About UsFor nearly a quarter century, The Law Offices of Brian Brandt have been devoted to protecting hard working individuals and their fami-lies wronged by the negligent or reckless behavior of others. Our office handles Personal Injury cases involving serious injuries in the areas of defective vehicles, truck and com-mercial vehicle litigation, wrongful death, auto accidents, motorcycle accidents, product liability, brain/head injuries, spinal cord injuries, premises liability, medical malpractice, nursing home neglect and vicious dog attacks.

We vigorously pursue the rights and compensation for every cli-ent and his or her family. With assistance, our clients can expect to receive the compensation they deserve in their personal injury matter, whether their case involves fractures, a spinal cord injury or a traumatic brain injury (TBI). Our team of attorneys, legal assistants and paralegals has the experience and resources to go up against the largest corporations and insurance companies to obtain justice for our clients.

At The Law Offices of Brian Brandt, we offer each prospective client a free case evaluation over the phone or in person, where we can discuss his or her legal options. We also provide injured parties a free copy of the police report if they contact our office for their consultation. Moving forward, we work on a contingency fee basis to help our clients begin their case without unneces-sary financial constraints.

714.729.3760Inland Empire 909.532.8454

www.BrianBrandt.com

Areas of PracticeAuto Accidents • Truck accidents • Motorcycle accidents

Wrongful death • Dog bites • Medical malpractice • Elder abuse

Injury Law AlertServing Orange County, Inland Empire, and LA Area

Brian Brandt, Esquire

LAW OFFICES OF BRIAN BRANDT 309 North Euclid Ave., Upland, CA 91786 • 1851 E. First St, Ste 900, Santa Ana, CA 92705 | BrianBrandt.com

Unfortunately, railroad crossings are sometimes vi-olent rendezvous points for trains and roadway vehicles. Car/truck passengers are in jeopardy of serious injury or death.

A sizeable majority of railroad crossing accidents are the fault of car/truck drivers. Distracted driving; failure to stop, look, and listen; trying to beat the descending gates; stopping on the tracks due to a traffic backup, and driving under the influence; among other scenarios, all contribute to needless tragedy.

However, various other entities may be held liable for railroad crossing ac-cidents, depending on the circumstances. For example, the railroad company that owns the track is obligated to properly install lights and gates at the appropriate crossings, ensure that motorists have clear lines of sight, and maintain the tracks.

The company that owns the train has a duty to operate it in a safe, prudent manner. It is responsible for properly training all personnel operating the train, including the sounding of warning whistles or horns when approaching crossings; instituting safeguards to ensure that crew members are not fatigued or under the influence of drugs or alcohol; following speed limits; and prop-erly maintaining locomotives and railroad cars.

Train manufacturers are responsible for all warning sounds and lights, brake systems on locomotives and freight cars, coupling mechanisms between cars, and communication between crew members.

County or local government may be held at least partially liable if the vehicle roadbed at a railroad crossing was improperly constructed or maintained, and contributed to a train-auto accident.

If you’ve been the victim of a railroad crossing accident, contact a railroad

accident attorney to protect your rights. ■

stop, look, and listen

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White Nose Syndrome (WNS), which is caused by a cold-loving fungus that migrated to the United States from Europe, has become an epidemic among bat species that hibernate in caves or aban-doned mines. (The name for the syndrome came about because infected bats have white areas on their noses and wings.)

First identified in New York in the winter of 2006-07, WNS has now spread through the eastern and midwestern states and eastern Canada and is devastating bat pop-ulations everywhere it turns up.

More than half of the 47 bat species in the U.S. hiber-nate during the winter. Of that number, eleven cave hibernating bats, including four endangered species, are known to be infected with WNS.

Bats have evolved to ration their energy supply during hibernation, so they can survive without food until spring. Researchers have found that the fungus interrupts the normal hibernation cycle in bats, causing them to use up their stored energy supply (body fat) at a much greater rate. In addi-tion, WNS causes serious health problems in infected bats, which ultimately leads to their death.

It’s estimated that WNS has killed nearly 6 million bats in the Northeast and Canada since it was first discovered. In some

areas, 90 to 100 percent of infected bats have died. One species, the little brown bat, was once so numer-ous that researchers rarely bothered to even count the population. Unfortunately, the little brown bat is now on the brink of extinction and is being considered for inclusion on the endangered species list. ■

According to the U.S. Department of Transportation, distracted driving can be broken down into three main types of distraction – visual (in which you take your eyes off the road), manual (in which you take your hands off the wheel), and cognitive (in which you take your mind off what you are doing).

While any type of distraction while you are driving can be dangerous, what makes driving while texting especially problematic is that it involves all three main types of distractions.

Statistics show that around 20 percent of all crashes involve some type of distraction, and in 2008, nearly 6,000 people were killed in collisions involving a distracted driver.

And even though many states have banned or are considering bans on texting while driving, it is up to drivers themselves to use com-mon sense. When you’re behind the wheel, put the phone down entirely, or if you absolutely have to send a text, pull over to a safe area on the side of the road or into a parking lot.

