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There are certain mandatory insurance coverages you have to get to be able to drive your vehicle legally. However, some add-ons can be very beneficial for you depending on your circumstances and the characteristics of the vehicle you are driving. One of these is the Guaranteed Asset Protection (GAP) insurance. Therefore, you must know what is gap insurance specifically and if it is a good option for your needs.

What Is Gap Insurance?

In short, this type of insurance covers the gap that exists between the actual value of your vehicle and the financed amount. This is especially useful when there is a total loss of the car after an accident. Why does this gap exist, though? After you get a new vehicle, whether you bought it or leased it, its value starts to reduce immediately. It has been reported that after only 12 months, a large number of cars have already lost 20% of their value. The problem is that your regular insurance policy covers the value of the car as it stands at the moment of an accident. This means that instead of getting paid for what you spent when you got the vehicle, you would get paid the depreciated value.  This can have different complications. One of the most common ones takes place when you have paid a small deposit when you financed your vehicle. Then, it is likely that during the first few years of ownership, what you owe will be more than what the current market value of your car is. If you are involved in a major accident, your regular insurance will pay for the current value of your car and the gap insurance will pay for the remaining amount, which is the difference between the value of the vehicle when you first bought it and the current value.

Advantages of Getting GAP Insurance for New Cars

Coverage of an important financial gap

The gap created by the depreciation of your vehicle can be significant. The last thing you want is to have an added debt in the case of a major accident. Sometimes, the best option is to contact an experienced accident lawyer in Las Vegas to make sure you avoid situations as such.

Flexibility in the way you pay for this type of insurance

Most gap insurance providers offer different payment methods that allow you to customize your payment plans. This means that you will be able to enjoy the benefits before you have fully paid for this product.

Peace of mind in case your vehicle is totaled

There is already more than enough stress associated with totaling your vehicle. Plus, if you or anyone that was in the car were injured, you’ll want to make health concerns your main priority.

Additional coverage beyond what your standard insurance offers

Insurance companies do not offer anything such as “full coverage”. It is more thorough to make use of add-ons and using different types of coverage to ensure you are fully protected in case of any eventualities.

Advantages of Getting Gap Insurance for Leased Cars

Covering the depreciation

Leased vehicles depreciate as quickly as if you had purchased them. Therefore, you are likely to owe a significant part of the lease if you started with a small deposit.

Temporary investment

As time goes by, the difference between what your car is worth and what you owe decreases, just as if you owned the car. This is why gap insurance is usually used for the first three years only. If you reached a good lease agreement, you might only need gap insurance for a shorter amount of time.

What Is the Cost of Gap Insurance

The total cost of gap insurance is going to depend on different things, like on the way of its purchase from a car insurance company, a loan lender, or dealership. Depending on your provider the cost will vary.

Typically, when bought from a dealership, GAP insurance costs between $400 and $700 and between $20 and $40 per year with car insurance policy added.

Companies offering this type of insurance will also consider:

• How old you are
• Special concerns specific to Nevada
• The present value of your vehicle
• Any prior car insurance claims

Is GAP Insurance Worth The Money?

Gap insurance is generally worth it if you didn’t make a large deposit when you first bought or leased your vehicle because you owe a larger amount of money. Other cases in which gap insurance is strongly recommended include: 

• You have a loan agreement that is longer than 48 months.

• You drive long distances (this depreciates the vehicle even faster).

• You didn’t make a downpayment.

• Your loan is a high-interest one. 

• You got a car that depreciates faster than others.

How to Get Gap Insurance in Nevada

You have different options when it comes to getting your gap insurance.

Auto Insurer

One of the most common ones is going to your auto insurer and making it part of your monthly payments. The good thing about this is that it allows you to streamline your payments and makes the process easier for you. Some companies offering this product include Liberty Mutual, Travelers, USAA, and Nationwide Insurance.

Alternative Insurance Company

If you do not want to go to your auto insurer, you can make use of companies that offer one-time payments to get your gap insurance. Some companies are even specialized in selling only gap insurance. They might have better offers than your insurer.

