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Bicyclist and Their Rights to the Roadway

Bicyclist and Their Rights to the Roadway

As an attorney, I have handled multiple claims for bicyclists. Several of these claims have involved the same set of circumstances. A bicyclist is riding his bicycle down the street in the bike lane, as they are required to do. Then out of nowhere either a careless passenger from a vehicle double-parked and blocking the bicycle lane exits or the driver after he has legally parked exits his vehicle. Neither one looks and the bicyclist smashes into a door head on. All of the cases I have handled like the above have involved a serious injury, including a displaced fracture, which left a permanent injury. These are horrible personal injuries that occur because a driver was simply careless.

In several of the cases, the reporting traffic officer found my clients at fault through his own faulty logic, sloppy reporting and a lack of knowledge of the rules of the road. If that is the case for you or someone you know, it can always be fixed and argued around.

In most jurisdictions, such as California, police reports are not admissible into evidence. As a matter of fact, police reports are generally inadmissible. There are multiple hearsay problems with the report. Generally, the officer is making a legal conclusion. Legal conclusions are up to the fact-finder, meaning the judge or the jury.

The insurance company will try to argue the opposite with you but they are generally wrong when it comes to this.

In one police report I dealt with where a bicyclist was doored due to a van double parking in a bike lane, the officer’s line of thinking went like this: 1) Bicycles must follow the rules of the road, just as a driver of a motor vehicle must [Cal. Vehicle Code § 21200(a)]; generally, a vehicle must not pass another vehicle on the right [Cal. Vehicle Code § 21754]; the bicycle is a vehicle, and he was passing on the right. Therefore, the bicyclist is at fault. What?!

Not only is this incorrect. It is contradictory and does not take into account several other laws. First bicycle lanes are on the right side of the road. If a motor vehicle suddenly pulls into the bicycle lane, as they sometimes tend to, the bicyclist is stuck. The cyclist has only a few options at that point. One is to hit the back of the vehicle, which then the officer may attempt to still put them at fault for following too closely, stating that the cyclist was in violation of California Vehicle Code § 21703. Another option, if there is time to do so, is to exit the bike lane and attempt to pass on the left, which still could result in being doored by the driver or being struck by traffic on the cyclist’s left. The final option is to pass on the right in the lane that belongs to bicyclists to begin with.

Many officers neglect to take the following code section into account, California Vehicle Code Sec. 21209 reads as follows, (a) No person shall drive a motor vehicle in a bicycle lane established on a roadway pursuant to Section 21207 except as follows: (1) To park where parking is permitted; (2) To enter or leave the roadway, (3) To prepare for a turn within a distance of 200 feet from the intersection.

Additionally, some cities, like San Francisco, created a vehicle ordinance more strict than the above code section. San Francisco Vehicle Ordinance Sec. 38. N reads as follows, no person shall park any vehicle such that any portion of the vehicle is within a marked bicycle lane. No person shall block any portion of a marked bicycle lane with his or her vehicle on weekdays from the hours of 7:00 a.m. to 9:00 a.m. and from 4:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. Any person violating this Section shall be subject to a fine of $100. The Department of Parking and Traffic may install signs or otherwise alert motorists of this prohibition and the fine.

If a vehicle does violate the above codes, they are negligent per say. They are in violation of a code that was clearly enacted in order to protect bicyclists from the type of injury caused by these actions.

Bike lanes are on the right side of the road. You cannot be said to be passing a vehicle when the vehicle stops directly in your bicycle lane. If you are the victim of such an accident or the incorrect conclusion is drawn by an officer, do not take it. Get yourself counsel; engage an attorney if you have to fight for your rights as a cyclist. You have a legal right to be on the road as much as these careless drivers do, if not more.…

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Car Troubles? No Need To Fret, Take Action!

Your car is a huge investment you have to care for. You might not be knowledgeable about cars, but that’s fine, as you can learn more about them. Look through this article to learn how to perform maintenance on your car.

Be sure that you have an A.S.E. certified mechanic before they are allowed to work on your vehicle. This type of certification means two years experience and also a passed written test. This lets you know you have the best of the best repairing your automobile.

