Unfortunately, this creates an incentive for the other driver and their insurance company to twist your words to place responsibility for the accident on your shoulders.

Here are five statements to avoid making after a car accident.

Statements About the Accident

After a car accident, you might not be able to think straight. You may even suffer from emotional shock. You might have physical injuries and experience pain.

Despite all of this, insurers will pick through your post-accident statements to find the most damaging things you said so that they can deny or reduce your claims. Some of the most damaging statements you can make after an accident include:

It Was My Fault

When you say that the accident was your fault, you admit liability. The facts might show that you did not cause the accident. But by making this statement, you jeopardize the compensation you could recover. You may even cause all of the other drivers to seek compensation from you and your insurer.

The police tasked with responding to the accident scene can investigate the accident to determine causation without your admission. When you talk to the police, you should stick to the facts and refrain from giving your opinion, such as “It was my fault.”

I’m Sorry

Most people were taught as children to apologize when something goes wrong. If you see someone injured, your empathy might kick in and you might feel the urge to apologize. But drivers and insurers can twist this into an admission of liability.

Instead of apologizing, try to provide support and express empathy by helping them through their situation. Let them know that you understand that they are hurting and that you have called an ambulance. Ask if there is anything you can do to help. But avoid a vague statement like “I’m sorry.”

I Don’t Think We Need to Call the Police

Under some state laws, you are required to report a car accident that results in injury or death. If you fail to report the accident, the state could suspend your driver’s license.

Suggesting that an accident should not be reported can be construed as an attempt to hide something. For example, an insurer might question whether you were intoxicated and tried to avoid a drug or alcohol test by not reporting the accident.

If an accident only causes property damage, you are not required to call the police. But failure to report an accident because you think no one was injured creates a different problem. An insurer will interpret the lack of a call to the police as an admission that you were not injured in the accident.

In either case, “I don’t think we need to call the police” is a very dangerous statement to make after a car accident.

Statements About Your Injuries

Insurance fraud happens. But it happens much less frequently than insurers believe. Insurance claims adjusters act like every injury was pre-existing, faked, or exaggerated.

As a result, anything you say that supports this view could jeopardize an injury claim. Some of the statements you should avoid making include:

I Feel Fine

When you have been in an accident, everyone will ask you how you feel, including the other drivers, police, EMTs, and insurers. If you put on a brave face and struggle through your pain, you will risk being accused of faking or exaggerating your injuries.

Instead of saying “I feel fine” after a car accident, be honest and consistent. If your shoulder hurts, say so. If you feel dizzy or nauseous, tell the EMTs. Even if you have medical experience, let the EMTs and doctors diagnose your injuries.

Remember that those seemingly minor injuries could be major problems. A sore back might be caused by a herniated disc. A sprained wrist might be a fracture.

Even if you feel fine immediately after the accident, some injuries take time to develop. Concussion symptoms might take days or even weeks to emerge.

Don’t Worry About It

Similar to “I feel fine” is “Don’t worry about it.” Being dismissive about your injuries after an accident might not have the same impact as “I feel fine.” But it can cause an insurer to question whether your injuries are exaggerated or may have existed before the accident.

For example, suppose that you limp after an accident and an EMT asks if you need help. If you say, “Don’t worry about it,” the insurer will say that your limp existed before the accident or that your limp was minor and you exaggerated your injuries for your insurance claim.

The Right Statements to Make After an Accident

If you made the wrong statements after an accident, you might need legal representation to fix the damage. You might also need a lawyer to advise you to make the right statements if you need to give a deposition or testify in court.

Contact The Law Brothers to schedule a free initial consultation with a friendly and experienced personal injury attorney so that you can discuss the statements you made after your injury. We Fight. You Win. They Pay.

The post 5 Statements to Avoid Making After a Car Accident appeared first on Law Brothers.

Here are the things you should know about what you should do after a hit-and-run accident.

Steps You Should Take After a Hit-and-Run Accident

Hit-and-run accidents are different than ordinary car accidents. A hit-and-run is a crime in the United States and is subject to a jail sentence and fines. As a result, the steps that you take after a hit-and-run accident should be geared toward fully documenting the accident.

Secure the Accident Scene

Regardless of how an accident occurs, the primary concern after a hit-and-run accident is the safety of you and the other people involved in the accident. If any cars are in the road, you should set out cones or flares to warn oncoming traffic about the accident.

You should check on everyone at the scene of the accident to see whether anyone requires first aid or medical attention. If anyone requires medical attention, you may need to call emergency services for help and provide first aid until EMTs arrive.

