Auto Magazine

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

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.

6 Trucks that Seamlessly Blend Comfort and Functionality

by Carsurfer Admin on 2015/01/14 in Auto Buying Tips with Comments Off

Today’s trucks aren’t your grandad’s rusted out old rig; they offer all the comforts of a highway car. These new trucks handle everything from towing trailers and hauling heavy loads to comfortable commuting and vacation travel for the whole family.

1. Car-like Comfort: 2014 Chevrolet Silverado

With its car-like ride and luxurious interior, the Silverado handles daily commutes or long road trips in comfort. It can tow a trailer, carry a big load, or go off-road. Engine choices range from more economical 6-speed automatic V6s to an eight-speed automatic 6.2-liter V8 with a 12,000-pound tow rating.

2. Chrysler Ram 1500: Comfort and Performance

With a comfortable ride, widely-praised interior styling, and a well-designed cabin, the Ram’s smooth-shifting standard 8-speed automatic balances power with comfort. Choose 2WD or 4WD, V6 or V8, diesel or gas, and a variety of cabin styles and trim levels.

3. Ford F-150: The Most Popular Choice

The Ford 150 remains the best-selling truck in North America. This full-sized workhorse tows up to 11,300 pounds and carries 3,120 pounds, with a 81.3 cubic feet cargo box, several V6 and V8 engine choices, and a six-speed automatic transmission with a haul/tow mode. You can choose standard, extended or crew-style cabins.

4. Chevrolet Colorado: Best Gas Mileage

With a top-rated 20 mpg city and 27 mpg highway, the Chevrolet Colorado is the mid-size truck of choice for high-mileage drivers. With a choice of automatic or manual transmissions, V4 or V6 engines, and standard, extended or crew cabins, this versatile truck can carry up to 1,590 lbs. of payload and tow trailers up to 7,000 pounds.

5. Toyota Tacoma: Economical Off-Roader

The Tacoma is an economical performer, compact enough to fit in small parallel parking spaces and navigate narrow jeep trails or sandy washes equally well. Its quickness and agility make it the choice for drivers who need to navigate both urban traffic and backcountry wilderness.

6. Nissan Frontier: Most Affordable

The compact Nissan Frontier offers a low sticker price and good gas mileage. You can choose 2WD or 4WD, manual or automatic, and V4 or V6 engines, with a maximum 1,524 pounds payload and 6,500 pound trailer. It offers a state-of-the-art infotainment system including hands-free text messaging.

Although you can research trucks on the internet, what matters most is how they feel on the road and how they suit your driving style. Expressway Dodge can configure trucks for your needs.

7 Classic Cars Just Begging To Be Restored

by Carsurfer Admin on 2015/01/12 in Auto Restoration with Comments Off

If you like repairing old cars, there are seven classic cars that are begging to be restored. Locating parts for these vehicles won’t be very difficult, so major delays will never be a huge concern.

1963-1965 Buick Riviera

Although the Buick Rivera doesn’t have a typically size, it is still a fast and powerful vehicle. In its era, the Rivera was a well-designed car, which is why many people are now restoring it.

1953-1954 Chevrolet Bel Air

The Chevrolet Bel Air is a popular collector’s item because the replacement parts are quite affordable. Automotive part manufacturers also offer a variety of upgrades for the Bel Air that improve performance, such as disc brake conversions.

1971-1972 Pontiac GTO

If you are on a budget, the GTO should be considered since it is very affordable. However, if you have money to spend, purchase one of the earlier vehicles instead. Automotive parts manufacturers produce plenty of parts and components for the GTO that increase gas mileage. However, the vehicle is not in high demand, so it won’t have a great resale value when you list it for sale.

1961-1966 Lincoln Continental

Among collectors, the Lincoln Continental is a popular car. The replacement parts for this vehicle, however, are somewhat limited. Though, if you can find the components, you can purchase them at low prices.

1928-1931 Ford Model A

This car is a great choice for rookie restorers; the demand for the vehicle is low, and the parts are readily available. If you run into problems during the restoration process, you can easily contact an expert for advice. The only disadvantage is that you may not earn much money when you sell the vehicle. However, if you want to test your restoration skills, you can tackle this project without spending thousands of dollars.

1951-1954 Packard

In the 50s, Packards were efficiently-built cars. Today, replacement parts can be purchased at low prices, but trim components are not very easy to find. To restore the vehicle, you must join a car club so that you can get helpful advice and store recommendations. Tackling this project is high recommended because the Packard sells easily.

1964-1968 Ford Mustang

The Ford Mustang is another ideal vehicle for beginner car restorers. Parts for this vehicle are readily available in almost every city. Beginners typical buy early Mustangs since they are easy to sell.

Each of these vehicles are worth restoring. For additional advice about cars, contact the experts at Speedy Apollo Auto Service Centres or local service center.

Skeptics Abound: A Look at Why Self Driving Cars Could be Potentially Dangerous

by Carsurfer Admin on 2015/01/09 in Auto Design with Comments Off

According to Google, the driverless car will reduce the number of car accidents experienced yearly. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration reports that the number of fatal crashes as well as how many can be blamed on excessive speed, inattention and alcohol is in the thousands annually. Based on the data, it would seem that Google is providing a very useful answer to address the problem of excessive crashes due to driver inexperience, inattention at the wheel and drowsy driving.

