3 Things To Try If You Start Feeling Sleepy While Driving

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If you’ve ever been on a road trip, you know how exhausting it can be to spend all day in a car. But for many people, even being on shorter trips can have them fighting to stay awake behind the wheel, especially if they haven’t gotten much sleep.

The problem with this is that driving while you’re tired is just as dangerous as driving while you’re drunk. So while you might not think that anything bad could happen just because you’re a little drowsy behind the wheel, your chances for getting in a car accident greatly increase if you’re drowsy.

Luckily, if you are starting to feel sleepy, there are things you can do to get yourself to a more awake and alert state. To show you how this can be done, here are three things to try if you start feeling sleepy while driving. 

Switch Drivers

The best thing you can do if you start to feel tired while driving is to get out from behind the wheel. If you happen to be driving with another person capable of driving the car, the National Sleep Foundation recommends that you switch drivers for a while and allow yourself to rest. 

To keep yourself performing at your best, try to switch drivers every two hours or so. And when you’re not the one driving, see if you can take a little nap and recoup some of your energy before you take the wheel again. 

Pull Over And Take A Break

Sometimes, you won’t have the luxury of having another driver in the car with you who can give you a break when you need it. In situations such as this, the next best thing is to just pull over and take a break all on your own.

During this break, Dr. Mark Stibich, a contributor to Very Well Health, recommends that you get out of the car and stretch. By getting some movement and activity, you can help to wake your body up out of its lethargic state. And if you’re still feeling tired after moving around a bit, give yourself permission to take a 20-minute nap before heading out again. 

Get Yourself Talking

In some situations, people get tired while they’re driving simply because they’re bored. Especially if you’re solely focused on driving, you may find yourself getting in a bit of a trance.

If this happens to you, Brianna Steinhilber, a contributor to NBC News, suggests that you get yourself talking. When you have someone else in the car, strike up a conversation with them to get your mind a little more active. And if you’re in the car alone, call someone and ask them to help wake up your mind a bit. 

To help keep yourself and others safe when you’re behind the wheel, consider using the tips mentioned above to keep yourself from getting sleepy while you’re driving.

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3 Car Maintenance Tasks That Will Keep You Safer On The Road

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While your driving habits and the conditions on the road have a lot to do with your safety when you’re behind the wheel, what many people don’t realize is that the extent that they upkeep and maintain their vehicle also has a huge impact on how safe they are on the road. When your car is in disrepair, it’s much easier for vital components to break or stop working properly, which could easily result in you getting into a car accident.

Because of this, it’s crucial that you spend some time learning about the most important car maintenance tasks that you should be doing on a regular and consistent basis in order to keep your car in good working order. To help you with this, here are three car maintenance tasks that will keep you safer on the road. 

Keep An Eye On Your Tires

Since your tires interact with both the body of your vehicle and the roads you drive on, it’s vital that you keep an eye on this very important part of your car.

According to Dan Collins, a contributor to CarBibles.com, part of keeping an eye on your tires means checking your tire pressure on a very regular basis. This can help you to avoid things like blowouts. In addition to your tire pressure, you should also ensure that your tires have enough tread and that you rotate your tires as outlined in your vehicle’s owner’s manual. 

Check Your Fluid Levels Regularly

Within your vehicle, there are various types of fluids that you need to ensure are always at the proper level if you want your car to function at its peak performance. 

While most people know that you need to get your oil changed regularly, many neglect to check the levels of the other fluids. According to Mark Huffman, a contributor to ConsumerAffairs.com, you should be checking the level of your coolant, transmission, wiper fluid and others as well. I

n many modern vehicles, you’ll often get an alert if any of your levels are off. But by making it a habit to manually check, you can be sure to notice any issues before they become big problems for you. 

Don’t Use Old Wiper Blades

The most important thing when you’re driving is being able to see the road and the objects around your vehicle. What can make this easier, especially during inclement weather, is having good wiper blades. But if your wiper blades are old or falling apart, it can drastically reduce your ability to see out of your windshield.

