Apr 2, 2020 | By Young Wooldridge | Read Time: 2 minutes | Personal Injury

When Do I Need a Personal Injury Attorney?

Life is never really the same when you or someone you love suffers a personal injury. You may be forced to adopt dramatic changes to even performing the most mundane tasks. The National Center for Health Statistics reports that around 31 million people each year receive medical treatment due to injury. Many people wonder when or if they should contact a personal injury attorney in Bakersfield. Young Wooldridge, LLP has served our surrounding communities since 1939, and we have the seasoned experience to help you in the event of an accident. What is Involved in CA Personal Injury Law? The personal injury laws of California provide legal recourse for those suffering personal injuries from the actions or negligence of another party or parties. Young Wooldridge, LLP can assist you with filing a claim with the courts to pursue compensation. Our attorneys have forged strong relationships throughout our community with legal and medical professionals. These partnerships allow us to formulate the best possible defense for your claim. When you need a talented, experienced personal injury attorney in Bakersfield, Young Wooldridge, LLP can provide the legal assistance you need for the following types of accidents: Car Accidents Construction/Industrial/Oil Field Accidents Burn Accidents Dangerous and Defective Products Dog Bites Motorcycle Accidents Premises Liability Traumatic Brain Injuries Truck Accidents Wrongful Death If you or a loved one have suffered a personal injury, contact the attorneys at Young Wooldridge, LLP by phone or online to schedule a confidential consultation. How Can Young Wooldridge, LLP Help? Every accident is as unique as the Bakersfield resident who suffers an injury. Due to these differences, and the many complexities that can be present, California personal injury laws can be complicated. You need a seasoned, knowledgeable personal injury attorney to defend your rights and fight to obtain you the compensation you deserve. In cases where one of the family’s providers becomes injured and unable to work, it is especially important that your attorney be able to provide efficient and effective negotiation and litigation on behalf of your claim for compensation.  Call or send an online message to Young Wooldridge, LLP today if you or a loved one have been injured in an accident due to another party’s negligence.

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Sep 24, 2019 | By Young Wooldridge | Read Time: 3 minutes | Personal Injury Lawyer

Keeping your Tween Safe in the Car

Personal Injury Lawyer | Tween Car Safety Guidelines You read a lot about infant and small child car seat safety. There is always an emphasis on teen drivers. What about the kids in the middle? How do we protect the group that early elementary kids call the “big kids”? But over five years, 1,552 kids between the ages of 8 and 14 died in motor vehicle crashes. Tragically, almost half of them were not buckled in. Personal injury lawyers frequently see cases where injury or death could have been prevented if the injured party was wearing a properly-fitted seat belt. To avoid these situations, parents need to practice diligent safety for their kids while shuffling them from school to extracurricular activities and from the movies to sleepovers with their friends.  Tweens If you don’t have any, you may not be familiar with the term “tween”, a word that encompasses kids ages 8 through 12. These increasingly independent and inquisitive life explorers are learning who they are and what interests them. They’re transitioning away from the safety of their parents faster than some may like. Tweens are a busy group with active social lives, increasing school demands, and the inability to ferry themselves from place to place. Parents spend a great deal of time playing chauffeur to tweens and their friends. Having a plan in place to keep this group safe in transit just makes sense. We’ll discuss some of the challenges tween passengers face and what parents can do to keep them safe. Challenges When parents and caregivers fail to buckle up, children are far less likely to want to wear seat belts. Tweens are distracted with devices, eating, reading, and other social concerns. Disorganization, due to lack of maturity and experience, leaves these kids in a rushed, chaotic state much of the time. Sometimes kids will put their seat belts behind their backs or under their arms because they feel uncomfortable. This could be because they’ve been prematurely moved from a booster seat.  Burgeoning image concerns make tweens embarrassed by perceived “baby” behaviors. What You Should Know Experts advise that children remain in a booster seat until they fit correctly in a regular seat belt. The belt should rest snugly across the chest and never cross the neck. The lap belt should sit high on the hips, not across the belly or midsection. Children typically reach a safe height and weight (4’9″ or taller and over 80 pounds is recommended) for regular seat belts between the ages of 8 and 14. Children should remain in the back seat, the safest place until they are at least 13 years of age. In the event of an accident, airbags can cause additional injuries to children younger than this. It is illegal to ride without seat belts in most states, and you can receive a fine for unbuckled minor passengers. What You Can Do Always model proper seatbelt safety. Keep kids in a booster as long as possible. Do not make exceptions or feed into the “uncool” image perception by allowing them out of the booster for special occasions. Keep kids in the back seat until they are at least 13. Check every car for proper seat belt fit. Some vehicles may require a booster while others do not. Never put the car in motion until everyone is buckled up. Never assume your tween is wearing their seat belt. Offer short-term rewards and consequences for non-compliance. Never negotiate on seat belt rules. Always be consistent in your messaging. Help to lower the number of tween injuries and fatalities in car accidents by setting hard and fast rules for all passengers in your vehicle. If you or someone you love has been injured in a car accident, contact The Personal Injury Department at Young Wooldridge, LLP. A personal injury lawyer at Young Wooldridge, LLP, can inform you of legal options you may not know you have.

