Can u pls snd me hlp? 911 text message services a real possibility, but what are the underlying dangers?
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Can 911-emergency text messaging services contribute to more danger and car accidents on the road? (Photo by ABC News)The FCC just announced Monday that texting services will be added to the 911 emergency lineup. The government agency decided to add texting services as part of their emergency response system since 70 percent of 911 calls are derived from mobile devices. Now, individuals facing an emergency will be able to relay help to dispatchers using text services, according to ABC News. But how will texting 911 mix with texting and driving laws in California?
FCC chairman Julius Genachowski has committed to modernize FCC protocol, calling it the Next-Generation 911 service. “911 is an indispensable, live-saving tool,” Genachowski said. “But today’s 911 system doesn’t support the communication tools of tomorrow. Even though mobile phones are the device of choice for most 911 callers, and we primarily use our phones to text, right now, you can’t text 911.”
The pros of the Next-Generation 911 service will allow individuals to communicate with emergency service in situations where they are unable to speak. This will be useful in an emergency car accident if an individual is faced with some sort of technical difficulty: no signal, low battery, or poor service.
However, an overlooked con to texting emergency services is the possible distraction it can impose on those already driving, especially if they are in a perilous situation. Distracted driving laws in California including cell phone use and text messaging have been strict, and for good reason.
According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, dialing a cell phone increases the risk of a car accident or near car accident 2.8 times. And, text messaging increases the risk of a car accident or near car accident a staggering 23.2 times when compared to the car accident statistics with non-distracted driver.
Texting while driving has the potential to create a crash epidemic if texting continues to grow in popularity. If coupled with a true emergency, will texting 911 have any impact on maintaining safety on the road?
The jury is out: should the FCC modernize 911 calling with text services, or does this pose a further risk to causing car accidents on the road?
If you’ve been injured in a car accident arising out of suspected text messaging or cell phone use, contact our San Diego car accident attorneys today at 1-800-655-6585 for a free evaluation of your case.
Dec. 15 is the worst day for California drivers: how to stay safe on the road today
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According to Allstate and KTLA News, Dec. 15 is California’s most dangerous day for driving since most car accidents occur on this day. Unfortunately, more Californians are involved in automobile crashes on Dec. 15 versus any other day of the year.
The statistics come from Allstate Insurance Company after a review of California insurance claims spanning the last four years. There could be a wide variety of reasons Dec. 15 sees a spike in California-related car accidents: holiday shopping, bad weather and holiday parties – a popular Dec. 15 occasion – are all attributed as possible factors.
Car accident claims jump a staggering 23 percent on Dec. 15 compared to the daily average of Allstate’s processed claims throughout the year.
Could holiday shopping be that bad? On Dec. 15 it may be, so we encourage you to follow these safe driving tips today. You can help make the roads a little safer this year. Here’s how.
Whether it’s poor weather, busy mall traffic, or a long drive for a holiday party, here are tips to keep you safe on the road today. Don’t risk a being involved in San Diego car accident on Dec. 15!
So much to do, so little time. You and many others may be feeling this same way, so don’t hustle to get to your destination today. Be aware that high levels of stress can contribute to fatigue, causing you to be less alert on the road. The top cause of car accidents is distracted driving so don’t try to juggle too many tasks in the car today. Your driving ability is drastically improved when you reduce distractions and give yourself enough time to get to your destination, whether it be the mall or a holiday party. Plan ahead!
Dec. 15 is a popular date to host holiday festivities, and a big lunch or dinner is sure to make you feel tired today. Getting sleepy at the wheel is dangerous, so don’t risk it today. Most importantly, consider your alcohol level and never overindulge and drive under the influence. San Diego car accidents, especially DUI-related crashes, are heavy this time of year. Don’t be another statistic. Stay on the right side of the law and get a designated driver, and be sure to make arrangements prior to drinking.
You can bet that mall traffic increases in the evenings and on weekends, when most people are off work and available to shop. Consider being flexible in your travel plans today, and do your shopping another time. And because Dec. 18 is Allstate’s fourth most miserable driving day, you might want to consider doing your holiday shopping during the week, at off-peak hours.
If a crash does happen, and you become injured in a car accident, call us today at 1-800-655-6585 for a free legal evaluation of your San Diego car accident.
Explaining the Thin Skull Rule in Personal Injury Accident Cases
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Personal injury accident cases can be somewhat complex depending on the particular circumstances of the case. In some instances, a victim, or plaintiff, may have a pre-existing medical condition that can compound the injuries they’ve sustained as a result of an injury accident. The thin skull rule exists for the benefit of such injured plaintiffs. Corpus Christi injury attorney Michael Grossman helps to explain this rule in the following informational article.
