All posts in On the Road

Motorcycle Mishap: 4 Keys for Picking up the Pieces after Your Crash

by Anica Oaks on 2015/02/20 in Motorcycles with Comments Off

All auto accidents are traumatic, but motorcycle accidents are especially so. Motorcyclists tend to sustain more severe injuries, have more damage to their vehicle, and even to have more emotional distress over the accident. However, there are ways that you can help yourself to begin the recovery process.

Document All Injury

Many people do not get adequately compensated for their injuries because they failed to document all expenses. These include medical bills, medications, tests, special devices like neck braces, transportation and parking for appointments, and missed work. In addition, you need to document the impact on your life. Do you have pain? Nightmares? PTSD-like symptoms? Emotional distress? Fear of riding? Buy a notebook and write down whenever you are in pain, upset, or cannot handle daily activities as a result of the accident.

Get a Lawyer Immediately

Insurance companies deal with accidents on an hourly basis and are skilled at finding ways to not pay settlements. You do not have the experience needed to go up against them. However, motorcycle accident lawyers Naqvilaw.com and similar firms deal with these companies every day and know how to advocate for you. Get a lawyer while it is early enough to collect evidence and document your case.

Follow Doctor’s Orders

Many people initially feel fine and are eager to resume their daily activities. However, many of the injuries incurred in a motorcycle accident can become chronic or life-threatening if you do not follow your doctor’s orders regarding rest, work restrictions, and other parts of recovery. It is important to follow your doctor’s orders even if you think you can handle doing more.

Do Not Discuss the Case without Your Lawyer’s Approval

Anything you say can be used against you. Insurance companies will take things out of context or misrepresent your words to make it look like you were at fault or like you aren’t as injured as you claim. They may even try to interview your friends, coworkers, and neighbors. Do not discuss your accident unless your lawyer says you may, and even then be sure they have approved your statement.

Motorcyclists are often blamed for accidents that were not their fault and denied the insurance settlements to which they are entitled. These four tips will give you a better chance at getting the medical care and payment that you need to pick up the pieces and move on with your life.

Stay Safe On The Road: The Six Most Common Auto Accident Injuries

by Anita Ginsburg on 2015/02/18 in On the Road with Comments Off

In 2012, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration reported that more than 2.3 million Americans sustained injuries in car crashes, a figure that was up 6.5 percent from the previous year. The nature of the injuries varied, but there are six kinds of injuries that are most commonly reported.

Head injuries

Many drivers and passengers incur brain injuries, which occur when the head strikes an object with intense force. These types of injuries can be difficult to detect because a victim may not immediately show any signs of injury, but they could still be suffering from swelling or bleeding on the brain.

Neck injuries

People involved in motor vehicle collisions may also sustain neck injuries. These can range in nature from the relatively moderate discomfort that comes with whiplash or neck strain, to the more severe and long term pain associated with disc injuries.

Back injuries

Back injuries often occur as a result of the violent force that drivers and passengers experience when vehicles collide. These injuries can come in the form of strain, sprained, fractured or broken bones in the back, damage to nerves within the spinal column and a host of other problems.

Facial injuries

Facial injuries can occur when vehicle occupants slam into the steering wheel or dashboard, when an airbag deploys, or due to shards of broken glass propelling through the cab of the vehicle. Victims of these injuries can suffer from cuts and scrapes or more serious problems with joints and muscles of the jaw.

Internal injuries

Internal organs like spleen, kidneys or liver are sometimes damaged when a person is involved in an accident. Broken or fractured ribs sustained in a crash can puncture a lung or other organs. All of these injuries are potentially life threatening, so victims must seek immediate medical attention.

Psychological injuries

Car accident victims can suffer lasting emotional problems that stemming from the crash, particularly if it caused a fatality. These problems could be anything from short-term emotional anguish to symptoms akin to Post Traumatic Stress Disorder.

Accidents can be avoided by following traffic laws, addressing mechanical issues as they arise and through regular use of seat belts and child safety seats. Using a little extra caution ahead of time could be enough to avoid being counted among the millions who are hurt in crashes every year. If you suffer injuries in a car accident, be sure to talk to personal injury lawyer to recover your losses.

Informational credit to Cantini Law Group Accident and Disability Lawyers.

Off the Beaten Path: How to Maximize Your Truck’s Off Road Performance

by Carsurfer Admin on 2015/01/30 in Trucks with Comments Off

Taking your truck off-road can be a thrilling adventure, and when you are done with the green lanes and ready to move on to something a little more challenging, you will find that it is time to consider some of the improvements that you can make. Some of them are related to your truck, and some of them are related to your personal style, so take a moment to consider what you can do to get the performance and aesthetic you want.

Get the Equipment You Need

You already know about making sure that you have a spare tire, all the tools to change it, rope that can tow your truck and things like that, but did you know that a shovel and two-way radios are great ideas as well? If you don’t mind packing on the extra weight, a vehicle-mounted winch is ideal. Consider also throwing in a high-lift jack and fire extinguishers into your pack as well.

Parts and Upgrades

Aftermarket upgrades, like computer chips and cold air intakes, provide massive boosts to your truck’s performance. Off road driving can take a serious toll on your engine, so it’s best to keep it in peak condition if you want to enjoy it for more than a few days. To get the best performance possible from your engine consider installing a cold air intake to both boost engine power and increase airflow.

