driving Archives - A Million Lives

August 22, 2018 by Greg Underwood

Does Your Speeding Ticket Affect Your Insurance?

A speeding ticket may not seem like that big of a deal, but it can result in extreme consequences. You may have to deal with hundreds of dollars’ worth of fines, and you can expect your auto insurance rates to increase. The reason for this is that by speeding, the insurance agencies view you as more of a risk. Therefore, you want to hire a speeding ticket lawyer promptly to keep the offense off your record, so you do not have to pay substantially more to insure your vehicle.

In the Short-Term

Even just a single ticket can impact your insurance. For starters, you will lose out on any safe driving benefits you received. Additionally, you can expect an increase when it comes time to renew your policy. Most insurance providers do not look at driving records every month, so you may not see an immediate increase, but when you need to renew in a few months, you can expect a raise.

In the Long-Term

Multiple speeding tickets will naturally cause your insurance to increase more. However, if you get too many points on your driving record, then it is possible your insurance provider will simply drop you as a client because you are too much of a liability. As you shop around for a new insurance agency, you may find that the rates offered are extremely high. You will need to consider the possibility of not being able to drive because there is no agency around to insure you.

The best thing to do after getting a citation is to hire a San Francisco speeding ticket lawyer immediately. If you keep the ticket off your record, then you may not have to worry about paying more in insurance. Additionally, by going to court, there may be alternative methods to keep your insurance provider happy, such as taking safe driving courses.

June 20, 2018 by Greg Underwood

WHY SHOULD YOU BUY A USED CAR INSTEAD OF A NEW ONE?

When it comes to purchasing a car, the right thing to do is to get a new one. Some people even consider buying a new car just for that fresh scent that comes from a new vehicle. Often buying a new car makes assume that they will have fewer problems with it; however, this may not exactly be the case as older cars are often less problematic than many people assume.

There are several reasons why purchasing a used car should be considered and preferred rather than spending money on a new car, and here we list you just some of the reasons why you should weight out your options.

The Need to Save Money

One of the first things to be noticed when purchasing cars is the value that would be derived from purchasing a vehicle at a newer agency, or from someone else. When properly weighed, it would appear that for someone who wants to purchase a car on a budget or who wants to spend less while getting optimum value for the money spent, purchasing a used car is the best options. Old doesn’t necessarily mean used. Some used cars are just brand new, but maybe they weren’t what the person expected out of it, and they will be forced to sell it at a lower cost given that it is not brand new. With depreciation, as long as a car has been driven; no matter the duration, it loses the financial worth of a brand new car. This doesn’t mean that the car becomes valueless, the price just reduces, and this ensures that value for money is obtained.

The Reliability of the Car

There are certain reasons why a used car might be even more reliable than a new car. For starters, used cars are reliable because of the durability of the modern cars being produced. These cars are built to last a long time and getting a used one would not turn a product into a bad condition. After considering the original durability of the car to be purchased, it is advisable to get a used vehicle which has been previously owned by only one person. This ensures that the depreciation is negligible.

A Possibility of Getting a “Better” Car

Another reason for purchasing a used car is that due to cheaper rates caused by depreciation, it is possible to purchase a “better” car at a lower price than other cars. This means that it is possible to get a good used Mercedes Benz for sale for the price of a brand new Hyundai.

After considering these reasons, one thing that comes to mind is where one can get trusted deals for used cars. This is where Sandown-Group.co.uk comes to the rescue. With amazing deals on used cars, one can guarantee they will get the value for their money. All the necessary information about the great deals on used cars which this company offers can be found at the Sandown-Group web page.

Getting a used car from trusted car dealerships is a decision which is cost effective and provides optimum value for the money spent. It is a smart, regret-free decision.

May 11, 2018 by Greg Underwood

12 Safe Driving Tips That Will Help You Avoid Accidents

Every year, there are thousands of preventable accidents. Here are 12 safe driving tips that will help you avoid accidents and keep you and your family safe.

Do you know the safe driving tips that will prevent accidents?

Your driver’s ed classes might have been a long time ago, and it’s easy to fall into unsafe driving habits without even realizing it. However, driving safely can help prevent accidents, which means preventing injury to you and damages to your car.

