Car Blog

The death of a loved one causes an enormous emotional turmoil on family members. Unfortunately, the demise could also lead to extreme financial hardship. Wrongful death claims are the law’s way of easing the financial burden on families left behind after an entity or person causes their loved one’s wrongful death.

It’s essential to understand the scope of compensation you are legally accorded when you suffer the wrongful death of a loved one. Read on for what constitutes a wrongful death case, the types of compensation, and who can receive it.

What Constitutes a Wrongful Death Claim

A wrongful death claim is a civil suit brought forward by the estate or survivors if the deceased passed away due to another party’s intentional actions or negligence. All states have specific rules that govern wrongful death claims, including who can sue for such a claim. Generally, a personal representative or family member of the deceased may make a claim. State rules specify when the claim can be made (period since the death).

Damages in a Wrongful Death Claim

Generally, there are two broad categories of damages in wrongful death claims. The first is the damages recovered for the deceased’s suffering from the negligent act until their death. For example, if the deceased died after being hit by a car, this would refer to the period of suffering as they tried to get assistance, including medical aid, until they finally succumbed.

The period could range from a few hours to weeks; every case is different. The specific damages for this period may include the medical bills, pain and suffering of the deceased, lost wages, and even funeral and burial costs.

The second category covers the damages for losses suffered by the deceased’s next of kin due to the death. These damages are a tool to compensate the close family for their financial losses. Most state laws indicate that the particular damages are to compensate the family with the monetary value that the deceased would have brought, were it not for the untimely death.

There are other damages with the two broad categories specific to state laws; contacting a Chicago wrongful death attorney will help you know which of those you can receive in Chicago. For instance, some states will allow spouses to claim the loss of their consortium; a family member may also claim this. Loss of consortium is compensation for losing the deceased’s love and companionship. The same may apply where an adult parent has died and left underage children behind deprived of parental care, love, and companionship.

Who Does a Wrongful Death Claim Protect?

The type of damages awarded are strongly dependent on the relationship of the claimant with the deceased. Generally, damages in wrongful death claim may be awarded to the following:

Children

Specifically, minor children may be awarded damages to compensate them for the benefits they lost from their child-patient relationship with the deceased.

Parents

Parents who have lost a minor child can recover damages for all the emotional trauma due to losing their kid.

Spouses

Surviving spouses can claim the companionship lost due to the death. The surviving spouse may also recover compensation for the emotional trauma caused by the untimely loss.

Every Case Is Different

Depending on the circumstances of a case, the courts may choose to award punitive damages primarily when the defendant had acted in an unreasonably reckless manner. As soon as you speculate that your loved one’s death may have been a wrongful death scenario, you should speak to an attorney.

When the at-fault party realizes that you may make a claim, they are likely to offer you a settlement that is often way lower than the actual value of your claim. Refrain from making rushed decisions. Speak to a wrongful death attorney to at least help you calculate the real value of your claim. An attorney will also give you your possible options to make a sound decision from then on.

Signs of foundation problems aren’t always clear. For example, the small crack in the basement wall may be nothing, but it could be a sign of a more serious issue. Unfortunately, if serious foundation issues aren’t found and addressed quickly, they can lead to devastating issues.

The good news is that you can learn the signs of a foundation problem. Keep reading to learn the signs you should call the professionals for foundation repair.

Exterior Cracks

Smaller, fine cracks in your home’s outside walls or your steps aren’t usually something you need to be concerned about. Exterior cracks that seem bigger or have a zig-zag pattern may indicate something more going on with your foundation. If you see brick cracks or even bricks that are sticking out from the wall, you need to have them checked out.

Sheetrock Cracks

If you suspect an issue with your foundation, see if any interior sheetrock cracks run in a zig-zag pattern and go up the wall’s height. It is also necessary to contact a contractor if you notice wallpaper peeling back from your wall and if there are cracks at the junction where your walls and ceiling meet.

Uneven Floors and Doors That Aren’t Square

Most homes are not plumb after they have settled for a few years. However, if you notice a door that is extremely out of square and has cracks in the wall above it, you should have it inspected.

