As gas prices continue to rise to figures unseen before in the United States, as well as around the world, millions of Americans are looking at gas-friendly modes of transportation. Among the options available are scooters and motorcycles, which are quickly becoming sought after and a popular form of transportation.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) reported that there are approximately 6.6 million registered motorcycles, not including scooters, in the United States. The NHTSA also reported that nearly 2,500 motorcyclists die in traffic accidents each year, and while this number was previously decreasing from 1990 to 1997, it has increased at least 40 percent steadily since 1997.

Scooter and Motorcycle Popularity Parallels Dangers

According to a news article from the Dallas Morning News on July 2, scooter sales had increased 24 percent in the first half of 2008. Additionally, the Motorcycle Industry Council, noted that Vespa saw a nearly 40 percent increase in sales while Yamaha reported a 65 percent increase over a one-year period.

A Consumer Reports article from June 2008 also discussed the popularity of motorcycles and scooters, which have increased tenfold. The article detailed sales of motorcycles, which have increased to approximately $1.2 million in 2006 alone — a record unseen before. However, in that same year, it was reported that motorcycle fatalities accounted for more than 10 percent of all motor vehicle crash deaths.

However, motorcycle accidents are up approximately 127 percent since 1997 and the NHTSA reported that a motorcyclist is approximately 34 times more likely to die in a crash than someone in a passenger car. Additionally it has been reported that:

* In 2006, motorcyclist fatalities nearly doubled killing 4,810.



* According to the Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) motorcylce deaths are on the rise whereas vehicle/automotive deaths have declined.

* Approximately 88,000 motorcycle riders were injured in 2006, according to the NHTSA.

* Supersport bikes (also nicknamed rocket bikes or crotch rockets) have fatality rates that are four times greater than other motorcycle riders.

* These supersport bikes made up only 10 percent of registered motorcycles in 2005, but were responsible for 25 percent of motorcycle fatalities in that year.

* Wearing a helmet can reduced crash fatalities among riders by nearly 37 percent, according to NHTSA.

Scooter and Motorcycle Accident Costs

While many individuals are moving toward scooters and motorcycles to save money on the costs of gasoline, often, individuals overlook that scooter and motorcycle accidents can be extremely costly particularly among those not wearing helmets and involved in a scooter or motorcycle crash.

According to analysts from the Pacific Institute for Research and Evaluation, working under contract for the NHTSA, who studied the results of 25 motorcycle studies conducted during the last few decades, the costs for motorcycle injuries can be priced for non-helmet riders from $7,200 upward to $30,400 in hospital-admitted and fatal accidents; whereas helmet wearers paid less after a crash costing anywhere from $3,000 to $17,400 in accident and hospital-related costs.

The study also reported that riders afflicted with a head injury will likely pay an average of $43,214 for trauma-center admittance and an average of $22,491 for hospital-admittance, while no head injury motorcycle or scooter riders involved in an paid an average of $15,528 for trauma-center admittance and an average of $11,430 for hospital-admission injuries.

Safety Tips for Better Driving

The U.S. Department of Transportation (USDOT) runs education and informational programs for individuals hoping to learn about or become a motorcycle or scooter driver. Among the USDOT’s recommendations are the following for the increasing number of motorcyclists and scooters drivers:

* Watch for the “no-zones” – often the blind spots of trucks as well as cars.



* Wear USDOT approved helmets at all times.



* Ride with caution and drive defensively.



* Never ride between lanes in traffic or share a lane with another vehicle.



* Ensure a motorcycle or scooter is updated on maintenance routinely.



* Wear protective clothing including gloves, boots and a jacket.



* Be aware of speeds and maintain speed limits; collisions often happen because of speeding into trucks and buses, which are often at the slowest speeds.

* Be prepared for bad weather as well as night riding, which increases the risk of an accident.

Seeking Accident and Injury Assistance after a Crash

Individuals who have been involved in a motorcycle or scooter crash should seek the assistance of an experienced accident attorney who can offer assistance as well as legal consultation regarding a wreck or injury. Because accidents among motorcyclists and scooter riders quite frequently are not their fault and can often occur because the driver of another vehicle didn’t see the motorcycle or scooter, it may be wise to begin building a scooter or motorcycle crash case or lawsuit.