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Sep 18, 2019 | By Young Wooldridge | Read Time: 3 minutes | Personal Injury Lawyer

Car Seat Styles and How to Install Them Safely

Personal Injury Lawyer | Car Seat Styles and a Guide to Installing Them Safely For parents, the safety of their children is of paramount importance at all times. From sports to toys, food to illnesses, we keep a close eye and shepherd them through their younger years. One of the most crucial places for child safety is in the car. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), 325 children were saved by car seats in 2017. If you and your family are in a car accident, being properly secured in the right car seat is your child’s best chance of avoiding personal injury. Personal Injury Lawyers who can help to ensure you get the care and compensation you may be entitled to in the event of an accident. This guide will introduce you to three different car seat styles and will explain how to install them. However, while this is meant to give you an overview, you should always be familiar with the owner’s manual for your car as well as the car seat as the best installation can vary. Infant Car Seats Infant car seats have a harness and are designed to move with your child, cradling them to reduce the risk of injury to their fragile frame. Infant car seats generally come in two pieces: the base and the bucket. The bucket, or actual seat part, is portable and unlatches from the base. Often parents have more than one base for easy pick-up and drop-off duty sharing. Infant car seats are rear-facing only and should never be installed facing the front. The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends that you keep a child rear-facing as long as possible. It is the best way to keep them safe in the event of a crash. Children should be rear-facing at least until their first birthday. It is important to install the base securely in the vehicle. When possible, use the anchor hooks and attach them to the anchors between the seats of your vehicle. Cinch the seat snuggly to the car using your knee to simulate the weight of the bucket and child. If your car does not have anchors, follow the manufacturer and car recommendations to install the seat using the seat belt. Be sure that every time you place the portable bucket into the base, that it latches completely. Forward-Facing Car Seats Forward-facing seats use a harness and tethers to limit your child’s movement during a crash. They come in convertible, combination and all-in-one styles. Each of these can be used rear-facing until your child is big enough to move to a forward-facing position. It is recommended that children remain rear-facing for as long as possible, up to the age of three. To install these seats you can use either the anchors or the seat belt strap. If using anchors, use a top tether until your child reaches the recommended weight to do without it. If you choose the seat belt strap method, guide the seat belt through the channel indicated on the seat and latch it securely. Make sure the seat belt isn’t twisted during installation and ensure that it is completely extended and in the locked position. Children should stay in the forward-facing seat with harness and tether until they reach the maximum weight and height for the seat. Often, they can transition between ages four and seven. Booster Seats Booster seats are designed to redirect and position the car’s seat belt so that it fits properly over the child. Various models of boosters exist, including the previously mentioned convertible car seat which may transition from a forward-facing to a booster. Additionally, there are boosters that are simply the bottom seat part and boosters that also have a high back. Boosters can be used until the age of 12. Once your child outgrows the forward-facing seat, it is ok to move them to a booster seat. However, they should still ride in the back seat. This is the safest place since deployed airbags can cause additional harm to children. Installation of these seats is simple. Make sure that the seat sits properly on the car’s seat cushion and use the seat belt to secure the child in. When using a high back booster, guide the belt through the shoulder channel and then across the lap through the armrests. The seat belt should fit across your child’s shoulder and not their neck. The lap belt should tighten snugly across the upper thighs, not the stomach. Use NHTSA’s helpful car seat finder to feel confident you’re choosing the correct seat for your kid. If you are not confident or comfortable installing your child’s car seat, you can find a Certified Carseat Technician in your area. Usually, your local fire department will have someone on hand to help you. Many communities host periodic “Check The Seat” events where they will provide information for parents and inspect to make sure they are installed properly. Protect your kids by keeping them secure any time they’re in the vehicle. If you, or someone you love has been injured in a car accident, contact The Personal Injury Department at Young Wooldridge, LLP. A personal injury lawyer at Young Wooldridge, LLP can inform you of legal options you may not know you have.

