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CELL PHONES: UNSUSPECTED KILLER

[ No Comments ] Posted on 08.26.09 under CAR ACCIDENTS, CATASTROPHIC INJURIES, SAFETY

Most of the population realizes the dangers of drinking alcohol and driving, but recent statistics show cellphones may be even more dangerous. These devices are believed to be the cause of more than a thousand fatalities and crashes every year.

Researchers at the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) estimate that cell phone use by drivers caused approximately 955 fatalities and 240,000 accidents in 2002. More frightening is the fact that hands-free devices do not decrease the risk of accident. Research shows that motorists talking on a cell phone are four times more likely to crash than other drivers, and are as likely to cause an accident as someone with a .08 blood alcohol level.

The NHTSA recommends that drivers never use wireless communication devices—whether or not they are hands-free—except in an emergency.

WHY ARE “OLD SAYINGS” OLD SAYING?

[ No Comments ] Posted on 08.21.09 under CAR ACCIDENTS, DAMAGE CONTROL, INSURANCE, INSURANCE FOR CYCLISTS, MOTORCYCLES

WHY?

Because such sayings represent very important concepts to save us aggravation and a lot of money. “A stitch in time saves nine.” “An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure.” One very important and very simple application of the concept is to always confirm it in writing.

Example: You buy a motorcycle. You tell your Insurance Agent you do not have health insurance so you want to be sure your motorcycle policy includes medical coverage for you if you are in an accident. You get the policy in the mail but you don’t see anything in it that looks like medical coverage for you. You call your Agent. She assures you that you do have the coverage. You get into an accident and are injured. Your insurance company then tells you your policy does not include medical coverage for you. You call your Agent. She now denies having told you your motorcycle policy included medical coverage for you.

What happens next?Unpaid medical bills. Ruined credit. A lawsuit that you may not win.Now lets rewind to before the accident when the Agent told you that your policy included medical coverage for you. If you had spent a few minutes sending the Agent a short letter, confirming in writing what she said, you would probably have avoided all the unpaid medical bills and the ruined credit. Moreover, if a lawsuit was necessary, you would probably easily win.

“An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure.”   So, always confirm important things in writing.

Joseph E. BoatwrightBillings, Morgan & Boatwright