Philadelphia Personal Injury Lawyer - Automobile Accidents

Government Agency Withheld Research On Dangers Of Drivers Using Cell Phones

Jamie Sheller — Tue, 28 Jul 2009 11:50:00 GMT

According to Public Citizen and the Center for Auto Safety, since 2003 the government has withheld research showing the dangers of using a cell phone while driving. Public Citizen and the Center for Auto Safety are consumer advocacy groups that sued to obtain this information from the government. The groups say that the withholding of this information for six years has endangered lives. They assert that the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration mistakenly led people to believe that using hands-free devices was safe while driving, because both hands could remain on the wheel. In response to that belief, state and local governments passed restrictions on the use of hand-held cell phones while driving. However, the research demonstrates that talking itself caused "inattention blindness," which slows reaction time. The executive director of the Center for Auto Safety stated that the research concealed by the NHTSA showed that driving while talking on a cell phone was as dangerous as drinking and driving. The Center for Auto Safety has petitioned the NHTSA to restrict in-vehicle systems that allow two-way communication while the car is moving, and wants the NHTSA to support limits on all cell phone use while driving.

For information on car safety, visit the InjuryBoard help center.

Originally posted at InjuryBoard by Jamie Sheller

Questions About Safety of Mini Cars

Jamie Sheller — Tue, 14 Apr 2009 15:01:06 GMT

Due to rising fuel costs, smaller cars have become more popular because of their fuel efficiency and low costs. However, recent crash tests show that so called mini cars may compromise on safety. The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety tested 2009 models of the Honda Fit, Smart Fortwo and Toyota Yaris in front-end crashes with mid-sized cars. According to the IIHS, those tests demostrate that there are safety trade-offs for the fuel efficiency and affordability of mini cars. Makers of mini cars argue that the type of crash simulated in the IIHS tests are not common in real world conditions. The tests paired the Smart Fortwo with the Mercedes C Class, the Honda Fit with the Honda Accord, and the Toyota Yaris with the Toyota Camry, with each car moving at a speed of 40 miles per hour, representing a severe crash. In each of the pairings, the mini car received a poor rating from IIHS, after receiving extensive damage and showing a high risk of passenger injuries. Meanwhile, the mid-sized cars that they were paired with held up well. In past tests mini cars fared well in tests against similarly sized cars, but the recent tests demonstrate potential problems when the mini cars are involved in accidents with larger vehicles.

Visit the InjuryBoard Accident Help page to get information about what to do in the event you are involved in a car accident.

Originally posted at InjuryBoard by Jamie Sheller

Deadly Multi-Car Crash On I-95

Jamie Sheller — Fri, 30 Jan 2009 20:47:18 GMT

A multiple car accident on I-95 left 3 people dead, and another person in extremely critical condition. The accident happened in Claymont, Delaware, apparently when the driver of a Ford Explorer lost control of the SUV and crossed from the northbound lane into the southbound lanes of the interstate, and hit a Mercury sedan. The 47-year old passenger in the Explorer, and the 72-year old driver of the sedan, died at the scene. The 50-year old man driving the SUV died at a local hospital, and the 78-year old passenger in the sedan was taken to the hospital in critical condition. Delaware State Police are investigating the cause of the accident, with speed being a possible cause.

Originally posted at InjuryBoard by Jamie Sheller

Reducing Spinal Fractures In Car Accidents

Jamie Sheller — Sun, 25 Jan 2009 17:18:27 GMT

According to an article in the February issue of the Journal of Neurosurgery: Spine, the risk of suffering an spinal fracture in a car accident decreases by 33% with the combined use of a seat belt and airbag. The findings came as the result of a team of doctors performing a retrospective cohort study of car accident and injury data from the time period of 1994-2002. The researchers suggested that more resources should be directed toward increasing the use of both seat belts and air bags, given the level of their protective effects. In an editorial accompanying the article, Dr. Charles Tator recommended that lower speed limits, new methods of passive seat belt activation and the requirement of event data recorders in all vehicles could reduce the rate of spinal fractures suffered in automobiile accidents.

To learn more about car accidents, including safety tips and how to prevent accidents, visit the InjuryBoard Automobile Accident Help Center.

Originally posted at InjuryBoard by Jamie Sheller

Three-Car Accident Kills One

Jamie Sheller — Fri, 23 Jan 2009 19:08:38 GMT

On Thursday, January 15, 2009, a three-car accident in Northeast Philadelphia left one woman dead and another woman injured. Shirley Joseph and another woman were sitting inside a Nissan Maxima in a store parking lot, when a speeding Pontiac Grand Am shot across the street and slammed into them, causing their car to crash into a third car. Ms. Joseph died a short time later at a local hospital, and the driver of the car she was in, suffered neck and back injuries. No one in the third car was hurt. Meanwhile, the Pontiac that hit them continued on until it hit a pillar. The Pontiac's driver was recently identified, and may face criminal charges.

It is important to protect your rights after an accident. Learn what to do after a car accident by visiting the InjuryBoard Automobile Accident Help Center.

