Jacksonville Injury Lawyer Blog

As a Jacksonville car accident attorney I tell my clients the following when it comes to auto insurance.

1. You’re a statistic.

To an insurer, you’re not a person, you’re a set of risks. An insurer bases its premium (or its decision to insure you at all) on your “risk factors,” including some things that may seem unrelated to driving a car, including your occupation, who you are and how you live.

2. Insurers differ.

As with anything else you buy, what seems to be the same product can have different prices, depending on the company. You can save money by comparison shopping.

3. Don’t just look at price.

A low price is no bargain if an insurer takes forever to service your claim. Research the insurer’s record for claims service, as well as its financial stability.

4. Go beyond the basics.

Most states require only a minimum of auto-insurance liability coverage, but you should look for more coverage than that.

5. Demand discounts.

Insurers provide discounts to reward behavior that reduces risk. However, Americans waste money every a year because they forget to ask for them!

6. Ask for the real thing.

Insurers cut costs by paying only for car parts made by companies other than the car’s manufacturer. These parts can be inferior. Demand parts by the original equipment manufacturers (OEMs).

7. At claims time, your insurer isn’t necessarily your friend.

Your idea of fair compensation may not match your insurer’s. Your insurer’s job is to restore you financially. Your job is to prove your losses so you get what you need.

8. Prepare before you have to file a claim.

Keep your policy updated, and re-read it before you file a claim so there are no surprises.
If you have a Jacksonville car crash be sure to call an experienced Jacksonville car accident attorney.

As a Jacksonville car accident lawyer I have helped many accident victims hurt by texting drivers. Six new texting-while-driving bans go into effect this month as state officials try to reduce the number of car crashes. The U.S. Department of Transportation reports that in 2008, nearly 6,000 people died in accidents related to distracted driving and 500,000 others were injured.

One of those states with a new ban is Georgia, where enforcement remains the biggest issue. How are officers going to tell whether someone is texting?

Sgt. Robert Moody of the Georgia State Patrol says it’s easier than you might think to figure out whether someone is typing a message behind the wheel. Texters often weave in and out of lanes, and drive more slowly.

“If you’re looking down, and you’re not paying attention to the road, you may let off the gas and instead of running 55 or 60, you’re running 35 or 40,” Moody says. “Those are the kind of things law enforcement can look for. Once we see those violations, why did that violation occur?”

If there’s an accident, drivers’ cell phone records could be subpoenaed. As of Thursday, Georgia banned all phone use for drivers under 18 and is one of 28 states that prohibit text messaging for all drivers.

Six states have new texting bans taking effect in in July: Georgia, Iowa, Kentucky, Michigan, Nebraska and Wyoming. If you have been in a Jacksonville auto accident be sure to contact an experienced Jacksonville car accident attorney.