Why We Need “Stop on Red” Week

“Stop on Red” Week is observed annually the first full week in August. Many drivers may think that stopping at red lights and stop signs is obvious and not something that they need to be reminded of, but unfortunately, we’ve seen that’s not the case.

According to the U.S. Department of Transportation Federal Highway Administration, running red lights is the most common cause of urban crashes, and causes more injuries than any other type of crash.

Even worse, according to data compiled by AAA, red light-running deaths are on the rise, and have been for more than a decade.

Red Light-Running Crashes By-the-Numbers:

• Every year, roughly 165,000 people are injured in collisions when drivers run red lights.
• 2-3 people are killed in red light-running accidents every single day.
• While ~90% of surveyed drivers agreed that running red lights is dangerous, one-third of surveyed drivers admitted to running a red light within the last 30 days.
• Half of all people injured in red light-running accidents aren’t the drivers who ran the lights—they are other motorists, passengers, cyclists, and pedestrians.

Why Do People Run Red Lights or Stop Signs?

There are many reasons why drivers run red lights and stop signs, but in our years of experience as personal injury attorneys, we’ve come to recognize the reasons below as some of the most common:

The driver was speeding. When drivers are speeding, especially if they are trying to beat the yellow light, they may not have enough time to come to a complete stop before entering the intersection, or before colliding with another vehicle already stopped at the light.

The driver deliberately ignored the traffic signal. Far too many times we’ve heard negligent drivers trying to justify causing crashes that injured our clients because they were “in a hurry.” But personal convenience doesn’t trump the law or the safety of others that those traffic laws were created to protect.

The driver was distracted. Drivers who are distracted by their phones, adjusting their GPSs or radios, eating, talking with passengers, or grabbing something from their back seats may not even notice that they are approaching red lights or stop signs. But this isn’t an acceptable excuse. When behind the wheel, a driver’s attention should be fully focused on the task of driving.

The driver was drunk or tired. Drugs, alcohol, and sleep deprivation have many negative side effects that can lead drivers to run red lights. For example, they can affect a driver’s vision, making it more difficult for them to see the traffic signal; slow their reactions so they can’t stop in time; impair a driver’s judgement, making it so they have trouble remembering how dangerous running a red light can be; or even impact a driver’s ability to remember what traffic signals mean.

The traffic signal was obscured. A driver may be unable to tell what color a traffic light is if their view is obstructed by a large truck ahead of them. Meanwhile, a driver may be unable to see a stop sign, and not even realize it’s there, if it is hidden by foliage.

Only this situation might excuse a driver who ran a red light or stop sign from fault. However, they may still be considered at fault if they were familiar with the intersection and knew or should have known a stop sign was there, for example.

Victims of Red Light-Running Accidents Deserve Compensation

Stop signs and traffic lights are installed precisely to prevent crashes, and when negligent drivers don’t obey these traffic signals, they are guilty of failing their duty of care to those around them, whether other drivers, cyclists, or pedestrians.

If you or someone you love was injured because a driver ran a red light or stop sign, you may be eligible for compensation. When your injuries are not your fault, you don’t deserve to be stuck with the consequences. Our experienced South Carolina auto accident attorneys want to help you get money for your medical expenses and pain and suffering.

Contact Joye Law Firm today for a free case consultation.

The post Why We Need “Stop on Red” Week appeared first on Joye Law Firm.

from Joye Law Firm https://www.joyelawfirm.com/2021/07/why-we-need-stop-on-red-week/
via https://www.joyelawfirm.com

How to Prepare for a Motorcycle Road Trip

Summer means people are taking off on vacation, and if you own a motorcycle, you may be planning to take a road trip on it. However, as thrilling and as unique an experience as hitting the road for a multiple-day trip on your motorcycle can be, there’s a lot of preparation you’ll have to do to stay safe.

What to Do Before You Leave

Choose Your Bike

Do you have the right motorcycle for a long trip?  Most riders who like to go on long trips prefer touring motorcycles, which were designed for just that thanks to their large fuel tanks, low-end horsepower, wide windscreens, and relaxed, upright seating.

