Even the most experienced drivers can pick up bad habits. This happens over time as we become more comfortable behind the wheel.

The problem with these bad habits is that they not only put you at risk while you’re on the road but other people that are driving around you and following the rules of the road.

There are things you can do to help get your driving back on track. Not only will these tips help keep you and others safe on the road, but they’ll serve as a reminder to share the road with other vehicles, cyclists and pedestrians.

1. Back to basics

Some of the basic rules of the road are the easiest to forget when you’ve been driving for a while. For example, remaining in the left lane of the street you’re turning on to when you’re making a left turn at an intersection, always using your turn signal, or stopping completely at a stop sign. These are only a few of the bad habits that should be corrected; they’re instrumental in keeping the roads safe. Driving while you’re in a rush, tired or dealing with another distraction should be avoided as they can also lead to reckless driving.

2. Check your mirrors

Just because you drive the same car every day doesn’t mean the mirrors can’t move slightly. Maybe someone moved your car or borrowed it to run to the store, if so, they likely adjusted the mirrors. You should check your side mirrors and rear-view mirror each time you get into the driver’s seat.

3. Know how to use your high-beams  

Your high-beams are meant to be used to help you see on poorly lit roads at night or in extreme daytime weather. They should always be turned off when another car is approaching you because of how bright they are. The improper use of your high-beams can be distracting to other drivers who become blinded by your bright lights. If you encounter a driver who has failed to turn their high-beams off as you approach, it’s suggested you look to the right side of the road and follow the painted edge line.

4. Left turns

Safely making a left-hand turn in an intersection isn’t just about staying in the left lane when you turn. When you’re waiting to make your turn safely, it’s important to keep your wheels pointed straight. If you should be hit from behind, your car would move forward as opposed to it rolling into oncoming traffic if your wheels pointed left.

5. Be alert

It’s easy to fall into autopilot when you have years of driving experience under your belt. Remaining alert is an important and necessary step in safe driving. Checking your mirrors regularly, using your turn signal appropriately, and pay attention to the other cars around you. Too often people focus on the car immediately in front of them and don’t notice when they’re getting too close.

6. Distance

This one happens all the time – tailgating. Leaving adequate space between your vehicle and the ones around you is essential for avoiding accidents. A great method for keeping a safe space away is by timing the distance. Pick a marker on the road and when the car in front of you passes it, time how long it takes for you to reach the same spot. A recommended time-distance between you and the car in front is 4 seconds.

7. Drivers education

When was the last time you took a driving course? Not since you got your license, right? Overtime rules of the road can change and it’s important for you to keep up with them. If it’s been a while since you’ve been behind the wheel, you want to sharpen your driving skills or think a refresher course may be useful, don’t be afraid to connect with your local driving school.

8. Know your car

Have you ever seen people back into a parking space with what seems like no effort? Well, knowing your car may have something to do with that. The better you know your car, the more comfortable you feel driving it. Knowing what features it has and using them to your advantage, like back up cameras or park assist abilities, can help make those hard to see spots easier.

9. Using a roundabout

Roundabouts are something even experienced drivers have issues with. For some reason, they’re intimidating and can cause a lot of confusion for people. If you’re one of these people, the Ontario Ministry of Transportation has released a guide to help you understand how to properly use roundabouts.

10. Check your eyes

Having your eyes regularly checked by an optometrist ensures your eyesight is at the level it needs to be at to safely operate a vehicle.  The aging population may have noticed a decline in their sight, regular check-ups can help catch problems early and address them before they get worse.

You can be a safe driver, but accidents can happen. If you or someone you know has been involved in an accident your road to recovery is important to us. Fast dial #1000 free from your cell and our experienced team at Dye and Russell will get you the support you need.

Falling and getting a concussion, breaking a bone or suffering from a serious laceration as a result of another’s negligence are common injuries people think of when they’re talking about personal injury law. Injury claims such as these have evidential aspects that are easier to prove. External injuries are visible and possible internal injuries can be proven with X-rays or other medical scans. Claims for mental pain and suffering and emotional distress aren’t as easily proven but are still genuine to the individual suffering.

