Florida
Car Accident Lawyer Blog

While most Florida car accidents take place on the roads, the simple act of filling up your car or stopping at a gas station also has its hazards. Some serious Florida burn injuries take place at gas pumps. In many cases, gas station accidents are entirely preventable, simply by:

1) Obeying gas station signs. Most gas stations have signs clearly indicating no smoking and no cell phone use at the pumps. It is vital to follow these directions, since most gas stations have seen plenty of gas spilled and gas is highly flammable. Just having a lit cigarette near the fumes and spilled gas can lead to tragedy.

2) Being careful when pulling into and out of gas stations. At certain times of day, there are bottlenecks and busy periods at most gas stations. Cars may jockey for space at the pumps and some motorists are more aggressive than others when trying to get gas. Slow down and stay alert. Some Florida car accidents take place each year at gas stations, and Florida pedestrian accidents are also likely at a station where motorists are zipping to and from their cars.

3) Keeping your face away when pouring gas. Whether pumping gas at a pump or pouring gas into a container, keep your face well away. Gas in the eye area stings and burns as well. If you get gas in your eye, rinse your eyes very well with water. Your eyes may sting for a few hours. If your eyes do not get better, see a physician.

4) Using extra caution when pouring gas into gas cans. It is easy to spill gas in this way and get gas in your eyes. Always fill gas cans on the ground (never in a car or truck bed) and wear protective goggles or eye wear if possible to prevent contact with your eyes. If you need to fill a container with gas, make sure that it is a container designed for storing gasoline and is in good condition. An incorrect container can cause gas spills, which can lead to burns.

5) Avoiding stepping in and out of your car while you pump has. The simple static this causes can cause a fire and burn injuries. Gasoline has a flash point of only -40 F, making it very flammable.

6) Washing your hands thoroughly after pouring or pumping gasoline. If you rub your eyes without washing your hands first, you could irritate the eye area. As well, you don’t want to grab a sandwich and end up eating gasoline with your snack.

According to The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, there are two deaths each day across the country in work zones. At this time of year, construction sites and road work zones are more prevalent as the nice weather permits building work which cannot always be completed in the winter. However, drivers out for summer errands are not always cautious about slowing down or staying well out of the way of crews and workers, and this can and does cause many Florida truck accidents and car accidents each summer. According to experts, there are several things that drivers can do to make roadways safer for everyone:

1) Stay alert to construction work and road work signs. In most areas, signage is posted well ahead. Stay alert to these signs and pay attention to the new speed limits, hazards, and lane changes in the area. Being prepared can ensure that you can ease into the new driving situation carefully.

2) Stay alert for others in the construction area. Work areas have a way of pushing everyone together – pedestrians, motorists, city workers, trucks, and bicyclists. You need to be cautious about these other individuals sharing the road with you. Each year, serious Florida bicycle accidents and pedestrian accidents occur at work sites. Make sure to stay alert and be prepared for the fact that some pedestrian and bicyclists may not be obeying the rules.

3) Always obey the posted speed limits in work zones and construction areas. Many Florida construction site accidents occur when motorists surpass safe speed limits. While it may be frustrating to have to slow down if you are in a hurry, there are workers working only a few feet away from you. When you speed, you increase the chances that you will hit and injure one of these workers.

4) Maintain a larger distance between you and the car in front of you. Construction vehicles may be pulling in and out of the work zone, and this can cause sudden stoppages in traffic. A larger distance gives you more space to stop safely, without rear-ending the car in front of you.

5) Use extra caution around the flag person. The flag person or flagger is standing in the road area and you need to obey their signage. However, do not just go because a flag person waves you on. Check traffic first to make sure it is safe to do so. Each year, accidents are caused by a small mistake or miscommunication between a flagger and motorist.

According to Allstate, May, June, July, and August are the deadliest months for teen drivers, with the majority of teen car accidents taking place during these months. Each year, according to statistics, about 5,000 teen drivers die on the roads. In addition, many more Florida young drivers are seriously hurt or cause serious Florida pedestrian accidents or bicycle accidents on the roads. Even with graduated licensing programs, which the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration claims can reduce car accidents by 20-50%, teens are still at risk for motor vehicle accidents, especially at this time of year.

According to experts, there are many things that parents can do to help their children drive safely this summer:

1) Remind your child to use a seat belt each time they drive. Many Florida brain injuries sustained in car accidents take place because a passenger or driver failed to wear a seat belt. It takes only a few seconds to buckle up, but it can prevent your teen from flying through a windshield in the event of an accident.

2) Give your child license to call you at any time for a ride with no questions asked – and stick to it. Make sure that your teen never drives drunk. Underage Florida drunk driving accidents claim far too many lives each year. Many teens fear the repercussions if their parents find out that they have been drinking or doing drugs, which is why a “no questions, no punishment” rule is important.

3) Tell your teen driver about the dangers of speeding. Speeding reduces response times and increases the odds of fatalities in the event of a collision. Speeding also makes it more likely that minor traffic mistakes end up becoming serious accidents.

4) Enforce a no-distraction rule. Distracted driving causes many Florida car accidents involving young drivers. Young drivers, especially, need to focus on the road as they perfect their driving skills. You may want to institute a no-passenger ban until your teen has honed their driving skills. Also, make sure that your teen does not talk or text on a cell phone when driving. Consider calling them up when you know they will be driving. If they pick up, set an appropriate punishment.

There are many Florida laws which govern drinking and driving as well as drinking in the state. Despite the laws, however, Florida pedestrian accidents and traffic accidents continue to be caused by alcohol. In 2008, Florida saw 1,041 drunk driving fatalities, making it the third state in the nation for the total number of DUI fatalities. If you have been injured in a Florida drunk driving accident, you will want to be aware of these laws:

1) Florida laws regarding legal age to consume, buy, or possess alcohol: In Florida, you must be at least 21 years of age to buy, drink, or possess alcohol. A first conviction for underage drinking or possession can lead to a $500 fine and 60 days incarceration while a second offence can result in a year of incarceration and a $1000 fine. It is also illegal to sell, give, or serve alcohol to minors. If someone serves a minor in a bar and that minor then causes a car accident, the establishment serving the alcohol can be held partly liable for the accident under Florida’s dram shop laws.

2) Florida laws regarding open containers of alcohol in cars: Unless open containers of alcohol are stored in a locked trunk or other secured area, they are not permitted in motor vehicles in Florida. Open containers include not only cups and alcohol but also any bottle, flask, or can that has been opened and contains any amount of alcohol.

3) Florida DUI laws: Florida motorists are not allowed to drive with a blood-alcohol level of .08 percent or higher. Drivers who are 21 years of age or younger are not allowed to drive with a blood-alcohol level of .02 percent or higher. Drivers over the age of 21 who violate this law may face up to six months in jail, a $1000 fine, and suspension of their license for a year. Drivers under the age of 21 who drive under the influence have their license suspended for six months. A second offense results in a one year license suspension.

4) Florida licensing laws: Section 562.12 of the Florida Statutes requires all establishments selling alcohol beverages to be licensed. This includes convenience stores, bars, restaurants, and retail stores. Establishments can lose their licenses for selling alcohol to minors.

In Florida, as in most of the country, teens need to be 16 years old and properly licensed to operate a motor vehicle. Despite this, some parents allow their underage and unlicensed children to drive a car. In some cases, children simply take their parents’ car without permission. Unfortunately, some driving video games give children the impression that they can drive. If these underage drivers cause a traffic accident, the resulting legal actions can be quite complex because in many cases it is the parents who are held liable for their children’s behavior.

While there are not very many Florida car accidents caused by underage drivers, underage driving is a concern. Unlicensed minors do not have the training or knowledge to operate a car and are therefore far more likely to cause car accidents, pedestrian accidents, and other traffic problems. In most cases, children under the age of 16 who are caught by police behind the wheel of a car are not driving correctly, which is how they are noticed in the first place. In many instances, these children have already caused some property damage or an accident before they are pulled over.

FL Statute 322.35 clearly states that no person can allow their ward or child under the age of 18 to drive their car if the minor is not authorized to do so. The driver's manual for Florida indicates that allowing an unlicensed person to drive your car can result in a fine or even jail time.

In many cases, Florida underage drivers face up to 60 days in jail and a $500 fine on the first offence because the incident is often classified as a second-degree misdemeanor. Second offenses are often given a $1000 fine and a year in jail while third offenses are usually classified as a third-degree felony, which can carry a $5000 fine and up to five years of jail time. If an underage driver causes an accident that results in a brain injury or other serious brain injury, usually the parents of the driver face legal action as the victims of the accident try to recover the costs of lost income and medical bills. The owner of the car or the child’s parents may also face jail time and fines, even if no lawsuit is filed.

In many accidents involving underage drivers, speed and carelessness are a contributing factor. In some cases, the untrained and unlicensed drivers simply do not know the rules of the road and therefore cannot adhere to them. In other cases, underage drivers cannot reach the floor pedals or correctly see in the mirrors because they are too young and too small to drive a car. In some cases, fatal Florida car accidents have been caused by drivers who were ten years old or younger.

If you have sustained an injury as a result of a Florida car accident caused by an underage driver, you will need a qualified Florida personal injury attorney. Such cases are challenging. Underage drivers obviously have no insurance and the insurance provider for the car’s owner is typically reluctant to pay any claims on the incident because no underage driver was supposed to be driving the vehicle. In many cases, parents of the driver will not admit to allowing their underage driver to take the car. It takes a good Florida attorney and a team of investigators, in many cases, to determine a pattern of negligence that allowed the driver to get behind the wheel of the car.

Most Florida parents are happy when their teens eventually get their license. While most parents of course worry about Florida car accident statistics and hope that their child is never in a serious car crash, most parents do not worry about the liability and the legal risks they take on when their teen gets behind the wheel. However, it is true: parents can be held partly responsible for any accident their underage teen driver causes. There are many ways that parents can face a lawsuit:

1) By signing a driver’s license application for your minor driver. In most cases, your signature means that you are liable for the negligent driving – and the accidents it causes – of your teen driver. This liability lasts until the teen’s eighteenth birthday. Some insurance policies cover this liability, but you need to speak to your insurance provider to determine whether your policy covers it. The only way to avoid this liability is to withdraw your support via the Florida department of motor vehicles. You can also wait until your child is 18 before allowing them a license. Otherwise, you are partly liable if your teen is one of the hundreds each year that causes a Florida drunk driving accident or a pedestrian accident.

2) By being the registered owner of the vehicle your teen drives. Many parents buy their teen’s first car or have at least partial ownership. Sometimes, this is done as a gift or to keep insurance costs down. Either way, if your teen driver is under eighteen and you are listed as the owner of their vehicle, you may be held partly liable if your teen’s negligence leads to a car accident in Florida. Even if you are not officially the owner of the car but helped to pay for the car, you could be held liable. If you should have known that your teen was unqualified to drive (because of a drinking problem or a tendency to speed) you might also be liable for considerable punitive damages.

3) By being aware of your teen’s problems. If you knew that your teen driver had an alcohol problem, drug problem, or other behavioral problem that could make them dangerous behind the wheel, you could be held partly liable for gross negligence if you did not take enough steps to prevent your child from endangering others by driving. This type of supervision liability is not usually covered by car insurance or homeowner’s insurance and the punitive damages that can result if you are found liable can be substantial.

4) By not having enough insurance. Florida drivers with teenage drivers in their house need an excellent car insurance policy and an umbrella coverage on top of that. Look for a policy with plenty of liability coverage. If your insurance does not cover a car accident your teen has caused, you could find your personal assets in threatened. A serious Florida car accident, however, can easily cause millions of dollars in damages, so you need to ensure that your insurance can cover these costs so that your assets stay safe.

Although the legal drinking age in the US is 21, many teenagers do drink. In some cases, teens ask older adults to buy alcohol for them or rely on fake ID in order to procure drinks. When teens become licensed to drive, underage drinking becomes even more of a problem. Each year, underage Florida drinkers cause some of Florida’s drunk driving accidents. These accidents lead to spinal cord injuries, fatalities, brain injuries, and other life-altering injuries.

If you have been injured in a drunk driving accident involving an underage drinker, there may be several people who are liable for the accident. The insurance company of the driver will generally cover part of your medical costs, lost income, and other expenses associated with your accident. However, in cases where an underage person has been granted access to alcohol and has then caused an accident because of drunk driving, other parties may be held liable as well.

Florida’s dram shop law, sometimes called the drunk driving law, allows victims who have been injured in a drunk driving accident to pursue legal action against the licensed companies who have knowingly served alcohol to a minor. Victims can pursue hotels, bars, restaurants – or anyone who serves alcohol to minors. If a bar or other licensed venue overlooks an obviously fake ID or fails to ID a young driver, that licensed venue may be held party liable if the patron then gets into an accident after leaving the establishment.

As well, parents of Florida teens who cause drunk driving accidents by serving alcohol to their teens may also be held partly liable. If parents serve alcohol to their teens, they may be held partly liable if their teens drive drunk. Even if parents keep alcohol in an open place and know their teens may be drinking, they may be held liable. As well, anyone hosting a party or event can be held partly liable if they serve alcohol to a minor who then causes a drunk driving accident after leaving the event.

The one exception to Florida’s drunk driving or dram shop law is liquor stores. Since liquor stores sell alcohol in closed containers, they do not face the same responsibilities and are not held by the same strict liability limitations as licensed establishments or party hosts. In most cases, although liquor stores are supposed to ask for ID and are supposed to refuse to sell alcohol to minors, they will not be held liable if a minor purchases alcohol and then causes a car accident after drinking that alcohol.

If you have sustained a serious injury in Florida that has been caused by a drunk teen driver, you need to hire a good Florida personal injury attorney. Unfortunately, in these cases, proving and establishing liability is challenging. Attorneys usually rely on video camera surveillance and bar transaction records to prove that a minor was served alcohol. Proving that a minor was served alcohol at a private party is even more challenging, which why attorneys often hire Florida private investigators to get to the bottom of these cases.

While many young Florida drivers are responsible and safe drivers, young drivers as a whole are more likely to make specific types of driving mistakes which can and do contribute to Florida pedestrian accidents and car accidents:

1) Speeding. Car accidents involving young Florida drivers often include speeding. In 2005, a study conducted by the National Institutes of Health found that teen drivers tend to drive 1.3 mph than drivers of other age groups. Younger drivers sometimes feel invincible or lack the experience to keep track of their speed. As well, many drivers do not yet have the driving skills to deal with sudden obstacles at high speeds, making them more likely to be in a collision when they do exceed the speed limit.

2) Distracted driving. A 2007 survey by State Farm Insurance found that half of teen drivers admitted to talking on their cell phones while driving. A 2006 Virginia Tech survey found that distracted driving contributed to nearly 80% of traffic accidents. Other studies have concluded that texting while driving is as dangerous as drunk driving.

3) Timid driving. While some young Florida drivers speed, others feel uncertain behind the wheel and drive too slowly or uncertainty. This, too, can lead to a car accident or bicycle accident. Going too slowly on exit ramps or highways or hesitating when changing lanes can slow down traffic and cause dangerous bottlenecks.

4) Risk-taking. Teen drivers will sometimes take risks – such as failing to slow down in bad weather or failing to check blind spots. Such risk-taking leads to Florida pedestrian accidents, car accidents, and other types of accidents. Studies conducted by Cornell and Stanford researchers have found that teen minds seem more predisposed to risk-taking and impulsive action.

5) Brining too many passengers. Your drivers will sometimes fill their cars to excess, something that the NIH has concluded can increase risk-taking and aggressive driving. The NIH has found that both male and female teen drivers are more likely to tailgate and speed when male passengers drive in the front seat. A 2000 Johns Hopkins University study found that 16-year-old drivers faced double the risk of a fatal car accident when driving with passengers. When the same drivers had three or more passengers, their risk of being in a fatal car accident tripled.

6) Drunk driving. Numerous studies have suggested that teens drink. Drinking and driving not only leads to poor motor skills, distraction, and accidents, but it can also cause teens to make poor choices behind the wheel. For example, studies have shown that teens who drink and drive are less likely to wear seat belts. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, 74% of 15- to 20-year-olds killed in drunk driving accidents in 2003 were not wearing a seat belt at the time of their accident. When Florida teens do not wear their seat belts, any car accident is more likely to result in Florida brain injuries, spinal cord injuries, and other serious injuries.

The country as a whole has a graying population, but Florida is a popular retirement destination, which means that the state has an even larger proportion of elderly drivers. This has created some challenges on the roads, but Florida has implemented many strategies in recent years to help drivers of all ages drive safely with fewer car accidents:

1) Mandatory eye testing. In 2004, Florida created a mandatory vision screening program for elderly drivers. The program required drivers over the age of 80 to submit to mandatory eye testing and to pass basic vision testing in order to continue driving. According to a study published by the University of Alabama at Birmingham, the Florida law reduced fatal car accidents involving elderly drivers by 17%.

2) Improved road visibility. Since 1991, Florida has introduced a number of innovations to improve visibility on the roads. For example, state highway pavement stripes have been increased in size from 4 inches wide to 6 inches wide. Where middle-of-the-road reflective pavement markings were once 80 feet apart, they are now 40 feet apart. Florida has also increased more “advance” street signs (to give drivers more time to prepare for a turn) and has made street name signs larger.

3) More visible crosswalks. Since research has suggested that Florida pedestrian accidents are more common in cities with high percentages of elderly drivers, Florida has placed more “refuge islands” in the center of roadways and has included more high-visibility crosswalks to keep pedestrians safer and more visible.

4) Florida has created its own GrandDriver program. Based on the American Association of Motor Vehicle Administrators GrandDriver program, the Florida GrandDriver helps to educate and support elderly drivers who need to make adjustments to the way that they drive. The Florida GrandDriver program works with social workers, health care professionals, and senior organizations to raise awareness about the issues surrounding elderly driving decisions. The program also helps seniors find alternative means of transportation and helps them to make decisions about safe driving.

5) Improved public transit. Many cities across Florida have been offering public and alternative transportation to elderly drivers who can no longer drive safely and who need to give up their keys. Most cities offer easy-to-use public transit systems, senior discounts, and other incentives for the elderly.

A recent study released by researchers found that parents have a blind spot when it comes to their teen’s sexuality. That is, most parents are in deep denial about their teen’s activities, claiming that while other teens may be sexually active, their own children would never do that sort of thing. It would be interesting if researchers did some studies about the blind spots parents have when it comes to their teens’ driving. Researcher might reveal that parents might also be in denial about:

1) Teen driving ability. Driving ability among young drivers varies widely. While no one wants to think of their teen as a bad driver, the fact is that even after passing state licensing training and testing, some teen drivers are timid or distracted on the roads, making them a danger. The good news is that if parents notice poor driving skills early, extra training can quickly and easily help resolve the problem. Even additional practice can help make teens stronger drivers.

2) Teen susceptibility to peer pressure. Even when teens know the rules, friends may pressure them to bend or break the rules. In a car, this can be dangerous. Peer pressure can encourage a teen driver to text while driving, to drink and drive, or to speed and race – all dangerous activities that can easily lead to an accident, even if they don’t become habits. Parents who suspect that their teen is susceptible to peer pressure should have a “no friends or passengers in the car” rule in place for teen drivers.

3) Bad teen driving habits. Bad driving habits get created early. A teen can even learn bad habits from friends, driving instructors, or parents. However, following too closely, texting while driving, and other bad habits can easily cause an accident. The more a young driver indulges in bad habits, the higher the car collision risk. If you notice your teen driver developing bad habits, it may be time for additional training. If caught early, bad habits are easy to break.

4) Teen speeding. Some young drivers speed because of peer pressure while others simply do not see anything wrong with going fast. Other teens get into trouble because they have not learned to keep an eye on the odometer. In any event, young drivers may not have the defensive driving skills to avoid a collision while speeding. Worse, it can be hard for parents to tell if their teens frequently exceed posted speed limits – in most cases, speeding leaves no clues until it causes an accident.

5) Teen drinking. Most parents do not want to believe that their teens drink – and teens go to great lengths to hide their underage drinking. However, statistics show that teens drink heavily. According to statistics gathered by We Don't Serve Teens: A National Campaign to Prevent Underage Drinking, 24% of high school seniors and 16% of sophomores report binge drinking. The U.S. Surgeon General reports that about 5,000 children under the age of 21 die annually due to underage drinking. According to FirstEagle.com, 70% of all teenaged children drink alcohol and about 60% of teen car accident fatalities are related to alcohol consumption. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, three out of four high school students admit to drinking alcohol and nearly three million Americans between the ages of 12 and 20 have an alcohol problem. The reality is that teens do drink – parents need to have a “call anytime, no questions asked” policy in place to ensure that teens do not get behind the wheel after drinking.

When driving around, we rarely consider thunderstorms as a risk factor for car accidents, but accidents do occur when summer thunderstorms roll in. Each year, about 212 people are killed in thunderstorms and many more suffer from serious injuries. Some of these injuries are a result of direct lighting strikes or flooding, but some are attributed to car accidents related to the storms.

One of the biggest problems with thunderstorms is that they can very quickly affect your visibility. When a thunderstorm comes, it can quickly create dark skies, so it is important to turn on your headlights at the first sign of darkness. However, blinding rain can be an even bigger problem. Many drivers do not pull over in heavy rain, but very heavy rain can make it impossible for you to see pedestrians, bicyclists, and even other cars – making the possibility of a pedestrian accident or car accident far more likely.

Another major risk factor with storms is lighting. Although your car is actually one of the safer places for you to be in the event of a thunderstorm, a strike of lighting may still strike your car. If it does, you will likely remain safe but you could temporarily lose control of your car, putting you at risk of an accident. You do not even have to be that close for lighting to strike; lighting can strike up to 10 miles from a rainfall area.

Flash flooding is another major risk during a thunderstorm. Heavy rains can cause dry creeks or rivers to suddenly overflow or can cause flooding on roads when sewers cannot handle the excess water. This can cause your brakes to malfunction or can cause your car to hydroplane. Flash floods can also cause mudslides and other serious hazards for the driver.

Distraction is another concern for drivers during a thunderstorm. Drivers may be anxious about the storm and may end up watching the skies more than the roads, which can lead to truck accidents, car accidents, and other types of collisions. The more severe the weather, the more likely drivers are to focus on the weather rather than on adjusting their driving for the weather conditions.

String winds can cause power lines, trees, and branches to suddenly fall into the road, creating multiple car collisions, damage to cars, and sudden obstacles. Drivers need to slow down and be prepared for the unexpected in a storm. If a storm has hurricane-strength winds, the car itself may be buffeted about or simply swept up in the storm.

Thunderstorms can also cause poor road conditions, which can be a danger to drivers. Excessive water can make the roads slippery. In some cases, thunderstorms come with hail or freezing rain, which can make the streets even more icy and treacherous.

The best solution during a thunderstorm is to monitor weather conditions carefully. If possible, avoid driving during or just before a thunderstorm, so that you are not trapped in your car during extreme weather. Before driving anywhere this summer, make sure that you have a roadside emergency kit in your car in case you are trapped in your car. If you must travel in bad weather or if you get caught in bad weather, listen to your car radio for weather updates. Try to pull over or stop over somewhere if the reports seem ominous. If the weather gets worse, pull over to the side of the road and seek shelter rather than attempting to drive through the storm.

In the summer, more animals tend to be killed on or near roads. As we develop land in what was once wildlife areas, more and more animals are displaced and are forced into areas that are shared with people. Unfortunately, animals do tend to panic around cars and run into traffic when scared, often causing car accidents. A larger animal can cause serous damage to your car in a collision and can even cause serious injuries such as head injuries, amputations, or spinal cord injuries. A smaller animal can cause multiple-car accidents and serious injuries as drivers swerve to avoid the animal. To avoid animal and car collisions, drivers need to:

1) Watch for signs indicating wildlife crossings. In many areas, road signs indicate locations where wild animals are most likely to appear. Slowing down in these areas is important, since speeding ensures you won’t be able to stop in time if you do see an animal on the road.

2) Use extra caution when driving near wooded areas and fields – even when no signs are present. Just because there are no signs indicating a wildlife or animal crossing, that does not mean that there is no chance of animals on the road. Any field or wooded area likely has a number of animals living there, so unless there is a tall fence around the area, scan the wooded area, field, or side of the road to anticipate any animals.

3) Keep an eye out at the car behind them. Keep an eye on your rear-view mirrors and get a sense of how close the car behind you is. If an animal darts out in front of you, this is vital information to know, as it will tell you whether you have enough space to stop suddenly. Since cars generally do stop suddenly to avoid animals, it is a good idea to stay well clear of other cars on the road – leave yourself enough space to stop suddenly if the car in front of you brake without warning.

4) Remember to look for pets. In residential areas, pets and raccoons are abundant in summer. Many people allow their pets to roam in the warmer months, and these animals may simply dart out between parked cars. Worse, small children will sometimes run out after a beloved pet. Slow down in residential areas and scan the sides of the road, especially in areas where parked cars mean reduced visibility.

5) Avoid driving late at night and early in the morning. Nocturnal animals and in fact most animals tend to be most active at these times, when human activity is minimal and when the temperature is cooler. If you must drive early in the morning or late at night, slow down and use extra caution. Adjust your driving to make up for your own fatigue and for the darkness.

In the summer, many families are more on the road than ever. Parents drive their children to summer camp, summer school, the mall, and summer sports activities. Plus, many families go out on family outings more often during the summer, take road trips, and visit friends. While the beautiful weather can make a drive more pleasant, all the added traffic on the roads is anything but safe. To get to your summer activities safely, make sure that you:

1) Don’t overbook yourself. Driving too much, too often can lead to driver fatigue, which is as risky as drunk driving, according to many experts. Share the responsibilities with a spouse or teenager or help your children find alternative ways to get to summer activities.

2) Rely on carpooling. Carpooling is a great way to prevent overbooking yourself and is much kinder on the environment. If your children have regular activities, you can probably make a carpool arrangement with other parents.

3) Get organized before you leave. Bring water, snacks, and entertainment in the car. Have a map (if you need one) ready. A few minutes of organization can help ensure a smooth car ride – whether you’re going to the cottage, summer camp, or on a summer trip.

4) Turn off distractions. Turn off your cell phone, mobile device, and any other distractions. If you are driving with children, have your children bring earphones so that they can listen to music or movies without distracting you. If you are traveling with a pet, keep the pet in a cage or small kennel to prevent the animal from getting into trouble – and distracting you from your driving.

5) Bring sunglasses, a hat, and sunscreen. Summer sun can be as much of a driving hazard as winter rain and snow. Sun can wreak havoc with your visibility and sunglasses as well as a hat can help you cut glare – especially if you also use your sun visor. As well, sunscreen can help prevent a painful burn, which could make driving uncomfortable. Bringing a bottle of water on trips is also a good idea, since dehydration can make you feel dizzy and sleepy, not alert and fit to drive.

6) Stop to look at sights. If you are taking a summer drive or want to take in a view, pull over first. During summer, there are more pedestrians, drivers, and bicyclists on the road, making pedestrian accidents, car accidents, and bicycle accidents that much more likely. Driving while trying to look at a nice view increases the chances that you will be in an accident, so schedule frequent stops for breaks and for enjoyment.

During the summer, there are two additional hazards in the roads: more vehicles on the roads and more pedestrians. This creates the risk of car accidents and pedestrian accidents. Quite simply, once the weather gets nice, many people take the opportunity to go for a drive. Teens out of school for the summer take to the streets in their cars and many children are ferried to and from summer activities by busy parents. At the same time, children and entire families enjoy the beautiful weather on foot or bicycle, bicycling along streets or talking long, leisurely walks. Even with more vehicles and pedestrians, you can stay safe this summer. Start by:

1) Accounting for sun driving conditions. In the summer, you need to be aware of some weather conditions. For example, bright sunlight and glare can distract you and can blind you to obstacles on the road. Keep a spare set of sunglasses or clip-ons (if you wear glasses) in your glove compartment for bright days and make sure to use your visors as needed.

2) Keeping your cool. Warm weather can be its own distraction, and can even make you sleepy, which is a danger when you are driving. Getting dehydrated or overly warm can also cause heatstroke or sunstroke, two conditions which can leave you unable to drive and can even cause dizzy spells or fainting. When driving, use air conditioner or keep windows open. Use a cover, if you need it, to keep your steering wheel cool (so that you can grip it firmly and maintain good control of your vehicle). Finally, always have water on hand and keep yourself well hydrated by taking sips when you are pulled over.

3) Taking note of high-risk areas along your regular routes. Camp areas and parks with street parking can be dangerous areas, since children can dart out suddenly from these spots. Swimming pools and crossing areas for walking and biking trails are also spots where there are more pedestrians. Stay extra alert in these areas – young pedestrians may not look first before darting across a street. You can often prevent a bicycle accident or another collision just by knowing where to look twice.

4) Staying focused. Talking on your cell phone or texting while driving are very dangerous activities at any time of year. In the summer, however, when more children or pedestrians are around, distracted driving can even more easily become deadly.

5) Avoid drinking. By now, just about everyone knows that drunk driving accidents cause senseless deaths and injuries each year. However, people continue to drive drunk, and summer holidays are a time when many drunk driving accidents happen. There are more temptations in the summer – outdoor events with beer tents or barbeques where drinks are served. As well, hot weather and dehydration can mean that even one alcoholic drink makes you woozy and unfocused. It’s best to have a simple rule year-round when it comes to alcohol: don’t drive, even on just one drink.

Fatigued drivers are dangerous drivers. Drivers who are very tired have the same response rates as intoxicated drivers who cause drunk driving accidents. It is the responsibility of all driver to ensure that they are well-rested and alert. Simply drinking coffee will not help. Drivers need to be proactive in preventing accidents caused by fatigued driving.

Long trips are dangerous for driver fatigue, as they require long hours as well as many hours of concentrating on the road. To prevent fatigue on long trips, drivers need to plan ahead. Drivers need to allow themselves plenty of time to arrive at their destination. Drivers should also plan their breaks before they leave the house. Using the Internet, drivers should make a plan to stop at least every two hours and should locate rest stops on their route at which to take breaks. Planning breaks is as important as planning your trip, as it ensures that you will get regular breaks.

If you are going on a very long, overnight trip, you will need to do additional planning. Book a hotel or motel room so that you can get a good night’s rest. At the very least, identify motels where you might stay and determine check-in times. You will want to stop at a hotel or motel while you can still check in. For a very long trip, try to get a second driver if at all possible. An alternative driver will allow you to take more frequent breaks, which can prevent highway hypnosis and the fatigue caused simply by concentrating on driving for hours at a time. As well, traveling with a companion is simply more fun.

Another way drivers can prevent fatigued driving accidents is to simply change their own attitudes. Most drivers get into car accidents or caused fatigue-related pedestrian accidents because they simply do not stop driving when they become tired. They press on, believing that they can make it to their destination or the next rest stop. Unfortunately, this belief often leads to accidents. The best thing that drivers can do is notice signs of fatigue and pull over for a rest as soon as they notice these signs.

Trips in the early morning and late at night are especially risky. Since most people sleep during the late night and early morning, drivers are more likely to be fatigued and sleepy at these times, even with a nap or a sleep. Try to avoid driving late at night and early in the morning. If you do need to drive at these times, give yourself extra time to get to your destination. Also, avoid smoking, since it can affect night vision.

There are many environmental and secondary factors which can help prevent driver fatigue. For example, what you eat and drink before driving can affect your fatigue levels. Heavy, fatty, and sugary foods can make you feel more tired, which is why it is better to drink plenty of water and healthy meals before driving. Also, alcohol should be avoided entirely before driving. Even if you stay below the blood alcohol limit, even one drink of alcohol can make you sleepy and can make you a danger on the road. Another tip for drivers is to create alertness through environment. Using your air conditioner and bringing your seat to an upright position can help you stay more alert.

According to the U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), about 100 000 reported car accidents involve driver fatigue or driver fatigue, and the NHTSA warns that many more unreported crashes and near-collisions may be caused by tired drivers behind the wheel. Fatigue-related car accidents result in 71, 000 personal injuries, 1,500 deaths, and $12.5 billion in damages each year, according to the NHTSA. Tired drivers are a common problem, and the problem is costing lives.

Farmers Insurance has reported that over 10% of drivers have fallen asleep while driving while another 20% of drivers polled admitted to dozing briefly while driving. Men between ages 55 to 64 are most likely to fall asleep at the wheel. The problem is compounded by the fact that it is hard to determine whether fatigue has caused an accident. Breathalyzer tests can determine whether an accident is a drunk driving accident, but no similar test exists for sleepy driving. After an accident, the signs of driver fatigue may be hard to detect and prove.

According to Farmers Insurance, part of the problem seems to be driver under-education as well as driver recklessness. According to a Farmers Insurance survey, 41.2% of drivers claim they have continued to drive even while feeling drowsy. In the survey, 59% of drivers claimed that they turned on the air conditioning or opened a window when sleepy to waken themselves. Another 57.7% of drivers listened to music to stay awake, while 46.3% stopped to drink or eat to revive themselves. 42.3% of drivers surveyed said they used caffeine to try to stay awake. The problem is that while drivers may think that such activities are helping them stay safe on the road, according to American Institute of Chartered Personal Casualty such tactics not been proven to prevent sleep or drowsing off.

Experts agree that the only proven way to deal with drowsiness is to pull over and stop driving. Letting someone else take over the driving (assuming they are more rested) is one solution. If there is no one else in the car, it is a good idea to pull over and take a 20-minute nap. However, after napping it is important not to keep driving. After a nap, experts advise that drivers drive to the nearest spot – such as a friend’s home or a motel – for a proper sleep. When drivers are so tired that they are unsafe behind the wheel, proper rest is the only safe antidote.

In some cases, drivers are tired because they have an underlying condition or are not getting enough rest at night. A doctor’s visit and more sleep can often help cure these problems. Drivers who are routinely tired behind the wheel should also speak to their pharmacists – a bevy of over the counter and prescription medications can create drowsiness and sleepiness. It is essential to never drive after taking such medication.

In some cases, drivers become fatigued after driving for long distances. On long road trips, it is essential to stop every night for a good rest. As well, it is important to plan ahead. Driver need to rest well every two hours on the road. In many cases, it is safer to have two or more drivers per car, so that drivers can take shifts. On long trips, it is also best to plan to drive during daylight hours. Late nights and early mornings are when most fatigue-related car accidents take place.

Collisions are not the only type of car accident which can cause injuries to children. In the summer, a car does not have to be in motion for a child to be seriously injured or killed. Each year, children die after being left in a hot car. In fact, since 1998, 454 children in the US have been killed after being left in a hot car. In some cases, children were left for only a short period of time while in other cases, children were left on relatively mild days.

The truth is that children should never be left alone in a car, especially in the summer. Parking in the shade, cracking open the window, or only leaving the child alone for a minute are not adequate excuses. Even in all these cases, children can be seriously injured, dehydrated, or even killed due to suffocation and hyperthermia. On a summer day, temperatures in a car can reach 120 to 140 degrees within minutes. Temperatures can soar that high even with a window rolled down a bit and even on a mild day. Temperatures of 120 to 140 degrees can easily lead to fever, seizures, heat stroke, severe dehydration, and death. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety a locked car’s interior can climb from 78 degrees to 100 degrees in three minutes and can reach 125 degrees in six minutes.

There are many ways to prevent these types of tragedies. The best solution is to simply take your child with you whenever you step out of the car, for even a moment. Many parents find it helpful to remove their child from the car first, whenever they step out of the car. This helps prevent any possible oversights. Pinning a reminder to the dashboard can also help. Parents, babysitters, child car providers, and day care workers should also communicate well about expectations regarding child safety and car safety. Proper communication can also help prevent the type of accident which occurs when a child is left in a hot car because one caregiver believes the child is with another caregiver.

While in many cases, misunderstandings between caretakers or a caregiver’s absentmindedness lead to a child being left behind in a car, some children suffocate in a hot car because they inadvertently climb into a car or car trunk without anyone realizing the danger. It is important to keep car doors and trunks securely closed at all times and to hide car keys in a safe location to prevent this sort of tragedy. Many newer models of cars have a trunk release mechanism to prevent children from being locked in the truck of a car. If your car does not have a trunk release mechanism, you can have one installed.

In addition to getting trapped inside cars, burn injuries are another common cause of car-related injury among children during the summer months. In hot weather, the plastic and metal on and in a car can get heated to very high temperatures. When a child’s small hands come into contact with these hot surfaces, burn injuries can happen. While these injuries are relatively minor in most cases, they can cause tears. Supervising children around cars and cooling down a car with air conditioning before allowing a child into the car can help. Some parents also put soft covers over handles and other exposed areas in the car in order to protect children’s hands.

Pedestrian accidents involving children are another common type of car-related injury involving children at this time of year. As more children are home from school, more children are outside, playing. Drivers, not used to additional children on the road, may be unprepared when children dart out between cars or when children play on streets. Careful supervision can help ensure that your children do not play where drivers drive. Also, children need to be reminded at the start of the summer about proper car safety and road safety.

Car accidents involving trains represent a huge mismatch in strength. While a car weighs only about 3000 pounds, a train usually weighs many hundreds of tons. Clearly, in a collision between the two, car passengers and drivers usually fare poorly. The sheer size and force of a train usually means that when a train accident occurs involving a car and train, fatalities and serious injuries are the most likely result.

Although car accidents are more common than car-truck accidents, drivers of passenger vehicles are 20 times more likely to die as a result of a train accident than a collision with another vehicle. The sheer size and force of trains simply makes them more deadly. Some trains weigh over 3, 000 tons while even an average smaller train will weigh 200 tons. The size of the train also makes collision avoidance difficult. A train going at a speed of 55 miles per hour will typically take a minimum of one mile to stop. When a car appears on the tracks, a train often cannot stop in time.

The US Department of Transportation reports that there are 5,800 train collisions involving cars each year. These accidents result in 2,300 serious injuries and about 600 fatalities each year. Most of the fatal accidents – more than half – take place at railway crossings that have no safety devices or that have too few such devices. This means that in more than 50% of cases, the railway company is at least partially liable for the accident by not taking correct safety measures. It also means, tragically, that more than 50% of these fatal accidents are quite preventable.

In about 75% of daylight train-car accidents, the accidents occur when the train strikes the car. In 50% of nighttime fatal incidents, the car collides with the train. In many accidents, train speed was a factor in collisions. Trains are supposed to slow down when making turns or when crossing intersections, but some train conductors speed through, increasing the odds of an accident.

There are several things drivers can do to help prevent train accidents involving cars. If you are a driver or pedestrian, report unsafe railway crossings. By federal law, railways are required to use flaggers and other safety devices to alert motorists and pedestrians of oncoming trains. If you notice an intersection without these features, write to your city hall or newspaper asking for changes. You could save a life. Also report unsafe track maintenance. Keep in mind that holes or damage around the tracks can cause a pedestrian, bicyclist, or even car to become stuck when trying to cross the tracks.

Of course, pedestrians, bicyclists and drivers need to use extra caution when driving through train tracks. Even when no lights are on, it makes sense to stop and look. If you see a train or train lights, wait to see whether the train is approaching. The lights or safety markers may not be working. Ensure that all is safe before attempting to cross the tracks.

Car accidents involving a bus are unique in many ways. Part of the uniqueness comes from the size and scope of a bus. Most buses move slowly and may make frequent stops. This can make accidents more likely in some cases. As well, the sheer size and power of a bus can cause serious damage in an accident. If a bus rear-ends a car, for example, the passengers in the car will likely sustain serious injuries.

Part of the challenge involving car and bus accidents is that passengers of buses usually do not wear seat belts. Passengers inside a bus usually do not have the option of wearing a seat belt, whether the bus is a school bus, tour bus, or public transit. In an accident involving a car, the bus driver may slam the breaks, swerve, or otherwise react, and this can cause passengers to be thrown from their seats. Passengers of buses are therefore vulnerable to brain injuries, broken bones, cuts and bruises, spinal cord injuries, and other injuries. Some of these passengers may seek legal action after a bus accident due to these injuries.

