“In the United States, motor vehicle crashes are in the top 10 causes of death for people aged 1-54, and more than 30,000 people are killed in crashes each year. In 2013, crash deaths resulted in $44 billion in medical and work loss costs. However, motor vehicle crashes, and their related injuries and deaths, are preventable. Stay safe on the roads this holiday season, and take action to protect yourself and your loved ones” CDC Follow this Red Cross highway safety tips for a safe Thanksgiving: 1. If driving, check the weather along your route and plan for travel around any storms that may be coming. Watch weather predictions for your entire route so you know what to expect along the…

The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety IIHS has released their list of top safety picks for 2017 models: To qualify for 2017 TOP SAFETY PICK+, a vehicle must earn good ratings in the five crash-worthiness tests, an advanced or superior rating for front crash prevention and a good or acceptable headlight rating. Small cars Chevrolet Volt Hyundai Elantrasedan only; built after March 2016 Mazda 34-door sedan | 4-door hatchback Toyota Corolla Toyota Priusbuilt after August 2016 Midsize cars Honda Accord 4-door Mazda 6 Nissan Altima Nissan Maxima Subaru Legacy Subaru Outback Toyota Camry Toyota Prius v Volkswagen Jetta Midsize luxury cars Audi A4 Lexus ES 350 Volvo S60 Volvo V60 Large luxury cars Genesis G80 Genesis G90 Lexus RC Small SUVs…

Although my friends and family know that I am a personal injury lawyer, even those closest to me do not really understand what I do for my clients. I got to thinking that’s probably, at least in part, my fault because I’ve never explained it to them, really.  So that’s what I’d like to do in today’s blog: Explain what a personal injury lawyer does. It is no secret that as a personal injury attorney I am fighting an uphill battle, as far the perception of the occupation is concerned. We have all heard the ambulance-chaser jokes.  However, this is an image that the majority of personal injury attorneys, including myself,  work hard to separate themselves from. Personal injury law firms represent clients…

Statistically, driving in the rain is more dangerous than driving in the snow. One of the more common–and terrifying– hazards of driving in the rain is Hydroplaning which happens when the tires are riding on the top of a layer of water and have completely lost contact with the pavement. It can happen when your speed is as little as 35 mph. You will know when it happens. “Steering will get light in your hands,” explains Bill Van Tassel, Ph.D., manager of driver training programs for the AAA. If you hydroplane, “Gently ease your foot off the gas,” Van Tassel advises. “This may transfer enough weight forward so that your front tires regain contact with the road.” If not, he says, gently squeeze your brakes…

Driver inattention was the top factor in fatal collisions in 2014, more than speeding and drug or alcohol impairment, according to a State Police analysis.  Jersey Journal reports. Of the 582 drivers involved in a fatal crash, driver inattention was a factor for 190 of them, and reached a five-year high in 2014. Alcohol impairment was a factor for 174 drivers and 70 drivers were deemed to be driving at an unsafe speed, the analysis said. A total of 523 fatal crashes occurred in 2014, killing 556 people. Of those 170 were pedestrians and 11 were riding bicycles. Two less people died in crashes in 2015, though an analysis of that year’s crash data is not yet available. It’s the fifth consecutive year that driver…