Archives for November 2019

In the busy streets in the United States, there is a chance that you’ll encounter an accident as a driver or a passenger. If you use ride sharing apps, you might get into an accident. In case this happens, you should know what to do. You should know your rights, or you might miss out on valuable compensation.

What to do if your driver was at fault

Seeking compensation when you encountered an accident in a ride sharing vehicle is similar to seeking compensation for a car accident caused by a commercial driver. In this case, you will be targeting the company, not the employee. This is necessary because personal car insurance does not cover accidents during a commercial activity, such as driving for Uber or Lyft.

Uber drivers are independent contractors, but Uber is responsible for any accidents their drivers may cause while providing services for their company. Whether you are a passenger in an Uber vehicle, a driver or passenger in another car hit by an Uber car, or a pedestrian, motorcyclist, or bicyclist injured by a ride sharing vehicle, if the Uber driver was at fault, you can sue Uber for the injuries and damages. Your compensation will be provided out of the $1 million in the liability insurance that Uber.

What to do if another driver was at fault

If you are the driver or the passenger of a ride sharing vehicle, and someone is at fault for the accident, you may still end up seeking compensation from Uber or Lyft. First, you have to attempt to get compensation from the driver-at-fault. If the driver is uninsured or under insured, you can turn to Uber or Lyft’s motorist coverage compensation.

Ride sharing companies are required by law to carry $1 million in uninsured and under insured motorist coverage.

Need Help with an Uber Accident Claim?

Going up against big companies like Uber can be challenging. Even if liability is clear, they may still be reluctant to give the full compensation for your damages like medical bills, property damage, lost income, and pain and suffering. If you want to maximize your compensation, seek the help of a legal counselor to give you the best advice on how to get the proper compensation.

 

Injury and Death Statistics for Most Car Accidents in the U.S.

In the U.S., car accidents are some of the leading causes of injuries. Tens of thousands of drivers get into accidents each year. It seems like this number is not going to slow down, considering over 2.5 million people get hurt in car crashes each year. In some cases, these accidents lead to deaths while leaving other victims permanently disabled. With over 220 million licensed drivers, the U.S. has so many people who can potentially get into an accident at any time.

Types of Common Injuries

–          Soft tissue injuries

A soft tissue injury is when there is damage to the connective tissue in the body. Such can include injuries to muscles, tendons, and ligaments. Such types of injuries are the most common, but they are not fatal. You should be back to working in a few days. Depending on the severity of the injury, it can take several weeks before you are well again.

Whiplash is another type of soft tissue injury. It involves having an injury to the upper back and neck muscles. In such an injury, the muscles and ligaments suddenly stretch because of the forces applied to the head and neck in a crash. Always seek immediate medical attention to take care of such an injury.

–          Scrapes and cuts

In any car crash, you will find loose objects being thrown around the car, which can often lead to some serious injuries too. Such objects include coffee mugs, eye glasses, broken glass, books, and much more. Whenever these objects get into contact with your body, they will lead to scrapes and cuts.

The scrapes can be minor to severe, depending on what hit you. Most of the time, they will minor injuries that will need a few stitches, and you should be good.

–          Head injuries in vehicle collisions

No one would hope to experience head injuries. We all know how sensitive the head can be severe, so ending up in an accident sustaining head injuries is not ideal. Sometimes you can hit your head to the side of the window, steering wheel, or any other hard surface that will cause serious injuries. In severe cases, it can lead to swelling or internal bleeding in your head. Always get medical attention each time you get a head injury to avoid any complications later on.

–          Chest injuries

Chest injuries are also common after a car collision. Such injuries will be in the form of bruises or contusions. However, depending on the crash, sometimes these injuries can be severe. You can even end up having broken ribs and some internal injuries. Drivers are the ones who will often experience chest injuries after the steering wheel comes crashing into their chest.

–          Injuries to arms and legs

Considering that arms and legs will not be strapped down by a seat belt, then them getting injured is also possible. In a car crash, it is possible to hit the dashboard with your knees, resulting in injuries. The same is possible for the arms.

Some of the injuries might not show symptoms immediately. These can be serious injuries as they tend to show up days or weeks later after the accident. Just to be sure about your health, get yourself a medical checkup after an accident. Also, get a personal injury lawyer after a crash to help file for compensation against the insurance company. 

