Law Offices of Fred D. Crawford, IVAssisting Clients In Redondo Beach And Throughout Southern California For More Than 30 Years2026-05-30T01:50:47Zhttps://www.crawfordlegal.com/feed/atom/WordPress/wp-content/uploads/sites/1301926/2020/11/cropped-fab-32x32-1.pngOn Behalf of Law Offices of Fred D. Crawford, IV<![CDATA[Common motorcycle injuries and their long-term effects]]>https://www.crawfordlegal.com/?p=504572026-05-30T01:50:47Z2026-05-30T01:50:47Zlife-changing injuries that affect every aspect of their lives for years after an accident.
Motorcycle riders don’t have the protection of a vehicle frame, airbags or seat belts, leaving them especially vulnerable to catastrophic injuries during a collision. Broken bones are common in motorcycle accidents. Riders may be thrown from the motorcycle or collide with another vehicle, resulting in fractures to the arms, wrists, legs, ribs or collarbones.
Traumatic brain injuries
Traumatic brain injuries (TBIs) are among the most serious consequences of motorcycle crashes. Helmets do help reduce the risk of fatal head trauma. However, riders may still suffer concussions or more severe brain injuries during an impact.
The long-term effects of a TBI may include chronic headaches, memory loss and cognitive impairment. In some situations, the victim may be unable to work or live independently.
Back and other orthopedic injuries
A motorcycle crash can also lead to back injuries. Some victims suffer herniated discs or chronic back pain, while others experience partial or complete paralysis due to spinal cord damage.
While not fatal, some fractures require surgery and physical therapy. Riders with severe orthopedic injuries may experience chronic pain, arthritis and permanent mobility limitations.
Dealing with the financial consequences
The financial consequences of a catastrophic motorcycle accident can last for years. Victims find themselves under significant strain from mounting medical bills, lost wages and rehabilitation expenses.
When a motorist's negligence causes a motorcycle accident, the injured rider may be entitled to compensation. But such accidents often involve disputed liability, making a claim complex. A legal professional can help accident victims and their families make informed decisions about their legal options and their right to pursue compensation.]]>On Behalf of Law Offices of Fred D. Crawford, IV<![CDATA[Tips for jogging safely around cars]]>https://www.crawfordlegal.com/?p=504562026-05-18T02:33:48Z2026-05-18T02:33:48ZPedestrian accidents are common and can have devastating consequences. Many people who run or jog for exercise expose themselves to a certain amount of risk every time they run near the street.
Fortunately, there are steps runners can take to increase their safety and lower the odds of being involved in a pedestrian accident. Below are some tips to keep in mind.
Run facing traffic
The best strategy is to stay on sidewalks and out of the road entirely. But if you would prefer to run on the shoulder, as asphalt is softer than cement, or if there is no sidewalk, always run facing oncoming traffic.
Increase your visibility
Avoid running in dark clothing, especially at dawn or dusk. Pick bright clothing whenever possible. If you have to run as it gets dark, consider reflective clothing, headlamps or vests with LED lights.
Make eye contact with drivers
Always assume that you are invisible to drivers around you, even when you have the right of way. For instance, if you see a pickup truck sitting at a crosswalk, it can help to make eye contact with the driver before crossing in front of the truck, just to make sure they actually see you.
Avoid distractions
Finally, although many people do listen to music while they run, it is usually best to leave your headphones at home. They make it harder to hear the traffic around you, and they can distract you, which could increase your odds of being involved in an accident.
Seeking financial compensation
Even if you do everything you can to stay safe, negligent drivers could still cause accidents and injuries. You may deserve compensation for medical bills, lost wages, pain and suffering and more.
]]>On Behalf of Law Offices of Fred D. Crawford, IV<![CDATA[Insurance often isn’t enough after a deadly crash]]>https://www.crawfordlegal.com/?p=504552026-04-30T09:55:12Z2026-04-30T09:55:12ZPersonal policies offer mediocre support
Quite a few drivers do not maintain the insurance required by law, which may make a lawsuit the only option for covering the expenses of a fatal crash. Even those with insurance frequently only pay for the least amount of coverage the law mandates.
