Pickup Truck Safety, Insurance claims, safety products.

We all want a truck to go 300,000 miles and we think we'll live forever. When I sold trucks, I was surprised at how many folks had accidents in their trucks and unhurt, they came back to me to buy another truck! Trucks are safer than cars, don't let anybody fool you. I'm looking for ways and products to keep trucks and trailers safer. On this page you will see what I find. Also a series of articles on insurance claims by Dan Baldyga Below. See his book... Is your hitch rated for your trailer to pull your truck?

Traffic accidents are the number-one killer of teens in America.
Ford Motor Company and the Governors Highway Safety Association's Real World Driver program focuses on four critical skills teens need to drive safely.

Real World Driver is a multi-year, national educational campaign available to every high school in the United States.

LAS VEGAS, Nev., Jan. 31, 2004 - Ford Motor Company's North American dealers got a lesson in safe driving today at the National Automobile Dealers Association convention as they participated in a clinic to educate dealers on ways to promote safe driving for teenagers in their communities. Traffic accidents are the number-one killer of teens in America and Ford Motor Company has joined forces with the Governors Highway Safety Association (GHSA) and the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) to deliver a multi-year, educational campaign called Real World Driver: Driving Skills for Life to high school students nationwide.

The Real World Driver program includes a teacher's guide, video and other materials that have been distributed to every public high school in the country. In addition to these materials, there is also an interactive web site – www.realworlddriver.com -- that gives students and parents more information about driving skills and provides visitors the opportunity to take a quiz online for a chance to win exciting prizes.

"Unfortunately, car crashes remain the number one killer of teens," Susan Cischke, Ford Motor Company Vice President, Environmental and Safety Engineering told the dealers at the NADA briefing. "Yet most of the crashes and resulting injuries and deaths could be prevented if teenagers better understood the necessary skills for safely driving motor vehicles and protected themselves by wearing their safety belt. Real World Driver has been designed to illustrate for young drivers safe driving techniques in key areas that safety experts say are of particular importance to novice drivers."

According to data from NHTSA, more than 6,000 teens die each year from injuries resulting from car crashes – making car crashes the number one killer of teens in America. Yet a national survey by Wirthlin Worldwide shows that many people underestimate the challenges novice drivers face. When asked, 56 percent of Americans named drug abuse as the leading health threat teenagers face, with only 13 percent identifying teen driving crashes as the number one threat.

Four Critical Driving Skills

To design the Real World Driver program, Ford and GHSA convened a distinguished panel of safety experts that included representatives from NHTSA, the International Association of Chiefs of Police Highway Safety Committee and Students Against Destructive Decisions (SADD). According to the Real World Driver Advisory Board, the four key driving skills young drivers should master are: hazard recognition, vehicle handling, space management and speed management.

Hazard Recognition: Recognizing and anticipating hazards, such as distractions and intersections, and dealing with them successfully. Safe techniques for approaching and turning left at intersections are examples of what is addressed.

Vehicle Handling: Learning how to handle different vehicles competently under a range of driving circumstances and maneuvers. Vehicle balance, type and braking are all covered.

Space Management: Maintaining safe spacing with other traffic and managing space in an emergency. This section addresses the importance of positioning your vehicle safely in traffic.

Speed Management: Driving at speeds that are right for conditions and maintaining control in dangerous situations such as skids. Issues addressed are centered on knowing the road, letting others know your intentions and knowing how to react to other drivers' actions.

"Our Advisory Board identified specific items, like left turns, that can turn deadly for teens due to their lack of awareness and experience in those areas," Cischke said. "Real World Driver's goal is to turn these four areas into four 'driving skills for life' by focusing on the skills that are most likely to prevent crashes and save teens' lives. But awareness is only part of the solution. There is no substitute for behind-the-wheel training and practice."

Graduated Licensing and Extended Education

Ford partnered with GHSA, which represents state highway safety offices, to ensure that Real World Driver is promoted in states and local communities.

