As you stare out into the azure waters of the Pacific, a calm breeze gently nudges against the sail of your new boat.  After such a relaxing day out at sea, you decide to head back towards the marina and meet up with a few friends for dinner at one of your favorite, local restaurants.  Reaching the dock, you secure your boat and venture over to the parking lot. Climbing into the front seat of your car, you buckle your seatbelt and push the key into the ignition.  Making sure to check your mirrors before pulling out of the spot, you leave the parking space and journey onto Dana Drive.  Following such a tranquil afternoon, you have no idea how quickly your day is about to change. Suddenly, as you approach the intersection to leave the point, a car speeding along Island Way takes the turn on two wheels and skids into oncoming traffic.  Doing your best to avoid a head-on collision, you swerve your vehicle onto a nearby lawn.  Unable to fully avoid the dangerous path made by the other driver, their front bumper crashes into the side of your automobile.  Whipping around a full one hundred eighty degrees, your car finally rests in the opposite direction you were originally travelling. Pushing the airbag away from your face, you unbuckle your seatbelt and reach for the door handle.  As soon as your head turns in the direction of the window, a razor-sharp pain emanates from the back of your neck.  Realizing that you will not be able to safely vacate the vehicle, you pull out your phone and dial emergency services.  Instead of meeting your friends for dinner after such a relaxing day, you will now be headed to the hospital. Even though you take every precaution to prevent a car accident, have you recently been struck by a speeding driver?  If so, then you may be eligible for compensation.  Let our expert team of Dana Point accident lawyers at Silverthorne Attorneys get you the compensation that you deserve.  Contact us today for  a free consultation. ...read more

When someone sues, especially in cases of personal injury, their goal is usually to receive financial compensation for injuries they sustained. Normally, there are two kinds of damages someone can seek: damages that are non-economic and damages that are economic. These these damages might relate to damaged property or medical bills. Damages of a non-economic nature range from pain and suffering to emotional distress and beyond. A damage cap refers to laws that exist to limit the total amount that an injured party can receive from damages that are of a non-economic nature. Currently, every state has set a specific damages cap. The Purpose of Damage Caps Many people wonder why there is a cap at all. After all, if a jury feels that a plaintiff is entitled to a 5 million dollar award for damages, it might seem wrong that the court steps in and reduces this amount. The existing counter argument is a fairly simple one. Many have come to believe that higher awards place a drag on the economy. These caps are essentially an effort to control the higher costs related to doing business by attempting to reduce a service provider’s liability. Consider a case involving medical malpractice. If a doctor makes a mistake, the consequences for the patient can be devastating. As a result, a jury might very well have the inclination to award many millions of dollars in damages that are non-economic. In the majority of cases, these damages are paid for by the physician’s insurance company which, in turn, will likely raise the physician’s coverage costs. This may result in the physician passing on these costs to his patients. Do Juries Ever Go Around These Caps? Generally, a jury cannot circumvent damage caps, primarily because few juries are even aware of the existence of damage caps. They are not told about these caps (either by attorneys or the judge) since neither wants the jury to base their decision on this cap amount. Juries are instructed to base their award on what they deem as fair. After which, this award amount is modified based on the cap put in place by the state in question. If you are looking for an Orange County personal injury attorney to discuss these issues with, feel free to contact us. ...read more