Developing a motorcycle lawsuit after such an accident may also provide monetary compensation to the injured motorcycle or scooter driver and help relieve the hefty medical bills associated with a crash, as previously noted.

Rental cars are very convenient to have access to because they keep you from putting the wear and tear of traveling on your own car. They are also great for those who do not have a car that will survive lengthy trips. But there is one thing that has to be considered and that is the fact that accidents do happen. What happens if you are rear-ended in a rental car and you’re not at fault? Are you responsible for the damages or is the person who was at fault? Does the car rental company take care of it? What happens? These are all excellent questions because it can be quite confusing when an accident occurs.

It is also a good idea to get answers to any questions you have when you rent the car. It is not enough to hope that you do not get into an accident. When it is not your fault, that means you had no control over what happened. You could not have prevented it in any way. The only actions that you can prevent are your own, so make sure you receive the necessary information from the car rental company regarding what to do in case of a crash.

Insurance

Your individual insurance should cover you while in a rental car. That is why the rental car company requests that you prove your insurance. They like to have copies of your insurance card in case there is an accident. However, it is fair to assume that they do this in case the accident is your fault and they need to make a claim on your insurance to cover the damages.

When asking the car rental company about how it would work if you’re in a wreck that isn’t your fault, they may tell you to consult with your insurance company. Being that you’re covered by your individual insurance, you are subject to their particular rules and regulations.

What to do in an accident

So what are you to do in the case that you are rear-ended in a rental car? Be sure you call your insurance company before you do a single thing. If the rental car company says that you owe them money, don’t just pay up. Make sure you talk to your insurance company first. They will tell you what to do. They will most likely take the claim and then submit it to the insurance company of the individual who caused the crash. That way the damages are paid to the rental car company. If any deductibles need to be paid, then you’ll pay that deductible to your insurance company and not the car rental company. There shouldn’t be any reason why you would have to pay them any money for a crash that wasn’t your fault. It also depends on what your insurance policy says about wrecks when you’re in a rental car.

So make sure you know these things before renting a car. That way you’ll know exactly what to do if you are rear-ended on the interstate. When being rear-ended it is obvious that it isn’t your fault. Most rear-end accidents are considered the fault of the driver who hit you. So proving that the crash wasn’t your fault is not a hard task at all. Just know your rights and have all of the information ready so that you don’t panic if you’re in a wreck. Don’t start running crazy scenarios through your head such as having to pay the entire cost of the rental car. That is something very unlikely. Just be sure to call the police and take insurance information from the driver at fault just like you would if it were your own car.

Whether you are first time car buyer or collector of classic automobiles, it is important – and mandatory – to get your car insured. However, most of us end up paying far too much for car insurance because we haven’t spent enough time researching car insurance quotes.

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In order to better understand how to protect your car from car theft, and in order to get a better idea of which cars will be stolen, it is important to understand the top five reasons that cars might be stolen. These are the five biggest reasons a person might steal your car.

Joyriding

Joyriding is something that is referred to sometimes as a prank, but it really does happen. This happens because a person sees a car and wants to drive around in it. They steal it with no other purpose other than to simply ride around in the car. These are cars that are stolen and usually recovered within a day or two in the same general area that they were stolen. Most of the cars that are stolen for joyrides are damaged, because the thief doesn’t care what happens to the car. Most of the time, cars that are stolen for joyriding are chosen because the owner has left the keys in the car, or has left the door switch in an unlocked position.

Transportation

The second reason that cars are stolen is simple – the thief needs to get from one place to another. They need to go somewhere, and have to have a car to do that. Most of the time, they leave the car wherever their destination was. Sometimes, the car is wrecked and often there are parts stolen from it, but the biggest reason to take the car in the first place was to simply get where they were going. Thieves choose these cars in the same way – they were left with the keys in the ignition, or in a way that is very easy to steal.