If you do own a standard or sport bike, that doesn’t mean you can’t take it on a road trip. However, you might want to consider swapping out the original saddle, handlebars, windscreen, and/or foot pegs with aftermarket parts designed for touring.

Test Your Bike

Get your motorcycle maintenance done before you leave on a long trip! Do not skip this step, because you are making different demands on your bike on a cross-country trip than you do during a short commute. Necessary maintenance items include:

• Check oil levels, and top off if needed
• Check filters, and replace if needed
• Inspect for loose or fraying connectors, screws, bolts, and cables
• Ensure all lights are working
• Test brake and throttle
• Check tire tread, and replace tires if needed
• Check air pressure, both without and with all luggage fully loaded on the bike
• Adjust the suspension to account for the weight of you, a passenger (if applicable), and your luggage

This isn’t just important to do before heading out for your road trip: you should make sure to do an inspection of your bike every morning of your trip before starting on the next leg of your journey. Unexpected breakdowns could easily result in a crash.

Pack Appropriately

One of the biggest differences between a typical road trip and a road trip on a motorcycle is how much you can pack. Anyone who has been on a motorcycle trip knows the importance of packing lightly, as storage space is minimal.

At minimum, you will need:

• Clothing
• Toiletries (pack travel-sized toiletries, which take up less space and can be discarded after use)
• Eye drops (for dealing with the wind blowing into your face when you ride)
• Plenty of snacks and water
• Maps
• ID, insurance information, and roadside assistance numbers

Although you should be careful to pack lightly, make sure to pack not just what you need for yourself, but also what you need for your motorcycle.

This should include:

• Tool kit including wrench, screwdriver, and pliers (check whether your motorcycle requires metric or imperial tools)
• Tire repair kit
• Extra fuel container
• Replacement spark plugs, fuses, and bulbs
• Jumper cable
• Flashlight
• Bike cover

Pack heavier gear at the bottom of your bags, and arrange your bags to hang lower on the motorcycle to help avoid disturbing its center of gravity.

Saddlebags can be secured with the use of bungee cords. Avoid hanging saddlebags around exhaust pipes, drive chains, or from the front fender, especially as the latter might disrupt airflow into the engine.

Make sure your saddlebags are waterproof and lockable in case you encounter rain or need to leave your bike unattended for any reason.

Lastly, don’t overload your bike. Your motorcycle’s owner’s manual should include the manufacturer’s recommended load limits.

Plan Ahead

Plan your route ahead of time. Consider purchasing a GPS-mount for your motorcycle so you can keep your map and directions within your sightline. You should also make sure to read the forecast to check weather conditions along your intended route.

Don’t just plan out what roads you are taking, either. Because motorcycles can’t travel as far between fuel-ups as other vehicles, you should also plan out where you will stop for gas and to sleep each day of travel. In less inhabitable stretches, you don’t want to be caught with an empty tank because you were waiting for the next exit or town that never arrived. Additionally, know where you can stop along your route for repairs or maintenance if you experience a crash or breakdown.

Determine how much time you think you will need to get to your destination each day, and pad it: you want to accommodate for extra stops for water or rest. Riding a motorcycle is more physically exhausting than driving a car, especially in hot weather, and you may need more breaks than you were intending. Plan to stop for at least 15 minutes every 60-100 miles. Don’t push yourself past what is comfortable.

Finally, make sure to always have a backup plan. You never know when construction, road closures, or bad weather will force you off your planned route.

What to Do If You Get in a Crash

First, don’t panic. Call 911 and wait for police and paramedics to arrive. Don’t take off your protective gear until paramedics arrive to give you the medical attention you need.

If you are able to do so, take pictures of the crash scene, the damage to your bike, and your wounds. If another rider or driver was involved, get their contact information, as well as the contact information of any witnesses.

Next, get in touch with a motorcycle accident attorney. Out-of-state crashes can get complicated if the state where the accident occurred has different insurance or liability laws than the state where you live. Additionally, insurance companies tend to be biased against motorcyclists, which can make getting the compensation you need even harder if you go it alone.