Many accidents are easily preventable if you’re a safe driver. That’s why we’ve put together this guide to the top car safety tips that will keep you and everyone else on the road from harm.

Keep reading to learn what you need to know for safe driving!

1. Don’t Speed

Speeding is a top cause of accidents on the road. The faster you go, the more likely it is that you’ll get in an accident.

You won’t get to your destination that much faster if you speed, but your risk of being in an accident will go up immensely. Follow the speed limits, or go a bit slower if conditions are bad.

If you’re in an auto accident, you or the other party might end up calling car accident attorneys like Jacoby & Meyers. Save yourself from this expensive situation by just leaving a little bit earlier so you don’t have to speed.

2. Prepare Well

If you have a long drive coming up, make sure you get plenty of sleep the night before you leave. Prepare your mind and body to stay focused by eating a meal or at least a snack before you go.

Lots of caffeine isn’t really the best way to stay awake on a long trip. Although you’ll feel more awake at first, caffeine becomes less effective as your tolerance goes up, and never lasts all that long to begin with. Even if it keeps you awake, it may not be keeping you fully alert.

3. Take a Break When You Need To

Safe driving is all about staying alert. If you start to feel sleepy during a late-night trip or a long drive, pull over and take a break.

Even if you don’t feel tired, it’s best to pull over every few hours on a longer trip. You can at least get something to eat, walk around a bit, and even take a short nap if you need to.

4. Share Driving Responsibilities

Long trips are best when you don’t take them alone. If you have someone else with you, you can keep an eye on each other’s driving, and help keep each other accountable. Also, one person can nap while the other person drives.

If you have to make a long or challenging drive alone, turn the radio on to help you stay alert, and crack the window so you’re getting fresh air. It’s also a good idea not to use cruise control if you’re alone and it’s late – the focus you need to maintain your speed can help you stay awake.

5. Don’t Park on the Shoulder

It’s good to stop your car anytime you need a break. However, you should never stop on the shoulder or the side of the road, where other drivers can accidentally hit you. The only reason to park on the shoulder is in case of an emergency.

6. Learn Cell Phone Laws

Different states and countries have different laws about what you can and can’t do with your cell phone while you drive. Handheld phone use while driving is illegal in many states. Even if you don’t know the laws, you can still get a traffic violation.

Keep in mind that the laws change, too, and that they are in place for a good reason. Even in places where using a handheld phone is legal, a hands-free device is safer.

7. Avoid All Alcohol

If you just have one drink, you may not be over the legal limit. However, a single drink can still make you tired and decrease your reaction time. It’s always best not to drink at all before you have to drive somewhere.

The same goes for other legal recreational drugs, such as cannabis. Even if you only consume a small amount before you drive, you’re putting yourself and other people on the road at a higher risk.

8. Check the Weather

Check the weather reports, or at least be aware of the kinds of conditions you can expect for your drive. Sometimes, making a small detour to a long trip to avoid nasty weather can save you a lot of time – and help keep you driving safely.

9. Use an App

Smartphone apps like Waze can give you real-time updates, so you’ll know the best and safest ways to navigate around accidents and more. This helps you make the right safe driving choices without all the guesswork.

10. Bring a Map

That said, if you’re traveling through a remote area you might lose signal and not be able to use your GPS anymore. It’s always a good idea to bring a physical map for a long trip. Otherwise, getting lost can put you in a potentially unsafe driving situation.

11. Know Your Vehicle

If you’re borrowing a car or driving a rental, make sure to get to know the vehicle before hitting the road. Find out how to turn on the turn signals, windshield wipers, hazard lights, and anything else you might need. Know where the horn is and how to set the emergency brake.

Once you’re on the road and have to access these things quickly, it’s too late to learn. Figuring everything out before you leave the driveway or parking lot and you’ll be driving safely from the start.

12. Prep Your Car

It’s important to have a well-maintained car at all times. Breaking down or running out of gas can quickly lead to an accident.

Keep your car’s tires correctly inflated, the tank full of gas (especially for a long trip) and the fluids at the proper levels. If you’re taking a really long trip, get a mechanic to check out the vehicle before you go.

Practice Safe Driving Today

Even the best drivers need to brush up on their safe driving tips sometimes.

Follow these driver safety tips, and you’ll help prevent damage to your vehicle and injuries to yourself and others. Safe driving is always worth it!

