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In July of 2008 the new cell phone laws in California came into effect. These laws have specific outlines for two different age ranges; those who are under 18 years of age and those who are 18 years or older. The difference in the laws has to do with the actual use of a cell phone in the vehicle in any way. According to the California commercial driver handbooks, this new law prohibits minors from using a cell phone in their car even with a hands free device an this includes any texting, pager use, or other forms of technology. This law also carries with it the risk of a fine of $20 for a first time offender and $50 for a second time offender.

This law was sparked by the ever growing trend of cell phone use in the United States as well as the high rate of teenage deaths caused by reckless driving and car accidents and it is a prevention attempt. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) 35% of the leading causes of teen deaths is that of motor vehicle accidents and most of the accidents can be attributed to reckless or careless driving as well as distracted driving involving the use of cell phones and other devices. Another NHTSA survey found that in 2006 alone a teenager died in an auto accident on an average of once per hour during the weekend and once every two hours during the work week.

These new laws are in place for the safety of those teens who are operating any motor vehicle, and those who will be passengers in those vehicles. The use of cell phones in a car is dangerous to all involved. There is a popular internet commercial which encourages those who are passengers in a car that is being driven by a reckless driver to speak up about the driving and the dangers and to "be the spokesman" for safety. Safety is the issue here, and many lives have been lost as the result of a youth who has broken the law by speeding or using their cell phone while driving.

The only two exceptions in this new California legislation concerning the use of cell phone by minors while driving is in the case of an emergency and / or while driving on private property. But how many teens in Burbank, California have broken this law already? If you have been injured in an auto accident as the result of a negligent teen driver you have claims for a California lawsuit.

If you or your loved one has been the victim of serious injuries from a car accident caused by a teenage driver illegally using their cell phone in or around Burbank, Glendale, and / or Pasadena you should contact one of our Burbank Car Accident Lawyers for a free case evaluation today.

A big-rig crash on the 210 freeway resulted in the death of one of the truck drivers. The Glendale Police responded to the emergency call and conducted traffic since the eastbound lanes of the 210 (the Foothill Freeway) were closed for sometime after the 4 AM crash. A semi-truck driver rear ended another tractor trailer truck which resulted in the driver's death as well as minor injuries sustained by a passenger. The accident is still under investigation, but it has been reported that the statement by the truck driver whose truck was rear ended does not match up with the actual details of the accident and the damage that was done.

The driver reported that he felt a bump from behind and thought that he may have had a flat tire. But authorities say that the accident scene implied a different story because the damage which was done to both trucks would imply that he felt more than just a bump or what he thought would end up being a flat tire. The Glendale investigators are saying that this was a huge collision, and that the damages and fatal injuries prove that there is more to this accident then meets the eye or the statement of the other driver.

Some anonymous witnesses have come forward and given statement, but the Glendale police are still hoping for more witnesses so that they can piece together the puzzle and so that whoever is at fault in this fatal trucking accident is brought to justice. This could be the case of a reckless driver who lost his life upon his own negligence, or this could be a case of the wrongful death of a man caused by negligence on the part of the driver who survived the accident.

Not all trucking accidents are cut and dry in the determination of who caused the accident and that is why legal counsel is a huge benefit to people who have been seriously injured in any kind of trucking or motor vehicle accident. If you or a loved one has been the victim of a trucking accident in Glendale, Burbank, Pasadena or the surrounding areas you may have reason to file a personal injury lawsuit.

Our Glendale Trucking Accident Attorneys are equipped and able to help you in this time of need, starting with a free, confidential case evaluation toady.

Trucking accidents are among some of the most deadly kind of automobile accidents in Burbank, California. Truck drivers are known for working long hours, and sitting behind the wheel of a truck for miles before they stop for sleep. Statistics show that regulations for big rig truck drivers and the companies that employ them are violated more than reported. It takes a fatal trucking accident to provoke authorities to investigate the road conduct of truck drivers and inspect whether to not they are following regulations such as not driving after so many hours without sleep.

There is a proposal in the working for the year 2010 from the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) that will help with monitoring the working hours and safe driving of truck drivers all over the United States, and especially in California. The FACT sheet for 2010 outlines several areas that the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration would like to see change in the trucking industry.

One area is that of evaluating the level of safety being exercised by those who are operating semi-trucks, big rigs, and 18 wheelers in Burbank, California, and all over the country. This regulation increase is an attempt to catch those truck drivers who are reckless in their driving and thus putting the lives of other drivers on the road with them in grave danger. A study done on the amount of auto accidents caused by driver fatigue and lack of sleep found that at least 10% of car accidents are caused by a tired driver who is not able to respond or react to traffic and accident risks around them.

