Driving Violations that Should Be Avoided to Prevent Car Accidents

Car accidents always leave victims devastated physically, mentally, and financially. As it is, victims may likely suffer injuries and incur damages, which could lessen their chance of full recovery if they are not compensated after the mishap.

To show the frequency of the road accidents in the country concerning cars, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has released statistical showing that there were 32,885 fatalities in 2010. Actually, the car accidents in the country have reached an annual number of more than six million cases per year.

Of the approximately three million people who suffered injuries in car accidents, about 65 percent of them have been permanently disabled. Incidentally, one of the states with the highest number of fatalities is California. In the findings of the NTHSA, California has recorded about 2,715 fatalities that same year.

Traffic authorities should help in alleviating the situation by strictly implementing road traffic rules. For the part of the motorists, they should be aware of the common driving violations so that they may avoid them. Here are some of them:

• Driving above and beyond the speed limits;
• Excessive intake of alcohol and other illegal substances that affects a driver’s capacity to handle his car competently;
• Poor vehicle maintenance;
• Failure to abide by the traffic rules and regulations; and
• Driver distractions such as the use of cell phones and excessive conversations with other passengers.

Aggressive Driving: Causes and Prevention

According to the American Automobile Association (AAA), aggressive driving is seen as the primary cause of auto accidents in the United States. The agency said that 56 percent of auto accident deaths were because of aggressive driving behaviors. This was seen as one of the outstanding factors why 32,885 people were killed in 2010 due to road crashes.

For the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), aggressive driving is defined as an occurrence in which a motorist performs a certain or a combination of “moving traffic offenses” that may “endanger other persons or property.”

An aggressive driving behavior can be any one or a combination of the following:

• Venting out emotions while driving;
• Getting distracted by another activity or an event worth seeing while driving;
• Following too closely on rear-end of the preceding vehicle or tailgating;
• Frequently changes lanes which may obstruct the flow of traffic, as well as threaten motorists who are moving only on a certain lane;
• Crossing the intersection at fast speed with no regard to the traffic light; or
• Exceeding the posted speed limit of a certain thoroughfare.

Looking at Teenage Driving Statistics and Causes

Teenagers are less likely to drive than adults. However, teenagers are more likely to get killed in traffic crashes than adults. In fact, in the United States, the fatal crash rate per mile driven for teenagers aged 16 to 19 is nearly 3 times as that of drivers aged 20 and over. Teens aged 16 to 17 have a high crash rate per mile driven that is twice as high as that of teens aged 18 to 19.

Statistics from the Fatality Analysis Reporting System (FARS) of the U.S. Department of Transportation showed that 3,155 teens aged 13 to 19 were killed in vehicle crashes in 2010. Though it is 10 percent fewer than the records in 2009, it accounted to 10 percent of all recorded traffic deaths, which amounted to 32,885.

Immaturity and lack of driving experience are the primary reasons why teenagers die in traffic crashes. What makes teenagers vulnerable to such horrible mishaps is the fact that they engage in activities that they usually do to complement their driving. Here are some of the known distracted driving activities that teenage drivers and passengers do:

Important Pointers about California Motorcycle Accidents

Motorcycle crashes in California are among the leading causes of motorists’ deaths in the state. According to available statistics, in the year 2009, almost 400 people were killed in motorcycle accidents in California. This number presents the real risks involved in riding motorcycles in the state.

In the State of California, different tort laws are in effect; this means that motorcycle riders who were injured in accidents caused by another party may be eligible to claim for a civil case that aims to compensate the victims.

Hence, if a motorcycle rider gets injured due to a distracted motor vehicle driver, the former presses civil charge against the latter in light of California tort law.

In California, motorcycle accident victims may be entitled to different personal injury compensations including, but not limited to:

Is Your Pet Dog a Chow Chow? If So, Then Read This

Chow Chow dogs are known for their unbearable cuteness. But looks could really mask one’s personality and temperament, including these cuddly creatures. These dogs can be very aggressive and hostile to strangers and other animals because of their fiercely protective and territorial disposition.

In fact, according to a study in the Journal of the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA), out of 238 dog bite-related deaths from 1979 to 1998, eight of them were caused by Chow Chows.