As well, part of the challenge involving car and bus accidents is that buses are often governed by specific regulations. In most cases, since buses are owned by the city public transit system or a private tour company, the accident must be thoroughly reported, even in the case of a minor fender bender. In most cases, a police report is filed and an investigation takes place, since buses are responsible for carrying passengers.

If you have been in an accident with a bus, you will of course need to call for help first, if anyone has been injured. Next, you will want to exchange information with the bus driver. In addition to the bus driver’s name, you will want the bus number, license plate, and any identifying information (such as a VIN number for the bus). If a tire defect or other mechanical defect has caused the accident, you will need to be clear as to exactly which bus was involved. You will also want to get the exact details – including name and contact information – concerning the carrier company or parent company responsible for the bus.

Due to the special challenges involving car and bus accidents, you will want to speak to a Florida personal injury attorney after an accidents involving a bus. Car accidents involving buses are complicated and can quickly become difficult. If a bus passenger was injured, for example, you may be considered as a liable party. If you have been injured in the accident, recovering a claim may be difficult in the case of a powerful tour company or public transit system. A good Florida personal injury attorney can help with these issues and can offer other legal guidance after the accident.

While all car accidents are devastating and have the potential to cause fatalities and injuries, perhaps no accidents are as tragic as those involving drunk driving accidents and children. Drunk driving accidents are completely preventable – all it takes to stop these accidents is for a driver to take an alternative route home rather than driving drunk. When drunk driving claim the lives of young children, it can seem devastating that one driver’s mistakes have cost a young person their future.

If you have children, you will of course want to ensure that they are never victimized by a drunk driver. While you cannot guarantee that your children will never be affected by a drunk driver, there are things you can do to cut the risk dramatically:

1) Have a “no questions asked” phone option for your children. Make sure that your children know that they can always phone you for a ride instead of getting in a car with a drunk driver or an unsafe driver. Teach your children that if they say they need a ride “no questions asked” you will be there and there will be no negative consequences for them – even if they have been drinking. Then, stick to your word. If they take advantage of your offer, praise them for their decision to ask for a ride.

2) Make it easy for children to call you or get help when they need it. This is one area where cell phones and mobile devices really come in handy – they allow your children to reach you anywhere. Also, make sure that your children have at least a few numbers to call for a “no questions asked” ride, so that if you are not available they can still get home safely. Another option is to have an area in your home for “cab money” – if your children need to take a cab home, they can access the money easily to pay the cab driver.

3) Make sure children understand what drunk driving is. Some children may not readily understand what drunk driving is. Explain that they should never drive with someone who has even had one drink. Discuss situations which they may face which may be challenging (for example, a situation in which someone in authority insists on driving them somewhere after drinking) and discuss what they can do in these situations.

4) Never drink and drive yourself. Children will notice when you do and will be less inclined to listen to what you say if your actions contradict your words. Set a good example and your children will be more likely to follow in your footsteps.

5) Show by your actions that you do not support drunk driving. When you have friends over, start serving non-alcoholic drinks early in the night, call cabs for anyone who has been drinking, and refuse to let drunk friends drive. This will show your children what to do when they are around people who have been drinking and will teach them habits that will keep them safe.

In car accidents, insurance companies are sometimes described as the enemy. Some patients, after sustaining a serious injury in a car accident, are upset to find that insurance companies refuse to pay out claims or offer very low claims which do not cover all the costs of injury-related costs. Some patients complain of insensitive insurance company representatives who pressure them into signing documents right in a hospital. Since insurance premiums are so high and since patients usually pay in a significant amount of money to their insurance companies, they are often irate when faced with challenges to their claims.

While many savvy patients eventually hire Florida personal injury attorneys in order to better manage their relationships with insurance companies after a car accident, insurance companies are not necessarily the bad guys. Insurance companies are in business, and good business sense simply means paying out the least amount that is considered fair in any car accident. Car accidents occur every few seconds in this country and if every burn injury patient, spinal cord injury patient and injury patient were automatically recovering the largest possible insurance claim amount, insurance premiums would be much higher and insurance company profit margins would be much smaller. It makes financial sense to an insurance company to offer the smaller fair claim amount in any given situation and keep premium costs competitive.

As well, much of the disagreement between insurance customers and insurance companies comes down to differing definitions. For a patient who has been in a car accident and has sustained a burn injury or other devastating injury, a “fair” claim amount is one that covers all possible medical costs and covers the best quality medical care. For an insurance company, however, in many cases a fair claim amount is one that matches a patient’s level of insurance coverage and one that covers only basic medical needs. A good Florida personal injury attorney can help insurance companies and car accident victims reach a claim or settlement amount which is mutually satisfactory to both parties.

Insurance companies also sometimes use what are seen as aggressive methods because insurance fraud is a serious problem across the industry. A few car accident patients who exaggerate their injuries cost insurance companies millions of dollars and insurance companies must then pass on these losses to customers in the form of higher premiums. The very real threat of insurance fraud also makes insurance companies automatically suspicious of many claims, which pushes insurance companies to carefully review, and in some cases investigate, insurance claims.

Of course, some insurance companies are not very reputable or ethical in their dealings. While many insurance companies do their best to maintain good profits for shareholders while also offering fair compensation to car accident victims, some companies do use unethical practices. Some companies make low-ball offers to car accident victims, knowing that the claim amounts will not cover even basic medical care. Some companies refuse claims without adequate reasons while some will pressure patients into signing away their rights to fairer settlements.

In most cases, however, insurance companies are not the bad guys. It is important to keep in mind, on the other hand, that insurance companies do not necessarily have your best interests in heart, either. Insurance companies are businesses and their main allegiance is to shareholders, who demand the highest profit margins possible. For this reason, it is important to consult with a qualified Florida personal injury attorney soon after your car accident. A good attorney can look after your best interests and your rights, ensuring that you get the best possible care and all the resources you qualify for under the law.

In many cases, if you sustain an injury in a car accident, you will make an insurance claim in order to recover medical costs as well as any damage to your car. In almost all cases, the insurance company will offer you a certain amount in exchange for your losses and injuries. In many cases, accident victims are eager to sign on the dotted line because car accidents and injuries can cause severe financial pressure. Patients face sudden medical bills, loss of income, car repair costs, and many other costs as well after an accident.

However, signing and accepting the first offer can cost you more in the long run.

Insurance companies are, above all, businesses. Their main interest is in making money, not in protecting your best interests. If an insurance company can offer you a smaller claim, this is infinitely better, from the company’s business perspective, than offering a larger claim. Many insurance companies offer claims based on formulas. These formulas may be outdated or may take into consideration only some of the costs of your injury.

When you accept an initial offer from an insurance company, you often lose the right to pursue further claims for more money if it transpires that the claim money does not pay for all the costs associated with your injury. You will be left to pay the added costs out of your own pocket, and these costs can end up costing you many thousands of dollars or even more. These costs can cause a significant financial burden for you.

Unfortunately, this unfortunate position is one in which many patients find themselves. After accepting an initial claim amount from an insurance provider, patients find that they need to find significantly larger amounts from their own savings in order to pay for the medical costs and related costs. For example, burn injury patients may be compensation for initial hospital stays but may not be compensated for cosmetic surgery, even though that surgery may be important in order to allow the patient to return to regular activities. In the case of a spinal cord injury, a patient may be compensated for initial recovery, medical, and rehabilitation costs, but may not be compensated for the cost of making a home accessible, to cite another example. In this instance, a patient may need to pay thousands or even tens of thousands of dollars in order to enjoy a safe home.

The problems that patients encounter vary, but there are some things that patients can do to avoid financial problems due to their injury. One of the best solutions is to hire a personal injury attorney immediately after your car accident. A good Florida personal injury attorney is invaluable because he or she will review your insurance claim offer and advise you of your rights. Your attorney can also help you understand the possible long-term costs of your injury and can help negotiate with an insurance carrier on your behalf.

A car accident can cause serious injuries such as burn injuries or other painful conditions. While these injuries can cause severe pain and also upheaval in your personal life, most injuries will also place tremendous pressure on your finances. Unless you are independently wealthy or have substantial assets, you may worry about the costs of your medical treatment. If you have sustained a spinal cord injury or other permanent injury, you may worry about not being able to return to work. In addition, you may have to spend a great deal of money to renovate your home in order to make it accessible for you.

In many cases, insurance is designed to help you deal with the financial pressures of a car accident. Drivers are required to have a minimal amount of insurance and many drivers choose additional coverage as well, paying premiums faithfully. When a driver is injured, therefore, they assume that everything is taken care of and the insurance company that has been so handsomely paid will offer compensation for lost income and all medical costs.

Unfortunately, this does not often happen. Insurance companies generally have a formula for determining claim amounts, and in many cases this formula results in offers that will not pay for all the costs of your accident. If you have sustained a serious or permanent injury, in particular, the amount your insurance company offers will generally only pay for initial treatment and lost income. Quite simple, insurance companies are businesses and if they paid out the full claim amounts everyone is entitled to and covered all costs for all patients, they would make much smaller profits.

The financial pressures of serious personal injury as well as the financial pressures insurance companies face to offer you small insurance amounts is a great reason why you should call a Florida personal injury attorney immediately after your car accident. A good attorney can negotiate with insurance companies on your behalf, can accurately calculate how much your injury will cost you, and can aggressively pursue the full amount you are entitled to.

Even if you are able to secure a settlement, however, keep in mind that the period from your car accident to your actual payment can be long. Insurance companies will often resist attempts to pay out larger amounts and your case may go to court. Personal injury cases sometimes take years to work their way through the court system. During this time, you will still have to make payments on your home, car, and other financial obligations.

It can be challenging to wait. Some patients are able to work out repayment plans with hospitals and medical facilities. In some cases, hospitals are willing to wait for payment if they know a patient will likely receive a settlement. Some patients borrow money in order to survive financially until a settlement is reached in their case. Whatever your financial situation, getting a fair settlement for your case can improve your financial outlook after a car accident, and that means hiring a qualified attorney. As well, discussing your financial pressures with your attorney and developing a financial plan can help you survive financially until your case is settled.

If you have sustained a brain injury, burn injury, amputation, or other serious injury after a car accident, you may have contacted a Florida personal injury attorney in order to pursue a personal injury claim. However, even while filing a claim can be a positive first step, there are still certain challenges you may need to face while you recover and while you pursue your claim:

1) Emotional upheaval. After a car accident, you may feel anxious, upset, fearful, and even angry. Emotional upset after a car accident is quite normal, but it can get in the way, since you will need to focus on getting better and making sound decisions. If you find that your emotions are upsetting, last more than a few weeks, or get in the way of you making sound decisions, consider seeking therapy.

2) Complications associated with the recovery process. Whether you have sustained a spinal cord injury or another serious injury, you will of course hope that the recovery process is full and quick. However, in some cases, recovery is complicated by underlying conditions, infection, and other problems. The more serious the injury, in general, the greater the risk of possible complications. Delays in the recovery process can be terribly frustrating and can also increase medical costs.

3) Legal issues. Ideally, you would be able to make a fair claim for an amount to cover your injuries and receive this amount from insurance companies. In reality, however, this does not always happen. You may need to seek legal help from a Florida personal injury attorney to cover your full medical costs or you may need to seek help if you have been accused of causing the accident that has injured you. Legal issues can be very stressful, especially since many patients are not well-versed in legal terms and legal matters, making legal problems seem very intimidating. Working closely with a good Florida personal injury attorney can give you the legal help and support you need.

4) Financial problems. After a car accident, you may be unable to work, which can affect your income. Even if your workplace offers paid leave, your recovery may take longer than leave is offered, leaving you with no income. As well, your accident may leave you with substantial medical bills. A good Florida attorney is important to secure a fair settlement which will compensate you for your financial losses after your accident.

5) Investigations. After your car accident, your attorney may launch an investigation into your accident. Insurance companies may also launch their own investigations to determine the extent of your injuries. Some investigators for insurance companies may place you under surveillance or may questions friends and neighbors. For many people, these tactics are disturbing and troubling. A good attorney, however, can ensure that a thorough investigation reveals the true nature of the accident, which can help you in negotiations with the insurance provider.

If you have been in a car accident that has resulted in a fatality or a personal injury, one of the first calls you should make after your accident is to a qualified Florida personal injury attorney. Many patients and car accident victims hesitate to make this call, incorrectly assuming that attorneys are expensive or unnecessary. In fact, attorneys offer many invaluable services, including:

1) Investigations. Most attorneys work with accident reconstruction experts as well as private investigators. They can examine all the possible contributing factors that lead to an accident. This is often the only accurate way to determine what has caused an accident. Determining accident cause is crucial, as some insurance providers may deny claims in some accidents, alleging that an accident victim caused a collision. If this is inaccurate, an attorney can find evidence to prove the true cause of the accident.

2) Evaluation of injuries. After an accident, filing an insurance claim involves placing a dollar value on the medical costs and income loss of any injury caused by an accident. This process, however, can be very challenging and often involves projecting or estimating reasonable expected costs. For example, a patient who has suffered a burn injury may need to file an insurance claim while still in the hospital. This means that the patient will need to predict the total costs of the medical care, rehabilitation, time away from work, and related costs of the injury. Good Florida personal injury attorneys have extensive experience evaluating injuries and their costs and can help you determine the value of your injuries fairly and accurately.

3) Negotiations. Personal injury attorneys can negotiate with insurance providers on your behalf. This is vital, because without attorney negotiations, insurance providers may try to offer a settlement amount which is well below what your medical costs and recovery costs will be. This can put you in debt or make it difficult for you to get the medical care you need to recover. With an attorney’s help, you will have a much better chance of getting a fair sum promptly.

4) Making safety changes. Even if you have never been in a car accident, you have likely felt the impact personal injury attorneys have on the car industry. When patients driving the same car are injured due to tire defects or other mechanical failures, attorneys pursue the manufacturers and retailers responsible and ensure that changes are made to the safety of the products. Often, legal actions started by attorneys result in unsafe cars being recalled or fixed by manufacturers who are pressured to make changes to improve safety.

5) Protecting your rights. It is easy to lose some of your rights after a car accident. Insurance companies may pressure you to sign agreements stating that an accident was your fault or agreements that lock you into low-ball settlement offers that do not cover your medical expenses. As well, many states have statutes of limitations, requiring you to file certain documents and claims by specific dates. Attorneys can advise you of your rights and options and can ensure that you do not sign away any rights.

6) Offering advice. Good Florida personal injury attorneys have dealt with many people who have sustained serious injuries in car accidents. They can often provide advice about specialists, hospitals, and resources that you can use on your road to recovery. Attorneys can also provide legal advice, of course, but they provide other types of advice. If you do secure a settlement, attorneys can tell you where you can visit for financial advice to protect your settlement money. If you are waiting for a settlement, attorneys can often provide advice about how to keep your finances current while you wait.

Car accidents are caused by many factors. Drunk driving, distracted driving, tire defects, product defects in the car’s mechanisms, the weather, and many other factors can lead to a collision. StudyAn Insurance company in the UK has carried out a survey which suggests an unusual cause of car accidents: love. According to the survey, about 2.5 million car collisions in the UK occur due to romantic arguments that fuel road rage.

The StudyAn Insurance company examined the driving habits of 1183 drivers and found that 19% of the drivers drove erratically after an argument with their romantic partners or spouses. Another 36% were unable to concentrate on the road as effectively after a romantic argument. Honey Langcaster-James, a psychologist discussing the survey in the media noted that it can take one hour for emotions to settle down after an intense argument with one’s partner. Obviously, getting behind the wheel during this time can pose dangers.

Of course, currently drivers who are in a car accident are not asked whether they have just had an argument with their partner, so it is difficult to say precisely what percentage of car crashes in the US can be attributable to romance-related road rage. However, driving experts have known for some time that strong emotions and upset can impact driving ability and concentration. Since we tend to invest a lot of emotion into arguments with a romantic partner, it is logical that these arguments would lead to especially intense emotional upset.

If you consider the last time you had a spat with a partner, you probably remember how terrible it felt. Intense upset can make us cry, tremble, and even get physically ill. During a heated argument and during intense emotions, our blood pressure temporarily increases. This can have a significant physical result. Emotional upset can make up hyperventilate and even lose consciousness. It makes it difficult to focus or articulate. It makes us ill in some cases. Obviously, driving in this state can be very dangerous.

In the StudyAn Insurance company survey, one out of 12 drivers surveyed admitted to having a car accident following a lover’s quarrel. One in three admitted to driving off after an argument. The survey found that drivers driving soon after an argument with a loved one were more likely to experience road rage. They were also more likely to speed, cut other motorists off, tailgate, and even steal parking spaces.

Psychologist Langcaster-James notes that drivers who are upset or angry following an emotional outburst – such as the outburst caused by an argument with a loved one – may need to release tension. In some cases, they may subconsciously choose to speed in order to achieve this. She also notes that drivers who are emotionally upset are very distracted and are therefore unable to safely focus on driving.

The media has been reporting heavily on driver distraction, amid growing debates about mobile device use by drivers. Many states have moved to ban hand-held cell phones and texting while driving and mounting social pressure has meant that drivers are becoming more aware about the dangers of using mobile devices while driving. The US National Safety Council has stated that drivers using cell phones may contribute to one-quarter of all car accidents. Distracted driving has been linked to bus accidents, pedestrian accidents, bicycle accidents, and truck accidents as well.

However, according to U.S. Highway Safety Research Center, while about 80% of accidents are caused at least in part by driver distraction, mobile devices are in fact not the only cause of distraction. Other distractions that can cause traffic accidents include:

1) Distractions outside the vehicle. According to the U.S. Highway Safety Research Center, nearly one–third of accidents are attributable at least in part to drivers being distracted by something outside the car. These outside distractions can include other drivers, pedestrians, roadside accidents, billboards, animals on the road, and other objects that enter a driver’s field of vision and distract him or her.

2) Adjusting car instruments. Changing a CD, fiddling with an iPod, adjusting wipers, and otherwise making adjustments to the vehicle while driving contribute to at least 14% of accidents, according to the U.S. Highway Safety Research Center. All of these actions distract the driver and usually require the driver to remove their eyes from the road.

3) Animated conversations. Talking with others distracts a driver. Many drivers instinctively remove their eyes from the road to look at the person they are conversing to. Even drivers who are disciplined enough not to do this, however, may be distracted by the content of the conversation and not focusing on the road. In fact, critics of hand-held cell phone bans often point out that the danger with cell pones is not the devices themselves but rather the types of conversations people are having. Someone having a heated argument with a spouse on a hands-free cell phone is just as likely to be distracted as someone who is having a regular discussion on a hand-held cell phone.

4) Moving objects in the car. A bottle or something rattling about on the floor of the car is distracting to a driver, who may turn about instinctively to search for the source of the noise, taking their eyes off the road. A dropped object on the floor of the car can also be distracting and even dangerous if it becomes wedged under the gas or brake pedals. There’s another reason to pick up loose objects in the car and toss them in the trunk: any objects not secured can become airborne during an accident and can lead to serious head and brain injuries. Any pets in a car can also obviously be distracting and dangerous. Pets should always be secured in a kennel or cage when traveling.

5) Drinking or eating. Any personal activities such as eating, drinking, or applying makeup require you to take your eyes off the road. As well, accidents can occur if you spill something on yourself and instinctively react to that. With makeup, you can easily get some product in your eye and become temporarily blinded. Pull over to drink and eat and wait until your car is stopped to adjust makeup.

Researchers at General Motors Research Israel and Professor Shai Avidan of Tel Aviv University's Faculty of Engineering have been working to develop a rapid alarm system that could warn drivers of an impending car accident. If they are successful, they will develop a device that gives drivers advance notice of conditions that are leading to a car accident. The researchers hope that the alarm system will allow drivers the time to brace for a collision or take evasive last-moment maneuvers to avoid an accident.

Research has shown that drivers need only half of a second notice to prevent an accident. This is all the time needed for most drivers to swerve out of the way or slam on the brakes. Unfortunately, however, not all drivers perceive a danger in time to prevent a pedestrian accident or car accident. Researchers hope that the alarm system will provide this window of opportunity and therefore prevent more accidents.

In addition to preventing fatal car accidents, the alarm system might also help prevent some serious injuries. Passengers in a car heading for an accident could, even if unable to prevent the accident, brace for the collision and therefore protect their heads and vital organs, possibly preventing serious brain injuries and other injuries.

Avidan and other researchers are using advanced algorithms to develop the alarm systems, which would make use of cameras mounted on the cars. The cameras would capture road data while the algorithms would allow the vehicle’s system to effectively “detect” dangerous conditions that pose a risk of accidents. This system, researchers believe, would give drivers advance notice of possible risks, allowing them to drive more defensively or at least act quickly to minimize injuries.

Researchers, however, face a number of challenges with the alarm system. The alarm system, for example, must be able to differentiate people and actual threats on the road from other objects which might produce a “false alarm.” Since accidents occur in a moment, the system must also be very fast in order to alert driver of possible danger in time.

One part of the equation which might help make the system more effective is the camera. As computer vision technology and smart camera technology become more advanced, it is easier for cameras to capture and relay information more rapidly and more accuracy. Professor Avidan has already been part of the research team behind the development of the MobilEye smart camera system. The camera tracks and detects cameras in real time.

Many communities across the US are cracking down on unsafe driving with red light and traffic enforcement cameras. These cameras work in a very simple way: municipalities contract with a camera provider – Reflex is a popular provider – who installs and maintains the cameras. The cameras are installed at specific intersections, sometimes because certain roads are known for poor safety records.

The cameras work automatically, capturing everyone who runs a red light, speeds, or commits other common traffic violations within the camera’s view. When the camera detects someone running a red light, the system prints off a ticket and automatically mails it to the owner of the vehicle. The vehicle owner can then pay for the ticket.

Today’s traffic enforcement cameras are very sophisticated, capturing and confirming traffic violations in real-time. They are also smaller and less noticeable than cameras of years past. As well, today’s cameras can be designed to capture and ticket for a variety of traffic violations, including illegal turns, speeding, red light running, and even illegal parking in bus lanes. Some cameras are even designed to capture traffic violations at railway stops.

Municipalities and camera manufacturers claim that traffic enforcement cameras reduce the risk of traffic accidents and pedestrian accidents by enforcing traffic rules. Since many car accidents and truck accidents are caused by traffic violations such as speeding, these advocates argue, red light cameras reduce the risk of such accidents by giving drivers a strong economic motive to obey the law.

Critics of the traffic enforcement cameras, however, argue that camera technology can still mistakes. Indeed, a number of fined drivers have successfully argued the invalidity of their camera-issued tickets in court. Some critics of the cameras also argue that the cameras are little more than a cash-grab by communities, as communities profit from the paid tickets generated by the cameras.

Some traffic enforcement camera companies are creating safety programs as well as creating traffic camera systems. These broader safety programs aim to raise awareness about the dangers of traffic violations and improve driver education about accident prevention. Only time will really tell whether these programs have a long-term impact on reducing car accidents on our roads.

Car accidents cause many injuries and damages. Some – such as car damage or burn injuries – leave obvious clues. However, some are often overlooked:

1) Cosmetic surgery. Many accidents resulting from car accidents require cosmetic surgery. For example, burn injuries may result in extensive scarring that can only be fixed with multiple skin grafts. Brain injuries may require surgeries and other treatments that result in scarring and may require hair transplants or other non-essential treatments to hide scarring after the fact. It is important to seek insurance coverage for these procedures through a qualified attorney since most medical coverage does not cover these treatments. However, these cosmetic treatments may be vital to making a full emotional and physical recovery.

2) Slowly diagnosed problems. Some injuries sustained in a car accident only manifest symptoms slowly. For example, a patient who has sustained a brain injury in a car accident may not develop symptoms for hours after the accident. Someone who has sustained whiplash in an accident may also be slow to show symptoms. Whiplash is also difficult to diagnose with x-rays and other traditional diagnostic tools, making it harder to pinpoint.

3) Rehabilitation costs. Many types of car accidents require rehabilitation for extensive periods of time. Someone who has sustained a spinal cord injury, for example, may require years of rehabilitation to walk again. Someone who has sustained a serious burn injury may need months or years or rehabilitation and physiotherapy to regain full mobility. Some insurance providers underestimate the amount of rehabilitation needed for full recovery, which is why it is often very useful for patients to work with a good Florida personal injury attorney who can calculate the rehabilitation costs accurately.

4) Property damages. Most insurance providers will recompense an accident victim for the cost of the car damaged in a collision, but most people keep valuables in their car. Property damage may include digital cameras, mobile devices, clothing, work-related equipment, and even jewelry left in the car at the time of an accident.

5) Income loss. In addition to the initial time lost at work after an injury, many car accident victims need to lose additional time at work and therefore additional income for doctor’s appointments, appointments with an attorney, and other accident-related tasks. As well, some victims are not able to return to work until they have dealt with depression or other debilitation conditions after an accident.

SUV rollovers, truck rollovers, and bus rollovers are quite common due to the low center gravity on these larger vehicles. However, even traditional sedans and passenger vehicles can be subject to rollovers in extreme conditions. Stopping a car suddenly, for example, or going over an incline can cause a rollover. Surviving a car rollover involves minimizing possible head injuries, spinal cord injuries, and other possible serious injuries while increasing your chances of survival. To do this:

1) Brace your body by placing your legs against the sheet metal behind the pedals of your vehicle. Press hard with your muscles, extending your legs as far as possible while pressing your back far into the seat. Tensing your body into the seat will help protect you for the impact. If you have time, grab the wheel tightly while pushing out with your arms. Keep your elbows tucked close to your body, and secure your neck and head by pushing it very far into the head rest. Your body is safest when it is pushed far into the seats.

2) If after the rollover your engine continues to run and your car has landed upright, try to move your car out of the way of traffic and call for assistance. This will be most common with passenger car. SUVs and buses are more likely to land on their roof, due to their low center of gravity.

3) If after the rollover your car is on its roof, turn off your engine. Many newer cars automatically stop fuel flow. Use your feet and hands to position yourself against the roof of your car before slowly removing your seat belt. You will have to be cautious about any airbags which may have deployed during the accident.

4) If your doors are in working condition, carefully exit the vehicle. If you cannot open your door, try crawling through a window. Try rolling down your window and if you cannot do so, break the glass on the passenger window and crawl through. Avoid trying to break the windshield glass. It is often too thick and secure to break by yourself. Once you are free of the vehicle, run away as quickly as you can. In the event of a fuel leak, the car could explode, leading to fatalities and burn injuries. Try to get everyone away from the car as well.

Of course, safety seat belts can help prevent fatalities. In rollovers, occupants who are without seat belts are often thrown from the vehicle, where they can sustain fatalities or serious injuries. Passengers who do wear seatbelts at the time of a rollover are most likely to sustain injuries to the arms and the head. Most head injuries occur when the passengers hit roof supports, which is why tensing the muscles against the car is so important. Injuries to the arms most often occur when the passengers’ arms are thrown out of the window by the force of the rollover. This too can be prevented by tensing the body against the car and pushing the body as far back into the seat as possible.

As the warm weather gets here, many more animals are to be expected on the roads. Larger animals may be emerging from hibernation, and small animals may be getting ready to start families, pushing them further and further onto roadways and into human areas to look for food and territory. Unfortunately, larger animals can cause serious damage to cars. They may also cause car accidents. Each year, many people are killed or sustain personal injuries in accidents with larger animals or are injured or killed when trying to swerve to avoid hitting small animals.

Since animals tend to be most active at dawn and dusk, it is a good idea to avoid driving at these times, especially if you are sleepy. If you need to drive, make sure that you use your high beam headlights in order to see as far as possible in suburban and rural areas. Often, animals are not clearly visible in the dark unless your headlights happen to hit their eyes, which are often luminescent. If you’re driving with someone, consider having one person stay on the lookout to alert you to any possible animals approaching the roadway. This can leave you free to focus on driving. If you are driving alone, slow down, especially when approaching wooded areas.

If you see a large animal, such as a deer, in your headlights, blow your horn with one long blast and brake firmly. The horn blast may frighten the deer or larger animal and cause it to run away. Avoid swerving, as you may hit the animal as it is trying to escape. If it is safe for you to do so, consider braking and honking until the animal leaves the road area. Be sure to stay alert as sometimes a larger animal is followed by its offspring.

If you see a small animal in the roadway, follow the same procedure. Brake firmly while blowing your horn. Avoid slamming on your brakes or swerving. Try to keep alert to any drivers or other cars around you. Stopping suddenly in a rural area with no other cars is much safer than trying to do the same thing on a busy suburban stretch with cars behind you.

If you do hit an animal, do not touch the animal. Move your car off the road, set hazard lights on, and call the police or local animal authorities. If you have hit a smaller animal and it is alive, you may want to contact a wilderness or animal shelter or veterinarian for assistance. If you have hit a small animal and have killed it, you may wish to call animal control. If it is someone’s pet, you may wish to pull your car off to the side of the road and visit nearby houses to identify its owner.

Your car’s brakes are one of the most basic ways of preventing an accident. Brakes allow you to stop suddenly in order to avoid hitting a pedestrian or an obstacle, and they can help you stop safely at intersections in order to prevent collisions and pedestrian accidents. When your brakes fail, therefore, it can be a terrifying moment. However, even if your brakes fail you can often help prevent an accident if you:

1) Pump your brakes. Pump your brakes vigorously, as this may build up pressure in the braking system which may allow your car to stop or even slow down. As you do this, you may wish to flash your lights or beep the horn to indicate that you are in distress and to alert other drivers as well as pedestrians that there is a problem.

2) Steer your car normally. Be careful not to overcorrect as you drive. It is common to panic when your brakes fail. If you have to turn, especially, you may panic. However, you can often turn even at a higher speed quite safely. Steer evenly, even if the rear of your car slips a little. You should still be able to make a safe turn.

3) Try shifting your car into a low gear. Gradually shift your car into the lowest gear possible. In some cases, this may allow the transmission and the engine to slow down your car.

4) Very slowly engage the emergency brake. Avoid engaging the brake too quickly, as this can cause your car to spin around as the rear wheels lock. Use a gentle, constant pressure. In many vehicles, the emergency brake is operated on a cable that will still work when other components of the braking system have failed. If you use the emergency brake in conjunction with a lower gear you may eventually be able to stop your vehicle.

5) If you need to stop suddenly and your brakes have failed, try engaging the emergency brake hard while also turning your wheel a quarter turn in whatever direction is safer. This maneuver will make your car spin but if you are heading downhill this maneuver may make you up hill, allowing your vehicle to stop safely.

6) Use a soft surface to stop. If you have a road all to yourself, you can move your car back and forth across the road. Swiping soft surfaces, rocks, or even guard rails on either side can reduce your speed, although you should only attempt this at slower speeds.

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Spinal cord injuries are a common result of car accidents and they can be among the most painful and devastating personal injuries caused by car accidents. Spinal cord injuries often leave victims unable to walk and unable to resume normal activities. They often require years of treatment and rehabilitation as well as getting used to life anew. Many injuries prove to be permanent, although new research and treatment is offering more options and fuller healing than ever before.

The spinal cord is a complex system of nerves, bones, and cartilage. A part of the nervous system and the largest nerve in the body, the spinal cord affects virtually every part of the body, which is why an acute spinal cord injury can affect many parts of the body. A healthy spinal cord has nerve fibers which carry messages all over the body from the brain. This is what allows us to move, walk, and feel sensory input from our body.

While a spinal cord injury can occur from illness, many such injuries are the result of car accidents, truck accidents, and other accidents. Usually, in these accidents, the spinal cord is pinched by the backbone as bones are crushed or ground together in a collision or accident. As a result, the spinal cord sustains injury and becomes swollen or bruised. In some cases, an accident is severe enough to tear or damage the nerve fibers or spinal cord directly. In either case, after an injury, all the spinal cord nerves below the damaged area cannot communicate effectively with the body. This can affect sensory perception, movement, and can cause paralysis. Usually, the nerves above the injury continue to function normally.

Since the spinal cord is so complex, the actual effects of an acute spinal cord injury can vary widely. The potential for recovery can also vary widely. Some patients never walk again while others regain their former lives after much work, treatment, and rehabilitation. Usually after an injury, a doctor can help determine the extent of the injury by determining mobility and by taking X-rays. A doctor usually takes a “pin prick” test to determine how much sensory acuity a patient has lost.

If you have been in a car accident and have sustained a serious personal injury such as a spinal cord injury, you will need to build a support team around yourself to heal more fully. There are many support groups for spinal cord patients and their families. These can be powerful resources for learning more about your injury and learning to cope with your injury. Working with qualified professionals and health care providers can also help you get the care you need.

As well, it is often important to speak to a qualified Florida personal injury attorney. An attorney can investigate the accident that caused your illness. He or she can also protect your rights and ensure that you have access to all the resources you have access to under the law. An attorney can also ensure that you have the financial resources to seek the best possible medical help. In some cases, this can help you recover more fully.

If you have been accused of drunk driving or causing a car accident by driving drunk, you may be deeply frightened and upset. No one likes to be accused of something they did not do and DUI convictions can carry serious consequences, including fines, penalties, jail time, and loss of driving privileges. If you feel you have been accused unfairly, there are many things you can do:

1) Contact an attorney. Your first step should be to contact a qualified Florida attorney who can represent you and offer you advice about your situation. A good attorney can help represent you in court and can offer you information about your legal rights.

2) Have your sobriety tests investigated. In many states, field sobriety tests and mandatory. If you have taken such a test, you may want to have the results investigated. Studies have repeatedly shown that these tests have a high rate of error. As well, field sobriety tests rely very heavily on the experience and ability of the person administration the tests. If the tests are administered incorrectly, they will not yield accurate results. A good Florida attorney can investigate your field sobriety test for accuracy.

3) Have your blood alcohol screening tests investigated. Blood alcohol screening tests test blood alcohol levels (BACs) and these tests are generally mandatory. Although more accurate than field sobriety tests, blood alcohol screening tests have their own challenges. If the tests are not correctly maintained, administered, or calibrated, blood alcohol screening tests can also yield inaccurate results. Some drivers have been charged and even convicted of driving under the influence based on blood alcohol screening tests that were inaccurate, so it is a good idea to double-check these tests. A good attorney can check the accuracy of your blood alcohol screening tests.

4) Check your legal rights at the time of arrest. An officer cannot arrest you for DUI if you have been driving erratically or for other reasons. Field sobriety tests or BAC tests are usually used to determine probable cause. Go over the sequence of actions leading up to your arrest with an attorney. Your attorney can help you determine whether your rights were persevered at the time of arrest.

5) Move to protect your driving privileges. Speak with your attorney about preserving your driving privileges. You generally have only a short period of time to protect these rights and you will want to do so, especially if the case against you has no cause.

You probably don’t think of yourself as a “brand” but in some ways your reputation or your “brand” affect quite a great deal in your life. For example, if you have the reputation of being an excellent employee at work, that is part of your brand and it may help you land a promotion. You also likely have a brand online, based in part on your social networking activities and any websites you have.

If you have been in a car accident and are seeking legal action or a personal injury settlement after the accident, your brand may be very important. Your brand can help your attorney establish you as a reliable and honest person who has been injured in an accident. Your brand as an honest, responsible person can also make any testimony you give in a court carry more weight. In fact, your personal brand becomes very important in a personal injury case and you will want to take steps to protect that brand. There are many ways to do this:

1) Avoid social networking after your accident. If you have filed a claim after your accident, be careful about social networking sites such as Facebook, Twitter, and MySpace. Several claimants have had problems in recent years due to their online activities. Always assume that all attorneys and members of the court can see your online pages. If you present yourself as a hard-working person who is distressed at not being able to work but your social networking sites show someone who loves to party and hates their job, this can make your case more challenging. Similarly, if you are injured but your Facebook page shows you at a party, this can affect your case.

2) Check friend social networking sites. Even if you are careful about social networking or have stopped your online activities entirely during your case, keep in mind that your contacts and friends may still have contact about you on their pages. You cannot control what others say about you on their pages, but do check the websites and social networking sites of friends and contacts. Where possible, ask friends and contacts to remove and content that can make you appear in a less-than-flattering light.

3) Speak to your attorney about any problems that may affect your brand or case. If you have been convicted of drunk driving in the past, or have other things in your history or current situation that can affect your case, talk to your Florida personal injury attorney. He or she can offer advice and help.

4) Consider your brand closely. Now that you understand how branding works, consider your brand carefully. When taking photos of your injury, for example, consider the background of your photo. Try to keep it as neutral as possible. Consider that even something very innocuous – such as a beer can in the background – can subtly affect your case.

Fatalities caused by car accidents sometimes lead to wrongful death lawsuits. If you have lost a loved one in a car accident, you may wonder whether you have a legal case for a wrongful death suit. This can be a very difficult decision, and unfortunately must often be made at a very emotional and challenging time. If you have lost a family member in a car accident, you may wish to speak to a qualified Florida personal injury attorney. An attorney can provide you with an overview of your rights and can offer advice based on your specific situations. Generally, however, you may have a wrongful death suit if:

1) The car accident lead directly to the death and was caused by someone’s actions. If a driver was driving drunk, ran a red light, or did something which caused the accident which directly caused the death, you may have a lawsuit. Your attorney, however, will have to prove that the driver’s actions lead to the accident.

2) The car accident lead directly to the death and was caused by negligence or by someone’s failure to act. If a driver fails to yield to a right of way, for example, or fails to check a blind spot and this leads to an accident that directly causes a death, this can often be used to initiate a wrongful death suit. However, negligence can be difficult to prove. It often takes a good attorney and a team of investigators to prove negligence.

3) The death affects you financially in a significant way. This is often the most difficult part of a wrongful death suit for a grieving family. Each fatality leads to severe loss, but wrongful death suits must place a financial value on the loss, and this can be very difficult. Often, wrongfully death claims can only be filed by immediate family and usually are only successful when the loved one contributed significantly to a household income. Fatalities of elderly persons and children often yield a smaller “value” in strictly financial terms than someone who was working at the time of the accident. In addition to the earning potential of the person who has passed away, funeral expenses, medical bills, and pain and suffering are also considered.

No money replaces a loved one, but wrongful death suits are often important in cases where a family suffers a financial loss as well as a personal loss. These cases are meant to help surviving family members. For example, if a main breadwinner is killed in an accident, a wrongful death suit can ensure that the surviving family has the financial resources to survive financially until new earning arrangements can be made. If parents are killed, surviving children can sue to ensure that they have the financial resources to grow and develop without want or poverty.

In addition to providing financial support to a grieving family, wrongful death suits often bring a sense of closure and hold someone who is negligent accountable for the personal injuries and losses caused by the accident. In some cases, such a lawsuit can also be effective if another personal injury case is not possible to recover for medical bills. If you are uncertain about your legal options, speak to a Florida personal injury attorney.

If you have been injured in a car on work hours, you may have a worker’s compensation claim. Many employers rely on employee driving skills to get work tasks done. Some employers even make company cars available for employees. Some employers also ask employees to use their own vehicles to complete company tasks. What happens when an employee is injured on the job while in a vehicle?

If you have sustained an injury as the result of a car accident involving a company vehicle, you will likely have access to a worker’s compensation. You may also want to contact a good Florida personal injury attorney to see whether you should file a legal claim. A good attorney can investigate the causes of an accident. If improper maintenance of the vehicle by your employer caused the accident, you may be eligible for additional money in a settlement.

If your employer has asked you to use your own car for a work-related task and you are in an accident while on your way to perform that task or returning from that task, you will need to speak to a good personal injury attorney. It will be more difficult in some ways for you to file a worker’s compensation claim in this case, since the vehicle is not used exclusively to work and since you cannot claim the employer was negligent in taking care of the vehicle. As well, insurance providers for your employer may argue that your claim is not valid because you were not in the place of work at the time of the injury. A good attorney can apprise you of your rights and can ensure that you receive any compensation you are entitled to.

