San Diego Personal Injury Lawyers Blog

Every year there are hundreds of thousands of accidents that result in head injuries. While most head injuries are mild to moderate in severity, some can be serious, causing traumatic and irreversible injuries to the brain. Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI) can cause temporary or permanent damage that may significantly diminish the quality of life of the person injured. People who sustain brain injuries deserve compensation for their medical bills, lost wages, and reduced capacity to perform routine tasks after the incident occurs.

Head injuries occur when the brain is struck with sudden physical force, such as when one's head hits the dashboard or windshield in a car crash. Traumatic brain injury occurs when the brain bounces against the inside of the skull during such an impact. The greater the force, the more likely it is that serious damage will occur. Tearing, bruising, and bleeding of the brain can cause permanent brain damage that affects every aspect of the victim's life.

In most cases, TBI is caused by blunt force trauma to the head by an object. These types of injuries are called "closed head injuries" because the skull has not been fractured. Closed head injuries can also occur when the head undergoes a severe forward or backward shaking motion, such as when whiplash occurs in a car accident. In either case, closed head injuries can present unique challenges at trial due to the fact that there are usually no external symptoms that would indicate the severity of the damages.

Another way in which TBI can be caused is a "penetrating head injury," in which a wound is caused by an object that penetrates the skull, but does not exit, thereby becoming lodged in the person's brain. Examples of this particular type of brain injury include gunshot wounds and stab wounds. Gunshot wounds can cause damage not only to the tract in which the bullet entered the brain, but also to surrounding areas depending on a multitude of factors, including the speed and caliber of the bullet. A stab wound, on the other hand, is caused by objects such as glass, nails, and even metal. The damage inflicted in these types of wounds is more localized to the tract in which the object entered the skull, and typically occurs in the skull's thin bones.

Whether an injury sustained is a closed or penetrating head trauma, it is important that you seek medical attention immediately. Additionally, it is equally important that you or your family talk to an attorney as soon as possible. In cases involving Traumatic Brain Injury, it is essential that measures be taken promptly to preserve evidence, prove the nature and extent of your injuries, and to enable expert medical witnesses to evaluate and support the cause of your injuries.

If you or a loved one has suffered a Traumatic Brain Injury, please call Kerckhoff Law, APC toll-free at (866) 606-3059 or click here to fill out our confidential intake form.

Continue reading "Brain Injury Accidents In San Diego ~" »

Brain injuries may result from many types of accidents, including auto accidents, physical abuse, falls, gunshot wounds, or even explosions occurring in dangerous occupations.

What Is A Brain Injury?

Every 15 seconds, someone in the U.S. suffers a traumatic brain injury (TBI). Over one million people are treated in hospital emergency rooms each year. Of those, 50,000 die and 80,000 are rendered permanently disabled because of traumatic brain injury. This number is higher than the combined cases of Parkinson's disease, Alzheimer's disease, and multiple sclerosis.

TBI occurs when a sudden physical assault to the head causes damage to the brain. The damage can be focal (confined to one area of the brain) or diffuse (involving more than one area of the brain). TBI can result from a closed head injury or a penetrating head injury. A closed head injury occurs when the head suddenly and violently hits an object, but the object does not break through the skull. A penetrating head injury occurs when an object pierces the skull, entering the brain tissue.

Brain injury symptoms may include:

• Headaches
• Unconsciousness
• Dizziness
• Confusion
• Slurred speech
• Blurry eyesight
• Convulsions
• Ringing in the ears

Seeking immediate treatment by a skilled medical professional is necessary to prevent further damage or complications.

Brain injuries have the potential to alter one's life forever. Therefore, consultation with an experienced san diego brain injury attorney is essential. The lawyer will put together a team of qualified experts and medical professionals in order to assess the victim's expected past, current, and future losses, so that the victim will receive maximum financial compensation.

