As summer is almost here and the days get longer, the nicer days mean our roads will start to see a significant increase in motorcycle traffic. This also means that drivers will need to exercise even more caution on the already crowded California roads to ensure everyone gets home safely. Every summer sees a rise in motorcycle accidents, and it’s up to drivers and riders to educate themselves on sharing the roads safely.

While responsibility for motorcycle accidents can often be a shared thing, more often than not statistics indicate that motorcycle accidents are typically caused by motorists failing to see a motorcyclist or failing to yield to the cyclist’s right-of-way. These accidents often result in serious injury or even in death. Because of the seriousness of this issue, the Motorcycle Safety Foundation has released a new iBook, Intersection: Sharing the Road that is designed to educate motorists about what they can do to increase motorcycle safety.

A New Effort to Educate Motorists

The Motorcycle Safety Foundation is reaching out to motorists to educate them about motorcyclist’s rights. Their hope is that by offering information they have developed in their new iBook, motorcyclists and motorists can work together to create a better understanding of how they can share the roads more safely.

The iBook offers information about motorcycle accidents and educates motorists about the accidents purely from the motorcyclist’s perspective. There are diagrams, illustrations, and even videos that can help motorists understand how dangerous the roads can be for motorcycles, and they can learn to avoid some of the most common motorcycle accident scenarios. The 32-page book can be downloaded from iTunes.

If you are a motorist, the best advice you can take is to be aware of those on the roads around you, particularly if those around you include motorcycles. Motorcycles have the same rights on the roads as any other vehicle. And keep in mind that at this time of year it is far more likely that the lanes around you will include a few more motorcycles than in colder months.

Be Aware That “Lane Splitting” is Legal in California

California also happens to be almost unique in that motorcyclists are actually allowed to ride in the same lane as motorists in a practice known a lane splitting. While lane splitting is illegal is most states, California is one of the few where it is still allowed. Because of this, it is extremely important that both auto drivers and motorcyclists be cautious and aware when on the roads.

If you’re a motorcyclist, the best precaution you can take is to assume that those around you do not see you and, of course, always wear a helmet. Helmets can mean the difference between life and death. Do not rely on the motorists around you to be aware of where you are. You must ride defensively at all times.

Call Aslin Tutuyan for a Free Consultation About Your Case

Aslin Tutuyan is a personal injury attorney with The Mandell Law Firm in Northridge. Mandell Law is an aggressive personal injury law firm serving clients throughout the San Fernando Valley, the Greater Los Angeles area, and Southern California. Experienced and reputable, our attorneys provide hands-on care and sincere commitment to victims of accidents of all kinds, including auto and motorcycle accidents. Contact Aslin Tutuyan for a free consultation at 818.866.6600.

The post Motorcycle Safety – This Is The Season appeared first on San Fernando Valley Personal Injury Blog.

Medical malpractice occurs when a health care provider fails to deliver an acceptable level of care for a patient. This negligence can result in injury or even death for the patient. In a majority of cases this involves some form of medical error on the part of an individual, but can result from a systematic failure on the part of a facility or institution. The statutes which outline medical malpractice vary from state to state. The following are a few guidelines established for residents of California.

All medical malpractice cases are subject to a one-year statue of limitations from the date at which the individual became aware of the act, regardless of the victim’s age. If the individual fails to recognize the cause within the one-year period, the statue of limitations can be extended to no more than three years from the date of the injury. If the case involves a child who is under the age of six, action must be taken either before the child’s eighth birthday or within a three-year period following the incident.

The Limitations on Damages

The only other primary difference between cases involving children and those of adults is when the statutory period commences. For adults, the period begins when the incident is discovered, but for children, the period begins at the time that the incident actually occurred.

California has also placed a cap on damages that can be recovered in such cases. Cases that result in a wrongful death are capped at $250,000. The cap on non-economic damages is also set at $250,000. These types of damages refer to pain and suffering, any type of physical impairment or disfigurement, or inconvenience due to the injury. If a loss of consortium is involved, the uninjured spouse could seek additional damages.

