The Dangers That Come With Drunk Driving

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Drinking has many health benefits
Drinking alcohol isn’t necessarily bad. In fact regular (but moderated) intake of alcoholic drinks has health benefits that can really improve one’s overall health condition. However, too much of everything can’t be good for you. High alcohol levels can get one drunk, make them lose their inhibitions and at times, make them do things that they’d regret later on.

Drunk Driving is bad.
Because it can make someone lose his or her concentration, drinking and driving are some things that don’t really get along well. It does not matter if one person has a strong sense of control; alcohol will still have an effect to one’s driving. You lose your reflexes, and your senses don’t seem as sharp as when you are sober. This makes you unable to react quickly to various hazards that come your way. Moreover, one becomes more daring when they are drunk, leading to irresponsible maneuvers and ultimately, accidents. According to a group of Los Angeles personal injury lawyers, drunk driving has been the cause of thousands of recorded road accidents in the country. These have caused thousands of injuries and deaths every year.

An accident caused by drinking
One Sunday morning, an accident happened that got eight injured people rushed to the hospital for treatment. According to police reports, an alleged drunk driver rammed the vehicle that he or she was driving on two cars that were on an intersection, waiting for their time to pass. The impact caused a multi-vehicle collision causing the damage to the cars and injuries to the victims.

Government efforts to stop drunk driving
Given the extent of the accidents caused by these incidents of drunk driving, the government has been doing their best, coming up with new programs to help make people realize further the bad effects of drunk driving. Also DUI checkpoints are done every now and then to apprehend drunk drivers. These along with the implementation of anti-drunk driving laws are some of the measures being taken by the government to help prevent, if not stop DUI accidents from happening.

As a driver, you are given a great responsibility of being control a victim. As this is more of a privilege than a right, you should be responsible when you are behind the wheel of a vehicle and try to put safety on top of your priorities.

Everything You Need to Know This Motorcycle Safety Awareness Month

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The month of May is Motorcycle Safety Awareness Month. As such, federal and state traffic safety organizations and traffic law enforcement agencies are making it a point to raise awareness about how to safely maneuver the motorcycle on the road. This national initiative does not only cater to riders, but also to motorists in general who share the road with the former.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) is once again spearheading this awareness campaign. U.S. Department of Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood has expressed his optimism with it, saying that safe riding and cooperation among all road users must be increased to essentially reduce the number of deaths and injuries in U.S. roadways.

Aside from the NHTSA providing pointers to both motorcyclists and motorists on how to share the road with each other, the federal traffic safety agency is also raising awareness about how dangerous motorcycle accidents can be. These include statistics and other vital information with regard to such unfortunate occurrences.

Here are some them:

• NHTSA statistics for the year 2011 showed that 4,612 motorcyclists died on U.S. roadways. This was a 2-percent increase from the previous year. Said figure accounted for 14 percent of all highway deaths. Per vehicle mile, it is said that motorcyclists are 30 times more likely to get killed in a crash than vehicle occupants, and 5 times more likely to get injured.
• The primary cause of death of motorcyclists in the U.S. is head injury. This is due to the lack of helmet usage. With helmets, the estimated number of lives saved, according to the NHTSA, was more than 1,600 in 2011.
• Another common cause of accident deaths involving motorcycles is alcohol consumption. About 42 percent of motorcycle riders who died in single-vehicle crashes in 2011 had blood alcohol concentration levels of 0.08 or higher. Said percentage was the highest among any other driver. In addition, the likelihood of injury or death in alcohol-induced motorcycle riding is greater at night than during the day.

These important pieces of information would benefit a lot of motorcyclists in avoiding accidents on the road. Meanwhile, every Los Angeles motorcycle attorney is hoping that awareness of safely motorcycle riding must not only observed this month, but all year round as well.

NHTSA’s Reminders Regarding Sharing the Road with Motorcyclists

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The month of May is Motorcycle Safety Awareness Month. It is a national initiative that seeks to encourage motorists and motorcyclists to look out and “share the road” with each other, and the U.S. Department of Transportation’s National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) is one of the many traffic safety organizations to spearhead the said awareness campaign.

Statistics from the NHTSA shows that despite the decrease in auto accident deaths in the United States over the years, mishaps involving motorcycles otherwise increased, especially during the past 14 years. The only exception was in 2009, where there was a 16-percent decline.

