Auto Magazine

6 Signs Your Auto Accident Wasn’t Your Fault

by Anica Oaks on 2015/09/14 in Auto Accident with Comments Off

The aftermath of a car accident can feel disorienting and unsettling, especially if the wreck resulted in injuries to you or extensive damages to your vehicle. Whether you’re reading this article at the scene of the accident or while waiting to speak to an insurance representative, one of the most important characteristics you must identify is legal fault.

You should never admit fault for an accident, since this can lead to penalties regardless of the veracity of the statement. But how can you know for sure that you weren’t at fault? Below we list some common indicators of fault.

1. The Other Driver Admitted Fault

Most insurers and legal professionals recommend not admitting fault after an accident. If the other driver willingly admits fault, either he or she has never heard that advice or he or she really is at fault.

2. Witnesses Place Fault with the Other Driver

Witness statements can hold a lot of sway in accident claims proceedings. Listen to the witnesses talk to each other and the police. If they actively identify the other driver as the accident’s cause, you probably aren’t at fault.

3. You Didn’t Have Time to Brake

If you saw the accident coming, but didn’t have time to brake, you may not legally be at fault. However, this depends on your state and local laws. In some areas, braking does not affect assignment of guilt. Contact attorney Jonathan Groth for more information on Milwaukee accident laws.

4. You Didn’t See the Accident Coming

If you were blindsided, chances are good the accident wasn’t your fault. However, this is not the case if you caused an accident by neglecting your duties as a driver.

5. You Were Hit from Behind

In some states, if a driver is rear-ended, he or she is never considered legally at fault. If you were hit from behind, this law may apply to you.

6. You Were Not Issued a Ticket at the Scene

While this rule is far from universal, you may not be at fault if the police issued a ticket to the other driver at the scene, but not to you. Keep in mind, however, that the police do not issue tickets after every accident.

If you don’t know whether or not you were at fault (or you were wrongfully blamed for the accident), talk to an accident attorney. He or she can help you determine your rights, your legal responsibilities, and the compensation you are due.

How to Best Prepare and Maintain Your Vehicle on a Long Road Trip

by Carsurfer Admin on 2015/09/04 in Auto Maintenance with Comments Off

Road trips are a fun way to see a lot of new places in a short amount of time. You can drive through small towns, winding countryside, and fun landmarks on your way to a big city. If you’re planning the road trip of a lifetime (across the country, perhaps) it’s important to prepare your car for the long haul ahead. Nothing is worse on a road trip than a broken down car in the middle of nowhere.

Check the following items off your list before setting off into the sunset.

Clean and Organize

You’ll be spending the next week or two basically living in your car. While the prospect sounds adventurous, prepare the inside of your car to avoid stress and lost items. Make a spot for trash, luggage, easily accessible snacks, maps, and phones.

Inspect Tires

Your tires take a lot of wear and tear when you drive long distances in a road trip. Inspect your tires to avoid a blowout on the highway. Look for uneven wear and thin treads. You can stick a penny upside down inside the tread. If you can see Lincoln’s entire head, your tread is low. Make sure the tires are properly inflated, as well.

Replace Windshield and Wipers

You may be holding out to replace a cracked windshield for a time when you have more cash to spare. But road trips have a tendency to throw small rocks up into your windshield. You don’t want a windshield to crack and break while you’re on a trip, so take care of that now. While you’re at it, replace your windshield wipers so you can drive safely in rainy weather.

Top Off Fluids

Your car can’t run properly without the help of a bevy of fluids. Check transmission fluid, wiper fluid, engine oil, and coolant to see if they need replacement or topping off.

Prepare for Emergencies

Always prepare for the worst when setting out on a road trip. Have an emergency plan in place in case you get stranded at night and need to be rescued. Have a tow truck number on hand, put a jack in your trunk, and keep extra car fluids back there, as well. If you encounter small problems, you’ll have the tools to fix them yourself. Otherwise, you’ll be able to easily contact a towing company to get you out of a bind. It’s important to find a company that is quick to respond, according to Big Lake towing experts.

When you prepare your car for a road trip, always talk with a mechanic to make sure big problems won’t happen while you’re away. When you’re prepared, you can properly enjoy your road trip without fear of a break down.

10 Interesting Road Rules in Canada

by Carsurfer Admin on 2015/08/26 in On the Road with Comments Off

Even though cars are used in (almost) the same manner all over the world, rules of the road differ from country to country. Most countries have similar rules, and all are built with the same purpose: to keep both the driver and other people safe.

When it comes to Canada, rules are similar: you drive on the right side of the road, speed limit in urban areas is 40km/h and it is compulsory for all inside the vehicle to be wearing a seatbelt. However, there are some interesting road rules in Canada which you might not know of. Here are ten such rules:

In Montreal, you may not park a car in such a way that it is blocking your own driveway (even though it is, in fact, your own driveway).
In the same state, if you have parked your car in the street, it is illegal to wash it there. You can, however, wash it in your driveway, just make sure you don’t block it in the process.
Cars parked in public places must be locked, and their windows must be down to less than the width of a hand. (This one boggles the mind a little. What if it rains or snows, do people in Montreal just deal with wet interiors?)
In Quebec, you are not allowed to turn right on a red light. Since it is expected and legal to turn right in Ontario, people travelling between these two countries must be careful, otherwise they’ll get fined.
Riding a one-horse-open-sleigh, like the one in the Jingle Bells song, is legal, but you have to make sure you have the right amount of bells attached to the sleigh or the harness. That amount is two, and if you happen to have one, or none, you might be fined $5.
In Toronto, it’s illegal to ride a streetcar on Sunday if you’ve been eating garlic. No need to throw away the garlic for good though, just save it until Monday.
The strangest provincial law regarding the road comes from New Brunswick. To break the law in this Atlantic province, you simply need to drive on the road.
In the Province of Quebec, you can be ticketed for driving in the passing lane even if you are not blocking anyone.
Quebec law requires residents to have winter tires from Dec. 15 to Mar. 15. Ontario has no such law, which means if you’re driving from Ontario to Quebec in this period, you might get fined.The fine is up to $1,000.

