After you’ve been in a car accident, there are several steps you need to follow. As you work through these steps, you will need to negotiate with a lot of people. These negotiations may not always go your way, so it’s important to know what snags you may hit and how to work around them.

The Other Party is Uncooperative

Your troubles may begin immediately following the accident. Sometimes the other party is simply unwilling to cooperate. They may refuse to talk to you or negotiate with you. Perhaps they aren’t even willing to discuss insurance. If the other party is not cooperating, you need to take action to protect yourself. The first thing you should do is protect the evidence of the accident. Try to preserve the scene as much as possible. For example, try not to move the cars unless absolutely necessary. Take pictures and talk with any witnesses. Evidence will help you make an insurance claim. You should also call the police. They can file an official report that will discuss fault and you can use this report when you make your insurance claim.

The Insurance Company Refuses to Pay

Working with insurance companies can also be tricky. This is especially true if you are trying to receive payment from the insurance company of the other driver when they are at fault. Insurance companies will take their time working through a case and they may even refuse payment. An attorney can help you win a settlement from insurance companies that refuse to pay. When you bring in an attorney, this shows the insurance company that you mean business and they are more likely to comply. Additionally, attorneys are well-versed in the tactics insurance companies use and they can help you get the compensation you deserve.

Both Parties Can’t Agree on a Settlement

After an accident, both parties will typically discuss how they will handle the situation moving forward. Typically, this includes agreeing to file an insurance claim. However, there are cases where both parties do not agree to this. For example, the at-fault party may push to leave insurance out of it and instead settle with a cash payment. The other party may prefer to have insurance cover the cost of repairs and injuries. Just remember, that you have the right to file a claim if you wish and you should do your best to get the other party’s insurance information.

Accidents can be stressful even after they’ve happened. Dealing with the repercussions through negotiations can take quite some time, especially if problems arise. Make sure you understand common problems so you know how to work through them.

Read this next: 3 Tips for Handling the Aftermath of a Car Accident

(BPT) - With the winter in full swing, ensuring your tires — the last line of defense between your vehicle and harsh conditions — are in working order may be the difference between an enjoyable or stressful travel season. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, 17% of all vehicle collisions take place during winter conditions, many of which can be attributed to underinflated, over-worn or out-of-season tires.

“Being on the side of the road due to a preventable vehicle issue is both inconvenient and dangerous,” said Brandon Sturgis, product manager, BFGoodrich Tires. “Before winter arrives, make sure that your car is in its best condition to handle winter weather.”

Below are a few simple tips from BFGoodrich Tires to help ensure your vehicle and tires are better prepared for safe driving this winter.

Tire pressure will change with the weather

Many drivers neglect their tires until it’s too late and experience a tire issue, an inconvenience that only increases during the winter months. To avoid a winter accident caused by unsafe tires, drivers should proactively take measures to maintain their tires. An easy first step is to check the air pressure of all four tires at least monthly. This is especially important during the colder winter months as a drop in temperatures can cause tire pressures to decrease below a vehicle’s recommended inflation levels. To find the manufacturer’s recommended tire pressure, look at the decal in the driver’s door jamb or in the owner’s manual.

Checking your tread should be routine

Many drivers try squeezing as much life out of their tires as possible and run them even after the tread has worn below 2/32 of an inch — the minimum tread deemed safe under the Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards. If this is you, be sure to stay honest about checking your tread. To do so, find a penny and insert Abraham Lincoln headfirst into the lowest tread on your tire. If any portion of Abe’s head is covered, your tread depth is sufficient. If Honest Abe is still fully visible, your tread is below 2/32 of an inch and the ability to perform in wet and winter conditions is substantially reduced.

The importance of seasonal tires

Understanding your driving environment is as important as understanding which tires best suit your circumstances. Geography is the most intuitive factor playing into one’s driving environment, but certain locations create a more nuanced experience. Do you know which tires are best for your situation?

For example, all-terrain tires such as the BFGoodrich All-Terrain T/A KO2 are suitable year-round tires designed to give you superior grip both off and on the pavement thanks to innovative tread design, tough sidewalls and long-lasting durability.

If you drive in an environment that is regularly below freezing with snow and ice, winter tires may be your best choice. For those yet to treat their vehicle to winter tires during the cold months, consider the BFGoodrich Winter T/A KSI a good starting point. Offering extreme traction in winter conditions and reassuring steering control and durability, your next set of winter tires may keep you from becoming another winter driving collision statistic.

“Tires play a key role in your winter weather mobility. Knowing what kind of tires you have on your car and knowing their condition are part of being prepared,” says Sturgis.

(BPT) - Parents and caregivers want to keep kids safe in the car, but keeping up with the latest recommendations can be tricky, especially as your child grows and their needs change. It's sometimes hard to know if you're doing everything you can to keep children as safe as possible.

Regardless of your child's age and how often they ride with you in the car, you’ll want to follow these guidelines to help you find The Right Seat.

1. Under 13? Don't let them sit up front

Whatever a child’s height or weight, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) advises that children under 13 should never sit in the front seat, even for a short trip. Car safety standards and features like airbags are developed and tested for adult bodies, not the growing body of a child. Air bags can be inflated at speeds of 200-400 mph, which could seriously harm a child if deployed. Most car crashes impact the front of the car, so keeping kids in the back seat can help protect them from injury.

2. Tethers add extra protection

Most forward-facing car seats have tethers to secure them to the vehicle, in addition to using the vehicle’s seat belt or lower anchors. Tethers help keep car seats from pitching forward in a crash, reducing injury to the child’s head and neck. You can find the tether at the top of convertible, combination and all-in-one car seats. They’re adjustable straps that have a hook that connects to your vehicle’s tether anchors. Review your car seat’s instructions and vehicle’s owner manual to identify the correct tether location in your vehicle.

3. Don't move kids on too soon

The best protection for a child in a car is the car seat that’s right for their age and size. According to the most recent NHTSA data, nearly 1 in 10 children between 1 and 3 years old were moved on to booster seats too early. And roughly 1 in 5 children aged 4 to 7 were prematurely moved to just using a seat belt when they should have still been riding in booster seats. Booster seats help a child’s seat belt fit appropriately, which means crossing the center of their chest and not touching their neck.

4. Check car seat recommendations online

Tools and resources are available to help make it easier to check that your child is in the right seat for their age, height and weight. Visit NHTSA.gov/TheRightSeat to compare car seats and get helpful installation instructions.

5. Free car seat checks are available

Whether you’ve just installed a new car seat or just want a “checkup” for a seat your child’s been using for a while, you can get help at a car seat inspection station near you. Certified technicians will inspect your car seat free of charge and show you how to correctly install it and make sure your child is properly secured. Find a car seat inspection station near you at NHTSA.gov/TheRightSeat.

6. Tweens should always be buckled

According to a 2005 report by the NHTSA, most accidents in urban areas happen under 30 mph. Be consistent and stay firm if your tween or teen resists wearing seat belts. Set safe habits for life, help keep your child safe and obey the law by making sure your child is buckled up every time for every ride, no matter how few miles or how slowly you’re driving.

7. Car seats have expiration dates

Car seats expire, because technology improves and safety standards change. If you buy a used car seat or receive one as a hand-me-down, check it carefully and make sure you know the history and whether or not it has been involved in a crash. Most car seats have an expiration date stamped on the manufacturer’s label on the side or base.

Visit NHTSA.gov/TheRightSeat for more information and to search for a car seat inspection station or event near you.