Monday, August 31, 2009

Sale of a portion of SCIF opposed

The State Compensation Insurance Fund (SCIF) is considered an insurer of last resort and serves as an example for private companies. It is a workers’ compensation insurer which operates like a mutual insurance carrier.

This is why efforts to sell portion of SCIF by the state of California had been vehemently opposed by the insurance regulator.

Insurance Commissioner Steve Poizner planned to sue Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger's administration to stop the sale. Poizner claimed that selling a part of the business or taking money from its assets violates the state's constitution. He added that even if the scheme was legal, it was a terrible public policy.

On the other hand, Rachel Cameron, spokeswoman for the governor, responded that the administration believed it can sell a part of the insurance business without affecting the costs.

Moreover, the office of the governor had reached a tentative two-year deal with the highway patrol officers to forgo pay raises. If approved by its 8,500 active members, the California Association of Highway Patrolmen would give up 0.5 percent pay raises for the next two years.

The depletion of SCIF would mean burden on injured workers. Before any move on its sale, the government should think and exhaust other option. It entails much burden if the proposed reason for sale does not transpire. In the end, it would be the injured workers who would suffer the most.

If you want to know more, consult an insurance attorney to give you an idea about SCIF and the effects of sale on you, if any.

Thursday, August 20, 2009

Effects of Lane Splitting to Motorcyclists

As motorcycles could be easily maneuvered, motorcyclists often practice line splitting or sharing especially in times of traffic.

Line splitting is driving between established lanes of traffic. This practice could be very dangerous because motorcycles are often overlooked by larger vehicles.
In fact, according to the Department of Motor Vehicles motorcyclist's handbook, the practice is not safe and that vehicles and motorcycles need a full lane to operate safely.

California is the only state that does not prohibit line splitting. But with the fatal accident of a Garden Grove man while riding his motorcycle, the city may consider adopting the same rule.

Jason Richard Doerr was riding his motorcycle to work when his motorcycle collided with silver Toyota Matrix. Doerr tumbled off his motorcycle and trapped beneath the car. Witnesses said that prior to the incident, Doerr was splitting lanes.

The California Highway Patrol stated that motorcycle collisions happen due to unsafe speed, improper turning, improper passing and unsafe lane changes.

In Orange County, deaths among motorcyclist jumped to 44 percent. Although there were no statistics, line splitting was a contributing factor to the increase in the percentage.

Motorcycle riding is dangerous. An impact no matter how little could expose the rider to injuries. If the injury is caused by negligence, a personal injury case may be pursued against the driver. The victim can seek advice from a motorcycle accident attorney.