Despite the territorial and protective nature of Chow Chows, they should not be treated inhumanely; instead, owners of such dogs should be committed in putting up the ante in raising and training their pets to avoid dog bites or attacks.

Common Negligent Acts of Motorcyclists that Lead to Personal Injury Case

Los Angeles motorcyclists who do not want to face personal injury charges should know how to act accordingly while on the road. Motorcycle accidents are not a phenomenon in Los Angeles—in fact, every year, dozens of people die as a result of such accidents.

Based on the data provided by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), in the year 2009 alone, almost 400 people were killed in motorcycle mishaps in the State of California. Although this number is relatively low as compared to other fatality rates associated with other types of motor vehicles, motorcycle accidents are still regarded detrimental to the traffic safety of the state.

In relation to this, motorcycle riders in Los Angeles should practice safe and responsible riding at all times to avoid injuring themselves and other people, and facing civil lawsuits.

The following are the common negligent actions of motorcycle riders that result in accidents and personal injury lawsuits:

About the Possibility of Self-driving Cars in the Next Few Years

Since time immemorial, many people have been thinking of what the future would look like. Movies, such as the “Back to the Future” trilogy, have showcased the possibility of going back through time.

Although science is yet to close in on discovering a possible time-space portal, the thought of it fascinates people nonetheless.

Now, have you ever heard of driverless cars?

Before, many people thought it was just a product of science fiction. But with the recent developments in technology from the past few decades up to the present time, it is not impossible that this generation is nearing the turning point in which cars won’t require drivers anymore.

Indeed, the realm of motoring today is on the verge of an innovation.

In recent years, automakers have been working on what is called “autonomous car technology.” Carmakers such as Audi AG, BMW AG, Ford Motor Co., and Volvo have been slowly developing certain features that would allow drivers to sit back and relax as such cars operate on their own. One of these features includes the “autopilot” function.

Aside from these carmakers, Google, the giant web company known for providing Internet-related products and services, has also took on the path to autonomous car technology. In fact, it has already developed a dozen computer-controlled Toyota Prius units equipped with such technology. Surprisingly, after running some tests, these cars have already logged more than 300,000 miles without any accidents.

Personal Injuries in California

Many readers may read articles regarding personal injury cases filed in the State of California. However, some of them may not have the slightest clue to what they are. 

Simply put, personal injury is defined as the damage that done to a person’s body, mind, or emotions. This is the common complaint filed against those who are liable in car crashes, truck collisions, and even in boat accidents. 

In addition, there are actually more categories to which personal injury cases are divided. These include:

Dissecting Known Outside Distractions of Drivers

Distracted driving is considered one of the growing pains of drivers in the United States. Recent studies showed that nearly 10 percent of all fatal crashes were partly due to drivers who were not focused behind the wheel. Such drivers may be distracted, asleep or fatigued, if not “lost in thought.”

According to the University of North Carolina Highway Safety Research Center, nearly 284,000 drivers involved in traffic crashes every year were distracted. In the said study, the researchers also found that 29 percent of the time, a driver is likely to get distracted by something or someone outside of the car. Age is one factor why outside distractions dominate over other kinds of distracted driving.

Safety Tips and Devices to Prevent Propeller Strike Accidents

Proper boat operation and management is crucial in maintaining safety of everyone – passengers and operators alike. As it is, a boat is not something that should be taken with little consideration. Otherwise, a boating and/or drowning accident may follow. It is then where Los Angeles injury attorneys specializing in drowning accidents come in.

Meanwhile, despite the minimal statistics indicating the extent and frequency of propeller strike-related accident made available to the public, people should not belittle its capacity to injure. In fact, a man was reported to be seriously injured while he was tubing. Apparently, his leg was struck by the propeller of the boat that was pulling him.

Propeller facts

Dog Bites: One of the Leading Causes of Personal Injury

Dog bites are among the leading causes of personal injury in the United States these days. Consequently, more and more Americans fall victim to this mishap, which is most of the time caused by the negligence of some dog owners.

