Modesto Injury Lawyer Blog

According to recent studies, young drivers seem to be most at risk for a car accident in Modesto or elsewhere in California shortly after they obtain a license. In fact, a recent study conducted by AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety found that teen drivers are 50 percent more likely to be involved in a crash in the first 30 days of unsupervised driving than after the first 12 months of driving alone in a vehicle.

Stockton car accident attorneys know that teens probably tend to be on their best behavior while practicing to drive with an adult, but safe practices shouldn't stop once they start driving solo.

The AAA study involved teens being monitored by an in-vehicle camera while they were learning to drive with their parents. The camera continued to monitor the same young drivers six months after obtaining a license while no longer being required to drive with an adult present in the vehicle. Researchers found that teens tend to drive in favorable driving conditions on familiar roads during most of the time spent with an adult in the learner's permit phase. Once a full license was obtained, teenage behavior behind the wheel became more risky as illustrated in video clips. Teens were caught on tape doing things like running red lights, texting, or fooling around with another passenger while driving.

Researchers have found the three most common causes of teen accidents in the first month of being licensed are failure to yield to traffic, driver distraction and neglecting to reduce speed when needed. They found that 57 percent of accidents were attributed to these three mistakes commonly made by new drivers.

The California Department of Motor Vehicles has a particular interest in reducing teen car crashes because young drivers between the ages of 15-20 were involved in crashes killing almost 600 people in 2008. Texas was the only other state to have more deaths caused by a teen driver that year than California.

Statistics have shown that for every 100 drivers, 16-year-olds are cited for a violation almost twice as much as drivers of all ages; 31.0 compared to 17.3 respectively. It has been found that 17- and 18-year-olds have a high rate of violations with 36.6 and 38.9 citations per 100 drivers, respectively.

Over the years, California DOT has found several risk factors that have attributed to the high number of crashes involving teen drivers. These include:

-Failing to detect hazards quick enough. Identifying hazardous stimuli that affect the driving environment and learning how to cope are skills that are acquired with time and experience.

-Underestimating the threat of a hazard and overestimating the ability to handle the situation.

-Becoming overconfident in your ability to drive which leads to riskier and more dangerous behaviors.

-Failing to wear a seat belt.

-Inability to eliminate distractions caused by other passengers riding in the vehicle, especially peer passengers.

-Night driving is difficult enough but adding drowsiness or the influence of alcohol to nighttime driving puts teens at severe risk of a crash.

Parents are advised to continue making safe driving a hot topic in family discussions with your teen. Frequent discussions about safe behaviors can let your teen know the importance of driving safely and help them to make better choices as they gain experience in driving alone.

Continue reading "Modesto Teen Car Accidents Often Happen During First 30 Days of Driving Unsupervised" »

Taking the Distraction-free Driving Pledge could make roadways safer in Modesto and reduce the risk of car accidents in Stockton. Of course, making the pledge requires that you make a valiant effort to eliminate all distractions inside your vehicle and talk to friends, family and anyone who will listen about doing the same.

Modesto injury lawyers know that distracted driving accidents are becoming all too familiar in the state of California and throughout the country. In fact, it is estimated that almost 8,000 car accidents occur daily because a driver took the liberty of getting distracted behind the wheel.

In a recent effort to curb texting and driving behaviors among teenagers, California Highway Patrol implemented a 2-day "Zero Tolerance" Campaign for high schools located from Modesto all the way to Grapevine. CBS 45 reported that teens in the area admittedly text and drive, even when told by parents that a stipulation to being permitted to drive alone is not to practice these types of unsafe behaviors. Highlighting their focus on teens, the California Highway Patrol hoped to scare them enough to stop the behavior, or risk a $20 fine for first offenses and $50 for every violation after that.

Rather than using a scare tactic, AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety is promoting Heads-Up Driving Week from October 2-8 for a third straight year. Concerned about safety for everyone, the Foundation is asking all motorists to eliminate attempts at multi-tasking or any kind of distraction while you drive.

It seems as though multi-tasking is becoming more prevalent for motorists because we are all short on time and guilty of feeling like we need to utilize every minute of the day. The time spent operating a vehicle seems like free time that can be spent on grooming, catching a quick bite to eat, returning phone calls or other distracting behaviors like texting. Recent studies have shown that drivers are distracted more than 50 percent of the time that they are operating a vehicle. Crash data is limited, but it is estimated that 16 percent of fatal crashes involve a distraction that caused the accident.

