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December 6, 2011
There are many simple things you can do when snow falls to safely get to your destination.
1. You should make sure your car battery is in good shape.
2. Fill up on windshield-washer fluid.
3. Make sure you have an ice scraper with you.
4. Check the tread on your tires..
If tires are nearing the end of their useful life, usually 40,000 to 60,000 miles, consider an “aggressive all-weather tire. ”
Once you’re on the road, slow down, don’t follow too closely.
Driving instructors suggest a 12-second following distance, meaning you can count to 12 between when the driver ahead and you pass the same point along the road, as opposed to 3 seconds for dry conditions.
If roads are in really bad shape, stay home, if you can. If you must go out, make sure someone at your destination knows you are coming.
So, what should you do to not slide off the road or into the car in front of you?
The loss of control in a slide can be shocking, and many drivers’ first reaction is to slam on the brakes. That is wrong.
That’s the worst thing you can do. Most people make the mistake of slamming their brakes on and your car becomes a huge sled. You have no control of it whatsoever.
If you are sliding, don’t step on the brake or accelerator. Take a deep breath, look in the direction you need to go and steer that direction. Your tires will regain their grip.
If you slide off the road in a snowstorm and get stuck, stay in your car and call for help unless there’s a warm and safe place immediately nearby.
And the most important winter-driving tool: patience.
Understand it’s going to take you a lot longer to get there. Take your time. Don’t be in a hurry.
WINTER WEATHER DRIVING RESOURCES
• cotrip.org: The Colorado Department of Transportation’s website has constantly-updated road conditions for every state and federal highway and numerous webcams.
• 511: Call this number for CDOT’s road conditions phone hotline, which offers general information on conditions and closures.
If you have been injured in an auto accident please call Doehling Law for your free consultation:
(970) 241-9370
March 6, 2011
2011-03-07 Re-posting the following because it is so important to those of you that own an ATV for farm use or for recreational use.
In the following post
http://doehlinglaw.com/blog/uninsured-motorist-coverage/motorcycle-accidents-in-colorado
I discussed the importance of proper insurance coverage for street legal motorcycles. I will now discuss interesting points of consideration for dirt bikes and atv’s or any other “toy” that you may have that is not intended for use on a public road and is not subject to title and licensing.
HOMEOWNERS INSURANCE POLICIES USUALLY CONTAIN LIABILITY EXCLUSIONS FOR MOTORCYCLES, ATV’S, BOATS, AIRPLANES.
Again, my experience as a claims manager for an insurance company for many years brought to my attention (on several occasions) the trouble people get themselves into because of their lack of follow through to obtain proper insurance for a dirt bike, atv or other “toy” they own. I will discuss more particulars regarding Boats and airplanes in a future writing.
You need to automatically assume that you DO NOT HAVE ANY INSURANCE COVERAGE (liability or physical damage) for any toy you buy, own or control unless and until you have a meeting with your insurance agent and he or the company your insured with gives you something in writing that says otherwise.
YOU need to address the following steps if YOU are buying an dirt bike, atv, boat, airplane or any other “toy” that you may have that is not intended for use on a public road and is not subject to title and licensing.
1) DISCLOSE TO YOUR INSURANCE AGENT ALL MOTORIZED “TOYS” THAT YOU OWN. For your own protection it is best if you submit a written list of those motorized toys to the agent with
Name of actual owner (individual, commercial entity etc…)
Make
Model
Horsepower or size of engine
Year
Use (i.e. recreation, farm, commercial)
Lien (do you owe money on it if so to who?)
Value (replacement and current market value)
Likely Operators of the unit (you, spouse, children, friends relatives etc…)
2) Have your agent or agents secretary acknowledge receipt of your list in writing for your records.
3) Sit down and discuss with your agent your wishes to be protected for liability arising out of the use of any toy that you may own or control.
4) Sit down and discuss with your agent your desire to have physical damage coverage for the toy(s) if indeed you want to compensated for the value of same if damaged.
5) Ask your agent if their is MEDICAL PAYMENTS coverage available if you or another operator is injured while operating the toy. This is very important coverage for you and any passenger that may be on the vehicle.
6) Ask your agent if the liability coverage extends “off premise“. Can you take the toy away from your residence premises and still have the same liability and physical damage coverage that you may have at your resident premises?
7) Discuss with your agent if indeed the toy has a “multi purpose“.  Is it used for farming or commercial work as well as recreation? The agent needs to know this and you need to stress that you want liability coverage for all uses.