Deaths due to traffic accidents are likely doubled or tripled at night. However, it seems that many people are still not aware of all of the hazards and dangers that are more likely to occur during the night. Since so many drivers are unaware of the dangers, they do not know how to handle them and avoid them. If you know that you will do plenty of driving during the week after the sun goes down, then you should remember that there are several challenges that present themselves during the night. During the night, our vision is not as strong as it may be during the day. Drivers do not have the advantage of seeing contrast and color that they can see during the day time. Can Others See You? Before you get into your car and drive at night, you should make sure all of your vehicle lights are working properly. If you ever break down at night, you will need those exterior lights to work. Headlights When you use your headlights, you should avoid flashing your high beams because this will only cause someone else to not be able to see. When it is foggy outside, then you should turn on your low beam lights. Your high beam lights will not only lower your ability to see, but it will also cause another driver to lose vision for a short period. Your vehicle may have fog lamps; if so, then you should use those fog lamps with your low beam lights whenever it is foggy outside. Mirrors/Windows If your mirrors and windows are dirty, this will only cause an increase in the glare. An increase in the glare results in a greater difficulty to see everything else on the road. Clean the outside and inside of your mirrors, windshield, headlights, etc. In order to limit your chances of being involved in a night accident, you should always follow the highway rules and regulations. If you have ever been involved in a Lake Forest accident and you need a Lake Forest car accident lawyer, contact us right away. ...read more

Waiting by the entrance of the building, you eagerly search for your daughter amongst a crowd of bustling students.  After a week-long business trip, you decided to pick her up from school and go out for some ice cream.  Surprised to find you waiting for her, with a bright smile on her face, she rushes over to your location.  Informing her of your plans, she reaches for your hand and the two of you venture into the parking lot. Getting into the car, the first thing you do is make sure that both you and your daughter buckle up. After checking your mirrors, you safely reverse out of the spot and slowly enter into a line of traffic.  Surrounded by buses and walking children, you are extra careful while exiting the parking lot.  Turning onto Camino Del Avion, everything appears to be going smoothly. Suddenly, while stuck in the line of traffic, a car bursts out of Via Positiva and rockets onto Camino Del Avion.  With nowhere to go, you watch in horror as the gap between your automobile and the oncoming car slowly dissipates.  As the careless driver’s vehicle crashes into the front, left side of your car, your airbags deploy and seatbelts tighten as both automobiles fly across the road.  Finally coming to a stop several feet away from the collision, your first instinct is to check on your daughter. Much to your dismay, you look over to find your daughter painfully clutching her right ankle.  With her quickly explaining that she twisted it during the accident, you can already tell that it is broken.  Hearing oncoming sirens approaching your position, you nervously await for paramedics to arrive.  Instead of taking her out for ice cream, you guiltily realize that you will now be bringing your daughter to the hospital. Have either you or someone who you care about been injured as a result of a careless driver?  There is no reason to feel guilty about the poor decisions made by this other individual.  In fact, you may be eligible for compensation.  Let our team of expert San Juan Capistrano car accident attorneys at Silverthorne Attorneys get you the compensation that you deserve.  Contact us today for a free consultation. ...read more

The rollover is one of the worst types of auto accidents. This is because the occupants of the vehicle are subject to forces and motion from all directions. The occupants must also rely on the vehicle’s roof to protect them. Unfortunately the roof is the car’s Achilles heal because it is relatively weak compared to the car’s other structural parts. In short, cars are primarily designed to be crashworthy when in a right side up position. The Physics Of A Rollover We are all familiar with how tall and thin objects are easy to tip over while tipping a thin and flat plate is next to impossible. This principle also applies to vehicles. A car or truck with a narrow base and high center of gravity is more prone to a rollover than a car that is short and squat. Therefore SUVs and pickup trucks are generally more susceptible to rollovers than sport cars. Another important factor is that the tires must experience a side force. It is more difficult to tip over an object on a slippery ice surface than on a surface with a lot of grip. An object can also be tipped over when its bottom is caught against something such as a stop. This principle applies to car rollovers as well. A tall unstable SUV that has tires with excellent grip can rollover from a very hard turning maneuver. A stable sports car can also rollover if it skids sideways into a curb with sufficient speed. All types of vehicles are subject to rolling when they go off the road and down a steep slope. Safety Tips Always wear your seat belt. Your seat belt prevents you from tumbling inside a rolling car which would otherwise expose you to many types of severe injury. Your seat belt also prevents ejection from your car which is often fatal. Drive at a safe speed for the conditions. Excessive speed increases the tipping forces that cause rollovers. The risk of a rollover in a low-speed accident is lower than one occurring at high-speed. An SUV or pickup truck cornering at high-speed has no margin for error. A rollover may happen should the driver have to take evasive action. Drive carefully on rural roads. Many rural “highways” are little more than narrow undivided roads with lines painted down their center. Traffic speed is high and barriers are either non-existent or inadequate. Maintain your tires. Low tire pressure degrades the road performance of your car. Old tires with stress cracks in the rubber are at risk of a blowout. Replace your tires when they become worn or after every six years, whichever occurs first. If you have suffered injuries in a rollover accident because of a mechanical defect or the actions of another driver, get in touch with a Mission Viejo accident attorney. It is your right to demand compensation for injury caused by the negligence of another party. Silverthorne Attorneys can help you get what you deserve. Contact us today. ...read more