As you can see, there are several signs of potential foundation issues. Knowing what these are will help you know when you need to call the professionals for help. Being informed will help ensure your home does not experience serious or severe foundation issues that lead to serious damage. Calling the professionals is a must if you want to handle foundation issues.

The average American car owner spends over $400 a year on repairs. A car has a number of different parts and if one of these parts stops functioning properly, it can affect the driving experience in a negative way. The windshield is one of the most under-appreciated parts on most vehicles. In most cases, the only time a car owner realizes how important a windshield is until it is broken.

The worst mistake you can make when faced with a broken windshield is ignoring it. Here are some of the dangers associated with driving around with a broken windshield.

Driving With Your View Obstructed Is Dangerous

The longer a crack in a windshield is ignored, the harder it will be to contain it. Over time, a small crack will grow and will consume the entire windshield. Trying to drive with multiple cracks in your windshield is very dangerous because it can obstruct your view. If you are unable to see the cars in front of or around you, the chances of you being involved in a car accident will increase.

By contacting an auto glass repair & replacement services warren county nj, you can get a new windshield installed in a hurry. Before hiring a company to do this work, take the time to research them to ensure they have tons of previous experience.

Structural Integrity Issues

Another problem that you will encounter when trying to drive with a broken windshield is the risk of a full collapse. When a windshield gets cracked, the structural integrity it has will be compromised. This means that the entire windshield may cave in and leave you with a lap full of sharp glass.

Instead of dealing with the problems mentioned in this article, you need to hire professionals to replace your broken windshield immediately.

Choosing the right kind of wheels for your car can be a little confusing especially if there is a specific look you’re going for. With tons of big rims for sale in the market, it’s understandable why many people would prefer a much more bold and aggressive look for their vehicles. There are different kinds and variations to choose from but knowing and understanding the one that matches your car is the most essential part of the customization process.

Choosing the right wheel offset can help emphasize the aesthetics of your car. It also helps your car serve the purpose you intend to use it for whether it’s only for cruising through the city or it’s for off-road driving. Learning about the different types of offsets would probably help you choose if you plan to buy new aftermarket wheels in the near future.

Wheel Offset Explained

To simplify, the offset of your wheels refers to the distance of the mounting surface to the centerline of the wheels. There are three different types of offsets- zero, positive, and negative. The offset determines how much your wheels stick out of the wheel hub and also how your car may perform in terms of handling.

Positive Offset– The more positive the offset, the more it will sit inside the car. It would stick out less creating a more subtle and simple look. Many people who drive rough terrains may opt for positive offset wheels because it allows them to have sufficient clearance inside the wheel well.

However, having overly positive offset wheels may cause your vehicle to be more prone to damages due to excessive rubbing on the inner parts. It may also be more difficult to handle your vehicle and can cause tire failure.

Negative Offset– The more negative the offset is, the more it will stick out of the car. This creates a more rough and aggressive look for your vehicle. Racing your car with negative offset wheels allows you to cover a wider track.

The main issue with having excessively negative offset wheels, however, is the fact that it can cause your steering wheel to kick back which makes it difficult to handle. It may also cause a strain on your suspensions.

Zero Offset– Zero offset wheels are neutral. It means the mounting surface of the wheel is on the centerline. Plenty of big rims for sale are zero offset wheels because it’s a safer option compared to the ones aforementioned. A lot of brand new vehicles also come with zero offset wheels and it’s usually up to the customer whether they prefer to customize their rims to other types of offset wheels.

Considering the Backspacing

Do not deviate more than 5 millimeters from the stock offset if you want to change the offset of your current wheels. If you want wider and bigger wheels, you need to consider the backspace. This will ensure that you don’t over-adjust the offset without noticing. Considering the backspacing is just as important as figuring out which offset wheels work for you. Although you can choose many big rims for sale nowadays in the market, it’s still important to ask for advice from specialists.

People often need to store their vehicles away for different reasons. When they take this action, it is of the utmost importance for them to find high-quality automobile storage Lodi. Why? For starters, the location should be secure to ensure that no break-ins occur. Picking the wrong company might give you more than you bargained for. For instance, you might arrive to grab your ride one day, only to discover vandals busted the windshield and flattened all the tires.

