A Car Accidents Lawyer Isn't Just for Drivers

A cyclist faces innumerable dangers on a day-to-day basis during even short trips to the grocery store or the routine commute to work. Poor infrastructure plus a split second distraction spells disaster. Undesirable weather conditions such as wind, rain, or snow, turn braking into a gamble. Then, of course, there are the drivers, arguably the biggest threat to a bicycle owner, who unfortunately do not always see the two-wheeled travellers. However, the dreaded collision between a bike and an automobile marks only the beginning of the cyclist's troubles.

Who's At Fault?

It just happened. The car makes a legal left turn through a green light, without an arrow, having waited for all other vehicles to pass. Only they didn't see the biker making a legal pass through the intersection, and the two collide. The biker's leg breaks in two places, and the bicycle itself gets twisted beyond use. Anyone could see that the biker is the victim. But this particular biker thinks their case is an easy win, and as such doesn't think they should waste their time and money on a car accidents lawyer. The unfortunate just happened, but this is where it gets worse.

The at-fault party's insurance will typically cover the expenses, but both people benefit from not taking the fall. This run-of-the-mill scenario often ends up in a "he said, she said" case with one person's word against the other. The advised know that in this moment the best interaction with the other party is no interaction at all. In fact, beyond exchanging contact information, the only person either one should be talking to is a car accidents lawyer. The ill-advised, however, may try to contest the events that just unfolded right on the side of the street. Even an obvious victim can blow an easy case by confusing the matter with arguments at the scene.

Game of Drones

The criteria for determining fault in cases include credibility, neutral witness accounts, physical evidence, and official police reports. But the insurance companies handle this, not the driver and rider. Most insurance claims like this hypothetical collision are determined by the state's definition of negligence, a matter that the layman may not be familiar with. In fact, the victim may not even get the chance to defend themselves without a car accidents lawyer, who understands how to communicate with insurance matters, to speak on their behalf. Before issues like going to court even come up, losing rightful compensation can easily happen to even the clearest victims.

On the other hand, the insurance company could find the driver at fault. But, because they know the cyclist didn't "lawyer up," they low-ball the deal to minimize the financial burden. This is where the specifics matter most. Depending on the state where the accident took place or the history of the two people involved, a court date or an easy settlement could be ahead.

Aftermath

The cyclist later receives just enough to cover medical expenses and repairs on the bike. The driver, now out of the picture, has paid for the accident and the matter is dealt with. Only the biker still has a broken leg and cannot conceivably work for the next three months, and must now face paying bills without income. In this scenario there would be no legal recourse once the accident claim is already settled. If, however, the cyclist had sought legal representation, they could have increased their settlement or gone to court to fight for enough money to cover the time out of work.

Every Time and Immediately

The moral of the story of the cyclist is that even in the best-case scenario of post-accident resolution without legal advice, a victim can be short changed or even blamed for an incident. A car accidents lawyer has a job that entails running the gauntlet of insurance, fault, state laws, and out of court settlements for you. For cyclists, defense on the road goes well beyond the helmet and reflectors.

Insurance for Your Junior Games Organization

We all agree that getting our kids physically active is as important to their health as eating nutritiously. Unfortunately, the wholesomeness of great games that little leagues are famously involved in does not extend to liability risks in relation to damages and losses.

As in all such pursuits, be it business or non-profit, anything can happen - and it does, all of the time!

Take the following true little league insurance claims as examples for the need for protective insurance policies.

Property Insurance Coverage

Some bored individuals broke into the storage bin used by the local junior sports organization. They made off with team uniforms, a ball pitching device and other items used for playing. All in all, the incurred losses totaled ten thousand dollars. Good thing there was coverage!

General Liability Insurance Coverage

A team member's aunt came to watch the baseball game in the stadium. Midway through the game, the ball flew into the audience and bounced onto her head. Injuries were extensive and medical bills high. The former little league fan sued the junior sports organization for pain and suffering. Good thing there was coverage!

