Causes of Auto Accidents

Despite the advancement motor vehicle safety procedures and technology, the statistics of auto accidents indicate that the number of deaths is rising. Different studies have indicated that the leading car accidents are caused by distracted drivers. There are different ways in which drivers can be distracted. One of the most serious causes of distraction is the use of mobile phones. Many people use their phones while driving yet this is known to increase the risk of crashing. Different cities in the world have banned the use of mobile phones while driving to reduce this risk. The other causes of distraction is rubbernecking, which involves slowing down the car in order to have a glance at an accident, looking at the scenery, other passengers including children and other activities that will take the driver's attention away from driving.

Driver fatigue is also another common cause of auto accidents. The studies have indicated that this risk of accident tends to be high at the time when people are used to sleeping. To know if one is suffering from fatigue symptoms such as heavy eyelids, misjudged traffic situations, irritation, drifting vehicles and day dreaming. There are some steps set up by car accidents authorities to help in reducing the risk and to help drivers to avoid the issues related with fatigue. Some of them include sleeping enough before traveling, share driving if possible, taking a break from driving, stopping in case one feels drowsy and uncomfortable. It is also important that, if the drivers are taking medicine, they find out if the medication is affecting their driving.

For a long time, drunk driving has been a lead cause of auto accidents. Alcohol is known to affect the behavior of the user and this is seen when they cannot control themselves behind the wheel. It is known to affect not only the motor skills but also the judgment of the driver especially in terms of reaction time and inability to judge distances. These accidents are usually high and common especially when teens are involved. All states have different but stringent laws on drunk driving and those involved will be given strict punishment. If one is convicted of DUI, they might have their license suspended or revoked. The people involved may also seek the services of DUI attorneys to help them out.

The other common causes of auto accidents are speeding and aggressive driving. Speeding reduces the amount of time the driver will need to avoid a crash and at the same time increase the risk of crashing and makes the impact more severe in case a crash takes place. Aggressive driving encompasses quite a number of activities for example, aggressive tailgating and display of rude and offensive gestures. Disregard of traffic signals and preventing other drivers from moving their vehicles is also considered as aggressive driving.

Individuals involved in such accidents as a result of these common causes may suffer different consequences as per the extent of the damage and may require getting a lawyer to help them. The victims of these accidents can also get personal injury lawyers to help them make a claim.

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Auto Accidents Are Literally a Pain

People involved in an auto accident are never sure if they actually have a case or not. It is important to know when to accept a settlement, and when to file a lawsuit. It has been long established that automobile accidents occurring in Los Angeles County are many times best served by the filing of a personal injury lawsuit.

Insurance companies will attempt to say that you are getting the most out of your car accident A common tactic used in Los Angeles is to tell you to settle out of court without a lawyer. You must be aware that the job of the adjuster and the insurance company auto claim representative is to settle your claim for the least amount possible. It may seem easier and faster to take the money for a quick settlement, but there are areas of your claim that need professional guidance to get you the maximum car accident settlement in Los Angeles County. Here are some things to consider:

Lost time from work

Car accidents require time. Time to get the car to the adjuster, or meeting the adjuster. Time off for doctors appointments, looking at new cars (if totaled) renting of a replacement car, all are things that take time. Are they offering to cover all of your time off from work?

Were you injured?

If you were injured in the automobile accident you should never settle until you have completed treatment and you have an accurate estimation of how long the auto accident injury will have continuing effect on your life. It is imperative that you have a Los Angeles auto accident attorney that specializes in personal injury claims. A competent personal injury attorney will assist in obtaining all pertinent reports concerning the car accident. A personal injury automobile accident attorney will look at all the reports, including the various doctors and specialists reports to advise and guide you in the settlement process.

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Vehicle Components - Means of Preventing Accidents

Nowadays, with the unstoppable occurrence of minor to major automobile accidents, vehicle manufacturers give more emphasis on safety and protection devices as a main feature in their new models.

Aside from the stylishness, sleekness and technological aspects, vehicle suppliers, go the mile just to ensure potential buyers that their models are safe and many characteristics are present that could protect them in profound ways in case any unexpected incidences would happen.

Aside from this, the restraint devices and other safety means within a vehicle are also tested for effectiveness, usually along with crash tests conducted by manufacturers themselves, and the National Highway Traffic and Safety or NHTSA.

The major reason is that every passenger vehicle newly introduced in the market need to come up to certain federal safety standards. These standards specify the minimum-security levels on how a vehicle must be built and equipped with gadgets that would protect the passengers in case of accidents.

If you are on the process of purchasing a new car, remember that not everything that boasts of secure features may be true. You must have at least a basic knowledge of what makes a car safe. Further, you have to possess discerning skills to know what protective devices you need to prevent or minimize injuries, even if you become involved in a vehicle accident.

1. The structural design of the vehicle - this is the foremost thing to discern in any type of vehicle. Choose one with a high level structural design composing, but not limited to:

- strongly-built occupant compartment or "safety cage"

- buckling and bending capacity of front and rear ends

These are crush zones wherein, if not strong or well built enough could collapse in case of serious car crashes and may expose the passengers to severe injuries.

2. Size and weight of vehicle - these significant vehicle characteristics have great influence on the level of safety that it could offer in cases of severe crashes. Larger vehicles could be favorable as it can protect passengers well in cases of collisions with one or even two vehicles. Besides, they have longer "crush zones" and can assist in avoiding damage to the safety cage and decrease the crash force.

