Bigger & Harman - August 2022

Bigger & Harman - August 2022

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

Are Our Truck Drivers August 5 is National Work Like a Dog Day. I’m not exactly sure what that means, but I think we all get the idea. From a young age, my father taught me to work hard. I remember waking up early to mow the lawn, chop down trees, clear land, and do other landscaping work. He taught me how to earn my own money and showed me the value of hard work. I built a small lawn maintenance business when I was in high school. Before I could drive, my mother would drop me and my lawn mower off all around town and then pick me up several hours later. My parents really sacrificed to establish a good work ethic in me. In reality, I simply followed their example. Mowing lawns, raking leaves, clearing trees, and clearing snow from driveways was hard work. But there was always satisfaction at looking back at a job well done before moving on to the next property. THE DAILY DRIVER Attorneys Defending Your Right to the Road THE MOST HARD‑WORKING PEOPLE I KNOW When I was in law school, I often had to wake up at 4 a.m. so that I could get in enough hours of work before studying and taking advantage of internship opportunities later in the day. The years of training my parents gave me helped me through those difficult years. I try to carry on that same work ethic in my practice of law. Going the extra mile and putting in a little extra effort often makes all the difference for my clients, many of whom are also hard workers themselves. Truck drivers are some of the most motivated and dedicated individuals I know. They work long, strenuous hours each day to put food on the table for their families. They are behind the wheel every day and driving thousands of miles to pick up loads, drop them off, and travel to their next destination. Some drivers work throughout the week, spend the night in their trucks, and some work on holidays. They sacrifice time with their families in order for us to spend time with ours. If it wasn’t for truck drivers, we wouldn’t be able to put food on our tables. Our supermarkets would be empty, and the style of living we’re used to wouldn’t be possible without them. Not only are they providing for their

AUGUST 2022

families, they are providing for ours. I admire their hard work and effort. It inspires me to help them in any way I can as a way to show my appreciation. To our truckers, thank you for everything you do for your family and community. The hard work you all do each day doesn’t go unnoticed. It’s an honor to work alongside you and help you with your traffic citations. There’s so much stress on your shoulders, but it brings me joy to relieve some of that pressure. I want to leave you with a Bible verse my father used to recite all of the time, and it describes our truckers well. Proverbs 22:29, “Do you see a man skillful in his work? He will stand before kings; he will not stand before obscure men.” If there is anything Mark and I can do you for, please contact us. It will be our pleasure to assist you during this time.

–Paul Harman

(661) 859-1177 | 1

Published by Newsletter Pro • www.NewsletterPro.com

Lulu the Pig Is a Hero! She Saved Her Owner From a Heart Attack

Lulu captured the hearts of the Altsmans when their daughter asked them to pet-sit her overweight pot-bellied pig. The pair quickly fell in love with Lulu, and their bond got stronger each day. This relationship was literally life-saving when the wife suffered a heart attack one August afternoon. Jo Ann Altsman was home alone with Lulu and their dog, Bear, when the incident occurred. Her husband was off on a fishing trip, and the pair didn’t have any neighbors nearby. Bear began to bark to try and get someone’s attention, but Lulu knew she had to do something before it was too late. So, she made her way out of the doggie door, which badly scraped her belly as she exited. Lulu had never left the yard, but today was different. To get some attention, she decided to lie down in the middle of the road and play dead until a car stopped to

check on her. After several minutes of lying on the street, several cars passed by but didn’t stop. So, she checked on her owner, then squeezed through the doggie door and lay down on the road again. After 45 minutes, a gentleman on a motorcycle pulled over to check on Lulu. She immediately perked up and began walking toward the house, leaving a trail of blood behind her as she walked. The man followed Lulu and found Altsman unconscious on the ground. He quickly dialed 911 and asked for assistance. When the medics put her owner in the ambulance, Lulu attempted to get in with them. Of course, she couldn’t come, so she began to squeal as she watched the medics take her mom away. Thankfully, Lulu’s wounds were attended to, and Altsman received life-saving open-heart surgery at the Beaver Medical Center.

Because of her loyalty and creative thinking, this pot-bellied pig became a celebrity overnight! She was a guest on “The Oprah Winfrey Show” and the “Late Show With David Letterman.” Everyone fell in love with Lulu and her heroism.

Thank you, Lulu, for being a loyal and brave pet!

RAILROAD CROSSING 101 SAFETY TIPS FOR TRUCK DRIVERS

Truck drivers carrying many hazardous materials must stop before crossing a railroad, even when there isn’t a train approaching. If a driver refuses to stop, they may receive a significant traffic violation. In addition, some big trucks can get stuck on train tracks if they’re not careful. Here are some tips on what to do if you become stuck at a crossing. YOU’RE STUCK ON THE TRAIN TRACKS. WHAT DO YOU DO? • Exit your truck and get away from the tracks. You still want to do this step if a train isn’t approaching. • Look for the blue ENS sign along the crossing. Then, call the emergency number and 911 , and notify them that your vehicle is stuck on the tracks. • Be sure to tell them the DOT crossing number on the ENS sign. This will help emergency responders contact

the train conductor so they can prepare to stop. This step must be performed as soon as possible since trains cannot stop quickly. • If a train is approaching, run in the direction of the train, but at a 45-degree angle away from the tracks. This will reduce your chances of getting hit by debris. Most trains do not travel on regular schedules, so you want to be cautious at all times — even on rarely used tracks. Always stop your truck, turn on your four-way flashers, and look and listen for oncoming trains. Failure to stop at a railroad crossing is a major traffic violation. If you received a violation and need assistance, allow Bigger & Harman to help. We are committed to giving drivers a voice when dealing with traffic tickets.

