Whenever you plan on any long-distance driving, you should be extra cautious in order to reduce your risk of getting into a car accident. These six tips for a safe road trip will help you make it to your destination safe and sound.

1. Inspect Your Vehicle

Prior to leaving for a road trip, you should inspect your vehicle to ensure it is prepared for long distance travel. During your inspection, check your vehicle’s oil, tire pressure, brakes, lights, signals, wiper blades, and windshield wiper fluid.

When you have been injured in an auto accident, the road to recovery may be long and difficult. Depending on the circumstances, however, you may be entitled to collect compensation for the injuries you have suffered and their effects on your life. Unfortunately, many car accident claims take months or even years to finalize, but there are some things you can do to give yourself the best chance of success.

1. Take Action Immediately

It can take a substantial amount of time for you to receive financial compensation following a car accident. Therefore, it is absolutely imperative for you to begin the process immediately. Of course, you may not have all of the pertinent information right away, but waiting too long to file a claim could be disastrous. In most cases, this begins by notifying your insurance company of the accident and letting your carrier know that you require medical care. It is understandable that you will not have exact dollar amounts—or even reasonable estimates—just yet, but if you wait until you have a pile of bills, it may be too late. Unnecessary delays may also be seen as an indication that your injuries are less severe than is actually the case.

If you have been injured in a car accident, the stress of the incident, dealing with your injuries and potentially a long recovery can all create problems for you and your family. But, what if red tape makes the situation even more difficult for you? This can happen when an insurance company of the party who caused your injuries attempts to settle your case for a sum that is far less than you need to put your life back on track. Insurance companies have a notorious reputation for making “lowball” offers to avoid litigation which could result in a greater payout for you.

Auto Accident Settlements

Car accidents can take many forms. In addition to the all-too-common head-on collision, rear-end or T-bone, car accidents can also be caused by drivers under the influence or those that are distracted. The increased use of cellphones has added another layer of danger to sharing the roads and highways, as some drivers refuse to put down their phones while behind the wheel.

Rollover accidents can happen in any vehicle, in any weather, and under any circumstances. However, they are more common in certain situations and in specific vehicles. You can improve your chances of surviving such accidents by understanding these situations, and knowing which vehicles may be problematic.

How Serious is the Problem?

Estimates from Consumer Reports suggest that only about three percent of all serious crashes involve the rollover of a vehicle. However, these accidents account for about 30 percent of all traffic accident fatalities. Those at the greatest risk are those who are unbelted since rollovers can result in one being tossed throughout the cabin or ejected from the vehicle. Yet, even belted drivers can suffer serious injury or death.

In the state of Illinois, drivers are required to carry auto insurance. This is meant to ensure that they and other road users are protected, should an accident occur. Yet the type of protection they expect, and the kind they receive are sometimes worlds apart. Can an auto accident attorney really help, and if so, to what extent? Are there any other potential benefits to hiring one for your case?

How a Personal Injury Attorney Can Improve Your Chances of Success

Most drivers are surprised to learn that their insurance company does not just pay out compensation for an accident. Instead, they investigate the details of the accident to determine if you may have been partially (or completely) at fault for the accident. They demand documentation for every expense and then have that analyzed to determine how much they should pay out. Many will even try to limit or completely avoid payouts for more obscure portions of your settlement, such as pain and suffering. They also have teams of attorneys to represent them, should you try to litigate the matter.