According to the recent 2011 Traffic Safety Culture Index, most drivers, 87 percent of those surveyed, support a law that would ban texting, emailing or surfing the internet while driving nationwide. Even more of the respondents, 94 percent, admit that the behavior is extremely dangerous when trying to operate a vehicle and is unacceptable.

Why then, are a third of those surveyed still practicing the unsafe behavior during the last 30 days? Attitude has a lot to do with it. Most motorists have the attitude that a tragic accident won't happen to them or responding to one text or a minute of surfing won't hurt anything. That couldn't be further from the truth.

Just ask the family members of the almost 5,500 people killed in distracted driving car accidents in 2009. The age group most at risk is the 20-year-olds and under but I think we are all slightly guilty of thinking a tragedy won't happen to us when we are behind the wheel. By eliminating distractions, we can stay focused and make roadways safer for everyone.

Continue reading "Modesto Motorists Pledge to Drive Distraction-Free In Order to Reduce Risk of Car Accidents in Modesto" »

Later this month, Modesto will be holding its 2nd Annual Child Watch event to kick off the new school year. This is an event that's free to everyone. Children are invited to enjoy free food, a bounce house and face participating. Parents are urged to bring along a donation of school supplies in exchange for a raffle ticket for each donation. The collected donations will then be given to local schools, according to ABC 10. Parents will also be able to enter their chosen school into a raffle to receive some of the school supplies.

California Highway Patrol will be providing free child seat safety checks. Free child seats will be given to those who officers feel are in need. Children will also be provided with a free CPR class and with free digital fingerprinting. Modesto City Schools will also be addressing school bus safety to help keep kids safe from child injury in Modesto during the upcoming school year.

Our Modesto child injury attorneys understand that the new school year comes with some dangerous risks for school bus-related injuries. Parents are urged to speak with their children about bus safety before sending them off to school. There are basic safety measures that your child can practice to help avoid being involved in a school bus-related accident.

The event will be held at:

Modesto Free Will Baptist Church
225 E. Orangeburg Avenue
Modesto , Ca 95354

This year, roughly 25 million students will use the big yellow bus to get to and from school. Unfortunately, many children are injured and several killed in school bus accidents every year. It is estimated that school bus-related accidents killed more than 130 people in 2005 alone. Another 11,000 people were injured in these accidents during that same year, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.

Of all the people injured in school bus-related accidents from 2000 through 2004, nearly 50 percent were school bus passengers, 8 percent were school bus drivers and another 41 percent were occupants of other vehicles. The rest of the injuries were sustained by pedestrians, bicyclists and other or unknown type persons.

School bus safety tips for your child, from the National Safety Council:

-While waiting for the bus, stay away from traffic and avoid roughhousing or other behavior that can lead to carelessness. Children should not stray onto streets, alleys or private property.

-Wait until the bus stops and the door opens before stepping onto the roadway.

-When on the bus, find a seat, sit down and keep your voices down.

-Never put head, arms or hands out of the bus window.

-Keep the aisles clear of books and bags as they are tripping hazards and can block the way in an emergency.

-At your stop, wait for the bus to come to a complete stop before getting up from your seat.

-Make sure that the driver can see you when walking near the bus.

-Wait for a signal from the driver before you cross in front of the bus.

-Stay away from the bus' back tires at all times.

Continue reading "Free Food and Entertainment to Kick Off New School Year and to Raise Awareness about Child Injury in Modesto" »

A Marin Academy student was killed after the vehicle she was riding in left the roadway during a car accident in Yosemite National Park, according to Twin Cities Times. According to Kari Cobb, a Yosemite National Park ranger, the car accident happened at about 7:15 a.m. on a stretch of Tioga Road, a well-traveled thoroughfare in the northern end of Yosemite. This area is also a popular summer destination for tourists.

"Our hearts and prayers go out to the Dennison family at this very difficult and tragic time. We are here to support the family and members of the MA community in any way that we can," said Travis Brownley, Marin Academy's head of school.

Our Modesto car accident attorneys would like to warn motorists about the dangers motorists can expect to face on our roadways through this rest of this month. The beginning of August kicked off the start of the deadliest month of the year for American motorists. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) data, going back to 1994, concludes that more Americans die in car accidents in the month of August than during any other time of the year.

"We are all devastated by the loss of Alena Dennison," said Brownley. "She was a wonderful, vibrant young woman and a valued member of the MA community.

