Category: Vehicle Accidents
What To Do In Case of a Car Accident
August 21, 2012 | John T. BuchmanIt’s one of those things you don’t like to think about – what to do in case of a car accident – but it’s something you should prepare for so that if an accident does occur, you’re better prepared to deal with the situation. We have put together a simple car accident form that you can download and save to your smartphone or print it out so you can have a copy for your glove compartment. Having this information available could help you know what to do if you are involved in a car accident. Here is the information you’ll find in the form: IN CASE OF A CAR ACCIDENT At the Time of the Auto Accident: Remain calm and call the police. Tell the police officer if you, or anyone involved in the accident was injured. Do not admit fault to anyone at the scene. Try to obtain witness information and license plate numbers if the police cannot make it to the scene. Keep your current insurance card in your vehicle for proof of insurance. Obtain the necessary information from the other driver if applicable (see below). Provide the information necessary to the other driver if applicable (see below). Take photographs of the accident scene or cars involved if possible. After the…
Read MoreMotorcycle Riders: Look Carefully at Your Insurance Coverage
April 12, 2012 | John T. BuchmanOur unseasonably warm weather and early spring certainly has many motorcycle riders out early this year. All motorcyclists should carefully consider their insurance and review their coverage. It’s easy to think that the coverage someone has on their car will be similar to the coverage they have purchased for their motorcycle. However, this is not true in many respects. Under the Minnesota “No-Fault” Law, motorcycles are not defined as “motor vehicles.” Thus, motorcyclists have significantly fewer rights under the No-Fault Act than those who drive cars, trucks, SUVs, etc. Motorcyclists have to pay extra for optional benefits that are required in every automobile policy. For example, motorcyclists have to pay extra for medical expense, wage loss and other similar benefits. A recent Court of Appeals decision has shown another area where some insurance companies have included provisions in their policy that provide less coverage for the dollar than policies provided by other insurance companies. In Farmers Insurance Exchange vs. Eschen; Mike Brown paid for $100,000 in underinsured or UIM coverage for his motorcycle. He was tragically killed when he was hit by a car driven by Gary Arens. Mr. Arens had only $50,000 in coverage. If Mr. Brown had been driving or riding in a car, his family would have received $100,000 in…
Read MoreCar Accidents and Unintended Consequences
January 4, 2011 | Jon P. EricksonSome times when a person is involved in a motor vehicle accident they end up getting a traffic ticket such as a careless driving ticket. This can happen even if a police officer didn’t witness the accident. They might give you a ticket there at the scene of the accident, or send you one in the mail. A careless driving ticket or other misdemeanor moving traffic violation is a crime with a statutory maximum of 90 days in jail and/or a $1,000 fine. The potential biggest problem from a conviction for such an offense is probably the collateral consequence of its effect on your motor vehicle insurance rates. It may make sense financially to hire a lawyer to fight this charge to try and prevent such a conviction. There may also be problems should you be sued civilly by the driver(s) of the other motor vehicles involved. We at BGS recommend you talk to our lawyers about this to help you make a decision on what to do. There are even potential felony charges from being involved in a motor vehicle accident such as Criminal Vehicular Homicide or Injury charges. One should always hire a lawyer in these types of cases. We have the legal expertise to handle both your motor vehicle accident…
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