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Advice from San Diego Car Accident Attorney The Sidiropoulos Law Firm

How to prevent automobile accidents through defensive driving in San Diego

While you can’t avoid all accidents, you can reduce your chances of becoming a victim if you heed defensive driving practices. A driver who drives defensively and anticipates hazards is less likely of becoming the victim of an automobile accident. 

It is statistically proven, that a driver that is focused and takes a defensive driving posture will avoid most accidents. 

When Driving, Focus on Your Surroundings

Scan the road ahead as you drive to ensure that you’re fully aware of all potential hazards. Think ahead and anticipate hazards. Don’t rely on the car in front of you for an indication of when to stop. Look three to four car lengths in front of you if possible and always scan from left to right.  Use your side and rear-view mirrors and anticipate traffic from behind you as well. If you are passing parked vehicles always look to see if there is a driver in the driver seat.  Look for lights to determine if a car is about to pull out in your path. Never assume a stopped vehicle is not a potential hazard. 

Keep A Safe Distance When Following Other Vehicles

Rear-end accidents often occur because the following distance is too close. Following too closely is commonly referred to as tailgating the car in front of you. To avoid tailgating and rear-end collisions, follow the Three Second Rule.  That is make sure that the front of your car is at least three seconds behind the car in front of you.  

“Increase your distance if weather conditions or visibility are poor, or if the surface is slippery and as your speed increases also increase your following distance. Remember, stay at least three seconds behind the car in front of you.  To determine whether you are following at least “three seconds” behind the car in front of yours,  find a marker like a bridge that the car in front of you just passed and then begin your counting until the front of your car reaches the marker, or in this case the bridge.  You should be at least three seconds behind regardless of your speed.

Don’t Assume Other Drivers Are Disciplined

If everyone was conscientious on the road, there would be fewer accidents. Never assume that another vehicle will obey the laws of the rode.  Unfortunately, we can’t always rely on others to follow the rules of the road. Never assume a car will let you merge, and don’t assume that other drivers will brake at stop signs or traffic signals either. When you drive defensively, it’s always best to anticipate that people will drive poorly and violate the law. 

Remove Driving Distractions For A Safe Journey

There should be nothing inside the vehicle to distract you from the act of driving, including things hanging from your rear-view mirror, stickers on your windows or cellular phones attached to your windshield. Stay off the phone and keep your eyes on the road. It only takes a split second to face the potential of a collision, and you’ll have to react quickly. That can’t be done if you’re distracted. If you must look at or use your cellular phone, pull over first and stop in a safe location. One of the most common causes of serious accidents and even death are accidents involving driving inattentiveness due to the use of cellular telephones. 

Take a Vehicle Defensive Driving Course

Your local Department of Motor Vehicles has a list of approved courses available in your area. The DMV offers a free online “Defensive Driving Techniques for All Driver’s” course on their web site. Most auto insurance companies also offer reduced rates to new drivers that take these courses.  Check with your respective insurance company. 

While the other driver might be at fault in an automobile accident, there are ways you can prevent a collision from happening in the first place. Drivers who drive defensively are statistically less likely to get into an auto accident.  Remember, protect yourself and your passengers by driving defensively.

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Lawsuits for Bird & Lime Scooters | San Diego Personal Injury Lawyers

All The Rage!

Electric scooters and the accidents that follow are all over California and beyond.  Not only have we been a consulting firm for many of these electric scooter injuries, we have also dedicated a portion of our site to educate the victims.  Please follow this link to go directly to our electric scooter injury attorney page.

We are also including some recent articles related to the popularity and danger sometimes involved in renting these vehicles.

If you are ever injured on or by an electric scooter in San Diego County, please let us help you fight for your rights.  If you allow us the privilege to represent you, we do not collect a fee until you win!

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Car Crash Statistics, San Diego Car Accident Injury Attorney

The following information covers crash statistics for the United States.  San Diego has increased travel in the summer as a vacation destination.  Please be safe as you travel this summer.