If you’re worried about the wind, rain, and hail damaging your car while it’s in storage, an organization with covered parking may be the perfect solution. Then, your vehicle will stay beneath the covering where it’s safe from the weather. Now, it is time to move onto the next section and discuss some scenarios that might make automobile storage a good fit for you.

No Space In The Garage

It is not uncommon for people to trade in their vehicles now and again. Dealers take the old rides off their hands and put them in new, stylish models. However, what if you don’t make a trade but buy a new car, truck, or SUV? Then, you might not have room in the garage to park everything. Of course, you could always sell your original vehicle, but not everyone is into that. Instead, some folks would rather hold onto the cars and keep them as backups. If you land in that category, it only makes sense to store one of your rides away until you create more room.

Do You Own A Recreational Vehicle?

Many people invest in RVs to travel, take in the sights, and see the world. These vehicles don’t get driven and used all the time, though. Nope, rather, in most instances, owners merely take them out once in a while. As you can imagine, those are large machines that take up a lot of space around the house. But, you don’t have to keep yours at home. Instead, utilize automobile storage and then retrieve the vehicle as necessary.

Kia vehicles have a reputation for outstanding reliability that keeps their maintenance at a bare minimum. That notwithstanding, standard parts like brake pads, plugs, clutches, and others will always experience tear and wear. You may have to regularly seek Kia maintenance Santa Ana services to keep your car in optimum condition.

How You Can Reduce Wear and Tear on Your Kia Vehicle

You may want to avoid some practices that can cause unnecessary wear and tear. Still, other practices may be suitable for your car. The following is an outline of what you observe to maintain your Kia vehicle in good shape.

Avoid Extended Warming Up

Too much warm-up is unnecessary in modern Kia cars. That is not to say that you should not warm up the car before taking off at all. You only need to warm it up for a few seconds to raise its temperature to normal levels.

Be Soft on Brake and Clutch Pedals

While driving, try to be gentle on the pedals since too much grinding causes them to wear out faster. If you make it a habit of pressing them only when necessary, you may contribute to their longer lifespan. You can practice placing your foot gently on the brake pedal, ready to press when the need arises without pushing it unnecessarily.

Slow Down

Why drive beyond the standard speed limit, yet there is no emergency? Speeding means that you will have to break at once and hard in case you meet an obstruction. Emergency braking takes a toll on the tires since the road surface rubs against the treads and wears them out.

Take Your Vehicle for Professional Maintenance

Kia recommends that you take the vehicle for service every six months after covering at least 6213 miles (about 10,000 kilometers). Observe your car and take it for Kia maintenance Santa Ana when it fulfills either of the two conditions. However, it remains your responsibility to ensure you make good use of your car to avoid unnecessary damage.

When it comes to car parts, catalytic converters have significant value. This is because of the precious metals this part often contains. Unfortunately, it is also fairly easy to remove which makes it particularly vulnerable to theft.

While many car owners enjoy taking their high quality catalytic converter Virginia to a local recycling center after their car is at the end of its life, some people do not have the opportunity to do so before someone else steals it. Read on to learn 3 tips to protect your vehicle from this kind of misfortune.

1. Park in Good Lighting

Although it is not always possible, it is always safer to park in well-lit areas where someone can easily spot a thief trying to remove a car part. If there is a spot that you can see from an apartment or office window, even better.

2. Park in a Garage

Another option that is sometimes available is garage parking. If you do this, make sure to close the door. It may sound like a silly suggestion, but it can be surprisingly easy to forget to shut the garage door before going into the house for the night.

3. Weld Your Converter to Your Vehicle’s Frame 

If garages and good lighting are not feasible for you and you really want your catalytic converter to be secure, a third solution is to have a professional weld the part to your vehicle’s frame. Doing this will definitely make it harder to steal.

No one wants to walk up to his or her car with plans to drive only to realize someone has stolen a critical component of the vehicle’s exhaust system. While some things are ultimately out of your control, following these tips can help you prevent this from happening as much as possible. 