The statistics concerning the sleep that drivers are not getting also show that in most cases, serious injuries were caused by the auto accident. Well these statistics are no different or truck drivers in Burbank and the surrounding areas. Our local highways such as the 134 freeway, the 170, and Interstate 5 have heavy trucking traffic, and news reports share details about fatalities that are the result of a negligent truck driver who has not followed regulations for sleep and fell asleep at the wheel.

If you have been the victim of a trucking accident in or around Burbank, Glendale and Pasadena which was caused by a negligent sleep deprived truck driver you need legal representation to fight for your constitutional rights in this case. There are truck driving regulations for a reason and when a driver fails to follow those laws they are liable for any accidents or injuries they may cause.

If your loved one has died a wrong death in a trucking accident on a Burbank freeway please contact one of our Burbank Trucking Accident Attorneys who are ready and able to help in your receiving compensation for any financial hardships you may be facing as well the pain and suffering you have faced from your loved one's death.

The big rig truck crash near Pasadena, California has been a nightmare for all involved. The family of the father and daughter who were killed deserve justice in this wrongful death situation. But the driver of the truck may not have been the only person at fault. There is speculation that the company who contracted the reckless truck driver also had safety violations with their other employees who operate trucks as well. On April 8, 2009 the California Highway Patrol (CHP) inspected the big rig truck and according to reports from federal inspection records, the company who employed this man has had a high number of violations.

This accident could have been prevented for a number of reasons, one being that of the driver actually heeding to the traffic signs banning trucks over a certain weight limit on the Angeles Crest Highway posted by the California Department of Transporation (CDT) for safety purposes. But maybe it could have also been prevented had the company taken the time to inspect the character and road integrity of this man who so carelessly disregarded the traffic limitations which resulted in his losing control of his truck and killing two people and seriously injuring 12 more.

A report showed that 33% of the time truck drivers employed by this company were more likely to be taken off of the road because if federal safety infractions.  The impactions may have been unsafe driving on the part of the truck operator, or even hazardous mechanical conditions that would have caused an accident had the truck not been able to stop or accelerate. Safety violations were most certainly the cause for this fatal accident near Pasadena and these violations were by both the contracting company and the reckless truck driver.

Were you a victim in this tragic trucking accident who suffered serious injuries in La Canada near Pasadena? Or, have you been involved in any kind of trucking or automobile accident which was the cause of company safety violations or reckless driving? You should contact one of our Pasadena Trucking Accident Lawyers today for a free case evaluation and see if you have claims to file for compensation for your injuries, pain, and suffering.

In Burbank, California, both men and women go to the local hair salon on a regular basis to get the latest fashion in hair trends, or to up keep their regular hair cut. Sometimes people have their hair dyed by the hair professional and go from being a brunette to a blond in a matter of hours. In the world of cosmetology there are certain regulations a hair stylist must follow to ensure the safety of the person whose hair they are cutting or dying with chemicals. The use of scissors and clippers as well as bleach and other chemicals can cause injuries to customers if the hair professional does not exercise caution in using the instruments and solutions.

One example of a hair salon injury is one reported by a woman who was confused as to the liability of a hair salon if they injure you. She reports that while having her hair cut short, the hair stylist was using clipper near the back of her neck and upon the careless handling by the stylist of the clippers, the woman suffered a deep cut on her neck. The hair professional acted as though it was not that big of a deal and that the customer had no right to be concerned.

But when the woman went home here husband informed her that the cut was very deep and bleeding a lot. The woman complained of significant pain from the cut and attempted to contact the hair salon about this incident. Her husband applied a pain relief ointment to her deep cut, but it did not make the pain completely go away. The manager of the salon only asked what the woman would like her to do about the cut and offered no form of acceptance for liability of this woman's injuries.

In cases such as a hair salon injury in Burbank and the surrounding areas, it is important to know and make note of all of the details concerning the injury and make a record of the dates and actions of the hair professional. Hair salon injuries are not uncommon, and are a growing in legal awareness every day. There have been court cases that have been awarded settlements for scalp burns or injuries caused by improper handling of hair chemicals or instruments.

If you have ever been the victim of an injury which you suffered as the result of a negligent or careless hair professional in the cities of Burbank, Glendale, Pasadena or the surrounding areas. you should contact one of our Burbank Hair Salon Injury Lawyers today for a free, confidential consolation so that your questions may be answered. Call us toll free at (800)-704-8237.

The use of cell phones and texting have become the norm in Burbank culture today; especially on the road. With the newest technology of cell phones like the Blackberry, the iPhone, and many other phones which include GPS systems, easy touch screens, and even movie options, where does driving actually come into play?

Recently in California a bill was passed and made into a law saying that it is illegal for drivers to be texting while behind the wheel. This law was brought into effect not to long after a hands free cell phone law made it illegal for drivers to talk on their phones without a Bluetooth or and ear phone piece.

