February 17, 2016 By Deon

Checklist for Senior Citizen Drivers

Driving allows seniors to feel independent and maintain a flexible schedule. However, some seniors and their loved ones may have concerns about safety. If you or someone you love is a senior driver, there are a number of important precautions you can take to avoid car accidents, including maintaining your health and planning wisely.

Regular Checkups – For Seniors and Their Cars
Good vision and hearing are essential to staying safe on the road. As we age, our vision and hearing may deteriorate, especially if we have certain health conditions, such as glaucoma or tinnitus. Senior drivers should get essential health checks regularly. These include general health checkups, eye tests and hearing tests.

No one enjoys mechanical problems, but car troubles can be especially vexing for seniors. If brakes or power steering fail, we might not be able to react as quickly as we could when you were younger. Regular oil changes and preventive maintenance can help avoid a car accident, roadside breakdown or a sudden mechanical failure.

Inform Others of Plans
Before leaving on an errand, it’s a good idea for seniors to tell someone their plans, including where they plan to go and when they will likely return. Sending a text message is a good way to share plans so that loved ones won’t forget your schedule.

Take Along Important Items
Even on a short trip to the grocery store, seniors should bring along some essential items, including a phone, emergency medications and identifying information. If you need help getting to a destination, a GPS unit mounted on your dashboard can help you get there. This helps you avoid the need to fumble with maps while you’re on the road. The car should also be stocked with emergency tools, including jumper cables.

Travel Wisely
A few simple guidelines can help make a driving trip a smoother experience. Seniors should avoid driving in the dark or during inclement weather. These conditions can significantly impair the driver’s ability to see and may require the driver to make snap decisions to avoid car accidents. Timing during a clear day is important as well; completing errands in the morning allows seniors to avoid heavy crowds on the roads.

Avoid Distractions
Distracted driving is dangerous, especially if you need to put in a little extra effort to focus on the road. Avoid tasks that can hamper your concentration, including talking on the phone, eating, fiddling with the radio and changing the destination on your GPS. All drivers should do these things before taking to the road to avoid car accidents.

November 8, 2015 By Deon

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.

October 9, 2015 By Deon

Distracted Driving Dangers for Teens

Distracted Driving Dangers for Teens SDPIA
The term “distracted driving” is usually associated with texting and mobile phone use, but modern teen drivers encounter a wide variety of high-tech diversions. While many parents discuss the dangers of driving and cell phone use with their teenage children, it’s important to consider the other ways teens are distracted while driving.

Here are some of the most dangerous driving-related activities teens should avoid when they are behind the wheel:

* Speech-to-Text Systems: A speech-to-text system gives drivers the ability to send texts and emails by simply speaking. In-dash units incorporate technology to translate the words into written text. Some models allow users to update their Facebook page while driving. The increased mental workload causes cognitive distractions and tunnel vision, which can degrade the driver’s ability to see and process potential threats.

* Car Stereos: Modern car stereos offer a variety of entertainment options including AM, FM, subscription services, DVDs and smartphone integration. The sound can also be fine tuned through a variety of setting options. Adjusting stations or manually changing screens and EQ settings require total focus and should always be avoided when driving.

* GPS Devices: Unfamiliar roads can be confusing and dangerous, and many people find a GPS is helpful in navigating to a specific destination. However, a GPS requires the same kind of detailed input as texting, so the unit’s address functions should never used until the vehicle is stationary.

* Passengers: Teenagers are often high-energy people, and they can create a significant driving distraction, especially if there is more than one passenger. In fact, the NHTSA estimates that nearly 7,000 accidents last year were caused by passenger-related issues. Many parents restrict the number of passengers allowed in their vehicle until the child has been driving solo for at least a year.

* Eating and Drinking: Insurance company studies indicate that eating and drinking while driving is as distracting as mobile phone use. Food is messy, and the natural reaction to spilling something is to look down and clean it up. In these circumstances, it’s very easy to unintentionally swerve and create a hazard.

* SmartPhone: Smartphones are miniature computers, and texting represents only one of the potential driving hazards the device may create. Streaming services provide audio and video that is displayed directly on the screen. Smartphones have built-in GPS capabilities, onboard personal assistants and other advanced functions designed for stationary use. In general, turning off a smartphone before stepping into the vehicle significantly reduces the likelihood of being involved in an accident.

Keep Your Teenager Safe

There are many other forms of distracted driving including personal grooming, reading and searching through the vehicle for a lost item. Before your teenager gets behind the wheel, make sure they understand the importance of eliminating all distractions and concentrating exclusively on the critical task of driving.

For more information visit:

https://impactteendrivers.org

https://www.ksat.com/news/new-driving-course-shows-teens-dangers-of-distracted-driving

https://teensagainstdistracteddriving.com/blog/

https://www.cnn.com/2014/01/23/living/teens-driving-texting-drinking-parents/

https://www.teendriversource.org/more_pages/page/car_accident_prevention/teen

February 20, 2015 By Deon

Do I Have a Personal-injury Case?

