In 2010, 361 people died in motorcycle crashes in California

May is Motorcycle Safety Awareness Month. The California Highway Patrol has been reminding drivers and motorcyclists to be aware of each other and to share the road safely.

In 2010, the most recent year for which data is available, 361 people died in motorcycle crashes in California. Another 11,000 people were injured in motorcycle accidents. California is home to over a million licensed motorcyclists.

The CHP is also reminding people that they should obtain the proper safety equipment as well as professional training before beginning to ride. The CHP recommends that all new riders take the Basic Rider Course, and that more advanced riders take the Basic Rider Course 2, which is administered by the CHP. Over 65,000 people are expected to take the course this year alone. Valuable advanced training is also available from private facilities emphasizing subjects varying from off-road riding skills to road-racing techniques.

Unfortunately, not everyone who rides obtains proper equipment. A failure to use proper motorcycle equipment led to a tragic death on May 7 in San Jacinto. Reportedly, a woman was riding as a passenger on a motorcycle driven by a man who was not licensed to carry passengers. She was thrown when the driver lost control on a curve. The woman was wearing a plastic shell helmet, sometimes called a novelty helmet, that wasn’t approved by the Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards. According to the CHP, the helmet failed in the collision and contributed to her death, which occurred at the scene. The driver was wearing a DOT approved helmet and suffered only minor injuries.

Use of DOT approved motorcycle helmets can help avoid traumatic brain injuries in accidents; motorcycle clothing with protective padding can help prevent road rash, and continuing hands-on training can help save lives.

Are you a motorcyclist in California? As part of Motorcycle Safety Awareness Month, make sure you are operating with proper equipment and that your skills are kept up to date. If you’ve been injured in a motorcycle accident, or have any motorcycle law questions, contact Don Sjaarda, motorcycle enthusiast and California personal injury attorney. Call him today at 714-963-8216.

Boating accidents typically involve alcohol, rough seas or inattention by the driver

Unfortunately, three fatal boating accidents occurred off the coast of California in recent weeks. All three accidents occurred during boat races.

First, on March 31, crew members from an Australian yacht on an around-the-world race were injured when a huge wave struck their ship. Fortunately, that accident involved no fatalities. Then, on March 14, strong waves hit a yacht that was racing near the Farallon Islands, killing five. Last weekend, four crew members are believed to have been killed when their boat disappeared on a race between Newport Beach and Ensenada, Mexico. The boat is believed to have collided which a much larger vessel.

Despite these well-publicized accidents, ocean boating in the Pacific is relatively safe. In 2010, there were only six accidents involving boats on the Pacific near the coast, and there was only one fatality. One reason may be that individuals who choose to take boats out on the ocean are more likely to take safety courses. Those accidents that do occur usually involve alcohol, rough seas or inattention by the driver.

If you plan on taking a boat out in the Pacific this summer, either your own boat or a charter boat, there are some steps you can take to stay safe. First, keep in mind your boat needs to be large enough to be considered safe on the ocean. The necessary size is dependent on where exactly you are taking the boat and the weather that day. Check your lights for safe operation, particularly if you will be boating after dark.

You should also always wear your life jacket, and keep basic safety items on hand like food and water, a tool kit, extra fuel, a life raft, a compass and a radio. Finally, make sure your boat’s driver is experienced at ocean boating, and that he or she stays focused on driving. I’m a big fan of checklists. Here is a boating pre-departure checklist you may find useful.

Boating in the Pacific can be an incredible experience, but it can quickly turn into a nightmare. Before you go, make sure you’ve taken all necessary safety precautions. If you’ve been injured as a result of a boat accident, contact Donald Sjaarda, California boating accident attorney at 714-963-8216.

On Sunday, extra police officers will be patrolling areas where motorcycle crashes occur, and areas frequented by motorcyclists. The police will be alert for traffic violations made by motorcyclists, as well as other drivers.

