All posts in Auto Accident

Simple Advice To Help Avoid Getting In A Car Accident

by Carsurfer Admin on 2014/04/21 in Auto Accident with Comments Off on Simple Advice To Help Avoid Getting In A Car Accident

Car accidents happen to the best of drivers but everyone can be proactive and take measures to be safe on the roads. More often than not, drivers who experience a car accident look back upon the situation and think of things that they wish they had done differently. Even the most experienced drivers who have accidents due to no fault of their own still have the capacity to improve their driving habits. Follow the simple pieces of advice outlined below to avoid accidents.

Stay Alert

Always keep your eyes on the road and the surrounding vehicles, whether it is the road immediately ahead of your or the road as seen in the rearview and side mirrors. Don’t let yourself get distracted by passengers in the car, objects that you pass by or your car stereo. Keep your hands on the steering wheel in the direction of a clock that has its hands pointed at ten and two. This way you will be able to properly control the vehicle in case you have to steer out of harm’s way. If you drink alcohol, sober up before getting behind the wheel.

Don’t Multitask

If your vehicle is equipped with steering wheel audio controls, use those instead of the nozzles on the center console. It is much easier to move your thumbs a few inches up and down instead of moving your entire arm to the right to hit the volume knob or to change the radio station. By using the steering wheel buttons you’ll be able to keep your eyes and your entire focus on the road instead of looking over at the stereo knobs.

Optimal Vision

A clear line of vision is essential to avoiding accidents. Always clean off your windshield and mirrors, especially during the winter months. Don’t rush off to work or another event with snow and ice still stuck on these surfaces. They’ll impede your vision. If you experience a problem with your windshield and rear window defrost controls, immediately take the vehicle in for repairs.

Regular Upkeep

Make sure that your car is regularly maintained by a professional mechanic to ensure that it operates as it should. Also, keep your tires inflated to the optimal pressure level to avoid a flat tire that could cause you to lose control of the vehicle.

Obey Speed Limits

Many accidents are caused by drivers who disregard speed limits and drive either too fast or too slow. Drivers should keep their eyes peeled for speed limit signs on all unfamiliar roads. Always leave early for work and other appointments so that you don’t have to rush to get there.

Take a Defensive Driving Course

The majority of drivers lose track of defensive driving techniques as they age. Take a defensive driving course to refresh your driving skills, awareness and strategies to avoid accidents and tickets. Most automobile insurers will offer discounts to customers who complete a defensive driving course.

Savannah Coulsen is a freelance  writer. She lives in Raleigh. Savannah loves to read and write and she hopes to write a novel someday. Savannah also loves learning and is a self-proclaimed health guru. Savannah found information for this article from DUI Attorney Michael P. Jones.

Knowing Your Options In An Accident: 5 Facts Most People Don’t Know

by Carsurfer Admin on 2014/04/03 in Auto Accident with Comments Off on Knowing Your Options In An Accident: 5 Facts Most People Don’t Know

A car accident is a burden for everyone. However, know that you have options when it comes to getting justice. No case is entirely predictable, but you do have some control over the results of your accident lawsuit. There are 5 facts that you should know if you ever get into an accident.

1. Increase Your Odds By Getting Everything in Writing

The court does not pay much attention to people who do not have written proof. The judge wants to see the police reports, insurance claims or medical bills up close. It is important to get every detail down in writing. It is easy to make a call and request for these documents. The more evidence you have, the more likely your case wins.

2. The Attorney Fees Could Take a Lot Out of Your Judgment

Before you get excited about getting a large settlement, know that you have to pay off the attorney. The contingency fee usually varies from 25 to 45 percent. And you could end up with less than half of the money needed to pay medical bills.

3. There Are Different Ways to Reach a Settlement

There is more than one way to reach a settlement for an accident. If you cannot resolve the matter in court, you can arrange a dispute resolution between the opposing sides. The dispute resolution is usually faster and less expensive. During this resolution, a third party is hired to hear both sides of the case and talk over important issues. Many people have heard of a settlement, but they do not know the exact details. They have options if they want to make a settlement.

4. All Lawsuits Have Deadlines

A lot of people think that they can sit around until they are ready to file an accident lawsuit. However, they should know that statutes of limitations apply to every case. Every state has different time frames, but the average one is two years. In states like North Dakota, the deadline is six years. In Kentucky and Louisiana, the accident victims have one year to take action.

5. You Are Not Always Likely to Prove Emotional Distress

You cannot always collect money for emotional distress or pain and suffering. Your personal injury attorney may want to do this, but proving this claim is not as easy as you think. Unless you saw a loved one die or suffered paralysis, it is hard to prove this claim. You can try, but your attorney is not likely to consider this option.

There is a whole field of lawyers who specialize in helping auto accident victims. To receive compensation for a crash, consider all of your choices. Decide if you want to obtain a judgment or settlement. Choose the right attorney to work by your side. Know the various steps that you must take to win your case. Having the right knowledge behind you will help you through this process and in turn help you get the kind of settlement you deserve if you choose that route.

