There is nothing like coasting the highway on your bike, whether it is a relaxing cruise with your friends or a thrilling ride on your own. There is also nothing like a severe brain injury that can leave you permanently disabled. Wearing a helmet while riding your motorcycle may not always be cool or convenient, but it makes a significant difference in your safety. According to the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety - Highway Loss Data Institute, helmets prevent brain damage 67 percent of the time.
The change to Daylight Savings Time means more drowsy drivers
When the time changes and you "spring forward" one hour, all the clocks in your life have to be reset, including your biological clock. Some police departments report as much as a 10 percent increase in vehicle crashes when Daylight Saving Time takes effect. The problem is that just a one-hour change in time can affect your sleep cycle and make you a drowsy driver.
What types of compensation can I claim after an accident?
If you were involved in a car accident because of the actions of another motorist or entity, you may be able to pursue a claim against them to help offset the costs associated with medical care, long-term treatment needs and related expenditures. Though the exact types of compensation you may be able to pursue will vary based on the specific details of your accident, the types of injuries you sustain and how those injuries are expected to affect you moving forward, you may be able to collect compensation in one or more of the following areas:
Three types of distracted driving
When most people first learn to drive, they tend to be extremely cautious, scanning the road continuously and never letting go of the wheel. More experienced drivers are usually less nervous, having developed a better understanding of road conditions and driving technique. Whether you just got your license or have spent years on the road, distraction continues to present a large risk. There are three main categories of distraction. Being aware of them can help you develop strategies that reduce the likelihood of a distraction leading to an accident.
How to avoid distractions while you are driving
It is estimated that distractions cause upwards of 400,000 car accidents every year because of a driver who is distracted. In many of these cases, injuries and fatalities result, and in all of these cases, the collision was likely avoidable. This is why it is of the utmost importance that drivers identify and eliminate any distractions that may compromise their ability to drive safely. There are three major categories of distraction-visual, manual and cognitive-and these four tips will help you avoid falling prey to all of them.
What happens if you admit fault in a crash?
We've previously covered what to do after an accident, and you don't have to look far to find advice about what not to do. But what if you slip up, and say something you later regret?
What is a wrongful death?
A relatively straight forward legal tem, wrongful death means a person was killed as a result of something out of their control. It varies state by state, but in Louisiana it's defined as "if a person dies due to the fault of another." In many ways, it's like a personal injury lawsuit where the deceased cannot represent him or herself so the estate pursues legal action instead. Common cases include car accidents, unsafe work conditions, medical malpractice and product liability.
What to do if you have been involved in an accident
Automobile accidents can happen very quickly and in the midst of the commotion, it can be difficult to think calmly and rationally. However, with some advance planning and review of the actions required in case an accident occurs, you can be well prepared.
Tips to reduce distracted driving
Everyone has heard about distracted driving. An Erie Insurance survey found that one-third of drivers admit to texting while driving and three-quarters have witnessed it, and other studies show similar or even higher numbers. Other forms of distracted driving include talking on the phone, eating, combing hair, talking to passengers, and almost everything else you can (and can't) imagine.
Louisiana minor killed in accident
A minor was killed in a car accident that involved three vehicles near Franklinton on August 6. The minor victim, a 14-year-old Folsom girl, was the only person involved who was not properly restrained with a seat belt at the time of the crash.