Chrysler Recalls More Than 900K Vehicles

Chrysler Recalls More Than 900K Vehicles

Chrysler knows of one crash but no injuries or fires.

AP NEWS
October 16, 2014

Nearly 907,000 Chrysler, Dodge and Jeep SUVs and cars are being recalled for alternators that can fail and heated power mirror wiring that can short and cause minor fires.

The recalls, posted Thursday by U.S. safety regulators, push the total number of recalls so far this year to over 500, totaling more than 51 million vehicles. That’s a full-year record on both counts, due mainly to massive General Motors recalls of more than 30 million vehicles. […]

Harrowing motorcycle accident safety video

Warning: this is not easy to watch. This PSA from the UK shows a motorcycle rider’s fatal motorcycle accident. The family of the motorcycle rider speak in the video and want to send the message to all about motorcycle safety published September 4, 2014.

Very important and powerful message, but again, it is not easy to watch.

Distracted Driving 2014 Update – Auto Safety

One of the chief causes of distracted driving is technology, which includes texting or using a cell phone or smartphone, using a GPS navigation system, adjusting a sound system, watching videos, and looking for CD’s or DVD’s to play. Yet some of the proposed cures for this social ill include technological solutions.

Part of what makes distracted driving so dangerous, is that the driver overreacts to a perceived threat on the road, which suddenly and unexpectedly comes into view because the driver was distracted. As an example, a driver may look up from his cell phone and see an obstacle that is not on the road but near the road and yank the steering wheel sharply to avoid this perceived threat and thereby lose control of his vehicle and roll the car or crash into a tree.

Some safety devices designed to help the driver regain control of their car or truck have proved worthwhile in price and effort, and these include anti-lock brakes and electronic stability control. Keep in mind that these two devices are useful when a driver has already somehow gotten into a situation where he or she is not in control of their vehicle. This is the end result of distracted driving, and these two devices and software may help the driver regain control of his vehicle or mitigate the dangerous or fatal result.

Electronic stability control is a program in a car’s computer which detects when the car is skidding, and selectively applies the brakes to certain wheels to help a driver go in the direction they need to go. According to both the US NHTSA (National Highway Traffic Safety Administration) and the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety, one third of all fatal accidents could be prevented using ESC. [1]

Passive Auto Safety Technology – Disable Phones And Texting While Driving – And Certainly Don’t Check On Facebook Status Updates

Texting while driving, although a surprisingly common practice, especially among adult drivers (more so than teenage drivers), is illegal in 41 US states. In 37 states this violation is a primary offense, meaning that you can get stopped by the police, ticketed and fined for this offense alone. In the other 4 states, Nebraska, Iowa, Florida, and Ohio, you can be fined for texting while driving only if you are first pulled over for another infraction. [2]

One of the key cell phone distractions, noted by both teenagers and adults, in the car is the beep or chime indicating that they have a new text, email, or phone call. Many people find it hard to ignore so they attempt to quickly see who it is that contacted them. Even though this may take a driver’s eyes off the road for only a second, this is dangerous. But the greater danger comes when the driver feels he or she must see what their friend or business contact wrote, which can then distract the driver for a longer period of time.

A phone app, urTXT, was developed by a teenage race car driver, Zach Veach, to help combat this. The app turns on with the click of one button and is designed to be turned on by the driver when entering the car. urTXT will silence the distracting beeps, and send a message to the sender that the recipient is driving and cannot or will not answer until he or she finishes driving. [3] Of course, since this app does not automatically turn on when driving, it is up to the driver’s good sense and memory to engage it before entering the car.

Responsible parents, who want to be good role models for their kids, may choose another piece of technological equipment designed to make answering or viewing a text message impossible or extremely impractical while driving their car. The ORIGOSafe ignition interlock system can be installed in a car for $400 per vehicle, and operates by preventing the driver from holding a phone. It is a docking system which will charge the phone while driving, allows the driver to use Bluetooth to receive calls, but it will sound an alarm if the phone is removed from the dock while the car is running.

There is a commercial version of this device for fleets and companies from the same manufacturer. This helps ensure that a company does not need to worry about their drivers becoming distracted by texting or using their hands to control their phone. If the phone is removed from the docking station, an alarm will sound and the vehicle will not start until the phone is reauthorized by an Administrator. There are also workarounds in place if the vehicle is taken to be serviced, left with a valet or parking lot attendant, leant out, or if the phone is stolen. [4]

New York state troopers have been given a simpler form of technology to enforce that state’s laws against texting and driving; big unmarked SUVs which enable an officer to peer down into the driver’s lap to see if they are using a hand held device. This is in part due to the fact that before texting and driving laws, drivers would hold a phone up on the wheel to keep their eyes on the road (or so they thought). Now many drivers looking to skirt the law hold phones down in their laps. [5]

These devices, software and methods, while good and innovative, are unnecessary if drivers just use common sense and good safety practices while driving, and realize that most accidents happen for reasons related to driver error. No technology will replace the safety protections of a careful, alert and attentive driver. Drivers think that if they texted and drove once and nothing bad happened, they can do it again. But because we don’t know what lies around any corner, those actions are just ticking time bombs.

