​The idea of being in a car accident is the stuff of nightmares. Even the thought of colliding with another vehicle in a supermarket parking lot is enough to make most of us rethink our driving habits.
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Sadly, you can be an incredibly diligent and cautious driver and still end up in the wrong place at the wrong time with another driver who isn’t as careful as you are.
A car accident usually means an insurance claim and several weeks or months of inconvenience whilst everything is sorted out. However, if the crash is much more serious and there’s injuries and property damage involved, a car accident that wasn’t your fault could still end up costing you. You can find a car accident lawyer (West Palm Beach) by clicking the link provided.

Here we’ll explore why a car accident could cost you more than you think.

Medical bills
Not everyone has medical insurance and even those that do may not have sufficient cover in the event of a serious accident and subsequent injuries. This means that from the moment you're looked at by a medical professional, the cost is rising. Call out fees, pain relief, ambulance use, x-rays, medication, overnight stays, consultant fees, operations, anesthesia etc - it all very quickly adds up. Not forgetting the possible need for further treatment down the line, such as rehabilitation or physiotherapy. This is why speaking with a lawyer could benefit you. If you were in a car accident that wasn’t your fault, don’t delay and make a call to a PI lawyer as soon as possible.

The cost of your mental health
After a traumatic experience, it's common for our mental health to take a hit. Sleepless nights, flashbacks, anxiety, mood swings even PTSD. The cost of a car accident isn’t just one to your bank balance, it could cost your quality of life. This is another reason why it’s so important to speak with a PI lawyer as soon as possible after a collision.

You’re unable to work
If your injuries mean that you can’t work and provide for your family, then you could have even more financial pressure placed upon you. Rising bills, empty cupboards - not forgetting those extortionate medical bills. If you’re unable to earn a living then you could fall into debt just trying to make ends meet.

Transport
Whether you can work or not, you’ll still need to get around, get to the store, take the kids to school and get on with your life, however doing so without a car can cost you. If your car has been totaled, then you could be looking at the cost of a new vehicle as well as public transport costs and vehicle rental fees. Not forgetting the potential rise in your car insurance premiums!

Final thoughts…
If you’ve been in a car accident that wasn’t your fault, you shouldn’t be facing financial hardship. Why you should pay for someone else’s mistake? Speak with a personal injury lawyer as soon as possible to discuss your next steps and to get your finances back on track.

Congratulations on passing your driving test. You’re now self-reliant and looking forward to a future of independent driving and freedom! However, passing your test is also a time for reflection and time to get serious about the incurring costs of finally getting your license. Funding your lessons and your test is one aspect you’ve
overcome, but the surprising cost of subsequently purchasing and running a vehicle along with all the other hidden extras might leave you in a financial quandary.

To give you some guidance and to help you limit your financial expectations, we’ve compiled a list of costs you should consider now you’ve passed your driving test in Australia.

Your insurance
Many new drivers are initially shocked at the price of their insurance premiums, which is why it’s always a good idea to shop around and compare online car insurance with Qantas. As the driver of a new vehicle, you’ll need to establish what kind of cover you think is best for your requirements –third party, fully comprehensive or third party fire and theft.

If you want the highest level of cover then fully comprehensive is probably best for you and it's the type of cover that's mostly recommended to new drivers. You may also want to look at ways you can reduce your premiums. Try not to be intimidated by all the jargon and specific terms that come with car insurance, conduct plenty of research and reach out to friends and family if you need guidance.
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Registration and licensing
Owning a car in Australia means that you need to have your vehicle registered with the Department of Transport in your territory or state. You'll have to pay an upfront fee as well as ongoing costs which can be paid annually, every six months or quarterly. Depending on where your vehicle is registered the costs may vary greatly, as each state or territory has its own methods of calculating the costs. Cars in metropolitan areas could cost more than those in rural areas, while South and
Western Australia are cheapest overall.
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Repairs
Not everything goes to plan and even your brand new car could need some emergency repairs, or a replacement part. Your car needs to be in a roadworthy condition for your safety and to insure your car insurance is valid. So, bear in mind that the cost to repair a brand new vehicle may be more than repairs to one that is older. Repairs, VAT, the labour, parts, you may have to find other transport...all
of these costs quickly add up.

And finally, fuel
You won't get far without it, and it's not always budget-friendly. The amount you spend on fuel might surprise you, so always budget for it generously. The best way to save money on fuel is to shop around for it. Find out where has the cheapest gas and always try to fill up your tank there. Driving with efficiency in mind and ensuring your tires are always pumped up will also be kinder to your fuel tank.

Most of us cannot wait to sit behind the wheel and feel the freedom of hitting the open road. What most of us don’t bank on, however, is being involved in a car crash (you may wish to check out what to do when you've been in a car crash if you are yet to experience a crash).
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​Let’s look at some common types of car crashes that could happen to any of us each time we take a car journey.