Dealership or Lender

You can add payments for your gap insurance to the payments you will make to the lender or the dealer. However, this might lead to increased payments due to added interest. Be aware that lenders should not require gap insurance to give you the money for your vehicle. If they request it, make sure you can check this is an official requirement in the contract. This is why going with your auto-insurer or another company might be your best option. In some cases, switching companies just to get this option might be worth it. If you find yourself in the worst-case scenario in which your vehicle has been totaled, you want to make sure you are properly covered. Consider how much you owe for your care and compare its original value to the current value. If the depreciation has already started and you still have a long way to go to pay your debt, it might be time to get gap insurance.

One of the main risks of driving is that you can end up involved in a car accident through no fault of your own. Thankfully, a minor car accident or so-called “fender benders” are the most common types of accidents. Usually, these involve a busted headlight, a damaged tire, a dent on any part of your vehicle, and, in some cases, minor damage to your windshield. These events don’t have a large effect on your ability to drive your car and they usually cause minor injuries. But what should you do if you find yourself in this situation?

What to Do Right After the Car Accident

There is a series of steps you should cover when you are involved in a car accident, even if it’s a minor one.

• Make Sure No One is Injured

This is one of the most important things to do. Check if you or any of your passengers are injured. In some cases, you might suspect someone has an injury even if there’s no blood or visible lesion. Call the ambulance immediately if this is the case. Afterward, if there was another vehicle involved, you can check if the people in that car are ok.

• Stay Calm

Being in an accident is a stressful and shocking situation. However, you will want to remain as calm as possible. Try to not show any anger towards the other driver or get aggressive with them as this can only cause more trouble for you. At the same time, don’t apologize for being part of the accident.

• Check Your Vehicle

You can check your ride to see where the damage is. While you do this, make sure there are no weird smells, like gasoline, and that there are no sparks or fire. If any of these things are present you should stay as far away from the vehicle as possible.

• Document the Accident

Thankfully, almost everyone has a phone with a camera these days. You can document the accident by taking photos of the position in which the vehicles are. Make sure you also take a photo of the license plate of the other person involved.

• Avoid Becoming a Traffic Obstacle

You can create a major traffic jam if you stay in the middle of the road. Plus, you might be in danger as vehicles rush around you. It’s best to park the vehicle on the right side of the road while you and the other driver talk and exchange information.

• Exchange Contact Information

This is extremely important. You should exchange all the information possible with the other person involved in the accident, from phone numbers to insurance policies. If possible, take a photo of the other driver’s insurance card. This will allow you to check the veracity of the information and you’ll be less likely to lose their details. If there were any witnesses, you should get a phone number or way to contact them as well.

• Be Patient

If you or the other driver called the police, they might take a while to get there considering it’s not a major accident. However, you need to be patient and wait for their arrival. If you fail to do so, you might get in trouble with the law because it will be interpreted as if you ran away from the scene. This is a criminal offense.

Minor Car Accident FAQs

Do you have to call the police after a minor car accident?

The straightforward answer is yes, call the police. This is the right thing to do because there will be a report you can refer to if you need to in the future. In addition, filing the report immediately will allow for better accuracy regarding the details of the accident. Also, the majority of states make this mandatory when someone has been injured. Plus, you want to make sure the story that gets reported is true to the facts.

What is the average settlement for a minor car accident?

It’s going to depend on injuries and damages to the vehicle. When it comes to injuries, the amount can range from $10,000 to $25,000 in the case of whiplash or minor injuries that have no further complications. However, if surgery or physical therapy is needed for a full recovery, then the total amount can be as high as $75,000.

Should I tell my insurance company about a minor accident?

Yes, you should always call your insurance provider, even if you were not the one responsible for the accident. This is especially important if there has been material damage or if anyone was injured.

Should I hire a lawyer for a minor car accident?

It’s all about how much time and energy you want to invest in this issue. Dealing with the details of a minor car accident settlement can be extremely exhausting. Therefore, it’s better to hire an expert car accident attorney that knows exactly what needs to be done and how to get it done. Hiring a lawyer to help you with this issue can be a great way to manage the legal implications of the accident. Being in a minor car accident is a stressful event but having the tools to take the most appropriate actions and knowing what to do in this situation is instrumental to properly address the issue. Prioritize your safety and that of any passengers in your car and make sure you have all the contact information from the other driver. That way you or your lawyer will be able to deal with any additional negotiations and compensation later on.