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Jul 1, 2019 | By Young Wooldridge | Read Time: 2 minutes | Personal Injury Lawyer

Safe Celebrating: A Guide to Safely Handling Personal Fireworks

Personal Injury Lawyer | Safe Celebrating: A Guide to Safely Handling Personal Fireworks Contact an experienced Personal Injury Lawyer if you are injured this July 4th while celebrating. They can inform you of your rights. For many Americans, fireworks are synonymous with Independence Day celebrations. Like apple pie and backyard barbeques, lighting a few personal fireworks for the neighborhood kids is a time-honored tradition. With the use of fireworks so ingrained in our idea of July 4th celebrating, it can seem simple and safe pastime to partake in. However, the dangers of fireworks are so threatening that the National Fire Protection Association(NFPA) is firmly opposed to the use of consumer fireworks altogether. Let’s look at the facts: Consumer fireworks start an average of 18,500 fires each year including structure fires, vehicle fires and others. Fireworks related fires account for an average of $43 million in direct property damage. In the month surrounding July 4th, approximately 280 people are seen in emergency rooms across the U.S. for fireworks related injuries. Children younger than 15 account for one-third of fireworks injuries. In at least 10 states, consumer fireworks are restricted or banned completely. Safety organizations like the NFPA, National Safety Council (NSC) and the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) recommend that Americans only enjoy fireworks displays that are handled by the pros. If you still feel the need to partake in fourth of July pyrotechnics, be sure to take the following safety precautions to reduce your risk of an Independence Day disaster. Never let children play with fireworks. Sparklers burn at an alarming 1,200 degrees. That’s hot enough to melt some metals. Instead, have adults light sparklers and put on a show for children. Always make sure that you explain the dangers of fireworks to little ones before starting the show. Always keep water nearby. Keep a bucket of water nearby for immediate dowsing if a fire does break out. Have the hose handy should you need more. Put fireworks remains and any malfunctioning fireworks in water before discarding them. Trash can fires can occur from still smoldering pieces. Never use fireworks when impaired by alcohol. If you’ve been celebrating with alcohol, don’t celebrate with fire. Only light fireworks away from people, houses and other flammable materials. As mentioned above, cars and other property are at risk around fireworks. Only light one device at a time and never relight a dud. Make sure to get a safe distance immediately after igniting fireworks and never stand directly over fireworks while lighting them. Store and transport fireworks safely. Never carry fireworks in your pocket where friction can cause them to ignite. Store fireworks in a cool dry place in the home. Never purchase illegal fireworks. M80’s, M100’s, blockbusters and quarter pounders were banned in 1966 but still account for injuries each year. Illegal fireworks will be wrapped in brown paper and will not have consumer warnings clearly displayed on them. This fourth of July, protect your friends and family by establishing strict personal fireworks safety measures at your celebration. You can enjoy the festivities longer if you aren’t making an unnecessary trip to the emergency room. If you, or someone you love has been injured by personal fireworks, contact The Personal Injury Department at Young Wooldridge, LLP. A personal injury lawyer at Young Wooldridge, LLP can inform you of legal options you may not know you have.

