Car Accidents because of winter weather conditions

Let's face it...we all want the 90 degree weather, clear sky cruising down the highway with the top down on the convertible.  For those who live in climates that allow this year round we envy you.  But for those who don't live there or for those who love the snow it's time to pull out the winter coats and remember how to drive in winter weather.

We need to be more careful driving in the winter as the weather conditions can and often lead to a car accident.  

Please watch this short video on driving in winter conditions.

This video is made up of a few short, non-injury accidents but shows how a winter conditions will affect everyone.

Just to get into the mood of cold, snow and ice click this video and come back and read while listening.

The first snow of the year is usually the most dangerous.  We "forget" how to drive on snow and ice. We are a society that is rushing everywhere we go...time is money, right?

If you are one of the cautious drivers good for you but remember you will not always determine whether you are in a car accident.  Defensive driving is essential this time of year as there will always be some that disregard the winter conditions.  Those who are inexperienced driving on snow and ice, those who think it will never happen to them and those who think because they have a four wheel drive they won't slide are dangerous to us all.

• "as usual essex county council state we are ready for the bad weather stock piles of grit to be call on in climate weather 3 nights of frost 1 motor cyclist dead due to black ice 1st fall of snow yes the council were ready for this not crashes cars and hgvs stuck traffic ground to a halt were were the gritters i was on the road at 6-15 am this morning got as far as the witham turn off on the A12 turned round headed back towards southend on sea the first gritter i saw was on the A 127 at 8-45 am yep they were ready after the horse hasbolted again .i bet on think for certain than in april the spare room tax is nicely in place and there wont be any delays with that . once again well done essex county council" (Echo)
• Indianapolis, Ind.
A quick burst of overnight snowfall and icy roads in Central Indiana resulted in dozens of accidents Monday morning.
Indiana State Police estimate approximately 60 accidents occured Monday. On an average day, police estimate approximately 20 to 30 accidents. Among the multiple overnight crashes around the Indianapolis area, crews were investigating a fatal single-vehicle accident on the south side of the city.
Just after 3 a.m. Monday, police said the driver of a black SUV apparently slid out of the northbound lanes of I-65, on the bridge passing over I-465.
The SUV hit a guard rail, throwing the male driver out onto the highway.
Three passengers in the car suffered injuries, including a broken leg, cuts and back pain.
Police said the car was from Wisconsin and the driver was a man, likely in his 30’s.

When an accident happens because of inclement weather it is often difficult to prove fault.  Whether is was a single car accident (meaning you slid into a tree) or a multi-car accident your case will come down to who has the most plausible excuse.  Black ice is one of the examples of a plausible excuse as there is usually no warning of black ice.  What is not an excuse is traveling too fast for the conditions...remember the speed limit is for good weather conditions not snow and ice.

Your best weapon in these types of situation is a police report.  Before you drive in inclement weather know what your police department is wanting you to do.  In some situations if there are no injuries and no alcohol and/or drugs involved they want you to exchange information and report it within 48 hours.

You absolute best weapon after a car accident is to call an experienced Attorney!  Insurance companies want to deny your claim and will look for any reason to do so.  Don't let that happen to you!

Please drive safe no matter what the condition but pay extra attention during the snow and ice.  If you are in Colorado and have been involved in a car accident please call Carol Zeisler:

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Pueblo Office: 113 W. 12th Street  (Map it)

Colorado Springs Office:  422 E. Vermijo Ave., Suite 412 (Map it)

Trusting after a car accident

How do you define Trust?  How do you feel about losing the trust of someone?  What do you do when you lose trust?

trust [truhst]  According to dictionary.com
noun

1. reliance on the integrity, strength, ability, surety, etc., of aperson or thing; confidence.
2. confident expectation of something; hope.
3. confidence in the certainty of future payment for property orgoods received; credit: to sell merchandise on trust.
4. a person on whom or thing on which one relies: 
5. the condition of one to whom something has been entrusted.

Trust is in our lives every minute of every day.  We trust our spouse.  We trust our children.  We trust our bosses and co-workers.  We trust our neighbors.  We trust that everyone who is driving is sober and paying attention.  We trust that the cashier isn't going to overcharge us...it's everywhere.

