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Rules of the Road – 4 Basic Driving Tips for Everyone

by Carsurfer Admin on 2016/06/01 in Uncategorized with Comments Off on Rules of the Road – 4 Basic Driving Tips for Everyone

Whether you have recently gotten your license or been driving for years, here is a look at four tips every driver should keep in mind when they get behind the wheel of a vehicle.

Check Your Car Before Every Ride

No one needs to carry out a comprehensive inspection of their vehicle every time they are about to go for a short drive, but it is not a bad idea to quickly check for any major damage. This is especially important if your car has not been driven for more than a few days or was left in a location where it might have been vandalized. The primary areas you should check include the tires, the windshield, and just under the engine for any fluids.

Always Give Yourself Extra Time

One of the worst things a driver can do is make a habit out of speeding. Unfortunately, it doesn’t take much to give the car a little extra gas when we are running a few minutes late. Not only does speeding drastically increase your risk of getting into an accident, but a single moving violation can cost thousands of dollars. Depending on how fast you were actually driving, these tickets can even be upgraded to criminal speeding charges.

Don’t Take Accidents Lightly

Most drivers will be involved in at least one accident in their lifetime, and it is vital that everyone knows exactly what to do in these situations. Even if the accident seems straightforward, you must collect as much information as possible including the contact information of everyone involved. Those who are injured should immediately seek out medical attention and begin looking for a personal injury attorney. No one wants to be left with mounting medical bills and nowhere to turn for financial help.  A professional personal injury lawyer in Mankato, like those at Roko Law, know that medical bills associated with an accident can be overwhelming.  Making sure your finances are covered is always advisable.  

Look Out for Others

Many experts tell new drivers they should always assume everyone else on the road is not paying attention. An example of this would be expecting a driver to see your turning single before you change lanes. Even if they should know exactly what you are planning, they might not be paying attention. Unfortunately, you could still be at fault for the accident even if the other driver should have anticipated the situation.

Drivers are always responsible for their own safety and the safety of everyone else in their vehicle, and that is why it is so important to remain vigilant and drive defensively at all times.

What are My Rights after a Car Accident? The Most Important Rights to be Aware of

by Carsurfer Admin on 2015/01/16 in Uncategorized with Comments Off on What are My Rights after a Car Accident? The Most Important Rights to be Aware of

When you are involved in a car accident, you have important rights that arise then and there at the scene. This is especially the case if you’ve been injured because of another driver’s negligence or your car has been damaged. Although you may be overwhelmed at the time of the accident, it is important to invoke your rights in order to ensure you get what you deserve in the days and weeks after the accident. Read on to learn about the important rights you have following your involvement in a car accident:

Call the Police

Insist on having police come to the scene to investigate the accident. If at all possible, all vehicles should remain where they came to rest after the impact. This will permit the investigating officer to make an accurate accident report, document damage to all vehicles involved, and make their own assessment on liability. A few days after the accident, you can obtain a copy of the accident report at little cost.

Insist on Immediate Medical Care

If you feel pain or discomfort anywhere in your body, ask to be taken to an emergency room or to be examined by paramedics. They will document your complaints of pain at the scene, and emergency room personnel will further document them. This is critical in establishing that you were injured as a direct and proximate result of the accident. Follow all medical recommendations, including seeing your own doctor or a specialist. Delays in treatment only weaken a case. Injury, pain and suffering are documented by medical personnel throughout a person’s course of treatment. If there is anything that feels wrong, don’t wait for it to go away—get checked out immediately in case there are any injuries.

Notify your Insurer

Let your insurer know you were involved in an accident as soon as practical after it happened. Most insurers have strict notice requirements, so try to document when, how and who you gave notice to. Your insurer has a right to investigate an accident and preserve any evidence and interview any witnesses. According to Rod Gregory, an Edmonton DUI lawyer, you have a contractual duty to cooperate with your insurer in the case of an accident, so give them any information you have that they might need.

Don’t Talk to the Other Driver(s)

Whether you’re the victim or the person who caused the accident, refrain from speaking with anybody involved in it. Your statements can only be used against you in the future. You’re under no duty to give the other party’s insurer any type of a statement. If they phone you, give them your attorney’s name and phone number. By allowing a professional to handle the matter, you’ll avoid saying something you’ll regret, or something that could negatively impact your case.