Accidents happen at the most unexpected times. When you book an Uber, the last thing you’re thinking about is the possibility of getting into an accident. There are times that the Uber driver is at fault. Other times, the other driver is at fault.

If you are a passenger and you get seriously injured because of the accident, who will be liable for the damages and your medical bills? 

Understanding Uber’s Accident Policy

If you are riding in a ridesharing vehicle and your Uber driver gets into an accident and caused you damage and injuries, Uber has an accident policy. Uber’s policy covers the driver up to $1 million in liability, which means that you will be covered for your damages and injuries up to the same amount.

This only applies if Uber’s driver or the driver-at-fault has insufficient bodily injury coverage. The $1 million maximum coverage only applies when the scenario is under Uber’s auto insurance policy.

This includes when the Uber driver is uninsured or underinsured. This also applies if your driver is involved in a hit-and-run accident. If the Uber driver has the proper coverage, you will have to deal with his or her personal insurance company.

Can you sue Uber for damages?

In extreme cases, you may be able to file a lawsuit against the ridesharing company. But for a car crash, you will be suing the driver and not the rideshare company.

If you need help, you can ask a legal counselor for the steps and the process of suing for claims. It is best to have the necessary paperwork at hand when filing for claims. 

If you are a passenger in an accident involving an Uber car, you must call 911 as soon as possible and seek medical attention even when you think that your injuries are not severe. It is best to get a medical evaluation so the doctor can rule out any internal injuries. A medical evaluation can also be used legally if injuries manifest later.

If possible, use your smartphone to take photos and videos of the crash scene and the damaged cars. If you can take information, it is best to jot down the driver’s name and information, name of other parties involved and contact information, and contact information of bystanders who witnessed the accident.

If issues arise when you are filing for a claim, the information you have collected can be beneficial to prove your case.

What Should I Do After an Uber Crash?

Uber is a ridesharing company. Company spokespersons say that all drivers who wanted to use Uber must submit to background checks. If a driver displays unsafe behavior, the driver will no longer be able to drive for Uber. 

Even with these company policies, accidents involving Uber vehicles can still happen. You must consult your personal injury lawyer in case you are involved in a collision with a ridesharing company. 

Who Pays for Damages after an Uber accident?

When it comes to liability and financial responsibility for accidents involving an Uber vehicle, insurance policy protocols and legislation are still unresolved. Uber has successfully avoided most for-hire laws and regulations because it is not like the regular taxi service.

Laws regarding accident liability involving transportation services are currently under development. We will most likely see improvements in these rules in the next several years. Uber now has insurance coverage for passengers who were hurt in an accident. This insurance provided by Uber may be secondary to the Uber driver’s personal insurance. If in case another driver is at fault for the incident, the driver’s insurance will cover the damages.

If you are a passenger in an Uber vehicle when an accident occurs, you should receive fair compensation for your injuries. Seek the help of a legal counselor who handles Uber accidents in your area. The legal counselor can help you get the right settlement that you deserve.

What are the Odds You Will Get into an Accident Each You Drive?

Each time you decide to drive your car, there is always a chance that you may get into an accident. It is not like that is something you wish for when leaving your home, but with the other road users, you can never know what may happen.

An accident can happen when someone accidentally rear-ends you at a stoplight. Or, someone else changes from one lane to another without signaling. The worst is when there are drunk drivers on the road who have poor judgment of the road conditions and end up crashing into you. We cannot forget about those distracted drivers who are always on their phones. As you can see, there are many hazards on the road, so the odds of having an accident stack up quickly.

Do not be scared to get out of the house as these accidents do not happen every day to the same person. Sometimes you can go for years without getting into an accident.

The Association for Safe International Road Travel revealed that around 2.35 million people suffer injuries from road accidents. For these people combined, they will spend 1 million days at the hospital. It is easy to see that such is a wasted chance to grow the economy because of crashes on the road.

As much as millions get into accidents, you have to consider that the U.S. has 328 million people. So, 2.35 million people getting into accidents should be a low figure for such a vast country. However, it does not mean that you start driving carelessly on the road.

