Image above of Chancho (to the right), the Uricchio Law Firm office pup, with his buddy.

As motorcycle accident attorneys and riders ourselves, we frequently see people riding with their dogs. While we’re dog lovers and think taking pups along is a wonderful idea, all too often we see riders not taking the precautions for their pets that they should. Following are some questions to ask yourself along with ideas to make your journeys with your dog safe and fun:

Does Rover like to ride?

The first question you need to answer is whether your dog should ride with you. Is your dog adventurous, or does he or she love lying on the couch and sleeping? If your dog is older or prefers to be indoors, he or she might not want to take long motorcycle trips.

How does your dog deal with the bike? A dog that gets nervous or sick likely won’t enjoy riding no matter how comfortable or secure you try to make him or her. This is not to say your dog can’t get used to the bike and eventually enjoy it, but we are saying that if he or she hasn’t ridden often, an extended trip isn’t a good idea right now.

When acclimating your dog to the bike, take it slow. Make sure he or she is comfortable with the sound first, then take a few rides, each one a little longer than the last.

Can your dog sit still and ride?

Some dogs settle in and enjoy the ride, while others bounce around and want to see everything that’s going on. How your dog acts will dictate how you secure him or her and what kind of carrying case you buy. Our next blog post will discuss carrying cases and other doggy riding accessories in detail.

Will you be able to focus on riding without being distracted?

No matter who or what your passenger is, you still need to be able to ride safely and focus all your attention on the road. If your dog fidgets or gets restless, you can be distracted—and if your dog is large and not used to the bike, his or her weight moving around could pose a problem.

Do you travel with your dog, and how do you keep him or her safe while riding?

Some of my favorite rides happen right here in the Lowcountry. I love the landscapes and the relaxing atmosphere of the countryside and coastline. But there are times when I have to venture into urban areas, which has an effect on my mindset and driving. My mind is no longer clear and calm. Instead, I’m highly attentive to my surroundings and always on high alert with the hustle and bustle of big city life.

When you’re driving into the city on your motorcycle for the first time, it’s important to make a  proper transition in your mindset and know primary safety tips to prevent you from being involved in a motorcycle accident.

Below are a few tips for riding in the city:

Keep your distance: One of the best ways to avoid a motorcycle accident is by keeping a safe distance from other drivers. I usually stay a good 20 – 30 feet behind any vehicle to ensure that I have enough time to stop without causing the person behind me to ram into me.

Look out ahead: I always keep my eye on the vehicles in front of me (not just the vehicle immediately in front of me). Often times, the vehicle in front of you might not see that the traffic ahead has stopped and will slam on his or her breaks. This, in turn, requires you to slam on your breaks. To prevent this from occurring, always keep an eye on the first two vehicles in front of you. If you see the first vehicle breaking, you can start to tap your break to anticipate a stop before you have to screech to a halt.

Stand out: Many motorcycle accidents occur when drivers either don’t see a motorcyclist or do not understand a motorcyclist’s right of way. To prevent this, always wear bright colors, don’t drive in a vehicle’s blind-spot (if possible), and be extremely cautious when a vehicle is in close range. If you have the right of way, don’t just assume the driver knows this. Keep an eye out, go slow, and be ready to break or swerve.

And my final piece of advice is to be aware of all your surroundings, looking out for any potential hazards or signs that another driver might not be paying attention.

If you or someone you know has been involved in a South Carolina motorcycle accident, contact the Uricchio Law Firm to speak with one of our personal injury attorneys.

South Carolina is one of my favorite places to ride and the best region for driving is the beautiful Lowcountry. Here, you’ll travel past sprawling marshes, horse- and cow-clad farms, forests, and rivers.

Below are three of my favorite South Carolina rides:

Trip to Beaufort: If you’re looking to soak in some picturesque scenery on your motorcycle trip, you’ll definitely want to take a trip to Beaufort. Here, you can enjoy a nice picnic in Hunting Island State Park, enjoy nature walks, or explore Beaufort’s old historic district. This quaint seaside town is a great way to enjoy nature and the coast.

Image above taken from BeaufortSC.org.

Highway 28: The Blueridge Parkway offers some great twists and turns, as well as sprawling views of valleys and rolling hills. Sometimes it’s nice to get away to the mountains and breath the fresh air from above sea level!

Cherokee Foothills Scenic Highway: Witness waterfalls, lakes, rivers, mountains, and a variety of wildlife on this picturesque route through northwestern South Carolina. On your way along this highway, there are a handful of state parks that are great to stop at and enjoy a picnic or relax as you enjoy the quiet natural surroundings.

What’s your favorite South Carolina ride?

