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One major factor causing pileups that safe drivers can help reduce
We hear about huge multi-vehicle pile ups on highways all over the world, and often they have one thing in common: fog. Here are some tips on driving safer in foggy conditions from Bellingham, Washington attorney Bill Coats.
5 tips to help prevent major pile ups on highways
Driving at high speeds when it's foggy can create multi-vehicle car accidents on the highways. Here are some tips on getting through it safely.
One thing you can do to help prevent rear end collisions in foggy conditions
Here's a hint: turn your lights off! But only if you have stopped well away from the roadway. For the explanation of why you'd ever want to turn off your lights in the fog, and more tips on getting through it safely, head over to the blog for lawyer Bill Coats from Bellingham, Washington, a place that's quite familiar with fog and rain.
Gaaaaaaaaaaaaaaah! In this video released by Kenton County Police Department, dashcam footage shows a dramatic collision in which a deer comes out of nowhere, crashing into a police cruiser and flipping wildly into the air.
Officer Pittaluga was driving on Decoursey Pike through Visalia, Kentucky when the crash happened. Somehow neither the officer nor apparently the deer, who jumped up and kept on running, were injured in the crazy collision.
Before you settle your insurance claim, make sure you're not derailing your chances by not breaking this rule
It's called the Hamilton Rule, and if you don't factor it into your uninsured/underinsured motorist protection policy negotiations, you might put at risk getting any money from your claim. Click to read more by personal injury lawyer Bill Coats in Bellingham, Washington, and watch a video on the Hamilton Rule.
A good personal injury attorney can help you with the fine print
Insurance companies have dedicated many years and resources on working within the legal system to essentially make it harder for people to get money for their claims. This has resulted in lots of red tape and loopholes that give them the edge against someone filing a claim without a lot of legal know-how. Here's one rule that you might not be aware of that could prevent you from receiving a dime on your claim, and a reason to hire a lawyer to guide you through this piece of red tape and much more of it. Click to read about the Hamilton Rule and its influence on uninsured and underinsured motorist claims.
Here's one rule you need to be aware of before you settle your claim
There are lots of elements of a car accident claim that come into play when you try to file one. Some of them are obvious, and others are just big surprises. Attorney Bill Coats in Bellingham, Washington created this video to talk about one rule that could completely negate your claim if you exercise your right to file an uninsured/underinsured motorist claim. Be clear on your rights and responsibilities before you sign anything, and watch this video to learn more.
Take this step before you file for uninsured/underinsured motorist protection
A little-know rule called the Hamilton Rule factors into uninsured/underinsured motorist policies. Though very seldom used, it gives insurance companies the right to sue an at-fault driver before the victim would file a claim to recoup their losses. If you don't take this step in the right order, your insurance company deny your claim and pay you nothing. Click to watch this video by Bill Coats Law on taking this necessary step in the claims process.
What if the negligent driver hit you and doesn't have insurance? You have options.
It's yet another shock after someone crashes into you to learn that they don't have insurance at all, or not enough to pay for your losses. Yet about a quarter of drivers on Washington State roads don't carry insurance at all, even though it is a state law that they must. But this doesn't mean that you are stuck with the bills for an accident that wasn't even your fault. Click here to learn what to do when the negligent driver doesn't have insurance.
Will your lost wages be covered if the at-fault driver carries no insurance? Most likely, yes!
States like Washington require insurance companies to include uninsured/underinsured motorist protection to all policy holders unless they specifically opt-out of this coverage. This might come in handy if you've been hit in a car accident by someone who has no insurance or not enough, and you've had to take time off work - or can never work again. Click to learn more about your options for covering wage loss if the driver who hit you has no insurance.