Personal Injury
7 Safe Alternatives to Roundup
| August 14th, 2019
Roundup is the world’s most popular weed killer, and it’s used not only on farms and commercial properties, but it can also be found in the garages and sheds of many ordinary people. That’s what makes recent revelations that Roundup may cause cancer so alarming.
If you are looking for ways to reduce your health risks as you care for your lawn or garden, you will likely want to look for safer, chemical-free alternatives. We’ve compiled seven Roundup-free methods of keeping your yard, driveway, and garden free of weeds and looking beautiful this summer which you can access by clicking the image below. And if you think your cancer diagnosis may be related to Roundup, don’t hesitate to talk to the team at Berg Injury Lawyers to see if you may be eligible for compensation.
How Music May Affect Your Driving Behavior
| August 7th, 2019
Car accidents occur every day when drivers get distracted by the radio dial or while flipping through a playlist, but is music itself a cause of traffic accidents? Music and driving have been an inseparable pair since radios were first added to vehicles, but now researchers are becoming interested in whether that relationship is helpful or harmful.
The Case for Music while Driving
In driving situations when you are locked in traffic, listening to music can boost your mood and reduce your stress levels. In turn, this can reduce aggressive driving and road rage.
In highway driving, listening to music has been connected with improved concentration, decreased lane drifting, and more accuracy in matching speed to flow of traffic. It also increases heartrate, making it easier for drivers to stay awake and aware.
The Case Against Music while Driving
Loud music, or any music played over 85 decibels (dB), has been shown to reduce reaction time. Likewise, fast music, or any music with more than 120 beats per minute (BPM), may cause overexcitement, and cause a driver to subconsciously speed.
When you really love a song, that may be another reason to take it off your road trip playlist. It becomes too easy to become distracted and begin making errors such as forgetting to signal or check blind spots. In studies comparing driving performance when listening to personal music vs music provided by researchers, tailgating also increased when drivers listened to their own music.
How to Build Your Playlist
In general, music with a tempo of 60-80 BPM is the safest to drive to, because it mimics the average human heart rate. Most music among today’s hits falls around 100 BPM, but anything over 120 BPM may encourage dangerous driving habits. Based on what we know about the safest and most dangerous tempos, we’ve found five of the most dangerous songs to listen to while driving and five safe alternatives, all pulled from the Billboard Hot 100.
Today’s Hits – Top 5 Most Dangerous Songs to Drive To
- bad guy by Billie Eilish – 135 BPM
- Talk by Khalid – 136 BPM
- Sucker by Jonas Brothers – 138 BPM
- If I Can’t Have You by Shawn Mendes – 124 BPM
- Sweet But Psycho by Ava Max – 133 BPM
Today’s Hits – Top 5 Safest Songs to Drive To
- Old Town Road by Lil Nas X ft. Billy Ray Cyrus – 67 BPM
- Suge by DaBaby – 75 BPM
- Beer Never Broke My Heart by Luke Combs – 77 BPM
- Earfquake by Tyler, The Creator – 80 BPM
- 7 Rings by Ariana Grande – 70 BPM
You can also enjoy our all-Safe Driving Playlist for your next commute.
When You’ve Been Injured in a Car Accident, Call Berg Injury Lawyers
If you’ve missed work and incurred huge medical bills after a car accident that wasn’t your fault, you don’t deserve to have to pay out of pocket. We have experience helping car accident victims get compensation for their injuries, and we want to help you, too. Call our firm today for a free consultation.
In a Post-Scooter World, Here’s What Road-Sharing Means
| July 24th, 2019
Dockless e-scooters are a fun, affordable, and convenient way to get around town, but most city streets and sidewalks weren’t built with these zippy little vehicles in mind. This has led to collisions between riders, drivers, and pedestrians, making it vital for drivers to be alert and cautious in areas where scooters are frequently used. Play it smart the next time you get behind the wheel with these road-sharing tips.
Do you have questions about whether your accident qualifies you for compensation? Contact our legal team today.
What is Dry Drowning, and What You Can Do to Prevent It
| July 17th, 2019
Dry drowning and secondary drowning first hit the news cycle in summer 2017 after a 4-year-old boy in Texas died due to a buildup of fluid in his lungs nearly one week after a swimming trip to the coast. Dry drowning and secondary drowning refer to a delayed physical reaction to a near-drowning event, causing someone to suffer submersion injuries long after leaving the water. However, these conditions are much more difficult to spot than in-the-moment drowning.
