Bigger & Harman, APC - May 2019

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BIGGER

DAILY

Toll-Free (661) 859-1177 Se Habla Español www.bakersfieldtraffictickets.com HARMAN CALIFORNIA TRAFFIC DEFENSE ATTORNEYS , APC

THE

DRIVER Attorneys Defending Your Right to the Road

MAY 2019

DANGEROUS ROADS Driving to Hana and Beyond

I didn’t just go to Maui for the beaches. As beautiful a destination as this Hawaiian island is, my vacation on this particular trip was also about the journey. When I went to Maui a few years back, I did it to experience a highway — the road to Hana. The 64-mile-long Hana Highway is an enticing blend of beauty and danger. Clinging to the mountainous northeast coast of the island, this storied route is filled with one-lane bridges and hairpin turns that wind through the vibrant Koolau Forest. The scenery is part of what makes this highway so dangerous. As one local website puts it, “The road is safe for drivers who keep their eyes on the road.” But when you have the shining Pacific Ocean stretching out to your left and incredible tropical waterfalls cascading to your right, even the most disciplined drivers struggle not to steal a glance every once in a while. It was the notoriety of this road that drew me to it in the first place. BMW had the Hana Highway listed as No. 5 on their list of most dangerous roads in 2015, the only U.S. route to earn the distinction. Being an avid driver and a bit of a thrill-seeker, I packed my bags and headed to Maui. What surprised me is how much the trip reminded me of home. Growing up in the mountains above Oregon’s Highway 26, I’ve always felt at home on winding, coastal roads. Sure, the scenery on the 26 was less tropical than Maui, but the forests were just as lush, and the ocean was just as vast and inviting. Of course, I didn’t have to contend with tourist- brimming buses on the drives of my youth. Still, feeling so at home on a stretch of road 2,500 miles away from where I grew up was a strange yet wonderful experience. I’d highly recommend the Hana Highway to any driving enthusiast.

winding through the Hana Highway, I’ve opened the throttle on the autobahn, weaved through the chaotic streets of Agra, India, and did my best to keep left in the Scottish Highlands. These drives not only connect me to my love of the open road, but they help me gain a new perspective on why the work I do matters. As thrilling as a winding coastal road can be, it will never compare to the stresses and dangers faced by professional drivers every day. A speed trap along the I-5 or an error in a log book may not sound comparable to sheer cliff sides for the uninitiated. But these are pitfalls that impact families’

These drives not only connect me to my love of the open road, but they helped me gain a new perspective on why the work I do matters.

livelihoods — just the threat of losing a commercial driver’s license can be life-altering. When drivers find themselves teetering on these dangerous edges, it’s extremely rewarding to be part of the team that can pull them back on the road.

Safe driving,

I’ve had the good fortune to see a lot of the world and take plenty of challenging drives. Beyond

–Mark Bigger

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It’s not an overstatement to say that social media has revolutionized the way we live our lives today. But with that massively powerful platform comes a massive responsibility, especially if you’re already in the spotlight. Athletes have taken the opportunity social media affords them to build their personal brands and engage in community outreach with the fans who look to them as role models, but there’s a downside to cataloging years of unfiltered thoughts on the internet. For better or worse, social media is here to stay, and we have full access to all the drama that unfolds for our entertainment. OUT OF THE DARK AND ONTO THE WEB The Golden Era of Athletes on Social Media

Despite the web’s potential for good, some pros can’t seem to get the message that every post falls under the scrutiny of the public. PR firms representing players have now made it a top priority to keep their clients’ images in line by scrubbing old posts that could be offensive and land them in hot water. Still, though, it seems like there’s a new controversy every week. One of the best examples comes courtesy of former football star “Johnny Football” Manziel. The former Heisman Trophy winner

was notorious for posting embarrassing images of himself partying when he should have been practicing, and he often blasted his private issues in public, seemingly with no filter. He’s out of a job now, most recently having been banned from the Canadian Football League. For every bad apple, though, there is a bushel of athletes who use their platforms for the greater good. Houston Texans defensive end J.J. Watt, five-time Pro Bowler and NFL star, has used his social media “juice” to spread the word about his charity,

raising over $4.6 million for youth athletic programs and organizations.

Philanthropy aside, part of the beauty of celebrity social media is that the people who seem so much larger than life become accessible because of it. In decades past, you might have written a letter that, if you were fortunate, got a response from some unpaid intern. Today, fans can reach out directly to their favorite athletes. It is a personal connection unparalleled in history. What a time to be alive.

