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Part of safe driving is realizing how long it takes to stop your car. If you want to keep from rear-ending other drivers, you need to know approximately how far behind them to stay, especially when you add in factors like your rate of speed and what the weather is like. So, if you’re looking for ways to avoid causing a car accident, look at how long you need to fully stop your vehicle.

What’s the Average Time It Takes to Stop Your Car?

There are many studies about how long it takes to stop a vehicle. While the exact numbers in each study vary, you can still get an idea from the range of accepted numbers. One fact to know first is that a car going at 60 mph drives a length of about 88 feet per second. Getting that car to come to a stop from 60 mph takes 4.5 seconds, during which time it will travel 194 feet as it slows.

But that’s not the whole story, because it takes time for your brain to realize you need to slow down, and then more time to hit the brakes. More specifically, it takes the average driver just under one second to realize they need to brake and another second to press the brake pedal. So realistically, you need to add about two seconds to your stopping time, putting it at 6.4 seconds to stop. During that time, your car will travel about 370 feet.

What Factors Affect How Long It Takes for a Car to Stop?

In some situations, it may take longer than 6.4 seconds to stop your car. For instance, speed is a huge factor. Simply put, the faster you drive, the longer it takes to stop. If you’re going 30 mph, your stopping distance could be about 90 feet, but when you drive at 80 mph, the stopping distance increases to over 440 feet.

Additionally, if the roads are wet, braking will take longer due to decreased traction between the road and the tires. In fact, wet roads can double how long it takes for your vehicle to come to a complete stop, which is why you should double the distance you keep between your car and the car ahead of you when it’s been raining.

Why Do Drivers Need This Information?

Knowing these numbers can help you drive safer, which includes keeping a safe distance between cars. If you want to keep your insurance premiums to a minimum and avoid causing a painful crash, you should give yourself plenty of time and space for braking.

If you were already in an accident in which you were rear-ended, make sure you talk to a car accident lawyer to help prove liability and collect compensation. Contact our law office today at  (713) 489-4270 to discuss your case.

After a car accident, figuring out how to handle medical bills is often a tremendous concern. Unfortunately, you will bear the responsibility for paying your medical bills, but only at first. If another party is at fault for your accident, they are responsible for paying your treatment. However, their insurance company is only going to make one payment to you once your claim is resolved, rather than reimbursing you on an ongoing basis for every appointment or procedure.

Potential Sources of Payments for Your Medical Bills

You are responsible for your medical bills after a car accident, but that doesn’t mean the payments have to all come out-of-pocket. There are a few potential sources that may cover your treatment.

Personal Injury Protection (PIP) Coverage

PIP is the most common source of payment for medical bills in Texas. It is a form of auto insurance coverage and will pay for your medical bills up to your policy limits. It will also pay for other things like lost wages and other non medical costs. Auto policies in Texas will automatically come with PIP, unless you inform your insurer in writing that you are opting out.

Health Insurance

Personal health insurance coverage is also a common source of payment for medical bills. It can be used on its own, or to cover the remaining expenses after your PIP has reached its limit, but you will still have to pay for any deductibles or copayments. Oftentimes, people make the mistake of not wanting their health insurance provider to cover their bills that arise from a car accident. However, more often than not, you should have all of your medical bills go through your health insurance provider if possible. Doing this can save you a lot of money in the long run. Even though your health insurer is entitled to recoup the payments made on your behalf from your settlement or judgement, your attorney can negotiate how much will come out of your award.

Medical Payment Coverage (Med Pay)

Med Pay is similar to PIP, as it is an optional form of auto insurance coverage, but it only pays for your medical bills after an accident. It does not come with stipulations, meaning it will cover fees from any licensed doctor, ambulance, hospital, etc. The one restriction is your policy limit. Policies often range from $1,000 to upwards of $100,000, but it will depend on the type of coverage you bought. Any costs for treatment beyond your coverage limit will be your personal responsibility.

When to Expect Payment for Your Medical Bills

Resolving your case with the at-fault party can be a long process, especially when it comes to obtaining payment for medical bills related to your injury. How quickly you recover payment will depend on the severity of your injuries and your requirement for ongoing care, as well as whether you settle outside of court or take the case to trial. Settling fast, however, might mean you will receive an amount of compensation that is 60 to 70 percent less than what you might be offered if your case makes it to trial.

Speak to a Highly Qualified Houston Car Accident Attorney

It can be incredibly frustrating to have to deal with medical bills after being hurt in a car accident that someone else is responsible for. To discuss your options and for help with your claim, call (713) 489-4270 or contact Milano Legal Group online. We offer free consultations, schedule one today.

Hundreds of car accident victims suffer whiplash injuries every day. If it happens to you, you are entitled to compensation. A whiplash injury can be debilitating for a long period of time, disrupting ordinary life.

