Commit to Distraction-Free Driving for Distracted Driving Awareness Month

Distracted driving is responsible for hundreds of thousands of car accident injuries and deaths nationwide. Although being distracted while driving has always been a problem to an extent, it has become a more serious safety issue since the advancement of cell phones and smart phones. April, as Distracted Driving Awareness Month, is the perfect opportunity to recognize the dangers of distracted driving and to make a commitment to stay focused when on the road.  

Types of Distraction

There are three main types of distraction according to Distraction.gov: Manual, Cognitive, and Visual. Manual refers to distractions that take the driver’s hands off the wheel; cognitive refers to any distraction that takes the driver’s mind off of driving; and visual refers to distractions that take the driver’s eyes off of the road. Such distractions include, but are not limited to:

• Grooming;
• Eating and/or drinking;
• Reading (even a map);
• Using a navigation system (in the car or on a phone);
• Texting;
• Using a cell phone or smart phone;
• Adjusting the CD player, MP3 player, or radio; and/or
• Talking to other vehicle occupants.

Texting is one of the most dangerous things a driver can do as it combines every form of distraction.  

Distracted Driving Statistics

According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), 5,474 people were killed and 448,000 were injured in distracted driving-related crashes in 2009. Of the fatal crashes, 994 involved reports of cell phone use. Furthermore, according to Monash University, “drivers who use hand-held devices are [four] times more likely to get into crashes serious enough to injure themselves.”  

When to Call a Massachusetts Car Crash Attorney

When a driver gets behind the wheel, they have a responsibility to focus their attention on the task at hand. Distraction is a choice and drivers who choose to text, eat, or otherwise distract themselves from driving endanger the lives of every other person on the road.

If you or a loved one has suffered injury as the result of a distracted driver, the dedicated auto accident lawyers in Boston at the Kiley Law Group can help you hold the at-fault driver liable for your losses. To learn more about obtaining the financial compensation you deserve, call us today for a free legal consultation at (888) 208-1695.

Methuen Woman Killed in Stoneham Accident on Route 93

Ashleigh Baudin, 25, of Methuen was killed in a collision on Route 93 in Stoneham early Sunday morning.  
What Happened  
The Eagle Tribune reported today that Baudin’s Volkswagen Beetle struck the back of a box truck that had been parked in the breakdown lane of Route 93 South at around 3:30 a.m. that morning.

According to officials, the truck’s emergency flashers were on at the time of the crash. Baudin died at the scene. There was an unidentified male passenger from Medford in Baudin’s vehicle and he was transported to a Boston area hospital with serious injuries.

Authorities have reported that alcohol does not appear to be a contributing factor and are currently investigating the fatal accident. Debris from the collision covered the right lanes and breakdown lane of the highway, forcing officials to close down the travel lanes to clear the roadway.  

When Should You Call a Massachusetts Vehicle Accidents Attorney?
Have you been seriously injured in a car accident in Massachusetts? Contact a Massachusetts car accidents attorney with Kiley Law Group to find out about your legal options before you sign any forms, give a statement to an insurance company, or hire a lawyer. Call us today at (888) 208-1695 to receive your free consultation.


DISCLAIMER: The Kiley Law Group is not representing any of the parties mentioned in this article at the time the article was posted. Our information source is cited within the article. If you were involved in this accident or a similar incident and have questions about your rights and legal options, call us or another reputable law firm. Do not act solely upon the information provided herein. Get a legal evaluation. We provide a free, confidential consultation to all not-at-fault persons named in this article and to their family members as well.

NHTSA Announces Extensive Recall of Toyota Vehicles due to Air Bag Defect

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has announced the recall of 495,470 Toyota Motor North America, Inc. vehicles due to a driver’s side airbag defect. This recall affects model years 2005-2009 Tacoma vehicles manufactured from September 14, 2004 through August 29, 2008.  

The Defect

The clockspring assembly, which powers the driver’s side airbag module, may become damaged over time by steering wheel vibration. If it becomes damaged, the airbag warning light will illuminate and the airbag may become deactivated. This could result in the airbag’s failure to deploy in an accident, increasing the risk of serious injury to the driver.

Airbags are important safety features, but when they do not function properly they can pose significant risks to vehicle occupants. In most cases of defective airbags, malfunctions cause the airbag to either deploy inadvertently, which can cause injury on its own, or not at all.

Remedy

The recall is expected to begin in April 2012. Toyota will notify Tacoma owners and dealers will replace the defective clockspring assembly for free. For additional information, owners can contact Toyota at (800) 331-4331.

Holding Negligent Auto Manufacturers Liable

It is an auto manufacturer’s responsibility to ensure that the vehicles they produce are safe and in proper working order. If their negligent manufacturing or poor design causes a hazardous defect, then they may be held liable for any injuries that result.

If you have been injured by a defective car or car component, the experienced Boston auto product liability lawyers with the Kiley Law Group can help you understand your legal rights and options. Contact us today at (888) 208-1695 for a free legal consultation.

March Brings Snowstorm to Merrimack Valley

It is almost spring, but nature has other plans for Massachusetts. The start of March brought a snowstorm to the Merrimack Valley and surrounding areas with about five to six inches of snow, according to The Eagle Tribune. Methuen and Haverhill schools had to close and city workers were on roads salting, sanding, and plowing for hours on end. Police also reported several auto accidents caused by the last minute winter snowfall.