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Jun 4, 2019 | By Young Wooldridge | Read Time: 3 minutes | Personal Injury Lawyer

Road Trip Safety Checklist

Personal Injury Lawyer│According to the 2019 AAA Travel survey, more than 100 million Americans are planning to take a family vacation this year. Two-thirds of these family travelers will get away from home during the summer, making it a popular time for family road trips. Truly one of the best ways to travel, the time-honored road trip makes the journey just as exciting as the destination. However, child meltdowns, vehicle breakdowns, and car accidents can bring the fun to a screeching halt. The Road Trip Safety Checklist below will ensure that your vacation goes as smoothly as possible. Service Your Vehicle About a week before you set out on the open road, take your vehicle into your local service station for a tune-up. Let them know that you’re planning a road trip. You’ll be asking a lot of your car as you travel in hot weather for several hours every day. Ensure that it has what it needs to function at peak performance. The National Highway Travel Safety Administration(NHTSA) recommends that you service these areas: Battery Lights Belts and Hoses Fluids Wipers Tires Air Conditioning Pack An Emergency Roadside Kit If you’ve performed the above tune-up, it’s not likely that you will be stranded roadside during your trip. However, it’s always a good idea to prepare for even the worst case scenario. Put together an Emergency Roadside Kit that can tackle several needs in a tough situation. Include the below items: Fully charged phone Flashlight First aid kit Jumper cables Tire pressure gauge Jack for changing tires and a tire iron Work gloves Duct tape Jug of water and paper towels for cleanup Windshield washer fluid Food, drinking water and medicines Towels and blankets Map Check That All Child Seats Are Secured You probably installed your child’s car seat long ago. How often do you check to make sure it’s secured tightly in the car? After packing up and moving items into places that are usually unused into your vehicle, car seats can loosen and shift. Take a minute to unhook and reinstall your child seats. Keeping the little ones secured should be one of the highest priorities on your checklist. Make A Plan With Frequent Stops Speaking of those little guys, any parent can tell you that children need regular breaks on long drives. Not only that, but your car will thank you too. Half the fun of a road trip is what you see along the way. So, take advantage of the break time and see some local attractions. Pack a picnic lunch instead of hitting the fast food drive through. Plan your trip and your stops in advance so that you don’t miss any highlights along the way. Share The Road As you probably know, you won’t be the only person road tripping this summer. Motorcycles, bicyclists and even pedestrians will be more present during these warmer months. Although anyone who uses the road shares certain responsibilities to keep everyone safe, these three groups are far more vulnerable without the protection of an enclosed vehicle around them. Use caution, exercise patience, and be mindful when you need to share the road. Stay Alert One of the most important things you should do before any long drive is to get a good night’s sleep. Fatigue can be deadly on a road trip. Being awake and alert will improve not only your mood but also your ability to enjoy the drive. Stay off of cell phones and other screens while driving. Save these activities for the next time you make a pit stop. Fill up while stopped and make a pledge not to eat while driving. Allow another passenger to assist youngsters in the backseat while you keep your eyes, and mind, on the task of driving. If you, or your loved ones, have been hurt in an auto accident, contact The Personal Injury Department at Young Wooldridge, LLP. A personal injury lawyer at Young Wooldridge, LLP can inform you of legal options you may not know you have.

