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Everyone’s New Year’s Resolution Should Be to Stay Off the Phone While Driving!

stay off the phone while drivingWhether it’s caused by eating, applying makeup, reading directions, or even just talking to friends, distracted driving is not a new problem. In fact, drivers in the 1930s were warned against the perils of becoming distracted by a brand new invention, the radio! However, the widespread use of cell phones in recent years has added a dangerously tempting diversion that is now one of the leading causes of injury or death in a car crash.

According to www.distraction.gov, the website launched by the U.S. Department of Transportation to educate drivers on the dangers of texting while driving, 3,154 people were killed as a result of distracted driving in 2013. While the number of fatalities represents a decrease of 6.7 percent from the previous year, the number of injuries actually increased to 424,000 people. Young drivers in their teens and twenties account for over 30 percent of that total.

Anytime you send a text, you are using both your eyes and your hands. When driving, this “visual-manual” operation makes you three times more likely to be involved in a car accident. Even answering your phone or attempting to make a call while driving can cause an accident in the split second it takes to return your attention to the road.

If personal safety isn’t enough motivation to put away the phone while you drive, consider that all but five states have strict laws on the books that forbid texting while driving. You can get a ticket, owe hefty fines, or even lose your license if caught. In March of 2015, a San Diego woman was sentenced to prison for six years for causing a deadly accident while she was texting and driving.

No matter how often you hear the grim statistics or see news stories about the consequences of distracted driving, you never really think it’s going to happen to you. That’s why so many people continue to be injured, sometimes fatally, as a result of texting or using the phone while driving. These injuries and deaths can be easily prevented with one simple New Year’s resolution – stay off the phone while driving!

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Most Dangerous Intersections in San Diego

Most Dangerous Intersections in San Diego SDPIA

Watch Out for These Dangerous Intersections in San Diego

San Diego is routinely recognized as one of the nation’s best places to live. With a temperate climate, beautiful scenery, and thriving economy, the city continually attracts new residents looking for a vibrant west coast lifestyle. While San Diego’s infrastructure is fundamentally sound, traffic issues in some areas create serious hazards for drivers, bicyclists, joggers, and pedestrians. Knowing which intersections in San Diego present the greatest danger may help you avoid a serious car accident.

* 54th Street and University Avenue: University Avenue is generally considered the most dangerous road in San Diego, so it’s no surprise that it contributes to one of the most perilous intersections as well. The 54th Street and University Avenue intersection is very hazardous for biking enthusiasts and pedestrians. Over the past decade, there have been 77 car accidents at this intersection including those involving six pedestrians and five bicycle riders.

* West Point Loma and Abbott Street: Local residents witness many accidents at this dangerous intersection. The problem stems from poorly placed street signs that are confusing and conflicting. Drivers heading west on West Point Loma can either go straight or turn left on Abbot without any restrictions. However, cars heading in the opposite direction have a stop sign, but on Abbott, there is only a yield sign. The resulting confusion causes some drivers to pull directly in front of other vehicles traveling west on West Point Loma.

* 5th Avenue and A Street: Located in downtown San Diego, this intersection is unsafe because it’s near the entrance to a freeway. Pedestrians are especially vulnerable to cars accelerating as they prepare to enter the on-ramp.

* 2nd Avenue and Cedar Street: Particularly risky for pedestrians, this intersection is located at the point where the freeway ends. There are also several confusing traffic signs in and around the intersection.

Other Notable Intersections

It’s worth noting that University and 4th Avenue, Euclid and Naranja, and Ingraham and La Playa rank high on the list of the worst intersections for pedestrian injuries in San Diego. Over an 11 year period ending in December 2012, San Diego experienced over 7,500 pedestrian accidents, and nearly 50 percent occurred in intersection crosswalks. Whether you travel on foot or by car, you should be aware of these dangerous San Diego intersections so you can avoid car accidents.

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Reducing Your Chances of Getting into an Accident

Reducing your chances of getting into an accident SDPIADriving is challenging even under ideal conditions, but advanced mobile technology compounds the problem of distracted driving. While everyone believes they are a careful driver, it’s clear that taking your eyes off the road for a split second can have disastrous consequences. Here are ten ways to stay safe while driving and reduce your chances of getting involved in an accident.

