Manhattan Beach Personal Injury Law Blog

How to become the best defensive motorcycle rider possible

On behalf of Sullivan & Sullivan posted in Motorcycle Accidents on Friday, November 15, 2019.

It is up to you to protect yourself when riding a motorcycle in Manhattan Beach, California. You cannot rely on other motorists to look twice for a motorcycle. They simply do not look for motorcycles as often as they should. Today, we will provide you with a handful of tips on how to become the best defensive motorcycle rider possible.

Make sure your motorcycle is in good condition prior to every ride. Even if you inspected and rode the bike yesterday, you need to inspect it again today prior to heading out on the open roads of California. Fix any broken lights or other issues before going for a ride.

The best and worst day to drive

On behalf of Sullivan & Sullivan posted in Car Accidents on Wednesday, November 6, 2019.

You're conscious of the dangers that you face when you drive, and your No. 1 goal is the safety of you and your family. As such, you're wondering which days are the best and worst to get on the road.

If possible, you want to stay off of the highway on Saturdays. In one study, a full 6,802 people passed away due to Saturday accidents in 2016, making it the most dangerous day of the week. Please note that some of these Saturday deaths happened very early in the morning -- think 1 a.m. or 2 a.m. -- which people may often refer to as Friday night. These late-night issues often relate to drunk driving because of people who go out on Friday and do not head home until early on Saturday morning.

Distracted driving: Worse than you may think

On behalf of Sullivan & Sullivan posted in Car Accidents on Friday, November 1, 2019.

You probably know distracted driving is a problem, but do you realize exactly how bad the issue really is?

According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, all of the public service announcements encouraging drivers to pay attention to the road have been unproductive. There were at least 3,160 people killed due to distracted driving in 2017, which represents an incredible 9% increase over just the year before.

Don't become a statistic: Prevent pedestrian accidents

On behalf of Sullivan & Sullivan posted in Auto-Pedestrian Accidents on Saturday, October 26, 2019.

Being a pedestrian in California can be dangerous these days. According to the California Office of Traffic Safety, the state has seen a drastic increase in the number of pedestrian-vehicle accidents. Fatalities are common -- rising more than 32% between 2012 and 2016. In addition, over 14,000 pedestrians were injured in 2016 alone.

When a vehicle and a pedestrian collide, the pedestrian always comes out of the situation worse off than the driver of a vehicle, so it's important to do everything you can to avoid becoming part of the statistics.

Watch out for these signs of a drunk driver

On behalf of Sullivan & Sullivan on Thursday, October 24, 2019.

Drunk drivers pose a serious threat on the roads of California. They put hundreds of people in the hospital, year in and year out, and drunk driving is one of the top reasons for fatal accidents.

Remember, you don't have to drink to get involved in a crash. All you have to do is share the road with someone who is intoxicated and irresponsible. A crash can happen in a split second.

The financial impact of sudden medical expenses

On behalf of Sullivan & Sullivan on Tuesday, October 22, 2019.

You're riding your motorcycle through California, obeying the traffic laws and enjoying the open air. Suddenly, with no warning, a car turns in front of you. Your bike slams into the side of the car. You don't have time to slow down, much less avoid it. The impact sends you crashing into the side window and then down to the pavement, where you lose consciousness. You do not wake up until you're in the ICU at the local hospital.

Doctors do say that, miraculously, you should recover. You also find out that the other driver got charged in the accident; as you thought all along, you did nothing wrong and did not cause the crash. It was their mistake.

How safe are you when riding your motorcycle?

On behalf of Sullivan & Sullivan posted in Motorcycle Accidents on Friday, October 18, 2019.

The weather in Southern California is so nice that motorcyclists can ride all year round. That's a huge plus, as riders in less temperate regions are typically putting their motorcycles up in the garage for the winter.

But perennially good weather doesn't mean that riders can ever be lax about riding safety. Even seasoned bikers can benefit from brushing up on their riding safety skills. Fortunately, the CHP California Motorcyclist Safety Program (CMSP) offers tips for riders at all skill levels. While its primary purpose is to keep motorcyclists safer on California roads, taking the motorcycle safety course might even allow you to save a few dollars on your auto insurance policy.

Cars turning right are a danger for pedestrians

On behalf of Sullivan & Sullivan posted in Auto-Pedestrian Accidents on Friday, October 11, 2019.

Pedestrians face a lot of risks near the road, even when they follow the traffic signals and have the right of way. Since these accidents are clearly so dangerous for the pedestrian, it's important for everyone to understand the dangers they face. One of the most significant risks comes from cars that are turning right at an intersection.

The problem is that drivers can often turn right on a red light. That is the same time when pedestrians have the walk symbol and are allowed to cross the road. While all of the crossing traffic on that road may have stopped, drivers turning onto it from the opposite road may not.

How can I keep my kids safe at the homecoming dance?

On behalf of Sullivan & Sullivan posted in Car Accidents on Friday, October 4, 2019.

Every fall, high school-age teens all over Southern California prepare to attend pep rallies, homecoming football games and dances. The excitement can be palpable, and you don't want to deny your child this experience.

Still, you realize that the major killer of teenagers here in the United States is auto accidents. You certainly don't want your son or daughter to become a statistic. The following tips may help keep them safer.

California urges full stop on vaping after another death

On behalf of Sullivan & Sullivan posted in Serious and Fatal Injuries on Thursday, September 26, 2019.

There have been 12 deaths in this country linked to vaping, and the Centers for Disease Control and Protection (CDC) has opened its Emergency Operations Center to mobilize researchers as they investigate at least 805 more incidents of vaping-related illness. That's a 52% increase over the 530 cases reported just last week.

In the meantime, California officials are urging residents to stop vaping altogether. In a statement released early this week, the California Department of Public Health (CDPH) told residents to refrain from vaping, saying that there are too many uncertainties about what's safe. While incidents have been reported in almost all states at this point, California has been hit especially hard with multiple deaths and at least 90 known injuries. More information keeps developing on this issue almost daily.