Articles Posted in Car Accidents

In a prior post this year, we noted that some safety advocates predicted that there would be more recalls in 2015 than in 2014, despite last year having the most recalls on record. With the continuing expansion of airbag recalls involving those manufactured by Takata, it appears that the prediction may eventually come true.

Another issue helping in that prediction is an investigation launched by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration in to Jeep, the Fiat-Chrysler automaker known for its off-road vehicles. 

Essentially, the NHTSA has received several complaints about the adaptive cruise control module in the Jeep Grand Cherokee. This module helps moderate cruise control and will slow the car down automatically if it discovers hazards on the road. This is done through tiny cameras that scan the area in front of the vehicle to discover any hazards (and other stopped or slowed vehicles) so that a driver can avoid a crash.

If you see commercials for personal injury attorneys, it is common for them to advertise how much they have been able to recover for their clients. We think this is fair (obviously) because the recoveries are a vehicle for accident victims to understand that they do have rights and that they can move on from horrific accidents.

So when you hear about multi-million dollar personal injury awards, it is important to understand that these are not necessarily windfalls similar to hitting the lottery. There are a number of costs associated with getting the victim back to where they were physically and mentally. This means that there are additional costs for rehabilitation and physical therapy.

A prime example is how Tracy Morgan is still in the midst of his recovery, even a year after the horrific accident that changed his life. During a recent interview with Matt Lauer of the Today show, the comedian explained how he had his good days and bad days; especially when he was hospitalized. (Long story short, he was not so nice to medical staff).

We hope our readers had a wonderful Memorial Day weekend. With the holiday passing, many people are going back to work, but with the unofficial start of summer already past, summer vacation is approaching for many teen drivers and college students.

 For young drivers, nothing beats the freedom of the summer. After all, the days are longer, the weather is warmer and there is no school (or at least not through the entire day). With that, there is much more time to hang out with friends and take car rides to places they would not usually go during the school year. 

This is why law enforcement agencies across the state call the time between Memorial Day and Labor Day the 100 deadliest days of summer. Essentially, the number of traffic accidents (and unfortunately) fatalities involving young drivers increases during the summer months. In fact, more than half of the people who lose their lives in auto accidents during this time of year are young people.

If you can’t believe that Memorial Day weekend is upon us…believe it. Yes, 2015 appears to be flying by, and with the unofficial beginning of summer this weekend, the summer driving season also begins with earnest.

Keep in mind that a greater number of people will be on the road this weekend. It is estimated that more than 30 million people will travel at least 50 miles away from their homes. With more people on the road, the greater the potential for accidents. So drivers must beware.  This post will provide some helpful tips as you plan your getaway. 

Stay cool while behind the wheel – With all the cars on the road (especially on Friday), and traffic being heavy, you can expect hot-tempered, ornery drivers who may be ready to take revenge if you upset them.  At the same time, these drivers may get under your skin. Resist the urge to retaliate.  

In prior posts, we have noted that some automakers have made it a goal to introduce a driver-less car by the end of the decade. While we understand that this is a lofty (yet achievable ) goal, there is still a great deal of research and development to do before we see these cars on the road. After all, these goals were part hypothetical and part hype that went with auto show displays.

However, one automaker has stepped forward and has announced definite plans to have a car ready by 2020. Nissan Motor Corp announced that it will have cars “packed” with autonomous driving technologies that year; but whether consumers will be able to take advantage of them depends largely upon whether government regulations will allow them. 

Regulatory guidelines will undoubtedly be a huge part of whether driverless cars will be on the road at the end of the decade, since there must be rules governing whether there must be a human behind the wheel should the autonomous technology fail. In a prior post, we noted the danger of such technology being hacked and how it could lead to vital functions being compromised. Imagine what could happen if a remote hacker took control of a car’s acceleration or braking systems?

If there is one thing that is certain about the auto industry, self-driving cars are coming. The only questions about these vehicles are when they will be released to the public, and when they will become mainstream. A number of automakers are diligently working on offerings that will enable a driver to use extended autonomous features.

For instance, in a prior post, we highlighted the maiden cross country voyage of an Audi that was scheduled to have a driver stand in for emergencies while the car travelled from California to New York. 

While autonomous cars are being ushered in for the future because of their relative safety, there have been a number of self driving cars that have been in accidents. According to a FoxNews.com report, a number of self driving cars have been in accidents. According to the California Department of Motor Vehicles, there have been four accidents. The department has not commented on the accidents.

Let’s face it; the ability to have your vehicle be its own 4G wifi hot spot can be a cool idea. The Chevrolet commercial with the children planning mom’s surprise birthday party while she quickly drops off her dry cleaning should be enough of an example to entice even the most conservative buyer. This is an extension of wireless technology that allows vehicles to be turned on and off, locked and unlocked, as well as stopped.

However, what these buyers may not know is that there is a hazard with wireless technology. No, it is not the potential for distracted driving. Rather it is the potential for hacking. Imagine a vehicle being infiltrated electronically so that it can suddenly accelerate, turn, and operate the headlights without the driver’s knowledge or permission. 

Congress is aware of this concern, and during a hearing where automakers were asked about these concerns the responses were surprising. Essentially, automakers had not made any provisions for protecting these technologies according to a report generated by a Massachusetts senator and reported by the Associated Press.

There’s no question that a car accident can be jarring. But even after the initial shock, the thoughts of anger and worry may set in check to see if everyone is alright. Of course you may be thanking your lucky stars that you (or your children) were not injured further in the crash, and you know that your car may need to be repaired, but you may have questions about hidden safety issues after a car accident.

While an auto body repair shop can give you some insight on structural damages and advise you on whether the vehicle can be declared a total loss, it may not be able to advise you on whether your child’s car seat must be replaced. Nevertheless, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration has provided some tips to help you decide whether a new car seat will be necessary.

–          If you were able to drive your car away from the accident scene, chances are that the car seat did not sustain any severe damage.

The images of three school children near Seattle, Washington nearly being hit by a car made national news this week, as it served as a poignant reminder that drivers must be aware of their surroundings and obey traffic laws pertaining to school buses.

The security video from the bus driver showed the bus doors opening as normal, and the children getting ready to step out into the road and on to the bus; when out of nowhere, a car zips by; nearly hitting the startled children. This is not the only instance of a close call involving inattentive drivers and children waiting to board school buses. In Minnesota, video of a semi-truck driver bypassing a stopped school bus likely made parents angry as it nearly plowed over a child who was waiting for the bus. 

In fact, according to an ABC News.com report, school bus drivers across 29 states, including New York, indicated that they saw more than 70,000 violations. While no statistics were given regarding the number of children injured by inattentive drivers, it is a concern that should raise an alarm with parents and drivers alike.

Think about how often you glance away from the road while driving. Some glances may be innocuous and necessary, such as checking your blind spot before a lane change. Looking in the rear view mirror to see if someone is riding your bumper, or just checking out what is causing a stoppage in a particular lane.

But when we take our eyes off the road for things that are not imitable for driving safety, such as changing a radio station, checking or sending a text message or even entering numbers to dial a phone, this could lead to devastating accidents. This possibility is especially important given how drivers who look away from the road for two seconds while travelling at 70 miles per hour, for instance. 

A car going at that speed will travel more than half the length of a football field in two seconds; which is why researchers at the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration suggested publicly that glances away from the road should be two seconds or less.