Report the Accident

You must report an accident that results in injury or death. Most states punish failure to report an accident by suspending driver’s licenses.

But more importantly, a hit and run is a crime. You should report the accident to the local police or the Highway Patrol. This will satisfy your duty to report the accident. It will also trigger a criminal investigation of the hit-and-run. This can help you to support a subsequent injury claim or lawsuit.

For example, many hit-and-run accidents occur due to the intoxication of the driver. By contacting local law enforcement, they can begin to investigate who the other driver was and whether the driver was under the influence of drugs or alcohol. When they track down the driver, the evidence in the criminal case can help you to establish liability for your injuries.

Document the Accident

Before you leave the scene of the accident, take pictures or videos of the injuries and property damage that occurred. Try to take pictures of each vehicle involved in the accident. This could help you and your lawyer to reconstruct what happened.

Provide the police with as much information as you can to help them identify the hit-and-run driver. The more information they have, the better the chances are that they will catch the driver. If the police identify the driver, you can try to recover compensation from the driver’s insurer.

Finally, get the contact information of any witnesses. If the driver is identified, you may need testimony from anyone who saw the accident in a lawsuit or insurance claim.

Seek Medical Attention

Even if you do not need first aid or attention at the scene of the accident, you should still see a doctor. A medical examination soon after the accident occurs can have a few benefits for an injury claim.

A doctor can diagnose your injuries. Sometimes, a minor injury turns out to be more serious than it seemed. For example, a sore back might be caused by a herniated disc.

Your doctor can also prescribe a course of treatment. Since injury claims include both past and future medical expenses, a treatment plan will help you to estimate your damages.

Your doctor visit will establish that your injuries caused you to miss work. Injury claims also cover lost income. A doctor’s note telling you to stay home from work will help you to prove how much income you lost due to your injuries.

Review Your Insurance Policy

Until the hit-and-run driver is identified, you may have benefits under your auto insurance policy that can help you to pay for medical bills and cover your lost income.

You can file a claim for a hit-and-run accident under your policy if you have uninsured motorist coverage. Most insurance policies include unidentified motorists within the definition of uninsured motorists.

You may also file a claim under your policy if you have med pay or personal injury protection (PIP) coverage. Med pay coverage will pay for any out-of-pocket medical expenses that your health insurance does not cover. PIP covers both unreimbursed medical expenses and a portion of the income you lost due to your injuries.

Getting Help After a Hit-and-Run Accident

Many injury lawyers lack experience with hit-and-run accident claims. Hit-and-run accidents occur less frequently than ordinary car accidents and many injury lawyers never get a hit-and-run accident case. When you look for a lawyer to help with your injury claim after a hit-and-run accident, you should consider the firm’s experience with hit-and-run accidents. Contact the Law Brothers for a free consultation with a friendly and experienced personal injury attorney. Our firm has handled hit-and-run accident cases successfully and we can provide the same personal representation in your case. We Fight. You Win. They Pay.

The post What Should I Do After a Hit and Run Accident? appeared first on Law Brothers.

If you’ve been injured in an auto accident, you might find yourself facing a long recovery, but also dealing with a mountain of medical bills. You may be unable to work temporarily or permanently, which could further impact your ability to pay your expenses.

As if the accident itself wasn’t traumatic enough, you might also have to deal with insurance companies who delay or deny claims for your costs. This can be a truly devastating experience when you’re trying to recover from accidents and injuries.

What you need is a qualified attorney who is well-versed in your state’s laws to help you navigate the tricky waters of negotiating a fair settlement so that you can receive compensation that covers your present and future costs. In order to ensure the best chance of a successful outcome, however, it’s imperative that you have the right documentation to bolster your case.

Here are the most important records you’ll need to collect after an automobile accident.

Pictures and Witness Statements

Sometimes it can be hard to get police to come to the scene of an accident, especially in busy, urgan areas, but when a severe injury or fatality occurs, the law requires that you call the police and file a written report within 24 hours of the incident. In such cases, there’s a high likelihood the police will show up.

While you’re waiting, however, it’s wise to collect as much information as you can. If possible, take pictures of the scene of the accident immediately (if it is safe to exit your vehicle), before vehicles are moved to the side of the road. Make sure to get pictures of any damage to the vehicles, the entire scene, and identifying markers like road signs.

You should also take pictures of your injuries, either at the scene or at the hospital when you seek medical attention. If you’re unable to do this on your own, ask a passenger or a witness at the scene to do it for you.

The next step is to gather information from other drivers and witnesses at the scene. You’ll need names and contact information for everyone, as well as driver’s licenses and insurance information from other drivers involved in the accident.