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May 21, 2019 | By Young Wooldridge | Read Time: 2 minutes | Personal Injury Lawyer

A Guide to Safe Swimming This Summer Season

Personal Injury Lawyer | With the end of school upon us, neighborhood swimming pools are opening up and welcoming families for another fun, summer season. However, nothing puts a damper on summer plans like an unexpected injury in or around the pool. The American Red Cross has issued some general safety precautions to bring awareness to pool safety and each person’s role in preventing an accident.  As you head into the summer months, familiarize yourself and your family with these safe and healthy swimming behaviors for a longer, more enjoyable season ahead. Follow these safety tips to help your family stay safe in the water during these hot, summer months: Swim in designated areas supervised by lifeguards or adults that are experienced swimmers. Use the buddy system; do not allow anyone to swim alone. teach children to always ask permission to go near water. Adult supervision at all times. Never leave a young child unattended near water. Have young children or inexperienced swimmers wear U.S. Coast Guard-approved life jackets around water, but do not rely on life jackets alone. Make sure everyone in your family learns to swim well. The City of Bakersfield offers American Red Cross Learn-to Swim lessons. If you have a home pool, secure it with a fence or other appropriate barriers. Many child injuries or deaths around the water occur when the child was out of sight for less than five minutes and in the care of one or both parents at the time. Stay alert! Avoid distractions when supervising children around water. If a child goes missing, check the water first. Seconds count in preventing death or disability. Have appropriate rescue equipment on hand, such as tools capable of reaching or throwing, a cell phone, life jackets, and a first aid kit. Call 9-1-1 immediately if an accident or injury occurs. Protect your skin from the sun. Limit the amount of direct sunlight you receive between 10:00 a.m. and 4:00 p.m. and wear sunscreen with a protection factor of at least 15 and reapply regularly. Drink plenty of water regularly, even if you’re not thirsty. Avoid drinks with alcohol or caffeine  that may cause dehydration or impair judgment. Enroll in Red Cross home pool safety, water safety, first aid and CPR/AED courses to learn how to prevent and respond to emergencies. The benefits of swimming are numerous. By remaining alert and proactive about pool safety, your family can enjoy a safe and enjoyable summer break. If someone you know is injured in or around the pool due to another person’s negligence, contact The Personal Injury Lawyers at Young Wooldridge, LLP. A personal injury lawyer at Young Wooldridge, LLP can inform you of legal options you may not know you have.  

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May 20, 2019 | By Young Wooldridge | Read Time: 2 minutes | Personal Injury Lawyer

Understanding Bicycle Hand Signals

Personal Injury Lawyer │Cycling is a fun, engaging, and healthy means of transportation that can be enjoyed by all members of the family. Before you or your loved ones take to the streets on your bikes, it is essential to be informed about the rules of the road for bicycles and other motor vehicles. Since bicycles are considered vehicles and their riders considered drivers, most of the fundamental laws that govern motorists also apply to cyclists. Obeying stop signs and traffic signals, riding with the flow of traffic, and ensuring your bicycle is equipped with lights at night are a few of the rules of the road that cyclists must follow. Other laws vary by state, but all states agree that by adhering to the same standards as motorists, bikers will be safer overall and will be better prepared to handle hazardous traffic situations. One law that keeps cyclists and motorists aware and informed of other drivers’ intentions while on the road is the use of signaling to communicate the vehicle’s intended actions. In a car, truck or on a motorcycle turn signals and brake lights communicate the vehicle’s intentions. For those riding a bicycle on a highway or city street, this communication is equally and sometimes even more critical. Of course, most bikes aren’t equipped with electric turn signals and brake lights. Instead, cyclists use an internationally recognized set of hand gestures to indicate and communicate their intentions on the road. In the U.S., these hand signals are required by law. The National Highway and Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) provides the following descriptions of the three required hand signals: Left Turn Extend your left arm out sideways with all fingers extended or use your index finger to point left. Right Turn Extend your left arm out sideways bent at a 90-degree angle at the elbow joint, hand pointing upward and the palm of the hand facing forward. Alternative Right Turn: Extend your right arm out straight with all fingers extended or use your index finger to point right. Stopping or Slowing Extend your left arm or right arm sideways and bend your arm at a 90-degree angle at the elbow joint, hand pointing downwards and the palm of your hand facing backward. Since there is no barrier between a cyclist and the road, they are far more vulnerable if involved in a traffic accident. By using the required hand signals, cyclists keep themselves and others on the road safe and minimize the likelihood of an accident. For motorists, having a clear understanding of the cyclist hand signals can prevent deadly accidents from occurring. If you, or someone you know, has been injured while riding a bicycle, contact a Personal Injury Lawyer. The Personal Injury Lawyers at Young Wooldridge, LLP can inform you of legal options you may not know you have.

