Motor City Accident Attorneys

Friday, January 8, 2016

Some Michigan Highways Could Reach 80 MPH Under New House Proposal

A new bill introduced recently last year by the Michigan House has proposed for the speed limit in “rural” freeways to increase to 80 mph. The five-bill package would give the Michigan Department of Transportation and Michigan State Police the authority to set higher speed limits based on scientific studies of typical traffic flow.

“People drive as fast as they feel safe,” according to State Representative Bradford Jacobsen, who said studies show that a majority of Michigan residents are already traveling at speeds above the current 70 mph limit on highways. According to Jacobsen, because most people are driving at almost 80 mph anyway, he says why not make that a reasonable speed instead of having people break the law?

However, traffic researchers say speed limits and safety are not always directly related. As Jacobsen mentioned, motorists tend to travel at speeds they feel safe, and uniform speeds tend to produce safer roads. Therefore, he believes the speed limit should be changed but it would only be applied to highways considered “rural.” The term “rural” is loosely defined according to Jacobsen, but generally would not have any driveways and have very limited access to other roads or ramps. “We used the word ‘rural’ or out-state just to make sure people know we’re not trying to change I-75 through downtown Detroit,” said Jacobsen.

Yet critics like the Michigan Municipal League, the Michigan Townships Association, and the Insurance Institute of Michigan believe that faster speeds may lead to deadlier crashes, but the Michigan Department of Transportation and Michigan State Police have expressed support for setting limits based on the 85^th percentile rule. The 85^th percentile rule refers to the average speed at which 85 percent of motorists travel at and how limits are generally established to reflect that.

Critics are probably right, however. According to a study by the University of Michigan, there was a 19.2% increase in fatalities and a 39.8% increase in serious injuries when Michigan raised its speed limit on rural limited highways from 55 mph to 65 mph in December 1987. If this study showed a big increase in car accident deaths when the speed limit was raised to just 65 mph, then imagine what could happen if it reaches 80 mph, especially considering many people drive above the speed limit. It doesn’t matter if it’s a “rural” highway, the fact of the matter is the faster vehicles go anywhere, the more dangerous it is. This is why critics do not agree with this bill. However, Jacobsen said he hasn’t received any major objections from lawmakers and says the proposal has actually been well received and has a good chance of it passing through.

If you or someone you know has been involved in a car crash or truck accident in Detroit, Grand Rapids, Warren, Sterling Heights, Lansing, Flint, Ann Arbor, Livonia, Dearborn, Canton, Westland, Troy, Farmington Hills, Southfield, Waterford or any other city in Michigan, make sure to contact Motor City Accident Attorneys by calling 1-800-411-PAIN. Motor City Accident Attorneys know how stressful a car accident can be and want to help you get back on your feet. They will fight tirelessly for your rights and help you get the compensation you deserve, according to your specific case. Make sure to follow Motor City Accident Attorneys on Twitter (@MCAccidentAtty) and Facebook. Join the conversation by using #MCAA.

Wednesday, January 6, 2016

Winter Driving Tips For Driving In Snow and Ice

Winter is upon us once again and in the state of Michigan, it’s no easy time of the year, especially to be driving. Winter weather tends to bring more car accidents than usual, in part because of drivers who are unprepared for snow and ice. It’s time to be prepared to drive in the case of unexpected snowfall or a snowstorm. Here are some safety tips for making sure your vehicle is winter-ready. These simple precautions can really help prevent an accident. If you’re not good with cars, either have a friend help or pay a trusted and experienced mechanic to check out your vehicle.

- Make sure your antifreeze is turned off.

- Install new wiper blades.

- Fill up your washer fluid. Keep an extra bottle of washer fluid in your car.

- Check your tires. An old trick for this is to take a penny and stick it into the tread headfirst. If you can see Lincoln’s head, it’s time to invest in some new tires.

- Check tire air pressure. Do this monthly using a pressure gauge. The correct tire pressure is located on your vehicle’s tire information label in the owner’s manual. You can also get them checked at a tire dealer.

- Make sure you have a fresh, clean battery. If your battery is more than three years old, have it tested by a technician.

- Change your oil every three months or 3,000 miles.

- Have an emergency kit just in case. This kit can include blankets, flares, a medical first-aid kit, a flashlight, jumper cables, bottled water, snacks, a shovel, candles and matches.

These tips are to ensure your vehicle is equipped for the winter weather. When it comes to actually being on the road however, many people don’t know what to do if they’re faced with black ice or the task of driving through inches of snow. Here are some safety tips for when you’re on the road and have to react to these situations:

- If your rear wheels skid, steer in the direction you would want the front wheels to go. For instance, if your rear wheels are sliding left, steer left. You might have to steer left and right a few times to get your car completely under control. If you have anti-lock brakes (ABS), which most cars have, apply steady pressure. The brakes will pulse, which is normal. If you have standard brakes, pump gently.

- If your front wheels skid, shift to neutral. As the wheels skid, they will slow the vehicle and traction will return. Steer in the direction they should go. Then put the car in drive and gently accelerate. When wheels skid, you should also keep calm and don’t let fear take over in case of a skid on ice.

- Don’t underestimate the slipperiness of the roads. Don’t assume the roads are slippery if it’s not freezing or below. Ice can form on roads at any time the temperature drops to 40 degrees, especially if it’s windy.

- Anticipate black ice. Ice can lurk on bridges, underpasses, low areas or shaded areas and intersections, and it may even look dry or only slightly wet from afar.

- Slow down when visibility and road conditions are bad.

- Increase your following distance between vehicles by one car the very least.

- If you’ve been in a minor car accidents or if your car stalls, pull over and stay in your vehicle while you wait for help to arrive. If you get out of your vehicle to check out the damage, you run the risk of being hit by another vehicle, which can be more likely to happen when the roads are slippery.