The vehicle involved in the accident was carrying 7 young passengers at the time of the accident. The teens had taken part in a hike the was held the night before and were returning to the Bay Area when the accident happened, the park official said.

In 2009 alone, the NHTSA says on average 93 people killed each day in U.S. traffic accidents. That's an average of one death every 16 minutes. The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety backs up the information by concluding that from 2005 to 2009 seven of the 25 deadliest days of the year happened in August.

The roadways are so deadly during this time of year because more people are out on our roadways, according to MSN Money. According to the NHTSA, per 100 million miles traveled, August has an average fatality rate of 1.09. September followed at a close second with a death rate of 1.09. March ranks in as the safest with a 0.94 death rate.

"A large proportion of crashes happen in late afternoon and early evening in general, but especially in August," says Russ Rader, a spokesman for the institute. That is a time when our roads fill up both with commuters and vacationers.

Who is most at risk for a fatal car accident?:

-Ages 13 to 15; typically experience 2 percent all traffic deaths.

-16 to 19, 9 percent.

-20 to 34, 31 percent.

-35 to 49, 23 percent.

-50 to 69, 22 percent.

-70 and up, 12 percent.

It's no surprise that weekends are deadlier than weekdays. Americans use weekends to get out and run extra errands, visit family members or friends and take more day trips. This is also a time when drunken driving increases.

Saturdays have the most accident-related deaths, with an average of 123 deaths each Saturday in 2009 nationwide. Sundays followed close behind in 2009, with an average of 107 deaths, followed by 102 on Fridays.

Tuesday is your safest day on our roadways as it has an average of 69 deaths occurring each Tuesday.

Remaining weekday daily death rate averages:

-Mondays, 79 deaths.

-Wednesdays, 78.

-Thursdays, 84.

Continue reading "Yosemite Teen Car Accident Kills Marin Academy Student" »

Modesto personal injury attorneys would like to wish everyone a safe and happy 4th of July. We would also like to ask that everyone be extra cautious during this time whether you're driving, enjoying the holiday by the pool, out on the water or staying local and watching some of the fireworks events in Modesto.

It is during these summer months that residents experience an increased risk for injury in Modesto and elsewhere throughout the state. Your risk for a car accident increases drastically during this holiday weekend. During these holiday weekends there is not only an increase in traffic flow, but more drunk drivers take to our roads than any other time during the year.

According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, there were more than 11,000 deaths in 2009 because of car accidents that involved an impaired driver. A number of these accidents occurred during the holidays. These accidents accounted for more than 30 percent of all of the traffic fatalities for the entire year. Motorists are four times more likely to be involved in a motor-vehicle accident at night than during the day. Motorists are also more likely to be involved in these types of accidents on the weekends instead of during the week days.

Residents are asked to keep themselves and their loved ones from driving a motor-vehicle while impaired. You are also urged to report any suspected intoxicated drivers to local authorities to help reduce the risks of serious -- if not fatal -- traffic accidents.

Even if you're staying off our roadways and hitting the pool, you're still at an increased risk for injury -- and death. It is estimated that about 10 people die every day from unintentional drownings. Drowning is the sixth leading cause of unintentional injury death for people of all ages. It is the second leading cause of death for children under the age of 15.

There were more than 3,400 fatal unintentional drownings in the United States in 2007, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. One in five people who die from drowning are children under 15. For every one of these deaths, four children receive care at an emergency room.

Nonfatal drownings can cause severe and permanent brain damage. Nonfatal drownings can cause memory problems, learning disabilities, and permanent loss of basic functioning.

Parents are urged to keep an eye on children who are in the pool at all times. It is beneficial to learn cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) so that in the event of a drowning, you can help to keep the victim alive until paramedics arrive. Make sure that no one swims alone. Always encourage the buddy system near pools.

Many residents will be boating on the open water to celebrate the long weekend. Once again, you're faced with an increased risk for injury or death. During these holiday weekends, a number of inexperienced boaters hit our waterways, serving as potential dangers to everyone. Boaters are urged to keep life vests on board for every passenger, if not for safety then because it's the law.

According to the United States Coast Guard, there were more than 4,500 boating accidents in 2010. Nearly 700 fatalities resulted from these incidents and another 3,153 injuries were sustained by boaters. These accidents cost nearly $40 million dollars in property damage.

