Maintain Your Vehicle Properly

This goes for any time of year, but especially when it’s icy or there’s an increased probability of snow, it’s imperative that your brakes work properly, and that your tires are in good condition. If the weather isn’t bad enough to require chains on the tires, the tread should at least be deep enough to keep from sliding on snow and ice. Also make sure you keep an ice scraper in your car, and that defrosters are in good working order to maintain visibility.

Obey the Speed Limit

In fact, you may even want to drive a few miles under the posted speed limit when there’s a danger of ice on the roads. Driving more slowly gives you more reaction time should your car hit an icy patch. Even if you’re the only driver on the road, there is still a danger of running into trees, telephone poles, and even buildings if you’re going too fast. It may take you longer to get where you’re going, but avoiding a car accident and getting there are the important things.

Brake Gently and Early

When approaching intersections or turns, begin applying the brakes further out than you normally would. Avoid slamming on the brakes. This just increases the probability and danger of skidding on the ice and colliding with something, or someone.

Turn Into the Skid

If your car does start to skid on the road, try to stay calm, and remember to turn into the skid. Depending on whether you have a front- or rear-wheel-drive vehicle, you will have to either brake or accelerate gently.

Don’t Use Cruise Control

Retain as much control over your vehicle and its acceleration as possible when roads are icy. Sometimes simply taking your foot off the gas pedal

This day began in 1993, by victim advocacy organizations that were part of the European Federation of Road Traffic Victims. Ten years later, it gained the support of the World Health Organization (WHO), and in 2005, a United Nations resolution was adopted, making the third Sunday in November the World Day of Remembrance for Road Traffic Victims.

World Day of Remembrance allows those who are grieving to commiserate with others in the same situation. It also gives car accident victims who sustained serious injuries the opportunity to bond with others who have had the same experience.

More importantly, this day serves to remind legislative bodies as well as the general public that more must be done to reduce the number of traffic accidents around the world. In the United States alone, more than 30,000 people are killed each year as a result of vehicle crashes. Unfortunately, many of those deaths are DUI fatalities, whether they’re the drunk drivers, or passengers in other vehicles.

World Day of Remembrance is one of many initiatives with the goal of increasing awareness about these tragedies, and encouraging stiffer penalties for serious traffic violations, thereby reducing the number of deaths that occur on the world’s roads.

If you’d like to get involved, there are many ways to recognize this day, and share its important message with your community. The World Day of Remembrance website shares several suggestions of events and ways to mark the occasion. It also shares messages and thoughts from people around the world who want to express their support for those who have lost loved ones in traffic accidents.

Smartphones are fast becoming the cell phones of choice for many people. Smartphones offer numerous features including cameras, and the ability to run all kinds of applications, from games to e-mail to apps like My Lawyer™ that help people perform specific functions.

We hope you’re never involved in a car accident. It’s a harrowing experience that we don’t want anyone to go through. But if it ever does happen, we want you to be prepared. The My Lawyer™ app will guide you through the steps you need to follow to protect yourself.

The app helps you document who is at fault in an accident by storing photos you take with your phone’s camera. It also helps you catalog property damage, and any injuries that may occur. In addition, the app will tell you who is responsible for any medical expenses, and how to go about handling them. To help ensure you collect all the information you need, there’s an accident checklist to follow.

A few additional features offered by the app include a free phone consultation, a free initial case inquiry submission, and a fun quiz to test your legal knowledge.

Possibly the best thing about the app is that it’s available to, and will work for anyone, regardless of location. If you’re involved in a car accident outside of Colorado, My Lawyer™ will help you find an attorney to assist you.

The My Lawyer app is not yet available for the iPhone or Blackberry, but will work on any smartphone running on the Android operating system. My Lawyer™ is free, and can be downloaded here, or on our mobile site.

Any big event that attracts large numbers of people is going to increase the odds of an accident occurring, whether it’s a motorcycle or car crash. According to Brenda Vasknetz, the rally’s director, at least 600,000 people attended the rally this year. Unfortunately, sometimes when both motorcycles and cars are sharing the road, the chances of an accident actually increase. Car drivers often don’t see motorcycles when they’re changing lanes or making turns, and the results can be tragic.

This year, a few of those motorcycle deaths are being attributed to faulty rear tires which blew out and caused fatal accidents. But most accidents seem to have been caused by inattention, the most preventable, and regrettable accident cause of all.

The cruelest sorts of motorcycle injuries and deaths are the ones that occur even when the rider has taken the proper precautions. On August 28, well after the Sturgis Rally ended, Denver resident Jeffrey Cronholm, 31, was riding on Highway 385 near Pactola Reservoir in South Dakota. He lost control of his motorcycle while attempting to negotiate a curve and slid into a ditch. He was air lifted to Rapid City Regional Hospital where he died as a result of his injuries.