Annual United States Road Crash Statistics*

  • Over 37,000 people die in road crashes each year
  • An additional 2.35 million are injured or disabled
  • Over 1,600 children under 15 years of age die each year
  • Nearly 8,000 people are killed in crashes involving drivers ages 16-20
  • Road crashes cost the U.S. $230.6 billion per year, or an average of $820 per person
  • Road crashes are the single greatest annual cause of death of healthy U.S. citizens traveling abroad

*http://asirt.org/initiatives/informing-road-users/road-safety-facts/road-crash-statistics

 

Brought To You by The Sidiropoulos Law Firm, San Diego Car Accident Injury Attorney

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San Diego Winter Weather Driving Tips

San Diego Winter Weather Driving Tips

Drive Safely Through Winter Weather in Southern California

Many people think of Southern California as sunny and warm throughout the year, but even Southern California experiences a winter that can impact driving. There are things vehicle operators need to be aware of when driving through winter weather in Southern California.

Vehicle Accident Statistics

When winter weather hits in southern California, drivers tend to see more rainfall than anything else. Accidents occur more frequently when the rain falls, according to the U.S. Department of Transportation.

  • 73% of accidents occur on wet pavement
  • 46% of accidents occur during rainfall
  • 17% of accidents occur during snow or sleet
  • 13% of accidents occur on icy pavement
  • 14% of accidents occur on snowy or slushy pavement

In Los Angeles alone, vehicle accidents during wet weather reach past 10 accidents per hour.

Preventing Vehicle Crashes in Winter Weather

There are some things southern California drivers can do to prevent the accidents that occur in the winter weather.

  • Drive slowly: When rain first falls, the asphalt can be slippery as the water mixes with oil on the roadway
  • Allow distance: Don’t tailgate. Allow enough distance between the vehicle ahead and your own so you can stop in time.
  • Appropriate tires: Tires appropriate for wet weather can help you to control your vehicle more easily
  • Hydroplaning: If your car loses control in the water, step off the gas and steer straight until your car is controllable again
  • Don’t brake too hard: Tap on the brakes rather than hitting them hard to avoid sliding and hydroplaning

Driving with your lights on can make you visible to other drivers when in low visibility conditions.

Other Driving Hazards in Southern California

Rain isn’t the only hazard when driving in southern California. Drivers must be aware of mud and rock slides, fog, flash flooding, and high winds. Additionally, drivers must be aware of road closures due to inclement weather and accidents.

Never drive through a flooded area, even if you think the water is not very high. Often water is deeper than it looks. Water is extremely powerful and can carry away vehicles easily.

High winds can make a vehicle hard to control. If driving becomes too difficult, pull over in a safe spot, put on your hazard lights, and wait for the wind to calm down.

Driving safely through winter weather in southern California can save lives. Knowing what to expect and how to keep your vehicle under control in wet weather is essential when driving in southern California in the winter.

 

Brought To You by The Sidiropoulos Law Firm

619-696-7005

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San Diego Halloween Safety Tips and Most Common Injuries

San Diego Halloween Safety and Most Common Injuries

Halloween is a holiday celebrated by both kids and adults. Unfortunately, many injuries also occur during this day. Here are some of the most common causes of Halloween-related injuries:Halloween Auto Accidents

Many people attend Halloween-themed parties that are hosted at a friend’s house or at many local bars. This means an increase in the amount of cars on the road during the evening, as well as intoxicated drivers returning home from parties. As everyone knows, intoxicated drivers are a common cause of serious auto accidents on our nation’s roads. Anyone out on the road during Halloween should be particularly vigilant to help prevent accidents.

Pedestrian Accidents On Halloween

During Halloween, millions of children go trick-or-treating. This exposes them to various hazards, such as being hit by a car while crossing the street. Many pedestrian accidents are caused by drivers failing to see trick-or-treaters before it’s too late. Parents should always supervise small children when they go door-to-door collecting candy. If you have older children that go out on Halloween night alone, you can help ensure that they’ll be more visible to drivers by adding reflective tape to their costumes or treat buckets.  Whether you are chapparoning or your children go alone, it is always best practice to bring a flashlight for visibility and safety.  You should also ensure that they follow common road safety rules, such as looking both ways before crossing the street and only crossing at intersections or pedestrian walkways.  It is also important as the home owner that you keep your property clear of obstructions for our trick-or-treaters.