What Is the Collateral Source Rule?

California also observes the collateral source rule. This means that a victim’s compensation from the courts cannot be reduced due to additional reimbursement that they may have received from other types of compensation, such as through a medical insurance carrier.

There are even caps in place for how much attorneys can receive in compensation. The caps are based on a percentage of the awarded amount in the case and vary depending on the total amount that the plaintiff receives, whether it is through a judgment, a settlement, or arbitration.

Medical malpractice can leave you with a diminished quality of life for an extended period of time, or even for the rest of your life. Victims of these incidents should contact an experienced attorney to seek fair compensation for help in their recovery and to prevent placing unnecessary financial burden on their families.

Mara Burnett is an Experienced Medical Malpractice Attorney

The Mandell Law Firm, in Northridge, is an aggressive personal injury and wrongful death law firm serving clients throughout the San Fernando Valley, the Greater Los Angeles area, and Southern California. If you or a loved one is dealing with an injury suffered through no fault your own, Mara Burnett can help. Experienced and reputable, Mara and the other attorneys at Mandell Law provide hands-on care and a sincere commitment to victims of accidents and medical malpractice. Contact Mara Burnett for a free consultation at 818.866.6600.

The post Medical Malpractice 101 – A California Primer appeared first on San Fernando Valley Personal Injury Blog.

A massive recall announced at the beginning of April has been attributed to a Japanese seatbelt and airbag system manufacturing company that is blaming a component in an airbag currently installed in millions of cars throughout the world. This recall includes some 3.9 million vehicles and involves some of the most well-known Japanese automakers including Honda, Toyota, Mazda, and Nissan.

It has been confirmed by Toyota that the faulty airbags were manufactured by Takata Corporation, a Tokyo based seat belt and air bag supplier. The defect is known to be in the air bag inflator in the front passenger air bag. The faulty inflators are causing the air bags to erupt with too much pressure. This defect presents a risk of abnormal deployment of the airbag should an accident occur, and this abnormal deployment carries a risk of injury to the passenger.

Of Reported Airbag Malfunctions None Has Resulted in Injury or Death

There have been at least 5 confirmed reports of airbag malfunctions in Toyota cars, although none of these confirmed defective airbag incidents resulted in injury or death to the occupants. Two of these reports are from Japan, and at least 3 are confirmed in the United States.

Toyota has announced that they are recalling 1.7 million vehicles, with about 580,000 being recalled in North America. Included in the recall are the Corolla, Tundra, Sequoia, Camry, and the Lexus SC. The recall specifically addresses those vehicles manufactured between November 2000 and March 2004.

Honda Joins Toyota, Nissan and Mazda in Huge Airbag Recall

Also affected by the recall is Honda Motor Company. Honda announced the recall of 1.1 million vehicles. Approximately 680,000 of those vehicles are being recalled in North America. Included in the Honda recall are the CR-V, Civic, and Odyssey. The model years included are all between 2001 and 2003.

On the heels of Honda and Toyota, Nissan announced recalls of about 480,000 vehicles around the world for the same problem. A large volume of vehicles are being recalled from the American market, but they did not provide specific numbers. They did, however, confirm that the models in the recall include the Cube, Maxima, Teana, and X-Trail manufactured between 2004 and 2007.

Mazda announced they are a small part of the recall with about 45,000 RX-8 and Mazda 6 cars being affected worldwide. There is also information to indicate that several non-Japanese automakers may be affected by this airbag related defect, but the Takata Corporation has not provided any details at this point about these non-Japanese manufacturers.

Contact Your Auto Dealer Immediately For Airbag Replacement

Due to the massive scale of this recall, and the wide popularity of the vehicles involved in the recall, it is important that this information gets to consumers. Owners need to be aware of the defect for their own safety and to be aware of the recall in order to seek repairs from their vehicle dealers.

If you feel that you or a loved one have suffered serious injury from a defective airbag in any vehicle you should consult an experienced product liability attorney as soon as possible.