Originally posted at InjuryBoard by Jamie Sheller

Seven Injured In Multiple Car Accident

Jamie Sheller — Tue, 13 Jan 2009 20:51:48 GMT

On Saturday, January 10, 2009, there were two accidents on Interstate 80 in Luzerne County, Pennsylvania. One accident involved three vehicles. One SUV began fishtailing and was clipped by two other SUVs, with all three vehicles crashing into the guardrail. The other accident involved two Volkswagen cars, one Jetta and one Beetle. The driver of the Beetle had recently moved from a warmer climate and is still getting used to the snow. A total of seven people were taken to the hospital with minor injuries.

To learn about what to do after an accident, visit the InjuryBoard accident page.

Originally posted at InjuryBoard by Jamie Sheller

Prepare for Car Emergencies

Jamie Sheller — Fri, 26 Dec 2008 10:07:11 GMT

A recent incident in Maryland serves as a reminder of how important it is to be prepared for emergencies while driving. A water main break caused a wall of water to rush down a Maryland road, trapping several motorists in their cars, as the water moved to quickly for them to escape its path. The water was four feet deep and the outside weather was very cold. One stranded motorist, who shivered while waiting to be rescued, wished that she had a blanket and vowed to be more prepared for emergencies. It is recommended that everyone keep a first aid kit in their homes and cars. There are five important things to keep in your car first aid kit. 1) Benadryl, which can help someone having an allergic reaction to something. 2) Antiseptic wipes can be used for cleaning cuts and wounds. 3) Antibiotic ointment can help prevent wound infection. 4) Bandages/gauze pads for covering wounds. 5) A blanket, though a regular blanket is helpful, a "space blanket" can greatly reduce the risk of hypothermia. There are other items an be helpful as well, but these five are the basics. All motorists should assemble a first aid kit for their cars. Hopefully, it will not be needed, but having it could make a difference in the severity of an emergency situation.

Originally posted at InjuryBoard by Jamie Sheller

Driving During the Holidays

Jamie Sheller — Mon, 08 Dec 2008 22:15:00 GMT

The holiday season is upon us, with the arrival of Thanksgiving, and safety during holiday driving is important. In Pennsylvania, during the recent Thanksgiving holiday driving period, from the Wednesday before Thanksgiving to the Sunday after Thanksgiving, there were over 1,000 motor vehicle accidents. Over three hundred people were injured in these accidents, and nine people died. According to the Pennsylvania State Police, 80% of these accidents were alcohol related, and most of the people who died were not wearing seatbelts. These statistics reinforce how important it is to think about safe holiday driving. The holidays involve celebrations that often include alcohol. Everyone should know that alcohol and driving do not mix. Having designated drivers can help keep intoxicated persons from getting behind the wheel. Also, drivers should strictly observe speed limits and avoid all distractions, such as cell phone use, while driving. Further, seatbelts should always be used. Following these guidelines can help this holiday season be a safe one.

Originally posted at InjuryBoard by Jamie Sheller

Drunk Driver Kills One Teen and Injures Four Others

Jamie Sheller — Thu, 13 Nov 2008 20:29:32 GMT

Recently, 15 year old Jacklyn Gavares was killed and four of her friends were injured in a car accident in Monroe Township, N.J. As the 17 year old driver backed out of the driveway, the car was struck by a pickup truck. William Berbert, 42, was driving the pickup truck and he ran from the accident scene. About three hours later, he was found. Berbert is facing charges of driving while intoxicated, leaving the scene of an accident and leaving the scene of a fatal accident. Jackie Gavares was flown to Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital, where she died. Another passenger was first flown to a Trenton hospital before being transferrred to Children's Hospital of Philadelphia. The driver of the car, and three other passengers, suffered injuries that are not considered life threatening.

For information about car accidents, how to avoid them and what to do if you are in one, visit the InjuryBoard auto accident help center.

Originally posted at InjuryBoard by Jamie Sheller

Parents' Driving Behavior Affects Teens

Jamie Sheller — Fri, 31 Oct 2008 11:13:51 GMT

Teaching your teen to wear a seatbelt is not enough to promote their safety on the road. State Farm Insurance Co., recently conducted a survey looking at the role of parents in teen driving safety. According to the survey, 65 percent of parents talk on cell phones while driving, and 65 percent of parents are in a hurry when they drive. Even though the majority of parents talk on the cell phone while driving, most of them tell their teens not to do so. It's a classic case of "Do as I say, not as I do," which has been shown not to be effective. Parents must exhibit the driving behavior that they want their teens to learn. A similar study was done by State Farm and the Children's Hospital of Philadelphia in 2007. That study found that teens often drive while using cell phones, while fatigued and with multiple passengers. All of those factors can affect a driver's judgment and focus.

To learn more about driving safety, go to the InjuryBoard automobile accident page. If you or someone you know has been in a car accident or want to make sure that you have appropriate insurance, contact the lawyers at Sheller, P.C. We have a long history of successful car accident representation.

Originally posted at InjuryBoard by Jamie Sheller