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If you own a car, it will be inevitable to encounter car accidents. All you can do is avoid them from happening by preparing your car and yourself, making it safer for your vehicle to drive, and conduct a pre-check whenever you want to use it. 

According to the WHO, approximately, 1.35 million people die each year in car crashes. In some countries, it can cost 3% of a country’s gross domestic product. Not all casualties in car accidents only involve drivers and passengers. Half of the global traffic deaths are among vulnerable road users. They are pedestrians, cyclists, and motorcyclists. 

Here are different kinds of car accidents and how to avoid them.

Head-On Collisions

The most common of car accidents and also one of the most dangerous. Accidents from head-on collisions result in the greatest number of injuries and fatalities. For those who are not familiar with this type of accident, it happens when two cars running in the opposite direction collide bumper to bumper.

There are different causes for a head-on collision to happen, and these are:

• A sudden change of lane.
• Road obstacles.
• Intoxicated driver (drugs or alcohol).
• Poor judgment.
• Poor visibility.
• Vehicle malfunctions such as tire blowouts.
• Construction.
• Not following road signs.
• Distracted driving.

The best thing to do when driving and avoid head-on collision accidents is to drive within the speed limit and avoid drunk driving as much as possible. Check the road if constructions are going on or some obstacles may cause a fatal accident—checking your car condition before driving is also necessary.

 

Merging Accidents

Merging accidents or sideswipe accidents happen when two vehicles merge in one lane and the other car is sideswiped. If you happen to be caught in a merging lane, drivers need to communicate to give way for one to pass. Some drivers are not generous in giving you the road. Thus, sideswipes can happen.

Some reasons why merge accidents happen:

• A merging motorist is running too fast or too slow.
• Changing lanes without turning on the signal.
• Crossing multiple lanes when merging.
• Cutting off other vehicles to merge a lane or change lanes.

To avoid a merging accident, the driver should always use a signal indicator. If you are changing lanes, change with caution and avoid cutting off other vehicles. Communicate with the other motorists, so they would know your plans in a merge lane.

 

Rear-End Collision

Another kind of car accident that can be surprising and dangerous is the rear-end collision. This kind of accident is caused when one vehicle crashes to the back of another car or the rear end, which usually is in front of the crashing vehicle. Accidents like this happen when the vehicle behind is tailgating the one in front. If a sudden brake is applied by the car in front, and the car behind is running fast and is not able to apply the brake, a collision happens.

The main reason for rear-end collision is distracted driving that is caused by:

• Texting.
• Talking on the phone or the passengers.
• Self-grooming.
• Eating and drinking.

All of these can cause a distraction for the driver and, in return, cause accidents. To avoid such an accident, the driver must focus on driving and avoid tailgating another vehicle. You must also check on whether someone is behind you before hitting the break if you are the lead vehicle.

 

Hydroplaning Collisions

Hydroplaning collisions happen when the road is wet. During hydroplaning, the tire is barely in contact with the road, this could happen if you accidentally run through a deep puddle, and when you try to keep your car on the road, it starts slipping because it is wet.

When this happens, it is hard for the motorist to control the vehicle and the direction it’s going. Because the car is uncontrollable, there is a possibility that the car can crash into a pole, collide with another vehicle, or fall on a cliff. Hydroplaning is one of the most dangerous accidents that can happen on the road.

Like all other accidents, you can avoid hydroplaning by:

• Avoiding driving on wet roads.
• Checking tire treads regularly.
• Never apply sudden breaks or accelerate further. Let the car coast at a lower speed while using steady pressure.

 

Parked — Car Collision

Parked car collisions or sometimes referred to as low-speed crashes. They can be accidents in parking areas, driveways, or residential areas involving another car or a pedestrian. Even though this is a low-speed crash, the accident can still damage the car or cause injury to the passenger, driver, or pedestrian. 

Cars may not be damaged, but dents, scratches, and cracks/breaks can still ruin a car’s beautiful image. There is a small percentage for the accident to be fatal, but it can cause severe damage for a pedestrian because of external causes.

Parked car collisions can be avoided by:

• Making sure no cars or pedestrians are coming out of a driveway or parking area.
• Do not rely on a rearview mirror or back camera. Also, turn around to check if the perimeter is clear.

 

Wildlife Collisions

This accident can be dangerous, especially if you are running fast and cannot apply the brake the moment you see an animal crossing the road. In the US, most wildlife collisions are caused by deer. It was estimated to reach 1.23 million accidents in a year because of deer crossing or galloping on the road.

If you are trying to avoid accidents involving animals, these are the things you should do:

• Use high beam lights. It will help you to see animals crossing in the dark.
• Avoid forest areas.
• Do not neglect the road signs.

• Keep the speed limit.