If you or a family member has been injured in an accident caused by a distracted driver, you should contact an experienced personal injury attorney. ■

bat populations TAKING A MAJOR HIT

A DEADLY MIX OF DISTRACTIONS ON THE ROAD – texting while driving

when safeguards go bad

According to the magazine Consumer Reports,

more people end up in the ER for head injuries from

cycling than from any other sport. In fact, cycling

causes twice as many head injuries as football and

three and a half times more than soccer. Bottom

line – you’ve got to wear a helmet when jumping

on your bike to go for a ride. Studies indicate that a

quality helmet can reduce your risk of sustaining a

traumatic brain injury by nearly 70 percent. ■

did you know?

A massive recall of 34 million vehicles was recently announced because of concerns about airbags exploding violently and send-ing pieces of metal into the cabin. The airbags in question were produced by the Japanese company Takata. For information on the recall, and to see if your vehicle is included, go to safercar.gov.

when safeguards go badAlthough on standby to protect drivers and other passengers in the event

of a crash—and they do an excellent job—airbags are occasionally

the source of injuries. A flurry of activity occurs when an airbag is de-

ployed. A head-on or near head-on impact of 10–15 mph should prompt

a crash sensor to trigger an igniter, producing either argon or nitrogen

gas to fill the airbag, which is composed of light fabric. The airbag de-

ploys in 1/20th of a second, bursting forth from the steering wheel or

dashboard at over 100 mph to cushion the blow.

In the midst of this explosive action are chemicals, dust, heat, and an

abundance of force—in obviously close proximity to your body. The

speed at which an airbag deploys can cause abrasions, burns, and facial

injuries. Chemicals and dust released can spur irritation or injury to

the lungs, eyes, and skin. Chest wall injuries are a distinct possibility.

Spinal injuries to the neck or back due to whiplash-type effects may oc-

cur. Symptoms may be evident immediately, or may take days or even

weeks to manifest.

In some situations, a faulty crash sensor might not trigger the deploy-

ment of an airbag, trigger it too late, or trigger it when there was no

impact. In these cases, if you’ve been injured you may have cause to file

a personal injury claim against the automobile manufacturer or airbag

manufacturer. Evidence must be preserved, and negligence must be

proven. ■

I contacted other attorneys and they said they could not win ...

I contacted other attorneys and they said they could not win the case. My Insurance broker told me about Brian Brandt so I contacted him and he said he could help. Did you get the results you were hoping for from Brian? Yes, because other attorneys said I could not win the case but Brian Brandt got me a settlement. Did you get more than you were expecting? If so, what other results/benefits did you receive? Yes, because I was expecting nothing and I got good cash settlement from the other party’s insur-ance. Any other comments? I was a pedestrian and hit by two automobiles. The driver’s insurance companies said they would not pay; however, Mr. Brian Brandt was the only attorney who could help. I appreciate all he did for me. Scott R.

Thanks!N

www.BrianBrandt.com | July 2015 | 32 | July 2015 | www.BrianBrandt.com

July

201

5 –

Impo

rtan

t Dat

esJu

ly 1

– C

anad

a D

ay

Ju

ly 4

– In

depe

nden

ce D

ay

Ju

ly 1

4 –

Bast

ille

Day

July

26

– Pa

rent

s’ D

ay

White Nose Syndrome (WNS), which is caused by a cold-loving fungus that migrated to the United States from Europe, has become an epidemic among bat species that hibernate in caves or aban-doned mines. (The name for the syndrome came about because infected bats have white areas on their noses and wings.)

First identified in New York in the winter of 2006-07, WNS has now spread through the eastern and midwestern states and eastern Canada and is devastating bat pop-ulations everywhere it turns up.

More than half of the 47 bat species in the U.S. hiber-nate during the winter. Of that number, eleven cave hibernating bats, including four endangered species, are known to be infected with WNS.

Bats have evolved to ration their energy supply during hibernation, so they can survive without food until spring. Researchers have found that the fungus interrupts the normal hibernation cycle in bats, causing them to use up their stored energy supply (body fat) at a much greater rate. In addi-tion, WNS causes serious health problems in infected bats, which ultimately leads to their death.

It’s estimated that WNS has killed nearly 6 million bats in the Northeast and Canada since it was first discovered. In some

areas, 90 to 100 percent of infected bats have died. One species, the little brown bat, was once so numer-ous that researchers rarely bothered to even count the population. Unfortunately, the little brown bat is now on the brink of extinction and is being considered for inclusion on the endangered species list. ■

According to the U.S. Department of Transportation, distracted driving can be broken down into three main types of distraction – visual (in which you take your eyes off the road), manual (in which you take your hands off the wheel), and cognitive (in which you take your mind off what you are doing).

While any type of distraction while you are driving can be dangerous, what makes driving while texting especially problematic is that it involves all three main types of distractions.