Head-on collisions
Typically, and especially where speed is involved, head on collisions present a heightened risk of serious injury or even death. As the name would suggest, this type of road accident occurs where two vehicles collide in a head-on impact that presents both vehicles with an immediate stopping force. Aside from the threat to life, head-on collisions also commonly present serious mechanical issues, in that most vehicles have a ‘front engine’ layout, meaning the engine is housed at the front of the vehicle. In many cases, both vehicles will have to be scrapped.

Rear-end collisions
Rear-end collisions are perhaps the most common road accident. Although factors such as low sun, wet surfaces, and sudden braking from the vehicle ahead may be claimed by the driver at fault as reasons for the crash, the fact remains that if the rear vehicle had observed an adequate stopping distance for all eventualities, the accident could have been avoided. Drivers who are being tailgated may wish to avoid the chance of a rear-end collision by changing lanes or find a turning to allow the negligent driver to pass.

Side impact collisions (also known as T-bone collisions)
This type of collision typically occurs at junctions, where one vehicle attempts to pull into traffic without checking if it is safe to do so. The result can be a side impact by the front of an approaching vehicle. Where side impacts occur, serious injury may be caused to the occupants of the turning vehicle seated on the side of impact, with the outer leg, arm, and ribs bearing the brunt of the crash.

Sideswipes - side contact from a car in the next lane
This type of injury typically presents less of a concern in terms of injury to the occupants of either vehicle involved, and more of a concern in terms of damage to the vehicle. Sideswipes occur where two vehicles come into contact while travelling side by side in the same direction (i.e. in adjacent lanes). Drivers who fear that the erratic driving behaviours of a motorist travelling in the next lane may result in a side swipe should drop back to reduce the risk of any such impact.

Single vehicle impacts
Not all road accidents involve more than one vehicle. In the case of single vehicle impacts, the driver is normally held accountable for having left the road or for having caused a collision between their vehicle and a static object such as a parked car. However, situations such as oil spills that have not been dealt with could mean that the driver is not at fault for the single vehicle crash.

Think of personal injury cases, and it’s easy to imagine someone being hit by a car, slipping in a supermarket or experiencing an injury at work. Broken bones, torn muscles, sudden disabilities, whiplash etc - injuries like these are commonplace in personal injury cases, and while these injuries are debilitating, what many victims fail to value is the damage to their mental health.

Psychological trauma is just as likely when you've experienced a frightening and painful event. And considering how debilitating a psychological injury can be, it's vital that victims like you speak with personal injury law firms about the additional suffering you’re experiencing.

The stigma that still surrounds mental health often makes it difficult for victims to come forward, but when it’s the result of an accident that wasn’t your fault, speaking about your mental health concerns can potentially gain you access to treatment and therapies that may aid your recovery. You’re going to need medical assistance and treatment to get your physical health back on track, so why not do the same for your psychological health?

What are the most common circumstances?

Those who have suffered a psychological injury due to an accident are usually victims of violence, have been involved in near-miss incidents or where life-changing physical injuries have occurred. Of course, mental trauma can manifest for several reasons, but in personal injury cases, you may find that those who have been involved in car, motorcycle or truck accidents are more likely to suffer. In addition, those who have experienced criminal or violent acts against them or those that have
experienced injuries and terror whilst at their most vulnerable (e.g. during birth) also often find themselves struggling mentally.
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These kinds of circumstances can cause anxiety, panic attacks, profuse sweating, irritability, mania or strong aversion to particular situations such as getting in a car or visiting the hospital. These kinds of symptoms can severely impact the victim’s quality of life.

Understanding primary and secondary victims

After an accident, there are two kinds of victims. These are defined as primary and secondary:
- Primary Victim: The person who was directly involved in the accident. They have sustained
physical injuries and additional psychological trauma as a result of what happened. Their
injuries/trauma is well documented.
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- Secondary Victim: This person was NOT directly involved in the accident, however witnessing what occurred has left them with a psychological injury such as anxiety, depression or other emotional trauma. Secondary cases of psychological trauma are common, however, they will only be considered when the primary victims' case has been proven. They'll also need their own evidence and also need to prove a connection to the primary victim.

What kind of psychological injuries are common?

There is a broad spectrum of mental injuries, including anxiety, post-traumatic stress disorder, depression, specific phobias, a growing reliance on drugs etc.

Any kind of traumatic injury that impacts your ability to work, provide for your family, enjoy life and just go about your daily life should be brought to the attention of your personal injury solicitor.

Are you a pet lover? In my home, we have a full house. We have cats, we have a very ornery Yorkie named Trouble, who you will meet later in this post...She's living up to her name, as usual, of course. We also have a Bearded Dragon named Biscuit. He is my daughter's baby, as she's a reptile person. 

Part of the way we like to pamper our pets is by choosing only the best food for them. Natural ingredients, high protein content, and low/no grain are things we typically look for when we're choosing food for our cats and dog. 

Biscuit the Beardie? He gets crickets and Superworms and tons of greens. ~Cringes~

Anyway, recently I learned about a great brand of high-quality pet food that offers the perfect nutrition for your perfect pets. SquarePet is leading the way when it comes to creating innovative, nutritionally complete, natural pet foods that our fur-babies love. 