"We're excited to partner with Ford on this program and hope it will help states raise awareness of the teen driving issue as they work to strengthen their graduated driver's licensing laws," said GHSA Board Member and Director of the Nevada Office of Traffic Safety Charles Abbott. "We are also optimistic that Real World Driver will encourage teens to get more actual driving time with a focus on specific driving skills."

Ford, GHSA and other safety experts agree that the sensible way for teens to learn driving is to phase them into it. Most states now have graduated driver's licensing (GDL) laws that do just that – restrict driving in risky times and under risky circumstances until responsible performance is demonstrated over a period of time. Ford and GHSA support graduated driving laws, and hope Real World Driver will help augment them by offering guidance to parents and teens on what skills should be learned and practiced.

Wirthlin's research also indicated that just 11 percent of parents and 12 percent of all adults are satisfied with the training resources available to first-time drivers. Moreover, nearly all parents (94 percent) are concerned about their teens driving independently.

"Real World Driver is a youth-friendly, comprehensive tool for young drivers to use as an enhancement to their driver education," said Ashley Conners, SADD 2002-2003 Student of the Year and former SADD President at Foothill High School in Las Vegas. "It is great to see companies and organizations using teenagers to make a difference in the attitudes and knowledge of their peers."

Buckle Up

While hands-on, behind-the-wheel training and educational materials are important elements of any safe driving program, Cischke reminds all drivers that safety belts continue to provide the single, most effective protection in any vehicle crash.

"Parents should insist that their teenagers buckle up," Cischke said. "The safety belt is the single best way to avoid getting hurt in a crash."

Dealers who would like to obtain more information about the program and how they can assist in partnership with the Ford Motor Company and Governors Highway Safety Association can log onto the official website -- www.realworlddriver.com.

While they're more prone to roll over during accidents than cars, newer
sport-utility vehicles now have a lower overall death rate, according to
a study by an insurance industry research group. But the statistics also
support a frequent criticism of SUVs: Their size and weight cause
mismatches in collisions with smaller vehicles, and those occupants are
more likely to be killed or injured… An analysis of 2001 traffic deaths
by the Insurance Institute shows the death rate in SUVs fell to 115
fatalities per million registered vehicles, the lowest among all types
of passenger vehicles. That was down from 134 fatalities per million in
2000 and from 494 per million in 1980, when SUVs accounted for twice the number of fatalities as cars. (Source: Chicago Tribune)
http://r.mb00.net/s/c?60.3z0q.3.1c22.3qn

After I spent a couple of weeks driving GM Quadrasteers and enjoying the stability with a trailer and on snowy icy roads, I dawned on me that part of the equation was the wider rear track of the Quadrasteer. A normal GM HD 2500 4x4 has the same rear axle as a 4x2 for obvious economic reasons. So the 4x4 rear axle is 2 inches narrower than the front. But the Quadrasteer rear axle is over 3 inches wider than the front. So I remembered reading about Correctrack rear-wheel alignment system. Now I'm testing the spacers. There are several makes of trucks and vans that have this tracking deficit. Read my conclusions, click for more..

Centramatic wheel balancers can take the vibration out of the steering wheel. It's hard to keep a tire balanced on the rough roads that a lot of trucks live on. So just after a few months of driving, your tires don't feel new anymore. Enjoy the safety of improved, less stressful steering with automatic balancing. Read more....

Drop-in plastic bedliners in trucks can build up static electricity and turn a portable gas container into a bomb!