Fortunately, motorcycle fatalities in California have been on the decline. In 2008, there were 560 motorcycle fatalities. In 2009, there were 394, and in 2010 there 352. State officials attribute the decline to fewer improperly licensed motorcycle riders. In 2008, 62.7 percent of motorcycle operators under the age of 25 who were killed were improperly licensed. By 2009, that number dropped to 45.5 percent.

I always recommend that new motorcyclists, as well as those who want to fine tune their skills, take a motorcycle safety course. There are several types of classes, and they offer many benefits, including insurance discounts. To find a class near you, visit http://www.ca-msp.org/. If you have been involved in a motorcycle accident due to another driver’s negligence, contact Southern California motorcycle attorney Donald Sjaarda at 714-963-8216 today.

Last weekend in Orange County, rain caused over a dozen accidents

Last weekend Southern California faced storms that dumped a quarter of an inch of rain on Sunday night. Some parts of the county faced hail. The rain caused over a dozen automobile accidents in Orange County, but fortunately none were serious. However, many accidents caused by rain can be deadly. If you are driving in the rain, follow these basic safety tips in order to stay safe:

• Slow down and use caution. Many drivers seem to think they can drive at their normal speed when it’s raining. However, water on the road causes tires to lose traction and it also reduces driver perception. Water on the road is especially dangerous when there has been a long dry spell, which allows oil and grease to build up on the road.
• Turn on your headlights. Even if the rain is just a sprinkle, headlights will help increase your visibility. In California you must turn on your headlights if your windshield wipers are in continuous use due to rain. California Vehicle Code § 24400.
• Give yourself extra distance to stop. It can be dangerous to stop suddenly on slick roads, so give yourself a couple of extra car lengths to stop.
• Give yourself more travel time. When planning a trip, if you know it will be raining, plan to leave earlier than you normally would. Traffic will most likely be moving slower and you will be driving slower.
• Brake sooner and with less force. You never want to slam on your brakes in the rain. Brake earlier to avoid sliding, and to let the driver behind you know you’re stopping.

Have you been involved in an Orange County automobile accident in the rain? If so, contact Don Sjaarda, Orange County accident attorney, at 714-963-8216. He will work hard to obtain the compensation you deserve for your injuries.

The study found that overall, traffic deaths dropped 22 percent, and the deaths of drivers using handheld cell phones dropped by 47 percent. In California alone, there were 700 fewer fatal accidents in the year after the law was implemented, and there were between 75,000 and 100,000 fewer collisions. This result was somewhat unexpected, since previous studies had found that it was not holding a cell phone while driving that was dangerous, it was the conversation that was distracting. Many drivers were expected to continue to have cell phone conversations while driving, but to use a Bluetooth device instead of holding a cell phone.

However, it appears that many drivers decided not to use cell phones at all while driving since the ban went into effect. A recent survey found that in states with bans on handheld  phones, 44 percent of drivers reported not using a cell phone at all – either hands-free or handheld. In states without bans on cell phones while driving, only 30 percent of drivers report not using cell phones at all while driving. Therefore, it appears that many drivers are choosing to not talk on their cell phones at all rather than to use a hands-free device that’s allowed by law.

Fortunately, California’s cell phone ban on handheld cell phones while driving seems to be having some positive effects. However, there are still far too many fatalities and injuries because of careless drivers. If you have been injured in an accident caused by a distracted driver, call Orange County accident attorney Don Sjaarda at 714-963-8216 to learn more about your legal rights.

Distracted driving has become a huge problem in the U.S.

Last week, the Secretary of Transportation proposed the first-ever guidelines for automakers in order to reduce distracted driving, which is becoming a huge problem in the U.S. The guidelines aim to offer criteria for the types of electronic devices and the number of those devices used within a vehicle.