To ensure that this never becomes a problem for you, iDriveSafely.com recommends that you replace your wiper blades as soon as they start to streak or screech.

To help you stay safe while on the road, consider doing the maintenance tasks mentioned above on a regular basis.

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3 Tips For Dealing With The Other Driver Following A Car Accident

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While being in a car accident in the first place isn’t ideal, the type of person you’re in a car accident with can easily make or break the situation. Although no one is ever happy or excited about damage to their property or to their physical bodies, being able to effectively communicate with the other driver can make the whole process of handling a car accident go much smoother.

To help ensure you’re able to have at least some kind of positive interaction between you and others involved in a car accident, here are three tips for successfully dealing with the other driver following a car accident. 

Do Your Best To Stay Calm

To get everything started off on the right foot, the best thing for you to do, according to iDriveSafely.com, is to try your best to stay calm.

Following a car accident, you’re likely feeling a lot of emotions. If you’re in an accident where people have been injured, seeking medical help is going to be your top priority. But if you’re in an accident where the only damage was done to property, your priority should now be handling the situation calmly and moving on to the next steps of getting this accident taken care of. 

Especially if the other driver of the car was shaken up or angry, you being able to remain calm and keep the situation from escalating can be extremely helpful for everyone involved. 

Don’t Admit Fault

As you try to get things taken care of and figured out after your car accident, you’re going to have to speak with the other driver. What’s important to remember, however, is that you don’t say anything to them that could be construed as you admitting fault for what happened.

According to Kevin Mercadante, a contributor to Money Under 30, it’s crucial to any potential investigation that you don’t lie but that you also don’t say anything that could be used against you during legal proceedings. Regardless of whether you think that accident was your fault or not, that ruling is really up to the police or insurance company to decide, not you. 

Get All The Relevant Information

Even with everything that’s going on after you get in a car accident, you’ve got to push your feelings aside and ensure that you’re able to get all the relevant information from any other people involved in your accident.

To help with this, Selene Yeager, a contributor to AARP, recommends that you try to get as much personal information about the driver and passengers as you can so that it’s easy for your insurance company to contact them later on. Additionally, if there were any witnesses to your accident, be sure you get their information as well, as this could be helpful to you during any investigation.

To help you be prepared the next time you get in a car accident, consider using the tips mentioned above to know what you should do when interacting with any other drivers involved in your collision.

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5 Vehicles You Need To Have Fun As An Adult

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Being an adult means that you have plenty of responsibility to tend to, but it also means that you have the ability to have another level of fun.  If you love going to the extreme, then you’ll need a variety of different sport vehicles to satiate your adrenaline addiction.  

Redefine your expression of “fun,” and make your Christmas wish list more entertaining this year.  Here is a quick look at some of the best vehicles to facilitate fun when you’re all grown up, but not really grown.  

You need a 4-wheeler 

The Yamaha Grizzly 500 EPS is the best 4×4 ATV available on the market.  Just know that you will pay for what you get when you purchase this 4-wheeler.  The cost of the Grizzly will set you back nearly $10,000.  

If you’re free to pay $200 more, you can get the choice of blue or white with cast aluminum wheels.  You should have the type of fun this fantastic ATV provides the opportunity to explore. Don’t sell yourself short, and invest in the best.  

Get a utility vehicle

You may have a bit of work to keep up with outside of your living space, and you’ll need a utility vehicle to get the work done.  Try discovering what Kubota utility vehicles have to offer, and set yourself up for success on your next outdoor project.  

A motorcycle ups the ante

It’s never a bad time to get a motorcycle and explore the world on two wheels.  You can have speed, danger, and exhilaration all in one small vehicle, but you have to make sure you get the right bike for your body and ability.  

If you’re a bit of a newcomer to riding a motorcycle, you should look into finding some of the best machines on two wheels for beginners.  Check out the Honda CB500F, for starters.  

