avoid auto accidents

5 Tips to Avoid Auto Accidents This Holiday Weekend

Labor Day weekend demands especially careful driving to avoid auto accidents. While not all car accidents can be avoided, you can reduce your chances of ending up a victim. The National Highway and Transportation Administration says that Labor Day weekend is among the ten most dangerous times to be driving. Even running errands can be more dangerous this weekend. If you can’t stay at home, here are some tips for safe driving.

Tip 1 – Avoid driving between midnight and 3 a.m. and be very cautious on rural roads.

The National Highway and Transportation Administration says that night driving, in general, is more dangerous than daytime driving. The most dangerous hours are those between midnight and 3 a.m. when there is a higher percentage of drivers under the influence. Ironically but logically, the safest time to be on the road is between 4 and 6 a.m.

If you are planning a camping trip or other events that include driving on country roads be particularly careful. It seems counterintuitive, doesn’t it? We think of freeways with their crowding and high speeds as being more dangerous. Yet, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) reports that fatal accidents happen 2.5 times more often on rural roads than highways. They say that drivers tend to drive faster for the conditions on rural roads and a much lower percentage of drivers wear seat belts.

Tips 2 & 3 – Make sure you are driving sober and slow down.

As you know, there will be more drivers under the influence this weekend. Thus, in addition to avoiding the peak hours for drunk drivers, it’s most important to make sure you have no drugs or alcohol in your system when you drive. That will allow you extra moments to react to reckless drivers. Slowing down also accomplishes the same result. It gives you extra time to take evasive action.

Tip 4 – Avoid distractions.

Of course, distracted driving is now illegal in Washington State. And, I know that we are all are constantly tempted. It is especially hard when we are going somewhere new and using our phones to navigate. We are certainly more likely to do that on holiday weekends. If possible, use voice navigation only. When necessary pull off the road to txt or make calls.

Yet, mobile phones aren’t the only source of distraction. Driving with children can be even more distracting. You know the routine. “Mom, make brother stop looking at me.” And then there’s escaping from seat belts and outright fighting. Make it a policy to pull over any time a distraction develops and resolve the situation before you continue traveling.

Tip 5 – Make sure your auto is in top shape.

Once again, avoiding accidents depend on quick responses. Make sure your equipment is in great shape. In addition, we’ve just had two weeks of smoke-filled air. Clean your headlights, taillights and signal lights. Also, give even your side windows a good cleaning, so you have an unimpeded view.

As Kitsap County attorneys we know all too well that there are too many ways that we all can be harmed. Please do all you can to be as safe as you can. And, if the worst happens to you, we stand ready to guide you through the legal process to better times.

If you are injured, call or message our personal injury attorneys.

Personal Injury lawyersChalmers Johnson

John Groseclose

GSJones Law Group, P.S.

Personal Injury Attorneys

Personal injury attorneys

Injured and feeling helpless? Put our experienced personal injury attorneys to work for you.

Contact one of our personal injury attorneys if you or a loved one has been injured by the actions or inactions of another person. You need to concentrate on recovery right now. While you heal, let one of our personal injury attorneys concentrate on getting justice for you. Put our decades of experience and aggressiveness on your case. We’d love to sit down with you to talk over your situation. If you are not well enough to come to our offices, we are happy to visit you.

In the meantime, here’s some free advice, based on decades of experience.

  • Above all else, make sure you get the care you need.
  • Secondly, don’t rush into a quick insurance settlement.
  • You may be overwhelmed by some of the most crucial decisions of your life. The best thing you can do is reach out for the help you need.
  • Your pain and emotional hurt may make it more difficult to find the best options.

At GSJones Law Group, P.S. we stand ready to guide you through the process and fight like a tiger for what you need. In addition, we get paid when you get paid.

Our personal injury attorneys fight like tigers for you

They know the system, the opposing lawyers, and the judges. As a result, we have worked with clients injured by a wide spectrum of accidents and situations.

