Summer is here! While the warmer weather encourages us to get out and enjoy the heat, many of our favorite activities, when carried out carelessly, can lead to dangerous accidents and potential personal injury litigation. They say, “don’t let the fear of striking out keep you from playing the game,” but keep these safety tips in mind to avoid injuring yourself, or others.
Boating
With easily accessible lakes like Lake Elsinore, Castaic Lake, and even the Port of Long Beach, Southern California residents eagerly await summer to take the boat out for a spin and celebrate with friends and family. While fun, boat operation is dangerous and should never be taken lightly. Accidents often occur when irresponsible behaviors such as driving while impaired, inexperienced driving, and excessive speeding puts the driver, riders, and others on the water at risk for potentially devastating injuries.
Biking
Biking is a year-round activity for many, requiring year-round vigilance and awareness while sharing the road. But with clear skies and summer, many Southern California residents are taking to two wheels to get around. Less experienced bikers may not be as familiar with bicycle laws. California Vehicle Code Section (“CVC”) 21200 gives bicyclists the same rights and responsibilities as drivers. This means a bicycle rider is required to exercise ordinary care at all times to avoid collisions. To avoid an accident, injury, and a potential personal injury lawsuit, familiarize yourself with the rules of biking and always be aware of your surroundings, and the cars on the road. And yes, you can get a DUI riding a bicycle!
Swimming
Nothing should stop you from enjoying your favorite activity this summer, but as the owner of a pool you must take careful consideration for others safety while hosting guests this summer. According to the CDC, there was an average of 3,536 fatal unintentional drownings in the US from 2005-2014, and about one in five people who die from drowning are children 14 and younger. Safety and supervision must be a priority for homeowners with swimming pools, especially when children are present.
Regardless of the activity, the risk of injury is always a possibility. The best defense is always to keep safety and awareness top of mind. In the event that injury occurs, and you are the victim of a personal injury, Alison Gokal and the attorneys at Gokal Law Group are here to be your warriors fighting for you. Give us a call at 949-753-9100 or contact us here.