Gnau & Tamez SD Injury Attorneys, Author at Gnau & Tamez Personal Injury Lawyers

Why Sleeping in Your Car Can Result in a Deadly Injury or Accidententry-title

There are many reasons why you would need to sleep in your vehicle. You could be waiting to “sober up” after drinking, you could be homeless and have nowhere else to temporarily stay, or you could be traveling and taking a quick nap. Whether or not you are sleeping in your car because you need somewhere to live, or if you need somewhere to temporarily sleep, you should know the potential ramifications of this. There are multiple factors that will depend on the circumstances you receive.

How Can I Legally Sleep in my Car?

There are a few tips you should take if you are planning on taking a long road trip or if you have become temporarily displaced.

Use rest stops and campsites: If you properly plan ahead, public rest stops are typically places where you can legally sleep in your vehicle. You can’t camp there, but you can park and keep your car in a parking spot for a few hours or potentially overnight. However, if it seems that you are attempting to live there, police who are monitoring the area might charge you for illegal camping. Make sure not to stay in a campground without permission or paying the appropriate fees.
Be careful on public and private property: There are state laws and local regulations that apply to sleeping in your vehicle on public property. This will all depend on what type of public property, what time of the day it is, and where you specifically parked. Private property is usually a little more lenient, but make sure you personally check in with whomever owns the property and what their specific regulations are.
Turn off your vehicle while you’re sleeping: Keeping your engine running while you’re sleeping is extremely dangerous to yourself and others. Carbon monoxide can build up inside the vehicle if you don’t have any windows open, and you will also run out of gas much faster. If it’s cold, make sure you pack blankets, jackets, or insulated sleeping bags so you won’t have to keep the heat on.
Don’t drink and drive: Many people will want to sleep for a short period of time after a night out with too many drinks. If this is your only safe option, don’t hesitate to do this. Some tips are to sleep in the back seat instead of the front, turn off your engine, and keep your car keys out of view. Keep in mind that you could still receive a parking ticket or a DUI charge.

Sleeping in your car is a risky move to make, because you could be putting yourself at risk for arrest or injuries. Steve Gnau can tell you more on the importance of safe driving, contact his office today.

Ways to Avoid a Serious Accident While Travelingentry-title

Spring break is just around the corner, which means many families, friends and couples will be traveling to new and exciting places. Vacation time is usually a relaxing and fun getaway that many people need, and after months of physically and financially planning, you’ll be ready to hit the road. However, with so many people on the highways traveling at the same time, there is bound to be an increase in auto accidents. In any situation, getting into a car accident can be an overwhelming and confusing experience, but this is even more the case when you’re visiting a foreign city or state. Here’s what to do to prepare for this, and how you can protect yourself legally.

Know how your insurance operates in another state/country

Depending on your auto insurance policy, you can determine your individual rights in a car accident, and most of the time your first-party medical benefits coverage will follow you to another city, state, or country. To know for sure, review your insurance policy before you leave, and ask your insurance agent any questions you have about out-of-state coverage.

Practice safe driving

No matter where you are or where you’re vacationing, you should always drive as safe as possible and follow all driving laws that apply. Avoid a lot of in-car distractions in order to stay alert, ensure that everyone is wearing their seat belts, obey speed limits and construction zone regulations, and don’t drink and drive.

Protect your legal rights

If you are involved in an accident, call 911 immediately in order to seek immediate medical attention. Keep any evidence from the accident scene, and take any photographs of the scene itself, injuries, or damages. Collect all information from the other driver and be careful of anything you say or sign. People will try to take advantage of you if they notice you’re a tourist and are unaware of the system.

Steven Gnau has expertise in representing tourists who were injured in a car accident, or if they were injured in a rental car during their travels. Contact him today if you need to discuss your case.

How to Help a Loved One Who Has Suffered a Catastrophic Head Injuryentry-title

Recovering from an injury can be a tough process for anyone, but traumatic brain injuries are one of the hardest injuries to bounce back from. The recovery process from this type of an injury, also known as a TBI, can last from several months to years, depending on the severity of the injury. If a loved one in your life, like a family member, friend, or spouse, has suffered a TBI or other catastrophic head injury, there are some ways you can help them and keep the process as stress-free as possible.