(Cristin Uricchio & Katie Perkins are attorneys at the Uricchio Law Firm)

If you have been following our law firm blog, you will recall the recent post dedicated to New Years Resolutions and the resolution Cristin and I shared to get our concealed weapons permit. Last Thursday we took a step forward in reaching our goal and attended Ladies Night at the ATP Gun Range in Summerville.

After sitting in traffic on I-26 for a grueling hour, we finally arrived at ATP. Wow! We had no idea how huge the building would be–it is practically a Costco-sized space featuring two indoor ranges and a store filled with every type of gun and gun accessory you could imagine (even pink guns!).

The first part of Ladies Night is spent in the classroom. Pat, our instructor, gave a lecture on gun safety and the basics of shooting. It was great to have a teacher that spoke in simple, understandable terms, and used analogies that non-gun-savvy individuals would understand. One of the highlights of the evening was at the end of his lecture. Pat gave us a choice of 3 different ATP Ladies Night T-Shirts to choose from. Both Cristin and I chose the shirt shown below, and plan to wear it on days we need to exude a tough, no-nonsense persona!

The remainder of Ladies Night was spent on the range where we each had our own instructor. Our pink hearing protection, provided by ATP, was the perfect touch to our shooting attire. Next we were able to choose whether we wanted to shoot a revolver or a .22 pistol. Both Cristin and I chose the .22. Fifty rounds later, and many helpful tips in between, the class came to an end. Not only did we leave with our targets, but most importantly with a greater confidence in shooting. We will definitely return to ATP again soon and highly recommend their Ladies Night Course to any lady interested in shooting.

Just when we thought the night couldn’t get any better, while sitting at a red light we see our Uricchio Law Firm bumper sticker on the truck in front of us!

On a final note, if you stop by the office, you may notice some slight changes in decoration. For example, my clients will be welcomed into my office with this new piece of art:

For more information about ATP Gun Range and their Ladies Night course, visit their website, and facebook page.

I was born and raised in Long Island, New York and graduated from the State University of New York at Stony Brook. Shortly after graduation, I relocated to the South, where I have been proud to call my home for the past 20 years. As I often say, I may be Northern by birth, but I am certainly Southern by choice!

Before entering the legal field, I worked in various aspects of office administration, property management, real estate marketing and sales, container ship cost control operations, and elementary education.

I just received my Paralegal Certificate from Trident Technical College and am so fortunate to join the Uricchio Law Firm. Everyone is so helpful and knowledgeable. I am so glad to be part of this team!

“ Teamwork is the ability to work together toward a common vision. The ability to direct individual accomplishments toward organizational objectives. It is the fuel that allows common people to attain uncommon results.” -Andrew Carnegie

See below:

Paul Uricchio—lawyer and manager / owner of Uricchio Law Firm: “To take an occasional day off.”

Terri: “To keep my boss happy.”

Chancho—our office pup: “To expand my picky palate”

Cristin & Katie—lawyers at Uricchio Law Firm: “To get our concealed weapons permits”

Dawn: “To not make any New Year’s Resolutions—it just sets yourself up for disappointment”

Mandi—Uricchio Law Firm’s legal assistant: “To lose the holiday pounds” (To which the rest of us at the firm say “BOOOOO”)

What’s your New Year’s resolution(s)?

Uricchio Law Firm would like to wish all of our loyal blog readers safe and happy holidays! We’d also like to share with you some tips on how to stay safe and avoid personal injury this holiday season:

1. Travel Safely: Whether you’re traveling by motorcycle or motor vehicle, be extra alert and focused. With more volume on the roads and in shopping centers, it can be quite overwhelming.

2. Don’t Leave the Tree Lights On: If you’re not home, your tree lights should not be on. For years, tree lights have been the culprit of many house fires during this time of year.

3. Take Proper Precautions During Icy Winter Storms: No car, not even a four-wheel-drive car, can stabilize on ice. Be sure to practice caution while driving or walking, and be on the lookout for black ice (which looks like a dark patch of pavement).

We hope you enjoyed our safety tips for this holiday season and we wish you a very merry Christmas and happy holidays!

See below for the video:

Learn more about Evan here, or connect with him on Facebook.

Here are a few of our favorite motorcycle getaways in the U.S.:

CALIFORNIA: Mendocino Coast

Just four miles north of the Golden Gate Bridge toll plaza, Highway 1 escapes the diligence of U.S. 101 and snakes its way toward the white sands of Stinson Beach. The ride will take you inland over rolling, grassy hills and into vast forests of Bishop pine, then back over to the coast to vertigo-inducing views of the steep, craggy shoreline.