Static electricity can build up from the plastic bedliner rubbing on the metal truck bed. Pouring gasoline from a gas container sitting in the truck bed into a lawn mower, ATV etc. or filling a gas container sitting in the truck bed sitting on top of a plastic drop-in bedliner can cause a fire. Always take the portable gas container out of the truck bed before filling it or using it to fill other gas tanks. Click on the blue links for more articles:

Petroleum Equipment Institute	A&W Trucks	SUV Danger
Refueling Fires	National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health	The Other Side

Car Crashes the Leading Cause of Death for Teens

I grew up in the country, driving on dirt roads. I discovered later how important that was to know the difference between pavement and gravel driving. On dirt roads the shoulders are soft and if you get too close, it will suck you into the ditch. Which is exactly what you do, you slow down and drive right into the ditch at the same angle. So many people try to turn hard away from the ditch and roll their vehicle. The gravel windrows that run parallel with the roads will also create challenges with steering. Were I grew up, car crashes on dirt roads were the leading cause of death for teenagers as they are today. Usually it evolves someone not familiar with the driving characteristics of dirt roads and alcohol. The statistics I've read also show only 20% of the accidents happen in rural areas, but 60% of the fatalities happen there. If you survive the accident, it takes longer to get help. The below article deals with the other driving dangers for teenagers. Learn all you can, show your kids what driving on dirt roads is like and lets have safe holidays.

CARFAX Announces Safe Car - Safe Teen Driver Program To Protect America's Teens

September 2002 (Newstream) -- Motor vehicle crashes are the leading cause of death for teenagers, resulting in thousands of deaths nationwide per year. In fact, teenagers are involved in three times as many fatal crashes as other drivers, according to The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.

For Judy Appleby and Bob Moore, these are more than statistics. Each lost their teen in crashes. However, many experts believe accidents like the ones that took the lives of Michael Appleby and Cassie Moore can be prevented if parents and teenagers sit down together to learn and practice safe-driving techniques. Experts say teenagers are more prone to accidents because of their inexperience behind the wheel, their risk-taking behavior and immaturity.

To keep teen drivers safe on the road, CARFAX - a company that can check the history of any used car - is launching the Safe Car - Safe Teen Driver Campaign.

It features an interactive Web site designed to make parents and teens aware of risks and safety measures for young drivers to help reduce the number of teenagers involved in fatal or disabling automobile crashes. Another component of the program is an email drive designed to reach the millions of parents who have or will have teens at the driving age in their household.

Parents and teens can access the site at www.carfax.com/teen.

Produced for Carfax Inc. CONTACT: Julie Atlas, 703-934-2664

Here is a series about protecting yourself after an accident. I live in Denver and see an accident about once a week. I've helped friends and relatives negotiate with insurance companies and it's not easy. Dan knows what he's talking about. Here is your chance to buy the book that will save you money, time and give you a level playing field for protecting your rights. Click to see his book...

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DRIVING YOUR TRUCK WHILE FIGHTING TO STAY AWAKE

                                                By: Dan Baldyga

We all want to keep driving for as long as possible yet nobody, in their right mind, wants to be a threat to ourselves (or others) because we’re too sleepy to operate our truck. Self-awareness of our sleepiness is the key to driving safely!

In a report dated late last year 2004, the National Safety Council wrote that traffic death rates are 3 times greater at night - - than during the day!

This report also stated, “Driving at night is more of a challenge than most people think and it’s much more dangerous”.

So, you may ask, “What is it that makes night driving so dangerous”?

The NATIONAL SAFETY COUNCIL’S answer to that one is, “DEALING WITH THE DARKNESS IS AN IMPOSSIBLE TASK. 90% of a driver’s reaction depends upon vision and that is severely limited at night. Depth perception, color recognition plus peripheral vision are compromised after sundown” .

PLUS: Another huge factor, as stated by the NSC, is fatigue. Day or night drowsiness will always make one’s driving more difficult because it dulls concentration and it surely slows reaction time.

IN ORDER TO PROPERLY HANDLE THESE FACTORS

THE FOLLOWING IS RECOMMENDED

#1.    You must observe night driving safety as soon as the sun goes down. Twilight is one of the most difficult times to drive because your eyes are constantly changing to the growing darkness.

