[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]Southern California is seeing it's first wet weather after one of the hottest summers on record.  The weather forecast in the San Gabriel Valley calls for a consistent chance of rain throughout the weekend, posing a risk of dangerous driving conditions, especially on the freeways.  The first rain after a period of dry weather cause terrible conditions.  The water mixes with all the dirt, oil, grease, and grime steadily accumulating throughout the summer, leaving roads incredibly slippery.  A downpour helps to clear away the buildup, but the forecast is for drizzle, leaving the roads slippery much longer! The rate of accidents on the freeways during wet weather in Southern California increases dramatically, sometimes as much as 300%!  It's important to protect yourself and your family if you take to the roads while it's raining.  There are several techniques to drive safer in stormy weather. Slow down In slippery driving conditions, it takes a lot longer to stop a moving vehicle.  Driving at a slower, safer speed can help you avoid accidents by being able to stop your vehicle quickly. Slow down sooner It takes much longer for wet brakes to stop a car.  Begin braking earlier than you usually would to ensure your car comes to a stop in time.  Slamming on your brakes could cause you to lose control of your vehicle. Do not tailgate Combining the two points above, if you're traveling too close to a vehicle that comes to a sudden stop, you may not be able to suddenly stop in time.  Leave extra space between you and any vehicles in front of you. Turn on your headlights If your windshield wipers are on, you are legally required to also have your headlights on.  Using your headlights in the rain increases visibility and the ability of others to see your vehicle. Keep your brights off Headlights help your visibility, but high-beams actually harm it. Avoid standing water If you see a puddle on the freeway, try to avoid it.  Hitting standing water creates the risk of hydroplaning which can cause you to lose control of the vehicle.  If you're unable to avoid a puddle and begin to hydroplane, do not hit the brakes!  Instead, take your foot off the gas until you regain control.  On surface streets, standing water could be much deeper than you think and you never know if you're going to hit something hidden beneath the waters.  If the water is too deep, you could cause damage to your vehicle's engine or brakes. Be prepared Ensure your windshield wipers, brakes, and headlights are working properly.  If you need to be somewhere at a specific time, try to leave early to allow for road conditions. If you're involved in an accident, contact a car accident lawyer in the San Gabriel Valley The Law Offices of Scott Warmuth provides exceptional service designed to help our clients recover from their injuries, fix their vehicles, and receive compensation for missed work and pain and suffering.  Contact us today at 888-517-9888 to receive a free injury consultation.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row]

[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]Coming soon to a freeway near you?  Big rigs tailgating each other at high speeds with only a few feet of separation.  Thought it may seem a disconcerting sight, new technologies will make the practice of 'platooning' a safer experience.  The same technology could help prevent trucks from rear-ending other vehicles. Platooning refers to the practice of two big rigs traveling in a pair, using each other to improve fuel efficiency by utilizing a truck's slipstream.  Slipstreaming, or drafting, is a proven method of increasing fuel efficiency, even inspiring a test on Mythbusters, which confirmed the 'myth'.  However, some safety experts still have concerns. The concerns do not have much to do with the platooning technology, the truck drivers, or even driverless trucks.  The biggest safety concern is other drivers on the freeway.  No one truly knows how drivers will react to seeing two or more trucks traveling 70 mph with only a couple of car lengths between them.  Will a driver try to cut through that small space to reach an exit?  Will drivers speed or slow to try and get around the convoys?  How would other drivers' behavior affect the technology?  Other questions have been raised as well. See the full news article here. None of these questions address the concerns of liability in the event of a crash.  With the safety improvements, it would be less likely that a big rig is actually to blame in a crash, but if one does happen, who is liable for damages?  The truck driver, truck company, software engineers, software company, or other entities could all have partial blame in a crash.  As the future quickly approaches, the Law Offices of Scott Warmuth will be ready to represent the victims of car accidents.  Call 888-517-9888 today for a free injury consultation.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row]