Looking for more driving tips? Check out our guide to making the most out of your car here.

May 5, 2018 by Greg Underwood

The Wheels on the Bus Go ‘Round and — Uh-Oh: What to Do After A Bus Accident

If you ride public transportation, you should have a plan if something bad happens. Here’s the steps you should take after a bus accident to protect yourself.

We’re all taught what to do when our vehicle suddenly decides to spontaneously combust, but what should we do if the public transportation vehicle we’re in (say, a bus) suddenly takes an unforeseen detour off the side of the road?

What are the passengers supposed to do after a bus accident?

Americans board some kind of public transportation 35 million times each weekday, and yet many don’t know the answer to this question. Do you?

Read on to find out.

How Often Do Accidents Occur?

You may have heard about the 32 Chinese tourists and four North Koreans who were killed when a bus fell off a bridge near Pyongyang recently. Or perhaps you saw the school bus that plunged off a mountain in India, resulting in the deaths of 23 children and four adults.

It seems like these things happen often, but in America, the numbers show otherwise.

On average, about 63,000 buses are in accidents each year. Of those, only about .5% lead to fatalities.

However, they aren’t exactly rare. The number of bus accidents per one million miles driven is comparable to the number of car accidents per one million driven miles. So it’s always a good idea to be prepared for the worst.

What to Do After a Bus Accident

Bus accidents are frightening not only due to the sheer mass of the vehicle but also because of the number of people involved.

If you are in an accident, be sure to take the following steps.

1. Make Sure Help Is on the Way

You’ll most likely be in shock, but keep an eye on the driver and staff members. It is their responsibility to call for accident help if a crash occurs.

However, if company members are injured or killed, that responsibility will fall upon you.

Whatever happens, it is vital that emergency personnel know to come.

2. Seek Medical Attention

This isn’t the time to act macho and refuse an examination or medical treatment. Yes, that’s true even if you’re in a minor accident.

When your body experiences a trauma, it will send rushes of adrenaline and endorphins (yes, those things that make you happy) throughout your body.

It’s like sticking a band-aid on a boo-boo. You could be injured, but you may not realize it immediately.

Furthermore, there are common injuries that take time to develop:

Soft tissue injuries
Neck injuries
Brain injuries
Concussions
Back injuries

And finally, there is the important fact that, if you were harmed and did not seek medical treatment within a specified time frame, you may not be able to file a future claim.

Dr. Harry W. Brown’s Arrowhead Clinic writes, “The human body is not meant to endure that kind of impact, therefore usually leading to a serious injury. Even in low-speed car accidents that cause little to no damage, injuries are still common and even likely.

3. Gather Documentation

If you are not hurt, gather as much evidence as you can about the scene. Ask outside witnesses for their information, then ask for the same from the other victims of the crash.

Next, take photos on your cell phone. Accident photos can be useful in providing additional evidence for any future claims. Likewise, write down (or save in your cell) any information you can remember from the series of events surrounding the crash.

Finally, when the police officers arrive be sure to get the name and phone number of the head officer. If he has a business card, request one.

4. Be Careful What You Say

It’s perfectly fine to see if the driver or any other staff member needs assistance, but avoid saying anything that can affect your claim later. Companies will ask for a detailed report from all of their employees, and they will not hesitate to use anything they can to reduce your compensation

So when you feel like saying, “I’m fine” or “I’m not hurt,” stop yourself.

In a similar manner, be very careful if you post anything on social media about the accident. Investigations into social media are not uncommon, especially if the company being sued is trying to claim your injuries are fake.

5. Seek Help From an Attorney

The accident happened and it’s all behind you now. Right?

Unfortunately, this may not be the case. Laws vary by state, but you must submit your case within a specified time frame. If you do not file by this period, you cannot receive compensation for any injuries or trauma.

So the first step after recovery is to check your state’s statute of limitations.

Most of the time, public transportation is operated by the government. This means the laws and regulations surrounding an accident claim are intricate, to say the least. It also means you’re going to want some help.

Contact a local attorney at USAttorneys and discuss your personal circumstances. He or she will guide you down the correct path.