Part of the NHTSA’s aim this Motorcycle Safety Awareness Month is to provide motorists the knowledge as to how to deal with motorcyclists on the road. As such, the federal traffic safety agency has a list of reminders for drivers to help prevent motorcycle deaths and injuries. Here are some of them:

• Avoid distracted driving. This will prevent collisions with motorcyclists and other further tragic consequences.
• Use signal lights before changing lanes or merging with traffic. That way, motorcyclists will be able to determine which lane to position, therefore avoiding collisions.
• Check rear view and side mirrors while entering or leaving a lane. A motorcyclist can be hidden in a vehicle’s blind spot, which is why the motorist must check both mirrors before making a turn at the intersection or while changing lanes.
• Provide motorcyclists the right of way. Give the motorcyclist enough time to turn left or right on an intersection or making a lane change before proceeding.
• Always look out for road hazards. What may seem to be a minor inconvenience for a motorist may be a major one for a motorcyclist. The latter may change speed or adjust position upon encountering road hazards such as potholes, gravel, and wet and slippery surfaces, among others.
• Allow distance when following a motorcycle. This is recommended since motorcycles stop quicker than most vehicles, especially when they make a maneuver or a full stop.

Meanwhile, every Los Angeles auto accident attorney agrees with the NHTSA’s reminders, likewise advising car, truck, and other four-wheeled vehicles to watch out and share the road with other motorcyclists.

All of the Sudden, Traffic Deaths in the United States Increased

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The latest National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) statistics was for the year 2011, where the traffic agency recorded a total of 32,367 fatalities from motor vehicle crashes in the United States. Said figure was the lowest number of fatalities since 1949, and was also a nearly 2-percent decline in the number of people killed from the previous year (32,999, 2010 statistics).

NHTSA Administrator David Strickland credited such decrease in the 2011 motor vehicle deaths to improved driving behavior, vehicle safety, and educational and awareness campaigns against drunk driving and for the importance of seat belt use. However, the traffic safety agency may have some explaining to do after early estimates of motor vehicle traffic deaths for 2012 showed alarming statistics.

Apparently, the number of traffic fatalities in the United States spiked from the 2011 total to a staggering 34,080, which is utterly surprising. This was a 5.3 percent increase compared to the previous year, and once the true statistics are finalized late this year or next year, the United States will see its first year-to-year increase in fatalities since 2005.

The increase was also seen in terms of seasons, geography, and the type of motor vehicle accident involved. To begin with, the vehicle miles traveled last year rose by 0.3 percent in 2012, which was attributed to the fact that the economy improved, with more and more people purchasing vehicles.

Also, with regard to seasons, a 12.6 percent increase in deaths was seen in winter, among that of spring, summer, and fall of 2012. Every quarter of the year 2012 also saw a large increase in traffic deaths than in every same quarter during the previous year.

Geographically, fatalities in motor vehicle accidents went up in the Northeast by more than 15 percent, which was the most among other geographical regions in the U.S. The South also saw a significant increase with about 10 percent, and the West comprising California, Arizona, and Hawaii topping it all off with an increase of 9 percent.

What seems to be a steady six-year decline in traffic fatalities leading up to two years ago quickly became a quick reversal in 2012. Hope that these statistics will serve as a reminder of how dangerous traffic accidents can be. Every Los Angeles vehicle accident lawyer, though, still advises motorists to exercise safety while traveling on U.S. roadways.

Woman Loses Her Life after Losing Control of Her Bike

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Motorcycle riding is one fun hobby. It offers simple mobility, letting you go from one place to another. It lets you feel the warmth of the sun, the cool breeze, and at times, the very cold rain. Being subjected to the elements, a motorcycle ride gives you a sense of freedom as you don’t have to travel inside a cage-like structure like that on a car. Whenever you travel with a motorcycle, you feel more connected to your surroundings, a better feel of what’s around you.

Motorcycle riding can be dangerous
On the other hand, one rider must realize that motorcycle riding can be a little more dangerous compared to driving a car. You have to balance a bike to prevent yourself from falling, plus its easier for you to get injured should you figure in an accident. This is what happened to a female motorcyclist recently.

