Make Sure Your New Year Starts on a Good Note

As the LA accident lawyer that people turn to in times of stress and pain, we know better than anyone the strain that a car accident injury can have on a victim and their family. This New Year’s Eve, with the heightened possibility of intoxicated drivers on the road, it’s important to be extra cautious to keep you and your family safe.

No matter how much police crackdown, drunk drivers will always find their way onto the roadways. New Year’s Eve is second behind Thanksgiving as the biggest day for drunk-driving crashes in America each year. If possible, it is best to avoid busy roadways during the peak nighttime hours when these drivers take to the streets. If you cannot, be sure to always keep an eye open for erratic driving behavior.

Hopefully, neither you nor your loved ones will ever need an attorney in Los Angeles after an accident involving drunk driving. But, if you are unlucky enough to suffer an injury because someone else's negligence, you should call the Law Offices of Burg & Brock at 888-509-2998 to get on the path to receiving the personal injury compensation you deserve.

Watch Out for Dog Bites Under the Mistletoe

As  personal injury attorneys, we're constantly warning of the very real and potentially serious dangers of dog bites.While that might not seem like a matter that's directly related to the holidays, the fact of the matter is that this is a very social time of year and we might find ourselves in unfamiliar homes. Alongside meeting a lot of new people, we're also likely to come into contact with pets we don't know very well.

While we might get nervous about meeting the new significant other of close family members, for example, the fact of the matter is that even the worst possible first meeting with a fellow human being won't likely result in a nasty bite to the hand or face. We all love dogs, but what personal injury attorneys in Los Angeles and all dog owners know is that they are sometimes unpredictable creatures who may act out if they feel threatened for any reason.

Especially if you're a pet lover, there's no reason to avoid family dogs at holiday gatherings, but some sensible precautions are always a good idea. It's good to check with the owner to make sure the dog is okay with strangers, and always resist the temptation to start petting a strange dog without a proper introduction. Be especially careful to avoid exposing your face directly to an animal you don't know extremely well.

Of course, if you are unlucky enough to have been the victim of a dog attack and the owner is at fault, there is a lot the Law Offices of Burg and Brock can do. It's also, of course, the place find an outstanding vehicle accident lawyer. Just give us a call any time at 888-509-2998.

5 Wet Weather Driving Tips

Though many of us thought it might not ever happen again, Los Angeles and Southern California are finally starting to see some rainfall. With the entire state in a record drought, we couldn’t need it more, but rain does also bring unique hazards that water deprived Angelinos might not be used to; especially on the road. As a personal injury lawyer, we’ve seen vehicle accidents of every kind here at the Law Offices of Burg and Brock, and we have some tips to help keep you safe on the road during wet weather. 

1) Turn on Lights. Rain means reduced visibility. Make sure you turn on your lights to help you see, and help other see you. 

2) Reduce speed. Your car is going to have less traction on the road during a rain storm which will make it easier to slide. Slow down to decrease the risk while also avoiding hydroplaning which is when all of your wheels lose contact with the ground, and one of the worst things that can happen. 

3) Give extra following room. Angelinos like to drive bumper to bumper, which is never a good idea, and an especially terrible one while it’s raining. The rain means everyone’s breaking time will be slower. You’re going to need that room. 

4) Don’t use cruise control. Keep it off when it’s raining. You need as much control over you vehicle as you can get and cruise control may accelerate or brake your car at the worst time. 

5) Managing a skid. Even if you drive perfectly, you can still end up in a skid. The most important thing you can do is not panic. Most skids happen gradually which means you’ll have time to react. Don’t: slam on the breaks, speed up, or yank the wheel. Do: stay calm, let off the gas, and slowly steer the car in the direction you need it to go in. Most skids will right themselves if you do.     

Follow these safety tips the next time you find yourself driving in the rain, and if you end up in an accident make sure your rights are protected by an experienced attorney in Los Angeles. As a top LA accident lawyer the Law Offices of Burg and Brock have your back.

3 Types of Damages You May Be Entitled To In Personal Injury Cases

Depending on how you are impacted by an injury as a result of someone else’s negligence, there are several different types of damages that an LA accident lawyer can argue for in court on your behalf.

Economic - The simplest and most common type of damages won in personal injury suits are those that cover direct expenses that result from the injury. Typically, these damages cover medical bills, property damage, or lost wages as a result of not being able to work. A good lawyer can also argue loss of future earnings based on an injury’s ability to hinder productivity down the road.

Pain & Suffering – Often, it is not enough to simply break even on financial damage caused by an accident. Injuries and wrongful deaths bring about a tremendous amount of sorrow and stress to families and those affected. Insurance companies and the negligent parties they represent are aware of this, and with a good attorney in Los Angeles, some form of pain and suffering damages are almost always awarded to worthy cases.

Distress – Distress damages are paid to plaintiffs who have emotional and psychological trauma that goes beyond basic pain and suffering. Typically, this means the onset of post-traumatic stress disorder or some other type of permanent psychological affliction as a result of the accident. While pain and suffering claims are often awarded on a common sense basis when an injury or death occurs, distress claims need to be proven by psychological records and evaluations.

If you or a loved one has been recently injured, it’s vital that you know your rights and secure the expert advice of The Law Offices of Burg & Brock. We’ll make sure that you are awarded every penny that you deserve.