Car Owner Help

Even if we don’t want to believe it, accidents, major or minor, can and do happen to us. And from there starts the legal wrangling and confusion. Where to go? Whom to approach? How to get compensation? These are some questions, which pop up immediately. If approached through proper channels, though, Accident Compensation Claims can be a smooth affair.

Even if we don’t want to believe it, accidents, major or minor, can and do happen to us. And from there starts the legal wrangling and confusion. Where to go? Whom to approach? How to get compensation? These are some questions, which pop up immediately. If approached through proper channels, though, Accident Compensation Claims can be a smooth affair.

The first knee jerk reaction, if you can call it so, is to take out a loan. The assumption is to use the loan to meet the legal expenses. Improbable as it may sound, many people do resort to loans even before consulting a lawyer. This is because many people are more familiar with the process of loans than they are about legal matters. In a way that’s understandable, as it’s not often that you meet up with accidents (but we’re all familiar with banks).

Accident compensation claims can be made for accidents on the road, at work, accidents (slips, falls, fractures) due to defective products in the vehicle and even medical negligence in fact, any accident where there is a victim. At times, you may not be sure whose fault it was. Then it’s better to consult the lawyer before opting to pay the compensation. Many firms provide free advice even when you are at fault.

There are firms which operate on ‘no win no fee’ scheme. Here, the solicitors would finance all the legal expenses till your case is over. They would provide you with the best alternatives available and the amount of compensation to be sought. How does it work for the solicitors? The expenses incurred are taken from the insurance of the other party. In the UK, the claim is made to the Motor Insurance Bureau (MIB), which is a specialised fund to help victims when the other party is not insured or is untraceable. Thus even if you were to lose the case, you wouldn’t have to pay a penny.

There are solicitors who have expertise in particular types of injuries, like head injuries and fractures. Thus you would be able to get specialised assessments and treatment before the case starts. To get a favourable ruling, you’ll have to prove that the accident was due to the carelessness of the other person. In case you and the opposing person share the blame, then you can go for ‘contributory negligence’ where there would be a deduction in the compensation. For example, if the percentage of your fault were forty five, then your compensatory amount would be reduced by forty five percent.

So the first thing to do after an accident is to consult a specialist lawyer. The lawyer would refer you to a doctor to get evidence for the injury. As accident compensation is issued only when there is serious injury or financial loss, it is better to take stock of the injury before opting for it. Avoid claims when the injuries are minor, like small cuts and bruises.

Learn when the government is responsible for bike accidents caused by dangerous road conditions.

Bikes are particularly susceptible to accidents caused by road hazards. Because of their relative instability and thin tires, unexpected, abrupt changes in the road surface can be treacherous, causing even the most careful, experienced cyclist to fall or lose control and veer into the path of a car. Road hazards most likely to cause bike accidents include potholes, sewer grates, and railroad and trolley tracks.

When a bike accident is caused by a road hazard, the most likely responsible party is the state, county, city, or other public agency that maintains the roadway. Whether you can prove

Accidents Caused by Potholes

Generally, potholes occur for one of two reasons:

• Shoddy temporary road fixes sink or crack soon after they are done.
• Long-term wear and tear on the road causes surface breaks.

If the pothole is the result of shoddy temporary repair work, whether the public entity performing the roadwork is responsible depends on whether it provided sufficient warning of the hazard. Sufficient warning might include blocking off the repaired area, or placing warning signs or cones around the area.

If the pothole is the result of long-term wear and tear, the key question as to whether the roadway agency was negligent (and therefore legally responsible) is how long the pothole has been present. If the surface break has been there for a few days, the public agency is usually not responsible for an accident caused by the pothole. However, if the public agency leaves the pothole there for weeks or months, it may be responsible for bike accidents caused by the hazard. This is particularly true if previous accidents have occurred there and the public agency is aware of them.

Accidents Caused by Sewer Grates

Sewer grates can present a serious danger to cyclists. If sewer grate bars go in the same direction as traffic, bike tires can easily become stuck between them. Due to many outspoken bike riders, most cities and counties have changed the shape or direction of sewer grates or partially covered them with crosshatch safety bars. But many dangerous sewer grates still remain on the roadways.

If a cyclist gets into an accident because of a sewer grate, the argument is this: Bikers have a right to ride on a safe road; a direction-of-travel sewer grate presents a serious unexpected hazard; and there are simple, inexpensive remedies for the problem, none of which the city or county employed to eliminate the danger.