Thankfully, the motorcycle injury attorneys at Joye Law Firm know exactly what to do in this situation. Don’t hesitate to contact us after experiencing an accident for a free case review.

 

The post How to Prepare for a Motorcycle Road Trip appeared first on Joye Law Firm.

from Joye Law Firm https://www.joyelawfirm.com/2021/07/how-to-prepare-for-a-motorcycle-road-trip/
via https://www.joyelawfirm.com

Do I Need a License to Rent a Boat in South Carolina?

Now that summer is upon us, more people are enjoying time out on the water along South Carolina’s coastline or on one of our state’s many lakes and rivers. And for many of us, that means renting a boat for a day or a weekend.

If you will be going out on a boat for the first time, or just the first time in a long time, it’s important to make sure you know the legal requirements surrounding renting or operating a boat in South Carolina.

Do I Need a Driver’s License to Drive a Boat?

No, a driver’s license is not required to legally operate a boat in South Carolina.

Do I Need a Special Boating License to Drive a Boat?

Generally, adults do not need a boating license to drive a boat in South Carolina. However, this isn’t true for minors.

Any boater under the age of 16 must complete a state-approved boating safety course before they can legally drive a boat in South Carolina without adult supervision. This applies to any watercraft powered by a motor with 15 HP or more, not just boats. For example, this would apply to jet skis.

After completing the boating safety course, the boater will receive a Boater Education Card, which they must keep on them any time they are operating a watercraft and which functions as their boating license. Not carrying the card could result in a fine.

If a boater under the age of 16 is supervised by an adult who is at least 18 years old and not under the influence of drugs and alcohol, they do not need to have taken the course; the course is only required to operate a boat unsupervised.

Do I Really Need to Take a Boating Safety Course?

You are not legally required to take a boating safety course if you are over the age of 16, but we recommend doing so anyway.

Boating accidents can easily result in fatal injuries when drivers are inexperienced. Boating accident deaths come second only to highway crash deaths in order of most dangerous forms of transportation. And according to the U.S. Coast Guard, 70% of all boating accidents are a result of operator error. In fatal boating accidents, more than 80% of the boat operators involved had never taken a boating safety course of any kind.

Even if you are not required to get a boating license or take a safety course before renting a boat in South Carolina, it is always smart to familiarize yourself with the information covered to make sure that you reduce your risk of a collision or injuries to yourself, your passengers, and other boaters and swimmers.

Where Can I Take a Boating Safety Course?

There are several options available for approved boating safety courses. Classes can be taken at U.S. Coast Guard, United States Power Squadrons, or South Carolina Department of Natural Resources (SCDNR) facilities, but there are also several SCDNR-approved courses available to take online at your own pace.

Many people prefer the online courses for the convenience they offer.

What Does the Boating Safety Course Cover?

Boating safety courses typically include:

• Basics of operating a boat, including recognizing the different parts of a boat, how to fuel up, cast off, and so on
• What safety equipment is required to have on board when boating
• Navigation rules and speed limits
• What counts as reckless or negligent operation
• How to safely tow a passenger when water-skiing or tubing
• Dangers of boating under the influence
• What to do in an emergency and how to report an accident

Injured in a Recreational Boating Accident?

Experience and knowing the laws and safety guidelines can help reduce your risk of an injury out on the water, but it can’t eliminate it entirely. If you’ve been injured in a boating accident because a boat operator was driving recklessly or while under the influence, they should be held accountable for the pain and harm they’ve caused you.

You’ve suffered injuries and incurred huge medical bills, and you don’t deserve to have to face them alone. After a boating accident, contact the experienced South Carolina boat accident attorneys at Joye Law Firm for a free case evaluation to learn how we can help you.

The post Do I Need a License to Rent a Boat in South Carolina? appeared first on Joye Law Firm.

from Joye Law Firm https://www.joyelawfirm.com/2021/07/do-i-need-a-boat-license-south-carolina/
via https://www.joyelawfirm.com

The Most Dangerous Fireworks Aren’t What You Expect

When most people think of fireworks, they think of the big fireworks their city shoots off for the 4^th of July holiday. When they hear about fireworks malfunctioning and causing injuries, they are probably thinking of these kinds of fireworks as well. However, injuries from public display fireworks are extremely rare. But that doesn’t mean that fireworks injuries in general are rare.

