A great night out for a great cause

Dozens of restaurants are taking part, and you can click on this link to find the one nearest you. Some of these restaurants, which include such well-known chains as Chili’s and The Old Spaghetti Factory, are starting their MADD night out as early as 11 a.m., and many others are staying open till late.

Here’s how it works:

• Click on the link above or go to the MADD website, www.MADD.org.
• Find the restaurant you’d like to go to for dinner among the list of participating outlets.
• Print out the flyer for that restaurant.
• Present the flyer to your server at the end of the meal.

That’s it! The participating restaurants will donate 15 percent of your entire bill to MADD, to help fund their non-profit victim services and local support programs. There may never be a more enjoyable way to make a donation to a great cause.

If you’re wondering whether or not there’s a restaurant near you taking part in the MADD night out, those participating include:

• BJ’s Restaurants at Natomas and Roseville
• Centro Cocina in downtown Sacramento
• Chevy’s in Sacramento, Elk Grove and Roseville
• All Chili’s restaurants, except Roseville
• Esquire Grille in downtown Sacramento
• Joe’s Crab Shack in Old Town, Sacramento
• Mimi’s Cafe in Arden, Elk Grove and Natomas
• Paragary’s Bar and Oven in downtown Sacramento
• The Old Spaghetti Factory in Elk Grove and Roseville
• Spataro Restaurant in downtown Sacramento

The need is great

MADD was founded by a mother whose daughter was killed by a drunk driver. The organization has since become the largest non-profit foundation in the country. Its sole aims are to protect families from drunk drivers and to warn against the dangers of underage drinking. In addition, MADD offers support to victims and survivors of drunk drivers, and they don’t charge a penny for the service.

Sacramento drunk driving accident attorneys are all too aware that the services of MADD are in great demand in this area. California sees more than its share of drunk driving fatalities and underage drinking, and recently released statistics show that while the problem is slowly improving, there’s still a long way to go. Some of the disturbing facts include:

• In 2011, there were 310,971 DUI offenders arrested for the third time!
• An incredible 44,210 five-time offenders were caught driving under the influence.
• The number of people who lost their lives in California DUI accidents in the last year was a staggering 791.
• That figure means 29 percent of all traffic deaths in the state were DUI-related.
• The cost to the state of drunk driving fatalities was a shocking $4.98 billion.
• No fewer than 1,265,000 people aged 12 to 20 drank alcohol in the past month.
• Of that number, an incredible 821,000 people under the age of 21 admitted to binge drinking in the last month alone (five or more drinks on the same occasion, within a few hours)

On a positive note, the percentage of DUI traffic deaths has fallen by 14 percent from the previous year. This may be down to the fact that four counties—Alameda, Los Angeles, Sacramento and Tulare–with a combined population of 13 million people now require ignition interlocks for all convicted drunk drivers.

Sacramento drunk driving accident attorneys like those at Demas Law Group whole-heartedly support the MADD Night Out and they acknowledge and appreciate the good work done by the organization. Too often, these personal injury attorneys see the devastation left behind by the selfish and stupid people who believe it is all right to get behind the wheel after having a few drinks.

Drunk driving is a crime, and people who are caught risk losing their license and/or spending time in prison. In addition, when a drunk driver injures someone in an accident, they can and should also be held civilly liable. No one should have to pay for their medical care or suffer a loss of income if they’ve been injured by a drunk driver. Serious injuries can mean years of pain, suffering and ongoing expense, all of which can have a devastating impact, not just on the victim, but on their families as well.

If you’ve been injured by a drunk driver, don’t suffer in silence. Contact a firm of reputable and experienced drunk driving accident attorneys for a free consultation. They will explain your rights and guide you through the process of claiming the compensation you and your family deserve.

The Demas Law Group has been providing the highest quality of legal services to Californians for nearly twenty years. We take great pride in meeting our clients’ needs while working together to win your case and obtain the maximum compensation allowed by law. We are here to help you during this difficult time. Call our team of Sacramento personal injury lawyers at 888 776 0977 to speak with an attorney. To learn more about why you should hire us click here.

Although it’s fun to listen to music over headphones while walking down the street, it has definitely become a dangerous habit.  According to one recent university study, injuries to pedestrians distracted by their music have “more than tripled in six years.”  In fact, pedestrians are killed in about three-fourths of these cases. One author of the study noted that many of those who are injured are wearing ear buds, the least invasive form of headphones.

In addition to this one particular mistake, many pedestrians continue making other safety errors. By reviewing the following list, you may be able to stay a bit safer than others who have forgotten that walking outdoors in today’s world requires significant concentration.

