Scooter Safety Tips

There is nothing quite like riding a scooter down the road. Scooters are a great way to travel and get around, but they can be dangerous. Here are some safety tips for your next ride.

· Helmet

The helmet is probably the most important protective gear. In most states, scooter riders are required to wear a helmet. Helmets not only protect you, but they also make the ride easier. A helmet minimizes debris flying in your face. A helmet can even protect you in extreme temperature. When you buy a helmet, make sure it fits properly. It should be comfortable and not too loose or tight. If you shake your head, the helmet should stay firmly on. Replace any cracked helmets.

· Protective gear

Additional protective gear is quite helpful. You may want to invest in eye protection, protective pants, and a protective jacket. Eye protection will keep insects or debris from flying into your eyes. In the case of an accident, protective clothing will minimize injuries.

· Stand out

It can be difficult for motorists to see a scooter on the road. Wear bright colors and reflective clothing to stand out. You can also add reflective strips to your helmet. Use your horn if necessary. You want to make sure that every motorist knows you are there.

· Signal

Never assume that another motorist will know where you are going. Always signal and give drivers plenty of notice that you are going to change lanes or turn. You are more vulnerable than a car driver so you need to communicate well.

· Intersection safety

Many accidents involving scooters occur at intersections. At an intersection, look around you for any potential hazards. Ride defensively. Look for any cars that may try to cut you off. Pay attention to turning cars around you. Follow traffic laws and you should be able to ride through an intersection safely!

· Know state rules and regulations

Many states have special rules and regulations for scooters. Find out all the state laws before taking your scooter on the road. You may be unintentionally endangering yourself.

· Be patient

You may have to deal with tailgaters. Try to ignore them and be safe. Leave extra space between you and the vehicle in front of you. This will protect you in case the tailgater rear ends you. Ride closer to the center of the lane. This will prevent the tailgater from trying to pass you.

· Be careful when you ride when it is dark

When it is dark out, visibility is low. During these darker hours, it can be dangerous for you to ride your scooter. Make sure you use your headlights and be extra careful. Motorists on the road will have difficulty seeing you. You should ride with caution.

· Avoid riding in bad weather

Visibility is also low in bad weather. The poor weather conditions are also dangerous for you to ride in. If the floor is wet or icy, you are more likely to skid or slip on the roads. Poor road conditions also increase your risk of accident. If the weather is really bad, you may want to avoid riding your scooter completely.

Scooter accidents are often quite severe and often very serious. These safety tips should help you ride safely. If you are ever in a scooter accident, you may want to contact an Orange County personal injury lawyer.

Burleson’s Failed Pizza Rescue Results in Car Accident and Broken Arm

NFL player Nate Burleson broke his arm in two places during a single-car wreck early Tuesday morning. The Detroit Lions No. 2 receiver will have to undergo surgery and will probably have to sit out the rest of the season until he recovers but the team is unsure of exactly how many games the receiver will have to sit out.  

A publication that first released the story stated that the Burleson was attempting to save two pizzas and lost control of his SUV. Authorities said that seatbelts were used and that airbags were deployed in the accident and that alcohol was not involved.

According to police, Burleson was on westbound on I-696 near Drake Road in Farmington Hills at about 2:25 a.m. Tuesday morning. He struck the center median with his GMC Yukon SUV due to a distraction. His eyes attention shifted when an “item,” which turned out to be pizza fell “off his front seat.”

There were allegedly no other people injured in the accident. When medical respondents arrived to the single crash scene, they transported the receiver by ambulance to a local hospital for non-life-threatening injuries, which included his broken arm.

After the story was published, it was confirmed with a public statement from the Lions. Coach Jim 

Schwartz said currently there are no plans to place the receiver on injured reserve and that "Nate will be back at some point."

This incident may put the whole team in a tough situation, as the 32-year-old football player leads the Lions with 19 receptions. He is also showing his best performance of the last six years. In the last game, he helped beat the Washington Redskins and managed to get 116 yards on six catches.