That may leave survivors with as little as $30,000 in bodily injury liability coverage to pay for both end-of-life medical care and the lost wages of their family member. Hospital bills alone could add up to more than $30,000.
If the crash affected two or more people, then the minimum coverage available might be $60,000, which is still woefully inadequate for the costs generated by a deadly collision. While some people do invest in more liability coverage, their policies may not adequately address lost income and a lifetime of financial challenges triggered by a fatal collision.
Reviewing the circumstances of a deadly crash with a wrongful death attorney can help families explore whether they can file a lawsuit and who might be liable. Successful litigation can lead to better compensation for those harmed by a deadly car wreck.]]>On Behalf of Law Offices of Fred D. Crawford, IV<![CDATA[First legal steps to take as a semi-truck accident victim]]>https://www.crawfordlegal.com/?p=504542026-04-16T19:51:55Z2026-04-16T19:51:55ZSemi truck accidents often result in severe injuries and complex claims due to the size of commercial vehicles and the regulations that govern them. Victims may face physical, emotional and financial challenges shortly after the incident.
Understanding the next step to take is essential because taking the right legal steps early can help preserve evidence, protect your rights and support a stronger claim for compensation.
Seek immediate medical care
Your safety should be the first priority after any truck accident. Even if injuries seem minor, it is important to undergo a full medical evaluation.Medical documentation creates a clear record of your condition and helps connect your injuries to the accident.
Report the accident and gather information
Ensure that the accident is reported to the appropriate authorities. An official report provides a reliable account of the incident and may include important details about who was at fault.If possible, collect key information at the scene. This includes contact details of drivers and witnesses, as well as photos of vehicle damage, road conditions and visible injuries.
Preserve evidence related to the crash
Truck accident cases often involve critical evidence such as driver logs, maintenance records and data from onboard systems, which can help determine what caused the accident.
Identify all responsible parties
Unlike standard accidents, liability in truck collisions may involve multiple parties, including the driver, trucking company, cargo handlers or maintenance providers.Identifying all responsible parties ensures that every source of accountability is considered. This can also impact the amount of compensation available.
Communicate carefully with insurers
Notify your insurance provider about the accident as soon as possible. Provide accurate information, but avoid making statements that assign blame before all facts are known.Commercial trucking insurers often conduct detailed investigations, and therefore, careful communication helps protect your position during this process.
Final thoughts
Semi-truck accident cases can be complex and require careful handling from the start. Therefore, taking these initial steps can make a significant difference in how your case progresses.Seeking reliable and professional legal guidance can help you understand your options, protect your rights and pursue the outcome that best supports your recovery.]]>On Behalf of Law Offices of Fred D. Crawford, IV<![CDATA[The increased risk pedestrians face in parking lots]]>https://www.crawfordlegal.com/?p=504532026-03-31T23:36:00Z2026-03-31T23:36:00ZParking lot distraction can be deadly
Drivers self-reporting on their technology habits admit to texting while driving and other forms of distraction on the road. However, only a minority of motorists submit to distracted driving on the open road.
A much higher percentage of drivers admit to engaging in a variety of digital distractions in parking lots. They may go beyond just texting or dialing a phone. People admit to scrolling through social media in parking lots or watching short videos.
Many drivers take their safety for granted in parking lots, possibly because they assume that police officers are unlikely to issue citations for violations in a parking lot. However, parking lot distraction can result in drivers striking pedestrians, causing injuries and property damage.
Even when pedestrian collisions occur in the parking lots of private property, the people affected may have grounds to hold a driver at fault accountable. Filing an insurance claim or possibly even a lawsuit can help people affected by pedestrian collisions cover medical expenses and other economic damages caused by a crash.]]>On Behalf of Law Offices of Fred D. Crawford, IV<![CDATA[What can drivers do to avoid semi-truck collisions?]]>https://www.crawfordlegal.com/?p=504522026-03-12T16:24:08Z2026-03-12T16:24:08Zmore than half of all semi-truck crashes are the fault of the larger vehicle or its operator. However, the habits of those driving smaller vehicles can directly impact their risk of a collision with a commercial truck. One specific safety habit could help drivers minimize their risks.