Being in a car accident can be a calamity, particularly if you’ve sustained serious injuries. Always invoke your rights for your future protection, and be sure you aren’t shy about asking for what you need. By getting help from the place, taking care of any bodily injuries, obtaining the right information, and consulting with your insurance agent, you’ll be able to put the distress of the accident behind you, and get what you deserve in the end. 

Trading Your Bullet Bike for a Car Seat? The Top 5 Safest Cars for Expecting Families

by Carsurfer Admin on 2014/10/01 in Uncategorized with Comments Off on Trading Your Bullet Bike for a Car Seat? The Top 5 Safest Cars for Expecting Families

If you are an expectant parent, there are a lot of changes ahead of you. You might be baby-proofing your home, moving to a safer neighborhood, or buying a safer car. If you previously had a convertible, motorcycle, or an old junker car, having a baby is the perfect reason to get a newer, safer car. Not only will you have to worry about keeping your little one safer in the car, but you’ll want a vehicle designed for families that is easy to get in and out of. Keep reading to see the top five safest cars that are perfect for expanding families.

2014 Subaru Legacy

The new Subaru Legacy is a great choice for new parents. The Legacy’s legendary Symmetrical All-Wheel Drive system provides excellent traction in all types of weather. Not only was the sedan chosen as a Top Safety Pick by the IIHS, but it also offers advanced safety technologies such as lane departure warning and forward collision warning. The Legacy’s outstanding visibility certainly comes in handy when traveling in congested traffic.

2014 Volvo S60

Volvo has a reputation for manufacturing extremely safe vehicles. Unsurprisingly, the well-built Volvo S60 obtained one of the best crash test ratings in its class. Aside from being a Top Safety Pick, the S60 is also available with a slew of high-tech safety devices. The innovative Corner Traction Control system effectively enhances the S60’s road grip when making quick maneuvers. Some of the other available safety upgrades include blind-spot detection and adaptive headlights.

2014 Cadillac ATS

The Cadillac ATS is arguably the safest sports sedan on the market. The agile sedan obtained a five-star rating in every safety test. Although an all-wheel drive version is available, the front-wheel drive model still offers great traction. Adaptive cruise control, blind-spot monitoring, and lane departure warning are just a few of the optional safety components. The ATS also surrounds your family with a total of eight airbags.

2015 Kia Optima

Designed with a very spacious interior, the Optima is perfect for expecting families. In governmental crash testing, the new Optima received a top rating in each category. Unlike the previous model years, the 2015 Optima is available with blind-spot detection and cross-traffic alert. Kia’s helpful Brake Assist feature provides an extra amount of stopping power when needed. The side-curtain airbags will surely give concerned parents extra peace of mind.

2014 Mazda 3

As expected, the Mazda 3 was recognized by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety as a Top Safety Pick. The Mazda 3’s athletic handling and sturdy chassis makes it a very capable family hauler. All versions of the Mazda 3 come standard with anti-lock disc brakes and daytime running lights. Some of the safety options include an auto-dimming rear-view mirror, lane departure warning, and cross-traffic alert.

All five of these vehicles have an outstanding safety profile, but you can easily research the safety ratings of any car you are interested in. This information is available online, so you can research the ratings after you test drive a car you like to make sure you know what you are getting.

Driving on the Dime: World’s Most Expensive Roadways

by Carsurfer Admin on 2014/04/23 in Uncategorized with Comments Off on Driving on the Dime: World’s Most Expensive Roadways

Every day, all over the world, drivers make extensive use of roadways and other transport infrastructures without considering the at time enormous costs that went into building these roads. Not all roads are built equal, however, and some have earned more consideration than others based on the sheer resources that went into their construction. In this article, we will be highlighting some of the most costly roadways in the world.