Connecting the vast portions of untamed back country are tiny towns and villages. Almost all offer fuel, food, and lodging. Each establishment–from bed and breakfast to beach bungalow–is personalized by private ownership. There are many overnight facilities scattered along the coastline. You can stay as a guest in a farmhouse or be a recluse in your own remote, solar-powered cabin. The choices are extensive, but in the peak summer months the place is booked up.

COLORADO: San Juan Skyway

The San Juan Skyway is a 236-mile ride that may well be the most scenic loop in America. You’ll find it 90 miles from Grand Junction or 250 miles from Pueblo. The route incorporates five passes, countless ghost towns and a smattering of some of the finest former mining towns in the West, as well as the historic Million Dollar Highway–-the miraculous road, which crosses Red Mountain Pass at 11,018 feet.

There is no doubt the Million Dollar Highway is the jewel of the San Juan crown, so take your time. There are many, many pullouts that allow you to enjoy the breathtaking views and explore the old ghost towns and mining facilities. The route continues onto Telluride. The popular ski resort destination also showcases a well-preserved historic section that should not be missed.

TEXAS: Hill Country

While most people think the Lone Star State is an endless dry, flat, windy road, the Hill Country, with its tempting hills and canyons, is perfect for two-wheeled exploration. Follow Highway 83 up to a higher altitude where the temperature cools creating an ideal climate for lush pinon, juniper and oak trees. The roads of hill country are fantastic for all types of riding. Many are straight or sweeping and a few offer challenging corners. All are hugely scenic and deliver you to an assortment of wonderful villagelike towns and historic hamlets.

GEORGIA: North Georgia Mountains

In Northern Georgia, not two hours above bustling Atlanta, the land begins to gently tumble and swell. The legendary Blue Ridge Mountains begin here–part of the Appalachian Range that extends all the way to Maine. It seems to be a secret that the Georgian landscape includes such voluptuous assets, and as a result these mountains and the roads winding amongst them are usually quite empty.

This road offers some gentle sweeping corners, but most of it is challenging, with 25-mph S-curves and plenty of exciting elevation changes. The Parkway is a 24-mile run that ends at Wolf Pen Gap Road (state Route 180). Some say this is the most curvaceous road in Georgia.

The fact is, you can’t make a wrong turn when you’re riding in the Chattahoochee area. Road surfaces are generally excellent, though soft, sloping shoulders common to this region don’t allow much room for error. Along with the scars of the Civil War and the ghosts of the Cherokee Nation, this motorcycle playground will remain a refuge for years to come.

FLORIDA: Everglades to Key West

Most of this country’s universally favored motorcycle roads have corners, don’t they? Not so with the Keys–just 120 miles of 360-degree majesty so captivating you might fall off your bike trying to swivel your head in all directions.  Expect low speed limits and nary a passing opportunity, too. It’s key to sink into the situation and not feel rushed.

The motorcycle ride takes you through the islands–Key Largo, Islamorada, Windley Key, Upper Matecumbe Key and Lower Matecumbe Key. By the time you reach Marathon and the famous Seven Mile Bridge–the longest segmented bridge in the world–you’re in the Middle Keys and starting to feel a real tropical vibe. This quieter section of the Keys, with its mom-and-pop restaurants, retro lodging and camping retreats, will suit some more than what’s to come in Key West.

There are plenty of places to eat and stay, but lodging can be pretty pricey all year, and reservations are recommended. There is no real “season,” though I’d recommend winter, when the rest of the world is wearing wool. For better or worse, the road is absolutely straight and flat (the highest elevation on the islands is a whopping 18 feet). Still, it’s the most unusual stretch of road you’ll find in America.

Want to find the best places in South Carolina to ride? Visit our blog post on Best South Carolina Motorcycle Routes.

**Image to the left taken from Free Coloring Fun.

Thanksgiving is one of the Uricchio Law Firm team’s favorite times of year, when we can gather with close family and friends and share our thanks for all of the wonderful things we have in our lives. And we’re extremely thankful to celebrate such a superb day in the Lowcountry, where the autumn weather is gorgeous and perfect for some outdoor fun!

Here at Uricchio Law Firm, we’re extremely thankful for our friends, loved ones, and delightful clients and are so joyous to have you all in our lives. Thank you and we hope everyone has a safe and happy Thanksgiving!

Some tips to keep in mind for a safe—and therefore happy—Thanksgiving:

• Be responsible about drinking if you’re going to get into a vehicle.
• Keep an eye on the stove and the oven while cooking to prevent house fires.
• For those who are frying the turkey (a favorite in the Lowcountry), take proper precautions to ensure that you cook the turkey properly by researching, paying attention, and following trusted recipe directions.

What are you thankful for this Thanksgiving?