Continue reading "San Diego Traumatic Brain Injuries ~" »

Each year there are hundreds of thousands of accidents that result in head injuries. While most head injuries are mild to moderate in severity, some can be serious, causing traumatic and irreversible injuries to the brain. Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI) can cause temporary or permanent damage that may significantly diminish the quality of life of the person injured. People who sustain brain injuries deserve compensation for their medical bills, lost wages, and reduced capacity to perform routine tasks after the accident occurs.

Head injuries occur when the brain is struck with sudden physical force, such as when one's head hits the dashboard or the windshield in a car accident. Traumatic brain injury occurs when the brain bounces against the inside of the skull during such an impact. The greater the force, the more likely it is that serious damage will occur. Tearing, bruising, and bleeding of the brain can cause permanent brain damage that affects every aspect of the victim's life.

In most cases, TBI is caused by blunt force trauma to the head by an object. These types of injuries are called "closed head injuries" because the skull has not been fractured. Closed head injuries can also occur when the head undergoes a severe forward or backward shaking motion, such as when whiplash occurs in a car accident. In either case, closed head injuries can present unique challenges at trial due to the fact that there are usually no external symptoms that would indicate the severity of the damages.

Another way in which TBI can be caused is a "penetrating head injury," in which a wound is caused by an object that penetrates the skull, but does not exit, thereby becoming lodged in the person's brain. Examples of this particular type of brain injury include gunshot wounds and stab wounds. Gunshot wounds can cause damage not only to the tract in which the bullet entered the brain, but also to surrounding areas depending on a multitude of factors, including the speed and caliber of the bullet. A stab wound, on the other hand, is caused by objects such as glass, nails, and even metal. The damage inflicted in these types of wounds is more localized to the tract in which the object entered the skull, and typically occurs in the skull's thin bones.

Whether an injury sustained is a closed or penetrating head trauma, it is imperative that you seek medical attention immediately. Additionally, it is equally important that you or your family talk to an attorney as soon as possible. In cases involving Traumatic Brain Injury, it is essential that measures be taken promptly to preserve evidence, prove the nature and extent of your injuries, and to enable expert medical witnesses to evaluate and support the cause of your injuries.

If you or a loved one has suffered what you believe may be a Traumatic Brain Injury, please call Kerckhoff Law, APC toll-free at (866) 606-3059 or click here to fill out our confidential intake form.

Continue reading "El Centro Traumatic Brain Injuries -" »

Have you or a loved one been seriously injured or killed in an automobile accident in Imperial County? If so, you should consult with an experienced El Centro personal injury lawyer to find out what your legal rights are and what your next step should be.
Imperial County personal injury attorney Jason Kerckhoff knows how serious and life-changing accidental injuries can be, and how frustrating it is to try to obtain relief from insurance companies and other responsible parties.

Choosing An El Centro-Imperial Valley Injury Attorney

After an automobile crash or any other event involving serious injury or the wrongful death of a loved one, it is extremely important to work with a law firm that specializes in personal injury. Unfortunately, sometimes people are negligent, reckless, or violent, and their irresponsible or wrongful behavior causes injuries to innocent victims. When these tragic, expensive injuries happen to you or a loved one, the person or company who caused the injuries should be held responsible.

The types of skills required to successfully handle a serious automobile accident or wrongful death case are very specific. Our El Centro personal injury law firm is dedicated to assisting injury victims in obtaining the maximum financial compensation they are entitled to, so that they can move on with their lives.

Continue reading "Have You Been In An El Centro Accident?" »

KTLA.com reports that studies show driving while texting is more dangerous than driving under the influence. Recent fatalities involving texting while driving occurred in 2007 when a New York high schooler and her for fellow cheerleaders were killed due to her slamming head-on into a truck, killing all of them. The 2008 Chatsworth train collision, in which 25 people died and more than 100 were injured, was officially attributed to the engineer of the Metrolink commuter train being distracted by text messaging.

