Posts Tagged ‘auto accident lawyer’

Automobile Safety Recall Update

Thursday, January 26th, 2012

Car manufacturers claim that every detail on their vehicles are just right. However, with the thousands of parts and suppliers, sometimes things are not perfect.  This is why smart drivers watch for reports from organizations that test and report on consumer products, like the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) and Consumer Reports.

In the past few weeks, Consumer Reports News reported that NHTSA issued recall notices for several vehicles.  These recalls included two General Motors cargo vans, the GMC Savana and the Chevrolet Express, both of which were recalled for faulty air bags.

NHTSA announced that these defective air bags were found in approximately 1,798 vans that were made from June through October. Both the 2012 GMC Savana and Chevrolet Express vans are full size cargo vans equipped with dual stage air bags, which may not inflate properly in severe front end collisions. NHTSA stated that the recalled vans violate the federal safety standards for protection of drivers and passengers.

GM will immediately notify owners of the recalled vehicles and instruct them to take their vans to dealers for free replacement of the air bags. If this affects you or someone you know, you can get more information by calling GMC at 800-462-8782 or Chevrolet at 800-222-1020.

Chrysler Motor Corporation also has two cars affected by recalls this month. NHTSA issued a recall for the compact 2012 Fiat 500 and the midsize SUV 2012 Dodge Journey.  The recall includes a combined total of approximately 500 of these two vehicles.

Both vehicles have a possibility of the loss of braking power, increasing the chances of auto accidents. They may have contaminated hydraulic brake fluid which can deteriorate the brake seals.

Chrysler began notifying owners of these models in December. Owners will be instructed to bring their vehicles into a local dealership where the bad brake fluid and all of the brake components that have come into contact with it will be replaced for free.

You can contact Chrysler’s toll-free customer support line at 800-853-1403.

For more information on these and other product safety issues, visit the NHTSA website www.SaferCar.com.  For daily updates on consumer product news, visit Consumer Reports website www.consumerreports.org.

If you or a loved one has been injured in an auto accident, due to a defective product or a negligent driver, visit http://www.callsam.com/michigan-personal-injury-cases/bad-accidents/car-accidents

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Getting Your Car Ready for Winter

Friday, November 25th, 2011

Daylight hours are fewer each day, the leaves are almost off the trees, and the temperature is dropping quickly.  This means only one thing — winter is on the way. Northern winters can be invigorating and filled with fun activities, like ice skating, snowball fights, hockey, skiing, sledding, and more.

Enjoying winter safely does take a bit of planning.  To make sure that your car is ready to transport you and your family to all these fun events, now is the time to get it ready for winter.  One great way to prevent Michigan car accidents is to get your car winterized and ready to go by the first snow storm.

Follow this simple checklist:

  1. Put together an emergency kit.  Accidents happen, and you could get stuck in a snow storm, slide off the road, or one of so many other reasons why you may find yourself waiting for road service. No matter the reason, you will need to stay warm and be able to call for help.  Your winter emergency kit should include: a blanket, flashlight, jumper cables, ice scraper, extra gloves and hat, and a first aid kit.  You can add more things you think may be necessary, but these are the basics.
  2. Change your oil for winter.  Your dealer or mechanic will be able to recommend the best oil for your climate. If you are doing it yourself, check your owner’s manual.  Oil will thicken in the winter, so it a lighter weight oil is usually recommended.
  3. Snow tires and tire pressure.  There are many reasons put snow tires on your car for the winter.  Perhaps you live in a hilly area, you do a lot of driving, your area gets a lot of snow, or your community does not send road plow crews to your neighborhood on a regular basis. Snow tires will improve your traction and provide a safer ride in the winter.  Whether you use snow tires or a good all-season tire, the correct air pressure is essential for good traction any time of the year ,and critical during the winter months. Traction is limited in snowy, icy, and slippery conditions, so properly inflated tires ensure you have the best possible traction.
  4. Windshield washer fluid and wiper blades.  Visibility in snow and winter conditions is easily impaired.  Wiper blades are most effective for one to two years.  Check to see if your blades have any wear, and replace them if they do, or if they are more than 2 years old.  Wiper fluid should be suitable for below zero temperatures.  If you have water in the reservoir, it needs to be flushed and replaced with wiper fluid with an antifreeze, so the lines don’t freeze over the winter.  This is vital for a clean windshield and the best visibility.
  5. Radiator flush and engine coolant.  This is important for keeping your engine at the correct temperature and running smoothly.  Your mechanic will know the best mixture of antifreeze to water for your climate.  If you are doing this yourself, most engines in cold weather need a ratio of 60% antifreeze to 40% water.  Adjusting this ratio a critical step in winterizing your car correctly.  Also, make sure you properly dispose of the old coolant. It should NOT be poured into a drain or sewer.
  6. Battery, Belts and Hoses.  Batteries have a reduced capacity in the winter. Check the voltage and make sure it will make it through the winter.  Again, your owner’s manual will tell you the correct levels, or your car mechanic will know.  Inspect the cables and the terminals to make sure they are connected tightly and have a good connection.  At the same time, check the engine belts and hoses to ensure they are not cracked or loose.