We don't really think about trust until it's broken.  

If our spouse has cheated we have trust issues that it won't happen again.

If our children lie to us we have trouble believing them.

If we are laid off of work we have trouble trusting that it won't happen again.

If we are overcharged by a cashier we check our receipts all the time.

If we are involved in a car accident...well our trust is really tested.

We hear from the Insurance Companies, "trust us we want to take care of you" to only find out that they are going to deny the claim because:

• a pre-existing condition (how dare us not be 100% healthy at all times)
• we were partially at fault (how dare us be on the road)
• your injury(s) aren't that serious (how dare you have a neck/back injury with only $1000.00 of damage to your car)

The list goes on and on and on.  Trust is broken.  They promised that you would be taken care of in the event of a car accident and now they are looking for any reason to not take care of you.

What do you do?  You find a Personal Injury Attorney that you can trust!  You start to rebuild your trust in the system by letting someone FIGHT for your rights!!

Like Zeisler & Associates, Attorney at Law, PC on Facebook or visit their website.

Pueblo Office: 113 W. 12th Street  (Map it)

Colorado Springs Office:  422 E. Vermijo Ave., Suite 412 (Map it)

Stress behind the wheel during the holiday season

Tips to prevent holiday stress and depression

When stress is at its peak, it's hard to stop and regroup. Try to prevent stress and depression in the first place, especially if the holidays have taken an emotional toll on you in the past.

1. Acknowledge your feelings. If someone close to you has recently died or you can't be with loved ones, realize that it's normal to feel sadness and grief. It's OK to take time to cry or express your feelings. You can't force yourself to be happy just because it's the holiday season.
2. Reach out. If you feel lonely or isolated, seek out community, religious or other social events. They can offer support and companionship. Volunteering your time to help others also is a good way to lift your spirits and broaden your friendships.
3. Be realistic. The holidays don't have to be perfect or just like last year. As families change and grow, traditions and rituals often change as well. Choose a few to hold on to, and be open to creating new ones. For example, if your adult children can't come to your house, find new ways to celebrate together, such as sharing pictures, emails or videos.
4. Set aside differences. Try to accept family members and friends as they are, even if they don't live up to all of your expectations. Set aside grievances until a more appropriate time for discussion. And be understanding if others get upset or distressed when something goes awry. Chances are they're feeling the effects of holiday stress and depression, too.
5. Stick to a budget. Before you go gift and food shopping, decide how much money you can afford to spend. Then stick to your budget. Don't try to buy happiness with an avalanche of gifts. Try these alternatives: Donate to a charity in someone's name, give homemade gifts or start a family gift exchange.
6. Plan ahead. Set aside specific days for shopping, baking, visiting friends and other activities. Plan your menus and then make your shopping list. That'll help prevent last-minute scrambling to buy forgotten ingredients. And make sure to line up help for party prep and cleanup.
7. Learn to say no. Saying yes when you should say no can leave you feeling resentful and overwhelmed. Friends and colleagues will understand if you can't participate in every project or activity. If it's not possible to say no when your boss asks you to work overtime, try to remove something else from your agenda to make up for the lost time.
8. Don't abandon healthy habits. Don't let the holidays become a free-for-all. Overindulgence only adds to your stress and guilt. Have a healthy snack before holiday parties so that you don't go overboard on sweets, cheese or drinks. Continue to get plenty of sleep and physical activity.
9. Take a breather. Make some time for yourself. Spending just 15 minutes alone, without distractions, may refresh you enough to handle everything you need to do. Take a walk at night and stargaze. Listen to soothing music. Find something that reduces stress by clearing your mind, slowing your breathing and restoring inner calm.
10. Seek professional help if you need it. Despite your best efforts, you may find yourself feeling persistently sad or anxious, plagued by physical complaints, unable to sleep, irritable and hopeless, and unable to face routine chores. If these feelings last for a while, talk to your doctor or a mental health professional.