Bigger vehicles need more space
The FMCSA provides guidance about the large blind spots surrounding semi-trucks, buses and other large commercial vehicles. Drivers should generally avoid occupying the lane directly to the left of a semi-truck’s trailer and the two lanes to the right of the trailer on a multi-lane road. They should also avoid driving immediately behind the vehicle and should maintain at least a three-second following distance.
Additionally, leaving more space at an intersection by stopping farther back can help reduce the risk of the devastating crash caused by a truck’s wide turns. Drivers may also need to consider the limitations of a semi-truck when turning or merging into a new lane of traffic. They need to leave more space behind their vehicles and to increase their speed rapidly to offset a truck’s difficulty in slowing down or stopping.
Unfortunately, even if passenger vehicle operators do everything right, they may cross paths with a negligent semi-truck operator who causes a collision anyway. Reviewing a crash report and other details about a semi-truck collision with a skilled legal team can help crash victims to pursue compensation through insurance claims or possibly even personal injury litigation.]]>On Behalf of Law Offices of Fred D. Crawford, IV<![CDATA[Why do drivers fail to notice nearby motorcycles?]]>https://www.crawfordlegal.com/?p=504512026-02-26T19:29:05Z2026-02-26T19:29:05ZCertain styles of motorcycles are relatively large and loud. Some riders even modify their motorcycles to make them noisier. Although motorcycles are often eye-catching, drivers who hit motorcycle riders might claim that they didn't see the motorcycle.
While that may simply sound like an excuse, it could very well be the truth. Drivers may not notice the motorcycle near them in traffic unless they intentionally watch for motorcycles and other smaller vehicles.
There are limits to human attention
People traveling in motor vehicles have too much incoming visual information to process everything accurately. The brain must assess circumstances rapidly and determine what requires a driver's focus. Generally speaking, larger vehicles that appear to be a safety threat tend to command people's attention in traffic. Smaller vehicles that represent less risk, including motorcycles and bicycles, may not seem like a safety concern to the brain as it subconsciously assesses the situation. Psychologists refer to this experience as inattentional blindness. People can look directly at a motorcycle and never realize that it is there on a conscious level. Drivers can adjust for this cognitive shortcoming by intentionally checking for motorcycles, as well as bicycles and pedestrians. Regardless of why a driver hits a motorcycle, they may be liable for the property damage and injuries that they cause. Their liability insurance can help cover losses, and they may face a lawsuit if their insurance isn’t enough to address the costs of a motorcycle crash. Reviewing a crash report with a personal injury attorney could help injured motorcycle riders seek compensation through insurance claims or personal injury litigation.]]>On Behalf of Law Offices of Fred D. Crawford, IV<![CDATA[What type of car crash is most likely to prove fatal?]]>https://www.crawfordlegal.com/?p=504502026-02-15T22:43:12Z2026-02-15T22:43:12ZHead-on collisions are not the deadliest
When looking at the types of crashes that people fear and the safety precautions taken by manufacturers, it might be natural to assume that head-on collisions are the deadliest type of wreck. However, they are only responsible for 29.9% of all reported traffic fatalities.
The ability to see the risk before the crash occurs and the safety features built into vehicles both reduce the likelihood of a head-on collision proving fatal. The NSC instead identifies side-impact or angle collision crashes as the deadliest type of wreck.
Also known as T-bone collisions, these crashes involve one vehicle’s front end striking the side panel of another. Side impact collisions account for 44.8% of all deadly collisions. The inability to maneuver to prevent the crash and the lack of mandatory side-impact safety systems in vehicles no doubt contribute to those statistics.
Families adjusting to life after a deadly crash may have significant economic losses to address. Consulting with a lawyer regarding insurance coverage and litigation options can be helpful for those affected by a fatal car crash as a result.]]>On Behalf of Law Offices of Fred D. Crawford, IV<![CDATA[Children in pedestrian accidents]]>https://www.crawfordlegal.com/?p=504492026-02-03T17:41:54Z2026-02-03T17:41:54ZMornings and afternoons should feel routine: walking to school, waiting for the bus or crossing familiar streets. For families, these moments are built on the trust that drivers will slow down and pay attention where children are present.