There's no denying that there's going to be booze out on our waterways this weekend. Boaters are asked to follow the same rules as the road. Never drink and drive a boat. Always have a designated driver. Alcohol use is the number one contributing factor in fatal boating accidents as it accounted for nearly 20 percent of boating deaths.

In 2010, there were more than 12 million recreational vessels registered by the United States. This weekend there were be a significant number of boaters on the water and with cautious and alert boating habits we can help to reduce the number of serious boating accidents.

When it's the Fourth of July, there will be fireworks. Everyone is asked to follow these safety tips to help avoid firework-related injuries:

-Always have a sober designated shooter.

-Make sure the shooter is always wearing safety glasses.

-Follow all local firework rules and regulations.

-Don't allow children under the age of 12 to play with fireworks or sparklers.

-Never relight a dud firework. Let it sit for 20 minutes and then soak it in water.

-Always keep water handy. Keep it in a bucket or keep a hose near you at all times.

-Do not shoot off fireworks near houses or near trees.

According to Prevent Blindness America, there were an estimated 9,800 injuries treated in emergency rooms because of firework-related injuries in 2007 alone. Eyes are the most likely body part to be injured in one of these accidents. Contusions, lacerations and foreign bodies were the most common injuries to eyes. Men accounted for nearly 75 percent of all of these victims.

Even though children shouldn't be playing with fireworks, some residents ignore this advice and still expose them to serious danger. Of the 1,100 estimated sparkler injuries, roughly 200 were to children under the age of 5. Approximately 2,600 of these child fireworks injuries were to children under age 15.

Continue reading "Have a Safe and Fun Fourth of July Weekend From Modesto Personal Injury Attorneys " »

Mothers Against Drunk Driving wants to remind us that the 100 deadliest days of the year for teen drivers have begun.

Our Modesto car accident lawyers know that nine of the 10 deadliest days for teen drivers are between May and August. We know that nationally in 2009, almost 3,000 teen drivers died in car crashes and an additional 350,000 went to the hospital for injuries sustained in car crashes.

It has been reported that the first year of unsupervised driving is the most dangerous for our teen drivers. Ensuring the safety of our teens on roadways is challenging. Speeding, driver error and distractions are some of the main causes of teen crashes.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration reports that California recorded 149 crash deaths of young drivers (ages 15 to 20) in 2009 - second only to Texas, which had 241. When it came to crashes involving young drivers, California ranked first with 476 people killed. The total includes young drivers, their passengers, occupants of other vehicles and non-occupants. Alcohol was involved in 24 percent of fatal accidents involving young drivers ages 15 to 20.

A Health News Digest article reports that each year, 681,000 people are involved in car crashes with teens, resulting in more than 40,000 serious injuries nationally. In roughly 33 percent of the crashes involving teens, a death occurred in the other vehicle not driven by the teen.

"When most people think about those affected by teen driver crashes, they think of the teens behind the wheel. We must also consider the significant impact of these crashes on other members of our communities: occupants of other vehicles, pedestrians, cyclists, and other road-users," says Dennis Durbin, a co-author of the report. "Whether or not we have a teen driver in our family, we should all care about this issue. This report provides a concrete way to measure the effectiveness of laws, education, and other programs in reducing teen crashes and their impact on communities."

This is the perfect time to review these 10 safe driving practices:

-Practice driving as much as possible.

-Make sure everyone in the vehicle wears a seat belt.

-Minimize the number of passengers to avoid distraction.

-Don't drink and drive.

-Obey all traffic signs, signals and markings.

-Don't speed.

-Limit driving at night.

-Put the cell phone away.

-Avoid distracting activities - don't eat, drink, adjust the radio or climate controls.

-Keep your vehicle in good shape.

-Drive with a positive attitude.

Continue reading "Summer Brings 100 Deadliest Days for Teen Car Accidents in Modesto" »

Modesto bicycle accidents can cause severe and sometimes fatal injuries, especially to children who ride bikes for pleasure.
Motorists should always watch for bicyclists because they are sometimes difficult to see and may appear out of nowhere.

Personal injury lawyers in Stockton and elsewhere in the state know that bicyclists have the same rights to the roadways as motorists but also are held to the same rules as other vehicles. Children may not always know the rules of the road which puts them at higher risk than other cyclists.