Last season, the receiver played only six games before suffering a broken leg. He overcame that injury and earned the team's Ed Block Courage Award, which is given to those players who overcome adversity. Burleson is expected to receive the award during a ceremony next week at Ford Field.

Now the Lions will have to depend on the next runner-up, Ryan Broyles who managed to get 17 snaps against the Redskins in his first appearance this season. "Every time he's gone in the game for us, he's made plays," Schwartz said of Broyles on Monday.

If you have been injured in an automobile accident through no fault of your own, you may need to contact a personal injury lawyer, especially if you would like to collect compensation from the responsible party.

Dos And Don'ts of Safe Driving

Dos

• Check your vehicle

Your car is a complex piece of machinery. It needs to be maintained following a proper schedule. Proper maintenance will make your car last longer and safer. Check the mirrors, tires, brakes, and lights once a week. Your car owner's manual has more information about the proper schedule for your car's maintenance.

• Drive defensively

Constantly scan the road for any possible dangers. This will help you respond to any possible dangers. It is always better to be safe than sorry.

• Be aware of weather

Before driving, it is a good idea to know the weather. Rain and snow can affect your driving. Such weather conditions make the road slippery and affect your visibility. In bad weather conditions, you also need to drive with more caution.

• Know the way

It helps to familiarize yourself with the route ahead of time. If you need to print out directions, make sure the font is easy to read. You do not want to distract yourself while driving. If you use a navigation device, make sure that the audio is loud and clear enough.

• Proper lane changes

Follow proper lane change protocol. Always signal. This alerts other drivers of your intentions. Signal, check your blind spot, and then change lanes. It is incredibly to check your blind spot. There may be another car or even another car attempting change lanes. Many accidents occur because of improper lane changes.

• Be alert in parking lots

Parking lot accidents are quite frequent. In parking lots, people's attention is low. Drive slowly and be careful of any cars backing out. Many drivers tend to speed in parking lots, but it is important to drive slowly and cautiously in parking lots.

Don't

• Eat or drink

Eating and drinking while driving may seem harmless, but eating and drinking significantly distract drivers from the road. Eating and drinking requires you to use at least one hand if not both. While eating and drinking, you are less focused on the road. If you happen to spill your drink, your attention is instantly taken off the road. Do not eat or drink while driving. Pull over to eat and drink if you are really that thirsty or hungry.

• Smoke

Smoking is incredibly distracting. It requires you to take one hand off the wheel. There is also the chance of dropping the cigarette and causing a fire.

• Use your cell phone

Cell phones are one of the primary sources of distractions for drivers. While your eyes are on your cell phone, they are off the road. Focus on the road not on your cell phone. If you must use the cell phone while driving, invest in a hands free device.

• Tailgate

Always leave at least one car length behind the vehicle in front of you. This will give you enough time to respond to any dangers ahead. Tailgating is risky and dangerous.

• Play loud music

Loud music is incredibly distracting. With loud music playing, you also can not hear the other cars or traffic. You need to be able to hear any crashes or dangers.

• Drive if you're tired

Driving while tired is very dangerous. It can be as dangerous as driving while under the influence. Take a nap before a long drive. You need to be fully alert while driving.

• Give in to road rage

Road rage is very dangerous. It also spreads very quickly. Road rage contributes to many car accidents. While on the road, stay calm and focus on the road.

If you are ever in a car accident, contact an Orange County car accident lawyer .

Driving With Dogs

Dogs are man's best friend, but they sure can be difficult to drive with. A rowdy dog can take your attention away from the road. Dog travel safety is very important. Learning about dog travel safety will make you traveling experience safer and better. Here are some great tips on how to drive safely with your dog.

You should use a safety harness or a secured carrier. Scared dogs are very unpredictable. Your scared dog might come running into your lap or even under your feet. If you are a car accident, an unsecured dog will be projected from his seat. You can find pet harnesses at pet retail stores. It helps to make sure your best dog friend is used to the harness before using it in a car.