According to reports by the Redding Police Department, one unidentified woman was riding along with her husband on separate motorcycles during the afternoon around Bramble Place. For reasons unknown, the husband rode ahead, the wife was then left to ride alone. Not long after, the woman lost control of her bike, leaving the roadway and colliding with a building at the Bramble Creek Apartments on Victor Avenue. Paramedics soon came to rescue the injured woman and she was transported to Mercy Medical Center to be treated of her injuries. However, the woman later died because of the severity of her injuries.

This incident, according to a Los Angeles motorcycle attorney happens a lot with motorcycle riders. Citing a report from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), this lawyer said that motorcycle riders are 37 times more likely to die from injuries sustained because of motorcycle accidents. Also, motorcycle riders are 9 times more likely to be injured compared to their car driver counterparts. This data was derived from a 2007 NHTSA study.

That is why this lawyer reminds every motorcycle rider to exercise more caution while riding their bikes, or avoid long-distance rides if possible. He believes that while bikes can be safe, there are too many risks that affect a rider’s safety. If riding can’t avoid riding, one has to make sure that he or she has all of the safety gear that riders should wear and ride on moderate speeds.

Los Angeles Couple Gets Justice for Their Child’s Wrongful Death

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For parents, nothing is more important than being able to raise your kids. Being your very purpose in this world, you only want the best for your children. One of the most painful thing that can happen to parents is to see their kids die before them. But what if your child’s death is caused by somebody else’s fault? That could easily be the worst thing ever right?

Challenges of having a special child
Raising a normal kid is hard as it is. Raising a child with disabilities is simply harder. They have special needs and therefore require more attention and caring. Despite these hardships, you will still do anything that you can to ensure that they are well taken care of and that their needs are provided for. In these situations, you’d probably hire professionals that can help you give the best possible care for your kids. But what happens when the people you hired failed to do their jobs and instead cause your child’s demise?

Deadly caregivers
One California couple has lost their daughter, a woman diagnosed with schizophrenia, died due to suffocation in the presence of her caregivers. According to the investigation, 33-year-old victim got mad after one of the caregivers took a photo of her. She started to get violent prompting the caregivers to restrain her in the room. However, the victim was improperly restrained in her bed, causing her to suffocate. To make matters worse, the caregivers don’t know how to administer CPR, failing to revive the victim.

The Battle for justice
Any parent would do anything to get people responsible for their child’s death accountable for their actions, or the lack of it. That is why, the couple asked the help of a Los Angeles wrongful death lawyer and filed the proper complaint against the caregivers and the company that hired them. After a taxing legal battle, the couple was awarded $7.7 million payment for damages caused by the victim’s death.

This victory is a proof that medical professionals should have the right training to make sure that their patients get the best care possible. Moreover, this is a great affirmation that the state and federal personal injury laws are working, giving victims the justice that they deserve. While the compensation may not be enough to bring back the life of your child, the thought that you fought for and got justice for their death is what’s more important.

Fatal Chuckwalla Valley Raceway “Recreational Ride” Kills One, and Injures Another

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Speed is fun
Driving fast is one great experience. It is both liberating and exhilarating. That is why it is understandable that while it is extremely dangerous, a lot of people are still into driving fast. Almost every car nut has this need for speed that needs to be fed. As auto experts would say, an Italian tune up, or revving and driving the car fast in certain times can help keep your vehicle running well.

Speed can kill
However, too much of everything can really get you into trouble. Almost every day, you can see news about auto accidents being reported on TV.  According to a Los Angeles car accident attorney, most of the time, the driver’s excessive speeding causes him or her to lose control of his or her vehicle, ending up in a nasty accident. Injuries from car crashes may vary. Some are lucky enough to survive without a scratch. Some, on the other hand have such a tough luck that they don’t manage to get out of these accidents alive.

Speed where it should be
Public roads are there for a reason. It accommodates road users to let people travel from one place to another. Public roads shouldn’t be used for high-speed driving. Even freeways have spit limits to keep them safe and prevent accidents from happening. If you really are into feeding your need for speed, you should bring your vehicle to a race way. Here, you can unleash your car’s full potential and enjoy high-speed runs.