I do not own this nor did I write this.  This information comes directly from the Mayo Clinic.

With holiday stress and depression it is important to recognize the signs and symptoms in yourself or those you love.  Getting behind the wheel of a car is dangerous during the holidays but it becomes more dangerous when the drivers are stressed.  Drive safe.

Like Zeisler & Associates, Attorney at Law, PC on Facebook or visit their website.

Pueblo Office: 113 W. 12th Street  (Map it)

Colorado Springs Office:  422 E. Vermijo Ave., Suite 412 (Map it)

Secrets of a Personal Injury claim

You have been the victim of a car accident.  Do you know the process and the secrets of successfully winning your claim?

Understanding your rights as a victim is critical to your emotional, psychological, physical and financial well-being.

Choosing the Attorney to represent you is important.  If you missed that blog you can read it HERE.



Here are some secrets if your Personal Injury case you need to know:

1. Time is of the essence:  Because of Statute of Limitation you only have a certain amount of time to bring a lawsuit.  Please check you State's Statute of Limitations HERE.  Because of these statutes of limitations it is critical to speak with an Attorney as quickly as possible.   
2. Who do you sue?  Depending on the circumstances and the laws in your State will determine who will be sued.  Again, speaking with an Attorney about this as quickly as possible is essential.  
3. What will it cost me?  Most Personal Injury Attorney's offer a free consultation and if they take your case most will work on a contingency basis which means you will pay for nothing until they win your case.  Each Lawyer and Firm are different so make sure you know how their fees are collected during the consultation.  Remember to make that consultation work for you.  Please read HERE on how to make the most of this appointment.
4. How much will I get?  State laws will determine this so there is no real clear-cut answer to this question.  An Attorney can give you a clearer idea of what your injury is worth.  If you missed the blog on what your injury is worth you can read it HERE.
5. How long will it take?:  This is going to depend on so many different circumstances that there is no definite answer.  Remember you are going to be dealing with Insurance Companies that have Attorneys fighting NOT to pay you anything.  Finding the right Attorney to fight FOR YOU is essential.

Insurance Companies may offer you a quick settlement.  DO NOT accept it without talking to an Attorney about your rights!  

Going through a personal injury case is difficult for you both emotionally and financially.  Find an Attorney who will take that burden off of you so you can focus on getting better.  A Personal Injury lawsuit can take years so patience is important and remember it is not your Attorney who is keeping it from settling or going to court quickly.  Your Attorney wants what's best for YOU.  Your insurance company wants what's best for them.  Please read HERE for the secrets of car insurance.

The information provided here is not to be construed as legal advice.  Please consult an Attorney if you have any questions.  General questions about Colorado Personal Injury can be asked here and Carol Zeisler will gladly assist you in the proper direction for your situation

Like Zeisler & Associates, Attorney at Law, PC on Facebook or visit their website.

Pueblo Office: 113 W. 12th Street  (Map it)

Colorado Springs Office:  422 E. Vermijo Ave., Suite 412 (Map it)

What is your injury worth?

According to the Colorado Department of Motor Vehicles injury damages are split into three categories:

1. Economic Damages:  These are your medical bills, lost wages (both present and future) and general "real" expenses.
2. Non-Economic Damages:  These are the "what-if's" you may experience from a car accident.  Other things that fall into this category are pain and suffering, loss of quality of life and emotional distress.
3. Physical Disfigurement and Impairment:  Consequences and costs of irreparable physical harm or permanent disability.

Let's look at the Economic Damages:  This is simple.  Your medical bills are your medical bills, your lost wages are your lost wages and all other expenses are just that.  Simple.

Non-Economic Damages are where the insurance companies love to muddy the water.  This is when you need an Attorney!  The insurance company is not going to agree to the loss of quality of life because they don't want to believe you have one.  The insurance company is not going to believe you have any pain and suffering because you are seeing a Doctor that they are paying for.  And emotional distress....they are just going to tell you to get over it.

Physical Disfigurement and Impairment is another way insurance companies will tell you that you are worth less than you are.  If you need surgery it's covered under Economic Damages....but what about the scar that it leaves?

