Sacramento Personal Injury News

It’s back to school time and just as children are preparing for a new morning routine, drivers commuting to work need to adjust as well. The Automobile Association of America’s (AAA) annual campaign, “School’s Open – Drive Carefully” offers the following tips for drivers to protect children traveling to and from school: Build extra time into your morning schedule. Leave at least 15 minutes earlier than you do in the summer to compensate for congestion and bus stops. Be on the lookout for school zone...

We all know that texting while driving is both dangerous and illegal. Recent studies show that 1.6 million annual car crashes are attributed to someone using a cell phone while driving, and 14% of all fatal motor vehicle accidents involve cell phone usage. With these statistics in mind, there is no doubt there are distracted drivers on the road. A defensive driving mindset is necessary. Being aware of distracted drivers is your first line of defense. Here are some tips for recognizing a distracted driver, increasing your...

It may seem hard to believe, but as recently as the 1980s only about 10% of Americans wore seat belts regularly when riding in a car. Fortunately, today this important safety feature has been widely adopted and even legally mandated. Seat belts are responsible for saving over one million lives! Make fastening your seat belt a habit. Put it on as soon as you get in the car before you even start the engine and insist that other family members do the same. This single...

It’s summertime and for many people, that means a vacation that requires highway driving. One of the most stressful parts of highway driving is how to safely share the road with big trucks. An accident involving a car and a truck is almost always more serious than those between two cars due to the size and speed of a truck as well as the cargo it’s hauling. Protect yourself and your family this summer by following a few simple tips that can reduce your risk...

It’s summertime and that means many more people of all ages will be out walking. As a driver this requires extra vigilance on your part when on the road. Below are some do’s and don’ts to help you avoid an accident involving a pedestrian. Do: slow down when you see someone walking. Pedestrian movements can be unpredictable. Decreasing your speed increases your reaction time. Do: make eye contact. If you can get a walker to connect with you eye to eye you can both have...

Is a road trip part of your summer vacation plans? After Covid, many people are deciding to enjoy domestic travel this year. If your destination is far away it’s tempting to drive straight through to maximize the number of days at your vacation site. However, the risk of a car accident increases dramatically for drivers who are short on sleep. Consider the following statistics presented by the Automobile Association of America (AAA): Missing just two to three hours of sleep in 24 hours can quadruple...

Distracted driving is dangerous. In 2018 alone it’s estimated that 400,000 people were injured in car accidents that involved a distracted driver and 2,800 were killed. Distracted driving can also quickly become a habit. The only way to break a bad habit is by changing your behavior. Below are three strategies aimed at addressing some of the most common reasons people make distracted driving errors that can lead to a car accident. Put your phone out of reach—talking texting, checking emails, weather and more on...

Did you know that over 9,000 car accidents occur every year because of sun glare? Behind ice, rain, and snow, it’s the most common environmental cause of motor vehicle crashes. Sun glare can literally blind a driver, making it impossible to see the road. It only takes a few seconds of glare for an accident to happen. Below are some ways to cut the glare and be safer on the road. Adjust your drive time. Right after sunrise and right before sunset is the danger...

As the end of the school year draws near teens are itching to be done and get out and enjoy some summer fun. This year that desire may be particularly ramped up due to the restrictions young people have endured during the last two school years because of the coronavirus pandemic. Although your child may be chomping at the bit to get behind the wheel and head off to enjoy activities with their friends, it’s your role to help them stay safe and mindful of...

Schools are out and the days are longer and that means more bicyclists of all ages will be on the road. California also has the most cities ranked in the top 20 for bike commuting. All of this adds up to the need for extra vigilance both for drivers and bikers. Below are some common causes of bicycle accidents and how to avoid them. Distraction Drivers take their eyes off the road to answer a phone call, adjust the radio or GPS, eat, reach for...