There are many types of so-called “harmless” fireworks set off in the weeks leading up to and after the 4^th of July, including sparklers, snakes, spinners, fountains, firecrackers, bottle rockets, roman candles, and so on. Most people don’t even consider these “real” fireworks. However, these types of fireworks cause thousands of injuries and numerous deaths every year.

Anyone who plans to set off or use fireworks of any kind should know that there is no such thing as a “harmless” firework, and that proper precautions should always be taken before igniting a firework.

Sparklers

Sparklers are often wrongly considered a kid-friendly firework. However, sparklers alone were responsible for roughly 14% of all fireworks-related injuries in 2019, making them among the most dangerous type of firework.

Sparklers burn at temperatures up to 2,000 degrees Fahrenheit, hot enough to melt metal and glass, and can very easily ignite clothing and hair. According to Ann Marie Buerkle, former acting chairwoman of the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), “Sparklers are often viewed as harmless but let’s be clear, they can be deadly if not used properly.” Sparklers have resulted in at least one death in the U.S., a four-year old girl in 2017.

Most sparkler injuries happen to children under the age of five. Young children should never play with sparklers, and older children should only handle sparklers with adult supervision and always with a nearby bucket of water to douse them.

Firecrackers

In 2019, there were at least 800 injuries reported in the month surrounding July 4^th attributed to firecrackers, compared to 900 injuries associated with sparklers.

Firecrackers are often set off in strings, meaning multiple back-to-back explosions, and go off very quickly. This means that sometimes people do not have enough time to get a safe distance from the firecrackers before they go off. Other times, people may assume a firecracker is a dud when the reaction is delayed, and pick it back up again to attempt to relight it only to have it go off in their hand.

Firecrackers are essentially just gunpowder wrapped in paper with a fuse. They should never be held when lit or being lit. When firecrackers go off while still held, people often suffer severe burns and are at risk of having their fingers blown off.

Rockets

Bottle rockets, roman candles, and mortar-and-shell fireworks together make up the vast majority of fireworks injuries to adults, totaling over 1,000 known injuries in 2019. Ariel fireworks may shoot off in directions the user isn’t expecting, and often result in injuries to the face and eyes. They can also cause fires if they land in trees or on roofs.

Ariel fireworks can cause severe injuries when lit while being held rather being than placed on the ground. Never hold a lit ariel firework, and never point one at another person.

Who Is Liable for Fireworks Injuries?

Misusing fireworks, such as igniting fireworks too close to people or flammable objects such as trees or other fireworks, accounts for a majority of firework injuries (52%). If you were injured by someone else mishandling a firework, such as pointing a firework toward you, you may be eligible to file a personal injury lawsuit.

Defective and malfunctioning fireworks also cause many injuries every year. According to the CPSC, 39% of all fireworks injuries are caused by firework malfunction.

Common examples of firework malfunctions include:

• Early or delayed ignition
• Tipping over
• Erratic flight path
• Throwing debris or ash
• Exploding

When fireworks are defective, or safety instructions are not labeled clearly or correctly, the manufacturer can often be held liable for injuries.

If You’ve Suffered a Personal Injury, Call Joye Law Firm Today

Even fireworks marketed specifically for children, such as poppers and spinners, cause many burns every year.

More dangerous fireworks cause severe burns, lacerations, facial injuries, and hand injuries. More than a third of people who suffer hand injuries from fireworks require at least a partial amputation.

It’s clear that fireworks cause serious injuries. If you were injured by a firework because it was defective, or because someone else was mishandling it, you may be able to get compensation for your pain and suffering and medical costs.

Contact our firm for a free case consultation.

The post The Most Dangerous Fireworks Aren’t What You Expect appeared first on Joye Law Firm.

from Joye Law Firm https://www.joyelawfirm.com/2021/07/the-most-dangerous-fireworks-arent-what-you-expect/
via https://www.joyelawfirm.com