Sideswipe crashes are common. It only takes a momentary lapse in concentration or a slight maneuver in the wrong direction for the sides of two vehicle to make contact. In fact, sideswipes can end up costing you more in damages than they appear and are often the catalyst to a more serious collision. Often times determining which party is liable for the accident is disputed. Having an attorney on your side can be very beneficial. HOW SIDESWIPES HAPPEN Sideswipes usually occur when one vehicle moves into another vehicle's lane. This can be caused by distracted, reckless, drowsy or drunk driving, as well as drivers failing to check blind spots, merging at the same time or skidding on a slippery road. Sideswipes can also happen to a parked vehicle. POSSIBLE DANGERS Although the initial contact may not be major, the impact may be enough for either or both drivers to lose control of their vehicle. It is common for motorists to oversteer to try to regain control, which may le
The move from car seats to seat belts can be unsettling for parents who want to keep their children safe. Kids can move out of car seats when they are 4 feet 9 inches tall and between 8 and 12 years old, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. They should always use a seat belt and sit in the rear seat for the best protection. When kids move out of a booster seat to use a seat belt exclusively, it's important to make sure they're using the belt correctly. The American Academy of Pediatrics provides guidelines for this: • A child should be tall enough to sit without slouching with his back against the vehicle seat. •The knees should be naturally bent over the car's seat with the feet hanging down or flat on the floor. • The seat belt's lap portion should sit snugly across the child's hips - not the belly. • The shoulder belt should lie across the child's chest and shoulder - not the neck or face. That's not all. Never allow a