Crash Test Dummies Evolving To Reflect Real Americans

A sad fact of life is that Americans are getting heavier. They’re also getting older. Therefore, in order to better simulate the impact of a car crash on real people, one company that makes crash test dummies has created two new dummies that weigh what is considered obese. That means adding an extra hundred pounds to a standard crash test dummy. Another is meant to replicate a 70-year-old obese woman.

The Michigan International Center for Automotive Medicine (ICAM) was involved in developing these new dummies. The director of ICAM says, “The typical patient today is overweight or obese — they’re the rule rather than the exception. You can’t talk about injuries without talking about the person.” He adds, “The population is getting older, and as it gets older it gets fatter as well.”

How does obesity impact the injuries that a person can sustain in a crash? For one thing, if they are involved in a frontal crash, they can slide underneath their seat belt, which can lead to more serious lower-extremity injuries than those suffered by people who aren’t obese.

Older people also suffer different injuries than younger people in car crashes. For example, they’re more likely to suffer chest injuries (by as much as 15 times those suffered by younger drivers and passengers.) That’s because the shape of the chest changes as people age.

As people stay healthier into their senior and elderly years and are able to continue driving, it’s essential that auto manufacturers and companies that work to ensure auto safety adjusts to the changing demographics of Americans. However, there are no guarantees that you can avoid injuries in a car crash. If you or a loved one has been injured by a reckless or negligent driver, it’s essential to determine that in order to seek compensation.

Distracted Driving Involves More Than Texting And Talking

We Americans are multi-taskers. Unfortunately, too many people attempt to multi-task while driving, when they should be focused on the road and those sharing it with them.

Texting and talking on the phone are considered the biggest distracted driving risks. Both are illegal with a hand-held device in New Mexico. However, there are other habits that too many drivers have that distract them and can lead to serious and even fatal crashes.

— Touchscreen systems: Most new vehicles provide a multitude of options at our fingertips. These include music, navigation systems, phones and social media. It can be tempting, particularly on a long drive or while stuck in traffic, to check your email or make a quick call. However, even a touchscreen system requires that you take a hand off the wheel and/or focus your eyes or attention on something besides the road.– Dealing with kids: Even if your children are safely strapped in and being entertained by a DVD in the back seat, they often have a short attention span. It’s difficult to ignore the questions and complaints of your children, but it’s essential to keep your eyes and mind on the road. If there’s an issue that needs dealing with, pull safely off the road to attend to the problem.

— Eating and drinking: We’ve almost all been guilty of this at some point, particularly with drive-thru Starbucks and fast food chains everywhere. Even if you don’t chow down on your burger on the way back to the office, you probably sneak a French fry or two or enjoy your beverage. It’s a timesaver, to be sure, but can also be dangerous to you, your passengers and others. Either pull into a parking space to enjoy your food and drink or wait until you get to your destination.

— Grooming: Many people rush out to work in the morning without all their make-up done or their hair properly brushed. It’s tempting to make these finishing touches at stoplights or while stuck in traffic. Either allow yourself more time in the morning before you leave for this or wait until you’re at your destination.

If you’ve been injured in a crash caused by a negligent or reckless driver, your attorney can help work to determine whether the at-fault driver was engaged in distracted driving. This can help you get the compensation you need and deserve.

Semitruck Crashes: The 4 Common Causes Of These Crashes

Semi-truck accidents can lead to very serious injuries, especially when that accident is a high-speed crash. For the victims, one question that usually comes up relates to what caused the crash.

There are a host of causes of semitruck crashes. Some are preventable, but others can’t be helped. If you are injured in a semitruck crash, think carefully about each possible cause. In some cases, you might find that more than one was present.

Unsecured loads

Semitruck loads that aren’t properly secured can shift and cause accidents. In some cases, the load will come off of the semitruck and will slam into another car or land on the roadway, which causes a hazard. In other cases, the load will shift enough to where it sends the semitruck moving in an uncontrollable manner. Semitruck drivers must ensure that the loads they carry are secured effectively and within the requirements of applicable regulations.

Driver error

A semitruck driver who is fatigued or distracted can cause a crash. Semitruck drivers must be ready and able to make good decisions as they drive. When they are unable to do this, they might not react in an appropriate manner to the hazards that are around them. With the Hours of Service regulations that are in force, truckers have specific limits to how long they can drive. Driver logs are a way to ensure that these limits are complied with. Some trucking companies might encourage truckers to try to skirt these regulations in an effort to get loads delivered rapidly.

Other drivers

Some semitruck crashes are caused by other drivers’ actions. This could occur if a car cuts too close to the semitruck. These large trucks need ample room to stop, so they must be given adequate room. Trying to dart in front of a semitruck can lead to an accident that might not affect the driver who darted in front of the truck. Other vehicles around the semitruck might not be so lucky.

Mechanical issues

Mechanical issues with the truck, such as malfunctioning brakes or hitches, can lead to accidents. In some cases, these issues are due to component defects. They can also be due to improper installation or maintenance.

The cause of the semitruck crash matters because it can determine who is held liable for the accident. You must ensure that you are seeking compensation from the responsible parties or your claim might be considered invalid.

Safe Driving Tips For The Fourth Of July Holiday Weekend

With the Fourth of July holiday drawing near, chances are that freeways will be clogged again with weekend vacation traffic. According to the American Automobile Association (AAA) more than 40 million people will travel at least 50 miles to a destination, with a majority doing so by car.

If you are looking to take the entire week off in order to avoid holiday traffic, you may already have company. With the holiday being on a Tuesday, many people intend to make it a long holiday weekend by leaving on Friday. As such, the weekend poses a genuine threat to drivers given then large number of distracted drivers, drowsy drivers, and of course, drunk drivers on the road. In fact, the Fourth of July holiday is widely regarded as the dangerous holiday driving period; likely second to only New Year’s Eve.

Despite these hazards, drivers can do a number of things to stay safe. This post will highlight them.

Avoid aggressive driving – If you have to slog through slow traffic to get to your destination, just go with the flow.  Tailgating, speeding and aggressive lane changes often lead to accidents.

Put down the cell phone – The directional apps we enjoy may keep us from getting lost, but they may take your attention away from the road. Also, California law prohibits cell phone use in the car without a hands-free system.

Wear your seatbelt –New Mexico law requires that all occupants in a car wear their seatbelts. Countless statistics show how they save lives, but still many don’t use them.

We wish our readers a safe holiday weekend. If you have questions about your rights and options after a car accident, we invite you to contact us.

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