#2.    YES, it’s a “Time Consuming Headache” - - HOWEVER: You should prepare your truck for night driving. You should clean headlights, tail lights, signal lights and windows at least once a week and even more often if necessary”. You must do this!

#3.    Your headlights have got to be properly aimed. Headlights blind other drivers plus they can also reduce your ability to see the road.

#4.     If you have any doubt at all you should turn your headlights on. Under normal circumstances lights will most likely not help you see in early twilight but they’ll always make it easier for other drivers to see you. Being seen as is important as seeing.

#5.    Reduce your speed and increase your following distances especially in the evening because it’s much more difficult to judge other vehicle’s speeds and distances at night.

#6.     When following another motor vehicle, keep your headlights on low beam so as not to distract or even blind the driver ahead of you.

#7.     Make frequent stops for light snacks and exercise. And, if you’re too tired to drive, stop and get some rest.

#8.     If you have trouble, pull off the road as far as possible.

In 2004 NHTSA (The U.S. National Highway Traffic Association Administration) estimates that approximately 100,000 police-reported crashes involved drowsiness and fatigue as a principal casual factor. In their report they stated, “About one million crashes per year are produced by Drowsy Drivers”.

And, in a poll NHTSA ran in 1999, 62% of all adults surveyed reported driving while feeling “Drowsy”, 27% said that they had, at some time, dozed off while driving.

This report said, “People tend to fall asleep more on high-speed, long, boring, rural highways”.

It also went on to state, "30% of all fatal crashes occurred because the driver fell asleep” .

DISCLAIMER: The only purpose of this article "DRIVING YOUR TRUCK WHILE FIGHTING TO STAY AWAKE” is to help operators understand the motor vehicle accident insurance claim process. Neither Dan Baldyga, H. Kent Sundling nor MR. TRUCK.NET make any guarantee of any kind whatsoever; NOR do they purport in rendering any legal service; NOR to substitute for a lawyer, an insurance adjuster, claims consultant, or the like. Where such professional help is desired it is THE INDIVIDUALS RESPONSIBILITY to obtain said services.

Dan Baldyga - Author
dbpaw@comcast.net
AUTO ACCIDENT PERSONAL INJURY INSURANCE CLAIM
(How To Evaluate And Settle Your Loss)

SEVERAL UP-TO-DATE TRUCK ACCIDENT FACTS

                                                                                                 By: Dan Baldyga

Three years ago it was reported there were “An estimated” six million, three hundred and fifteen thousand motor vehicle accident’s in the United States. That comes to about 173,000 per day! And the truck accidents were right in there with them.

Two years ago an average of 120 people died every day in motor vehicle crashes in the United States.BELOW ARE 8 VERY INTERESTING 2003 ACCIDENT “RESULTS

#1.     Motor vehicle accidents were the top third causes of Safety & Health Incidents in the United States. And again, that includes trucks!

#2.     86% of the (above) “Reported Accidents” involved only one driver. (I state “Reported” because - - many were not)!

#3.    1/3 of them took place when drivers lost control of the vehicle and left the road.

#4.     HERE’S A NEW ONE! IT’S A “BIGGIE”! AND (AS OF TODAY - - RIGHT NOW - - HERE IN 2005) IT’S JUST BEGINNING:

Hand held (or even hands-free) cell phones have begun to bring significant “PROBLEMS” to all driver's performances. (It’s not yet known exactly how many of these “Problems” caused an accident. However, there's no doubt that operating a cell phone is far too dangerous while driving - - especially if you're behind the wheel of a truck!

It's a proven fact that truck drivers who use headsets to talk on cell phones, hands-free behind the wheel, take significantly longer to detect problems and correctly react to them while driving.

#5.     In 2003, all motor vehicle accidents medical costs exceeded 2 Billion dollars! That's about 20% of medical costs attributed to all injuries.

#6.     As of April 7th, 2004, it was determined that throughout the world more than one million people die each year because of transportation-related accident. (In America today over 5 people die every day, because of a truck or car accident, crash)!