Although delayed drowning is extremely rare, it’s most likely to occur in small children. That’s why it’s important for parents and guardians to be aware of the signs and symptoms of dry and secondary drowning as families head to pools, lakes, and beaches this summer.
Select the image below to open your free guide to delayed drowning.
Preventable accidents can be devastating for parents and their children. If you or a loved one are injured in an accident due to someone else’s negligence, we want to help. Contact Berg Injury Law today for a no-obligation consultation.
What Should You Do if You Get Injured on Vacation?
| July 10th, 2019
You look forward to your vacation all year, and the last thing you want to happen is an accident that disrupts your chance to relax and enjoy time away from work and other responsibilities. Unfortunately, injuries can happen anytime and anywhere—including when you’re far from home.
It’s important to be prepared for the unexpected when you’re traveling, and that includes being ready for injuries. Typical vacation activities can put you at risk for a variety of dangers, including car accidents, slip and fall injuries, recreational accidents, and more. Any injury-causing accident can put a damper on your vacation, but you can minimize its impact on your life by taking the right steps immediately after it happens.
Follow These Steps to Protect Your Health and Your Rights
Getting hurt on vacation can be painful and distressing. However, taking these steps can put you on a path to recovery and compensation:
- Report your injury—If you fell or were injured in a public or private space, notify the manager on duty or the property owner. If you were hurt in a car accident, call 911 or notify local authorities.
- Document the accident scene—If you’re able to do so, take pictures of the accident scene, your injuries, and any factors that may have contributed to your injuries.
- Acquire contact information—Get the names, titles, and contact information of employees, managers, and the owner of the property where you were injured, as well as those of any witnesses.
- Get medical attention—Go to the hospital or visit a healthcare clinic as soon as possible after your injury, even if you don’t think you need urgent care. Injuries aren’t always obvious after accidents, and getting prompt medical attention can prevent yours from worsening.
- Report the accident to your insurance company—If you purchased travel insurance, report your injuries as soon as possible. If you were injured in an auto accident, you’re required to report the accident to them—usually within a matter of days.
- Call a law firm—Many people assume they can’t recover compensation for injuries that occur away from home. However, you still have rights, especially when someone else’s negligence caused the accident, regardless of where your injuries occurred.
Got a trip planned soon? Protect yourself by downloading a free wallet card containing all the important steps you’ll need to take after a vacation injury.
Hurt on Vacation? We’re Here to Help.
At Berg Injury Lawyers, we know all about vacation accidents and injuries.
With offices located throughout Northern California and the Bay Area—two of the most popular tourist destinations in the world—we’ve seen many types of tourism-related injuries, and we know how to help victims who often feel helpless when they’re away from home. Get in touch with our California personal injury lawyers to find out how we can put our experience to work for you. Call or contact us today.
5 Safety Tips for Independence Day
| June 26th, 2019
What are your plans this Fourth of July? Many Americans will spend the holiday out on the water, at the beach, or in the backyard with friends and family. No matter how you choose to celebrate, it’s important to remember that many July Fourth activities have the potential to pose serious risks when people aren’t careful. Keep yourself and your loved ones safe this year by following our Independence Day safety checklist.
What to Expect: Social Security Disability Claims
| June 19th, 2019
If you become disabled and unable to work before retirement age, the future and your ability to provide for yourself and your family can feel uncertain. But if you’ve been paying into the Social Security system, you may be eligible to receive benefits. In some cases, your spouse and child may also be eligible for Social Security Disability benefits if you become disabled before retirement age.
A portion of every paycheck you earn goes into the Social Security system. Those who qualify for the Social Security Administration (SSA)’s definition of disabled and have an appropriate number of years worked are eligible to receive Social Security Disability benefits. You are generally considered disabled if your medical condition is expected to persist for more than a year and interferes with your ability to perform basic work activities such as standing, sitting, lifting, or remembering. If you become disabled, we recommend applying for benefits immediately. Processing an application may take several months.
What We Can Do to Help
The Social Security Disability application process can be complicated, and the requirements are strict. In one 2017 study, only 42% of surveyed applicants ultimately received benefits. However, those who hired a disability attorney had nearly twice the success rate of those who didn’t: 60% for those with representation vs. 33% without. Even if your application is denied on your first try, hiring an attorney may improve your chances of appealing the decision.
