New Mexico state record. (Santa Fe, N.M.) 1914-19??, 1921-04-08
WHEN ACCIDENTS
HAPPEN TO AUTO
Motorist in Unpleasant Predica-
ment Because He Failed to
Take Precauti0n.
NOTE CIRCUMSTANCES FULLY
important Point Offered for Jury's
Consideration Is Whether Car Was
in Riqhtful Piace-lnsurance
Saves Worry.

To the owner of a new car who is
just testing his wings, so to speak, on
the highway 1t may seem ghOulish to
talk of what to do in case al accident
happens to his car or through it. But
We all know that accidents involving
mOtorcars do happen, though in a ma
jOrity of cases the car owner is not to
blame.
No matter how guiltless of wrong
the mOtorist may be unless he knows
what TO do at the time the accident
occurs, knows how to protect himself,
in other words, he may find himself in
an unpleasant predicament simply be-
cause he has failed to take certain pre-
cautions.
Note All Circumstances.
To begin with, the car owner should
try to keep his mind as calm as pos
sible and note all the attendant cir
cumstances at the time of the acct
dent. He should get from any by
ISLANDERS their names and addresses
and also those of people in nearby
buildings, provided those persons wit
messed the accident.
If the mOtorist knows that the fault
has not lain with him he should point
out to the people whose names he has
gathered particular phases of the ac-
cident, measure any distances that may
be germane to the subject by pacing,
II no other means Is at hand. BE GER
tain to get some cOrroboration of the
rate of speed at which the car was
being driven. If the horn or other
warning signal was sounded be sure to
have witnesses ready to help prove this
fact.
In case the accident has occurred at
the intersection of two streets, it Is
important to prove that the vehicle
had been slowed down before coming
to the crossing.
Riqhtfui Place Of Car.
One of the most important points of
fered for a jury's consideration is
whether or not the car was in its right
full place in the street. Was 1t. on the
right hand side of the thoroughfare,
where ii belonged? Testimony to this
effect will help the defendant. If the
emergency brake vas firmly set, I'M
prejudieed witnesses may be shown
this for later use in court.
When an accident happens at night
II Is important to prove that the lights
were properly burning and in order.
When the mlshap occurs in rainy
weather or when the streets are slip
perry ii should be shown If possible that
the nonskid chains were in place on
the tires.
In case the trouble came when the
car was making a turn, call attention
to the fact that ii was making n wide
turn, in accordance with the statutes,
and was on the proper side of the
road.
II a person has been injured, try to
remember his conduct just before the
accident. Was he behaving in "A way
to make him guilty Of negligence, as,
for instance, sheltering himself under
an umbrella, and not keeping a prop
er lookout? Were you, the operator,
looking ahead and tending to your
driving. or were you talking or other
wise permitting your attention to be
distracted?
II you can prove by measurements
that you brought your car to a halt
within the distance required for check
ing the progress of a car driven within
the legal speed limit you will have
scored a distinct point.