According to the records of the website DogsBite.org, there were about 1,000 Americans who needed emergency treatment after they were bitten by such animals. DogsBite.org has documented numerous cases of dog attacks on humans for public reference. They also warn irresponsible dog owners of the consequences of neglect. In addition, the website presented the following information, which encapsulates the facts of dog bites through 1982 until 2010:

Accidents Classified Under Wrongful Death

It could be utterly unimaginable for some people to lose a loved one to an accident. Others may feel anger or hatred towards the person, organization, company or entity that they think is responsible for the event. On the other hand, such feeling is perfectly justifiable, and the surviving relatives of the decedent could even file for a complaint under the wrongful death category in court. 

Wrongful death is legally defined as the act of taking the life of a person brought by the negligence of another. Relatives can ask people to assist them during the different processes involved in litigation. Most probably, the case occurred in highly populated areas with a lot of road activities. If the case happened in California, the decedent’s relatives may hire the services of a brilliant Los Angeles wrongful death lawyer who possesses in-depth knowledge regarding such premises. 

Tips for Motorists Driving on Rainy Weather

People always tend to ignore the weather conditions whenever they drive. They forget to realize that these are actually among the elements that lead to accidents. A bad road condition due to slimy mud, fog, or strong winds are more than enough to confuse any driver.

One of the most common of all weather conditions is when it is raining hard. It creates a slippery path and dimly lit surroundings, which might block the view of the road of any driver.

About Whiplash Injury Sustained in Road Accidents

Accidents on the road are quite common in the United States, particularly in the State of California. From the data presented by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), in 2008 alone, there were already 711 traffic fatalities reported in Los Angeles, one of the most prominent cities in the state. Incidentally, the number of fatalities in the area is already considered high, given the fact that the State of California is one of the most accident-prone states in the United States.

As it is, motorists involved in these occurrences may have incurred various injuries that range from mild to serious. One particular form of injury that can be sustained by motorist in vehicular accidents is the whiplash.

Whiplash is defined as an injury from a sudden change in motion that comes quickly after the impact of a road accident.

Things to Always Keep Handy in Your Car

It is a given fact that at any point during your trip, your car could suddenly break down.

According to the Automobile Association of America (AAA), the largest emergency roadside assistance organization in the U.S., some 29 to 30 million roadside emergencies occur every year. While 3 of 5 assistance calls are fixed by the AAA without any tow help, others are quite difficult, especially when help is not nearby.

As such, the chances of receiving aid after a car breakdown would always vary, depending on the location and the condition of the road and the weather outside. To avoid such inconvenience, it would be best if you are prepared, regardless whether the trip is a long or short one. By being prepared would mean having an emergency road kit and keeping it always inside your car.

Here are some things that should always be kept handy inside your car in case of emergency:

Different Insurance Coverage in Construction Liability

Most construction site employees probably have certain fears and reservations regarding their safety. As such, it is important to know what types of insurance coverage apply to the construction business.

Have a quick read of this list:

Product Liability Insurance. It is a type of a general liability insurance to be owned by any corporation that includes dealing with the customers or individuals in general. This insurance, as part of construction insurance, aids the corporation in the event that any damage to third party property or people is accidentally committed by workers or by the equipment used in construction.

Contractors All Risks Insurance. It is a type of insurance that is customized for construction firms. It basically offers assistance for contractual works of new residences, abrupt stoppage of on-going works of new houses, stealing of construction materials or equipment, or owned or hired plants. Hence, this insurance serves as an aid for the frequently sustained injuries in the construction process.

Employers Liability Insurance. It is a type of insurance that protects employees the most. Employers are liable for the health and security of their employees at construction site. Employers must have the knowledge regarding the condition of the construction area so that quick and effective remedy will be rendered in case the needs arise.

Personal Accident Insurance. It is a type of insurance that is established for the benefit of business partners, managers, or property owners. This is highly helpful in providing assistance during the period for which the injured individual cannot get any income.

Determining liability in construction accident is a difficult business due to the rigid process of litigation plus the possible lack of evidence to prove what or who really caused the accident. The injured party must be careful enough in choosing legal representative so that favorable result will be achieved.

Hire a personal injury lawyer Los Angeles immediately to know your legal rights and get the chance to recover your damages. The compensation that you may receive will most likely cover your past and future lost wages, hospital fee, medicine costs, and pain and suffering.

