California Injury Attorney Blog

Despite the new challenges of distracted driving, we have a little something to celebrate.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) recently reported that for the first three quarters of 2009 an estimated 25,576 people died in motor vehicle traffic crashes. There is good news in these numbers, since this is a decline of about 7.9 percent from 2008.

Amazingly, the third quarter of 2009 is the 14th consecutive quarter of declines in
fatalities, as compared to the same quarter from the previous year. In fact, traffic fatalities have declined steadily since 2005. Although vehicle miles traveled may have dropped slightly, the fatality statistics are generally positive.

Another area of vehicle safety showing positive results is seat belt use. The federal government's "Click it or Ticket" campaign appears to be paying off and saving lives.

The NHTSA reports that for 2009 seatbelt use was up. In 2009 seat belt use was at 84 percent, a gain from 83 percent use in 2008. These results are from the National Occupant Protection Use Survey (NOPUS) which provides nationwide probability-based observed data on seat belt use in the United States. The survey is conducted annually by the National Center for Statistics and Analysis of the NHTSA. Seat belt use has been increasing steadily since 1994, accompanied by a steady decline in the percentage of unrestrained passenger vehicle occupant fatalities.

The new challenge that counters these positives -- distracted driving.

The California Injury Attorney Blog will keep you posted on that emerging problem.

Related Web Resources

For more information on seat belt safety visit the NHTSA website.

Continue reading "Fatalities Down, Seatbelts Clicked." »

When the United States Department of Transportation AND Oprah are literally on the same web page, you know this is BIG. Distracted driving has erupted as a very dangerous impairment.

The California Injury Attorney Blog has commented on this in the past and joins the efforts to inform the public of these dangers by committing to post information on this issue on a regular basis.

It is not possible to emphasize enough the dangers of getting in the driver's seat holding a phone, surfing the web or texting. No matter how safely any individual believes he or she can do these things while driving -- the statistics show this is not the case. Not only that, but it is quite possible that in litigation the records of this behavior may well be captured.

So here we are at a crossroads in American driving history. And it is serious. The statistics are out for 2008, we know that nearly 6,000 deaths were caused by distracted driving.

Cars and phones, texting while driving are a lethal mix. Some states like California have outlawed the practice of texting or holding a phone while driving. Some states have not done a thing about it, despite the statistics.

The federal government says it heard "America's call to end the dangerous practice of distracted driving on our nation's roadways." Because driving and doing other things besides driving is potentially lethal to not only the driver, but pedestrians, other drivers and passengers the government has promised that it will not stop until it is ended.

The federal government's effort is leading the charge and they have created a website that has a constant feed on the issue. Spending only a few minutes on the site it becomes clear -- we are in a driving crisis in our country.

The collision now is between safe driving and the technologies we love. The moment of crisis has arrived and the message from Washington is -- Put it down.

Related Web Resources

For more information on the risks of distracted driving in a truck or other motor vehicle please visit the NHTSA.

Continue reading "America, This is Big. Stop Driving Distracted." »

It has been a great ride for Toyota Motor Sales (TMS) U.S.A., Inc. for many years. The brand is identified with quality and safety for their cars.

In the past few months, the ride has become rough as the beleaguered company struggles through motor vehicle recalls, a public relations disaster and now the onslaught of litigation.

First, there are the shareholder issues with alleged failures to disclose the acceleration design defect that has been known to the company for a decade according to a recently filed lawsuit. Another suit has been filed on behalf of a class of consumers that own Highlander, Lexus or Prius models. Another suit involves 2010 models of the Prius and the Lexus HS250h.

The recall of Toyota cars is vast. The company has called back millions of cars due to gas pedals that stick in the acceleration position and floor mat dangers. The famed Prius has been subject to a specific recall for 2010 models and brake issues.

Toyota owners should consult the Toyota website to determine whether their particular vehicle is subject to a recall. These recalls are for serious and potentially dangerous defects.

Related Web Resources

For more information about the Toyota recalls, please consult the recall link.

Continue reading "Taking the Hit -- Toyota Braces for a Rough Ride" »