#7.     Between 1992 and 2001, 13,337 people died from work-related motor vehicle accidents. The highest number of fatal-work related crashes took place in the transportation communications and public utilities industry = 4.64 deaths per 100,000 employees.

#8.     In a 2003 study it was discovered that more people die in motor vehicle crashes than any other cause of injury!

THE FOLLOWING ARE A FIVE VERY IMPORTANT QUESTIONS

YOU SHOULD ASK YOUR INSURANCE AGENT - -  IF HE'S "LEGIT" HE'LL TELL YOU

“Why should I check these out via my Insurance Agent” ? You ask. The answer to that one is, “Because the Company that covers you, via your Truck Insurance Coverage, will not.”

!#1. “Should it be decided your truck is a Total Loss how does the company, you have me insured by, determine the value of my vehicle”?

#2. “Am I entitled to payment for sales tax and registration fees for a new truck”? (As of 2005 there are many states that do so don’t let this slip out of sight because you may live and be registered in one that does).

#3. “In some states people are entitled to what is described, or identified, as diminished value. Is that true of ours"?

#4. Ask your agent, “What does it mean to ‘Stack’ your coverage? Are you doing that“? If he isn’t than ask him, “ If not how much money could I save or lose if you did that for me on my truck”?

#5. If you're about to make a claim ask him, “If I make this claim would that increase my rates”? Perhaps, because of the impact it would have on your pocket book (today, tomorrow and/or down the pike) you shouldn't!

DISCLAIMER: The only purpose of this article “SEVERAL UP-TO-DATE TRUCK ACCIDENT FACTS" is to help truckers understand the accident claim process. Neither Dan Baldyga, Kent Sundling nor MRTRUCK.NET make any guarantee of any kind whatsoever; NOR do they purport to engage in rendering any legal service; NOR to substitute for a lawyer, an insurance adjuster, or claims consultant, or the like. Where such professional help is desired it is THE INDIVIDUALS RESPONSIBILITY to obtain said services.

Copyright (c) 2005 By Daniel G. Baldyga. All Rights Reserved

Dan Baldyga - Author
dbpaw@comcast.net
AUTO ACCIDENT PERSONAL INJURY INSURANCE CLAIM
(How To Evaluate And Settle Your Loss

THE WHIPLASH INJURY AS OF EARLY 2005

                                                    By: Dan Baldyga

Kent Sundling and the sensational Mr. Truck have always gone out of their way bringing serious up-to-date information regarding truck accident information to their readers. And so, I'm doing everything possible to assist this spectacular company, by bringing to its readers the following:

In late 2004 it was discovered that the delay in the onset of WHIPLASH-TYPE injuries was discovered to be the “Norm” rather than the “Exception” .

It was also found that 10% of the victims of “ Whiplash” became totally disabled so it simply followed that the “Pain and Suffering” they endured could become monumental.

It was learned, in late 2004, that several million Americans suffered a “Whiplash-Type” of injury because of a motor vehicle accident in that year.

CAN A SOFT TISSUE INJURY LIKE WHIPLASH HEAL ITSELF? The answer to that one is not a simple “Yes” or “No” because, while it can heal itself, it can do so imperfectly !

In one study, it was determined that patients who had suffered a “Whiplash-Type” of injury that over 50% of them developed Osteoarithritis in the ensuing years. In another study patients were interviewed more than two years following the settlement of their cases and, without proper care, almost 50% continued to complain of ongoing pain (in the area of their neck and/or shoulders) which were determined to be directly related to their accident.

“SO - - WHAT TO DO“? The answer to that is very simple, “You must complain and complain to whomever is treating you”.

Don’t allow yourself to be conned with something like, “Yeah, I’m sorry, I know it hurts but just wait awhile. It’ll go away”. That’s a hogwash of an answer !