Did you know that 350 people a year end up injured as a result of putting up Christmas Lights? At Christmas time, you’re probably focusing more on all the gifts, family time, and delicious food than thinking about accidents. However, it is really important to practice Christmas safety tips. There are a number of injuries and even fatalities related to Christmas, which can take the form of road traffic collisions or other incidents. In this guide, we’re looking at some Christmas holiday safety tips to ensure that your family is kept safe and that you don’t end up having to deal with the fallout from an accident or injury.  

1. Be Cautious With Lights

Christmas lights are part of the tradition and joy of the day but they can also be unsafe if you don’t practice the correct precautions and Christmas light safety.    Tips for being safe when doing so include using indoor lights indoors and outdoor lights…you’ve guessed it, outdoors. They are labeled for indoor or outdoor use for a reason. Always turn all lights off when you are going out of the house, or going to sleep. This also applies if you have an electric Christmas tree with lights built in.   Replace old lights with extreme caution. Broken sockets or frayed wiring are a hazard, which means you need to replace lights at the first sign of any danger.   If you are putting lights up in any sort of high places, using a ladder, for instance, ensure you do this with the appropriate assistance, a sturdy ladder, and in daylight. Don’t carry out this kind of activity if you aren’t confident doing so, and never without someone there with you to hold the ladder and be on the lookout.

2. Secure The Tree

The tree falling can be the cause of multiple issues. Not only can it hurt people who are nearby if it should fall on them, but it can also become a hazard. For instance, if the tree falls onto a candle or heated electrical appliance, it can catch fire. Secure the tree properly, using a proper tree stand. You may also be able to attach it to the walls if you are still anxious about the tree.

via GIPHY

3. Take Extra Care When Driving

Driving carefully may not be one of the specific Christmas safety tips to follow, as it is important to be safe all year round. However, Christmas can be a time to be extremely cautious to avoid traffic accidents. If you live in an area where it gets cold around Christmas time, then you should definitely be cautious when you get in the car. Drive slowly and leave plenty of space between you and the other drivers using the road.   Another reason to be super careful around Christmas is the number of drivers who are not sticking to the rules. Many people go out and drink around the holidays and then drive home. This sad fact means that you need to be extra cautious to counteract the people on the roads who are making it even more of a hazardous task. The CDC states that someone dies as a result of an alcohol-related incident every 51 minutes in the USA.

4. Don’t Get Scammed

When the holidays roll around, people spend a lot more money than at other times throughout the year. This can lead to people spending money on new online stores and platforms they were not familiar with before. Every time you find a new store and give your card details, there is the opportunity to get scammed. Be sure to be extremely careful when Christmas shopping. One of the best Christmas safety tips we can provide is to use secure websites, and check independent reviews, before making a purchase. Never give your card details if you aren’t confident.   Inferior products might be shipped when you buy decorations or electrical items online, and these might be hazards in themselves. This means that you might end up with unsafe lights or even gifts. Product liability laws mean you can take action, but it is still better not to have to deal with the issue.

I don’t know who needs to hear this but if you’re still shopping online for Christmas gifts just know you’re gambling with a 50% chance of not receiving them in-time with the state of postal delays. Xoxo your friendly ecom gal

— Fiona Leahy (@hellofionaleahy) December 15, 2020

5. Be Careful With Candles, Electrics, and Other Fire Hazards

For example, a Christmas tree can be a hazard. If you wrap around lights that can potentially get hot, you risk the tree catching alight. On top of that, other fire hazards are more common at Christmas as people light candles to get in the festive spirit. As well as Christmas light safety, consider any fire hazards that might be catastrophic for your home.

Injured at Christmas Time in Spite of Christmas Safety Tips? Your Options

If you are unfortunate enough to get injured around Christmas then you do potentially have options available to you. Even if you follow all of the Christmas safety tips then there is still a chance that someone else might put your holidays in jeopardy.   If there can be blame attached to your injury or accident then it could be time to seek legal advice from a personal injury attorney nearby. You can potentially file for compensation, and ensure that companies and individuals have to make changes in the future. For example, if an unsafe product is shipped to you, or a product does not have the right safety guidelines, it could mean you have a legal case to take action against the company you bought it from.   It’s important that you collect as much evidence and information as possible, as this might be used to incriminate the other party.   Similarly, if you are involved in a car accident that is not your fault, legal action might be required. You can seek reparations as well as suing for the costs you might be left with as a result, such as medical bills. If you feel you have a case, you can contact a lawyer today.