When you are in a car accident, you may suffer injuries that are noticeable right away such as a broken leg or a concussion. But other injuries may take time to manifest. One of them is post-traumatic arthritis. What is Post-Traumatic Arthritis? It is a form of osteoarthritis and occurs when the cartilage to the joints or ligaments deteriorates causing the bones to rub against each other. It is a result of a primary injury to the ankle, knee, hip, wrist, elbow or shoulder. Symptoms Pain that is felt in the affected area either during movement or at rest Joint tenderness that may range in severity Loss of mobility Swelling Fluid in the joint There is no cure for osteoarthritis, but there are several effective treatments including low impact exercise and cortisone injections. Injury Claims According to the Cleveland Clinic, 5.6 million people in the United States suffer from this condition. One of the most common causes are injuries that resulted from a car accident. If you are filing an injury claim after an accident, it is necessary for you to make sure that all of your injuries have been identified and made a part of your claim. If you do not, it will be too late to receive compensation for your newly diagnosed osteoarthritis. Once you sign a release form and have your settlement, no other compensation will be granted. If you have been the victim of a car accident in Mission Viejo, CA, and you worry that your injury could lead to post-traumatic arthritis, contact us to discuss your case. ...read more

One of the chief advantages that a car has over the motorcycle is that the occupants are protected by a cage. This cage is the end product of a great deal of engineering thought, design, and testing. The car itself is designed to minimize disturbance to the space occupied by the driver and passengers. Yet all of these are negated when a very simple mechanism fails: the door latch. When the latch fails and the door opens in an accident, the driver or a passenger is exposed to the danger of ejection from the car. An ejected occupant does not have the helmet and leather gear that protects the motorcyclist. He or she can be flung on to the pavement, impact an object, get hit by a car. The odds of surviving an accident drop substantially when an occupant is ejected from the car. The Door Latch There is a two-part mechanism used in most car doors that does the latching. There is the spring-loaded claw in the door and a short rod called a striker. Shutting the door forces the spring-loaded claw to latch around the striker. This simple mechanism reliably works under normal use. However under the stress of an accident, this mechanism may fail. Failure is either the result of a design oversight, fabrication mistake, improper installation, or if the energy of impact exceeds the safety limits of the latch. Injury Potential Even a minor accident can result in a fatality when a door latch fails. A number of severe injuries can occur to the ejected occupant including, severe abrasion and disfigurement, injury to the skull and brain, damage to the spinal cord, and broken bones. These injuries may require months of recovery time. A paralysis injury may be permanent. Types Of Accidents That Cause Door Latch Failure These include severe front and rear end collisions, side impact, multi-car accidents, rollovers, and in some cases even minor accidents. Crash Worthiness It is the car maker’s responsibility to design and manufacture crash worthy vehicles that are not only free of defects that cause accidents, they must also be free of defects that fail to protect the car occupants during an accident. When you are injured because your door latch failed, you have the right to compensation for the pain, loss of income, and the medical costs of recovery. If this has happened to you or a family member, don’t hesitate to seek the advice of a Dana Point accident lawyer. Silverthorne Attorneys are highly experienced and will advise you of your options. Never rule out legal recourse without first speaking to an attorney. Contact us today for a free consultation. ...read more