If you are working and are in a car accident that causes personal injury or property damage to someone else, you will need a good attorney. Part of any resulting legal action may include an attempt to assign liability. You want an attorney to represent you to ensure that you do not end up being blamed for an accident which was not fully your fault.

Keep in mind that many things may have caused the accident, including driver errors, mechanical problems with the vehicle, road conditions, and other contributing factors. A good attorney can ensure a thorough investigation gets you the answers you need. After such an accident, you may also be temporarily unable to work. Again, a good lawyer can ensure that you are compensated for your lost income. Car accidents involving work-related tasks are often complication and may result in finger-pointing. However, working with a professional attorney ensures that your rights are safeguarded.

Any seasonal changes can result in more car accidents. There are many reasons for this:

1) Seasonal maintenance. Most cars require at least some maintenance after a long winter, but many drivers fail to do this. If it has been a while since your car has a tune up, now is the time to take your car to a mechanic and ensure that your vehicle is safe for the warmer months.

2) Changing weather conditions. Warmer weather can make it harder to concentrate and warmer weather also often brings rains, which can make winter roads slippery. Slow down and acclimatize yourself to changes in weather before charging ahead.

3) Different sun situations. The sun tends to be brighter at this time of year, and also produces more of a glare. You may find, for example, that the sun is right in your eyes when you drive home at this time of year. Blinding sun, however, can make it hard to see. Make sure you use your visor and carry a pair of sunglasses in your car for those bright days. As well, keep your windshield clean so that the glare is easier to handle.

4) Roadwork in the warmer weather. Warmer weather usually means construction work on the roads as well as the obvious signs of winter weather wear. It’s time to make sure you listen to weather reports before you leave the house and plan your route accordingly. Try to maintain your patience and drive extra cautiously around road work.

5) More pedestrians. Warm weather and spring usually means more strollers, pedestrians, and bicyclists, which can increase the chances of a pedestrian accident or bicycle accident. Continue to watch for pedestrians and bicycles. Consider glancing over maps for your most-frequented routes. Are there trails nearby or schools? Use extra caution around bicycle lanes, places where walking trails cross the road, and other dangerous areas.

6) New distractions. Each season has its distractions. In the winter, it’s holiday lights. In the fall, it’s beautiful leaves. In spring, flowers, gardens, and spring events can all pose a distraction on the road. Distracted drivers are dangerous drivers, however. Keep your eyes on the road and your mind on the driving. If you are unable to do so, pull over.

Car accidents, truck accidents, and bus accidents often result in spinal cord injuries because the victim is trapped in an enclosed space while the vehicle is in a rapid motion. Even with a seatbelt, the head and neck area can be thrown forward and backward rapidly and the sheer impact of a vehicle colliding with a solid surface or another vehicle can cause permanent injury to the spinal cord.

Spinal cords injuries are an especially devastating injury. Often, they result not only in severe pain but in permanent loss of mobility. This can be overwhelming as it can affect a person’s career, social life, hobbies, income, and everyday life. Even every day tasks such as bathing can become very difficult for a spinal cord injury patient. In many cases, a long rehabilitation is needed as the patient strives to learn to live again with different abilities.

While in the past, many spinal cord patients had to rely mostly on simply re-learning to live life differently, treatment options are being developed at a rapid pace today. Many experimental treatments are now in clinical trial phases or will soon be in trail phases. Some of these treatments involve stem cells or other therapies and some are reportedly very promising. Often, patients are very eager to take part in clinical trials because they see these as a possible solution for their problem. However, patients who are considering clinical trials need to carefully consider their decisions.

If you have sustained a spinal cord injury and are considering taking part in a trial for experimental treatments, carefully consider your limits and your goals. Many patients consider experimental treatments to be a solution, but this is not always the case. Experimental treatments are just that – experimental. This is no guarantee that they will work and most come with risks as well. In addition, most clinical trials have random blind testing, which means that some participants in clinical trials experience experimental treatments and some do not, to account for the placebo effects. Taking part in clinical trials, therefore, is no guarantee that you will be getting experimental treatments at all.

Keep in mind, too, that experimental treatments usually have a cost associated with them. You might need to travel to take part in a trial or you may need to answer extensive questions or undergo extensive tests. Consider what you are willing to do to get experimental treatments and what your goals are. Do you hope for a cure? Do you wish to help with research so that other patients may benefit? Would you be upset to learn that you were getting a placebo drug or treatment? Are your expectations of experimental treatments reasonable?

Keep in mind, too, that the dynamics with clinical trials are very different than the dynamics with traditional treatment. You may ask your doctor as many questions as you wish about your treatment, but in a clinical trial researchers are usually very closed-mouthed about the treatment and what exactly is going on. You may need to accept many question marks and unknowns in your treatment. This means that you will need to be emotionally very strong to take part in experimental treatments. You may need the support of family and friends and even a professional counselor while undergoing experimental treatments. In fact, you may wish to discuss your decision with a therapist or counselor as well as your family before you decide on experimental treatments. This can help you decide whether experimental treatments are right for you.

Car accidents frequently cause many serious personal injuries, but of these one of the most painful and difficult is often the burn injury. Burn injuries in a car accident often tend to be severe, because when these injuries do occur they tend to be caused by a high-temperature fuel-fed fire which can cause very serious injury. Burn injuries sustained in a car accident can sometimes cover a large part of the victim’s body.

When a car accident patient arrives in the emergency room with a burn injury, doctors and burn specialists will try to determine how deep and pervasive the injury is. Usually, when a burn covers a larger area, the center of the burned area will sustain the most damage and have the deepest burn. Burn specialists in the hospital will very quickly have to evaluate the severity and depth of the burn in order to determine the appropriate course of treatment.

Hospitals will need to determine whether a burn is affecting any internal organs or a patient’s airway. When a patient has experienced damage to the pulmonary system as a result of their burn and has heat exposure damage as well as smoke inhalation, the burn may prove fatal. However, there are several types of burns, each with their own challenges to physicians:

1) A superficial burn occurs when a burn causes injury to only the top layer of skin. This is the most mild form of burn and it can occur even with a sunburn. Usually, this type of burn injury takes about a week to heal and there is usually minimal or no scarring at all. This type of burn usually heals quite well because only the top, thin layer of skin is affected and the body usually replaces this layer regularly anyway.

2) A partial thickness or dermal injury occurs when burn damage penetrates to the second layer of skin, which is called the dermis. This type of burn injury usually requires scarring. More severe burn injuries affecting the dermis may require skin grafts.

3) A full thickness injury occurs when a burn injury affects the subcutaneous tissue or third layer of the skin. This burn injury is more severe because this layer includes fat. In this injury, three layers of skin are damaged, along with sweat glands, hair follicles, and areas where new skin cells are made. For this reason, these burns will not heal on their own without severe scarring. These burns can be quite painful and usually require extensive care as well as skin grafts. Complications such as infections are more common with these burns.

4) A full thickness burn with injury to the underlying muscle occurs when burns injure the muscle and tissues under the skin layer. These types of burn injuries can penetrate very deep and affect ligaments and even organs. For this reason, they can often pose a threat to a patient’s life. They usually require critical care, surgical procedures, rehabilitation, and repeat plastic surgeries during the recovery process. These injuries are most likely to result on complications, loss of mobility, and chronic pain.

Neck injuries are one of the most common and challenging personal injuries to result from car accidents. Car accident survivors are very susceptible to neck injuries because those passengers wearing seatbelts have their bodies secured. In a collision, the head and neck are in violent motion while the body is restrained. Even where an airbag is present, the head can be pushed forward into the airbag with great force, making passengers vulnerable to neck injury.

The neck is a crucial and complex part of the body. Doctors and surgeons have limited access to much of the neck area, so many neck injuries tend to be permanent or complex. As well, since the neck area is constantly moving and supporting the head, any injury to this area can be extremely severe. In the most extreme injuries, neck injuries lead to fatalities. Survivors of such injuries often have severe, permanent injuries.

The most common types of neck injuries arising from car accidents include:

1) Pinched nerves. Nerves can become pinched due to broken bones or ruptured disks. When damage to the nerves occurs, the result is usually extreme pain. Also, many nerves in the neck area tend to be linked to the spinal cord and arms. This means that patients with pinched nerves sometimes find that an arm is in extreme pain or experiences numbness or weakness due to a neck injury. Pinched nerves also inhibit mobility due to the pain they cause.

2) Neck sprain. Ligaments connect the bones in the neck. When these ligaments tear, stretch, or otherwise are damaged, the result is a neck sprain. Neck sprains result in severe pain as well as stiffness in the neck area which can extend into the back as well.

3) Herniated discs in the neck. The vertebrae in the neck are protected by soft tissue, which also protects the discs in the neck. When the tissue is damaged or torn, part of the disc the tissue is meant to protect protrudes into the spinal column, putting pressure on muscles and nerves. A herniated disc results in extreme pain. Most people with a herniated disc experience stiffness and difficulty with regular motion.

Of all the possible personal injuries it is possible to sustain in a car accident, the possibility of a broken bone may initially not seem so bad. After all, many car accidents cause permanent injuries such as brain injuries or even fatalities. However, broken bones can be serious. In some cases, they can lead to a permanent lack of mobility or even death.

Bone fractures and broken bones are among the most common injuries experienced by car accident victims. In a car collision, passengers of a car can be thrown about quite violently inside the interior of the car. If the passenger comes into contact with a solid surface – such as a dashboard, this impact can cause a bone to break. As well, if part of the car is crushed in a trucking accident or serious car accident, a passenger may fracture a bone if part of their body becomes trapped in the crushed part of the vehicle, where a great deal of force is exerted.

The most common types of bone fractures experienced in car accidents include:

1) Broken necks. The neck is vulnerable in a car accident because the head is often whipped around by the impact of the collision. While other parts of the body may be protected if a passenger is wearing a seat belt, the head can still move more. Air bags can help reduce the risk, but the force of having one’s head whipped around can cause a broken neck. This sort of broken bone is the most serious. It can cause fatalities or permanent injury and paralysis. If the head is thrown about, brain injury as well as neck injury can also result.

2) Broken jawbones. Again, because the head is not as secured as the rest of the body, bones in the head area are especially vulnerable in a car accident. Passengers in the front seat are especially vulnerable, since the passenger can be forcefully pushed against the hard dashboard surface in an accident, especially in cases where the airbag fails to inflate.

3) Broken limbs. Broken limbs are among the most common broken bones in an accident. This is because arms can be in motion while a car is in motion. If someone is doing something with their hands, their hands may fly up in an accident and a fracture can take place. If a passenger has their arm outside of a window at the time of impact, amputation or fracture are very likely. As well, passengers tend to instructively throw their arms in front of their faces at the moment of impact. While this protects the head, it can also lead to broken bones along the arm area. Broken legs are also quite common for passengers in the front seat because legs are under the dashboard, which is a very vulnerable area in a car accident, especially in some smaller economy cars.

In the most severe cases, broken bones can kill and paralyze. However, even car accident survivors who sustain only a broken arm or leg may experience severe discomfort and lost income due to their injury.

Knees are a major part of our mobility, yet they are one of the most common areas of the body to sustain personal injury in a car accident. This is because in a collision, passengers and drivers are often thrown forward, crashing knees against the dashboard or the seat in front of them. Knee injuries are often very painful and require extensive treatment. The most common knee injuries sustained in car accidents include:

1) The ACL tear. The ACL is the ligament holding the knee joint in place. It is located closest to the joint. This type of personal injury requires a long recovery time and long-term pain. Some patients do not initially know they have sustained a knee injury when they have an ACL tear, because this injury does not present a lot of initial pain. The ACL tear is one of the more severe knee injuries one can sustain in a car accident.

2) The PCL tear. The PCL ligament is located towards the back of the knee. The PCL (posterior cruciate ligament) helps to maintain a knee’s stability and when injured in an accident the result is swelling and pain. Patients with this type of injury require long-term treatment and may have trouble walking for an extended period of time.

3) Torn meniscus. This injury essentially refers to a torn cartilage. Cartilage is a softer type of substance which is linked to the ligaments and helps to prevent friction in the knee joint. When the cartilage tears in an accident, patients may not be able to move easily, their knee joint may pop or snap, and they may suffer from pain.

4) The MCL (medial collateral ligament) tear – The MCL ligament helps promote the flexibility of the knee. When it is torn or damaged in an accident, a patient may feel a great deal of pain. A patient with a torn MCL will also generally have trouble walking and trouble with everyday activities.

Knee injuries are a difficult personal injury to experience because patients with these types of injuries often have trouble with basic mobility for extended periods of time. In car accidents, as well, it is common for multiple ligaments to tear, and this of course delays the recovery proves. Many patients who have sustained knee injuries in a car accident require multiple surgeries and physiotherapy.

Car accidents often result in spinal cord injuries. Pedestrian accidents and other accidents also often result in this injury, which can affect your mobility and therefore your ability to drive. If you have sustained a spinal cord injury, you will want to take these steps before getting back behind the wheel:

1) Have a professional evaluate your ability to drive. There are driving instructors, doctors, and occupational therapists who can evaluate your vision, strength, movement, and reaction time to determine whether you can safely drive after your accident. These professionals may give you the go-ahead to drive or may suggest specific therapies or other suggestions to make you capable of driving.

2) Learn to drive a vehicle with the equipment you need. If you have sustained a spinal cord injury, you may need special adaptive equipment in a car to drive safely again. You will need to train yourself to drive in this type of equipped vehicle. Rehabilitation centers offer special rehabilitation classes that can teach you this skill.

3) Get your car ready. After a spinal cord injury, you may need to equip your car with special equipment that will make it easier for you to reach controls, get in and out of the car, see the road, and buckle up. Your car may be specially adapted or you may want to buy a car with lowered floors, higher roof, and other special features. Your specific injuries will determine what changes – if any – you need to make. Speak with your doctor and physical therapist about the changes you will need to make. However, make as few changes as you need to. It will be easier to adapt to a car with fewer alterations.

4) Get your licensing ready. If you have sustained a serious spinal cord injury, you may need a note from your doctor or retesting. You may also need license plates that allow you to park in special blue zones to make it easier for you to get to your destination.

5) Get your insurance ready. As a result of your injury, your insurance coverage may have changed. You may need to pay different premiums. You may also need more coverage, as your car may cost more to replace with the new adaptive equipment.

After a car accident that has resulted in personal injury or damage to property, you will need to deal with car insurance. While you may be considering the other driver’s car insurance, remember to also look at your insurance provider. Your insurance carrier may also provide coverage that is important to you. Here are the types of coverage which can be important after an accident:

1) Medical Coverage. If you have this coverage, the medical bills of yourself and some of your passengers may be covered. This is very important if you have sustained head injuries, spinal cord injuries, or other injuries as a result of the crash. This coverage is often for $1,000 to $2,000. However, you may be covered for a different amount, depending on your coverage.

2) Property damage. If you have this type of insurance, your insurance company will pay for repairs to your car, as long as your car can still be repaired. Some insurance providers also offer a rental car while your car is in the shop.

3) Uninsured Motorist Coverage and Underinsured Motorist Coverage. If you are in an accident with a driver who has no insurance or very little insurance, having this type of coverage is important. It ensures that you are covered for a specific amount for your injury and property damage.

4) Health Coverage. In addition to your car insurance, do not forget to take a look at your health insurance. You may be able to use this insurance to pay for medical costs. If you do not have health coverage or do not have adequate health coverage, you will want to hire a good Florida personal injury attorney if you have sustained an injury. Your attorney can seek out a settlement for you in the event that someone’s negligence or recklessness has caused the crash. Your attorney can also send a “letter of protection” to doctors and clinics, assuring them that medical costs will be paid after your settlement. This letter will ensure your credit rating does not suffer.

5) Compensation for Lost Wages, Pain and Suffering, Medical Bills, Mental Anguish, Disfiguring Scars and Permanent Physical Injury. Most insurance companies cover for these losses. If you have sustained a serious injury, such as a burn injury or spinal cord injury, you will want to seek compensation for these items. However, you will need to ensure that these losses are well documented. Visiting a doctor regularly and keeping evidence of your injuries in the form of photos and journals can be useful.

The National Safety Council reports that in any given year, one in eight drivers will be in a car accident and will need to file an insurance claim. Over the course of fifteen years, the average driver is very likely to be in a car accident. In fact, according to the National Safety Council, the average driver has a 99.3% chance of being in an accident during a fifteen year period.

Many drivers feel that they are adequately covered by the car insurance that they spend considerable amounts of money on, but this is not always the case. Not every driver on the road is adequately insured, so you may have a hard time making a claim against another driver. Even your own insurance company can beset you with questions and forms to ensure that you are honest in your claim. Here are some tips for making your claim process easier:

1) Have the right insurance. Go over your insurance regularly and know what is covered and what is not covered. Make sure that you have adequate insurance in the event that you are in an accident.

2) If you are in an accident, start gathering information as soon as you can. Always exchange insurance information, names, license plate numbers, contact information, and more. Take photos at the scene if at all possible, and keep a journal of any personal injuries or expenses you incur as a result of the accident.

3) Contact your insurance company right away. File a claim as soon as you can after an accident. Cooperate with the insurance provider and keep lines of communication open so that you understand how your claim is progressing. If you need help filling out forms, ask for it. Insurance forms are sometimes rather complex.

4) Hire a good Florida personal injury attorney if an accident has resulted in a serious personal injury or a fatality. You will likely need some legal advice and help. If you have been the victim of a loss or injury, you will need a good negotiator on your side to ensure that you get all the resources you need to handle your injury. Many insurance carriers only recompense you for immediate medical costs and income loss, but your injury may cost you a great deal over time. A good attorney can determine the total costs of your injury and negotiate to ensure that as much of these costs are covered as possible.

Highway departments across North America have been using an optical illusion to help prevent speeding and the accidents that it can cause. Optical speed bars use painted dividing bars to trick drivers into slowing down. Designers of the bars use specific distance between dividing bars to make drivers slow down. Designers slowly make the distance of stripes smaller over a specific distance. This makes drivers instinctively slow down, according to research.

Across North America, optical speed bars are used on construction zones and other areas where slow speed is vital for safety. The bars work by making drivers more conscious of their speed, even if the drivers do not glance at their speedometer. The way the brain processes the bars makes the driver think they are going faster than they actually are, which actually encourages the driver to drive slower than they intend to.

The optical speed bars work by making drivers feel that the painted yellow highway dividers are whooshing past at a faster rate. This illusion seems to work at slowing drivers down, according to research studies. Researchers have found that on highways, in rural areas, and around construction sites, optical speed bars do seem to reduce driver speed.

One study at the University of Kansas found that drivers reduced speeds by up to 29.8% when driving by optical speed bars. Researchers found that optical speed bars yield the most significant results on the morning drive 7 a.m. and 9 a.m. This may be because drivers are more tired and more receptive to the illusion at this time. Further, studies have found that drivers maintained a lower speed even after leaving optical speed bar areas.

Some municipalities are adding optical speed bars to areas where a high incident rate has occurred. Others are adding them on curved roads or high speed limit areas, where driving conditions are more dangerous. They are also very common in construction areas, where despite posted speed limits, some drivers tend to drive too fast for safety. Hopefully, these optical illusions will help prevent accidents and the personal injuries they cause. Currently, there is no research as to whether these bars prevent pedestrian accidents or bicycle accidents, but slowing down drivers is of course key to preventing most types of accidents involving vehicles.

According to many experts, the most common driving mistakes which cause car accidents, pedestrian accidents, and personal injuries are in fact habits. Drivers learn a few mistakes and after a while do not even notice that they make these mistakes behind the wheel. Check to see whether you are guilty of any of these bad habits:

1) Bad mirror adjustments. Most drivers position their side mirrors so that they can see part of their own car and some of the area behind their vehicle. It is actually far more effective to position your mirrors so that you can’t see your car at all. You don’t need to see your car door and by angling a little wider you will decrease your blind spots.

2) Not idling. We all know that idling is bad, but turbochargers require some idling to ensure that oil can flow through them correctly and protect the metal. Idling for a few seconds after starting the car and after each drive can extend the life of your turbocharger.

3) Using the brakes too often. Constantly pressing down the brakes confuses drivers behind you and wears down your brakes. If you are heavy on brakes because you are a nervous driver, consider additional training or racing classes to get more comfortable behind the wheel.

4) Not using headlights correctly. At night, make sure you have your night lights on, not your daytime lights. You need the extra light to ensure that drivers can see you. At the same time, don’t drive around with high beams on unless you actually need them. Head beams can blind oncoming drivers and cause accidents. Keep in mind, too, that in some weather conditions – such as rain and fog – high beams can actually decrease your visibility.

5) Not speeding up in the passing lane. If you’re going to pass a car, you will need to enter the passing lane. Once there, though, you will need to speed up a little bit in order to pass the vehicles you wish to pass. Puttering along in this lane can cause other drivers to tailgate or drive aggressively. If you don’t want to speed up, do not pass.

6) Incorrect turning. When turning, make sure you put on your signal and make a turn in your own lane. Do not drift into another lane or change direction. This sort of incorrect turn could lead to an accident.

Some national research studies have found that drivers who text and drive are 23 times as likely to be in a car accident. With studies like these and safety experts increasingly speaking out against distracted drivers, many legislators are taking note. Chuck Schumer, a Democratic Senator, introduced a bill which would require states to ban texting while driving in order to qualify for federal highway funds. Senator Jay Rockefeller has introduced a bill which would offer grants to states which did ban texting and driving.

Even President Barack Obama has aimed to reduce texting and driving. During a conference about distracted driving last fall, he signed an executive order which bans federal employees from texting while driving. While that takes care of some government employees, however, in many states, drivers can legally text and drive. This is despite the fact that research has shown that texting and driving can lead to serious car accidents and personal injuries.

Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood has stated that texting and driving bans should apply not only to car drivers but also to bus drivers and truck drivers, who can cause serious bus accidents and trucking accidents by texting while driving. LaHood noted that for texting and driving bans for bus and truck drivers to be effective, they would need to work across state lines, since these drivers tend to drive across states often.

However, the government may need to face the fact that legislation alone might not work. The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety conducted a study which concluded that texting while driving and cell phone use actually slightly increased after these activities were banned among younger drivers. Although Phoenix banned texting and driving, a Reuters study in that city found that three out of four teens polled admitted to texting while driving. Clearly, any legislation will need to be followed up with enforcement and penalties. Most teens do not see texting while driving as something bad or wrong. Yet, many do see texting as a vital activity.

Legislators may need to ensure that penalties for texting while driving are high, in order to discourage drivers from texting while driving. Studies of teen habits also suggest that enforcement may be an issue. Unfortunately, many police agencies note that catching drivers who break such legislation is difficult. Most texters keep mobile devices on their laps or out of the way of windows, so that it is hard for officers to see texting on the roads. In addition to legislation, other types of initiatives may be important to stop texting and driving.

This week, The Oprah Winfrey Show has broadcast a show about distracted driving, taking an aim at texting and driving specifically. Advocates are cheering the move, saying that the talk show host has such a key influence on people that more drivers may sit up and notice that texting while driving is dangerous. The show is asking people to take a pledge not to text or talk on their cell phones while driving. More importantly, say advocates, Oprah Winfrey’s considerable influence may make texting and driving seem socially unacceptable. The show even features t-shirts which feature the slogan “Don’t Tempt F8, That Txt Can W8.”

The show on distracted driving takes aim at distracted driving specifically caused by mobile devices – Winfrey addresses emailing, texting, and cell phone use behind the wheel. During the show, Winfrey speaks with several guests who have lost loved ones due to a distracted move. The guests offer a face to the losses associated with distracted driving.

Winfrey backs up her claims in the show with specific facts. She notes that 71% of drivers between 18 and 49 years of age admit to talking on a cell phone or texting while driving. She notes that such behaviors cause 6000 deaths and half a million personal injuries each year – statistics she notes will increase unless people put away mobile devices when getting into their cars. At one point, an expert notes that drivers who are talking on a cell phone are four times more likely to be in an accident than non-distracted drivers – the same accident rate as drunk drivers. Drivers who text while driving are eight times more likely to be in a car accident than non-distracted drivers, according to the show.

Winfrey calls distracted driving a “deadly habit” and notes that her interest in the issue increased when she read a number of articles in the newspaper about distracted drivers who caused serious car accidents, pedestrian accidents, bus accidents, and trucking accidents. Winfrey praises Utah’s tough distracted driving laws at one point during her show and interviews Reggie Shaw, a young man who killed two people a few years ago when he was texting and driving. Shaw admitted to texting and driving frequently while behind the wheel and notes that many of his friends do the same thing. The families of his two victims -- Keith O'Dell and Jim Furfaro – worked to change distracted driving laws in Utah and Reggie himself has spoken out against distracted driving.

At one point during the show, Oprah Winfrey speaks to a specialist who notes that distracted driving is dangerous because the brain cannot process texts or cell phone calls as well as the information being seen visually through a windshield. Distracted drivers see only part of the information before them. Their brains effectively don’t notice some items on the street in front of them – such as other cars or pedestrians – since their brains are too busy processing incoming information from a mobile device.

The show even showed what happens during texting and driving. The show invited three guests to take part in a driving test. Each driver felt confident about their abilities to drive and text at the same time. After taking a driving test while texting, all three guests could see that they could not drive safely. This allowed Oprah Winfrey to note one of the key problems with texting and driving: many people genuinely believe that they can do both but in fact no one can do both successfully.

According to a UK research study conducted by the Transport Research Laboratory (TRL) and the RAC Foundation, texting is as deadly as drunk driving, and the startling results are just as applicable in the US as in the UK. The study had 17-24 year old drivers read, write, and ignore text messages while driving a driving simulator. Researchers concluded that the response times of test subjects decreased by 35% when distracted by a cell phone or mobile device. In comparison, response times decreased 12% when test subjects were drinking to the legal level allowed for their blood alcohol limit. Test subjects who were driving under the influence of marijuana had response times slowed 21%

The study found that distracted driving affected more than just response times. Test subjects distracted by a mobile device also had steering control reduced by 91%. As a result, many test subjects had trouble remaining in their lane while texting. Researchers also found that drivers distracted by texting followed too close behind the car in front of them, further increasing the risk of an accident.

Interestingly, all the test subjects in the study believed that they could text quickly and effectively, even while driving. All were experienced with texting. Despite this, it took them three times longer to compose and send a text message while driving. Researchers found that texters who think they are distracted for only a few seconds while driving in fact underestimate the amount of time it takes them to compose a text message on the road. In fact, researchers found that drivers sending just one text message were distracted for over half a mile or one full mile on the highway.

If this study is worrying on its own, research in the US is even more troubling. Accroding to US researchers, teens often text while driving, even though they know it is dangerous. Most teens polled also admit to breaking current text bans while driving and claim they would continue texting and driving, even if federal legislation makes it illegal to text message while driving in any state. Many teens claim that they are too dependent on text messaging to give it up, even while driving.

Police agencies also note that catching people who are texting while driving is difficult. The California Highway Patrol, for example, has issued 163,000 tickets since 2008 to people who are talking on cell phones while driving. However, only 1,400 texting tickets have been issued. Considering there are 23 million drivers in the state, this means that many people are texting, driving – and getting away with it. Police note that cell phones are easier to spot since drivers hold the devices up to their ears. Drivers often hold devices behind the dash or on their laps when texting, making texting drivers hard to spot. Currently, 20 states ban texting and driving. Nine states ban texting and driving only for young drivers.

No experts claim that text messaging while driving is not dangerous. However, getting drivers to listen is another matter. Police agencies believe that passing new laws alone won’t help. Like many experts, they believe that a change of perspective needs to happen. Drivers need to start seeing texting as dangerous and socially unacceptable.

When a car accident takes place, the risk of secondary car accidents increases. These types of accidents occur when distracted drivers collide with cars that have been in an accident. These accidents can also take place when cars collide because drivers are too busy looking at the accident to focus on the road. While many secondary accidents are fender-benders, they can still lead to serious injuries, including broken bones and head injuries.

A campaign in Florida known as the Move it…Yes You Can Campaign aims to reduce the number of secondary accidents. This campaign specifically aims to convince drivers who have been in an accident to move the vehicle. About half of traffic congestion is due to car accidents and Florida state laws in fact require drivers who are involved in minor accidents with no injuries to make reasonable efforts to move their vehicles so that the cars involved in an accident will not cause other accidents or traffic congestion.

Many drivers are not aware of this law and are in fact reluctant to move their vehicles. Some drivers assume that moving their vehicles will remove evidence of negligence or will create legal problems. The Move it…Yes You Can Campaign hopes to raise education and awareness about Florida’s laws regarding this important issue.

If you have been in an accident where injuries or serious damage has occurred, you should not move your vehicle and you should encourage other drivers not to move their vehicles. Where serious injuries – such as head injuries, burn injuries, or spinal cord injuries – have taken place, investigators will be examining evidence and charges as well as legal suits may take place. In these cases, it is best not to move your car. Remain in place until emergency personnel arrive.

Luckily, most accidents are minor fender benders with no injuries. If you have been in such a minor accident in which all passengers and drivers are uninjured, move your car off the road and wait until the other driver moves his or her car off the road to exchange information and to resolve the situation. This simple action can help prevent further accidents and injuries.

The campaign to prevent drunk driving accidents has been ongoing for decades and today many people have gotten the message that driving under the influence is morally wrong. Even though DUI accidents still occur far more than they should, most drivers are at least aware that drinking and driving are wrong and risky. Yet, some experts claim that driving while texting is even more dangerous and more pervasive.

Legislators have already considered banning texting and driving – or any mobile device use while driving -- in many jurisdictions. In 2008 alone, the Florida Highway Patrol found that 1 400 personal injuries and 15 deaths were the result of driver distraction. Currently, the Florida Highway Patrol does not keep records of specific distractions. However, in the future officers hope to accumulate records on the number of driver distraction accidents caused specifically by texting or mobile phone use.

However, studies have already shown that texting and cell phone use while driving is dangerous. According to the National Safety Council, 80% of all car accidents are due to driver inattention. Other studies have found that texting while driving is as dangerous as driving under the influence – drivers distracted by texting are four times more likely to get into a serious car collision. This is the same risk factor as driving under the influence.

Unfortunately, drivers do not seem to be getting the message about driving while using mobile devices. According to the American Automobile Association, 46% of teen drivers text while driving. While there is a social stigma to drinking and driving, a similar social stigma does not appear to exist for texting and driving. This casual attitude about using cell phones while driving, warn experts, may make texting more dangerous than drinking and driving, simply because more drivers are liable to text and drive or to see nothing wrong with texting and driving.

Representative Doug Holder, R-Sarasota, has filed a bill which would ban texting while driving. The bill, which will be under review in the 2010 legislative session, is supported by cell phone companies. The main problem, legislators note, is that it may be difficult to enforce such a new law. Some members of the US Senate may begin denying funding for federal roads in states where texting is legal on roads.

Part of the problem with texting is that it violates a fundamental rule of the road: keep your eyes and focus on the road. Drivers who text remove their eyes from the road for seconds or minutes while typing or sending text messages. This is enough time to cause a serious pedestrian accident, collision, or fatality. Even talking on a cell phone removes focus from the road and can result in an accident.

A recent cold snap in Florida and across much the Eastern US this past week has worried many people. Parts of West Palm Beach, Miami, and Ft. Lauderdale set near-record lows on overnight forecasts and many tourists and residents were shivering during the day in 27-degree wind chill. Parts of Virginia and Kentucky saw snow.

Unfortunately, such conditions create severe problems for drivers. Even if Florida does not see snow, most drivers in the state may not be ready to drive in icy temperatures. This can cause a spike in car accidents in the upcoming few days. Parts of New York and Vermont have already reported increased car accident rates and personal injury rates.

Florida drivers may not be prepared for driving in icy temperatures. When driving on cold roads, it is important to slow down. Even if roadways look clear and no snow or ice is visible, it is important to keep in mind that even tiny amounts of water on the roads can freeze in icy conditions.

Unfortunately, many Florida drivers do not have winter tires – required by drivers in snowier states. Winter tires provide extra grip and some even have metal studs to better grip the roadway through ice and snow. If your car is not equipped with snow tires, slow down and use extra caution. If ice is reported on the roads, you may be safer staying inside rather than driving. Summer tires simply do not grip the icy roads very well, and this will cause you to lose control of the vehicle.

Drivers may also want to keep in mind that icy conditions can cause other problems as well. Any water on a windshield can turn to ice and can impede visibility. If precipitation is mixed with icy temperatures, blowing snow and ice can hamper visibility even further. If you must drive, get windshield wiper fluid designed for cold temperatures. Before driving, make sure that you scrape off any ice or snow on your vehicle. Do not use regular windshield fluid, as it may freeze on your windshield, making visibility difficult. Make sure that your windshield wipers work well – these are a vital tool for keeping your visibility good in the cold.

Cold temperatures outside and a warm car interior often mean foggy windshields and windows as condensation accumulates on the inside of your car. If this happens to you, use your defrost to remove the fog that might be hampering your visibility. If you do not have this feature, use a chalkboard eraser to wipe down the inside windows – pull over to do this, however. Avoid using your sleeve or clothes to wipe away fog – this usually results in streaks and dirty glass that makes it hard to see.

Many people enjoy staying in touch with social networking sites such as Facebook, MySpace, Twitter, and other sites. However, if you have been in a car accident and have sustained personal injuries, you may want to reevaluate how you update your sites. Investors and insurance carriers look at social networking sites when evaluating claims. The wrong message on your sites may affect your claim and your chance at a fair settlement.

You may have already read it in the news: people being accused of insurance fraud or having benefits cancelled due to Facebook or other social sites. Even if you think you are immune because you would never try to defraud an insurance provider, your social networking activities may affect your ability to make a claim.

After a car accident in which you have sustained a brain injury, broken bone, burn injury, spinal cord injury, or other serious ailment, you will need to make a claim with an insurance provider in order to be compensated for your medical and related costs. It is also a good idea to hire a good Florida personal injury attorney, who can protect your interests and your rights in a claim.

The insurance provider will evaluate your claim and your claims of injury. Today, many insurance providers use investigators to evaluate claims in order to reduce the instances of fraud. As well, in jury trials, attorneys use investigators to evaluate plaintiff’s cases. In both cases, investigators are increasingly turning to social networking sites to gather information.

Even seemingly innocent pictures and posts can get you into trouble. If you have sustained a spinal cord injury and post on your blog or Twitter page that you have gone shopping, for example, investigators may question this and note that you seem to be performing every day activities perfectly well. If you post pictures of yourself and friends having fun and smiling, this can also be used by investigators as evidence that your injuries are not so severe. This can affect your ability to get a fair settlement.

If you have a blog or if you take part in any social networking sites, you will want to speak with your Florida personal injury attorney about your online activities. Your attorney can advise you about which things you can or cannot post about. Your attorney may also recommend that you briefly stop online social networking in order to increase the chances that you will get the help you are entitled to under the law.

Highway Patrol authorities across the country are setting up roadway checks and adding extra troopers on highways and roadways to keep drunk driving accidents to a minimum on New Year’s Eve. Unfortunately, authorities have good reason to be concerned. In most areas of the country, the rate of car accidents and truck accidents increases at this time of year.

Many people attend New Year’s Eve festivities where alcohol is served and some revellers decide to drive while intoxicated. A shortage of cabs, night driving after New Year’s Eve parties, and more drivers on the road than usual compound the problem. The U.S. Department of Transportation’s National Highway Traffic Safety Administration is organizing a national campaign. The campaign, “Drunk Driving. Over the Limit. Under Arrest” will continue until Jan. 3.The campaign will see participating police authorities organize checkpoints for sobriety, seat belt use, and traffic infractions on New Year’s Eve. The campaign will also raise awareness and inform drivers about alternatives to drunk driving.

In every state, it is illegal to drive with a Blood Alcohol Content of .08 or higher. There are many campaigns in place to help drivers avoid driving under the influence. Some cities organize free public transportation for New Year’s Eve. Some bars offer free breathalyser tests and some advocacy groups even hand out free breathalyser test key chains, which allow drivers to test sobriety before getting in a car. Despite all these measures, unfortunately, some people continue to drink and drive.

As a result, many authorities and cities are getting tough on drunk drivers. In some areas, drivers caught at checkpoints with an illegal blood alcohol level will face a minimum five hours in jail, possible addition charges, fines, and other penalties.

If you are attending New Year’s Eve festivities, designate a driver, make plans to stay overnight or find an alternative form of transportation. It is a good idea to have at least three possible ways of getting home, just in case one travel option does not work well after New Year’s. Having more options ensures that you are not tempted to get behind the wheel after drinking.

Older drivers may suffer from conditions and illnesses which make driving a challenge. Since there are more elderly drivers on the roads, however – one estimate from the AAA suggests that by 2024, one quarter of all drivers will be over 65 – manufacturers are creating devices and car options that make mobility easier for elderly drivers. Some of these devices help elderly drivers drive safely and can even help prevent car accidents:

1) Larger wheels and simplified ignition systems. Thicker wheels are easier to grip – even for drivers with arthritis or other conditions – and allow elderly drivers to retain better control of their vehicles. This can be crucial if a driver needs to act quickly to avoid a car or pedestrian accident. Simplified ignitions that do not require a twist motion are also good options for drivers with limited mobility.

2) Power features. Although not marketed specifically at elderly drivers, power features – such as keyless entry, power locks, and power windows – are great for older drivers with limited mobility.

3) High seats. Higher seats make it much easier for elderly drivers to climb in and out of a vehicle. These seats also prevent elderly drivers from having to lift themselves out of a seat. Higher seats also offer seniors a better view of the road. Look for cars that have adjustable seats that come to mid-thigh when standing for best comfort and car control.

4) Good doors. Four-door cars with easy to open doors are important, as they make getting in and out of a car simpler. Older drivers should look for doors that open easily without a struggle. As well, low door thresholds are useful for climbing in and out of a car.

5) Visible controls and good sub visors. Many seniors begin experiencing some vision problems, and visible controls in the car with large, contrasting text are important. Visible controls allow drivers to see fuel levels, audio controls, and other areas of the dash easily without removing focus form the road. As well, extended and flexible sun visors which reduce glare are also important in allowing drivers to see the road clearly.

Sometimes, it appears that driver attitudes cause driving accidents. While many drivers take their driving privileges seriously and work to be safe drivers, others seem nonchalant about their driving, and this attitude can cause fatal car and pedestrian accidents. Some poor driver attitudes include:

1) Seeing driving as a right. Many drivers see driving as a right, because they see driving as freedom or as the only way to get to work. However, driving is a privilege that must be earned and respected. Not respecting your privilege could cause you to mistakes that make you lose your license.

2) Being casual about the physical logistics of driving. Not adjusting a car seat or driving with your hands at the bottom of the wheel can affect your driving ability. In a car accident, such sloppiness can affect how much you are able to control your car. It is important to ensure that you are ready to drive and that your vehicle is correctly adjusted for your size. Adjust all mirrors to give you maximum visibility and drive with your hands at the nine and three o’clock positions for maximum control of the wheel.

3) Assuming that driving does not require all our attention. While most drivers are initially cautious, as they become used to driving they start doing many things while operating a vehicle: applying makeup, talking on a phone, texting, reading, and eating. Any activity other than driving does not belong in the car. If you need to do something else besides drive, pull over. Driver distraction is a major cause of car accidents and truck accidents.

4) Being casual about physical condition. If you feel poorly or are taking certain medications that make you feel groggy or sleepy, stay off the roads. Read your medication descriptions to ensure that you are safe to be on the roads. If you are tired, hungry, angry, distracted, in pain or otherwise not in good physical condition, you pose a danger to other drivers. You could cause a car accident.