The Modesto Bee recently reported about a 12 year-old girl who may not have known she needed to stop for a red light at an intersection before crossing. The young girl remains in critical condition at a Bay Area hospital after being struck by a pickup truck while crossing over Briggsmore Avenue. The girl was thrown from her bicycle at impact and was found lying unconscious in the street. Two nurses who were passing by at the time revived her. She was transferred to the Bay Area hospital where her condition was described as "grave."
Bicycle Helmet Safety Institute reports that 74 of the 630 bicyclists killed nationally in 2009 were ages 14 and younger. This equates to almost 12 percent of bicycle fatalities are children. There were 93 bicyclists killed age 15 and under in 2008 and another 13,000 injured in bicycle accidents. Children often suffer severe head trauma or internal injuries when struck by a car or truck due to the size and speed of the vehicle.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration reported that California had 99 bicyclist fatalities in 2009 which is approximately 3 percent of all traffic fatalities in the state for that year. California was ranked second in the country for cyclist fatalities; only 8 fewer than Florida reported. The state had more than double the fatalities of the next highest state at 48 reported cyclists' deaths.

California Department of Motor Vehicles offers the following rules that bicyclists of all ages should follow:

-When making turns, cyclists must follow same rules and use same lanes as motorists do.

-Never go against the flow of traffic.

-Riders must always signal your intentions to anyone around you.

-Bicyclists are legally permitted to ride in the center of a lane when traveling at an equivalent speed as the flow of traffic.

-Obey all stop signs, traffic lights and road markings.

-Never ride on the sidewalk but bicyclists are permitted to ride as close to the curb as possible.

Continue reading "Children and Adults at High Risk of Summer Bicycle Accidents in Modesto" »

The National Safety Council, along with the cell-free driving advocates of FocusDriven, recently announced that April is National Distracted Driving Awareness Month.

We frequently post on our Modesto Injury Lawyer Blog about the dangers of talking or texting on your cell phone while driving, which can lead to a serious or fatal car accident in Modesto or Stockton.

Now that spring has arrived and summer is knocking on the door, you will begin to notice more motorist on the roadway; Modesto personal injury lawyers want to encourage drivers to not allow themselves to become distracted while behind the wheel.

The two non-profit organizations are asking motorists in California and elsewhere in the country to pledge to turn off their cell phones when they are behind the wheel during the month of April and beyond.

Better yet, eliminate the distraction completely by putting your cell phone in the glove compartment or trunk of your car so that responding to a text alert or ring tone doesn't even enter your mind while you are driving.

It is estimated that 28 percent of all crashes, roughly 1.6 million each year, are caused by someone using their hand-held or hands-free cell phone while behind the wheel, according to National Safety Council (NSC).

Talking and texting ranks higher than any other distraction liable to cause a motor vehicle crash.

Drivers are also encouraged to create a temporary voicemail to be used while they are driving. This will alert callers that you are currently behind the wheel but you will return their car when it is safe to do so.

"If drivers can go one month without using their phones while driving, they will find out - as many of us have - work still gets done. Many drivers realize most of the calls they thought were so important, really aren't. It is our hope drivers will decide to make the change permanently. Doing so will make our roadways safer for everyone," said Jennifer Smith, FocusDriven president and founding board member.

Businesses who supply their employees with a cell phone are encouraged to participate in awareness by devising a company policy that prohibits cell phone use while driving. Corporations who place a high demand on their workers to multi-task should make sure employees put safety first and do not talk or text while driving.

"When businesses allow employees to conduct business on cell phones while driving, they are putting their employees at a 4 times greater risk of a crash," said Janet Froetscher, NSC president and CEO.

The NSC offers various resources to businesses in order to keep their employees safe. They provide a free and downloadable Cell Phone Policy Kit for Employers who need assistance conveying the high risk of driving distracted to their employees.

Continue reading "Distracted driving awareness in April lowers risk of car accidents in Modesto, Stockton" »

The Modesto Bee is reporting a disturbing trend of pedestrians being hit on Highway 108. The roadway claimed another victim last month, which now puts the total at 17 in just over a year.

Our Modesto personal injury lawyers know that California leads the nation in pedestrian accidents.

Law enforcement will be beefing up patrols and will issue tickets to both drivers and pedestrians. Drivers will get a $243 ticket for not stopping for people in the crosswalk and pedestrians will be issued a $203 ticket for walking in front of cars. The police plan on using pedestrian decoys to see if vehicles will stop at crosswalks.

We recently reported on our Modesto Injury Lawyer Blog about the high rate of pedestrian accidents in Stockton, Modesto and the surrounding areas.