When that trust is broken, the impact reaches far beyond the initial injury. A single moment in traffic can change a child’s sense of safety and a family’s sense of normal overnight.
School zones, speed and long-term care
School zones exist for a reason. Children are smaller, less visible and more unpredictable than adults, and they may not always judge speed or distance accurately. Even a modest increase in speed dramatically raises the risk of serious injury in an auto-pedestrian collision, especially during arrival and dismissal times when streets are busy and distractions are high. California’s DMV Driver Handbook reflects this reality, stating that the speed limit is 25 mph within 500 feet of a school when children are outside or crossing the street and that some school zones require drivers to slow to as little as 15 mph. When drivers fail to follow these rules, the consequences can be deadly.The injuries children suffer in pedestrian accidents are often severe. Broken bones, head trauma and internal injuries can require emergency treatment followed by months—or years—of medical care. For some children, recovery doesn’t end when the casts come off. Ongoing physical therapy, follow-up surgeries or cognitive support may become part of daily life, creating emotional and financial strain for the entire family.Beyond the physical harm, these accidents can leave lasting emotional scars. Children may develop anxiety about crossing streets or returning to school, while parents grapple with guilt, fear and anger. Medical bills, time away from work and uncertainty about a child’s long-term needs can quickly feel overwhelming, especially when the accident was entirely preventable.Families in this situation often have questions they never expected to ask. How will future medical care be paid for? What happens if injuries affect learning or development? Who is responsible when speed limits or school zone rules are ignored? Getting clear guidance can make a meaningful difference during an already painful time.If your child was injured in a pedestrian accident, you don’t have to sort through these concerns alone. Speaking with a legal professional can help you understand your options, protect your child’s future, and give your family the space to focus on healing.]]>On Behalf of Law Offices of Fred D. Crawford, IV<![CDATA[Some of the most annoying driver behaviors are also dangerous]]>https://www.crawfordlegal.com/?p=504472026-01-20T17:59:20Z2026-01-20T17:59:20ZRecently, the Los Angeles Times ran an article on the “most annoying offenses” area drivers commit. While the offenses listed can indeed be annoying, they can also be highly dangerous.Most drivers throughout LA County encounter other motorists engaging in these behaviors daily. Let’s look at just a few.
Using their cellphone
California was ahead of many states in prohibiting the hand-held use of phones and other electronic devices and makes it costly if law enforcement catches someone doing it. Unfortunately, that doesn’t stop a lot of LA area drivers. Many think that if they’re stuck in bumper-to-bumper traffic, at a stop light or in a drive-thru lane, it’s okay to do so. However, if the car is running, it’s never safe to be holding or looking at a phone.
Not using the turn signal
Under the law, drivers are supposed to put their turn signal on when they’re at least 100 feet from a corner or entrance where they’re going to turn. It’s also important to signal before even starting to change lanes or merge onto a freeway. This lets others know the driver’s intention so they can slow, stop or make any other necessary adjustment in time to avoid a crash. New drivers are taught a handy mnemonic, "SMOG." This stands for signal, mirror check, over-the-shoulder look and go. Notice that "signal" is first.
Not stopping before a right turn
Unless there’s signage that says otherwise, it’s typically legal to make a right turn at a red light. However, drivers must stop first and look both ways before proceeding. Otherwise, it’s the same as running a red light. Unfortunately, too many drivers don’t do that. Further, there are often times when a car in the next lane is blocking a driver’s view of what’s coming. They may be unable to see a pedestrian, cyclist or even a vehicle moving towards them. This can result in a catastrophic collision. It’s important not just to stop at the line but also, in some cases, to pull ahead slightly and carefully and stop again – even if the person behind you is honking.These are just three “annoying” behaviors that can be dangerous – not just for those engaging in them, but for others on the road. It’s important to know when a collision is another driver’s fault – even if they don’t think they were in the wrong. Getting experienced legal guidance after a serious collision can help drivers protect their right to fair compensation. ]]>