Within the world of modern transport, fuel efficiency is becoming a crucial factor. It is true that we live in an era where electric and hybrid cars are starting to gain popularity, yet when it comes to professional drivers, fuel still remains their main area of concern and it seems like those prices just keep going up. If you work for a company that has equipped your HGV course with the most recent aerodynamic kit then you are petty much shorted, if not, then you as the driver play the biggest role in your fuel efficiency. We are going to share several tips that should ensure you can save yourself a few pennies and get the most out of the fuel you put in.

Be A Pro At Block Changing

Granted, we may block change gears without actually thinking about what we are doing but the truth is that most of us don’t tend to do it anywhere near as much as we should do. We are referring to the practice of skipping gears that are not related to the speed you are doing. It means that you don’t go up the gears one at a time but instead you go straight to the gear you need. So you may skip third when going from second to fourth or you may skip fourth when dropping from fifth to third. According to studies, it is the drivers that block change gears, especially when going up the gears, that save more fuel than their linear-loving counterparts. The reason that lies behind this is an engine that does not need to work so hard as it is not being constantly exposed to gears that are not needed at the time, hence fewer revs and more fuel in the tank. Another little bonus is that your hand stays on the wheel for longer which makes you a safer driver.

Be A Lover Of Cruise Control

Pretty much all modern vehicles have cruise control so there really is not an excise for not making the most of it. This handy little capability means that you can keep your vehicle at a constant speed, cutting down on revs, braking, and accelerating. Each time that foot hits the accelerator, even just a little, means you use more fuel, in fact, your feet may even be moving slightly without you realizing, eating into more fuel. When you use cruise control over a long journey you can really save those pennies.

Embrace Resistance

Every driver will encounter resistance and when you drive a large vehicle, resistance will be more. Carrying heavy loads over long journeys means that you will face resistance from the air, the gradient and rolling resistance, hence your HGV needs to use up more fuel to move forward. You can do several things to tackle this problem. First, opt for routes that are less hilly, this will cut down on gradient resistance. Next, get a pair of low-rolling-resistance tyres and ensure that they are always fully inflated. You can save up to 6 per cent with these tyres but you will lose 1 per cent each time there is a 10 drop in psi.

Being Idle Will Cost You Pennies

During those cold winter months, it can be very tempting to leave the engine running so that you keep that cosy heater blasting out warm air for your break. However each minute it runs idle you are throwing away your fuel. Research on the fuel rates of idling engines shows rather scary results. Take a standard 420HP engine, it will drink its way through an alarming 2 litres of fuel per hour that it runs idle.

Your windshield is part of your vehicle’s safety features. It protects you from weather and debris, but it also protects you during an accident. However, when your windshield is cracked, this safety mechanism is compromised. In addition, cracks and chips can impede your visibility and actually cause accidents. Therefore, you should get damaged windshields repaired or replaced as quickly as possible. These are a few tips to ensure that your new windshield lasts.

Delay Driving Your Vehicle

Whether you take your car to a shop or seek mobile windshield repair St Charles MO, you should avoid driving for at least one hour. To create a strong seal, the adhesive around your window needs to set completely. Therefore, wait as long as possible to drive. The bumps in the road and wind or debris hitting the car can compromise this seal.

Leave the Retention Tape

Retention tape is typically used to improve the seal on your windshield because it prevents the moldings from moving. Leaving this tape on will protect these moldings as they dry, keeping out dirt and debris. Therefore, the retention tape should be left on your vehicle for at least the first 48 hours or so. Once your adhesive is dry, it is safe to remove the tape.

Crack Your Windows

For at least 24 hours, keep your windows cracked at least one inch. As your car sits, air pressure builds up on the inside. This pressure pushes against your windshield, compromising your adhesive, and may result in leaks or other damage.

Avoid the Car Wash

Car washes typically use high-pressured water to wash your car. This pressure can get under your new windshield seal, preventing them from adhering properly. It is best to avoid washing your car all together for the first few days, but if you have to wash your vehicle, consider hand washing the parts that need cleaned. Avoid washing around the windshield if it is at all possible for at least 48 hours.

The first few days of your new windshield’s installation will determine its longevity. Find a reputable replacement service and follow these tips to ensure a long-lasting windshield.