Learn More

Cell Phone / Texting Laws By USA State

  1. http://www.iihs.org/iihs/news/desktopnews/electronic-stability-control-could-prevent-nearly-one-third-of-all-fatal-crashes-and-reduce-rollover-risk-by-as-much-as-80-effect-is-found-on-single-and-multiple-vehicle-crashes
  2. http://www.pewresearch.org/fact-tank/2013/11/15/texting-while-driving-may-be-common-but-its-illegal-in-most-states/
  3. http://www.distraction.gov/content/get-the-facts/state-laws.html
    http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2010/09/23/zach-veach-a-15-year-old-takes-on-texting-and-driving_n_912174.html
  4. http://symbian.sys-con.com/node/2578547 http://www.driveorigo.com
  5. http://www.newsmax.com/US/Texting-Crackdown/2013/11/25/id/538408

Whom to Trust After a San Diego Motorcycle Crash: a Lawyer or an Insurance Company?

Whether your son crashed his motorcycle on the way to Comic-Con; or you got “banged up” badly in a freeway accident on I-5, you need help getting compensated for your injuries and damages. Trouble is, you don’t know what help you actually need… or where to get that help.

On the one hand, you’d prefer to “keep things simple.” In an ideal world, you’d just file a claim with an insurance company, and that would be that. After all, why bother making life more complicated by talking to a lawyer and possibly taking a fight to the courts? You have enough on your plate, as it is.

Why You Probably Should Talk to a San Diego Motorcycle Crash Lawyer, Even If Your Crash “Wasn’t That Bad”

1. Your injuries could be (far) worse than you realize.

For instance: head injuries, like mild concussions, can evolve over time and get worse. Today’s headache can turn into tomorrow’s “splitting headache,” which can become next month’s memory loss. Likewise, seemingly minor injuries to soft tissue (e.g. whiplash injuries) can lead to tens of thousands of dollars’ worth of medical care, long term. Even if you don’t feel acute symptoms, protect your rights to get compensation, if you need it.

2. Insurance companies do not play fair.

Consider a recent American Association for Justice (AAJ) report: “The Ten Worst Insurance Companies in America: How They Raise Premiums, Deny Claims, And Refuse Insurance to Those Who Need It Most.” The AAJ report is full of scathing criticisms for many big name carriers. In particular, the report censures Allstate (of “You’re in Good Hands” fame) for sticking to a “delay, deny, and defense” strategy to limit claims. The nefarious idea is to make the claims process so expensive and so time-consuming that lawyers won’t want to help clients who are hassled by Allstate.

3. A consultation with San Diego motorcycle accident attorney is a risk free way to get immediate clarity and feedback about what to do next.

Dealing with an accident is horrendously difficult, not only because injuries are painful but also because the crash causes mental fogginess. A single phone call can help you feel immediate clarity about your case, without obligating you to take any kind of action.

Connect with San Diego motorcycle lawyer Dean Goetz. Mr. Goetz has over 30 years of trial experience, and he recently settled a motorcycle injury case for $1.25 million. Call 858-481-8844 to get a free, no obligation consultation.

Not All San Diego Motorcycle Accident Law Firms Are Created Equal

Whether your son suffered brain damage and a ruptured spine in a motorcycle crash on the I-5 freeway; or a careless driver made a left turn in front of you and you suffered a fractured tibia and a fractured fibula and internal injuries such as spleen or kidney damage; or you had a driver pull out in front of you at an uncontrolled intersection and you hit the car and suffered a concussion, a fractured clavicle and a fractured arm; you want to find a reputable San Diego motorcycle accident attorney to fight for your rights.

Without an aggressive attorney on your side, the insurance company will low-ball you, delay your claim, or just simply take advantage of you. You need a lawyer who has values you can believe in and a track record for obtaining results?

Choosing a San Diego Motorcycle Accident Attorney:  Big Differences Among Lawyers

Not all motorcycle accident lawyers are created equal.

Many large firms use paralegals to handle important case work. This arrangement works well for the firms — the attorneys don’t have to do as much work! — but clients can get the short end of the stick. This isn’t to knock paralegals. But wouldn’t you really rather have a skilled lawyer handle your case.

