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Unhappy Car Owner Discusses the Status of Her ...

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Driving a car is a great privilege and a great responsibility. As drivers, we have to know the rights of bikers, motorcyclists and pedestrians in order to help maintain safe roadways. But what are the rights of a car owner?

Car Repairs

With today’s technology in automobiles, it is not difficult for a car manufacturer to “lock out” independent mechanics and small repair shops from repairing a vehicle. This forces the car owner to take their vehicle to a dealership and pay a much higher price for the repairs. There is legislation being discussed that would force the car manufacturers to offer access to independent repair shops so the car owner can choose where they want to take their car to get it fixed.

Lemon Laws

“Lemon laws” are different from state to state, but they all essentially protect a car owner from being stuck with a defective vehicle. In most cases, if a car has to be taken in for repairs three times for the same problem, it is considered a lemon. There are variations on the law and the car owner’s recourse against the manufacturer, but the basic idea stays the same.

Suing for Damages

Getting into an auto accident with an uninsured or underinsured driver means that you probably won’t recoup all of your medical bills or damages through the other party’s insurance provider. In these cases, you may have the right to sue the driver for any additional money that their insurance didn’t cover. A Chicago accident attorney can help you determine if this is the best course of action for your particular case.

Car owners have about as many rights as they do responsibilities. Know your rights so you protect your financial investment as much as possible.

Will High Speed Rail Change the Future of Travel in the U.S.?

A lot of things make the United States an awesome place to live. When it comes to high-speed trains, though, America doesn’t even come close to matching the dedication of Europe and Asia. Thanks to federal money devoted to high-speed rail, though, people in the U.S. could have access to a wider range of travel options in the near future.

Shinkansen First High speed train design in 19...

Image via Wikipedia

Today’s High Speed Rail

Currently, the U.S. only has one high speed rail line. It operates between Washington, D.C. and Boston. Unfortunately, the high-speed trail shares its tracks with regular freight and commuter trains, so it has a maximum travel speed of 68 mph in most areas. It can, however, reach 150 in limited areas.

California’s High Speed Train

California will probably have the country’s next high-speed train. The state has scheduled construction on a line that will run between Anaheim and San Francisco. It would also serve Los Angeles, San Jose and some other others, making it much easier for travelers to move up and down the coast without confronting horrendous traffic jams. This train system will have its own rail, which means it can move at 150 mph. Even in the best of auto traveling circumstances, this will cut commuting time in half.

Other Plans for High Speed Trains in the U.S.

Other plans for high-speed trains include systems in Florida, Texas, Illinois and New York State. These projects, however, rely on federal funding that might not survive budget cuts. A planned rail in Ohio has already been dropped by that state.

If a high-speed train were available near you, would you use, or would you prefer to drive your car regardless of traffic conditions?

Knowing Your Rights as Car Owners