I got to try their Turkey & Chicken Formula Cat Food, and I'd love to tell you more about it, and about why choosing the right food for your feline friends is so crucial to their overall health, longevity, and well-being. 

If one thing is for certain, these are unprecedented times. The summer of 2020 will go down in history as being one of the least "normal" seasons ever, and maybe even one of the scariest times, too. To be completely frank, 2020 as a whole has been pretty defective, and I'd really love a refund. 

Even though things aren't typical this summer, we have been trying to make the most of things with our family. Of course, we're choosing our activities carefully and based on risk, and we're ALWAYS playing it safe. Sadly, I know quite a few people with this virus, and not all of them have a good prognosis. I'm not taking any chances with my health or the health of my family. 

Safety simply must come first, and we've adopted some Summer Fun Best Practices for the Summer of 2020 and beyond.....Or at least until the world is back to "normal" again. 

We wear masks any time we're around others, especially in indoor spaces. We don't shop with the kids in tow. We even mask up outdoors, should be we anywhere that we might come within 6 feet of other people. We limit touching surfaces at places like the Zoo, and we make sure to keep our hands away from our faces at all times. 

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Are you ready for back to school season? I know a lot of parents are anxious this year, as it doesn't look like a normal school year for many kids around the country. Some kids are going back to school full time, some part time, and some are doing remote learning. Many districts are offering a hybrid of in-person and online learning as well. My kids are already accustomed to remote learning, so that is what we're continuing to do this year. 

This month, with back to school on so many minds, I'd love to talk about some Superior Source Supplements that are perfect for back to school season and supporting immune health. 

​If your kids are going back to school in person especially, it might not be a bad idea to consider supplements to support a healthy immune system. Kids and adults alike often have trouble swallowing any pills, no matter how tiny, without gagging. With Superior Source, this is no longer an issue. They can take their vitamins without water, in just seconds. 

Who you Calling Lil’?
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Sometimes bigger isn’t better. This is especially true when it comes to snack foods. Behold–the Mighty Lil’ Lentil, everyone’s Superhero snack. Seapoint Farms has taken this nutritional powerhouse and created a variety of artisan-crafted lentils that are truly rich in flavor and loaded with wholesome goodness. These crispy Lentils are fueled by plant-based protein, packed with nutrients, and bursting with flavor. Enjoy them on their own, pair them with your favorite beverage or add a crunch to your salads and trail mixes. 
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Lentils are incredibly versatile, and tasty too!
Check out the short video below to learn how to fit them into your life.

With any luck, you and your loved ones will have no reason to seek a lawyer at any time in the foreseeable future. However, life is rarely that straightforward. From employment law to personal injuries and even things like issues with vacations and medical negligence, there could be any number of many common reasons to speak to a lawyer coming your family’s way. For example, check out New Rochelle PI lawyers.

When this happens you may be thrown in at the deep end - you might want to select a lawyer that is responsive and dedicated to your cause and one that is also family friendly (when you are in the midst of an unfortunate situation, your lawyer will become a short-term part of yours and your family’s life).

So, what are the qualities that you should look for in a lawyer? Today, we’re going to look at certain traits that are associated with family friendly lawyers that mean you and your family will not be put under any undue stress throughout your time in the legal system.

Communication and people skills
We’ve all met people who have poor communication skills. Unfortunately, these people sometimes find their way into professions that actually require communication as skill. From salespeople who are reading from a script rather than knowing their products to friends and co-workers who never seem to add anything to group chats, we all know that sometimes we’d rather be speaking to someone else entirely.

If you are faced with a lawyer who seems preoccupied, short on time, uninterested, or simply unable to convey a sense of authority and reliability, you should move along. There are plenty of other lawyers out there who will fight for your case and be there to offer support to you and your family at every step of your claim.

Creativity in all things
The way in which you’ll notice creativity sort of falls into the category of people skills, because one of the giveaway signs that you are dealing with a creative lawyer will come from the things they say. If, for example, you mention a detail of your case that you believe to be common knowledge, a creative lawyer may jump into the conversation with questions and insights that add value to the conversation. Where the lawyer is not very creative and quite switched off to the world, they may require you to provide further explanation. This can leave you feeling like they aren’t the lawyer for you.

Communication and creativity are skills all lawyers claim to possess, but only when you get the chance to speak to a lawyer will you be able to ascertain whether they truly are the lawyer suited to you and your family.

Things have been stressful lately. Very, very stressful. Between worrying about how we will make ends meet, to learning how to best navigate this "new normal", I have to admit, I've been struggling. I know I'm not alone in this. These are unprecedented times, and I think we're all just doing the best we possibly can right now. 

One way I've tried to maintain some semblance of normalcy is by making sure to take time for self care. It's so easy to forget to take care of ourselves during uncertain times, especially if we're also responsible for caring for others. It can all become very overwhelming, and sometimes, a mental break from things is a real treat.