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Belgrade, Montana Personal Injury Blog

Do these things when driving into a work zone

On behalf of Ramler Law Office, P.C. posted in car accidents on Thursday, November 15, 2018.

Even if you plan in advance to avoid driving through work zones, you could still find yourself going through one. Doing so takes extra caution, as you want to keep yourself and others as safe as possible.

Here are several things you must do as you enter a work zone:

  • Slow down. Pay attention to the posted speed limit, as it's likely to be slower than what you experienced leading up to the work zone. If you do nothing else, slowing down your vehicle is the best way to avoid a crash.
  • Prepare for anything. Things change in a hurry in a work zone. For example, lanes can merge or workers can appear on the shoulder of the road.
  • Watch for flaggers. Depending on the type of work zone, there may be flaggers telling you what to do. Follow their instructions carefully, as you don't want to do something that increases the risk of a crash.
  • Leave a greater following distance. Rear-end collisions are common in work zones, as it's easy to drive too closely to the vehicle ahead of yours.

Truck driver mistakes that can cause an accident

On behalf of Ramler Law Office, P.C. posted in truck accidents on Sunday, November 11, 2018.

It's your hope that every truck driver takes their job seriously. Unfortunately, this is not always the case, as there will always be truckers who break the law or push the limit in regard to their approach to the road.

Here are several truck driver mistakes that can cause an accident:

  • Inadequate training: The trucking company is just as much to blame as the driver in this case. Every trucker should receive training regarding defensive driving, safety and technique.
  • Drowsy driving: There are laws in place to govern how many hours truck drivers can drive consecutively. Even so, some people will break the law in order to make better time.
  • Distracted driving: Every driver has the potential to become distracted, such as by a cellphone, eating or drinking or paying attention to something in the cabin as opposed to the roadway.
  • Reckless driving: This includes things such as excessive speeding, illegal passing and failure to use turn signals.
  • Driving under the influence: Alcohol, drugs and prescription medication can also impact a trucker's ability to safely operate their vehicle.

Stay safe on the road with large trucks this winter

On behalf of Ramler Law Office, P.C. on Friday, November 9, 2018.

It is already starting to snow in Montana, which means that it is even more important to know how to share the road with large trucks when the roads are slick with snow and ice.

Each year, over 100,000 people sustain injuries in crashes due to winter weather conditions, such as heavy snow, as well as icy and slushy roads. It can be difficult to brave the roads in the winter when you just have to worry about other cars, but when it comes to sharing the road with large trucks, like semis, you may be apprehensive.

3 tips for driving safely in fog

On behalf of Ramler Law Office, P.C. posted in car accidents on Friday, November 2, 2018.

Even if driving conditions are excellent when you leave home, you never know when things will take a turn for the worse. For example, fog could move into the area, thus making it more difficult for you to see the road and other vehicles.

Here are three tips to follow when driving safely in fog:

  • Slow down: The faster you drive the more difficult it is to slow your vehicle, thus increasing the risk of an accident. Driving slowly gives you more control and peace of mind.
  • Use your headlights: Your headlights can help you see in dense fog, even during daylight hours. However, you never want to use your high beams, as this can result in a nasty reflection that actually decreases visibility.
  • Watch the road and other drivers: When conditions worsen you really need to focus on the road, other drivers and any hazards that increase the risk of an accident.

How do you handle sun glare when driving?

On behalf of Ramler Law Office, P.C. posted in car accidents on Friday, October 26, 2018.

Just because the summer months are in the past doesn't mean the sun won't shine until next year. In fact, sun glare is often a bigger problem during the winter months, especially when there is snow on the ground.

Dealing with sun glare when driving is easier said than done. There's more to this than putting down your sun visor and hitting the road.

Drive safely this Halloween

On behalf of Ramler Law Office, P.C. on Tuesday, October 23, 2018.

On Halloween, we’re expecting more treats than tricks. However, with small children, darkly-clad teens and drunk bar-crawlers roaming the streets, this spooky night can be especially hazardous for drivers.

Children are twice as likely to be hit by a car during Halloween and 23 percent of all pedestrian fatalities on Halloween happen at the hands of a drunk driver. If you’re going to be behind the wheel on the 31st, follow these guidelines to stay safe.

These tips can help you avoid a car-truck accident

On behalf of Ramler Law Office, P.C. posted in truck accidents on Friday, October 19, 2018.

Operating a passenger vehicle in proximity to commercial trucks is easier said than done. This is especially true when you consider the fact that many truckers don't follow the rules of the road.

Here are five tips that can help you avoid a car-truck accident:

  • Avoid blind spots: This includes the area directly behind and directly next to a commercial truck.
  • Watch yourself when changing lanes: For example, don't speed by a truck in the left lane and then abruptly cut in front of it to return to the right lane.
  • Merge carefully: Commercial trucks are more difficult to maneuver than passenger vehicles. You need to take special caution when merging, such as being careful about speeding up to get in front of a truck.
  • Never drive between large trucks: If you must do this, minimize the amount of time you find yourself in this position.
  • Pull off the road completely: If you're stopping your vehicle on the highway for any reason, such as to make a repair, leave as much space between you and traffic as possible. Even better, try to make your way to an exit before stopping.

Do you understand the signs of drowsy driving?

On behalf of Ramler Law Office, P.C. posted in car accidents on Thursday, October 11, 2018.

As you sit at your computer, it's hard to imagine a situation in which you fall asleep while operating a motor vehicle. However, when you're behind the wheel, there's always the possibility that you could become tired.

According to the National Sleep Foundation, 60 percent of Americans have operated a vehicle while feeling sleepy.

There is significant danger on rural roads for drivers

On behalf of Ramler Law Office, P.C. posted in car accidents on Friday, October 5, 2018.

Rural roads feel safer than city streets. There is less congestion, less traffic, fewer pedestrians and more space. People feel relaxed and calm, whereas the city stresses them out.

However, the reality is that rural roads are typically more dangerous than city streets, at least when looking at statistics about accidents and fatalities. Why is this? What makes a road feel safer even though it is not?

How is pain and suffering determined after a truck accident?

On behalf of Ramler Law Office, P.C. posted in truck accidents on Friday, September 28, 2018.

If you were involved in a truck accident in Montana, you could be eligible for compensation for various damages. These damages include medical expenses, lost wages, loss of consortium, property damage and pain and suffering. Pain and suffering is one of the most interesting damages that stem from a truck accident. So, how is pain and suffering determined following a truck accident?

For the most part, the following needs to be taken into account when trying to determine how much money you can receive for pain and suffering after a Belgrade truck accident:

  • The severity and location of any scars left behind
  • The severity of your overall injury
  • The time needed to recover
  • The possibility for continuing consequences from the crash
  • Amount of money that was claimed for special damages
  • Any socioeconomic factors
  • Damage caps for the state of Montana
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Belgrade, MT 59714
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