Some law firms operate much like assembly lines. Their clients are just a number. Firms that focus on volume have a strong incentive to take the first offer and not fight for a settlement that is fair for you. Other attorneys, who are not so “volume focused,” will fight hard for you, even if that means going all the way to trial.

Ideally, your attorney:

  1. Should have experience specifically with motorcycle accident injury cases;
  2. Should be ethical, accessible, and respected by his or her peers;
  3. Should be able to point to results — i.e. big cases won and/or settlements obtained.

Attorney Dean Goetz qualifies on all three counts. He recently settled a Southern California motorcycle accident injury case for $1.25 million – the limits of the policy. Another motorcycle accident victim he represented received a $975,000 settlement (the limits of the policy were $1 million) without even going to trial.

This man wrote: “[Dean] is an amazing lawyer. I am so thankful for what he did for me. He is a hands-on attorney who fought for me when I couldn’t fend for myself. He was also able to get the doctors in the hospital to take less than 50 percent of their bills, which meant I got to keep more of the settlement money. Dean Goetz put more in my pocket because he worked every angle to get me more money.”

If you or someone you love has been hurt in motorcycle crash, connect with Attorney Goetz for a free consultation at 858-481-8844 today.

What to Do Immediately After a San Diego Motorcycle Accident

San Diego motorcycle accident lawyer, Dean Goetz, has fought aggressively on behalf of injured bikers for three decades and helped them to obtain large settlements and rebuild their lives.

What Should You Do Right After a Motorcycle Crash in San Diego?

  • Avoid leaving the scene;
  • Obtain emergency medical help for yourself and for anyone else who got hurt;
  • Get out of the flow of traffic and alert other motorists to your presence by using emergency flares or warning lights;
  • Call the police, especially if anyone’s been hurt (even slightly);
  • Collect information from the scene. If you’re too injured or “out of it,” ask someone else to gather information for you. This evidence could include pictures of injuries and of the crash scene as well as contact info, such as names, phone numbers, license plate numbers, insurance information, etc;
  • Avoid admitting to any guilt. When you talk to police officers, stick to the facts;
  • Keep a journal to document everything that happens after the crash, including conversations with doctors, witnesses, and insurance company representatives.
  • Speak with an experienced San Diego motorcycle accident attorney before you talk with insurance adjusters.
  • Find a motorcycle accident lawyer in Southern California who has a track record for delivering results in cases like yours.

Do Not Delay – Get Help

The longer you delay getting legal insight into your crash, the more challenging it may be to collect compensation and obtain justice. For instance:

  • The police will likely clean up the accident scene within a few hours.
  • Witnesses may soon forget what they saw.
  • Potentially liable parties may use your delay to build their defense against any claim you might make.

Attorney Dean Goetz has gotten excellent results for his clients. He recently settled a motorcycle injury case for the policy limit of $1.25 million. The case settled quickly — in less than a year. Mr. Goetz also won a six-figure verdict for a client who got hurt in a Rancho Santa Fe crash. He also obtained a $975,000 settlement for a motorcyclist hurt on Coast Highway in San Clemente.

When you work with Dean Goetz, you get direct access to him — your case will not be passed along to a secretary or a paralegal. Connect with Attorney Goetz now by calling 858-481-8844 for a free consultation. Learn about your rights and maximize your recovery.

3 More Celebrity Motorcycle Accidents (with Important Lessons for Recent San Diego Crash Victims)

If you’ve recently been in a San Diego motorcycle accident – or if a friend or family member got hurt – the last thing you probably want to do is to read about other scary motorcycle crashes.

But examining celebrity accidents can be useful, because this exercise can teach us vivid safety lessons. To that end, let’s look at three more celebrity bike accidents:

1. Gary Busey, helmet skeptic, becomes helmet advocate after brain injury inducing crash.

Actor Gary Busey is known for portraying wild, iconic characters. He “lived wild” off the screen as well. In 1988, he horrifically crashed his new Harley-Davidson in Culver City, California. According to legend, Busey landed right in front of a police officer, who used Busey’s own gloves to staunch the head wound until rescue workers arrived. Doctors thought the actor would be permanently brain damaged, but Busey pulled through.

It took him several years, however, to pivot on his stance about helmets.

In 2001, Busey told the press: “riding without a helmet is a gamble everyone is bound to lose.” Recent doctor exams, however, suggest that Busey suffered more brain damage than anyone realized – and that these injuries may have contributed to the actor’s substance abuse issues.