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Apr 8, 2019 | By Young Wooldridge | Read Time: 2 minutes | Personal Injury Lawyer

Keeping Your Child Safe On The Playground

Personal Injury Lawyer | Keeping Your Child Safe On The Playground The Playground is an exciting place. It gives children an adventurous place to play and use their imagination while providing an opportunity for teachers, parents and caregivers to let kids spend pent up energy in a productive and creative way. Little bodies, brains and social skills are hard at work when on the playground. To guarantee many more years of healthy playground play in the future for your children, it is important to keep your child safe on the playground. Think about the following tips next time you and your little one hit the playground. Playground Equipment Only Between 2001 and 2008, the Consumer Product Safety Commission investigated 40 deaths associated with playgrounds. Twenty-seven deaths were related to strangulation, often involving a foreign object or object from home. Drawstrings, pet leashes and jump ropes do not mix well with playground equipment. Leave these items in the car or at home and make sure to dress appropriately. Ensure Protective Surfaces The asphalt and concrete playground surfaces of the old days are gone. Or at least they should be. Falls account for 44% of playground injuries. Falls from playground equipment can lead to traumatic brain injuries (TBIs). Play in areas with impact absorbing surfaces like pea gravel, wood chips, sand or rubber. Quick Safety Inspections Doing a quick safety check when you arrive at the playground can go a long way. Make sure any heights have appropriate railings or enclosures. Encourage kids to go down the slide feet first and always monitor children on monkey bars. Thirty-six percent of injuries are attributed to monkey bars alone. Make sure children under four play on age-appropriate equipment and know to never run in front of swings. Explain the Right Way to Play Before stepping onto the playground, remind children of the safest playground behavior. Let them know that doing cartwheels from heights, running up a slide and swinging on their belly can turn bad quickly. Encourage kids to use the playground as it was intended to avoid scrapes, bangs and bruises or worse. The playground is an excellent place to watch your little one blossom. Take some time to make yourself aware of playground dangers so that your family can continue to enjoy the freedom and fun a playground offers. If you someone you know was injured on a playground, contact a Personal Injury Lawyer at Young Wooldridge, LLP. A personal injury lawyer can inform you of legal options you may not know you have.

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Apr 4, 2019 | By Young Wooldridge | Read Time: 2 minutes | Personal Injury Lawyer

Highway Work Zone Safety Awareness 

Personal Injury Lawyer | Highway Work Zone Safety Awareness  Every spring in the U.S. we observe National Work Zone Awareness Week. Since 2000, when the first national event was held in Springfield, Virginia, the American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials (AASHTO) and the American Traffic Safety Services Association (ATSSA) have worked together to bring awareness to motorists about highway and road worker safety. Many other national, state and local agencies participate in events countrywide. A work zone is an area on our roads and highways where construction is taking place. It can involve reduced speed limits, detours, large equipment and lane closures. Road improvements and construction are conducted most often during the warmer months of spring and summer. That means that as Americans take to the road for vacation and as young drivers are out of school for the summer, there is an increased risk to the road workers as well as those drivers. According to the U.S. Department of Transportation, three fatalities occur each day in highway construction areas. The National Highway and Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) reports 61,000 injuries from work zone crashes in 2016. Work zone tragedies don’t only affect workers. Four out of five work zone deaths are drivers or passengers. By being aware, alert and cautious, every motorist can help prevent work zone accidents. Work Zone Safe Driving Tips Below are some tips from the California Department of Transportation when navigating highway work zones. Do not speed in work zones; obey the posted work zone speed limits. Expect the unexpected and stay alert. Drive carefully, always watching for workers. Don’t change lanes unnecessarily. Stay off the phone. Turn on headlights so that workers and other drivers can see you. Be especially alert at night while driving in work zones. Expect delays, especially during peak travel times. Allow ample space between you and the car in front of you. Anticipate lane shifts, and merge when directed to do so. Be Patient! If you someone you know has suffered injury from a work zone related crash, contact The Personal Injury Department at Young Wooldridge, LLP. A personal injury lawyer at Young Wooldridge, LLP can inform you of legal options you may not know you have.

