Blog

Signs point to a relaxing of truck safety rules and regulations in the months ahead. In early December the Obama administration presented proposals requiring stricter rules about truckers being rested. Congress said No. With Republicans in charge of Congress and the White House starting January 20, we should probably expect a major rollback of trucking…

Getting into a car crash is hardly something anyone can truly be prepared for. These accidents can be devastating, especially if you become injured as a result of the crash. Dealing with an injury after an accident occurs can be particularly stressful; it could lead to extensive medical costs, lost wages due to missing work,…

Many people have the sense afoot that rabies is a thing of the past, a storybook disease like smallpox or leprosy. But as a recent case from Calaveras County shows, rabies is alive and well in our region, and people need to take it very seriously. In the month of November alone, seven persons had…

When we think of automobile safety, one of the first things that come to mind is the seat belt. Annually, they save about 14,000 lives. However, they may present a problem. Seat belts are designed to keep, for example, the average 40 year old man safe in the event of a crash. The force required…

Teenagers between the ages of 16-19 have the highest average crash and traffic violation rate over any other age group of drivers. There are more rules and regulations for young drivers and with good reason. The state of California bans the use of cellphones for anyone under the age of 18; even in hands-free mode….

With the holiday season fast approaching, many are thinking of potential toys to gift their young. However, the consumer advocacy group World Against Toys Causing Harm, Inc. (W.A.T.C.H.) recently released their list of the nominees for the “Worst Toys of 2016,” a list of potentially harmful and hazardous toys.  Toys on the list include Peppa Pig’s…

While tornadoes, hurricanes and floods dominate news coverage, plain old inclement weather is the cause of more fatal car accidents annually than all three combined.  According to the Department of Transportation (DOT), more than 5,748,000 car accidents occur annually, based on statistics spanning from 2005 to 2014. Of these, 22 percent (roughly 1,259,000) involved bad weather…

California is poised to legalize marijuana in a few days, with polls showing a strong majority favoring Proposition 64. So it’s time to ponder the impact of legalization on highway safety. It is illegal to drive and drink. It is also illegal to drive while high on pot. But are the two things equally dangerous?…

The 2016 deer hunting season in California comes to an end November 16. It’s a good opportunity to ponder the relationship between deer, motor vehicles and personal injury law. Deer hunting season coincides with deer mating season One reason that deer-automobile collisions increase is that autumn coincides with the animals’ mating season. Deer take chances…

Two study groups with the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration this week approved recommendations that commercial truck drivers should be screened for obstructive sleep apnea before being allowed to drive. Obstructive sleep apnea is a sleep disorder in which breathing repeatedly stops and starts. Signs you may have sleep apnea include loud snoring and feeling…