The guidelines are issued in three phases, and they are currently in Phase I. Phase I applies to light vehicles, such as cars, minivans, SUVs and pickups. Under Phase I, guidelines are suggested that help automakers make use of electronics that are not as likely to distract the driver with tasks that aren’t required for the operation of the vehicle. Phase I also recommends any electronic devices within the vehicle not require the use of the driver’s sight and touch for long periods of time.

Specifically, the guidelines recommend that any in-vehicle electronic devices reduce the complexity and task length required by the device; any off-road glances required to operate the device be limited to no more than two seconds; limit the operation of any device to only one hand; and limit the amount of inputs required for device operation. Phase I also recommends that some in-vehicle features be disabled unless the car is in park, such as Internet browsing, 10-digit phone dialing, texting, social media browsing, and GPS destination entry by address. Phase II and III are going to look into electronics that aren’t yet part of the vehicles but do serve as distractions, as well as voice-activated controls.

Distracted driving is becoming an epidemic – in 2009, 16 percent of fatal accidents in the U.S. involved reports of distracted driving, according to the NHTSA. If you or a loved one has been injured due to another driver’s distractions, contact California personal injury attorney Don Sjaarda at 714-963-8216 for vital information and representation.

Choosing the right motorcycle helmet can increase your chances of avoiding serious injuries in an accident

If you wear a motorcycle helmet, you have a far better chance of avoiding death or serious injuries than if you don’t. According to the CDC, helmets reduce the risk of head injury by 69 percent. In a crash, a rider who is not wearing a helmet is 40 percent more likely to die from a head injury than someone wearing a helmet. Hundreds of lives could be saved in the U.S. each year if all riders wore helmets. In California, all motorcycle riders and passengers are required by law to wear helmets.

The California Department of Transportation has some helpful tips on their website about choosing a helmet. First, in order to be legal, a helmet must comply with the Department of Transportation, Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard 218. The manufacturer should certify that the helmet complies with that standard – look for DOT lettering on the back of the helmet. The DOT lettering should not be easily removed. Also, when choosing a helmet, pick one that allows you to see as far to the sides as possible.

Choose a helmet that fits snugly all the way around your head without excess movement. Helmets have changed a lot since I bought my first Bell Star in the 1960’s. Modern full-face helmets come in a variety of interior shapes to help ensure a good fit for most riders. For example, Arai (r) helmets come in Long Oval, Intermediate Oval and Round Oval shapes. Choosing a helmet with the right fit can help avoid pressure spots and let you enjoy longer rides without discomfort.

If you choose an open face helmet you will also need to pick out some eye and face protection as well. A face shield, while less protective than a full-face helmet, can help protect your face if you’re involved in an accident. It can also protect you from wind, bugs, rocks, and other things that can serve as a distraction while you’re riding. Make sure the face shield is scratch free and gives a clear view of both sides.

Finally, be sure your helmet is securely fasted while you’re riding – if the helmet flies off in a crash it can’t protect you. Some helmets are poorly made or unsafe for use in motorcycling. Motorcycle helmets, like all consumer products, are subject to dangerous design and manufacturing defects.

If you have been involved in a motorcycle accident and your injuries are related to an unsafe or defective helmet, contact California motorcycle attorney Donald Sjaarda at 714-963-8216 to obtain compensation for your injuries.

Have you been involved in a slip and fall accident in southern California?

If you’ve been involved in a slip and fall accident, time is critical. Before doing anything, get checked out by medical experts at the scene. You may need to be taken to the hospital if your injuries are serious enough.

If your injuries aren’t serious enough to be taken to the hospital right away, do an inspection of the area where your fall occurred. Use your cell phone’s camera or video camera to take pictures or a recording of the scene of the accident and specifically of what caused your fall. Make notes and take pictures or videos of what the weather was like outside at the time of your fall, because rain or snow can often play an important role in your case. Make notes of what caused your fall and what the object looked and smelled like.