Monday, January 4, 2016

New car safety ratings will include crash-avoidance technology

The U.S. Department of Transportation has recently proposed high-tech changes to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration’s 5-Star Safety Ratings for new vehicles. This is the most significant update to car safety ratings since the 1970s. These are the ratings seen on the window stickers of new cars. These new standards are so strict that there is not a car on the road today that would earn five or even four stars.

Among the changes are new crash tests, including one focused on angled frontal crashes, as well as an improved full frontal barrier crash test to drive safety improvements for rear seat occupants. Crash tests will include new high-tech “smart” dummies designed to better reflect the injuries people suffer from head to toe in an accident. Other changes to the 5-Star Safety Rating system include an assessment of additional crash-avoidance and advanced technologies that offer drivers the most potential for avoiding or mitigating crashes.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration believes that these new standards will inspire automakers to improve the safety of vehicles. “We think as automakers get to five stars, we’re talking about some of the most significant, life-saving opportunism that we’ve ever seen in the automotive industry,” said NHTSA administrator Mark Rosekind. He began the program overhaul a year ago when he took over the agency.

“Every time NHTSA raises the bar, automakers get there. Because this is about saving lives, preventing injuries. And there have been discussions – what should their incentive be? Save those lives, prevent those injuries, don’t let these crashes happen,” said Rosekind.

Starting with the 2019 model year, the new car assessment program will include three rankings – adding crash avoidance technology and pedestrian protection to the traditional crash worthiness ranking. It will also include an overall rating.

Accident avoidance technology is already seen in many vehicles, such as back-up cameras and automatic breaking. The new standards hope to improve it, however, and force more future vehicles to come equipped with these features.

Wednesday, December 30, 2015

New Year Celebrations Can Cause Personal Injury

The New Year is just a few short days away; how do you plan to stay safe? New Year’s Eve, although fun and festive, comes with all sorts of risky celebrations. Not only is there the obvious drunk driving that occurs on the road, but you could even harm yourself while staying in. Here are the common injuries caused on New Year’s Eve and some tips on how you can avoid it happening to you:

Be Careful About How Much You Drink

Starting the New Year off in a hospital or extremely ill from too much alcohol consumption would not be very pleasant. If you plan to drink this New Year’s Eve, be mindful about how much you do so, even if you know you have no driving obligation. Alcohol poisoning can and does happen to people. People who become overly intoxicated can suffer health complications caused by a high blood alcohol content. In some cases, people can have trouble breathing, have violent vomiting, or physically injure themselves due to their inability to think, stand, or sit properly. In extreme cases, over-intoxication can cause a person to become comatose or even cause death.

A Party’s Premises Can Cause Injuries

Many people will attend a house party or a club this New Year’s Eve. These places can have plenty of unsafe conditions. For example, clubs may be overcrowded – more than what is permitted by law – therefore causing a fire or health hazard. House parties with plenty of people can be known to get messy; floors may get wet or oily due to drinks and other liquids being spilled. This could cause someone to slip and fall. Even some decorations can create an obstacle. These conditions are never safe, but they are even more dangerous when combined with the consumption of alcohol, because an individual is less likely to be as aware and careful when intoxicated at any level. Party hosts should be mindful of these possible accidents and take necessary precautions to avoid someone becoming injured.

Proximity to Dangerous Activities

New Year’s is known for its very loud celebrations. People set off fireworks or go to places where fireworks can be seen. In some cases, people even shoot off a gun, which is against the law but can still occur. The fact is all these actions put individuals at risk of injury. If playing with fireworks, always do them outdoors away from your home or car or any other obstacle that may be damaged or make a firework celebration go wrong.

Monday, December 28, 2015

The Number 1 Safety Tip In Case of A Road Emergency This Winter

Winter is officially here. With an entire Michigan winter ahead of us, staying safe on the roads during heavy snow can be a difficult task. Weather can be a hazard when driving a vehicle and sometimes that may more easily cause an accident. Even if you don’t get involved in an accident, perhaps one day you could find yourself stranded in your car in the snow. Whatever the situation, when you’re not able to continue driving due to any obstacle, there is one simple tip for your safety: If you’re stranded on the side of the road, stay in your car and call for help.

Too many accidents have occurred after someone steps out of their vehicle and are hit by an inattentive driver. For example, there was a recent death here in Michigan of a tow truck driver who pulled over to help a woman with changing a tire on I-96.

Even the Michigan Department of Transportation (MDOT) and the Michigan State
Police has recently released a PSA video to tell people to stay inside their car when something goes wrong. The video warns us that busy roads and freeways are no place for pedestrians. Stranded drivers are much better off waiting for help to arrive than they are to be walking or standing around waiting for the police or tow truck to show up. You should never wait outside your car, where the chances of being hit by a speeding car or a car that accidentally drives into the shoulder are much higher. It can especially be dangerous during winter because some shoulders may be far more narrow than usual due to piled up snow banks.

According to the State Transportation Director, there were 105 fatal crashes on freeways involving pedestrians, resulting in 108 deaths between 2007 and 2013.

Some more statistics of fatal crashes involving pedestrians between 2007 and 2013 include:

- 81% of the motor vehicle crashes occurred on the roadway.

- 68% of the car crashes occurred between 8 p.m. and 5 a.m.

- 57% of these accidents occurred in Metro Detroit.

- 48% of these crashes occurred in clear weather conditions.

- Monday is the day of the week with the most car accidents (19%).

If you must step outside your vehicle, be extremely aware of passing traffic and move as far away from the roadway as possible. Again, if that’s not necessary, stay inside and call and wait for help there.