Knowing the Laws about Drug-Related Car Crashes

January 24, 2012 By Leave a Comment

Depending on the nature of the car crash, there can be several different laws to take into consideration when assigning fault and sentences. Place of the incident, whether or not anyone was speeding, driving without insurance, driving without registration, failing to yield, etc. If drugs are involved, the legislation to consider increases exponentially. That’s why it’s important to know the laws that pertain to drug-related car crashes.

 

Image Courtesy of 111 Emergency on Flickr

 

50 States, 50 Sets of Laws

While there are some federal laws that take precedence in terms of drug-related car crashes, there are some state laws that could complicate things. Medical marijuana, for example, is legal in 16 states, even though marijuana is illegal at the federal level across the entire country. While impaired driving under any substance leads to harsher sentences, sober drivers who have marijuana in the car in the event of a wreck may or may not face extra charges depending on what state they’re in and if they have a medical license to carry the marijuana. Issues like these are worth reading up on as this is just one example that changes state by state. A great resource to study the drug-related car accident laws in your state is www.totalDUI.com, where you can also find a DUI lawyer near you.

What’s Your Schedule?

Another huge factor is how the drug is classified. The Controlled Substances Act of 1970 enacted a system of classifying each drug on the level of severity. Schedule V controlled substances, such as cough syrup with codeine, are considered to be the least harmful classification. Schedule I controlled substances are considered the most dangerous; heroin, ecstasy, and psychedelic mushrooms can all be found here. It’s important to note that alcohol is exempt from the list, and marijuana, one of the most widely used illegal drugs, is classified as a Schedule I controlled substance. The classification of the drug in question can have an effect on the sentence’s severity.

Finding the Best Representation

Take some time to find the best representation for your case. Lawyers specialize in all kinds of areas: immigration, intellectual property, zoning, etc. Find a lawyer or firm that’s well-known for representing defendants of a drug-related car crash. Check online, check out their background and credentials, including the organizations and associations they belong to. Ask your friends if they can recommend anyone. Many lawyers get referrals from friends of friends of former clients.

In short, the best ways to learn the laws about drug-related auto accidents as they apply to you are to study on your state’s specific laws and talk to an attorney who’s knowledgeable in the subject. For such a complicated subject, it’s worth reaching out to the experts.

Filed Under: Legal Tagged With: , ,

The Coolest Cars For College Students

November 29, 2011 By Leave a Comment

The car companies know that college students need a car that is affordable. They also know that college students want a car that’s cool. Parents want their kids to have a car that’s reliable. How do you combine practicality with cool to please the kids and the parents? Here are a few suggestions,

Kia Soul

2010-2011 Kia Soul photographed in Chantilly, ...

Image via Wikipedia

If you told your kid you were buying him a Kia, he’d let you know that you just killed his cred. Here’s a suggestion. Instead of telling him what he’ll be driving to college, just park the hip little Kia Soul in the driveway. All credibility concerns will fly away.

The Soul is interesting in style. It has good passenger space, and that means space for dorm furnishings. It’s fun to drive, and its good looks won’t let your new college student down. It also gets over 30 mpg on the highway, so your kid can afford to get an education far away.

Ford Fiesta

Ford is so not cool. Your child will not like it when you announce that his high school graduation gift is a Ford Fiesta, but every valedictorian should have one. Why? Smart kids travel further away from home to go to college. Check out some cool infographic information. See how high SAT scores and GPAs send kids further away.

The Ford Fiesta gets the best gas mileage in its class. Fords are notoriously reliable. There’s a Ford dealership in every possible college town your kid could imagine. Therefore, you won’t have to worry about maintenance on the car. It’s a smart choice. Appeal to your little scholar’s intelligence and park a Ford Fiesta in the drive.

Honda Fit

College co-eds are so darn cute, and the Honda Fit is just as adorable. It’s got that amazing Honda reputation for reliability, smart design, and great gas mileage. If you’re sending your bright and beautiful daughter a long way from home for her college education, then this is the best smart girl car.