Accidents Caused by Rail or Trolley Tracks

Little-used or abandoned rail tracks present hidden hazards to cyclists. They are dangerous when they run on the roadway in the direction of traffic, and even more so when they cross the road at a curve or angle. A bike wheel can easily get caught in the space between rail and road, causing the cyclist to crash or be thrown into a car.

The public entity’s liability for a bike accident caused by rail tracks depends on a two-part inquiry:

First, what is the rail position? If the tracks run in the direction of traffic or cross on a curve or angle, they are dangerous to cyclists. Tracks that are perpendicular to the road are not particularly dangerous.

Second, what has the public entity done to reduce the hazard? If the rails are dangerous and no longer used, the public entity could have removed or covered them. If the rails are dangerous and still in use, the public entity must provide sufficient warning to cyclists, such as warning signs. And a public entity should never create a bike path, encouraging bikes to travel that way, if the path crosses dangerous tracks.

Who’s at fault if an accident occurs when motorcyclists are splitting lanes?

Lane splitting occurs when a motorcycle (or bike) drives between two lanes of stopped or slowly moving cars, usually in traffic jams. If an accident occurs while a motorcycle is lane splitting, whether the motorcycle or car is at fault depends on whether lane splitting is permissible in that state, the views of the police officer and judge on lane splitting, and the actions of both the motorist and motorcyclist prior to the accident.

Is Lane Splitting Legal?

While most states do not recognize lane splitting as a legal maneuver, they also do not specifically prohibit it. However, police and the courts often interpret lane splitting as unlawful. One state, California, does specifically permit lane splitting, but only if it is done in a “safe and prudent” manner. Of course, the definition of “safe and prudent” is very much up to interpretation by police officers and judges.

Accidents While Lane Splitting: Who is Liable?

Lane splitting is prime fodder for accidents due to the close proximity of the cars to the motorcycle, the reduced space to maneuver, and the fact that the cars don’t anticipate that a vehicle will be passing them in slowed or stopped traffic.

If an accident happens while a motorcycle is lane splitting, there’s a good chance that fault for the accident will be attributed to the motorcycle rider. If the insurance adjuster or court finds that the motorcyclist’s carelessness was a substantial cause of the accident, the rider is out of luck when it comes to recovering

However, if the motorcycle rider can show that the other driver (presumably of a car or truck) contributed to the accident, the rider may be partially or fully compensated for her injuries and property damage. This may occur if the car that hit them was changing lanes or weaving, or if the driver was talking on the phone or otherwise not paying attention.

The following factors may help prove this claim:

• The motorcyclist was riding carefully — not speeding or weaving in and out of lanes or between cars.
• The motorcyclist is an experienced rider.
• The motorcyclist has completed a motorcycle riding or safety course.
• The other driver did something even more dangerous than lane splitting — for example, making an abrupt lane change without signaling, or drifting from one lane into another.

If possible, support your version of the accident with a police report and witness statements.

Lane Splitting Safety

If you are going to lane split, be sure it’s not prohibited in your state and then make sure you do it in a safe manner. This is your best defense against accidents. And if you do get in an accident, evidence of your safe riding behavior will make it more likely that your insurance carrier, or a judge, will find that you were not at fault for the accident.

To increase your safety while lane splitting, do the following:

• Always be alert and aware of the cars around you.
• Ride with your headlights on and wear reflective clothing.
• Enter the area where you plan to lane split cautiously — wait until both lanes of cars have slowed to the same speed. If one lane is moving faster, cars are more likely to suddenly switch lanes — and may hit you in the process.
• Be extra cautious when traveling in a car’s blind spot.
• Drive at a speed slightly faster than the flow of traffic. Don’t zoom by stopped or slowly moving cars.
• Look for signs that a car may be changing lanes, such as the driver looking into the rearview or sideview mirrors.
• Honk if the cars get too close together. Wait until the distance is safe to pass between them.
• When traffic speeds up to about 30 mph, get back into the lane.

The law of the state where the accident happened determines what reports must be made after a car accident. Typically, reports should be filed with police, your insurance company, and the Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV).

(1) Police or other law enforcement - If the accident causes a personal injury or when property damage exceeds a certain dollar amount, such as $500, you are required to report the accident to police. Officers may take reports over the phone, but sometimes you have to make those reports in person at the police station.