The Governors Highway Safety Associations Pedestrian Traffic Fatalities by State reports that California had 563 pedestrian deaths in 2009. For the first 6 months of 2010 we have had 260 which is the same amount for that time frame in 2009.

Police blame both drivers and pedestrians for being inattentive while driving and walking. They have been engaged in such activities as eating, putting on makeup, texting, talking on their cell phones. Anything and everything that is likely to distract them from paying attention to their surroundings.

Most of the accidents have involved children and the bulk of the injuries have been minor. The youngest victim was a 3-year-old hit by a texting driver. There has been one fatality that involved a 49-year-old who was intoxicated and was hit by a car while attempting to cross Highway 108 at night.

The latest victim was a 40-year-old who was walking across Highway 108 when she was hit by a pickup truck. Police reported that traffic was heavy and it was raining at the time of the accident.

Safety tips for all pedestrians:

-Make eye contact with the driver and always cross at a corner, using traffic signals and crosswalks.

-When crossing the street look left, right and left again. Always walk across the street, don't run.

-Use sidewalks or paths, if there aren't any, walk facing traffic.

-Be alert to vehicles around you.

-Children should hold hands with an adult in parking lots.

Pedestrian safety tips for children:
-Children under 10 should never cross streets by themselves.

-Children should walk using the routes with the fewest street crossings.

-Children should never cross the street behind a school bus and should wait for adults on the same side of the road as the school bus unloading or loading zone.

-Children need to be taught to not run into the road after a toy or pet.

Continue reading "Highway 108 a Dangerous Place for Modesto Pedestrian Accidents" »

New in-vehicle technology being initiated by National Highway Traffic Safety Administration and Automotive Coalition for Traffic Safety could reduce the threat of habitual drunk drivers causing fatal

Our Modesto personal injury attorneys know the extreme risks drunk drivers pose to innocent motorists on the roads of California and across the nation. In 2009, over 10,000 fatalities occurred as a result of a drunk driving accident, according to the U.S. Department of Transportation, equating to 32% of total traffic fatalities for the year.

U.S. Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood and NHTSA Safety Administrator David Strickland were among the first to view the new Driver Alcohol Detection System for Safety (DADSS) at a demonstration recently held in Waltham, MA. Early in development, the proposed $10 million initiative will likely keep drunk drivers from being able to operate their car if their blood alcohol concentration (BAC) is detected to be at the legal limit of .08 or higher. One system determines BAC through a touch-based method while the other detects BAC through a breath-based approach.

Unlike ignition interlock devices, which are temporarily installed in the vehicles of some repeat offenders, the new technology could be much more permanent and could even be installed by the manufacturer.

Mothers Against Drunk Driving President Laura Dean-Mooney, also present at the demonstration, welcomed the progress of the DADSS research effort, saying, "Auto makers have stepped up to help turn cars into the cure. This project has made substantial progress and this technology could one day be an important step in our efforts to eliminate drunk driving."

California ranked at the top among states in 2009 for total traffic fatalities at 3,081 according to statistics reported by NHTSA. Data showed that alcohol was involved in 36% of fatal California car crashes in 2009. There were 1,118 fatalities when at least one driver tested positive for BAC of .01 or higher. Statistics show that nationally, drivers in fatal accidents with BAC over the legal limit are 8 times more likely to have a prior conviction than drivers who had no alcohol in their system at the time of a crash.

"Now that we have actual prototypes, a tremendous feat in itself, we'll be working to identify the gaps in performance between these prototypes and the precise standards we've identified as true technology requirements," said Shane Karr, Vice President for Federal Government Affairs at the Alliance of Automobile Manufacturers. "This will point the way forward for the next phase of research."

The new DADSS technology is expected to be a 5-year project. The next phase in development is a practical demonstration of the alcohol detection technologies which will likely take place later this year.

"Whatever the future holds for these advanced drunk driving prevention technologies, one thing remains clear; no technology can, or should, ever replace a driver's personal responsibility not to drive drunk," said NHTSA Administrator Strickland.

Continue reading "Risk of Modesto Drunk Driving Accidents Could be Eliminated by Technology" »

Sports fans will be gathering for one of the most year's popular kinds of parties this weekend, Super Bowl XLV.

Even if you aren't a fan of football, Super Bowl parties are entertaining affairs, typically filled with fun, friends, good food and plenty of drink. Our Modesto personal injury attorneys encourage you to drink responsibly and to be a responsible party host.

