While the automobile insurance companies flood the airwaves with clever commercials and catchy jingles about their low rates, accessibility, and commitment to “being there” for their customers, the reality is a much less personal, more anonymous, and an entirely bottom-line profit-maximizing business model, when it comes to claims adjusting, that far too often boils claim evaluation down to, “Don’t like…
The thought of a car accident often encompasses screeching tires, the sound of metal scraping on metal, the sight of steaming, crumpled cars and the smell of airbag sulfur, engine smoke or gasoline. It is extremely common for victims of serious collisions to have this image and more gruesome memories of the crash remain fresh in their minds. It is…
A video of an Ohio State Highway Patrol trooper in New Jasper running into a couple on a motorcycle has gone viral. In the incident that took place August 17, 2013, on U.S. Route 35, the officer appears not to have seen the couple until moments before impact. He doesn’t seem to swerve, brake or take any other action to…
Cell phones keep you connected constantly with your work and loved ones. However, they also take your eyes off the road, your hands off the wheel and your mind off of driving. For this reason, Ohio’s statutes restrict the use of electronic devices while you’re operating a vehicle. Motorists who are age 18 or older are prohibited from writing, sending…
Trim the tree. Hang festive lights. Bake delicious treats. Pour the eggnog. The holiday season is upon us. Although celebrations with friends and family can make this a truly special time of year, drunk drivers can also make the holiday season the most hazardous time of year. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) reports that the weeks between Thanksgiving…
When pursuing a claim for injures suffered in a car accident, the auto insurance companies will want to talk about the reasonable value of medical services. Isn’t this just what the hospital or other medical provider charges for their services? Not always. Medical providers will often accept less than the full amount of the medical bills when those bills are…
Following an automobile accident, you or a loved one are typically taken or go to an emergency room. The hospital is willing to treat you but wants to get paid as much as it can for the bill. Even though someone else caused your accident and should be responsible for your bills, rest assured that the other guy’s insurance company…
In a recent blog, we discussed changes to the numbers of hours a truck driver is allowed to operate a vehicle. Those changes, finalized in July of this year by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMSCA), are intended to reduce truck accidents caused by fatigue. Across the United States, the trucking industry is responsible for getting freight where it…
Summer is long gone and winter is on the way. Too soon rain and snow will turn dry pavement dangerous and lead to the possibility of fender benders — or worse — on slippery roads. As temperatures cool, consider these tips for staying safe on Ohio roads this winter: Check the tires: Your tires are your car’s contact point with…
Distracted driving is on the road and in the news. As agencies and law enforcement work to get the word out, researchers examine why and how distracted driving is so dangerous. In 2012, Ohio enacted a ban on the use of hand-held devices to text while driving. For drivers under 18, use of all electronic wireless devices is prohibited while…