THEY DO GOOD NEAR AND FAR THANK YOU FOR YOUR REFERRALS

There is no greater compliment we can receive as a firm than referrals from happy clients. Our work is for you, and it means the world to us when you feel confident telling your friends and

trafficking criminals. They’ve also been able to rescue more than 49,000 people from bondage and other forms of violence. We are honored to be able to support this incredible organization, and we couldn’t do it without you. In March alone, we were able to donate $660, thanks to 33 of our clients referring a loved one to our office. That’s no small number, and we hope to contribute even more over the coming months.

family about us. And because of a new program, your referrals don’t just make an impact at our office — they help contribute to the greater good. Recently, we began donating $20 to the International Justice Mission for every referral we receive. The IJM is a global nonprofit that strives to eliminate the slave trade worldwide. Human slavery may not seem like a pressing concern to many Americans, but it’s a huge

We are beyond grateful to everyone who takes the time to spread the word about Bigger & Harman. We strive to serve our community and play our part in creating a better, more humane world. With your help, we can continue to work toward achieving those goals.

problem today, and as people who live in the most compassionate nation of the world, we can help. Through their work, the IJM has been able to aid in the arrest of more than 3,800 slave owner and human

So, from the bottom of hearts, thank you.

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AVOIDING VIOLATIONS BY UPDATING ELECTRONIC DRIVER LOGS WHICH ITEMS DO YOU INCLUDE IN YOUR DAILY CHECKLIST?

HAVE A LAUGH

Within the last year, most commercial drivers, with the exception of Automatic On-Board Recording Device (AOBRD) owners, have been required to use Electronic Driver Logs (e-logs). Many are tasked with the struggle of adding information after the fact, or editing mistakes on their e-log devices, without straying from the FMCSA’s compliance guidelines. Everyone is subject to roadside inspections, but no one wants to deal with getting issued violations at weigh stations, usually referred to as “chicken coops.” Hours of Service (HOS) violations are some of the most common issues for truckers. In most cases, the HOS violation stems from a “form and manner” violation, which primarily occurs as a result of an e-log that wasn’t updated after every change of duty status. Before you start a trip, updating your e-log should be included as part of your daily checklist. Everyday items that are not updated include: carrier name, carrier main office address, vehicle number, date, shipping document numbers, driver (and co-driver, if any), miles driven since the last record of duty status, remarks, and driver’s signature. Although most of those items are static, some do periodically change, and the ones that change tend to get overlooked. Likewise, an e-log that is not updated gets assessed five CSA severity points, and each incorrect item can get one point each. Avoiding these errors and keeping your electronic logbook updated is an easy way to avoid CSA point assessments, fines, and other penalties. That being said, if you forget to update these items and get issued an HOS violation, our experienced traffic defense attorneys at Bigger & Harman, ACP can help. Call us today for a free phone evaluation!

PUZZLE

GARDEN BLOOMING DAY GEMINI MOTHER

MEMORIAL NIGHTINGALE SPRING CINCO MAYO

EMERALD MAY REMEMBER

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, APC HARMAN CALIFORNIA TRAFFIC DEFENSE ATTORNEYS BIGGER

Toll-Free (661) 859-1177 Se Habla Español www.bakersfieldtraffictickets.com

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INSIDE THIS ISSUE

Dangerous Roads ........................... PAGE 1

The Golden Era of Athletes on Social Media .............. PAGE 2

The Power of Your Referrals ........ PAGE 2

Avoiding Violations by Updating Logs ................................ PAGE 3

A Healthy Snack ............................. PAGE 4

Have a ticket in California? Give us a call, and we’ll help you out! Regardless of the location, we can point you in the right direction free of charge!

There are many different opinions on the healthiness of snacking. Some people think of snacks as processed foods with high calories, but snacks don’t have to be junk food. Depending on what snacks you’re eating, and how often, these little in-between-meal bites can be highly beneficial or detrimental to your overall health. HEALTHY VS. UNHEALTHY SNACKS People snack when they’re hungry, but they also do it when they’re stressed, bored, or have a habit. When people snack on unhealthy junk food when they’re bored, the result is weight gain. An excellent way to avoid unhealthy snacks is to surround yourself with healthy alternatives. Fill your fridge and pantry with whole grains, fruits and vegetables, and nuts and legumes. With those in your kitchen, you’ll have plenty of healthy options to choose from when you’re hungry. WHO BENEFITS FROM SNACKING? Depending on your weight, fitness level, and medical conditions, snacking throughout the day can be more effective than eating three large meals a day. Individuals who are crunched for time, have particular health conditions, are athletic, or are trying to lose or maintain weight all benefit from healthy snacking throughout the day. SNACKING What Is It Good For?

People who have high cholesterol or diabetes can better maintain their cholesterol and blood glucose levels if they eat frequently during the day. For athletes, snacking helps distribute the consumption of nutrients their body needs throughout the day instead of all at once. This way, their energy levels stay the same instead of fluctuating with their meal times. If you find yourself in need of a quick bite, think clementines and almonds instead of chips and Pop-Tarts. You’ll still satisfy your hunger without jeopardizing your health or increasing your waistline.

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