* Focus Only on Driving: Driving conditions can change in an instant, and interacting with your smartphone draws your eyes away from the road for seconds at a time. Studies indicate that people who drive while texting are up to 23 times more likely to get into an accident than those who avoid distractions.

* Don’t Drive at Night: Driving at night is dangerous because it’s more difficult to see clearly. People grow tired at night, so reaction times are much slower. You’re also more likely to encounter an impaired driver at night.

* Avoid Driving in Blind Spots: While rear and side view mirrors are helpful in seeing what is happening behind you, always look over your shoulder into the adjacent lanes before making a lane change.

* Aim High in Steering: Try and keep your eyes focused well beyond the hood of your car. Identifying potential threats early will give you enough time to maneuver away from danger.

* Keep Both Hands on the Wheel: When both hands are on the wheel in a 10 o’clock and 2 o’clock position, you can respond more quickly in an emergency. Although it may not be the most comfortable driving position, two hands on the wheel provides the greatest flexibility if you unexpectedly swerve to avoid a collision.

* Avoid Tailgating: To react to a sudden stop, you need at least one car length per 10 mph of speed between you and the car in front of you. Otherwise, you will not be able to react in time in the event of a sudden stop. Tailgating also adds additional wear and tear on your brakes and suspension.

* Wear Your Seat Belt: Airbags add protection, but seat belts are still critical for driver safety. In fact, wearing a seat belt reduces the chance of a serious accident-related injury by almost 50 percent. And it’s the law so buckle up and stay safe.

* Drive in the Center or Right Lane: The far left lane moves quickly and often doesn’t have a shoulder. This limits your escape routes in the event of an unanticipated problem. Aggressive and unsafe drivers typically travel in the fast lane.

* Watch for Unsafe Vehicles: A car’s condition is often a reflection of the driving skills of the owner. Be aware of cars that have significant body damage, dirty windows or wobbling tires. If you see a driver drifting into another lane, move away quickly.

* Maintain Your Car Properly: When you follow the manufacturer’s recommended service schedule, you can rest easy knowing your car will accelerate, stop and steer responsively, especially in an emergency.

Practice Accident Avoidance

While some car accidents are unavoidable, you can take measures to give yourself every advantage. Take responsibility when you drive and always focus on driving only. The key to staying safe on the road is actively practicing defensive driving techniques.

For more information visit:

https://www.edmunds.com/car-reviews/top-10/top-10-editors-tips-to-prevent-a-car-accident.html

https://www.wikihow.com/Avoid-Car-Accidents

https://www.cdc.gov/motorvehiclesafety/seatbelts/facts.html

https://www.pbs.org/newshour/bb/transportation-july-dec09-driving_07-28/

 

 

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Car Accident Checklist

Car Accident Checklist SDPIAFor most people, driving is a necessity. While car accidents are relatively common, it’s often difficult to know exactly what to do when you’re personally involved. There is usually so much going on that the situation can quickly become confusing and intimidating. In order to ensure you are protected in all circumstances, it is important to follow specific procedures immediately after an accident. Here is a checklist to help you know what to say and do if you are involved in a traffic accident.

 

* Remain at the Scene: No matter how minor the collision may appear to be, it is important to remain at the scene until an officer releases everyone. This is especially true if there are injuries or fatalities associated with the accident. You may face serious criminal penalties if you are charged with a hit-and-run-violation.

 

* Check on the Drivers and Passengers: Assuming you are not hurt, make sure everyone involved in the accident is not seriously injured. Give medical attention to those who need it. If the injuries are catastrophic, wait for qualified medical help unless the person is in immediate danger.

 

* Keep an Emergency Kit in the Glove Box: You should have a pen and paper readily available to take notes, and your cell phone should be charged so you can call your family, the insurance company and the authorities. If your phone doesn’t have a camera, put one in the glove box so you can take photos of the accident. Your insurance card and registration should always be kept in a convenient place, and cones or emergency flares can be very helpful in an accident.

 

* Discuss Accident Details with the Police: In a chaotic situation, people have a natural tendency to want to talk about what just happened. However, it is important to discuss accident details exclusively with the police while taking care to avoid admitting liability or fault.