Cronholm was wearing a helmet, and South Dakota Highway Patrol said alcohol was not a factor in the crash. No reason for the accident was given other than Cronholm simply lost control of his motorcycle.

Tragedies like these just prove that no amount of precaution is too much. In addition to wearing a helmet and avoiding alcohol before riding, motorcycle safety courses that teach riders how to handle their bikes in all types of situations can be of great benefit. Sometimes circumstances arise that are beyond the rider’s control, whether it’s inclement weather or a sharply winding road. Knowing how to react to the unexpected can be a lifesaver.

Motorcycle maintenance is extremely important as well. Regular inspections can decrease the chances of tire blowouts or other equipment malfunctions that can cause accidents. In less than an hour per month, all the motorcycle’s parts and systems can be checked to ensure they’re running properly. It’s especially important to make sure all the lights are functioning. One of the biggest reasons cars and motorcycles get into accidents is that the driver of the car doesn’t see the motorcycle. Properly working lights can go a long way to avoiding that situation.

Most important of all, regardless of what’s going on, whether it’s a big, exciting event like the Sturgis Rally, or just morning rush hour, paying attention to the road and all the vehicles on it can be the difference between life and death for a motorcycle rider.

1. Bicycles Are Vehicles

First, be aware that bicycles are considered vehicles, and are legally permitted to share the roads with cars and other, larger vehicles. As such, cyclists must also follow the rules of the road, but even if they do, there may still be issues with visibility because a cyclist on a bike takes up so much less space than a car or truck. Remember they are entitled to drive on the road, and respect that space.

2. Know Your Right-of-Way

Because bicycles are also vehicles, take some time to familiarize yourself with the rules of the road, particularly as they pertain to right-of-way. If it’s been a while since you got your driver’s license, a refresher can’t hurt. Better yet, consider taking a defensive driving course. Some insurance companies will even offer you a policy discount when you provide proof of having taken such a course.

3. Check Your Blind Spot

When changing lanes, always check your blind spot. It’s sometimes difficult to see a car in this spot, so imagine how much more difficult it is to see a bicycle. Don’t just rely on your mirrors when you change lanes. Turn and look, and be sure to signal so any vehicle approaching from behind is aware of your intentions and can adjust accordingly.

4. Check “The Door Zone”

If you park on the street, look over your shoulder before opening your door to exit the vehicle. Cyclists often ride in “the door zone.” Even if cyclists see you in the driver’s seat, they cannot predict when you might open the door right in their path. It’s also a good idea to check behind you before opening the door because while a cyclist could be severely injured by slamming into the door, an approaching car or truck could take the door right off your car. Always look, then open.

5. Turn From Furthermost Lanes

Only make turns from the furthermost lanes. For example, if you need to turn right, turn from the farthest right lane, not from the center lane, unless it is also designated for right turns. If the farthest lane is not a turn-only, but instead allows vehicles to continue driving straight, and you turn from the center lane, you can place your vehicle right in the path of an oncoming bicycle, or any other vehicle, for that matter. Watch the road signs, and follow them closely.

If you’re a cyclist on the road, be sure you know the right-of-way rules, and follow them to the letter. You may also want to periodically review a list of safety tips for cyclists to keep them fresh in your mind. Ride defensively. Even if you come to a situation where you have the right of way, it’s safer to assume that a car or truck driver may not be aware that you do. Take a moment to assess what the driver of the other vehicle is doing before simply riding out in front of them. You may have the law on your side, but the law won’t keep you from getting injured if you’re hit by a car.

If the unthinkable does happen, and you are hit by a car, a bicycle accident lawyer can help. It can be difficult to navigate the legal system on your own, and if you’re injured, you may be hospitalized, or confined to bed. An attorney will represent you, and ensure your interests are looked after so you can focus on recovering, and getting back on your bike as soon as possible.

It seems that Harlan may have tried to avoid the accident because witnesses say the Harley-Davidson he was riding first rolled onto its side, then crashed into the left side of the car. Harlan was pronounced dead at the scene. He was only 36 years old.

Harlan’s passenger, Yovanne Medina, 35, of Fountain, was also seriously injured in the crash, and is currently in the hospital undergoing treatment. Neither she nor Harlan were wearing helmets at the time of the crash.

According to motorcycle head injury statistics, a motorcyclist is 40 percent more likely to suffer a fatal head injury in a crash. Helmets reduce this likelihood by 37 percent. Despite these statistics, and the number of people who die in motorcycle accidents every year because they weren’t wearing helmets, only a handful of states require motorcyclists to wear them at all times.

