We don’t usually consider that 15 mph could make the difference between walking through the front door or not, but in the early hours of July 4, it made all the difference for two local residents.
As personal injury attorneys, we know this story all too well. For us, every accident is a story, a family, a moment of suffering, and an opportunity for healing. [Read more…]
Checking your smartphone while driving is tough to resist for many people. Whether it’s to read the latest Twitter feed, see who “liked” a Facebook post or take a photo to share on Snapchat or Instagram, people check their phones constantly. Numerous studies conducted about cell phone usage while driving has shown that it causes distractions and often leads to accidents. And in some states, including California, all hands-on use of cell phones is against the law. California’s new restrictions on cell phone usage took effect in January of this year. [Read more…]
As soon as you pull out onto the road, you are responsible not only for the safety of yourself and your passengers, but also for the safety of the other drivers on the road. The National Safety Council defines defensive driving as, “driving to save lives, time, and money, in spite of the conditions around you and the actions of others.” Many drivers get behind the wheel without being conscious of the risk that is involved, and how their driving techniques affect the safety of others around them. The next time you get behind the wheel, keep these defensive driving techniques in mind.
The new bill, signed by governor Jerry Brown, expands on the current cell phone restrictions already in place. Effective January 1st, all hands-on cell phone use while behind the wheel will be illegal. This will include social media use, searching the Internet, music browsing, and GPS programming. The new bill, AB 1785, was created in response to the growing amount of social media use while driving, particularly in heavy, slow traffic. This has resulted in an increased amount of accidents and distracted driving since the previous bills, SB 1613 in 2006 prohibiting phone calls and SB 28 in 2008 prohibiting texting, were put into place.
Unexpected storms can be a nightmare on the road, causing frequent fender-benders and slowing traffic. The chaos caused by rain is an inconvenience for everyone on the road, but can be potentially life threatening for motorcyclists. While you can’t always predict the weather, sudden rainfall may catch you off guard. Riding in the rain is an important skill to have to ensure your safety and the safety of those around you.
Automotive recalls are an inevitable part of the car owner experience. Last year, there were approximately 900 recalls, affecting more than 50 million vehicles in the US. While common and sometimes minor, these recalls are enacted to keep drivers safe. However, 25% of recalled vehicles are left unrepaired. With so many drivers on the road, an unsafe vehicle puts the driver and those around the driver at risk. Understanding the seriousness of automotive recalls is the first step in improving safety and even saving lives.
Photo Courtesy of Uber
Uber has become a very popular means of transportation in the last couple of years. With more than 8 million users, 160,000 drivers, and active in more than 50 different countries, it is quickly becoming a regular means of transportation for a lot of people.
However, with any vehicle that you decide to ride in, you need to make sure you do what you can to stay safe. After all, more than 2 million people are injured in car accidents in the US every year.
Uber knows this, and goes to great lengths to ensure the safety of their riders.
However, even with all the background and safety checks that they do, there are still things that can go wrong and it’s important that you do your part to keep yourself safe. [Read more…]
With Memorial Day comes the unofficial start of the summer season. The summer months provide a time for many Southern California residents to enjoy the warmer temperatures and to enjoy more leisurely activities such as bike riding, motorcycle riding and the opportunity to take vacations and road trips.
