Senior Citizens Reason for Design of Safer Cars by Automakers
Dec 14, 2009 Auto & Car Crashes
Drivers over the age of 65 will account for over 20% of all drivers in this country by the year 2030. This means that a growing number of motorists will be on the road who often have mental or physical limitations that could affect their ability to drive in a safe manner. Although the reasons are completely different, the elderly have an accident rate that is equal to that of teenage drivers. Automobile manufacturers are starting to consider the limitations of senior drivers as they design automobiles, according to a report by the NPR.
The concept of designing vehicles for the safety of seniors is not a new one, but it was difficult for auto designers and engineers who are younger to understand exactly what types of limitations the elderly face when driving. Ford approached this dilemma by developing an “aging suit,” which was made with heavy padding that instantly adds 30 years to the person who is wearing its life. In its Virtual Environment Lab, Ford simulated driving conditions that the elderly often face. Test drivers in this lab wore the aging suit, along with gloves and goggles. Those who observed from the outside could see precisely what problems were encountered by the driver, and fix the issue.
More automakers are following suit, and General Motors has a division that is in the process of making a special windshield to help the elderly compensate for difficulties in vision. While this is still in the developmental stages and will not be available for at least six years, Los Angeles auto accident lawyers are happy to see that measures are being taken that allow the elderly to drive safer.
Whether the elderly should be allowed to drive has been the subject of debate. In 2006, an 86 year old man crashed into an open air market in Santa Monica after losing control of his car, resulting in 10 fatalities. George Russell was extremely frail and ill, and although convicted on 10 felony counts, he was let off on probation.
This catastrophe led to a national debate about elderly motorists and whether they should be required to take road tests when it is time to renew their license. The thought of discrimination based on their age outrages senior citizens, who claim that their are fewer accidents involving people in their age group. California’s streets are extremely congested, and elderly drivers face numerous problems such as poor vision and hearing, along with slower reflexes. Additionally, senior citizens have more medical conditions that could trigger an attack while they are at the wheel.
The Reeves Law Group has offices across California, and is dedicated to serving as Los Angeles accident attorney‘s in representing personal injury victims, including victims of auto accidents. Please contact us for a free consultation at (800) 644-8000.
Los Angeles Wrongful Death Lawsuit Involving Singer Brandi Settles Out of Court
Dec 10, 2009 Wrongful Death - Murder
An accident that took place three years ago involving the singer Brandi has been settled out of court. In December of 2006, Brandi hit a car from behind on a Los Angeles interchange, which resulted in a chain reaction that left Awatef Aboudihaj dead. The singer has been settling with Aboudihaj’s family since then, and paid $30,000 to each of Awatef’s two children. Now apparently she has reached a settlement with the parents of Awatef, but the details are not being disclosed. In this accident another motorist was injured, and Brandi settled with that motorist earlier this year.
It is sometimes difficult for the families of victims to file Los Angeles wrongful death lawsuits. They are grieving, and know that no amount of money can bring their loved one back. However, expenses begin to add up quickly in the time period following the death, and survivors often need the compensation to carry on a normal way of life. This is also a way to gain closure for some, because they realize that the responsible party is having to pay for their actions.
While most families do not think about money issues at the time a loved one dies, soon after they will realize that they need money for medical expenses, household bills, funeral and burial of their loved one and other basics. This is especially true when the deceased was the primary breadwinner of the family, and now the income is gone. Victims families quickly realize that meeting just basic financial needs is very tough. This is why it is essential in many instances that a wrongful death claim be filed.
Surviving family members should understand that it is their right to file for financial compensation when a loved one is killed because of negligence. California laws allow benefactors of the victim to file wrongful death damages in court. Medical bills, funeral expenses, and lost wages are just a few examples of the compensation that survivors may be entitled to. If the victim was the sole income provider, family members should include all of the expenses that their loved one would have been responsible for had he lived.
Survivors must carry on with their lives, and realize that they need to factor in all possible expenses when considering a wrongful death claim. Not only should the short-term be examined, but families should carefully consider the future and how they will have sufficient funds to live. They may also want to consider loss of consortium and damages, and take into account all possible factors when filing a claim. It is greatly to the advantage of survivors to consult with a California personal injury lawyer before you file a claim, to make certain you get maximum compensation for your loss.
The Reeves Law Group has offices across California, and is dedicated to representing personal injury victims, including victims of wrongful death. Please contact us for a free consultation at (800) 644-8000.
Faulty Accelerator Pedals May Result in Toyota Spending $5 Billion
Dec 7, 2009 Auto & Car Crashes
Automakers often deny that defects exist in their vehicles, or won’t admit that defects could put motorists at risk of accidents, and Los Angeles California car accident lawyers are clearly aware of this. Therefore, when Toyota Motor Corporation delayed announcing that it would recall about 3.5 million vehicles due to faulty floor matt issues, it was really no great surprise.
The NHTSA and consumers are pressuring Toyota to look further than the floor mats to determine what the real problem is. According to reports in the media, the auto company may consider a $5 billion program to replace the accelerator pedals on the Camry, Prius, certain Lexus models and others. Toyota has apparently come to an agreement with the NHTSA to repair the accelerator pedals in these vehicles, according to Reuters, who quotes Kyodo news from Tokyo.
Even through all of this, representatives of Toyota deny that any agreement such as this has been reached with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. However, it is confirmed that Toyota is continuing talks with the NHTSA. These talks are concerning what can be done to prevent the unintended acceleration incidents from taking place, and many are familiar with some of the incidents that have taken place over the past few months. Some Toyota customers have blamed the accelerator for the unintentional acceleration that has occurred, and this is one topic being discussed between Toyota and the agency. Toyota is staunch, and still insists that the accelerators have gotten stuck because of loose floor mats that may slide over the gas pedal causing acceleration.
Numerous Toyota customers have experienced the acceleration first-hand, and are relieved that Toyota may be taking steps to determine the real problem and why unintended acceleration takes place. Toyota is adamant about the fact that replacing these models floor mats with the correct floor mats will remedy the accelerations problem; however, that fails to answer the question of how the same dangerous incidents have occurred in models with the correct floor mats. Investigators are looking closely at the floor mats, to determine if they are likely to slide forward against the accelerator pedal. If you have been injured from this defective product, immediately contact a California car accident attorney to review your case.
To add insult to injury, customers who drive certain Toyota models may not only be subject to the unintended acceleration problem, but also an issue in which some owners are not aware that an electronic push button ignition must be pressed for three consecutive seconds before the car will stop in an emergency. Some are not aware that this switch must be held continuously, and will not stop unless it is held for the full 3 seconds.
The Reeves Law Group has offices across California, and is dedicated to representing personal injury victims, including victims of motor vehicle defects. Please call us for a free consultation at (800) 644-8000.