Drunk driving crashes are a leading cause of car accidents in Modesto and elsewhere. Nationwide, someone is killed in a drunk driving crash every 45 minutes, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration

Appointing a designated driver can reduce the chances of you, a friend, or a loved one being involved in a serious or fatal injury.
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As part of a national campaign, the NFL, along with National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, the HERO campaign, and Mothers Against Drunk Driving are promoting the slogan Fans Don't Let Fans Drive Drunk. Offering to remain sober and to drive your friends home is a decision you won't regret.

Football is one of America's favorite pastimes, but fans can put themselves in serious danger if they don't plan ahead," NHTSA Administrator David Strickland said. "Whether you're at the game or watching from a sports bar or a friend's house, designate a sober driver before the game. And remember, Fans Don't Let Fans Drive Drunk."

Over 30% of all motor vehicle traffic fatalities were due to an alcohol-related crash in the U.S. in 2009. In 2009 fatal crashes, the rate of alcohol impairment among drivers involved was four times higher at night than during the day. California reported the most traffic fatalities for 2009 at 3,081 -- alcohol was involved in 1,118 (36%).

Hosting a Super Bowl party is the perfect way to control the environment for your friends and family. MADD offers the following suggestions to plan the perfect party:

-Refrain from offering mixed drinks. Mixers like club soda and tonic cause alcohol to be absorbed where fruit juices and sweet mixtures make guests want to drink more.

-As guests RSVP to your party, request the name of the designated driver so you know who is responsible for getting everyone home safely.

-Provide plenty of food and snacks, preferably with less salt. Salty food makes guests want to drink more.

-If some of your guests intend to drive but have had too much to drink, plan to step in and take control of the situation by offering them a ride home or a place to sleep for the night.

Continue reading "Super Bowl Weekend Increases risk of Car Accidents in Modesto, Stockton" »

On the one-year anniversary of the launch of FocusDriven, a national non-profit that advocates for victims of distracted driving, U.S. Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood promised to keep distracted driving "at the top of his agenda," the Modesto Bee reports.

"Distracted driving is a deadly epidemic and when it comes to road safety, we will not take a backseat to anyone," said LaHood. "That's why distracted driving will continue to be a major part of DOT's robust safety agenda."

With an annual estimate of 5,500 motorist killed in car accidents linked to distracted driving and another 500,000 left injured, Modesto car accident lawyers understand the risks motorists face each day as a result of careless drivers.

California, along with 29 other states and Washington D.C., has banned texting for all drivers. State lawmakers have also banned use of a hand-held device for all drivers. The law further prohibits school or transit bus drivers, and drivers aged 18 and younger, from using cell phones while behind the wheel.

But the California Department of Motor Vehiclesfrequently reminds motorists that cell phones and iPods are not the only distractions a driver faces. Distractions can be visual, cognitive or manual. Eating while driving, for example, is a particularly hazardous distraction that most all drivers engage in from time to time. Unwrapping of packaging, the chow down and the clean up may only take seconds, but in two seconds a car can travel anywhere from 50 to 100 feet or more.

Chatting it up with your fellow passengers, giving the family pet some attention, putting on makeup, adjusting vehicle controls and gawking at an accident, a billboard or a scenic part of your trip are all common daily occurrences that can, literally, drive you to distraction and put you, your passengers and other drivers at risk.

Continue reading "Distracted Driving a Common Cause of Car Accidents in Modesto and Stockton" »

As more and more details emerge from the long-running high-profile coverage of prescription medication abuse scandals allegedly responsible for the deaths of Michael Jackson and Anna Nicole Smith, our Modesto car accident lawyers know that illicit and prescription drug abuse is a frequent contributor to serious and fatal car accidents.

Now, a recent study by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration reveals that post-mortem testing of fatally injured drivers reflects a spike in drug use by drivers involved in fatal car accidents. With that said, the NHTSA notes that drug involvement does not mean the driver was impaired or that drug use caused the crash. It does, however, validate the notion that prescription and over-the-counter medication use and abuse has emerged as a national issue when it comes to driver safety.

Based on the NHTSA's Fatal Accident Reporting System census, in 2009 one in three car accident fatalities involved drivers who tested positive for drugs in a post-mortem screening. This represents a five percent increase over the last five years despite overall falling numbers of drivers killed in car accidents nationwide.

"Drugged driving is a much bigger public health threat than most Americans realize and unfortunately, it may be getting worse," said Gil Kerlikowske, Director of National Drug Control Policy.

