Long Beach Personal Injury Lawyer Advices That High Population Equals Many Personal Injuries Each Year

As the 36th largest city in the nation with a population nearing half a million as of the beginning of 2009, any Long Beach personal injury lawyer will tell you that the city is no stranger to all kinds of accidents. Every year, hundreds of people sustain personal injuries on the streets, on the job and in their homes.

Accident Injuries Plague Long Beach's Freeways, Suburbs

With several freeways, such as the San Diego Freeway and Golden State/Santa Ana Freeway, cutting through the city, it is no surprise that car accidents are not uncommon in Long Beach. According to the California Highway Patrol's Statewide Integrated Traffic Records System, 40 people were killed and 2,976 other people were injured in car, bicycle, pedestrian and motorcycle accidents in Long Beach in 2007. The list of accident injuries include everything from minor bumps and bruises to more major brain and spinal trauma.

However, the freeways (where motorists often battle it out with truck drivers) are not the only areas where accidents can happen. Tragic car accidents also take place in suburban areas where children and families have every right to expect to feel safe.

In September 2009, a baby girl was killed and 2-year-old brother was seriously injured in a hit-and-run crash in Long Beach near the intersection of E. 10th Street and Redondo Avenue. In the horrific car accident, a father was pulling the children across an intersection on a red wagon at a crosswalk when a speeding SUV slammed into the wagon. The wagon, with the two children inside, was caught underneath the car and dragged for nearly a mile. The driver fled the scene and when police caught up with him, they found that he had been driving under the influence of alcohol and with a suspended license.

Workplace Hazards at Long Beach's Docks

Unfortunately, drunk driving is not restricted to Long Beach's streets. The top commercial businesses in Long Beach include crane and heavy transport sales, which statistics show are among the industries with the highest number of workplace-related injuries and fatalities. Throw in a little alcohol and an already dangerous environment becomes deadly.

In September 2009, a dock worker was killed at a local port when he was struck by a yard tractor. The police found that the driver had a blood-alcohol level nearly twice the legal limit. Yet, even without drunk drivers behind the wheels of heavy machinery, such places are already hazardous. In one workplace accident, Long Beach Fire rescuers had to use the "Jaws of Life" to rescue a man who was seriously injured when a container fell on the cab of his rig at a pier. In February 2009, a driver was crushed by a forklift at the Port of Long Beach, one of the world's largest ports. In fact, three workers have already been killed at local ports between April 2008 and September 2009.

While Long Beach has been chosen as a finalist for the most business friendly city in Los Angeles for four years in a row, one should not be misguided into thinking that the city is 100 percent safe. In fact, many areas of Long Beach have earned a reputation for being quite dangerous, where a number of assaults and other crimes take place.

Yet, while Long Beach spends more of its budget on police services than most cities in the county, Long Beach also has fewer policemen per residents. A recent media report showed that the city falls short of the minimum ideal of at least two officers for every 1,000 residents. The disparity could widen as Long Beach's police academy has been cancelled for 2010 due to budget constraints and about 80 to 100 police officers are expected to retire within the next three years.

Long Beach Officials Work to Lessen Personal Injuries to Residents

Long Beach city officials however are aware of the situation and take great measures to ensure the safety of their residents, from accidents to assaults. For example, there are plans to improve the truck traffic between the ports of Long Beach and Los Angeles and the city also has a vector control program to raise awareness about a host of poisonous rodents and insects that can be found in Long Beach.

While some cuts in the budget cannot be avoided, officials have also fought to keep funds for Long Beach's fire department intact and look for ways to offset reductions in the police department's budget. These include retaining patrol units and providing after-school programs and keeping libraries open to make sure the city's youth are responsibly and positively occupied.

How Consulting Long Beach Personal Injury Lawyers Can Help You and Your Family

While officials try to make the city safer, its residents and visitors also have a responsibility to do their part. If you have been involved in a Long Beach accident of any kind, it is to your advantage and your loved one's benefit to consult a Long Beach personal injury law firm for your case.

Your accident attorney will explain the legal issues of your personal injury case and fight for any damages to which you may be entitled. They will also ensure that any guilty parties involved in the accident will be held accountable. While there are many personal injury and accident lawyers claiming to have your best interests at heart, it is helpful to keep in mind that the best law firms will always offer a free consultation on your case.

Law firms with strong records of successfully handling personal injury lawsuits meantime may also offer a no-fee guarantee meaning that you don't have to pay them unless they win your case.

If you are the victim of a personal injury, you owe it to yourself to get a FREE copy of the book, "The Seven Fatal Mistakes That Can Wreck Your California Personal Injury Claim" ($14.99 value). If you need help immediately, call one of our expert personal injury lawyers now at 1-800-561-4887 and we will schedule a consultation the same day or by the next business day at the latest.

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Long Beach Legal Help & Advice

For the best in client care and legal representation, please see Long Beach attorneys. Our Long Beach car accident lawyers specialize in Long Beach car accidents. For nearby areas, please see Los Angeles car accident lawyer and California car accident lawyer.

Be on the Hit-and-Run Lookout

BISNAR | CHASE, in conjunction with WeTip, a leading anonymous crime reporting service and law enforcement advocacy non-profit organization, is launching a program intended to wipe out hit-and-runs in the state of California by offering rewards for tips leading to the arrest and felony conviction of hit-and-run drivers. See Hit-and-Run Reward for more details.

BISNAR | CHASE 2006-2010 Super Lawyers names outstanding lawyers from more than 60 practice areas who have attained a high degree of peer recognition and professional achievement. BISNAR | CHASE has received this award for five consecutive years. Brian Chase was named one of the 2010 Top 50 Orange County Lawyers.