Remaining Top Nine Pedestrian Safety Errors

• Jaywalking.  No matter how tempting it is to save a little time by doing this, you’ll not only increase your chances of being hit, you also leave yourself open to tickets and fines in some jurisdictions;
• Ignoring Traffic Signals.  While you may find those blinking lights telling you when to walk and went to wait a bit annoying, they’re designed to help increase your safety. Just remember to only step out when the light signal first changes in your favor – otherwise,  you may not have enough time to scoot out of the way of an inpatient driver who’s determined to hit the gas once the light changes;
• Carrying Too Many Bags or Packages. If you can’t easily see over the bags or packages you’re carrying, it’s not safe enough for you to walk down the street.  Make two trips or more so you can live a lot longer;
• Wearing High Heels, Boots or Other Unstable Footwear. It’s still wise for most workers to change into sneakers or tennis shoes while walking to work – the added traction can greatly help you keep your footing when the sidewalks are crowded and the cement layers are uneven;
• Distracted Walking. Mainly keep your eyes on the street ahead of you, occasionally making quick glances over your shoulder so you can spot a car or truck that may have suddenly turned in your direction. Avoid eating while walking or becoming so embroiled in conversations with others that you fail to use your eyes and ears to protect yourself;
• Failing to Hold a Child’s Hand. Don’t forget to always carry your smallest child who may be unable to maneuver quickly to get out of the way of a speeding car. Also, make sure your kids hold hands with you and each other – and that they know to wait until you tell them that it’s safe to start crossing any street;
• Failing to Keep Any Pet You’re Walking on a Tight Leash.  Giving any pet too much leash can allow him or her to suddenly start chasing another animal, possibly pulling you right in front of a passing car. Always keep the leash rather taut and “short” so you can keep your pet by your side as you walk down the street or try to cross any road;
• Failing to Carefully Board Buses or Hail Taxis. It may be hard for a somewhat aloof driver to see you if you suddenly dash out into the street to catch a bus or hail a taxi. Be as careful when walking in and near curb areas as you are while walking down sidewalks;
• Refusing to Walk On Designated Sidewalks. While you may be able to squeeze between the traffic and a construction site on one side, you are greatly increasing your chances of being hit accidentally. Keep in mind that many areas under heavy construction often close down one side of the street. Those managing such projects have every right to ask you to walk only on the sidewalk on the one side of the street that remains open.

One final, rather obvious warning is in order. Always walk and don’t run – you greatly increase your chances of falling or tripping when you run. Furthermore, your added speed makes it much harder for drivers to apply their brakes in a timely manner to avoid hitting you.

The Demas Law Group has been providing the highest quality of legal services to Californians for nearly twenty years. We take great pride in meeting our clients’ needs while working together to win your case and obtain the maximum compensation allowed by law. We are here to help you during this difficult time. Call our team of Sacramento personal injury lawyers at 888 776 0977 to speak with an attorney. To learn more about why you should hire us click here.

A statute of limitations is a law that places a time limit on pursuing a legal remedy in relation to wrongful conduct that causes an injury. After that statutory period expires, a person who is injured loses their right to seek damages or other financial relief. In the case of an accident-injury, this could mean losing out on a lot of money that you may be entitled to.

What do I need to be aware of?

Different states have different statutes and lengths of possible legal recovery time. It can be difficult to keep track of what the law in each state says. Because of this, it is important to know what the law in your specific state says and how long you have to seek damages. It is important for a person who is concerned that the statute may run out on them to take action sooner rather than later.

What should I do?

The most important step you should take to make sure the statute of limitations doesn’t run out on your case is to consult with a personal injury lawyer. An accident-injury lawyer can help you ensure that the statute does not run out on your case and eliminate your ability to seek damages and lose money. A qualified lawyer will be able to help determine which statute applies to your case and can advise you what steps to take next.

The Demas Law Group has been providing the highest quality of legal services to the injured Californians. We take great pride in meeting our clients’ needs while working together to win your case and obtain the maximum compensation allowed by law. We are here to help you during this difficult time. Call our team of Sacramento personal injury lawyers at 888 776 0977 to speak with an attorney. To learn more about why you should hire us click here.

Although Sacramento can feel proud to be one of the 13 largest cities in California, it has sadly distinguished itself as the metropolitan area with the “worst overall injury crash rating” among its peers. In other words, in its size category, Sacramento is considered more dangerous than San Francisco, Oakland, Fresno and San Jose.

