National Be Kind to Lawyers Day

National Be Kind to Lawyers Day

“The first thing we do, let’s kill all the lawyers.”

— William Shakespeare, Henry VI, Part 2

Lawyers have been hated throughout centuries, just for being lawyers.  In fact, they are often the butt of jokes and are thought of as the least respected profession, right next to advertisers and car salesman.

The legal profession is one of the oldest in the history of humankind, but is often seen only as a necessary evil.

There is some speculation as to why this is the case.

The main negative view of lawyers seems to stem from the idea that lawyers always charge their clients too much and are willing to abuse the system to get a judgment in their client’s favor.

Others suggest that because the system is an adversarial one, the losing party will not only hate the other lawyer, but their own lawyer too. Other theories for general disdain include lawyers being smarter than the rest of us, intimidating us and speaking their own language, also known as “legal-ese”.

While there are certainly some bad apples that give them all a bad name,  t’s important to remember that not all lawyers are unethical ones. Lawyers counsel and advise, gather evidence and research law and advocate on your behalf to make sure you aren’t walking away from your rights and damages you may be owed.

April 12th is National Be Kind to Lawyers Day!

The unofficial holiday was started in 2008 by non-lawyer Steve Hughes, an American communication expert, to honor the important role  lawyers bring to us.

Today is a great day for acknowledging the legal professional in your life. Send your lawyer a card or take them to lunch to honor for the value they add to all of us.

If you have suffered injuries in an accident, it’s always best to seek the counsel of a trusted legal professional who can evaluate your case.

Contact Hinman and Peck, P.C. at (877) 462-9732 for a FREE consultation to see if we can help.

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April is National Car Care Month: Get your car ready for Spring and Summer driving

April is National Car Care Month: Get your car ready for Spring and Summer driving

As Old Man Winter’s grip finally comes to an end, spring is a great time to give your vehicle a little TLC for and ready for the road trips of summer. April is national Car Care Month and a reminder to keep your vehicle regularly maintained for safety.

The freezing temperatures and salty, sandy roads of winter are hard on our vehicles. Salt is very erosive to your vehicle’s undercarriage and can cause rust, build-up, and other potentially serious problems.

In addition, people tend to wait until something goes wrong to take their car into the shop during winter, making that spring car care visit all the more important.  The following are some areas that should be checked during this important vehicle service month:

Levels.

Levels to check include washer reservoir, radiator, brake and steering fluids and your tire pressure. Properly inflated tires are safer and also contribute to better fuel efficiency.

Wiper Blades.

Wiper blades should completely clear the glass with each swipe. Replace any that leaves streaks or where spots are missed.

Lights.

Check your vehicle to ensure all lights are in working order including headlights, taillights, brake lights, turn signals, emergency flashers and back-up lights. Replace any burnt out bulbs.

Battery.

Have the battery and charging system checked by a trained technician.

Air Filter.

Hold a 60 watt bulb next to the engine air filter. If most of the light is blocked, it needs to be replaced.

Engine Hoses.

Check the battery terminals and cable ends to make sure the ends are tight and they are free of corrosion.

Tires.

Check the tires for signs of wear. For those in states with heavy snowfall, installing snow tires will provide the best traction during winter, so these may need to be removed and replaced with all season tires during spring.

Brakes.

If you suspect any braking problems, have your system inspected by a certified technician.

Keeping a regular service schedule is important for the safety of you and your passengers and for the overall life of your vehicle. Remember the best time to find a mechanic is before you need one.

A properly maintained vehicle can help to avoid accidents before they happen.

If you have been in a car accident in Los Angeles, Long Beach or any area of Southern California caused by the negligence of others, it’s advised to seek the guidance of a legal professional to evaluate your case.

Contact Hinman and Peck, P.C. at (877) 462-9732 for a FREE consultation to see if we can help.

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I was a pedestrian hit by a car: 5 things to get before leaving the accident scene

I was a pedestrian hit by a car: 5 things to get before leaving the accident scene

According to the National Traffic Highway Safety Administration (https://www.nhtsa.gov/), in 2014, 4,884 people were killed and a reported 65,000 injuries occurred from pedestrian vehicle accidents.

While walking is great form of transportation with the added benefits of losing weight, improved mood and reduction in potential for chronic disease, walking can be dangerous at times.

If in the unfortunate incident of being hit by a car as a pedestrian, your primary claim will likely be against the driver of the vehicle.

Depending upon the circumstances, you may have a case against the city or municipality if streets were unsafe or traffic control devices were not working. If you as a pedestrian did not exercise reasonable care for your own safety by walking into traffic or not following traffic signals, this will likely have a bearing on your case.

In addition, the laws of each state vary in terms of comparative or contributory negligence.

If you have been hit by a car as a pedestrian, the following are

5 things to obtain before leaving the scene:

1. Driver’s information.

Keep the driver at the scene even if you are not sure you have been injured. Obtain driver’s license, registration and vehicle make and model.

