Zachar Law Blog

10 Safety Tips for Christmas Travel

The Holidays are literally just around the corner and with it, millions of Americans will be taking road trips. Drivers must be prepared for everything from snow and ice to sleep-deprived travelers to “intexticated” and intoxicated drivers.  As a Phoenix personal injury lawyer, these are just some of the tips that I find most useful. 

• Prepare your vehicle for long distance travel: Check your wipers and fluids. Have your radiator and cooling system serviced. Simple maintenance can prevent many of the problems that strand motorists on the side of the road before you leave your home.

• Plan ahead: Before you get on a highway, know your exit by name and number, and watch the signs as you near the off-ramp. Drivers making unexpected lane changes to exit often cause accidents.

• Do not cut in front of large trucks: Remember that trucks are heavier and take longer to make a complete stop, so avoid cutting quickly in front of them.  Plus, they are some of the most discourteous drivers on the road.  A scary combination.

• Check your emergency kit: Contents should include: battery-powered radio, flashlight, blanket, jumper cables, fire extinguisher, first aid kit, bottled water, non-perishable foods, maps, tire repair kit and flares.

• Be aware of changes in weather: Weather conditions across the U.S. will be changing – especially during early mornings and evenings with the cold. Watch for ice, snow and other weather-related obstacles.

• Keep your eyes on the road: Distracted driving is a major cause of traffic accidents. Even just two seconds of distraction time doubles the chances of an accident. Use your cell phone when stopped and never text while driving.

• Leave early and avoid risks: Leave early so you won’t be anxious about arriving late and to accommodate delays. Road conditions may change due to inclement weather or traffic congestion.

• Be aware of truck blind spots: When sharing the road with large trucks, be aware of their blind spots. If you can’t see the truck driver in his or her mirrors, then the truck driver can’t see you.

• Slow down: With the extra highway congestion due to holiday travel, speeding becomes even more dangerous. Allow plenty of space cushion and reduce your speed.

• Buckle up: Safety belts reduce the risk of fatal injury by 45 percent and are a simple way to increase your safety on the road.

TO ALL TRAVELERS, HAVE A SAFE AND MERRY HOLIDAY!!!!

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Getting hurt while on Vacation: How to stay safe

When you’re on vacation, the last thing you think of is the safety precautions that you should take while enjoying your time off. Oddly enough, once vacation season comes around many hotels, golf courses, country clubs, resorts and more also don’t think of how to keep their guests safe while they enjoy their stay.

Vacation Resort Accidents result in 70,000 deaths and 147 million documented injuries every year in the United States. According to the National Safety Council, deaths from accidents are more prominent than natural illnesses. Statistics can tell you that more than 2 million children die in accidents while they are on vacation. Why mostly children? That’s because parents become unaware and remain undistracted

especially if they are enjoying their vacation.

Accidents do happen to children and adults as well, causing as many as 10,500 fatalities and more than 600,000 injuries each holiday year in the United States.

With these kinds of statistics, it is very important that you always prepare yourself as well as your family for situations that may arise while on vacation.

Phoenix Personal Injury Lawyer Chris Zachar, has a few ways that you can become more aware of the potential dangers while on vacation, below are just a few.

-         While traveling in a vehicle, always wear a seatbelt. Be sure to always have younger children in appropriately placed child safety seats as well. Though it should be a natural habit at this point, many still forget to do this simple task.

-         While at resort pools, please keep an eye out for your loved ones that are playing in the pools. Many times, there are no life guards on duty so you must always take extra precaution in making sure your loved ones are enjoying the water safely.

-         Be prepared: The key to having a safe and enjoyable vacation is to always prepare yourselves as well as your loved ones for a situation that may arise. Have a plan in case an unfortunate accident does occur.

These simple yet effective tips will not only help keep you safe while on vacation, but they will also give you a little more piece of mind knowing that you are prepared for situations that may come up during your outing.

Where Does Arizona Rank for Boating Safety?

You may not know this--or it may not be a surprise--but Arizona was recently ranked the seventh highest state for boating accidents.  Number 7!  

 

For many of us, this may be a surprise given that Arizona isn't exactly known for waterways or coastlines.  In fact, 8 of the top 10 states in the list have ocean coastlines, and the remaining state, Michigan, is surrounded on all sides by the Great Lakes.   Arizona is the ONLY landlocked state to make the list.  Here is the top 10, according to the U.S. Coast Guard:

 

Total number of accidents in 2008

1. Florida 

2. California

3. Texas

4. Michigan

5. New York

6. Maryland

7. Arizona

8. Georgia

9. North Carolina

10. New Jersey

 

As an attorney who has worked on countless boating accident cases, this statistic was not a surprise to me.  Yes, we are a desert state.  But we are also a state with year-round boating weather, a booming population sharing limited waterways, and a populace that is well-regarded for an ability to enjoy the outdoors and have a good time.  These factors form a perfect storm for boating dangers, and too often I see this statistic play out as a real life tragedy.