Safety is more important than speed
Now even if you are driving a good performance car in a race circuit, one should not forget to keep safety in mind. Just recently, a car that was used in a recreational ride hit a concrete barrier at the Chuckwalla Valley Raceway in Desert Center, east of Indio. The driver of the car was airlifted to a nearby hospital after suffering from major injuries because of the accident. However, the lady passenger in the car was not as fortunate and died. This is just one proof that accidents can happen even in a controlled environment. That is why, everybody should take the necessary precautions to prevent any more injuries and loss of lives due to speeding.

New NHTSA Survey Reveals Widespread Use of Cell Phones, Electronic Devices While Driving

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The month of April is the National Distracted Driving Awareness Month. As such, every traffic safety agency and advocate, especially the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), is urging motorists to focus more on their driving and become fully aware of the dangers of driving while being distracted with the use of phones and other electronic devices.

In fact, the NHTSA, as a way to further showcase the dangers of distracted driving and at the same time educate the people about how they can avoid it, kicked off the month-long awareness drive by releasing new survey results showing that majority of the Americans still use electronic devices while driving amidst the continuous warnings from the federal traffic agency.

The 2011 National Occupation Protection Use Survey revealed that all over America, around 660,000 drivers either tinker on their cell phones or fidget on electronic devices while driving at any given daylight moment. The said figure was relatively the same as the previous year. Notably, other NHTSA data revealed that about 387,000 people were injured in distracted driving-related crashes in 2011 and more than 3,300 were killed.

The survey data, which was first revealed via a press statement from the NHTSA released today, was a collation of obtained statistics from the 2012 Distracted Driving Attitudes and Behaviors Survey and the 2011 National Occupation Protection Use Survey on Driver Electronic Use. In other highlights from the survey data, the 2012 National Survey on Distracted Driving Attitudes and Behaviors revealed that 74 percent of respondent-drivers support hand-held cell phone use ban, while 94 percent of them likewise support the texting ban.

Department of Transportation Sec. Ray LaHood described distracted driving as “a serious and deadly epidemic on America’s roadways.” He went on to say that “powering down your cell phone when you’re behind the wheel can save lives – maybe even your own.”

Right now, a total of 39 U.S. states, including the District of Columbia, disallow texting while driving for all drivers. Moreover, 10 states plus the District of Columbia ban using handheld cell phones and other devices while behind the wheel.

In line with this month’s events, the Department of Transportation reminds drivers to turn off electronic devices and putting them out of reach before taking on the road, as well as to use safety seat belts all the time. Meanwhile, every Los Angeles auto accident attorney supports this awareness campaign on the federal level, hoping that the accidents caused by distracted driving will lessen, if not fully eradicated.

When the Joy in Joyrides End

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Joyrides on highways are such a great thing to do. Speed gives you that feeling of adrenaline. It gets you excited, that help you enjoy your trips better. However, in every fun activity, you should never forget that driving, just like every privilege, comes with a responsibility. That is why while operating a vehicle; one must make sure that you keep safety in mind, above anything else.

Just recently, a vehicle that was running too fast got out of control. This made the car cross the other side of the road, crashing with another car. The wrong-way driver immediately died, as well as the driver from the other vehicle. The police are still trying to investigate what the real cause of the accident was. The authorities are once again, also looking into the possibility of alcohol or drugs, causing the accident.

Alcohol is not necessarily bad, especially when taken in moderation. Oftentimes, alcohol has psychological effects that helps one enjoy better and throw their cares away. Prescription drugs have good effects too but only when taken in proper dosages. On the other hand, prohibited drugs have no positive benefits after all and could only cause health and mental problems for its users.

The government has time and again has shown the negative effects of alcohol and drug abuse. Through the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) as well as other government agencies, federal and state agencies, many programs have been launched and many operations were held, just to put a stop to irresponsible driving and prevent drunk or drugged driving. However, all of these efforts will be put into waste if the general public won’t join the government in looking for solutions.

A Los Angeles personal injury lawyers reminded the public that as a driver or operator of a vehicle, one has the responsibility to make sure that he or she will be driving safely. He has also called on victims of such accidents or their relatives to fight for their rights and file the necessary cases and claims to get those responsible liable for their actions or lack thereof. Joyrides are fun, and you can pump up the fun by injecting a little responsibility while having fun.