CDC Statistics

The CDC reports show that car accidents are still the leading cause of injuries in the country. The worst part is that the injuries are also expensive to treat. One study shows that for every person that dies from a car accident, there are eight that are hospitalized.

Car accidents do not always have to be fatal. It is possible that sometimes you get some minor fender benders in a traffic jam. Such accidents are easy to solve, and no one is hurt. However, some can be fatal, even leaving the cars totaled.

Fatal Car Accidents

Well, fatal car accidents today happen more than they should, and there is a need to have more awareness for road users. The CDC claims that more than 32,000 individuals die each year because of car crashes. Surprisingly, one of the leading causes of these accidents is because the passengers do not use seat belts. For something that has proven over time to save lives, people still do not use it.

In other cases, drunk driving also came out as a big issue that leads to most fatal accidents. Someone after having a whole night of partying and drinking decides to drive back home. Such type of driving can lead to impaired judgment while on the road.

Accidents Among Teen Drivers

Teens generally have a bad reputation when it comes to driving. Most of the other road users find teens to be reckless and are often on their phones while driving. However, we have several teens who understand road safety and even drive better than some adults.

In 2016, statistics show that there were 2,433 teen deaths from road accidents. In addition, there were 292,700 teens treated in emergency rooms because of road accidents. Well, there is still more work to do when it comes to teaching our teens about road safety.

So, what are some of the risk factors that can increase teen accidents?

• Distracted driving mostly because teens love to use their phones while driving
• They do not use seat belts even when it is mandatory to wear one
• Driving overnight can leave teens fatigued and lack concentration
• Teens also love to speed most of the time competing with each other
• Driving while drunk, especially during weekends

So, as much as many road conditions might lead to an accident, this is not always the case. You can go for months without being in an accident. For those who might end up in an accident, it is best to contact a personal injury lawyer to get the right legal representation. 

 

What to Expect When You Get in a Car Accident

Generally, car accidents are horrifying to many people. Some can leave you with minor injuries, while others might leave you with fatal injuries. In a bad crash, some people end up dead. Millions die from car accidents each year around the world. As much as we try to make our roads safer, sometimes it becomes inevitable to prevent car crashes.

Learning about what to expect whenever you get into a car accident can keep you safe and avoid driving recklessly.

–          Bowels leaks might get to your chest

After getting into an auto collision, you might end up with broken ribs, bruises, swollen organs, and probably a crushed body. Whenever this happens, it means you might also have internal damage such as a ruptured spleen, punctured lungs, and more.

With all these injuries, you might have bowel content getting everywhere. The worst can be when the bile gets to your chest cavity. In such a situation, you might end up with sepsis. If you do not receive immediate medical attention, then your condition can get from worse to deadly.

–          It is possible to have internal bleeding

Whenever someone gets into an accident, the pain is often less because of the release of adrenaline. Also, the body also releases endorphins to help you feel happy and good. As much as this is good, it is still dangerous. These hormones will cover up the pain associated with internal bleeding. You might not know about internal bleeding until you get medical attention. It does not matter whether you are not feeling pain or not, visit a hospital for a check-up after an accident.

–          Internal organs can hit the skeleton and chest cavity

Laws of physics also apply even to your internal body organs. Whenever you come to an abrupt stop because of an accident, the organs in the body will still keep moving because of inertia motion. The chest cavity and skeleton are what stops them. Some people claim to have felt the organs actually moving. Whenever this happens, it can lead to other unwanted health problems. It is possible to end up with air trapped between your ribcage and lungs. It can be damaging to your breathing.

–          The collarbone and rib cage might break

Because the seat belts cover the collarbone and rib cage, then they can break them in case of a high-speed collision. Considering that the seat belt is narrow and the force it can apply to these bones is high, the sudden stop can lead to such breakage. It is why in most collisions happening at high-speed, the driver is likely to have a few broken ribs. It might sound scary, but know the faster you are going, it is more likely that you will break more ribs.

–          The seat belt tries to save you in an impact

Seat belt technology has received numerous upgrades over the years. Right now, seat belts have a new design where they will tighten when you get into an accident. Even those who love to race on a track claim that seat belts tighten and loosen depending on how fast they drive. Such type of technology ensures the driver or passenger to remain in their seats to avoid more damage in an accident.