(2) Insurance company - Most auto insurance companies require their policyholders to promptly report a car accident. The time frame can be VERY short and failure to notify the insurance company within that time frame may result in a denial of coverage. Check your insurance policy to see what notice requirements apply to you.

The insurance company will want all of the basic information to help its investigation - and sometimes may want a recorded statement. However, it may be prudent to contact an attorney before giving a recorded statement - especially if you believe that the insurance company is recording the information in order to deny your claim.

(3) Department of Motor Vehicles (”DMV”) - State DMV offices usually keep accident reports on file. For example, California requires every driver involved in an accident causing personal injury or property damage in excess of $500 to file an SR-1 form. Typically, a DMV report must be filed within five or ten days of the accident. If you fail to report to the DMV, your driver’s license could be taken away, regardless of fault. If you or someone else was injured in the accident, it may help to consult an auto accident attorney before filing the DMV report.

No matter what your defense is, you normally win if the officer fails to show up. Don’t underestimate the possibility of this happening. For all sorts of reasons, including the officer being on vacation, having a scheduling conflict, having been transferred, or not being notified of the court date, cops often miss court hearings.

Here are a few tips to help you decide if the arresting officer is likely to be a no-show.

• The more serious the violation, the more likely the officer will be there. If you and a dozen others are ticketed at “quota time” for going 5 mph over the speed limit, the officer is less likely to show up than if you were cited for going 60 mph in a school zone.
• The further the officer is located from the courthouse, the less likely he is to appear. In large counties this can really work to your advantage.
• An officer isn’t as likely to appear during his vacation. There are usually more no-shows during the summer.

Evaluate your chances of winning before you go to traffic court.

There are two kinds of traffic tickets: Ones you can beat and ones you can’t. The problem is determining which kind you got. If it’s your first ticket in ten years and you expect it will be another decade before you get another one, you may want to avoid this whole question, pay the fine, and move on. Or you may want to consider going to traffic school, which takes a day of your time but keeps you record clear. If you can’t attend traffic school — or choose not to — you need to evaluate whether you have a winner or a loser, so you can develop the proper strategy to fight it in court.

Study the Law You Are Charged Under

Believe it or not, cops sometimes don’t know the exact wording of the law, and it is the exact wording of the law that is most important to you if you are going to fight your ticket. And many laws are often so convoluted that it’s not uncommon to find, upon careful reading, that what you did was not, technically speaking, a violation of the exact words of the statute.

When trying to fight a ticket, ask yourself the question: “What are the elements (parts) of the offense I am charged with committing?”

For example, in most states, the law making U-turns illegal reads like this:

No person in a residential district shall make a U-turn when any other vehicle is approaching from either direction within 200 feet, except at an intersection when the approaching vehicle is controlled by an official traffic control device.

You should break this law down into its legal elements by drawing a line between each clause, like this:

No person in a residential district / shall make a U-turn / when any other vehicle is approaching from either direction within 200 feet / except at an intersection / when the approaching vehicle / is controlled / by an official traffic control device.

Focusing on each element of a law is often the key to unlocking an effective defense. That’s because, to be found guilty of having made this illegal U-turn, the state must prove you violated each “element” or clause of the offense. In this case, the state would have to prove each of the following facts:

1. You were driving in a residential district.
2. You drove your vehicle in a 180-degree turn, or “U-turn.”
3. Another vehicle was approaching within 200 feet or less, in front of or behind you.
4. An “official traffic control device” at an “intersection” was not controlling the vehicle approaching you.

If you can show that your conduct didn’t violate even one element of a traffic law, you are home free. For example, if the area where you were ticketed was not a residential district, or the vehicle the officer claims was approaching was over 200 feet away, or you were at an intersection controlled by an “official traffic control device,” you should quickly be found not guilty.

Will a judge really follow such a technical reading of the law? You bet. This type of hyper-technical, word-by-word reading of statutes is the key skill all lawyers and judges learn in law school. In fact, they know of no other approach. This makes sense when you realize that the American legal system is built on the concept that you are innocent unless the government can prove you violated a law that prohibits clearly defined conduct.