When you hire the California Social Security Disability attorneys at Berg Injury Lawyers, we can ensure your application is filled out completely and correctly, gather medical records to support your claim, communicate with the SSA on your behalf, file appeals, prep you for appeal hearings, and build a case for your disability.
As a Disabled Worker, You Deserve Compensation
You don’t have to deal with the stress of filing for disability benefits alone. Let the experienced attorneys at Berg Injury Lawyers help you get the compensation you deserve. And if we don’t get your application approved, you pay nothing. That’s our No Fee Guarantee®. Contact us today for a free case review.
What to Expect: Auto Accident Claims
| June 12th, 2019
After a car accident, the most important thing you can do to protect your health and your rights to compensation is get medical attention. Even if you have no visible injuries or immediate pain, it’s important to get evaluated by a medical professional. Whether you see a first responder at the scene or visit your doctor in the days following your accident, getting medical attention can rule out or address any internal injuries, as well as create a medical record linking your injuries to the crash.
But once you’ve received the medical treatment you need, you may be wondering what to do next—especially if the accident was caused by another driver’s negligence. At Berg Injury Lawyers, we believe you should be compensated for what you’ve gone through, and we want to help. Read on to find out what happens when you file an auto accident injury claim in California.
What Happens If We Take Your Case
When you call Berg Injury Lawyers after an accident, we’ll ask questions to learn more about your claim.
If we determine that you have a case, we can collect and analyze evidence such as witness testimonies, crash scene debris, and police reports to support your claim and determine who can be held liable.
We can also assess your injury-related expenses, including your current and future medical bills, current and future lost wages, and pain and suffering, to determine a fair settlement amount. Then, we’ll negotiate with the responsible party’s insurance company on your behalf to help you get the compensation you deserve. If the insurance company refuses to give you a fair settlement, we won’t hesitate to take your case to court.
After a Car Accident, Get Berg!
If you or your loved one suffered injuries in a car accident caused by someone else’s negligence, contact the California car crash attorneys at Berg Injury Lawyers today. We have more than 35 years of experience fighting for injury victims in the Bay Area and throughout California, and we know what it takes to build strong claims. Let us get to work for you and your family today. You can contact us 24/7, and with our No Fee Guarantee®, if you don’t win, you pay nothing.
Series Introduction: What to Expect When You File a Claim
| June 6th, 2019
Many people know a colleague, neighbor, or friend of a friend who was seriously injured through no fault of their own, but no one expects it to happen to them. However, more than three million Americans were injured in traffic accidents alone in 2016, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. Even if you take all the right safety precautions, you can’t prevent another person’s negligence. That’s why it’s important to have a plan ready if the worst should occur.
If you or a loved one suffered injuries caused by another person or party’s negligence, you deserve compensation, but you may not be sure where to start. At Berg Injury Lawyers, we know you’ve already been through enough, and the last thing you need after an injury is more stress. We’re here to handle all the red tape involved in filing a claim so that you can focus on your health. If you’ve never hired a lawyer before, the idea may be intimidating. We want to ease your mind.
Over the course of the next few weeks, this blog series will guide you through some of the most common types of personal injury lawsuits, so you’ll know what to expect should the worst occur. If you ever have questions about your own situation and whether you qualify for compensation, call Berg Injury Lawyers anytime, 24/7. Your initial consultation is always free, and we want to help.
First up: What to expect when you file an auto accident claim.
You Deserve Compensation If You Were Hurt by a Defective Medical Device
| June 3rd, 2019
Like prescription drugs, medical devices are supposed to go through multiple rounds of testing and approval before their manufacturers are allowed to sell them to hospitals, healthcare clinics, and patients. But because the research and development costs of medical devices are so high, product manufacturers are often desperate to get their devices approved for sale—and that means they may skip testing procedures or hide known complications.
At Berg Injury Lawyers, our California defective product attorneys know the damage that dangerous medical devices can cause to innocent victims. Everything from joint replacements and birth control implants, to surgical mesh and pacemakers can put patients’ health and even their lives at risk.
People who are harmed by defective medical devices often feel helpless, especially when they think about going up against multi-billion-dollar corporations. Our legal team believes that innocent victims should never have to pay for their own injury-related expenses out of their own pocket, and we aren’t afraid to stand up to big companies if it means getting victims the compensation they deserve.
You trusted that the manufacturer of your medical device went through all of the proper steps to ensure safety and effectiveness, and if they failed to do so, they should be held responsible for their negligence. Contact us today to get an experienced and dedicated legal team on your side. We’re here to help.
