Sargent Law Firm

Carlsbad Personal Injury Lawyer Discuses Child Safety Booster Seats in Car Accidents

New for 2012 is a change to the California Booster Seat Law.  As of January 1, 2012, parents, guardians, or drivers transporting children under 8 years old on a highway in a motor vehicle must secure that child in a restraint meeting federal motor vehicle safety standards.  The new safety seat laws have very severe fines including the possibility of child endangerment charges.

The reasoning behind the law is that seat belts are made for average adults and don’t fit children who are not at least 4’9” tall. Statistics show that using a booster seat reduces a child’s risk for injury in an auto accident by 59%.  So this new law begs the question, is Snookie required to be in a booster seat when she is in California? Snooki is only 4’9” and she would likely benefit from using a booster seat! However, lucky for her she is old enough that although it would be safer, she is not required to sit in a booster seat…

Our Carlsbad personal injury lawyer specializes in cases where people are injured in auto accidents through no fault of their own.  If you or a loved one has been injured in a an auto accident and need aggressive and compassionate legal representation give our Oceanside Car Accident Lawyer a call.  We offer a no obligation free consultation on all San Diego Personal Injury cases.  Contact us today.

OCEANSIDE PERSONAL INJURY ATTORNEY DISCUSSES RECENT RULING ON RED LIGHT CAMERAS

Those against red light cameras received great news last month when a state appellate court sided with a Los Angeles motorist and against the company that operates the cameras in a case that some say could mark the end of the devices’ use in traffic enforcement. Red-light cameras are jointly operated by local law enforcement agencies and private firms that install, calibrate and maintain the cameras. Most North County cities, including Escondido, Oceanside, Vista and Encinitas, contract with Redflex Traffic System, an Arizona-based firm. That same company was sued by Annette Borzakian, a Beverly Hills lawyer, who was cited for running a red light.

In her case, Borzakian successfully argued that she had a right to question company officials about how the cameras were maintained and operated. In most cases, a law enforcement officer represents police departments in court by bringing the photos generated by the cameras, even though the officer may not have witnessed the traffic violation. Last month, the 2nd District Court of Appeal in Los Angeles decided that was not good enough. In its ruling, the court said people had a right to question company representatives, not just police officers.  The court said in its decision that by contracting with Redflex, the city violated a state law requiring that “a witness must testify as to the identity of the record and its mode of preparation in every instance.”

So what does this mean or the future of red light cameras? Well, it is not cost effective to have a representative from the company at every red light ticket hearing.  It is yet to be seen how the San Diego Courts will apply this recent ruling but it should carry significant weight because it is consistent with recent U.S. Supreme Court rulings.  So if the local San Diego Courts decide that the red light traffic camera company has to have a representative present at all hearings then we will like see the demise of the system.  Only time will tell how this one will play out.

OCEANSIDE CAR ACCIDENT ATTORNEY HANDLING RED LIGHT ACCIDENTS CASES

Our Oceanside auto accident attorney handles cases where people are injured as a result of someone negligently running a red light.  Car accidents in Carlsbad, Oceanside, Encinitas, Vista, and all of San Diego that occur as a result of someone running a red light often result in severe personal injuries because of the speeds and impacts associated with these types of accidents.  If you or a loved one has been injured in an auto accident and need aggressive injury representation contact us immediately. We never charge a dime unless we win your case. Call now for a free consultation (888) 501-6083