What Types of Compensation Can I Recover in a Whiplash Claim?

The types of compensation available to whiplash injury victims will likely include:

• Current and future medical bills related to the injury
• Current and future lost wages if the victim is unable to work
• Pain and suffering
• Loss of enjoyment of life
• Any other out-of-pocket expenses related to the injury

How Much Compensation can I Receive for a Whiplash Injury?

There are many factors taken into account when whiplash compensation is being calculated. The severity of the injury, your financial losses, and how the injury has impacted your way of life will influence your claims’ value.

The majority of whiplash injuries are classified as minor, with an average recovery time of around 4-5 weeks. Ninety percent of people fully recover within three months. For these cases, the approximate range of compensation is between $2,500 and $10,000. Most of the other 10 percent or so of cases, where there is permanent or recurring pain that lasts for years, the amount may escalate to around $30,000.

At the other end of the scale, a small minority of car accident victims suffers permanent cervical spine damage. This type of whiplash injury can result in chronic pain, headaches, and a variety of other symptoms. For these cases, there may be a six-figure settlement or more.

What are the Symptoms of Whiplash?

Whiplash neck injuries occur when the impact of a car accident causes the head to violently and abruptly be thrown backward and then forward. Symptoms can include:

• Stiffness in the neck – soreness and difficulty moving the neck, especially when trying to turn the head to the side.
• Blurred vision – a lack of sharpness of vision resulting in the inability to see fine details.
• Headaches – a tightening around the head and neck, followed by aches.
• Lower back pain – any pain between the bottom of your rib cage down to the top of your legs.
• Dizziness – a sensation of spinning and losing one’s balance.
• Ringing in the ears (tinnitus)
• Sleep disturbances
• Irritability
• Tingling or numbness in the arms
• Difficulty concentrating

Rear-end car accidents are the most common cause of whiplash.

Do I Need a Lawyer for My Whiplash Injury Claim?

Insurance companies will typically offer an amount of compensation for a whiplash injury that is a fraction of how much you may legally be entitled to claim. Speaking to a car accident lawyer before accepting any type of settlement offer will protect you from recovering less than what you’ll need for the injury’s impact on your life. Although whiplash injuries typically heal, they leave victims in pain with reduced mobility, and a decreased overall quality of life. As a result, they may require ongoing medical care and may also miss days, weeks, or even months of work. Most Houston car accident lawyers offer free consultations to discuss your case and learn its value.

Whether or not you should sign a release after a car accident depends on the specifics of your case. Any time you are injured in a collision caused by the careless or reckless behavior of another person, the insurance company for the at-fault party will ask you to sign a release of liability. However, it could be a mistake to do so before consulting with an attorney.

What is a Release of Liability?

Signing a release form basically means you are letting go or releasing the responsible party from further liability. In other words, you are giving up your right to sue for any future damages resulting from the accident. For instance, you may not be compensated for future medical bills, lost income, or pain and suffering.

Do Insurance Companies Require a Signed Release Form?

The at-fault driver’s insurance company may ask you to sign a release form before paying you any compensation, or paying the body shop you have chosen to repair your vehicle. It is a final payment, so you must review the form carefully to make sure that you are only releasing liability for the aspects of your claim which you have settled. For instance, if your claim has not been finalized with regard to your injuries suffered in the accident, make sure the form does not release liability for your injury. If your own insurance company is paying you for the accident, they will also require a signed release of liability.

What To Do Before Signing a Release of Liability

Before signing a release of liability, schedule a free consultation with an attorney to discuss your case. Insurance companies will often pressure car accident victims to sign a release and accept a quick settlement offer. They do this in an attempt to minimize payouts on a claim. A car accident attorney can advise you on if you are recovering the maximum amount of compensation allowable for your claim.

Additionally, you may need permission from your own car insurance company before signing a release of liability. This is typically the case when your insurer must pursue a subrogation claim. Subrogation refers to the process by which your insurance company recovers money from the at-fault party or their insurer for funds they, or you have already paid. For instance, if you are hit by an underinsured driver whose policy limits aren’t enough to fully compensate you for your losses, your own insurer may be able to make up the difference under your underinsured motorist coverage. Your insurer will then use your legal right to go after the other driver or their insurer to recover the money they paid you.

If you sign a release without your insurer’s permission, they will not have the ability to go after the other driver for reimbursement. Your insurer may then try to deny your claim for benefits under your underinsured motorist coverage.

We Can Help

Our Houston car accident attorneys have extensive experience helping injured victims navigate their claims. Contact us today through our website or by calling (713) 489-4270 to schedule a free consultation.

