Defensive Driving Habits
Driving is a dangerous undertaking no matter where you drive. You’re more likely to get injured or killed driving than you are to die in a plane crash, terrorist incident, or other major crime. We’re not here to scare you, but we do want to impress upon you the severity of driving on the roads and the need to learn some defensive driving skills. Our injury lawyers at Flickinger, Sutterfield, and Boulton have represented case after case of drivers incurring injuries on the roads, and while you can’t always control others and their poor driving habits, you can develop defensive driving habits that can keep you safer on the roads, no matter how bad other drivers may be. Begin by introducing one or two of these habits every single time you drive, and then add habits as you master the defensive driving skills. Soon you’ll be a defensive driver who can travel with confidence. Defensive Driving Habits Slow Down. A defensive driver knows that high rates of speed spell higher rates of danger and injury. Speed increases impact, as well as decreasing reaction time, so going slower will help you respond defensively and minimize impact force in the event of a collision. Buckle Up. Have a zero-tolerance policy for riding unbuckled. Ensure the safety of everyone in your car by insisting on seatbelts every single time, no matter how short the ride or how grown the passenger. Shine. Create a habit of turning on your lights even during daylight hours. The added visibility that headlights give you can help others see you more clearly, and prevent issues during twilight hours when most crashes occur. Avoid Distractions. Practice putting your phone in the backseat, and setting your music before you drive. Keeping your hands on the wheel and minimal-to-no distractions can make a huge difference in your ability to notice and respond to bad drivers and dangerous situations on the road. Scan. Good defensive drivers know that they can prevent accidents through vigilant observation. Constantly scan the surroundings, including the cars around you, upcoming traffic signs, pedestrians, and any other hazards that could cause you to brake suddenly or encounter a car or other object in your roadway. Predict. Start noticing where you see bad or dangerous driving. By identifying where you’re likely to encounter a bad driver, you can drive preventatively to keep yourself safe. For example, you may notice that bad drivers don’t stay in their lane when going through a multi-lane intersection turn. You can provide extra space and allow that car to pass through the intersection ahead of you in the event that they swing into your lane illegally. We hope that defensive driving keeps you safe, but if you do find yourself the victim of a car crash you should seek the help of Flickinger, Sutterfield, and Boulton to represent your case and maximize your insurance payout and compensation for pain, suffering, and damages. We can help you along the road to healing and restitution starting with just one phone call.
What You Need to Know About a Sports Injury Lawsuit
Summertime means sports. Whether it’s informal pickup soccer games in the park, or little league baseball tournaments every single weekend, summertime can be a great opportunity for kids and adults to enjoy fun recreational play in any sport they choose. You can make incredible memories on warm summer nights, but unfortunately, sports can also introduce a risk – injury. Over 8 million sports injuries are incurred every single year. Many of these injuries are mild, such as a sprained ankle or jammed finger. But around a third of these 8 million injuries are serious enough to land your sports star in the hospital with a more intense recovery. Even if your injury doesn’t require a hospital stay (such as a broken bone), you could still be saddled with a mountain of bills, weeks or months of recovery, missed wages, lost opportunities, and other out-of-pocket expenses due to your injury. Risk and Negligence in Sports Injuries Most sports injuries are accidents that happen are accidental and part of the normal play of the game. When you step onto a field, court, or pitch, there is a natural risk of injury and you can’t expect another person to be responsible for that injury. This is known as your “assumption of risk.” But when are your sports injuries more than an accident? When does the negligence of others mean that you have a sports injury claim? In order to participate in sports, one often has to sign a release which essentially says that the owner of the facility, coaches, school, etc, is not responsible or liable for any injuries that may occur. However, if the injuries you incur should have been prevented by reasonable action or preparation, you may still have a case to sue for compensation for the injuries. Claiming a Sports Injury Whether you’ve signed a release or not, you may have a claim for injury compensation for your sports injury. In order to pursue your injury claim, our expert sports injury attorneys at Flickinger, Sutterfield, and Boulton will need to find fault with the property owners, coaches, school, or another responsible party. If you feel that the following circumstances apply to your sports injury, call us right away: Negligence/Carelessness: If a coach, instructor, or facility owner fails to pay attention or monitor activities as expected and an injury occurs, they may be at fault for the injury even if a release was signed. Unsafe Equipment or Facilities: If your injury has occurred because you used faulty, broken, poorly maintained or neglected equipment or facilities, the fault may lie with the property owner. There is a reasonable expectation for maintenance and safety that must be met to withstand the release signed by the player. Safety Protocols: Coaches and staff are tasked with the safety of their players and must carefully follow safety protocols, such as concussion prevention, adequate space, instructions, and water breaks. If reasonable safety protocols are not met by the coaches or facility representatives, your injury would fall in the realm of negligence on their part. Our expert attorneys at Flickinger, Sutterfield, and Boulton stand ready to help you with your sports injury claim, so call for a free consultation today.