If you know you will be driving for a long time, bring water. Your puppy will get thirsty. Water will keep your dog hydrated and cool.

It also helps to feed your dog a couple hours before you drive. Dogs are susceptible to motion sickness too. Do not feed your dog while driving. This is a choking hazard. If it is going to be an especially long drive, make sure your dog gets bathroom breaks too. It also helps to take them on small walks. They will be less fidgety on the car.

Do not leave your dog in alone in the car. The inside of a car can heat up pretty quickly. This can be quite uncomfortable to your loyal animal friend. If you must leave, leave the air conditioning on for your furry friend.

Make sure your dog's ID tags are up to date. This will protect your dog in the case he or she gets lost. It is helpful to also bring vaccination records or health documents. Certain states require proof of vaccination at interstate crossings. These documents will also help in case your furry friend gets ill.

It can also be helpful to use rubber floor liners or seat covers. This will keep your car cleaner.

Don't forget about your best furry friend's safety! If your dog is safely secured and taken care of, you will be able to focus on driving safely. Keeping your dog safe will ease your mind. Our favorite furry friends deserve to be loved and cared for. Follow these safety tips and you'll be able to drive safely and comfortably with your best friend.

The Law Offices of Dara Khavaji hopes that these tips were helpful. Our Orange County car accident lawyers are always ready to help you.

Man Confesses to DUI Death in Online Video

In an online video, a man who was behind the wheel of a vehicle while intoxicated confessed to driving in the wrong direction, which resulted in a collision that killed another driver. He now faces a homicide charge.

Matthew Cordle went on to deliver his confession on a video intended to be released online to allegedly take responsibility for the crime which he had committed. He wanted to pay his respect to the memory of the driver he killed and wanted to urge other drivers to stop drinking and driving.

Cordle, 22-year-old admitted that while in nearly blacked out drunken state, he got into his truck and drove against traffic. In the video he states "My name is Matthew Cordle, and on June 22nd, 2013, I hit and killed Vincent Canzani."

Canzani, 61, died when the wrong-way driver hit his Jeep on Interstate 670 near Columbus, Ohio.

On Monday, a grand jury in Franklin County, Ohio, indicted Cordle on charges of aggravated vehicular homicide and operating a vehicle under the influence of alcohol. He is scheduled to be arraigned Tuesday afternoon.

If Ohio's legal system convicts Cordle, he faces a maximum sentence of eight and a half years in prison, prosecutor Ron O'Brien said.

The video earned over a million views within a week of its release. 

While some viewers commented that they believe the video was shot in an attempt to reduce the prison sentence of the driver involved in the deadly DUI crash, Canzani's ex-wife, Cheryl Oates, believes Cordle's remorse is genuine.

"He said I made a huge mistake, and I'm going to take what's coming to me," Oates said. "You've got to respect him for that."

Oates is a mother of two sons. She believes that Cordle should spend some time in prison but she feels pain for him every time she watches the confession video.

"It's gut-wrenching coming from a mother looking at that young boy, and he just doesn't understand the damage that he did," she said.

O'Brien told reporters that the video has not influenced him to recommend a lighter sentence.

"We had a case against him based on the evidence as I know it before the video was filmed," he said.

Cordle's lawyer, George S. Breitmayer III, said leniency was not the goal of Cordle's video.

"Despite any speculation of his intentions, the video was meant to raise awareness related to the serious issues surrounding drinking and driving," the defense lawyer stated. "In addition, (Cordle) hopes his confession will offer the Canzanis some level of closure by avoiding any lengthy, drawn out legal proceedings."

Don’t drink and drive.

If you were injured by a drunken driver, contact Dara Khajavi at DaraLaw.com.

Thick Fog Causes England 130+ Car Pileup

A massive multi-vehicle collision in the county of Kent in southeast England injured at least 200 people, more than 30 of which required hospitalization, and involved more than 130 vehicles. The collision occurred on a bridge that connects two major motorways. Most motorists blamed the accident on poor visibility.