When you have been involved in a car accident, certain evidence will be particularly important for your personal injury or property damage claim. This evidence varies in form, and will help protect your right to compensation. Here are the types that can strengthen your case:

Photo and Video Evidence

If you can, take pictures and/or video of the following from varying distances and different directions:

• The damage to all cars involved (external and internal)
• Final position of the vehicles after the collision
• Road conditions
• Weather conditions
• Skid marks
• Road signs and/or traffic lights
• Your injuries

These photos/videos can corroborate and support your version of how the accident occurred. They may contain clues about the direction from which your vehicle was struck, the speed of oncoming vehicle(s), and possibly the distance to a traffic sign or signal. Any debris, such as shredded tires or brake lines could indicate a manufacturer defect or other contributing factors. The top priority after an accident, however, is seeking medical care. If you are seriously injured you may need to ask someone else or hire an attorney to document the scene for you.

Police Reports

Calling the police to the scene is vital to proving who is at fault. Texas law also requires you to report an accident to the police when someone is injured or if there is more than $1,000 in damage to one or more of the vehicles involved. A police report will provide an official record of the accident and will contain details of their investigation. The officer will speak to each party, take notes, possibly draw a diagram of the scene, and will give their opinion as to what, where, and when they believe the collision occurred. Depending on the circumstances of the accident, they may also arrest a driver or ticket them for a moving violation.

Witness Statements

Witnesses can give honest accounts of exactly what they saw, demonstrating your lack of fault to an insurance company or a court. Write down the details of and contact information for as many witnesses as you can find. This information will also likely be found in the police report.

Medical Records

Ongoing medical evidence pertaining to your injury will establish how the accident has impacted your life. The most important proof is regular consultations with medical professionals and completing the ongoing treatment they advise. Doctors will keep detailed records on your visits, condition, and advised treatment plan. These records are key pieces of evidence for an insurer or at trial. If you do not seek medical care or stop treatment, you may not receive the compensation you need and deserve for your injury.

Speak to an Experienced Houston Car Accident Attorney

If you were recently injured in a car accident, contact Milano Legal Group for a free consultation. We will help you collect the evidence you need to prove that the accident was not your fault, that you were injured, and how your life has and will be impacted as a result.

If a chain reaction of car accidents is caused when one car strikes another and in turn pushes that car into a third, and so on, determining fault can be challenging. Several cars may be damaged, and one or more parties involved injured. Leading to a tangle of liability claims with multiple insurance companies that may result in lengthy legal disputes.

If you have suffered an injury in a multi-vehicle accident, you may be wondering if you are entitled to compensation and how to go about collecting it. A reliable car accident lawyer in Houston can help you navigate through the process and ensure you have ample evidence to prove fault.

How Fault is Assigned in a Multi-Vehicle Accident

Oftentimes, it is the car in the back or the first drivers who hit one another that are assigned the most liability in a multi-vehicle accident. However, who started the domino effect and failed in their duty of care to keep others on the road safe is not always obvious. Several drivers may be partially to blame. Each incident is unique and will require an investigation to produce an extensive breakdown of the events that took place, before a decision on liability is made. Factors that may be considered are:

• Witness statements.
• Police reports.
• Any available video surveillance, or black box data if a large truck was involved.
• If a state or local traffic law was violated by one of the drivers, or if a citation was issued.
• Where the accident took place and the position of the vehicles once they came to rest.
• The severity and location of damage to the vehicles.
• Road conditions at the time of the accident and whether a driver was traveling at an unsafe speed for the conditions.
• If one of the drivers was making a left turn.

Timing is also everything. In general, the closer in time your car crashes to the original accident, the less at fault you are. If your car crashes after an accident has already occurred, you may have been able to avoid the accident and could be found responsible for your injuries and property damage.

How Texas’ Rule of Comparative Negligence can Affect Your Financial Award

Texas follows the rule of modified comparative negligence, which can impact the amount of compensation you receive after a multi-vehicle accident. You still have the right to collect an award, even if you are partially at fault. However, you must be found to be 50 percent or less responsible, and your award will be reduced by your percentage of liability. The way that works is as follows:

• If you are found between 1%-50% at fault, your compensation award will be reduced by that percentage. For example, if you are 30% responsible and awarded $100,000, you will receive only $70,000 in compensation.
• If you are more than 50% at fault, you will not be allowed to recover compensation.
• If you are 0% at fault, your compensation is unaffected.

Call Our Houston Car Accident Lawyers Today

Working with a Houston multi-vehicle accident lawyer will ensure you have the evidence you need to demonstrate why other parties are responsible for your injury. Our team at the Milano Legal Group PLLC is dedicated to representing victims of negligence. We are prepared to carry the legal burden for our clients and their families, so they can focus on recovery. Contact us today for a free consultation, by reaching us online or calling (855) 545-1777.