While a substantial portion of Los Angeles commuters choose to get around on bikes, that doesn’t mean the city is safe for cyclists. The hours-long traffic jams, pristine weather, and mostly flat streets make the city ideal for commuting via bike — yet Los Angeles constantly lands itself on ‘worst places to bike’ lists by industry magazines and associations. What accounts for the discrepancy? Based on what our Los Angeles bicycle accident attorney has learned, it’s the city’s inability to curb the incidence of fatal accidents involving cyclists.  Los Angeles has recently tried to address safety concerns by improving roadway conditions, and the city has even increased funding devoted to safety projects. With many measures inspired by Vision Zero, a Swedish concept focused on increasing safe travel for all roadway users (including cars and cyclists) when implementing these programs, the mayor of L.A. proclaimed that they were designed to reduce…

Orthopedic Injuries After an Accident in California  Orthopedic injuries are those that involve damage to the musculoskeletal system. These types of injuries are common in serious accidents, and the forces involved in vehicle collisions, falls and other traumatic accidents are more than enough to cause damage that leads to a debilitating injury. While most individuals who suffer orthopedic injuries will be able to recover with proper treatment, some accident victims will experience permanent complications. If you have suffered an orthopedic injury in an accident, you may be entitled to financial compensation, and it is important that you speak with a personal injury lawyer as soon as possible. What are Common Orthopedic Injuries from Traumatic Accidents? Orthopedic injuries can occur in all areas of the body. At the Banafshe Law Firm, P.C., we help victims of serious accidents recover just compensation for orthopedic injuries including: Bone Fractures As an experienced Los…

Though biking has become more prevalent in California, the state is experiencing an unprecedented amount of cycling deaths, undoubtedly caused by an uptick of cars on the road due to the advent of ridesharing apps. California’s spike in bike fatalities mirrors that of the rest of the nation, though it remains disproportionate in terms of the population. According to data from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, there are about 3.9 bike accident fatalities per million people – a rate higher than California has seen since the mid-1990s, before many cities – including Los Angeles – built extensive bike networks designed to encourage safety. Compared to the national average of 2.6 deaths per million people, California should certainly be looking for safer biking solutions.  Why Has Biking Become So Dangerous in California? When it comes to examining why bike deaths are on the rise in California, experts agree that several…

The COVID-19 pandemic has disrupted industries that once remained at the forefront of growth, and ridesharing companies like Uber and Lyft are some of the hardest hit in the coronavirus economy. Each company saw its earnings plummet as social distancing and stay-at-home orders were implemented to slow the spread, and both company executives and drivers alike were faced with dwindling profits. Drivers, in particular, bore the brunt of the chaos, as they watched their average sales fall dramatically from a lack of ridesharing passengers, and were put into situations that endangered their health and safety if they wanted to continue earning.  Passengers, likewise, found themselves wondering whether hopping into an Uber remained safe, and what their rights were should they encounter a driver who wasn’t adhering to Uber and Lyft guidelines regarding mask wearing or proper social distancing measures. Needless to say, our personal injury lawyer is well aware that…

Sports-related brain injuries are some of the most widespread and unreported injuries affecting children and adults today. It’s estimated that 214 million children and adults play some type of sport in the U.S., increasing the chances for significant injury on a widespread level among the population. While playing sports certainly does have a strong impact on the social and emotional health and well-being of those who engage, it is certainly worth noting that the risk of injury is also substantial.  In recent years, celebrity football players have drawn awareness to the incidence of traumatic brain injury in athletes, as they have increasingly faced significant trauma due to their injuries. Sports-related traumatic brain injuries are believed to account for up to 20 percent of all brain injuries occurring in the U.S. today. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention estimate that nearly three million people receive treatment for traumatic brain injuries…

While nothing can replace a loved one, a wrongful death suit is one way to get closure after the tragic and sudden loss of a family member at the hands of someone else’s carelessness. California law allows surviving family members to get compensation for any emotional and economic losses suffered after an accident that led to their loved one’s untimely death. However, recovering under a wrongful death suit can be a highly emotional and contentious process, so it’s recommended that you speak with a Los Angeles wrongful death attorney who can navigate the process for you. It’s important to bear in mind that state law requires strict procedures to be followed to recover for your losses, and that these steps can stir up a lot of emotional strife. To prove that a death was wrongful and caused by someone else’s error, the court will require you to establish proof of…

An unprecedented quarantine due to COVID-19 has millions of Americans feeling restless and stir crazy, desperate to return to some semblance of normal life. Holidays like Memorial Day, Fourth of July, and Labor Day have been met with fanfare and an increased propensity to live on the edge, and Los Angeles has experienced a surge in fireworks usage as a result. While these holidays do tend to be popular with amateur pyrotechnics, this year feels different – in fact, residents are reporting loud and lengthy episodes of fireworks blasting late into the night around these summer holidays. With the vast majority of parades and organized fireworks events being canceled in an effort to implement crowd control and slow the spread of the coronavirus, it’s no wonder that people are experimenting at home – and getting seriously injured in the process.  A team of health professionals at the Los Angeles County…

Los Angeles Accident Attorney Discusses Compensation for Bodily Injuries For most people, suffering an injury is an unwelcome interruption to their lives. Most injuries require some type of medical treatment. Even a simple trip to an emergency room can leave you with thousands of dollars worth of crippling debt. If you suffer a more severe injury, the medical bills only get worse. If your injury prevents you from being able to work, it may seem impossible for you to ever cover the cost of your medical expenses. If you were injured as the result of someone else’s negligence, you should not have to bear the burden of covering the expenses of your injury. Your personal injury attorney can help you receive the compensation to which you are entitled for this unwelcome interruption to your life and daily routine. Types of Injuries We Represent The attorneys at Banafshe Law Firm has…

Anyone who has driven down a highway has likely seen an 18-wheeler. big rig trucks are massive in size and can be intimidating to even the most experienced driver. All automobiles can be dangerous when not operated properly, but this is even more true with 18-wheelers. An experienced Los Angeles truck accident lawyer is aware that an accident involving an 18-wheeler or big rig is more likely to have catastrophic consequences than an accident involving any other type of vehicle on the road. The sheer size of big rigs makes them difficult to navigate, and it is almost impossible for drivers to quickly and safely slam on the brakes in an emergency situation. Truck drivers also have more blind spots, so it is critical that they operate their vehicles in a safe manner at all times. Obligations of the Big Rig Driver in California Like all drivers on the road,…

Were you injured in an accident and suffered lacerations? For legal advice, call a personal injury attorney at the Banafshe Law Firm, P.C. What Is a Laceration? A laceration occurs when an injury causes an uneven break in the skin. It is similar to a cut, but the edges around the wound appear torn and jagged. What Causes Lacerations? Lacerations are caused by objects that hit the skin and force a wound to open. Some lacerations can be more severe than others, depending on a number of characteristics of the object and how it hit the skin (angle, force, and depth of object). These more severe lacerations can reach as far as the deep tissue layer and cause serious bleeding. Lacerations Are Grouped Into the Following Five General Categories:  Cut laceration: This is the most common type of laceration. A cut occurs when any type of blade (scissors, knife, axe,…