How To Drive Safer On The Freewayentry-title

Photo of Suv driving on a freeway

Auto accidents can happen anywhere and at any time, so there’s no foolproof way to avoid getting into an accident. Freeway accidents, however, can result in deadlier injuries, since speeds are higher and there are more drivers in one area. Safe driving is smart driving, so if you want to be a safer driver on the freeway, follow these steps:

  1. Be wary of the fast lane: Most freeway accidents occur in the fast, left lane because there’s a smaller chance of being able to escape (off to an exit ramp) or maneuver out of your way of an erratic driver. Only drive in the fast lane temporarily and if you’re in a rush; otherwise; the middle lanes are the safest and will get you to your location on time.
  2. Scan your surroundings: Besides being aware of the car directly in front of you, you should also be vigilant of the cars on your side, behind you, and the car in front of the one in front of you. You’ll see a problem way before it actually would physically affect you, which gives you more reaction time. Also, be attentive of cars around you that are in bad or suspicious condition; this will force you to be more mindful of who you’re driving with, and who you can have your eye on in case something goes wrong.
  3. Know your blind spots: Forgetting about your blind spots is a major cause of freeway accidents. Check your rearview and side mirrors before switching lanes and merging onto the highway, and be extra watchful of truckers’ blind spots.
  4. Be cautious at night: Completely avoiding driving at night is impossible, but it does help to know that you’re at a higher risk of a freeway accident in the evening. This is because of many factors, which could include fatigue or others being reckless or drunk driving.

The lawyers at Gnau & Tamez know that risks of auto accidents are higher during freeway driving. If you or someone you know has been injured in a freeway accident in California, our attorneys can protect your rights and represent you in court.

How to Know That You’re Driving Next to a Reckless Driverentry-title

Photo Of Auto Collision

You have probably been caught in a situation where you were driving on the freeway or a local road, and someone was driving “recklessly” next to you, in front of you, or behind you. The definition of reckless driving is different for everyone, so it’s difficult to give one solution to this problem. However, if you believe that you are witnessing reckless driving, it’s important that you take some sort of action. This person could be a danger to the public or create a risk to you and others, so it’s always better to be safe than sorry, and to report this to the police.

So, What is the “True” Definition of Reckless Driving?

Any law enforcement official would say that you should report reckless driving, but only if you feel it’s “truly a dangerous situation.” Reckless can be dangerous, as in driving in a way that presents a potential danger to human life. Reckless can also just simply mean careless, as in the reckless driver in question is departing from the care that a reasonable person would exercise in a similar circumstance. Reckless can additionally mean to act with “reckless disregard,” which would mean to proceed to do something while consciously being aware of and ignoring possible consequences. If any of these definitions can apply to the situation you’re witnessing, you should call 911.

What Are Some Examples of Dangerous Reckless Driving?

These are signs of dangerous driving:

  • Weaving or swerving in and out of driving lanes
  • Passing quickly on curves and double yellow lines
  • Driving extremely slowly as to impede other traffic
  • Tailgating
  • Extreme speeding
  • Road rage
  • Disobeying and disregarding traffic signs and road rules
  • Accelerating and braking suddenly

If you were involved in a car accident that was a result of reckless and dangerous driving of another, you deserve to be compensated for your injuries and damages. Contact Steve Gnau today to get experienced representation for your case.

What Should You Do After a Motorcycle Accident in California?entry-title

Important Steps to Take After a Motorcycle Accident in California On The City Street

Being a personal injury attorney who rides, and seeing the life-changing injuries my clients have sustained, handling our clients’ motorcycle accidents are very personal for me. Even low-speed motorcycle accidents can cause serious and catastrophic injuries. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, motorcyclists are 28x more likely to suffer serious injuries in an accident than the occupants of other types of vehicles. 

Unlike drivers, motorcyclists are not protected by airbags, seatbelts, or reinforced steel cages. We remain exposed to the elements and all the forces of a crash. Yet, it is that very exposure that brings us joy when we ride.  The wind on our chest, the sun on our back, and the feel of the road transforms transportation into recreation.  

After a motorcycle accident in California, injured bikers often face an uphill battle collecting the money they need. That’s because the insurance company’s main goal is to pay out as little money as possible. They can also have strong biases against motorcyclists that are often grounded in fiction. 

To combat these biases, injured bikers need a law firm on their side from the start. A Murrieta motorcycle accident attorney can fight for your right to full compensation. Yet, there are steps a motorcyclist can take to help their attorney and improve the outcome of their case.

What to Do After a Motorcycle Accident

Call 911

After an accident, you should seek medical attention immediately. Even if you believe you have no injuries, you should still get evaluated by a trained medical professional. Calling 911 is the best way to obtain medical treatment quickly. It also alerts emergency responders and police officers to the crash site. If you are unable to call due to injury, direct someone at the scene of the motorcycle accident to call for you.

Assist With the Police Report

The police report is a valuable piece of evidence used to establish liability after a crash. If you are able, it is important to cooperate with the police at the scene of the crash. Remain calm and answer any questions they may have, but avoid speculating about the crash. Also, never apologize or admit fault in these situations. Only a detailed investigation can uncover who was truly at fault for a crash. An admission of fault, even one that is disproven later, can cost you dearly.

