News and citizen. [volume] (Morrisville, Vt. ;) 1881-current, 1921-05-18
when ACCIDENTS
HAPPEN TO AUTO
Motorist in Unpleasant Predica-
ment Because He Failed to
Take Precaution.
Note CIRCUMSTANCES FULLY
Important Point Offered for Jury's.
Consideration Is Whether Car Was
in RghtfuI PIace-Insurance
Saves Worry.

To the owner of new car who is
just testing his wings, so to speak, on.
the highway it may seem ghoulish to-
talk of what to do in case an accident
happens to his car or through it. But
We all know that accidents involving.
motorcars do happen, though in 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
Ii 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,
If 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
lad been slowed down before coming
o the crossing.
RlghtfuI Place Of Car.
One of the most important points of
cred for jury's consideration is
whether or not the car was in its right
I'll place In the street. Was it on the
light hand side of the thoroughfare,
where it belonged? Testimony to this
fleet will help the defendant. If the
Emergency brake was firmly set, I'M
reJudiced witnesses may be shown
his for later use in court.
When an accident happens at night
Is important to prove that the lights
ere properly burning and in order.
'hen the mishap occurs in rainy
Gather or when the streets are Slip
cry it should be shown if possible that
lie nonskid chains were in pace o..
lie tires. I
In case the trouble came when che
II was making a turn, call attentio,
the fact that it was making a wild,
IN, in accordance with the statutes.
I'd was on the proper side of the
ad.
If person has been injured, try to
member his conduct just before the
cident. Was he behaving in a way
make him guilty of negligence, as,
instance, sheltering himself under
umbrella, and not keeping a prop
lookout? Were you, the operator.
liking ahead and tending to your
wing, or were you talking or other
Sc permitting your attention to be
'tracted?
If you can prove by measurements
1t you brought your car to halt
thin the distance required for check
! the progress of car driven within
, legal speed limit you will have
red distinct point.