Other Helpful Tips

There are other things to consider after being involved in a bus accident:

Shortly after the accident, you may be offered a settlement from the agency responsible. Discuss the settlement with a lawyer before accepting it, as it may be much lower than you deserve.
Keep copies of all medical records that occurred after the crash.
Do not discard any evidence you collected the day of the accident. Keep it all in a safe and secure location.
Know your state’s Good Samaritan Act before performing medical care on victims of the crash, as you may be sued if their condition worsens. The majority of these laws do extend protection over civilians if the victim’s life is at stake and the individual makes reasonable efforts to save it, but some only extend protection to medical professionals.

Did You Know?

Did you know what steps to take in the event of a bus accident?

Car crashes may not require an accident attorney, but any collision involving public transportation certainly does. Know what to do if danger comes knocking at your door.

Interested in more life answers? Take a look at our article on the five most common driving hazards and keep those unwelcome knocks far away for the foreseeable future.

April 17, 2018 by Greg Underwood

What To Do If You’ve Been Charged With A DUI Under 21

Source

Have you been charged with a DUI under 21 years old? Read this before you take any legal steps.

Ending up with a DUI on your record is a scary event. It makes it difficult for you to get your license back, often impacts your record, and you’ll likely have difficulty driving again.

This can cost you your job and have a negative impact on your lifestyle. But what happens when you have a DUI under 21?

Getting caught with a DUI before you’re the legal drinking age opens up a host of other problems. That’s why it’s important to have an attorney help you every step of the way, and work through your charges.

Learn more about why it’s so important to have a dedicated attorney to help you through this difficult time.

Understand How a DUI Under 21 Differs From a Regular DUI

Many people know what happens with a DUI. The individual in question is usually convicted because they shouldn’t drink and drive at the same time.

The game changes when you’re a young person below the legal drinking age. Not only do you have to explain why you were drinking and driving, but why you were even drinking, to begin with.

Although young people are considered adults at age 18, drinking is not legal until your 21st birthday. Although this was not always the law, it was changed to prevent accidents and future health problems in young people.

When you’re convicted of a DUI under 21, you’ll face problems such as:

Higher insurance rates
Losing your license for a period of time
Attending alcohol awareness classes

And that’s just to name a few issues. It’s safer and smarter to have a lawyer at your side; they’ll help plead your case to the judge and work to make sure you’re given fair treatment.

Get Professional Help From an Experienced Lawyer

If you’re a young driver, you know it’s important to drive safe when you’re out on the road. This means driving defensively and avoiding driving during bad weather, in order to keep yourself safe.

If you have a DUI under 21, no amount of safe driving can fix your record, and it stays on there for most of your adult life. This is in spite of taking classes, paying fines, and working with the court.

You likely haven’t been to court before, and aren’t sure what to expect. That’s why you need an experienced lawyer.

Your lawyer can walk you through every step of the way, and work with you on the best plan for your legal situation. Your lawyer has experience with other individuals who found themselves in a similar situation, and knows what route works depending on the judge, your situation, and if this is the first offense you ever committed.

Contact Your Insurance Provider and Expect a Price Hike

If you’re not yet 20 and still considered a teenager (despite being a legal adult), you’ll face many problems as you attempt to keep your car insured. This goes for your family if they are the ones helping you maintain an insurance policy.

In drivers of any age, a DUI is considered high-risk. Because of their prior behavior, these drivers need to have an SR-22 form filled out, and find an insurance company willing to work with you if your current one won’t.

Individuals with a DUI under 21 who are not on a parent’s insurance policy often get dropped, because they are considered high risk. If your parents maintain you under their insurance plan, expect to see a jump.

Some families have gone up to $800 a month simply because their young driver had a DUI under the legal age. Make sure you have a lawyer who can work with you on this, to prevent further problems with even higher insurance rates.

Understand How This Affects Your Driver’s License

Many drivers who commit a DUI for the first time find that they lose their license for a period of time. This ranges from a couple of months to sometimes a year for first-time offenders, depending on how their situation occurred.

Serious offenders lose their license for years at a time or even permanently. If you have a DUI under 21, the game changes significantly, and it becomes harder to get your license at the same time as your peers if you’re still in high school.

Laws vary by state, but at least three months is a common theme for those under 21. Students in the process of getting their license may lose their right to do so until time passes, they turn a certain age or both.