5) Being casual about doing pre-drive checks. Most driver education programs teach students that they need to check a car before each drive. After most of us have been driving a while, though, we stop doing this simple check. Unfortunately, this can mean that we miss mechanical problems that could be a serious hazard.

Diabetes is a very treatable condition and many people who have this illness are able to drive successfully and safely. However, if you have just been diagnosed with diabetes, your doctor may tell you to stay off the roads until your condition is under control. This is because diabetes can make your blood sugar levels too low or too high. This can cause many serious symptoms, including seizures, dizziness, drowsiness, confusion, blurry vision, and even loss of consciousness. Obviously, all these symptoms can be very dangerous when you are driving a car.

In a few cases, diabetes may cause complications or permanent problems that prevent a patient from driving. Some diabetes patients, for example, experience nerve damage to the hands or feet or lose their eyesight. In cases where diabetes complications are severe, a doctor may recommend a suspension of driving privileges.

It is important to communicate openly with your doctor about your diabetes. Ask how diabetes may affect your driving and report any new symptoms promptly. Your doctor may ask you to check your glucose levels before driving. If your blood sugar levels are too low, you may have a hard time controlling your car and driving safely. Your doctor can help you understand how to test your glucose levels and can help you manage your diabetes so that your levels remain relatively stable.

With time, you will learn to manage your diabetes and you will be able to recognize signs of a low blood sugar. If you have trouble recognizing the signs of low blood sugar, you might seek out glycemic awareness training, which will help you detect and manage changes in your blood sugar.

It is a good idea to keep snacks and sources of glucose with you in your car at all times. You will also want to buy a blood glucose meter for your car. Keep both items in your glove compartment. When you feel that your blood glucose level is low, pull over and test your levels. You may need to rest and eat a snack before retesting. If your blood glucose level increases after 15 minutes, eat a snack containing protein. Once you feel better and your glucose levels are stabilized, continue driving. Avoid driving on a low glucose level to get home – you could be in an accident and sustain injuries while driving with low glucose levels. Due to your diabetes, you may have a harder time recovering from some types of personal injuries.

If you are anxious about driving with your diabetes, you may want to consult with a driving rehabilitation specialist. You can work with your doctor and your driving rehabilitation specialist to ensure that your condition does not affect your driving. Your driving rehabilitation specialist can check your driving skills and can work with you to ensure that your diabetes does not affect your driving.

When a stroke takes place, the blood supply to the brain is interrupted, damaging brain cells and in some cases, causing brain damage. Strokes vary widely in severity, as does the rate of recovery. After a stroke, some patients are not able to see, move, or think clearly or easily. Other patients recover fully. Some patients experience partial paralysis that is permanent or temporary.

It can be hard to accept that our ability to drive changes after a stroke, but a stroke can affect a person’s ability to drive, sometimes permanently. After a stroke, patients may have a hard time applying the brake or gas or may struggle to turn the wheel. Some patients may become confused while driving and may become frustrated, especially if patients have a hard time thinking clearly. Some patients have difficulty remaining in their lane or even understanding traffic signs.

Many patients are able to recover almost fully from a stroke and are therefore able to drive again. However, this depends on how much damage a stroke has caused. It can take some time to evaluate how extensive the damage from a stroke, which is why it is important to work with your doctor and to avoid driving until you are sure you can do so safely. Keep in mind that you may be at risk for another stroke. If you have a stroke while driving, you may lose control of your car and cause a serious car accident or pedestrian accident. For this reason, it is vital to avoid driving until your doctor says you may drive safely.

The warning signs of stroke include vision difficulties, sudden weakness or numbness (especially along one side of your body), sudden confusion, sudden difficulty speaking, sudden loss of balance, sudden difficulty with movement, dizziness, severe headache. If you experience these symptoms suddenly, get medical help immediately. If you are driving when you experience these symptoms, pull over your vehicle and get emergency help immediately. The sooner you get help after a stroke the more likely you are to recover fully.

If you have had a stroke and are worried about your driving, talk to your doctor. Your doctor may recommend that you see a driving rehabilitation specialist. A driving rehabilitation specialist can evaluate your driving skills and can help you develop a method of regaining any skills you have lost. In addition, the driving rehabilitation specialist can guide you through driving rehabilitation and can help you find devices and tools for your car that can make it easier for you to drive after a stroke.

Keep in mind that you need to be honest with your doctors and driving rehabilitation specialists. If you have worrisome symptoms, you need report them, even if you fear your license will be taken away from you. There are many options available to help you retain your independence. If there is any chance that you may recover your driving skills, a driving rehabilitation specialist will help you regain these skills. If your driving skills cannot be recovered, your doctor and driving rehabilitation specialist can help you find alternatives that allow you to keep your independence. However, if you have been told to stay off roads, it is essential that you follow this advice.

Some experts warn that we are too soft on drunk driving that causes car accidents, pedestrian accidents, and serious injuries as well as fatalities. About half of all drunk driving cases are reduced or dropped entirely, studies have found. This trend worries experts, who claim that a lax attitude about drunk driving sends the wrong message and does nothing to discourage drivers from driving under the influence.

Experts also point to statistics which show that drunk drivers are often repeat offenders. Someone caught driving drunk today has a one in ten chance of getting another DUI charge, according to some studies. Experts worry that people who are not charged with DUIs or have charges reduced or dropped may adopt a more casual attitude about drunk driving. Such drivers may worry less about drunk driving, knowing that they are not a convicted drunken driver. Some drivers may feel or expect that charges will always be lax.

A report by the Daytona Beach News-Journal found that DUI defendants with private attorneys generally are able to avoid a DUI conviction. Virtually all defendants with private attorneys who had a first DUI charge were able to avoid conviction. The study found that between 1991 and 2008, 15,240 single DUI charges were recorded. Of these, 64% of defendants with a private attorney had their charges dropped or reduced. Only 30% of defendants with public defenders had their DUI charges dropped or reduced. Experts note that the disparity may be because private attorneys have more time to focus on flaws in a case and are able to devote more attention to cases on behalf of their clients.

To some, however, the disparity suggests an inequality in the justice system. Worse, some experts claim that such a system is putting dangerous drivers back on the roads without teaching these drivers the importance of driving sober. A study of 12,712 defendants who had their single-DUI cases reduced found that 1,222 were rearrested for driving drunk. Groups such as MADD (Mothers Against Drunk Driving) say that such statistics show that reduced or dropped DUI charges only give drunk drivers a second chance to cause drunk driving accidents and fatalities.

Prosecutors of DUI cases are far less likely to pursue DUI convictions if a defendant doesn’t look intoxicated on arrest videos or if there are flaws on an arrest report. The chances of winning a case in these cases is much smaller, so sometimes attorneys decide to allow the defendant agree to a lesser charge. Prosecutors also note that defendants are becoming more savvy about DUI arrests. Some refuse the breathalyzer or sobriety tests. While this deprives them of their license for 90 days or longer, it also deprives prosecutors of important evidence.

Many drivers are also willing to work harder to avoid DUI convictions. More people rely heavily on cars, so a DUI conviction can create problems if someone has to drive to work. As well, employees may become disqualified for some jobs involving driving if they have a DUI conviction. This often compels defendants to spend considerable amounts of money on a defense attorney. Groups such as MADD argue that people who are clearly impaired when driving should be convicted and attorneys should ensure that no deals are available for such drivers.

Unfortunately, New Year’s Eve results in many car accidents. Many people stay up late to attend events and parties. Returning home after midnight, many drivers are fatigued and unable to control their cars correctly. As well, drinking is still a key part of many New Year’s Eve festivities, so drunk driving accidents peak at this time of year. Traveling late at night and poor weather conditions can contribute to accidents on this night of the year.

Many drivers are on the roads on New Year’s Eve, and the extra traffic as well as extra risks can mean more accidents. Taxis and other forms of transportation may be hard to find on New Year’s Eve, compounding the problem. There are many ways to stay safe on the biggest night of the year, but you will want to start planning early.

Consider making your plans now. Determine now where you will be on New Year’s Eve, when the festivities will be finished, and how you will get home. Go online or call your local city information number to find out about New Year’s events and transportation options. Many cities now offer alcohol-free festivities which allow you to enjoy yourself while worrying less about drunk driving after the event. Many cities also offer free transportation from New Year’s Eve festivities via bus or shuttle. Find out whether these transportation options are a possibility for you. If they are, print off an information sheet about them and tuck the sheets into your purse or pocket. This way, you won’t be wondering on New Year’s Eve where to catch the free bus.

Taxi companies are often overwhelmed on New Year’s Eve, so now is a good time to call your local taxi company. Some companies allow you to book in advance for New Year’s Eve, so that there is a taxi waiting for you to be there. Otherwise, your taxi company may be able to give you some good tips on catching a cab.

If you will need to get home after a New Year’s Eve event, have at least three methods of transportation that you can take. Think now about all the ways you can get home. It is important to have alternatives because your first choice of transportation may not be available on New Year’s Eve. You may plan to be a designated driver, for example, but you may be tempted to drink – or the person you may have designated as a driver might drink. Taxis might not be dependable, so find at least three ways of getting home. That way, if one mode of transportation does not work out, you can still get home safely.

If you will be attending a New Year’s Eve event far from home, make provisional plans to stay over somewhere. The longer your trip home, the more at risk you are for a car accident. As well, if you are far from home, you may have a harder time finding alternative forms of transportation. Consider arranging a hotel room – some hotels offer discount rates for New Year’s – or arrange to stay with a friend.

Aggressive drivers are a major danger on the road. They are distracting and take driver attention from the road. They also tend to speed and drive aggressively when enraged, sometimes causing car accidents that result in fatalities or serious personal injuries. In the worse cases, aggressive drivers assault other drivers or even use their vehicles as a weapon, causing car and pedestrian accidents.

According to the NHTSA, aggressive drivers are usually higher risk drivers. Research suggests that they may take out their anger on just about anyone and may not need to be provoked to fly into a rage. Aggressive drivers usually feel safe acting out while driving, some experts have suggested, because cars offer a degree of anonymity and safety. Researchers have found that aggressive drivers tend not to consider or be concerned about the drivers around them and for this reason they take risks when driving. Aggressive drivers tend to tailgate, speed, run traffic lights and stop signs, pass on the right, make unsafe lane changes, weave in and out of lanes, yell, flash their lights, make facial and hand gestures, and honk aggressively.

If you notice a driver behaving in this way, you may be able to avoid an accident and avoid the personal injuries such an accident may cause. Here are some of NHTSA’s tips for dealing with an aggressive driver:

1) Do not allow an aggressive driver to affect your own driving. Try to remain calm and never speed up to keep up with a speeding driver. Continue to drive calmly, ignoring the aggressive driver as much as you can. Follow the rules of the road, especially if the aggressive driver is not. Make sure your seat belt is fastened, as this will help prevent a brain injury or spinal cord injury in the event of a collision. Prepare for defensive driving to avoid a collision.

2) Try to get out of the aggressive driver’s way. Drop back, take a different route and generally attempt to stay out of the way.

3) Take note of the aggressive driver’s details. Note mentally what he or she looks like and try to remember the license plate number or the make of the car. If you have a passenger with you, have your passenger write down this information. If the aggressive driver attempts to harm you or ram your car with his or her vehicle, you will have the information you need to report him or her.

4) Do not engage an aggressive driver. Never return gestures, honk, or yell at an aggressive driver. Experts even recommend avoiding eye contact. Any sign of aggression on your part can enrage an aggressive driver further and could make you a target.

In the United States, someone is killed in a car accident every ten seconds, on average. This is a staggering number, especially when one considers that many such fatalities are entirely preventable. Learn these top causes of accidents to prevent accidents and the personal injuries they cause:

1) Multitasking. Changing the radio station or the CD in your car is a distraction that can cause accidents. As well, reading, applying make-up, or drinking and eating while driving can increase your risk of a car accident. Make a passenger responsible for your music or create mixed tapes that you enjoy and that you will not need to change. For longer trips, use an iPod or similar device with hours of music or wait until a rest stop to change your CD. Wait until you are parked to read, apply makeup, or drink or eat. Drinking and eating are especially hard habits to break, unfortunately, because so many people rely on drive-through fast food restaurants. However, while you are trying not to spill something into your lap, you could cause an accident.

2) Drinking and substance abuse. 2006 alone saw 14,000 fatalities and many more injuries as a result of drunk driving accidents in the United States. Researchers have also found that drunk driving accidents are more likely to cause serious injuries and deaths when compared to accidents involving sober drivers. This may be caused in part by an inebriated driver’s inability to take defensive measures when a collision becomes unavoidable. As well, many drunk drivers speed because they are unable to focus on their driving and notice when they exceed the speed limit.

3) Cell phones. According to a study by Harvard University, call phone users caused millions of personal injuries and 200 fatalities in car accidents. Researchers found that drivers using a cell phone are four times more likely to cause an accident. Blue tooth technology and hands-free cell phones are not an ideal solution, either, since they do not prevent drivers from focusing on a conversation instead of the road. Many collisions could be prevented if drivers waiting until they were parked before making a call or sending a text. While many people have been at least informed that they should not drink and drive, many people do not consider driving a problem when they have been using drugs. Many people are also in accidents caused by over-the-counter medications or prescription medications. Anything that causes you to feel potentially groggy, disoriented, or dizzy can cause a serious car accident.

4) Speeding. Speeding makes it much harder to respond quickly to avoid an accident and when speeding your car takes much longer to stop. These two factors mean that when you are speeding, your chances of being in a car accident increase significantly, especially if you are in a residential area. You simply cannot drive defensively or well if you are speeding and therefore unable to control your vehicle well. You simply cannot drive defensively or well if you are speeding and therefore unable to control your vehicle well.

5) Other car accidents. Rubbernecking to see an accident causes more accidents, which is why so many car accidents happen near other accident sites. Urban areas, where traffic is more congested, especially tend to have these sorts of clusters of accidents. It is important to focus on the road when driving by an accident. Move with the flow of traffic unless officers instruct you otherwise.

Edmunds, one of the leading companies in evaluating cars, offers a number of less-often-hear tips to avoid car accidents:

1) Keep your eyes moving. Scanning the road well ahead of you allows you to anticipate any possible problems and allows you to react more quickly in an accident. Scanning the road a few cars ahead allows you to avoid sudden rear-end collisions with the car in front of you.

2) Stay away from the left lane on multilane routes. Statistically, more highway accidents occur in the left lane. The “fast lane,” as it is often called, has fewer escape options than the right or middle lanes, so that if you need to get out of the way quickly to avoid an accident you might be stuck. You are also more likely to get a speeding ticket in the left lane, where highway patrol officers tend to check first.

3) Take a look at the shape of cars around you. If a car is in bad shape or has obvious problems, such as body damage, that could indicate a driver who pays as little attention to the road as he or she does to his car. Give yourself extra room. Also, be on the alert for drivers who are drifting in a lane. These drivers might be exhausted, talking on a cell phone, or drunk. They are more likely to cause accidents because they are not paying attention to their driving for some reason. Stay well back of such cars.

4) Get a good grip on the wheel. Hold your steering wheel at 9 o’clock and 3 o’clock, as this will give you the best control of your steering wheel if you need to make a sudden maneuver to avoid a collision. As well, make sure that your seat is correctly adjusted to give you good control of the wheel. A good rule of thumb is to have the seat adjusted so that when you sit back in the seat with your arm extended, your wrist first perfectly on the top of the wheel.

5) Get to know and care for your car. Know how long it takes you to stop in various conditions and how much grip your tires have. Get to know how quickly your car accelerates and responds and whether it leans in any particular direction. Knowing such little details can help you respond more appropriately to avoid a car accident and personal injury. Once you get to know your car, you’ll also become better at evaluating when you car needs maintenance. You might notice, for example, that your car’s tires don’t have great grip, you might want to invest in a better set of tires to keep safe.

Airbags are safety devices which are designed to help prevent personal injuries during a car accident, but in rare cases, these devices can actually cause injuries in a collision. Airbags work by inflating quickly in an impact, which creates a cushion for the driver’s head or passenger’s head. The head of the driver or passenger hits the soft surface of the inflated airbag instead of the dashboard, reducing the risk of brain injuries.

Unfortunately, airbags must inflate very quickly in order to be effective. In rare cases, the force with which airbags inflate can cause injuries. In rarer cases, airbag defects can cause more serious injuries. In most cases, these injuries are simply abrasions or small cuts. However, the NHTSA reports that over 260 people have died since 1990 due to airbag injuries. This number is very small when compared to the number of fatalities caused by car accidents and other types of accidents. However, it is worth noting that many of these deaths were preventable.

According to the NHTSA, passengers accounted for about 65% of airbag-related deaths in car accidents. Over 90% of these passenger deaths involved infants and children. Most of these child passengers were incorrectly positioned in the vehicle, either without safety restraints or in rear-facing restraints. When the airbags deployed in an accident, these children had their heads right at the level of the airbag, so that the airbag slammed into their heads while inflating, causing fatal injuries. According to the NHTSA data, about 75% of victims were female and over 80% of those who died were not correctly restrained with safety belts. Older vehicles seem to have a higher rate of airbag-related injuries, too – over 90% of airbag-related deaths occurred in vehicles made before 1998.

These statistics point again to the importance of correctly positioning children in a vehicle. Car accidents are still a major cause of injuries to minors and children, and these injuries can be further prevented with correct use of safety restraints. In all vehicles, the safest place for young children to be is the back seat. Younger children should be placed in an age-appropriate child seat. Older children should be buckled in with a seat belt. In a car accident, these simple precautions can save a child’s life.

Manufacturers are taking the initiative in reducing airbag-related deaths as well. Newer airbag designs make airbags inflate with less force, which may reduce injuries and deaths associated with these devices. As well, the federal government created new guidelines in 1997 to ensure that frontal airbags inflate with lower power levels. Studies have shown that newer airbags are far less likely to cause injuries when compared to airbags made before 1998. Consumers with older vehicles may want to check their airbags and get them checked by a qualified mechanic. Look for any recalls on the airbags or consider getting the airbags replaced with a newer and safer design.

Most airbag-related injuries which do occur involve front airbags. Side airbags are smaller and use less force when inflating. In fact, so far only one serious injury has been reported from a side-impact airbag. It is important to keep in mind when considering any vehicles that airbags are a safety feature that usually prevent serious injury. Customers should not avoid airbags entirely, as these can save lives. However, parents need to be aware of injuries that airbags can cause to children and owners of older vehicles may wish to have their airbags inspected for safety to keep injury risk to a minimum.

One place where many people hope to save money is with their car insurance. However, lowering your car insurance coverage in order to save a few dollars may be more expensive than you think. Being underinsured is a major risk factor, as it means that you may have to pay for damages and other costs out of pocket. Also, being underinsured and taken to court can raise your premiums in the future. If you're underinsured, other drivers may start legal action in order to recover injuries from you if you do not have adequate insurance. You can avoid all of these problems in many cases by having the right insurance.

Of course, finding the correct amount of insurance for your vehicle is somewhat challenging. There are many insurance options, and not all customers understand all the options available to them. Florida state laws dictate that all drivers must carry a minimum amount of insurance. However, this minimum amount may not always fully protect you if you are in an accident causing personal injury.

There are two types of car insurance, the most basic level. Collision insurance covers damages, personal injury, and loss caused by a car accident. Comprehensive coverage covers damage, theft, and other issues not related to an accident. You'll likely need both types of insurance.

It is a good idea to review your insurance needs at least every six months or so. As your vehicle’s value changes over time, you want to make sure that you're not paying too much for your vehicle insurance, while you also want to make sure you are not underinsured. For example, if your vehicle is only worth $5,000, you want to make sure that your collision and comprehensive coverage each cover you for $5,000. If you are paying $10,000 in coverage, and your car is totalled, you will only get $5,000 back. You are paying for the extra $5,000 but may not see that coverage if your car is damaged.

If you have considerable assets, you may want to consider taking out additional coverage above and beyond the value of your car. This helps protect your assets in the event that you're in a car accident that causes personal injuries and results in multiple claimants seeking legal action against you. You have two options to protect yourself from such an event. You can seek a higher policy limit that applies specifically to liability. You can also seek out an umbrella insurance policy that covers you for car accidents as well as other liability claims. This can help protect you in case you are taken to court over a car accident.

Many people travel during the holidays to visit friends and family. Whether you are traveling by air plane, car, or bus, extra travelers and extra traffic at this time of year can mean a larger risk of travel-related accidents. Avoid holiday travel accidents with the following tips:

1) Decide which mode of transport is safer for you. If you will be drinking or will be rushed or stressed while traveling, have someone else get you home – take a bus, plane, train, or taxi. Similarly, if you will need to travel over long distances or in poor weather, it may be safer to leave the driving to professionals or it may be best to take a plane to avoid the bad roads. Anticipate the issues that will arise in your travels and choose the appropriate method of transportation.

2) If you are traveling by plane, take steps to avoid aviation accidents. Take a larger commercial airline, which is less likely to experience accidents than a smaller, chartered flight in a small aircraft. Carefully listen to the flight attendants at the start of your trip, when important safety information is imparted. If something goes wrong during your flight, having this information fresh in your mind can ensure that you get out of the aircraft quickly and safely.

3) If you are traveling by bus, take steps to avoid bus accidents. Travel when road conditions are good and note the presence of any emergency exits. Travel with a trusted bus line.

4) Travel only when well-rested. Being tired and sleeping during your bus, train, or plane ride slows your response time in an emergency. Of course, if you are driving you need to be very well rested and you need to take breaks while driving to ensure that you do not nod off at the wheel.

5) Give yourself plenty of time to travel. If you are driving, keep in mind that speeding is a major cause of accidents. Plan on giving yourself an extra hour or two when driving, more in bad weather. Check weather forecasts and road conditions before taking off, so that you know what to expect.

6) Do not remain distracted while traveling. Distractions such as mp3 players and cell phones can mean that you miss important safety announcements on planes, buses, and trains. In a car, any distractions – even short ones – can lead to an accident and fatalities. Focus in your travel and enjoy some well-deserved relaxation and fun at your destination.

Florida drivers are lucky. In addition to beautiful weather and lots of natural beauty, drivers from Florida do not usually need to worry about heavy snow and ice when driving. However, during the fall and winter many Florida residents leave the state to visit friends and family in other, colder climates. In some parts of the country, snow has already arrived. Florida drivers can be less used to winter weather driving and in bad weather, this lack of experience can mean car collisions, pedestrian accidents, and personal injury. Here’s how to drive safely when you are out of state and dealing with winter weather:

1) Take winter weather training courses where possible. If you have a long trip in winter weather ahead of you and you have never driven in the winter before, a refresher course is a good idea. An experienced driver trainer can show you how to deal with white-out conditions, black ice, and other serious dangers.

2) Get good tires. If you will be driving in areas where there is a lot of snow and ice, consider studded tires. Studded tires offer much better traction on snow and even ice and can help prevent you from slipping. Even if you will be driving in somewhat snowy conditions, get winter tires that offer much better traction than all-season or regular summer tires. Winter tires will help you brake and maintain control of your car.

3) Use an all-wheel-drive vehicle where possible. If you are renting or you have multiple cars and therefore have a choice, drive an All-wheel car in winter weather. This sort of car can help you get out of snowy, slippery areas more effectively and can reduce your chances of getting stuck in the snow.

4) Keep a winter kit in your car. Your car kit should include a shovel (for digging out your car), a bag of new kitty litter (for providing traction on ice), snow salt (for melting snow and ice around your tires), jumper cables (in case your car stalls), and an emergency kit that includes first aid, blankets, water, warm clothes, and flares or flashlights in case you get stuck or are in a car accident. You may also want to have an emergency tow kit in your car. These kits can help you get out of a ditch or icy spot without the aid of a tow truck. They are often sold in auto supply stores.

5) Check the weather often. If you need to go out of state on a business trip or a family trip, check the weather leading up to your car trip. If the weather is very bad, consider delaying or postponing your trip. In the event that this is not possible, give yourself lots of extra time. The best tip for winter driving is to slow down so that you can stop on time if you have to.

Holiday driving can be stressful. In addition to carrying gifts and trying to get home in time for the holidays, driving home at this time of year can also mean bad weather and heavy traffic. Here’s how to stay safe this holiday season:

1) Plan ahead. Since holiday travel is already stressful, do not make things more stressful with bad planning. As soon as you know you will need to drive somewhere for the holidays, create a checklist of things you will need to bring and things you need to do (such as fill up on gas) before you go. Check off this last the day before your trip and ensure that as many items as possible are packed into the car the day before. This will decrease the amount of last-minute worry and rushing that can leave you tired and distracted behind the wheel.

2) Have a passenger in charge of the cell phone. If you are driving with someone else, have the other person be responsible for the cell phone, leaving you free to focus on the road. If you are driving by yourself, turn off the cell phone. If you need to make a call, pull over first.

3) Check weather and road conditions before you go. You can get detailed road and weather reports the day of your trip by checking online. This information is vital, since it can let you know whether you need to leave early in order to arrive on time.

4) Wear your seatbelts at all times. Seat belts can save your life in an accident and can prevent serious brain injuries and spinal cord injuries in the event of a serious accident. Refuse to drive unless everyone in the car is wearing a seatbelt.

5) Do not drive tired or while feeling stress. If you are tired or feel emotional, you may not be able to react correctly or quickly to prevent an accident. Get some rest, put off your plans, or find someone else to drive.

6) Have a map handy. Make sure that you know where you are going so that you do not get into an accident while trying to peer at a map over the steering wheel. Plan your route and print off as map that a passenger can read for you. Alternatively, use a GPS device with voice features to verbally guide you to your destination.

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Driving around to look at holiday lights and decorations is a holiday tradition for many families. Many people enjoy driving out during an evening to look at the magnificent displays homeowners and businesses create. Dark roads and distractions, however, can mean pedestrian accidents and car accidents, however. Avoid fender benders and personal injuries with these tips:

1) Designate a driver. If you want to drive out to look at lights, make sure that the driver is not looking at lights. The driver should focus on driving only, to ensure that no accidents or fender benders take place.

2) Consider driving somewhere and walking about. Many small communities create elaborate displays that can be enjoyed on foot and some communities even offer carolers and hot beverages for pedestrians. Parking your car and looking at neighborhoods on foot can be a safer way to enjoy the lights, as long as you remain on sidewalks and avoid walking out on the road.

3) Go during established times. Many communities now have established times for viewing lights. Check your local community newspaper or call neighborhood associations in your location to inquire. Going to view lights at designated times is a great idea, as there are usually extra safety precautions in place at this time. As well, everyone in a community has their decorations up and their lights on during these times, so you can enjoy the full impact of displays.

4) Take two drivers who can take turns looking at lights. If possible, designate two or more drivers. This will ensure that each driver has a chance to drive (with all their focus on driving) and also has a chance to enjoy the lights.

During the weeks leading up to the holiday season, parking spots are at a premium, leading to frayed tempers and harsh words in many cases. Unfortunately, lack of parking and heavy store traffic can also mean more fender benders and pedestrian accidents in the parking lot of your favorite shops. At this time of year, you need to exercise more caution when parking and pulling out of parking spaces. Here’s how:

1) Check out the parking lot as you walk to your car. Look for obvious possible dangers, such as parents with small children on the loose and nearby cars. This will help you anticipate things you need to watch for as you back out. You might also want to park further away from the store rather than getting the nearest parking spot. There is far less traffic in remote areas of parking lots, making it easier to back out of your spot.

2) Check your blind spots. When pulling out of a parking spot, always check all your mirrors and blind spots. Keep in mind that many parents are out and about with children, who can dash behind your car very suddenly. Use extra caution, especially if a parking lot is busy.

3) Drive slowly. Driving slowly and being alert can help prevent an accident. Driving slowly when backing out of parking spaces and driving out of parking lots is especially important when the weather is bad or when the day is dark. Slowing down gives you time to react appropriately to prevent an accident.

4) Consider using a device that offers car rear-view functioning. Some GPS devices offer car rear-view functions which allow you to see everything behind your car, thanks to a tiny camera. These devices are extremely handy in helping you spot small objects – including carts and small children – that might be in your blind spots.

5) Be responsible as a pedestrian. If you are walking to and from your car to get into a store, remember to stay in pedestrian-designated areas and make sure that cars see you. Make eye contact with drivers and avoid dashing out in front of cars without looking.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration ranks thanksgiving as one of the most dangerous times for car accidents. Many people make long-distance trips during this holiday and traffic is heavy, leading to accidents. As well, drinking at holiday events and dinners leads to many drunk driving accidents during the Thanksgiving weekend. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, some motorists try to drive rather than taking a plane in order to save money. However, when they rush from dinner to car to drive home, they often speed to get home or to dinner on time. Late dinners (with drinks) can also cause driver drowsiness, which can lead to accidents.

Thanksgiving usually falls near the weekend, and according to researchers this makes the holiday especially problematic in terms of car accidents and drunk driving. Memorial Day and Labor Day, two other holidays which fall near the weekend, also suffer from the same problem: traffic congestion and days of heavy dinners and events that include alcohol. Since people do not need to return to work immediately after a long weekend, experts note, some people are more inclined to imbibe. When people get into a car after drinking, tragedy results.

Holiday traffic can also lead to accidents. Researchers at York University in Toronto found that drivers confined in cars in heavy traffic have elevated levels of stress, which can lead to aggressive driving. When drivers drink before driving, their inhibitions are lowered and they may make poorer decisions when stressed. They may be more inclined, for example, to drive aggressively in order to try to beat traffic.

New Year’s Eve is also a holiday which results in many drunk driving convictions and many accidents. In fact, researchers evaluated New Year’s as the sixth deadliest holiday of the year. Revellers often drink champagne or other alcoholic beverages in order to celebrate. A limited number of taxis at the end of the night may tempt some people to drive home drunk.

The period between Thanksgiving and New Year’s tends to be the deadliest, as there are several holidays and social events grouped together. In fact, Mothers Against Drunk Driving (MADD) estimates that each year between Thanksgiving and New Year’s, more than 1,000 people die from drunk driving accidents alone. Many more thousands suffer head injuries, broken limbs, spinal cord injuries, burn injuries, amputations, and other serious injury. Many more thousands are in car accidents caused by factors other than drinking.

Obviously, drivers will want to be extra careful at this time of year. Developing a plan for drinking and getting home safely is a must. Always wearing a seat belt helps prevent brain injuries in an accident. It is also important to turn mobile devices and other distractions off while driving. The more you focus on getting to your destination safely, the more likely you are to arrive at 2010 safe and healthy.

It’s no secret that the holidays mean more stress. As the holidays approach, many of us are working longer hours to keep up with increased demand during the holidays. In addition, there are parties to attend, family functions to plan, gifts to buy, cards to send, and homes to decorate. There are also more people on the roads, creating traffic that just feeds our stress. Extra stress can mean mistakes while driving and that can lead to car accidents and serious personal injuries. Stay safe this holiday season, wherever you have to drive, with these tips:

1) Keep stress levels at bay. Emotions can be a major distraction while driving. If you are worried or angry, you are probably thinking about the situation that is upsetting you and not about your driving. If you feel lots of stress, you may be prone to road rage or driving aggressively. Avoid driving when you are upset. Set aside some time in your schedule to relax. Even fifteen minutes a day relaxing and resting can help you feel calmer and more able to focus.

2) Organize your schedule. If you are disorganized, you may be tempted to rush from one errand to the next, and you may be tempted to speed in order to get your schedule under control. A much better strategy to prevent car accidents and personal injury is to organize your schedule before you step into your car. List all the things you need to do and want to do. Group activities by location and try to do related activities together. For example, you might be able to pick up decorations, cards, gifts, and stamps in one shopping trip to the mall, saving you lots of extra driving. Look for ways to organize your schedule be leveraging. Many businesses, for example, offer delivery services at this time of year and may be able to bring your tree, groceries, and other needs to you. This can save you plenty of time and can result in a far less stressful holiday.

3) Get plenty of rest. Rest and sleep are vital during the holidays, but they are often the first things we cut from our schedules. Get at least eight hours of sleep a day and try to maintain regular sleeping habits. Driver fatigue is a major cause of car accidents, bus accidents, and trucking accidents. All drivers can make the roads safer by staying alert and well-rested.

4) Do not drink and drive. Unfortunately, when we are stressed out, holiday drinks seem far more appealing. Avoid drinking to excess because you are stressed and keep a bit of extra money in your wallet at all times for a taxi in case you do indulge.

5) Do not multitask. When there is so much to do, it is tempting to try to do more than one thing at a time. It is tempting to make a quick phone call to the babysitter as you drive home or send a quick text message while driving around, but any distraction while driving can cause a serious accident. Wait until you are parked or pulled over on the side of the road to use mobile devices. When driving, focus on driving only.

6) Wear your seat belt. Keep in mind that other drivers are experiencing holiday stress as well. Even if you are being careful yourself, other drivers may be taking needless risks. For this reason, it is vital to always wear your seat belt. Seat belts are one of the most effective ways to prevent spinal cord injuries and brain injuries in the event of a car accident. Seat belts can also save your life, so buckle up.

Researchers at the University of California Irvine have been studying bad driving and have found that genetics may play a role in poor driving performance. According to researchers, drivers with one specific gene variant fared 20% worse on driving tests than drivers without the gene variant. Worse, researchers found that about 30% of drivers in the US may have the gene variant that has been linked to poor driving performance.

According to one of the researchers, Dr. Steven Cramer subjects who have the gene variant showed less recall of driving instruction and made more driving mistakes than subjects without the variant. The research team examined 29 drivers, asking each driver to drive 15 laps on a track using a simulator. All subjects were asked to repeat the driving exercise a week later. 22 people tested did not have the gene variant and seven of the subjects did have the variant.

The research found that those with the variant consistently did worse on the driving test, even with practice. According to the scientists, the gene impacts brain-derived neurotrophic factor, a protein that has been linked to memory performance.

Researchers will need to run tests with larger test groups to determine whether the test results hold out with larger test samples. Cramer and his team are also excited about the possibility of studying the variant in terms of car accidents. The researchers would be interested in exploring whether the rate of car accidents and pedestrian accidents is higher among drivers with the gene variant.

Whether you have the gene variant or not, however, experts agree that a genetic factor is not usually the be-all or end-all of driving skills. Like many skills, good driving can be taught. Genetics is no excuse for poor or reckless driving. If you are worried about your driving skills, seek the help of a qualified instructor who can help you brush up on your skill level.

Driving around Halloween time is not just about watching for parents and children going door to door to trick or treat. This time of year has several risks that you need to be aware of if you wish to avoid car crashes and the personal injuries they cause:

1) Leaves. Wet, fallen leaves can cause a slick road surface, which can make it harder to brake quickly. Give yourself extra time to stop. Also, have your car tuned up and checked up to ensure that it is in good mechanical order.

2) It’s not just Halloween. Many drivers use extra caution on October 31, but Halloween parties and festive events happen several days before Halloween as well as on Halloween evening. Any Halloween event can mean more pedestrians, more children – and more risk of a pedestrian accident. Keep aware of any Halloween events in your area and use extra caution in general at this time of year.

3) Children running in between parked cars. A child running into the street suddenly is every parent’s worst nightmare. It is also the nightmare of every driver. To help prevent an accident, scan sidewalks and the areas between cars to stay alert for any children who might dash out into the street.

4) More parked cars. Around Halloween, more parties and events can mean more parked cars on streets as revellers look for parking spots close to their destinations. This can make it hard to notice children in between the cars. Slow down and watch carefully.

5) Poor lighting. Some homeowners drape their outdoor lighting for a “spooky” effect. Unfortunately, this can create a problem for both pedestrians and drivers who need to deal with worse lighting. Ensure that your own house lights are bright. If you are driving in a poorly-lit area, use your high beams to see correctly.

6) Distractions on the road. Gorgeous Halloween decorations can be distracting, but in the time it takes to stare at a beautifully decorated home, you could be in a collision. Consider taking a walk to enjoy all the decorations in your community so that you won’t be distracted when you drive by them.

7) Late road work. Many municipalities launch road projects and construction projects in the autumn, hoping to have these activities completed by winter. Road work can make driving even trickier, so slow down and watch for signs.

If your teen driver has recently become licensed, Halloween may represent the biggest challenge your driver has experienced yet. It may be a good idea to sit down with your teen and discuss some rules of Halloween driving. Here are some tips on how to do that:

1) Encourage your teen to stay alert and slow down. Children can appear out of nowhere on the road during Halloween. Not all children wait for crosswalks or lights, especially if they are trick or treating or are running between Halloween parties. Your teen will only have time to stop in time if he or she stays alert and watches for children. Encourage your teen driver to drive through residential areas more slowly at this time of year and ensure that your teen is not texting, using their cell phone or otherwise distracted while driving.

2) Consider a no-Halloween driving rule. If your teen has just gotten their license, consider limiting driving to only daylight hours or consider banning your teen for driving on Halloween, just until he or she gains more confidence behind the wheel.

3) Make sure that your teen driver knows to be cautious in the days leading up to Halloween can also be dangerous. Many teens know to be extra-cautious on Halloween night, but excited children dashing into the street do not just happen on Halloween night. In fact, on Halloween itself, children are often supervised. However, children may be in costume – and less closely supervised – when heading home from school in costume or when attending Halloween parties. These situations make pedestrian accidents even more likely because drivers are just not as prepared.

4) Ensure your teen has the experience and the training to drive safe. A refresher course or defensive driving classes can be especially useful for your teen at this time of year, as they can help your teen avoid collisions and accidents. If your teen was licensed and trained in the summer, consider additional training to help your teen adjust to bad weather conditions.

5) Consider having an adult drive with your teen. This can be handy on Halloween, when extra distractions (such as decorated houses and extra pedestrians) can be a problem.

6) If your teen is going to Halloween parties, discuss your no-fault drunk driving rules. There should be one drunk driving rule in your home: never do it. However, if your teen is going to Halloween parties, it is a good idea to remind your teen not to drink and drive. Make sure that your teen has cab fare to get home or knows that he or she can call you at any time for a ride without having to face punishment or penalties.

When many drivers are pulled over for speeding, they are surprised to find that they were speeding. While in some cases drivers are simply embarrassed to be caught speeding, in other cases drivers are genuinely caught unaware, since their speed increased gradually while they were not paying attention. Experts agree that speeding – whether intentional or not – can cause serious car accidents that can result in serious personal injuries, such as head trauma, burn injuries, broken bones, and spinal cord injuries. As a result, every driver should take care to avoid speeding for any reason. Here’s how:

1) Stay alert to what is happening with your car. Get into the habit of glancing at your dashboard from time to time. Good drivers do this, because they know it is the only way to ensure that the car is working well and that things are going well. Looking at the numbers on your dashboard ensures that you notice your speed and adjust it accordingly.

2) Avoid highway hypnosis. Highway hypnosis occurs when you drive on a freeway or highway for an extended period of time and essentially stop focusing on your driving due to fatigue and repetitive motions and scenery. If you must drive for extended periods of time, get plenty of rest, take frequent breaks and consciously stay alert and focused on your driving.

3) Use cruise control correctly. Cruise control features are useful as they allow you to set a specific speed and remain at that speed without you having to adjust the gas pedal. On the highway, cruise control keeps your speed constant and ensures that you do not begin to creep over the speed limit. Always use cruise control only with highway driving. Most other types of driving require you to adjust your speed regularly.

4) Avoid distractions in the car. Using your mobile device, changing your music selections, eating, and other distractions do not allow you to notice many things, including how fast you are really going.

5) Avoid speeding on purpose. Avoid speeding when you are relatively sure you will not get caught. It’s a dangerous habit and it gets your body used to a faster speed, so that you lose the instinct for what the regular speed limit feels like. If you speed from time to time, you are more likely to speed in areas where you will be caught, so obey speed limits at all times.

6) Notice road signs. Speed limits change, so make sure that you obey and notice all traffic and road signs. It is your responsibility as a driver.

