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Recent Posts in Consumer Questions Category
| July 02, 2010 |
| 4th of July is the deadliest weekend for DUIs |
| Posted By Phillips & Lyon |
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The Fourth of July is the No. 1 holiday for alcohol-related fatal crashes. And even if you don't get in a wreck, driving impaired could send your insurance rates soaring.
The holidays are a deadly time to be on the road. Every year, hundreds of Americans die as a result of alcohol-related car crashes. The Fourth of July has repeatedly ranked as the deadliest holiday of the year for such crashes -- even deadlier than New Year's Day.
Driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs is a serious risk. In addition to being irresponsible on the road, impaired drivers also face insurance consequences. If your insurer discovers you've been convicted of a DUI, your car insurance rates could increase or your policy may be canceled or not renewed.
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration has been tracking car crash statistics for a quarter-century. The Fourth of July almost always tops the list. Statistics gathered over the past 25 years show that, on average, about half of all deadly traffic crashes on July Fourth are related to alcohol. Other holidays on the grim list include Labor Day, New Year's, Memorial Day, Thanksgiving and Christmas.
In the summer of 2008 (the latest statistics available), 491 people died in car accidents during the three-day Fourth of July weekend. Out of that total, 43% died as a result of alcohol-impaired driving. By comparison, 423 people died that same year during the four-day period surrounding New Year's Day. In that case, 41% were alcohol-related.
When people think of a deadly holiday, they generally associate it with New Year's Day (or, rather, very late on New Year's Eve). However, that association may be precisely why people stay off the roads on New Year's more than they do on July Fourth. (While the New Year's statistics are totaled over four days, the Fourth of July statistics are for three days.)
"Drunk driving is a major public safety threat that still claims thousands of lives every year," said U.S. Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood, in a recent media release. "Many states continue to step up their efforts to get drunk drivers off our roads, but the numbers tell us we have to do more."
In addition, research by the traffic-safety administration has consistently shown that more people are killed in crashes that involve an alcohol-impaired driver on the weekends and at night. In 2008 alone, 58% of drivers and motorcycle riders were killed in alcohol-related crashes that took place over the weekend and at night. But no matter what day it is, most crash fatalities occur on two-lane roads. Also, more people die while driving in rain compared with snow or sleet.
The deadliest holidays
| Holiday |
Fatalities |
% of deaths alcohol-related |
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Fourth of July |
491 |
43% |
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Labor Day |
487 |
40% |
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Memorial Day |
425 |
41% |
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New Year's |
423 |
41% |
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Thanksgiving |
502 |
36% |
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Christmas |
420 |
34% |
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Source: National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, 2008
http://articles.moneycentral.msn.com/Insurance/InsureYourCar/the-deadliest-weekend-for-duis.aspx
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| June 30, 2010 |
| 4th of July and Car Accidents 2010 |
| Posted By Phillips & Lyon |
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According to American Automobile Association (AAA) “more residents in mountain states will hit the road this Independence Day weekend than last year”.
Before hitting the road on holidays, it is important to plan ahead to avoid road congestion. According to the Washington University in Saint Louis (WUStL), holiday weekends are considered the heaviest times for driving so it is important to prepare for bad traffic. The holiday season also makes people apprehensive and preoccupied so drivers should be more vigilant by giving people more distance and be forgiving when someone does something irritating or absent-minded. Internal uneasiness of a driver is proven to cause serious accidents on the road.
Also, be sure to have your vehicle checked so you won’t be upset by unplanned repairs on the road. Check your engine performance, windshield wipers, oil, brakes, air filter, belts, battery, lights, fluids, tires. Examine tires for remaining tread life. Replace old windshield wipers.
Once you get on the road, drive safely. Since you have your teens or toddlers in the car, it is very obvious that they are the most vulnerable in case of an accident. So avoid risks by shunning drinking before driving. Enjoy your weekend by driving safely and carefully.
http://www.utahpersonalinjurylawfirmblog.com/2010/06/4th_of_july_and_car_accidents.html
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| March 11, 2010 |
| What are contingent attorney fees? |
| Posted By Phillips & Lyon |
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The experienced attorneys at Phillips and Lyon works on a contingent fee system. What that means is that we have no up front costs to you and we don't get paid unless you get a settlement. No Recovery, No Fee...No Exceptions! This is very helpful to most clients because most people can no afford to pay out money to an attorney especially after they have suffered financial hardship from an accident with deductibles, lost time from work, etc. because most
Phillips and Lyon will represent you with experience and excellence! We have a special internet fee of 25% which is only paid if you receive a settlement and is much lower then most other firms in the Valley. We will also help you find a doctor who will take a lien. What does this mean? A doctor who will treat you but not expect any payment until you receive your settlement. We have a great relationship with a lot of doctors who will accept a lien because they trust our firm will obtain a settlement and pay them at the end. This is a great alternative to expensive deductibles and hounding invoices from the doctor's offices. You can focus on getting better, not how much money you have to pay out!
Call us if you have been injured in an auto accident and have severe injuries. We are available 24/7 at 1-800-272-5297.
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| March 09, 2010 |
| What is a gap in treatment? |
| Posted By Phillips & Lyon |
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What is a gap in treatment and why is it a big deal? Once you start treatment, the insurance company wants to see a regular treatment schedule. Their theory is if you are injured and hurting, you will go to the doctor regularly. Unfortunately, things come up which cause clients to miss their scheduled appointments.
When you miss a doctor's appointmnent it is considered a gap. For example, if you were scheduled to go to the chiropractor on Monday but you were sick and weren't able to reschedule until the following Wednesday, it is considered a 1 week gap. If you were scheduled to go to the doctor on March 1st, didn't make the appointmnet and didn't reschedule (for whatever reason) until April 1st it is considered a 1 month gap. If the doctor tells you to follow up in 1 month then there is NO gap because you are following doctor's orders.
In reality life happens, you get sick, your kids get sick, you have to stay late at work, etc. A gap of a week or two will not effect your case and can usually be explained but if there is a gap of a month your case value may be compromised. Make sure you can explain any gaps in treatment, preferably with documentation about why you missed the visits. If possible tell the doctor why you missed the
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| March 08, 2010 |
| Will my friend's car insurance cover me? |
| Posted By Phillips & Lyon |
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Q: I do not own a car and I do not have auto insurance. Can I drive my friend's car?
A: Yes, you CAN drive your friend's car, but should you? Maybe. If your friend has a standard auto policy, then there will be at least some coverage for you. If your friend has a non standard automobile insurance policy, then there may not be coverage. How do you know? You have to read the policy.
Realistically, most people are not going to read the policy. So, let me give you three basic options here.
1. The car owner has a standard policy and whatever insurance limits your friend has apply to you as well. So, if your friend has a policy with 100/300 limits, then you will have 100/300 limits as well.
2. The car owner has a standard policy with an endorsement. The endorsement drops the friends limits down to the state minimum. So, in Arizona, your friend has a car policy with 100/300 limits, but this endorsement drops the coverage limits to 15/30 if you were driving the car.
3. The car owner has a non-standard policy. So, if you drive your friend's car, there will be no coverage at all.
The problem is that the major insurance companies write all three policies. It is almost impossible to figure out what you have without reading the policy. Your best bet is to purchase an auto policy for a non-car owner. Yes, they actually sell car insurance for someone who does not own a car, and it is relatively inexpensive. Make sure you are covered before you drive any vehicle!
http://www.calpiblog.com/consumer_issues/
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