Some laws are freaky and most often not practiced, while others are practiced frequently. Just because a law is outdated, don’t mean some law enforcement officer somewhere won’t give you a ticket for it. Obey the law, no matter how strange it might sound to you.

If you are interested in passing the Ontario G1 practice testthat is required before you can get your driver’s license, go to Apna Toronto to see more.

Six Things To Look For In Car Dealerships Before Buying

by Carsurfer Admin on 2015/08/24 in Auto Buying Tips with 1 Comment

Many people go to car dealerships to buy a car without looking for anything specific in terms of what the dealership has to offer. This is a common mistake that many make. Here are six things to look for when going to car dealerships before buying.

A Negotiable Salesman or Dealership

Regardless of whether you are buying a new or used car, you want to get the best deal possible. The only way you will get a good deal is by being able to negotiate with either the dealer or car salesman present. Usually, car dealerships are mostly focused on turning over inventory. Meanwhile, salesmen are interested in hitting their quotas, which will bring them more money. Some more expensive cars and junk cars may not have much wiggle room in terms of price, but in many cases, one can lower the price simply by negotiating. If the dealership you are at doesn’t allow you to negotiate, you can almost certainly be assured that another will.

Reviews

Do your research before purchasing from any given dealership. Many dealerships have Yelp or Google pages that can help you in seeing if the dealership is good. Talk to others in the area who have worked with them and read online reviews.

Being Able to Get an Appointment with the Sales Manager

Meeting with the dealership’s sales manager shows to them that you are serious about purchasing the vehicle in question, and you know what you’re doing. Ultimately, it will also help you with getting a better deal on your next vehicle.

They Do Credit Checks

Serious car dealerships will do a thorough and reputable credit check through a company like NCC Direct, Inc. You will want to know your own credit history, as a less reputable dealership may try to rip you off by saying your credit is not worthy of a better interest rate.

Coupons

Many dealerships will accept coupons, most likely obtained online or in a circular. Even if a specific dealership doesn’t accept coupons, it doesn’t hurt trying.

Competitive Prices

Although this ties into coupons, it deserves its own category because you absolutely do not want to overpay. A good dealership will have competitive prices, whether that is reflected in the sticker price, or a policy such as price matching.

These are six effective ways to evaluate whether one should visit a specific car dealership. While thorough, this list is by no means exhaustive, and you should do all your research before buying a car.

Road Trip Safety: Six Tips To Protect Your Family And Your Car While On The Road

by Carsurfer Admin on 2015/08/10 in On the Road with Comments Off

There’s nothing like a good road trip for creating cherished family memories and seeing the country. Before you hit the pavement, it’s important to check a few items off of your to-do list. At a minimum, do the following if you’re setting out on a long-range road trip with the family.=

Do Your Research First

If there are kids and spouses and involved, a road trip shouldn’t be all about spontaneity. Pick stopping points for each night and throughout the day based on the progress that you’d like to make. Look for areas with varied lodging options and decent food close by.

Get the Car Tuned Up

Nothing turns a journey into a nightmare faster than a dead alternator or a busted CV joint. Take your vehicle to a mechanic a week or two before the trip and have them inspect it. A few bucks spent on preventative maintenance can save thousands down the line.

Learn to Pace Yourself

When planning your drive, be sure to give yourself plenty of breathing room in the timetable department. There will always be unexpected delays that eat up time. Factor in stops at rest stations for the purposes of stretching your legs and staving off highway hypnosis.

Bring an Emergency Kit

At a minimum, your trunk or cargo area should be stocked with a floor jack, a full spare tire and some road flares. An emergency tire patch kit as well as some flashlights are always great choices. While you’re at it, stock some non-perishable food items such as energy bars and water in case you get stranded for a short time. You should always have a car emergency kit on hand, especially while on a road trip.

Diversify Your Assets

The worst time to find out that your debit card has been frozen is when you’re hundreds of miles from home. Keep an array of cards on hand in case one is denied. Take out a few hundred dollars in cash and hide it in your car for worst-case scenarios.

Invest in Communications

Cell phone reliability varies greatly from region to region. A set of walkie-talkies will keep you in touch if you’re traveling in tandem with another car or stopped for the night at a camp ground. Install a few messaging apps on your phone in case you have to rely on public Wi-Fi for communication.

A little planning goes a long way when you’re embarking on a cross-country trip. A lot can go wrong when you least expect it, after all. For example, car accidents can ruin any road trip. A professional like Farhan Naqvi should be contacted right away if you were injured due to someone else’s neglect. Even with all the right precautions, you can’t predict what other truck drivers will do if they are being a careless driver. If you heed the tips laid out above, you’ll greatly improve the odds of an incident-free road trip.