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Driving Safely During the Holidays
Holiday shoppers in Santa Barbara County probably have checklists, gift lists, and shopping lists in their minds as they head to the malls and shopping centers. With other things on their minds they may not be driving safely. Some practical tips to keep drivers safe during the holiday season include:
Safely Watching Your Step During the Holidays?
The typical holiday shopper image is that of a pedestrian leaving the mall, uncomfortably loaded with too many bags full of merchandise, on their way to the parking lot. For many shoppers, especially those with young children, this is the time of the year that there are more people out at shopping centers paying attention to those kids than they are the cars driving by. And that creates a dangerous situation.
Who Can File a Wrongful Death Claim in California?
In California, a wrongful death typically refers to the death of a person that is caused by the actions or negligence of another person. This is a civil lawsuit filed by one or more people who were related to the deceased and is separate from any criminal charges filed by the state against someone. The results of a criminal case can potentially strengthen a civil wrongful death suit, but they are otherwise completely separate. Family members can typically file a claim in California for a loved one.
California Code of Civil Procedure section 377.60 sets forth precisely who is allowed to file a wrongful death claim in the state. It begins by establishing that the claim may be filed by the deceased person’s spouse, domestic partner, and surviving children. This is pretty straightforward and makes sense. If someone is killed by the negligence of a driver under the influence of marijuana, a narcotic or alcohol, for example, then the deceased’s wife or husband can file a wrongful death lawsuit against the driver.
Does Poor Driving Make Me Liable For a Crash?
In California, like many other states, liability for a vehicle crash really comes down to whether a driver acted negligently and to what extent such actions or inactions contributed to the accident. Unsafe or negligent behavior does not necessarily make someone liable for damages after an accident, and sometimes there are mitigating factors that alter how much someone is at fault. Ultimately, it depends on the specifics of a case and an experienced California vehicle and personal injury lawyer can help you understand your situation.
While dangerous driving habits often contribute to an accident, they may not be a direct cause and therefore do not necessarily establish negligence. For example, driving at excessive speeds and being distracted by texting are both very dangerous habits that can certainly cause a crash with serious consequences. On the other hand, if someone is speeding and another driver swerves suddenly into that person’s vehicle, then it may be hard to prove that the high rate of speed contributed to the cause of the accident.
I was injured on Black Friday, what can I do?
Depending on the specific details and nature of your injury, you may have a number of options available to you regarding a civil lawsuit after an injury in Santa Barbara County. In order to win a suit, you typically need to prove that you were injured, that someone else acted in a negligent way, or failed to use due care, and that their negligence was a substantial cause of your injury. That means there may be liability on the part of whoever caused you to be injured as well as the owner of the property on which you were injured.
While popular culture publicizes frivolous lawsuits running rampant in America, in reality, there are very strict grounds in California for winning a civil case. Of course you can file a lawsuit against someone if you feel they were at fault, but in order for your case to proceed, you must meet specific criteria. That is why you need an experienced personal injury lawyer to look at your situation and help you understand your options.
Pedestrians Beware on Black Friday!
The day after Thanksgiving offers some of the best sales of the holiday season, making it one of the busiest shopping days in America. All of that shopping means lots of traffic, which can be hazardous not only to other drivers but also to pedestrians who often share the road. While people should always be mindful of drivers and hazards around them while walking in Santa Barbara County, there are additional concerns to keep in mind on Black Friday. In general, be wary whenever crossing roads, don’t assume drivers see you and will stop for you; always make eye contact with drivers before stepping in front of their vehicle. Be considerate of other pedestrians on sidewalks.
Santa Barbara Women Lawyers Honor Renee J. Nordstrand with Attorney of the Year Award
Attorney Renee J. Nordstrand is honored to be chosen by the Santa Barbara Women Lawyers (SBWL) to receive the 2014 year’s Deborah Talmage Attorney of the Year award for her dedication to promoting and mentoring women in the legal community as well as her commitment to professional excellence. As a personal injury and criminal defense lawyer, Ms. Nordstrand is a trusted advisor to her peers and an active contributing member to SBWL and other legal organizations.
The Law Office of Renée J. Nordstrand Participates in Garage Sale for Santa Barbara Parents of Multiples
On May 31, 2014 Santa Barbara Parents of Multiples (SBPOM) held its second annual garage sale and attorney Renée J. Nordstrand actively participated at this sale, helping the club raise over $2,000. SBPOM donated cribs, swings, strollers, and other items to Susie’s Closet, which is part of Network Medical Pregnancy Care Center. Susie’s Closet provides material aid for women and children in need of maternity clothing, children’s clothing, toys, books, bedding, cribs, play pens, high chairs, and other related items.
Santa Barbra Parent’s of Multiples is a 501(c)(3) all volunteer not-for-profit organization dedicated to connecting and supporting families of multiple birth children. SBPOM provides support to expectant families, families going through hospitalizations and raising of multiples.
Renee Nordstrand Supports New Lambda Chi Alpha Fraternity at Chico State University
The philanthropic group Omicron Alpha P is composed of 31 members who wrote and began operating from their own bylaws in 2013. This group has recently been adopted by the national fraternity Lambda Chi Alpha and approved by the Chico State IFC Board to be a new part of Greek life on campus at Chico State University.
The new Lambda Chi Alpha chapter is composed of a group of innovative young men who wish to better college life by improving the campus, as well as the Chico community. In the last six months they have conducted two large park cleanups, three homeless shelter feedings, and one fundraiser to fight cancer. This adds up to roughly 500 combined hours of community service and 350 meals served.
CASA of Santa Barbara’s Focus on Protecting Children
Attorney Renee Nordstrand became a Court Appointed Special Advocate (CASA) for Children volunteer in 2001. She volunteered her time for many years to protect the rights of children in the foster care system.
CASA’s Mission
The mission of CASA of Santa Barbara County is to ensure a safe, permanent, nurturing home for every abused and/or neglected child by providing a highly-trained volunteer to advocate for them in the court system.
What CASA Does
The goal of CASA of Santa Barbara County is to prevent abused, neglected, and abandoned children from becoming lost in the Juvenile Dependency system.
How CASA Works
CASA volunteers are unique in providing information not usually available to the Court. Because of the enormous number of cases filed in Juvenile Court and dwindling resources to adequately investigate cases, judges are often compelled to make decisions based on less than complete or objective data. One of CASA’s objectives is to provide unbiased recommendations to support the best interest of the child, which can be an invaluable aid to judges. All of our volunteers complete an initial 30-hour training course and then 12 hours of continuing education for every year they serve. Volunteers are supported by the CASA staff in their advocacy for children.