Robert Mandell is a Top California Personal Injury Lawyer

Robert Mandell is a personal injury and wrongful death attorney, and lead litigator at The Mandell Law Firm. He is experienced and knowledgeable in all areas of personal injury law, including auto accidents and product liability. Let him assess your claim. It’s important to work with a personal injury attorney who has demonstrated a determination to fight for his clients. Robert Mandell and the team at Mandell Law will fight to protect your rights. To arrange a free consultation, contact Robert Mandell at The Mandell Law Firm in Northridge. 818.886.6600.

The post Airbag Recall – Millions of Japanese Autos Involved appeared first on San Fernando Valley Personal Injury Blog.

It might seem that this is becoming routine, but The Mandell Law Firm is once again pleased to announce that our partner and lead litigator, Robert J. Mandell, has been quietly collecting more accolades. Rob has been recognized with a distinguished Martindale-Hubbell Peer Review Rating. This rating is unique in that it is awarded by peers to deserving attorneys based on both legal ability and professional ethical standards. Not only did Rob receive a rating, he received the highest rating awarded to reviewed attorneys, AV Preeminent.

This recognition comes only after members of the Bar and Judiciary offer candid and objective feedback about their peers. A certain number of peer responses must be received in order to achieve a rating, and once those responses are reviewed, Martindale-Hubbell compiles them and awards the resulting ratings to deserving attorneys.

What Does a Martindale-Hubbell Peer Review Rating Mean?

The comprehensive review process is comprised of two major portions, General Ethical Standards and Legal Ability. The first asks peers to rate an attorney on adherence to professional standards of conduct and ethics, diligence, reliability, and other criteria relevant to the discharge of professional responsibilities. Those lawyers who meet the “very high” benchmark of these General Ethical Standards are moved on to the next portion of the review process.

The second part of the review process, the Legal Ability portion, assesses an attorney’s performance in five key areas of legal ability. These are legal knowledge, judgment, analytical capabilities, communication ability, and legal experience.

Once the results of these two segments of the review are analyzed and computed, the reviewed attorney is awarded a rating that reflects how he is regarded by his peers. A Martindale-Hubbell rating of AV Preeminent is recognized by Martindale-Hubbell as a significant accomplishment. It is considered testament to the fact that a lawyer’s peers rank him or her at the highest level of professional excellence. Rob views it as a true honor and a vote of confidence from his peers. This is Martindale-Hubbell’s highest rating and all of us at The Mandell Law Firm are very proud to see it bestowed on Rob. It is well-deserved.

The Martindale-Hubbell Peer Rating System is provided to help buyers of legal services form an objective opinion about providers of those services. It’s designed to help those in need of legal services evaluate and select the most appropriate lawyer for their specific needs. These ratings can be a big help in a consumer’s hiring decision.

How Do I Find a Martindale-Hubbell Rated Attorney?

To view a lawyer’s Martindale-Hubbell Peer Rating, you can find it in the online listings at Lawyers.com and at Martindale.com. By selecting an attorney with a peer rating, you have an added measure of assurance that that attorney is well respected in the areas of legal ability and ethics.

In addition to being my brother and law partner, Robert Mandell is the lead litigator at The Mandell Law Firm. He graduated Magna Cum Laude from Southwestern University School of Law and is an experienced trial lawyer who handles cases throughout Southern California and the western United States. He has prevailed in numerous difficult and high profile cases and has garnered substantial settlements for his clients. I’m proud of him on many levels.

Laurence Mandell Will Help You Evaluate Your Case

The Mandell Law Firm, in Northridge, is an aggressive personal injury and wrongful death law firm serving clients throughout the San Fernando Valley, the Greater Los Angeles area, and Southern California. Experienced and reputable, our attorneys provide hands-on care and sincere commitment to victims of injuries of all kinds. Contact Laurence Mandell for a free consultation at 818.866.6600.

The post A Martindale-Hubbell Peer Review Rating appeared first on San Fernando Valley Personal Injury Blog.