Many people think assigning fault in car accident cases is simple, especially in situations involving pedestrians. However, officers and courts look at various factors when trying to find out why a crash occurred. One is not guaranteed to gain compensation for injuries when struck by a car. When a collision involving a pedestrian takes place in Lake Forest, negligence must be proven to win damages in civil court. What is Negligence? Motorists on the road had to earn their licenses, and it is assumed that they will follow the law and use due caution like any reasonable individual would. When a driver endangers others by not using a reasonable amount of care, this is negligence. In court, one must prove that a defendant’s actions were negligent to gain compensation for injuries that resulted because of an accident. This involves showing that a driver had a legal duty that was breached, which resulted in an accident that injured the plaintiff. What qualifies as negligence? Any action or inaction that could be considered reckless may qualify as negligence when someone is injured or killed, and drivers who speed,  do not yield to pedestrians at crosswalks or text and drive are usually not acting with the proper amount of care and could be found negligent. These are only a few examples of negligence, and a Lake Forest personal injury lawyer is aware of other actions that may constitute negligence. Pedestrian Negligence While motorists must exercise care in order to protect others on the road and pedestrians, pedestrians must also use a reasonable amount of caution to keep themselves safe. Pedestrians should be able to recognize potentially dangerous situations and take steps to stay safe, so pedestrians who do not exercise care by darting in front of vehicles or ignoring signals at intersections might act negligently. Even if a driver did act inappropriately, a pedestrian might not receive compensation when his or her actions contributed to causing an accident. If you were hit by a vehicle, it is important to seek legal counsel so that you can receive the compensation you deserve when a driver’s negligence caused an accident. Insurance companies or defendant’s attorneys often allege that a pedestrian is at least partly responsible for an accident, so it is crucial to have someone on your side who can gather evidence and state your case. Contact us today when interested in filing a personal injury claim after a crash. ...read more

You’re cruising along Beach Boulevard heading for Huntington Beach on a beautiful Southern California. Suddenly, you hear the crunch of a collision on your car. What do you do? Follow these tips so you remain safe and protected, both physically and legally, in Orange County, California. Take note immediately of how many people are in the other cars involved in the accident. Scammers may not only have staged the collision but may add individuals to the scene who pretend to be injured. If you don’t have a pen and paper to write things down, text the information into your smartphone. Make sure that everyone in your car and in the other vehicles are okay. Again, keep a record of everybody’s injuries. However, do not get out of your car unless it is absolutely safe to do so, or you may cause further injury to yourself or others. If conditions are hazardous and there is no immediate danger, remain in your vehicle until help arrives. Take pictures of everything related to the accident. This not only includes all the vehicles and their damage, but drivers and passengers, roadway conditions, and the environment such as traffic signs, weather conditions, the position of the sun, and potential witness. Any one of these images may provide vital clues. Exchange insurance information with the other driver. It’s very important not to assign blame or admit responsibility at this point because you do not know all the circumstances of the situation. Try to limit any conversation with the other party to minimize saying the wrong thing. Contact us right away after the incident so we can advise you on the proper course of action, which may include calling the police and your insurance company. We will make sure that you get taken care of and receive adequate compensation. ...read more

When you think of Orange County, California, your mind wanders among its beautiful beaches, exciting theme parks, and progressive high-tech industries. Despite the region’s many freeways, you don’t normally associate it with car crashes and traffic deaths. Yet, statistics from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration force you to do otherwise. As of 2011, the latest year for which complete statistics are available, the government agency showed 2,791 traffic fatalities for California, a slight increase over the 2,720 deaths of the previous year. About 1,546 were deaths to passengers, 414 were for motorcyclists, and 625 were for pedestrians. Orange County had 139 traffic fatalities for the year, putting it fifth among all California counties for deaths. After nearly four years of decreasing car crash deaths, Orange County fatalities jumped 32 percent from the previous year. Cities were more dangerous than rural areas, with over 57 percent of the total state fatalities. Despite the state’s strict laws on drinking and driving, over a quarter of the fatalities in the state were due to impaired driving caused by a blood alcohol content of 0.08 or higher. Over 31 percent were due to excessive speed. Another big cause was distracted driving, which means removing your focus from the road to make cellphone calls, text, eat, or put on makeup, among other activities. You and the people you know may practice safe driving techniques and still become one of these statistics for this year. This is simply because you share the road with others who may not be so conscientious. If you get into an accident, contact us, your Orange County car accident attorney, so we can help you. ...read more