Colorado only requires motorcycle riders under the age of 18 to wear helmets. This is a fairly recent development as the state law previously didn’t require a helmet at all. While John Harlan was well within the law to not wear a helmet while riding his motorcycle, and he was not at fault in this accident, it’s entirely possible that a helmet could have saved his life.

As of June 2010, Colorado’s helmet law states that motorcycle riders and passengers who are 17 years of age or younger must wear helmets. While this means you’re not legally required to wear a helmet if you’re a motorcyclist over 17, it’s still a good idea to do so. In the event of an accident, a helmet can prevent serious head trauma, brain injury, and even death. Easy to acquire and easy to use, a helmet is the most basic piece of motorcycle safety equipment. But it’s not the only way to protect yourself.

If you ride a motorcycle, whether you’re the driver or a passenger, it’s essential to wear the proper protective clothing. It’s not enough to put on denim pants and a jacket, with just any type of gloves and shoes. Any store that sells motorcycles or motorcycle accessories and equipment should also have safety gear available. This includes jackets made of abrasion-resistant materials that also feature padding in vulnerable areas, gloves that fasten and help a rider maintain control of the motorcycle, and boots that protect ankles and feet while not interfering with any part of the motorcycle.

Any protective gear you wear should have a minimal number of reflective stripes on it, but the color of the gear itself is also important. If the motorcycle is your primary method of transportation, or you plan to ride at night, it’s better to choose gear in bright colors such as yellow or orange rather than black or dark blue. The more visible you make yourself to other drivers on the road, the less chance there will be of being hit by a car because the driver didn’t see you.

This also goes for the color of the motorcycle. When buying your motorcycle, even though a black one might look great, it’s going to be less visible in low light conditions, even with a bright headlight and taillight. Choose a brighter, more visible color like yellow, or a lighter color of blue or gray. This isn’t always possible, depending on the type of motorcycle. Sportbikes offer more color choices than traditional motorcycles. If you’re unable to increase visibility with the color of the motorcycle, it’s doubly important to do so with your safety gear.

Other than safety gear, the best way to stay safe when riding your motorcycle is to obey all traffic rules. Avoid speeding, ride in marked lanes and not on the shoulder, and stay out of vehicles’ blind spots. Motorcyclists are often hit by vehicles changing lanes because the driver is unable to see the motorcycle when it’s not directly behind or to the side of the car. Ensure that all lights on the motorcycle are functioning properly, and replace them immediately if they burn out or are broken. Finally, never ride while intoxicated. Every year, thousands of motorcyclists are involved in accidents involving alcohol.

Even when you’ve taken every precaution you can take, the possibility of an accident still exists. Poor weather conditions can impede visibility, and some conditions simply can’t be foreseen. If you’re involved in an accident because of faulty equipment, or due to another driver’s negligence, contact a Colorado motorcycle attorney. They will help you understand your rights, and assist you in getting back on the road quickly and safely.

Heavy rain means less visibility, slower speeds, and more time spent on the road. Snow can slow traffic and can be dangerous if ice builds up on the asphalt. If enough snow falls, highways may even be closed temporarily. Weather like that never hits without warning, though, and there’s time to make other arrangements, whether it’s taking an alternate route, or working from home. But living in a mountainous region brings other risks, such as rock slides, and even avalanches. Taking a few precautions will help keep you safer on the road if you hit a rock slide in Colorado.

Preventive measures are taken to make mountainous roadways as safe as possible, but over time, the land is affected by rainfall, wind, and other environmental effects, and it slowly erodes and shifts. Eventually, something will give way. With luck, it’s just some pebbles and dirt, but sometimes, when conditions are just right, several tons of earth and rocks can come barreling down a mountain, and only come to rest when they reach a flat roadway.

One such major rock slide occurred in March of 2010. About 20 boulders measuring from 3 to 10 feet across hit Interstate 70, but these were the small ones. Some of the boulders that fell onto the highway weighed up to 66 tons, and were as large as semi trucks. Luckily, there were no serious injuries, and no vehicles were damaged. The rock slide caused 17 miles of I-70 to be closed while the heavily damaged roadway was repaired, and the unstable rocks and land above the slide area could be addressed.

How can you stay safe when driving through areas where Colorado rock slides or avalanches may occur?

• Obey speed limits. Mountain roads often wind through land and wooded areas. If you come around a curve and encounter boulders, trees, or tons of earth on the road, you may not have enough time to stop if you’re speeding.
• Properly maintain your vehicle. If you commute through a potential rock slide area, you depend on your car more than most people. Be sure the brakes are in working order, and promptly repair burned out or broken head or tail lights.
• Don’t use your cell phone while driving. This is good advice while driving on any road, at any time, but it’s especially important on winding mountain roads where hazards can lurk around every corner. Stay alert and keep your focus on the road to avoid the dangers of driving while talking on a cell phone.
• Try to avoid driving next to large trucks. Unfortunately, semi-trucks are involved in a higher percentage of accidents on mountain roads in Colorado. It’s unclear whether this is because of increased speeds, or unchained tires in winter, but it’s best to give them a wide berth.
• Familiarize yourself with an alternate route. If it’s the time of year when an avalanche is more likely, or a rock slide has just occurred and the land may still be a bit unstable, have a detour mapped out so you can still get where you need to go without taking any unnecessary risks.