Never underestimate how important it is to carrying an emergency kit inside your vehicle. This kit should consist of tire changing tools, jumper cables, and an empty container that is appropriate for re-fueling your gas tank. Should your car break down in the dark, it is helpful to have extra batteries, a flashlight, and some blankets.

Always keep and eye on the radiator to make sure that it is full. Let the car run a while, shut off the engine and then pop the hood. Don’t open your radiator cap if your car is on. Look at the coolant you have in your radiator by checking it with a dipstick but remember that coolant usually needs to be mixed with water before putting it into your vehicle.

Keep on hand all of your car’s documentation. These should be kept in the glove compartment of your vehicle for easy access out on the road. The mechanics who work on your car might need to go through these records. They can diagnose issues quicker.

Ask for parts that are classified as OEM parts. OEM parts means that part was produced by the manufacturer specifically for your make and model of vehicle. Generic may be cheaper, but you don’t know the quality of these parts as time goes on. What saves you a bit of money in the short term, may end up costing you dearly in the long term.

Leave nothing in your car when you take it to the shop. If something is missing, it will be your fault if you do not take it out. Remove all content from the trunk, too.

Replace your light bulbs on your own. Some vehicles make it easier to do, but it’s cheaper than getting a mechanic to do it. Ask someone you know if they can instruct you on how to do it.

Just because the days are colder doesn’t mean you should avoid washing your vehicle. Winter is actually the season when your car’s exterior gets the most damage. All that salt and sand is a sure recipe for abrasion and rust. Your car should be dried thoroughly before getting back on the road again.

As stated earlier, it is important for you to take care of your vehicle. By learning the simplest maintenance, such as performing your own oil changes, you can save a lot of cash. Use the information you’ve learned for the next time you find your car is in need of repair.…

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Los Angeles Airport Town Car Transportation

Los Angeles Airport Town Car Transportation

Los Angeles airport town car service; sounds good, but why do I need it?

You are not the first person to ask this question, and this question is the telltale that you are not much aware about the city, its demography, its history, its culture, its lifestyle, and its traffic details.

L. A. is the city where stars and starlets walk on the street, and diverse culture and gleaming glamour walk hand in hand. The city has one of the busiest airports in the world. As per the June 2009 Audit, LAX (Los Angeles International Airport) served 59,542,151 passengers, which makes it 7th busiest airport in the world.

“What it has to do with my hiring Los Angeles Airport Town Car Service?”

59 million air-travelers in 6 months mean 9.83 million people travelling to and from L. A. every month. This traffic does not include locals who do not travel. Getting in and out of such a city is going to be a real pain, and this is where Los Angeles airport transportation service providers step in.

With their flawless services, the Los Angeles airport transportation service providers ensure that your journey to and stay in the city remains as remarkable as is the City itself. In The City of Angels, as the city is known among its inhabitant, you will get airport transportation services for all purposes and intents; be it entering and exiting out of LA, transportation from LAX to Disneyland, or fun ride through the busy and starry streets of the city.

It is available for you on just one call. There is not much hassle, but still there are things that you should checkout before you hire any Los Angeles airport town car service provider because you never know what mess you may end up in. After all this city, like any other city, has its gray side as well.

Los Angeles airport town car service hiring checklist

Is the Los Angeles airport transportation company that you are hiring is transparent with their fee structures?

What all will you have to pay for, if you book airport transportation services of the company in question?

Make sure the driver is reliable to ensure that the transportation from LAX to Disneyland does not become a nightmare for you.

A courteous and friendly driver may not make your day, but a rude and uncouth driver will certainly ruin your stay. Make sure to ask about the demeanor of the driver who will be ferrying you in or out of the city.

Is the quality of the fleet meets the standard set by the various government agencies?

Does the L. A. airport transportation company have a backup car ready; in case, the car rented to you breaks down? And how quick will the car reach you in case of emergency or breakdown?

Make sure that you get satisfactory answers to the above given questions before you hire any Los Angeles airport town car service.…

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Experiencing a Car Accident in Las Vegas

Experiencing a Car Accident in Las Vegas

Las Vegas is internationally known as a major tourist city because of its vast gambling, dining, entertainment, and shopping. It is often called the “city of sin” because it is so popular for its party life and adult attractions, a nickname that attracts many tourists. Las Vegas is the 28th most populated city in the U.S but hosts many other temporary residents due to its appeal and large hotels/casinos.

