Some drivers may prefer large SUVs and trucks for recreational or hauling purposes. Others might like the aesthetic and shape of a vehicle that is taller than the average. However, these vehicles with massive frames can have more significant frontal blind zones, posing different safety risks. These blind spots can be big enough to hide a toddler standing still in front of the vehicle, making them invisible to the unsuspecting driver behind the wheel.
Read the rest of this entry »Semi-truck collisions are some of the worst crashes that could possibly occur. Commercial trucks are so large, heavy and powerful that they can completely demolish smaller vehicles and leave people with life-altering injuries. The driver of the semi-truck could easily make a mistake that leads to devastating consequences for the people in the smaller vehicle.
Read the rest of this entry »Car accidents throw your life into chaos, and having to deal with insurance companies only adds to the stress. It’s important to remember that insurance companies, even your own, aren’t there to hand out large settlements. They are businesses focused on saving themselves money. Here’s how to approach these interactions as strategically as possible, with the help of your auto accident attorney in Grand Rapids, MI.
Read the rest of this entry »What are the causes of the motorcycle death wobble?
Riding motorcycles can be an exhilarating experience. The thrill of the open road and the sense of freedom it offers are unmatched. But it’s crucial to remember that it also carries certain risks.
One such risk is the dangerous “death wobble,” which can escalate into a series of problems if it develops into a severe accident.
Read the rest of this entry »What can drivers do to stay safe around trucks?
If you drive a car, SUV, pickup truck or minivan, your chances of surviving a collision with a large commercial truck without suffering a serious injury are slim. The odds are even worse if you ride a motorcycle.
As a result, you should do all you can to avoid a collision, including making allowances for potential errors by a truck’s driver.
Read the rest of this entry »Are SUVs as safe as manufacturers claim?
When someone buys an SUV, there is a good chance that safety expectations play a role in their choice. You only have to look at the marketing around these vehicles to see examples of how manufacturers want people to believe they are safer than the typical family car.
They promote the vehicle’s height as enabling you to see better and its bulkiness as protecting you and your family in the event of a crash.
Read the rest of this entry »Why do many drivers fail to see motorcyclists?
When you ride a motorcycle, you depend not just on your ability to ride well but on the ability of those you share the road with to spot you and act accordingly.
Unfortunately, many drivers do not see a motorcyclist until it’s too late. They have already made a maneuver that makes a collision inevitable; one the motorcyclist is powerless to avoid. There are several reasons that drivers might not see a motorcyclist. These are a few of the most common.
Read the rest of this entry »Coping with paralysis after a car accident
A car accident can change your life instantly. If you are grappling with paralysis after a crash, you don’t need anyone to tell you how difficult it is. Suddenly, your body can’t function as it used to, and your days are now filled with medications, physical therapy, and potentially even surgery or counseling. It can be frustrating, especially when you did not cause the accident.
Read the rest of this entry »3 reasons why semi-truck accidents occur
Driving alongside semi-trucks on the highway can be a nerve-wracking experience for many, and for a good reason. Naturally, semi-truck accidents can be deadlier than most other types of motor vehicle accidents. This is because when these large vehicles collide with smaller cars during a crash, the smaller vehicle absorbs most of the forceful impact of the collision.
Read the rest of this entry »What is the three-second rule for motorists?
Whenever you take a vehicle out on the road, you need to obey the rules the law sets out. For instance, giving way at certain intersections, stopping at a red light and not passing the speed limit.
Yet there are other rules you should abide by, even though they are not legal requirements. Hopefully, your driving instructor taught you them, but as that may have been a long time ago, and you may have forgotten. As have many of the motorists you share the road with. The three-second rule is one of the most commonly forgotten norms that motorists should abide by, even though the majority don’t.
It can help you to maintain a safe following distance
Do you know the safe following distance when traveling at 30 mph? What about when traveling at 10 or 60 mph? Most people do not, and working it out when your speed varies requires a mathematical agility that, even if it comes easily to you, will distract you from thinking about the road. By counting the gap in seconds rather than feet, you’ll avoid the math. Three seconds at 10 mph will usually be a safe following distance, and so will three seconds at any speed, as the faster you travel, the greater the three-second distance will be.
Sometimes, you need to leave more than three seconds
If you religiously stick to three seconds, you may well cause a crash one day. Reasons for lengthening the time gap include poor road conditions, poor weather conditions or you feeling poorly. If you are tired, agitated, distracted or in any state other than calm and focused, you should probably increase the gap, too.
Three seconds is a minimum gap for ideal conditions and a driver who is fully alert and focused on the road. If someone crashes into the back of you, there’s a good chance they should have been further back. Seeking legal guidance to prove this concern can potentially help you to claim the compensation you need and deserve as a result of the other driver’s likely negligence.