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September 27, 2021

Automotive

Common Mistakes People Make After a Bicycle Accident

by Hadley Lily on

According to bicycle accident attorneys, in a perfect world all cyclists will have a full understanding of what they should do after an accident. With this being said however, the shock of the situation and the potential injuries afterwards, often mean that cyclists will have a tough time making sure that they follow the steps which they should do. This even includes minor sideswipe accidents. To help you get prepared for this kind of event, and of course we hope that it doesn’t happen, it is important to understand the common mistakes which are made.

Not Leaving a Police Report

Unfortunately it is quite common for the police to be more interested in the driver of a motor vehicle rather than the injured cyclist. This is not so much a mistake on the part of the cyclist, as much as it is the fault of the police. It is however important that a police statement is made by the cyclist so that it is registered.

Failure to Preserve Evidence

Whilst it may not seem like much, the clothes and even the bicycle could prove to play a significant role in attributing blame after these kinds of accidents. It is also worth keeping the equipment to one side for future use, rather than washing or throwing away the clothes which were being worn during the accident.

Negotiating With The Driver

Most drivers who know that this was their fault will try and negotiate with the cyclist so that they do not push this case forward any further. This is not a good way to negotiate however and there are a couple of reasons why. Firstly it may be that the driver changes their mind later on, and you may have not followed steps at the time which will help lawyers as a result of a deal. Secondly you honestly have no ideas of the extent of your injuries or the status of the driver until some days after the event.

Negotiating With Insurance Companies

You may find that the insurance company of the guilty party seeks to get in touch with you and offers some level of compensation. What they are trying to do here is get ahead of the curve and pay out far less than they will have to if the case moves forward to court. If you receive a call from the insurance company then simply say that you will be in touch with them in due course.

Not Calling a Lawyer

It is always worth getting legal advice after this kind of event, as you need to know what your rights are. Even if you push the case forward there is no obligation to call a lawyer, but it will always make the best sense. Representing yourself can be tough and the best option is to get in touch with a great personal injury lawyer which specializes in bicycle accidents. .

Try to avoid these mistakes if this kind of event should ever take place.

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Car

5 Of the Best Small Cars on the market in 2021

by Hadley Lily on

The small car market is, without doubt, an extremely competitive one with manufacturers continually looking to offer better value for money. This is not surprising as the cost of a deposit on a brand new small car is probably less than a Lamborghini clutch replacement. This is obviously excellent news for customers who are in the market for a small motor because there are now a plethora of models to pick from. Not only are there lots of choices but the standards are unbelievably high.

So, with all these different models available from a variety of manufacturers, customers could be excused for not knowing where to start looking. So, what sort of things should you expect from a small car and which of those things are most important to you. Are you interested in boot space, lots of extras or a practical spacious interior and a competitive price? To help we thought we’d have at the pros and cons of five of the best models available to consumers.

Toyota Yaris Hybrid

Probably at the slightly more expensive end, however, the Yaris hybrid has almost double the fuel economy of a conventionally powered small hatchback at almost 80mpg. It is also very reliable and will undoubtedly hold its value very well. On the downside, it is slightly cramped in the rear and a relatively firm ride. Also, the infotainment system that comes with this model is probably of a lower standard than other cars in this range.

Hyundai i10

With compact dimensions and excellent visibility, the Hyundai i10 is the perfect choice for city driving. However, the 1.2-litre petrol engine means it is not out of its depth on the motorway. The ride is comfortable irrespective of the speed you are travelling at and compares favourably with many larger models. The i10 has five seats and decent rear space and comes with lots of safety features as standard. The cons are, it is quite pricey to buy outright at around £12,500 and the non-turbocharged engines can be a bit lacklustre.

Ford Fiesta

It seems like the Fiesta has been around forever and like a fine wine, it just keeps getting better. The Fiesta offers owners a brilliant drive with great fuel economy and CO2 emissions mainly due to the punchy Ecoboost engines. Another obvious benefit is the good old Ford reliability which now comes in a stylish package. It could be argued that some of its rivals offer slightly better value than the Fiesta and that its practicality is decent but not class-leading. However, the Fiesta is still right up there when it comes to small cars.

Peugeot 208

If you are looking for a small car that handles sharply then there are undoubtedly better and cheaper alternatives like the Fiesta and Seat Ibiza. However, if you like your interiors plush and spacious and your ride a comfortable one then the 208 could be the car for you. The punchy and frugal 1.2 Puretech 100 engine packs plenty of power meaning you can cruise quietly and efficiently. Things that go against it are it’s relatively expensive to buy, has a so-so infotainment system and probably isn’t as much fun to drive as other makes.

Dacia Sandero

The Sandero is comfortable, nice to drive and has lots of space meaning it compares favourably with some of its much more expensive rivals. The Dacia is the cheapest new small car available in the UK coming in a few thousand pounds less than some of its competitors. However, there have to be compromises and these come in the form of lower safety ratings, entry-level basic trims and the fact they are probably not as quiet as other small cars on the market.

There are of course lots of other options available to you, but we feel the ones listed above are worthy of consideration.

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