You’ll want to collect witness statements, too. Although these will also be a part of the police report, you should jot down notes about your own recollection of the accident to preserve the details you might forget as time goes by. Again, if you’ve been seriously injured, seek immediate medical attention and ask someone else at the scene to handle these details for you.

Police Reports

The police report is a key piece of evidence that your car accident lawyer will use to prove fault in an accident and fight for the compensation you deserve in the aftermath. This document should contain evidence gathered at the scene, the responding officer’s assessment of the situation, and driver, passenger, and witness statements to provide a clear picture of what happened, and in some cases, an idea of which party was at fault.

Police Citations

Insurance providers that are intent on denying or minimizing a personal injury claim will try to downplay any details that make their client appear liable. By presenting police citations (i.e., tickets) issued to at-fault drivers in the accident, you can help to prove fault. The police report should state if any citations were given.

Medical Records and Bills

Compensation from an auto accident starts with the medical records that detail your injuries, as well as the charges you receive for your medical care. This essential information gives you the leverage to negotiate for a settlement that covers your medical bills, including anticipated future medical expenses that relate to ongoing treatments like physical therapy, for example.

Records of Other Costs and Losses

Securing fair compensation for an accident can be tricky, as there could be a number of costs and losses related to your recovery. In most states, you can seek economic damages to cover the cost of medical treatments, prescription medications, medical devices, rehabilitation, property repair or replacement, lost wages and future income, and more.

You can also seek non-economic damages for emotional distress, insomnia, anxiety, pain and suffering, disfigurement, loss of limb, loss of consortium, loss of enjoyment of life, and more. In other words, any significant impact to your life or livelihood could result in compensation, but you’ll need to provide records that show that impact.

Gathering all of this information on your own and fighting large insurance companies can be daunting, to say the least, especially when you’re trying to recover from injuries sustained in an auto accident. Luckily, the friendly and experienced team at Law Brothers is ready to help. With a proven track record of wins in cases like yours and a personal touch that puts you at ease, you’ll be in great hands. Even better, you’ll never pay fees unless we win your case.

To request a free consultation or case review, contact the qualified professionals at Law Brothers today at 888-778-8888 or online. We Fight. You Win. They Pay

The post Most Important Records You Need after an Auto Accident appeared first on Law Brothers.

1985 saw the passage of the first child passenger safety laws, requiring children under a certain age to be secured in a car seat with the aid of a seat belt. Incredibly, California only recently passed a law in 2011 that required that children up to age eight — or alternately, at a height of 4’9” — to be secured in a car seat.

Of course, not just any car seat will do. If you want to comply with the law and keep your kids safe while driving the dangerous streets of Los Angeles, it’s imperative that you choose the right car seat and install it properly.

Here’s what you need to know about car seat safety if you want to protect your kids.

Safety by the Numbers

According to the CDC, auto accidents are among the leading causes of death for children aged 12 and under in the U.S., with over 600 deaths in 2018 and over 97,000 injuries. Unfortunately, 33% of reported deaths were linked to children not being buckled in securely.

The good news is that proper use of car seats and safety belts can significantly reduce the risks for injury and death when children are involved in car accidents. Car seats have been shown to reduce the risk of injury by an incredible 71-82% (over safety belt alone), while adding a booster seat for children aged 4-8 reduces risk of injury by 45%.

Only a handful of states have changed their laws to mandate the use of car seats or booster seats for children up to age 7 or 8. Studies have shown that rates of fatal or incapacitating injuries among children involved in car accidents decreased by 17% in those states.

In other words, the proper usage of car seats and booster seats is one of the best ways to protect children in the event of an auto accident.

Choosing the Right Car Seat or Booster Seat

As children grow, it’s only natural that their car seat should grow with them. A car seat designed to protect an infant simply doesn’t work for a much larger child. How do you know which car seat is right for your child?

You’ll start with a rear-facing car seat, which is designed to accommodate infants and toddlers up to the age of about 2-4. California law mandates that children under the age of 2 ride in a rear-facing car seat unless they weigh 40 or more pounds or until they are 40 inches tall, at minimum.

When children outgrow a rear-facing car seat, they should be placed in a forward-facing car seat or booster seat, depending on current age, weight, and height recommendations. Once children reach the age of 8 or a height of 4’9”, they may be secured by a safety belt alone without the necessity for a booster seat in the state of California. That said, the CDC recommends that parents continue to use a booster seat up to the age of 12 or a height of 4’9”.

For safety reasons, children should always ride in the back seat of the car, and whether they’re in a car seat/booster seat or not, they should always be secured with a safety belt.

