In California, all drivers are required to carry auto insurance regardless of whether they drive a high-end new car or one that is old and not in the best shape. Unfortunately, many drivers do not carry insurance either because they cannot afford it, have allowed it to lapse, have a driving record which prevents them from obtaining it, or fail to understand its importance. Insurance industry studies concerning auto coverage have shown that as many as one out of four drivers drive without any form of insurance or have too little coverage to handle the consequences should they be involved in a major accident. This can create a difficult situation for those who are injured by these uninsured or underinsured drivers.
You may have seen the TV ads that state “buzzed driving is drunk driving.” Now, NBC 7 San Diego reports that a new study on traffic accidents by UCSD shows even “minimally buzzed” drivers – those with a very low 0.01% blood-alcohol level – often cause fatal car accidents.
A 23-year-old mother whose drunk driving led to the deaths of two children was recently sentenced to 8 years in prison. The Chula Vista woman drove her minivan with a 0.13 percent blood alcohol concentration (BAC) last August 5 when she lost control of the vehicle. The minivan fell down an embankment, flipped, and landed on its roof in Otay Reservoir. The vehicle then sank.
AB 1371, known as the Three Feet for Safety Act, a driver passing a bicycle that is traveling in the same direction must maintain at least 3 feet of distance between any part of the vehicle and any part of the bicycle or rider. When 3 feet is not possible, the motor vehicles are required to slow to a “reasonable and prudent speed” and pass only if there’s no danger to the bicyclist. Violations can result in a fine, regardless of whether a collision or injury to the bicyclist results. This law takes effect Sept. 16, 2014.
On December 9, 2013, the San Diego City Council unanimously approved the San Diego Bicycle Master Plan Update, which will add 595 miles of bikeways designed to connect the city, to create bike corridors to encourage biking to work or school, and to make biking a more mainstream mode of transportation.
A 64-year-old female driver of a Saturn Ion died instantly in a chain reaction traffic accident allegedly caused by a drunk driver recently in Tarzana, California. The woman’s car folded in on itself from a rear impact leaving it in an unrecognizable state. The crash involved seven cars and was started by a 33-year-old male driver who then went into a local convenience store and bought a six-pack of beer.
Ethan Couch, age 16, grew up wealthy and privileged. His parents never set rules and boundaries for him. As a result, he allegedly stole some beer from Walmart, got drunk, and then drove a car. He killed 4 people as a result of driving DUI. But for a made up disease — called Affluenza — Ethan might have been sentenced to 25 years in prison. But because of this made up disease, he got probation. He may never see the inside of a jail cell for killing 4 people. And the families of the 4 that Ethan killed may never have peace of mind. Ethan’s lawyers somehow convinced a judge that his upbringing created such a sense of entitlement, lack of respect for rules, and a lack of remorse for his bad acts that it would be wrong for him to go to prison.
Every driver in the state of California is required by law to carry auto liability insurance. The minimum liability insurance for a passenger vehicle is $15,000 for injury or death of a single individual, $30,000 for injury or death of multiple individuals, and $5,000 for property damage. Comprehensive coverage, collision coverage, uninsured and underinsured motorist coverage, rental car coverage, and various other types of insurance coverage are also available.
People generally buy insurance for the purpose of protecting themselves and their assets. Home insurance, renters’ insurance, car insurance, business insurance, health insurance, life insurance, and other types of insurance are all designed to give a sense of security and provide reasonable compensation in the event that the insured item is damaged or lost.
If you have been seriously injured in a car accident in San Diego that you believe was caused by another driver’s negligence or their outright disregard for the safety of others, you may have grounds to file a lawsuit or claim to recover damages. There is no question that accidents happen. When an accident occurs due to another individual’s irresponsible actions, such as texting while driving, driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol, or any other sort of driver distraction, the other driver can be held liable for any injuries they caused.
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