Honda has been a trusted provider for vehicles of all types for many years.  You can be sure that this beginner’s vehicle will be reliable, comfortable, and extremely manageable. 

Wave runners for fun on the water

You can have fun on land or water, and you may find yourself more comfortable in the middle of the nearest body of water.  Purchasing a wave runner, or SeaDoo, will bring your fun quotient to the next level.  

A four-wheel drive SUV 

If you have never explored the adventures you can find by going off-road, then you are missing out on some top-of-the-line fun.  Consider investing in the 2019 Mercedes-Benz G-Class. You’ll pay a pretty penny for this 4×4 SUV, but you won’t need to pay for another one for at least a decade. 

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DISCOVERING WHAT MAKES YOU ELIGIBLE FOR A MOTABILITY CAR

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For some people, having a disability sits at the top of things they are terrified of. This fear is justified because disabilities have a way of making the person affected not to be able to function as normally as they would want. Going through life with a disability that limits you and prevents you from moving around as much as you would like is a hassle.

This lack of ability to move and function as you would want is fast becoming a thing of the past thanks to different schemes springing up to enable people with disabilities to become more mobile and more independent.

One such scheme is the motability scheme. Motability scheme, initiated by a charity known as Motability, focuses on enabling people with disabilities or any illness that prevents them from moving around with ease get cars which make it possible for them to be more mobile. The scheme largely relies on your Disability Living Allowance to allow you to lease a car.

At the inception of the motability scheme, the types of vehicles you could choose from were limited. However, as more people are opting to benefit from the scheme, there are now so many vehicle options to choose from. You make a choice from different vehicles ranging from powered wheelchairs and motability scooters to cars.

Knowing about the scheme is only one part of the solution to your mobility needs. You also need to know if you are eligible to benefit from it.

Here are some ways you can qualify to benefit from the scheme:

Through Personal Independence Payment

If you have been given the enhanced rate mobility part of your Personal Independence Payment for 12 months or more, you are eligible to benefit from the motability scheme.

Using your Disability Living Allowance

If you have received the greater rate mobility part of your Disability Living Allowance for 12 months or more, you are eligible to get a motability car.

Via Armed Forces Independence Payment of War Pensioners’ Mobility Supplement

If you were a member of the armed forces and your disabilities were developed while you were in the line of duty, there is a way for you to benefit from the motability scheme. When you have received your Armed Forces Independence Payment or your War Pensioners’ Mobility Supplement for a period of 12 months or more, you can get a motability vehicle of your choice.

It is not difficult to find out if you are eligible to benefit from the motability scheme. All you have to do is check which category applies to you. Check how much of your Personal Independence Payment, Disability Living Allowance, Armed Forces Independence Payment it War Pensioners’ Mobility Supplement you have received. If the payments you have received go all the way to 12 months, you are eligible to get a motability vehicle.

Apart from knowing your eligibility status, there are two more things you have to do. First, research about the kind of cars available and how much down payment you have to make to get the vehicle that interests you. The second thing is building a good relationship with a dealership that offers good motability deals. One such dealership is Sandown Group.

Check how eligible you are today, go to the best dealership that offers you great deals on motability vehicles, pick a vehicle of your choice and say goodbye to limited mobility.

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Best Dualsport Riding Gear {for Fall Riding}

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Fall riding is an animal unto itself, and that means you need to spec out your gear for it if you’re going to have a good time. The weather can be unpredictable when you ride in autumn, but it can also be some of the most beautiful scenery. Since a lot of the country has a wet season when the weather turns colder, there are also a lot of opportunities for riding in the mud if that’s your thing. That requires its own equipment too. Here’s what you’ll want for your fall riding on the trail and the road.