–          Joints and limbs can sustain damage

Well, a seat belt will keep most of your upper body from moving, the limbs will freely move in case of an accident. As a result, you are likely to experience severe injuries to joints and limbs. The worst is when the crash is intense that your legs are crushed into the dashboard. Also, if a car rolls, you can be thrown around, leading to more damage.

As much as we may not be able to cover every scenario of what can happen in an accident, you should get the idea. It is easy to end up having serious injuries regardless of the accident. It is better to drive carefully to avoid accidents and stay alive. Those who end up in accidents need to contact their personal injury lawyers to advise them on how to file for insurance claims. The compensation amount can be handy in settling medical expenses after the accident.

Are the Odds Ever in Your Favor? Car Crashes Versus Other Fatalities

The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety, states that car-accident fatalities have declined by more than a third in just the past three years. until a long period of decline since 1985 amid motor vehicles’ ever-improving structural designs and the addition of advanced safety features. Even so, death by car remains a formidable obstacle to reaching the average U.S. life expectancy of 78.8 years.

The top 10 states where you’re most likely to die in an auto accident, including the number of deaths and death rate per 100,000 people, are:

1. Montana, 237; 23.3
2. Mississippi, 681; 22.8
3. Oklahoma, 727; 18.9
4. Alabama, 909; 18.8
5. Arkansas, 537; 18.1
6. West Virginia, 330; 17.8
7. South Dakota; 145; 17.2
8. North Dakota; 124; 17.1
9. South Carolina; 786; 16.5
10. Louisiana; 761; 16.5

The top 10 states (including the District of Columbia) where you’re least likely to die in an auto accident are:

1. District of Columbia, 30; 4.6
2. Massachusetts, 375; 5.6
3. New Jersey, 564; 6.3
4. New York, 1,316; 6.7
5. Rhode Island, 77; 7.3
6. Washington, 537; 7.7
7. Utah, 230; 7.9
8. Hawaii, 112; 8.0
9. Connecticut, 300; 8.3
10. Minnesota, 466; 8.6

As you can see, even if it drops last 2014 the figures are still depressing to read that those numbers might have taken your life or at least be injured. Accidents can happen anytime no matter where or how prepared you are, you’ll never know what will come in your way. Giving these ideas we will be feed us information for us to be more cautious.

The most important steps to survive a car accident include:

• Focus on the road
• Avoid Speeding
• Always Wear a Seatbelt
• Avoid Distractions Like Texting or Eating
• Pay Attention to Intersections
• Keep Watch for Bicyclists and Motorcyclists

In addition, getting an insurance and an accident attorney makes our lives easier and prepared no matter what happens in the future.

Where Do Car Accidents Happen Most Frequently and Why?

We cannot determine which time or day an accident can happen, but there are places where it most happen so we can be prepared and be cautious at all times.

There are many factors to consider that play into dangerous driving conditions and when you are more at risk to be involved in an accident.

In this article we will provide information so we can prevent areas that according to research accidents happen frequently.

1. Parking Lots

While accidents in parking lots aren’t likely to be as serious, they’re quite common. With lots of cars in close quarters, lax rules and regulations, and constant pedestrian movement, it’s no wonder why fender benders in these areas are most frequent.

2. Stop Signs

Stop signs are another common place for car accidents. Oftentimes, a driver fails to stop in enough time, rolls through the sign, or fails to stop entirely which can result in an accident.

3. Rural Highways

Rural highways see less traffic flow, but they’re often the location for single-vehicle accidents. A lack of traffic can cause drivers to become inattentive and veer off the side of the road. Additionally, road maintenance in these areas can be spotty, which can also contribute to accidents.

4. Two-Lane Roads

Two-lane roads only offer drivers a single lane in each direction, and shoulders are often smaller than on larger highways. Because of this, a driver straying into the oncoming lane could mean a head-on-collision and a very serious accident.

When you get involved in an accident, hiring an attorney help you receive and fight on what you deserve. Their knowledge and experience will guide you in times of need.

Are Bigger Cars Safer in Crashes than Smaller Cars?

No one loves to end up in an accident. Crashes can be tough on the victim by either injuries or emotional damage. The worst is when you have to spend more time in the hospital because of the fatal injuries. Remember that you also have to pay for medical expenses. As a result, the next time you are looking to buy a vehicle, you would want to get the safest among them all.