When you are involved in a car accident you need to hire an Attorney who KNOWS what you are worth and will fight for it.

Zeisler & Associates, Attorney At Law, PC is just that firm!  Specializing and exclusive to Personal Injury cases only.  Visit their website for more information.

The Good In Attorneys

WOW!  Want to hear a quick, funny joke....many can be found about Attorneys.

What is 1000 Attorneys at the the bottom of the ocean?  
A good start.

We can all get a good chuckle at these jokes but for those of us who have ever NEEDED an Attorney and found a good one they are just that.....a joke.  I can laugh at most jokes that don't hurt a person.  I share jokes about Attorneys, Insurance Agents, Football teams...they are fun.

I want to look at a different side of Attorneys:  The Good Side.

As with ANY profession you will find the bad with the good.  As with ANY Attorneys you will find the bad with the good.

I have found you can determine a good Attorney by asking a few questions:

1. What do you do for a living?      I help people.
2. Why did you choose to be an Attorney?    To help people.
3. If you could do anything else what would it be?    I wouldn't because I love to help to help people and found this is the best way I can.

It's simple:  Those who become Attorneys for the "status" for the "pay" for the "Esq." behind their name....well, I don't want to say they are not all bad Attorneys, as they may be excellent Attorneys, BUT what drives them is what concerns me.  

I want an Attorney that WANTS to be my Attorney.  

I want an Attorney that sees the injustice of what happened and WANTS to make it right.

I want an Attorney that WANTS to get to know me...not just my case.

I am fortunate, in my line of work, I have met many Attorneys....some Excellent and some...not so much.  The excellent ones I have met all have the same "thread" that hold them to their career.  That thread is integrity, honesty and knowing their clients. It is the personal challenge they give themselves that make them stand out....the challenge is not for the "win" but for the client and when the challenge is for the client, more often than not, they are going to win. 

I have written a blog before about finding a good Attorney and if you missed it you can read it HERE.

If you are needing an Attorney please ask these questions.  Please do your homework.  

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Pueblo Office: 113 W. 12th Street  (Map it)

Colorado Springs Office:  422 E. Vermijo Ave., Suite 412 (Map it)

What does Christmas mean?

What does Christmas mean?  Presents?  Family?   Click HERE and listen while reading

I'll never forget Christmas growing up.  I know everyone says that.......but times are different now.

I remember growing up and getting so excited for Christmas.  I would have my list of what I wanted ready before Thanksgiving.  Christmas morning was the best day.  As I opened my presents I'd hear;

"I hope you appreciate what you have, there are some children who have nothing."

I didn't get it.

As I entered into high school my list, let's just say it didn't get bigger unless you are talking about the price tag.  Although I didn't tear into the presents like I did as a child it still was the best day.  Again, I would hear;

 "I hope you appreciate what you have, there are some children who have nothing."

I didn't get it.

I entered into young adulthood.  I have to admit that Christmas was still a great day. Some things had changed...I enjoyed giving "almost" as much as receiving. While opening my presents I'd hear;

 "I hope you appreciate what you have, there are some who have nothing."

I still didn't get it.

Now that I am grown I still have my Christmas list:

• I want ALL types of abuse to stop; both human and animal.
• I want ALL types of neglect to stop; both human and animal.
• I want ALL types of homelessness to stop; both human and animal.
• I want ALL types of suffering to stop; both human and animal.
• I want ALL types of hate to stop; both human and animal.
• I want ALL types of hunger to stop; both human and animal.

This is the same Christmas list I have had since I finally “got it” but this Christmas list seems to be the one I didn’t get.

I would give back every toy I have ever received, I would give back every sweater I have ever received, and I would give back every Christmas present I have ever unwrapped if I could just GET IT this year.

It is amazing how our needs change as we grow. 

I finally GET IT! 

What does Christmas mean to you?

Like Zeisler & Associates, Attorney at Law, PC on Facebook or visit their website.

Pueblo Office: 113 W. 12th Street  (Map it)

Colorado Springs Office:  422 E. Vermijo Ave., Suite 412 (Map it)