 Review your list of “toys” with your agent each and every year or sooner if you acquire or sell a new toy.
As an insurance claims manager, I witnessed the failure of the toy owner to report to his agent that he/she even had a “toy”. This was a problem for the owner as a denial was usually sent in quick order when there was no liability endorsement or other liability coverage specifically listing that unit involved in an accident.
I also worked and reviewed several personal injury insurance claims where the children of an atv or dirt bike allowed others to ride with them or allowed others to operate the toy. Sure enough that person or all involved are injured and again there is no coverage because the owner simply failed to sit down and discuss the toys with his/her insurance agent.
You are invited and encouraged to contact Gary Doehling Personal Injury Law Firm P.C. in Grand Junction, CO and schedule a free consultation with Gary should you or a loved one been injured in a motorcycle accident in Colorado or Utah.
Toll Free 866-941-9370
Scott Krug, CPCU
Claims Manger
Gary Doehling Personal Injury Law Firm P.C.
www.doehlinglaw.com
September 19, 2010
The Governor’s Highway Safety Administration reports that there were over 4,700 motorcycle accident fatalities in 2009, noting the first time in 12 years that the number of fatalities has declined. In Colorado, the number of deaths decreased as well, down over 10 percent from the 2008 high of 98.
A recent report by the Colorado Department of Transportation (CDOT) states that there are nearly 175,000 registered motorcycles in the state. With more and more motorcyclist on the road, it is important for riders and drivers of other vehicles alike to take notice and help the number of accidents and fatalities continue the downward trend.
Staying Safe
Though experts recommend wearing proper protective gear while riding, including gloves, eye protection and a jacket, perhaps the best way to protect yourself is to wear a properly fitting helmet. In Colorado, the CDOT statistics note that two-thirds of those killed in motorcycle accidents during 2009 were not wearing helmets. Nationally, the National Highway Traffic Safety Association (NHTSA) estimates that wearing a helmet can reduce motorcycle accident fatalities by up to 37 percent.
Though lack of head protection is a major factor in motorcycle related deaths, the use of helmets by riders has been consistently on the rise. The NHTSA estimates that in 2009, 67 percent of riders were wearing a helmet, up from 48 percent in 2005.
The other major contributing factor in motorcycle fatalities is the use of alcohol. As with the operation of any motor vehicle, you should avoid using alcohol if you plan on riding. The CDOT reports that 40 percent of all motorcycle accident deaths involved alcohol use by the operator last year, up 6 percent from 2008.
Increasing Awareness for Drivers of Cars and Other Vehicles
The insurance company Allstate has released a list of motorcycle safety tips for drivers of motor vehicles to keep in mind when sharing the road with motorcycles. The tips note that the main reason motorcyclists crash is because drivers of cars and other vehicles do not see them. Because motorcycles are smaller, they can easily disappear in blind spots and be closer in mirrors than they appear.
Giving motorcyclists enough room is also emphasized by Allstate. Bikers will often slow down by downshifting instead of using their brakes, meaning that drivers behind motorcycles may not see brakes lights as the rider slows down. Also, it is difficult for bikers to slow down or stop quickly on wet roads. Allowing more following distance in wet or slippery conditions can help save lives.
The company notes that 80 percent of motorcycle accidents will result in death or some form of injury, as riders lack the protection of a car and its safety devices like airbags and seat belts. It is important for all riders and drivers to be more aware and safely share the road during the peak riding season.
Article provided by Gary Doehling Personal Injury Law Firm, P.C.
Please visit us at www.doehlinglaw.com
A Mesa woman was killed this morning after rolling her sport-utility vehicle, injuring two others.
The Colorado State Patrol said Courtni J. Bieser, 23, was driving east on County Road 330E, approximately 22 miles east of Collbran, when her 1996 Nissan Pathfinder lost control on a curve, went off the road and rolled multiple times down an embankment about 50 feet from the road. Bieser, who was not wearing a seat belt, was ejected and pronounced dead at the scene. The accident was reported just after midnight.
A front seat passenger, Joseph Bieser, 22, of Mesa, was wearing a seat belt and was treated at the scene for minor injuries, troopers said. Hannah Etcheverry, 18, of Collbran, was riding unrestrained in the back seat and was ejected. She was taken to Valley View Hospital in Glenwood Springs reportedly in stable condition.
If you had benn injured in an accident you are welcome to contact Gary Doehling Personal Injury Law Firm, P.C. at (970) 241-9370.