What is Emotional Distress?

Emotional distress is defined by Merriam-Webster as “a highly unpleasant emotional reaction (as anguish, humiliation, or fury) which results from another’s conduct and for which damages may be sought”.

Damages for emotional distress may be recovered whether there was intentional or negligent behaviour. In cases where negligent actions resulted in emotional distress, the plaintiff is generally required to have also suffered from a physical injury.

Signs & Symptoms
Too much of anything can affect a person. If you eat too much cake, you will end up with a stomach ache. Listening to upbeat, energetic music repeatedly can cause you to feel certain emotions such as happiness or excitement. Similarly, too much stress can lead to both emotional and physical symptoms. Knowing these signs and being able to identify them can help you reduce and learn to manage them.

Healthline outlines some of the emotional signs to pay attention to.

• Depression
• Anxiety
• Irritability & mood swings
• Problems concentrating or remembering things
• Compulsive behaviour

How Can It Be Proven?

The burden of proof falls on the victim when it comes to emotional distress lawsuits. Since emotional distress is mainly psychological, it becomes even more difficult to prove in court. Unlike a broken arm where an X-Ray can allow for a visual of the injury, there is no physical evidence to prove an injury has even occurred when it comes to mental health.

Andrew Lu describes some of the ways you might be able to prove your emotional distress claim.

• Intensity

The more intense one’s mental suffering, the more likely it can be to prove. However, cases claiming negligence against another party often require some kind of physical injury to be present.

• Duration

Proving the pain is consistent, reoccurring and stays with you for a significant period, like PTSD.

• Related bodily harm

Proving a related injury, like migraines or ulcers, can help point to signs of distress.

• Underlying cause

An extreme situation that brought on emotional distress (e.g. surviving a bombing) is more likely to show a court emotional distress was brought on by a traumatic incident. As opposed to a car accident where no one suffered any injuries.

• Doctors note

This will help support your claim and should be incorporated for this exact purpose.

How to Manage Stress

Luckily, there are things you can do to help manage and even reduce your stress. Identifying the source of your stress is the starting point for addressing your emotional symptoms.

As explained by the American Institute of Stress, there are several ways to manage stress. It’s important to find techniques that are right for you; nothing is universal when it comes to stress management. Some may find taking a hot yoga class to be relaxing while another could find it quite boring and become irritated.

• Participating in physical activity; running, playing sports, dance etc.
• Calming activities; meditating, yoga etc.
• Listening to music, reading, writing in a journal/diary etc.
• Getting a massage or attending a therapy session (private or group)

Claiming emotional distress is a complicated and overwhelming process. Involving an experienced personal injury lawyer, like Dye and Russell, to help guide you through your case is the easy part, and the first step in your road to recovery.

If you or someone you know is suffering from emotional stress due to the negligence of another, a workplace incident or traumatic event, contact the experienced team at Dye and Russell today.

The end of October is an exciting time for children and adults alike; Halloween is finally here. Some people wait for this day all year long, spending hours crafting the perfect costume. It’s a time that brings out creativity, great costumes, scary stories and who can forget the copious amounts of candy!

While trick or treating on Halloween night is fun for all ages, it’s also a time for heightened awareness of your surroundings. Here are our tips on keeping safe on the scariest night of the year.

1. Avoid masks

Wearing something that covers the face reduces how well the person wearing the mask can see. It’s important that visibility isn’t compromised; cars, bikes and other hazards are around that may cause an injury if they aren’t seen properly.

2. Wear light coloured clothing/costumes

Dark clothes such as black, brown or navy are hard to see at night. Staying in costumes or clothing that is lighter in colour makes you more visible to others.