The thin skull rule is a unique legal term that is brought into play when a victim with a pre-existing medical condition has been injured by the negligence of another party. In such instances, the defendant will still be held responsible for the victim’s injuries, even if those injuries are more extensive because of the victim’s prior medical condition. The rule is applied regardless of whether or not the defendant knew about the plaintiff’s prior medical condition. The rule requires, essentially, that a defendant takes a plaintiff “as they find them,” which ensures that a defendant cannot rely upon the plaintiff’s susceptibility to injury as a way to refuse their own liability for the injury.
Many victims in personal injury accident cases that have prior existing medical conditions are often unaware of the existence of the thin skull rule. This can sometimes mean that these particular plaintiffs are reticent to pursue legal action since they mistakenly believe that they’re likely not able to recover compensation due to their pre-existing conditions. Simply because a pre-existing medical condition causes a plaintiff’s injuries to be more severe does not mean that the person is less likely to receive compensation as a result. An experienced attorney, like a Midland injury lawyer, understands the thin skull rule and can use such a rule to help a victim seek proper compensation for their injury. If you or someone you know happens to be in such a situation, they are encouraged to contact a legal professional, like Fort Worth personal injury lawyer Michael Grossman, in order to learn more about the thin skull rule and how it might apply to that particular personal injury accident case.
Boating Accident Statistics
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Boating accidents are caused for several reasons. Those reasons may consist of operator negligence, speeding, inexperience or no lookout. Some boating accidents are a result of a defect in the boat. If this occurs, the operator may have a lawsuit against the boating manufacturer.
In 2008, there were nearly 3700 boating related casualties. These fatalities occurred in five different types of boats. The boats consist of open motorboat, personal watercraft, cabin motorboat, canoe/kayak, and rowboat. While the number of boating accidents rose from 4,967 in 2006 to 5,191 in 2007. That number appeared to decline in 2008. In 2008, over 510 deaths were related to drowning and all but 49 were not wearing a life jacket.
Most of the boating fatalities in 2008, were related to operator negligence or recklessness. However, there were other causes of boating fatalities. The top ten reasons for boating fatalities are listed below:
Alcohol UsePassenger or Skier BehaviorWeatherOperator InexperienceCareless or Reckless OperationExcessive SpeedOperator InattentionMachinery FailureForce of Wave or WakeAs it is important not to drink and drive a motor vehicle, it is also important not to drive a boat while under the influence of alcohol. It impairs the operator’s judgment and may result in fatalities. There were 124 boating deaths related to alcohol use. Almost half of the 276 boating accidents related to alcohol resulted in death.
The single most cause of injuries or boating accidents were a result of reckless operation of the boat. Of the 492 accidents associated with careless or reckless operation, 392 resulted in injuries. Open motor boats, by far, accounted for the majority of casualties related to boating. Over 700 individuals lost their lives in an open motor boat in 2008. Canoers and kayakers also suffered a large number of fatalities totaling nearly 230.
Exercising safety precautions while on a boat is of utmost importance. Some fatalities occur due to weather, malfunction, and waves. These types of accidents may be unavoidable in some instances. However, the leading cause of death was due to falling overboard, and the second cause of death was collisions. Each of these types of deaths are avoidable with the proper operation and safety jackets.
For more information on boating accident, visit Fort Lauderdale lawyer Kelley Uustal.
Right of Way and Truck Accidents
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A vehicle will sometimes come into conflict with a pedestrian or another vehicle because their intended courses of travel will be in conflict with each other. This is where the rules of “right of way” come into play. The general principle of right of way is defined as the one who has the legal right to proceed first or who should be given priority. This will establish who may use the conflicting part of the road and who has to wait until the other one has done so.
Devices for determining who has the right of way will include signals, signs, markings and various other features or devices designed to illustrate explicit priority. A good example of this is the nearly universal use of stop signs. If there are no signs or indications present that will determine the right of way, there are default traffic rules that must be observed. These rules will vary from location to location. There are efforts geared towards uniformity at an international level, which can be seen in the Vienna Convention on Road Signs and Signals. This convention prescribes standardization in traffic devices (signals, signs and markings) that are used to establish the right of way.
Pedestrian crosswalks are found in all populated areas and these are used to indicate that a pedestrian has the right of way over passing vehicular traffic. Traffic signals are found in most developed areas in order to designate right of way on the more congested roadways. The purpose of these is to expedite the flow of traffic in a safe and orderly manner by allotting timed intervals for vehicles to proceed from each direction. The intervals are programmed with certain factors in mind such as traffic volume, the location of other traffic signals and pedestrian crossings. Vehicles that are emerging from a private access must yield to motorists travelling on a public road with the exception of drawbridges, rail crossings and emergency vehicles.