Other Crimes

Sometimes, a car is stolen so that other crimes can be committed. This happens when someone steals a car to get away from the scene of a crime that just happened, like a robbery. However it can also be done to get to a different crime, like a burglary or drug crime. Most of the time the stolen vehicle is abandoned when the crime is finished, but a lot of the time it is damaged or wrecked in the process. These cars are often stolen in places where there is a lot of crime.

Parts

Sometimes, a car is stolen for the parts. This happens when a car is hotwired and stolen, and the radio, or parts of the engine are taken out before the car is abandoned or found. Sometimes, the thieves have one or two main items in mind, and sometimes they strip whatever they can out of the car before someone finds it.

Commercial Theft

The last type of car theft is commercial theft. Unlike the cars that are stolen to strip the parts, these cars are stolen to be resold. Body shops will take in stolen cars, file off serial numbers and change the look of the car and then resell them. These are the cars that are in most high demand, and that is why they are stolen.

Many families do not think about car insurance until they need it. That’s perfectly natural. However, to save your family some stress and anxiety, be sure that you always have current car insurance. Your car insurance protects you and your car in case of an accident.

Policies vary, so it is critical to check your car insurance policy. Most car insurance policies will cover you if you have a car accident with another car at either you are at fault or it is a no-fault accident. Your car insurance will pay to have your car repaired. This car insurance will also pay to have the other car repaired as well.

Most car insurance policies have a deductible that you must first meet. This is a dollar amount of a claim that you must meet before the car insurance company will pay anything to repair your car. Typically, the more expensive your policy the lower your deductible. When your car insurance is inexpensive there is a strong chance you have a high deductible. It is a wise step to confirm what your deductible is before you have a car accident.

Most car insurance companies offer a variety of deductibles and you can change your deductible limit by paying either more or less. The decision to do this is very personal, and only you can decide which policy would be best for you. There are people who haven’t had an accident in twenty years that want a low deductible. Then there are people who have had a recent accident that want a high deductible. Everyone is different.

Some states in the U.S.A. actually do not require that you have car insurance. However, many states do require that you have both a registered and an insured car. This protects you and the other drivers on the road from any possible accident. Were you to get in any type of car accident, an insured driver is covered for the most part by putting in a claim. An uninsured driver often winds up getting a personal lawsuit from the other driver as a result of the accident. Sometimes the uninsured driver does not have enough assets to pay the other driver what they are owed. Car insurance is a great benefit that certainly protects your family from a potential lawsuit and any other stresses.

Many car insurance policies will also cover your medical bills if you are in a car accident. This includes hospital and surgery bills. Some car insurance policies will pay for physical therapy or reconstructive surgery. There are even car insurance policies that will protect your pets from possible harm. It is nice to know that were your pet to be harmed during a car accident, that the car insurance company would pay their medical bills as well.

Some people may complain about the cost of car insurance and having to pay for it. No one likes having to pay an additional bill. However, the benefits of car insurance far outweigh the negatives of possibly having this type of insurance. There are so many reasons to be happy that you have car insurance. Anyone that is driving a car should have car insurance. To drive without car insurance is to take a real gamble.

Car accident, otherwise known as car crash, auto accidents, road accidents, or car wrecks, is a condition in which one vehicle collides with another vehicle or some object in the road, thereby resulting either in injury of a person or the damage of a property. Sometimes, road as well as bad weather or environmental conditions also lead to car accidents. It is estimated that about two million people die of car accidents across the world per year.

Al though, in recent years, several innovative campaigns have been arranged to avoid car accidents, still car crashes occur frequently. Mostly, car accidents occur due to rash and careless driving. Road accidents also happen sometimes due to disorderliness and lack of patience. Further, car accidents are common during bad weather and winter season. Discussed further in this article are some of the effective tips that help you prevent car accidents to a large extent.

First step in order to avoid car accidents is to follow traffic rules and regulations. Another important thing that should be considered is to put on seat belt while driving. Wearing seat belt would be annoying for many people. But, this is highly vital, as wearing seat belt would reduce the chances of road accidents. Not only drivers, passengers including adults and kids are also recommended to put on seat belt. In some nations, it has been even made mandatory to wear seat belt.