Due to the rising population and fame which attracts tourists from around the world, it is common to hear about an auto accident in Las Vegas. Many times, because of the culture and activities surrounding the city, there is alcohol and drugs involved. Lately, there has been large numbers of serious accidents in Las Vegas, located in Clark County, the county with the most fatal and alcohol related crashes in Nevada. Visitors usually go there to relax and enjoy the entertainment but sometimes they end up in an automobile accident, a situation which can really dampen your vacation or seriously affect your life forever.

Whether you live in or are visiting Las Vegas, a car accident is very stressful and can be hard to deal with. The process is even harder if you suffer a personal injury due to the car accident. Your first priority after an injury is to go to the hospital to receive medical attention and treatment. Many times finances are not taken into account during such drastic times. Despite whether or not a crash is alcohol related, you may need an accident lawyer. A lawyer could guide you through the situation and help you on possible compensation and advice. Keep in mind that smaller accidents, or fender benders, usually don’t require an accident injury lawyer.

If you do happen to experience a car accident in Las Vegas, do everything possible not to panic. In order to have proof in case of the necessity of going to court, try to take pictures or notes of whatever you can. Even if you notice people that can be used as witnesses of the accident, get their information and give it to your lawyer. Notes can include time of day, weather conditions, cars involved, people involved, traffic conditions, speed, injuries, faults, damage, insurance, and registration information. It is advisable to file a police report and see a doctor. If the crash does require an auto accident attorney, any information you have gathered can help.…

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Caring For Your Car’s Air Conditioning System

Caring For Your Car’s Air Conditioning System

The weather may not be playing along just yet, but it is generally the time of the year that people try to turn their air conditioning on and find that it isn’t working as they would like. Sometimes it just won’t be getting cold, while other times there could be a musty smell coming from it. You may find it just needs a regas, or a more thorough service may be required.

The first air conditioning system for a car was invented back in 1939 by Packard, and was first fitted in the factory in 1940. The refrigerant originally used was highly damaging to the ozone layer, but a safer gas has been used since the 1960s.

It is up to you whether you choose to have your air conditioning serviced yearly to clean out all the dirt and bacteria that has built up as well as recharging the gas as necessary, or leave it until there is a drop in the air conditioning performance. The risk of leaving it until there is a problem is that the problem may result in a bigger repair and a bigger bill. Either way, in between (brief) summers, you do still need to think about your air conditioning system.

Many people are under the mistaken impression that air con is just for hot days. In fact, you need to use it all year round, otherwise it is highly unlikely to be working perfectly on the rare hot days we do have. In the colder months, you can use your air con system to warm the car, and to remove moisture from the air so that windows stay mist-free.

When it is a sunny day and you want the air cooled in your car, you should consider your speed. While many people believe it is more fuel efficient to open your windows than turn on your car’s air conditioning system, this is only true below around 30 mph. Any faster than this and the negative effect on the aerodynamics of the car of having the windows open means lower fuel efficiency than if you shut the windows and ramped up the air con!

If you have climate control it is often tempting on really hot days to turn it as far down as it will go, but unless you are on a really long journey, the chances are the system won’t be able to achieve that temperature, it will just expend a lot of effort in the attempt. Then when you get out of the car, you feel like you’re stepping into a hot, muggy, oven. Not terribly comfortable! You are much better off aiming for a temperature just a couple of degrees lower than the ambient temperature. You will feel comfortable in the car, and it won’t be such a shock to get out of the car. As an added bonus, your car won’t have to work so hard to achieve the target temperature.

Any bad smells coming from your air conditioning system should be checked out by a garage as soon as possible, particularly if you, or any of your family have any respiratory problems such as asthma. It indicates that there is bacteria in the system (often caused by leaves going mouldy over the exterior vents in Autumn, so do remove any that you see there!) and a car air con service will get rid of it.…

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What You Must Know About Repairing Your Vehicle

Learning about auto repair can seem like a daunting endeavor if you do not know where to start. However, the article below has some quick and simple tips to make auto repair easier for you. Keep reading to discover some auto repairs that you can do yourself to save money.