On the other hand, heavier vehicles have an added advantage in cases of crashes that involve two vehicles. Even if the heavier vehicle could be poorly designed, the force of impact may decrease as opposed to lighter vehicles. However, heavier vehicle may not be advantageous in case of single-vehicle collisions.

3. Restraint systems in vehicles - important devices that work together with the overall structure of the vehicle to protect passengers in cases of crashes

- seat belts

- lap/shoulder belts

- airbags

If you happen to be involved in vehicle accidents wherein the defective structure of your car, unsafe airbags and restraint system prominently became the reason for you serious injuries, consulting an attorney with experience on such cases could help you greatly to recover all possible compensation you are entitled to receive.

More information about retaining the services of LA County Accident Attorneys.

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Bicycle Accidents In New York- Bicycle Vs Car, Who Wins?

You think you know the answer, right? Bicycle versus car. Who wins? The car will win every single time. Why?

Because the car weighs thousands of pounds, is made of metal, steel, glass, and is surrounded by material to absorb an impact. A bicycle on the other hand weighs anywhere from 16 pounds for a superlight road-racing bike to 30-40 pounds for a mountain bike. The bicycle has no crash protection, no bumpers, no ability to absorb any impact. Just you and your thin bike to get you from one place to the other.

What safety devices do bicycles have?

(1) Reflectors

(2) Rear tail lights

(3) Sometimes a front headlight

(4) An experienced rider will often wear high-visibility clothing with reflective strips to give him or her better chances of visibility to cars and trucks. Many riders also wear blinking battery-operated bike lights- again to improve their chances of being seen by motorists.

What safety devices do cars have?

(1) Headlights

(2) Tail lights

(3) Anti-lock brakes

(4) Front and rear proximity sensors

(5) Airbags- head/ front/ side

(6) Thousands of pounds of metal, glass and an engine to encompass you

Often, motorists do not see bicyclists even with all the "safety devices" designed to improve their visibility.

Recently, I represented a man who was biking home from work at his job at a computer company. He was travelling on a busy roadway at rush hour, using the "bicycle lane" on the shoulder of the roadway. It was about 5:30 p.m. He was wearing a helmet, reflective bike shoes, and a highly visible biking jersey. The traffic going in his direction was in stop & go traffic, but on the shoulder lane he had clear sailing.

He was biking on a slight uphill doing about 10 miles per hour. A car travelling in the opposite direction decided it need to turn into a strip mall just about where my client was riding. Unfortunately for my client, the car made a very swift left turn, and because of the stopped car traffic adjacent to my client, never saw him as he accelerated toward the driveway to the strip mall. Who won? The car- as always.

Who lost? My client. His fancy road bike, the least of his problems, was totally destroyed. He suffered fractures, bruises, cuts and lacerations. An ambulance deposited him to the closest emergency room, where he underwent a battery of tests, including x-rays, CT scans, blood tests and an overnight stay at the hospital. The impact put him out of work for over a month, and he needed repeat visits to the orthopedist to follow his fractures and make sure they were healing properly. After the orthopedist gave the ok, he was told to start physical therapy to begin to use his arm and leg properly again.

My client lost his dignity that day. He lost the ability to continue his bike-ride home without interference from a car. His family was thrown into turmoil, rallying around dad in the emergency room. He had to explain to his boss why he couldn't return to work for weeks. He had to explain to his friends why he couldn't join them in their activities. He sat at home, useless to his wife, on the couch watching mindless television.

On the day I met my client for the first time, he had returned to work in a limited capacity, and at reduced hours. The most important thing he wanted to show me was not his scars and his cast. Rather, he wanted to show me his broken and destroyed bicycle that sat in a crumpled heap inside his car. As any bicyclist knows, a good bike is a trustworthy friend that gets you from point A to point B effortlessly. When that has been destroyed, it is devastating. However, as all things material, it can and will eventually be replaced. My client's life was miraculously spared that day, and he will learn once again to walk, to run, to write, and yes, to bike.

The driver of the car, unfortunately, had a limited insurance policy, which nevertheless was quickly offered to settle the case.

Remember to always wear your helmet when you ride, and make yourself as visible as possible to the motorists around you. Never wear earphones to listen to your Ipod or MP3 player, as you will not be able to hear the traffic around you. Be smart, and enjoy your bike ride.

Gerry Oginski is an experienced medical malpractice and personal injury trial attorney practicing law in Brooklyn, Bronx, Queens, New York, Staten Island, Nassau & Suffolk. He has tirelessly represented injured victims in all types of medical malpractice and injury cases for over 19 years. As a solo practitioner he is able to devote 100% of his time to each individual client. A client is never a file number in his office.

Take a look at Gerry's website http://www.oginski-law.com and read his free special reports on malpractice and accident law. Read actual testimony of real doctors in medical malpractice cases. Learn answers to your legal questions. We have over 200 FAQs to the most interesting legal questions. Read about his success stories. Read the latest injury and malpractice news. I guarantee there's something for you. See Gerry's website at http://www.oginski-law.com . Call him at 516-487-8207.

Also, go over to http://medicalmalpracticetutorial.blogspot.com for Gerry's free instructional videos on malpractice & accident law.

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