Counseling and education classes are almost always a given for those with a DUI, and individuals under 21 are no exception.

Having an attorney helps since they advise you on what to expect and how to deal with any further issues related to drinking and driving. You’ll know what to do deal with and how you can manage your additional responsibilities.

Find Out About Fines, Jail Time, and Community Service

Many young people think they’ll manage to have a drink and quickly drive home before anything happens to them. What they don’t realize is that officers wait at checkpoints, and can easily detect if someone’s drinking based on their driving.

DUI arrests usually occur at a checkpoint that many people aren’t aware of. See more to learn about how these affect young people.

If it’s determined you’re drinking when the officer sees you, there are many legal repercussions waiting in store.

Among them are:

Fines (usually $1,000 or more, depending on what happened)
Spending time in jail or a juvenile detention center, depending on your age
Taking part in community service in addition to the above-mentioned ways of paying your debt to society

Your lawyer will help you understand if you’re getting called to serve time, or if you have hefty fines in comparison to what most folks have. If you have a DUI under 21, you’ll face strict laws in order to teach you a lesson, so it pays to know what you’re up against.

Learn More

If you find yourself with a DUI under 21, don’t let bad circumstances dictate your life. be proactive, and seek the help of a qualified lawyer skilled in working with DUIs and young people.

For more help on staying safe while driving, check out our blog on how to spot problems with your car’s exhaust.

April 10, 2018 by Greg Underwood

9 Hacks for Getting Out of Paying Your Traffic Fines

Nobody wants to spend their money on traffic fines. Check out these 10 hacks that will get you out a speeding ticket or help you contest it in court.

Somewhere around 112,000 people got speeding tickets today and every day in the U.S. That’s $6,232,000,000 (yes, billion) added to the county coffers all over the country each year. It works out to about $152 each person, each time.

It’s annoying to pay the fine, but add up your time wasted and the hit to your insurance and it becomes really expensive! But at least it isn’t Finland, where one speeding ticket cost a driver a whopping $103,000!

Getting stopped by an officer a time or two over a lifetime of driving is an expected experience. Getting out of paying traffic fines is an art. Check out these 10 hacks to avoid tickets. Scroll to learn more.

1. Avoid Getting Caught

First, don’t break the law. Wear your seatbelts. Do everything in your power to not call attention to you or your vehicle. If your car has a really loud exhaust system or burnt-out brake light, do yourself a favor and fix those things before hitting the open road.

2. Be Super Polite

You see the flashing lights. Slow down and carefully pull off the right. If it is dark and there is a well-lit exit ahead, pull off there. Keep both hands on the wheel while the officer is approaching.

Use the Sunday School manners you learned in kindergarten. Please and Thank You, Sir or Ma’am, might just get you off with a warning instead of a ticket.

3. No Drama Llamas

Don’t break out the hysterics. Crying never works. Neither do threats, protests or arguing. In fact, you could make it worse. The “Do You Know Who I Am?” game doesn’t generally impress the officer either.

4. Own Up Like a Grown Up

This does not mean confessing your sins. If the nice officer asks “do you know why I pulled you over”, you shouldn’t give more than a very polite and noncommittal “I don’t know”. Let the officer tell you what the problem is.

Once you know, if it is true, own up it like an adult. Perhaps you weren’t stopped for running that red light – it’s because you have a missing headlight. A fine response is a thank you and a promise to fix it right away. Again, you avoid the traffic fines.

5. Grovel

No whining about the unfairness of it all. No sarcasm either. Throw yourself at the mercy of the officer as much as your dignity will allow.

The officer still has the power to issue a warning instead of a ticket.

6. Get Information

If the officer writes the ticket, you can still avoid penalties if you can get the charges dismissed. So if it is a radar gun, find out about the make and model, its last calibration, etc. Many jurisdictions require the officer to record such information, so learn more about the system if you can.

Get the camera information if it was a red light or traffic camera. If the flash is miscalibrated or faulty, you get out of the trap.

If the stop sign you rolled through is obscured, get a photo of it. If there is a good reason you violated the law or the officer was mistaken, you could get out of paying the traffic fines.

Perhaps you sped up to avoid a hazard in the road or to get around an aggressive driver. Make sure you note that when the officer is writing and in your own notes. Get video if you can.

