Posted by Elaine Smith, Branch Manager on February 27, 2006
It’s the most dangerous thing you do on any given day. You get into your car and head out onto Middle Tennessee roadways. If you haven’t been involved in a traffic collision yet, driving through road construction and sharing the road with drivers who apply make-up, eat breakfast, read, talk nonstop on cell phones, greatly increases the chance that you will be. In a recent Better Business Bureau / AAA Foundation for Traffic Study poll, responded to by more than 4,000 individuals, 83% of respondents had been in a collision as either a passenger or driver. Almost a third of all respondents did not know what information they are required by law to give at the scene of a collision. Nearly half (48%) did not know either their own insurance liability limits or the minimum insurance liability limits required by their state. In response to the outcome of the poll, the BBB and AAA Foundation has released a DVD & VHS educational video entitled "Crash Course: What to know Before and After a Collision." This BBB Video Series educates consumers by providing tips on how to avoid a collision and provides a detailed discussion of auto insurance coverage. "Crash Course" instructs drivers and car crash victims about steps to take at the scene after a crash has occurred, and how to effectively deal with insurance claim issues. While the vast majority of drivers carry insurance, almost half of the individuals responding to the poll did not know what insurance reimbursements they are entitled. Similarly, nearly half (49%) of all respondents did not know the type of insurance coverage that pays for damage to their own vehicle is they are at fault. Only 55% of the respondents knew they have the right to choose a repair facility for their vehicle. According to the poll, almost half of all claimants (48%) stated that their automobile claims were not easy to resolve. Knowing the information needed to resolve claims and being more organized during the process would greatly reduce this. Thanks to a donation from the AAA Foundation for Traffic Study, the BBB "Crash Course" DVD & VHS Tape has been placed in public libraries across the United States. Locally, consumers can check out the BBB Crash Course Video at the Smyrna Public Library, 400 Enon Springs Roadm or the Nashville Public Library, 615 Church Street. Mom and Dad, the BBB Crash Course video is an excellent driver education tool for your teenage driver. If your looking for the perfect auto accessory before handing over the keys to the family car, or a great stocking stuffer for the holidays. A copy of the BBB Crash Course video is available for $9.95, plus shipping and handling at www.bbbvideo.com/aaa "Crash Course: What to do before and after a collision" is one of three in a Better Business Bureau video series. The goal of the BBB Video Series is to educate consumers BEFORE a problem occurs in order to reduce consumer complaints. Other videos available to the public include: Hiring a Home Contractor & Identity Theft. Log onto www.bbbvideo.com/library_search.php to see if the BBB Video Series is available at your community library. Elaine Smith, Branch Manager Better Business Bureau of the Uppercumberland 18 N Jefferson Cookeville, Tn. 38501 931-520-0008