2 | www.bakersfieldtraffictickets.com

We’ve all experienced it, we check the rearview mirror, and someone is following too closely behind us. Or you may have tailgated someone before. Tailgating is aggressive driving that many people experience while on the road. But following too closely can lead to a traffic citation and fines for commercial and non-commercial drivers. WHY IS TAILGATING DANGEROUS? If you’re tailgating a vehicle, you won’t be able to brake in time to prevent rear-ending the car in front of you. Some drivers may tailgate big trucks, but this is very dangerous because the truck driver cannot see you behind them. If you rear-end them, your car could get trapped under their trailer. Some truck drivers may tailgate other cars, which is also dangerous because if truckers follow too closely it may be impossible to stop their truck as quickly as the vehicle in front of them. WHAT ARE THE PENALTIES FOR TAILGATING FOR TRUCKERS? Receiving a traffic ticket for following too closely is an infraction with a fine of about $367. It is also considered a serious offense, which would also result in a 60-day commercial license suspension if you committed a prior serious offense within 3 years. You will also get 1.5 points on your California driving record. HOW TO PREVENT TAILGATING? The U.S. Department of Transportation Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (DOT FMCSA) advises drivers to maintain a 4-5 second following distance. However, if there is heavy traffic, or adverse weather or road conditions, you want to adjust your distance accordingly. If you find yourself with a ticket for following too closely, allow Bigger & Harman to assist you. We can challenge your citation and go to court for you, so you don’t need to. Give us a call today. IS A SERIOUS OFFENSE IT PUTS YOU AND OTHER DRIVERS IN DANGER TAILGATING

INTERNATIONAL JUSTICE MISSION Thanks to your referrals, we were able to donate $20 per referral to fight human trafficking. To learn more about International Justice Mission, please go to IJM.org. MISSION: To protect the poor from violence by rescuing victims, bringing the criminals to justice, restoring survivors to safety and strength, and helping local law enforcement build a safe future that lasts. Our long-term vision is to rescue millions, protect half a billion, and make justice for the poor unstoppable.

“Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to Him, and He will make your paths straight.” PROVERBS 3:5-6

(661) 859-1177 | 3

, APC HARMAN CALIFORNIA TRAFFIC DEFENSE ATTORNEYS BIGGER

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

PRST STD US POSTAGE PAID BOISE, ID PERMIT 411

1701 Westwind Drive Suite 203 Bakersfield, CA 93301

INSIDE THIS ISSUE

Your Hard Work Doesn’t Go Unnoticed........... PAGE 1

Pigs Are Brave and Loyal Pets, Too!................. PAGE 2

You Must Always Stop at Railroad Crossings..... PAGE 2

Tailgating Is a Serious Offense........................... PAGE 3

Boredom and Busyness Come From the Same Source................................................... 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!

3 STRATEGIES YOU CAN USE RIGHT NOW BREAKING THE BUSY-BORED CYCLE

3. BE CURIOUS. One way to mute boredom and implement more creativity is by setting

It’s a common problem: People spend most of their days feeling too busy, only to feel bored during their free time. So how can you break the habit of scrolling through your phone and watching TV and make the most of the little time you have for yourself? Let’s talk about ways to break the cycle of boredom and busyness thus creating a more fulfilling life. 1. PLAN AHEAD. Schedule your days and weeks for an even workload to ensure your day doesn’t have huge gaps or work overflow. For example, if you have a large project, you can divide it into smaller tasks to keep yourself busy, yet not overwhelmed, throughout the week. You can also plan fun activities each day. This will help fight boredom and give you something to look forward to when you’re at work or while completing daily tasks. 2. PRIORITIZE TASKS. If you have trouble managing projects to the point where you feel you don’t have enough time, begin prioritizing specific tasks. It’s essential to complete the highest priority tasks so you won’t be up late in the day trying to finish something important. If you plan ahead, you can number your tasks from most important to least. This will help ensure high-priority tasks are completed on schedule.

daily learning goals. These goals can be anything you want! Setting

small goals and accomplishments will keep you curious, motivated, and focused. They also give you

something to look forward to each day. Ask yourself what you want to learn today. Do you want to learn about a new culture? A language? If there is something you’ve always wanted to know, now is the time to put your thinking cap on! Boredom and busyness derive from the same source — there is a lack of quality in how you focus your attention. Luckily, the same strategies apply to both boredom and busyness. These tips will help you create a balanced mindset and allow you to push through your day without feeling overwhelmed or uninspired.

4 | www.bakersfieldtraffictickets.com

Published by Newsletter Pro • www.NewsletterPro.com