Halloween Fires and Why They Happen

Many people decorate their homes on Halloween. While the majority of decorations are perfectly safe, special attention should be paid around candles, particularly those placed inside Jack-o-Lanterns. Every year on Halloween, there are fires started by a candle that accidentally fell over. Injuries caused by fires can be prevented by following a few safety tips. Avoid using candles whenever possible, as there are safer alternatives around, such as battery-powered lights. If you do use candles, make sure that they’re placed in a location where they won’t easily be tipped over and won’t come into contact with anything flammable. If you choose to use candles to decorate your carved pumpkins, they should never be left unattended.

 

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The Sidiropoulos Law Firm

San Diego’s Personal Injury Attorney

619-696-7005

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San Diego Halloween Safety Tips and Most Common Injuries

Travel Safety Tips For The Busy Upcoming Holiday Season | Sidiropoulos Law Firm San Diego

5 Tips for Safe Travel

While your focus is on having fun during a road trip, it's important to remain safe in the process.
Following the tips provided here can help you and your loved ones stay safe and healthy as you
embark on your vacation.

Maintain Proper Maintenance of Your Vehicle

It’s vital to take your car in for a full maintenance check prior to starting your trip. Have your
vehicle inspected thoroughly as this will allow you to fix any existing problems promptly. It will help
prevent serious and sometimes expensive damage to your vehicle by making sure it is in top
condition before enduring the wear and tear that long trips create.

Make Frequent Stops to Rest and Stretch

Sitting for long periods of time can be difficult, and this is especially true for children. We
recommend taking frequent breaks to allow everyone to get out of the car, move about and stretch
their legs. This can help prevent fatigue, muscle cramps and even blood clots in those who may be
prone to developing them. Frequent breaks will also keep children in a good mood and make
traveling with young ones much more pleasant.

Invest in a Roadside Assistance Plan

We highly advise the purchase of a roadside assistance plan along with your vehicle insurance.
Roadside assistance can provide the much-needed peace of mind that if something goes wrong
with your vehicle during your travels, it will be taken care of promptly. The threat of an unforeseen
occurrence can take the joy out of your vacation plans, so having this peace of mind can be
priceless.

Plan Your Route of Travel While Remaining Flexible

It is best to plan your route of travel well in advance. This will allow you to know where you want
to stop for breaks and provides you with an estimated timeline for getting from point A to point B.
Of course, it’s important to be flexible because traffic jams, automobile accidents and road work
can always be a possibility, in which case alternate routes and detours may be necessary.

Keep a Safety Kit in your Car

We suggest keeping a first-aid kit in your car along with any personal items that might seem
appropriate for the current season.

Traveling should be centered around fun with those you love most, not the stress that unforeseen
events can create. By following these tips, you can enjoy safe travels.

Most importantly, if you are in an altercation, keep your wits about you.  Make sure to assess your surroundings and document the circumstances of the event.  And if it seems serious, please contact an Attorney for legal perspective.

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As Summer Sets in San Diego, Safety Tips For Boating on Our Waters Is High Priority | Sidiropoulos Law Firm San Diego

Boating Safety This San Diego Summer

So many people in our country take their boats and hit the waterways (oceans, lakes, and rivers) every summer. With such outings come safety reminders and responsibility. Too many times the news is filled with stories of boating accidents and/or drownings. By keeping several boating safety rules in mind when we take to the water, we will have endless hours of memorable, SAFE fun for this summer’s boating season and the ones to come.

Boating laws and regulations vary and depend on the area in which boating is taking place. One can learn laws and safety rules by taking a boating safety course (required in some states to operate a boat). Standard boating safety rules include using common sense when operating a boat, avoiding alcohol consumption, use of life-jackets/preservers/vests at all times by all on board the boat, and creating a float plan.