At approximately 7:15 a.m. local time on the A249 bridge motorists said that an instance of thick fog appeared almost out of nowhere and caused the collision. Some witnesses reported that fog on the bridge that connects to the M2 and M20 motorways was so thick, they could see 30 feet ahead of them at most, or approximately 3 cars lengths ahead of them.

Chief Inspector Andy Reeves told the BBC, "It was...very hazardous. It was described to me as a very thick fog and it was certainly low visibility at the time."

When the collision happened, it was long. Some drivers say that the collision was a ten minute ordeal. Vehicles that reached the site of the collision couldn’t stop in time and collided with the vehicles ahead of them for a nightmarish amount of time.

Cars, vans, semis and even a loaded car carrier were involved in the wreck, which forced officials to keep the bridge closed for the remainder of the day.

According to Kent Fire & Rescue Service, hydraulic cutting equipment was needed to free six people injured in the pileup.

Kent Police said there were reports of at least eight serious injuries and 60 minor injuries. By midday South East Coast Ambulance Service had transported 35 patients to six hospitals.

Figuring out who is at fault will not be easy and most will probably have to hire a personal injury lawyer.

Going through the process of collecting compensation alone can be unpleasant and may cause your personal life to suffer but we are here to help you and reduce the chances of that from happening to you. At Dara Khajavi Law Offices we can guide you through the process of collecting compensation if you were in an accident. Our lawyers are experienced and do whatever it takes to make sure the client is treated right when going against insurance companies and other parties.

Getting access to a personal injury lawyer is easier than you think, all you have to do is contact Dara Khajavi Law Offices anytime (24 hours a day, 7 days a week), by phone at: (877)782-2777. We are located in Orange County and are here to help!

Ford Recalls 370,000 Sedans

The American car manufacturer is recalling about 355,000 full-size sedans in the U.S. and 15,000 vehicles in Canada.

The recall affects Ford Crown Victoria, Mercury Grand Marquis, and Lincoln Town Car models from 2005 through 2011. Ford has announced that the recall is in effect in 22 states and the District of Columbia. These vehicles are being recalled for a corrosion problem. The corrosion problem may affect the lower intermediate steering shaft. This could cause a loss of steering. Ford is not aware of any accidents or injuries relating to this defect. 

Owners of affected cars should bring their vehicle to the dealership. Dealers will inspect recalled cars at no cost for the owner. If necessary, the dealership will replace the lower intermediate steering shaft. The dealership will also replace the upper intermediate steering shaft. Any repairs done on the vehicle will be done at no cost for the owner. 

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration was investigating complaints of loss of steering on the 2005 to 2008 models of the crown Victoria Police Interceptor. Ford discovered the corrosion problem. The recall will only affect vehicles in states that need to use road salt in the winter. These states are Connecticut, Delaware, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kentucky, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Vermont, Virginia, Wisconsin, West Virginia, and the District of Columbia. 

Some consumer advocates are against regional recalls such as this one. These regional recalls save automakers money, but it risks the excluding defective vehicles. Excluding defective vehicles could be potentially dangerous for consumers. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration approves regional recalls. Car manufacturers have also defended regional recalls. Ford has stated that owners in other states can also have their vehicles checked at no cost.

Luckily, there have been no reports of any related accidents or injuries. Safety issues like corrosion increase risk of accident. Drivers have less control. In the case of an accident, a loss of steering control could cause a fatal accident. 

If you are ever injured in a car accident, contact a Newport Beach car accident lawyer. The Law Offices of Dara Khajavi is fully prepared to handle any case. Our expert legal team will help you build your case. Car accident laws can be complicated. We work on your case so you don’t have to worry. Our team will communicate with insurance and responsible parties so you don’t have to.

Don’t hesitate to call us. There are absolutely no charges until your case is won. Call us today for a consultation. We are ready to fight for you.