6 Tips for Defensive Driving

You've heard it before: defensive driving can help keep you out of accidents. It's nothing new, and it's a concept trumpeted by everyone from traffic cops to the DMV, but what defensive driving means exactly may be elusive. There are different ideas out there about how to drive defensively, yet they all share one thing in common. They help protect you from the unexpected. Because we all have to share the road with other people, being a safe driver yourself sometimes isn't enough. You have to also be prepared for the mistakes of others. If the unexpected does happen, you may need a good vehicle accident lawyer, but - hopefully - if you were driving defensively it won't come to that.

1. Keep hands on the wheel. This one seems really obvious, but, if you think about it, it's far too easy to take your hands off the wheel while driving, and we all do it. Still, you should try not to. Things like texting are an obvious no-no because they take your eyes of the road, but even more innocuous activities like eating or taking a sip of coffee can place you in compromising situations. If your hands aren't at 10 and 2, and something happens that you need to quickly react to, your response time and control over your car will be much more limited. 
2. Don't assume. Try not to make assumptions on the road. Just because someone has their turn signal on doesn't mean they will go that way. People mess up. Don't cut people off, or make quick moves because you don't know for certain that a person will slow down for you. They might not even see you. You might be tempted to make that turn without checking because it's the middle of the night and you don't see headlights, but don't do it. Check every time. Don't assume. 
3. Stay alert. Keep your eyes moving and scan other cars on the road. If you're paying attention when people do silly things, you'll be prepared for it. Stay aware of cars as they pass you or you pass them. They could attempt to turn into your lane, and if you see them do it, you can give them the horn before they do. 
4. Don't Linger in blind spots. If you're just slightly behind another vehicle in an adjacent lane, you're likely in their blind spot. Speed up or slow down to get out of this zone because if they decide to switch lanes they may not see you in their mirrors.
5. Maintain proper spacing. The ideal space between you and another vehicle is 1 car length for every 10 miles an hour of speed you travel. 50 miles per hour should be 5 car lengths. Just think about it, if they stop suddenly, and you're right on their bumper, you're going to hit them. It's a matter of math.
6. Don't drive mentally impaired. I don't have to tell you that drunk driving is foolish, reckless, and illegal, but try not to drive while impaired mentally either. This includes driving angry or tired which may prevent you from making good decisions.  

If you stay vigilant you can avoid dangerous situations, but if you still find yourself in a crash, you may need representation and an LA accident lawyer. If such a circumstance does arise, seek the Law Offices of Berg and Brock. As a top attorney in Los Angeles, we have your back.

When the Worst Happens

Whether we're vehicle accident lawyers, doctors, teachers, accountants, or baristas, most of us go through life fairly confident in the assumption that one day will follow on the other and life as we know it will go on. However, if we're unfortunate enough to be involved in a terrible incident, everything can change very suddenly.

The truly horrific traffic accident that occurred Thursday morning on the 60 Freeway near El Monte that killed a five year-old girl and injured 14 others, four critically, is one such reminder of the small but very real risk we all take every time get on a highway. In this case, the apparent culprit was, according to news reports, a tanker carrying milk that did not slow down for oncoming traffic. It then jackknifed over the center divider, causing a chain reaction crash that involved nine vehicles.

Lawyers are always a popular target for scorn from some quarters, but those who might question the role of personal injury attorneys in Los Angeles or elsewhere should take an incident like this into account. Although many of the facts of this particular accident are not known publicly at this time, often in these cases there are very clear guilty parties who need to be help accountable.

This is not only for the sake of the victims, who clearly have a right to be fiscally compensated following a tremendous loss -- it's also for the sake of the rest of us to ensure such incidents are as rare as possible. Corporations and individuals need to understand that putting lives at risk can have an enormous financial cost. It's one of the only means we have to actually discourage poor safety practices.

If you believe you are the victim of the negligence, or worse, in an accident and need an automotive or motorcycle accident lawyer, the Law Offices of Burg and Brock are here to help. Just call us at 1-888-509-2998.

4 Tips for Safe Vacation Travel

August is a prime time month for vacation travel as Americans everywhere pack up their cars and RVs and hit the road in pursuit of fun filled journeys. That also makes August a dangerous month for our nation's highways due to the increased traffic. In the event of the unexpected, you may need a vehicle accident lawyer, but hopefully, if you've prepared well, you'll have everything else covered. Here are 4 tips for safe vacation travel.

1. Plan ahead: You've heard it before, and for good reason. Planning is the most important aspect of any trip. Make sure you and your whole family are familiar with the details and the itinerary of the trip. In addition to knowing where you're going and how you're getting there, consider the details along the way. Update your social media before you leave so people roughly know what you're up to, but - more importantly - when you'll be back. Give the intricate details of the trip to a close friend or family member, and check in with someone not on the trip daily if you can. 
2. Triple check packing: In general, the lighter you travel the better, but make sure anything you bring is completely secure. Anything strapped to the outside of your vehicle needs to be strapped down tightly and not in any danger of falling off. Make sure you're using the appropriate ropes or straps and that you, or whoever secured the items, knows their knots.
3. Pack Emergency Phone: Bring along a back-up phone that you can keep off and stowed away. Any old phone you might have laying around will do, including that old flip phone buried in a kitchen drawer. Remember: You don't have to have a service plan on a phone to call 911.
4. Pack Emergency Kit: Every car should have a kit of emergency items in case anything goes badly. Such items should include: a large multi gallon jug of fresh water, a portable med kit, a functional spare tire, jumper cables, flares, a large blanket, and any relevant maps in case your GPS dies.

You deserve a fun get-away. Hopefully, everything will go off without a hitch, but in case of problems, a little preparation will go a long way to reducing difficulties. If you do find yourself in a hard situation, particularly as a result of an accident, don't forget to explore your legal options. If an attorney in Los Angeles is what you need, seek the acclaimed expertise of Cameron Yadidi Brock. As a top LA accident lawyer you'll receive the very best representation out there!