Boating Safety Rules

1) THE USE OF PROPERLY-FITTED LIFE VESTS cannot be stressed highly enough. Studies have repeatedly proven that most of the drowning deaths in boating accidents are deaths to victims who were either not wearing one or were wearing one that may have been improperly fitted.

2) A FLOAT PLAN is a written document that is given to a marina/dock employee or to a family member who is not going on the boating outing. This written plan will detail the time of the excursion, the route for the trip, the destination, individuals who will be on the boat, pertinent medical emergency information, and other information the boat captain feels is necessary.

When operating their boat, a person should remember to

3) FOLLOW ALL POSTED SPEED LIMIT SIGNS AND NAVIGATIONAL AIDS.

4) DO NOT DRINK ALCOHOL when operating a boat, as the effects of alcohol are intensified by the effects of the sun and wind. Consumption of alcohol only increases one’s chances of boating mishaps.

If you are launching your vessel from a trailer,

5) PREPARE YOUR BOAT WELL AWAY FROM THE ACTUAL RAMP. Always make sure the drain plug is firmly in place; that will save great headaches for later. Also remember to check fuel levels and add fuel as needed. Running out of fuel will surely dampen the excursion.

6) CHECK TO MAKE SURE THAT ALL REQUIRED SAFETY EQUIPMENT AND THE VESSEL’S REGISTRATION PAPERS ARE ON BOARD.

7) USE AT LEAST TWO EXPERIENCED PEOPLE to launch and retrieve the vessel.

8) DO NOT BLOCK THE RAMP with an unattended boat or vehicle or trailer.

9) DO NOT WASTE TIME! The less time you spend at the dock or at the ramp, the more other boaters will appreciate you. Leave space for others as a courtesy.

10) DO NOT OVERLOAD YOUR BOAT. Excessive weight loads can cause accidents and other unforeseen problems with smooth boat operation. 11) ALWAYS OPERATE BOAT AT SAFE, LEGAL SPEEDS. These should be visibly posted in areas with boat traffic. 12) WATCH OUT FOR LOW WATER AREAS AND SUBMERGED OBJECTS. Enjoy the summer, folks, and be safe on the water!

 

Sidiropoulos Law Firm

619-696-7005

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Boating Safety Rules in San Diego

Vacation travel safety tips you’ll want to follow. San Diego Personal Injury Lawyers | Sidiropoulos Law Firm

Vacation Travel Safety by Car. San Diego Safety Tips

To be a great driver, it’s important to always be safe and cautious, taking heed of the rules of the road. However, driving long distances on a vacation often requires more patience and awareness than you might otherwise be used to. These drives can be relaxing and stress-free if you’re smart about how you drive and properly prepare for the trip at hand.

Useful Safety Tips for Your Next Road Trip

The most important thing you should do before even getting in your car for a road trip is to take your vehicle for a comprehensive tune-up. Every facet of your car, from the air conditioner to the battery and tires, should be in good working condition so that you can be confident the car will last the whole trip. You also want to be as well-rested as possible when driving long distances. Drowsiness causes around 100,000 car accidents per year, which is why being sharp and alert is so important.

Travel Emergency Kits

It’s always possible that your car could break down or some other issue could leave you and your family on the side of the road, so don’t hesitate to pack an emergency kit. This kit should come with water, a flashlight, flares, jumper cables, blankets, a medical kit and tools that you can use if you need to change a tire. During the summer, carry suntan lotion with you as well as sunglasses to guard against the sun as best as possible.

Child Safety On Summer Travel

If you’re traveling with children, you’ll want to make sure that the vehicle is properly prepared. Child safety locks should be placed on all door handles and windows. Choking hazards like loose change and other small objects should be removed from your car. You should also remove any books or larger toys that could become projectiles in the event that you need to slam your brakes. All of your luggage should be properly tied down.

Tips For Travel Safety

Lastly, you’ll want to break up your trip with bathroom breaks and rejuvenating snack breaks every two hours or so, which should keep you more alert. As long as you pay attention to these safety tips, you and your family should be safe when traveling by car on your next vacation.

 

Brought to you by The Sidiropoulos Law Firm

619-344-8319

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