How to be Safer Traveling

Whether you are a truck driver or share the road with them, you should be aware of a recent FMCSA study. Truck and tractor trailer drivers account for 13% of all fatal occupational injuries.   87% of truck crashes involve truck driver error.

To the extent you can manage space while on the road you can make your trip safer. As a truck accident attorney, I see too many cases where insufficient  space leaves insufficient reaction time.

Chad Hoppenjan,, director of safety services at Cottingham and Butler, insurance broker in Dubuque Iowa, estimates 10 to 25% or more of preventable accidents are caused by drivers who are asleep, have sleep apnea or are not physically fit. Following too closely, speeding, failing to timely react to traffic changes are also major causes of wrecks.

Bad brakes are a common mechanical issue leading to accidents.

Don’t assume a truck can stop as quickly as you can, don’t assume truck driver can see you, there are blind spots give big rigs plenty of space, when there’s an emergency the extra space can provide precious extra seconds to prevent a crash. If you are traveling over the holidays best wishes and be safe.

I’ll take my lead “to go” please.

Just in time for Holiday travel…

Target is recalling Circo Childrens’ Suitcases due to excessive lead in the coating of the cases.  If you have one of these bags stop using it immediately and return it to a Target store for a refund.

While a refund may seem like the right remedy in such a situation, sometimes damage may already have been done to a child.  Lead is extremely dangerous, especially to children.  For information on lead, please visit the EPA’s website.

Canadian youth hockey Bus crash settlement

The  crash of a bus carrying a Canadian youth hockey team from Windsor, Ontario which killed four and injured 19 has been resolved in a $36 million settlement. Witnesses reported erratic driving before the bus swerved on Interstate 390, slamming into a parked truck, 30 miles South of Rochester, New York. Police suspected fatigue and inexperience of the 24 -year-old bus driver was a major factor.

Very complicated conflict of laws questions arose as to which laws applied to the Ontario company, Pennsylvania trucking companies involved for a crash which occurred on a New York Highway. The settlement will put some closure to this horrible loss, although some of the injured will continue with difficulties. More from the Buffalo News.

FMCA bans cell phone use while driving big trucks and buses

At the urging of numerous groups, particularly truck accident attorneys the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Commission enacted a rule banning cell phone and hand held device use by drivers of big rigs and buses while driving.

The rule which will become final in about a month “represents a giant leap for safety,” said FMCSA Administrator Anne S. Ferro. In a press release she recognized the danger stating ”Drivers must keep their eyes on the road, hands on the wheel and head in the game when operating on our roads. Lives are at stake.” Very true.

HONDA RECALLS SEVERAL HUNDRED THOUSAND VEHICLES

As a Western New York and Buffalo product and personal injury attorney I am concerned when products must be recalled. The latest involves airbags for Honda vehicles. Honda announced today that they are recalling almost a million vehicles due to airbag issues. Exploding airbags are putting riders in severe risk of injury and death.

The airbags can deploy without much pressure and cause injury or death. Honda is unable to identify the specific vehicles with the problem and has therefore expanded its recall. The expanded recall applies to certain 2001 and 2002 Accord, 2001 to 2003 Civic, 2001 to 2003 Odyssey, 2002 and 2003 CR-V, 2003 Pilot, 2002 and 2003 Acura 3.2 TL and 2003 Acura 3.2 CL vehicles.

Honda owners can go to www.recalls.honda.com or call (800) 999-1009   select option 4; Acura owners can go to www.recalls.acura.com or call (800) 382-2238 and select option 4.

For your continued safety please have Honda inspect your vehicle. If you have been injured due to this problem please contact our firm as we have the experience to handle these serious type of cases.