San Bernardino County is home to the only operating rare-earth element mine in this country. People who are on the roadways in the Inland Empire area are likely going to encounter semitrucks traversing to and from the Mountain Pass mine. This is in addition to semitrucks from other businesses. 

That makes it particularly important to understand the dangers of being near semis on the road. The more you know, the better you can protect yourself.

Semitrucks need more space than other vehicles

Semitrucks need extra room to maneuver. It takes them longer than the average vehicle to start moving and to stop. They need extra room when executing turns, especially right turns. 

Additionally, truck drivers can’t see in the area immediately around the truck because of the large blind spots. You shouldn’t ever stay on the side of a semitruck for a prolonged time because the trucker can’t see your vehicle. Pass quickly, when necessary, and don’t cut the truck off when you merge.

Truckers must do their part

Truckers are operating rigs that are very large and heavy. They must always remain vigilant while they’re driving. They shouldn’t ever drive aggressively. They need to be sober and fully aware, which means they can’t drive while they’re impaired, distracted or fatigued. 

Unfortunately, truckers who are feeling rushed to make a delivery or to a pickup may take risks that lead to crashes. Other drivers need to be conscious of trucks that are speeding and just let them pass.

If your vehicle was struck by a semitruck, the consequences can be traumatic and affect you and your loved ones for the rest of your lives. Make sure that you get appropriate legal guidance as you pursue fair compensation for your claim.

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If you’re out for a walk in the neighborhood and you encounter a threatening dog, you’re probably going to be tempted to run away from it. It stands to reason that you need to put as much space between you and the dog as possible, and you want to do it as quickly as you can.

However, although this may feel like it’s going to make you safer, running may actually just put you in greater danger. Here are a few reasons why you shouldn’t simply turn and run away from a dangerous dog.

Dogs have a chase instinct

First off, dogs have an instinct to chase, and they’re always looking for prey. If you turn and run, you can activate the instinct and make the dog even more aggressive.

You lose sight of the danger

It can be difficult to know exactly where to look in this situation because you don’t want to make eye contact with the dog. Dogs see this as a sign of aggression. But you do want to keep it in your peripheral vision, so you shouldn’t turn your back entirely.

Dogs are simply too fast

For the most part, the fact of the matter is that dogs are just too fast for humans to outrun them anyway. This is why you’re far better off trying to calm the dog down and slowly retreating from its territory. If you run, all you’re doing is risking riling the dog up or causing it to chase you. It’s much better to keep your energy level low to try to avoid a bite.

Of course, even if you do everything correctly, you could still be bitten by a dangerous dog. If you suffer serious injuries and infections, make sure you know what legal options you have.

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People own dogs for a variety of reasons. And owning a dog also comes with its share of responsibilities. Besides caring for the animal, California laws also require dog owners to keep their animals from causing property damage or injuries to people.

If you are attacked by another person’s dog, you may be eligible for compensation through a premises liability lawsuit. And since California is a strict liability state, you do not need to prove that the dog owner was negligent to win your claim. However, not all dog bite cases lead to compensation.

Here are instances when your California premises liability claim as pertains to a dog bite may be denied.

You were trespassing

California’s strict liability statute only applies if the dog attacks you on a public facility or if you were lawfully on the defendant’s property. The dog owner may deny liability if you were attacked while unlawfully trespassing into their property.

There was no bite

There has to be an actual bite for California’s strict liability law to apply. The skin does not have to be lacerated, but there has to be evidence of injury nonetheless.

But what if you are knocked down by the dog, with no bite or other injuries? Well, in this case, you may pursue a scienter claim rather than a premises liability claim against the dog owner.

You did not file your claim in time

It is important that you file your premises liability lawsuit within the stipulated statute of limitations period. In California, the statute of limitations for a premises liability lawsuit is two years. You risk losing the right to compensation if fail to file your claim within two years.

A dog attack can leave you hurt and traumatized. Knowing your legal options can help you protect your rights while pursuing your premises liability lawsuit in California.

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Have you ever checked your phone while stopped at the lights? Not only is it dangerous, but it is also illegal in California.

Most people know that it is dangerous to use a phone while in motion, but they don’t realize that the same holds true when they’re paused in traffic. Here is why it is such a problem:

You might not see a potential hazard

Let’s say you pick up your phone, check a text, send a quick email or catch the latest football score. You realize the light is about to change, put the phone down and pull away when it turns green. It sounds fine, but what did you miss while staring at the screen?

If you remain looking at the road around you rather than your phone, you can build up a more complete picture of the road before you pull off. It allows you to notice potential dangers and delay pulling away where necessary.

You continue to think about your phone

According to one survey, you typically still think about what you saw on your phone for almost half a minute. Maybe you are wondering how to reply to the text you read or how on earth your team threw away a great lead again.

So even if you pull away from the lights without incident, you are still at an increased risk of crashing for the next few hundred meters.

Hopefully, you never pick your phone up at the lights. Yet many drivers do, and one might crash into you. Getting legal help to show they were still distracted by their phone could help you get the compensation you need if injured in a car crash.

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A tire blowout is a frightening experience. There was a loud noise that you don’t expect, followed by decreased performance by your vehicle. Depending on the driving conditions at the time the blowout occurs, a driver could completely lose control of their vehicle.

Heat from the pavement is often a major contributing factor to tire blowouts when they do occur, so you will be at elevated risk for a blowout when you drive through the desert in the summer, as well everyone else on the road with you.

How do you protect yourself from a possible blowout on your next long daytime drive?

Keep your tires in decent repair

The most effective way to prevent a blowout is to ensure that your tires are in good condition. The more worn the tread on your tires has become, the more susceptible the tire may be to suddenly failing as you drive.

Underinflated tires are another risk factor. When your tire shifts on the rim significantly because of inadequate air pressure, that may increase the risk of a blowout. Finally, having more weight in your vehicle than your tires can safely manage will also increase your risk. Keeping the weight of your vehicle at an appropriate level and monitoring the condition of your tires will go a long way toward preventing a blowout.

Give other drivers plenty of space

While you can keep your own tires in good repair, you have no control over what the person next to you in traffic does with their vehicle. Especially if you notice a vehicle in poor condition close to you, you may want to slow down to give them more space or change your route so that you won’t be at risk if their tire blows out and they lose control of their vehicle.

When blowouts do occur, they may give rise to insurance claims or civil lawsuits. If someone else loses control of their vehicle and hits you, you may be able to file an insurance claim aim. In some cases, you may have grounds for a third-party liability lawsuit, such as when there was a defect in the tire that led to the blowout.

Learning more about safety rules for driving in the hot California summer will protect you from motor vehicle crashes and help you handle a collision better if one does happen.

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