Mindblown: a blog about philosophy.

April is National Distracted Driving Awareness Month. Alameda residents may already have seen some ads from the multi-million-dollar media campaign launched by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration aimed at getting drivers to put down their cellphones while behind the wheel. The camp...

You were walking on a pathway through an outdoor patio when you suddenly found yourself falling to the ground. The ground was slick, and you couldn't catch yourself. Being outside, you attempted to grab onto a table or chair before you hit the ground, but there was nothing there. You landed on an...

Dangerous property conditions are commonly associated with buildings, either inside or perhaps in a parking lot or ramp, or on an adjacent sidewalk. An unfortunate accident at a local Alameda park, however, demonstrates that hazardous conditions can lead to injury even in the wide-open outdoors. ...

Accidents take place in Alameda every day, and they can be life-changing events for families who lose a loved one. When we talk about wrongful death claims, we often emphasize the importance of a settlement or jury award in helping to keep a grieving family on solid financial footing. This is par...

When people think of distracted driving, teenagers on their phones is usually the first thing that comes to mind. There's no question that our increasingly screen-focused culture leads some people to poor decisions, such as reading or composing a text while driving. Others may try to take videos,...

An automobile accident in Alameda can inflict injuries that are shocking to witness. Survivors may struggle with obvious impairments, from the loss of limbs to scarring and disfigurement. The professionals at the Law Offices of Leonard S. Becker, APC, know that some serious injuries one could suf...

The slip-and-fall case is something that Alameda residents may be well familiar with. Whether due to a slick sidewalk, parking lot or wet floor, this type of premises liability claim commonly involves compensation for broken bones, soft tissue damage, perhaps even head or brain injuries. However,...

When Alameda residents suffer an injury or trauma to the head, it is crucial to get medical care as soon as possible. After all, these types of injuries are a factor in 50,000 deaths annually in this country. But new information suggests that the type of facility where victims obtain care for a b...

Although the weather in California is almost always motorcycle friendly, there are certain times of year that bikes are more prevalent than others. Spring and summer are prime examples. With spring just around the corner, bikers can benefit from a few safety reminders. The following can help redu...

The Governors Highway Safety Association (GHSA) recently reported auto accidents resulted in almost 6,000 pedestrians' deaths in 2017. The federal agency notes that this is the second year in a row that pedestrian deaths have reached a 25-year high. Why is there an increase in pedestrian deaths? ...

As we discussed recently here on our Alameda personal injury law blog, suffering an injury by slipping and falling can cause serious consequences for which a negligent property owner can be held responsible. But a slippery floor or other surface is just one type of dangerous property condition th...

Auto technology ranges from fairly simple lane assist mechanisms to the more advanced, fully autonomous vehicles of tomorrow. Many of these forms of tech are optional. Not only can driver choose if he or she wants to purchase a vehicle with these advances, but even those that have this technology...

Walmart is no stranger to headlines about customer safety issues in its stores. From Black Friday crowds trampling victims to dangerous individuals wielding weapons in the aisles, the retail giant has made the news for a number of deeply concerning episodes. Yet Alameda residents continue to read...

Big rigs, semitrucks and box trucks are dangerous when they get into crashes because of their sheer weight and size. Moreover, since they're slower moving and poorly maneuvering, they are more at risk of getting into accidents than other types of vehicles. According to the latest statistics, ther...

The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) is tasked with many things, including the prevention of commercial motor vehicle related fatalities and injuries. The agency meets this objective in a number of ways, including the implementation of rigorous standards for commercial drivers'...

A recent study analyzed the impact of marijuana use on fatal accidents. Researchers reviewed car accident data with a focus on one specific day: April 20th. The significance of the day resides within the celebration of a counterculture holiday known as the “High Holiday.” On this day, a number of...

Sometimes, an injury suffered in an accident heals, and the victim makes a full recovery. Other times, the injury is something that the victim must adjust to for the rest of their life. In the case of a brain injury, the injury itself can lead to serious conditions that do not develop until many ...

The National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) recently published a call to the construction industry to join their ongoing campaign: 2018 National Safety Stand-Down to Prevent Falls in Construction. What is this campaign? The campaign is an extension of an ongoing campaign tha...

Technological innovations have made it easier to figure out everything from where to get dinner to the best investment options for retirement funds. One controversial area that is currently under development involves the production of a product referred to as the “Textalyzer” device. What is the ...

The loss of a loved one in a fatal accident is something no Alameda family should ever have to endure. Sadly, far too many people face this reality on a daily basis. A wrongful death lawsuit can help a grieving family protect their financial interests by compensating them for their losses, but th...

The #MeToo movement has opened a dialogue throughout the country. The movement has resulted in more than an opportunity for victims to share stories of sexual assault. It has also led others in Hollywood to feel emboldened enough to voice concerns about working conditions. One example: dangerous ...

A woman recently leashed up her dog and headed out for a walk on a typical California afternoon. Unfortunately this walk did not end with a drink of water and safe return home. While taking her walk, another dog approached and began to attack. The other dog, described by a local newspaper as a pi...

When an Alameda family loses a loved one in a fatal accident, they naturally look to the criminal justice system to punish the negligent driver proportionately to the pain and suffering inflicted. However, when criminal law falls short, victims' families may have other legal options available. Ta...

Ski vacations are a popular way to get out and enjoy the outdoors while taking in some serene winter landscapes. Californians have many options here in the state as well as in neighboring Utah and Colorado. But who exactly is liable in the event of an accident on a ski hill? The answer will depen...

Winter is a particularly difficult time for people in icy places. Slip-and-fall accidents become more common. However, in California, that's not usually the problem. Instead, rainy weather and wet docks make for potential slip-and-fall hazards. If you slip and fall while you're exploring the city...