Hired and Non-Hired Auto Insurance Coverage

The trainer for the junior sports organization was instructed to purchase caps for each team member before they would start the soccer tournament. On the way to the sports equipment shop, the trainer became the responsible party in an auto collision. While the trainer escaped with barely a scratch, the other driver suffered massive injuries. The injured party brought a claim against the trainer's personal car insurance, however because damages exceeded personal limits, the man brought a secondary claim against the sports organization. Good thing there was coverage!

Abuse and Molestation Insurance Coverage

The father and mother of a female member on the ball team could not travel with her to an out-of-town match. Since they assumed the team's coach was a trustworthy person, they agreed to allow their daughter to travel with him for the event. Once alone with the girl, the coach sexually abused her. The livid parents filed a bodily injury and mental duress lawsuit against the junior games organization. Good thing there was coverage!

Employment Practices Insurance Coverage

One of the fathers of a boy on the junior team offered to be a volunteer secretary for the organization. After a couple of weeks, the director advised the man that this job was more suited to a woman and asked him instead to assist the group with administrating finances. Soon enough, a woman volunteer took over the secretarial responsibilities. The director's actions were unacceptable to this dad and he filed a lawsuit for sex discrimination against the league. Good thing there was coverage!

PRIME Insurance is an experienced, independent family-run agency. Winner of numerous prestigious industry awards and appointed to directly conduct business with the top companies around the country, PRIME shops its wide network to bring customers excellent tailored coverage - at competitively lowest rates

Tips for Saving Money on Insurance Premiums

For those who are looking to save some money in the new year, it may be beneficial to research some ways to reduce the costs of car insurance premiums. There are a variety of ways to pay less money each month. The following are some ideas to consider implementing in order to reduce monthly spending:

Liability Coverage on Older Vehicles

For anyone who has older vehicles, carrying only liability insurance is one way to reduce premiums. This is especially helpful for those who have older vehicles in addition to their vehicles used for primary transportation. Removing the collision and comprehensive pay can be a good way to reduce spending, particularly if the value of the vehicle is low. It could be that the cost of insuring the vehicle is higher than the replacement value.

One main consideration with this idea is whether or not there are payments due on the car. For anyone who is still financing, the agency may not allow a drop in coverage until it is paid in full. Also, if there is no way to replace the vehicle in the event of a crash, full coverage may be needed until funds are in place to do so.

Inquire About Safe Driver Discounts

Many agencies will offer discounts to those who have a clean driving record. These discounts are typically provided to those who have no tickets or accidents on their driving record in a specified timeframe. In addition, drivers should not have made any claims for comprehensive repairs, such as broken windshields.

Ask About Discounts for Good Grades

For those with children of driving age, a good report card can prove to be beneficial with regard to insurance costs. Discounts are often provided to kids who maintain a certain grade point average. The amount of the discount will vary from agency to agency. Also, the insurance agent will likely ask for proof of grade point average from time to time, so be prepared to provide that information on a regular basis.

Do Not Drive As Often

For those who are at a point in which they are not driving as often as they used to, agencies may provide a discount for doing so. If driving less is not an option, there still may be options to attain this discount. This can be done through carpooling or traveling using public transportation. This not only accomplishes the goal of spending less, but it will also save money in fuel costs, maintenance, and repairs on a vehicle. For those interested in this type of discount, the agency may require a device to be placed in the car to track mileage. Alternatively, the insurer may request a manual report of mileage on a regular basis.

Saving money is often a priority for many families, and saving on insurance premiums is an ideal place to start. Check with different insurers to see if additional discounts are offered that are different from the current agencies. It may be worthwhile to change providers to take advantage of these cost-saving measures.

The Need for a Business Owner's Insurance Policy

A business owner's policy (also known as a BOP) is specially tailored commercial insurance offering protection against law-suits claiming your business for bodily injuries or property damages.

Such lawsuits can be very costly or bankrupt a business even if your not liable. For this reason, you need adequate protection.

The article contains reasons to invest in a well suited business owner's insurance policy.