Further, one of the best ways to avoid car accidents is to be a defensive driver. You may be a cautious driver, but it is not necessary that you would be able to overcome a reckless driving. But, being a defensive driver, you could foresee probable road crashes. Also, a great way to avoid road accidents is via being courteous. Being courteous makes you more cautious and intends you to not race against other vehicles.

According of records, one of the prime causes for car crashes is because of drunk driving, which in turn is a condition in which a driver operate a car or vehicle while being under the influence of drugs or alcohol that may lead to mental as well as motor skills imparity. Many of the fatal accidents are because of drunk driving. But, drunk driving is completely preventable.

All you have to do in order to avoid road crashes as a result of drunk driving is to refrain from taking any kind of harmful drugs or alcohol. You can also minimize car accidents via maintaining a constant speed as well as through leaving a safe distance between your vehicle and other vehicles. Also, a useful tip to avoid road accidents is by adjusting mirrors properly and via checking the side as well as rear mirrors at least in every 15 seconds.

Intersections are considered a prime cause for many road accidents. Hence, special care must be taken when proceeding through intersections by looking left, then right, and then again left side in order to ensure that the area is absolutely clear. Apart from these, have a clear idea on the road conditions. This would be highly beneficial when you drive during rainy or winter season. Also, keep your car’s lights on when driving at dusk and dawn and during rainy seasons. Other useful tips that help you avoid road accidents are:

- Avoid cell phone when driving

- Check your car in regular intervals, ie constantly monitor its tires, brakes, lights, and mirrors

- Have a clear idea regarding the limitations of your car

- Keep your vehicle in good working condition

- Always keep your vehicle neat and tidy

- As far as possible, avoid driving during night

- In addition to avoiding alcohol and other dangerous drinks, it would be better to avoid taking some food items while driving such as coffee, hot soups, barbequed dishes, soft drinks, and chocolates

Above all, driving a quality car could help minimize road accidents to an extent!.

Car insurance is a legal requirement for anyone getting behind the wheel of a car. Whether you are a learner driver, or have been driving for 30 years, you simply cannot drive a car without having car insurance of some kind. If you are caught driving a car without car insurance, you face a hefty fine and points on your licence.

Calculating your car insurance can be difficult as there are so many things to take into account, but here we can show you how to do it easily. There are hundreds of companies offering car insurance online, and we can help you find out how to look for the cheapest car insurance online.

Before looking at what car insurance entails, lets look at the legal requirements for driving so you can see if you are eligible to take out insurance on a car.

To be considered for car insurance you must be over 17 and either hold a provisional licence or a full driving licence. The vehicle you are looking to insure must fall into the categories of vehicle you are allowed to drive – and this will be shown on your driving licence, a full one or a provisional.

Calculating your car insurance and getting the cheapest car insurance online or face-to-face depends on a number of factors. Your age can play a big part as younger drivers are considered more of a risk to people offering car insurances. Any speeding convictions or points on your licence for other driving misdemeanours can also have an effect, as can the type of car you are insuring, the number of years you have when you have not claimed anything against your car insurance and the amount of people you want to add to your car insurance.

It may seem a bit confusing, but most online car insurance providers can offer quotes in minutes. Just make sure you have all your details to hand so you can answer everything that is needed.

Ideally everyone wants the cheapest car insurance. That can sometimes mean insuring yourself third party, which means you are only covered for damage inflicted by you to a third party vehicle or property. The problem with this is your car could end up with severe damage, yet you will have to cover any of these costs yourself or have the car written off, meaning the value of the car is less than the expense to repair it.

Another factor to take into account when calculating car insurance prices online or otherwise is where you will leave the car overnight. Discounts usually apply if your car is on a driveway or in a garage rather than on the street. If you have a driveway and use it, make sure you say so.

If you take all these factors into account and arm yourself with all the information before looking online for quotes, you should have no problem calculating your car insurance.