Consider Other Viable Defenses

Even if you can’t challenge the law you are charged with violating, all is not lost. You should ask yourself some other questions that might open up a defense:

• Was the officer’s view of what occurred obstructed by other moving vehicles or stationary objects like trees, fences, or buildings? If so, this allows you to argue the officer could not have clearly seen the alleged offense and gives you an opening to sell your version of events to the judge.
• Did the officer stop the right car? It is quite possible in heavy traffic for an officer to see a violation committed by one white minivan (a 1995 Plymouth Voyager, for example) and to stop another (an almost identical white 1994 Dodge Caravan) further down the road. Your ability to claim this happened goes way up if you can show that, because of a curve in the road, construction project, or just heavy traffic, the officer lost sight of the offending vehicle between the violation and pulling you over.
• Were you charged with speeding when you were driving safely, even though you were driving over the speed limit? In about 20 states, the law says it’s legal to drive slightly over the posted speed limit as long as you can prove conditions made it safe to do so.
• Was there an actual, provable error in the officer’s approach or methodology? In citing you for speeding, did the officer correctly pace your vehicle or properly use radar, laser, or VASCAR to establish your speed? (But realize that generalized statements about the possible inadequacies of radar or laser techniques almost never result in your beating a speeding ticket.)
• Do any other legal defenses exist to the law you’re charged with violating? For example, if you were charged with driving too slowly in the left lane of a multi-lane highway, in most states it is a legal defense that you were planning to turn left.

Defenses That Almost Never Fly

The defenses listed here don’t usually work, so if this is all you’ve got, it’s probably a waste of time to go to court (unless you’re counting on the officer’s not showing up, and you get lucky).

• You claim you were honestly mistaken about the law (as opposed to a particular fact, as would be the case with a hidden stop sign). For example, if you tell the judge that you honestly thought it was okay to just slow down instead stopping at a blinking red light, his reply may be, “Sorry, ignorance of a law is no excuse.”
• You argue your violation didn’t harm anybody. Sorry, you are still legally required to stop at a red light even if it’s 3:00 a.m. and no other vehicle is moving within two miles. The fact that your illegal conduct was not dangerous is not a winning defense, except when you are cited for speeding in states where it can be legal to exceed the posted speed.
• You complain, “The officer was picking on me.” This is called “selective enforcement” and is often raised by a motorist who claims the ticketing officer ignored others who were also violating the law. It is almost impossible to win this one, since the law makes it plain that it does you no good to simply show that other drivers also violated the law and that the officer singled you out. To win with a “selective enforcement” defense, you have to take a huge additional step and show that the officer had a specific and improper motive to pick on you. If you had just won a libel case against him or had complained against him for an earlier incident, you might have a chance — otherwise, forget it.
• You tell a sympathetic story. The fact that your child, your mother, or your parakeet was ill will not get you off. At best, the judge may reduce your fine a little (especially if you throw in the fact that you have a low income and nine hungry mouths to feed).
• You say, “The officer’s lying.” This is highly unlikely to result in your being found not guilty, at least without presenting any specifics to back up your contention.

Learn when you may face a fine, traffic school, higher insurance premiums, or even the suspension of your driver’s license.

The consequences of not contesting a ticket, or fighting a ticket and being found guilty, can be serious. As you doubtless know, you can face a stiff fine, traffic school, significantly higher insurance premiums, and possibly even the suspension of your driver’s license.

Fines

A routine ticket for speeding, failure to yield, or failure to stop at a stop sign will normally cost you between $75 and $400, depending on your state law and, sometimes, your driving record. Some states can base the fine, at least in part, on whether you have other recent violations. Otherwise, states normally have standard fines for particular violations based on the type of offense. In speeding cases, the fine can be based on how much you exceeded the posted speed limit.

The fine is often written or printed on the ticket, but if it’s not, it’s easy to learn the amount by calling the traffic court.

While paying up may be the easiest route for you to take, it can have lasting negative consequences to you since the violation will appear on your driving record, normally for about three years. The big exception to this rule is if you pay the fine in conjunction with going to traffic school. Completion of traffic school normally means the ticket will not appear on your record.

Insurance Rates

Depending on your state law and your insurance company’s policies, your auto insurance rates will normally not increase if you receive one ordinary moving violation over three to five years. But two or more moving violations — or a moving violation combined with an at-fault accident — during the same time period might result in an increase in your insurance bill. Unfortunately, because insurance companies follow different rules when it comes to raising the rates of policyholders who pay fines or are found guilty of a traffic violation, it’s not always easy to know whether it makes sense to fight a ticket.

