Los Angeles Metrolink Accident Injures Commuters and Crew

Los Angeles Metrolink Accident Injures Commuters and Crew

Every day, thousands of commuters board the Metrolink trains as part of their daily commute between Los Angeles County and Orange, Riverside and San Bernardino Counties, trusting that they will be carried to their destination safely by the train. This feeling of safety was rattled in yet another train accident this week that has residents of Los Angeles County shocked and concerned.

The Facts Of the Accident

On Tuesday, February 24^th, the Metrolink commuter train, which was bound for Los Angeles, derailed in a fiery collision. The train collided with an abandoned commercial pickup truck after the driver took a wrong turn and got stuck on the tracks. There were 48 passengers and three crewmembers aboard the train, all of whom were injured and transported to the hospital.

Although Metrolink’s ridership is the seventh largest in the United States among commuter rail systems, it has the second highest number of deaths. According to the Federal Railroad Administration, in one six year period, 39 out of 61 passenger fatalities across the nation involved Metrolink trains. In the ten-year span from 1998 to 2008, Metrolink has had 99 fatalities. This is more than all other commuter rail systems in the nation.

California Law Protects Innocent Riders

California law holds common carriers to a higher standard of care as compared to other transportation services or even other drivers. The California Civil Code Section 2100 holds that common carriers “must use the utmost care and diligence for passengers’ safe carriage, must provide everything necessary for that purpose, and must exercise to that end a reasonable degree of skill.”

However, despite this stricter standards, there are still too many accidents involving common carriers, such as Metrolink. There are many causes of Metrolink accidents, including:

Collisions with other commuter trains

• Inattentiveness of the train operators or engineer
• Derailment due to poor maintenance
• Non-compliance with safety standards
• Excessive speed
• Driver fatigue

Regardless of the cause, if you were injured in a Metrolink accident you may be entitled to compensation. A train accident attorney in the San Fernando Valley can help you obtain the full damages that you deserve.

Contact a Los Angeles Train Accident Lawyer

At the Law Offices of Vahdat & Associate, our Los Angeles train accident lawyers are experienced in handling all types of train accidents. Our legal team is dedicated to helping our clients during this difficult period to obtain the full compensation they are entitled to. For more information or to schedule a complimentary consultation with one of our attorneys, please call us at 818-745-2974 or visit us at http://www.sfvlaw.com.

Seeking Compensation for Your Motorcycle Accident

Seeking Compensation for Your Motorcycle Accident

The sleek design, speed and adrenaline-rush inducing power of a motorcycle makes it an attractive means of transport for some people.  Others love these machines because they are almost traffic-jam-proof during busy rush hour. However, despite these characteristics, motorcycles do not have the physical protection that is present in other vehicles. Additionally, the protective gear worn by motorcyclists is usually inadequate to prevent serious injuries in the event of an accident.

According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, motorcyclists are 35 times more likely to experience a fatal accident than other motorists.  In 2012, motorcycle accidents accounted for more than 80,000 injuries and more than 4,000 deaths. If you or a loved one has been injured in a motorcycle accident, you should consult with an experienced motorcycle accident attorney to protect your legal rights.

Common Injuries from Motorcycle Accidents

The injuries sustained by motorcycle victims are usually catastrophic and may permanently alter the quality of life. The most common injuries suffered in motorcycle accidents include:

• Broken or fractured bones
• Brain injury for motorcyclists who do not wear helmets and pedestrians
• Spinal cord injury
• Wrongful death
• Road Rash

Damages Available to Motorcycle Accident Victims

Injuries sustained from motorcycle accidents often result in expensive medical bills, permanent disability, lost wages and many other financial hardships.  With the help of an experienced attorney, you can recover the full extent of the compensation that you deserve, including:

• Past and future medical expenses
• Loss of income
• Loss of future potential earning capacity
• Pain and suffering
• Emotional distress

Contact Us

If you or a loved one has been involved in a motorcycle accident and have suffered serious injuries, you should contact an experienced personal injury attorney in San Fernando Valley to help you get the full extent of the compensation that you deserve.

For more information or to schedule a complimentary consultation with attorney Ghazal Amy Vahdat, please call the Law Offices of Vahdat & Associate at (818) 745-2974. You can also reach us toll free at 1-800-BUT-4-LAW or visit us at http://www.sfvlaw.com.

The Affect of Pre-existing Injuries On Your Personal Injury Claim

 

The Affect of Pre-existing Injuries On Your Personal Injury Claim

One of the most important topics in a personal injury claim is pre-existing injuries and medical conditions. Pre-existing medical injuries is any injury you suffered before the injuries you are claiming in your current lawsuit.

If you are filing a personal injury claim and suffer injuries that in any way resemble prior injuries, the insurance company will likely claim that your “new” injuries are simply an aggravation of your pre-existing injuries. Consequently, any settlement offers may be minimal. However, with a strong San Fernando Valley personal injury attorney on your side, you can prove the insurance adjuster wrong and obtain the full compensation that you deserve.

Examples of Pre-Existing Medical Conditions

Any injury or condition that you suffered before the new injury can be considered a pre-existing medical condition. However, the most important are the previous conditions that interact with your newer injuries. Some examples of common pre-existing injuries include:

• Injuries from previous, unrelated accidents
• Birth defects or congenital abnormalities
• Medical conditions that flare during times of stress, such as asthma
• Any injuries that may not have healed or are in the process of healing

The Affect of Pre-Existing Conditions

Although a previous injury will not prohibit you from obtaining compensation in your personal injury claim, it may significantly influence the value of your claim. However, first, the defense has the burden of proving that your pre-existing injuries directly affect or interact with current injuries.

A good accident attorney in San Fernando Valley should be ready to defend your medical history by proving that your current injuries are primarily caused by the subject accident and not by your prior medical conditions. However, your attorney cannot successfully prepare such a defense if you have not disclosed disclose all of your prior medical history.

Contact Us

If you or a loved one has been involved in a serious accident and have suffered personal injuries, you should contact an experienced San Fernando Valley personal injury attorney to help you get the full extent of the compensation that you deserve.

For more information or to schedule a complimentary consultation with attorney Ghazal Amy Vahdat, please call the Law Offices of Vahdat & Associate at (818) 745-2974. You can also reach us toll free at 1-800-BUT-4-LAW or visit us at http://www.sfvlaw.com.