You should report the accident to the business owner, if it occurred on commercial property. Most businesses have a policy of preparing accident reports. Be sure to get a copy of any report prepared before you leave the premises. Also, you should insist that any video of the incident and for a period of at least 1 hour prior to the incident be preserved without alteration. You will need this to prove the source of the dangerous condition and how long it existed before your fall. Follow up with a confirming letter to the business owner.

It’s also important that you locate witnesses, if any. Write down the names, phone numbers and addresses of any individuals who were in the area before, during or after the fall occurred. Take written statements from the witnesses, since memories can sometimes quickly fade after people leave the scene of the accident. You may also consider using an audio or visual program, which many cell phones have, to record witness statements if the witnesses are willing to be recorded.

Have you been involved in a slip and fall accident in southern California? Was that accident caused by the negligence of the property owner or manager? If so, contact Don Sjaarda, Orange County premises liability attorney, at 714-963-8216. You should make contact as quickly as possible after the accident, because in slip and fall cases, time is of the essence.

Children are required to ride in a car seat or booster seat until eight or a height of 4’ 9”

Starting January 1, some new traffic laws went into effect for California. The California Highway Patrol is asking drivers to take the time to familiarize themselves with the changes in order to keep everyone safe. Some of the laws include:

• Children are now required to ride in a car seat or booster seat until the age of eight or a height of 4’ 9”. Children below age eight or 4’ 9” are also required to ride in the back seat unless the vehicle has no back seats, or the back seats are already full of children under age eight. Children who are under the age of one or are under twenty pounds, or who ride in a rear-facing seat are still forbidden from riding in the front seat of a vehicle with an airbag.
• Drivers are now required to stop and submit to a sobriety checkpoint. If the driver’s only offense is failing to hold a valid driver’s license, police officers will be prohibited from impounding the driver’s vehicle.
• Vehicles can no longer cross double solid white lines, usually found in carpool lanes.
• If electric vehicles are parked in an EV-designated parking space, they must be plugged in, or they can be towed.
• Courts can revoke a person’s driver’s license for 10 years if a person is convicted of three or more DUIs.

Have you been involved in an automobile accident in southern California due to the negligence of another driver? If so, contact Don Sjaarda, southern California personal injury attorney at 714-963-8216.

An officer was knocked into the carpool lane and suffered injuries to his arm

A police officer from Long Beach riding a police motorcycle was hit by a Toyota Corolla just after 8 a.m. on Thursday. The accident occurred on the westbound 91 when the driver of the Corolla crossed a double yellow line to leave the carpool lane, hitting the motorcycle. The officer was knocked into the carpool lane and suffered injuries to his arm.

This accident illustrates how often drivers fail to take notice of motorcycles, not only at night but also during the daytime. If you are a motorcyclist, follow these tips to make your vehicle more visible to other drivers:

• Wear bright or reflective clothing. Bright clothing will often catch the attention of other drivers, both at night and during the day.
• Stay out of other drivers’ blind spots. Although it’s the responsibility of other drivers to check their blind spots before making a lane change or taking a turn, that often doesn’t happen or they don’t see motorcycles. Make sure that you can see the drivers of other cars around you, and avoid lingering in blind spots any longer than necessary.
• Honk your horn. Although using your horn excessively can be obnoxious, there are times at which it’s necessary to let an unobservant driver know you are there.
• Use reflective tape. Reflective tape can help greatly in making you more visible to other drivers.
• Use your hands to signal. Many motorcycle accidents happen during lane changes or turns. Consider using your arm to help signal turns in addition to your turn signal, as long as you can control your motorcycle while doing so.
• Use high beam lights during the day. High beams make your motorcycle more visible, and they can help other drivers estimate your speed.

Have you been involved in an Orange County motorcycle accident due to the negligence of another driver? If so, contact California motorcycle accident attorney Donald Sjaarda at 714-963-8216. As a motorcycling enthusiast, he will help you get the compensation you deserve for your injuries.