The summer recreation season is fast approaching and for many families that means lots of activity around the swimming pool. Southern California may well be the swimming pool capitol of the world with almost 100,000 backyard pools in the San Fernando Valley alone.

Swimming pools are great for relaxing during the hot summer months. Entertaining family and friends with barbecues, birthday parties, or just an afternoon of swimming can be great fun for everyone. But water safety should always be at the top of your priority list when hosting or attending a gathering around a swimming pool.

Swimming Pool Injuries Are All Too Common

Each year thousands are injured or killed in swimming pool accidents. If you own a swimming pool and have children or entertain friends, you should take every precaution to make sure they are safe and protected while on your property. First, this means having the right insurance coverage at a sufficient level in the event that someone outside of your immediate family is injured.

Most pool owners believe that their homeowner’s insurance offers adequate protection. This is usually not the case. Sadly, many people find this out much too late. If you’re unsure, consult with your insurance professional to be certain that your coverage is adequate to protect you, your family, and your assets in the event of an injury or death in your pool. Medical expenses are the same whether the cause was deliberate or accidental. And whether it took place at your home or theirs, victims will need help with those expenses. Unfortunately, the liability will rest with you if someone is injured in your pool. Even good friends can be placed in the uncomfortable position of having to sue you to protect their own best interests.

To protect yourself, your family and your guests, be sure you always follow these pool safety rules, and create any others that may be appropriate for your situation. Make your guests aware, up front, of what is expected of them.

A Few Tips to Avoid Swimming Pool Accidents

• Always designate a responsible adult who can swim as your pool watcher.
  Relieve him or her every 20 to 30 minutes.
• Learn to swim and teach your child to swim.
• Learn to perform CPR on children and adults and keep your skills updated.
• No one swims alone. Not even adults.
• Make sure all children know the safety rules before they go near the pool.
• Enforce the rules. Anyone who violates them should be asked to leave the pool immediately.
• Anyone who cannot swim must wear a flotation device.
• No running or rough play in or near the pool.
• No diving in shallow water.
• Never stand or play on a pool cover.
• If you’ve lost track of a child, look in the pool or spa first.

Want to Learn More About Swimming Pool Safety?

To get additional information about swimming pool safety, download the free Safety Guide for Home Swimming Pools and Spas from the California Department of Public Health, or visit The Centers for Disease Prevention and Control and The American Academy of Pediatrics.

If you or a loved one have been involved in a pool-related accident, or if someone was injured in a pool that you own, then you need to be advised of exactly what your rights and responsibilities are. An experienced attorney can help guide you through this difficult process and help protect you and your family.

Aslin Tutuyan is Available to Advise You

Aslin Tutuyan is a personal injury attorney with The Mandell Law Firm in Northridge. Mandell Law is an aggressive personal injury law firm serving clients throughout the San Fernando Valley, the Greater Los Angeles area, and Southern California. Experienced and reputable, our attorneys provide hands-on care and sincere commitment to victims of accidents of all kinds, including swimming pool accidents. Contact Aslin Tutuyan for a free consultation at 818.866.6600.

The post Swimming Pool Accidents appeared first on San Fernando Valley Personal Injury Blog.

With Summer only a few weeks away, many people will spend a good deal of that time in pursuit of the ultimate goal: a “healthy” golden tan. Leaving the oxymoron aside for a moment, finding time during the day to lay in the sun in order to achieve this goal is difficult for most working people. In response to this dilemma, technology and the marketplace have given us tanning beds. But is this a safe alternative to a risky behavior? Is tanning bed injury just as common as sunburn injury?

People choose to utilize tanning beds for a number of reasons. One is scheduling. Using a tanning bed can be worked into your schedule pretty much at your convenience, day or night. Another is the fact that tanning beds are not season-dependent. Indoor tanning is available year-round, allowing you to have the “perfect” tan all the time, even well before summer arrives.