Take Pictures & Gather Evidence

If you are not too injured, take pictures of the accident scene and any damage to your motorcycle. Include photos of the traffic lights, stop signs, skid marks, debris, and any other evidence you think could help your case. 

Gather eyewitness contact information as well as the other driver’s contact information. Write down the make, model, and year of the other vehicles involved. Lastly, collect the other driver’s insurance card data and driver’s license number.

Call a Murrieta Motorcycle Accident Lawyer

As soon as you are able, it is important to contact an experienced Murrieta motorcycle accident lawyer. Your lawyer can establish liability and negotiate a fair settlement with the insurance company. Without a lawyer on your side, you may not receive the money you need to recover.

Contact our Murrieta Motorcycle Accident Lawyers Today

After a motorcycle accident, your life may never be the same. Motorcycle accident victims often need months and even years of therapies and care after a crash. At SD Injury Attorneys, our goal is to provide you with exceptional legal counsel and care after a motorcycle crash. Call us at 951-370-1111 to schedule a free case evaluation or fill out our confidential contact form

Proving Damages in a California Car Accident Lawsuitentry-title

Photo of a car accident

Our Murrieta Car Accident Lawyers Explain How Damages Work

Car accidents injure more than 2 million U.S. drivers each year and kill an additional 35,000. Some car accident injuries are relatively minor, meaning the individuals involved will not suffer extensive damages.

Roughly 200,000 auto accident victims require extensive treatment in a hospital after a crash. Some of these individuals suffered major injuries, some of which are catastrophic and last the rest of their lives.

Damages in a Car Accident Lawsuit

There are three types of damages in a California car accident lawsuit. Economic damages encompass your medical bills, lost income, transportation costs and other direct expenses that are quantifiable. Noneconomic damages cover the pain and suffering caused by your injury. Finally, there are punitive damages, also called punishment damages. These are damages that can only be awarded by a jury.

We can look at this concept further by using a specific type of injury to illustrate how damages could work during a car accident case. Let’s say for example that your average 25-year-old healthy male suffers a complete C1 spinal cord injury during a car crash. This type of catastrophic injury would likely incur extensive economic and noneconomic damages. A complete C1 spinal cord injury could result in tetraplegia, or a loss of function below the neck. 

The person would need around-the-clock care, therapeutic care, home medical equipment, coverage for a loss of current and future income, and money for transportation costs. These are examples of economic damages that a person with a complete C1 spinal cord injury might suffer.

A person with this type of injury would also suffer noneconomic damages, such as a loss of enjoyment in life, mental anguish, or loss of companionship. While noneconomic damages are more difficult to quantify, an experienced attorney can help maximize your compensation.

Insurance companies are much more likely to put up an extensive fight if claims involve noneconomic damages. For this reason, it is important to pick an experienced attorney who has experience with jury trials involving car accident and catastrophic injury cases.

Damages for Wrongful Death Lawsuits

Some car accident victims lose their lives. Family members suffer damages as a result of a loss or losses. This is especially true in cases where the decedent (the deceased person) was the sole source of income for the family.

Damages in a wrongful death case are similar to damages in a case involving injuries. You may be able to obtain compensation for funeral expenses from a wrongful death lawsuit.

Our attorneys can personally answer any questions you have about seeking compensation for the death of a loved one.

Proving Damages in a Car Accident Lawsuit

There are a couple of ways to prove economic damages in a car accident case. For instance, it would be necessary to analyze and estimate the cost of your current and future medical bills. It would also be important to take a look at how much money you were making or could have made if you had not suffered an injury.

With noneconomic damages, the process is more difficult because you are attempting to quantify the impact your injury has on your quality of life. The amount you can recover depends on the extent and severity of your injury, and possibly other factors. An attorney will need to successfully argue for compensation for these damages.

Punitive damages are only possible if your case proceeds to a trial, as a jury can only award punitive damages in California.

About Our Murrieta Car Accident Lawyers

The Murrieta car accident lawyers at Gnau & Tamez Law Group, LLP can help you determine if you have options to file a lawsuit against another driver. We have experience with car accident injury and wrongful death cases in California.

You can learn more about how damages could apply to your case by calling us for a free consultation. To reach our firm, dial (951)370-1111 or use the online case review form on our website.

Posting About An Accident On Social Mediaentry-title

Photo Of Auto Collision

If you have been hit by a drunk driver or someone who was recklessly operating their vehicle, you may be going through a wide variety of problems. Whether you have physical pain, financial difficulties, or mental trauma, you may feel as if nobody understands the situation you are in or have no idea how to address these challenges. For some victims, social networking platforms are a good way to reach out to others and find some support from family members, friends, and even strangers. However, the sharing of certain types of sensitive information online can lead to problems down the road, so it is important to be mindful when it comes to online posts.

Whether you record yourself and upload a video to the internet or write about certain aspects of the accident in a brief message, this information could potentially be used against you if you are heading to court or decide to file an accident claim with your insurance. As a result, it is pivotal to avoid posting anything that could hurt your case, which could make your life and path to recovery even more difficult. Unfortunately, some people have shared information by accident or without giving too much thought to the content of their message only to have the post create problems when they attempt to pursue benefits they need.

If a negligent driver has turned your life into turmoil, you should do all you can to obtain benefits you need. Visit the auto accidents page on our site for extra motor vehicle crash material.