CALL 916-777-7777
Youtube Facebook-f X-twitter Linkedin-in

Several New Traffic Laws Take Effect in California Next Year

Posted on behalf of Arnold Law Firm in
driving in trafficThe new year brings new driving laws in the state of California. These laws not only affect what you can do while on the road, but also the fees you pay to operate a motor vehicle. See the list below to find out what you need to know about these laws. What to Know About New Driving Regulations The legislature passed several new regulations that take effect in 2018, including the following:
  • Marijuana ban for drivers and passengers – Recreational marijuana becomes legal on the first day of 2018. However, another new law prohibits the use of marijuana by drivers or passengers in a motor vehicle. This law is intended to reduce drugged driving by recreational marijuana users.
  • Blood alcohol concentration for drivers-for-hire – Anyone who is a driver for hire, including those who drive for ridesharing services, cannot operate a vehicle with a blood alcohol concentration of 0.04 or higher.
  • Seat belts on buses – Anyone who rides in a commercial or charter bus will be required to wear a seat belt.
  • Parking at broken meters – This law will allow you to legally park at a broken parking meter for as long as you want if there is no posted time limit for parking in the spot.
  • Completion of motorcyclist training program – The Department of Motor Vehicles will be able to accept a certificate of satisfactory completion of any motorcyclist training program approved by California Highway Patrol. These certificates can be accepted in place of a certificate showing completion of a motorcycle skills test.
  • New fee with vehicle registration – California has a new gas tax law, and part of it imposes a transportation improvement fee on top of the fee you pay to register your vehicle. The fee is based on the value of your vehicle. For instance, if your car is worth $4,999 or less, your fee will be $25. If the value of your car is between $5,000 and $24,999, your fee will be $50. The fee gets higher as your vehicle’s value increases. This fee will be used to fund improvements to roads in the state.
Make sure to review these regulations before the new year to make sure you are in compliance with them. Violating any of these laws is not only illegal, but it could put your safety and the safety of other drivers in danger.

Contact a Sacramento Car Accident Lawyer Today

If you were injured in a motor vehicle accident caused by another driver’s negligence, you could be entitled to compensation for financial, physical and emotional damages, like medical expenses, pain and suffering, and lost wages. However, obtaining compensation after a motor vehicle accident can be complicated. Consider meeting with a licensed Sacramento auto accident lawyer to find out how he or she can help you. The personal injury lawyers at the Arnold Law Firm have many years of combined experience pursuing compensation for victims of these accidents. We have a successful track record of obtaining fair compensation for our clients. Your consultation with our attorneys is free and we do not charge legal fees unless you receive compensation at the end of the legal process.

Call (916) 777-7777 now.

Settlement - $3,767,000

Truck Accident

A 20-year-old man who had been married for just 12 days left home on his way to work. He was driving on Pleasant Grove Road in Sutter County in the early morning when he came upon a slow-moving truck. As he pulled out to pass the truck, the truck driver turned left in front of him. The young man attempted to steer back into his lane but his vehicle struck an un-flagged piece of metal extending from the back of the truck. He died in the resulting crash.

Expert witnesses brought in by the Arnold Law Firm proved that the truck, owned and operated by a hauling firm, should never have been on the highway that morning. Specifically, the rear and side turn signals did not work and the rear-view mirror was in a poor state of adjustment at the time of the collision. As a result, the driver, who had failed to properly inspect the vehicle before setting out that morning, couldn’t see the young man’s vehicle as it attempted to pass.

The poor condition of the truck, its lack of maintenance and the manner in which it was operated were found to be substantial factors in causing the collision that killed the young man. The testimony also established that the man had been making a lawful pass at the lawful speed limit and acted reasonably when he attempted to avoid the collision.

The man’s 20-year-old widow was awarded $3,767,000.77, his parents were awarded $185,131 and the family was reimbursed $11,899 in funeral expenses. Though money is a poor substitute for a young man’s life, this verdict demonstrates that drivers who endanger the lives of others will be held accountable for their actions.