20% of All Car Accidents Occur in Parking Lots

One of every five auto accidents occurs in a parking lot, according to the Independent Insurance Agents Association. That total does not include all of the small nicks and dents that usually go unreported.

Parking lot crashes often occur at low speeds, but they still can lead to expensive repairs and higher insurance premiums. Worse, sometimes pedestrians and drivers are injured.

To minimize your parking lot risks….

Park away from busy areas. Most drivers crowd into spaces closest to the store entrances, leaving other sections of parking lots virtually empty. Your vehicle is much less likely to be bumped or dinged – and you will have better visibility when you pull out.

Look where you are going. Distracted driving is responsible for many parking lot accidents. We think we see an empty spot in the next row and this momentary distraction is all it takes.

Completely clear fogged or snow covered windows and windshields. There is a tendency to rush out of parking lots, but driving with partially blocked windows greatly increases the odds of having a collision.

Do not trust your mirrors. Rearview mirrors do not provide a full picture of what’s happening behind your car. Today’s high tech back up systems do not detect everything either. You need to move your head to see everything going on before backing up.

Look for two empty parking spaces, one behind the other, and pull through to the one in front so that you do not have to back up when it is time to pull out.

Avoid danger zones. Skip spots next to big vans or SUVs if you are in a small vehicle – you will have a hard time seeing past these vehicles when it is time to pull out.

Turn on your headlights, even in daylight. Headlights warn pedestrians and other drivers that your vehicle will soon pull out.

These are just a few tips to improve your odds during your next visit to the parking lot!

Top Ten 4th of July Driving Tips

With July 3rd and July 4th being two of the deadliest days to drive, Insurance.com offers these Top Ten 4th of July Driving Tips.
1. Check your tires. The last thing you want is your own "fireworks display" while on the highway. Check your tire pressure before you leave for a road trip. Low tire levels can potentially reduce fuel efficiency, as well as being a safety issue.
2. Make sure your battery has enough juice. If it has been a few years since you replaced your car battery, you might want to do so before you leave on your 4th of July vacation. It is better to be safe than sorry when you are traveling far from home. If your battery is old, toss the jumper cables in the trunk before you leave.
3. Turn on your lights. Check your headlights, tail lights and turn signals before you start a trip. To ensure everything is working properly, have a friend walk around the car while you test the car lights and signals from the inside.
4. Pack a first aid kit and roadside assistance kit. While you're at it, consider packing a cooler of water, a flash light, non-perishable food and extra batteries. Make sure your cell phone has enough charge, and bring your phone's charger or extra battery along – just in case.
5. Don't drink and drive. Whether you are at a cook-out close to home or traveling to see fireworks, drinking and driving don't mix. Play it safe this 4th of July with a designated driver or call for a cab.
6. Buckle Up. Wearing seatbelts every time you drive is the easiest way to help keep you and your family safe in the event of an accident. If you are traveling with small children, make sure they are in a proper car or booster seat for their age group and height.
7. Watch your speed. State and local police officers will be out in full force during the 4th of July week. So watch the local speed limits and keep a safe distance from the cars in front of you. A speeding ticket can mean points on your driver's license and a potential increase in your auto insurance rate.
8. Don't let rain ruin your trip. Check the weather before you leave and during your trip. If you do get caught in a torrential downpour, pull off to the side of the road until the rain stops. And never drive through a flooded area. Try to find an alternative route – a slight delay beats being stranded in a flooded car.
9. Think twice about fireworks at home. Even sparklers are dangerous and unpredictable when kids light them. While your home insurance may cover injuries, we suggest leaving fireworks to the pros.
10. Pack proof of car insurance. Whether you are traveling close to home or out-of-state, you should always have your proof of car insurance in your wallet or glove box. If you don't have a cell phone or other portable device that takes pictures and video, it's a good idea to keep a disposable camera, note pad and pen in your car, just in case an accident occurs.

How Do You Know If You Need A Lawyer?

There are many types of legal issues that might require a lawyer's help. You may consider hiring a lawyer if you have suffered an injury, have been injured in an accident, are thinking about starting a business, or have any IRS issues. Lawyers can help with legal problems after they come up -- after a car accident, for example -- but in other instances, consulting a lawyer before a legal issue arises can help you anticipate and prevent serious legal problems.

Visit www.bressmanlaw.com for more information.

Do your homework before purchasing your next car!

Though many people first look at the appearance and performance of a new vehicle, car safety is also an extremely important factor. There are many research companies that have comprehensive information including car safety features, crash test ratings, rollover test results, and more. You should also look into the used car you may be purchasing to determine if it has ever been in an accident and what type of safety rating it currently has at the time of purchase, not at the time of manufacturing as it may have had recalls, etc. Do your homework when purchasing any vehicle.

Ways to Avoid A Car Wreck # 8

Columbus, Ohio. According to personal injury attorney, David A. Bressman, nearly 40,000 people die each year in car wrecks. Further, of the nearly 6 million car wrecks yearly, almost 50% involve an injury. The best way to avoid injury is drive safely and prudently. This, of course, is obvious but too few "experts" give any meaning to driving safely and prudently. The following series is designed to give you some practical pointers on HOW to do this.

#8: Avoid driving next to, or in front of, passenger vehicles towing trailers. If these drivers are inexperienced at towing they might underestimate the time it takes to stop their vehicles with the extra weight of the trailer causing them to rear-end the vehicle in front of them ... take a turn too fast and lose control of their trailer. .. or momentarily forget that they are towing a trailer and attempt to merge in from of another car before the trailer has cleared it.

Ways to Avoid A Car Wreck # 7

Columbus, Ohio. According to personal injury attorney, David A. Bressman, nearly 40,000 people die each year in car wrecks. Further, of the nearly 6 million car wrecks yearly, almost 50% involve an injury. The best way to avoid injury is drive safely and prudently. This, of course, is obvious but too few "experts" give any meaning to driving safely and prudently. The following series is designed to give you some practical pointers on HOW to do this.

#7: Drive with one hand between 8 o'clock and 9 o'clock and the other between 3 o'clock and 4 o'clock on the wheel. The traditional 10 and 2 o'clock positions can cause arm fatigue, especially on long drives, leading to less-than-optimal driver reaction time in emergencies. The traditional position also increases the odds that one of your arms will hit you in the face if your air bag deploys causing lost teeth or a broken jaw.