A Common Myth About Tanning Salons

But there is controversy associated with tanning beds. Another reason, not mentioned above, that some choose to use tanning beds is because they believe it to be a much safer alternative to traditional sunbathing. Unfortunately, they’re wrong. Tanning the skin, regardless of how it’s achieved, produces the same harmful effects. Whatever the source, you are exposing the skin to injurious UV radiation. Using an artificial means to accomplish this does not diminish the harm.

Each and every time you darken the skin from UV radiation exposure, you increase the risk of developing skin cancer. Even one event of over-exposure can allow melanoma to form. The more frequently you burn the skin, the greater your risk of melanoma.

Risk of Tanning Bed Injury is Often Downplayed

Owners of tanning salons sometimes justify their procedure by reminding you of how important vitamin D is to the body. Since this vitamin is primarily derived from the sun, it might seem logical that tanning would offer the same benefit. This is another popular misconception. The amount of sun needed to absorb an adequate amount of vitamin D is minuscule compared to the exposure received in a tanning bed. Tanning beds deliver roughly 12 times the amount of UV radiation exposure, in a comparable time frame, as the sun.

And finally, one more factor that makes exposure to UV radiation in a tanning bed more harmful than exposure to the sun is the fact that tanning beds, unlike the sun, emit mostly UVA rays rather than a combination of UVA and UVB rays. UVA rays penetrate the skin much deeper and cause substantially more damage at a much faster rate.

If you would like more information about the use of indoor tanning facilities, visit The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention at www.cdc.gov/cancer/skin/basic_info/indoor_tanning.htm.

Mara Burnett is Available to Evaluate Your Case

The Mandell Law Firm, in Northridge, is an aggressive personal injury and wrongful death law firm serving clients throughout the San Fernando Valley, the Greater Los Angeles area, and Southern California. If you or a loved is dealing with an injury suffered through no fault your own, Mara Burnett can help. Experienced and reputable, Mara and the other attorneys at Mandell Law provide hands-on care and a sincere commitment to victims of accidents. Contact Mara Burnett for a free consultation at 818.866.6600.

The post Tanning Bed Injury appeared first on San Fernando Valley Personal Injury Blog.

Spring is here. Summer is fast approaching, and in Southern California it’s already boating season. Boating is a favorite water pastime for thousands of Californians, and one that can be enjoyed throughout most of the year for those of us in warmer areas. But in the summertime, crowds flock to lakes, rivers, and favorite spots on the Pacific shore to take advantage of sunny clear weather and enjoy sport and recreational boating at its best. When you combine the increased numbers of watercraft with the fact that most “captains” may not have been on the water in many months and might be a bit rusty, the situation lends itself to an increase in boating accidents and fatalities. And they always show up.

That’s why knowing your rights and responsibilities, both as a boat owner and as a passenger is very important. When someone rides on a boat, their safety and well being is automatically the responsibility of the boat operator. This means that knowing your passengers, and ensuring that they know what you expect of them, is vital to everyone’s safety. And everyone onboard relies on the boat’s operator to know and understand the laws and etiquette of safe boating, and to abide by them.

Proper Insurance Coverage Should Be First Priority

As a boat owner, you need to do what is necessary to protect yourself, your property, and your passengers. This means being adequately insured. The best thing that you can do is to have boating liability insurance in place. It works the same as liability insurance on your car and pays for property damage that you may be responsible for as the result of an accident. It’s also a good idea to carry additional types of coverage for personal injury in order to protect yourself and your passengers in the event someone onboard is injured.

But safety is the other part of that protection. Following a few simple rules can help ensure that you, your family, and your friends enjoy a safe outing on the water.

10 Tips for Avoiding Boating Accidents

• Avoid boating in bad weather or when visibility is poor.
• Only go out on a boat after dark if your craft is equipped with all lights required by law.
• Always be sure to have at least one cell phone onboard (in waterproof protection) in case of an emergency.
• Never overload a boat with too many people or too much cargo.
• Always have enough Coast Guard approved flotation devices for everyone onboard.
• Insist that children and non-swimmers wear a flotation device at all times on the water.
• You should know everyone who is a passenger on your boat.
• Insist that everyone remain seated anytime the boat is moving.
• Always choose a designated driver if alcohol will be consumed.
• Never, EVER drink alcohol while operating a boat.