If she’s a bit of a daredevil, the Fit will suit her just fine. It’s nimble on the road. It also has plenty of interior design flexibility, so her girlish sense of style will work with the practicality a sub-compact car.

Ford Ranger 2WD

Third-generation Ford Ranger

Image via Wikipedia

Let’s throw in a truck for those agriculture and mechanics kids who will be heading off to some remote and wonderful place to get an education. Once again, Ford takes the lead in economy, gas mileage and reliability. The Ford Ranger 2WD gets a whopping 27 mpg on the highway. You can feel confident that your country kid will have reliable transportation.

Since Ford and practicality are the perfect college roommates, remember that there’s always a Ford dealership nearby. That means your kid can keep his truck properly maintained after all that rugged field work he’ll be doing in the School of Agriculture.

High School graduation is approaching fast. How will you surprise your college student?

Filed Under: Cars

3 Safety Tips for the Road

August 27, 2011 By Leave a Comment
Harness

Image via Wikipedia

When it comes to safety on the road, most people know what to do. Often, due to the complicated factors of life, people skip the safest practices. The most important step to remaining safe on the road is to remember to implement what you already know. Here are three main points worthy of remembering no matter what else is going on in your life.

Wear your safety belt. Any active highway patrolman will tell you the same thing: bodies thrown from cars in accidents tend to become immediate fatalities. Your safest bet is to stay inside the automobile, which has been engineered to absorb the worst of an auto collision. The human body is not suited to absorbing these forces. Any ER doctor will tell you that. Buckle up!

Always pay attention. Noticing that the next intersection’s lights have stopped functioning requires different driving maneuvers. Suddenly, everyone has to drive differently than usual. The same thing happens at roadside construction and any driving obstacles. By noticing that things are out of the ordinary, you’ll be able to adapt appropriately and drive as the conditions require.

Follow the rules of the road. It’s after people ignore the rules, supplementing them with their own on-the-spot ideas, that Florida wrongful death lawyers must suddenly get involved. That’s because drivers expect others to follow the rules they are going by. Sudden changes create havoc, leading to distraction, and then a possibly fatal collision.

Remembering to be the attentive driver that you were when you were new to the road will help to keep you and your loved ones safe.

Enhanced by Zemanta
Filed Under: Safety Tagged With:

Seeking Legal Help with Car Accidents

August 23, 2011 By Leave a Comment
Carpool signal changes to red... 1 of 2

Accidents happen. Even if you’re the best driver, they happen. There are certain things to keep in mind at the scene of the accident and when seeking legal help that will help you get a beneficial decision in the end.

At the Scene

Try to stay calm and in control of your emotions. Obviously, you’re going to be rattled, but keeping calm is important.

You may not notice an injury to yourself or damage to the car sustained in the accident right away. These things may not become evident until you’ve already left the scene and had time to calm down.

Dos and Don’ts

Certain things you do and don’t do at the scene may help your case later on. Always try to make a police report at the scene, exchange insurance information, and get the name and contact information of people who saw what occurred.

On the other hand, don’t admit your guilt at the scene…even if you feel it was your fault. In fact, you don’t know what the other driver was thinking or doing that might have contributed to the accident. However, if you immediately take the blame, your lawyer will have a hard time explaining that in court.

Seeking Legal Help

Some incidents will result in a car accident lawsuit. You may be reluctant to hire a lawyer, but doing so can help you get the money and help you’re entitled to after an accident.

Hiring a lawyer is actually one of the best things you can do. They know the ins and outs of the law and will fight to get you what you deserve. A car accident can be frightening and upsetting, but seeking legal help doesn’t have to be.

Enhanced by Zemanta
Filed Under: Additional Finance, Buying/Selling Tagged With: , ,

Turning a Hobby into a Career

August 22, 2011 By Leave a Comment
An auto mechanic works on a rally car at the 2...