7) Never drink and drive. Alcohol leads to drunk driving accidents and even a few drinks can lower your inhibitions and can make you less liable to notice when you are speeding.

Few car devices or safety accessories are as vital as the humble seat belt. Although decidedly low-tech, the seat belt has saved countless lives and has prevented many injuries. Seat belts keep you in place after a car collision, and therefore prevent you from being tossed around in the car or being ejected through the windshield. In this way, seat belts can help prevent brain injuries, fatalities, spinal cord injuries, and other serious harm. Everyone should wear a seat belt in the car, each time you step into a car.

Seat belts have been around for a long time. Manufacturer Volvo created and used seat belts as early as 1849, although many historians credit the first true seat belts to be the invention of George Cayley in the late nineteenth century.

Seat belts came to the US in 1885. In February of that year, the first US patent for a car seat belt was awarded to Edward J. Claghorn. Claghorn’s seat belt was United States Patent #312,085 and was described as “a Safety-Belt for tourists.” The patent describes this early US seat belt as a safety device that used hooks and other attachments to secure a “person to a fixed object.”

Early seat belts were not very similar to the design of seat belts today. It was not until Swedish inventor Nils Bohlin came up with the idea and design of the three-point seat belt that seat belts became similar to what we are familiar with today. By 1959, Bohlin – who worked for the manufacturer Volvo – had created the lap-and-shoulder three-point seat belt with which we are familiar. This seat belt became standard in Volvo cars by 1959. Bohlin received U.S. Patent 3,043,625 for his seat belt, which was called a CIR-Griswold restraint by some. However, although Bohlin is often credited with developing the first CIR-Griswold restraint, a form of the first three-point restraint was first patented by American inventors Hugh De Haven and Roger W. Griswold.

Over time, seat belts became standard devices in cars around the world. American company Ford began offering the seat belt as an option as early as 1955. The American car company Nash began offering the device as an option in 1949. Swedish car maker Saab made seatbelts standard in 1958 and when the device was featured at car shows by Saab, many other car companies began offering seat belts as a standard safety device in their models as well.

Although seat belts were found in many cars by the 1960s, laws did not reflect the importance of the device. Australia’s state Victoria became the first place in the world to pass a law making seat belts mandatory. The law required front-seat passengers and drivers to wear a seat belt while in the car. The law was passed in 1970. In the US in 1986, both the Senate and the House voted to make seat belts mandatory for all passengers and drivers at all times.

Autumn is a beautiful time of year. The leaves are often beautiful and abundant and for many families, there is a tradition of the fall drive in order to enjoy the beautiful trees. Unfortunately, driving while looking at trees can result in car accidents and resulting personal injuries. Here are some tips on enjoying the fall leaves while staying safe:

1) Consider parking first and then walking. There are many areas – such as parks and country lanes – where you can park your car and walk. This can be a wonderful way to enjoy the weather as well as the autumn. Taking a stroll lets everyone enjoy the leaves and even gives you the chance to pick some fallen leaves to take home for craft projects.

2) Arrange a car ride with two drivers. If you need to drive to look at leaves (because you live in an urban area, for example), consider designating two drivers. One person can drive while everyone else watches the scenery. After some time, the drivers can switch so that the other driver can enjoy the scenery, too. This ensures that each driver can watch the road and still enjoy the drive.

3) Minimize other distractions. Fall leaves and unfamiliar country roads are distracting enough. Put away cell phones, mobile devices, loud music, and other distractions so that you can focus on the drive.

4) Go to an area without too many pedestrians. Plan your drive in advance and consider traffic when you plan. Look for areas with lots of trees but minimal pedestrian traffic and car traffic. This will help reduce the possibility of pedestrian accidents and car collisions.

5) Slow down. Slowing down not only ensures that everyone can enjoy the scenery, but it also gives you more time to stop in case you need to.

6) Ensure that everyone in the car wears a seat belt. A safety belt is a must, even if you want extra movement to look at leaves. A seat belt prevents you from flying through the windshield and sustaining serious spinal cord injuries or brain injuries. In an accident, a seat belt can save your life.

Autumn is a gorgeous time of year, but it is also a time when car accidents can be especially dangerous. Slippery road conditions and changing weather conditions can make things more risky for drivers. It’s a good idea to have your car checked and maintained at this time of year to ensure safe driving through the New Year. Here are some things you will want to check:

1) Fluids and oil. You will want to ensure that you have antifreeze and fresh oil in your car to ensure that your car is working at its peak. Have a qualified mechanic check all your fluids to ensure that your car functions correctly. Also, make sure that you are topped up on windshield fluid. Rain and other fall weather conditions can wreak havoc with your windshield and visibility, so having good wipers and wiper fluid is important.

2) Mechanical soundness. Make sure that all major systems are working well. If you have any leaks, knocks, or strange sounds, now is the time to have them checked out, before your car causes a car accident and personal injury.

3) Brakes. Fall often means slippery streets, as leaves and other debris mix with the rain during the season. You need to ensure that your brakes work perfectly, so that you can stop to avoid a collision or a pedestrian accident if you need to.

4) Mirrors and windows. During the autumn, days become shorter and evenings are often darker. Small cracks and flaws in your windows can make it harder to see and poor mirror placement can cause an accident. Make sure that you enjoy the most visibility possible.

5) Tires. Make sure that your tires have good treads to deal with the increasingly slippery roads of the fall. If your tires are looking worn-down, replace them. If you will be driving in an area with snow, switch to winter tires that provide you with extra traction. Make sure that your tires are correctly aligned and have good air pressure, as well, as this can affect the overall handling of your vehicle.

Could your car be making you sick? Most drivers only consider personal injuries when they are in a car accident that causes a brain injury, burn injury, or other serious personal injury. However, there are chemicals in your car which can be making you ill even before you turn on the engine.

Cars are made from metals, plastics, glass, and upholstery. Unfortunately, some of the products used in making cars contain toxic chemicals. In fact, the “new car smell” is created by chemicals which include volatile organic compounds (VOCs), known to be toxic. Even if you don’t drive a new car, there are chemicals in your car.

For example, most cars contain at least three types of bromine. Bromine is a naturally occurring element that is combined with other chemicals and added to the plastics in a car. It is used because when combined with other chemicals, bromine is a fire retardant. When the plastics in your car are heated they can release bromine chemicals into your air. Long-term exposure to bromine has been shown to cause behavioural problems, fertility problems, thyroid ailments, and memory loss.

Another common chemical found in many cars is chlorine. Chlorine is used in cars to make a plastic known as PVC (polyvinyl chloride). When your car is cool or very warm, PVC plastic releases substances known as phthalates, which have been linked to fertility problems, liver damage, red blood cell damage and other problems. While chlorine is a common substance and is considered safe in small amounts, its use as part of PVC plastics is troubling. PVCs have received much attention for their detrimental health effects in recent years.

Many cars also contain lead, which most people now know is very hazardous. Lead is added to many plastics in a car and when these plastics become heated, the lead is present in the interior of the car. Lead has been linked to childhood behavioural and development problems as well as brain damage, reproductive problems, and damage to the nerves, kidneys, and blood.

In addition to these chemicals, many cars also contain mercury, arsenic, chromium and other potentially harmful chemicals. Since many of these chemicals are released by having the plastics in the car heated, you can reduce your exposure to these chemicals by leaving windows in your car open for ventilation where possible. Keeping your car cabin cool is also helpful. Asking manufacturers and independent companies about ratings and chemical compositions can help, as well. There are many online listings that rate cars according to their chemical components.

Most drivers take driving instruction in order to get their licenses and then never take additional training. Most experts lament this practice, since most drivers could benefit from additional professional instructions. Experts agree that additional training can help drivers avoid common bad habits and can help drivers gain more confidence and skill behind the wheel. This can help drivers avoid car accidents and the personal injuries that they can cause.

While many adult drivers are reluctant to head back to classes in order to hone their driving skills, a number of high-end driving schools promise to teach some very cool racing skills. Both adults and teens might be intrigued to try this type of school, and the good news is that racing classes can help improve driving skills overall.

The BMW Performance Driving School in South Carolina is one popular high-end driving school. The school takes drivers on a demanding two-mile course. While the main aim is to teach skills that are used on the racing track, instructors at the school admit that the skills translate to the road as well. The course includes real-life challenges such as skids (accomplished with a skid pad on the track) and walls of water. The school offers one to three day programs as well as one and two day programs designed especially for teens. The school is open to anyone (not just people who own BMWs).

For all terrain and four-wheeler vehicles, the Land Rover Experience Driving Schools are held around the country and offer skills for drivers who like these sorts of vehicles. In addition to instruction held on a challenging obstacle course, students can take advantage of accommodations which are part of some class packages. The school teaches both on-road and off-road driving skills.

The Audi Sportscar Experience is another racing school with a difference. Held at the Infineon Raceway in Sonoma, these classes cover accident evasion, braking, steering, and control. There are different full day programs as well as a luxury program that includes a private reception, dinner at luxury local restaurants, and executive accommodations.

At race tracks across the country, you can learn NASCAR-style racing in stock cars via the Richard Petty Driving Experience. Hundreds of thousands of people take part each year and learn the basics of racing, which translate into safer road travel as well. Programs include between 8 and 80 laps for the learner as well as qualifying runs.

Once a car accident occurs, law enforcement authorities arrive on the scene and start to gather evidence for their investigation. Over days or weeks, these authorities put together a version of what has occurred to cause the accident. If someone has hired attorneys, attorneys will usually hire their own private investigators to investigate the causes of an accident. Both law enforcement and investigators will usually look to the same sources to find answers:

1) Witnesses. Anyone who saw the accident occurred may be interviewed about what they saw. Witnesses may include emergency response personnel called to the scene of an accident to tend to personal injuries, passers-by, drivers in other vehicles on the scene, and anyone else who may have seen the accident.

2) Investigating weather and road conditions. Investigators will usually look at weather reports in the area, reports of city work and construction work ordered for the area, and witness reports of weather and road conditions in the area that may have contributed to the accident.

3) Expert witnesses. Expert witnesses may not have been at the scene of an accident, but have specialized knowledge which is admissible in court about factors that affected an accident. For example, a mechanic may be interviewed to explain about the specific flaws in a car model, if a products liability issue may be part of the accident investigation.

4) Medical records. Medical records can help determine whether a driver’s medical condition contributed to an accident. A victim’s medical records from the emergency room and subsequent doctor’s visits can help investigators gauge the seriousness of the injuries and how they might have been sustained in the accident.

5) Background checks. Investigators will often run background checks to check the employment and driving history of a driver or victim. If a driver has previous drunk driving convictions and shows signs of being intoxicated, for example, this can be an important clue for investigators.

6) Mechanical investigations. Investigators will often have a vehicle carefully tested to see how it responds in normal driving conditions. This can help determine whether a product defect has contributed to an accident. A mechanic can also investigate the types of damages a car has sustained to determine what must have happened during the crash to cause the specific type of damage. This can help determine what occurred during an accident.

7) Accident reconstruction. Investigators have access to accident reconstruction software, which allows investigators to create an accurate step-by-step video of what happened during an accident. This can help investigators prove what occurred and what led to the accident.

When most drivers think of drunk driving accidents, they think of car accidents caused by alcohol consumption. While it is true that drunk driving accidents cause fatalities and serious personal injuries – including permanent spinal cord injuries and brain injuries – drivers can be driving under the influence of many substances, not just alcohol. Even if you don’t drink and drive, other things you consume can affect your driving ability. For instance, many drivers overlook the effects of prescription and over the counter drugs on their ability to drive a car.

All medications have side effects, and some medications have side effects that are serious enough to seriously impair your ability as a driver. Some powerful painkillers, for example, may make you feel groggy or may slow your response times. Some medications can cause dizziness, confusion, and vision problems, which can affect a person’s ability to drive a vehicle. In addition, some medications can interact with other medications to produce unwanted side effects. In rarer cases, bad allergic reactions to medications can cause unwanted and dangerous side effects.

Driving while using prescription drugs can have serious consequences. If the medications cause vision problems, slow response times, and fatigue, it is possible that a driver will lose control of the vehicle or fail to act quickly enough to prevent an accident. Accidents caused by drivers driving under the influence of medication can cause serious property damage as well as fatalities, brain injuries, burn injuries, broken bones, and other serious injuries.

If you are taking a new medication, it is important to speak to your pharmacist and doctor about the medication. Ask about any expected side effects and any possible interactions with other medications and over the counter medications you are taking. Also, ask about any possible allergic reactions. Read labels carefully. If a drug advises you not to drive or not operate heavy machinery, you should not drive a vehicle while taking the medication.

If you drive under the influence of medications that can affect your ability to drive, you ma be held liable in the event of an accident. Such accidents may also spark investigations of prescribing doctors and drug manufacturers. In some cases, medical malpractice suits can arise if a physician negligently prescribes a medication. In some cases, drug companies are held partly liable if their product contributes to an accident and it is found that the drug did not have adequate testing or labelling to help customers recognize the dangers of the medication.

If you or a loved one have been injured in an accident caused by a driver who was on medication, you need to consult a qualified Florida attorney. A Florida personal injury attorney can investigate the causes of the crash and can help protect you legally so that you have access to all the medical resources available to you under the law.

Driving while tired can cause as many dangerous situations as drunk driving accidents. Driving drunk is considered a danger because drivers lose inhibitions and have slower reaction times. Drivers who do not get adequate sleep are just as dangerous and for the same reasons. Drivers who get too little sleep have slow response times and are liable to make more mistakes. In addition, drivers who have had no sleep or too little sleep can literally fall asleep behind the wheel and plow into another vehicle or pedestrian.

Research by AAA Mid-Atlantic, an advocacy group by drivers, has found that 33% of all drivers admit they have drowsed or fallen asleep behind the wheel. Researchers have found that 1500 people die in the US each year due to car accident caused by sleepy drivers. Sleepy drivers also caused many serious personal injuries, including brain injuries, burn injuries, spinal cord injuries, and other permanent disabilities.

The message is clear: if you are tired, do not get behind the wheel of a car. Take a taxi or take a short nap, but avoid driving. Driving on highways while tired can be especially deadly, since highway hypnosis can set in with monotonous landscapes and few turns. Driving anywhere while drowsy is a bad idea.

Some drivers try to compensate for drowsiness by playing loud music or by using caffeine. Most experts note that such tactics do not work. If you are already alert, fresh cold air or loud music can help you feel more alert, but it will not wake you up if you are sleepy. Caffeine and energy risks are also a risk because their effects eventually wear off, leaving you more tired. If you have had no sleep at all, extra caffeine may not even be enough to keep you awake.

There is no alternative to good sleep. If you know you need to go somewhere, take a power nap first and ensure you get a good night’s rest. If you are driving a long distance, take frequent breaks to stretch your legs and to get some rest. If you get tired or drowsy while driving, pull over and take a nap (leave your flashers on) or find a motel and get a few hours of sleep before continuing on your journey. It is better to arrive late and safe than not to arrive at all.

Drowsy drivers are linked to 1500 fatal car accidents each year. Research has shown that drowsy driving accidents and drunk driving accidents are similar. Drivers who do not get enough sleep often have the same slow response times and make mistakes, just like drivers driving under the influence. To avoid car accidents and pedestrian accidents caused by drowsiness, get a good night’s rest. Here’s how:

1) Speak to a pharmacist or doctor about your current medications and conditions. Some may cause you to feel drowsy while others may interfere with your ability to sleep. Get advice from medical professionals on ways to minimize these effects.

2) Set up a good place to sleep. Your sleeping area should be well-ventilated, dark, quiet, and not too noisy. Leave the window open if you live in a quiet area to enjoy some fresh air. If your air quality is poor, consider an air purifier. Use a humidifier if your bedroom tends to be dry. Experiment with furnishings and bed linens until you find a restful environment. Ban the TV from the bedroom. Research has shown that falling asleep with a TV on results in a less restful sleep.

3) Set up a regular schedule. You will have an easier time waking up if you go to sleep and wake up at the same time each night. Your body will get used to your schedule and naturally fall asleep at your bed time, resulting in a better, longer sleep.

4) Have a night time ritual. A relaxing ritual lets you fall asleep more easily and lets you enjoy a relaxing sleep. An hour or two before sleep, stop any loud noises in your home (such as a TV or radio) and stop and hectic activity. Change into comfortable clothing and consider drinking a warm, soothing beverage, such as chamomile tea or warm milk. Relax quietly in a darkened room until you feel drowsy enough to sleep.

5) Get more shut eye by going to bed earlier. Going to bed earlier has been proven in many research studies to result in a better sleep. Many people find they are more rested by retiring well before midnight. Experiment with different bed times until you find one that suits you.

6) If you are getting many hours of sleep but are still tired, visit your doctor. You may have a condition that is preventing you from enjoying a restful sleep. Similarly, if you are having trouble getting to sleep, your doctor may be able to help.

Now that school is opening and children are heading back to classes, drivers need to be extra cautious. Twice a day, children walk to and from school and to and from school buses to be taken to and from school. Pedestrian accidents can happen when children run out into the street or exit a school bus unsafely. Unfortunately, pedestrian accidents involving children are more likely to result in fatalities or serious personal injuries, since children are much smaller and therefore less able to survive the impact of a vehicle. Now is a good time to review some driving tips for back to school:

1) Know your school bus safety. If you are driving and you see a stopped school bus in front of you with lights flashing and/or the stop arm extended, you are required to stop. If you drive up to an intersection and there is a school bus there that is stopped and has its lights flashing and its stop sign extended, you are required to stop. In both instances, you need to stop a minimum of ten feet away from the school bus and you must wait until the school bus withdraws its stop sign and turns its lights off before proceeding. Failure to do so will result in a fine and possible suspension of your license.

2) Get familiar with schools and school times on your route. If you commute to work, note where schools are located on your route. Then, find out when school lunch breaks are and when schools open and end. This will give you a sense of when the area will be congested with traffic and pedestrian traffic. You might want to find an alternative route to work if you will need to drive through a busy school zone every day.

3) Get your car inspected. You need to be able stop quickly if a child runs out in front of your car. Make sure that your car is in good mechanical condition and will respond correctly.

4) If you do drive through a busy school zone, use extra caution. Keep in mind that children may run out without using crosswalks or may be hidden between cars. Also, keep in mind that although pedestrian traffic will be heaviest closest to a school, children may be walking a few blocks away.

5) Be wary of street parking in school areas. If street parking is allowed near a school, children can easily hide between cars and jump out into traffic while playing. Keep a close eye out for children between cars. Keep in mind, too, that busy parents dropping off their children may be pulling in and out of street parking spots quickly in a school zone, sometimes without looking carefully.

Many parents drop their children off at school, and this can cause congestion and dangerous conditions in the school zone area. If you need to drop your child off at school on a regular basis, consider these tips to prevent pedestrian accidents and car collisions:

1) Arrange a car pool or walking group. If you live close to school, arrange to have two adults walk a group of children to school each day. The parents can stop off at each child’s home and walk the children to school. If you have to drive, arrange a car pool. Both solutions will free up more of your time and reduce congestion in front of the school.

2) Do not drive tired, stressed, or rushed. School zones are filled with children running into the road, cars pulling in and out of school parking spots, and other hazards. If you are tired, in a rush, or stressed, you may make a mistake that causes an accident. School zone driving requires all your attention. If you cannot safely drive your child, take them to school in a cab or find another way to school.

3) Park a little away from the school and walk your child to school. It takes a little extra time, but it allows you to spend some time with your child and allows you to avoid the hectic and dangerous traffic near the school. The extra bit of exercise will also get your child’s day started on the right foot.

4) Leave early. If you need to get to work after dropping your child off at school, leave early and drop your child off at school early. Make sure your school has a safe waiting area or supervised playground for children before the bell rings. Many accidents and personal injuries can be prevented in the early morning hours if only parents gave themselves more time.

5) Pay attention to school bus zones and traffic signals. If a sign says no idling or parking, obey the sign. Never try to park in a school bus parking zone – even for a minute – and never try to pass a school bus that is loading children on or off. Not only will this result in fines, but it is extremely dangerous.

Sleepy drivers are a major cause of car accidents, killing roughly 1500 Americans a year. Sleepy drivers are liable to fall asleep behind the wheel, make mistakes, or react too slowly to prevent a car accident. Many drivers, unfortunately, assume that if they have had a full night of sleep, they are not dangerous behind the wheel. This is not true. Many factors can create a sleepy driver and can cause a car accident:

1) Medications. Some medications make you groggy or drowsy. Each time you are given new medication, speak to your doctor or pharmacist about the ways the medication may affect your driving skills. Check your over the counter medication, too. If a medication makes you drowsy, do not drive while taking it.

2) Medical conditions. Some medical conditions can make you drowsy or can slow your response times. For example, some brain injuries can cause you to drowse off easily and some neurological conditions can cause you to be groggier than usual. If you have been diagnosed with a new condition, ask your doctor how it will affect your daily tasks, including driving.

3) Poor sleep. Even if you have a full eight hours of sleep, you may not be adequately rested to drive. If you have woken up frequently, had terrible dreams, or slept in a new environment, you may be tired all day. If you are drowsy or tired, you should not drive.

4) Too little sleep. If you have slept less than your usual amount, you may feel fine but your body may still compensate by allowing you to fall into micro sleeps – small bursts of sleep or sleepiness that last only seconds. These few micro seconds may be enough to cause a serious accident.

5) Tiredness. Some days we all wake up feeling tired for no reason. You may be getting a cold, you may have gotten a poor sleep. There may be no reason for your tiredness, but your fatigue could still cause an accident.

6) Alcohol. Alcohol has a soporific effect on most people. In fact, you are more likely to feel drowsy before you feel inebriated. Many drunk driving accidents are caused by inebriated drivers who fall asleep behind the wheel. Don’t become one of them.

7) Highway hypnosis. If you have been driving on the highway for some time, you may start to feel drowsy simply from the monotony of driving. Stop at a rest stop, take a different route or do something to wake yourself.

8) Too much driving. Even if you are awake and refreshed when you start driving, if you drive long enough you will eventually get tired. If this happens, do not continue driving. Find a motel and sleep before continuing.

If you have a teen driver, you will want to create a driver contract that both you and your teen sign. This contract should outline all your responsibilities, all your teen’s driving duties, and the punishment if one of you breaks the contract. A contract helps put in writing what you need your teen to do to remain safe. Having everything in writing also helps to reinforce the importance of safe driving. In your contract, you will want to include:

1) No distraction rules. You will want to include rules about cell phone and other device distractions. You might want to limit the number of passengers or you might want to ensure that your teen is not playing music above a certain volume (so that he or she can hear auditory traffic cues).

2) No dangerous driving rules. You may want to include rules about tailgating, road rage, cutting people off, no signaling, and other dangerous behaviors. You may need to promise your teen that you will not engage in these rules, either, and stick to that promise.

3) No drinking and driving rules. Both you and your teen should sign a contract that ensures neither of you will drink or drive or use dangerous substances and drive. Drinking and driving accidents remain a leading cause of fatalities across all age groups.

4) Rules about dangerous situations. If your teen is drunk, make sure that you stipulate in your contract that he or she can contact you at any time and you will not be angry. Outline in your contract what your teen should do in various dangerous situations on the road and each time in the contract reiterate that you will not be angry. Ensure that your teen driver can call you if something bad does happen.

5) Rules about accidents. Make sure your teen knows what to do if they are in a pedestrian accident or car collision. Outline everything in the contract so that your teen will know what steps to take.

If you have a teen driver in your home, he or she may be excited about driving to school during the school year. While a teen driving to school can reduce your own errands in the morning, morning traffic and an inexperienced driver can mean car accidents, pedestrian accidents, and injuries. Here’s how to ensure your teen gets to class safe:

1) Arrange a safe parking spot. Ensure that your teen has their own parking spot near the school. Find a spot that is easy for your teen to back into, given their driving level. Having a parking spot ready ensures that your teen isn’t driving around and around, looking for a parking spot and not focusing on the road.

2) Decide on a route and practice. Have your teen select a route to school and take the car out together on a typical morning to ensure that the route is not too busy. Avoid routes that have heavy traffic, school zones, and other hazards. Time the route and decide when your teen will need to leave to get to schools safely.

3) Get the car checked out. Ensure that the car is safe to drive and will not experience mechanical failure en route to school. Mechanical failure can lead to accidents, especially with a less experienced driver behind the wheel.

4) Limit passengers and errands. It may be tempting to have your teen drop off younger children at school. And your teen may be pressured to give friends a ride to school. At the start, though, limit other passengers. They are a major distraction. In early morning traffic, especially, that can be dangerous.

5) Develop a no-cell phone rule. Ensure that your teens are not texting or calling while driving. This is a major cause of accidents and many teens may not appreciate the dangers of texting and driving.

If your teen is sixteen years old this year, he or she will likely be looking forward to getting his or her driving license this year. Many parents are excited for their children when their children get a license, but young drivers do have a high accident rate. Here’s how to ensure that your driver is safe behind the wheel:

1) Start training early. Even before your child reaches driving age, get your child a booklet or text book about driving. Go through the book together and learn the rules of the road. Help your child test themselves about road signs and rules. By the time your child has to apply for a license, he or she will have the basic knowledge on hand.

2) Help your child find good role models. Find a good driver in your family who is willing to take your child out once a week on a drive to explain the basic rules of the road. Make sure your child knows some good drivers and has a chance to emulate them.

3) Set rules – and follow them yourself. Many teen accidents causing personal injuries are caused by driver inattention. Make sure your teen is not texting or talking on a cell phone while driving and limit night driving and the number of passengers in your teen’s car until your teen has more experience behind the wheel. Your rules, though, will have more weight if you avoid distractions behind the wheel yourself.

4) Budget for extra driving instruction. Most driving instruction provides a minimum amount of behind the wheel instruction. Put aside extra money so your teen can get extra in-car lessons and possibly a defensive driving course. This will build your driver’s skill level and help them prevent accidents.

5) Make driving a privilege. You known your child. If your teen takes big risks on a skateboard or bike, those same risks on the road can kill. Have your child wait until he or she is mature enough to drive before getting a license.

Young drivers today usually take some form of basic driving education before getting their license. However, some experts suggest that teen drivers could benefit from more classes and especially more practical experience. These experts note that additional, practical training can dramatically reduce car accidents involving new drivers and can help prevent resulting personal injuries, such as brain injuries and spinal cord injuries. For your teen’s next birthday or holiday, consider giving the gift of these classes:

1) Defensive Driving Classes. Defensive driving classes go beyond basic driver’s education and teach drivers how to actually react in collisions and how to avoid accidents. These classes can help save your teen’s life. In many states, they can also help reduce the cost of your teen’s car insurance.

2) Additional In-Car Classes. In many states and in many driver education programs, young drivers are given classroom training as well as behind-the-wheel training. The problem is that in many cases, in-car training comprises only a few hours – 10 hours or less in many cases. In addition, many classes have several students in a car at the same time during in-car training, so teens don’t get personalized one-on-one in-car training. Additional in-car training for your teen can help give your teen more practice behind the wheel as well as more personalized instruction from a qualified teacher.

3) Accident Classes or Seminars. Local chapters of Mothers Against Drunk Driving (MADD) as well as some police authorities organize seminars or workshops about car accidents. Often, these workshops warn teens against dangerous driving behaviors – such as drinking and driving or texting while driving. These seminars often include graphic reminders of what can happen when drivers take risks on the road. These workshops and presentations can be an effective way to show your teen why safety is important. In many cases, you can arrange for your teen’s school to offer these instructional programs for free.

4) CPR Classes. CPR or first-aid classes are useful for your teen, whether your teen is interested in becoming a lifeguard or a babysitter. CPR training is useful for anyone, but it can be especially useful if your teen is in an accident. If your teen is in an accident and has CPR training he or she can help people at the scene and can help treat some personal injuries on the scene until paramedics arrive.

5) Racing Classes. Many teens love the idea of racing cars and would welcome racing classes. Racing classes are also an effective way to teach your teen additional driving skills.

Soon, Florida students across the state will be headed back to classes. From children entering kindergarten for the first time to college seniors almost ready to join the work force, Florida is full of students. Many students get dropped off at school or walk to school. In the autumn months, this can mean an increase in pedestrian accidents and other accidents involving children and cars. Here’s how you can keep your child safe:

1) If you have a young child, now is the time to relearn pedestrian safety. If your child is in the early grades or is joining a new school in a new area, now is the time to take strolls to and from school. This is a great way to teach your child the basics of safety and also gives you a chance to notice any potential problems. If you notice a busy intersection or other troubling aspect of the walk, for example, you might want to arrange a buddy system for your child or make arrangements to walk your child yourself each day.

2) If you will be driving your child to school, look for a good route. Take a few different routes to your child’s school and find one that will be quietest and safest, with fewest traffic snafus. Time yourself and add a few minutes so that you know when you have to leave in the mornings.

3) Get your car tuned up. If you are driving your child to school, you want to make sure that your car is in great condition. This is actually a great time for everyone to get a basic tune up. Being able to stop quickly and having a car that handles well is essential during the school year, when children are on the streets and roads before and after school.

4) Don’t assume older children know everything there is to know about road safety. Even if your children are older, it might be a good idea to go over some basic rules about getting to and from school. You might want to go over stranger rules or rules regarding taking bicycles to school.

5) If your older child will be driving to school, go over some ground rules. If you have a teen who will be driving to school for the first time, work together to find a non-congested route to school. Make sure your teen won’t be talking on a cell phone or texting while driving – that type of distraction in rush hour traffic can be fatal.

6) Make arrangements for walking. If your child will be walking to school, consider setting up a group of children who can walk together or a group of adults or children who can walk together to ensure that everyone gets to school safe.

Due to the statistics available about car accidents and young drivers, many car rental companies refuse to rent vehicles to drivers under the age of twenty-five. Other car rental companies substantially increase the fees and costs for young drivers. If you are under twenty-five and need to rent a car, therefore, your first aim should be to find a rental agency offering good prices and terms for younger drivers.

Since statistics do bear out rental agency concerns about younger drivers, you will of course want to take every precaution while on the road. You can do this in a number of ways:

1) Leave your cell phone or mobile device turned off in the car. Studies have proven that distraction caused by cell phones and mobile devices is a major source of accidents. A cell phone is handy in an emergency, but keep the device off until you are parked. Even if you usually talk and drive, keep in mind that you are less familiar with a rental car than your usual vehicle and you cannot afford to be distracted.

2) Take is easy. When you first get your rental car, take it along some quieter streets and familiarize yourself with the vehicle. The car may have slightly different steering, mirrors, and dash than you are familiar with, so get to know the car before you take it into more challenging driving situations.

3) Wear your seatbelt. It’s the easiest way to prevent serious head injuries, spinal cord injuries and other personal injuries associated with car accidents.

4) Avoid speeding at all costs. Speeding has been shown to contribute to most car accidents. Not only will staying within speed limits keep you safer, but it will also help you avoid the hassle of a speeding ticket.

5) Stay alert. Driving in an unfamiliar car is challenging enough, so keep aware and alert. Keep an eye on other drivers and try to anticipate their moves. Keep your eyes on the road and the road signs, especially if you are driving in an area you don’t know well.

Few things are as tragic as childhood injuries caused by car accidents. Children are often passengers in vehicles and when cars collide, children are far more likely to be seriously injured in the ensuing accident. Due to their smaller body size, children are more likely than adults to sustain life-threatening or fatal injuries.

Children who are in car accidents can sustain many serious injuries, including head injuries, spinal cord injuries, broken bones, burn injuries, and other injuries. Since children are smaller, some injuries may affect them more. For example, in the event of a fire after a car accident, it is easier for a child to sustain serious burn injuries over a larger part of their body, simply because their body surface is so much smaller. In the event that children are thrown in a car during a collision, their smaller body weight may cause them to be thrown around the interior of a vehicle much more than an adult. One reason children may deserve a larger compensation, therefore, is because their injuries are more likely to be severe.

Another reason why children may deserve a larger compensation after a car accident is because their injuries are more likely to be long-lasting. Since children are still growing, they may experience some complications from some car-related injuries. For example, a severe burn injury may affect the way a child’s muscles or tissue grows and develops. Since the tissue is still growing, this can affect how effectively the burned area recovers after an accident.

Some experts also argue that children deserve more compensation after a car accident injury because more than one person is affected by the injury. When an adult is injured, he or she may lose wages because he or she is seeking medical care. While a child with similar injuries also loses school time, the guardians of the child must lose wages and work time as they travel to and fro with the child to seek medical care. A larger compensation amount can help defray this additional cost.

Some people argue that children should receive more compensation after a car accident injury because children may suffer more after an injury. While adults may rationalize or explain away some of the fears and anxiety after an accident, children lack the emotional maturity to find reasons for an accident. They are also less likely to withstand pain easily.

Children may also deserve a larger compensation from a car accident because a car accident and permanent injury may affect their ability to earn a wage. An adult who has sustained injuries in an accident may find their ability to earn a wage stymied temporarily or permanently, but children have not had a chance to find jobs or a career. It is difficult to estimate how much a child may have earned had he or she not been in an accident. Some experts argue that children should receive larger settlements because the compensation should compensate for a lifetime of possible wage earnings.

As mobile devices become more popular and as more people send regular texts using these devices, the role of texting while driving becomes an important issue. Many drivers today steer with their knees while typing, try texting with one hand, or text while stopped at red lights. According to experts, no matter how drivers text, texting behind the wheel is a major distraction that can lead to car accidents and the resultant personal injuries and fatalities.

While any driver distraction can lead to car accidents, there is some evidence that texting is especially dangerous on the road. The Virginia Tech Transportation Institute conducted a study into the subject and found that drivers who text have a 23 times greater than collision risk than drivers who are not texting. The study was the first comprehensive study of the role of texting on the roads. The study was also the first research initiative that tested texting in real-world driving scenarios, which gave researchers a more precise view of the true impact of texting.

Although many drivers are aware that texting may not be a safe behaviour, many drivers continue to text behind the wheel. Despite the dangers, texting while driving seems common. A Harris Interactive/Intel survey found that 28% of adults report that they text and drive. Another and 8% of drivers admitted that they text and drive regularly or often.

Some experts claim that only a federal ban on texting and stiff fines would compel drivers to give up their mobile devices. It seems that we are simply too reliant on mobile devices, even sacrificing safety and common sense to stay in touch. Rep. Doug Holder of Sarasota has been trying to pass a bill that would make it illegal to send texts or read a mobile device while driving. His efforts have spanned three years but no such bill has yet been passed.

If the cell phone debate is any indication, however, texting will likely not be banned soon. A 1997 study published in the New England Journal of Medicine concluded that drivers using cell phones had a quadrupled chance of being in a collision than drivers not using cell phones. A 2003 study out of Harvard concluded that cell phones were responsible for 636,000 car accidents, 2,600 car fatalities, 330 000 personal injuries, and $43 billion in costs. Despite these long-term studies, cell phones are not banned in most states – most drivers can talk and drive. There is no federal ban on cell phones behind the wheel.

Many drivers who cause injuries or property damage while texting are given minimal penalties. Some are charged with careless driving, which carries only small penalties and no criminal charges. So far, only fourteen states have made it illegal to send texts while driving. Florida is not one of the fourteen.

A new statute in Florida may soon see frequent-collision drivers headed back to school. Under the new rules, any driver who is in three accidents in a period of three years will need to pass driving school before being allowed to drive again. The driver with three or more crashes will need to take on-road training and will need to pass the driving test, much like a new driver.

The new statute aims to reduce the number of car accidents and serious injuries resulting from car accidents. Some areas of Florida – notably Miami, Hillsborough county, Pinellas county, and Jacksonville – have very high car accident rates. The accidents in these areas cause many fatalities as well as serious burn injuries, broken bones, spinal cord injuries, brain injuries, and other serious injuries.

According to the Florida Highway Patrol, crowded roads and rapid population growth may be contributing to the number of collisions. However, a number of drivers who seem to be in repeat crashes may also be contributing to the accident rates. According to the Florida Highway Patrol, over 3 200 Florida motorists sustain three or more accidents in a three year term. Many experts believe that a motorist with so many accidents may be unsafe and should be re-evaluated for safety and training.

According to the Florida Highway Patrol, the majority of repeat accident drivers are not senior citizens or teens. Most have been behind the wheel for 15 years or so and have become over–confident while also developing some bad habits. The new law, which will be in place by January 1, aims to help drivers deal with these habits.

So far, it is unknown whether drivers who are instructed to get mandatory training after three accidents will seek exemption. However, most experts agree that extra training and evaluation is a good idea for many drivers who have been in a car accident. Training helps to target those bad habits that can lead to accidents and can make a driver feel more comfortable behind the wheel again after an accident.

Product defects affect just about every industry, but it is especially troubling if your car is recalled as unsafe. A car with a design flaw can be a major danger on the road and can cause serious personal injury or even death in a car accident. Unfortunately, car recalls are widespread and studies suggest that some motorists are not paying as much attention to recalls as they should.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) reports that many motorists and car owners do not keep up to date with car recalls. Some people do not even check recall information when buying a used car. Part of the problem is that it is up to the driver to get repairs completed, and too many drivers simply ignore recalls.

Despite better manufacturing processes, car recalls are still very frequent and very pervasive. In 2008, several models of Ford Motor, Mercury, and Lincoln calls were recalled after a flawed cruise control switch was found to be a hazard. The switch was found to cause fires even when the car was parked and turned off. The recall became one of the largest issued, at about $12 million. The NHTSA has reported that 5 million of the recalled cars are still not repaired and remain on the roads, prompting the NHTSA to make repeated appeals to customers of these cars to seek repairs.

One reason why so many drivers ignore recalls is that we are inundated with them each day. Recalls are issued all the time, and some involve minor issues such as window wipers while others involve life-threatening issues such as the faulty cruise control in the Ford cars. Drivers who have new cars are contacted about recalls but may ignore them. Drivers who own used cars need to do their own research and often fail to do so. The NHTSA has a site (www.nhtsa.gov) listing all recalls. It is a good site to bookmark.

According to the NHSTA only about 30% of recalled child safety seats are repaired or returned, and only 50% of recalled tires are returned or repaired. On general car safety recalls, only 70% of cars are returned or repaired. This means that a significant number of drivers continue to drive with cars, child safety seats, or tires that are known to be unsafe.

In 2008, car makers recalled 14.5 million cars. In 2006, only 11.2 million cars were recalled. While this is still lower than the record set in 2004 (when 30.8 million cars were recalled), the fact is that with so many cars recalled, the numbers of unsafe cars on the road is unacceptably high. Experts at the NHSTA worry that customers are ignoring recalls without fully understanding how these recalls could affect them, their passengers, and others on the road.

A new study released by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration shows that almost 65% of near car collisions and 80% of all car accidents occur because motorists are eating or drinking. According to the study, food and drink are a major distraction for drivers and drivers who are focused on eating or drinking have slower response times and are less able to react quickly to sudden changes in road conditions or to dangers on the road.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration study has found that some foods are worse than others when it comes to driving. Coffee seems to be the worst danger for drivers. The liquid is hot and can easily spill on a driver, even when secured with a lid. A sudden burn injury behind the wheel – even a minor one – can cause a driver to swerve, drive erratically, and take their eyes off the road. A driver who has spilled coffee on themselves is rarely ever thinking about their driving, and that’s a key danger, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration study.

After coffee, the other major dangers behind the wheel include, in order: soup, tacos, chili dogs, hamburgers, ribs and wings, fried chicken, jelly doughnuts, soda and chocolate. Soup is similar to coffee in that it can easily spill and burn a driver, distracting the driver from the road. Chili dogs, hamburgers, ribs and wings, fried chicken, and jelly doughnuts are all potentially messy foods that can spill or drip, distracting the driver from the road. As well, many of these foods require more than one hand to eat. For example, driver might be tempted to take both hands off the wheel to dip wings or chicken in sauce. Most of these foods are also quite greasy or messy and can cause the driver to have a poor grip of the wheel.