Getting injured can be a traumatic ordeal that leaves your head spinning, and in the immediate aftermath of an accident, you may feel quite overwhelmed and wonder if you could have a personal injury case. The fact is that a hospital visit be very costly, but you also run the risk of suffering in your career or failing to meet your expenses because of the time off work. The life-altering consequences of a serious injury are the reason many people choose to file a personal-injury lawsuit as a result. However, before you go through the trouble of pursuing this option, you need to make sure that you have a case.

You most likely have a legitimate claim if:

Your injury occurred as a direct result of the choices of another party.
You’ve had your injuries documented by a medical professional.
You’ve collected witnesses who can testify that your injury occurred due to recklessness or negligence.
You can show that your injury caused you to suffer physically, emotionally or financially.

1. Seek Medical Help Immediately

Even if your injury isn’t severe or life threatening, you still need to see a doctor as soon as possible. If you wait too long, it could always be argued that you received the injury in some other way, which will severely damage your case. Have a physician diagnose your injury so you have proof of it on paper, and be sure to keep records of all your medical treatments and expenses.

2. Collect Witnesses

Depending on the nature of your accident, there may not have been anyone around to witness what occurred. However, if there was, it’s a good idea to track them down and ask them for a statement regarding what they saw. Third-party accounts are important because the victim of an accident is often too upset to remember things clearly. Even one credible witness will do a lot for your case.

3. Gather Other Evidence

Pictures are as good as witnesses when it comes to proving your case. For example, if you slipped and fell because of a wet floor, try your best to get a picture that demonstrates the lack of a warning sign. If you don’t have a picture, the person you are suing could always claim that there was a sign, and you just didn’t see it. Also be sure to take pictures of your injuries from all different angles.

On top of photographs, be sure to document any loss of income, emotional disturbances or other hardships you suffered as a result of your injury.

If you need help figuring out whether or not you have a personal-injury case, contact San Diego Personal Injury Attorneys for a FREE evaluation.

September 24, 2012 By Deon

¿A Sido Herido en un Accidente Causado por una Persona Ebria en Chula Vista?

Persona Ebria en Chula Vista

A pesar de que en número de personas manejando bajo los influjos del alcohol o drogas a disminuido en el Estado de California, cada año cientos de personas mueren y miles son gravemente heridas por éstos actos criminales. Si usted ha sido víctima de un accidente causado por una persona en estado de ebriedad en Chula Vista no está solo. Si está preocupado por los porcentajes de accidentes causados por conductores ebrios, Aquí le proporcionamos la siguiente información:

Cada Accidente causado por conductores ebrios en Chula Vista es una tragedia que se puede prevenir
Chula Vista está tomando una serie de acciones para incrementar la conciencia ciudadana y reducir el número de personas ebrias que manejan en la ciudad al incrementar el número de puntos de revisión de DUI. Cuando los conductores pasan por el punto de revisión, los oficiales buscan síntomas de intoxicación, documentación en línea y otras infracciones. Si nada está incorrecto, los conductores solamente serán retrasados momentáneamente. Conductores intoxicados podrían ser remitidos a la cárcel, suspender su licencia, incremento en su seguro, multas en la corte, DUI Clases y otros gastos que pueden sobrepasar los $10,000.

Desde 2009, ocho personas han perdido la vida en accidentes relacionados con conductores ebrios en Chula Vista. Debido a que los puntos de revisión DUI son la mejor opción para detectar conductores intoxicados y reducir el número de accidentes fatales, la ciudad espera ver que las estadísticas disminuyan con el incremento de las revisiones. Investigaciones han demostrado que los accidentes relacionados con la intoxicación por alcohol disminuyen hasta un 20 porciento en la mayoría de los casos cuando las campañas de revisión de DUI son frecuentes.

La Ley de Marsy Amplía la Definición de Víctima
Una Ley conocida como La Ley de Marcy en California a ampliado la definición de víctima. Aunque usted no estuviera directamente involucrado en un accidente por conducir ebrio en Chula Vista, usted podría tener derecho a recibir una compensación económica. Esta Ley establece que también se pueden incluir como víctimas a los padres, cónyuges, hijos, hermanos y tutores de una víctima directamente afectada. También provee la representación legal para las víctimas del crimen que han fallecido, menores o personas incapacitadas. Si usted cree que es una víctima de acuerdo a la Ley de Marcy, llame a un abogado con experiencia en lesiones personales en Chula Vista para obtener ayuda.

Qué Debe Hacer si Usted Resulta Lesionado en un Accidente Causado por un Ebrio
Si usted se encuentra seriamente herido como consecuencia de un accidente causado por un conductor ebrio en Chula Vista, no se siente a esperar a que su compañía se seguros se ponga a trabajar. Por lo contrario, llame a un abogado con experiencia en accidentes para discutir cuales son sus opciones y sus derechos. La consulta inicial siempre es gratis y los honorarios son pagados solo cuando se resuelve el caso. Esta es la mejor manera de obtener la compensación financiera que usted merece!

No importa lo que hagas, nunca conduzcas ebrio o drogado. Llama a un amigo, toma un taxi o simplemente quédate donde estás. Las consecuencias son muy altas para arriesgarse!

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Free Consultation 619-752-2217 Available 24/7