 

* Exchange Insurance Information: After an accident has occurred, it is customary for those involved to exchange the following information: name, phone number, address, insurance company policy number, license plate number and driver’s license number. If the name on the license differs from the name on the insurance card, try and establish the nature of the relationship between the driver and the owner of the car.

 

* Get a Police Report: While your interaction with the other party may be cordial, sometimes stories change after the fact. Without a police report, insurance companies are left to evaluate claims that are often conflicting. Even in a minor accident, obtaining a police report is a critical tool in establishing liability.

 

* Call Your Insurance Agent: Your insurance card should include a phone number for reporting an accident. Collect your thoughts and be as detailed as possible in explaining the incident. Fill out all the associated forms completely. Make sure your insurance company receives a copy of the accident report. Depending on who is at fault, it may be necessary to hire an attorney to recover reasonable damages if the other party’s insurance company is uncooperative.

 

Stay Calm

 

Above all else, stay calm and think clearly. If the accident doesn’t involve injuries, you can rest easy knowing your vehicle will be repaired to factory standards. Everyone is involved in a car accident at some point, so maintain perspective in the face of this kind of adversity.

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Semi-Truck Accidents. When Do You Need an Accident Injury Lawyer?

semi-truck accidentHow do you know if you need an accident injury lawyer? Commercial trucks are substantially larger than personal vehicles and can weigh up to 10,000 pounds when hauling a loaded trailer. Since the dimensions and weights are so dissimilar, a collision between a semi truck and a car can be catastrophic for the passengers in the smaller vehicle. In fact, over 80 percent of the fatalities that result from accidents involving cars and large trucks are sustained by those in the car.

 

While accidents are common, a collision with a semi truck raises additional issues including the safety of the equipment, maintenance schedules, driver impairment or erratic driving. To properly protect yourself in the event of an accident, it is critical to secure proper legal representation.

 

Responsibility for Operating a Semi Truck

 

Since the risk of injury and death is so much greater in accidents involving a semi truck, the industry is highly regulated by federal and state laws. Every state has a Department of Transportation to address the challenges of intrastate commercial trucking. Operating a commercial truck can include as many as nine different responsible parties and may involve several insurance carriers. Truck drivers and trucking companies are required to maintain a specific quality standard in the following areas:

 

* Licensing: Anyone who drives a large truck for commercial purposes must be properly licensed. A commercial driver’s license is difficult to obtain and requires special driving skills and an advanced knowledge of driving laws and safety procedures.

 

* Vehicle Maintenance: Federal and state regulations stipulate how a truck must be built, maintained and repaired. If a defect in any of those areas caused an accident, there may be grounds for a claim against the responsible party.

 

* Proper Rest: Vehicle operators must keep an accurate log of their driving and rest schedules. The driver’s “hours of service” are strictly regulated.

 

Liability and Damages

 

Establishing liability in a commercial truck accident case requires the plaintiff to prove the driver of the truck and any other associated parties are responsible for the injuries suffered by the plaintiff(s). Liability can be demonstrated in a number of different ways including:

 

* The driver has broken the law or is operating the vehicle illegally.

 

* The truck company hired a negligent driver.

 

* There was a manufacturing defect in the truck.

 

* The truck was repaired improperly.

 

* The truck was inadequately maintained.

 

If it is ultimately determined that the truck driver or the trucking company bears responsibility for the accident, restitution for damages may be appropriate.

 

Damages can include:

 

* Medical Expenses: Compensation for hospital bills, doctors, ambulance fees, rehabilitation and home care services.

 

* Lost Wages: Lost pay due to work absence and any loss of future earning capacity.

 

* Pain and Suffering: Any physical or mental distress caused by the accident.

 

* Wrongful Death: The loss of a loved one in the accident.

 

* Special Damages: A category for any monetary losses of an unusual nature.

 

Finding Legal Assistance

 

Under the law, you are entitled to recover both actual and compensatory damages for injuries sustained in an accident due to the negligence of someone else. If you have been injured in an accident involving a commercial semi truck, it is important to seek out the professional advice of a qualified accident injury lawyer at SDPIA.

San Diego Personal Injury Attorneys
4350 Executive Drive, Suite 320
San Diego, CA 92121
(619) 752-2217