Month: December 2016

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Blog Car Accident Negligence Personal Injury Safety Tips Truck Accident Wrongful Death

Speed and Rollover Truck Accidents

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A great deal of rollover accidents are caused by driving at an excessive speed, which is even more dangerous when done in a light truck that does not have a roof with strength sufficient enough to protect the vehicle’s passengers. In a study conducted by Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration, they found that speed was a cause in about 45% of the rollover accidents they had studied. As the seasons change, the roads are being affected by weather conditions, now more than ever it is important to know how to stay safe from rollover accidents.

High speeds are one part of a rollover accident, but there are other factors to weigh in. The weight and height of a truck are a few of the factors that play a part in a rollover accident. The majority of rollover accidents are caused by how drivers handle curved roads. Most of the time, a driver will overestimate the safe speed to go over such a curve, resulting in a rollover. Drivers may become careless on the road if they are in a rush to get somewhere, they may not think about slowing down for a curved road. Other times, it is possible for a driver to not see the speed limit or posted road sign, causing them to continue at an excessive pace.

About a quarter of rollover accidents, related to speed, involve vehicles carrying a large amount of weight. Anytime weight is added or subtracted from a vehicle, it should be taken into account, how to safely operate that vehicle. If these changes go about with little thought, the likelihood of a rollover is greatly increased. Another speed related cause of a rollover accident is brakes. All drivers need to make sure that the brakes on their vehicles are in good condition and fit for being on the road. Regular maintenance on a vehicle is very important and will ensure that your vehicle is in top condition whenever you’re on the road.

About a tenth of the rollover accidents studied by the FMCSA were impacted by the conditions of the roads. Many drivers fail to adjust their speeds to changes in the weather, mostly in the event of rain. Turns at intersections had involvement in around a tenth of the rollover accidents as well. Turns at an intersection are very much like curves, due to the severity and speed of the turn, and they must be taken with great care.

Only about 5% of the rollover accidents were due to not adjusting speed to nearby vehicles and just a few were from worn down tires. Once again, knowing the condition of your vehicle is of paramount importance for staying safe on the road. Only two of the rollover accidents were due to sight distance.

Speed is a huge component of rollover accidents, but being knowledgeable of the many other factors can help prevent you from being involved in one. Our car accident lawyer firm can assist in any personal injury case and help you get on the right path.

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Safety Tips

Tips For Safe Holiday Travel

During the holidays, you may be shopping for gifts and spending time with family, but you are probably driving around to get to all these places. Following safe driving techniques during the holidays should be a top concern for anybody on the road.

This time of year there tends to be more people on the road, with more people in each individual car. These two factors raise tension on the street and increase the probability of an accident.

By taking proper procedure on the road, one can make sure their holiday commutes are less stressful and safer overall. Now here are a few things to keep in mind before and after getting on the road during the holiday season.

The Weather Is Different

Depending on where you are traveling to, your preparation will most likely be varied. Drivers in certain areas may not face the dangers of icy roads or snow, but chances are that they will come across problems such as sleet, hail and even freezing rain. These can be very dangerous occurrences and are likely to take place.

According to the National Weather Service, slick roadways are a product of freezing rain and sleet. Also, freezing rain comes down as a liquid and has the potential to breakdown branches of trees and power lines. These are hazards no matter how far you are traveling.

The dangers of hail are plentiful, and it’s a danger that can occur at any time during the year. Hail can be tricky to avoid while driving, but if one can find an area to cover themselves and their car, that would be sufficient.

In some areas snow is extremely likely and expected. AAA suggests for driver safety, that one should make sure that they accelerate and decelerate slower than usual because slick ground is more difficult to stop on.

People Are Moving Along With The Weather

Many holiday travelers are migrating to a warmer area during this time of year, in an effort to escape their hometowns treacherously cold conditions. There are many different areas where people may be traveling, to enjoy the sunny weather during a colder time of year. Many places have to prepare for the high influx of travelers coming into their city.