 

Road accidents involving cars can be fatal to the driver, the passenger, and the pedestrian. There are road signs that we should not ignore. They were posted there for safety reasons and following them can save lives. If you are driving a car, make sure to check your vehicle before going on a road trip. Ensure that your vehicle has enough fuel, the tires have enough air and check your car’s engine if there are signs of wear and tear that need immediate fixing. As a responsible vehicle owner, you must know what you must do and secure before going out of your driveway. Accidents cannot be predicted, but they can always be avoided. Check out the different kinds of car accidents and how to avoid them.

It’s 8 AM, you woke up, and then you realized that you are already late for work. You start to panic. You jumped off from bed, changed your clothes, and rushed off to your car. Furthermore, you began to drive as quickly as possible to work. You picked up your pace along the highway, and suddenly you realized flashing lights in your mirror. You wish it wasn’t for you, but unfortunately, it is. The police were tailing you because you were driving aggressively. You pulled over to the side, an officer walked to your car, and you heard one of the most famous lines, “Do you know how fast you were driving, sir?” and these are several ways you can answer:

1. Apologize and say, “Sorry, officer, it won’t happen again.”
2. Make excuses.
3. Joke about the situation and hope he laughs and forgets about the ticket.

 

Regardless of what your choices could be, the officer will ask for your:

1. Driver’s license.
2. Insurance policy.
3. Proof of vehicle ownership.
4. Possibly ask you to step outside your vehicle.

 

And more likely, this can end in these possible ways:

1. The officer lets you off with a warning.
2. Get a traffic ticket.
3. Get arrested (worst-case scenario because you were not cooperating).

 

Getting a Traffic Ticket

In most instances, these are issued for violation of traffic laws. Here are the types of Traffic tickets.

 

• Parking Tickets

A parking ticket shows how much you should pay to the city where the violation took place. The longer you wait to pay for your ticket, the more you may have to pay. You should read your ticket carefully to see when your fine will increase. Failure to pay the parking ticket can cause you to get arrested, prison time, hefty fines, difficulties to renew your car’s registration, and even get a suspended or revoked driver’s license. 

 

If you think you don’t deserve the ticket, contact the parking agency listed and ask them what to do. 

 

• Infraction Traffic Tickets

Infraction traffic tickets are usually non-dangerous moving violations or mechanical violations. The most usual infraction traffic tickets are “running a red light” and “speeding”. Speeding tickets are given when you go over the speed limit and usually on or near school zones, construction zones, freeways, or highways. Running red light tickets are given when you should have stopped at a red traffic light.

 

And usually, the officers will ask for:

• Proof of your car’s insurance or insurance policy.
• Proof of vehicle ownership. 
• Driver’s license.

 

Failure to have the proof of your car’s insurance will have another infraction ticket for “driving without proof of insurance.” 

 

Also, when the owner of the car is not present, expected from a borrowed car. The owner will be charged with an infraction, and an “owner responsibility” ticket is mailed to the owner’s address.

 

Mechanical Violations can happen when the car has broken equipment, like a broken headlight. The officer will give you a “fix-it” ticket for a “correctable violation”. 

 

Some comment “fix-it” ticket or a “correctable violations” are:

• Equipment violations — driving with a broken headlight or taillight.

• Driver’s license violations — driver’s license has expired or was not present when requested by the officer.

• Car registration violations — Car registration has expired or was not present when requested by the officer.

• Insurance violations — Proof of insurance was not present when requested by the officer.

 

• Misdemeanor Traffic Tickets

Misdemeanor traffic tickets are for more serious crimes. The usual is reckless driving, driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs, and hit and runs.

 

Also, it will be up to the judgment of the court whether it will be considered a traffic misdemeanor or just a simple violation. Some can even be considered a traffic misdemeanor even though it does not involve a moving vehicle’s operation like obstructing traffic with one’s vehicle or playing one’s car radio too loudly.  

 

Signing of ticket

The best-case scenario is when the officer will let you off with a warning, but the officer will more likely write you a ticket. For such violations, he will also ask you to sign the ticket. Signing the ticket does not mean an admission of guilt but a promise to appear in court in person. Refusing to sign the ticket will force the officer to take you into custody and present you in court.

 

What to do after Getting the Traffic Ticket?

After getting a traffic ticket, you should act on it before the due date. Some traffic tickets do not require a court appearance unless you want to fight the ticket. But for other serious violations like speeding or reckless driving, you are required to appear in court.

 

Failure to appear in court may result in the suspension of your license or other fines. The court may even charge you with another misdemeanor or infraction and even issue a warrant for your arrest. 

 

You can appear at court on the date on the ticket or contact the court before the appearance date. You can request any of the following:

 

• Plead guilty and pay the fine. 

Inform the court that you want to plead guilty, get informed about the fine amount, and discuss how you can pay the fine or ask the court to consider your ability to pay.