Stop Asking Them What They Need

Your first instinct is to ask your loved one what they need, constantly, because you want to be there for them and help any way you can. However, this is a frustrating and vulnerable time for the person recovering, so having to answer this question all the time will eventually get old. Over time, try to assess what they need without asking, or just wait for them to ask for help.

Help Out with the Little Things

Sometimes, it’s the little things during this process that will make the most difference in a person’s recovery. Cook your loved one a meal, bring them groceries or basic household supplies, or even offer to tidy up their house. It’s these small gestures that will really end up helping out the most, because it’s the everyday chores and tasks that are the hardest to return to.

Get Them Out of the House

With permission from your loved one, their doctor and/or physical therapist, take them on an adventure. Be mindful of how much they can physically and mentally handle, but depending on their healing process, go for a walk, visit a park, or have a spa day. Sometimes being cooped up in a house all day can make the head injury recovery process more grueling.

Steven Gnau is a strong advocate for any victims of catastrophic vehicle accidents. Head injuries are one of the most common injuries that victims suffer from after an accident, and they are one of the hardest to recover from. Contact Steven Gnau today if you or a loved one has suffered a TBI or other head injury, so you can get compensated for your injury now.

Warning Signs Of Abuse At The Doctor’s Officeentry-title

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American families rely on their healthcare providers to provide quality care for their family members. Going to the doctor’s office for a regular checkup should be a carefree and casual experience, and should not leave anyone feeling unsafe or manipulated. Unfortunately, sexual abuse has become an under recognized issue in the medical practice community. For you and your family members, it’s imperative to know the warning signs that your doctor is committing sexual abuse, or attempting to sexually abuse you. Here’s what to look out for:

Prohibit any inappropriate physical contact: Your physician knows that any sexual conduct between a doctor and his or her patient is strictly prohibited. However, this line can easily be crossed if your physician is on a certain comfort level with you and he or she feels like they can safely cross that line. When you realize that your doctor is touching you more than required, recognize what’s happening and reprimand them.
Question any bizarre exams or procedures: Visiting a new doctor’s office is a new experience in and of itself, so when your doctor starts performing strange activities and procedures, it can be hard to decipher what’s really going on. However, if your doctor asks to do a random physical exam that’s unrelated to your visit, or requires you to undress at inappropriate times during your appointment without medical justification, you have the right to sue for sexual misconduct.
Know your privacy rights: A familiar form of sexual abuse from your doctor is if he or she makes inappropriate comments about or to you relating to your sexual history or any other personal information. Unless it’s directly relating to your visit, your doctor should respect your privacy and not ask anything sexual (nor should he or she share their sexual history with you).

Don’t Be Afraid to Speak Out

Speaking out to your physician and stopping him from being physically or vocally inappropriate is easier said than done. Sexual abuse cases in the medical community have been hidden and pushed under the rug; our society has blind respect for physicians and we don’t want to believe that such a respected people would exploit us.

If you or someone you know has experienced sexual abuse in the medical community, contact the lawyers at Gnau & Tamez immediately so we can help hold your medical provider accountable.

Restoring Normalcy After A Slip-And-Fall Accidententry-title

From motor vehicle collisions to hospital errors, people become hurt in all sorts of ways. Our law firm also knows that people across California may be hurt in a slip-and-fall accident. While many people are familiar with these types of accidents occurring on slick floors in grocery stores, it is important to keep in mind that slip-and-fall accidents take many forms and occur in a variety of locales. If you have been hurt after falling down due to a slippery surface and your daily life has been upended, you should go over all of your options as you try to find a return to normalcy.

Sometimes, employees slip and fall down in a restaurant or another type of workplace accident because of carelessness. On the other hand, someone may become injured after slipping on ice that was not attended to or because of a leaky pipe that was left unaddressed. These accidents may occur in casinos, office spaces, grocery stores, outside of businesses, and in many other settings. However, the pain and challenges that a victim may face can be incredibly difficult, regardless of where and how the accident occurred.

From physical pain to an inability to perform your responsibilities at work, a slip-and-fall accident can spin your life into chaos in many different ways. As a result, you should take action to defend your rights and secure resources that can help you recover. In our personal injury section, you will be able to view even more information related to slip-and-fall accidents.