Rear-End Collisions Can Kill

In a FOX 11 Los Angeles special investigative news report that aired May 20, 2010 at 10 pm and featured BISNAR | CHASE partner, Brian Chase, it was revealed that more than 95 percent of vehicles manufactured today -- an estimated tens of millions of cars on the road -- are equipped with poorly constructed seats containing weak frames and gears.

Even at rear-end collision speeds as low as 30 MPH, car seats often careen backwards, propelling occupants into rear passenger compartments where they can sustain catastrophic head and spinal injuries.

In other instances, car seats that careen backwards often propel front seat passengers into back seat passengers. In situations such as these, the results can be tragic.

During the Fox 11 news report, BISNAR | CHASE client, Stephanie Collins, tells about a rear-end collision in July 2000 at less than 30 MPH that caused her seatback to collapse and crush the chest of her seven year-old daughter, Crystal, who was sitting immediately behind her.

Crystal died as a result of her injuries, one month before her eighth birthday.

Another BISNAR | CHASE client, Jaklin Romine, told Fox 11 News her story: her seatback collapsed during a rear-end collision in October 2006, causing her body to submarine backward and underneath her seatbelt and shoulder restraints.

She struck the rear passenger seat and sustained severe head and spinal injuries that rendered her an incomplete quadriplegic.

During the FOX news report, Brian Chase discussed the inadequacies of a 40-year-old seatback manufacturing standard known as FMVSS 207, a standard that offers vehicle occupants virtually zero protection.

Under Regulation 207, a flimsy lawn chair could pass the requirements set forth by its guidelines.

However, safety experts estimate that it would take just $5 to $6 in design changes to make a safe front seat in every car.

Watch the full FOX 11 Ten O'Clock news report on BestAttorney.com to learn more about this important safety issue.

Mission Viejo Woman Hits the Road for Grueling 545 Mile Bike Trek

Loree Glenn, a Mission Viejo, California mother of two, is gearing up for this year's AIDS/Lifecycle event, a grueling seven-day, 545-mile bike trek from San Francisco to Los Angeles designed to end the pandemic and human suffering caused by AIDS.

This marks the third year of Loree's ride and the third year BISNAR | CHASE has sponsored her efforts.

With the support of her husband, Kevin, and two teenage sons, Loree will make this trek for the third time, an experience she views as an extremely personal, mental and physical challenge to raise money for a great cause.

The trek raises funds to support the HIV/AIDS services of the L.A. Gay & Lesbian Center and the San Francisco AIDS Foundation, as well as to increase awareness and knowledge about HIV/AIDS among the ride's participants, donors and the general public. The ride takes place June 6 -12, 2010.

"For my first ride in 2008, I went from zero bicycling experience to training for a 545 mile trip," said Loree. "During that ride, I had problems with my knees and I ended up in the hospital with the stomach flu but I was determined to finish and I did.

Loree says she prepared much more extensively for her second ride in 2009, including training for almost a full year versus just four months the year prior.

However, despite all of her preparation, last year's ride still presented Loree with some significant challenges.

"I had to overcome two back-to-back hills known as the 'evil twins' and one day, I rode an excruciating 94 miles," said Loree. "On top of that, I ran into some gravel, fell off my bike and had to be picked up by a sweep vehicle and taken to a rest area. Even still, it was the most fun and rewarding experience of my life."

As part of its sponsorship, BISNAR | CHASE is providing a monetary donation for the AIDS/Lifecycle event, with 100 percent of the proceeds going to support the HIV/AIDS services of the L.A. Gay & Lesbian Center and the San Francisco AIDS Foundation, as well as technical support at Loree's personal ALC webpage created to help spread the word about the cause, her participation and the need for donations.

Cases in the Queue

Mares vs. Chrysler

After a tire blowout in October 2009 that ignited gasoline leakage near a defective fuel tank, a father and two of his children sustained severe and permanently disfiguring burns in their 1998 Dodge Caravan.

The suit alleges that the Caravan's fuel system was defective in its design, including its fuel tank, fuel filler neck assembly and fuel tank check valve, allowing for dangerous fuel leakage which ignited tire tread particles and debris.

Silva & Boswick vs. City of San Clemente

In July 2009, a woman was walking from the beach in San Clemente toward the Linda Lane parking area when approximately eight to ten inches of debris underneath her foot gave way, trapping and immobilizing her foot and causing her leg to twist and break, resulting in severe, permanent and disabling injuries.

The suit alleges the City of San Clemente knew this walkway was prone to flooding and debris accumulation yet did nothing to clear the walkway or warn the general public about the dangerous conditions that existed there.

Over $13,000 Raised to Stop Drunk Driving!

We're proud to announce Team BISNAR | CHASE was the top fundraising team at the Mothers Against Drunk Driving Walk Like MADD event in Huntington Beach on Saturday, May 8, with over $13,000 raised!

Our firm also raised several hundred additional dollars with the "Dunk the Law Firm" Dunk Tank, face painting and balloon animal stations, which were all a huge hit with the attendees.

The Orange County Walk Like MADD fundraiser is the largest in the nation, with more than 1,500 walkers who participated in Saturday's event.

The fundraiser generates money to help MADD save lives through education, awareness, and the passage and enforcement of anti-drunk driving and underage drinking laws.

Just as importantly, it helps MADD provide crucial support for the survivors, family members and friends coping with the devastation caused by a drunk driving crash.

Plans are already underway for next year's event.

Our goal is to top this year's fundraising total next year by working with local law enforcement agencies, politicians and high profile members of the Orange County community to generate awareness, and ultimately, additional funding for MADD and its programs.

Lawyer Joke

A man walked into a lawyer's office and asked about the lawyer's rates.

"$50.00 for three questions," replied the lawyer.

"Isn't that awfully steep?" asked the man.

"Yes," the lawyer replied, "and what was your third question?"

In the Traffic Accident Blog

Here are a few recent car accident stories that have been in the news, as covered on the www.CaliforniaInjuryBlog.com ...

• May 2 - Street Racing a Factor in San Bernardino Car Accident
• May 21 - Employers Beware if Employees Use a Work Mobile Device on the Road
• May 23- Long Beach DUI Collision Injures Saxophonist Boney James

Don't miss out! Get a copy of John Bisnar's book The Seven Fatal Mistakes That Can Wreck Your California Personal Injury Claim while it's still available at no cost.