One of the most troubling aspects of the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration study is that so many people eat and drive. Drive-thrus are designed to allow people to eat on the road and most drivers who get take-out at a drive-thru eat in their car while driving. On longer trips, many people eat while driving to save time. As many of us get busier, having a snack or a coffee on the road has become quite common. In fact, according to an ExxonMobil Corporation study, over 70% of drivers eat while driving while 83% of drivers admit to drinking beverages on the road.

There are currently no laws against eating or drinking non-alcoholic products while driving, but as a result of the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration study, some communities may want to rethink their legislation. From the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration study, it would appear that forbidding drivers to eat or drink while driving can save lives and can prevent many personal injuries.

Until laws are put in place, it is evident from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration study what drivers must do. If you are hungry or thirsty, pull over before eating or drinking anything. If you go through a drive-thru, wait until you get home to eat and drink your purchases, or eat them in the parking lot of the restaurant. The extra few minutes you might save by eating on the go are not worth the risk.

Alcohol is a major cause of many car accidents, trucking accidents, and motorcycle accidents. In many fatal accidents, alcohol is a factor. Although drunk driving is fully preventable and although the media and many organizations have been teaching about the dangers of drunk driving for years, there are still some people who decide to drive under the influence. There are many ways you can prevent the personal injuries and fatalities that drunk driving causes:

1) Plan ahead. If you know you may be drinking alcohol, designate a sober driver and give that person the keys. Or, plan to take a taxi and bring taxi fare as well as the number of a taxi service. Many people drink and drive simply because they don’t make arrangements for getting home safely.

2) If you have been drinking and don’t have a designated driver, use an alternative means of transportation. Not everyone plans ahead or knows ahead of time when alcohol will be served at an event. If you go out not expecting to drink but find that you do drink, have a plan in place. Have a sober friend you can call, or know how to use mass transit. Always keep a taxi company’s number in your wallet so that you can call for a cab.

3) If you see someone who is about to drive drunk, stop them. Take away their keys or offer to get them home safely using the type of safe transportation you are taking home.

4) If you see someone driving erratically and think that the person may be drunk, call the authorities. A drunk driver on the road is an emergency and should be treated as such. Do not approach the person yourself but do call for help so that the person can be removed from the road before an accident occurs.

5) Don’t assume you can drive. If you have been drinking and have only had a small amount of alcohol, don’t assume that you are sober enough to drive. Many people make this mistake and drive drunk inadvertently, thinking they are fine. If you have any alcohol, take an alternative means of transportation. At the very least, take a breathalyzer – available now at many bars and clubs – to determine whether you are safe to drive.

In the summer, many people take advantage of the beautiful weather to head outside. As well, children are usually home from school and may be playing outside. For drivers, the summer presents new challenges since more pedestrians can mean more car accidents involving pedestrians. These accidents are often especially because they involve children. As well, car-pedestrian accidents are often devastating, leading to fatalities, brain injuries, broken bones, spinal cord injuries, and other serious injuries. This summer, here are ways to prevent these accidents:

1) Keep an extra eye out for pedestrians. There are more pedestrians around, so do scan sidewalks and pedestrian walkways as well as the roads as you drive. This can help you spot pedestrians before they try to cross the street.

2) On your usual route, note parks and exits from walking and biking trails. Pedestrians might be coming out of these areas and trying to cross the street. Some may be wearing headphones or talking on the phone, distracting them from traffic.

3) Use extra caution in parking lots. Parking lots are a common site for accidents, and even at the relatively low speeds usual in parking lots, pedestrian-car collisions often prove fatal to pedestrians. Be especially careful to check blind spots for children.

4) Don’t ignore school zones and school bus zones just because it’s summer. In the summer, summer school is still in session and school bus zones are sometimes still in use for camps. As well, school bus zones are often residential areas where children might be playing outside. Even though school is out, school zones still deserve some extra caution.

5) Don’t expect pedestrians to follow road rules. Many pedestrian-car collisions happen because a motorist expected a pedestrian to behave one way and the pedestrian did something unexpected. While pedestrians are expected to follow some rules of the road – such as cross on green lights and cross the street at crosswalks – not all pedestrians follow these rules.

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Although not as common as broken bones, spinal cord injuries, whiplash and brain injuries, burn injuries are a serious injury associated with car accidents. Usually, burn accidents take place in serious car collisions, when fuel spills as a result of the crash and is lit. Burn injuries are often devastating, because they affect a person’s appearance and can even burn and injure tissues and muscles, causing severe pain. Getting help for a burn injury quickly after a car accident can help minimize the impact of a burn and can facilitate healing. After a car accident, if a victim has sustained a burn injury, this is what you should do:

1) Examine the burn site for red skin. If there are no blisters but the victim is in pain and has red skin, the burn is likely a superficial or first-degree burn.

2) Examine the skin for signs of wetness and blistering. If these symptoms are present and the victim is in severe pain, it is possible that the victim has a partial-thickness or second-degree burn.

3) Examine the skin for signs of charring or greyish color. The victim may feel a dull pain or even no pain at all if nerve endings have been severely damaged. In this event, the victim has likely suffered a full-thickness burn, which is also known as a third-degree burn.

4) Evaluate the extent of the burn injuries. Over how much of the patient’s body surface is the burn? The victim’s palm surface is usually seen as 1% of the body surface area, so compare the burned area to the victim’s palm. When calling emergency personnel for help, it is useful to be able to explain what type of burn the victim likely has and the extent of the burn. This can help emergency medical personnel evaluate whether to send a burn unit.

5) If in doubt, contact emergency medical personnel. Even if you think a victim has suffered only a first-degree or superficial burn, keep in mind that sometimes the blisters associated with partial-thickness burns or second-degree burns do not develop for a day or 24 hours, so err on the side of caution. Also, call emergency personnel if there is a burn on the victim’s armpits, hands, face, neck, feet, groin, or buttocks. Burns in these areas can be serious.

While we often associate weather-related accidents with bad weather, beautiful warm days can contribute to their fair share of fatal and serious accidents. In the summer, many accidents take place on lovely days, and these accidents can lead to serious personal injury. Summer can lead to car accidents because:

1) Warm weather can mean more events where there is drinking. Summer holidays, picnics, and barbeques often involve cold alcoholic drinks such as beer. While these drinks are refreshing, it is also essential to remember to drink responsibly. Even a few drinks can affect your ability to drive. If in doubt, walk or call a cab.

2) Warm weather means insects and animals. Animals and insects can pose a serious danger on the road. Each year, many car accidents are caused when an insect flies into a car, distracting the driver. When driving on a hot day, roll up your widows and keep the air conditioning on. If you do not have air conditioning and must keep the window open, remember not to panic if an insect flies into your vehicle. Pull over the shoo the pest out. Keep in mind, too, that there are more animals out and about during the summer, since animals are no longer hibernating and since many people let their pets outside on nice days. Keep an eye out for animals and be prepared to evade animals running out into the street.

3) Warm weather can mean car trouble. Some cars overheat and cause a serious burn injury risk in the summer. Warm weather can also cause other problems with cars. Consider getting your car tuned up before the warmest weather arrives.

4) Warm weather means more children and pedestrians on the roads. In the summer, children are more often playing outside and more people are taking advantage of the warmth to walk and bicycle. This can mean an increase in pedestrian accidents and bicycle accidents. In residential areas, keep an eye open for bicyclists, joggers, pedestrians, and children.

5) Warm weather means heat exhaustion. Driving in a hot car can expose you to sun and can eventually dehydrate you. Extreme heat can also make you feel drowsy or can even put you at risk of heat exhaustion or heat stroke. Wear sunscreen in your car and sip water as you drive. Keep your vehicle cool with air conditioning or by opening windows.

6) Warm weather can mean poor visibility. Glare and bright sun can make it hard to see the road in the summer time. Invest in a good pair of sunglasses you can wear while driving and use your sun visors to keep the sun out of your eyes.

Car accidents not only cause personal injuries such as burn injuries, brain injuries, broken bones, spinal cord injuries, and other injuries, but they also create a serious emotional impact. The shock and trauma of a car accident can leave a motorist shaken and can leave long-term emotional symptoms, as well. Some people who have been directly impacted by a car accident may feel withdrawn, emotional, unable to sleep, depressed, or anxious. To cope with the physical and emotional impact of a car accident, it is important to:

1) Get careful checkups from a qualified physician. Any symptoms you have – emotional and physical – could be signs of an injury or a problem stemming from the accident. Report all symptoms to your doctor and make sure that you are tested for any possible injury. Sometimes, physical ailments can have very real emotional symptoms. Even if your emotional upset is not caused by a physiological injury, it is good to rule that out.

2) Talk about your symptoms. Talking about the accident and your emotions with a trusted friend is often very helpful. Writing about the accident and its aftermath or creating artworks related to the accident can also be therapeutic. Often, keeping your emotions hidden only intensifies them, so it is good to deal with your emotions rather than bottling them up.

3) Get comfortable with cars again. Many motorists and passengers who have been involved in a car accident feel anxious about being in a vehicle again. Consider taking some classes or getting help if you need it. However, do not drive again until you feel comfortable doing so.

4) Get support and help if you need it. There are also many support groups and qualified counselors who can help you with the after-effects of the accident. These groups and professionals can help you find ways to cope with your emotional upset and can help you work through your feelings so that you feel stronger than ever.

5) Get proactive. Often, we feel that emotions are something abstract and we mistakenly assume that there are few things that can be done about them. This is not the case. If you have suffered trauma after being in a car accident, you can often start to feel better by taking positive steps towards reclaiming control. For example, if your accident was caused by a faulty road, you may petition your city government to fix the intersection. Helping prevent future accidents can help you get on track after your accident and can help make you feel better.

Each Independence Day, the rate of drunk driving accidents spikes, and police officers and emergency rooms get ready for an influx of brain injuries, spinal cord injuries, and other serious injuries caused by drunk driving. You don’t want to remember this 4th of July with a stay at the hospital, so use these tips to stay safe this weekend:

1) Don’t assume you can drive. Many people cause car accidents because they do not realize that they are over the legal blood alcohol limit. You may not feel intoxicated but still be over the limit legally. Get a small breathalyser kit to carry with your keys so that you can determine your blood alcohol level. If you do not have such a kit, take a taxi or an alternative means of transportation, even if you only have a small amount of alcohol to drink.

2) Plan ahead. Some people drink and drive because they do not plan an alternative means of transport. If you will be out celebrating Independence Day, bring extra money for a cab, designate a sober driver or arrange to stay over if you will be drinking.

3) Be a good host. If you are hosting a 4th of July event, remember that you are also responsible for preventing drunk driving. Stop serving alcoholic drinks well before the end of your event, make alternative forms of transportation (or guest bedrooms) available to your guests, and do not allow your guests to drive drunk.

4) Report possible drunk drivers. If you are driving and notice someone who appears to be drunk or erratic behind the wheel, call authorities. Reporting possible drunk driving or dangerous driving can help prevent accidents.

5) Consider family-friendly events. Most cities and towns offer family-friendly events for Independence Day. These events service no alcohol and often offer transportation services to and from the event.

In the summer, the majority of fatalities and serious personal injuries to children under the age of 14 are the result of car accidents. During the summer, more families are on the road, headed to the cottage, shuttling their children to and from camp activities, and going on family roadtrips. While all of these activities can be quite safe, taking extra precautions is an important part of summer safety.

Booster and child safety seats are an important part of the equation. Experts say that a correctly fitted child safety seats can reduce a child's risk of death or injury by up to 75%. Children who are under 4 feet and 9 inches in height and weight between 40 and 80 pounds should always be placed in a booster seat each time they are placed in the car. The booster seat works by allowing the seat belts to close around the child correctly by lifting the child up.

When the child is over 4'9" tall and 80 pounds or more, he or she is ready to use a regular seatbelt. It is important to always strap the child in with the seatbelt before getting in the car yourself. Teach your child about the importance of the safety belt, and encourage your child to buckle up themselves. If your child tends to unbuckle themselves, consider getting a special safety device to prevent the child from opening the seat belt buckle.

If you are traveling with an infant who is less than 1 year old and weighs 10kg (22lbs) or less, you will need a rear facing car seat. These car seats protect the baby the most and prevent the child from being thrown about in the event of a car accident. Read the directions of your car seat carefully – some rear facing car seats are made for infants up to 32 lbs.

Some parents may wish to opt for a convertible seat for children one year of age or a little older. The convertible seat is meant for children who are up to 30 lbs, although some models today are built for children up to 35 lb. These seats are rear-facing and protect the child better. They can eventually be turned into front-facing safety seats, simply by adjusting how they are placed in the car.

3-in-one car seats are safety seats that can be used with children between 5lb and 80lb. The seats can be mounted as rear-facing or front-facing. Harnesses keep the child safe in the seat while the seat belts keep the seat in place. Most manufacturers recommend that parents replace these seats every six years.

Avoiding car accidents and their attendant broken bones, spinal cord injuries, burn injuries, head injuries, and other serious injuries is not just luck. In many cases, knowing a little bit extra and being a little more prepared can help you avoid a collision. Here are some tips for becoming a savvy driver:

1) Figure out where people tend to run red lights and stop signs on your regular routes. There are likely high-collision intersections and areas where you drive. Figure out where they are. Usually, simply by taking note of traffic accident reports or by making a call to the local paper or police station, you can get a list of the most-run intersections and stop signs in a city. Use extra caution at these areas and account for drivers who may be running red lights or stop signs.

2) Check weather and traffic reports before stepping into your car. It’s a good habit to get into, especially since today you can often get a traffic and weather report from your mobile device or your laptop. Knowing what you have to contend with can give you that extra edge behind the wheel.

3) Know your vehicle. Get to know your car and how it handles in every situation. Every vehicle handles a little bit different and knowing how your car handles can help you adjust your driving to your car. Knowing how quickly your car takes to brake, for example, is essential if you want to prevent an accident.

4) Get to know the drivers around you. As you drive, keep an eye out not only on the traffic, but on the habits of drivers around you. A car that is drifting in its lane, for example, could have a tired or distracted driver. You might want to allow more space between yourself and that driver. If a driver seems very aggressive, you will want to stay away from that driver – and his or her vehicle.

5) Get a tip from race car drivers. Taking racing school or classes is not only fun, but it also teaches you how to respond very quickly in various crash situations. Drivers who take racing school also learn a whole new respect for the car.

Avoiding car accidents often involves not only following the rules of the road, but also using some common sense. Experts recommend that drivers follow these tips to avoid car accidents:

1) Make lane changes correctly. Check your blind spots first and always pass on the left. Never pass in a no-passing lane. Driving and passing all over the place only increase your risk of an accident. Dangerous, risky driving increases your risk of personal injury and fatalities, so be willing to wait a little to pass or change lanes correctly.

2) Use your lights correctly. If you are turning or changing lanes, turn on your signal lights before you make your move. If you are stopping by the side of the road because there is something wrong with your vehicle, leave your flashers on. Your lights are your best way of communicating with other drivers and are invaluable in preventing accidents.

3) Exercise extra caution in parking lots. Parking lots mean lots of competition for coveted spots, pedestrians, and poor visibility. This can add up to risky situations and pedestrian accidents. While you are generally not driving very fast in a parking lot, a crash here can cost you in insurance and in time. Always slow down in parking lots and be extra vigilant about checking blind spots.

4) Keep a distance between you and the car in front of you. You should be able to see the back tires of the vehicle in front of you at all times. If you are driving fast or are on a highway, you should be able to see the car’s side mirrors, as well. Tailgating means that you won’t have enough time to stop suddenly if you have to. If someone is tailgating you, signal the driver to go around you.

5) Be aware when you are in someone’s blind spot. The area between the rear view mirror and the side mirror is the blind spot for most drivers. While drivers are supposed to check their blind spots before changing lanes, not all do. Stay out of other cars’ blind spots to avoid accidents.

Continue reading "Simple Tips To Avoid Car Accidents" »

The message about drinking and driving has been around since before the 1980s, but it still seems that many drivers are not getting the message. According to Mothers Against Drunk Driving (MADD), in 2007 about 12,998 people were killed in car accidents where a driver had a blood alcohol level above the legal limit. In 2007, therefore, this means that about 31.7% of traffic deaths were alcohol-related and therefore fully preventable. This figure does not even take into account the number of serious burn injuries, broken bones, head injuries, and spinal cord injuries that resulted from impaired driving.

The summer poses a special challenge to groups such as MADD, because more outdoor festivities and more holidays often mean more drinking. Barbeques and hot days mean more beer for many people and many outdoor patios serve alcoholic drinks as well. Holidays such as the Fourth of July often involve drinking. Unfortunately, in some cases, people who have been taking part in drinking at these festivities get in their car.

Many people who drive drunk are not even aware that they are above their limit. It is possible for someone to feel sober but still be above the blood alcohol limit. Even one of two drinks can place a woman or a slender man above the blood alcohol limit. Simply “feeling” well enough to drive is not enough. It’s important to find out whether you are above the blood alcohol limit – even if you feel sober.

One good way to ensure that you don’t inadvertently drive under the influence is to purchase a small breathalyser device. Hardware and general stores now sell these for only a few dollars. They can be attached to your keychain and can tell you instantly whether you are near or over the blood alcohol limit. Testing your blood alcohol level each time you step to your car is an excellent practice that can ensure that you don’t drive under the influence.

If you are hosting summer events and serving alcohol, you, too, have a responsibility to ensure that your guests don’t get into their cars if they are under the influence of alcohol. Stop serving alcohol and start serving fruit drinks, soda, or water well before your event finishes. Make taxis or other means of safe transportation available to anyone who has had too much. Ask that anyone who has had too much take this transportation home instead of relying on their own car.

Keep in mind, too, that even small amounts of alcohol can add up. Even if someone is not technically above the blood alcohol limit, he or she could still be a danger on the road. If your event has run late, your guests may be sleepy. Even small amounts of alcohol can make these guests feel sleepier and can make them a hazard on the roads.

Most ways to avoid car crashes and the resulting personal injuries rely on common sense. We all need to be reminded of the basic rules and basic common tips for avoiding car accidents. However, there are also some lesser-known ways you can avoid car accidents, according to experts. These tips may not be what you learned in driving school, but they can help keep you safe on the road:

1) Stay away from the left lane. This is where most highway car accidents take place, and there are a few reasons for this. This is the lane where traffic tends to go fastest and it is also the lane where you have fewer places to go in the event that you need to get out of the lane fast. Statistically, the right and center lanes give you more options in preventing an accident and decrease your chances of a crash.

2) Pay attention to hand position and grip. You should have your hands at the 9 and 3 o’clock position at the wheel and your grip should be similar to what you exert on a telephone. The position ensures that you have the best possible control of the car if you suddenly need to move fast. The grip helps ensure that the wheel does not slip from your hands and that you hands don’t get too tired from a white-knuckle grip.

3) Sit closer to the steering wheel than you normally would. The best position for your seat is so that you can place your wrist on top of the steering wheel, with your arm stretched out all the way. Your back should be flat against the seat. While this is closer than most drivers sit to the wheel, it is actually how race car drivers sit, as it improves control of the vehicle.

4) Avoid going over curbs and other solid objects that will cause your car to leave the pavement. At high speeds, especially, this is the primary cause of car rollovers. Even if you have an SUV, avoid obstructions or steer around them. In the event of speed bumps, slow down.

5) Don’t eye attractive people on the sidewalk or the billboards. You may scoff, but studies have shown that drivers ogling attractive people of the opposite sex results in 900,000 car accidents annually. Keep your eyes on the road.

Continue reading "Little-Known Tips For Avoiding Car Crashes" »

While automobile accidents are common – too common – year-round, in the summer pedestrian accidents are a concern for many motorists. Pedestrian accidents are common in the summer and, unfortunately, a disproportionate number of these accidents involve child victims. All pedestrian accidents tend to involve serious injuries. Most pedestrians involved in accidents suffer from serious head injuries, spinal cord injuries and other life-threatening injuries. Since children are smaller, their injuries in a pedestrian accident are more likely to be fatal. Here are some ways to avoid being in a pedestrian accident this summer:

1) Exercise caution when reversing. Children will sometimes run behind a car, not knowing that it is in reverse. Children often do not look for the driver or for a car’s lights when they run out to chase a ball. Check all your blind spots before reversing, especially in a parking lot or a driveway.

2) Consider installing a camera in your car that allows you to see directly behind your car. This device displays the view directly behind your car right on your dash board. These devices cost less than $100 and make parking much easier while also preventing accidents. These devices are especially handy if you drive a large truck or SUV.

3) Be careful in residential areas, especially areas that allow on-street parking. Areas with cars parked on either side restrict visibility – a child could run out from between parked cars very suddenly, especially in residential areas, where children sometimes play close to the road.

4) Slow down. In many cases, speed is a deciding factor in car accidents. If you are speeding, you will not have enough time to slow down if a child runs out into the street. If you are speeding, you are more likely to kill someone if you are in a pedestrian accident.

5) Teach your own children pedestrian safety. Teach your own children to cross only at sidewalks and teach your children how to be responsible pedestrians. If your children play outside in the summer, make certain that they play far away from road ways.

Teens get into many accidents, many of them preventable. Even one accident involving a minor is often a tragedy and as anyone who has tried to get a teen insured knows, teens are considered by insurers as a high accident risk. Unfortunately, teens get into accidents each day and these car crashes often result in broken bones, spinal cord injuries, burn injuries, head injuries and other serious problems. There are, luckily, many ways that you can help your teen reduce their risk of accidents:

1) Drive well yourself. Teens often pick up habits from their parents. If you drive well, take driving privileges seriously, and take steps to ensure that you keep your skills up to date, chances are good that your teen will adopt some of the same habits and attitudes. You are more of a role model than you may realize, so make sure that your driving habits are worth emulating.

2) Consider offering extra lessons. Your teen has likely taken some form of driver’s education already, but consider offering to help finance extra lessons, such as refresher lessons, defensive driving lessons or continuing lessons. Extra training from a qualified professional prepares your teen driver for all sorts of driving conditions and makes you teen more confident behind the wheel. If extra lessons can help prevent an injury or accident, it is certainly money well spent.

3) Set rules. Many parents hesitate to set rules for their teen drivers, but setting rules – such as “no passengers after dark,” “no more than one passenger at a time” or “no driving while texting” – can help save a life.

4) Get familiar with how your teen drives. Many parents miss the signs of problem habits. Make sure that you accompany your teen on drives. Does he or she take unneeded risks? Does he or she have bad habits that could be dangerous? Now is the time for additional training, before dangerous habits become permanent.

5) Reward your teen for good behaviour. If your teen drives well and displays positive, good habits – such as calling you rather than drinking and driving – reward him or her. Similarly, do not hesitate to take away driving privileges if you see signs of dangerous driving.

Most experts agree that distractions in the car are a major contributor to car accidents that result in fatalities and serious personal injuries. Many of us try to multitask in the car, but these distractions can cost you a great deal:

1) Difficult directions. If you are driving somewhere unfamiliar, you may need directions or a map, but be aware that these directions may distract you from the road. Always print off directions or maps in a large font and post them in your car where you can easily see them. If you need to read details on a map, pull over. When posting your directions in your car, make sure that the paper does not cover any important items on the dashboard or get in the way of the gear shift.

2) Phones. Cell phones are a major problem in cars. They distract you from the road and slow your response times. If you must use a phone, at least use a hands-free headset so that both your hands can remain on the wheel. Better yet, pull over to talk.

3) Planning. If you’re trying to make plans about where to eat, what to do, or how to complete your errands, you may not be responding as quickly as you need to. Plan your day ahead of time and use the time in your car to focus on your car and the road.

4) Eating, drinking, and smoking. All these activities take some focus and require the use of at least one of your hands. You could easily be in a car accident while trying to fumble with a candy bar wrapper or while trying to put out a cigarette. Wait until you pull over.

5) Loose objects. If you are in an accident, loose objects – even relatively small ones – can become projectiles and can cause serious and even fatal head injuries. Small objects can also get loose and roll under your gas or break pedals, affecting how you drive. Loose objects can also cause distracting noise as you drive if they roll about in your car. Keep everything securely in your trunk.

Continue reading "Reduce Distractions, Reduce Car Accidents" »

In a car accident, brain injuries are a common and very serious injury sustained by drivers and passengers. Brain injuries usually occur in a car accident when the head comes into direct and sudden contact with a hard object. This can happen if someone is thrown from the car or if someone is whipped around inside a car so that the head crashes against the interior of the vehicle. In a car accident, drivers and passengers can be thrown around with some force because of the force of a crash. This can result in serious head injuries.

In some cases, the head does not even have to crash into anything for a brain injury to occur. The brain is a soft, jelly-like mass inside the skull. If a head is whipped around very violently, the brain can bump against the skull with considerable force. In some cases, this causes injury and bruising to the brain, which can mean a brain injury.

Brain injuries can be fatal. They can also leave long-term or even permanent injuries. Some people who have sustained a brain injury find that their senses are severely affected. Some people have vision problems, for example, or problems with hearing or smelling things. In some cases, brain injury victims have trouble walking because their balance is off. Some people experience memory loss or emotional upheaval.

Treatment for brain injuries usually includes lots of tests. In some cases, surgery might be needed to remove some of the pressure inside the skull. In the long term, brain injury victims may need rehabilitative care or physical therapy to cope with walking or speech problems. If a victim has severe memory problems after a brain injury, he or she will generally need lots of help in completing simple tasks and in performing every day activities. Some patients need to have flash cards, for example, to remind them of simple things, such as how to make breakfast.

A brain injury can be devastating, especially if serious symptoms such as vision problems or memory loss are long-term or permanent. Some victims find that they cannot return to their jobs while other require very long hospital stays. Some people with brain injuries experience severe depression or emotional upset as they try to adjust to their injury.

After a car accident, it is important to visit a hospital or doctor right away, even if you’re not sure you have a brain injury. Even if you have few or no symptoms, you could have sustained a brain injury that needs immediate treatment. Seek help right away, just to rule out this potentially deadly injury.

Strong emotions can distract you on the road and can cause a car accident. Each year, people suffer fatalities or serious injuries, such as brain injuries and spinal cord injuries, due to reckless driving caused by road rage. Strong emotions behind the wheel can kill, so it is important to control your temper when you drive. Here are some tips for staying cool-headed and arriving safely at your destination:

1) Learn deep breathing. If you are driving and you find yourself getting upset, emotional, anxious, or angry, take several slow, deep breaths. When we get emotional, our breathing often becomes shallow and rapid, and this can actually agitate emotions further. Breathing deeply can calm you down.

2) If you find yourself focusing on something other than driving, focus on the road. If you find yourself focusing on an upsetting situation while you’re driving, make a conscious effort to focus on the road. Focusing on anything other than driving can distract you from the road and can put you at risk of an accident.

3) Avoid emotional input from passengers or the cell phone. Upsetting phone calls – or any phone calls at all – and arguments or spirited debates with passengers are very distracting. Rather than becoming engaged emotionally with a conversation, stay calm and focus on your driving.

4) Do not drive when upset. If you get terrible news about a family member or an emergency, do not drive yourself to the hospital or wherever you need to go. If you are upset, get a friend or family member to drive you or take a taxi.

5) Visualize something pleasant. If you are getting upset or angry while stuck in traffic or while driving, picture something soothing and pleasant in your mind. This can be a favourite memory or a treasured vacation spot. Focusing on something positive soothes away anger and other negative emotions.

6) If you find yourself losing control in the car, pull over. If you find that you are speeding up because you are enraged or having trouble concentrating because you are angry, pull over until you get your emotions under control.

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Shoes are a key ingredient in safe driving. Some shoes, such as clogs, flip-flops, platform shoes, and high heel shoes, are not very safe when driving. In fact, in Japan, a number of accidents have been caused by women wearing irregularly shaped platforms. Some people also drive with no shoes at all, and this can prove just as deadly because you have less force with your feet when applying pressure to the break and accelerator pedals.

Wearing the wrong type of shoes is more than just a fashion faux pas. When you're driving, the wrong shoes can become jammed behind your brake pedal or gas pedal, causing an accident. In some cases, thick soled shoes can make it very difficult to tell how much pressure you're applying to brakes, so that you brake suddenly or speed without realizing it, leading to an accident.

Be wary of shoes that do not offer good ankle support. Flip-flops, mules, and slip on shoes that don't stay on the foot very well can lead you to miss the pedal or can allow your foot to slip off the pedal, causing an accident. High heels are also a problem because they can cause you to miss the pedal or slip off the pedal. Statistics have shown that flip flops are the most dangerous footwear to wear while driving, precisely for this reason.

The most important element of a shoe, when you're driving, is the sole. The sole should be thin enough so that you can feel how much pressure you're applying to the pedal. Your shoes should also not have a very thick heel, as you operate the gas pedal and the break with your heel, and you need to be able to feel the pedal through your shoe. A flat heeled, thin soled shoe is ideal.

Pumps and deck shoes are both safe options for driving. These shoes have thin soles, flat heels, and good stability. Many people assume that running shoes are good option, but they are not. Usually, their soles are too thick and tend to stick. Look for shoes that are comfortable and will not distract you, even when you're driving for long distances.

Many people drive with the wrong sort of footwear simply because they happen to be wearing impractical shoes when they need to hop in the car and drive. A good way around this is to keep a pair of sensible driving shoes in the car. You can easily switch your shoes for driving, and then put on your favorite shoes or high heels when you're at your destination. The few extra seconds you'll spend will be well worth it if it allows you to avoid a car accident and a serious spinal cord injury, burn injury, or brain injury.

Keeping an extra pair of shoes in the car is also important in wet weather. Your regular shoes -- even if they are safe for driving -- may become wet on the pavement and may cause your foot to slip on the gas or accelerator. Being able to slip into a pair of dry shoes is important for safe driving. You may also wish to tuck some good driving clothes into your car. Driving is clothes that are too loose, too distracting, too uncomfortable, or too constricting can be dangerous because it can distract from the road. Wear practical shoes and clothing for driving, and you'll be able to avoid some car accidents.

Aggressive drivers cause many accidents -- and many personal injuries as a result -- because they behave recklessly behind the wheel or take unnecessary risks on the road. It is therefore important to stay alert for such drivers and to use extra caution to avoid accidents when these sorts of drivers are sharing the road with you. Here are some tips on how you can avoid car accidents caused by aggressive drivers:

1) Learn to spot drivers affected by road rage. Drivers experiencing road rage often make unsafe lane changes, have jeering facial expressions, or verbally assault other drivers. They may make aggressive gestures, drive well above the posted speed limits, and generally drive recklessly. Keep an eye out for such drivers so that you can react appropriately.

2) Try to maintain your good manners on the road. Avoid tailgating, cutting people off, and weaving round other drivers. This can often set off an aggressive driver and lead to an instance of real road rage. Being a courteous driver can prevent provoking other drivers.

3) Control your own behaviors and facial expressions. Making facial expressions at other drivers, gesturing at other drivers, and beheving in aggressive ways draws attention to you and can make an aggressive driver respond in kind. Maintain a calm, neutral expression when driving and keep your hands inside the vehicle. Do not gesture. Also, avoid looking into an aggressive driver's eyes. This can often provoked even more anger.

4) Use your horn carefully. Never use your horn around an aggressive driver. This can make them focus on you and can even make some aggressive drivers wish to seek revenge. Even polite beeps can be misunderstood by someone who is looking for an altercation.

5) When you see an aggressive driver, leave more distance between yourself and them. This will help ensure that the driver cannot use his or her vehicle as a weapon against you. Added space also gives you more time to respond to the aggressive driver’s behaviors.

If your car suddenly breaks down, you are at a possibly increased risk of a car accident. If you go walking to a service station in order to get help, for example, you may become the victim of a pedestrian accident. If you leave your car by the side of the road, it could be rear-ended. If your car breaks down very suddenly, you could be in a rear-end collision if the car behind you does not stop quickly enough.

If your car breaks down, there are several things that you should do to keep yourself and your car safe:

1) If you are on the motorway, pull over to the left as far as you can on the shoulder. Your wheels should be turned to left. Turn on your headlights so that oncoming cars can readily see your vehicle. Assess the damage to your vehicle, close up your car, and call for help. Make sure that you can offer some type of identifying information about where you are located.

2) If you have reflective or bright-colored clothing, put on this clothing. Make yourself visible on the road so that oncoming cars do not hit you. If you have children with you, make sure that they stay with you and do not step out into oncoming traffic.

3) While waiting for help, stay with your car, but do not remain in the car. If your car is hit, you want to be able to remain safe. Also, remaining in a car on a hot day or even a mild day can quickly cause you to suffer heat distress. If the weather permits, stay outside, on the far side of your vehicle, as far away from oncoming traffic as possible.

4) If you are not able to pull off onto the shoulder, turn on your hazard lights. Exit the vehicle and stand as far away from traffic as possible, keeping your car in view. Only remain in the car if it is unsafe to leave. If you can't pull off onto the shoulder of the road, it is generally safer to exit the vehicle, as your card may be hit by another car in the oncoming traffic lane.

5) If you are disabled, switch on your hazard lights when your car breaks down and remain in the vehicle. Call for help or signal to passing vehicles that you need assistance.

Sometimes, the simple things that we do each day are the things that end up being the most dangerous. Simple bad habits in a car – such as multitasking, for example – can easily result in a car accident that results in personal injury, broken bones, fatalities, spinal cord injuries, and other serious consequences. Here are some good driving habits to cultivate if you want to avoid car accidents:

1) Look directly behind you when backing up. It seems so obvious, but many drivers don’t do this every time, especially when zipping out of a parking spot. Check for oncoming traffic as well as the space directly behind you.

2) When stopping at a stop sign and getting ready to pull into an intersection, look twice for cars. Looking once is simply not enough because a car can be hiding in your blind spot (usually behind the windshield pillar). When you push yourself to look again, you notice the car that has just zipped out of your blind spot and this can help you avoid an accident.

3) When making a right-hand turn, look both right and left. When drivers are turning left, many focus exclusively on the traffic coming towards them from the left. They look for a break in the traffic so that they can zip out. Often, drivers neglect the right side and don’t bother checking because they know that no cars are coming from the right. However, a pedestrian may be crossing the street and other traffic problems may be occurring to your right that you need to be aware. Drivers not checking the right when making a right-hand turn is a key cause of pedestrian accidents, so always be aware of what is going on all around you and do look left and right before turning.

4) Watch for cars that are late through a red light. If you are sitting at a red light, always look both ways when the light turns green. Some drivers do try to push their luck with yellow lights and will speed through a red light.

5) On a highway, crane your neck to check what’s behind you before switching lanes. Many drivers just rely on their rear-view mirrors, but these mirrors leave pretty large blind spots. When you combine that with highway speed limits, that’s a high risk of car accidents. Check to make sure that the lane is clear by turning around and looking.

6) Look out for trucks with loose cargo and cars with trailers. Unsecured cargo can roll out of the back of a truck, so use extra caution when behind a truck. Cars pulling trailers can also be a problem if they turn or swerve suddenly.

Car accidents are expensive as well as traumatic. In addition to causing distress and suffering, they often create severe financial trauma as well. Under Florida law, you may be entitled to have some of these costs paid for if someone’s recklessness and negligence has caused the car accident:

1) Medical bills. You may have to stay in the hospital for a long time and see specialists. You may need to pay for medical tests, medicine, or even medical equipment such as a wheelchair or casts. A severe injury caused by a car accident can cost you hundreds of thousands of dollars out of pocket if you do not seek legal assistance.

2) Property damage. If your car is ruined or damaged and the other driver is not adequately insured, some of those costs may be coming out of pocket if you do not seek legal help. Any item you may have had in your car at the time of the crash – such as your cell phone, computer, or camera – may also have to be replaced.

3) Long-term therapy bills. Many car accident victims need long-term physical therapy, counseling, or other long-term services that are often not considered in an insurance company’s initial offer.

4) Lost wages. If you have been injured in a car accident, you likely lost wages because you had to lose work. You may also have to lose additional wages and more work if you need long-term therapy or treatment or if you need to attend court dates because of your accident.

5) Associated costs. You may need to renovate your home to accommodate an injury. If you are in a wheelchair after your accident, for example, you may need to make your home wheelchair-accessible. You may need to have your car towed and you may need to pay a number of legal costs.

6) Wrongful death. If you have lost someone in the car accident, you not only feel their loss, but you may also lose the income they contributed to your household as well as help they provided you.

Continue reading "Costs in Car Accidents" »

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) reports that the three long weekends of the summer tend to account for 500 car crash fatalities and the summer in general proves to be the deadliest time of year for drivers. According to the NHTSA, fatalities as well as serious car accident injuries such as burn injuries, spinal cord injuries, head injuries and other serious injuries all occur too frequently in the warmer months. Many car accidents, car accident fatalities and injuries caused by car crashes could be prevented. According to the NHTSA and other experts, there are several things that drivers can do to reduce the car accident rate:

1) Always leave another option. When driving, stay a safe distance from other vehicles and keep other cars from your blind spot. Seeing more and having extra room to move gives you more time to react and more options in a dangerous situation, which in turn can help you avoid an accident.

2) Keep vehicles in good repair. Regularly checking windshield fluid, tires, brakes, lights, mirrors and tires is a must. Ideally, check before you start your car – each time. At the very least, check these things once a week. Keep track of your mileage and your last fluid change and check-up so that you know when to go in for regular maintenance. If you notice a strange noise or your car reacting unusually, visit a mechanic right away. Mechanic failure and mechanic problems can lead to loss of control of your car and an accident.

3) Where appropriate, use your flashers. If you need to slow down on a highway, put on your flashers to notify vehicles behind you to stay alert. If you need to pull over on a dark street, highway, or road or need to pull over during poor weather conditions, put on your flashers so that other drivers can see your vehicle.

4) Keep your eyes on the road and anticipating the next stretch of road. Keeping your eyes on one part of the road means that you may not spot some dangers until it is too late. Keep your eyes moving far ahead and scanning as far ahead of you as possible. Check your side views and rear views periodically as well so that you are very aware of what is going on around you.

5) Use extra caution with any precipitation. Many drivers mistakenly assume that weather is only a factor when rain is heavy or when weather patterns are unusual. In fact, even small amounts of rain create slippery surfaces on the roads when they mix with oil residue that has been spilled on roadways. Even a very light rain can create very slippery conditions, especially if there has not been precipitation for a while and more oil residue is left on the road. In addition, all wet conditions create the potential for hydroplaning and other dangerous driving conditions. Always slow down in rainy weather and inclement weather.

Of all car accident injuries, burn injuries can be especially traumatic and painful. Burn injuries occur in car collisions when a car catches on fire, burning a passenger or driver. Burn injuries range from relatively mild localized burns to severe burns that cover much of a patient’s body.

There is a great deal of physical pain associated with burn injuries. In cases where the skin is deeply burned, the muscles and joints may be affected as well, and these can ache very severely for much of the recovery period. In some cases, clothing or other items are actually fused into the skin during a car fire, and removal of these items is painful. Many severe burn injuries affect the muscles and tendons of the body, and this can inhibit movement or make movement extremely painful.

In addition to the physical pain of a burn injury, most patients also suffer severe emotional distress. Burns cause severe disfigurement and in some cases can cause not only surface tissue damage but can literally melt away hair or can cause a patient to lose a nose or fingers. Some of these injuries can be permanent. Many patients suffer terrible distress the first time they are allowed to see themselves after a burn injury. Many feel anger or depression and some patients become isolated. Some patients do not feel able to return to work and some avoid contact with others because of the way that a few rude people behave around their injuries.

Unfortunately, one of the main treatments for burn victims is cosmetic surgery to restore the skin and facial or bone structure. Cosmetic surgery can be painful and it can take several procedures for a patient with severe burns to see any results. Worse, most medical insurance providers do not cover cosmetic surgery, which means that patients often feel that they have to pay the costs out of pocket, even if the surgery is necessary because the patients feel depressed and isolated without it.