A “Whiplash” hurls our head violently backward and forward, injuring your neck. Whiplash can cause injury to intervertebral joints, discs, and ligaments, cervical muscles and nerves. It is usually encountered with concussions and more serious injury. The effects of whiplash can be short term or life long, and it can leave your neck forever vulnerable to injury.

TIME NEEDED TO RECOVER: 45% of the victims remained symptomatic for 3 months and 25% remained in that same state for 6 months! The most minor cases needed a minimum of 8 weeks to recover. Some took as long as 17 weeks.

AND SO, THE OFTEN DECLARED NOTION, BY INSURANCE ADJUSTERS, THAT “WHIPLASH INJURIES HEAL IN 6 TO 8 WEEKS”, is absolutely not true !

AS OF LATE 2004 THE FOLLOWING ARE THREE SOLID AND PROVABLE “CRASH FACTS”: #1. Many injuries occur at speeds below 12 MPH. #2. Rear end impacts of 6 MPH to 10 MPH can positively cause a “Whiplash-Type” injury. #3. Post Injury crash facts have proved that, between 1 and 2 years after impact, 22% of many patients have not returned back to “Normal” - - plus their “Pain & Suffering” continued on and on!

5 OF THE MOST COMMON UNTRUTHS (ESPECIALLY AS APPLIED TO “WHIPLASH”) ARE AS FOLLOWS:

#1. Low speed impact crashes don’t cause injuries. #2. Injuries generally heal in 6 to 12 weeks. #3. A patients pre-injury psychological makeup affects recovery. #4. The greater the vehicle damage the greater the occupant injury. #5. An “Accident Re-Constructionist” can predict injury potential.

All five of the above “Conclusions” have been absolutely proven to be totally incorrect !

DISCLAIMER: The purpose of this article “THE WHIPLASH INJURY AS OF EARLY 2005” is to help people understand the truck accident insurance claim process. Neither Dan Baldyga, H. Kent Sundling nor MR. TRUCK.net make any guarantee of any kind whatsoever, NOR do they purport to engage in rendering any legal service, NOR to substitute for a lawyer, an insurance adjuster, or claims consultant, or the like. Where such professional help is desired it is THE INDIVIDUAL’S RESPONSIBILITY to obtain said services.

Copyright (c) 2005 By Daniel G. Baldyga. All Rights Reserved

Dan Baldyga - Author
dbpaw@comcast.net
AUTO ACCIDENT PERSONAL INJURY INSURANCE CLAIM

THE MOTOR VEHICLE ACCIDENT“WHIPLASH-TYPE” INJURY - - AS OF 2004

~ YOUR INSURANCE CLAIM REGARDING ~

TRUCK ACCIDENT "MEDICAL PAYMENTS" COVERAGE'S

                                                                                                               By: Dan Baldyga

The “Bottom Line” regarding “Whiplash Crash Facts” as they apply to Truck Accidents (accumulated during 2004 - - and including all the previous years) are as follows:

THERE ARE EIGHT SERIOUS AND ABSOLUTE FACTS IMPACTING AND REGARDING THAT WHICH IS TODAY IDENTIFIED AS A “WHIPLASH” INJURY. THEY ARE AS FOLLOWS: 1#. The “Threshold” for cervical spine soft tissue injury becomes a reality at 5 MPH.2#. Most injuries occur at speeds below 12 MPH. #3. Crashed cars can often withstand collision speeds of 10 MPH (some even more) without sustaining damage. (THUS: The concept of “No Property Damage - No Cash” has absolutely been invalidated)! #4. A delay in the onset of symptoms has been found to be the “Norm” rather than the “Exception”. #5. Mild traumatic brain injury can be the result of a Whiplash -Type injury. (These symptoms are often referred to as, “Post Concussion Syndrome”). #6. Up to 10% of victims of “Whiplash” become totally disabled ! #7. Of the 31 important whiplash studies since 1956 (19 of them executed since 1990) regarding patients from all vectors of motor vehicle accident collision impacts (be they rear, frontal, or side) it was found that “over 60% of them” needed long-term medical follow-up. #8. In 2003 several million Americans suffered a “Whiplash-Type” injury. This figure flows into the stratosphere each and ever day at an alarming rate of speed!