Author:
Brionna Kennedy is native to the Pacific Northwest, growing up in Washington, then moving down to Oregon for college. She enjoys writing on fashion and business, but any subject will do, she loves to learn about new topics. When she isn’t writing, she lives for the outdoors. Oregon has been the perfect setting to indulge her love of kayaking, rock climbing, and hiking. For this article she took a lot of information from the Attorney Firm of Joseph M. Todd, to inform you on the different options when in a car accident.

Auto Pain: Five Questions You Must Answer After a Car Accident

by Carsurfer Admin on 2014/02/03 in Auto Accident with Comments Off on Auto Pain: Five Questions You Must Answer After a Car Accident

Car accidents can happen in the blink of an eye. After the impact, your world could be turned upside down–figuratively and literally. Once your head stops spinning and your mind is clear enough to think about what just took place, you must act quickly before the whole thing takes a turn for the worse. Ask yourself these five questions immediately following involvement in a vehicular collision.

1. Am I Hurt?

The first thing that you must determine after a crash is whether or not you’ve been injured. Motor vehicle accidents are a leading cause of injury and death in many parts of the world, so scan your body for any apparent wounds. If you can’t find any or don’t feel any excruciating pain, you should be okay for the moment, but sometimes car injuries don’t fully present until a little later. If you are badly hurt, do everything in your power to stay alive while calling for help. You may have to fend for yourself until help arrives.

2. Did I Hurt Someone Else?

If you’ve hit another vehicle, ensure that the other driver and all passengers are alright. The other driver may be fine, and if so, exchange personal details so that insurance companies can handle the technical stuff. If the other driver is injured, seek help immediately. You may be criminalized in a court of law if you are determined to be responsible for the injury or death of another individual.

3. Where Am I?

A car crash can cause you to become disoriented for a certain length of time. You may have been pushed off the route that you were previously taking. When you come to your senses, try to figure out where you are so that emergency services can reach you in a timely manner. If you don’t know the road names, describe the surrounding environmental features in detail so that help can pinpoint your location.

4. What Happened?

Again, disorientation is common after a car accident. You might even get knocked unconscious for some time. As soon as you can, try to understand the situation so that you can explain what happened to first responders. Taking notes and photos of the car damage, any injuries, and the immediate environment can prove to be invaluable to your existence, the survival of other victims involved, and reaching a favorable settlement in court.

5. Do I Have A Lawyer?

It’s very possible that the other party involved in the crash will sue you. If that’s the case, you’ll want to hire an attorney to help you sort things out. Contact Cummings Andrews Mackay LLP. if you are in Edmonton, or research a local auto accident lawyer for advice on how to proceed.

As the victim of a motor vehicle accident, a lot of things go through your mind. The shock of the whole situation can be numbing, especially to a first-time victim, but you must try to remain calm. Logical thinking is what saves many people from their impending doom and potential future legal struggles.

Car Totaled in an Accident? 5 Tips on What to Do Next

by Carsurfer Admin on 2013/11/29 in Auto Accident with Comments Off on Car Totaled in an Accident? 5 Tips on What to Do Next

A totaled car is one that has been destroyed in an accident. There is extreme damage to the front, back or side that is caused by a heavy collision. Handle your totaled vehicle quickly and effectively. There are certain steps involved in handling this situation. After you experience this accident, know five steps that you must take next.

Submit a Claim Immediately

It is not good to sit on any claim. A day or two after the accident, submit your documents to the insurance provider. The process could take a month or more, depending on the severity of the accident, so immediacy is important. Also, know if you car is even totaled. The repairs will cost more than the current value. Check over the vehicle and submit accurate information in your claim.

Tow the Vehicle Right Away

Contact a towing company right after the crash. The specific company does not really matter because the car is only being stored. The storage fees are usually high, so it is important to remove the vehicle immediately.

Know the Current Value of the Vehicle

To pay for repairs, know the current value of the vehicle. A claim is determined by the actual cash value instead of the repair costs. Review the numbers in the Kelly Blue Book and recent auto listings. Make sure that the insurance provider is working with fair prices. Know that you are receiving the right payouts.

Find the Title

Keep hold of your car title when it is needed. Otherwise, file for a lost one immediately. The insurance provider may require that you sign it over. To keep the car, you may have to file for a salvaged title. Reselling the car may be harder, but you can resell the parts.

Submit the Documents Immediately

Filling out numerous documents is included the total claims process, but you must submit them before the deadlines. It could take months before you receive results from an insurance company or lawyer. Jeffery C. Metler, a personal injury lawyer, always urges his clients to submit any necessary paper work as quickly as possible after the accident so that they will have the best chance of getting what they need from the insurance company. The process starts with your fast actions, which affects the chances of restoring your vehicle.

Communication and fast acting are important factors when you deal with a totaled car. Review the five tasks that you must fulfill to deal with this accident. Communicate closely with the adjuster. Most of all, act quickly before your benefits run out. Work through an efficient process of handling a totaled vehicle.

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