Harris, Wyatt & Amala, LLC

Parents, talk to your teens about safe driving

On behalf of Harris, Wyatt & Amala, LLC posted in motor vehicle accidents on Wednesday, September 12, 2018.

As the parent of a teen driver, it goes without saying that you'll have some fears every time they take to the road. While these fears will eventually subside (to a certain degree), there are things you can do in the meantime to help your teen stay safe on the road.

Here are seven teen driving safety tips to discuss as soon as possible:

  • Buckle up: Seat belts save lives, so make sure your teen is wearing one of these every time they hit the road.
  • No distractions: Talk about the most common types of distractions and the risks they cause. From texting to conversing with passengers, any distraction can cause trouble.
  • Slow down: It's always a good idea to drive the speed limit, but teens often lose sight of this simple fact.
  • Be prepared for everything: Let your teen know that they need to be prepared for anything and everything that could come their way while driving.
  • No drinking and driving: You hope your teen doesn't drink before they turn 21, but you know it's a possibility. Be sure to discuss the perils of drunk driving.
  • Watch for inclement weather: From rain to sun glare, there are many weather conditions that make it more difficult to drive safely.
  • Change your style when driving in traffic: It's not always easy to drive in heavy traffic. Talk about the style changes your teen can make to avoid an accident.

There are many signs of drowsy driving: Don’t ignore them

On behalf of Harris, Wyatt & Amala, LLC posted in truck accidents on Wednesday, August 29, 2018.

Drowsy driving is extremely dangerous, as it makes it difficult to focus on the road ahead and make split-second decisions that can help prevent an accident. Furthermore, drowsy driving can also lead to you falling asleep at the wheel, which almost always leads to an accident.

It doesn't matter if you're close to home or tackling the open highway hundreds of miles away, you should never ignore the signs of drowsy driving. If you're too tired to be behind the wheel, pull over and get some rest.

Do you have a right to recompense through a wrongful death claim?

On behalf of Harris, Wyatt & Amala, LLC on Sunday, August 19, 2018.

When a loved one unexpectedly passes away in an accident caused by another person, it can leave your family facing financial uncertainty and other complications. During your time of grief, it can be important to consider how you can move forward in a way that will allow you and your loved ones to have security in the future. You may be able to do this through a wrongful death claim.

A serious accident that results in a fatality can be overwhelming for the Oregon family members left to pick up the pieces. From significant emotional trauma to insurance matters, it can be difficult to navigate the aftermath. Your situation is difficult, but there are legal options available to you.

Truck accident causes: Knowledge is power

On behalf of Harris, Wyatt & Amala, LLC posted in truck accidents on Thursday, August 16, 2018.

There are many potential causes of truck accidents -- all of which could put you in a compromising position at some point. You hope that you're never part of a truck accident, but there is only so much you can do to protect yourself.

Knowing the common causes of truck accidents can help keep you safe, as this knowledge allows you to avoid dangerous situations. Here are some common causes:

  • Inadequate training. Driving a truck is not easy, so every trucker should receive advanced training on everything from defensive driving to safety concerns.
  • Reckless driving. Truckers don't always obey the rules of the road, but instead push the limit regarding to their behavior when behind the wheel. Reckless driving comes in many forms, such as excessive speeding and illegal passing.
  • Unrealistic schedules. When a trucking company places unrealistic expectations on a driver, this often results in a driver spending too much time on the road and/or driving too fast. That means there's a greater chance that they'll cause an accident.
  • Distracted driving. Even though it's against the law and extremely dangerous, some truckers continue to become distracted when they should be paying attention to the road.
  • Drowsy driving. Truckers spend hours on end driving, often to the point of exhaustion. Taking regular breaks is essential to avoiding trouble.

How good of a place is Oregon for drivers?

On behalf of Harris, Wyatt & Amala, LLC posted in motor vehicle accidents on Friday, August 3, 2018.

For drivers, there’s a lot to like about Oregon, according to recent reports.

In a report from earlier this year, WalletHub ranked Oregon in the top 10 for best places in the U.S. for drivers. Specifically, the state was ranked 6th. It ranked higher than all of its neighbors. The category that Oregon did the best in when it comes to this report was cost of vehicle ownership and maintenance.

Was the Oregon driver that hit you distracted?

On behalf of Harris, Wyatt & Amala, LLC on Friday, July 13, 2018.

It's dangerous to drive on Oregon roadways nowadays, as with most other highways in the nation. Posted speed limits allow you to travel much faster than you could a decade ago, which might come in handy when you're pressed for time and late for a business luncheon, but can also make it quite difficult to avoid collision if a distracted driver is in your vicinity. It may not be possible to simply pull off the road when vehicles are barreling past at 70 miles per hour.  

Distracted drivers are menaces to other motorists and pedestrians. If you recently suffered injury in a car accident, you might want to try to recall what you may have seen just before the accident occurred. There may be evidence that it was a distracted motorist who crashed into your car. If that's the case, at least you're able to seek recovery for your losses. The physical injury you suffered was hopefully temporary; your medical records and other testimony can also help substantiate your claim that distracted driving caused you harm.  

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5778 Commercial Street S.E.
Salem, OR 97306
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