 

This past Memorial Day weekend unfortunately saw several deaths as a result of water accidents.  By Saturday there were already two separate drownings in the Salt River, both men in their mid-twenties.  Very sad and completely avoidable.

 

There are many causes for waterway accidents:  inexperience, lesser attention to the “road” in front of you, alcohol, drugs and fatigue.   Boating is fun.  And in the desert during an Arizona summer, it's REALLY fun.  When we are having fun, we shouldn’t have to worry about the rules so much, right?  Wrong.  Responsible boating means paying attention and keeping control over our vessel and its occupants. 

 

I would say that about 90% of boating accident cases I handle involve alcohol.  Too much drinking, in the hot sun, leads to inhibition loss and fatigue.  And, being in control of a “vehicle” that is capable of high speeds, in the hands of one less than responsible, is asking for trouble. 

 

Of course, boater education and training plays a role as well.  Do you know that Arizona does not require a boater-safety course in order to operate a watercraft?  You don’t need training.  You don’t have to take a test.  You don’t need a license to operate a boat on the public lakes.  Now, you may not be worried about YOU, but, what about the others you know nothing about?  We don’t all share the same educational achievements, or the same moral compass.  You simply trust that others will do what they should be doing. We know, on the Arizona lakes, that all too often that is not the case. 

 

If there is a moral to this story, it is that boaters in Arizona must be especially cautious when you are out on the water.  Given the unique circumstances to our great state, you are more likely to be involved in a boating accident in Arizona than in most other states.  Be responsible and careful, even while you are having fun.  If you cannot do that, or are not sure, then stay home. 

 

By taking basic precautions, having a fun time on the water becomes even easier!  Enjoy the boating season, Arizona--and be safe!

 

Road Rage in Arizona: Part II

In our last blog, we discussed the topic of road rage in Arizona.  Specifically, I focused on drivers who succumb to road rage and why (and how) they should get in control of their driving.  Today, I'd like to focus on what the rest of us should do in case we encounter a “road-rager”, and what legal recourse we have if an accident should occur because of an aggressive driver.

 

The first thing you should do if you encounter road rage is to slow down and let the angry driver pass, if possible.  Most likely, the driver is angry, aggressive, and speeding.  Let him pass out of sight by slowing down while maintaining a safe speed relative to the other traffic.  In the process, be sure to avoid making eye contact and hand gestures. Diffuse the situation. 

 

Of course, this is the HARDEST thing to do, because “road rage” generally occurs when the adrenaline of one or more drivers spikes.  You cannot do much about the other driver.  You can only control yourself.  It should not become a test of “who is toughest” while you are driving 3000 lb death machines, especially in the presence of other innocent drivers.  

 

There is always the option of pulling off on an exit and taking a break.  If the driver has continued on and is following you, call 9-1-1 immediately.  If you decide to exit the road or highway, be sure to stop only at a location such as a police station or highway patrol office where you can be assisted by the authorities.  It is important not to get out of your car if you are being followed by an angry driver, as your safety could be at a greater risk.

 

If you are driving and see an accident further down the road caused by road rage, you should stop a safe distance from the crash scene and wait for the police to arrive.  You can then report the aggressive behavior to the police when they arrive.

 

In the event that you are involved in a car accident as a result of an aggressive driver, it is important that you remain in your vehicle.  Watch the other driver for continued aggression.  Roll up your windows, lock your doors and wait for the police to arrive.  Remember, you are in that situation because the other driver was angry and reckless enough to cause a collision.  Now that his/her vehicle is damaged, do you think their anger will be gone?  Hardly.  Rather, they will probably be even madder.  Call 9-1-1, and protect yourself. 

 

The roads are dangerous enough without the presence of road rage, which is why we must be extra vigilant and prepared when we encounter an aggressive driver.  Mistakes happen all the time on the road: didn't check a blind spot, forgot to use the turn signal, drove ahead of their turn at the stop sign.  But being the victim of someone else's road revenge is something no one deserves.  A little patience, a little sanity, and a little precaution go a long way.

 

Safe—and happy—driving to you all.

 

How to Stop a Car That Accelerates Out of Control (advice and video)

A colleague recently sent me this important and informative video from Consumer Reports, which discusses what to do and what not to do if your car suddenly accelerates beyond control.

This is a timely topic given the recent news about Toyota's mechanical problems, but this video is meant for drivers of ALL CARS, regardless of make or model.  

This is something that I have shared with my family and friends, and I encourage you all do do the same.  The video is short, and hopefully this is information you'll never have to use.  But in the unlikely chance that it does, you'll know the simple steps to regain control of your automobile.

I have worked on many cases in Arizona in which a vehicle defect caused a serious accident.  I can tell you from firsthand experience that many of those victims--and yes, their attorneys--wished that they had the ability to prevent or mitigate their accident.  

After all, the best type of accident is the one that never occurs.

I wish you all safe travels and cautious driving, and, if this helps someone, just one person, then it has served its purpose. As other important safety tips evolve, I will be sure to share them with you.