Image via Wikipedia

Wouldn’t it be nice if life allowed us to do what we love for a living? If you love to work on cars or tinker around with vehicles then you might want to learn about how to become an auto mechanic.

Imagine working on your own automobile instead of paying an expensive repair shop. With all the expenses of owning a car, at the very least it is a good idea to have an understanding of how to fix one. Think of all the money you’ll save just with regular maintenance.

General upkeep such as oil changes, rotating and balancing tires and even a regular tune up can be expensive at a body shop or repair shop. When you know how to do your own maintenance, think of all the money you can save each year. It’s money that can go towards traveling on a vacation or to your child’s college education.

Another reason to consider doing your own car maintenance is that you’ll always know that your car is safe when you do it yourself. You won’t have to wonder if you’ve been overcharged and you can do it at your own convenience; not when a shop tells says that you have to be there.

Not only can an auto mechanic career save you money at home but you can make it into a full-fledged career where you can own your own business, hire your own employees and charge the prices that you think are fair. It doesn’t get better than that when doing what you love.

Enhanced by Zemanta
Filed Under: Additional Finance, Buying/Selling Tagged With: , ,

Signs You Are Ready to Own a Car

August 12, 2011 By Leave a Comment
Car dealership in Rockville, Maryland (Courtes...

Image via Wikipedia

There are several signs that tell you when you are ready to own your own vehicle. These signs will let you know that you can handle the financial and maintenance responsibilities that come with a car.

The first sign you are ready to shop for new or used cars for sale is when you have established a budget to buy the vehicle. Knowing what you can afford to pay and how much you have for the down payment and related expenses means you have a plan. This is essential to make sure you cover the taxes, licensing and tags that are required once you have made the purchase.

Another sign you are ready is when you have learned the basic maintenance tasks for your new vehicle. When you own a car, you need to know how to recognize different problems, when to have a tune-up done and how to check the oil. This helps you to get the most out of your vehicle so that it is safe to drive and runs efficiently. Keeping up with the maintenance not only saves you money, but it also adds to the lifespan of your car.

Knowing how to get reasonable, quality insurance is also a critical sign. You should understand the need to shop around, the need to meet state legal requirements for insurance and how to research the company you are considering. When you have this knowledge, you can start to look for cheap cars that match your budget and meet your personal needs.

Enhanced by Zemanta
Filed Under: Buying/Selling, Cars Tagged With: , ,

3 Essential Tips to Remember for Accident Victims

August 6, 2011 By Leave a Comment
A car accident in Tokyo, Japan.

Image via Wikipedia

Being involved in an auto accident does change your life. No matter how significant the damage to you or your vehicle is, you will remember this event. What you should also remember is how to avoid potential complications that can come from this type of incident. For example, if you do not remember the details of the events, as they happened, you may have trouble proving in a court of law that you are not responsible for the accident.

What You Need to Remember

If you are in need of legal help, Chicago accident attorney firms are available to help you to work through these situations. In many situations, turning to a lawyer allows you to get compensation for your claims, if you legally should. Here are three things to keep in mind.

  1. Documentation is critical. Be as descriptive and detailed about the incident as possible when filling out a police report. It helps the police and the insurance agent to know what really happened.
  2. Know your insurance coverage. In many cases, things like rental cars and lost wages are a part of the coverage. Take full advantage of what you are paying for from that company.
  3. Never settle your claim with your insurance agency without talking to your attorney first. You could miss the valuable compensation you deserve.

Accident victims can find help. Turn to a lawyer to get additional information and guidance about your incident. Whenever you are in an accident, know your rights. Be sure to contact police and discuss the situation in depth.

Filed Under: Cars, Safety Tagged With: , ,

Tips on Selling Your Car

August 3, 2011 By Leave a Comment
Automobiles are among the most commonly used e...