However, as with any new technology that pops up, there are skeptics who worry about the potential dangers that self-driving cars can present. Driverless vehicles will create new problems and could be potentially more dangerous than distracted driving. Read on to learn why self-driving cars could be potentially dangerous, and the details that are worrying current skeptics:

Malfunctions

When a vehicle malfunctions, you reduce speed and pull over to the side of the road quickly. In a driverless vehicle, a malfunction could catch the driver unaware. Supporters of the driverless vehicle have remarked that people could sleep on the way to work while the car does the driving. If there’s a malfunction and the driver is sleeping, there’s no way to quickly correct a malfunction or avoid an accident.

Roadway Disasters

The latest technology in the Google self-driving car will scan the roadway ahead for pedestrians and obstructions in the street, but the driverless vehicle won’t be able to make logical judgments of right and wrong. If you’re driving and a squirrel hops into the way, you can decide whether it’s more dangerous to keep going or swerve into the next lane to avoid the squirrel. The computer in the vehicle will not be able to make that judgment call.

According to professionals at the Ladah Law firm, these vehicles will also pose the problem of determining who is at fault during an accident. If the car is technically the driver, this could present some serious insurance issues in the future.

Hackers

The Google Driverless car utilizes computerized mapping, radar and cameras to operate the vehicle safely. There’s a computer on the vehicle, which leaves it open to hackers. New self-driving vehicles are being manufactured without steering wheels and pedals. This could make them dangerous since the driver has no way to take over for the computer if and when there is a hacker driving the car dangerously.

Criminals

If the self driving vehicle doesn’t need an operator, then the car can be used in criminal enterprise. In a recent FBI report, that factor was raised as a valid concern. For example, without the need for a driver, the car could be used to deliver bombs remotely. The FBI is also worried about the ability of criminals to multi-task while riding in a self-driving vehicle. Criminals will be able to shoot more accurately at the police or other drivers when the car is driving on its own.

It is important to keep in mind that these cars are still being heavily tested, and many of the bugs will be worked out before the vehicles actually hit the market. Many features are still in development, so some skeptics are jumping the gun by saying that driverless cars will be dangerous.

These concerns are valid, however, we will have to wait to see how the vehicles develop since many of these issues might be resolved by that time. While Google wants to focus on the pluses delivered by a self-driving vehicle, there are definitely minuses that need to be addressed before we’ll see more driverless vehicles introduced to the public.

Truck on the Fritz? 5 Truck Issues to Keep an Eye out For

by Anica Oaks on 2015/01/07 in Auto Maintenance with Comments Off

As a truck owner, there is nothing more irritating that discovering that your truck is not as reliable as it once was. The big-bodied, private passenger pieces of machinery, while they are tough, are prone to breaking down when they are not properly maintained. If your truck is making unusual sounds or it is not responding like it should when you press the accelerator, check for these five common truck issues before you experience a breakdown.

Fuel Pump Issues

The fuel pump drives fuel from the gas tank of your truck to its engine. If you have a malfunctioning pump, you will experience chronic problems on the road. If your engine begins to sputter at high speeds or it loses power as you accelerate, do not assume you have bought dirty gas. When the vehicle has a sudden loss of power, it generally means your pump is weak and could be failing. Identifying these issues early can save you money in expensive repairs.

Transmission Issues

Trucks have a high gross vehicle weight. Vehicles that are heavier are harder on their transmissions. This is why it is common for trucks to experience transmission failure earlier in their lives than a compact car would. Transmissions can be rebuilt, but rebuilding a faulty transmission takes time and can cost more than the vehicle is worth at times. If your transmission is slipping or sticking, be sure to price the cost of new, used, reconditioned and rebuilt transmissions from reliable and professional parts shops like 99 Truck Parts & Industrial Equipment Ltd.

Oil Leaks and Burning

If you smell oil burning from under your hood, there are chances that you have an oil leak somewhere in your engine. Even well-maintained trucks are prone to oil leakage as the engine ages. The most common causes of oil leaks in trucks are wear and tear or failure to change seals and gaskets regularly. Be sure to actually solve the problem instead of using a stop-leak additive that is simply a temporary fix.

Engine Overheating

If your vehicle is suddenly overheating, the problem may not be a slow leak but something else faulty under the hood. A truck is heavy, and the heavier the vehicle, the harder the workload on the engine. The stress could lead to a loss of coolant, a faulty cooling system, or fluid issues in the transmission or braking system. Find where the heat is coming from and then remove this heat by replacing parts or servicing the system the problem is affecting.

Warning Light Problems

Warning lights indicate when a problem is detected. Unfortunately, they cannot tell you exactly what that problem is unless you have an expensive computer system. You may drive when the light comes on to see if it will turn back off, but if the light stays on, you have a problem on your hands and should have the codes pulled to diagnose what is wrong.

Driving is an expensive privilege. To reduce financial obligations associated with owning a truck, look for signs that there may be a problem early so that you can find the replacement parts before you are in a bind and desperate for a fixed truck.