Bicycling is becoming increasingly popular here in Orange County. Unfortunately, an increase in bicyclists means there is an increase in the number of bicycle accidents out on the road. If you are new to bicycling or just need a review on the various points of bicycle safety and etiquette please read below for our list of tips that will help keep you safe. - Ride in the same direction as automobile traffic. It is the law.- Obey all traffic signs and signals. You are subject to all traffic signs that a car must follow. - Use hand signals. Using hand signals tells the motorists around you what you intend to do. It will keep you safer and is courteous to others. - Follow the lane markings.- Don’t weave in and out of parked cars. Drivers may not see you move back into traffic. It is best to remain visible. - Don’t pass on the right.- Choose the best way to make a left-hand turn. You can either turn left like a vehicle would or as a pedestrian would using the cross walk signals - Avoid road hazards.- Keep both hands on the handlebars ready to brake. Never use the front brake by itself and allow extra distance for stopping in wet road conditions. - Ride a well-equipped bicycle that is in good condition. For maximum safety, make sure your bike has fenders, mirrors, and reflectors. Use a headlight and taillight in dark conditions as required by law. Check your brakes often and keep the tires inflated to the correct air pressure. - Dress appropriately. Wear a helmet while riding at all times. Dress in light-colored clothing to be more visible at night and wear multiple layers to stay warm or cool as needed. If you are injured while riding your bike and need legal advice, call Silverthorne Attorneys at 949-234-6034 for a free consultation on what you should do. We understand bicycle law and can help you get the compensation you deserve. We serve the area of Monarch Beach as well as all the surrounding cities of South Orange County. Remember to be safe and enjoy the ride. ...read more

In Orange County riding a bicycle has become more popular than ever. Whether it is for exercise, commuting to work, or just cruising down to the beach all must observe the specific laws made for bicyclists. Here are some of the basic bicycle laws according to the California Vehicle Code: Bicyclists have all the rights and responsibilities of vehicle drivers. It is against the law to ride a bicycle while under the influence of alcohol or drugs. Bicycles must be equipped with at least a brake which allows operators to execute to a wheelskid on dry, level, clean pavement. Handlebars must not be higher than the rider̢۪s shoulders. Bicycles must be small enough for the rider to stop, support it with one foot on the ground, and restart safely. At night bicycles must be equipped with a white headlight or white light attached to the rider and visible from the front. Bicycles must also have a rear red reflector and white or yellow pedal reflectors. There must be a white or yellow reflector on the front of the bicycle visible from the side, and a red or white reflector on the rear of the bicycle visible from the side. All riders must have a permanent, regular seat. Bicycle passengers under 40 lbs. must have a seat which retains them in place and protects them from moving parts. Bicycles traveling slower than the normal speed of traffic must ride as close to the right side of the road as practicable except: when passing, preparing for a left turn, to avoid hazards and dangerous conditions or if the lane is too narrow. Bicyclists may not hitch rides on vehicles. Bicyclists may not carry items which keep them from using at least one hand upon the handlebars. Motorized bicycles may not be used on trails, bike path, or lanes. Bicyclists traveling slower than traffic must use bike lanes except when making a left turn, passing, or avoiding hazardous conditions. Bicyclists may not leave bicycles on their sides on the sidewalk or park bicycles in a manner which obstructs pedestrians. No one may stop on or park a bicycle on a bicycle path. Bicyclists and passengers under age 18 must wear an ANSI or Snell approved helmet when a passenger or riding upon a bicycle. Bicyclist must travel on the right side of the roadway in the direction of traffic. Bicyclists may not ride on the freeways where prohibited. Bicyclists may not cross a toll bridge unless permitted by signs. Bicyclists may not wear earplugs in both ears or a headset covering both ears, except hearing aids. Even after observing all the laws pertaining to bicycles, one can only do so much. Drivers can get careless and can cause serious injuries to a bike rider. If you are injured in a bicycle collision call 949-234-6034 for the best legal advice, we handle bicycle cases all over Orange County. ...read more

