Auto Magazine

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

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.

Car Shopping Guide: Best Models to Buy New

by Carsurfer Admin on 2014/04/02 in GMC, Honda, Nissan, Subaru with Comments Off

Purchasing a new car is a major financial investment for most people. Ideally, you should seek to buy a vehicle that offers long-term value and driving satisfaction. Unfortunately, all vehicles are not engineered with the same level of quality. Here are a few of the best models that are best to buy new.

2014 Honda Civic Si

The Honda Civic Si is arguably the most reliable performance car on the market. The car’s sporty driving dynamics make it a good choice for the drivers who crave excitement on their daily commute. Prospective buyers can expect the Civic Si to deliver great fuel economy, and to maintain an excellent resell value. The 2.4-liter, four-cylinder engine is known to last for at least 300,000 miles without needing an overhaul. The best part is that the Civic Si still delivers over 30 miles-per-gallon on the highway.

2014 GMC Sierra 1500

The 2014 GMC Sierra 1500 is one of the best pickups trucks for the money. Although there is a V-8 engine offered, the six-cylinder engine delivers the best balance of power and fuel economy. Unlike some of the other high-tech engines on the market, the Sierra’s 4.3-liter engine has a very simple design. This means that most backyard mechanics will find the engine to be very easy to maintain. Although the towing capacity is rated at a hefty 7,200 pounds, the truck still has a frugal fuel economy rating of 24 mpg on the highway.

Nissan Altima

Engineered with a well-built chassis and a reliable engine, the Altima will last for many years to come. Owner surveys reveal that the Altima has very few problem areas even after 100,000 miles. While the V6 version delivers a beefy 270 horsepower, most people will find the 182-horsepower base engine to be just as entertaining. With 45 inches of legroom in the front, even drivers who are well over six-feet tall will fit comfortably.

2014 Subaru Crosstrek

Very few all-wheel drive SUVs can match the Crosstrek’s 33 mpg highway fuel economy rating. While the Crosstrek may appear small on the outside, there is an abundance of interior room for the family. While the Crosstrek is not capable of towing heavy loads, it is still rugged enough to take on an off-road trail from time to time.

All four of these vehicles are excellent choices for the driver who is seeking a long-term commitment. Every owner can expect great fuel efficiency, excellent resell value, and a satisfying driving experience.

“Brooke Chaplan is a freelance writer and recent college graduate. She lives and works out of her home in Los Lunas, New Mexico. She used www.aircompressorla.com/services/ as a resource for this article. Contact her via Twitter @BrookeChaplan.”

5 Things You Can Do To Save Money on Your Auto Repairs

by Carsurfer Admin on 2014/04/01 in Auto Repair with Comments Off

Saving money on auto repairs is a combination of taking a little do-it-yourself initiative as well as being savvy about where your repair money goes. Of course, the very first step to saving money on auto repairs is to be serious and proactive about maintenance. Keeping up on maintenance helps eliminate potentially more expensive repairs. Here are five ways to get started saving money on auto repairs.

1.Get A Code Reader

Auto code readers are now as simple as getting a Bluetooth scan tool paired with a smart phone app. This will enable you to find out what that check engine light is really saying, and whether it’s a big repair or something small like a faulty sensor. However, this method only works with newer cars, usually those newer than 1996.

2.Learn To Shop At Salvage Yards

A good way to find inexpensive parts is to go to an auto salvaging yard. Often these contain cars totaled in wrecks that still have plenty of working parts on them. There is usually a pull fee and then you are on your own to remove the part from the car. Getting parts from places like these usually end up saving you money based on the fact that they’re used and that you’re pulling the part yourself.

3.Do It Yourself

Learning to do simple repairs yourself is one of the best ways to save money. The biggest portion of a repair bill is the labor of the mechanic. If you can change fluids and filters yourself, the supplies cost very little. Even brakes are not terribly difficult to learn and brake parts themselves are not very expensive.

4.Find A Trustworthy Mechanic

For the big jobs or if you do not have the time to be a do-it-yourselfer, finding a trustworthy mechanic is important. There are a few different methods for this. Ask for referrals from people you know, read reviews on sites such as Yelp, or even find out mechanics who do side work apart from their regular jobs.

5.Shop Around

If a big repair bill is looming on your car, the best way to lower the cost is to shop around. Ask different shops for estimates and even mention what another shop will do it for. You might also consider providing your own parts for the job.

There are many different ways to save money on car repairs. Start with good maintenance habits and finish by doing your own research and learning to fix some items yourself. Try to make visiting the mechanic a last resort.

