WHEN THE RAIN LEADS TO PAIN

We do not get much rain in Los Angeles, so when it does rain, Southern California drivers need to adjust driving habits and be more cautious.
Here are some suggestions:

• SLOW DOWN! The roads can be slippery and slick, especially if there are oil deposits on the surface. It takes longer to stop your vehicle, especially on the freeways and highways where your speed tends to be greater.
• Stay alert. Watch for brake lights. Watch for pedestrians. Adjust your speed for limited visibility.
• Keep a safe distance from the vehicle in front of you. When it rains put more space between your vehicle and the vehicle that you are following. It takes longer to stop in the rain. Also, the spray from the tires of the vehicle ahead of you and to the side of you can impede your vision and driving ability. This is particularly the case when it comes to larger vehicles, trucks and busses.
• Try to drive in the middle lanes. Water tends to puddle and pool in the outside lanes and edges of the road.
• Avoid using your brakes if possible, but lightly tap your brakes when driving through puddles to assist in keeping your brakes dry.
• Avoid driving through moving currents of water where the ground is not visible and the depth of the water is unknown. If there is a vehicle ahead, you may want to follow its tracks, unless of course it suddenly begins to submerge. Be aware of flood areas. You do not want to damage your vehicle’s electrical system or worse be swept away!
• Try to stay on paved surfaces. You don’t want to get stuck in the mud or snow.
• Use your fog lights or headlights to help others see you. However, be aware and take into consideration that use of your lights sometimes affects the depth perception of others in determining their distance from you.
• Avoid hydroplaning. Hydroplaning arises when the water in front of the tires builds up to a point where the vehicle’s weight cannot adequately push the water out of the way. Pressure builds causing the vehicle to rise up enough that a thin layer of water forms between the road and the vehicle’s tires causing the tires to lose contact with the road surface. This can result in the vehicle losing control, skidding, or drifting. If your vehicle begins to hydroplane, do not suddenly brake or attempt to turn the steering wheel. Ease your foot off the accelerator, allowing your car to slow and regain traction. You may need to turn the steering wheel into the direction of the skid or drift. As you regain control, gently straighten your wheels.
• Avoid skidding by not hitting your brakes too hard. When you need to stop, apply even soft or mild pressure. Driving slower and keeping a safe distance from the vehicle ahead will afford you this option. If you begin to skid, the tendency is to turn the steering wheel the opposite way. This will cause your vehicle to skid even more. Turn your steering wheel slightly into the skid. This will straighten out your car and assist in regaining tire traction. If your vehicle is equipped with ABS brakes, press down on your brakes as you turn into the skid.
• Windows tend to fog up in the rain. Run your defroster or heat through your air conditioning directing the heat through the vehicle’s defroster. Sometimes, opening the side windows assists in clearing the foggy windows.
An Ounce of Prevention:
• Before it starts to rain, check your tires. Make sure the treads are in good shape. Check your brakes and brake fluid. Make sure to replace old or worn windshield wipers.
What to Do When Should You Get In an Accident:

Typically, the police will not come to the car accident scene and make a report, unless one of the persons involved in the accident complains of injury. Regardless, the parties to an accident are required to exchange pertinent accident information. Experience has shown that people forget to obtain the needed information at the accident scene. Here is what you should do after a car accident:
• Obtain the necessary Information – Get the name, address, telephone number, drivers license number, and insurance information, including the insurance company name and policy number of the other driver; license plate number, year, make and model of the other car or vehicle; name, address and telephone number of any witnesses or occupants in the other vehicle. To further assist you, you can download from our website www.LosAngelesConsumerAttorney.com a customized accident brochure and accident intake form which can help gather the needed information from the other driver and any witness.
• Take photos. Keep a digital or disposable camera in your vehicle in order to take photographs of the accident scene, position of the vehicles, damage to the vehicles; skid marks; debris or any obstructions.
• Do not discuss fault. Only exchange identification, license, registration and insurance information. Do not talk about the accident with anyone except to provide facts requested by the police or highway patrol.
• If you are injured, accept medical attention.
• Contact the Law Office of Frederick S. Schwartz immediately for a free case evaluation and consultation.

Work with an Experienced Auto Accident Attorney:

Frederick Schwartz understands the priorities of clients when they have been in a car accident. His office assists in obtaining prompt and proper vehicle estimate and repair. If needed, he will assist in obtaining a rental car; assist in finding good medical care, and will aggressively seek compensation for such things as loss of wages and earnings, medical costs, injury, pain and suffering.
Having previously been in house counsel for a large insurance company, Frederick Schwartz has valuable insight into the insurance company’s adjustors’ and lawyers’ mind set. He understands the way the insurance company thinks and operates. This gives the Law Office of Frederick S. Schwartz’s clients big advantages in the negotiation, litigation and settlement process
You have the right to recover for your injuries and damages and to be fairly treated. Call the Law Office of Frederick S. Schwartz at (800) 994-4442 or (818) 986-2407 for a free evaluation and consultation with the attorney.

LEGAL ADVISORY