Burn injuries can take years of recovery time, long hospital stays, and many hours of lost work time and lost wages. Many patients also need expensive pain medication and therapy – which is also not covered by most medical insurance – in order to get back on track.

Florida laws do have provisions for patients with burn injuries. If someone’s negligence or recklessness has caused a car accident that has caused your burn injury, Florida law allows you to seek assistance with all the costs associated with your injury. Many patients are hesitant to seek legal assistance, but without this help you could face hundreds of thousands of dollars in medical bills. By law, you may be entitled to have those bills paid in full or in part. If you are not sure whether you have a claim, contact a qualified Florida attorney.

Florida has an abundance of wildlife, and each year animals cause traffic accidents that lead to serious personal injuries and even fatalities. Small animals can run out into the road, causing accidents when drivers swerve to avoid the animals. Larger animals, such as deer, can cause serious damage to a car and can cause a serious car accident leading to spinal cord injuries, brain injuries, and other potentially life-altering injuries.

Experts recommend that drivers:

1) Exercise added caution at night. Deer move around most at night and in the hours before sunrise and sunset. Unfortunately, the dark also reduces driver visibility. If you are driving near wooded areas of fields at night, put on your high beams and proceed with caution. Scan the sides of the road for deer that may be ready to leap onto the road and slow down so that you can stop in time if a deer does jump out unexpectedly.

2) Be wary when you see a deer. When you see one deer, chances are that there are other deer nearby. Deer tend to group together. At the first sign of deer, slow down and keep on the lookout for more deer.

3) Understand deer. Deer are most active in the fall, which is rutting season as well as hunting season. While you need to be extra-cautious during the autumn, however, deer can and do cause accidents year-round. Keep in mind, too, that deer are blinded and become disoriented by headlights. A deer will often not move just because it sees your car and lights. Do not assume that deer will move out of the way of your vehicle.

4) Know your route. Some stretches of highway and roads are especially known to have a high incidence of deer-related car accidents and tend to have more deer sightings. Find out which areas in your vicinity have high numbers of deer and use extra caution when driving these routes.

5) If you cannot avoid a car accident because of a deer, apply your brakes and brace for the impact. Avoid swerving your car, as you are likely to cause a more serious accident by entering an oncoming lane of by leaving the road. Many car collisions with deer cause damage to the front of a car. After an accident, leave the car and inspect your vehicle to see whether your radiator or motor is damaged. Avoid getting out of your car if the deer is unconscious – an injured deer may attack you. Contact your insurance company and find out whether you need to file a police report. Call the local wildlife service about the deer. Get checked out by a doctor as soon as possible to document and treat any possible injuries you may have sustained.

Some experts worry that the push for fuel efficiency in cars is creating lighter, smaller vehicles that fare less well in car accidents and expose drivers and passengers to greater risks of fatalities and serious personal injury. The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) has released a report that states that smaller cars in head-on collisions increase the risk of injuries for occupants.

The IIHS has found that fatality rates in smaller cars are twice as high as the rates in larger cars in multi-car crashes. In 2007 alone, 11 million people died in single-car vehicle accidents in sedans. That same year, 35 million people died in single-car accidents in the so-called “minicars” – cars designed to be fuel efficient and therefore smaller.

IIHS examined and compared only mid-sized sedans and mini cars with excellent safety records -- the Smart Fortwo, the Honda Fit, and the Toyota Yaris. The Fortwo, Yaris, and Fit did not perform well in collisions with the mid-sized sedans and fares considerably worse in collisions than the larger cars. The results have led many experts to conclude that even the best-designed mini cars do not fare as well in collisions as even poorly designer medium-sized vehicles.

Much of the explanation may come down to physics. In a car crash, acceleration and size affect the force of the impact. In a smaller car, some claim, the smaller distance between the front of the car and the driver can mean more injuries to the torso and legs as well. Also, the smaller size of a mini car affects how much speed needs to be absorbed during the car crash. The IIHS tests found that the forces that impact the occupants of mini cars are much greater than the forces that act on passengers in medium-sized cars. In other words, the mini vehicles crush more and the occupants in these cars are more likely to sustain injuries.

In one IIHS crash test, the Fortwo and C-Class were compared, for example. The Fortwo made impact with the larger C-Class and veered 450 degrees. By the time the 450 degrees had come to a complete stop, both the steering wheel and the instrument panel were displaced right through the cockpit. The C-Class saw less damage and its gears did not displace into the passenger section of the car.

Advocates of mini cars note hat the IIHS tests are far ore rigorous than the safety standards outlined as necessary by the government. The Smart Fortwo does meet all standards required by the government and even the IIHS offered the car high marks for side-crash and front-crash safety among mini cars. According to the IIHS, the Honda Fit is the safest minicar tested. Even with that car, however, when the IIHS tested for impact with a larger car, the dummy in the fit made contact with the steering wheel through the air bag -- indicating a risk of brain injury -- and the IIHS concluded there was a “high risk” of leg injury in some crashes. All makers of minicars pointed out that the IIHS tests included tests for “extreme” conditions that simply do not often happen on the road. According to Toyota, the severity of the IIHS crash happens less than 0.06% of the time in frontal crashes.

Each year, Forbes releases a list of “safest cars” of the year. To compile the list, experts look at rollover data and crash test information released by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) and the Insurance Institute of Highway Safety (IIHS). Forbes offers points to each car based on how well they fare in these tests and then examine the head injuries, leg injuries, and other personal injuries that crash dummies in these cars experience. Forbes also considers the Consumer Reports' crash tests.

This year, a number of brands have fared well on the Forbes “safest” list. These manufacturers include Acura, Volvo, Honda and Subaru. Some of the cars on the list offer special safety and collision-avoidance technologies such as collision mitigation and lane departure warning systems. The Subaru Forester even has a seat-position sensor that warns the driver if he or she is too close to the air bag for safety. However, many experts are divided as to how much of an impact such systems really have.

Most experts do agree, however, that simple design choices often have a big impact on car safety. Cars like the Saab 9-3 have head protection in the form of head restraints. In a rear-end car collision, they prevent the neck and head from snapping backwards. This can help prevent brain injuries and other serious injuries.

Most cars that top the safety list also offer side-crash protection. The GMC Acadia, for example, offers full-length side airbags. Honda's 2009 RDX SUV has crumple zones that absorb impact on the front and the rear of the vehicle. The car also comes equipped with side-impact door beams to offer additional protection to passengers in a crash.

One thing that is noticeable about the list is that larger cars are tops on the list. While some smaller cars do make it on the list, when it comes to safety, size seems to count. The Forbes list includes many SUVs and a number of medium-sized cars. The director of vehicle testing at Edmunds.com isn’t surprised by this. As he points out, a larger car offers more between the occupants and the road, which means greater safety.

However, in addition to releasing a list of the safest cars of the year, Forbes has also released its list of most dangerous cars in a collision. Using the same data, they found the cars most likely to cause serious injuries and fatalities in a crash. The cars with the lowest scores were the Chevrolet Trailblazer SUV, the Kia Rio sedan and the Ford Ranger pickup truck. The “worst” list features an array of trucks, SUVs, and small cars, proving that size doesn’t automatically mean safety.

According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), more than 8000 car accidents annually are caused by tire failure. Part of the problem, experts claim, is that while drivers check fluids and get their car tuned up, they can sometimes be cavalier about the state of their tires. Product liability may also be an issue -- the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) claims that some tire manufacturers are not warning customers of known product problems.

One thing that customers can do is to learn about tire manufacturers and their products. Regular media updates about known tire problems can be very useful. For example, NHTSA received nearly 200 complaints in 2000 about Firestone tires and began investing. There were allegations that tire failure had caused 21 fatalities because the rubber on the tires came off the casing. Customers who know the risks of their brand can make more informed decisions about which tires to buy.

Another thing to be aware of are warning signs that most tire manufacturers are obliged to place on their tires. These can tell you which dangers are most common with a specific brand. Some of the more common tire failures, for example, include blowouts and sidewall failures. Sidewall failures occur when poor design and manufacturing lead to a sidewall exploding. Blowouts can occur if a tire becomes too worn before it is deflated.

Finally, drivers can ensure that tires are correctly maintained and in good shape. This not only helps to improve safety, but also keeps fuel efficiency high. One of the simplest types of maintenance that drivers can perform is to check tire pressure. According to the NHSTA, at least 10,000 personal injuries could be avoided each year if every driver checked their air pressure regularly. Another simple thing drivers can do to keep their tires safe is to have their tires correctly rotated. This should be done twice a year.

Drivers who regularly drive from Florida to areas where there is snow should invest in all-season tires or should have winter tires put on their cars. Driving without winter tires in snow and ice can mean skids and collisions. Even if a driver lives in Florida year-round, ensuring that tires are not worn is important. Treads offer good “grip” on the road. When the treads get worn down, slips and collisions are possible even in a simple rain shower.

If car accidents in your own car are frightening and difficult, just imagine how unnerving a car accident in a rental car might be. What if someone suffers a brain injury, spinal cord injury or other serious injury? Will the car rental agency hold you liable for damages? While it is normal to have these worries, there are several things that drivers can do to ensure that they stay safe and secure in rental cars.

Insurance is one of the most important decisions you will make when renting a car. While it can be confusing, there are a few simple steps you can take to make sure you are covered. First, check your credit cards and your existing personal and auto insurance coverage. What exactly are you covered for – and not covered for? Be sure to check rental car models and exceptions. Then, contact the car rental agency you plan to use and ask about any policies that would cover what it already not covered by your main insurance policy. You may need to speak to a head office – not all counter agents know the intricacies of the insurance policies offered.

Keep in mind that even if you have insurance coverage, much of the coverage that protects you may be void if you drive recklessly or drink and drive. Use good sense and drive carefully when in your rental car. If you are in a collision, do what you would normally do:

1) Check to make sure that everyone is well and call for emergency help if anyone has suffered an injury. If someone has suffered a brain injury or spinal cord injury, avoid moving that person as you may cause further injury.

2) Exchange names, numbers, contact information, and insurance information with the other driver. Stay at the scene of the accident until help arrives.

3) Start documenting. As soon as you can, take pictures of the accident, car damage, and take down any names, numbers, or information you can. The badge number of the police officer on the scene, the exact time of the collision, the license plate number of the other car – even tiny details can prove important later on. Make sure that you keep all your documentation yourself. If the car rental agency or your insurance provider requires some of your documentation for their own investigation, provide them with a copy of your notes or a copy of your photos but keep a copy for yourself as well just in case your information gets lost.

4) Contact the rental car agency. All car agencies have a 24-hour phone number. You should call the number as soon as possible after the accident to get further details about the procedure you must follow. Not reporting the accident in a timely manner can create problems, so do call.

Spinal cord injuries are a common injury in car accidents. Often, these injuries occur when a person is thrown very violently against a hard surface during a car collision. In many instances, this occurs when a passenger or driver is not wearing a seat belt and is thrown from the vehicle. In some cases, the victim is moved at the accident scene, and this can actually make the spinal cord injury worse. For this reason, it is important to not move an injured person at an accident scene unless absolutely necessary.

A spinal cord injury victim is generally taken to the emergency room via ambulance as quickly as possible. The injured person is placed on a stiff board and has a cervical collar placed around his or her neck. This helps support the body and prevents further movement which can cause further damage. At the hospital, a physician has x-rays and other tests performed to determine the extent of the injuries. Pain management is essential because the patient is often in severe pain.

In the short term, surgeries may be required. A lengthy hospital stay is also usually required, as are medications and more tests. In the initial stage of recovery, the patient may remain in the hospital for some time. In many cases, the patient with a spinal cord injury has severely limited mobility and has major permanent or long-term injuries. Part of the hospital visit is dedicated to helping the patient adjust.

Once the patient is home, he or she often finds that life is much altered. In most cases, the patient is completely immobile or gets around via wheelchair. The home may need to be renovated to allow for wheelchair access. Home nurse services may be needed to help the patient if the patient is bed-ridden. Work may not be possible for months or years. If the patient had a physical job, he or she may not be able to return to work.

In the long term, the patient must adjust to the new way of life. Long-term therapy and treatments might be needed. Physical therapy is often needed to help the patient recover as much mobility as possible. In many cases, long-term pain management is also needed. In addition to the physical toll of a spinal cord injury, a patient often feels angry or depressed after this injury. Substance abuse problems and isolation are frequent problems of patients with spinal cord injuries. Some patients require therapy to work through these issues.

Spinal cord injury patients face many losses and substantial long-term medical bills. Florida laws protect such patients if their injuries are caused by a car accident or someone’s negligence. If someone’s recklessness or negligence has caused a car accident that has left you or a loved with a spinal cord injury or another personal injury, contact a qualified Florida attorney. Without legal help, you may face the majority of medical bills alone.

In Florida, many drivers opt to rent cars. From businessmen needing to travel from company event to trade show to tourists wanting to see the state to residents needing to rent a car while their own car is in the shop, many people in Florida are driving rental cars. Some of these cars are involved in car accidents. If you are driving a rental car and are involved in a car accident, you need to:

1) Help anyone who is injured. Be careful about moving anyone who may have a spinal cord injury or a head injury, as movement can make these injuries worse. Call the paramedics if anyone is in distress.

2) Call the police, if needed, and call your car rental agency as soon as possible after the accident. Each rental agency has its own policy about car accidents and will advise you what to do.

3) Exchnage information with any other drivers involved in the crash and record everything on the scene. Take pictures of the damage, the accident site, and take the names and identifying information of any police officers and emergency personnel on the scene.

4) File an accident report with the local authorities and file a claim with your insurance company and your credit card company. Your own car, health or personal insurance may cover the costs of the accident. The credit card you used to rent the car may also cover you. Ask to find out which company will cover you. If you paid for insurance with the car rental agency, check the fine print to see what your coverage is.

If the accident is quite minor, the car rental agency may tell you to keep driving the same car for the remainder of your rental period. If this is the case, be careful about documenting the exact damage to the car so that you are not held responsible for further damage to the vehicle. If you cannot drive the rental car that was in the accident, some rental agencies may offer you another car for an addition cost.

If you are having trouble dealing with the car rental agency after a car accident, make sure that you take down the names of car rental agency employees you spoke with and when you spoke to each person. That way, if you need to speak to a manager, you can point to specific problems you had. Avoid threatening to never use the rental agency again. This will simply make the company less willing to resolve your issue, since they will know they will never get more business from you. If you cannot resolve your problems, hire a qualified Florida attorney or contact your local Better Business Bureau for help.

Recently, motorcycle enthusiast held rallies in Tallahassee and in other areas of Florida to make a plea for tougher traffic laws in Florida. Many bikers, these motorcycle enthusiasts claim, have been killed in car accidents, but current Florida traffic laws often do not do a good job of going after dangerous drivers. The bikers claim that if traffic laws across the state were strengthened, fewer people would be killed in car accidents involving motorcycles.

Some bikers claim that current state traffic laws are one-sided. While the laws penalize motorcycle riders who cause car accidents, cars who cause accidents with motorcycles are often not penalized. In some cases, car drivers who cause an accident with a motorcycle are given a simple ticket. In some cases, these tickets are only eighty dollars, even in accidents that prove fatal to a motorcyclist.

Many bikers want to see mandatory community service and thousand-dollar fines for car drivers who cause accidents involving motorcycles. Currently, most vehicle drivers who cause such accidents get no demerit points on their license and no additional penalties beyond a minimum ticket. Many bikers want to see minimum penalties raised, especially in accidents causing motorcyclist fatalities.

With a floundering economy, more people are using motorcycles to get around, since these modes of transportation cost less and use up less fuel. However, many bikers note that current state laws put all motorcycle enthusiasts at risk. With more motorcyclists on the road, unsafe laws could mean more accidents, bikers say.

Many motorcyclists believe that it is mainly car drivers who cause accidents between motorcyclists and other vehicles. Bikers point out that driving a motorcycle requires full attention, while car drivers have often been caught texting, talking on cell phones, and engaging in other distracting behaviours behind the wheel. Some motorcycle patrol officers, however, note that there is little that can be done in an accident from a legal standpoint if aggressive driving is not the cause of an accident. If a collision takes place without aggressive or dangerous driving, then the car driver is simply given a traffic ticket.

Part of the problem, of course, is the difference between a car and a motorcycle. Drivers in a car are protected by airbags and by surrounding glass and metal. Motorcyclists are not enclosed, so it is easier for them to sustain serious burn injuries, head injuries, spinal cord injuries, and other personal injuries in the event of a crash. Motorcyclists have no barriers between themselves and the road and are therefore more likely to be thrown in the event of an accident.

Many drivers are in car accidents that are minor enough that no attorney is needed. If you are in a fender bender and there is little property damage and no personal injury, your insurance company will likely be able to help you. However, you will certainly want to contact a qualified attorney if:

*A serious injury has occurred, such as a burn injury, spinal cord injury, brain injury, or other serious problem. If anyone requires hospitalization or needs to take time away from work, you should seek a qualified attorney. If there is a chance that any of the injuries caused by the car accident will cause a permanent disability, you need to seek a good attorney right away.
*There has been a fatality as a result of the accident.
*There are accusations of recklessness or negligence
*Other cars or pedestrians are involved
*The police report filed after the accident is not accurate and suggests that your actions caused the accident.
*The accident took place in a construction area
*You have no insurance or your insurance provider is telling you that you are not covered because an insurance payment was late.
*You have very small liability coverage on your car insurance.
*Your insurance provider engages an attorney to deal with you or suddenly stops taking your calls or answering your questions.

Why do you need to hire an attorney in these cases? Quite simply, all of the above are red flag warning signs that the accident may be causing larger legal issues that may create problems for you. In all of the above cases, it is technically possible that you might be able to sort out the problem without the help of an attorney, but you do not want to involve yourself in a messy legal case so it really is safer to seek legal advice right away.

In addition, there are some circumstances which warrant a consultation with an attorney, although they are probably situations which might require attorney advice rather than intervention:

*You need advice on how much you could reasonably expect to get from a claim.
*You’re not sure if other types of insurance (such as personal coverage or homeowners insurance) apply in a claim.
*You’re not sure if your insurer is really helping you.
*You need help negotiating with an insurance provider.
*You don’t understand your insurance policy or your rights.
*You’re confused by a maze of forms and paperwork and need help making sense of it all.

In all of these cases, an attorney is not an absolute essential, but professional legal advice can certainly make you feel more at ease, can help you protect your interests, and can help ensure that hassles and problems won’t come up.

Automobile accidents are a leading cause of injuries to minors and children. In many cases, preventable measures can help prevent the burn injuries, broken bones, fatalities, brain injuries, and spinal cord injuries that child victims sustain each year due to car crashes. Most experts agree that correct use of car restraints is the single most important thing that drivers can do to ensure that child passengers in a car remain safe. According to a 2005 study by the Motor Accidents Authority of New South Wales, 82% of child-aged victims of car accidents needing hospitalization were not using child restraints correctly at the time of an accident.

Another study conducted by the Monash University Accident Research Centre has found that 70% of child restraints are not used correctly or are not fitted properly. Incorrectly fitted and incorrectly used child safety restraints can render the restraints useless and in some cases can even place the child at additional risk in a car accident. Always read directions on safety restraints carefully and follow manufacturer’s directions to the letter. If you are confused about how to fit or use child safety restraints, call the manufacturer or get advice from the store where you purchased the child restraints.

Also, make sure that you register your child safety restraints after you make your purchase so that you will be contacted immediately if your restraints are recalled for any safety issues. If at all possible, buy new child safety restraints, since previously owned items may have sustained damage or may have been recalled. If you do need to buy a used child safety restraint system, check for any obvious signs of wear and tear and check to make certain that the make and model have not been recalled.

When driving with child passengers, always place the child in the back seat. Airbags and dashboards can cause serious trauma and head injuries to children during an accident. Also, before you drive away, check your car for loose items. Any items on the seats or the floor of your car can become a projectile in an accident and can cause serious injury to a small child. Place all unsecured items in your glove compartment or trunk. Also, activate childproof locks before putting the car in motion.

If you are driving with a small child, provide some form of entertainment in the form of books on tape or games. This will keep the child from playing with locks, distracting the driver, or playing with harnesses and seatbelts. Praise your child passenger if they remain quiet and refrain from getting out of their safety restraints.

While many parents see a car accident as one of their worst nightmares, many children each year are killed or seriously harmed or even killed because they are left alone in a car. It is essentially to never leave your child in a car unattended, even for just a few minutes. Serious accidents can happen to children left alone in a car. Temperatures can rise very rapidly in a car and can easily cause a child to suffer dehydration and heatstroke. Children left alone in a car have also accidentally burned themselves on cigarette lighters and have accidentally put cars into neutral or reverse.

No one wants to be in a car accident. However, if you have been in accident and have sustained serious injuries such as burn injuries or spinal cord injuries or have sustained damage to your car, you will want to make claims to help you cover your costs. The problem is that many people are so focused on injuries or the car repairs they need to make after an accident that they sometimes make mistakes that can cost them their rights to a fair claim. If you are in a car accident, protect yourself and your rights by:

1. Calling authorities. Make sure that you contact medical facilities immediately if there have been any injuries and contact the police right away. The police will need to file a report. Make sure that you note the names of the officers who arrived on the scene. Make sure that you keep copies of any medical tests and information from the hospital as well.

2. Staying at the scene of the accident. Unless there is a medical emergency and you need to be taken to hospital immediately, stay at the scene of the accident so that you can tell authorities your version of events. Even if you do require medical emergency treatment, make sure that you are taken to hospital by authorities, such as ambulance drivers. Do not simply leave the scene of the accident yourself, as this can be misconstrued.

3. Starting to take stock of information right away. Pictures taken with your camera, the names and numbers of witnesses, insurance information, VIN numbers of cars involved in the crash and other information can all become crucial. Take note of everything you can. Get copies of all documentation related to the accident and start keeping a documentation of any injuries you have sustained. Take pictures of your injuries and even start keeping a journal about your medical condition after the accident.

4. Contacting your insurance provider at once. Most insurance companies have 24-hour numbers just in case. If you don’t have the number with you at the time of the crash, call directory assistance. Contacting your insurance provider is part of your responsibility after an accident. Delaying this step can complicate your claims.

5. Contact a Florida attorney with experience in car accident cases. In most cases, personal injury attorneys offer a free initial consultation. It is important for you to understand your rights and to get help negotiating with insurance providers. A qualified attorney can help you with this, so do not delay calling legal help.

Many American families have a treasured pet who is part of the family. If you are driving with your pet, however, your pet can be a danger unless you take precautions. An unrestrained pet can be a distraction to the driver and can leap about the car, possibly causing an accident. In the event of an accident, according to MarketWatch, a 60-pound dog thrown at 35 miles per hour makes a 2,700-pound impact, more than enough to cause serious personal injury to yourself and your passengers. When traveling with pets, make sure that you:

1) Get your pet used to travel. Before you load your pet and passengers into a car for a long trip, take your pet out on smaller trips with just yourself. At the end of the trip, offer your pet a treat for good behaviour. Once your pet is used to car travel, he or she may be quieter on trips, and this can mean less distraction for the driver.

2) Keep small animals in cages on all trips. Smaller pets are a danger because they can dash under the driver’s feet, interfering with the brake and gas pedals. Small pets running around the floor of the car can also be a distraction. Even if you are only going a few block and even if your small pet has never shown any signs of anxiety in a car, be safe and place the animal in a plastic or metal cage or kennel. Avoid using cardboard boxes, as many smaller animals can escape these closures quickly.

3) Keep large animals restrained on all trips. Larger animals such as dogs can pose a threat, especially if they jump on the driver or jump on the dash, obstructing the diver’s view. Many pet owners with well-behaved dogs believe that they dog would never act up on a trip, but even the best-behaved dog might act erratically if distracted by a squirrel outside the window or groceries in the back seat. You can use a steel barrier to create a separate space between the front seat and the rear seat. You can also place your dog in a kennel in your car.

4) Bring all the pet supplies you need with you. Having treats, a change of newspaper in the event of accidents, and water is important. Keeping your pet comfortable means keeping your pet calm, and that is safer for everyone.

5) Pull over if you need to tend to your pet. If you need to restrain your pet, feed your pet, or deal with an accident, pull over completely and park your car before dealing with the problem. Trying to drive while you are looking at your dog can lead to a fatal car accident.

6) If traveling with two or more people, have one person in charge of the pet. Have one person talk to the pet, feed it treats and generally make sure the pet is comfortable and happy. This allows the driver to focus on the road.

Whiplash has many names: hyperextension injury, soft tissue cervical hypertension injury, cervical sprain, acceleration flexion-extension neck injury, and cervical strain. To most of us, it is just “whiplash.” Whiplash occurs most often in a car accident, when the soft tissue in the neck is injured.

Although whiplash is very common in car accidents, it also tends to be frequently overlooked and underestimated. Often, this is because victims assume that the symptoms of whiplash are general aches and pains rather than a condition that needs treatment. Even in a car that is going only 15 miles per hour when an crash takes place, whiplash can occur.

There are many symptoms that can indicate whiplash. People who have whiplash often report pain and swelling in the neck area. There might be tenderness in the area along the back of the neck as well. In serious cases, patients may experience neck muscle spasms or severe headaches.

If you have been in a car accident and you exhibit any symptoms – especially any symptoms in the neck or head area – you need to see a doctor right away. Some whiplash symptoms are very similar to brain injury symptoms and you want to get that ruled out right away. Left untreated, whiplash symptoms can persist for a long time, so it’s important to get an accurate diagnosis and treatment right away after your injury.

If you have been in a serious car accident, emergency personnel may rush you to an emergency room. Generally, you will be strapped onto a long board and a cervical collar will be placed around you to limit movement until a doctor can examine you for serious injury. If you have had a minor accident not involving an emergency room visit, be sure to see your doctor soon after your accident for a full physical check-up. Report any symptoms you have so that you can get an accurate diagnosis.

If you have whiplash, your doctor may suggest that your apply ice packs to your neck for 20 minutes at a time. You may also get pain medication if you are in discomfort. If the pain persists or you develop new symptoms, return to your doctor at once. If you have whiplash, you may have injured your neck further inadvertently and you may need additional care.

More and more car manufacturers are creating cars with an array of safety features and safety systems. In many cases, these features help prevent accidents that can cause serious personal injury. If you are considering buying a car, consider these technologies:

1) Blind spot systems. Audi, Volvo, and other brands have technology that places cameras in a driver’s blind spots, allowing a driver to see everything going on in each blind spot.

2) Parking assistance technology. Toyota and other brands have a system that parks for you. Featured on Oprah and other national television shows, these programs essentially allow the car to take over and park. It is a good idea for those who struggle to park well.

3) Night driving help. Some car brands – including Lexus, BMW, Cadillac, and others – have night vision options that allow drivers to see more effectively in the dark. Since many car accidents occur at night, this feature may help prevent many car accidents. It can also be very useful for drivers who have poor night vision.

4) Pre-collision systems. Manufacturers such as Lexus have pre-collision technology which allows a vehicle to detect – with the use of sensors – when an accident is about to take place. When the vehicle’s sensors detect a car accident is about to happen, the car takes control in order to prevent a full collision.

There are many excuses for not wearing a seat belt, but all tend to fall apart under scrutiny:

Excuse #1: “If I don’t wear a seat belt, I will be able to get out of a car more quickly in the event of a car accident.”

This is actually true – you will get out of your car quickly in the event of a car crash because, without a seat belt, you will be thrown out of the car. Unfortunately, you will crash through your windshield at high velocity and almost certainly be killed or seriously injured. If you are not wearing a seatbelt and are thrown from your car you will likely sustain a serious head injury, spinal cord injury or brain injury.

Excuse #2: “I’m only going a short distance.”

Some people don’t wear a seatbelt if they are driving slowly or only a short distance. This can be a deadly mistake, however, since accidents can happen anywhere and at any time. In fact, most people are seriously injured or killed in car accidents close to home. Buckling up should be the first thing you do when you step into a car.

Excuse #3: “There are no seatbelts in this car.”

Every car has seatbelts. If you are sitting in the back seat, they may be in between the seats or stuffed between the back rest and the seat. They are worth digging for, however.

Excuse #4: “Seat belts are so uncomfortable.”

A full body cast – which is what you might be wearing if you don’t wear a seat belt -- is very uncomfortable as well. Seat belts have adjustments, so adjust your seatbelt. If you are not very tall, consider adjusting your seat so that your seatbelt is positioned comfortably.

Excuse #5 “I don’t need a seat belt because I have airbags.”

Airbags will not work alone. Without a seat belt to restrain you in a crash, your head will hit the airbag with great force and speed – with enough speed and force to kill you or cause serious brain injuries.

According to the AAA, an average of 9 out of ten cars have headlights that are so worn, ineffective or dirty that they pose a potential hazard. Most drivers only consider headlights when one is out, but long before a headlight is crushed or stops working, dirt and age may have rendered it ineffective. Headlights are essential when driving at night or on overcast days. They improve your visibility on the road and reduce your risk of being in a car accident. Headlights also make your car more visible and so can prevent pedestrian accidents. Even if all of your headlights are working well, there are a few things you can do to ensure that they are at their brightest:

1) Clean them. When you stop for gas, you should give your windshield and your headlights a wipe. Most gas stations have the tools necessary for this right at the pumps, so it only takes an extra second or two.

2) Restore the headlights. If you have an older car, the casing on your headlights may have become yellowed with exposure. Also, tiny scratches on the headlights may add up quickly, making them less bright. DIY restoring kits or professional headlight restoring services at a garage can fix this common problem.

3) Have your headlights adjusted. Have your lenses calibrated and aimed by a professional at a garage as part of your regular inspection. This helps ensure that the light is directed where you need to see. It can keep you safer on the road.

4) Have broken headlights fixed at once. Driving around with a broken headlight is a major hazard. It can mean a penalty and can cause you to get pulled over. Get your car into a mechanic right away.

Headlights are the communication system of your car – they tell other drivers where you are and where you are headed. Headlights also provide you with the light you need to drive safely. Taking car of your headlights means taking care to prevent car accidents.

You could spend plenty of money on special sensors and devices to keep you safe on the road. However, there are also no-cost and inexpensive solutions for improving your car’s safety and for preventing a car accident:

1) Wash your windshield. Dirty windshields can cause glare and can reduce your visibility. Even if your windshield is “relatively” clean, tiny splatters can affect your visibility at night. Wash your windshield regularly and keep a jug of windshield washer fluid in your trunk in case you run out.

2) Check your windshield. Small scratches and imperfections in your windshield can cause glare. In the event of an accident, a small imperfection or scratch can cause your windshield to crack considerably, resulting in possible injuries or in an expensive windshield replacement. Many auto glass services offer special packages to repair small scratches for a very reasonable price.

3) Clean your headlights. If your headlights are dirty, they will not work well and this can increase your odds of sustaining a personal injury in a car accident. Many gas stations have free cleaning stations that allow you to wash your headlights, windshield, and car.

4) Restore your headlights. The sun, weather, and time can cause the headlights of your car to become yellow or worn. This makes them far less bright and therefore less effective. There are headlight restore and cleaner kits that can help your headlights shine their brightest. Most garages can also restore your headlights for a nominal fee.

5) Choose a smart color of car. Research has shown that silver cars are more visible because they reflect more light. This can mean that they are safer than dark cars, which can blend into trees and the environment.

While avoiding car accidents is often about good driving, and not about technology, there are several devices that can help you avoid a car accident. These devices are ones you might wish to have in your car:

1) Parking sensor. A parking sensor is usually a small camera or sensor that tells you whether there is something behind you as you park, back out of a parking spot, or reverse. These sensors are important because they can prevent the many injuries to minors and children that occur in parking lots and driveways, often because a driver was unable to see a child standing right behind a vehicle. Sensors can also make parking easier and can prevent fender benders.

2) GPS. Global positioning devices (GPS) are like an interactive map in your car. You can program a GPS device with your destination and the device will tell you how to get to your destination. With a GPS device, you will not have to read a map or focus on finding street numbers – you can focus on driving safely. For the best safety features, look for GPS devices that have a voice feature so that you do not have to stare at the tiny map on your GPS device while trying to drive.

3) Airbags. Installed in every newly-made car, airbags provide a cushion in the event of an accident and prevent you from sustaining head injuries and other serious injuries by crashing about inside the car. Look for cars that have side-impact and passenger airbags as well as driver airbags.

4) Seat belts. Seat belts may be the least high-tech device and the simplest device on this list, but the humble seat belt has saved more lives than any other car safety feature. Mandatory in much of the country since the 1980s, the seat belt prevents you from leaving your seat and crashing through the windshield in an accident. Many car accident fatalities could be prevented each year if only everyone wore a seatbelt.

5) Angelguard. Angelguard is a relatively new device that slips over the seat belt release button. Made of plastic, the Angelguard is used by parents to ensure that small children do not accidentally unbuckle themselves in the car. The Angelguard stays in place until an adult unbuckles the child.

Global positioning devices (GPS) are electronic devices that help drivers find their way in an unfamiliar city or area. Drivers can program their GPS devices with a specific route and the device will direct drivers from their door to their destination. Many cars now have these devices pre-installed and many drivers with older vehicles are getting the devices placed in their cars. GPS, however, has both pros and cons:

Con: GPS devices can steer you the wrong way. GPS devices make use of satellite information – just like a cell phone – and existing maps of an area. In areas that change frequently – such as New York City, for example – you can still get lost with a GPS device.

Pro: GPS devices can leave your hands free, since you don’t have to fiddle with a map. A GPS device doesn’t require you to check written directions or try to unfold a map. This can leave your hands free, which can be safer.

Con: GPS devices can be a distraction. It is possible for a driver to get into an accident and sustain a brain injury or other serious personal injury by fiddling with a GPS device. While GPS devices may be less distracting than a map, drivers may be reading the device instead of watching the road or may be adjusting the GPS instead of watching for oncoming traffic.

Pro: GPS devices can prevent you from getting lost. When they work correctly, GPS devices can help you avoid road closures and other road hazards and can ensure that you don’t get lost in an unfamiliar area. At a time when we are all worried about personal safety, this can be a powerful feature.

Con: GPS devices are not a substitute for watching to see where you are going. Watching the GPS instead of the road can still lead to an accident. Relying too much on the GPS can also be potentially hazardous, as there are many cues on the road – traffic, new construction – that drivers must pay attention to.

Pro: Many GPS devices have a voice feature that can mean greater safety. Some GPS devices do not require the driver to even look down at the device – a voice tells the driver where and when to turn.

In many accidents, “driver error” is blamed for a collision. Usually, the issue in legal terms revolves around the idea of negligence. In a court case involving a car accident, the defendant may have allegedly done something – or failed to do something – to prevent a car crash. Some of the more common examples of negligence and driver error include:

1) Ignoring traffic signs and devices. Not stopping at a stop sign, light, and not giving the right of way at a yield sign create accidents when the cars with right-of-way hit the car running the light or stop sign. Many such accidents also involve high speeds, because the driver trying to drive straight through sometimes speeds up to “beat” a red light or to squeak through at a stop sign. Many such accidents also cause cars to collide perpendicularly, causing a “T-bone” crash. Because of the speed and position, such crashes often cause serious burn injuries, brain injuries, spinal cord injuries, and even fatalities.

2) Rear-end collisions. These car accidents occur when a car collides with the car in front of them. Sometimes, this occurs because one car stops very suddenly. However, in many cases, the driver who is rear-ending the car in front is considered to be at fault, because such collisions are often preventable if the driver is maintaining a safe distance from the car in front of them and is paying attention to traffic.

3) Dangerous driving. Driving on the wrong side of the road, distracted drivers, dangerous passing, and dangerous turning are frequent causes of car accidents. These are often preventable because it is the driver’s recklessness that has caused the accident.

4) Product defects. In some car accidents, product liability is an issue, especially when there appears to be something mechanically wrong with the vehicle. However, if a driver has failed to ensure that their car is properly maintained and safe, the driver may be held liable for the damages caused.

5) Incorrect use of lights. Cavalier use of turn signals, headlights, signal lights, and brake lights and incorrect maintenance of lights in a car can cause miscommunication on the road, which can lead to accidents.

6) Road rage. Road rage occurs when a driver gets so upset and angry that he or she attempts to harm someone or engages in dangerous or reckless driving.

The first fatal car accident took place in London in 1899. The first fatality occurred when a young man was thrown from the car and died on the scene. Since this first deadly car accident, car manufacturers have spent considerable time and marketing power convincing drivers that their cars are safe. Two of the major safety devices that have been installed in modern cars are the seat belt and the airbag. If you're in a car accident, seat belts and airbags can save your life. However, many drivers are not aware of how these devices work.

Seat belts, which are simple pieces of fabric attached to a belt, are one of the best devices in your car that can help keep you safe in the event of a car accident. Seatbelts first became mandatory in many places in the 1980s, and are thought to save thousands of lives every year. In the event of an accident, a seat belt stops you from leaving your seat and smashing through the windshield or smashing into the dashboard. Even when the car comes to a sudden stop, the seat belt keeps you in place and therefore prevents serious injuries, including spinal cord injuries.

If you weren't wearing a seatbelt, a crash at just 30 miles per hour would throw you forward with the force of 30 to 60 times your body weight. With such force, if you crashed into the steering wheel, dashboard, the seat in front of you, or the windscreen, you'd sustain serious head injuries, cuts, and other serious injuries. With a seatbelts in place, however, the force your body sustains in a car accident is spread across the pelvis and the rib cage, both of which are very strong parts of the body. With the force of the impact spread over these two parts, the force of the impact is not so strong and therefore your risk of personal injuries reduced.

Air bags were originally used on airplanes during World War II. The first airbags began to appear in cars in the 1970s, although they were not widely popular then. Today, all cars have airbags. Airbags are designed to inflate within a fraction of a second of a car crash. They essentially provide a pillow that slows the impact of the head and prevents the head from crashing into the dashboard. They are essential for preventing head injuries.

Airbags are designed to inflate when the car exerts a force that is similar to hitting an object at 10 to 15 mph. When such conditions are met, a sensor in the car activates, causing the airbag to inflate with nitrogen gas. While initially airbags were only used to protect to the driver from hitting his or her head against the steering wheel and dashboard, airbags are now used for passengers as well. Some vehicles are using side impact airbags to protect all passengers in a car.

Of course, in order for these two devices to be effective, they have to be working correctly. In order for seatbelts to work, drivers must wear them each time they are in a vehicle. Airbags should also be checked periodically in older vehicles.

Your health affects a lot more than just your overall well-being. Certain health conditions -- even when they are undetected -- could severely impact your ability to drive. Each year, thousands of people suffer personal injuries or are killed by drivers in poor health who suffer heart attacks or other health incidences while on the road. To prevent this from happening to you, start taking charge of your health. Consider:

1) Getting a yearly check-up. Even if you feel fine, you could have a vitamin deficiency, an illness, or another condition that can affect your driving. A regular physical will help you combat any potential health issues before they affect your driving and your safety on the road.

2) Calling a cab if you feel unwell. Many drivers step into their car even when they don't feel well. However, driving when you have the flu or even when you have a dizzy spell can affect your ability to drive. You could easily lose control of your vehicle, lose consciousness, or even just have a slow response time that land you right in the middle of a car accident. If you don't feel well, get someone to drive you to a doctor, stay home, or take a taxi to your destination. Driving when unwell is dangerous.

3) Checking your medication. Whether you have prescription medication or are taking over-the-counter pills or even vitamins, make sure that you read carefully about drug interactions and possible side effects. If you're not sure, ask your physician or pharmacist. Never drive when taking medications or supplements that make you feel weak, dizzy, or sleepy. If a substance states right on the label that you shouldn't operate heavy machinery when taking the medicine, stay away from the car.