Oresund Bridge, Denmark-Sweden

At a cost of 30.1 billion krones (roughly 5.7 billion US dollars), many civil engineers count the Oresund Bridge and Road Complex the world’s most expensive roadway, even though most of its cost went into building the bridge itself. Completed in 2010, the Oresund Bridge effectively connects Denmark and Sweden across the Oresund Strait, and measures a total of 7845 meters, making it the longest road and rail bridge system in Europe. The Oresund Bridge received an International Association for Bridge and Structural Engineering award for Outstanding Structure engineering in 2002.

Marina Coastal Expressway, Singapore

Singapore’s tenth and most expensive expressway, the Marina Coastal Expressway was completed on the 28th December, 2013, at the cost of 4.3 billion Singapore Dollars (US $3.4 billion). Although only 3 miles long, the roadway is particularly broad for a road in Singapore, at a breadth of five lanes, and stretches over a particularly difficult coastal area. Construction even involved undersea dredging to avoid conflicts with Singapore’s many canals, as contract engineers working on other highways experienced.

Tehran-Shomal Freeway, Iran

A freeway currently partially complete, the Tehran-Shomal (literally, "Tehran North") freeway is undergoing extensive renovations and extensions, costing 452 billion rial ($1.7 US) to complete. The roadway connects the city of Tehran to a number of locations in Western Mazandarin, enabling crucial economic opportunities for the rural populations there. Currently, roughly half of the 75 mile freeway is open for commuters, with construction of the other half being stalled due to complications with contractors.

As these roadways show, cost doesn’t always equate to size when it comes to roadways. Oftentimes, outside circumstances, as well as the difficulty of the terrain, have a far greater effect on the total cost of the roadways. So next time you’re driving along a highway, spend a moment considering just how difficult, expensive, and monumental an achievement developing such a structure is and how many people it took to get it all done.

“Brooke Chaplan is a freelance writer and blogger. After graduating from the University of New Mexico she moved to Los Lunas where she now lives and works. She used the New Jersey Institute of Technology online civil engineering degrees for her research into this article. Contact her via Twitter @BrookeChaplan.”

New or Used: What’s Your Best Option for a First Car?

by Carsurfer Admin on 2014/04/22 in Uncategorized with Comments Off on New or Used: What’s Your Best Option for a First Car?

When it comes time to buy a first car, many people are unsure about which type to choose, new or used. Both have their own specific benefits and drawbacks. Below you will find some helpful ideas to make the decision easier.

Used Cars Get a Bad Rep

When someone says they are going to get a used car, what image comes to mind? Years ago the image of a used car was one of a junker. A used car was something that would need constant repair. Fortunately that is no longer necessarily the case. Nowadays people lease cars for two or three years and then get a new car. That three-year-old car is technically a used car, but there is nothing wrong with it. In the old days people kept their car for 20 years and then sold it. Those were used cars that needed lots of work. Many people buy used cars or lease them. These cars are much cheaper than brand new cars, and if you choose to get a used car that has just come off of lease then it is only going to be a few years old.

Benefits of New Cars

A new car is always exciting. They have that amazing new car smell, and they will have almost none of the mechanical problems that you find in older cars. They also look really nice. There is nothing better than a nice shiny paint job. The downside of a new car is that it will cost you a lot more. You can expect to pay a lot more for a car that is just out of the factory.

Which One is the Best Choice For a First Car?

The best option for a first car would be a used car that is only three or four years old. You can visit a brand name dealership and see their inventory. You could lease a three-year-old pre-owned name brand car at a dealership for less than two hundred a month. These cars have low mileage and are much cheaper than buying a brand new car. One of the best ways to get a good used car is to visit a dealership. This is a better method than contacting a private seller. The dealership will have an inventory of quality used cars. You will not have to wade through old junk cars that are not safe.

For your first car, it’s always a good idea to go a bit newer if possible to save on those inevitable repairs. Used cars will get you a good investment for a lot less and will help to set you up with a reasonable monthly payment.

“Brooke Chaplan is a freelance writer and blogger. She lives and works in her home in Los Lunas, New Mexico. After graduating form the University of New Mexico she has enjoyed writing and researching articles when she isn’t outside running or biking. Premier Mazda was a great resource for writing this article. Contact Brooke via Twitter @BrookeChaplan.”

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