Conclusion

Christmas safety tips should ensure that everything goes to plan. If you are unfortunate enough to be involved in an accident around this time and it is not your fault, the legal system may enable you to take action and receive financial reparations.

What are Hospitals’ Responsibilities Relating to Patient Falls?

Hospitals owe patients a duty of care while the patient is under their care. The Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality, a division of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, has determined that certain events are “Never Events” because they should never happen. Such events are usually preventable, identifiable, measurable, and may result in serious injury or death.
Slips and falls are on the list of Never Events. When a patient falls, it is a reportable event. A few years ago, falls were killing about 11,000 people a year in hospitals and up to a million were falling. Due to the implementation of fall prevention protocols in hospitals like the Center for Disease Control’s STEADI program, those numbers are dropping. But the right number is zero.

Factors that contribute to falls include poor lighting, slippery floors, loose carpets or wires, broken steps, uncleared snowy or icy sidewalks, slippery accumulations of leaves, broken handrails, and clutter.

Patients should be assessed for things that put them at risk of falling including weakness, fatigue, neurological disorders, and blurry vision.

Providing non-slip footwear can prevent patient falls.

In Case of Medical Malpractice

Litigation involving patient falls in hospital lawsuit can involve malpractice if clinical staff, such as when doctors, nurses, and physical therapists failed to do their job to keep the patient safe. The specific responsibilities a hospital has to safeguard patients against falls is documented in two ways. The first relate to industry standards that are applicable to all hospitals. Protocols in hospitals are highly regulated and failure to follow industry practices can be considered malpractice.

In addition, the hospital will have policies and procedures. Failure to follow internal procedures can be evidence of negligence in patient falls in hospital lawsuit cases.
A fall can also be negligence attributable to the property owner that is not medical malpractice. Owners are responsible for maintaining the property in a safe manner. If a physical element of the property, such as loose strings on the carpet, caused the fall they may be responsible under negligence laws.

How Should Hospitals Prevent Falls?

Hospitals are obligated to maintain a safe environment for patients and visitors. If liquids spill, they must clean them up quickly to prevent falls. If a patient who needs assistance to use the bathroom calls for help, the staff must respond quickly so the patient doesn’t attempt to make it on their own. This means the hospital must maintain adequate staff so their employees can respond in a timely manner.
Falls are the number one cause of injury to hospital patients.

Throughout the patient’s stay in the hospital, industry protocols require staff to assess the fall risk and take appropriate action to manage the patient’s risk of falling. This assessment should be ongoing because changes in the patient’s condition can further impair mobility and medications can affect their stability or memory.
It is possible that a noncompliant patient will have contributory negligence because they didn’t request assistance when getting out of bed after being told to get assistance first. Fall precautions are taken for a reason. Falls can cause broken hips, traumatic brain injuries, and other disabling and life-threatening injuries.

While it is important to properly train the cleaning crew, it is equally important to have policies that require every employee contribute to maintaining a clean and safe environment. Every employee should be attuned to tripping hazards or fluids that could cause someone to slip and know to take action to immediately rectify the hazardous situation.
In either type of situation, liability can come into play if they did not take steps to prevent a foreseeable injury. If they knew, or should have known about the risk, and failed to act to prevent your injury, they may be liable.

Steps to Take After a Slip and Fall Accidents in Hospital

If you or a loved one suffered a serious injury from a fall in a hospital as a patient, visitor, or employee, you should consult a slip and fall lawyer to discuss the circumstances surrounding the fall. Falls are a specific type of injury that require a knowledgeable attorney to protect your interests.

An injury attorney in Las Vegas will help you determine whether to file the claim as a medical malpractice case as the result of negligent nurses or systematic issues in the organization such as understaffing, improperly trained staff, poor communication protocols or a culture that doesn’t give patient safety the attention it deserves.

Bicycling provides a healthy and affordable mode of transportation but there are risks. How risky is riding a bicycle? What should you do if you’re involved in a bicycle accident?

How high is the risk of accidents for cyclists?

Far fewer people are injured or die in bicycle accidents than motor vehicle accidents but it isn’t because bicycles are safer. Depending on which statistic you use, people travel between 6.2 and 21 billion miles on bicycles and about 3 trillion miles by motor vehicle.