Proper Car Seat Installation

Car seats come with manuals designed to ensure that you install the seats properly. You’ll want to use the LATCH (lower anchors and tethers for children) system in your vehicle to secure your car seat, make sure that the safety belt is properly and securely threaded through the car seat where indicated, and check that the harness is not slack.

If you have trouble securing a car seat on your own, SafeKids.org can help you to find a child passenger safety technician in your area to teach you how to safely and securely install your car seats.

In the Event of an Accident

Proper use of car seats and booster seats can go a long way toward protecting your child in the event of an accident. If, however, your child is injured in an accident, despite preventive efforts, you need to take steps to ensure that all of their medical and other expenses are covered.

As with all accidents, collecting the right information (police report, witness statements, medical records and bills, etc.) can give you the leverage needed to secure a fair settlement.

If you’re struggling to deal with insurance providers who are intent on delaying or denying your claim, you may need a trusted and qualified California lawyer to guide you through the process and fight for compensation on your behalf. The friendly and experienced professionals at Law Brothers not only have a track record of winning cases like yours, but you’ll never pay fees unless we win your case.

Contact the expert Los Angeles attorneys at Law Brothers today at 888-778-8888 or online to request a free consultation and to discover what we can do for you. We Fight. You Win. They Pay.

The post Protecting Your Kids: Things to Know about Car Seat Safety Laws in California appeared first on Law Brothers.

While you hope that you never wind up in a serious accident, it can happen to anyone. Prepare yourself for what to know before you drive and how you’ll need to respond in the event that you are injured in a crash. You shouldn’t have to go through this process alone; if you’re a California car accident victim, you need legal support in order to be positioned for maximum compensation.

Insurance Laws

You know you need car insurance to operate a vehicle in California. It’s not worth the risk of underinsuring or failing to insure your vehicle at all because this could be a very costly mistake if you end up in a wreck. All vehicle owners are required under the law to be financially responsible for accidents by carrying minimum coverage on their vehicles. This is known as 15/30/5 insurance. That breaks down to:

• $15,000 in coverage for the death of or injury to one person
• $30,000 in coverage for death of or injury to more than one person
• $5,000 for coverage related to property damages

There are three primary occasions in which a California driver might be asked to show proof of insurance. Having a copy of your insurance card with you or on your phone can help you in all three. These are helpful when a police officer asks to see it, when you’re in a vehicle accident, or when obtaining or renewing your vehicle registration. Without insurance, you could be facing fines or the loss of your driving rights.

Insurance companies in CA must offer underinsured and uninsured motorist coverage to drivers, but it is not mandatory for you as a driver to accept this coverage. If you’re hurt in an accident with another driver who did not have the right coverage, however, you’ll thank yourself for getting this.

Reporting Accidents in California

It’s just common courtesy to stop when you’ve been in an accident. But your responsibilities under California driving laws extend beyond that. You need to stop at the scene of the crash, find out if anyone has been seriously hurt, and exchange your contact and insurance information with the other driver.

In addition, if someone was injured or killed in the accident, a driver must comply with California Vehicle Code 20008 which requires that the driver submit a written report about the crash to the California Highway Patrol or to the local police no later than 24 hours after the wreck. If an officer arrived on the scene when the wreck happened, this is not required for the driver to submit additional materials.

A ten-day notice to the DMV is required under California Vehicle Code 16000 if it involved injury, death, or property damage in excess of $750.00.

Victim Rights

Were you recently hurt in an accident? If so, you could be protected by some other California laws that allow victims to recover compensation when they’ve been seriously hurt in an accident. If someone else’s negligence caused you to get hurt in a California car crash, you could be able to recover economic and non-economic damages by filing a claim with your insurance company. Economic damages refer to actual losses you’ve experienced or will experience directly because of the wreck, such as:

• Past as well as future expected medical expenses
• Vehicle replacement or repair costs
• Lost income
• Lost business or employment options
• Burial expenses when a loved one has been killed
• Loss of the use of your property

Non-economic damages are often the subject of confusion for California car accident victims, particularly because they cannot be easily calculated. These can include mental anguish, loss of consortium, emotional distress, disfigurement, and more. California does not impose a cap on the amount of these damages.

The importance of having car insurance comes up again with this topic, because California does have a specific rule that blocks accident victims who have no insurance from recovering compensation in the form of non-economic damages for emotional distress or pain and suffering. This is true even if another party was responsible for the accident. If this applies to your accident, you would still be eligible to get lost wages, property damage, medical expenses and other economic damages for your accident, however.