Unfortunately, the laws applicable to the problem of texting while driving reflect vital misunderstandings about why cell phone use combined with a moving vehicle can be so deadly. This was a major topic at the Transportation Department's Distracted Driving Summit on September 21, 2010.

Studies reflect that texting while driving can be more dangerous than driving while swigging Jack Daniels. In a 2009 survey, Car and Driver magazine tested two of its staffers under a variety of conditions. It found that on average, driving at 70 mph, one man braking suddenly while legally drunk (0.08 blood alcohol content) traveled 4 feet beyond his baseline performance. However, when reading an e-mail while driving sober, he traveled 36 feet beyond the baseline result and 70 feet while sending a text. In the worst case - while texting - he traveled 319 feet before stopping.

66% of respondents to a 2007 Harris Interactive poll admitted they've texted while driving, even as 89% said it should be banned.

Not to mention that our youngest drivers, who already are in far more than their share of roadway accidents and deaths, text the most, according to government and insurance industry reports.

Texting While Driving & Accidents

Texting and driving is not only dangerous, it's against the law in California. Senate Bill 28, enacted on September 24, 2008, "prohibits a person from driving a motor vehicle while using an electronic wireless communications device to write, send, or read a text-based communication."

New legislation has been introduced that could increase the fines for sending text messages and talking on handheld cell phones while driving. On June 23, 2010, California Senate Bill 1475 was passed, which would add one point to a driver's driving record.

The bill also strengthens California's hands-free and no-texting laws for motorists. The new law also extends to bicyclists. SB 1475 now moves to the State Assembly for consideration.

We all know about the dangers associated with texting while driving. Even Oprah Winfrey has joined the cause, ending each of her shows with a request that her viewers sign her pledge to not text and drive. It would be great to see ALL states implement a ban on texting while driving. Many lives would hopefully be saved and many auto accidents would probably be prevented.

Sources: Insurance Institute For Highway Safety, Highway Loss Data Institute, KTLA News.com

Continue reading "Text Messaging May Be Worse Than Drunk Driving ~" »

Pediatric neuropsychologist Gerard Gioia, director of the Safe Concussion Outcome Recovery and Education (SCORE) program at Children's National Medical Center, recently developed an app for smart phones. The program asks the user a series of questions and saves the responses so you can share them later with a doctor.

The app has the ability to e-mail a doctor the results of the questions you answered. There is also a feature called Home System Monitoring which helps parents monitor their child's symptoms for a few days after an injury. The Return-to-Play Guide provides a daily, five-step workout routine for athletes to ensure a safe return to the field when fully recovered.

This app is intended to assist parents, coaches, and brain injury researchers. Although the exact number of concussions is hard to calculate because many go untreated, this new app will aid in the early detection of a concussion and help prevent serious long-term injuries.

Continue reading "SmartPhone App Assists With The Detection Of A Concussion ~" »

Automobile accidents in the Imperial Valley and surrounding regions occur often, causing serious injuries and death to pedestrians, drivers, and cyclists. Incidents that occur on El Centro roadways may be caused by distracted drivers, drunk drivers, vehicle defects, and/or dangerous road conditions. Negligent drivers who cause accidents may be held financially liable for resultant injuries and deaths that they cause.

The El Centro auto accident lawyers at Kerckhoff Law, APC have represented hundreds of seriously injured victims of Imperial County auto accidents in personal injury claims, including incidents occurring in Imperial, Brawley, Calipatria, Holtville, Seeley, El Centro, Calexico, Heber, Winterhaven, and Mexicali.

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Please contact Kerckhoff Law, APC for a free consultation if you or a family member has been seriously injured or killed in an automobile crash, dog bite, or wrongful death incident.

Continue reading "Looking For An El Centro Attorney?" »

Every year there are hundreds of thousands of accidents that result in head injuries. While most head injuries are mild to moderate in severity, some can be serious, causing traumatic and irreversible injuries to the brain. Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI) can cause temporary or permanent damage that may significantly diminish the quality of life of the injured. People who sustain brain injuries deserve compensation for their medical bills, lost wages, and reduced capacity to perform routine tasks after the accident.