7. Prepare and Organize

There are only four basic reasons tickets get dismissed after the officer writes them: wrong factual information, defective equipment, defensive driving or officer fails to show up to court. You need to prepare your case for all possibilities.

Wrong information includes transposed license numbers, wrong middle names, wrong color vehicle, etc. If any of this happens on your ticket, make sure to note it!

8. Call During Office Hours

Ask for the officer’s business card. Politely, professionally and civilly telephone during business hours to discuss your case. Then try to give the officer all the reasons in the world to dismiss the charges.

Make an appointment to discuss your ticket if you can. Give the officer all the information you gathered. If the officer won’t or can’t relieve you of the ticket it is time for the next step.

9. Go to Court

If you want to avoid paying the fine, you are going to have to get the ticket dismissed. Start by getting a court date. The officer will need to be there. Sometimes they won’t be able to make it. Voila! Dismissed.

Change the date once or twice and you increase the chances the officer won’t be able to make it. Change the venue to a different courthouse (like the farthest one in the same county) to increase the chances your officer won’t show.

Have all of your well-organized material about your case ready to go. Remember your four reasons. If the officer shows up, you need to be ready to go with evidence to refute your ticket.

Final Thoughts

Getting a ticket is zero fun. Getting out of traffic fines takes some effort and patience to navigate. Remain professional, polite and nice. It may encourage the officer to issue a warning rather than a ticket.

If that doesn’t work and you need to go to court, gather information. There are several good reasons the officer mistook your action for a violation. Use that evidence to get charges dismissed.

If that is not feasible, make sure you make it to court and the officer is forced to try to attend. Change venue or date at least once to increase your chances. If the officer makes it to court, be ready with evidence to support dismissal.

Hopefully, these tips will help you avoid fines and stay on the road. To learn more helpful life hints, keep reading.

October 15, 2017 by Greg Underwood

5 Common Driving Hazards and How To Avoid Them

The population of the world is 7.3 billion and, of this, there are 1.2 billion drivers equating to 16.4 percent of the population. So, there are, without a doubt, a few circumstances which many us will happen upon during our driving lives. I’m going to outline the 5 most common and how to avoid, or deal with them.

Skidding.

Driving in the rain or post downpour and negotiating a bend which sends your car skidding on the wet surface and spinning out of control. Now what? We’ve all heard that expert advice of ‘turning into the skid’ but in the heat of the moment you panic, and things become blurry so remembering which way is into or away from the skid can be confusing. Therefore, new advice is to take your foot off the gas immediately, pick a focal point somewhere slightly further down the road and gently steer your vehicle towards that. The most important thing to remember is not to over-steer. Jolting the steering wheel left and right can cause the car to over-turn. Also, slamming the breaks on can cause more of a skid, so avoid this too.

Flat tyre.

Whether it’s been a slow puncture or a tyre blowout, everyone should be prepared to deal with this happening. Get into the habit of regularly checking your tyres before embarking on a journey for good practice. If it happens whilst driving, don’t panic. Slow down and pull over as soon as you can, safely and preferably on a level, firm surface where you’ll be able to use a jack if you know how to do so. If not, call your breakdown cover.

Driver fatigue.

Being tired behind the wheel increases your chances of crashing the car by a third. That feeling of dreaminess, restlessness, sore eyes and yawning are just some of the things to look out for. If you can, take a break, drink some water and get some fresh air. A decent night’s sleep the night before definitely helps too.

Being unprepared.

Plenty of fuel in the car, make sure you check engine oil, water and screen wash before journeys. Check the weather conditions before making trips, especially in the case of ice or snow. Ensure you have a breakdown kit in the boot, extra blankets, fuel can, torch

Distractions.

Having anything distracting in the car can always be quite hazardous. If travelling with children make sure you have games, entertainment, snacks and drinks to hand. Regular stops to break the boredom may be necessary too. Cell phones on silent or on hands-free mode is a no brainer, try not to try changing CDs or Sat nav destination whilst driving too.

And an extra tip, just for good measure; is to simply, be aware. As crazy as it sounds, you need to think about other drivers. Anticipate things that might occur and be aware of your surroundings. Pedestrians, wildlife, other road users just use your peripheral vision to be conscious that you are not alone on that road or journey.