Lesson: head injury recovery is unpredictable. Err on the side of caution, and take all head injuries very seriously. Often, doctors can prevent/stop brain trauma, if it’s identified very early.

2. Ann Margret, 1960’s sex icon, bounces back after a big crash in 2000.

In August, 2000, 59-year-old Ann Margret hit what she called “sugar sand” on a road in Brainerd, Minnesota. She came down hard on the grass. The crash fractured her left shoulder and she fractured three ribs. But she managed to pull herself together enough to serve as the Grand Marshal of a National Hot Rod Association Event the next day. She waved to hundreds and thousands of people (with her arm in a sling!), smiling despite her recent brush with death.

Lesson: sometimes, motorcycle accident victims just get lucky.

3. Ben Roethlisberger’s 2006 motorcycle crash hits “Big Ben” harder than a defensive lineman.

In 2006, the City of Pittsburgh collectively gasped in horrordismay, when Steelers quarterback, Ben Roethlisberger, smashed up his motorcycle, incurring a head gash and broken jaw and nose. The collective concern turned to anger, once Steelers fans learned that “Big Ben” hadn’t been wearing a helmet and didn’t have his license with him.

Lesson: avoid playing fast and loose with the law. Wear your helmet. Carry your driver’s license with you. Follow all safety and maintenance procedures. In addition to protecting you physically, these actions can also protect you financially from fines, fees and license suspension.

If you or someone you love was recently hurt in a San Diego motorcycle accident, connect with Attorney Dean Goetz at 858-481-8844 to schedule a free case evaluation.

3 Celebrity Motorcycle Crashes: What They Can Teach San Diego Motorcycle Accident Victims

Celebrities, just like the rest of us, can fall victim to San Diego motorcycle accidents. Below, we report on three famous celebrity motorcycle crashes and try to learn lessons from them.

1. Bassist for The Allman Brothers Band hits a bus, a year after his bandmate’s fatal crash.

24-year-old Duane Allman died in 1971, in Macon, Georgia, when he slammed his Harley-Davidson Sportster into a flatbed truck. The accident was Rube Goldberg-esque. Allman tried to let the truck take a left in front of him, but the vehicle stopped suddenly, causing him to crash into it. The truck’s weighted ball then smashed Allman in the chest. Allman seemed fine immediately afterwards — his only visible injuries were scrapes and cuts. But he died that evening in surgery. Nearly a year later, Berry Oakley, the band’s bassist, drove his motorcycle into a bus, just a few blocks from where Allman’s crash occurred.

Lesson: history tends to repeat itself.
If you’ve been in an accident – or if you’ve had a “close call” – take a good look at what went wrong. Change your habits and behaviors accordingly.

2. Peter Fonda, so-called “Easy Rider,” torn up in three separate crashes.

Peter Fonda, a self-proclaimed motorcycle aficionado, recently bragged to the Los Angeles Times about all the bikes that he’s owned: Harley-Davidson Fat Boys, a Ducati, several Triumphs, an MV-Augusta F4 1000, and many other fantastic rides.

But he’s gotten into serious trouble, at least three times:

  • In 1964, his bike flew over a speed bump and smashed into a car. Fonda, who was wearing little more than a bathing suit, suffered back injuries, and his hip bone penetrated his skin.
  • 1n 1985, Fonda broke his neck and back in a different motorcycle accident.
  • In 1993, Fonda hit a deer head-on, an incident, that finally got him to understand the importance of motorcycle safety gear!

Lesson: don’t skimp on your safety gear.
Get into habit of suiting up appropriately. The cost benefit calculus just makes sense. A good helmet and top grade gear can be pricey. But it pales in comparison to the amount of money it takes to pay for repairing broken bones or spinal surgeries.

3. Bob Dylan’s mysterious July 29, 1966 motorcycle accident.

Singer Bob Dylan’s beautiful melodies and inscrutable lyrics have fascinated generations of song smiths. But he’s also gotten into his fair share of motorcycle accidents and scrape-ups. For instance, on July 29, 1966, he crashed his motorcycle near Woodstock, New York. Did the accident break Dylan’s back and nearly cost the singer his life? Or did he simply use the crash as a pretext to drop out of the limelight, so that he could wean himself off heroin and meth? Rumors abounded about what happened… and still nobody (save, perhaps, for Dylan himself) knows for sure.

Lesson: often, the only witness to a motorcycle accident is the rider.
This lack of perspective on the crash can create serious problems for a San Diego motorcycle accident case. Without witness statements or other corroborating evidence, you may have a hard time proving your story.

For a free, confidential consultation about your San Diego motorcycle crash, please call attorney Dean Goetz today at 858-481-8844.