1. Protection of Employees

Usually all types of businesses have employees, and need a business owner's policy for the protection of employees. This policy will shield them if they get hurt on the job. In addition to protection, they will also guard your finances in case your employees sue you over their illnesses, injuries or wounds. You can get guidance from an insurance agent or broker to provide you with adequate coverage.

Protection of Core Business Activities

A business insurance policy reduces your stress. The coverage gives peace of mind to work and focus on your core business activities. You do not need to worry about getting sued for various situations your company or business may encounter. The better the policy, the more you will be able to concentrate on your business operations. Good business coverage can be lucrative for your company.

2. Protection from Future Law-suits

You can never predict your business's future regardless of any business type. All of us wear seat belts in our cars to secure ourselves from unexpected accidents. We may not necessarily have an accident, but still we wear them for our safety.

Similarly, it's smart to invest money to protect your business. You may not get sued by every client you encounter but it is always safe to shield your business. You should always keep in mind that a claim from a single client can put you into losses and may even bankrupt your business.

3.Chance of Opportunities

You might be willing to take on more risk knowing you have adequate insurance coverage. This insurance policy gives you a chance to take risks keeping in view the safety procedures and best practices. You can peacefully go for the lucrative opportunities by managing your risks prudently.

But it is imperative to ensure that the business practices you decide to take are covered first. You need to maintain a good relationship with your insurance company keeping them up-to-date about all the ins-and-out of the new business activities.

4. Make Your Business Trustworthy

The BOP makes your business trustworthy in the eyes of the clients. They find your business safer because the insurance policy ensures to compensate them in case anything goes wrong.

Your insurance company can pay for the settlement in case they sue you. With this insurance policy, your business can provide a safety net to all your clients making your business more credible and trustworthy.

Five Important Questions To Ask A Used Car Dealer

Many people still consider buying a used car to be something of a crapshoot. They roll the dice, and maybe they get lucky. While it is true that some degree of uncertainty always exists in these transactions, there are ways to minimize the risk of getting stuck with a lemon. With that in mind, here are five questions you should always ask a car dealer before you buy a secondhand ride.

1. Where Did You Get It?

When a dealership accepts a trade-in, they almost always have it inspected beforehand. But when they buy vehicles at auction, they don't have the same luxury. As such, it is generally riskier to purchase a used car from a seller who bought it at auction. Knowing where they acquired the automobile can therefore help you reduce the risk of unseen automotive issues.

2. Do You Have Service Records?

When a vehicle is properly serviced and maintained, the risk of major mechanical issues is quite low. It is no wonder secondhand rides that come with full sets of service records often cost considerably more than those that lack them. Examining these records before you buy may also give you insight into recurring maintenance issues. Perhaps, for example, the car has brake problems that require regular attention. For obvious reasons, that would be something you would want to know before you shook on the deal.

3. Can I See The Vehicle History Report?

Asking a car dealer if a particular automobile has been in an accident is notoriously unreliable. For one thing, the seller may not have that information; and for another, he or she may be reluctant to divulge that info unless absolutely necessary. To get around this sometimes touchy subject, simply ask for the vehicle history report. If the seller cannot or will not provide one, it's probably best to walk away.

4. Can I Take An Extended Test Drive?

While a short, twenty-minute spin may be sufficient for a new vehicle, it is not long enough to get to know a used one. In addition to a thorough inspection, you will want to take the vehicle on an extended test drive that includes several different road types and surfaces. Taking these trips with a salesman by your side can be distracting. In order to focus all of your attention on the automobile, it's often a good idea to request an extended, overnight test drive. As long as you provide proof of insurance and a copy of your driver's license, the dealer may let you take the vehicle overnight.

5. What's Your Best Price?

Instead of trying to negotiate down from the asking price, you might simply ask the car dealer to give you his/her best price up front. Because shoppers rarely take this expedient approach, salesmen are sometimes unprepared for how to deal with it. They might even offer you a rock-bottom figure to keep negotiations brief. But even if they offer a price you aren't comfortable with, you can always negotiate for a better one. In other words, you don't lose anything by asking this question at the outset.

Use these simple, straightforward questions to get a good deal on pre-owned autos.