 

Pleading guilty and paying the fine can save you time but can also be expensive. When the court receives your payment, and if the offense does not require an appearance in court, your case will be closed. You can also contact the court to know the amount of your fine.

 

After you have paid your fine, the violation will show up as a conviction on your Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) record. This can result to:

1. Getting points on your driving record.
2. Your car insurance company may ask you to pay more.
3. Your car insurance company may cancel your policy.

 

Supposedly you are having financial difficulties and unable to pay the total amount. You may ask for consideration for your inability to pay when you appear in court. You can ask for a reduction in the amount for the conviction, request community service, or a payment plan. 

 

• Request to go to traffic school.

Usually, when you get your first ticket, the court will allow you to go to traffic school. For other cases, the court will tell you if you are eligible to go to traffic school or what you need to do to go to traffic school. 

 

An unofficial conviction will be added to your driving record after completing the course, but no points will not be added to your driving record. 

 

Supposedly you are having financial difficulties and unable to pay the total amount. You may ask for consideration for your inability to pay when you appear in court. You can ask for a reduction in the fee for traffic school.

 

• Provide proof of correction.

Providing proof of corrections is for traffic tickets that are “correctable violations” or a “fix-it” ticket.

 

After getting the problem fixed, get an authorized person to sign the “Certificate of Correction” section of your traffic ticket. Show the proof of correction to the court and pay the dismissal fee before the deadline. The court will dismiss your case, and it will not be added to your driving record.

 

Check your ticket or ask the court if they will accept proof of corrections via mail. If they do, mail the signed ticket with proof of correction along with your dismissal fee to the court.

 

• Plead not guilty and ask for a trial.

You can plead “not guilty” or “no contest” and ask for a trial date. If you have evidence like pictures of unreadable signs or faded yellow lines in the road, you can contest the ticket in court. These are usually for minor cases, unlike some serious misdemeanor cases.

 

Depending on the circumstances of your ticket, in most cases, you should expect a court appearance if you decide to fight the ticket. It would be better to hire a lawyer to help you with serious misdemeanor cases. If you succeed and no points are added to your license, the ticket should not affect your insurance.

 

• Trial by written declaration

You can also ask the court to have your situation decided by trial by written declaration. This will require you to post the full bail amount. Trial by written declaration means that instead of appearing in court, you and the officer give the judge a statement and any evidence in writing.

 

Trial by written declaration is only eligible for:

• Infraction traffic violations only.
• Tickets that have not passed the due date.
• Tickets that do not require you to appear in court.

Here is what to do if you are in an Uber or Lyft accident:

• Call 911 or the police- This establishes proof the accident occurred and creates a police report of the event.
• Take photos of the accident
• Take names and contact information from witnesses
• Take names and information from the Uber or Lyft driver and everyone involved in the accident
• Take screenshots of your ride receipt and ride reservation in the App
• Go to a doctor if you need medical care
• Call your insurance company- If you are uninsured reach out to an experienced attorney for help
• Do not speak with other insurance companies without a lawyer- The other insurance company does not have your best interest in mind
• Contact an experienced car accident lawyer to make sure you are protected and rightfully compensated

Taking Action After an Accident involving Uber or Lyft

As time progresses, it seems that there is something new being created every day. That being said, the ride-sharing industry has been one that has had massive growth with new companies like Uber and Lyft. Both Uber and Lyft have caused a massive disruption in the ride-sharing industry which in turn has caused taxi services to be used less every day. One of the great things that both Uber and Lyft offer, is how nearly anyone with their own car and driver’s license can become a driver for them and make a steady income from doing just that. With so many Uber and Lyft drivers now, the is an arising issue that continues to get worse as both companies grow. The issue is car accidents.  What happens if you are injured as a passenger in an Uber or Lyft vehicle? If you use Uber or Lyft services, we recommended you keep reading so you know what to do if you are ever injured while in an Uber or Lyft vehicle.

 

First thing, why is this different than any other car accident?

This is a confusing aspect of being in a car wreck involved with Uber or Lyft vehicles. They will do anything in their power to ensure they aren’t responsible for the wreck or anything that goes wrong once you step foot into one of their driver’s vehicles. The reason that both of these companies are able to get away with this, is because the drivers’ aren’t considered employees but instead are “contractors” for the companies. To clarify, in the business world, companies are responsible for their employees but are not responsible for any of their contractors. Lawmakers across the United States are trying to make Uber and Lyft more responsible for their driver’s actions, claiming that their drivers are being treated more like “employees” with strict guidelines and schedules rather than “contractors”. Unfortunately, they are playing a dirty game in order to get the best of both worlds.

 

Which Parties Insurance Is Responsible In This Situation?

If you find yourself in an accident as a passenger in an Uber or Lyft vehicle, you might be wondering whose insurance is going to pay for your injuries. This depends on the driver status of the rideshare, and the driver at fault for the accident.