Driving in the Snow

Some schools may have been closed but others remained open, requiring that parents still drive their kids to school. Also, people still had to drive to work. When snow falls, it creates a lot of activity on the road, especially on main streets and highways where city employees head first for plowing and treating with salt and/or sand.

You never know what Mother Nature has up her sleeve as the seasons are about to change, which means you always need to be ready for anything. Here are a few safety reminders about driving in the snow for the last days of winter:

·          

• Slow down and increase your following distance; rear-end collisions are common on icy roads because drivers don’t leave extra stopping room.


• Brake gently; slamming the brakes can cause skidding.
·        
• Turn your headlights on.


·        
• Make sure your windows are clean, inside and out; treating them with a water-repelling/shedding material is also a good idea.


·       
• Do not pass sand trucks or snow plows; they have limited visibility, and the road in front of them is most likely worse than behind.


·        
• Be prepared for “black ice;” It is difficult to see, but if you notice a slick-looking or glaring section of the road, expect that it is icy.


·       
• Be careful not to over-steer; turning the wheel too much can cause the car to slide.

Contacting a Massachusetts Personal Injury Lawyer

Most drivers take driving in snow and ice very seriously. They follow every possible safety measure to ensure that they not only stay in one piece themselves but also keep other motorists safe as well. Unfortunately, there are those who do not take the proper safety precautions on icy roads.

If you or a loved one has been injured in a winter car accident due to another driver’s negligent or reckless operation of their vehicle in snow or otherwise inclement weather, you may be entitled to pursue legal action. The experienced car accident attorneys in Boston at the Kiley Law Group are committed to obtaining maximum compensation for our clients and can help you get the support you need while you recover from your injuries.

To learn more about your legal rights and options, do not hesitate to call us today at (888) 208-1695 for a free legal consultation.

Risks of 15-Passenger Vans

Group trips and tours can be a lot of fun. Once the planner/coordinator decides on a mode of transportation that can carry the number of people, the trip is practically set. But the best vehicle for the number of people is not necessarily the safest. Buses are usually used for large groups, but what if you only have 10 to 15 people? With a smaller group, 15-passenger vans tend to be the most popular vehicle. Various groups and organizations, from churches, colleges, hotels, airports, and tour companies regularly use these types of vehicles. Though widely used, 15-passenger vans are actually highly unsafe.

The Problems with 15-Passenger Vans

15-passenger vans were not designed to carry passengers originally. These vehicles were manufactured as cargo vans, and, even though they have been used to carry passengers, they were never redesigned to ensure passenger safety.

Passenger Van Specifics

Passenger vans usually have 5 rows of seats to seat up to 15 people, including the driver. They are federally classified as buses due to their size and must comply with bus safety standards, which have, historically, not been strict enough. Passenger vans are wider, longer, and higher off the ground than typical passenger vehicles, resulting in a higher center of gravity, heavier reliance on side mirrors for changing lanes, more difficult handling, and longer braking distances. Due to these issues, these vans are at an increased risk of traffic accidents, especially rollover crashes.

NHTSA Passenger Van Rollover Contributing Factors

According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), there are three major contributing factors to passenger van rollover accidents: 

1. Inexperienced drivers;


2. Improperly sized and/or inflated tires; and


3. Incorrectly loaded passengers and/or cargo.

 When to Contact a Massachusetts Motor Vehicle Accident Attorney

If you or a loved has been injured in a Massachusetts passenger van accident, the reputed Boston15-passenger van rollover attorneys with the Kiley Law Group can help you pursue financial compensation for the losses and damages you have suffered as the result of negligent drivers and/or auto manufacturers. To speak to one of our lawyers about your potential claim, contact us today for a free legal consultation at (888) 208-1695.

Methuen Drunk Driver Causes Pelham Rear-End Injury Crash

Harold Medeiros, a 59-year-old man from Tewksbury, Massachusetts, was arrested after causing a rear-end chain reaction crash in Pelham when a police officer attempted to pull him over, according to UnionLeader.com. He is charged with yellow line violations, a traffic light violation, failure to yield to an emergency vehicle, and DWI.

What Happened?

Police received a call from a motorist that there was a possible drunk driver in a gold SUV on Old Gage Hill Road. The motorist had started following the erratic vehicle in Methuen and called police there; however, once he entered Pelham, he lost his connection to Methuen police and called Pelham law enforcement. He was able to give police the license plate number of the vehicle which was a gold Lexus RX 330.

Medeiros sped up as the police attempted to pull him over, and then crashed into a line of cars stopped at a red light. Four occupants of the other vehicles suffered injuries, though two were treated and released at the scene.

Drunk Driving Accident Statistics

Alcohol-impaired driving causes tens of thousands of injuries and fatalities every year. According to the U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), 32 percent, or 9,811, of all fatal traffic accidents in 2009 involved drunk drivers. This resulted in 10,839 deaths.

How a Massachusetts Personal Injury Attorney Can Help

Drunk drivers make the choice to drink and drive, making them completely at-fault for any accidents they cause. If you or a loved one has been injured in a drunk driving accident, or any other traffic accident that was caused by the negligent or reckless actions of another, the reputed auto accident lawyers in Boston with the Kiley Law Group can help you hold the at-fault party accountable.

Tom Kiley, the Million Dollar Man, is dedicated to obtaining maximum compensation for his clients so that they may have the support and financial security they need during a difficult recovery. To learn more about getting the compensation you deserve, contact us today for a free legal evaluation at (888) 208-1695.