Category Archives: Blog

Car Accidents On and Around College Campuses

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College Students in a Lecture hall

Summer is finally beginning to wind down. For most of us, this time of year simply means cooler weather and watching the leaves change color. But for thousands of college students across Colorado, the months of August and September mean the return of daily lectures, all-nighters spent writing papers, and, of course, driving to and from campus each day.

As students return to college campuses across the state this autumn, we will once again see a significant increase in the number of cars, bicycles, and pedestrians on and around our streets. This increase in traffic, combined with Colorado’s already hilly roads, brings an increased risk of traffic accidents. With this in mind, it’s a good idea to be aware of any increased traffic congestion in your area as well as some of the most common traffic accidents involving college-aged students in order to keep yourself and your family safe this fall. Continue reading →

9 Common Causes of Car Accidents – What you Need to Know

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Car accidents can lead to property loss, injury, or even death. Unfortunately accidents are common in the Denver area, but what can you do to prevent them? The first step in prevention is to identify the most common causes. Dianne Sawaya, personal injury attorney in Denver Colorado created this visual chart to walk you through what you need to know about common causes of accidents.

Click the image below to view the infographic.

Sawaya-Common-Causes-of-Car-Accidents

Hoverboards: Dangerous or Not?

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hoverboardOn Monday, February 29, a group of students at the University of Colorado was playing video games when an electronic hoverboard that was sitting motionless while it charged just a few feet away from them suddenly exploded.

As FOX 31 KDVR News reported, the explosion luckily did not harm any of the students, but it left a scene that “looked like the aftermath of a raucous party.”

Gabriel Rojas, one of the students present at the time, brought the hoverboard to the apartment of friend Mohamed Almansoori, who lives at The Province on 28th Street in Boulder. Rojas explained to ABC 7 News that the device was only plugged into the wall for about five minutes and then “it just started sparking and exploded everywhere.”

“The fire was just getting bigger and bigger. It popped once, like fireworks, and it kept exploding more, like flames and stuff.”

Rojas explained that he didn’t think the device was a risk; even though he had heard stories about hoverboards smoking and erupting in flames, he had assumed that his device was less risky because it was a high-quality product.

Rojas’ surprise is one that many Americans would likely have. If these electronic devices are so dangerous, how could they be legally sold in the United States? Data from the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission shows that the department is currently investigating 66 different hoverboard fire cases that have happened over the past year.

Around two weeks after the incident in Boulder, the International Trade Commission announced that the U.S. would be banning imports of hoverboards—oddly enough, this ban is not because of the safety risks involved but because the technology used in hoverboards potentially violates copyright protections belonging to Segway. As the Huffington Post described it, Segways now seem like “the hoverboard’s nerdy uncle.” Even though Segways use handlebars for balancing while hoverboards balance on their own, the technology used in the devices is far too similar for Segway’s comfort.

Although it’s a shame that the ban wasn’t decided based on the clear safety risks of hoverboards, the good news is that these potentially deadly electronics will likely dwindle in popularity—at least for a short time.

Still, hoverboards are legal in the U.S. and it is still possible to obtain them. It is unknown at this time if the company making hoverboards will be held liable for injuries caused by the items, but this seems like a classic case of product liability. Should injured victims of exploding hoverboards choose to file a personal injury claim, it is likely that the company would be held responsible for the injuries.

If you’ve been injured in an accident that involves product liability, such as a hoverboard, be sure to contact the experienced personal injury attorneys at The Law Offices of Dianne L. Sawaya LLC in Denver, Colorado.