TIME NEEDED TO RECOVER

Studies have proven that 45% of the victims remained symptomatic at 12 weeks and 25% remained symptomatic at 6 months. The most minor cases needed at least 8 weeks to recover. The time needed to stabilize in the more severe cases took 17 weeks. THUS: The written (and often declared) notion that “Whiplash Injuries Heal In 6 To 8 Weeks” is just not true !

CHILDREN AND THE “WHIPLASH-TYPE” INJURY: Youngsters who have had Whiplash-Type injuries display sleep disturbances and nightmares, difficulties in talking to parents and friends, mood disturbances, poor academic performance and specific fears when it came to impact related play. ANOTHER SERIOUS CONCLUSION: Children who have been involved in motor vehicle accidents are often neglected as having had “Any various types of injury“, when in actuality, they suffer from the same symptoms as adults. As a matter of fact, they’re at a greater risk for damages - - especially when it comes to “WHIPLASH” !

THE FIVE MOST COMMON MYTHS AS APPLIED TO “WHIPLASH”

#1. Low speed impact crashes don’t cause injuries. #2. Injuries heal in 6 to 12 weeks. #3. A patients pre-injury psychological makeup affects recovery.#4. The greater the vehicle damage the greater the occupant injury.#5. An “Accident Re-Constructionist” can predict injury potential. All five of these “Conclusions” have been proved to be totally incorrect !

NINE ABSOLUTELY CORRECT WHIPLASH “RISK-FACTORS”

#1. DEGENERATIVE DISEASE: Headaches and/or neck injury pain (for whatever reasons) prior to the crash. #2. PRE-EXISTING HEALTH PROBLEMS: These can positively lead to even greater pain. (For example: An Arthritic situation will always lead to the severity of the injury and the pain).#3. VEHICLE SIZE: Even if both are about the same size an 8 MPH impact produces two times the force of gravity. If one is greater than the size of another the Gravity-Force becomes monumental! #4. HEADREST POSITION: The injury becomes much worse if it’s too far away. It must be close enough to catch the head in time - - or about 2 inches. (Over 98% of the headrests are more than 2 inches from the head). #5. POSITION OF HEAD AT IMPACT: If not positively straight (it rarely is) all the G Forces are localized to one side of the spine, substantially increasing the severity of injuries. #6. AGE: How old one is plays a crucial role regarding a “Whiplash-Type” of injury. Why? Because as the body becomes older, ligaments become less pliable, muscles are weaker and less flexible plus there’s a decreased range of motion. #7. WOMEN AND CHILDREN: They injure more seriously than men because they have smaller necks. They may also be too close to the steering wheel, airbag and/or are wearing an improper fitting shoulder harness. #8. NON-USE OF: The motor vehicle’s shoulder harness. #9. FAILURE TO WEAR A SEATBELT !

ALWAYS REMEMBER YOUR MEDICAL PAYMENTS COVERAGE

YOU MUST READ AND UNDERSTAND ALL THERE IS TO KNOW ABOUT YOUR TRUCKS “MEDICAL PAYMENTS” INSURANCE COVERAGE: This usually pays all Medical (and often even funeral expenses) for you, your spouse and even relatives living in your home, and/or others who are injured while operating your truck.

HERE’S A “BIGGIE” THAT MANY TRUCKERS ARE NOT AWARE OF: You and your resident family members may also be covered as pedestrians regarding the payment of your medical bills - - should you have been struck and injured by a motor vehicle.

PLUS: WHEN IT COMES TO YOUR TRUCKS “MEDICAL PAYMENTS” COVERAGE = HERE ARE TWO HUGE FACTS YOU MUST INVESTIGATE: #1. You’re usually paid (regardless of who was at fault for the accident) up to the limit of the coverage you’ve selected. #2. The coverage often extends to expenses incurred - - within he first three years of the accident !