Getting ready for winter is important. When it comes to keeping your family safe and avoiding an accident, it’s essential to get your car ready for the cold months ahead.  Safe driving!

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Driving with Pets as Passengers

Saturday, November 19th, 2011

As we enjoy the last few days of fall weather, those frosty mornings remind us winter is soon to follow. It’s a good time to pack in as much outdoor time as possible with kids and dogs.  That means getting everyone in the car to go to the park, visit friends, or just run some errands together. On these family outings, it’s great to have the family pet join in the fun.

When you get in the car and buckle the kids in their safety seats and you in your seat belt, where is your dog?  Is the dog loose in the car?  Does this make sense?  If it’s not safe for children or adults to ride in a car unrestrained, why would it be safe for the family dog?  Well, it’s not.

So what are your options?  There are three simple ways to keep your pets safe while traveling, and prevent them from becoming a distraction and possibly causing an auto accident.

  1. The safest way to protect your dog is by using a pet harness designed for safe travel.  The harness should fit properly around the dog’s shoulders and behind the front leg.  It should have a strap that securely fastens to the car seat belt.  This will comfortably restrain the dog in much the same way as an adult seat belt.
  2. A second choice is putting the dog in a crate in the back seat.  Then secure crate with straps that buckle into the seat belts.
  3. If these two options are not available, putting a barrier between the front and rear seat will help keep your family safe, but may not protect the dog.  The barrier ensures that the dog will not distract the driver, and will keep it from injuring someone during a sudden stop.  However, it will not protect your dog from being tossed around in the case of an auto accident.

Pets live in over 71 million homes in the United States, and 82% of those pets travel on vacation with their families.  If your family enjoys traveling with your dog, take the time to keep them safe so you can be travel together for many years.

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School Drop Off and Pick Up Safety Rules

Saturday, October 29th, 2011

It’s back-to-school time, and one of the many things parents need to plan, is how to get kids to and from school safely. If you are planning to drive your children to school, it’s important to learn the safest way to do this and avoid an auto accident.

You know that morning and afternoon are extremely busy. School grounds are filled with cars, buses, and kids running around. At the same time,  neighborhood streets are bustling. So let’s review a few important ways to keep everyone safe.

  • Learn the procedure – If your school has specific procedures for drop off and pick up, learn the routine.  The guidelines are designed for moving kids and cars in and out of the school zone as efficiently and safely as possible. It’s your responsibility to know the rules and follow them.  Find out if there is a written procedure or a map showing safe drop off and pick up areas.
  • Be Courteous –  Be on your best behavior.  There are a lot of busy people and everyone needs to get in and out as quickly and safely as possible. Put away the cell phone, follow the procedure, and listen to the instructions of school staff. Stay in line, rather than skipping ahead or cutting anyone off.
  • Be Cautious –   The safety of our children always comes first. Leave a few minutes early, to give yourself extra time. Use ONLY the designated drop off and pick up sites.
  • Stay Out of the Bus Loading Zone – This area is for school buses only. Dropping off children in the bus loading zone is dangerous, and slows down the flow of all other incoming cars and buses.
  • Think Smart – If you can’t get into the school grounds, park on the same side of the street as the drop off locations, not across the street. This avoids the risk of kids crossing in the middle of the block.
  • Remember the Neighbors – You can keep the traffic flowing and reduce the parking impact on residents who live near the school by following all the procedures, and making sure never to park in front of a driveway.

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Be Safe While Driving at Night

Wednesday, October 26th, 2011

Now that summer is coming to a close we will be enjoying the cooler weather of fall, the beautiful changing leaves and all of the driving hazards that come with this season.  Most people think that winter is the most dangerous time of year for driving, but Safety Times reports that more drivers die from September through November than during the winter months of December through February.

