Important Benefits of Using Bicycle Helmet in California

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If you know how to ride a bicycle, you should also know how to protect yourself from road accidents. Bicycle mishaps in the United States are fairly common; in fact, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), in 2009 alone, about 900 people died in bicycle accidents.

Because of the relative frequency of bicycle accidents in the country, the State of California implements certain traffic rules to address the issue. One of the staple bicycle-related traffic rules in California is the bicycle helmet law or the Vehicle Code (VC) 21212. Under this rule, bicycle riders under the age of 18 are required to wear bicycle helmet when riding their bicycles.

Bicycle helmets play an important role in saving bicyclists’ lives from accident-induced injuries like traumatic brain injury. These helmets are proven to be effective in keeping bicyclists away from life-altering and fatal injuries. According to the Bicycle Helmet Safety Institute (BHSI), helmets are effective in protecting riders’ head from certain types of injuries.

Additionally, there are important benefits that bicycle helmets can provide to riders who use them, and these include:

1. It provides protection to rider’s head – Bicyclists, as compared to motor vehicle drivers, do not have ample protection from road accident impacts. A cyclist’s body is highly vulnerable to different types of injuries including TBI, which is why it is vital for any rider to wear a helmet to have ample head protection in case he or she gets involved in an accident.

2. It saves minor cyclists from traffic tickets – Under California VC 21212, cyclists under the age of 18 must wear a bicycle helmet when riding in public places. Failure to do so may result in the issuance of traffic ticket or payment of hefty fines.

3. It gives riders peace of mind – Cyclists who ride on streets without their helmets on are not only prone to head injuries but also to other types of injuries like spinal cord injury (SCI). Riders of any age group who wear helmets are less likely to sustain life-altering injuries, thus, they become more certain of their safety than riders who do not use helmets.

California cyclists who got injured in an accident in Los Angeles are advised to seek consultation and representation from a Los Angeles accident attorney to receive just compensations from the liable party involved.

Top 3 Friendliest Large Dog Breeds

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Choosing the right large dog breed for your family often requires extensive research because no one wants to pick the wrong family dog. Although almost all dog breeds have the tendency to perfectly fit in the lifestyle of any family, there are those that pass with flying colors in the friendliest-family-dog category.

According to historical accounts and experts’ opinions, the following are some of the large dog breeds that are known for their friendliness and loyalty to their owners:

1. Newfoundland – This “gentle giant” is literally a giant breed with gentleness and kindness in its temperament. Some people may be intimidated with its large size but people who know the breed better could say that Newfies are indeed gentle. Newfoundland is a breed known for being gentle and friendly to kids despite its big size. Dogs of this breed are also used for search and rescue operations on waters because they are exceptional swimmers.

2. Labrador Retriever – Arguably the most famous family dog in the United States, Labrador Retrievers are known for their happy-go-lucky and friendly nature. They go gaga on almost any type of energy-filled activities like fetching Frisbees and any other items. Because of their sweet and gentle temperament, they do not make good guard dogs.

3. Golden Retriever – As the total family dog, Golden Retrievers are best for energetic and active families. Dogs of this breed find fun in running and other lively activities because they were bred to be active pets. Golden Retrievers are certified friendly pooches, which is why they make great family members. However, just like Labradors, Golden Retrievers make bad guard dogs.

Despite the exceptional kind-hearted nature of the said dogs, they can still inflict harm or injury to others if they were not well taken care of and socialized. Any dog, if it is neglected, has the tendency to be hostile to people, even to their owners.

California residents who got bitten or attacked by a dog are advised to seek medical attention immediately to avoid further injuries. Additionally, if the dog that attacked them belongs to their neighbor, they have the right to claim for personal injury damages. Seeking legal help from a Los Angeles injury lawyer is advised for them to make sure that they will recover just amount of damages.

Two of the Worst Tragedies in NASCAR’s History

 Almost all Americans love the National Association for Stock Car Auto Racing Inc. (NASCAR). In fact, it is the number one spectator sport in the United States.

Many Americans root for their favorite teams and drivers – the adrenaline rush and the speed can easily captivate many “motorhead” Americans. However, amidst the thrill and chill of speeding cars on the track, accidents are always just around the corner. Unfortunately, the truth is that accidents have no pit stops – they can happen anytime.

Since its establishment, NASCAR has become an avenue for many successful racers. However, it has also become a death valley to some drivers who experienced life-changing accidents while on the track. The following are two of the most horrific accidents in NASCAR’s history:

 

The “Fireball” caught fire – Glen “Fireball” is a legend in the NASCAR circuits during the 1950s and 1960s. He was one time the most popular drivers (1957), and he also won the 1962 Daytona 500. Unfortunately, his fame and expert driving skills were not enough to save him from a tragic track accident.

On May 1964, while competing for World 600 at Charlotte Motor Speedway, Roberts slammed his race car in one of the tracks’ retaining walls after avoiding a crash involving two other drivers. Roberts’ car rolled over and caught fire. The flame immediately burnt about 80 percent of his body.

Roberts was airlifted into a hospital where he struggled for his life for six weeks. When everybody thought that he was recovering, he sustained other health complications like pneumonia. Ultimately, on July 2, Roberts got the checkered flag of his life.

The legacy of the “Dale Devil” – Dale Earnhardt is one of the senior drivers during the Daytona 500 in 2001, but for him, age is just a number. However, while on his way to the final lap of race, his black Chevrolet hit the wall, sending all of the car’s initial energy to his body. Even though the accident is not an eye-candy to people who are morbidly inclined to car crashes, the Earnhardt incident is considered as the worst in NASCAR’s history because of certain factors.

The death of Earnhardt paved the way to drastic improvements in the race’s safety standards. Before the death of Earnhardt, drivers were not mandatorily required to wear Head and Neck Support (HANS), but now, everyone must use it. The concrete walls outside the tracks were replaced with Steel and Foam Energy Reduction (SAFER) soft barriers to avoid another Earnhardt incident.

The tragic stories of Roberts and Earnhardt are proofs that even the most talented and adventurous driver are not accident-proof. This is why Los Angeles car accident attorneys always remind drivers to take all precautionary measures when driving.