Following the tips above should go a long way in keeping you safe of the water, but you can’t always predict the behavior of other boat owners. If you or a loved one has been injured in a boating accident or if someone has been injured in an accident involving your boat, you need to be aware of your rights and responsibilities. An experienced attorney will help you through these difficult times and make sure that you are adequately protected.

Talk to Laurence Mandell if You’ve Been Involved in a Boating Accident

The Mandell Law Firm, in Northridge, is an aggressive personal injury and wrongful death law firm serving clients throughout the San Fernando Valley, the Greater Los Angeles area, and Southern California. Experienced and reputable, our attorneys provide hands-on care and sincere commitment to victims of injuries of all kinds, including boating and skiing accidents. Contact Laurence Mandell for a free consultation at 818.866.6600.

The post Avoiding Boating Accidents appeared first on San Fernando Valley Personal Injury Blog.

Being the first to arrive on the scene of a serious accident can be a horrific experience. In these situations, there is a high probability that someone is going to need emergency assistance. But, just because someone needs help, does that mean that you’re obligated to offer it? If you choose not to get involved, as do some bystanders, can there be legal repercussions for your decision? What if you render assistance and the victim’s condition worsens or they die? Can you be held legally responsible?

Many states have enacted “Good Samaritan” statutes to encourage bystanders to become involved when someone is in need. These statutes offer some guidelines, but they are often vague. California Health and Safety Code Section 1799.102, which delineates the California Good Samaritan law, seems to offer complete immunity from liability only to “medical, law enforcement, and emergency personnel” operating outside the confines of “emergency departments and other places where medical care is usually offered.”

The Supreme Court and the California Good Samaritan Law

This was confirmed on Dec. 19, 2008 when The Supreme Court of California, in the case of Alexandra Van Horn v. Lisa Torti, ruled in a sharply divided 4-3 decision that Torti was not protected from legal action under California’s current Good Samaritan laws because the statute immunizing rescuers from liability applies only if the individual is providing medical care in an emergency situation. Torti is not a health-care worker and believed she was acting in her friend’s best interest when she removed her from a wrecked car in 2004. Van Horn subsequently became a paraplegic. This decision was widely covered in the news, including this 2009 article in Time Magazine.

In its decision, the supreme court made reference to common-law principles, saying that a “person has no duty to come to the aid of another. If, however, a person elects to come to someone’s aid, he or she has a duty to exercise due care. Thus, a ‘Good Samaritan’ who attempts to help someone might be liable if he or she does not exercise due care and ends up causing harm.” Again, here is the applicable statement from Statute 1799.102 … “no person who in good faith, and not for compensation, renders emergency medical or nonmedical care or assistance at the scene of an emergency shall be liable for civil damages resulting from any act or omission other than an act or omission constituting gross negligence or willful or wanton misconduct.”

It Is Ultimately a Matter of Conscience

States rely on people’s conscience to guide them in how much they should help someone involved in an accident. But this brings up another gray area. Some individuals are more capable, inclined to become involved, and even more compassionate than others, so how do you quantify how much assistance should be considered reasonable and appropriate?

Every accident is different, therefore, every injury and set of circumstances may also vary greatly. With so much variance, it seems impossible to put a cookie cutter set of rules in place. No state expects you to attempt surgery on the side of the road, but they do hope you will render what would be considered a reasonable level of assistance. But the fact remains that “gross negligence or willful or wanton misconduct” may just be in the eye of the beholder.

Good Samaritan laws are not intended to offer you blanket protection in the event that your assistance does not help the individual. But they do offer some protection if you’re trying to help as long as you do not demonstrate reckless behavior while doing so. Lawsuits are always a very real possibility. The fear of being sued and losing prevents some people from getting involved at all. Good intentions are not always rewarded. If you have offered assistance to someone in an accident and they decide to bring suit against you because of your actions, you need to engage an experienced attorney in order to protect yourself.