One major cause is that the falling leaves and rain make the roads wet and very slippery, making driving conditions similar to driving on ice. As the temperatures drop, the wet leaves can freeze and create icy patches on the road.  These conditions increase the possibility of drivers losing control as they struggle with poor traction and skidding.

There are many other hazards unique to autumn driving.  Here are just a few to watch for to help avoid car accident injuries:

  • School buses. As the kids go back to school, defensive driving is essential.  Watch for kids and buses, particularly in the early morning and late afternoon.
  • Fog. Diminished sight distance can be dangerous.  Remember to slow down, use your low beams and keep your headlights clean.
  • Halloween. Yep, it’s a fun time for the kids, but it’s easy for them to be excited and run into the street. Be careful of the trick-or-treaters, particularly the ones in dark costumes!
  • Deer. Fall is the time of year that deer often move around. Be extra careful at dusk and early evening.  Slow down if you see deer by the road and stop if you see one crossing the road. They rarely travel alone so it’s best to stop and wait for the others to safely cross.  Remember to use your hazard lights to alert other drivers to the situation.  During November, also be on the look out for deer hunters.
  • Daylight savings time. When you adjust your clock, it can effect your body and make you drowsy.  It also may force you to drive your evening commute in the dark.  Both of these things will diminish your vision and make driving more difficult.
  • Sunsets. Fall sunsets can be some of the most spectacular, but the lower angle of the sun can make driving into it very dangerous.  Always have sunglasses on hand to help cut the glare.

Follow these safety tips and your own common sense, so that the beautiful autumn season will also be a safe one.

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Distracted Driving

Monday, September 26th, 2011

We’ve all done it. During our busy days when we are on the run we grab lunch and eat it in the car, while driving. Or, we take an important phone call, while we are driving. Or maybe you help your child in the back seat, you read a map, or even just enjoy a good conversation with your passenger. As common as these activities are, they are all forms of distracted driving.

So what’s the problem with a little distraction?

Federal government statistics state that in the U.S. there is a motor vehicle accident every 5 seconds. While the (NHTSA) National Highway Traffic Safety Administration estimates that a minimum of 25% of police reported crashes involve some form of distracted driving.

If you take your eyes off the road, your hands off the wheel, or your mind off what you are doing, you are a distracted driver and increasing your risks of an auto accident.

Many states are enacting laws to try to lower the incidents of distracted driving auto accidents. In Michigan and 33 other states it is illegal to read, type or send a text while driving. Michigan law also prohibits teenage drivers with probationary licenses who are involved in an accident to use a cell phone while driving.

Cell phone usage is only one of many forms of driver inattention. There are many other distractions, and a few simple tips to keep in mind next time you get in the driver seat.

Reduce driving distractions:

Cognitive Distraction

  • Day dreaming, spacing out, mind not focused. This is cognitive distraction and can be caused by fatigue, worry, stress, hunger, medication, etc. When your attention is drifting from driving it’s best to stop the car for a stretch, a walk, a meal. Do what it takes to get your focus back to driving. If possible, let someone else drive for awhile.

Manual Distraction

  • Hands off the wheel, is manual distraction. It could be a simple as adjusting the radio, the temperature control, or the mirrors. Make sure you adjust your seat, head rest, mirrors, and steering wheel before you start driving. Use the automated systems in your car if you have them; programmable radio buttons, seats and any other personal settings.

Visual Distraction

  • Watching things other than the road. Visual distractions are everywhere, both inside and out of your vehicle. Outside joggers, rainbows, other cars, billboards, accidents can all grab your attention. Don’t gawk, try to keep your focus on driving. You have more control over inside distractions. Don’t read a map, look at your passenger during conversation, flip through the cds, or coo at the baby in the car seat.

Audio Distraction

  • Listening to that captivating story on the news, laughing to a great comedy routine, or belting out your favorite tunes on the radio make your drive more pleasurable but can also be a dangerous distraction. Keep the radio in the background and your focus on the road for safe driving.

It’s up to you to make it a priority to keep your focus and control your distractions, to reduce your chances of being in an auto accident.

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U.S. Motor Vehicle Deaths Decline in 2009 – Michigan Auto Accident Fatalities Down 11%

Friday, November 5th, 2010

The U.S. Department of Transportation recently reported that motor vehicle deaths dropped in 2009 to the lowest level since 1950.