Head injuries occur when the brain is struck with a sudden physical force, such as when one's head hits the dashboard or the windshield in a car accident. Traumatic brain injury occurs when the brain bounces against the inside of the skull during such an impact. The greater the force, the more likely it is that serious damage will occur. Tearing, bruising, and bleeding of the brain can cause permanent brain damage that affects every aspect of the victim's life.

In most cases, TBI is caused by blunt force trauma to the head by some sort of object. These types of injuries are called "closed head injuries" because the skull has not been fractured. Closed head injuries can also occur when the head undergoes a severe forward or backward shaking motion, such as when whiplash occurs in a car accident. In either case, closed head injuries can present unique challenges at trial due to the fact that there are usually no external symptoms that would indicate the severity of the damages.

Another way in which TBI can be caused is a "penetrating head injury," in which a wound is caused by an object that penetrates the skull, but does not exit, thereby becoming lodged in the person's brain. Examples of this particular type of brain injury include gunshot wounds and stab wounds. Gunshot wounds can cause damage not only to the tract in which the bullet entered the brain, but also to surrounding areas depending on a multitude of factors, including the speed and caliber of the bullet. A stab wound, on the other hand, is caused by objects such as glass, nails, and even metal. The damage inflicted in these types of wounds is more localized to the tract in which the object entered the skull, and typically occurs in the skull's thin bones.

Whether an injury sustained is a closed or penetrating head trauma, it is imperative that you seek medical attention immediately. Additionally, it is equally important that you or your family talk to an attorney as soon as possible. In cases involving Traumatic Brain Injury, it is essential that measures be taken promptly to preserve evidence, prove the nature and extent of your injuries, and to enable expert medical witnesses to evaluate and support the cause of your injuries.

If you or a loved one has suffered what you believe may be a Traumatic Brain Injury, please call Kerckhoff Law, APC toll-free at (866) 606-3059 or click here to fill out our confidential intake form.

Continue reading "TBI Overview For San Diego Injury Victims -" »

10News.com reports that a 46-year old bicyclist was struck by a car door In the 2500 block of University Avenue In North Park, San Diego. The incident occurred Monday at approximately 5:00 p.m.

A 22-year-old woman who was getting out of her parked vehicle opened her car door into the path of the bicyclist.

Bicycle Injuries & Liability

A vehicle owner who has parked a vehicle on a street has a duty to look for oncoming bicyclists and vehicles before opening a car door.

If the police investigation determines that the vehicle owner is at fault, her automobile insurance (if available) should cover the losses associated with this claim.

Retaining A San Diego Bicycle Injury Lawyer For Assistance

In incidents such as this bicycle crash, where the driver of a vehicle causes personal injury to a bicyclist, the victim may benefit from speaking to an experienced San Diego bicycle injury lawyer. If it is determined that the vehicle driver is responsible for this incident, she may be held liable for the cyclist's injuries.

Continue reading "San Diego Bicyclist Struck By Car Door ~" »

10news.com reported that a 31-year-old woman was hospitalized with serious injuries on Friday, April 8th, due to a rear-end crash on East Vista Way in Vista which also injured her 4- and 5-year-old daughters. At approximately 4:30 p.m., the woman was unable to stop her vehicle in time, and rear-ended a pick-up truck on southbound East Vista Way at Barsby Street.

Moments earlier, two other vehicles ahead of the crash scene had stopped due to a non-injury collision.

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Vista Sheriffs deputies conducted an investigation and emergency personnel transported the woman to Tri-City Medical Center. She was later transferred by air ambulance to Sharp Memorial Hospital for a possible fractured leg and knee injury.

The 4- and 5-year-old girls were also initially taken to Tri-City Medical Center. The 4-year-old was then flown to Children's Hospital with a head fracture, according to one of the sheriff's deputies. The 5-year-old remained at Tri-City Medical Center for observation and treatment of her injury.