DISCLAIMER: The only purpose of this article ~ YOUR INSURANCE CLAIM REGARDING ~ TRUCK ACCIDENT "MEDICAL PAYMENTS" COVERAGE  is to help owners and operators understand the truck accident insurance claim process. Neither Dan Baldyga, Kent Sundling nor MRTRUCK.NET make any guarantee of any kind whatsoever; NOR do they purport to engage in rendering any professional or legal service; NOR to substitute for a lawyer, an insurance adjuster, claims consultant or the like. Whenever such help is desired it is THE INDIVIDUALS RESPONSIBILITY to obtain such services.

Copyright (c) 2004 By Daniel G. Baldyga. All Rights Reserved

THE GREAT VALUE OF SECURING

NEWSPAPER INFORMATION AND/OR POLICE REPORTS

                                                                                             By: Dan Baldyga

As a truck accident victim you should check to see if there were newspaper accounts reporting it. If there were clip out the relevant articles and save them. If you were only steaming through it won't be easy for the typical truck driver to do but the area’s local newspapers should also be checked for the possibility that they may have published a synopsis of the weather on the day of the accident. Upon clipping out such an item a notation should be made indicating the name of the newspaper, plus the date and page, etc.

Review these write-up’s closely because a photograph may be available via those articles. If that’ so, go to the newspaper office (or make a telephone call to it) and order an 8x10 glossy print of the photo from that article’s reporter or photographer. It’s even possible you may discover that a newspaper (or an on-the-scene TV reporter) has available a photo that had been taken but wasn’t used - - these are usually available for a nominal charge.

There are two other “by products” for which photographs can additionally be useful to you in your claims settlement undertaking when you and adjuster I. M. Smart face off. One by-product is the possibility that, upon closely studying the photo, you may discover a witness. Or you might be able to pick out from the photos the registration numbers of other vehicles in the impact area but weren’t involved in the accident. From such a piece of information you may be able to get the police, or the motor vehicle department, to provide you with the names and addresses of the parties to whom the registration number belongs. That, thus accomplished, could present you with the possibility of locating a critical witness to your case.

OBTAINING THE POLICE REPORT - IF ANY: You know, as a professional truck driver, that it’s always a good idea to call the police when there’s an accident. It’s to your advantage to do so and to have a police report on file. In most states the police are required, by law, to be promptly notified whenever an accident occurs, especially when there’s an injury or the damages to one of the vehicles exceeds some fixed amount, say for example, $250.00 or $300.00.

About a week or so after the police execute the report it will usually be available to the public at the police department. You may secure a copy of the report by requesting one for a nominal charge. If the accident occurs on a state highway, you apply for the report from that states Highway Patrol office. If the accident occurred anywhere else, you should apply for that report from the city, county, or sheriff’s department that investigated the accident.(It's always okay to make phone calls on any of this).

Upon obtaining a copy you can scan it for a witness the police may have included. It’s possible that the police may have taken some useful photographs. They’ll usually be more than willing to sell you reprints.

You may discover - - especially in severe accident violations involving, for example, drunkenness - - that there’s in existence some special reports and/or highly detailed diagrams of the accident. You can inquire with the investigating officers who prepared the report (their names are almost always listed somewhere on the reports) as to whether there was a professional photographer they may observed at the scene, thereby providing you with yet another source for potentially helpful photographs or witnesses.

If you accomplish this preliminary work and then, when you sit down for your settlement talk with Adjuster Smart (presenting him with what you’ve accumulated) he’s going to understand he’s dealing with an individual who knows what they’re doing. This will go a long way towards convincing him not to attempt to con and/or take advantage of you. And that’s money in any truck owner and/or drivers bank!

DISCLAIMER: The only purpose of this article ~ MOTOR VEHICLE ACCIDENT INSURANCE CLAIMS ~ THE G