2. Insurance information.

Obtain carrier and policy number from the driver.

3. Witness information.

The accident you were in was likely witnessed by those around you. Before leaving the scene, be sure to obtain witness name and contact information.

4. Police report.

Always call the police to take an official account of the incident even if it appears minor initially. Request a copy of the report.

5. Pictures.

Take pictures of where the accident happened, street signs or traffic signals, your injuries, the vehicle and driver and of witnesses.

Always seek medical treatment even if your injuries appear to be minor. If you do not seek medical attention right away and then miss any future appointments, an insurance adjuster will deduce that your injuries are not that significant, so it’s important to continue medical care.

Pedestrian auto accidents can be complicated and it’s always advisable to seek guidance from a trusted legal professional who can assist you in protecting your rights.

Contact Hinman and Peck, P.C. at (877) 462-9732  for a FREE consultation to see if we can help.

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Spring Break Car Safety Tips

Spring Break Car Safety Tips

Families and college co-eds alike look forward to spring break as a much needed relief from the dark, cold days of winter.

While a road trip over spring break can be fun for the whole family, it’s a good idea to prepare for the trip well ahead of time to ensure a safe, memorable experience for all.

Keep the following tips in mind when preparing for your spring break road adventure.

Have your vehicle serviced.

As before any road trip, it’s always a good idea to have a full vehicle inspection done first to ensure your car is road worthy. Make sure your tires are fully inflated, fluids are at proper levels and you have a full tank of gas.

Pack an emergency kit.

Items to include are jumper cables, gloves, blankets, flashlight, bottled water and high energy snacks.

Bring a map.

It’s common to utilize GPS on cell phones during road trips, but it’s not always guaranteed you will have a connection. Keeping a map in the car gives you a backup so you don’t become lost.

Keep your cell phone charged.

Every time you get in the car confirm it’s charged and it’s also a good idea to keep a cigarette lighter charger as a backup.

Rotate drivers.

For longer distances, spell each other off on driving duties. Even if you don’t feel tired, protect yourself from sleepiness during a long trip.

Stay alert & take frequent breaks.

Have the person sitting shotgun stay awake so they can help keep you alert.  It’s also a good idea to take frequent breaks on the road to move around.

Watch road conditions.

While your final destination might be sunny, the roads getting there may still bear the marks of winter weather. Black ice and potholes may be present on the roads, so it’s best to proceed with caution.

Watch for drunk drivers.

According to a study published by the Economic Inquiry, death tolls in popular spring break destinations from California to Florida were 9% higher during the spring break period.

Don’t drink and drive.

While it should go without saying, never drink and drive. There is always a better option.

Keeping this safety tips in mind will give you the peace of mind to embark on a spring break road trip this year.

If you or someone you love has been injured in a car accident over spring break, it’s wise to seek the counsel of a trusted legal professional who can help you protect your rights.
Contact Hinman and Peck, P.C. at (877) 462-9732 or a FREE consultation to see if we can help.

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I was hit by a car while walking? What you need to know

I was hit by a car while walking? What you need to know

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (https://www.nhtsa.gov/) reports that almost 5,000 pedestrians die in motor vehicle related accidents each year.

Whether on a sidewalk, crosswalk, running or jogging, pedestrians are very vulnerable to significant injury if they are hit by a car.

If injured by a vehicle, a pedestrian may recover damages for the injuries if the accident was caused by the negligence the driver.

However, responsibility lies with both pedestrians and motorists to follow the rules of the road and exercise reasonable care. Both drivers and pedestrians have general rights and responsibilities or duties.

PEDESTRIAN DUTIES

• Pedestrians have a duty of care for their own personal safety and the care must be proportionate to the danger that is faced.
• Failure to exercise this care indicates a pedestrian contributed to their own injuries and this may have an impact on their case.
• For instance, if a pedestrian walked into traffic while texting, this would indicate the lack of duty of care for personal safety and they may not have a legal case for damages for injuries they sustained.

Generally, pedestrians have the right of way in the crosswalk and on sidewalks.  If the signal is working and the signal is signaling “walk”, the pedestrian has the right of way and vehicles must yield to them.

DRIVER DUTIES

• Drivers have a duty to remain vigilant and aware of pedestrians, cyclists, and other motorists at all times.
• Drivers must obey all traffic laws and be particularly aware of pedestrians while making turns or at signalized intersections.
• Motorists should keep windshields clear in order to increase visibility as much as possible and exercise extra caution driving when  pedestrians will be especially difficult to spot at night or in poor weather conditions, such as rain, snow, or ice.

Damages you may have suffered being injured as a pedestrian may include medical expenses, lost wages, pain and suffering and loss of enjoyment of life.

The circumstances of each case is different along with laws of each state, so it’s important to seek the advice of a trusted legal professional to review your case and assist you in protecting your rights.

If you have been hit as a pedestrian as a result of a negligent drive, contact Hinman and Peck, P.C. at (877) 462-9732 for a FREE consultation to see if we can help.

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