This finding is based on data regularly recorded and monitored by the Office of Traffic Safety that regularly ranks California cities based on the number of per capita injuries and fatality crashes. This office also monitors how many collisions involve the use of alcohol or cause injury or death to bicyclists and pedestrians. Unfortunately, Sacramento has also distinguished itself by having “the highest injury rate caused by drivers ages 21 to 34.” Law enforcement officials will also tell you that it’s a city dominated by far too many alcohol-related crashes

Fortunately, there are some improvements showing up in all of this newly recorded data.

Some Data Shows Sacramento Drivers are Trying to Improve Their Habits

Before you decide to give up entirely on driving locally, you’ll be glad to know:

• For the past five years, the actual number of deaths and injuries has dropped;
• 2010 statistics indicate that Sacramento has seen a 23% drop in injury crashes and deaths since these type of rankings were first collected in 2006;
• Although the alcohol-related collisions remain far too high, they do indicate a 32% drop from the level recorded back in 2006.

The Safety Performance of Other Major California Cities

Perhaps Sacramento can find new ways to emulate the safer driving practices documented in Bakersfield, Davis, Fresno and Stockton. Fresno actually received the highest safety rating among the 13 largest cities.

Although it’s difficult to know exactly why Sacramento remains so full of problem drivers, law enforcement can tell you that like the city of Citrus Heights, we just have far too many high-speed related crashes.

Two Major Problem Cities for California Cyclists

Based on recent statistics, bicyclists must remain extremely vigilant when moving about the streets of both Sacramento and Davis. In fact, “Sacramento has the third highest rate of bicyclists hit by drivers” among the 13 largest cities in the state.

While we are beginning to see some safety improvements in the Sacramento area and elsewhere around the state, it’s clear that we all need to keep carefully buckling up our car seat belts and wearing helmets and reflective clothing whenever out cycling around our city and the rest of the state.

The Demas Law Group has been providing the highest quality of legal services to the injured Californians.  We take great pride in meeting our clients’ needs while working together to win your case and obtain the maximum compensation allowed by law. We are here to help you during this difficult time. Call our team of Sacramento personal injury lawyers at 888 776 0977 to speak with an attorney. To learn more about why you should hire us click here.

Let’s use a car accident as a simple example. If there is minimal property damage and no one is hurt, you can probably handle the situation without a lawyer. Most property damage settlements are straightforward.

If you bruised your arm, but otherwise are okay, you still probably don’t need the assistance of a lawyer. However, if you suffered a serious injury, such as head trauma or an injury requiring surgery, you should consider contacting a lawyer.

The hard part can sometimes be discerning the difference between both scenarios; which is certainly a gray area. It’s always best to consult a lawyer and if they are unable to assist you they can provide suggestions or a make a referral.

Insurance Companies

By insurance companies’ own admissions, it’s been shown that if you are injured or have lost a loved one, you are more likely to receive two to three times more compensation if you have a lawyer working for you. An experienced lawyer will work to get you the compensation you deserve to cover your medical bills, pain and suffering, lost wages and more.

The tactics employed by insurance companies will not get past your lawyer, but they may get past you. Insurance adjusters are trained to secure quick settlements. They work to get you to release the insurance company from further liability causing you to forego your legal rights in turn for a nominal compensation. Or, they delay and try to convince you that you aren’t entitled to pain and suffering for certain injuries, but would you really know if that were true? Most likely you wouldn’t. That is why you need a personal injury lawyer that will know what you are entitled too and what you aren’t.

Advantages of having a Personal Injury Lawyer

Most importantly, an experienced lawyer can help you determine if you have a case. All cases are different, as such, a personal injury lawyer can help assess the best and worst aspects of your case and create an honest assessment.

Statute of Limitations – This is an important concern. As mentioned above, insurance adjusters are known to push for quick settlements or employ delay tactics. A lawyer will help make sure your case is filed and resolved in the required time.

Compensation – Many types of damages are not obvious to the layperson. And, some personal injuries manifest after the accident. An experienced lawyer is familiar with these types of injuries and will be able to assist you by referring you to the appropriate specialist.

Appropriate Parties – The defendant’s attorney and insurance adjuster will make every attempt to minimize their obligation. But, many times additional parties bear some responsibility for your injuries and a lawyer can find all parties.

Find a personal injury attorney in your area as soon as possible to avoid waiving or losing important rights that are guaranteed under state or federal law. You can bet the insurance companies have skilled professionals representing their best interests. Shouldn’t you have a skilled professional representing your best interests as well?

The Demas Law Group has been providing the highest quality of legal services to injured Californians. We take great pride in meeting our clients’ needs while working together to win your case and obtain the maximum compensation allowed by law. We are here to help you during this difficult time. Call our team of Sacramento personal injury lawyers at  888 776 0977 to speak with an attorney. To learn more about why you should hire us click here.