Before you can make an informed choice as to whether to pay, go to traffic school, or fight it out in traffic court, it makes sense to find out whether having the ticket on your record will result in your insurance rates being upped. The most direct approach is to call your insurance company and ask. The problem with this approach is that it risks alerting your insurer that you have been ticketed (something you don’t want to do if you hope to successfully fight it or go to traffic school). One approach is to call your insurer anonymously and suggest you are considering switching insurance companies and want to gather information on a range of key issues, such as their criteria for good driver discounts and premium increases when covered drivers get ticketed.

License Suspensions

You won’t lose your license for one or usually even two tickets for a routine moving violation like speeding, running a stoplight, or stop sign, or many other garden-variety traffic scrapes. That is, unless you are under 18 years of age, where you could lose your driving privileges in some states.

But if you have had at least three previous convictions for moving violations in the past three to five years, you could lose your license (parking violations don’t count). And if you are charged with drunk, reckless, or hit-and-run driving, and have several previous convictions for moving violations, you can be pretty sure your right to continue to hold your license is in jeopardy.

In most states, license suspensions are handled on a point system. A license is at risk of being suspended if a driver gets three or more tickets in a short period. Check the exact rules with your state’s department of motor vehicles. Obviously, if you face losing your license, your incentive to fight a ticket goes way up no matter what your chances of winning.

You are typically entitled to a hearing in front of a hearing officer before your license can be revoked. At that hearing it is often a good idea to explain why at least some of the violations were the result of mistakes by the ticketing officer, but for some good reason you didn’t fight the ticket. It also helps to explain the specific steps you’ve taken to drive more carefully and safely since the violations. Also, tell the hearing officers if it is essential that you commute to work or actually drive for your job, particularly if you will lose your job if you lose your license. Finally, if you drive 15,000 miles a year or more, you should mention this as well. Argue that since you drive more than average, your chances of getting tickets or having an accident are also above average.

The Traffic School Option

Almost every state allows a person ticketed for some types of moving violations to attend a 6-to-8 hour course in traffic safety in exchange for having the ticket officially wiped from their record. Often, attending traffic school is your best choice, even if you think you have a watertight defense. After all, while a trial is always something of a gamble, traffic school is 100% reliable in keeping the violation off your record.

Policies on allowing you to eliminate a ticket from your record by going to traffic school vary from state to state. (They can also occasionally vary within a state, where local courts have some discretion to set their own policies.) For example, in some states you can attend traffic school once a year, while in others you must wait 18 to 24 months before you can eliminate a new ticket with a new trip to traffic school. In some states, you aren’t eligible for traffic school if you’re ticketed for exceeding the speed limit by more than 15 or 20 miles per hour.

Procedures for getting into traffic school also vary from place to place. Most courts allow you to sign up through the court clerk, but a few require that you appear before a judge to make your request. How a traffic school attendee’s ticket is handled is also different in different areas. For example, in some states, courts dismiss your case when proof is received that you’ve completed traffic school. In other states, courts require you to pay your fine (forfeit bail) with the understanding that the conviction will not be placed on your record if you complete traffic school by a prearranged deadline. Under this system you must pay twice — once for the fine and again for the school.

In some states, erasing a ticket through traffic school may be accomplished while sitting at home. For example, California is just one of a number of states where traffic courts authorize Internet-based traffic schools (they use tests and other devices to be sure you are paying attention). But be sure to check with the court in your particular area to make sure that an Internet-based program is acceptable. Do not pay any money to the traffic school unless you are sure that the court accepts that particular school’s program.

If you have received a speeding ticket there are chances that you have felt dejected. Many you were going to work in a hurry or possible had to reach college in quick time and were speeding on the way. Irrespective of what the circumstances were a speeding ticket does not reflect well on your driving record.

If you have received a speeding ticket there are chances that you have felt dejected. Many you were going to work in a hurry or possible had to reach college in quick time and were speeding on the way. Irrespective of what the circumstances were a speeding ticket does not reflect well on your driving record. However at times the speeding ticket may be completely unwarranted and one can receive it for no fault of yours.

Say one day you were driving across a certain road and you loved the picturesque scenery all around while driving in your car completely lost in the pleasure of driving. Nothing bad, you did not cross the limit. In a week time you were given a ticket.