If possible, driving during daylight hours will also help keep you safer on those roadways, but keep your cell phone charged just in case you do need to call for emergency assistance.

The repair, which should only take about a half an hour, involves installing a steel shim in the pedal assembly which should eliminate the excess friction between the two pieces of the accelerator mechanism. Toyota claims that this friction is what causes the pedal to either stick in a depressed position or to return slowly to the idle position. The faulty gas pedal only includes parts manufactured by CTS Corporation in Elkhart, Indiana. The recall on the floor mats can be fixed at the same time. Although, Toyota asks that owners wait for a recall letter before contacting their dealer for appointments, some dealers plan to contact every buyer of a recalled model to explain and schedule the repair.

The recalled models include:
2009-2010 RAV4
2009-2010 Corolla
2009-2010 Matrix
2005-2010 Avalon
2007-2010 Camry
2010 Highlander
2007-2010 Tundra
2008-2010 Sequoia

Despite the effort to fix the faulty gas pedals, Toyota still remains under scrutiny. The House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform and the Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood are questioning the details of the recall. The National Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) and Toyota had different views of the accuracy of the floor mat recall. Two congressional committee hearings are planned, beginning next week.

There are some who are not sure that the gas pedal and the floor mat recalls are the sole source of the unexplained sudden acceleration associated with the recalled Toyota vehicles. Safety advocates and consumers question whether the problem is in the electronic system.

After stopping production on its recalled models, Toyota plans on resuming production next week as the vehicles are repaired and sales pick up.

From Toyota’s website:
“Helping ensure the safety of our customers and restoring confidence in Toyota are very important to our company,” said Group Vice President and Toyota Division General Manager Bob Carter. “This action is necessary until a remedy is finalized. We’re making every effort to address this situation for our customers as quickly as possible.”

The first recall, issued in September 2009, affecting 4.2 million Toyota and Lexus cars, involves floor mats which may get stuck under the gas pedal. The second recall, issued last week, addresses mechanical problems that could cause the gas pedal to stick, affecting 2.3 million vehicles. There are approximately 1.7 million Toyota vehicles that are subject to both recalls.

Vehicles affected by the gas pedal recall and suspension of sales and production include:
2009-2010 RAV4
2009-2010 Corolla
2009-2010 Matrix
2005-2010 Avalon
2007-2010 Camry (certain models)
2010 Highlander
2007-2010 Tundra
2008-2010 Sequoia

These vehicles are not affected by the recalls and are still available for sale:
Lexus Division or Scion
Toyota Prius
Tacoma
Sienna
Venza
Solara
Yaris
4Runner
FJ Cruiser
Land Cruiser
Select Camry models, including all Camry hybrids

According to industry analysts, Toyota sells approximately 65,000 Camrys and Corollas a month, comprising about 3.4 percent of the market share. These models represent 57 percent of Toyota’s sales in the United States for 2009. This is a move that could put a serious dent in Toyota’s bottom line. The question is – will it tarnish their reputation for safety and quality? Some may see Toyota’s recall and suspension of sales as an example of Corporate America doing the right thing by discontinuing sales of cars that may be dangerous to consumers. Other may see this as an effort that is a little too late.

Toyota maintains that this is a rare problem that occurs gradually when parts of the gas pedal become worn. They contend the gas pedal may become harder to press and slower to return to the idle position when the driver takes their foot off the pedal. And, worst case scenario the accelerator pedal may become stuck in a partially depressed position causing uncontrolled acceleration. According to Toyota, if you are not experiencing any of these problems, then it is still safe to drive your car. If your gas pedal is sticking or if there is any hesitation, you should stop driving your car and contact your Toyota dealer.

General Motors is also recalling its Pontiac Vibe, which is basically the same car as the Toyota Matrix. However, GM is not suspending sales of the Pontiac Vibe, as GM has stopped production on this car as part of its phase-out plan of the Pontiac brand.

While, it appears Toyota is trying to do the right thing issuing the recalls and suspension of sales and production, common sense dictates that you have your vehicle checked if you suspect any problems at all with your car. The old cliche, “it’s better to be safe, than sorry”, is never more true than when applied to a 4,000+ pound motor vehicle.

Toyota owners who have questions or concerns about their car should contact the Toyota Customer Experience Center at 1-800-331-4331.