Fall Riding Gear for Your Commute

The best dualsport riding gear for fall will depend on where you are riding. For the morning commute, consider getting a riding suit you can wear over your work clothes or regular apparel. If that’s not an option, you’ll want padded clothes you can layer for a combination of warmth and protection. This is a great season to invest in your next leather jacket, too. Here is the basic checklist for variable weather:

  • Boots with wet weather traction and the kind of deep grooves that let you get off the bike and move around in the mud
  • Gloves with good insulation and grip that still breathe in the heat
  • Layered clothing for days when the sun is warm but the ride is cold
  • A helmet with full face protection options

Of course, if you’re hitting the trail, you’ll need a little different layout.

Trail Riding All Through the Fall

You never know when you’re going to run into a muddy trail, because the season can surprise you and some sections of your route will take surprisingly long to dry out as the water table rises with the seasonal precipitation. That means you are going to need all terrain tires that suit the variety of conditions in your area, and that requires research. No one-size-fits all solution will work when you’re making recommendations across a country as vast as the United States, but you can find great options wherever you find the best OEM parts for Kawasaki Ninja 300.

Of course, changing out your tires isn’t all you need to do to hit the trail. You’ll want a riding jacket with protection from rain in case conditions change on the ride, as well as some upgrades to your lights and safety systems to help you contend with the shorter days. The most important thing, though, is your maintenance. Going into the seasonal change without checking out your bike and making sure you’re tuned up and fully serviced means riding blind during some of the most exciting and challenging times of year. Aftermarket mods for motorcycles and dirt bikes with fall in mind can help you get the build that fits your riding style and event type, so you’ll be ready for either competition or a relaxing weekend on the trail whenever you want to go.

Check out your options for mods wherever you shop for motorcycle parts, and find great ways to customize your bike for fall. You won’t believe how much fun it can be to ride through the changing leaves when you’ve got the right gear for the experience.

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The Most Dependable Car Brands

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Earlier this year, J.D. Power, a global leader in consumer insights, data and analytics released its 2019 U.S. Vehicle Dependability Study (VDS).  Now in its 30th year, J.D. Power’s VDS analyzes three-year-old vehicles annually to find problems experienced by their original owners.

With this data, they can ascertain the most dependable car brands each year based upon the number of problems owners of each manufacturer’s vehicles have reported over the previous three years. The responses of more than 80,000 verified owners inform the VDS.

This year’s findings are based upon vehicles designated as 2016 models.

Dependability is Up Industry-Wide

The study measures the number of problems brands experienced per 100 vehicles during the past 12 months from the cars they built for 2016. The lower their total score, the more highly they rank. All in all, there was good news across the board for 2019, though there were also a few thorns to be found.

“Vehicle dependability continues to improve, but I wouldn’t say everything is rosy,” said Dave Sargent, vice president of Global Automotive at J.D. Power. “Vehicles are more reliable than ever, but automakers are wrestling with problems such as voice recognition, transmissions and battery failures.”

Why This Matters

One of the leading causes of depreciation is the perceived reliability of a manufacturer’s products. The most dependable car brands tend to have better resale value. Thus, after you’ve used an auto loan calculator to get an idea of what a car will actually cost you to acquire, you can factor in potential depreciation costs to further inform your purchasing decision. This will help you find the best values when shopping for a new car.

The Top-Rated Brands

Living up to its long-running reputation for sterling reliability, Toyota and its luxury brand Lexus took the top two positions, with Lexus ranking number one for the eighth straight year. Tied for second place with Toyota is Porsche. Rounding out the top five positions are Chevrolet and Buick.

Let’s take a look at the overall findings.

Purchasing a car from one of the most dependable car brands has a number of benefits; among them are lower maintenance costs, added peace of mind and potentially higher resale values. While car buying tends to be an emotional purchase for a lot of people, it’s always a good idea to consider the practical aspects of a purchase too.

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The Most Important Advice for Winning a Personal Injury Case

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Personal injury is often misunderstood because it covers such a wide area of legal claims. What is and is not personal injury can be confusing, but it is defined as a wide range of circumstances where one party’s negligence or deliberate action causes harm and injuries to the mind, body or emotions of another party. Personal injury is one of the most common types of legal cases filed, and women file as many personal injury claims as men.