A “Ticket”, yes a ticket none the less. At times authorities lack the vision and want you to pay for it. What will you do now? Are you up for paying it? Well you may go ahead and pay or may be you will not and fight.

Well these are only two options you can have. There are good chances are that you will end up in paying for it. However one must note that often courts do not pay much attentions to ticket that contains error of any sort for example, unregistered number, color, model of the car, or misspelled name on it. Generally people think it a wise step to pay rather than getting embroiled in legal hassles. But they forget that these are actually the shady means by which the government earns money. So how does one fight back?

• Know your rights. Ask the prosecution about the police report and the witnesses’ testimonial. If they are not present then chances become stronger that you will be exempted from the fine.

• Present your side of the story in details and respectfully. If you are fined then choose the option of paying to the charity. This sometimes helps in lessening the amount of fine.

• If you are not satisfied, then appeal for the trial. In no circumstances court will let this happen.

If you have ever been affected from such an injustice, then you can take the professional help from Non governmental organizations (NGOs), which work especially for causes like this. These NGOs will listen to your grievances and provide the legal advice against such injustices. You might get to hear from persons of those organizations, who have faced what you are facing now. They do narrate their cases and the measures taken to prove the fault of Officers who wrongly ticketed them. Logically speaking, hiring an attorney for a wrong ticket will definitely cost you higher.

However you should not give in to the wrong tactics of the authority. There has been case when the people who even do not know to drive got the ticket. Can you imagine such thing happening to you? Strong possibilities are there. You can also surf the web to check the comments and opinion of the general public and professionals. Last but not the least; if wrong actions are not challenged they get perpetuated; so as honest citizens we should always strive to set system correct and ensure that innocents drivers are not victimized.

We should bear in our minds all the aforementioned rights that we have during the court trials for knowledge on our rights is the best technique on how to beat a traffic ticket.

There are times that we do not have any choice but to accept the fact that we have violated a particular traffic law. Thus, we have to pull over our cars and have some conversation with a traffic police officer. Whether we are guilty or innocent of the violation, we still have to know how to beat a traffic ticket.

According to some people, the very first thing that we should do whenever we were pulled over by a police officer is to never accept that we are guilty of the violation. It is because there are times that we do not have actually committed a violation. It s just that the police officer wants to reach a particular quota for speeding tickets. Thus, if we are going to immediately admit that we have committed a violation upon pulling us over, this will be the secret weapon of the police officer during the court trial. Indeed, not all traffic violations are true. Hence, we have to know our rights as well. Awareness on our rights will be of big help on how to beat a traffic ticket.

However, speedy trials and court trials are the next venue for traffic ticket violations. And of course, we have to defend ourselves against the allegation of the police officer who pulled us over. We have to plead not guilty of any traffic violation. Nevertheless, we have to be prepared on any trial courts that we are going to meet. As a matter of fact, we can have a jury to make the trial run smoothly. Furthermore, we have to have an attorney who will defend us in front of the jury and judge. This may be costly because we have to pay for the attorney s service. But the cost is not a big deal anymore just to free us from a traffic ticket violation. We should also remember that our concerns are the listed documents on the records. Requesting for the appearance of the police officer riding along in the police mobile during trial courts is not a necessity and will just make it hard on how to beat a traffic ticket. Moreover, we have to cross examine all the witness as well as the police officer who wrote our traffic violation ticket. And lastly, silence is the best defensive act that we can do during trial courts. We just have to let our attorney take the floor in stating and defending our side.

We should bear in our minds all the aforementioned rights that we have during the court trials for knowledge on our rights is the best technique on how to beat a traffic ticket. We should also fight for what we know is right especially if we are really innocent of any traffic violation.

However, the simplest way on how to beat a traffic ticket is to not get one. We should drive safely and avoid the traffic and speedy tickets. It is deemed necessary to follow all the signs and rules on the road. After all, there is nothing to lose by just following all the traffic rules on the street.

You can beat speeding ticket by knowing your rights which, although requires effort, can guarantee you the best chances of having the case dismissed.

State laws maintain that everybody is protected by equal rights in the eyes of justice. So, even when charged with an offence, culpability is not decided upon unless judged by the court, which even then undergoes through an extensive evaluation. Same is true with speeding violations. You can beat speeding ticket by knowing your rights which, although requires effort, can guarantee you the best chances of having the case dismissed.