The Top 3 Anti-Drunk Driving Commercials

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  1. “Friends Don’t Let Friends Drive Drunk”
    When The Ad Council first launched a campaign about drunk driving in 1983, the goal was to encourage people to stop their friends from getting behind the wheel after having a few too many drinks. According to The Ad Council, nearly seven out of 10 Americans say that they’ve tried to prevent someone from driving drunk since the launch of the campaign. This was one of the first commercials to address the problem of drunk driving in the U.S.
  2. “Sir, Have You Been Drinking Tonight?”
    If one anti-DUI commercial sticks out in your mind, it is probably this one. Drunk driving awareness commercials have come a long way since using basic scare tactics to get their message across.
  3. “Friends Are Waiting”
    This commercial was Budweiser’s first crack at a drunk driving PSA for its Super Bowl commercial, and there’s no doubt that it worked.

Your Denver Attorneys

At The Law Offices of Dianne Sawaya, LLC, our legal team is concerned with drunk driving, too. Our Denver-based legal team is dedicated to making sure that the victims of drunk driving accidents can access the legal assistance they need to seek injury compensation. If you or a family member has been injured in a DUI accident, contact The Law Offices of Dianne Sawaya, LLC today.

What You Need to Know About Slip and Falls

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Did you know slip and falls are the most common cause of traumatic brain injuries? How about on average you can lose 11 days of pay because of a slip and fall? Dianne Sawaya, personal injury attorney in Denver Colorado created this visual chart to walk you through what you need to know about slip and falls.

Click on the image below to see the full infographic.

Click the image above to view the infographic.

Most Common Workers’ Comp Injuries [Infographic]

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An injury can happen when you least expect it, even to the most cautious worker. However, by recognizing the most common types of workers’ compensation injuries you can be more prepared to avoid situations which could put you in danger of harming yourself or others. To learn more about the most common injuries view the infographic below, and to learn more about the workers’ compensation process, click here.
Dianne Sawaya Workers' Compensation

What do you do if you get in a slip and fall accident in a grocery store?

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Bananas in grocery storeIn 2011, the Colorado Supreme Court affirmed a $15 million judgment awarded to a woman who fell at a Greeley Walmart. The superstore had appealed the jury verdict; however, it was upheld by the court. Slip and fall accidents can cause severe, traumatic injuries. You can suffer permanent disability from a slip and fall accident. Therefore, it is in your best interest to know what to do if you slip and fall in any store or commercial setting.

Steps to Take after a Slip and Fall Accident

  1. Seek immediate medical attention. Your health is the most important thing; therefore, seek medical attention immediately after a slip and fall accident regardless of the location. If you cannot move, have someone call for emergency medical services. If you are able to move and you feel your injuries do not require EMS, see your family doctor as soon as possible. Even if you do not believe you are suffering from a serious injury, the aches and pains you feel may be an indication of a much more serious medical condition.
  2. Preserve your clothing and shoes. Put the clothing and shoes you were wearing at the time of the slip and fall accident in a sealed bag for your attorney. This may be needed as evidence in your claim.
  3. Report the accident. Report the slip and fall accident to the property owner and/or manager or supervisor. Request a copy of the written accident report before you leave the store. Obtain the name(s) of all managers and supervisors notified of the slip and fall accident.
  4. Take photographs of the accident scene. If you cannot take photographs, ask someone to take them for you. The store will likely correct the hazardous condition that caused your slip and fall accident; therefore, having pictures of the scene as it was when you fell is very important.
  5. Obtain eyewitness information. If anyone witnessed the fall, ask for names and contact information for each person. Eyewitness testimony is very helpful in a slip and fall case.
  6. Begin a journal. Take photographs of your injuries and begin writing in a journal. Make notes of what doctors say, how the injuries limit your normal activities, your pain level, and your state of mind. This information will help your attorney as he or she begins preparing a settlement offer to present to the store.
  7. Contact a Denver slip and fall attorney immediately. The store’s attorneys and insurance company will begin an investigation immediately to try to mitigate its liability. Their goal is to pay you as little as possible for your slip and fall claim. You need to even the playing field by hiring an experienced slip and fall lawyer who will aggressively pursue the retail store to ensure you receive the maximum compensation allowable under Colorado’s personal injury laws.

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