Pasadena Personal Injury Blog

Does the shortage of truck drivers put your life in jeopardy?

On behalf of Ball & Bonholtzer on Friday, December 20, 2019.

Considering the number of trucks you see traveling California's roadways with you, it might surprise you to know that the trucking industry is hurting for drivers. In fact, the industry needs around 50,000 more drivers in order to fill the vacancies and safely handle the transportation of goods around the country. Plus, as more older drivers decide to retire, the situation could get worse.

Why do you care about the fact that the trucking industry has a shortage of drivers? Because it means the drivers that are out there must make up for that deficiency. The drivers that are on the roads probably work long hours, don't get enough sleep, don't have adequate experience and put your life in danger because of it.

Get help for your car crash case in California

On behalf of Ball & Bonholtzer posted in Motor Vehicle Accidents on Thursday, December 19, 2019.

After a motor vehicle accident, the only thing you want is to make sure you're taken care of. You want to make sure you get medical care and can begin to recover. You want to know that you won't have bills that go unpaid or damages that you can't afford to fix on your vehicle.

Unfortunately, getting the money you need is not always as simple as negotiating with an insurance company and getting a fair settlement. While most cases do settle, the reality is that some need to go through a trial to get a judge to agree to an award.

Risk of a drunk driving accident increases during the holidays

On behalf of Ball & Bonholtzer on Friday, December 13, 2019.

The holiday season is supposed to be one of joy and celebration. You may have already had various events to attend for Thanksgiving, and now, you are looking forward to the gatherings you will have from Christmas to New Year's Eve. If you plan on doing any holiday traveling during this time, you may want to remember that safety is a top priority.

You would never make the choice to drink and drive, and if you do consume alcohol, you do so responsibly. Of course, you cannot account for the actions of other drivers on the roadways; whether you are traveling alone to a party or have your kids in the car heading to Grandma's house, the risk exists of being involved in a serious accident because of a drunk driver.

Why is a brain injury so life changing?

On behalf of Ball & Bonholtzer on Wednesday, December 11, 2019.

The brain is the control center for every system in the body. As such, it is surrounded by protective fluid and encased within the thick bone of the skull. However, even with these protections, brain injuries occur too often. Over 50,000 people die of brain injuries every year, and more than five million live with the long-term consequences of their injuries.

If you have recently suffered a brain injury, you may have many questions about how it could affect your future. Will you have to struggle with neurological deficits? Will you have memory issues? Will you be able to return to work? While it may not be possible to predict exactly how your brain injury will impact the rest of your life, it may help you to understand some general facts about brain injuries and their consequences.

Catastrophic injuries: Spinal fractures can be damaging wounds

On behalf of Ball & Bonholtzer posted in catastrophic injuries on Wednesday, December 4, 2019.

When you think of catastrophic injuries, you probably think of serious paralysis or brain injuries. You're right that these are types of catastrophic injuries.

The classification "catastrophic injury" means that a person has suffered a severe injury to the spinal cord, brain or spine. Sometimes, spinal fractures and skull fractures are included in the classification.

Protecting your safety as much as possible during holiday travel

On behalf of Ball & Bonholtzer on Wednesday, November 27, 2019.

The holidays are some of the busiest travel times of the year. There are more people driving to family gatherings, kids are out of school, and people are running errands and shopping. Due to the increase of drivers and factors such as drunk driving, a person may be more likely to experience a car accident during holiday travel.

As you prepare to set out on the road this year, you can make certain preparations to make sure you're staying as safe as possible. When you are vigilant and prepared, you will be less likely to experience complications and unexpected situations as you head out to see loved ones and go to holiday events. Tens of millions of people will be traveling over the next few weeks, and you would be wise to make your own personal safety a priority.

Do some truck accidents happen due to this medical condition?

On behalf of Ball & Bonholtzer on Thursday, November 21, 2019.

Chances are you know someone who suffers from obstructive sleep apnea whether you know it or not. People who suffer from this condition can easily lead normal lives with the right treatment. However, without treatment, it can cause severe fatigue, among other things.

This may not impact the lives of some people, and you may not give it a second thought if a friend or family member tells you about his or her condition. But for those who work in occupations that require them to drive, it can present a significant hazard. Would it surprise you to know that approximately one-third of all truck drivers suffer from mild to severe sleep apnea?

Juvenile cyclist critically hurt in hit-and-run crash

On behalf of Ball & Bonholtzer posted in Motor Vehicle Accidents on Thursday, November 21, 2019.

Throughout the year, you'll see cyclists dotting the streets in Pasadena. The weather is normally good and appropriate for riding, so it's a good way to stay in shape and avoid the heavy traffic.

Unfortunately, cyclists aren't always safe on the roads. Take, for example, the case of a cyclist who was critically injured when they were hit on Marengo Avenue. The vehicle that struck them had been traveling in the same direction.

Cell phone addiction is increasing the risk of auto accidents

On behalf of Ball & Bonholtzer on Friday, November 8, 2019.

Could you go a day without your cell phone? Maybe you could go a day without it, but as soon as your 24 hours were up, you may feel as though you need to make up for that lost time. You may have been anxious that you would miss something important.

The fact of the matter is that some people may not be able to go an hour without their cell phones. This addiction prevents them from putting their phones down even when they drive. Some would say this is the ultimate form of distracted driving, since it requires all of your senses in order to use it. That kind of inattention from driving leads to serious or fatal crashes that change people's lives forever.

How serious are incomplete spinal injuries?

On behalf of Ball & Bonholtzer posted in catastrophic injuries on Thursday, November 7, 2019.

When you think of spinal injuries and paralysis, you may imagine someone who can't walk or feel their body. The truth is that catastrophic injuries to the spinal column and spinal cord can have a varied outcome. For some, partial paralysis, also called incomplete paralysis, is the result after a car crash or other serious accident.

With an incomplete spinal injury, it's not easy to know what a person can or cannot do based on the diagnosis alone. The individual doesn't have total paralysis or the full loss of sensation, but it does mean that those sensations and movements are limited in some way.