A personal injury case is a civil case meaning the objective in a personal injury case is for financial compensation from the defendant. Since there is no criminal element in the case, the defendant cannot receive jail time if he or she loses the case. Also, since it is a civil case, the burden of proof for personal injury is much lower than in a criminal case. To win, the plaintiff lower must prove fault based on a preponderance of the evidence, rather than reasonable doubt which is required in a criminal case.

The important components necessary for a plaintiff to win a civil case is for the plaintiff must show that:

  • the injuries were caused by the defendant’s behavior,
  • that the defendant’s behavior was reckless, willful, or negligent, and
  • that the injuries caused by the defendant have a financial impact to the plaintiff that can be quantified.

Personal injury lawsuits are so common partly because personal injury can happen in nearly any circumstance. They are most often however filed for defective products, traffic accidents, medical malpractice, assault, and slip or trip and falls on private and public property. The injuries sustained from personal injury may be physical, mental or emotional and can be short term or lifelong. The damages sought in a personal injury case will seek to cover medical bills, loss of work, pain and suffering, impaired or diminished quality of life and other things that have occurred due to the injuries caused by the defendant.

When a plaintiff brings a personal injury claim, there are important things to do that will greatly improve the odds of winning the case, Here is a short list:

Hire a Good Local Personal Injury Lawyer

You must hire an attorney in the jurisdiction where the personal injury occurred. For instance, if you were injured in a car accident in Miami, you must hire an attorney licensed in Florida, and it is best to hire a good personal injury lawyer in Miami because they know the court system in that city and can do the best job for you. Your lawyer will instruct you on all of the necessary things that you both need to do to win your case.

Make Sure You are Prepared

Your personal injury case will include hundreds of big and small details. You will be required to recall every event and circumstance related to your injuries while the defendant will try and prove that the fault was yours. You must be completely prepared with all of the facts. This means that you must take good notes regarding the car accident; get a police report, take down and contact any witnesses, and take all of the details and personal information from the defendant and anyone else involved in the car accident, and any witnesses to it as well. You need to notate all of your doctor and rehab visits and those with your attorney as well. Also keep a record of the work you lose because of your injuries and the loss of quality things in your life including intimacy.

One additional major aspect is the mental anguish you can sustain. Car accident victims often develop phobias, anxiety, and other mental issues when they are in a bad car accident. You can receive compensation for these issues as well so you should note them. Being well prepared for your personal injury case with great notes will help your lawyer make your best case and get you the most compensation.

Hire a good local lawyer and take good notes and it will greatly improve your chances of winning your personal injury lawsuit.

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How to Keep Your Mercedes Benz in Great Condition With Little Effort

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A Mercedes Benz is not like any other cars, it’s a sign of luxury, prestige, and financial safety.

However, there’s nothing more embarrassing than showing up with one of these excellent cars and having to explain to your peers why it sounds like an old washing machine that’s falling apart.

Save yourself from this situation by following our small guide on the most critical aspects of the maintenance of a Mercedes Benz.

We’re going to provide you with quick and simple tips on how to keep your vehicle in top shape, extending its longevity, and making it into an example of the brand.

Mercedes Maintenance Tips

Every type of vehicle, no matter the brand, must frequently be checked to ensure its performance.

Whether it’s a brand-new car or an old-timer, you can maintain it in great shape if you take the stance of preventive maintenance instead of active maintenance.

This means you don’t wait until the car breaks down to take it to service for maintenance. Instead, you keep a schedule of checkups that will alert you if something’s starting to deteriorate and bring it to a specialist and prevent further damage.

However, one thing you must always keep in mind is that Mercedes are not simple vehicles that any mechanic can maintain, you must take it to a specialist, certified professionals that will treat your car correctly.

