CAR SEAT SAFETY
Our children are precious and it is up to us to keep them safe. Using car seats is an important step in providing for a child’s safe transportation and the proper installation of a car seat is not always easy to accomplish. Child mortality rates drop 70% when a child is in a car seat; however studies show that 4 out of 5 car seats are not properly installed. AAA offers free car seat inspections by appointment to both members and non-members and there are many offices in northern California. Remember, an infant or child weighing less than 40 pounds must be in a car seat and a child over 40 lbs. until age six, must be in a booster seat with lap and shoulder belts. The National Highway Safety Association recommends children 12 and under ride in the back seat.
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Automobile Insurance Information
Every driver of an automobile must have bodily injury liability coverage by law. Make sure you have sufficient insurance coverage and know what type of insurance best protects you in the event of an accident, whether as a pedestrian, passenger or the driver. Medical payments coverage is one of the least expensive types of coverage available and provides that your medical bills will be covered in the event you are injured. Bodily injury liability only provides coverage for other people injured in a collision, not you the driver. Since there are many uninsured or minimally insured drivers on the road today, you must protect yourself with uninsured/ underinsured motorist coverage. This type of coverage is also not expensive and it provides coverage in the event an at-fault driver does not have sufficient insurance to cover your claim for medical expenses, loss of earnings, out of pocket expenses and pain, suffering and inconvenience due to your injuries. Our firm recommends every insurance policy have as high limits as you can afford for uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage.
After a collision, (1) don't provide insurance companies with written or recorded statements, (2) don't release your medical records to the insurance company (3) take photographs of your injuries and (4) consult with an attorney. |
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WHAT TO DO WHEN IN AN ACCIDENT
Stay as calm as possible.
Check for injuries as your life and health are more important than any damage to vehicles. When in doubt, call an ambulance.
Call the police, even if the accident is minor so that a report can be made.
If you are injured or feeling pain in anyway, tell the police officer and get immediate medical attention. Tell the police only the facts of how the collision occurred and do not sign any documents unless it is for the police.
If you know of any witnesses to the collision, obtain that contact information and provide to the police if the witness will not wait until the police arrive.
If you have a camera handy, and it is safe to do so, it may be helpful to photograph the accident scene and the damage to all the vehicles involved.
Get all necessary medical treatment as soon as possible as the adverse driver’s insurance company will eventually review your medical records that are related to your injuries in order to evaluate your claim. A delay in treatment when you are injured, may negatively affect your personal injury claim.
Finally, call an experienced personal injury attorney and obtain a free consultation for advice before you sign any documents from any insurance company.
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