It is unclear whether or not the pick-up truck driver was injured.

Investigation Of The April 8th Auto vs. Pick-Up Truck Crash

Vista Sheriff officers are conducting an investigation into the cause of this crash. If the woman driver is found to be negligent for causing this accident, then she will be held liable for the damages she caused to both of her daughters, as well as to the pick-up truck driver.
A passenger in a vehicle involved in an accident who has sustained an injury may be entitled to receive compensation for his/her injuries.

A passenger may have a claim against both the driver of the vehicle in which he/she was riding, as well as the drivers of any other vehicles (or any other negligent party) involved in the collision. A passenger is generally not considered to be at fault or partially at fault for causing an accident unless he/she did something to cause an accident such as distract the driver. An experienced auto accident attorney can help determine who is responsible.

Damages In Motor Vehicle Claims

When someone suffers a personal injury, he/she will likely require medical attention and may need rehabilitation, all of which costs substantial sums of money. The types of damage that an injured person can recover are:

The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission and Health Canada recently announced a voluntary recall of Guardian full-face diving masks.

Manufacturer: Undersea Systems International Inc. dba Ocean Technology Systems of Santa Ana, California

Hazard: The purge assembly on the diving mask can disengage from the regulator, resulting in a loss of air to the diver, which poses a drowning hazard.

Description: This recall involves Guardian full-face diving masks with serial numbers 9051284 through 100070954. The serial number is printed on the main regulator body. The diving masks were sold in black with blue accent colors. The Ocean Technology Systems' logo is affixed to the front of the mask.Sold by: Diving equipment retailers and direct sales nationwide from September 2010 through November 2010 for approximately $800.

Remedy: Consumers should immediately stop using the diving masks and contact Ocean Technology Systems for instructions on conducting a test of the regulator and returning the masks for a free repair.

For further information, contact Ocean Technology Systems toll-free at (877) 270-1984 anytime, or visit the firm's website at www.otscomm.com.

Continue reading "Safety Recall ~ Guardian Full-Face Diving Masks" »

10News.com reports that a woman believed to be in her 50s was taken to a local hospital with major head trauma and internal injuries, after being struck by a vehicle around 6:05 a.m. on March 15th in Clairemont.

Authorities said the woman was walking near Luna Avenue & Regents Road when she was struck by a Honda traveling approximately 45 miles per hour. After striking the woman, the Honda crashed into another vehicle.

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The victim appears to have hit the Honda's windshield and was thrown 30 feet+. Fortunately, she was conscious and breathing when she was transported to the hospital.

Emergency crews were evaluating the driver of the Honda for glass in the eyes. The investigation is continuing as to why this incident occurred.

Automobile vs. Pedestrian Accident Liability Issues

The official cause of the accident is still under investigation. Officials may be trying to determine whether or not alcohol or drugs were factors in the crash, as well as text messaging/cell phone use.

Legal Rights

If you or a loved one has been injured or killed in an automobile crash, you may be entitled to compensation for your injuries and damages. With over 28 years of experience litigating personal injury and wrongful death claims, Jason Kerckhoff can help you obtain the compensation you deserve.

Continue reading "Clairemont Woman Struck By Car Thrown 30 Feet ~" »

Have you or a loved one been seriously injured or killed in an accident? If so, you should consult with an experienced San Diego personal injury lawyer to find out what your legal rights are and what your next step should be.

San Diego personal injury attorney A. Jason Kerckhoff knows how serious and life-changing accidental injuries can be, and how frustrating it is to try to obtain relief from insurance companies and other responsible parties.

Choosing A San Diego Injury Attorney

After a vehicle crash, dog bite attack, slip/trip-and-fall incident, bicycle injury, motorcycle injury, or any other event involving serious injury or the wrongful death of a loved one, it is very important to work with a law firm that specializes in personal injury.