The key element of your claim is showing that another driver breached the duty of care and caused you to suffer serious injuries. This can be due to general distracted or reckless driving or might also be related to criminal activity, such as driving under the influence or excessive speeding. In those cases, the criminal aspects of that driver’s case will be handled separately from your personal injury claim.

California Car Accident Laws for Filing

Being hurt in an accident is the first step in a long road to recovery for many accident victims. It is easy to become overwhelmed with keeping track of all the medical appointments and other tasks required of you. However, you can overlook the critical aspect of meeting filing deadlines for your accident. Waiting too long could mean being prohibited from recovering any compensation due to the accident as a result of California’s statute of limitations law.

In California, you have a maximum of two years to file a legal claim based on your injuries from the date of the accident. If you exceed this time period, the judge can dismiss your claim entirely regardless of the severity of your injuries or the fact that the accident was caused by another person. It’s always in your best interests to speak with a qualified California car accident attorney as soon as possible after your crash so that you have a good idea of your rights and responsibilities.

While there are some rare exceptions in which case the judge would extend the statute of limitations, it is always better to meet with a personal injury lawyer right away. It can take some time to gather the necessary evidence and to get a sense of how your injuries might influence your life, but be careful that you don’t wait too long to get your claim filed.

The sooner you speak to a lawyer, the sooner you can get on the path to recovery.

California Car Accident Laws When Cases Involve the Government

The laws mentioned above apply to all lawsuits in which you’re in a wreck with another party or entity. The exception to the statute of limitations applies to those cases in which you have a claim against a government agency or entity. For example, perhaps part of your injuries are related to a poorly maintained road and you are naming the local authority for that as responsible, you need to file your claim in an accelerated manner. This timeframe is shortened so that you must wait no longer than six months to file that case.

Don’t try and settle your claim alone. Since these cases can be quite complicated, and having an experienced car accident attorney is strongly recommended to help maximize your insurance compensation so you can simply focus on getting better.  As an accident victim, you’ll need to remain focused on your care and trying to put your life back together. Let the legal aspects of your case be managed by an experienced California personal injury law firm, like the Law Brothers.

Fill out our free case evaluation form or call us (800) 820-0000 for a free consultation. We Fight. You Win. They Pay.

The post California Car Accident Laws Drivers Must Know appeared first on Law Brothers.

Google Maps

Google Maps is compatible with Gmail and other Google services. Google Maps works closely with your search engine so that any places that you search for show up in the mobile app. To help you stay aware of any problems, Google Maps integrates information from Waze.

RepairPal

RepairPal is a great app for people who do not have their own personal mechanic. RepairPal is also a great app to use if you are dealing with a car issue and you aren’t sure about how much it will cost to repair the damage. To prevent you from potentially being scammed, RepairPal will give you an accurate summary of how much your car repairs may cost. RepairPal can also help you find a mechanic in your area.

Gas Buddy

Gas Buddy is considered one of the most reliable gas station finding apps available. Gas Buddy lists every gas station in the United States. The app constantly updates as new information about different gas stations develops. You can also use filters if you are looking for a specific type of gas.

Automatic

Automatic connects to your car’s vehicle diagnostics port. Automatic is compatible with Bluetooth and GPS. Automatic will give you important statistics about your driving skills and your car. You’ll have access to important information about your car’s engine health, gas mileage, and overall performance. In the event that you get into an accident, the app will alert the local authorities for you. Highly recommended.

Roadtrippers

Roadtrippers is a great app if you are planning a long road trip. Roadtrippers gives you easy access to information about different hotels, campgrounds, and restaurants around the World. Roadtrippers also lists special tourist attractions for each city that you look up, and the app has unique route planning tools that will help make your traveling experience easier. You’ll even receive an estimate of the total cost of gas for the trip.

Waze

Waze is a great asset if you can’t stand getting stuck in jams. Waze will help you find alternative routes to help beat the traffic.

SpotHero

SpotHero can assist you by helping you find a good place to park. You can use SpotHero to reserve and pay for a parking spot so that you will be all set when you arrive at your destination.

PlugShare

If you have an electric car, PlugShare can be a great asset. The app provides you with an in-depth look at over 35,000 charging stations throughout the United States. Before you head to the charging station, PlugShare will let you know if the station is currently filled up or not.

Tom Tom

Tom Tom will assist you in several areas while you are on the road. The app provides you with speed camera warnings so that you’ll be aware of any upcoming trap zone. With a clear interface, you can quickly glance at the app while driving at the same time. Just don’t get caught staring at the app for more than a second.

