Sobriety checkpoints are temporary roadblocks that are used by Riverside law enforcement to catch drivers who are under the influence of alcohol and/or drugs.
There are times when the officers stop every vehicle going through the roadblock or stop just certain vehicles to determine if the driver is impaired. The checkpoints are usually set up late at night or in the early morning hours when most drunk drivers are on the road.
If an officer asks to search your car, you can refuse because technically they do not have legal grounds to do so. You may be asked to leave your car and perform a field sobriety test or take a breath alcohol test. This, too, can be refused, but the consequences are almost as severe as a DUI charge.
If you are arrested for drunk driving, contact an experienced Riverside Criminal Law attorney who will review the evidence against you and fight for your legal options.
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\\ tags: alcohol & drugs, arrest, attorney, Criminal Law, law enforcement, motorists, roadblocks, Sobriety checkpoints
Drinking and driving can cost you a lot more than you think. The holiday season brings many festive times with friends and family. Unfortunately, it also brings an increased risk on our freeways.
According to statistics, thousands of people are injured or killed in California during the months of November and December as a result of alcohol-related accidents.
Reports indicate that a first offense can cost a driver more than $10,000 in fines, vehicle storage, attorney fees, restitution, DMV license reissue fees and increase in insurance rates. This is in addition to the costs incurred for an ignition interlock-device, booking and fingerprinting fees. The cost for someone under the age of 21 is even higher.
If you are arrested for drinking and driving during the holidays, contact an experienced Riverside Criminal Law attorney who will fight for your rights and your driver’s license.
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\\ tags: alcohol, attorney, car accident, Criminal Law, DUI, holiday seasons, motorists, negligence, Personal Injury, roadways
Those traveling in Coachella the other day, encountered a big mess.
A big-rig trailer crashed into an overpass under construction in the early morning hours, causing a metal structure erected for pouring concrete to collapse. The road was closed in both directions for several hours.
Although the accident caused metal to spread across the busy road, no injuries were reported. However, if you are driving on a road that causes injury or damage to you and/or your vehicle, contact an experienced Riverside Personal Injury attorney who will investigate the details and determine if you are entitled to compensation for your injuries and/or damages.
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\\ tags: attorney, Big-rig accident, Coachella, motorists, overpass, Personal Injury, trucker
As anyone knows who lives in and around the Palm Springs area, there are too many open roads – roads which cause many to drive over the speed limit. No driver enjoys getting pulled over by an officer who issues a speeding ticket, especially one who pulls out his radar gun and presents you with his evidence.
If you are one of the unlucky ones to get a ticket for speeding thanks to a radar system, hope is not completely gone. You do not have to deal with the consequences which include fines and insurance rate increases.
A radar system that the police use to monitor traffic tells the officer how fast a vehicle is going; however, it can’t measure distance or pick out one specific vehicle from others. The officer must make that call. There are ways to fight a ticket given by a ‘radar arrest’.
If you have been given a ticket for speeding, you may be facing a complex battle. It would be wise to contact a Riverside Criminal Law attorney who is experienced with other speeding ticket cases and can represent you properly.
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\\ tags: attorney, Criminal Law, fines, insurance, motorists, police officer, Radar gun, Speeding, ticket
California’s ‘Basic Speed Law’ requires that drivers go no faster than is safe, given the surroundings and conditions. The speed limit on most freeways is 65 mph. On streets, it varies so it is best to look for posted signs. Speeding tickets is one of the most frequently given traffic violations in California.
Getting a speeding ticket can be devastating especially when the fine is high, you could lose your license and your insurance rates can skyrocket or you can lose your insurance altogether.
Before you decide to pay your ticket or fight it in court, find out what the consequences are.
Paying a ticket may be easier and quicker than fighting it, but think about the long-term effects it will have on your insurance rates.
If you have received a speeding ticket in Palm Springs or any part of Riverside County, you would be wise to contact an experienced Riverside Criminal Law attorney who will guide you through the process and help you avoid the risk of getting your insurance rates increased or cancelled completely.
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\\ tags: attorney, car insurance, Criminal Law, driver license, fine, motorists, speeding ticket, traffic court, traffic school
Palm Springs, with its beautiful scenery, is a good place for bicyclists to ride their bikes. It is not only good exercise, but it is also less expensive than driving an automobile. However, bikes must share the roads with other vehicles and that can cause accidents.