Four people were injured, one seriously, on Friday when a helicopter crashed while filming an Audi test on Pikes Peak, west of Colorado Springs, Colo. The El Paso County Sheriff’s Department and the National Transportation Safety Board were investigating the cause of the accident, which occurred about a mile below the 14,110-foot summit.
An Audi spokesman, Brad Stertz, said, “The film crew was shooting a test run of the ‘Autonomous Audi TTS Pikes Peak,’ a joint program involving Audi, the Electronic Research Laboratory in Palo Alto, Calif., and Stanford University. The goal of the project involves ascending Pikes Peak autonomously without a driver behind the wheel to demonstrate the capabilities of advanced driver assistance systems and GPS.”
In a telephone interview from the summit late Friday, Mr. Stertz said the pilot, whose name was not immediately released, suffered the most serious injuries and was airlifted to a hospital where his condition was stabilized and subsequently listed in “good” condition. The three passengers had mostly minor injuries, and did not require hospitalization, he added.
Audi announced that the research program had been temporarily suspended, but would resume at an undetermined future date. The car was not involved in the incident, which happened “some distance” behind the car, Mr. Stertz said. Although he did not know the cause of the crash, he said weather was not a factor.
The higher the altitude, and the thinner the air, the more difficult it is to operate a helicopter; in most situations, helicopters need special clearance and must carry supplemental oxygen on board to fly above 10,000 feet. Stalling becomes a greater danger when hovering, or attempting to fly at very low speeds, like when filming a car negotiating the mountain’s zig-zag highway.
The summit of Pikes Peak has been the scene of many helicopter accidents, especially in connection with the annual hill climb race held on the mountain each summer.
Audi is a past winner and record-holder in the hill climb event, but Mr. Stertz said the TTS film project did not involve high-speed operation.
If you had been injured in an accident you may contact Gary Doehling Personal Injury Law Firm, P.C. for your free consultation at (970) 241-9370.
July 28, 2010
Gary Doehling P.C. a personal injury law firm will be opening a new office in the Aspen, CO area September 1, 2010. Attorney Gary Doehling has been practicing law for over 27 years and has the experience to help you pursue auto and motorcycle related injuries.
You are invited to call Mr. Doehling at 970-241-9370 for your free consultation.
January 8, 2009
In the following post
http://doehlinglaw.com/blog/uninsured-motorist-coverage/motorcycle-accidents-in-colorado
I discussed the importance of proper insurance coverage for street legal motorcycles. I will now discuss interesting points of consideration for dirt bikes and atv’s or any other “toy” that you may have that is not intended for use on a public road and is not subject to title and licensing.
HOMEOWNERS INSURANCE POLICIES USUALLY CONTAIN LIABILITY EXCLUSIONS FOR MOTORCYCLES, ATV’S, BOATS, AIRPLANES.
Again, my experience as a claims manager for an insurance company for many years brought to my attention (on several occasions) the trouble people get themselves into because of their lack of follow through to obtain proper insurance for a dirt bike, atv or other “toy” they own. I will discuss more particulars regarding Boats and airplanes in a future writing.
You need to automatically assume that you DO NOT HAVE ANY INSURANCE COVERAGE (liability or physical damage) for any toy you buy, own or control unless and until you have a meeting with your insurance agent and he or the company your insured with gives you something in writing that says otherwise.
YOU need to address the following steps if YOU are buying an dirt bike, atv, boat, airplane or any other “toy” that you may have that is not intended for use on a public road and is not subject to title and licensing.
1) DISCLOSE TO YOUR INSURANCE AGENT ALL MOTORIZED “TOYS” THAT YOU OWN. For your own protection it is best if you submit a written list of those motorized toys to the agent with
Name of actual owner (individual, commercial entity etc…)
Make
Model
Horsepower or size of engine
Year
Use (i.e. recreation, farm, commercial)
Lien (do you owe money on it if so to who?)
Value (replacement and current market value)
Likely Operators of the unit (you, spouse, children, friends relatives etc…)
2) Have your agent or agents secretary acknowledge receipt of your list in writing for your records.
3) Sit down and discuss with your agent your wishes to be protected for liability arising out of the use of any toy that you may own or control.
4) Sit down and discuss with your agent your desire to have physical damage coverage for the toy(s) if indeed you want to compensated for the value of same if damaged.
5) Ask your agent if their is MEDICAL PAYMENTS coverage available if you or another operator is injured while operating the toy. This is very important coverage for you and any passenger that may be on the vehicle.
6) Ask your agent if the liability coverage extends “off premise“. Can you take the toy away from your residence premises and still have the same liability and physical damage coverage that you may have at your resident premises?