Carcorder

Carcorder can act as a virtual dash cam. The app allows you to look at the road in different resolutions. You can also track your location and you’ll receive a notification when you are speeding.

iOn Road

iOn Road acts as a forward collision warning system. iOn Road, used in conjunction with your phone’s camera and GPS, will help detect the length of time that it would take for you to collide with the vehicles around you. The app uses a color coding chart to help inform you if you are too close to a vehicle. This app also includes speed sign detection.

Dashdroid

Dashdroid has a simple user interface that tracks the weather and your current speed. Dashdroid also has voice commands that allow you to make a phone call without taking your hands off the steering wheel.

AutoMate

AutoMate is compatible with Google Maps. AutoMate also connects to your vehicle and has the ability to turn your vehicle on and off.

If you have been the victim of an automobile accident, it is highly advised that you turn to a well established, proven car accident law firm for help. At the Law Brothers law firm, we utilize the latest tools in case management and investigation to help our clients achieve exceptional case outcomes. Contact us today for a free, confidential consultation.

The post Best Driving Apps appeared first on Law Brothers.

While drivers can take steps to improve their safety when performing left turns, the nature of crossing an intersection means it’s especially important to be vigilant. Car accident attorneys know the risks of left turns, so here are a few guidelines for avoiding potentially dangerous situations.

Difficulty Judging Speed

When performing a left turn without a green turn arrow, drivers need to judge the speed of other vehicles. Although experience can help drivers make these decisions, momentary lapses in judgment can create a dangerous situation, especially if the driver going straight through the intersection doesn’t have sufficient time to slow down. When making a left turn, it’s critical to exercise extra caution, as misjudging the speed of oncoming traffic can cause your vehicle to be struck—and T-bone accidents are among the worst types of collisions.

Obstructed View

When cars traveling in the opposite direction are also waiting to turn left, it can be difficult to see drivers going straight through the intersection. This obstructed view can cause drivers to initiate a left turn when it’s unsafe. Furthering the risk, drivers traveling straight may not be able to see your car until it’s too late, which can result in a dangerous T-Bone collision.

It can be frustrating trying to turn left in such a situation when there’s no green turn signal. However, caution is critical to avoiding some of the most dangerous types of crashes, including left turn accidents.

Sudden Obstructions

In some situations, even the most cautious drivers can find themselves in a dangerous situation while attempting to turn left. If a driver in the opposite left turn lane decides to switch to driving straight through the intersection—a scenario our car accident lawyers have seen time and again—the other driver who initiated a left turn might be unable to make it through the intersection in time. This can leave the driver vulnerable to being struck by vehicles traveling in any direction.

Furthermore, drivers sometimes attempt to turn right on a red light without yielding to vehicles making a left turn, which can lead a driver attempting to turn left stranded in the middle of an intersection—a very risky scenario.

Unfamiliar Intersections

Judging the speed of oncoming vehicles is important to staying safe, and so is being able to judge the width of an intersection. When drivers don’t fully appreciate just how wide an intersection is, they might initiate turns that take longer than they anticipated. Exercise extra caution when driving through an unfamiliar intersection, and ensure you see just how far you have to travel. Not all intersections cross at exact square angles, and a few extra feet of travel distance can be the difference between a safe turn and a devastating crash.

Yellow Lights

It’s never fun to wait through yet another traffic signal cycle, so people making a left turn often end up speeding through. However, vehicles traveling in the opposite direction might feel the same way, leading them to accelerate when the light turns yellow. This can lead to serious crashes, especially if neither driver sees the other in time. When in doubt, exercise patient; a few minutes saved is not worth the potential risks of making a dangerous left turn.

Driving safely requires constant vigilance, as small mistakes can lead to disastrous results. That’s why it’s important to prepare yourself for high risk scenarios, and left turns are among the most riskiest maneuvers to make on the road.

Take your time when driving, and ensure you only enter an intersection when you can complete the entire turn safely. As experienced car accident lawyers know, brief dips in attentiveness and moments of poor judgment can lead to injuries or even death.

The post Why Are Left Turns So Dangerous? appeared first on Law Brothers.

If you do get injured on your summer road trip, you will want to have a skilled Los Angeles auto accident lawyer on your side, fighting for your rights. The right lawyer can help you to get started on your claim and handle negotiations with the insurance company and, if necessary, go to litigation.

Before you hit the road, make sure you know all about how to keep safe with these summer driving tips.

Check for Recalls

First and foremost, you may want to see the latest updates on vehicle recalls to see whether your vehicle or any of its parts have been affected. You can do this by checking with the NHTSA recall database. Enter your Vehicle Identification Number (VIN) to see if the specific make and model of your car has been recalled or if there was a part that was recalled within the last 15 years.