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Apr 1, 2019 | By Young Wooldridge | Read Time: 3 minutes | Personal Injury Lawyer

How Can You Help End Distracted Driving?

Personal Injury Lawyer | Help End Distracted Driving  Distracted driving is an ever-increasing risk on roads all across the country. Americans lead busy lives and have more and more technology that helps them manage these lives. Multitasking is an encouraged skill in our culture. Unfortunately, there’s at least one place where multitasking can become deadly: in your car. In 2017, distracted driving was attributed to at least 8.5% of crash fatalities– 3,166 people. This staggering statistic moves most of us to learn more about the problem and what we can do to help end distracted driving. An experienced Personal Injury Lawyer can inform you of your rights if you or someone you know has been injured by a distracted driver. The auto industry continues to produce vehicles with more connectivity than ever before, effectively making multitasking the accepted norm when behind the wheel. However, doctors are now learning that the human brain does not actually have the ability to perform two cognitively demanding tasks at the same time. Multitasking is a myth. Instead of performing two tasks at once, the brain actually switches back and forth between tasks. Each task is then completed at decreased performance rates. Thankfully, the distracted driving epidemic has been brought to our attention and campaigns across the country aim to snuff it out. Public awareness is getting better and you may have already made a pledge to refrain from distracted driving. There is still more that can be done. You may not realize that even when you aren’t behind the wheel, there are ways in which you are contributing to the unsafe, and in some states illegal, habits of your friends and loved ones. So What Can I Do? If you see or suspect someone of distracted driving, start by talking to them. Explain the risks they face and tell them how you feel about their habits. If you are in the vehicle with a distracted driver and feel unsafe, ask them to pull over and stop. If you, yourself are driving distracted, remember that you are not only risking your life and the life of your passengers but everyone else on the road. The Governors Highway Safety Association (GHSA) gives us these tips for managing distracted driving: Switch Off and Stow Away Before starting your car, turn your phone to silent and then stow it somewhere out of reach. Record a Driving Message When you’re on the road, record a message that tells other callers as much and explain that you will return their call when you have safely exited your vehicle. Pull Over If you absolutely must make a call en route, pull over to do it. Find a safe area off of the main road to stop and make the phone call. Use Your Passengers Ask a passenger to make the call for you. Passengers can be your co-pilot to find directions on the GPS and to respond to text messages. “X the Text” Never text, read email or surf the web while driving. Prepare Before you leave, set your GPS or thoroughly read printed directions. If you need to change course, pull over to reset your navigation devices. Properly Secure Pets and Children Make sure that all passengers who require your assistance are properly fastened into the vehicle before you set out. If they have needs that need tending, pull over to a safe place before attempting to help them. Decline the Call If someone is calling you when you know them to be driving, do not answer. If they are texting, wait until you know they have stopped to respond. Maintaining your focus on driving is essential. Reading, smoking, eating and drinking are all deadly tasks that can cause far more than a fender bender. When drivers engage in these activities they put everyone on the road at risk. If you or someone you know was injured by a distracted driver, contact a Personal Injury Lawyer at Young Wooldridge, LLP. A personal injury lawyer can inform you of legal options you may not know you have.

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