There is a new debate doing rounds online. The discussion is about whether bigger cars are safer in traffic accidents than smaller cars. On the surface, it might seem straight up that bigger cars are always going to be safer. There is some truth to the sentence. However, there is so much about a car’s safety other than the size.

Newer cars have the best safety regardless of the size

Automakers, over the years, have continued to improve the safety of cars by adding new features. Right now, whenever you buy a new car, it is easy to find it having new safety features as standard. You might have to pay more for additional safety features, but for most, they come with most as standard.

At the moment, having airbags such as side, rear, front, and side-curtain types are common. Even in the economy vehicle, they will be present.

The electronic stability control used to be a feature only for luxury cars. As of 2012, regulations in place forced the automakers to include this safety feature in every vehicle.

The same goes for backup sensors and cameras. With the presence of cameras, it is now easy to see what is behind you while parking.

Because of new and improved blind-spot monitors, you will end up having better safety whenever you need to switch from one lane to another. As a result, no more crashing into other cars because you did not see them.

The size and weight

Size and weight are also relevant. A bigger vehicle will be heavier, meaning it can absorb the energy from the impact better than a smaller car. Having a bigger size also minimizes the amount of damage as it will have a bigger crumple zone than a small car.

As much as the crush zone in a small car will be less, newer cars now come with improved crumple zones. Such an improvement makes a huge difference. It makes the car better to protect its occupants from extreme crashes all the time.

The momentum

If a vehicle is bigger, then it would need more time and distance to brake in case of an emergency because of its momentum. It is the reason when a crash happens between a small and a big car; the big car will send the small car flying. The momentum of the big car is transferred to the small car. It will be easy to find the smaller car having more damage because of such momentum transfer.

The height of a vehicle

As much as larger vehicles so far seem to be safer, they have a common problem of rolling over at high speed. Rollovers happen when the driver tries to swerve the big vehicle at high speed. Because of its higher center of gravity, it might end up rolling over easily.

That being said, newer SUVs and related vehicles are less prone to rollovers. Thanks to better engineering, it will not be as easy to roll them as before.

As for the small cars, they will not be prone to rollovers unless you try to navigate a sharp corner at high speed. It will either skid or rollover.

So, which one is the safest?

When it comes to the safety of the vehicle, it comes down to how the driver handles the car. The vehicle might have all the best safety features, but if the driver is reckless, then you can still get into an accident. Look at the vehicle crash test scores to understand its safety even more. Some vehicles will have the best protection for its occupants and pedestrians alike.

Getting help from a car accident attorney can go a long way to ensure the best compensation in case of an accident. The settlement from the accident is necessary for ensuring you can cover your medical expenses and lost wages for the whole time you are in the hospital. 

Urban Areas

Biking in a big, busy city can be exciting and scary at the same time. There are more traffic, road intersections, parked cars, and roadways in the big cities. These conditions contributed to a high percentage of bicyclist deaths in urban areas. There is a 71 percent fatality in bicycle accidents in the urban areas compared to the 29 in rural settings.

These statistics are a wake-up call to all cyclists. Here are the top risk factors that you should be aware of:

• Opening car doors
• Intersections
• Drivers who pass too closely

When cycling, always keep in mind that drivers may not see you. For your safety, make sure it’s safe before proceeding across an intersection. If it is possible, try to ride far from parked cars that are opening their doors so you won’t get hit. If you see a vehicle with the lights on, slow down so you can stop quickly. It is also best to pause for a while and let the car pass if the driver isn’t giving you space.

Time of Day

If you want to avoid heavy traffic, it is best to travel when the majority of drivers aren’t on the road. According to reports, most fatal bike accidents happen between 6:00 pm to 9:00 pm in all seasons. The heavy traffic during this time is caused by the rush hour. Cyclists need to stay visible by adding bike lights and wear reflective clothing. 

Avoiding the road during these hours will minimize the accidents that the cyclist will encounter.

A cyclist expecting to be seen

Most bicycle-vehicle collisions happen when the cyclist is hoping to be seen. If you’re at an intersection, or a car has pulled on the roadway, always have an escape route in your mind in case things didn’t go as planned.

If an accident happened, it is best to call a legal counselor to assist you in the process.