In 2009, the NHTSA reports that California screened 1,678 fatally injured drivers for the presence of an array of drugs (prescription and over-the-counter meds included). Of those, 388, or 23 percent tested positive.

The Chicago Sun Times reports that prescription drug abuse is the fastest growing drug problem in the U.S. That deaths from unintentional drug overdoses have increased five-fold over last two decades - killing more people than any other accidental injury save car accidents.

In 2007, prescription painkillers like OxyContin, Vicodin and fentanyl were responsible for more overdose deaths than heroin and cocaine combined.

The surge in prescription drug abuse was first documented in the 1990s and is linked to a change in how medical professionals address chronic pain management. Namely, docs are now writing more prescriptions for opioids, or synthetic opium, commonly administered to alleviate pain. More prescriptions led to more abuse.

A 2010 Centers for Disease Control survey of high school students found that one in five admits to having taken a prescription drug without a prescription. Drugs of choice include Ritalin, OxyContin and Xanax. White students lead the pack for abuse with 23 percent admitting to taking someone else's prescription medication; Hispanics follow at 17 percent, and African-Americans at 12 percent.

Female students were as likely as their male counterparts to abuse prescription medication. More than a quarter of seniors admitted to experimenting with prescription meds, as did 15 percent of freshmen.

Dispose My Meds estimates that nearly 4 billion prescriptions are filled in the U.S. each year and nearly a third of those drugs - roughly 200 million pounds of medication - go unconsumed. Since unfinished meds are a prime source for cribbing (and flushing them down the toilet has been linked to environmental damage), the site recommends taking the following steps to ensure proper disposal of any unused medication:

~ Take remaining meds from their prescription bottle.

~ Mix with an "undesirable" substance - used cat litter, coffee grounds, uneaten foods.

~ Seal mixture in a nondescript container and throw away.

Continue reading "Modesto car Accidents Frequently Caused by Drugged Drivers" »

The Bureau of Land Management is investigating a racing promotion company after eight onlookers died in a crash that took place during the California 200 off-road race this summer. In addition to those who lost their lives in the crash, ten others were injured when driver Brett Sloppy lost control of his tricked-out Ford Ranger pickup truck, flew in the air and rolled into the crowd of people.

In the safety rules set forth by Mojave Desert Racing of El Monte, the promoter of the race, spectators were supposed to be at least 100 feet away from the course. However, according to an article in the LA Times and supporting videos of the crash, viewers were just feet away from the speeding off-road vehicles.

The Bureau contracted with Mojave Desert Racing to have fans at least 50 feet away from racing vehicles, but that was also not adhered to, obviously. The federal agency says it had begun an "official national review" of the accident, along with current investigations by the California Highway Patrol and federal law enforcement.

There were no k-rails, fences or barriers set up between the drivers and the onlookers during the race. Although promoters seem to chalk up the crash to a risk of this type of extreme racing, people pay the price when safety rules are ignored. If you or someone you care about has been hurt at a public sporting event or organized race, call a personal injury lawyer to discuss your legal options for recovering damages that can pay for your medical bills, pain and suffering and more.

Back pain, stiffness and soreness after an auto accident could be the sign of more severe damage. Disc injuries are some of the most common after auto accidents, slip and falls and other unforeseen incidents. The discs are the support cushions between the vertebrae of the spinal bone, so injuries to them can cause severe and chronic pain, even paralysis.

When a disc in your back is ruptured or herniated (bulging out of place), the soft center of the disc pokes through a weak spot in the fibrous outer layer. This, in turn, can cause painful pressure on nearby nerve endings. If you've been injured and are experiencing any of the following symptoms, you should see a doctor right away:

- Sudden backache
- Sudden neck pain
- Unable to straighten up without extreme pain
- Numbness
- Tingling
- Weakness in one or both arms
- Pain in the legs
- Bladder problems

Anytime you've experienced an injury, you must see a doctor and have tests administered to find out what's causing you pain. A doctor will likely run one or more tests to examine your back, including: x-rays, CT scan, MRI (Magnetic Resonance Imaging), electromyography, myelography or discography. The results will likely show if discs are out of place or if any other damage has occurred.

Some injuries take a while to present symptoms or they may be so gradual that you just learn to live with the pain. However, a personal injury attorney can fight for your rights to get you compensation for your injuries if they have been caused by someone else's neglect or willful action. Never wait to see a doctor - get a medical opinion immediately so that you don't risk making the injury worse.