Statistics show that around 20 percent of all crashes involve some type of distraction, and in 2008, nearly 6,000 people were killed in collisions involving a distracted driver.

And even though many states have banned or are considering bans on texting while driving, it is up to drivers themselves to use com-mon sense. When you’re behind the wheel, put the phone down entirely, or if you absolutely have to send a text, pull over to a safe area on the side of the road or into a parking lot.

If you or a family member has been injured in an accident caused by a distracted driver, you should contact an experienced personal injury attorney. ■

bat populations TAKING A MAJOR HIT

A DEADLY MIX OF DISTRACTIONS ON THE ROAD – texting while driving

when safeguards go bad

According to the magazine Consumer Reports,

more people end up in the ER for head injuries from

cycling than from any other sport. In fact, cycling

causes twice as many head injuries as football and

three and a half times more than soccer. Bottom

line – you’ve got to wear a helmet when jumping

on your bike to go for a ride. Studies indicate that a

quality helmet can reduce your risk of sustaining a

traumatic brain injury by nearly 70 percent. ■

did you know?

A massive recall of 34 million vehicles was recently announced because of concerns about airbags exploding violently and send-ing pieces of metal into the cabin. The airbags in question were produced by the Japanese company Takata. For information on the recall, and to see if your vehicle is included, go to safercar.gov.

when safeguards go badAlthough on standby to protect drivers and other passengers in the event

of a crash—and they do an excellent job—airbags are occasionally

the source of injuries. A flurry of activity occurs when an airbag is de-

ployed. A head-on or near head-on impact of 10–15 mph should prompt

a crash sensor to trigger an igniter, producing either argon or nitrogen

gas to fill the airbag, which is composed of light fabric. The airbag de-

ploys in 1/20th of a second, bursting forth from the steering wheel or

dashboard at over 100 mph to cushion the blow.

In the midst of this explosive action are chemicals, dust, heat, and an

abundance of force—in obviously close proximity to your body. The

speed at which an airbag deploys can cause abrasions, burns, and facial

injuries. Chemicals and dust released can spur irritation or injury to

the lungs, eyes, and skin. Chest wall injuries are a distinct possibility.

Spinal injuries to the neck or back due to whiplash-type effects may oc-

cur. Symptoms may be evident immediately, or may take days or even

weeks to manifest.

In some situations, a faulty crash sensor might not trigger the deploy-

ment of an airbag, trigger it too late, or trigger it when there was no

impact. In these cases, if you’ve been injured you may have cause to file

a personal injury claim against the automobile manufacturer or airbag

manufacturer. Evidence must be preserved, and negligence must be

proven. ■

I contacted other attorneys and they said they could not win ...

I contacted other attorneys and they said they could not win the case. My Insurance broker told me about Brian Brandt so I contacted him and he said he could help. Did you get the results you were hoping for from Brian? Yes, because other attorneys said I could not win the case but Brian Brandt got me a settlement. Did you get more than you were expecting? If so, what other results/benefits did you receive? Yes, because I was expecting nothing and I got good cash settlement from the other party’s insur-ance. Any other comments? I was a pedestrian and hit by two automobiles. The driver’s insurance companies said they would not pay; however, Mr. Brian Brandt was the only attorney who could help. I appreciate all he did for me. Scott R.

Thanks!N

www.BrianBrandt.com | July 2015 | 32 | July 2015 | www.BrianBrandt.com

309 North Euclid Ave.Upland, CA 91786www.BrianBrandt.com Santa Ana1851 E. First Street, Suite 900Santa Ana, CA 92705

Had an accident?Order Attorney Brian

Brandt’s free book Braving the Accident Jungle - Your

Guide to Avoiding Predatory Insurance Companies

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Visit www.BrianBrandt.com

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tread carefullyFollowing the recent death of Silicon Valley entrepreneur David Goldberg—who reportedly fell off a treadmill and suffered head trauma—questions have been raised about treadmill safety. According to the Consumer Product Safety Commission, treadmills are responsible for more injuries than any other type of exercise equipment. From 2003–2012, over 24,000 injuries prompting hospital ER visits and 30 deaths were attributed to treadmill use (although heart attacks played a role in some cases).

When using a treadmill, it’s best to follow these safety tips:

• Don’t start the machine while standing on the belt. Straddle the deck, start the treadmill, then step onto the belt. • Stay 6–8 inches away from the control to avoid accidental changes of speed. • Look forward. Don’t look down at your feet or to the side, which can cause you to lose your balance and tumble.• Limit distractions. Talking on your iPhone or other device can cause you to drift down the belt without realizing it.• Never leave the machine running unattended. Young kids are curious and may attempt to step onto the treadmill. Moving parts can

also pinch, burn, or lacerate fingers and hands.• If the belt is moving too quickly, place your feet on the deck and adjust the speed.• Make sure your home treadmill is properly maintained per manufacturer instructions.

To be fair, you are far more likely to be killed by lightning than by using a treadmill. Like any product, if a treadmill is not utilized prop-erly, injuries can happen. ■