Who's Driving?

Famed writer Richard Matheson passed away earlier this week at age 87. Trust us when we say that he wrote so many of the best fantasy, horror, and science fiction stories, films, and television shows ever that there's an outstanding chance you know some of his work extremely well, even if you've never heard his name.

So, what's that got to do with a blog belonging to a personal injury attorney in Los Angeles? Well out of the astonishing number of extremely memorable scripts fashioned by Mr. Matheson was one for a television movie called "Duel." It happened to become somewhat legendary as the first professional feature film assignment given to a very young unknown beginning director named Steven Spielberg. It starred actor Dennis Weaver as an ordinary salesman trying to make his way home through the desert, who is threatened by a gigantic big-rig which appears to be driven by either no one or someone very dangerous and weird, and which persists in menacing him for most of the film. (We won't tell you what happens.)

Now, we're not just bringing that up as a metaphor for all the bad things that can happen on the road which supply personal injury attorneys with work and telling you to be careful -- though, of course, you should be careful. No, we're actually inspired to take on a bit of science fictional thinking because of some articles we've stumbled over speculating on the possibility for terrorism perpetrated by bad guys hacking into now super-ubiquitous automotive computers and causing deadly crashes. The articles we've read don't even bring up the possibility of what could happen if someone malevolent got control of the self-driving cars that are being worked on by Google. You can see that the thought, at least, is pretty darn scary. Human toll aside, corporations might also find the prospect frightening because, if any sort of negligence was involved on their part, we personal injury lawyers might have to get involved.

We admit this is all extremely speculative, but one of the reasons that people like the late Mr. Matheson are so incredibly valuable is that they help us to think about problems with technology, sometimes before the technology is even here. Technology is neither inherently good or inherently bad, and it's a good exercise to at least consider all the possible consequences of something new before it arrives. We haven't really done that with the massive computerization of cars that's already in place. Maybe we should start to do some serious thinking about this issue prior to the day the first Google car comes online.

If You're in a Car Accident, Stay Calm and Call Burg and Brock

As a vehicle accident lawyer in Los Angeles who has handled thousands of cases, Cameron Brock has seen verdicts won or lost because of how a victim handles themselves immediately following an accident. Because of this, Mr. Brock and his associates at the Law Offices of Burg and Brock like to make sure that drivers are prepared following an accident. Here are a few important, though not comprehensive, tips:

• Stay calm and assess the scene. Immediately survey the accident to see if it's safe to remain in your car. Take a deep breath if you are feeling overwhelmed.
• Call the authorities. Always call the police; they can officially document the accident. Get a copy of this report. If you notice any injuries, call for an ambulance.
• Make the accident safe for fellow travelers. Put your hazard lights on and use cones or flares if you have them. If the accident is minor, move the car to a safe place.
• Never admit fault. Exchange information with the other driver(s), but never say the accident was your fault because it can be used against you. Even in cases where you might feel like you caused the accident, it might not have been your fault after assessing the whole series of events. Only talk to your insurance agent and police about the accident.
• Document the accident. Take pictures and get information from witnesses.
• Call your insurance agent.
• It doesn't hurt to be prepared. Keeping insurance documentation, medical information for you and your family, and a pen and pad in your glove compartment is always a good idea. Feel free to include our phone number in those documents. You can call us (1-888-509-2998) at anytime to speak with a personal injury attorney in Los Angeles to guarantee that you do everything correct on scene.

There are many other resources online with additional tips. Feel free to browse them and remember what you find to be the most helpful; after all, there's no such thing as being too prepared. Don't forget that you can always call the Law Offices of Burg and Brock to speak with an attorney in Los Angeles who is an expert in automobile accident cases. If you're feeling frazzled, don't hesitate to call us at 1-888-509-2998 so that you can leave an accident feeling like you did everything you should have.

Wrongful Death Case Brought Against Monster Energy Drinks

At the Law Offices of Burg & Brock, we take our role as the premier attorney in Los Angeles for cases relating to vehicle accidents, wrongful death, brain and spinal injuries and product liability, among other concern seriously. That's why we are sure to stay on the cutting-edge of various legal stories affecting individuals throughout the US and the globe. One story in particular recently caught our attention, as it is deals with product liability as well as wrongful death.


As reported in LaywersandSettlements.com, the parents of Anais Fournier, a 14 year-old girl who drank two bottles of Monster Energy drinks and went into cardiac arrest, are suing Monster Beverage for wrongful death. The lawyers for the Fourniers are looking to prove that the energy drinks Anais consumed were dangerous, and the energy drink company improperly targeted her.

LawyersandSettlements goes on to say "The FDA has known of adverse event reports that potentially link five deaths, one non-fatal heart attack and numerous hospitalizations to Monster energy drinks for a few years now." They then question why the FDA has not requestes that Monster add warnings to its labels. 

Of course, with our incredible 98% success rate, the team at the Law Offices of Burg & Brock is trusted as the best option for those seeking a personal injury attorney in Los Angeles. Those seeking a vehicle accident lawyer in Southern California frequently request our services as well. However, it is important to remember that for product liability and wrongful death cases, are legal counsel is also incredibly effective. If you or a loved one has been victimized by an individual or company, contact the Law Offices of Burg & Brock today.