  • Auto accident.
  • Pedestrian accident.
  • Bicycle accident.
  • Motorcycle accident.
  • Boating accident
  • Drunk driver accident
  • Accident involving an uninsured or underinsured motorist (UI/UIM)
  • Medical malpractice
  • Excessive force by law officers
  • Wrongful death
  • Premises liability situations (slip and fall)
  • Elevator or escalator accident
  • Accidents causing serious injuries, including bone fractures, neck injury or back injury
  • Accidents causing catastrophic injuries, including spinal cord injury, traumatic brain injury (TBI) or burn injury
  • Fatal accidents

Our great personal injury attorneys:

  • Evaluate your case
  • Provide practical advice to help you protect yourself and your rights
  • Evaluate your medical reports
  • Investigate your accident to determine liability
  • And, negotiate with insurance companies

We prepare every case as if for trial. That preparation puts you in a better bargaining position in settlement talks. And, if need be, we are ready to take your case to court. When necessary, we file bad faith claims against insurers who fail to offer you a fair settlement.

We understand your needs after injury

Paying your medical bills is probably at the top of your worries. We completely understand and go into action immediately. Your medical treatment must be uninterrupted. In addition, we know that our clients need compensation for other expenses and losses. These losses may be wages, property, or pain and suffering. We have the experience to evaluate accident reports and medical files. We can advise you through the difficult decision ahead. GSJones Law Group, P.S. has a track record of successful outcomes. We are ready to advocate zealously on your behalf.

Understand your rights after a serious accident resulting in injury with a free consultation with John Groseclose or Chalmers JohnsonCall GSJones Law Group, P.S. today for an appointment with an experienced personal injury attorney regarding your accidental injury. From our offices in Port Orchard and Bainbridge Island GSJones Law Group, P.S. provides full service to communities including Bremerton, Gig Harbor, Silverdale, and the area Naval facilities.

Call or message us today for a free assessment of your case.

What happens in a typical personal injury case?

1: Get as much information as you can as soon after the accident as possible. If you can’t do it yourself, enlist the help of family and friends. Most importantly, get names and contact information of witnesses and those involved. Take photos. Write down what happened as soon as you can so that you can capture details. If this is an on-going issue, keep a daily log.

2: Get medical treatment. If you have been injured, take care of yourself first and foremost. As you do this, you create evidence that will be used to determine the extent of your physical injuries. Don’t stint on this.

3: Find a good attorney with plenty of experience in both settling and trying personal injury cases. We have excellent lawyers with more than 40 years of experience. Nevertheless, consult with more than one attorney about your case to find a good fit.

4: The lawyer begins the investigation. The first step is getting all the information you have, as well as personal, financial, and medical background information. One of the biggest tasks is getting all your medical records and reviewing them.

5: Determination of viability. Once the attorney has reviewed all the information, she will make a determination about whether or not she believes your case is viable.

Moving forward

6: Attempting a settlement. If your attorney determines that the case is strong, she will probably make an attempt to settle it. Two factors determine when she begins settlement talks. The first is whether or not your healing is complete. Until that time, it is difficult to estimate or document the extent of your injuries and losses. Often, however, settlement or a lawsuit must go forward sooner than ideal because financial needs are great.

7: File a lawsuit. If no fair settlement results, your attorney will prepare for filing a lawsuit. He must file within the statute of limitations. In Washington state, the statute of limitations for most personal injury cases is three years. It will often take as long as two years before the case comes to trial. But, fear not, there are other opportunities for settlement before trial starts.

The final steps

8: Discovery begins. During discovery, your lawyer will demand that the other parties reveal their defense and the evidence they plan to use. She will also demand evidence that you need to prove your case that the other party has. The other party makes the same demands as you. Expect interrogatories, or written questions than demand written answers; demands for documents; and depositions. You will doubtless go to an attorney’s office with your attorney. There, after swearing in you will answer questions put to you by the other party’s attorneys. It will be recorded. Allow about a year for this process.

9: Mediation and Negotiation. Toward the end of discovery, the lawyers may attempt settlement. In fact, between 80% and 95% of personal injury cases are settled before trial. And, settlements can take place even after trial has begun.

10: Trial Begins. Most of these cases are tried before a jury, so the first step in the trial is seating the jury. A trial can take a day, a week or longer, depending on the complexity of the case and the number of parties.

More information

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Make an appointment today with one of our personal injury attorneys.

Call or message us for a consultation about your injury case.

Based in Port Orchard, WA with a branch on Bainbridge Island, GSJones Law Group, P.S., represents Kitsap County injured residents, as well as clients from throughout surrounding counties and communities. Among the communities are Gig Harbor, Bremerton, Silverdale, Seabeck, Belfair, Banner, Olalla, Poulsbo,  Bethel, Navy Yard City, Fernwood, Purdy. Clients also come from Bainbridge Island and Vashon Island, as well as surrounding areas in Mason County, and Jefferson County.