Have Your Vehicle Serviced

You should bring your car to the mechanic to have regular maintenance performed on it. Get an oil change, have someone check the battery, brakes, air conditioning, and anything else that may require a routine checkup prior to a road trip. Remember, you need your vehicle to be in tip-top condition for your travels, especially if you plan on driving long distances.

Consider a Vehicle Safety Checklist

Even if you take the best possible care of your car, it’s absolutely essential to do a few safety checks before any road trip. The following things should be checked out to ensure your safety and that of anyone traveling with you:

• Air conditioning: Check your vehicle’s air conditioning unit and make sure it’s working properly. If it isn’t, it can really cause problems once you hit the road during the summer. The weather will be hotter, so you will need to stay cool. Older people, children, individuals with certain health conditions, and pets all require a cool vehicle on long summer road trips.
• Cooling system: Your cooling system requires antifreeze in order to properly function. Just as important, your radiator needs water as well. The coolant should be changed if it appears rusty, clear in color, or has debris floating in it. If your coolant appears oily or thick like sludge, you should immediately take your car to the mechanic.
• Fluid levels: Your vehicle’s fluid levels should be regularly checked. Your oil should be changed every few months, especially before a long road trip. It’s also important to check out your brake fluid, windshield cleaner, transmission, and clutch. If you spot any signs of fluid leaking from your car, it should be serviced sooner rather than later.
• Belts and hoses: Check under the vehicle’s hood and take a look at the belts and hoses to ensure there are no cuts, cracks, or bulges. During the hotter days of summer, these items can overheat, so it’s a good idea to have them replaced prior to hitting the road for a vacation. You should also check the connections in the belts and hoses to ensure that they are secure.
• Wiper blades: Your windshield wipers do a lot of heavy work in keeping the rain off your car’s windshield. As a result, the wiper blade might need replacing, especially since they’re susceptible to damage from the heat of summer. Check for wear and tear on them and replace them if necessary.
• Check floor mats: Check the floor mats in the vehicle, especially the one on the floor of the driver’s seat. Improperly sized and/or old mats can result in problems such as difficulty in using the brake or gas pedal, which can raise the risk of a crash occurring.
• Lights: Make sure all the lights are in proper working condition. Lights malfunctioning can result in lower visibility.
• Emergency roadside kit: Always ensure that your emergency roadside kit is fully stocked just in time for your summer road trip. Your kit should include items such as a first aid kit, flashlight, cell phone and charger, jumper cables, tire pressure gauge, flares and white flag, work gloves, jack, water, paper towels, non-perishable food, maps, extra windshield washer fluid, towels, and emergency blankets.
• Tires: Check your vehicle’s tires and ensure that they still have good treads along with correct air pressure levels.

Always, Always Buckle Up

Above all else, everyone in your car should keep their seatbelt on as long as the vehicle is in motion. It will keep you safer in the event of an accident. Even in the backseat, seatbelts should be fastened.

If you have been involved in a collision while on the road, you need an auto accident attorney to assist you in your personal injury case. Contact a knowledgeable Los Angeles auto accident lawyer at the Law Brothers for a free consultation.

The post Summer Driving Tips appeared first on Law Brothers.

Whether you’re traveling a long distance or just running around the corner to buy some milk, car accidents can happen at any time. They can be the result of human error, hazardous road conditions, or even mechanical defects.

However, there are some areas where accidents are more likely to happen. While you want to always be cautious while driving, you should exercise extra caution in these accident-prone areas.

Let’s take a look at what they are.

Your Own Neighborhood

Your neighborhood may be a safe place with minimal traffic, but that doesn’t mean an accident can’t happen when you’re just around the corner from home. In fact, car accidents are actually most likely to happen within five miles of your own home.

Drivers tend to get comfortable when they’re in their own neighborhoods. They drive faster and pay less attention to their surroundings. This can lead to more accidents.

Within your neighborhood, accidents usually are minor. They might involve backing into a driver because you weren’t paying attention when leaving your driveway, or sideswiping a parked car. While these usually aren’t as serious as a head-on collision, they can still lead to significant injuries and associated expenses.

Parking Lots

Parking lots are another area where you may not think a car accident can occur. However, with so many vehicles moving around, it’s common for cars to bump into one another. If you’re not paying close attention to who is moving around you, you may find yourself in a fender bender.

Parking lots can also be dangerous for pedestrians. In addition to cars moving throughout, people are walking to and from stores, sometimes even getting hit by drivers who back out without checking to see if anybody’s behind them.

Like accidents in your neighborhood, these collisions may seem minor. However, parking lot accidents can potentially result in expensive repair jobs, not to mention debilitating neck and back injuries.