Author Bio: Chaleigh is a freelance writer that lives in NYC. She enjoys writing, cars, and lifestyle photography. In her free time, you might be able to find her at an auto scrap yard looking for parts for her 1971 Chevy Nova, or taking pictures while people watching in the city.

Five Steps You Can Take to Reduce Your Car Insurance

by Carsurfer Admin on 2014/03/31 in Auto Insurance with Comments Off

People will often complain about how much money they are paying for their auto insurance, but these same people will seldom take simple steps that can save them money on a car insurance policy. There are options out there that can help you greatly reduce your insurance costs.

The following are just five steps you can take that will most likely result in a lower cost policy.

Make sure you are not over insured

Too often people are paying for more insurance than they really need. An individual will have a brand new car fully insured, but over time the car depreciates, and there is less need for full coverage. In the case where you are making payments on a new car, the lender will demand that the car be fully insured, but once the car is paid off, you may not need all of the coverage that was mandatory with your car financing.

Add safety features to your car

You should contact your insurance agent first or at least get a quote, but most companies will offer discounts for specific anti-theft devices that are installed on a car. Where you park your car can also affect the premiums you pay. If you park your car in the garage instead of on the street, you may get a discount for this as well. With less chance of vandalism, your insurance rates will be less.

Combine insurance policies with one company

For those who are home owners, there are insurance companies that offer both auto and home owners insurance. They will commonly offer a discount for having both polices with them. This can mean a good discount in premiums for both insurance policies.

Pay for the entire policy instead of making payments

Although this is not always possible for financial reasons, in almost every case you will save money if you were to pay for the entire policy at once instead of three to five payments over a six month period.

Shop around

This would seem to be obvious, but so many people simply do not get several quotes. Even when a policy expires, they simply start paying on a new one with the same insurance company without attempting to get lower prices. If you get several quotes, you may be surprised at how much money can be saved on a car insurance policy.

Before you start looking for the best quotes from agents check to make sure you are following a few of these tips. Not all insurers are the same so agencies may place high reductions on one thing or another. Whether you take these tips to heart or not the most important thing to remember is that you don’t have to settle for the first quote you get.

Author Bio: Annette Hazard is a freelance writer that has suggested Trail Auto Tag Agency in the past. She often writes about business as well as ways to save money.

Ways You Can Customize Your Truck Or Car To Better Fit Your Needs

by Carsurfer Admin on 2014/03/28 in Auto Design with Comments Off

No two vehicles should look alike because there are countless customization options. In most cases, you have to save up for this costly investment. There some simple changes you can make, however, that don’t break the bank but will help customize your vehicle. Whether you are looking for ways to make your vehicle safer, more efficient or just look better, there are many way you can customize your car or truck.

Add New Paint

Over the years, vehicle paint gets dulled to the point where you need reapplications. You can paint over the chipped parts or repaint the entire surface with a different color. The types of paints include acrylic, metallic and matte. Many paints have elements that increase the uniqueness of any vehicle.

Place a Bed Liner in Your Truck

Apply a bed liner to protect the truck bed so that the cargo does not slide off easily. A drop-in liner is the simplest one to apply while a spray-in liner is applied with a special coating. Choose the colors and finishes that you want the most. Every liner and coating wears out over time, so you must maintain this device regularly. You can find a variety of truck bed liners to outfit your truck for your lifestyle needs.

Use a Good Seating Material

You should have many fabric options when you design new car seats. Suede, wool and leather are common materials. Whichever fabric you use, make sure that it is strong, weather resistant and long-lasting. You can choose colors that compliment the rest of the vehicle for the exact look you want.

Install a Stereo System

The bass and sound system is important to many drivers. Some people want systems that sound louder and better than all the others. Look into the types of amplifiers, speakers and subwoofers that can be combined to produce the best sounds.

Install a Car Alarm System

A security system is a sound investment to have wherever you take the car. The alarm keeps away thieves, intruders and people who get too close. Just like paints and stereo systems, security systems come in different varieties for your needs.

Buy Larger Wheels or Custom Rims

Large wheels are good for bigger trucks that move on highways or off road terrains. Strong tires are made to grip the road for safe speeding and turning. The vehicle is less likely to flip over as a result. For people who want style, custom rims are available. Nowadays, make any design you want online. Decide if you want a matte or glossy finish as the final touch.

Customizing a car or truck starts from the ground up or the top down. Your choices are unlimited when it comes to deciding how you want the vehicle to look. Decide which features you want to improve on the most and make sure that your vehicle looks good and still runs efficiently.

Anita is a freelance writer from Denver and often writes about home, auto, family and business. She enjoys traveling with her family when she isn’t writing. Anita suggests finding truck bed liners in Cleveland to outfit your truck for your lifestyle needs.