Robert Mandell is a Top California Personal Injury Lawyer

Robert Mandell is a personal injury and wrongful death attorney, and lead litigator at The Mandell Law Firm. He is experienced and knowledgeable in all areas of personal injury law, including auto accidents. Let him assess your claim. It’s important to work with a personal injury attorney who has demonstrated a determination to fight for his clients. Robert Mandell and the team at Mandell Law will fight to protect your rights. To arrange a free consultation, contact Robert Mandell at The Mandell Law Firm in Northridge. 818.886.6600.

The post The California Good Samaritan Law appeared first on San Fernando Valley Personal Injury Blog.

As most of us try to cram more activities and responsibilities into an already packed schedule, we tend to push ourselves to the limit. One side effect of so many of us trying to reach too many places and get too much done in an unrealistic time frame has been a dramatic increase in the number of road rage accidents. Assuming that you’ve managed to control the rage you may be feeling, what should you do if you encounter it from another driver while on the road?

While one study, by the Centre for Addiction and Mental Health in Canada, analyzed almost six thousand road rage complaints spanning an eight year period and came to the conclusion that most road rage offenses occur on Tuesdays in September, that may not be a helpful statistic for most of us. Let’s assume that you can’t simply avoid driving on Tuesdays in September. If that’s the case, then here we offer a handful of tips that we believe to be more practical.

Six Tips to Avoid Road Rage Accidents

• Be Alert for Angry Drivers – As distracted as many of us are throughout the day, the streets and freeways are not the place to indulge your preoccupations. Keep your eyes forward, and check your mirrors frequently for signs of an angry or aggressive driver. These drivers almost always exhibit the same characteristics: darting in and out of traffic, changing lanes abruptly without signaling, tailgating, running up behind other cars and slamming on the brakes, etc. If you can identify these drivers before you have to encounter them, you’re avoiding a possible confrontation.
• Stay Away From Aggressive Drivers – Once you’ve identified a driver as aggressive, and possibly angry, do your best to stay away from them. Allow a wide berth, if possible, to let them pass you. If you’re following them, stay well back and allow them to get further ahead of you. No destination or appointment is important enough to put yourself in jeopardy. The more distance you can leave between yourself and a potentially angry driver, the better off you’ll be. If they get close, back off.
• Resist the Urge to Face Off – Drivers with road rage are always on the lookout for someone to challenge them. If you give them a reason, they’ll be even more inclined to dangerous and aggressive behavior. You stand to gain nothing, and may well put yourself at risk, by getting into a confrontation. The temporary satisfaction you may feel from a well-executed hand gesture is not worth the potential cost. Be the cooler head.
• Take a Deep Breath – If you start to feel offended by another driver’s tactics, try calming yourself down. Practice some deep breathing, count to ten, think of a happy place that you’d rather be (and where they aren’t invited) and bring your heart rate back down so you won’t be tempted to antagonize them.
• Be Nice – Easier said than done? No doubt. But, even if you have to smile through gritted teeth, show the other driver that you aren’t angered by their immature actions. Let them move on so they can vent their rage on someone else who isn’t as calm and understanding as you are.
• Contact the Police – If an aggressive driver is a danger to others, and you believe their driving presents an unacceptable risk, notify the police as soon as you can safely use a phone. You could be saving someone’s life.

What If You’re Not Successful?

If you’ve been injured due to an incident of road rage, you need to do what is necessary to ensure that the offensive driver is brought to justice. Hiring an experienced attorney who specializes in these cases will help you recover expenses for damages and injuries, and make sure that the offender is adequately punished for putting others in harm’s way.

Let Aslin Tutuyan Help You Sort Out Your Case

Aslin Tutuyan is a personal injury attorney with The Mandell Law Firm in Northridge. Mandell Law is an aggressive personal injury law firm serving clients throughout the San Fernando Valley, the Greater Los Angeles area, and Southern California. Experienced and reputable, our attorneys provide hands-on care and sincere commitment to victims of accidents of all kinds, including auto accidents. Contact Aslin Tutuyan for a free consultation at 818.866.6600.