Invest in high-quality battery chargers and keep them inside your car. Dead batteries are common, and a good battery charger will come in handy more than once. It is important to not only have the battery charger but to know how it works as well in case you are alone.

Make sure you often check the radiator. You should let your car run for a few minutes, shut the engine and open your hood. Do not open the radiator if the car is running. Check the amount of fluid in your radiator with your dipstick and remember to mix the coolant with some water.

You do not have to contact a mechanic every time you have issues with your car. Many things are able to be fixed easily. If you’d like, you could always conduct some research online to see if you can determine the problem. When it’s a simple fix, do it yourself!

You must wash your car to keep the rust away. Cars eventually rust, but you can put off the process by washing off chemicals or salt quickly. Protect your paint with regular waxing.

A record of maintenance and repairs should be in your car. It’s wise to keep them in your glove compartment in case you need to go to a auto repair shop on the fly. Auto service experts may need to refer to them. Good documentation can help diagnose problems a lot faster.

Before making your payment to the mechanic when picking up your car, take it out for a spin first to check that everything is working. People often don’t do this, realizing afterward that the problem still persists.

Remember that getting OEM parts is important. These parts are the same original parts designed by the manufacturer. It’s cheaper to get the generic parts, but the quality may not be the same. What saves you a bit of money in the short term, may end up costing you dearly in the long term.

Verify that a prospective mechanic is familiar with your specific car. While the basic components are all the same, there is going to to be a big difference in the way say a Hummer versus a Smart car utilize the space under the hood. If you aren’t sure, take your car to get serviced at the dealer.

Before you settle on a car repair business, talk to friends and family for recommendations. Their thoughts can make the whole search a lot simpler. You should still do your research however. Check online reviews at the very least.

Learning about the warning signs of impending car problems can save you money. Use what you learned here and you’ll be on your way to great auto repair. Keep these tips in mind the next time your car is acting up.…

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Learn How To Shop For A Car

Many people dread car shopping. Finding a new car can take some time and requires a lot of work. This article will help reduce your stress levels as you shop. Keep reading to learn how.

The Internet can be scoured for some good deals. An Internet search is able to save you a lot of money. Once you have found the perfect vehicle, you can either drive to the dealership offering the vehicle or go to your dealership and have them purchase the vehicle for you. If you can get to the dealership, make the drive to save the most money.

Always negotiate the price of a vehicle. The sticker price isn’t what the salesperson expects to receive for that car. If you are not good at negotiating bring someone with you that is. You need to know what a good price is for the desired car beforehand so that you can figure out what you’ll be willing to pay.

Allocate plenty of time at whatever dealership you are visiting. You don’t want to rush or feel rushed. This will cause you to regret your decisions. You need at least an entire afternoon. If time is an issue, never hesitate to postpone the process and return another time.

If you aren’t confident you can resist high-pressure sale pitches, do not go car shopping alone. Bring someone else with you for negotiations and to ask questions you may forget to ask. You need to let your partner know about your budget and your needs before you hit a dealership.

If you’re looking for a brand new car, talk to your bank about your loan options prior to going shopping. This will be for the security that you have. In many cases, the dealership can secure an acceptable interest rate than you might find at your bank. Still, it helps to have a clear picture of what you can expect to pay.

Do not lock yourself into purchasing from a dealership. The vehicle you are interested in may be available from a smaller lot, or from a private seller. Check online or in classifieds to find cars for sale near you.

Car shop online. You can find nearly any car you want. Learn about all the makes and models available. An online search can reveal anything you would like to know including MPG, resale value, specifications, rating and size.

Rent a car in order to test it out. If you want to get a real feel for a car, rent one from a local rental car company to give it an extended test drive. Hit the road and really test the car to see if it is right for your needs. This is a great way to get comfortable with a car before making the huge commitment of a purchase.

Now that you are more familiar with car shopping, it’s time for you to get started. Remember the advice in this article, and your car shopping process will involve far less stress. Don’t lose hope; you will soon have the perfect car for your needs.…