It is the law enforcement who is supposed to be regulating these new laws, and yet even police officers are breaking this law being so distracted by their new age cell phones. Just this past month it was reported that a California police officer was involved in an automobile accident caused by his lack of attention to the road due to texting while driving. He rear-ended another motor vehicle and probably caused some damage to their car or even minor injuries to the other driver and / or their passengers.

The police chief was lucky this time when he got away with only a "fender-bender," on his record and little damage caused to the other vehicle and driver overall. But what about the next time something like this happens? What happens when a Burbank police officer is driving; abusing his badge while texting on the job and at the wheel, and causes a serious car accident where severe or critical injuries are suffered and / or the negligent driver commits a wrongful death? While anyone can cause a car accident, people who intentionally disregard laws specifically put in place to protect other drivers and / or pedestrians should be held responsible for the injuries they negligently / recklessly cause.

Thus far, since the introduction of cell phones, texting has been a factor in a number of auto accidents in and around Burbank on city streets, the 134 Freeway and the I-5.  If you or a loved one has been involved in a car crash involving another driver texting, using their cell phone illegally, or driving negligently or recklessless - it is in your best interest to contact an experienced Burbank Car Accident Lawyer for a free confidential consultation today.

On Friday, March 27, 2009 the Pasadena Police Department (PPD) organized a mandatory DUI check point in hopes of decreasing the amount of car collisions, hit and run auto accidents, and / or pedestrian fatalities caused by drunk drivers in Pasadena, and the surrounding cities. The check point was conducted between the evening hours (8 PM) into the early morning (3 AM); the ideal times to catch those who are driving under the influence of alcohol.

The program has been funded by the California Office of Traffic and Safety (COTS) in relation to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). This program should show to be an aid in car accident prevention in Pasadena. The Pasadena police have a desire and a goal to help prevent deaths related to that of negligent, reckless, or drunk driving which may injury Pasadena residents.  The funding received for projects such as the DUI Check Point in Pasadena also go toward informing the public of the risks of driving while drunk, like dangers to the individual driver who is drunk as well as other drivers on the road and the community as a whole.

A National Highway Traffic Safety Administration study conducted for 2007 showed that 12,998 people were killed as the result of alcohol related car accidents. According to further research, this number reflects an average of one fatality every 40 minutes caused by someone driving under the influence of alcohol. These statistics are alarming, and make the case for the need of D.U.I. check point centers in Pasadena as well as in Burbank and Glendale, and all of California.

If you have ever been involved in an alcohol related motor vehicle accident or a loved one of yours has been the victim of a wrongful death as the result of a reckless drunk driver in Pasadena, Burbank, or Glendale you should contact one of our Pasadena Motor Vehicle Attorneys for a confidential, free consultation today! Make your case known and join with the Pasadena Police Department as well as the NHTSA in the public awareness and prevention of drunk driving in California. 

A family in Pasadena, California is seeking a wrongful death claim against the city of Pasadena. The lawsuit claims that in February a Pasadena police officer wrongfully shot their loved one, Leroy Barnes, during a routine traffic stop. The details of the shooting and the autopsy have been withheld from public access for investigation and court purposes.

The general overview of the shooting is that Barnes, a previous offender, was a passenger in a car with a negligent driver who was being reckless and driving on the wrong side of the street.  Reports say that Pasadena Police officers pulled the vehicle over, probably with intentions of preventing a potential car accident. The reports are not clear, but maybe in an attempt to arrest Barnes, somehow he and the arresting officer got into an argument that turned physical. Somewhere in the struggle Barnes was shot several times, and killed by the police officers.

The primary issues in this wrongful death claim focus the inconsistencies in the statements made by the Pasadena Police Department (PPD). The family claims that these inconsistencies prove negligence on the part of the officers to exercise caution in using their weapons. In addition to a lack of caution, a deliberate intention on the police officer's part to shoot and kill Barnes is implied by all of the inconsistent testimonies by the Police Officers involved in the fatal shooting. One article reports that the family claims that Barnes was "executed" by the police and witnesses testify to seeing the police officers shoot Barnes while he was face down and clearly not a threat to them.

This is not a case of a criminal resisting arrest, and even opening fire on police. This is not even a case of self-defense for the Pasadena Police Department (PPD). This is a case of police brutality, and as the result of the PPD, Leroy Barnes has suffered a wrongful death, and his family is now mourning the death of a child and loved one. Barnes may have been a convicted criminal in the past, but that is no justification for any police officer to take the law into their own hands.

Have you, or someone that you know been involved in a situation that involved negligence on the part of the Pasadena, Burbank, or Glendale police department? Maybe you have been the victim of police brutality and critically injured as the result. You may have reason to bring a lawsuit against the city of Pasadena or The PPD for police brutality, negligence, or even a wrongful death claim for your loved one who has died. Contact one of our Pasadena Personal Injury Attorney's today. We offer free, confidential consultation for your convenience.