All posts in On the Road

Defensive Driving: Techniques to Keep You Safe on the Road

by Carsurfer Admin on 2015/03/06 in On the Road with Comments Off

There is always a chance of a serious accident every time you get behind the wheel. Not only are you traveling at high speeds, you also have to keep an eye on everyone else around you. Since so many things can go wrong on the road, the best way to stay safe is to practice defensive driving techniques. While there are dozens of defensive driving techniques, these are the four of the most effective.

Eliminate Distractions

A distracted driver is far more likely to cause an accident than a driver that is focused on the road. If you regularly eat, talk or text while driving, then it is time to change those harmful tactics. Studies have proven that using a cell phone while driving can reduce reaction times up to 20 percent. Your conversation or meal is not important when you are risking your life and the lives of everyone else on the road is not

Stay in One Lane

It is far easier to remain safe when remaining in one lane on the road. Changing lanes requires you to change your focus, which is always dangerous on the road. You also have to rely on the other drivers seeing you changing lanes, which is always a dangerous proposition. It is impossible to go anywhere without ever changing lanes, but you should do it as little as possible.

Do Not Tailgate

Tailgating the car in front of you is one of the most dangerous things you can do while driving. You need to have plenty of room between cars in case you need to suddenly react to avoid an accident. If you are tailgating and the car in front of you suddenly hits the breaks, then you are not going to have enough time to slow down to avoid hitting them. You should be at least three to four seconds behind the car in front of you on the road, and this number should be doubled during poor driving conditions.

Be Aware of Surroundings

Defensive driving only works if you are looking out for everyone else on the road. A bad driver can always hit your car while you are driving extremely carefully. The only way to constantly stay safe is to keep an eye on your fellow drivers, especially if any appear to be driving erratically. If you are constantly expecting the other drivers to do something dangerous, then you will always be prepared for anything that can happen.

Getting to your destination safely should be your top priority every time you sit behind the wheel. If you use these four defensive driving techniques, then you should be safe no matter what you experience on the road.

Informational Credit to Moses and Rooth, Attorneys at Law

Wrongly Charged with a DWI? 4 Keys to Setting the Record Straight

by Anica Oaks on 2015/02/23 in On the Road with Comments Off

The criminal justice system is far from perfect, and every year, innocent people find themselves defending against criminal charges for alleged acts that never occurred. People who are wrongfully charged with a DWI should take action quickly in order to adequately defend against the accusations. After a case is dismissed, there are further steps those who have been wrongfully arrested and accused of a DWI may take in order to be vindicated, as well as to remove any notation of the arrest from their permanent criminal record.

Challenging Probable Cause

According to the protections afforded by the federal and Texas state constitutions, officers must have probable cause to believe a person has committed an offense prior to arresting them. For DWIs, probable cause can be obtained through roadside sobriety testing, preliminary breath tests, bad driving, a smell of alcohol and bloodshot eyes. By filing a probable cause motion, it is possible to challenge the arrest and get the case dismissed if probable cause is lacking.

Independent Testing and Review

In some cases, a blood sample is taken and sent to a laboratory. Blood analysis is dependent on the analyst’s ability to interpret the data. If a blood alcohol concentration is obtained that indicates a driver had a blood alcohol concentration above .08%, the driver should request retesting by an independent lab.

Breathalyzer machine operators may have conducted breathalyzer testing in an inappropriate manner, rendering the results obtained unreliable. A careful review of breathalyzer results, calibration logs and the expiration date of the solution used can prove fruitful. If you would like to pursue this option, contact a DWI defense attorney.

Filing a False Arrest Lawsuit

In the event that an officer charged a person with DWI when he or she lacked probable cause to do so, the person may consider filing a false arrest lawsuit against the errant officer. According to FindLaw.com, such a lawsuit is possible through Section 1983 of the Civil Rights Act as a civil rights violation.

Expunction

After a case has been dismissed or a person has been found not guilty, they are eligible for expunction of the offense and arrest from their record. Expunction will remove any notation of the arrest or the charge, effectively clearing the person from future harm.

It can be terrifying to be accused of a DWI when a person knows they are innocent. By being proactive and actively defending against the charges from the start, people may be able to protect both themselves and receive vindication for the wrongs they have experienced.

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.