3. Make a plan with kids going without parents/adults

If your children are old enough to go out on their own, decide on a plan before they head out. Map out a route they must take/stay on, have them bring a cell phone and flashlight and remind them to avoid homes that are poorly lit and to never go into a stranger’s home.

4. Check candy

Having a parent or guardian look through any goodies collected is very important. Sometimes candy or chocolates may have partially opened wrappers. This doesn’t always indicate the item has been tampered with, but it’s safest to throw it away anyways.

5. Stay on the sidewalk

Trick or treating happens at night, when it’s dark and generally lacks good lighting. Darting out on the road or running back and forth across the street is unsafe and can potentially lead to serious injuries. Keeping on the sidewalk means not just pedestrians stay safe, but those that are out driving as well.

6. Bring a flashlight & cell phone

In the event of any emergency it’s a good idea to have a flashlight and cell phone on hand. If something is dropped, a flashlight will make it easier to see. Flashlights also make it easier for other people to see you. A cell phone comes in handy if an emergency phone call needs to be made or to keep track of an older child who is trick or treating on their own.

7. Remove walkway clutter or potential hazards

The excitement that comes along with free candy can cause for lack of awareness of the surrounding area. Keep kids and adults safe and remove any tripping hazards from the sidewalk or porch area of your home. Keeping this area well lit will also help eliminate potential dangers.

8. Share the streets

Not exceeding the speed limit, staying alert and avoiding distractions will help you and others stay safe and enjoy the night. All motorists should exercise additional caution when driving through neighbourhoods and school zones. Pedestrians should keep in mind that costumes and lack of light make for poor driving conditions; don’t assume drivers can see you. Adding something reflective to your costume is a helpful way to remain seen.

If you have been injured, and need legal assistance, call #1000 on your cell phone for free. We will offer you a free claim assessment.

Deciding on a Personal Injury Lawyer can be an intimidating process. And it certainly isn’t your first thought when you’ve been involved in a traumatic accident. We all know accidents can happen, but we never seem to think they’ll happen to us. Being prepared in the event of an accident can help alleviate the stress and anxiety that can occur as a result.

If you find yourself in a situation where you need the expertise of a Personal Injury Lawyer, here is our guide on choosing the right one.

Recommendations

First and foremost, we suggest talking with various family members, friends, coworkers or another trusted source. These people generally have your best interests at heart and are more likely to recommend someone they’ve had a good experience with. There is also no financial incentive to be gained from these recommendations.

Specialized

Ensure the Personal Injury Lawyer you decide to retain is solely focused on practicing Personal Injury Law. Choosing a law firm that has extensive knowledge and experience makes the process easier for you and allows you to focus on recovering from your injuries.

Resources

Going up against big insurance companies doesn’t just require experience, it also requires having resources available to do so. The lawyer you choose to represent you should have the resources to spend whatever is needed so that your case can be properly built and presented to the insurance company that will be responding to your claim.

Support

Gaining access to benefits and or funds that you’ll need during the recovery process is something your lawyer should be able to provide assistance with. Having these resources available you without issue can help lift a weight off your shoulders in the wake of an accident.

Expectations

When you find yourself going through the claim process it’s important that you understand what to expect along the way. Your Personal Injury Lawyer should be able to explain the claims process in a way that you understand and set your expectations for the process going forward. If they can’t, it’s a sign they may lack the experience required.

Confidence

Having confidence in your lawyer and their abilities shouldn’t be negotiable. When deciding on who will represent you, you should feel comfortable, it should be natural and in no way forced. Having someone who ensures you understand the claims process is of great value. If you don’t feel comfortable speaking with your lawyer, it’s time to rethink who represents you.

Dye & Russell Personal Injury Lawyers have a wealth experience and do whatever it takes to settle your case for nothing less than what you deserve.

If you or someone you love has been injured by another party’s negligence, we can help with the recovery journey. If you have additional questions about personal injury contact Dye & Russell toll free at 1-877-883-6171 or fast dial #1000 free from your cell and we’ll get you the support you need.