Blog: Car Accidents

Banner year for car accidents spells danger for motorists

Oct 14, 2016

If there ever was a year where getting in a car accident seemed like a distinct possibility, this would be it. An October report from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration reveals a 10.4 percent increase in traffic deaths in the first half of 2016 compared to the first half of 2015. While it is still unclear what is behind the 2016 increase in traffic-related deaths, analysis of similar numbers from 2015 were found to...

Can self-driving cars ever truly be safe?

Sep 25, 2016

This week the Obama administration issued guidelines for automakers that are wading into the world of self-driving cars. While not prescribing technological limitations, the guidelines emphasize the essential importance of safety. In the still-early stages of the technology, however, there are still clear challenges to achieving such safety. In short, there are a number of things that self-driving cars cannot do: most notably, react well to surprises or make quick ethical decisions. Drivers in snowy...

Enjoying a late summer drive? Get your feet off the dashboard.

Aug 22, 2016

The last days of summer are a golden time. Going for a drive to the beach or down a long country road can inspire a certain looseness and relaxation. Passengers may be tempted to rest their feet on the dashboard, or even open a window and prop their feet out in the open air. While this posture would seem to be the picture of summer nonchalance, in fact, it’s a highly dangerous posture that could...

Are you a road rager?

Aug 5, 2016

If so, you're not alone. According to a recent report on aggressive driving put out by the AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety, taken from a survey of 2,705 licensed drivers in 2014, 78% of drivers had engaged in some sort of aggressive driving behavior in the previous year. Not sure if you're an aggressive driver? You can take this test online. According to the report, the most common aggressive driving behaviors included: Tailgating Yelling Honking...

Unsecured boats atop cars can cause crashes

Jul 28, 2016

As we move into mid-to-late summer, many people are trying to get out on the water as much as they can before the weather turns cold. But when their haste means that kayaks or canoes don't get properly secured, tragic accidents can result. Boats are great on water. In the middle of a busy highway, they're much less fun. Last week in Michigan, two kayaks tumbled from the top of a moving SUV. In trying...

The word “accident” may be going out of style

Jun 30, 2016

Some advocates are pushing journalists and policymakers to stop using the word 'accident' when describing a car crash, believing that the word minimizes the responsibility of the person who caused the crash. With many car crashes being the result of drunken or distracted driving, these advocates may have a point, although the practical implications of switching from 'accident' to 'crash' remain to be seen. Those who don't like the word 'accident' believe that the word...

Pennsylvania to require rear-facing seats for children under 2

Jun 15, 2016

On June 13, Pennsylvania Governor Tom Wolf signed into a law a bill requiring children under the age of 2 to ride in backwards-facing child seats when traveling in a vehicle. Previous law required only children under the age of 1 who weighed less than 20 pounds to ride in a rear-facing car seat.The new law would go into effect late summer, with violators facing fines. There is, however a one-year grace period during which...

Does your personality put you at risk for distracted driving?

May 6, 2016

Distracted driving is a major problem on the road, killing thousands of people each year and injuring hundreds of thousands of others. Distracted driving behaviors include anything that takes your attention away from the road while you're driving. Texting and using a cell phone in other ways is one of the main culprits behind distracted driving. Now, a new study suggests that certain personality traits may predispose some to engage in distracted driving. The study...

Automatic braking to be standard by 2022

Apr 29, 2016

Twenty automakers that make nearly all cars driven in the U.S. have committed to making automatic emergency brakes (AEB) a standard feature of new cars starting in September 2022 at the latest. The brakes are intended to prevent accidents or make accidents less severe by stopping cars automatically when sensors detect an imminent collision. According to a National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) press release, the automakers who have committed to the change will install...

Finding answers after a car accident

Mar 18, 2016

After a serious motor vehicle accident, victims and their families often have more questions than answers. What happened? How bad are the injuries? How will I get around while my car is being fixed? Perhaps one of the most crucial questions that will need to be answered, however, is who is to blame for the crash. This information will help people determine what their next steps are in terms of taking legal action. There are...