Unfortunately, sometimes people are negligent, reckless, or violent, and their irresponsible or wrongful behavior causes injuries. When these tragic, expensive injuries happen to you or a loved one, the person or company who caused the injuries should be held responsible.

The types of skills required to successfully handle a serious accident or wrongful death case are very specific. Our San Diego personal injury law firm is dedicated to assisting injury victims in obtaining the maximum financial compensation they are entitled to, so that they can move on with their lives.

Each year, our Military Health System recognizes March as "Brain Injury Awareness Month." Listed below is helpful information for all servicemembers, retirees, veterans, and their families, as well as for the general public.

Causes

The leading causes of TBIs are:

•Falls (28%).

•Motor vehicle crashes (20%);

•Struck by/against events (19%);

•Assaults (11%)

Signs & Symptoms

The signs and symptoms of a traumatic brain injury (TBI) can be subtle. Symptoms of a TBI may not appear for days or weeks following the injury, or may not be noticed, since some people look fine even though they may act or feel differently. The following are common signs and symptoms of a TBI:

•Difficulty remembering, concentrating, or making decisions;

•Slowness in thinking, speaking, and/or reading;

•Headaches or neck pain that do not go away;

•Getting lost or easily confused;

•Feeling tired all the time - having no energy or motivation;

•Mood changes (feeling sad or angry for no reason);

•Changes in sleep patterns (sleeping a lot more or having a hard time sleeping);

•Light-headedness, dizziness, or loss of balance;

•Urge to vomit (nausea);

•Increased sensitivity to lights, sounds, or distraction; and

•Blurred vision or eyes that tire easily;

Severity

The severity of a TBI may range from "mild" (a brief change in mental status or consciousness) to "severe" (an extended period of unconsciousness or amnesia after the injury). An estimated 5.3 million Americans are living today with a TBI-related disability and require help performing daily activities.

About 75% of TBIs that occur each year are concussions or other forms of mild TBIs. Repeated mild TBIs occurring over an extended period of time (i.e., months & years) can result in cumulative neurological and cognitive deficits. Repeated mild TBIs occurring within a short period of time (i.e., hours, days, or weeks) can be catastrophic or fatal.

Costs

The costs to TBI victims can be staggering. It is difficult to fully describe the human cost of TBI, and the burdens borne by those who are injured and their families. Only a few studies of the monetary costs of these injuries are available. According to one study conducted in 2006, direct medical costs and indirect costs such as lost productivity from TBIs totaled approximately $60 billion in the United States.

In situations involving Traumatic Brain Injury, it is essential that prompt measures be taken to preserve evidence, prove the nature and extent of the injuries, and enable expert medical witnesses to support the cause of the injuries.

Please visit the Military Heath System Brain Injury Awareness Month webpage to learn more about brain injuries.

Continue reading "March Is Brain Injury Awareness Month For The Military " »

Have you or a loved one been seriously injured or killed in an accident? If so, you should consult with an experienced injury attorney to find out what your legal rights are and what your next step should be.

San Diego personal injury attorney A. Jason Kerckhoff knows how serious and life-changing accidental injuries can be, and how frustrating it is to try to obtain relief from insurance companies and other responsible parties.

Choosing A Cardiff-By-The-Sea Injury Lawyer

After a vehicle crash, dog bite attack, slip/trip-and-fall incident, bicycle injury, motorcycle injury, or any other event involving serious injury or the wrongful death of a loved one, it is very important to work with a law firm that specializes in personal injury.

Unfortunately, sometimes people are negligent, reckless, or violent, and their irresponsible or wrongful behavior causes injuries. When these tragic, expensive injuries happen to you or a loved one, the person or company who caused the injuries should be held responsible.

The types of skills required to successfully handle a serious accident or wrongful death case are very specific. Our Cardiff By The Sea personal injury law firm is dedicated to assisting injury victims in obtaining the maximum financial compensation they are entitled to, so that they can move on with their lives.