A 9.7 percent overall decrease in deaths caused by auto accidents from 2008 to 2009 covered a variety of motor vehicles and related auto accident injuries, including:

The total number of motor vehicle injuries decreased from 2.35 million in 2008 to 2.2 million in 2009. The U.S. Department of Transportation report suggested several reasons for the overall declines in traffic-related injuries and deaths, including:

  • The state of the economy – People may be carpooling, using public transportation or alternative methods of transportation (bicycling) to cut down on motor vehicle costs, such as gas, vehicle maintenance, insurance, and even parking costs.
  • A rise in unemployment – Fewer people overall are commuting or have a need to travel to a job. Additionally, less money earned means less financial ability to go out to restaurants, shopping centers, or entertainment.
  • Improvements in vehicle design – Recent vehicle product recalls, stiff fines and close public attention to auto manufacturers may have created safer vehicles.
  • Highway safety programs – Awareness of traffic safety may be heightened by increased and improved safety campaigns and programs.

In 2009, Michigan auto accident deaths declined by 11 percent, or 1.3 percent over the national average. The total number of fatalities dropped from 980 to 871, with the greatest decline of 13 percent found in alcohol-impaired driving deaths.

Despite the state and nation-wide decline in auto accident deaths, there are still thousands of Michigan car accident victims suffering from injuries.

The Sam Bernstein Law Firm supports Michigan traffic safety and awareness, and protecting your rights. If you or a loved one was seriously injured in a Michigan auto accident, contact an experienced Michigan car accident lawyer for a free, confidential legal consultation immediately.

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Mark Bernstein of the Sam Bernstein Law Firm Reacts to Toyota Recall Repairs

Wednesday, March 24th, 2010

Toyota announced they will start fixing car and truck accelerator pedal safety issues this week to address concerns over unintended acceleration events that have resulted in two fatal auto accidents. After the voluntary recall of 2.3 million vehicles, Toyota believes they have a solution for sticking pedal problems.

“We have developed a comprehensive plan to fix the sticking pedal situation in recalled Toyota vehicles,” said Jim Lentz, President of Toyota Motor Sales, USA. “We know what’s causing the sticking accelerator pedals…We also know it is most important to fix this problem in the cars on the road.”

Secretary of Transportation Ray LaHood went so far as to advise in Congressional testimony today that owners ’stop driving’ recalled Toyotas. LaHood later changed his recommendation by calling his advice a ‘misstatement’ and suggesting that ‘If you own one of these cars, take it to the dealer. If you are in doubt, take it to the dealer and have them fix it.’

However, the National Highway Safety Administration is instructing owners to pay attention to how their accelerator pedals are working. If the accelerator becomes harder to depress or slower to return than normal, it may be a precursor to a safety issue. Then, NTSA says, “These vehicles should be parked and a dealer immediately notified. Should a pedal become stuck in a partially depressed condition while driving, owners should put their car in neutral, bring it to a stop and call their dealer.” Additionally, owners should remove all floor mats in vehicles associated with the entrapment recall.

Toyota has indicated that they will ship parts to dealers and begin dealer training immediately to fix sticking pedals. Toyota promises customers that dealers will be open extended hours to handle the repairs. Owners of recalled vehicles can expect notifications explaining how to contact dealers for servicing. Toyota and Pontiac vehicles included in the recalls are 2009-2010 RAV4, 2009-2010 Corolla, 2009-2010 Matrix, 2005-2010 Avalon, 2007-2010 Camry, 2010 Highlander, 2007-2010 Tundra, 2008-2010 Sequoia, 2009-2010 Vibe. Camry, RAV 4, Corolla and Highlander vehicles with VINs that begin with ‘J’ are not affected.

Owners who have suffered a car accident injury related to an unintended acceleration event should stop driving their vehicle immediately, get their vehicle towed directly to a Toyota dealership, and contact an auto accident attorney in their state to learn what remedies are available.

“Anyone who has experienced an auto accident due to a manufacturer’s safety defect should contact a qualified lawyer who is experienced handling auto accident cases,” recommends personal injury attorney Mark Bernstein. “If you or a loved one has been injured in an auto accident and have questions about your legal rights, contact an experienced auto accident lawyer who can advise you of your rights and the legal process for seeking compensation.”

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