Don’t Take your dog to a dog park if he or she is uncomfortable.   Bring or use treats and toys when other dogs are nearby.   Allow a dog to behave aggressively towards another.   Ever let your dog off the leash in an un-fenced area.   Spend your time talking on a cell phone – you must supervise your dog at all times and be able to give your dog your full attention.   Do Make sure your dog is up-to-date on his/her vaccinations.   Observe the dogs in the dog park to see if there are any potential health or behavior problems.   Clean up after your dog.   Supervise dogs when they are playing and interrupt any aggressive play.   Be willing to leave a dog park if you feel that your dog is either being too aggressive or my be attacked.   Make sure your young dog is not being bullied or learning bad manners from the other dogs.   Though these might seem like common sense rules to follow, many dog owners ignore them and accidents happen. Dogs can inflict serious injuries with just one bite so seek medical attention immediately if you or someone you know are bitten. Fortunately, the Laguna Niguel Dog Park is located right next to Orange County Fire Station #49 so first aid is quickly available. If you or someone you know is ever attacked by a dog call 949-234-6034 to speak with a Laguna Niguel Dog Bite Attorney for the best legal advice on what you should do. ...read more

Don’t Take your dog to a dog park if he or she is uncomfortable. Bring or use treats and toys when other dogs are nearby. Allow a dog to behave aggressively towards another. Ever let your dog off the leash in an un-fenced area. Spend your time talking on a cell phone – you must supervise your dog at all times and be able to give your dog your full attention. Do Make sure your dog is up-to-date on his/her vaccinations. Observe the dogs in the dog park to see if there are any potential health or behavior problems. Clean up after your dog. Supervise dogs when they are playing and interrupt any aggressive play. Be willing to leave a dog park if you feel that your dog is either being too aggressive or my be attacked. Make sure your young dog is not being bullied or learning bad manners from the other dogs. Though these might seem like common sense rules to follow, many dog owners ignore them and accidents happen. Dogs can inflict serious injuries with just one bite so seek medical attention immediately if you or someone you know are bitten. Fortunately, the Laguna Niguel Dog Park is located right next to Orange County Fire Station #49 so first aid is quickly available.If you or someone you know is ever attacked by a dog call 949-234-6034 to speak with a Laguna Niguel Dog Bite Attorney for the best legal advice on what you should do. ...read more

The urge to speed when driving to work in the morning can be overwhelming. Andhow many times do you just want to get home when you are trying to make it through citytraffic? Rancho Santa Margarita has several main streets in its city center that pass through both residential areas and commercial areas. These streets are smooth and straight. It is easy to drive to fast on them when someone is trying to get to their destination. Santa Margarita Parkway is particularly dangerous to speed on as it passes by achurch and Rancho Santa Margarita Intermediate School. Car accidents with pedestriansoften results in serious injuries. It is streets like this where drivers need to be careful andwatch for pedestrians- especially children. If you are injured as a pedestrian in Rancho Santa Margarita, give SilverthorneAttorneys a call 949-234-6034 for a free consultation. We aggressively fight for our injured clients. An auto accident is not a case that you should try and resolve without a lawyer. And remember to drive safely in Rancho Santa Margarita. Even though the large streets in the city center are made for driving efficiently, Rancho Santa Margarita is a pedestrian- friendly city and speed limits should be obeyed for everyone’s safety. ...read more