Drop Your Tire Pressure

One of the great adventures for off-roaders is to hit the dunes, but before you do, let some air out of your tires. Riding through sand is amazingly fun, but you are not going to have the traction that you are used to. Essentially, bring your tire pressure down to around 20psi. When you do this, your tires have more grip, and they will hang on to the surface a lot better. This is also handy if you are going through mud.

Keep Up Speed

If you want to get up that next rise, don’t hesitate. We’re not saying that you need to floor it, but if you have momentum building, do not waste it. Good momentum and learning how to use it and create it is one of the most important things about off-roading, and it can make a huge difference to how well your truck performs.

No Wheel Whipping

One of the worst things that you can do when you are off-roading is to whip the wheel. In general, you want to make the smallest motions with the wheel as possible. Leave your thumbs outside of the wheel, and correct your course quickly, confidently and without twisting the wheel hard. Hard wheel twisting leads to some truly unfortunate crashes and accidents, so correctly conservatively!

When you are ready to make sure that you are going to be getting the most performance out of your truck, keep on top of things. Your truck can take you off the beaten path and back again if you just keep these tips in mind.

Informational Credit to Tonka 4-Wheel Drive Ltd.

Drunk Driving Statistics and What’s Changing on the Roads Today

by Carsurfer Admin on 2015/01/21 in On the Road with Comments Off

Although drunk driving has decreased in recent years, it remains a serious problem in our country. During the average hour, about 30 people suffer injuries caused by intoxicated drivers. According to Mothers Against Drunk Driving such accidents killed 10,076 Americans in 2013. Various estimates indicate that these crashes cost the nation $60 to $200 billion per year. About 2.3 percent of the victims are children under 15 years old.

Improvements

The good news is that fatalities have decreased by more than 50 percent since 1980. Government figures show that the number of people killed in 2013 was about 250 less than the statistic for 2012. While alcohol continues to play a role in about 29 percent of highway deaths, this compares well with rates reported during the 1960s and 1970s. Intoxication caused about three out of five fatalities in that time period.

Enforcement

State and local authorities have become more serious about enforcing drunk driving laws. Gone are the days when police would ignore all but the most serious cases of driver intoxication. Stricter laws and sobriety checkpoints have also made a difference. For example, KOMO-TV reported that three counties in Washington State introduced new laws during 2014. Drunk drivers with multiple convictions must undergo daily alcohol tests.

Awareness

Shifting attitudes and greater awareness of the problem have helped to reduce intoxicated driving as well. Media outlets and schools across the nation regularly educate the public about the risks associated with this dangerous behavior. Public service messages on radio and TV often starkly illustrate the consequences. More people realize that it’s a crime with serious medical, legal, and financial repercussions.

Safety

General improvements in highway safety are also helping to decrease fatalities and injuries. Cars have become safer in recent years, and most vehicles on today’s roads feature multiple air bags. Additional exterior lights make modern vehicles more visible to other drivers and pedestrians. Increasing numbers of cars now incorporate backup cameras. As a recent Star Tribune news article pointed out, emergency personnel are responding to accidents more quickly as well.

It’s appropriate to celebrate this progress, but more needs to be done. About six Americans die in traffic accidents involving alcoholic beverages every four hours, according to the Bureau of Transportation Statistics. This is still far too many. Even if you don’t drink or own a car, you can help solve this problem by discouraging others from driving intoxicated.

If you become involved in an alcohol-related collision, be sure to seek the assistance of a Blumenauer Hackworth lawyer.

Five Things You Should Really Be Worried About on Your Driving Test: Part II

by Carsurfer Admin on 2014/12/31 in On the Road with Comments Off

On the day of your driver’s test, you may have jangled nerves and butterflies in your stomach. Feeling nervous is completely normal, and you will probably do just fine, as long as you are thoroughly prepared. Here are some pointers for the day of the test, and what you should focus most your studies on.

Know the Manual

Seems obvious, right? But you would be surprised at how many people only leaf through the testing manual once, or don’t read it at all. Study for ten minutes per day from the first day you know you have a driving test scheduled. It helps to have a family member or friend quiz you from the test booklet. When you are a passenger, pay attention to real life examples of things you have learned from your studying.

Take it Easy

Take the time you need to parallel park. Don’t rush through anything during the test. It’s not a race after all. While driving, when you need to step on the brake, be confident. Don’t stomp on the brake unless it is an emergency. Anticipate stops in advance, and gently stop the car. Slow down for curves as well. You don’t want the instructor seeing you make a sloppy curve. When accelerating from a stop, start slowly by applying gentle pressure to the gas pedal.

Intersections

Never change lanes in the middle of an intersection. Not only is this dangerous, but in some states it is illegal. While it may be tempting to do a lane switch in an intersection, your instructor will frown on this, and may use it against you during test scoring.

Obey the Rules of the Road, with Confidence

Always follow other cars at a safe distance. If somebody is following you too closely, and you are concerned for your safety and the safety of your driver, it’s advisable to gently slow down to allow more space between you and the car ahead of you. North Shore Driving School Ltd says it’s always better to use turn signals too much, rather than too little. Make sure you’re using your turn signal for turns, changing lanes, and parallel parking. Also, never ask your instructor for advice. The instructor needs to know that you will be competent to handle the open road on your own. Stay calm, and confident, and only ask questions you know might not be in the manual.

Passing your drivers’ exam can be a nerve-wracking, but ultimately rewarding experience. The excitement of driving on your own can be exhilarating. Creating a good foundation of driving habits at a good Burnaby driving school will help keep you and other drivers safe now, and for a lifetime.