That’s why, even if you follow this guide accurately, you should consider a Mercedes service plan for your vehicle that offers expert technicians and assures a quality service that will keep your car in top shape

Follow these tips on what to check on your Mercedes and how often you should check it:

  • Check the Fluid Levels: most of the engine problems of many vehicles are associated with running a car with low fluid levels. Incorporate to your routine checking the oil and coolant every week; and the steering, brake, and transmission fluids monthly.

  • Check your Tires: under-inflated tires wear out faster, cost you more in gas, and can be hazardous to drive in.

  • Keep your Car Clean: although keeping the exterior and interior of your car aids in keeping it in great shape, we’re talking about professional washing that can guarantee your car’s interior is also protected of grime and waste that settles in those spots you can’t clean manually.

  • Follow your Owner’s Manual Maintenance Schedule: depending on your car’s model you might have different mileage on this schedule, but the important part is that you never miss a tune-up on your car.

Help! I Can’t Tell the Difference Between One Part or the Other!

Don’t be embarrassed by this fact. It’s common, especially amongst new drivers, to have problems differentiating between a car’s interior parts.

Having a look at online resources about a how a part should look and comparing it with your vehicle’ state is a great way to maintain and prevent further deterioration of your car.

However, if you’re still having troubles and don’t have anyone you can trust your car’s maintenance, consider a Mercedes service plan that will professionally assist you with this and will gladly check your vehicle.

Not only will they follow this preventive guide, but they also have professional instruction on how to deal with any issues your vehicle could have.

Where to take your Mercedes for Service

There are dozens of locations you can choose from for your car’s maintenance, and each one advertises their technicians as the best in the market and their service as the best value.

What you must look for is a certified Mercedes Benz service that offers a complete service plan. This way you’ll be able to guarantee a professional, trustworthy service that comes with several additional benefits, like free of charge fluid checks ups and refills.

Even if you find a reliable mechanic willing to take a look at your vehicle, consider a Mercedes service plan that guarantees a specialist, who has received certified Mercedes Benz instruction, will frequently check your car for any potential harm.

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Why Leasing a Car Is The Perfect Choice

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When it comes to getting yourself a new car there are many decisions which you will need to make. Before you begin looking at color charts, engine spec and car magazines however, you first need to decide on whether you will buy yourself that new car, or instead look to lease a car.

In my view, leasing is the ultimate choice when it comes to getting a new car, and for this there are many reasons which we will look at today. Without further ado then, here are just a few reasons why you should go to see a personal car leasing specialist the next time you are looking for a new auto.

Cost Control

When you lease a car, you will be in complete control of the varying costs which are incorporated. The cost of the lease, aside from the investment, is often calculated by the amount of time which you lease it for, and the amount of miles which you may rack up. Both of these factors are completely in your control which can help you to reduce how much you spend on your car.

Disposable

For most of us, there is little valid reason to actually own a car, at the end of the day these are pieces of machinery which we use to serve our needs, and then we get rid of them. Instead of tying up large sums of money in your new car, money which you’ll l so over time, lease a car and keep things as simple as they should be.

Outside The Market

When you lease a car, you are not susceptible to market conditions in the way that you would be if you were buying or selling. Equally, as aforementioned, cars lose value from the moment that you drive it away from the showroom, when you lease a car, you won’t have to worry about losing money or paying too much.

Monthly Freedom

The monthly cost of leasing a car will always bring you better value than paying for car finance. Manufacturers love the leasing side of their business and they use it very often to gain a competitive advantage over their competitors. What this means for the consumer is that you will regularly see hot deals on various cars, which give you the chance to get a great car for a low monthly price.

Tax Deduction

The write off on a lease car is almost 6 times the value of the cost of the ownership. This makes a lease car absolutely perfect for those who own a business, or use their car for business dealings. To break it down in more detail, those using their cars for business use at the moment will receive 54 cents on the mile, assuming you do 10,000 per year, you can write off $5,400. Now, were you to have a lease car in the same situation, you can write off the full 10,000 miles with no payment.

Next time you are looking for a new car, why not go for a lease!

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