The post Road Rage Accidents appeared first on San Fernando Valley Personal Injury Blog.

Few holidays rival St. Patrick’s Day for enthusiasm and tradition. While it’s always a major hit with those of Irish descent, as the old saying goes, “Everyone is Irish on St. Paddy’s Day.” But along with the festivities often comes a dark side; those who celebrate by consuming alcohol and getting behind the wheel of an automobile. When this happens, the celebration sometimes turns tragic. The number of St. Patrick’s Day accidents is also in a category all its own.

Alcohol-related accident statistics on St. Patrick’s Day are some of the highest of the year. As people prepare to enjoy their celebrations they often overlook the importance of planning ahead to avoid having to get on the road. Many people feel that a designated driver is unnecessary, and that they’re capable of having a “couple of drinks” without being impaired. They are rarely right.

A Few Tips For a Safer Celebration

I’m afraid we can’t be any help in locating the leprechaun’s gold, but we may be able to help you and your friends enjoy an entertaining and fun holiday, and still arrive home safely, if you follow a couple of the simple tips below.

• Plan ahead. If you can plan ahead to enjoy the events of the day, you can also plan ahead to make arrangements to get everyone home safely.
• Don’t underestimate how much you’ve had to drink. This is not an uncommon problem. Many party-goers get caught up in the good times and easily lose track of just how much alcohol they’ve consumed. Even worse, they sometimes rely on intoxicated friends to help them keep track.
• Don’t judge your capabilities by how you feel. Remember that alcohol impairs judgment. That not only goes for your judgment about how you feel, but also about how impaired you may be.
• Avoid driving if at all possible. Take a taxi or public transportation if it’s available. If you’re celebrating with alcohol, don’t put yourself and others at risk by getting behind the wheel of your car.
• Even if you’re not drinking, try not to drive at night. Statistics show that drivers are four times more likely to be driving intoxicated at night than during the day.
• Don’t ride with an impaired driver. This should go without saying, but if you’re smart enough not to drive after a couple of drinks, then don’t be stupid enough to get into a car with a driver who has been drinking.
• Arrange for a designated driver. Simple advice, and we hear it all the time. But, unfortunately, this one often goes unheeded. Take a friend along who doesn’t drink, and make him or her responsible for getting everyone home safely.
• Have your driver keep to the major roads. Back roads, side streets, and especially country roads are notorious for two things: poor lighting and the fact that drunk drivers use them to avoid potential encounters with police.
• If you spot another driver on the road that seems to be impaired, call the police immediately. You could be saving his life or someone else’s.

If All Else Fails, Consult An Attorney

If you’re not convinced by any of the above, remember this; California law enforcement makes a concerted effort to beef up patrols, traffic stops, and sobriety checkpoints for holidays that typically involve parties and alcohol. This includes St. Patrick’s Day, New Year’s Eve, and July 4th just to name a few. If you’re not swayed by your own mortality, and possibly others’, maybe the thought of jail time is motivation enough to avoid putting yourself in that position.

If you’re caught up in holiday festivities and find yourself involved in an alcohol-related incident, you should speak to an attorney to determine what your options are. An experienced attorney can walk you through the details and help you resolve your issue before it gets out of hand. If you were injured by another in an alcohol related accident, see a personal injury lawyer before agreeing to any compensation or settlement offered.

Mara Burnett Can Help

The Mandell Law Firm, in Northridge, is an aggressive personal injury and wrongful death law firm serving clients throughout the San Fernando Valley, the Greater Los Angeles area, and Southern California. If you or a family member is involved in a St. Patrick’s Day accident, Mara Burnett can help. Experienced and reputable, Mara and the other attorneys at Mandell Law provide hands-on care and a sincere commitment to victims of accidents. Contact Mara Burnett for a free consultation at 818.866.6600.

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