Car accidents happen every minute of every day. Some are minor, causing minimal property damage and little, if any, physical harm to the people involved. Others can result in lasting damage, or even death. While advancements in technology have helped lower our national car accident fatality rate to its lowest level since the year 1950, the fact remains that there were 33,808 highway deaths in 2009. A sobering 2.217 million people were injured in car accidents in that same time period.

Legal claims that arise from vehicle accidents are typically governed by the law of negligence. Any individual who negligently operates a motor vehicle may be required to pay damages to a victim injured in a car accident. In car accidents that result in someone's death, the surviving family members of the fatally injured car accident victim may be able to bring a wrongful death claim against the negligent party. To successfully pursue a claim for a serious injury or death resulting from a car accident, it is vital to choose a car accident lawyer Los Angeles that is knowledgeable and experienced in this area of personal injury law.

Airbag Injury

Though airbags are supposed to protect us in the event of an accident, they can actually be the cause of injury if they fail to deploy or are poorly designed. If the occupant of a vehicle is injured as a result of an air bag deployment, or the failure of an air bag to deploy, there is also the basis for an airbag injury claim. In order to pursue a successful claim for an airbag-related injury, you will need an attorney with experience in this niche field of personal injury law. At Mansell and Mansell APC, our experienced airbag injury attorneys can assess your claim free of charge.

SUV Rollover Injuries

This practice area also includes SUV rollover accidents, a relatively new phenomenon that began with the rise in popularity of large sport utility vehicles. SUVs have a greater tendency to flip over in an accident because of the relatively high center of gravity in these types of vehicles. SUV rollovers also pose a much higher chance of causing a death of one or more of the car's occupants. According to statistics compiled by the Federal Highway Administration, the fatality rate in SUV rollover accidents is three times higher than rollovers in the average passenger vehicle. SUV design defects can contribute to injuries and fatalities, since many seat structures are not designed to keep occupants in place during a rollover event, regardless whether or not a seatbelt is worn. Additionally, SUV vehicle accidents can occur because roofs, windshields, and side windows easily collapse when the vehicle rolls, greatly increasing the risk of occupant head, brain, spinal cord, and back injuries.

Distracted Driver Accidents

In Los Angeles, distracted driving is an everyday occurrence. Most L.A. drivers have alarming stories witnessing people driving along the freeway while performing an array of inappropriate tasks, such as shaving or putting on makeup. Unfortunately, the incidence of distracted driving has only increased with the advent of portable electronic devices. Yet you will still find people talking on their cell phones without a hands-free device (outlawed in California in 2008) and text-messaging away (outlawed in California in 2009) while operating a motor vehicle.

These activities were prohibited for a reason: They increase the likelihood of a distracted driving accident. In fact, there have been several unfortunate cases of pedestrians who have been killed by drivers who were allegedly text messaging at the time. Distracted drivers frequently cause vehicle-to-vehicle accidents as well. If you have been injured in an accident caused by a text-messaging driver, be sure to consider your legal options right away.

Speak directly with experienced car accident attorney Robert Mansell for a free assessment of the facts in your car accident case or SUV accident case. You can reach Mr. Mansell any time at (323)466-4900, or contact us through the secure and confidential website form found here.

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