Motorcycle User Hazards: The Causes of Rider Injuries and Deaths

The rate of motorcycle users all over the world is currently rising. Most analysts refer to this as the result of the continuous fuel price increases. Most people wanted to shift to a cost efficient way of transportation. This is the reason why car owners are now opting to ride motorcycles rather than their previous vehicles. On the other hand, the high rate of motorcycle riders is also blamed for the numerous accidents, which take place in the country these days.

Accordingly, the National Highway traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) affirms that motorcycle riders are often involved in road accidents through its Fatality Analysis Reporting System (FARS).

According to the report, there were 4,462 traffic fatalities in the U.S. just in 2009. Apparently, there are numerous factors that specialists attribute to the increase in the rate of motorcycle mishaps. These include the following:

·         Less body protection – In contrast with cars, motorcycles do not thoroughly protect the body of its drivers from collisions. The riders only rely on their frail body gears for safety. If a rider was thrown off the vehicle by the impact of the crash, the chance of survival would be lesser, unlike with cars that have seatbelts and airbags.

·         Low visibility – Riders often wear dark clothing as fashion statements; an act that places them in unnecessary risks, since many motorists may not see them at night. Motorcycles are also far lighter than other vehicles, and the impact of the crash would inflict more harm on riders.

·         Needs more balancing – Unlike cars, the motorcycle only has two wheels. This means that once a rider fails to balance the vehicle, the risk of falling is great.  Such incident may lead to grave injuries, or even death.

As it is, motorcycle riders are greatly probable of getting into mishaps. Therefore, it is imperative to advise them on the necessary things to do once an accident happens. As a suggestion, they may look for a Los Angeles vehicle accident lawyer if they are residing in California. This person is adept in the practical details of the litigation process. Accordingly, he or she and could even explain the important terms of the case under personal injury.

Spinal Cord Injury: Hindering People from Fulfilling Life Activities

People normally experience occasional injury. On the other hand, if this injury is amplified to a certain degree, then it might hinder that person from fulfilling certain life activities. This impediment thus affects the victim not only physically but also emotionally. Stating all of these adverse effects, vehicle accidents come to mind. 

Meanwhile, one of the places where vehicle accidents are prevalent includes the State of California. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), there were some 2,715 traffic fatalities in the area in 2010.  Therefore, there is a great possibility that those who survived the crashes had sustained grievous injuries. 

One of this is the spinal cord injury (SCI). SCI’s are defined as the result of trauma where the nerve roots of the spinal cord are often severed and the part below the injury is affected that would in the end lead to the paralysis of the victim.

In addition, the spine may have fractures and it may be crushed or dislocated due to the impact of the mishap. This ends in the impediment of the movements of the patients. Consequently, they may be frustrated and depressed as a result of these. 

Additionally, SCI’s are considered by many medical specialists as a “traitor ailment” because once left undiagnosed, the SCI can aggravate the condition of the victim. Some patients who knew of their condition quite late were completely paralyzed. If left untreated for a long time, certain patients even suffer vegetative coma.

Personal Injury Cases and the Corresponding Tort Laws within United States and California

 

Personal injury cases happen worldwide. Personal injury is often defined as the emotional, mental, and physical damages that a victim sustains due to an accident brought by the negligence of another person. Incidentally, one of the countries known for the occurrence of many accidents that are classified under personal injury is the United States.

According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), about 30,797 fatalities were recorded as the result of vehicle crashes all over the country.  One of the states with the leading number of casualties was identified as California. In 2009, the said state recorded about 3,081 traffic fatalities.

In case the victim of the mishap is looking for specific laws that would assert his or her rights in court, the tort laws are the perfect reference. Torts are defined as a civic wrongdoing that ended in an act that violated other people’s rights. This meant that tort violations occur when a person fails to do his or her obligations under the general law. It is necessary to state that the injury was inflicted due to carelessness.

Incidentally, during court litigations, it would be definitely hard to prove this but through the help of a Los Angeles injury attorney, such task can be accomplished.

This professional has the capacity to gather evidences as well as witnesses for the case. He or she can even lessen the red tape within offices to facilitate the fast processing of his or her client’s documents. As added information for those who would like to file for a complaint under personal injury, they must prove that the following violations were committed against the tort laws: