Lawsuits accuse Tesla's Musk of fraud over tweets, going-private proposal

Tesla Inc and Chief Executive Elon Musk were sued twice on Friday by investors who said they fraudulently engineered a scheme to squeeze short-sellers, including through Musk's proposal to take the electric car company private.

The lawsuits were filed three days after Musk stunned investors by announcing on Twitter that he might take Tesla private in a record $72 billion transaction that valued the company at $420 per share, and that "funding" had been "secured."

In one of the lawsuits, the plaintiff Kalman Isaacs said Musk's tweets were false and misleading, and together with Tesla's failure to correct them amounted to a "nuclear attack" designed to "completely decimate" short-sellers.

The lawsuits filed by Isaacs and William Chamberlain said Musk's and Tesla's conduct artificially inflated Tesla's stock price and violated federal securities laws.

Tesla did not respond to a request for comment on the proposed class-action complaints filed in the federal court in San Francisco. The company is based in nearby Palo Alto, California.

Short-sellers borrow shares they believe are overpriced, sell them, and then repurchase shares later at what they hope will be a lower price to make a profit.

Such investors have long been an irritant for Musk, who has sometimes used Twitter to criticize them.

Musk's Aug. 7 tweets helped push Tesla's stock price more than 13 percent above the prior day's close.

The stock has since given back more than two-thirds of that gain, in part following reports that the US Securities and Exchange Commission had begun inquiring about Musk's activity.

Musk has not offered evidence that he has lined up the necessary funding to take Tesla private, and the complaints did not offer proof to the contrary.

But Isaacs said Tesla's and Musk's conduct caused the volatility that cost short-sellers hundreds of millions of dollars from having to cover their short positions, and caused all Tesla securities purchasers to pay inflated prices.

Tesla's market value exceeds $60 billion, and its shares closed Friday up $3.04 at $355.49.

According to his complaint, Isaacs bought 3,000 Tesla shares on Aug. 8 to cover his short position.

The proposed class period in Isaacs' lawsuit runs from the afternoon of Aug. 7 through the next day, and in Chamberlain's lawsuit runs from Aug. 7 to Aug. 10. — Reuters

Man reunited with car after forgetting where it was parked 20 years ago

Back in 1997, a man filed a report to the Frankfurt police claiming that his car was missing.

Twenty years later, city authorities found the vehicle in an old industrial building, according to The Independent.

As per report, the building was about to be demolished and the police needed to find the car’s owner.

It turned out that the man, now 76, had simply forgotten where he parked his car.

German newspaper Augsberger Allgemein reports that the police and the man’s daughter accompanied him to see the vehicle.

The car was no longer functional and needed to be scrapped. Hopefully, the man at least dodged some hefty parking fees. Niña V. Guno/JB

source: newsinfo.inquirer.net

Tesla Model 3 electric car has no instruments, just a 15-inch screen

Electric car manufacturer Tesla has delivered the first 30 units of their new Model 3 sedans. And the big difference from regular cars is the model’s lack of the traditional gauges and instruments.

On the evening of July 28, Tesla held a grand handover event to the first thirty owners of the Model 3 electric car. However, owners may need some getting used to the single 15-inch display sitting in the middle of the dashboard, according to The Verge.

The single-screen on the dashboard is a radical design change for the interior of cars and is part of the company’s ongoing strategy to push for driving autonomy in cars.

Tesla CEO Elon Musk believes that in the future, drivers wouldn’t even care if there’s no instrument cluster.

“You won’t really need to look at an instrument panel all that often,” Musk said during the event.

He goes so far as to add that eventually, people will be able to “watch a movie, talk to friends, go to sleep” in Tesla cars.

The Model 3 is the first step in Tesla’s grand plan to make electric cars more accessible for the masses. By accomplishing this goal, it paves the way for greater adaption of electric vehicles, and the eventual retirement of their gas-guzzling predecessors. Alfred Bayle/JB

source: technology.inquirer.net

Subaru announces BRZ tuned by STI

Subaru of America, Inc. has announced two new performance models: the 2018 Subaru WRX STI Type RA and 2018 Subaru BRZ tS. Both are performance focused derivatives engineered by Subaru Tecnica International, Inc. specifically for driving enthusiasts. Each vehicle is limited to 500 units and vehicles will arrive at Subaru retailers in early 2018.
 

BRZ tS

The 2018 BRZ tS (tuned by STI) delivers the highest level of “fun to drive” and “pure handling delight” through greater flexibility, better control and stability.

BRZ is renowned for its ultra-low center of gravity and precision handling, and the new BRZ tS adds STI-tuned front and rear SACHS® dampers and coil springs as well as flexible V-braces in the engine compartment. New draw stiffeners are added to the chassis and sub-frame to improve steering response. The BRZ tS is also equipped with 18-in. lightweight STI wheels (the first time that a BRZ has been offered with 18-inch wheels) mounted with 215/40 R 18 Michelin Pilot® Sport 4 tires for superior grip and quicker turn-in. Brembo® brakes at all four corners round-out the package.

 

The exterior also adds a more aggressive look with an exclusive STI rear carbon fiber spoiler. The spoiler is manually adjustable to fine-tune rear downforce. The addition of STI front, rear and side underspoilers helps control airflow for better traction and stability.

The BRZ tS is also adorned with an exclusive Cherry Blossom Red accent around the front grille and unique rear bumper cover. The rear hatch displays the official BRZ tS badge. The exterior foldable mirrors, roof-mounted shark fin antenna, BRZ and SUBARU badging all have a black finish. Also, the fog lights have been removed and replaced with STI fog light covers.

The cabin features black leather and Alcantara® upholstery with contrasting red stitching and accents throughout the interior, including steering wheel, door and dash panels, knee pads, shifter and emergency brake boots. front seats have red leather bolsters and the seatbacks are embroidered with the tS logo. The visor over the gauge cluster is unique to this model, as is the interior door trim. The center console has been updated to a cast black finish. The BRZ tS also comes standard with red front seat belts and a frameless interior rear view mirror.

WRX STI Type RA

 

 

The RA designation stands for “Record Attempt” and has been applied to various Subaru performance models. The original venture took place in 1989 when a competition version Subaru Legacy broke the FIA World Speed Endurance Record by clocking over 62,000 miles in 18 days and set a top speed record of 138 mph. Furthering this spirit of endeavor, a special race model WRX STI Type RA NBR Special will attempt a Nürburgring speed record this summer.

In keeping with this tradition, the 2018 WRX STI Type RA delivers increased performance through weight reduction, suspension and engine upgrades. The new, numbered limited edition model comes standard with a carbon fiber roof panel, the removal of the spare tire, a carbon fiber pedestal wing and lightweight BBS® 19-in. forged alloy wheels shod with 245/35R19 Yokohama Advan Sports tires.

Powered by a 2.5-liter turbocharged boxer engine, the limited edition WRX STI Type RA increases horsepower to an estimated 310hp with the help of an STI-specified new cold air intake and high flow performance exhaust. A retuned ECU and stronger pistons also contribute to the increased engine performance. The six-speed transmission features a revised 3rd gear ratio paired with a short throw shifter. The weight reduction, additional horsepower and revised gearing all contribute to faster acceleration.

Handling has been upgraded with inverted front struts and rear double wishbone suspension all with Bilstein® dampers. A modified multi-mode VDC gives the car better stability control to keep it on its intended path. The Brembo® brake system, with monoblock 6-piston front calipers and dual-piston rear calipers, features an exclusive silver finish and is paired with cross-drilled rotors for better heat dissipation.

The WRX STI Type RA is immediately identified by an exclusive Cherry Blossom Red accent around both the front mesh grille and new rear bumper cover. An STI front underspoiler has also been added for better stability at high speeds. The exterior mirrors with integrated turn signals, a roof-mounted shark fin antenna and STI fender badges now come in a black finish. The rear deck lid displays the WRX STI Type RA badge.

In addition to the eye-catching exterior, the WRX STI Type RA cabin features Recaro® performance design front seats with red bolsters and stitching as well as an embossed STI logo on the head restraints. The signature red stitching and accent trim is visible throughout the cabin. The steering wheel is wrapped in Ultrasuede® for better grip and has a black gloss-finish center spoke insert with STI logo. Push-button start with Keyless Access is also standard equipment. Each of the 500 WRX STI Type RA produced for retail sale has been individually numbered with a plaque mounted on the center console.

Both the 2018 WRX STI Type RA and BRZ tS will be available in WR Blue Pearl, Crystal Black Silica and Crystal White Pearl.

source: motioncars.inquirer.net

California gives green light to self-driving car tests

SAN FRANCISCO, United States — The US state of California is easing its rules for autonomous car testing, by allowing testing of vehicles in which there is no human driver.

The new rules have yet to be submitted for public consultation, with a final version expected by the end of the year, according to its Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) .

“These rules expand our existing autonomous vehicle testing program to include testing vehicles where no driver is present,” said DMV Director Jean Shiomoto.

“This is the next step in eventually allowing driverless autonomous vehicles on California roadways.”

California took some heat earlier for seeking to stop testing of fully autonomous cars — those in which a human is not physically on board.

Rules proposed at the end of 2015 required that a person with a permit always be present in the vehicle, and be able to regain control of it. And that person would be held responsible for traffic offenses or accidents.

The Federal Road Safety Agency NHTSA, however, differed a few months later saying that a computer system — based on the artificial intelligence of autonomous cars — could be considered their “driver.”

California, and Silicon Valley in particular, is a key location for automakers and tech startups working on driverless cars. The change should help keep that the case.

The DMV says it has permitted 27 manufacturers to test self-driving cars.  CBB

source: technology.inquirer.net

Hyundai recalls Genesis Coupes to fix air bag wiring problem

DETROIT — Hyundai is recalling more than 84,000 cars in the U.S. because a wiring problem can cause the front passenger air bag to malfunction.

The recall covers Genesis Coupes from the 2010 to 2016 model years.

The company says in government documents that an electrical connector for the passenger seat air bag sensor can become disconnected. That can cause the air bag to inflate when a child is in the seat or deploy with too little force to protect an adult. In both cases, passengers could be hurt, but Hyundai says it has no reports of injuries.


Dealers will secure the wiring to make sure it stays connected. The recall is expected to start on Dec. 2. TVJ

source: business.inquirer.net

Nissan recalls nearly 4 million cars with air bag problems

NEW YORK — Nearly 4 million Nissan cars are being recalled due to major safety problems where passenger air bags or seat belts could fail in a crash, leading to serious injuries or fatalities.

The two recalls are just the latest in a string of safety problems to hit automakers in the past year with Acura, BMW, Chrysler, Ford, Honda, Lexus, Mazda, Toyota and other manufactures having to recall cars over air bag problems. The Nissan problems are unrelated to the other air bag issues.

Nissan North America, Inc. said that 3.2 million cars may have a problem with a sensor that detects if the front passenger seat is occupied and if that passenger is an adult or a child. Defective sensors might incorrectly think that an adult is a child or classify the seat as empty, thus turning off the air bag.

The recall applies to certain cars of the following models: the 2016-2017 Nissan Maxima, 2013-2016 Nissan Altima, NV200, LEAF and Sentra, 2013-2017 Nissan Pathfinder, 2014-2016 Nissan NV200 Taxi, Infiniti QX60 and Q50, 2014-2017 Nissan Rogue, 2015-2016 Nissan Murano, Chevrolet City Express and 2013 Infiniti JX35 vehicles.

Nissan will notify owners of the problem and offer to fix it for free, however no schedule has yet been provided for when these notices will go out or how quickly the repairs can be made.

Nissan is also recalling another 620,000 of its 2013-2016 Sentras.

In these cars, the air bag sensor has the opposite problem: It isn’t shutting off when it should be. The automaker said the front passenger seat belt bracket may become deformed if it is used to secure a child restraint system. That deformed seat bracket might then cause the air bag not to shut off when it should be off.

Nissan has not yet figured out how to fix the problem and is warning owners not to install child restraint systems in the front seats. It will take Nissan more than a month to notify owners of the problem and then the carmaker will follow up with a second letter once it figures out a solution, which will be free. TVJ

source: business.inquirer.net

Affordable Car Insurance – Factors to Consider

When you start shopping for a car insurance company, you are flooded having “lowest rates” and “cheapest insurance” presents. Before you take the plunge consider some important factors that actually make car insurance affordable.

In order to have better control over rates, it is crucial to be careful in selecting the suitable coverages and features that make the car insurance meet all your requirements.

 It’s also important to look for an insurance company that offers you fair, prompt and reliable customer satisfaction at good rates. Affordable car insurance needn’t be a far fetched dream if you spend some time understanding your requirements before obtaining your policy.

State Laws- A good beginning is to know the minimum insurance cover you’ll want in accordance with your point out laws. Car Insurance is mandatory in most US states and each has different requirements for your basic minimum coverage you need to carry in order to take your car on your way.

Depending on your state legislations, you must devise an insurance plan that meets the basic requirements along with covers other risks, which you might preempt, depending on the style of your car, your driving record, distance traveled, number of people in your car, etc; also take into account your own other fellow drivers and what type of coverages they usually carry. Every place has a distinct trend and it’s always good to stay the know so that you’ve an idea about the normal claim figures doing the units.

For example, the minimum state regulated requirements for Texas car insurance policy cover $25, 000 for body injury and property damage just about every, going up to $50, 000 towards any sort of accident. However, be prepared when you invest in just this coverage you have only ensured that you’re protected incase you are located at fault in an accident and the other driver claims from the car insurance.

This gives you a abrasive idea about the liability amounts you have to be purchasing. Always buy adequate coverage further than the minimum liability to protect yourself too once you buy car insurance.

Know this current value of your car- One other important factor is to know this current value of your car. Your car insurance quotes would vary according to the model of your car. For instance, a Mitsubishi Lancer is going to be costlier with regard to repairs than the Honda Initial. Similarly, there are cars which are charged higher premiums in terms of safety features, theft, injury, vehicle repairs and collision claims. The simple equation the following is; the safer (read lower risk) the car is, the more affordable will likely be your car insurance.

Some coverages a bit more ignore – Additionally coverages like Uninsured/Underinsured Motorist, Comprehensive, Collision, and PIP should all be considered depending upon age your car and your particular requirements. Ideally it makes no sense and keep collision coverage once your auto crosses 8 years. Similarly comprehensive coverage should be dropped once it’s over decade old. The logic is basic.

Any claim you make from your insurance company at this time will not be a extremely significant amount once factors like depreciation and deductibles are counted in. However if you feel would likely not be able to bear out of pocket expenses to replace/ repair your damaged car, stick with one of these coverages. PIP is mandatory in some sates but is advisable and keep on your policy if even if it’s not in your point out regulation list. The same is true of Uninsured/Underinsured Motorist coverages. These really come in handy if you become involved in a hit and run crash.

Check the reputation of the insurance company- Be sure you do a background check from the financial reputation of the company that you intend to get insured with; know the complaint index; read some testimonails from others about them. The last thing you should do is go with a company that promises affordable car insurance, but finds every reason inside the book to shortchange you on the claim.

Consider Additional benefits- Some firms offer plenty of other benefits as opposed to discounts that actually make for affordable car insurance. Benefits like lifetime car repair guarantee, 24/7 insurance claim hotline, waiver from the deductible for a “Not from Fault” Accident, first accident forgiveness, etc all actually save you more money ultimately.

Remember – It’s never a good idea to over or under insure your car because you wind up losing money ultimately in both cases. In the nutshell, buy a car insurance policy that not merely meets all your requirements and also offers an edge with regard to customer care. Tailor it to get affordable car insurance be the best value for money policy for ones dollars.

Bethany Collins is a Work at home Mother (WAHM) who lives having her husband and two children. She loves to read and surf the net looking for new money protecting tips, recipes, etc. In her spare time she writes on personal money [home, life and car insurance, budgeting, and other investment options] and also grows organic vegetables in the woman small vegetable garden.

source: bestsaffordablescarsinsurances.net

US sues VW for at least $20 bn over emissions cheating

New York - The US government sued Volkswagen Monday for installing equipment on nearly 600,000 diesel cars that intentionally subverted clean-air regulations, resulting in excess harmful emissions.

Civil penalties in the lawsuit, filed by the Justice Department on behalf of the Environmental Protection Agency, could run well above $20 billion, according to the suit.

The complaint alleges that the big German automaker intentionally installed "defeat devices" on its diesel VWs, Audis and Porsches that met tough US environmental tests during official reviews, but spewed up to 40 times the legal levels of poisonous pollutants when on the road.

The Justice Department did not specify a specific overall penalty it was seeking.
But it laid out per-car penalties of up to $37,500, and up to $2,750 per defeat device, which could take the cost of the suit for VW to well past $20 billion.

"Car manufacturers that fail to properly certify their cars and that defeat emission control systems breach the public trust, endanger public health and disadvantage competitors," said assistant attorney general John Cruden.

"The United States will pursue all appropriate remedies against Volkswagen to redress the violations of our nation’s clean air laws alleged in the complaint."

Cynthia Giles, assistant administrator for enforcement and compliance assurance at EPA, said the lawsuit would hold Volkswagen accountable and set the case on a "path to resolution."

"So far, recall discussions with the company have not produced an acceptable way forward," Giles said. "These discussions will continue in parallel with the federal court action."  — Agence France-Presse

source: gmanetwork.com

S&P cuts Volkswagen's credit rating after scandal

PARIS, France - The international credit rating agency Standard and Poor's on Monday cut the long-term debt rating of German auto giant Volkswagen in the wake of the pollution-cheating scam involving its diesel vehicles.

S&P said in a statement it was downgrading VW's long-term debt rating by one notch to A- and could cut it "by up to two more notches" again in future in face of the "wide-ranging negative credit consequences following its admission that it installed software designed to manipulate diesel engine exhaust emissions in 11 million vehicles."

"The downgrade reflects our assessment that VW has demonstrated material deficiencies in its management and governance and general risk management framework," the analysts argued.

"We believe that VW's breach of US environmental law and potential other laws outside the US represents a significant reputational and financial risk to VW over the medium term," the statement continued.

Last month, VW became embroiled in the biggest scandal in its history, when US authorities accused it of fitting diesel cars with devices that can switch on pollution controls when they detect the car is undergoing testing.

They then switch off the controls when the car is on the road, allowing it to spew out harmful levels of emissions.

VW has already said it will set aside 6.5 billion euros ($7.4 billion) in provisions in the third quarter, but its new chief executive has said that sum would only cover the costs of repairs, and that much more was needed to meet potential fines and damages arising from any lawsuits.

"The costs of remediation, compensation, litigation, and potential fines could, however, be substantial and well in excess of this level," S&P said.

The analysts acknowledged that the full facts and consequences of the deception "may not be known for months, even years. We expect VW to experience a negative impact on its sales volumes, prices, and margins." — Agence France-Presse

source: gmanetwork.com

Audi says 2.1M cars affected by diesel emission scandal

BERLIN - Audi said 2.1 million cars worldwide were fitted with the software that allowed parent Volkswagen to cheat US emission tests.

Some 1.42 million Audi vehicles with so-called EU5 engines are affected in Western Europe, with 577,000 in Germany and almost 13,000 in the United States, a spokesman for Ingolstadt-based Audi said on Monday.

Affected model lines include the A1, A3, A4, A5, A6, TT, Q3 and Q5, the spokesman said.

VW said last week around 11 million cars of its group brands worldwide are affected by the diesel emissions scandal. — Reuters

Defective Car Parts and California’s “Lemon Law”

Automobiles that include defective parts can be dangerous and can cause serious accidents, injuring passengers, other drivers, and pedestrians. Such accidents can result in expensive personal injury suits, but it can cost a lot of money to replace a defective car part. Fortunately, California has a lemon law that allows car owners to receive compensation for defective parts.

The Lemon Law

When a defective car part substantially impairs the use, value, or safety of a new car purchased or leased in California, the owner or lessee is often able to receive compensation under California’s Song-Beverly Consumer Warranty Act, more commonly known as the lemon law.

This statute gives automobile manufacturers 18 months or 18,000 miles to attempt repairs on any newly released vehicles. If a vehicle still has at least one of two covered defects within the warranty period, then it can be legally considered a “lemon,” and the owner can receive compensation. California’s lemon law covers:

• A serious defect that the manufacturer was unable to repair in at least four attempts; or
• Defects that have caused the vehicle to be out of service for at least 30 cumulative days since it was purchased.
•  

Compensation

If the car qualifies as a lemon, then the owner of the vehicle has two choices. First, he or she can request that the manufacturer either replace or repair it. If the owner chooses this option, then the manufacturer must also reimburse the owner for sales tax, registration, and incidental damages, such as finance charges or any costs associated with repair, towing, or renting a replacement car.

Alternatively, the owner can request a refund for the original price paid for the car. To be eligible for these options, the person seeking compensation must have purchased or leased the car from someone engaged in the business of manufacturing, selling, leasing, or distributing new vehicles at retail in California. In the case of a lease, the term agreed upon must exceed four months to satisfy the requirements of the lemon law. Finally, the car must be intended for personal, business, or family use.

Owner’s Responsibilities

In order to receive compensation for the defective vehicle, the owner is required to have followed the warranty terms for maintenance and proper use of the car. It is also the responsibility of the owner to bring a suit based on a violation of the lemon law within the four-year statute of limitations. Furthermore, items installed by anyone other than the manufacturer cannot be included in the amount refunded. It is also helpful to maintain good records of any repairs made to the vehicle. Each repair order should show the defect and the dates that the car was in the shop.

Purchasing a vehicle with a defective part can be expensive, time-consuming, and stressful, especially if the defect causes an accident and harms you or others. If you have purchased a vehicle with a defective part and feel that manufacturer may be at fault, please contact the passionate San Jose personal injury attorneys at Corsiglia, McMahon & Allard, L.L.P. for a free consultation.

source: cmalaw.net

Driverless Vehicles and Personal Injury

Recently, Google’s prototype driverless cars have been navigating the roads around Mountain View, California. They have been involved in two recent accidents, though the accidents were non-serious in nature, and were caused by other drivers. In one incident, the Google car was rear-ended at five miles per hour, while stopped at a red light. Both cars suffered minor scrapes to their bumpers. The other accident also involved a Google car being rear-ended at a red light, but at less than one mile per hour, and neither vehicle was damaged. No injuries were reported in either crash.

A Google car and another self-driving car, from Delphi, were reported to have nearly had an accident during a lane change in Palo Alto, when one car cut off the other. Fortunately, the second car was able to change back into its original lane, avoiding the collision.

California’s Driverless Car Law

Only five states, including California, allow driverless cars on public roads. In 2012, the California state legislature passed a law permitting driverless vehicles to operate, for testing purposes, on the roads. There are, however, strict limitations to their operation:

• A licensed driver must be in the car at all times;
• The driver must be ready and able to take over control should the automatic controls fail;
• The driver must have been licensed for at least three years, must not have caused any accidents resulting in personal injury or death, must not have been convicted of driving under the influence in the past 10 years, and must take special driving classes; and
• The car manufacturer must maintain $5 million in liability insurance.
•  

California’s law also requires driverless cars to have a mechanism that captures sensor data from the autonomous technology for at least 30 seconds prior to a crash, while the car is operating in automatic mode. This technology will help to determine how crashes occur.

Personal Injury Concerns

Driverless cars may be safer than regular cars. Google and other manufacturers claim that they are because they eliminate the element of human error, which is the cause of a majority of accidents. But others, such as the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration are not so sure. No car is perfect, and some accidents not caused by humans are bound to happen.

But what happens when a driverless car inevitably does cause an accident? One major issue is determining who is liable for the harm, the owner or the manufacturer. It is likely that accidents caused by self-driving cars will become a product liability issue. This would mean that liability would shift away from the owner or individual, and to the manufacturer, designer, or vendor.

The requirement for a data capture mechanism may also help to determine how crashes occur and how to assign liability. It may be able to help insurers and courts figure out whether a car malfunctioned, an injured person was contributorily negligent, or something else caused the crash.

If you have been injured in an auto accident, whether from a driver’s negligence or a vehicle malfunction, an attorney can help you recover compensation for your harm. Please contact the experienced San Jose personal injury attorneys at Corsiglia, McMahon & Allard, L.L.P. for a free consultation.

source: cmalaw.net

Proving Injuries in a St. Louis Car Accident Case

Automobile accidents are typically unexpected, causing much confusion and stress.

After a car accident, you are recovering from any injuries sustained and trying to pay the exorbitant medical bills. During this tough time, proving your injuries in a court is the last thing on your mind. However, in order to claim damages for a car accident claim, you will have to prove your damages and injuries that resulted from the car accident.

Pre-Existing Conditions

When a personal injury case goes to a judge or jury, the plaintiff is required to prove that the injuries in question were caused by the car accident and not by another event. If you have a pre-existing medical condition that has been worsened by the accident, you can claim compensation for the same. Personal injury law states that an injured person should be put back into the same position that he or she enjoyed before the accident.

Collect the Right Documents

Defendants who try to blame the injury on a pre-existing condition cannot escape from paying for damages.
The most important documents that helps in proving your injuries are your medical records. It is important to seek medical help immediately after a car accident. When you visit a doctor, your condition should be examined thoroughly and the details recorded. These records help in strengthening your case for recovering damages as the other party cannot claim that the injury was a result of some event other than the accident. If your pre-existing condition has worsened, past medical records and post-accident medical records can be compared and used to prove that the accident has aggravated the pre-existing condition.


In addition to medical records, keep a personal record of your daily activity, doctor visits, and rehabilitation sessions. Note down any difficulties that you have been facing in your day-to-day activities. This record can support your claim and help you in receiving compensation for the damages and injuries sustained.

source: hoffmannpersonalinjury.com

This Apple watch app lets you control your Tesla electric car like Knight Rider

 

It's not exactly Knight Rider, but it may be even cooler. 

 

Fancy controlling your Tesla electric car with your wristwatch? There's (about to be) an app for that.

 

A developer has come up with an app for the upcoming Apple Watch to allow the user to remotely control the high-tech Tesla electric car, tech site Mashable reported.

 

Ukraine-based developer Eleks' app potentially lets a user control some basic functions of a Tesla Model S using the watch's touchscreen, the report said.

 

 

 

Eleks' Markiyan Matsekh told Mashable they used an unofficial mocked-up Tesla back-end API, a reverse-engineered JSON API of the real Tesla API.

"We skipped the authentication module and just used the API," Matsekh said.

Despite initial technical limitations, the app can access some of the car's functions such as locking and unlocking, headlights and mileage and battery life.

On the other hand, Mashable said this could disrupt systems like Apple's CarPlay before it can reach most cars. — Joel Locsin/TJD, GMA News

 

source: gmanetwork.com

Are You Missing Out on Cheaper Auto Insurance? Implement the Switch to Save Strategy

Tis’ the holiday season and that means sales everywhere you look. This includes sales and discounts in the ultra-competitive auto insurance industry, where with only a few minutes of online clicking and typing you could literally save hundreds on your next auto insurance policy.

During the holiday season auto insurance companies really ramp up their advertising and discounts because they know consumers are purchasing cars (new or upgrades) which need to be insured and the majority of auto insurance policies renew at the end and beginning of the year.  So take advantage of the lower premium prices by following these two simple steps:

1. Get a FREE, no obligation quote from the list of providers I have reviewed below. I get numerous emails from insurance brokers to list on this site, but the ones in the list below are the ones I currently recommend. They are nationally recognized, great companies and offer the best deals in my opinion. Other than AARP, I have had insurance will all these providers at some point. When you get the free auto insurance quotes, make sure you include similar characteristics (like deductibles, comprehensive coverage) so that you are comparing apples to apples.

2. Review the quotes to see which is the best deal for you, and then call your current provider. If you like your current insurance provider, encourage them to match or at least come close to matching the lowest price you found. Otherwise the decision is easy, switch and save! While it can be a little bit of a hassle to switch, saving a few hundred dollars can definitely ease the pain.

You will more than likely save money when/if you switch. Insurance companies know they have to provide you with a significant discount and reason to switch from your current provider. They call this an acquisition cost. Their hope is that when it comes time to renew, they can pass on higher premiums to you. That’s why you need to repeat the steps above and implement the switch to save strategy all over again.





Esurance - This insurance portal (recently acquired by All State) is now pretty well known thanks to it’s extensive advertising campaign on providing discounted car insurance quotes. They act like a broker between you and the other insurance companies and given their discount guarantee they are definitely worth visiting to get a free quote in this ultra competitive auto insurance market. Their one draw back is that they are not as strong as the other providers when it comes to multi-policy discounts. Getting or searching for insurance is ideal for those on a tight budget and happy to purchase/search online (i.e. no insurance agent!)


GEICO - This insurance company, owned by Warren Buffet’s Berkshire Hathaway, is well known thanks to it’s incessant advertising and actually does have one of the easiest to use websites, with clear guidance on key terms and coverage options.  I really liked their online feature that automatically obtained my vehicle and driver information from motor vehicle departments and other groups. This allowed me to get a faster and more accurate quote, without having to type in all my car information. It took me around 5 minutes to get a premium estimate (broken down by each insurance item) that I could easily customize to see what impacts changing one or more factors would have on the premium


USAA Auto Insurance - USAA membership is open to U.S. military service members, veterans who have honorably served, and their eligible family members. When you join, you get free financial resources, special savings and award-winning service. By switching to USAA Auto Insurance, you can save an average of $409 per year. If you are ex-military or an eligible family member this is definitely a company you need to get a quote from. I also like their flexible payment option feature which comes at no additional charge


“Safe Drivers Save up to 45% with Allstate” is the claim the company makes. So I went and tried it for myself. Unfortunately, I got well below the average savings but that's probably because I continually review my insurance and switch if I can save more than $50 by changing insurance providers. But I do think if you have multiple policies and are in certain associations/groups you could do quite well with them. Definitely worth getting a free quote from All State as a comparison point if nothing else, given that they are one of the largest insurance companies out there.


AARP (for drivers over 50) - If you are a senior citizen then it is hard to beat insurance offers provided by the AARP. The rates are up to 15% lower than average for eligible drivers with good driving records. If you (or your spouse) are over 50, I would definitely get an online quote from AARP to see if you can benefit from a seniors discount. They also have a great in-person customer service line if you have questions and feel more comfortable talking to a real person to get a quote or sign up for an insurance policy

source: savingtoinvest.com

Ford recalls 1.39M vehicles in North America

DETROIT - Ford Motor Co said on Thursday it is recalling 1.39 million SUVs and sedans in North America, most for the possible loss of power steering.

About 1.186 million of the vehicles Ford said it is recalling are in the United States. That figure is only 2,200 shy of the total number of vehicles that Ford recalled in the United States during all of last year.

Automakers are giving heightened scrutiny to safety issues in the wake of General Motors Co's ongoing safety crisis that began with an ignition-switch issue in older-model cars.

So far this year, GM has recalled 15.8 million vehicles worldwide.

Analyst Karl Brauer of Kelley Blue Book said Ford's spate of recalls on Thursday may be "driven by the heightened sense of concern all automakers are feeling right now, though we'll likely never know for sure."

Brauer added that there have been so many recalls since February when GM issued its first ignition-switch recall that the actions have become "sort of background white noise for consumers."

Ford said it will recall 195,527 Explorer SUVs in North America from the 2011 to 2013 model years and 915,216 Ford Escape and Mercury Mariner SUVs from model years 2008 to 2011 on power steering issues.

In addition, it will recall nearly 200,000 Taurus sedans in North America from the 2010 to 2014 model years on a corrosion issue.

Finally, Ford is also recalling 82,576 sedans with floor mats that may interfere with the operation of accelerator pedals. The floor mats were put in 2006 to 2011 model year Ford Fusion and Mercury Milan and Lincoln Zephyr and MKZ sedans.

The loss of power steering can increase the risk of a crash when vehicles are traveling at lower rates of speed.

US regulators have received consumer reports of six injuries and five crashes related to the Escape and Mariner models, Ford said.

As of mid-April, Ford said it was aware of 15 accidents including two minor injuries believed to be related to the loss of power steering in Explorer SUVs. The accidents all involved vehicles moving at lower speeds, Ford said.

In cold-weather US states and Canadian provinces where road salt is used, corrosion can affect license plate lamps which in turn may cause a short circuit that could start a fire, Ford said. A Ford spokeswoman said the company is aware of 18 consumer reports of fires believed to be associated with this condition.

Ford did not say how much the recall campaigns are expected to cost. For the Mercury Mariner and Ford Escape recalls, dealers are to be notified on Thursday and letters to all affected US owners will be sent by July 25, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration said.

There may be additional vehicles included in the recall campaigns outside of North America, Ford said.  — Reuters

source: gmanetwork.com

Google's latest self-driving car is a one-push wonder

 

 Look, Ma! No steering wheel!

 

This could be the future of motoring, with Google having built a prototype of a self-driving car needing only the passenger to push a button to "Go."

 

Tech site The Verge noted the prototype is a new incarnation that veered away from earlier versions, which were basically just retrofits of existing vehicles from Toyota and Lexus.
 

Google posted a YouTube video of its volunteers taking a ride on its prototype, which has no steering wheel or pedal:

 

 

 

"Just imagine: You can take a trip downtown at lunchtime without a 20-minute buffer to find parking. Seniors can keep their freedom even if they can’t keep their car keys. And drunk and distracted driving? History," Chris Urmson, director of Google's Self-Driving Car Project, said in a blog post.

 

Urmson said they are now building some prototypes "designed to operate safely and autonomously without requiring human intervention."

 

"They won’t have a steering wheel, accelerator pedal, or brake pedal... because they don’t need them. Our software and sensors do all the work. The vehicles will be very basic—we want to learn from them and adapt them as quickly as possible—but they will take you where you want to go at the push of a button. And that's an important step toward improving road safety and transforming mobility for millions of people," he said.

 

Starting from scratch

 

Urmson said that in designing the car from scratch, they put a premium on safety - installing sensors that remove blind spots and detect objects out to a distance of more than two football fields in all directions.

 

But the cars won't be speed demons, at least for now - their speeds are limited to 25 mph.

 

Neither will they be luxury cars - they'll just have two seats with seatbelts and a space for passengers' belongings.

 

However, the vehicles will have to start and stop, and a screen that shows the route.

 

"We’ve designed for learning, not luxury, so we’re light on creature comforts," he said.

 

100 prototypes

 

Urmson said they are planning to build 100 prototype vehicles, and safety drivers will start testing early versions of these vehicles that have manual controls, in the summer.

 

"If all goes well, we’d like to run a small pilot program here in California in the next couple of years. We’re going to learn a lot from this experience, and if the technology develops as we hope, we’ll work with partners to bring this technology into the world safely," he said. — Joel Locsin/TJD, GMA News

 

source: gmanetwork.com

 

 

Hyundai recalls 140,000 SUVs over airbag issue

WASHINGTON - South Korean automaker Hyundai is recalling 140,000 vehicles in the United States and Puerto Rico because of an air bag problem, according to documents filed with US auto safety regulators.

There were no known accidents or injuries as a result of this problem, the company said in its recall notice to the National Highway Transportation Safety Administration.

The issue relates to the bolts that attach the driver's airbag to the steering column in Hyundai's Tuscon compact sport utility vehicles.

"During assembly, it is possible that the two bolts attaching the driver's airbag module to the steering wheel assembly were not properly tightened," the automaker wrote in its letter to the NHTSA.

"If both bolts become loose and detach, the driver's airbag module could become detached from the steering wheel."

Hyundai said the defect "could result in injury in the event of a crash."

The automaker said it was recalling 137,500 vehicles in the United States and 3,500 in Puerto Rico, from model years 2011 to 2014.

The issue came to Hyundai's attention in December 2013, after reports of dealership service departments tightening the bolts under warranty. The automaker will ask owners to bring their vehicles to have the bolts checked.

On Friday, the NHTSA imposed a record $35 million fine on US auto giant General Motors for its failure to promptly recall cars with ignition faults linked to at least 13 deaths. — Agence France-Presse

source: gmanetwork.com

British car sales at highest for a decade – trade data

LONDON – New car sales in Britain rallied in March to the highest total for a decade, industry data showed on Friday.

Sales jumped 17.7 percent last month to 464,824 vehicles compared with data for March 2013, the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT) said in a statement.

That was the highest monthly figure since March 2004.

"New car registrations surged 17.7 percent in March... a surprisingly strong level of growth and a reflection of intensifying consumer confidence and the availability of great new products," said SMMT chief executive Mike Hawes.



"Given the past six years of subdued economic performance across the UK, there is still a substantial margin of pent-up demand that is contributing to a strong new and used car market.

"There has never been a better time to buy a new car thanks to attractive finance deals and advanced technologies that often make new cars cheaper to run."

The SMMT added that it expected the market to perform positively for the rest of 2014, albeit at a more modest rate.

The top selling car in March was the Ford Fiesta, followed by the Ford Focus, then the Vauxhall Corsa, and with the Volkswagen Golf in fourth place.

Sales were boosted by the twice-a-year number plate change that occurs in March and September. These two months normally account for about one third of the annual market. – Agence France-Presse

source: gmanetwork.com