Bike accident statistics report of the number of miles bicycled in a year at between 6.2 and 21 billion miles, you’re 11.5 times more likely to experience a fatal accident on a bicycle than a motor vehicle using the 6.2 billion miles statistic. If you use the 21-billion-miles statistic, it equates to 3.4 times greater risk.

It is important to remember that bike accident statistics include people who don’t follow good safety precautions, follow the rules, wear helmets, and those who ride a bike when they are under the influence.

Nevada Bicycle Accident Statistics:

In 2016, there were 800 cyclists killed in single-car crashes in Nevada.

Nationwide, 34,247 people were killed in traffic accidents and 783 died in fatal bike accidents during 2017. In Nevada, six people died in cyclist accidents and 328 were lost in traffic accidents.

Crash statistics reveal some interesting facts about when and where accidents occur:

• 71% of cyclists’ accidents occur in urban areas
• In every season, more accidents occur between 6 – 9 pm than at any other time
• 58% of cycling accidents are not at an intersection. Only 4% are in a bike lane.
• 51% of bike accidents occur during daylight hours.
• Most happen on roads with speed limits between 35 and 45 mph.

Most Dangerous Places and Times

These bike accident statistics are referring to fatal accidents:

• 71% occur in urban areas.
• Fatalities are more likely to occur in areas with high poverty rates.
• Only 30% occur at intersections.
• 4% occur in the bike lane.
• 51% happen during daylight.
• More occur between 6 – 9 p.m.
• 30% happen in the winter, 22% in the spring, 38% are split between the summer and fall

In Las Vegas, 19 intersections reported four or more accidents between 2011 and 2015. Las Vegas Blvd at Caesars Palace Drive, Nellis Boulevard at Cedar Avenue, and Las Vegas Blvd at Flamingo Road were the three most dangerous intersections.

Las Vegas Boulevard, Charleston Boulevard, and Flamingo Road are the three most dangerous roads for cyclists in Las Vegas with Sahara and Tropicana Avenues also reporting high accident rates.

Accidents frequently involve rider error including not yielding the right of way, riding against traffic, failure to obey traffic laws and signals as well as errors by the drivers of motor vehicles involved in the accident with the cyclist.

According to 24/7 Wall Street, Las Vegas is the third most dangerous city for bicyclists. The Regional Bicycle and Pedestrian Plan for Southern Nevada reported that when a cyclist and vehicle collide, the cyclist has an 89% chance of survival at 25 mph but only a 35% chance when the vehicle is traveling 45 mph.

Safe Places to Ride a Bicycle

Numerous trails around Las Vegas are great places to ride and safe for everyone. Try these rides if you’re looking for a safe and relaxing place to ride:

• Burkholder Trail
• Historic Railroad Trail
• Wetlands Park
• Pittman Wash Trail
• Union Pacific Railroad Trail
• Cornerstone Park

Common Bicycle Accident Injuries

The Nevada bicycle helmet law does not require riders to wear a helmet, but it is strongly recommended. Wearing a helmet can save lives. Many bike injuries occur without an accident but those are usually muscle strains. Bicycle accident statistics for accidents reflect more serious problems including:

• Head traumas
• Spine injuries
• Ruptured discs
• Skull fracture
• Cranial hemorrhage
• Concussions
• Contusions
• Fractured bones
• Injuries to internal organs

The greatest risk is head trauma which accounts for 60% of the deaths which is why helmets are important.

What to do if you got in a bike accident?

Bicycle accidents can cause serious and life-threatening injuries. If you are in an accident, you’ll want to do a body scan for injuries. If in doubt, get professional medical attention. Signs you should seek immediate medical attention include pain when you breathe deeply, stomach tenderness or you hit your stomach on the handlebars, head injuries, and bleeding. If you think you may have a spine or neck injury, don’t move until medical attention arrives.

If someone else caused the accident, get their contact information and call a Las Vegas bike accident attorney. Their insurance should compensate you for your medical expenses as well as lost wages and pain you experience as a result of their negligence. Never hesitate to contact a Las Vegas personal injury lawyer in such chaotic instances because you deserve to get compensation from all the damage that you encountered during the tragedy.