Intersections and Traffic Lights

It may not be surprising that intersections and traffic lights are on this list. Just one careless mistake, such as a driver not paying attention and running a red light or a driver slamming on their brakes, can lead to a devastating collision.

Tricky intersections or hidden stop signs can cause additional problems. Yellow lights can cause indecision and confusion for some drivers, leading to careless mistakes and accidents. Busy streets can also contribute to more accidents.

Usually, accidents that occur at intersections can be much more serious than those in parking lots or your neighborhood. T-bone accidents are among the worst types of car accidents in terms of damages.

Rural Highways

Rural highways are more prone to car accidents than traditional highways. While there are fewer cars on the road, the likelihood that a driver will take their eye off the road or get distracted is higher.

Rural highways are also less maintained than traditional highways. Rocks may fly up and hit your windshield or your car may slip on some loose gravel, causing you to lose control of your vehicle.

With twists and turns and poorly maintained roads, it isn’t uncommon to run into a tree or have a head-on collision on a rural highway because you couldn’t see a driver coming around a bend.

In Rush Hour Traffic

When people are trying to leave work and get home, just about any street becomes prone to car accidents. During the afterwork commute, drivers are often mulling over stressful events that occurred during their workday or feeling eager to go home and relax—meaning their mind is elsewhere.

The same applies to morning traffic. When drivers are rushing to get to work on time or multi-tasking while driving, it leaves them distracted and prone to causing an accident.

Even if you’re sitting in stop-and-go traffic, accidents are likely to occur. If a driver isn’t paying attention, they may rear-end another driver. When traffic is especially tight, this can lead to a multiple-car collision.

Regardless of where your accident happened, you’ll want to ensure that it’s properly taken care of. If the accident was caused by a negligent driver, you’ll want to contact an experienced car accident lawyer as soon as possible.

A car accident attorney can help you get the compensation you need to cover medical bills, vehicle repair expenses, and other damages like pain and suffering. They can also help you collect the evidence you need to prove the accident was not your fault. While your claim is being taken care of by your car accident attorney, you can focus on your recovery.

The post Where Do Car Accidents Happen Most? appeared first on Law Brothers.

They Say That They Will Accept Liability

An insurance company may say that they are going to give you compensation for your damages, but that doesn’t mean they will give you full and fair compensation. They may tell you to get the treatment that you need. The reason that they do this is because they know that you will end up paying most of the bill. That is why you need the help of a car accident attorney in Los Angeles.

They Try to Get You to Settle Quickly

The general rule of thumb is to always consult with an attorney before you accept a settlement, especially if significant damages are involved. The first settlement that you get from an insurance company will probably not be a fair one. Insurance companies want you to settle before you realize the true costs of your accident. If you settle early and later find out that you have to pay for more treatment, beyond the value of your settlement, then there really is not anything that you can do.

They Request Information That Is Unnecessary

Insurance companies often take advantage of people by requesting unnecessary information. They may tell you that you need to provide more information, or else, your claim won’t go through otherwise. This is usually a ploy to get you caught up in chasing paperwork rather than focusing on winning your claim. Every insurance expert knows that the longer you delay your claim, the weaker it gets.

A knowledgeable car accident lawyer can take care of the paperwork and expedite the claims process so you can get the full and fair compensation you deserve without unnecessary delays.

They Blame Preexisting Injuries for Your Condition

The insurance company may try to get you to sign a form that allows them to look at your medical records. Their purpose is to find information about any preexisting injuries that they can use to devalue your claim or deny it altogether. Even if you had preexisting injuries prior to your accident, that doesn’t preclude you from pursuing compensation for your current injuries. In fact, you may be entitled to a higher settlement if the accident exacerbated your preexisting injuries, turning them into a serious debilitation.

They Use Statements Against You

The insurance company may tell you that they cannot proceed if you do not make a statement. However, they may attempt to use a statement against you. They may take your statement before all of the facts about the accident come out. Not only will they try to undercompensate you, but they may also attempt to deny your claim. You do not want to make a statement without speaking to an attorney first.

They Give a Deadline for Accepting Settlements

The insurance company may tell you that you have a deadline for accepting the settlement. However, they do this so that you will not have time to calculate your losses. This point cannot be emphasized enough: never settle when there are serious injuries involved without speaking to an attorney first.

They Will Tell You That You Don’t Need an Attorney

Insurance companies may tell you that there is no need for you to hire a car accident attorney. They may tell you that you are getting fair compensation. The reason they will try to convince you that an attorney is not necessary is because they know that they cannot pull those tactics if you have an attorney by your side.

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