Many drivers will be on the roads that are not familiar with the area. This can be dangerous because these drivers are more likely to make a mistake. This is one holiday travel issue but, unfortunately, there are more.

This time of year, during travel, many families with kids cram into cars as they are off to see family and friends. In a packed car, overflowing amounts of luggage may end up on the roof of one’s car, making the possibility of debris on the road a real concern.

Make Sure You Are Bringing What You Need

As you travels and plan to stay somewhere for a few days, you will most likely want to keep to bringing just your basic necessities. On the other hand, there are children, and they tend to want to bring everything under the sun, from bikes to all their electronics. You might also be traveling with presents for your friends and family members.

If you think this is just you, you are definitely not alone, many people will be traveling on the road these holidays with a plethora of goods. As a driver, you should make sure that you watch out for other drivers on the road and keep a safe distance, in case something flies off one of their cars.

The holiday season is a time of joy, but to make the best out of it one needs to take the proper precautions. Our car accident lawyer firm can assist in any personal injury case and help you get on the right path.

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Blog Car Accident Negligence Personal Injury Safety Tips Truck Accident Wrongful Death

Driving Tired: Driving Drowsy and Driving Drunk Are Just As Damaging

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According to a new study by AAA, driving while tired has just as many dangers as driving drunk. The study deals with the safety of drivers who are potentially driving in a tired state and the people around them.

A AAA spokesperson explained to NBC News, that a disaster is very likely to occur from drivers who choose to get on the road without enough sleep prior. The risk for an accident is double if one gets an hour less sleep then usual. As more and more hours of sleep are lost, the more the potential of danger.

The ability to navigate the road safely is greatly impaired if your sleepy. Someone who is driving in a drowsy state may find themselves yawning or even feel their eyes constantly closing.

While drowsy driving has been around for a very long time, new studies have illustrated that this is a problem that needs to be dealt with. So here are a few ways officials are trying to deal with drowsy drivers, and how you can fight against it as well.

What The Authorities Are Doing to Fight This Atrocity

Reconfigurations to the roads are being made to ensure that people do not leave them on accident.One method that the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration is backing greatly is the installment of rumble strips to fight impaired drivers.

Rumble strips, that are easily heard, are in the plans to be installed by the regional and state authorities. These systems are designed to make noise as a driver is in the process of a lane change. This is helpful in waking up a drowsy driver incase they start to drift off course.

Changes in the framework of the road are not the only way they are fighting drowsy driving. The NHTSA are developing many techniques to fight this.

The NHTSA is taking a proactive approach to drowsy driving, by encouraging research and working with the local governments.

What is most important is to not be driving drowsy in the first place.

Tips To Avoid Being Sleepy Behind The Wheel

To stay completely alert while driving, you must make the right decisions beforehand and during the drive. Even the rumble strips and many road safety changes wont be able to change the fact that someone is driving without sufficient energy. It’s important to create habits that are good before you drive.

First things first, make sure that you have had an adequate amount of sleep. According to the Mayo Clinic, a nightly sleep of 7-9 hours is appropriate for adults and as much as 10 hours for teens. You can sleep at any amount that works for you, but make sure you are getting enough.

Even if you feel like you do not have time to be sleeping more you should try to work it in to your schedule for your own safety.

As AAA recommends, pulling to a stop for a nap and traveling with a partner can really help keep you safer. Even caffeine is not a proper substitute for the energy gained through sleep. Coffee and energy drinks may be helpful, but should not be relied on like the advantages of proper rest.

Driving drowsy is extremely dangerous. It is a problem that can lead to severe injury and even death.

Don’t Let Driving Drowsy Affect You

The authorities are working on endless ways to fight this predicament, from improvements in technology to raising awareness through education.

The fact that driving tired is as dangerous as driving drunk is a reality and must be taken seriously.

Becoming tired while driving and falling asleep is a reality that can happen to any driver. Our car accident lawyer firm can assist in any personal injury case and help you get on the right path.