 

If the Rideshare Driver is Offline

A rideshare driver is considered “offline” when they are not working at the time of the accident. In this situation, you cannot sue Uber or Lyft for injuries from an accident caused by an off-duty driver in Baltimore. This would be handled like a regular car accident and you would need to pursue a case against the at-fault driver.

 

If the Rideshare Driver is Active

Uber and Lyft insurance policies cover accidents caused by their rideshare drivers while the drivers are waiting to get a ride, on their way to pick up a passenger, or transporting a passenger. Third-party drivers are covered in an Uber or Lyft accident too.

If the Uber or Lyft Driver is at Fault

If the rideshare driver is at fault, their insurance will cover your injuries- if the insurance allows doing so. In the case that their insurance won’t cover your injuries or won’t cover all of your injuries, Uber and Lyft will. Both companies have insurance policies that can cover you for up to $1 million in damages for the following:

• Medical Expenses
• Pain & Suffering
• Loss of Wages
  

If the Uber or Lyft Driver is Not at Fault

If you are in an Uber or Lyft but your rideshare driver is not at fault, it will be up to the opposing driver’s insurance, if they have any, to cover your injury expenses. If for some reason the opposing driver doesn’t have insurance or is unknown because they drove off, Uber and Lyft have an insurance policy that covers up to $1 million in damages as well.

 

What Action can I Take?

 If you have been in an accident involving Uber or Lyft in Baltimore please call us at (410) 978-4000 or visit our website at Nick Parr Law and we will provide you with a free consultation to help ensure you get the help and coverage you need as soon as possible.

What Do Personal Injury Lawyers Do and When Do I Need One?

Dealing with a personal injury after an accident can be a traumatizing experience, especially in a city like Baltimore where the rate of road collisions is high. In fact, a recent study showed Baltimore is the no. 1 city in the United States with the worst drivers and with the shortest average period between collisions.) While some cases get resolved without much complication, there are times when a lawyer is needed to help.

What Do Personal Injury Lawyers Do?

Not everyone is fully aware of the role a personal injury lawyer plays. Questions like “What do they do?” and “When do I need one?” are common. There are many ways in which an experienced attorney can help after an accident, and here are some of the ways they can assist their clients.

Explain Rights and Provide Advice

The first and perhaps the most significant role a personal injury lawyer plays is that he/she explains the rights of the client and the application of the law in the case.

For instance, there is a specific time limit within which a lawsuit can be filed that is commonly referred to as the Statute of Limitations. In Maryland, the claimant BP23 — Nick Parr, Personal Injury Lawyers — 072019 2 has three years to file a lawsuit against the at-fault party; they must settle their claim within this period or lose their legal right to pursue their claim for any compensation.

Maryland is also among the few states in the country that uphold the Contributory Negligence Rule. The law states that the claimant will not receive any compensation if it is proven that they had even the slightest contribution to an accident.

Connecting with the Right Medical Professionals

A personal injury lawyer who has seen multiple cases over the years will have developed strong connections with medical practitioners. This experience and business connections will be useful in determining if the client needs to see a specialist for better treatment. It is also important to make sure that the doctors document how the injury is related to the accident, which should come in handy later during a settlement negotiation or the trial. The attorney may know medical practitioners who may be ready to provide some services without upfront payment and wait for the settlement amount, which will be extremely helpful for a cash-strapped client.

Assessing the Damage

Assessing the total damage of an injury calls for another kind of a professional. An attorney may know an economist or an actuary to help determine the right amount that needs to be claimed. Apart from the medical bills, vehicle repair costs and the loss of wages, the claimant should also consider the long-term impact of the accident, such as a diminished capacity to earn. Insurance companies may deny the claim or offer a very low payout that is not commensurate with the injury. It is times such as these that an experienced lawyer can help the client make sense of the numbers.

Settlement Negotiation and Representation in Court

Armed with the complete knowledge of the level of damage caused by the injury, a lawyer is in a good position to negotiate a settlement. In most cases, the injured party doesn’t have to go to court to get the money owed. But, if the claim or settlement is refused, then the personal injury attorney can take the case to alternative dispute resolution forums or fight the case in court.

Professional Investigation of the Accident

If the accident case reaches the court, an experienced personal injury lawyer and his team will be able to build a case by conducting an investigation of the scene of the accident and interviewing witnesses. There may be a need to recreate the accident in the court, and an attorney will know what kind of professional experts need to be called to make a compelling case.

Personal Injury Lawyer in Baltimore

The streets of Baltimore can be dangerous for drivers and pedestrians alike. In the event of an accident, it is better to save the number of a good personal injury lawyer than scramble to find the right information in a very stressful time. Nicholas Parr has experience in dealing with accidents related to car, motorcycle, truck, bus and pedestrians. Call today for a free consultation!