4) Monitoring existing health conditions closely. If you know you have a health condition, make sure that you ask your physician about your ability to drive. Some health conditions can cause symptoms such as dizziness, which can affect your ability to stay safe on the road. If your condition seems to be getting worse, stay off the roads. If your physician tells you to avoid driving while taking certain medication or while getting certain treatments, make sure that you follow your doctor's advice.

5) Checking symptoms immediately. If you have any symptoms that can affect your driving -- such as changes in vision, severe pain, nausea, or anything else -- stay off the roads until you know that your symptoms can be handled effectively. Visit a doctor to manage these symptoms and in order to get appropriate tests. Your symptoms may suddenly get worse while you're on the road, causing a hazard.

Road rage occurs when stressed-out drivers take their feelings out on other drivers and pedestrians, causing altercations or even car accidents. Car accidents caused by road rage have led to fatalities, serious personal injuries, burn injuries, and more. While many of us are stressed out, driving while emotions are running high is never a good idea.

It's not hard to spot a driver in the throes of road rage; hand signals, shouting, swearing, and wild gestures are all typical symptoms. Sometimes, drivers in the grips of road rage will step out of their cars to yell at each other. However, in some cases, drivers have been known to use their cars as weapons in order to harm someone else or have used a weapon from their car in order to take out their rage on a victim.

Psychologists believe that road rage is relatively new, something that has occurred as a result of an increasingly stressful way of life and as a result of our growing reliance on vehicles. Road rage can range from slight aggravation to all-out fury. Even in the best of circumstances, it can affect a driver's judgment and response times. In the worst circumstances, it can cause drivers to react erratically or even to use their cars to wilfully harm someone else.

If you encounter a driver who is driving erratically or who you may believe may be experiencing road rage, it's important not to show emotion or strong annoyance. This can only escalate the other driver’s annoyance and can lead to a dangerous altercation. Try to stay calm and avoid provoking such drivers. If possible, move away from vehicles possibly driven by people in the throes of road rage.

If an angered motorist approaches the front you, don't respond to their actions or words. Make sure that your car and windows are locked and avoid eye contact with the angry driver. Try to alert the authorities as quickly as possible. If an angry driver in is following you, drive to the local police station. Do not drive home, since you do not want the driver to know where you live.

If you find yourself acting enraged in an incident on the road, try to catch yourself and apologize as quickly as possible. Try to soothe over the situation. Avoid contact with any motorists who are enraged as well and strong body language and eye contact can fray tempers. Try to back out of the situation as quickly as possible before it escalates.

According to statistics, 33% of drivers who are unable to pass an eye test have no idea that their vision is in trouble. Researchers have found that most drivers do not keep up with the changes in their eyes, and experts note that this can be significant hazard on the roads. Eye health is not just about your comfort and about your general well-being -- it is an essential component to road safety as well. Poor vision can affect your ability to read road signs and can even influence how quickly you are able to respond to hazards on the road. Some eye disorders can even make it difficult for you to see at night.

If you drive a car, regular eye exams are essential. Not only do these exams ensure that you are safe behind the wheel and have the appropriate lenses and contact lenses for your eye condition, but regular tests can help you detect and treat some serious eye problems, such as cataracts or age-related macular degeneration (AMD). Regular eye exams can also help prevent serious car accidents that lead to burn injuries, broken bones, spinal cord injuries, and other personal injuries.

If you are a driver with relatively good eyesight, you should have an eye exam every two years at minimum. If you wear contacts or glasses, get an eye exam once a year in order to ensure that your vision has not changed. In many cases, vision may change without you becoming aware of it. You may notice some headaches or you may have no symptoms at all that your eyesight has changed enough to make you dangerous behind the wheel.

Keep in mind, too, that not taking care of your eyes if you are driver can have legal consequences. Authorities can pull you over if they think that your eyesight is affecting your ability to drive. If you have been prescribed glasses or contact lenses for vision correction, laws prescribe that you must always wear your corrective lenses when you are driving. If you drive without these corrective lenses, you could face charges and penalties. Legally, you must be able to read a license plate from 20.5 m in good light. If you cannot do this, you may be breaking the law and this can affect your insurance as well as your driving privileges. If you're in a car accident that causes personal injuries and are found to be driving without prescribed corrective lenses, you could face additional penalties and charges as well.

Good vision is especially a concern for elderly drivers. Drivers who are 50 years of age or older are more at risk for certain eye problems -- such as cataracts -- and often find that they have more trouble dealing with glare. Drivers who are elderly may need to have eye tests or eye exams conducted once a year. They may also want to wear sunglasses in order to avoid glare.

However, even young drivers need to worry about their eyesight. Farsightedness nearsightedness can occur at any age and can affect drivers. All drivers, for example, need to worry about glare and blinding sunlight during the day. Sunglasses are a good idea for every driver.

Many drivers the country sustain a car accident sometime during the year. If you are one of these drivers, getting back behind the wheel can be a nerve-racking thing. It is normal to have some apprehension if you've been injured in a car accident or have been part of a particularly bad accident. Car accidents not only leave physical injuries, but emotional ones as well. If you're finding it hard to get back on the road, follow these tips for safe driving after an accident:

1) Get a full check-up from a doctor. Even if you have no obvious injuries, a brain injury or another serious injury can affect your ability to drive after an accident. As soon as possible after your accident, visit your physician and get a full check up. You may have sustained an injury that affects your ability to drive and it is best to determine this up front. Even if you have no injury but are having trouble with the emotional after effects of an accident, a physician can often help you find the support you need.

2) If you have sustained an injury, speak to your physician about driving again. If you have sustained an injury from your car accident, make sure that you don't get back behind the wheel of the car until you're ready. Talk your doctor about resuming driving. If you're taking medication for your injuries, make sure that you discuss with your doctor when you can drive again. Some medication can make you dizzy or less alert, and it can be dangerous to drive when on this type of medication.

3) Take it slow. If you have been in a car accident, it is normal to have mixed feelings about driving again. You may wish to gradually ease back into driving. Consider taking short drives along unfrequented routes, for example, or consider driving with a trusted friend until you get your confidence back. Consider relying on car pooling or a friend to drive you around until you're fully confident behind the wheel. Getting behind the wheel before you’re ready can lead to another accident, especially if you panic when faced with an unexpected event on the road.

4) Get some support if you need it. If you have sustained a serious burn injury or another serious injury, it is normal to have a great deal of apprehension about driving. Even if you've sustained a minor injury or have been in just a minor accident, it is common to feel hesitant about your driving abilities and about the safety of the roads. If you're having trouble dealing with the aftermath of an accident, tell your doctor and get some help from a professional who can help you to talk out your worries.

5) Consider getting some additional training. Getting some race school classes not only makes you more confident on the road, but it can actually help you avoid accidents. Defensive driver training can lower your insurance costs, in some cases, and can help you feel more confident that you will be able to avoid a car accident the next time.

If there is a new teen driver in your family, you may eventually have to deal with your young driver’s first accident. According to statistics, car accidents are the leading cause of death for teenagers across the country. In many cases, the teens in these accidents were behind the wheel or had a young driver behind the wheel. In addition to fatalities, accidents involving young drivers can cause serious burn injuries, broken bones, brain injury, spinal cord injury, and other injuries. Even a small fender-bender can cause a young driver to panic or can cause a teen driver to start feeling uncomfortable behind the wheel.

Before you get that call from your teen, you may want to have a frank discussion with your young driver. Sit them down and explain to them the statistics about car accidents and carefully develop a plan together for avoiding car accidents. Although many teens assume that accidents will not happen to them, you will want to develop a plan with your teen about what they should do if they are in an accident.

Of course, you will want to ensure that your teen is able to avoid a car accident if at all possible. A leading cause of accidents among teenage drivers is distraction, so make sure that your teen knows to avoid too many passengers, loud music, and cell phones while on the road. Make sure your teens get excellent driver education and discourage night time driving, which can be much trickier, especially for new drivers.

Even with the best precautions, your teen driver may still be in an accident. If you get a call that your teen has been in an accident, make sure that you:

1) Get the details of any injuries. If your child is in a hospital, get the name of the hospital and a room number so that you can rush right over. If your teen was simply in a fender bender, find out where the car was.

2) Get your young driver to take control. When talking to your teen on the phone after the accident, have them calm down and ask them to seek help for anyone who is injured. Make certain that your young driver pulls their car off the road to prevent further accidents. Not all new drivers know to do this or think to do this after an accident.

3) Get your young driver to protect themselves legally. Sometimes, other drivers assume that teen drivers are at fault or do not know enough to protect their legal interests after an accident. Make sure that your teen documents the car accident with a camera or cell phone camera and gets contact and insurance information from any other driver involved in the accident. Ensure that your young driver does not make any admissions of guilt – encourage your driver to share only name, contact information, and insurance information.

Continue reading "Coping With Your Young Driver’s First Collision" »

Any car accident can be traumatic and can cause serious injuries, including burn injuries, brain injuries, and spinal cord injuries. A car accident involving a truck, however, is especially serious because the occupants of the car are more likely to suffer serious injury or even fatalities. To make matters more complicated, many trucks are owned by companies, and this makes the legal implications of such an accident somewhat more complicated. Therefore, you will want to take a few extra precautions if your car has been in an accident with a truck:

1) After an accident, if you are safe and able to place a call, contact the authorities. The state patrol or local police are needed to take evidence, help anyone who is injured, talk to witnesses, and file a report.

2) Avoid talking about the accident – and especially about fault – at the scene. You may be dazed and confused after the accident and you may inadvertently claim fault, even if the fault is not yours. Provide just the basic information – name, contact information, and insurance information. If you are detained by authorities at the scene of the accident, ask to speak to an attorney before making a statement of any kind.

3) Get information about the truck. At minimum, get the truck driver’s name, license plate number, insurance information, and contact information. Do not just assume that the police will gather this information and you will be able to retrieve the information. Have the data on hand for your own records.

4) Check for damage and injuries. Take pictures of the damage to your car and surrounding area, as well as any injuries you have suffered. Jot down the time, date, and place of the accident as well as any details you remember. If you need an attorney, this information will be important.

5) Arrange to see your doctor. If you are injured, get the authorities to take you to the hospital immediately or, if you are well enough, drive yourself to the hospital. Make sure that you note the name of the admitting physician and get copies of your file. Even if you have sustained no injuries in the accident, visit your physician as soon as possible after the accident for a full physical. You may have an injury caused by an accident but may not exhibit symptoms for some time. Getting a full check-up ensures that any problems are caught and dealt with quickly. Seeing your doctor also ensures that any possible problems are documented. Waiting to file a claim about an injury can lessen your chances of a successful claim, so get the facts about any possible injuries as quickly as possible.

6) Contact your insurance company – and an attorney. As soon as you safely can after an accident, contact your insurance company so that you can get the claims process started. Also, contact a qualified personal attorney right away. Since trucks are often owned by companies, it is a good idea to consult with an attorney, someone who can represent you if you need to negotiate with a large and powerful company.

Cars are wonderful conveniences, but no technology, perhaps, can protect us from ourselves. Unfortunately, while vehicle safety features have improved over past years, that does not always translate into safer driving. Experts note that many car accidents each year are highly preventable and are caused by mistakes that can easily be foreseen and avoided. Avoiding these common driver mistakes means fewer car-related burn injuries, spinal cord injuries, trauma, and fatalities:

1) Drinking and driving. Despite numerous education campaigns, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services reports that 15% of adults admitted to driving after drinking at least once over the past year. Researchers also attribute 32% of car accident fatalities to drunk drivers.

2) Doing something besides driving. According to a poll conducted by Nationwide Mutual Insurance, over 80% of drivers admitted to doing something other than driving while driving. Activities ranged from painting toenails to applying makeup to reading, shaving, eating, or text messaging. All these activities remove focus from the road and can prove deadly. According to research completed by Virginia Tech University and the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHSA) 80% of car accidents occur while a driver is distracted.

3) Not wearing a seatbelt. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHSA), there would have been 5,024 fewer car accident fatalities in 2007 if everyone wore seatbelts while in a moving car.

4) Driving while tired or sleepy. According to the National Sleep Foundation, driving while tired can be just as dangerous as driving drunk. Tired drivers have slower response times and have even been known to fall asleep at the wheel. Since there is less dishonour in driving tired, however, more people do so, putting everyone on the road at risk.

While much of the country’s drivers must contend with slush, snow, and ice on the roads at this time of year, many Florida drivers mistakenly assume that they do not have to worry about the hazards of driving in the winter at all. In fact, researchers have found that it is driver error, not weather conditions, that usually lead to wintertime accidents that cause fatalities and personal injury. That means that all drivers – even those lucky enough to drive through winter in mild climates – need to be on alert.

According to experts, these common driver mistakes are most likely to lead to accidents in the winter:

1) Speeding. Although this is a very common mistake, it can also be quite deadly. Driving too fast in the dark or on a wet day can mean that you lose control more easily. Speeding does not just mean driving over the speed limit, however. For experts, it means driving too fast for the current conditions. If you are driving on a wet road late at night, you may need to slow down below the posted limit to avoid going too fast for your conditions. Some experts recommend staying in touch through a cell phone to tell loved ones when you will be arriving. This way, you won’t be speeding to try to arrive before a pre-set time.

2) Not adjusting to sudden, unusual weather. A sudden sprinkling of snow or ice can cause havoc on the roads as some drivers fail to adjust to road conditions. Even a sudden strong storm that is unusually heavy for an area can mean more accidents, more brain injuries, and more spinal cord injuries. The 24 hours or day after an unusual weather event or the first weather event of a season (the first snowfall, for example, or the first heavy rainstorm) are most dangerous. If you are on the roads during this time, slow down and use extra caution.

3) Following too closely. When roads are wet and when the weather is dark, leave extra room between you and vehicle in front of you. Also, consider leaving more room when driving on roads that see plenty of wildlife – if the car in front of you brakes suddenly for a deer, you may not have time to brake.

4) Know what to do when you slip. Just because Florida drivers do not have to contend with icy roads, that does not mean that slippery conditions do not happen. Excessive rain or even spills on the road can cause a car to slip, and Florida drivers traveling in other parts of the country during the winter need to be prepared. If you do start to slide on a slippery road surface, remain calm and remove your foot from the gas pedal. Brake gently with constant, steady pressure. Your car may still slide and buckle but the brakes will have a better chance of working correctly with this method. Do not slam the brakes. If your car is skidding, steer your wheel gently where you want the car to go.

Continue reading "Florida Drivers Still Need to Consider Winter Driving Woes" »

When thinking of car-related injuries, many of us imagine the sorts of injuries common in many car accidents: burn injuries, brain injuries, broken bones, spinal cord injuries, and others. While these sorts of accident injuries are common, research studies show that some lesser-known injuries also pose a risk.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration has released a report about car-related injuries, and it appears that the most common injury usually occurs when the car is not even moving. Last year, 150 000 people injured themselves by closing a car door, making this the most common injury associated with cars. According to the report, another 10 000 people are seriously injured each year by using a hoist such as a jack to raise a car in order to do work on the vehicle. 74 000 people each year are injured by a falling car part or vehicle.

Researchers for the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration admit that the findings may be surprising to some, since they show that cars are not only a possible risk on the road. The study researchers found that 841 000 injuries and 1747 deaths occurred from non-crash accidents and non-traffic crashes. Instances where people back up and cause injury or are involved in a single-vehicle accident on an area other than a national highway are considered non-traffic crashes. According to researchers, another 88 000 injuries occur each year from people pushing a non-performing vehicle or loading and unloading cargo from their cars or trucks.

Accidents involving pedestrians also accounted for about one third of injuries reported. Backing up over a pedestrian accounted for 14% of these injuries, with children as the most frequent victims. Another 37 car-related deaths each year occurred from hyperthermia, whereby a victim in a car was exposed to the elements. According to the Children's Safety Center at Doernbecher, the majority of car-related non-crash incidents involving pedestrians cause injuries to children. In the majority of cases, these children suffer serious or fatal injuries because of their small size.

According to the Children's Safety Center at Doernbecher, the majority of such accidents involving cars and pedestrians are very preventable. Daily rituals can help ensure that children are not left in the car to suffer extreme temperatures while cameras that can be optionally installed on the backs of cars can give drivers a very clear view of where they are reversing. Many of these cameras cost less than one hundred dollars.

Many non-accident car-related injuries can be prevented with a little extra common sense and a little extra focus. Knowing your car and keeping your car in good condition can also help prevent many common injuries. About 9000 burn injuries each year are caused when car owners use antifreeze fluid or radiator fluid incorrectly. It is important to not open the valve to the radiator while the car is in operation or is just cooling down. Knowing to wait until the car is completed cool before checking radiator fluid levels can help prevent a common injury.

If you become stranded on the road or are in a car accident and must wait for help to arrive, having an emergency kit can help you immensely. If you are stranded for an extended period of time in an isolated location, having an emergency kit can save your life. While there are ready-made kits available in stores, creating your own is usually less expensive and more practical. Here are some items you may want to include in your kit:

1) Food and water. Water in a non-breakable plastic container is important if you are stranded and can be useful for cleaning out minor wounds in the event of a car accident. Non-perishable foods such as energy bars can also help you stay nourished if you need to wait for some time for help to arrive.

2) An additional set of clothes and shoes as well as blankets. If you are in a car accident that results in a serious injury such as a head injury, spinal cord injury, or other serious injury, a victim may go into shock. While it may not be safe to move this person, being able to place a blanket over them can help them conserve body temperature. If you are stranded on a cool evening and must wait for help, blankets and extra clothes can help ensure that you stay comfortable.

3) Flashlight. A flashlight can help you alert passers-by of your predicament if you crash over a bank or roll away from the main road. A light is also useful if you are stranded in the dark. A candle and matches can also be used, but make sure that the candle is large (and will burn for a long time) and in a deep container (to avoid the flame from coming into contact with your skin or clothes.

4) A fire extinguisher and jumper cables. While these are not strictly necessary, they can be very useful in the event of a fire resulting from a car accident or in the event of car failure.

5) A good first aid kit. This kit should include tape, tweezers, scissors, an assortment of bandages, non-latex gloves, antiseptic wipes, cotton swabs, ointment or cream for minor cuts and wounds, aspirin and a detailed first aid guide. Taking a first-aid course is very useful in learning how to use the first-aid kit in the event of an accident.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration reports that car accidents are the leading cause of death for Americans between the ages of 1 and 34. In addition to claiming more than 40 000 lives annually in this country alone, car accidents are responsible for a multitude of serious injuries, including brain injuries, burn injuries, broken bones, lacerations, spinal cord injuries and other injuries.

Most drivers know that safe driving practices can help reduce the risk of car accidents, but does the time you drive affect your risk of being in a car crash. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration claims in does. According to them, Saturday is the most dangerous day to drive and August is the most dangerous month for drivers hoping to avoid a car crash. To some extent, this is rather surprising news, since August offers fewer of the weather challenges that beset much of the country in winter months.

In January 2008, there were 2 818 road fatalities, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration reports, while in August of the same year there were 3,612. While the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration provides no clear-cut explanations for why August tends to see so many accidents, the large number of young drivers on the road may help to explain some of the accidents. Fairly good weather during the month and plenty of people on the roads taking care of back-to-school errands and last-minute trips before the onset of the school year may mean more traffic on the roads.

In addition, accident rates spiked after sundown, when instances of speeding and drunk driving increased at night as well. Across the country, 49% of fatal car accidents occur at night, and in these crashes victims are usually not wearing seat belts. The safest time to drive is between 4 a.m. and 5 a.m. when only a fraction of the car traffic is on the roads. Fewest car crashes occurred during this hour stretch. During the week, Tuesdays and Wednesdays see the smallest number of car accidents, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. The weekends experience much higher numbers of accidents, most likely because more drivers are on the roads.

According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration experts, about 95% of car accidents occur due to human error, which makes most accidents highly preventable. Experts say that drivers can reduce the chances of a car accident at any time of year by:

1) Adjusting driving to the conditions. Bad weather does cause car crashes. If you are driving at night in an area where visibility is poor, give yourself more time. Similarly, slow down if you are in an unfamiliar area or are driving in a storm or on slippery streets. Going the posted speed limit in these conditions might be going too fast, leaving you vulnerable to an accident.

2) Not speeding. Speeding plays a role in 30% of all fatal car accidents, some research suggests. Driving without speeding is crucial.

Continue reading "Does Time of Day Affect Car Accidents? " »

Although most young drivers are required to take some form of driver training before obtaining a driver’s license, accident rates among youth remain high. Before allowing new drivers to drive, it might be best to teach a few additional lessons:

1) Speeding is dangerous, no matter the cause. Speeding tickets are among the most common – and the most deadly – traffic violations on the road. A car that is speeding is more likely to lose control and cause serious damage in the event of an accident. In accidents involving speed, serious injuries -- such as spinal cord injuries and head injuries – as well as fatalities are all too common. Many drivers insist on speeding because they are dealing with other cars going over the speed limit. However, it is important to resist the temptation to speed.

2) How to deal with emotions after an accident. Few driver training classes teach drivers to deal with emotions after an accident, but emotional decisions after an accident lead to serious legal problems. In many cases, for example, hit-and-run accidents are caused by a driver who hits someone, panics, lets their emotions get the better of them, and leaves the scene. An emotional response can cause drivers to make other mistakes, too – not exchanging driver information, for example, or admitting to fault even if the fault was not theirs. If you are in a car accident, it is important to take a deep breath, say little, offer help to anyone who needs it, alert authorities and exchange driver information. Gathering witness contact information and taking photos may be useful as well.

3) How to cope with road rage and aggressive driving on the road. Aggressive driving involves negligent driving and offenses such as reckless lane changes, speeding, following other cars closely and similar behavior. Road rage occurs when a driver loses control of their temper on the road. In some cases, road rage has led to intentional collisions as one driver rams into another car. In other cases, road rage leads to one driver leaving their vehicle to assault another driver. Both types of aggressive behaviors can lead to charges but can also be a danger on the road, leading to unsafe decisions that can lead to an accident.

4) Determining when to visit a mechanic. Unsafe cars do cause serious car accidents each year. Some seemingly minor car problems can cause mechanical failures on the road that can create unsafe conditions for other drivers as well. It is important for every driver to become familiar with their vehicle so that they can spot potential problems and get them fixed quickly.

5) Following the rules is as important as knowing them. While driver training teaches the rules of safe driving, actually getting licensed drivers to follow the rules of the road at all times is a more challenging task. In a driver training class, instructors watch over students, but once those students become licensed drivers and are unsupervised, the drivers must be motivated to drive safely.

Continue reading "Driving Lessons That Can Help Prevent Car Accidents" »

According to some studies, drivers who are tired have a 13-fold higher chance of being in a car accident than drivers who are rested. A British study linked about half of all car accidents to sleepy drivers while a US study found that over 50% of polled adults reported driving sleepy while another 20% reported falling asleep at the wheel.

The problem with driving sleepy, most researchers agree, is that our response times are much slower when we are chronically tired. In fact, response times for sleepy drivers and drunk drivers are much the same. Alistair MacLean of Queen's University conducted a study comparing tired female drivers and rested female drivers. He had drivers get behind the wheel at 2:30 in the morning after a full day. The drivers had similar response times to someone with a 0.05 blood alcohol level. That blood alcohol level is comparable to a 160-pound man drinking three gin and tonics within an hour. By 5 in the morning with no sleep, the driver’s performance deteriorated further and was comparable to someone with a blood-alcohol concentration of 0.08 per cent.

The US estimates that the costs of car accidents caused by tired drivers amounts to $12.5 billion a year. These drivers can be in car accidents that lead to fatalities, broken bones, burn injuries, spinal cord injuries and other serious harm. Part of the problem is that when the body is very tired, an individual falls into what researchers call “micro” sleep, very tiny periods when the body rests or sleeps. Although these may only last a few seconds, that is enough time to cause a serious car accident. In addition, tired persons may simply fall asleep at the wheel.

There are many reasons why people are driving tired:

1) Occasional insomnia. Everyone suffers from occasional sleeplessness caused by changes in diet, stress levels, exercise or some other factors. If you have not been sleeping well and feel tired, though, find someone who will drive you to your destination or take a taxi.

2) Truck drivers needing to fill their quotas. Some companies pressure their drivers to drive late at night or travel long distances in order to meet work quotas. This tends to create dangerous patterns of exhaustion that can lead to accidents.

Continue reading "Sleep Deprivation and Car Accidents" »

The media often reports on distractions such as call phones as the cause of accidents. In many cases, poor driving or driver error are blamed for car crashes. While all of these are legitimate concerns on the road, driver emotion can also cause serious accidents that lead to fatalities, spinal cord injuries, head injuries, and other serious injuries. Emotions do not get much media attention, but these emotional states have all been linked to car accidents:

1) Boredom. Conditions such as stop-and-start traffic and long stretches of highway driving can cause rear-end collisions, since drivers who are bored can allow their minds to drift, resulting in lack of attention. To prevent this, consider varying your route each day and keep glancing around you during more boring rides to maintain attention on the road.

2) Anger. “Road rage” is a commonly-used term, describing an anger or aggression that often grips drivers in situations where driving is frustrating. Errors by other drivers, delays caused by construction or roadwork and other causes can all result in road rage. Aggressive or angry drivers, research has shown, tend to take more risks which can result in accidents. In rare cases, drivers in the throes of road rage try to assault or attack others. If you are angry, it is a good idea to wait until you are calm before getting behind the wheel.

3) Fright. A sudden surprise – an unexpected siren, an object suddenly on the road, a sudden noise, or a sudden problem with the car – can cause the driver to momentarily take all attention away from the road. A frightened driver may also brake suddenly or even swerve.

4) Emotional upset. It is dangerous to drive when emotionally upset, numerous studies have shown. If you have received bad news or have been in a confrontation with someone, do not get behind the wheel. If you are crying, your vision may be poor, and if you are upset in any way, your concentration is not fully on the road. Take a taxi or wait until you are clam before getting in the car.

5) Exhaustion. Many accidents each year are caused by drivers who fall asleep behind the wheel. Avoid driving when you are tired. Take a nap or seek an alternative method of transport – such as a taxi. When you are tired, your response times are as slowed down as if you were inebriated, so your chances of being in an accident when tired are much higher.

Florida is a no-fault state when it comes to insurance. This means that your coverage is no-fault in the state when it comes to bodily injuries. If you are in an accident, each injured party pays their own medical bills and any bills related to personal injury, no matter who caused the accident. The ability to sue someone else for personal injury is limited but not eradicated by this type of coverage.

Florida law requires all drivers to have a minimum of $10,000 in Personal Injury Protection (PIP) coverage as well as a minimum of $10,000 in Property Damage Liability. This insures that in the event of a car accident you are covered for any bodily injuries the accident causes as well as any property damage (including property to homes, businesses, and other recoils). Personal Injury Protection covers not only medical expenses but also lost services, lost wages, and funeral expenses in the event of a fatal car accident.

It is a good idea to carry more than the stated limits for coverage. A $10 000 policy will not cover the damage done to most cars in a serious car accidents and medical expenses and funeral expenses are often much larger than $10 000. Many drivers worry about the costs of premiums if they raise their coverage, but in many cases drivers can save money by carrying a higher deductible.

Some drivers must also have Bodily Injury Liability. Under Florida law, drivers with past accidents or driving violations are sometimes advised that they must have this type of coverage. This coverage pays for the injuries that victims suffer in a car accident. If you are in a car accident and the driver of the other vehicle suffers spinal cord injury or other serious injury, for example, this coverage will help pay for the medical bills and related expenses.

Even if you do not have to carry bodily injury liability, it is a good idea to do so to help defray the expenses and liability of a car accident. The minimum coverage for such insurance is usually $10 000 per person with a maximum of $20 000, but it is a good idea to carry more than this minimum. This type of coverage can protect you financially in the event of an accident.

Optional coverage includes collision insurance, which protects you against the cost of having your car repaired after a collision and comprehensive coverage, which covers you against theft as well as damage to your car caused by vandals and some natural disasters.
Uninsured and under-insured motorists coverage is also optional but highly recommended. This form of coverage protects you financially in case you are in an accident with someone who has no insurance or does not have enough insurance to pay for your injuries or car damage.

South Florida has many ponds, lakes, canals and waterways. While these provide natural habitats for animals and are a lovely scenic feature of the region, they can also pose a serious additional danger in the event of a car accident. Car accidents that end with vehicles submerged in water are common in South Florida. Cars that lose control near a waterway can eventually end up in the waterway, leading to a serious threat to the driver and any passengers.

All car accidents are risky and are leading causes of many personal injuries, including brain injuries, burn injuries, spinal cord injuries, and other serious problems. Car crashes involving waterways, however, pose the additional risk of drowning as well.

A local newspaper looked at car accidents involving waterways in the South Florida area and found that between 2004 and 2007, Palm Beach County had 29 fatal waterway car accidents while the tri-city area had 74. Broward had 23 fatal crashes while Miami-Dade had 22. In these types of accidents, 89 people were killed in the area, including 24 passengers and 10 children. Weather and visibility did not necessarily play a role, since more than 33% of the accidents occurred in the daytime and more than 66% occurred when skies were clear and visibility was good.

According to authorities, there are several things that drivers can do if they find themselves losing control of a vehicle and heading towards the water:

1) Stay calm and still. Moving around in the vehicle can cause further injuries.

2) Wait until the vehicle is in the water, and then unbuckle your seat belt. While the driver’s impulse may be to unbuckle quickly in order to get out of the car, if you hit the water without a seat belt, experts warn, you could be knocked unconscious or seriously injured by the impact of the car against the water. Experts recommend that drivers keep scissors or a similar tool in the glove compartment in case the seat belts become stuck.

3) If the vehicle floats at first, quickly lower the windows the escape. Always climb out of the window, experts warn, since opening the door can cause water to rush into the car, flooding it too quickly to permit escape.

4) If you are traveling with passengers, unbuckle your own seat belt and then help your passengers.

Continue reading "Waterway Car Accidents Are Frightening – Do You Know What to Do?" »

Florida policymakers have passed legislation to prevent and stop "stunt biking," the trend of motorcyclists who perform dangerous and often reckless maneuvers with their motorcycles while out on public roads and even in traffic. Speed racers in Florida have become dangers experts say, weaving in and out of traffic, doing spins, and flying through quiet streets over the speed limit.

Authorities note that these self-proclaimed stun drivers often place videos of their pranks online. The worry for authorities is that this trend is not only dangerous for the motorcyclists, but also for the drivers on the road who may not be anticipating such antics. Many car accidents involving motorcycles in past years have involved personal injuries and even fatalities. In some cases, police were not even able to catch the perpetrator, since some of the newer motorcycles built for speed accelerate quickly and reach high speeds very fast.

By law, wheelies have always been illegal, since laws require that motorcycles have both wheels on the ground whenever the motorcycle is being driven. Most of the other dangerous "stunt biking" behavior, however, has not always been well defined. Under the new laws, anyone who engages in dangerous riding faces a $1000 for the first offence and $3000 for a third offence. "Stunt biking" can also lead to suspension of a motorcycle license under the new legislation.

Police authorities are worried that the new laws are not strict enough. Some allege that a $1000 or even $3000 penalty will not deter many stunt bikers, especially since many do not think they will get caught. Police also point out that most motorcycle riders found guilty of stunt biking do not have a license, so licence suspension is ineffective.

According to authorities, roughly 75% of all accidents involving motorcycles also involve another car, usually passenger vehicles. In many cases, the motorcycles are too quick, too small, and too erratic for cars to get out of the way. In many cases, accidents take place when stunt bikers lose control of the motorcycle.

Motorcycle accidents are devastating for riders. Brain injuries and spinal cord injuries are very common among stunt bikers, and the injuries are often made worse by the fact that these riders often refuse to wear helmets. Vehicle drivers involved in such accidents usually suffer emotional trauma as a result of the accident. Police note that since up to 60% of stunt bikers are unlicensed uninsured, it is difficult for victims of such accidents to be compensated for lost income, medical bills, or other expenses.

In 2008, Marion County has seen an increase in hit-and-run car accidents resulting in fatalities. Many of these crimes remain unsolved, according to authorities. In 2007, there was a small number of hit-and-run car accidents in the area, none resulting in deaths. This year, there have been six fatal hit-and-run car accidents so far, two involving child victims. Cpl. Mark Weber of the Florida Highway Patrol believes that half of the calls coming into his office are regarding hit-and-run car accidents.

According to statistics compiled by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration between 2003 and 2007, Florida is third in the nation for high rates of hit-and-run cases. The state saw 3 300 such cases in the 2003-2007 time frame. Only Texas and California saw more.

Many authorities say that a number of factors contribute to hit-and-run car accidents in Florida. Reckless driving in remote areas is one cause. However, the increasing number of unlicensed and uninsured drivers in Florida, say authorities, may be one of the main reasons why the number of hit-and-run car accidents is also on the rise.

Authorities claim that in most hit-and-run car accidents, the driver, if found, does not have insurance and a clean record. Drivers with insurance and good driving records tend to stay at the scene. During the holidays, experts believe that DUI cases contribute to hit-and-run car accidents, when drivers do not consider what they are doing when they hit someone.

Some experts think that the poor economy contributes to the number of hit-and-run car accidents, since people are less willing to take time away from work and are less willing to lose income. Most authorities agree, however, that most hit-and-run car accidents are caused by an immediate panic. The driver, for whatever reason, panics and leaves the scene.

During the holidays, the increased number of pedestrian traffic – as people walk to their cars after visiting their friends, or go on walks together while visiting – can also mean more car accidents and pedestrian accidents, especially at night.

Lee County’s Fort Myers-Cape Coral is one of this country’s one hundred largest urban areas. However, it also has another distinction: it has the highest per capita rate of teen driver automobile accidents during the holidays. The Allstate insurance company, which found the unfortunate statistic, claims that an average of 14 teenagers were fatally injured each year between 2000 and 2007 in Fort Myers-Cape Coral.

An Allstate spokeswoman found the average mortality rate significant. Although Tampa, for example, has six times the population of teenagers as Fort Myers-Cape Coral, Tampa also sees less than four times the car crashes. Allstate believes that the urban sprawl of Fort Myers-Cape Coral may contribute to the high numbers of teen car crashes. Fort Myers-Cape Coral is more spread out than other cities in the study (including Tampa) and roads outside a city tend to be faster.

Allstate spokespeople also point out that teen drivers simply don’t have the practical experience with various traffic situations to avoid car accidents. In addition, the holidays are an especially bad time for automobile accidents, since more drivers of all ages are on the roads, taking care of various holiday errands and visiting friends and family. For teenage drivers, the holidays also mean more time on the road because classes are done. Many teen drivers spend time traveling to parties or to visit friends and family, and this places them on the road more often.

A spokesman for the Florida Highway Patrol also blames the number of electronic distractions in the average car. Video screens, call phones, MP3 players, and other gadgets can all distract a driver. According to Allstate, 5 000 deaths each year across the country are caused by traffic accidents in which teen drivers are participants. Of these deaths, 625 take place during the holiday season between Thanksgiving and Christmas, she added. In almost 87% of the accidents, driver error is found to be the cause of the crash. In addition to these grim statistics, many car accidents involving teen drivers each year result in serious and even permanent injuries, including burn injuries, head injuries, broken bones, disfigurement, spinal cord injuries and other serious injuries.

According to Allstate, Florida are among the top seven of the top 10 most dangerous cities for teen holiday car accidents. Allstate and other experts do disagree about the accuracy of the findings and the way the study was conducted, but all experts agree that parents need to speak with their teens about driving during the holidays. Most experts also agree that there should be more controls in place to protect teen drivers from distractions.

Parents can help by ensuring that their teens have adequate driver training and experience before driving alone or at night. Parents should also set limits, agree the experts. Parents may want to limit the number of passengers teens are allowed to have in the car, for example, or may want to limit the types of electronic devices teens are allowed to use while driving.

The latest data available from Florida’s Palm Beach county’s traffic division is from 2007 and the information is not good. The information shows that high-risk intersections in the county cause many car accidents each year. Cars running red lights, distracted drivers, and road rage are blamed for the crashes, which range from fatal accidents to minor fender benders.

Among the county’s worst intersections for car accidents are the Foresthill Blvd and Military Trail intersection. At this one intersection alone, 195 car accidents took place in 2007. High traffic volume may contribute to the high rate of car accidents – the intersection sees 92 000 vehicles pass through its streets daily. Another high-risk intersection in the county, Military and Okeechobee, sees more than 106 000 cars pass through each day.

The top 10 intersections for car accidents in Palm Beach for car accidents are also the most congested and the busiest intersections in the county. The high volume of traffic may contribute to accidents as drivers lose their tempers and make poor driving choices. The Safety Council of Palm Beach County, however, notes that multiple cars coming from several directions are also contributing to accidents. The Safety Council of Palm Beach County points out that many things happen at an intersection and drivers need to be extra alert at busy, dangerous intersections.

The 10 most dangerous intersections in Palm Beach county saw 130 injuries, 3 fatalities and nearly $4 million of damage in 2007 alone. In addition, there were 27 car accidents that were pedestrian accidents or accidents involving bicyclists. The Palm Beach County Traffic Division has noted that when information such as this is made available, engineers and city planners do evaluate possible solutions, such as adding flashing lights or extra traffic signals, to reduce accidents. However, many of the accidents – 56% to be exact -- at the top 10 dangerous intersections in Palm Beach County were rear-end collisions. Experts note that such collisions are caused by driver inattention, and therefore additional traffic lights would be of very limited use.

Experts note that many people at intersections are impatient and take risks in order to get to work or their destination more quickly. Also, some drivers use the time they wait at intersections to apply makeup, use mobile devices or read text messages. This can distract drivers and cause them to be less aware of drivers around them, leading to accidents.

Although many experts blame devices such as cell phones and BlackBerries for distracted driving in Florida and around the country, many experts also note that familiarity may be a factor in many car crashes. Drivers who take the same route each day become familiar with specific intersections and develop bad habits as they drive. Many drivers are familiar with certain intersections and therefore not longer look for or anticipate the unexpected in these locations, which can lead to accidents.

Eyewitness News has found that red light cameras installed at Orange County intersections make the streets safer and reduce car accidents. The cameras were installed in Apopka in August 2007, and at that time Eyewitness News reports that 262 red light runners were caught. Over time, however, drivers exercised more caution and by last month only 35 red light runners were caught at the same intersections.

The accident reports from the same time period, however, really show the effect that red light cameras have had on safety in the area. Crashes at 441 and Sheller Avenue in the area have dropped 72% since the cameras were installed. The Park Avenue camera area has seen a 64% decline in accidents.

This drop in car accidents can not only reduce fatalities and the injuries -- including broken bones, head injuries, permanent disabilities, burn injuries and other injuries that are all too common in car accidents. According to police, the decrease in accidents also frees up more police officers to focus on other types of crimes, thus reducing crimes. In the past, the Apopka Police Department had five or six officers running a detail in the afternoon to try to keep up with accidents and traffic violations. Those officers can now patrol and try to halt crimes.

Apopka policymakers consider the red light cameras a success and there is some discussion of installing more cameras. Currently, violators caught running a red light on camera are given a $125 citation. Part of the funds raised in this way are used to defray the costs of operating the cameras, and this helps make the cameras affordable for the city.

Some Florida residents, however, claim it is nor red light runners that cause accidents but teens who are talking on cell phones or texting as they drive. Some residents and even policymakers have voiced concerns over the fact that some drivers appear to be focusing on their mobile devices rather than the road. At least some fatal accidents have been linked to cell phones and texting and some police departments in other regions have voiced their worries over this driving habit. Florida has stopped short at banning mobile devices in cars.

While the red light cameras do seem to have an impact on driving accidents, even a few car accidents can cause enormous pain, suffering, and damage. Any steps that can be taken to reduce such accidents make Florida a safer place.