Intersections that have no signals and particular roads at busy intersections may have temporary dominance whereby a break in traffic must be achieved which, in turn, gives temporary dominance to the other road.
Please note that this article is for informational purposes only and is not intended as legal advice.
You can find further detailed information regarding truck accidents in Boca Raton by visiting the Weinstein Law Offices.
“Crash Tax” may outrage New Yorkers but did you know it already exists in California?
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New York City motorists may be in for a surprise once Mayor Michael Bloomberg’s ordinance to collect “crash tax” becomes in-effect. The “crash tax” also referred to as an “accident tax” collects every time a car accident occurs. Why? The tax is used to offset the city’s cost to come out and service the car accident—police, firefighters, and ambulances cost the city money, so the tax is used to make up for the deficit, according to The Wall Street Journal.
The crash tax is New York’s response to serious budgetary constraints. Call it panic or brilliance, but the city intends to apply the crash tax anytime a person is involved in a vehicle accident, and insurance companies will not cover the cost.
The crash tax will cost motorists $490 for a vehicle fire or any other car accident incident involving injuries. A car fire with no personal injuries is discounted–$415 pays that crash tax. And, if motorists are lucky enough to escape their car accident with no fires or injuries, they will pay $365.
“We can no longer afford to provide [services] at no cost to those who require them,” a statement from the FDNY said. “Right now if you’re at fault in an accident or a vehicle fire, you get a free ride. And that should not be borne by the taxpayers.” says Steve Ritea, spokesman for the FDNY.
New Yorkers may be outraged, but a similar crash tax law is already in-effect here in California. For San Diegans, you don’t have to go any further than National City to get your first crash tax if you’ve been involved in a car accident. And, other cities throughout California are taking the hint: Los Angeles, Riverside, San Diego, Orange, Sacramento, Oakland, Palm Springs, and Ontario have approved or are considering it.
As with any bill or new government initiative, there are its appropriate pros and cons. Motorists should be aware of how the crash tax may possibly affect them, especially if they are not at-fault in a car accident. Some possible concerns against the crash tax include:
Good, responsible drivers may be more prone to a hit-and-run car accident. If California motorists face a crash tax, they may be more inclined to leave the scene of an accident to avoid the out-of-pocket expense. Since insurance companies won’t foot the bill, it’s up to the motorist to pay.Motorists will shy away from calling police when necessary. A car accident is bad enough; no one wants to pay additional money on top of their insurance deductable, time off work, and rental cars. Having to pay a crash tax may cause motorists to stop alerting police to review the scene of an accident, even if there are injuries or serious concerns at the scene of the car accident.Personal injury on the scene of a car accident may worsen. If a motorist is afraid of paying the crash tax, he or she may not call an ambulance when necessary. Will drivers sustaining whiplash start driving themselves to the hospital, just to avoid the extra tax? Personal injury can worsen if left untreated, but some drivers may be hesitant to call for help when needed.If you have been injured in a car accident, our personal injury attorneys can provide a free legal evaluation of your case. Call us now at 1-800-655-6585 or fill out our online form for an immediate response from one of our personal injury attorneys.
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Car Accident ‘Crash Tax’ In Chula Vista Delayed AgainMinor Car Accidents Are More Costly In Some StatesCalifornia Officials To Offer Lower Insurance Rates To Automobile DriversPasadena Car Crash Kills Two And Injures FourThis entry was posted on Thursday, December 30th, 2010 at 8:38 am and is filed under Accident Prevention, Accidents in the News. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.
SAFEST DAYS ON THE ROAD JUNE 7-9 THIS YEAR
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Posted on June 7, 2011 by Morgan Adams
The 2011 Roadcheck is underway. This is the pre-announced "high inspection rate" period for tractor trailers. Over these few days almost 2% of the tractor trailers on the road have a chance of getting inspected. Despite being woefully inadequate, this is almost double the normal rate of daily inspections. This is when the smart unsafe truckers take a vacation. That is why you and I are safer than at other times during the year.
Note I have nothing against the inspectors. These folks are incredibly understaffed and overwhelmed by the task in front of them. I do have a problem with how the trucking industry spins the results. The industry could be shocked that 1 in every 5 trucks is found to have safety violations and do something about it. Instead they crow about how it is only 1 in 5 trucks and it is better than last year. AGAIN, ON AN ANNOUNCED INSPECTION! The one people prepare for!
I am not the only fellow out there that can read between the lines. You can check out Michigan Truck Accident Lawyer Steve Gursten's blog as well HERE.
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