Hydroplaning, Was it Caused by a Road Defect?

It all happens in seconds, one second you are in control of your vehicle just driving down the road and the next you are losing control. You are slipping ans sliddign on the road and your tries and not gripping the pavement. Before you know what happned you careen into the guardrail or even off the road.  Or, worse yet, you crash into another vehicle.

Hydroplaning, which happens when your tires are separated from the road surface by a layer of water, can be caused by excessive speed or poor tire tread; however, in many cases, it is caused by something completely out of the driver’s control – road defects.

Common road defects that can lead to hydroplaning include:

• Improperly designed roadways.
• Lack of appropriate warning signs.
• Insufficient cross slope (the slope from the middle of the road to the side of the road which helps prevent pooling of water).
• Poor road maintenance.

If you suffer a hydroplaning accident that you feel was caused by a road defect it is important for you to contact a personal injury attorney who has the experience to guide you through a possible claim.

A Deadly Mix of Distractions on the Road- Texting While Driving

TEXTING WHILE DRIVING

According to the U.S. Department of Transportation, distracted driving can be broken down into three main types of distraction — visual (in which you take your eyes off the road), manual (in which you take your hands off the wheel), and cognitive (in which you take your mind off what you are doing).

 While any type of distraction while you are driving can be dangerous, what makes driving while texting especially problematic is that it involves all three main types of distractions.

 Statistics show that around 20 percent of all crashes involve some type of distraction, and in 2008, nearly 6,000 people were killed in collisions involving a distracted driver.

And even though many states have banned or are considering bans on texting while driving, it is up to drivers themselves to use common sense. When you’re behind the wheel, put the phone down entirely, or if you absolutely have to send a text, pull over to a safe area on the side of the road or into a parking lot.

 Currently in West Virginia, drivers younger than 18 that hold either a learner’s permit or an intermediate license are banned from cell phone use of any kind while operating a motor vehicle.  There is a bill being considered for the next legislative session that will ban texting while driving in the State of West Virginia for anyone driving a motor vehicle.

If you or a family member has been victim in an accident caused by a distracted driver, you should contact an experienced personal injury attorney

The Best Way to Lose Your Accident Case

It doesn’t matter how good your case is, if you lie to your lawyer or the insurance company about past injuries and accidents, the jury is going to make sure you lose.

Remember, the insurance companies have access to vast databases about your life, including past lawsuits, claims, and injuries.  Also, with the popularity of social media sites like Facebook and Twitter, there is even more information out there about you that they can use.

As always, honesty is the best policy.  Tell your lawyer all about past claims and injuries, so that he or she can deal with the issues.  The worst thing is for your lawyer to be the last one to know!

The Sobering Statistics

With spring in full swing and summer just around the corner motorcyclists will be taking the roads for some well needed fresh air. With the warmer weather upon us the concern for motorcycle riders safety is on the forefront of our minds.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) reports that 5,290 motorcyclists were killed in 2008, an increase of 2 percent over 2007, which marks the eleventh straight year fatalities have increased.  In addition, nearly 100,000 motorcyclists were injured in 2008.

According to the WV Governor’s Highway Safety Program (GHSP), in 2004 motorcycle fatalities represented 7 percent of all motor vehicle fatalities but 3 only percent of registered vehicles; 9 percent of fatalities but 3 percent of registered vehicles in 2005; and, 9 percent of fatalities but 6 percent of registered vehicles in 2006.

The blame should not all fall on the motorcyclist, the state is also responsible for the well-being of all vehicle operators also. Only 20 states, the District of Columbia, and Puerto Rico, require helmet use by all motorcyclists.  Other states require just some riders (those under the age of 18 for example) to wear helmets or have no requirement at all.  West Virginia has a universal helmet law.

According to estimates by the NHTSA, helmets saved the lives of 1,829 motorcyclists in 2008.  Additionally, the NHTSA estimates that 823 more lives could have been saved if all motorcyclists had worn helmets.

Alcohol continues to be a major factor in motorcycle crashes, as well as fatalities.  In 2008, 43 percent of motorcycle riders who died in single-vehicle crashes had blood alcohol levels (BAC) of .08 or higher.

The NHTSA says wearing a helmet and the right gear, checking equipment before riding, never drinking and riding, and getting the right training can make a big difference in motorcyclists’ safety.