Every year hundreds of bicyclists are killed as a result of a negligent driver – one who is distracted in some way – perhaps talking on a cell phone. Bike accidents happen anywhere, but most often in an intersection. Bicyclists are required by California law to abide by the same rules of the road that motorists follow. They are required to ride with the flow of traffic, yield the right-of-way when appropriate and stop at stop signs. Unfortunately, not all bike riders follow the rules.
If you or a family member has been injured in a bicycle accident, contact an experienced Riverside Personal Injury attorney to determine if you can be compensated for damages and medical expenses.
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\\ tags: attorney, bicyclists, Bike accident, California Law, Driver negligence, fatal accident, motorists, Personal Injury, traffic safety rules
The Palm Springs Police Department are always setting up sobriety and driver’s license checkpoints at undisclosed locations – in an effort to keep the city safe. Alcohol-related deaths make up the largest category of vehicle fatalities with more than 30% caused by a drunken driver.
They are continuing their campaign to reduce the number of persons killed and injured in alcohol-related accidents. The checkpoints are set up to get drunk drivers off the streets. If you must go out to party, designate a non-drinking driver. Are you aware that a DUI arrest can cost more than $10,000 and result in jail time? In addition, the driver can lose his or her license and receive increased insurance rates.
If you are arrested for driving while under the influence of alcohol and/or drugs, you are facing serious consequences. Contact an experienced Riverside Criminal Law attorney who will investigate and protect your legal rights.
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\\ tags: alcohol, Criminal Law, Driver negligence, driver's license checkpoints, DUI, fatal accident, motorists, Palm Springs Police Department, Sobriety checkpoints, vehicle accident
Who must yield the right-of-way when two vehicles are approaching an intersection?
According to California Vehicle Code Section 21800(a), “The driver of a vehicle approaching an intersection shall yield the right-of-way to any vehicle which has entered the intersection from a different highway.”
If a vehicle runs a red light, under California Vehicle Code Section 21453(a), he or she is facing a serious traffic violation. The following are a few rules when you must yield the right-of-way at an intersection:
· Yield sign – slow down or stop.
· No signs or signals – yield the right-of-way to a vehicle approaching from the right.
· Stop signs on every corner – yield to the first vehicle that comes to a complete stop. If 2 vehicles stop at the same time, the vehicle on the left yields to the vehicle on the right.
· Want to turn left – make sure approaching traffic passes and all is clear.
· Pedestrians – always yield to a pedestrian.
Remember, signaling does not give you the right-of-way; make sure you have a clear path in front of you before proceeding.
No one should have to pay the price for someone else’s negligence. If you are injured in an accident where the other driver did not yield the right of way, contact an experienced Riverside County Personal Injury attorney who will get you the compensation you deserve.
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\\ tags: attorney, California Vehicle Code Section 21453(a), California Vehicle Code Section 21800(a), motorists, Personal Injury, right-of-way, traffic safety rules, traffic violations
Another automobile recall has come to our attention. Chrysler is recalling more than 11,000 cars, minivans and other models because of a manufacturing problem.
The manufacturing problem has the potential to cause the steering to fail. Dealers will replace any missing parts and align the incorrectly installed ones.
The vehicles being recalled include:
· Chrysler – Model 200 and 200 convertible, town & Country
· Dodge – Avenger, Caliber, Grand Caravan, Nitro, Journey
· Jeep – Compass, Patriot, Wrangler, Liberty
If you own one of these vehicles and have been injured, contact an experienced Riverside County Personal Injury attorney who will investigate for you and work to make sure you are compensated for any injuries and expenses incurred due to this faulty vehicle.
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\\ tags: attorney, Chrylser cars, injuries, manufacturing problem, motorists, Personal Injury, recalls, steering wheels
Those traveling on the Moreno Valley Freeway the other day were witness to a sig alert that closed the eastbound lanes for several hours, including afternoon rush hour. Motorists were detoured off the freeway and onto city streets.
The crash that occurred in the early afternoon was between a big-rig and recreational vehicle. CHP officers were told by witnesses that a big-rig jackknifed, causing it to hit an RV. The eastbound lanes were covered with pieces of wreckage and about 40 gallons of diesel oil.
Luckily, there were no injuries reported. However, the CHP is investigating to determine what caused the big-rig to jackknife across the freeway lanes. They are checking to determine if the driver was distracted or just tired, or there was mechanical problems.
If you are injured in an accident with a big-rig, contact a Riverside County Personal Injury attorney who is familiar and successful in pursuing big-rig accidents.
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\\ tags: Add new tag, attorney, Big-rig accident, jackknife, Moreno Valley freeway, motorists, Personal Injury, recreational vehicle, truck driver
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