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Car Accident

How Your Credit Score Impacts Auto Insurance Premiums

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Car Accident in AlabamaYou probably knew a bad credit score could impact your chances of securing a reasonable interest rate when buying a house or car, but did you know a low credit score could also impact how much you pay in car insurance? That’s the finding of a new study by InsuranceQuotes.com, as reported by al.com. Although your credit score is only one of several factors used in the calculation of your auto insurance premiums, it can have a large impact on how much you pay. In fact, your credit can have a larger impact on auto insurance premiums than any other factor, according to Consumer Reports.

In Alabama, drivers with poor credit pay an especially high penalty. Drivers with poor credit can expect to pay 190% more than drivers with good credit. That rate ranks Alabama sixth in the nation for the largest penalty for poor credit. Alabamians with fair credit can expect to pay 56% more drivers with good credit, the highest percent increase in the country. For comparison, Arizona, Nevada, and Michigan also had high penalties for average or poor credit. In contrast, California, Hawaii, and Massachusetts, forbids insurance companies from factoring credit into auto insurance premiums. In those states, car insurance quotes focus on driving record as opposed to future risk. [Read more…] about How Your Credit Score Impacts Auto Insurance Premiums

New distracted driving bill could ban drinking, eating, and more while driving

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Distracted Driving Laws in AlabamaWhile 46 states currently ban text messaging while driving, other forms of distracted driving are still technically not illegal. In fact, over 70% of respondents in a recent survey admitted to eating while driving. Even more prevalent was drinking (non-alcoholic drinks) while driving, at 83%. However, this may be changing soon. In Maine, lawmakers have passed a bill that fines drivers up to $500 for distracted driving. The New Jersey legislature is considering a similar law in response to a study that shows about half of accidents in New Jersey involve distracted driving.

The New Jersey law would prohibit drivers from doing anything “unrelated to the actual operation of a motor vehicle,” including drinking, eating, using a navigation system, talking to passengers, putting on makeup, watching a video, or reading a map or book. In other words, that morning cup of coffee on the way to work would have to wait until you reach your destination. While these behaviors seem innocent enough, anything that takes the driver’s focus off the road poses an immediate danger to passengers and other motorists.

[Read more…] about New distracted driving bill could ban drinking, eating, and more while driving

Liability in Self-Driving Car Accidents

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Tesla CarWhile self-driving and autonomous cars loaded with crash avoidance features seem to be the way of the future, there will inevitably be bumps along the road. Recently, a man in Florida was killed while using the autopilot feature on his Tesla automobile. The Tesla smashed into a truck turning left in front of it after it failed to anticipate the truck’s movements. The family of the deceased accident victim is now suing Tesla. According to Tesla founder and CEO Elon Musk, the car failed to break due to the high ground clearance of the truck and a white reflection from the truck, which the car may have anticipated as an overhead road sign.

It’s important to point out, however, that Tesla drivers using autopilot are required to keep their hands on the wheel and be ready to retake control of the vehicle at any time. The autopilot feature is not (yet) capable of allowing drivers to completely tune out, Tesla reminds us. Read Tesla’s statement here. [Read more…] about Liability in Self-Driving Car Accidents

Who pays if you’re injured in an Uber accident?

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While the Uber app is turned on, the company’s insurance policy will cover an Uber driver and pay for any subsequent injuries you might experience. However, while the Uber app is off, the company is not liable for any injury, and the driver’s individual insurance company will have to cover any damages.

Uber Insurance

Here is a quick breakdown of Uber’s insurance policy as of July 2016.

  • Liability Coverage—An Uber driver’s liability to riders and third parties is covered from the moment the driver turns on the app, accepts a trip, and finishes the ride. Uber’s policy has up to $1 million of liability coverage.
  • Coverage for Physical Damage —If an Uber vehicle is physically damaged during a trip, the company’s insurance policy will cover the damage up to the vehicle’s cash value after payment of a $1,000 deductible.
  • Uninsured and Underinsured Injury—If another motorist causes an accident with an Uber vehicle and that motorist doesn’t have adequate insurance, Uber will provide up to $1 million of bodily injury coverage to all occupants of the rideshare vehicle.
  • Coverage between Rides—While a driver is driving around awaiting his or her next trip, Uber’s policy can cover up to $25,000 for property damage, up to $50,000 for bodily injury, and $100,000 for the total accident in the event that the driver doesn’t have adequate coverage.
  • Commercially Licensed Drivers—Drivers for UberBLACK, UberTAXI, and UberSUV are covered by their own commercial insurance policies.

As they specify on their site, each state has a slightly different policy due to differences in local laws. Click here to see Uber’s policy for each state.
[Read more…] about Who pays if you’re injured in an Uber accident?

Accident Claim for Huntsville Police Officer Settles

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We are pleased to announce we recently resolved a personal injury claim for a Huntsville Police Officer. Our client was working a car accident scene on I-565 in Huntsville, AL when the driver of an 18 wheeler failed to stop for the traffic for this first accident and plowed into several vehicles including our client’s patrol car. Fortunately, our client had just gotten out of her patrol car but she was forced to dive out of the way to avoid being struck by the big rig truck. Despite injuring her back in this accident, our client and another officer immediately reacted to render aid to another driver who was struck by the 18 wheeler.

Since this accident occurred on the job, our client had 2 claims she could pursue, a workers’ compensation claim and a personal injury claim against the 18 wheeler driver and trucking company. The claim against the driver and trucking company is often called a 3rd party claim, in this case we were able to make claims for her medical expenses, pain and suffering, mental anguish and out of pocket cost. Since workmen’s comp paid for her medical bills, we’re obligated under Alabama law to repay workers comp the amount of what they paid out, this is known as subrogation.
[Read more…] about Accident Claim for Huntsville Police Officer Settles

Bicycle Safety Reminder

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Bicycle SafetyMore people are riding bicycles for transportation and recreation today than ever before. Many towns and cities now have free or affordable rent-a-bike programs. As more places open up roadways that were once the exclusive domain of cars and trucks, bicyclists and motorists are sure to cross paths.

Unfortunately, one Huntsville area man was struck by a car on University Drive on July 12th , according to reports by WHNT News 19. While the extent of the man’s injuries are still unknown, any accident between a motor vehicle and a bicyclist is potentially life-threatening. This particular accident occurred in the evening after dark. All westbound lanes were closed for nearly an hour. The accident is another sober reminder of the importance of alert driving – and to always be on the lookout for other people on the road. [Read more…] about Bicycle Safety Reminder