Image via Wikipedia

There are many elements that go into selling your car. To ensure a smooth transaction for both the seller and you, it is important to consider these elements before putting your car up for sale. Unfortunately, most people neglect one or all of the aspects that go into preparing for putting a car up on the market. This can result in a number of things, from your car simply not selling to pricing it incorrectly. You can get a lot of cash for cars if the price is right. Below are a few important tips that play a vital role in successfully selling your vehicle.

Choosing a Medium to Sell your Car

Choosing the medium to sell your car is one of the most important aspects to consider before putting your car up on the market. While many people simply opt for leaving their car on the corner of a busy intersection with a “Buy my car” sign on it, there are other ways that give much more exposure. Auction sites, local selling sites and directly contacting car buying companies are much more effective ways to gain larger exposure without having to leave your car unattended.

Pricing Your Car

Pricing is another common problem that people have when it comes to selling their vehicles. While there is generally no set price for used cars, using a little common sense can go a long way during this step. Pricing the vehicle abnormally high will discourage buyers from even considering it. Pricing the car too low will attract buyers looking to undercut you even more. When coming up with a price, demand for the make and model, overall condition, and mileage all come into play. Ensure your car price reflects these aspects as accurately as possible.

Enhanced by Zemanta
Filed Under: Buying/Selling, Cars Tagged With: , ,

Car Maintenance Tips

July 25, 2011 By Leave a Comment

You don’t have to take your car to a mechanic every time something goes wrong or needs checking. There are plenty of non-technical things you can do yourself that will help to keep up the health of your vehicle’s engine.

Check the Oil and Water Often

Oil and water are two necessary fluids needed to keep your car running. Without either one, your car will quickly run into trouble and a very expensive visit to a mechanic will be in order.

To check your water levels in your radiator, simple unscrew the cap. You will able to see water easily if it is full. If you can see any water, then you need to fill it. Distilled water is the best. You can buy it an auto shop and it is relatively cheap. Alternatively you can use regular bottled water, or boil some water to rid it of impurities.

To check your oil levels simply pull out the indicator stick, wipe it with an old rag, and then place it back in. When you pull it out again you will have an accurate reading of your oil levels.

Check You Tyre Pressure

You need to check your tyre pressure regularly. Many people don’t realise, but driving with the wrong tyre pressure is very dangerous. Too much and your tyre could blow out. Too liitle and your steering could be effected. Having the wrong tyre pressure can also impact on how quickly your fuel is used.

Keeping these simple maintenance things in mind will potentially save you a costly visit to a mechanic.

Enhanced by Zemanta
Filed Under: Additional Finance, Buying/Selling Tagged With: , ,

Car Insurance Policy Checklist

July 19, 2011 By Leave a Comment
A wrecked car in Durham, North Carolina.

Image via Wikipedia

When you are searching for a car insurance policy that is right for you, there are a number of things to keep in mind. Finding a policy that not only covers your needs but is affordable is important, so keep the following in mind when looking.

  • When going over the specifics of a policy, ask yourself ‘do I really need what being offered in this policy’. More expensive policies may include extras that you simply don’t need or won’t use. So why pay for them. Once you have looked over a few different policies you will be able to find out what you do and don’t need.
  • Scope out the different payment options available. Some policies offer convenient monthly payments, and they also offer options of paying for it in full. Check out the difference in prices, as it will be cheaper if you pay the full amount. That is if you can afford it of course!
  • Factors such as how many miles you drive a day and where your car is parked could impact the price of the policy greatly. Usually these extra charges are not listed initially, so be sure to investigate further if anything will affect the price of the policy.
  • Finally, if you have an alarm or other security device be sure to let the insurance company know. Many offer discounts to policy holders if they have such a device installed in their vehicle.

Having an insurance policy on your car is very important. Keep the above in mind and it should help you to find the right one for you!

Enhanced by Zemanta
Filed Under: Additional Finance, Cars Tagged With: , ,
« Older Posts