7) Discuss with your agent if indeed the toy has a “multi purpose“. Is it used for farming or commercial work as well as recreation? The agent needs to know this and you need to stress that you want liability coverage for all uses.
 Review your list of “toys” with your agent each and every year or sooner if you acquire or sell a new toy.
As an insurance claims manager, I witnessed the failure of the toy owner to report to his agent that he/she even had a “toy”. This was a problem for the owner as a denial was usually sent in quick order when there was no liability endorsement or other liability coverage specifically listing that unit involved in an accident.
I also worked and reviewed several personal injury insurance claims where the children of an atv or dirt bike allowed others to ride with them or allowed others to operate the toy. Sure enough that person or all involved are injured and again there is no coverage because the owner simply failed to sit down and discuss the toys with his/her insurance agent.
You are invited and encouraged to contact Gary Doehling Personal Injury Law Firm P.C. in Grand Junction, CO and schedule a free consultation with Gary should you or a loved one been injured in a motorcycle accident in Colorado or Utah.
Toll Free 866-941-9370
Scott Krug, CPCU
Claims Manger
Gary Doehling Personal Injury Law Firm P.C.
www.doehlinglaw.com
September 17, 2008
I had the opportunity to work and manage several bodily injury claims arising out of the operation of ATV’s in my previous employment as a claims manager for an insurance company. Bodily injury arising out of the use of ATV’s can be very serious. I would like to take the time to discuss a very important matter for the owners of the ATV’s. The losses always began with the following question:
Is the ATV covered for liability insurance?
Specifically, you should not assume that your homeowners insurance provides liability coverage. Farmers and Ranchers should not assume that their Farm & Ranch policy provides liability coverage. Same with business owners.
Owners of ATVs need to take the time to sit down with their insurance agent and let them know they have one or more ATVs and what the ATV is used for and where it is likely to be used. For instance, a Farm and Ranch policy may provide liability insurance only while it is being used in the operation of the farm or ranch and only while on the described premise. That same policy may also EXCLUDE coverage if the ATV is not in the scope of operation for the farm or ranch. It may also exclude liability coverage if the ATV is off the described premise at the time of the loss. Again, review your policy with your insurance agent to verify what coverages the existing insurance policy may provide for an ATV and liability associated with the use of an ATV. Special endorsements may need to be added to your insurance policy for the proper coverage.
The majority of the claims I worked or managed concerned youthful operators carrying a friend as a passenger. The passenger usually gets hurt and incurrs serious injury. Many times I had the unfortunate task of informing the owner of the ATV and the family of the injured party that there is no coverage for the accident as the ATV was not insured properly.
If you are injured in an ATV or auto accident in Colorado or Utah, you may contact Gary Doehling Personal Injury Law Firm P.C. for a free consultation. Toll Free 866-941-9370
Scott Krug, CPCU
Claims Manager
Gary Doehling Personal Injury Law Firm P.C.
www.Doehlinglaw.com
P.S. Do you have heavy equipment on a Farm or Ranch? Give us a call to discuss how to buy proper insurance for liability and physical damage. Looking to buy a piece of heavy equipment? Call Red Rock Machinery Co. Inc. of Las Vegas Nevada www.rrmcinc.com
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The Gary Doehling Personal Injury Law Firm, P.C. handles the following types of cases: Automobile Accidents, Oil Field Accidents, Spinal Cord Injuries, Wrongful Death, Nursing Home Negligence, Cerebral Palsy, Traumatic Brain Injuries, Lead Paint Exposure, Toxic Molds, Medical Malpractice, Insurance Bad Faith Claims, Airplane Accidents, Dog Bites, Drunk Drivers, Large Truck Accidents, Motorcycle Accidents, School Bus Accidents, and Slip & Fall Accidents.
The Gary Doehling Personal Injury Law Firm, P.C. serves the following areas: Western Colorado, Eastern Utah, Grand Junction, Montrose, Glenwood Springs, Aspen, Delta, Hermosa, Western Slope, Moffat, Rio Blanco, Garfield, Ouray, San Miguel, Dolores, Montezuma, La Plata, San Juan, Daggett, Uintah, Grand.
The legal information offered by The Gary Doehling Personal Injury Law Firm and contained herein, regarding Colorado or Utah legal statutes and Colorado or Utah claimants' rights, is general in scope. No legal attorney / client relationship with our attorneys is hereby formed nor is the information herein intended as formal legal advice. Please contact a Colorado or Utah lawyer regarding your specific inquiry.See Terms of Use.
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