Starting with the scene of the flagging down, you have the right to limit your answers to a polite no, officer and yes officer. Known as the Miranda Rights, you are free not to admit your guilt or answer questions that can possibly leas to self incrimination, especially without the presence of a lawyer. However, be cooperative enough to provide basic details such as your name and presenting your driver s license. Be clear that this is not included in your rights of silence.

To beat speeding ticket, doing it in a civil manner is guaranteed with the best results. Having temper flared out or insulting your officer can add up to your charges, especially while in court. Respect and courtesy are heavily valued, which are also stated in the rights of others. Also, the road is not the best venue to air out your side.

Your innocence is protected and maintained all through out, so do not be afraid of courts. You are not judged unless there is sufficient evidence which is provided by the officer, who is obligated to present the burden of proof, and what you have to do is defend yourself. The court gives equal chances to both parties, and the best way to maintain your not guilty plea is to remember the facts on what had transpired. Vague answers will definitely not help you to beat speeding ticket filed against you.

A lawyer can be summoned, if need be, or you can also represent yourself for minor charges. The court can grant relevant requests for documentations such as the statement of the officer regarding their version of events, and the make and model of your car according to their recollection. If you show that you have more credible answers close to the event, then you have greater chances to beat speeding tickets. You also have a right to have a speedy trial as the court recognizes the constraints to work and personal life of attending court proceedings. Also, you can point out lack of evidence or delay trials in case that the officer in charge does not show up in the proceeding.

You are also free to request for alternatives aside from payment, such as attending traffic schools or doing community service. Beat speeding ticket by checking out all the options that the law has provided all who are facing charges. Violations in speed are listed in your driving history, which can in turn affect additional charges or increase in your premium rates so you would want to avoid such inconveniences with a clear record. Abuse and biases are not tolerated by law, so expect it to be an ally, although it can be punishing once you are not careful enough to avoid violations.

With gas prices climbing, everyone feels the crunch when it’s time to fill up.

1. Check Your Tire Pressure once a month against the number on the inside of your driver-side door.  Also, check your tire pressures in the morning when the tires are cold.  Proper tire pressure can save you money at the pump and extend the life of your tires.  Don’t forget your spare!

2. Change The Air Filter every six months – it’s the lungs of your car.  Replacing a dirty air filter can improve your fuel economy.

3. Replace Your Wiper Blades every six months.  Eight percent of your driving decisions are based on visibility.  If you live in colder climates, uses winter wiper blades that will keep the blades on the windshield when you need it most.

4. Recognize the Check Engine Light. This can cause your automobile to pollute and can destroy a fuel economy by as much as 40 percent.  When that light is flashing, pull over immediately, shut off the engine and call a technician.  It’s serious.

5. Change Your Oil every 3,000-5,000 miles.  Your engine works very hard and is the heart of your car, so be sure to visit a car mechanic near you and get a good quality, name brand oil and oil filter.  Also, check your oil once per month.  .

6. Use Coolant or Anti Freeze to keep your car cool in the summer and warm in the winter.  It also has rust inhibitors to protect the inside of your engine.  Have car mechanic check all fluid levels when your oil is changed and replace standard coolant/anti-freeze every other year.

7. Check Your Lights.  Have you noticed your headlights aren’t as bright as they used to be?  Headlight bulbs should be replaced every other year, and are low cost and easy to replace. As they dim over time, you can even lose your night vision. Don’t forget to check your tail lights so you can also be seen.

8. Keep an Emergency Safety Kit in your trunk in a box or duffel bag.  The kit should include items such as:

* Jumper cables or battery jump starter
* Flashlight with new batteries
* Tire inflation product
* First aid kit
* Flare and safety triangle
* Road service card - especially good if you travel
* Maps
* Extra washer fluid
* Basic tools

9. Extend the Life of Your Car.  Cars are your second most expensive investment.  By following the owner’s manual, your car can be counted on to last 10 or more years and well beyond 100,000 miles.  Routine maintenance can help your car achieve its potential.

10. Get the Right Technician.  With over 50 years experience in servicing the maintenance needs of customers throughout North America, car mechanic can be trusted to provide you convenient, expert service. Visit us at car mechanic.com for more information, and great values of your neighborhood car mechanic dealers.