lawyer with experience obtaining compensation for those hurt by another person's negligence.

Continue reading "City of Sacramento Found Liable for Pedestrian's Catastrophic Injury" »

Brain injuries are serious injuries that may have life-long mental or physical effects on a victim (and their family). When brain injuries are serious, the cost of long term care and rehabilitation can cost hundreds of thousands of dollars, if not more. In situations where a traumatic brain injury is the result of another person or party's negligent, reckless, or careless conduct - whether in an auto accident, bicycle accident, pedestrian accident, construction accident, slip and fall or any other serious accident, brain injury victims may be entitled to compensation for their injuries, including their medical expenses, lost earnings, loss of earning capacity, pain and suffering, and other injury-related expenses. If you or a loved one has suffered a traumatic brain injury and you would like more information about your legal rights, visit the Brain Injury Legal Help Center at www.brain-injurylawyers.com.