Orange County CA Wrongful Death Law Blog

While federal and state laws conflict when it comes to the lawful use and possession of marijuana in California, drivers in the state should be aware that, like alcohol, marijuana can affect one's ability to drive. This was evidenced by one recent case. There, a deadly car accident occurred on a state highway that left one victim dead and a driver arrested for causing the preventable tragedy.

The victim, a 20-year-old man, crashed into a concrete divide on Highway 180 and the incident disabled his vehicle. When it came to a stop on the highway, the man got out of his car. While outside of his vehicle, another vehicle driven by a 23-year-old woman collided with him and his car. The impact of the secondary crash killed the man.

Accidents involving 4-wheel motor vehicles and motorcycles are not uncommon, and often these collisions are attributable to driver negligence or recklessness. However, in some cases motorcyclists may find themselves in dangerous situations because their vehicles malfunction or otherwise present dangerous characteristics. When this occurs, individuals may suffer accidents and serious injuries due to manufacturer mistakes and other related defects.

In California and other states throughout the country, defective products, including vehicles and motorcycles, may be recalled by their manufacturers pursuant to federal mandates. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration can issue a recall if it becomes aware that a product is defective, but motorcycle manufacturers may also start recalls when they learn that their goods are unsafe.

It is not uncommon for a California resident to find on the package or instructions of their new product purchase a list of warnings about how to use, or not to use, their new item. Warnings may advise consumers to only use products under certain conditions or to only operate them in the manner that the manufacturers intended. Sufficient warnings may generally keep individuals safe, while inadequate warnings may introduce individuals to product-based injuries.

When a product hurts a victim he or she may take legal action based on products liability law. This area of the law aims to hold manufacturers, designers, and others in the chain of commerce liable for the deficient and dangerous products that they put on the market. Products can be dangerous based on their designs, how they are constructed, as well how they are presented to consumers through warnings and labeling.

Bicycle accidents can be dangerous incidents that cause victims serious injuries and even fatal harm. When a motor vehicle strikes a bicycle and its rider, that rider may suffer a range of injuries from their impact with the car, the road, and other surfaces in their path. Victims of bike accidents should seek medical help after their collisions to ensure that their health is properly assessed.

When a California resident is struck by a vehicle while riding their bike, they may wish to learn more about what they can do under the law to get back what they have lost. Losses can be financial, such as lost wages and medical bills, but they can also be emotional and physical in nature. These losses can add up fast to negatively impact victims' abilities to care for themselves.