Archive for March, 2010

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Runaway Prius Incident Increases Toyota Recall Safety Concerns

Thursday, March 11th, 2010

A March 8 incident involving a “runaway Prius” is showing how Toyota’s floor mat and gas pedal recalls may not be enough to solve their entire safety issue.

According to official reports, a 61-year-old driver was unable to stop his Toyota Prius vehicle while navigating Freeway 8 in the San Diego area. The driver said he was speeding up to pass another vehicle when his gas pedal remained stuck in an advanced position. The vehicle ended up reaching speeds of 94 miles per hour as the driver made a 911 call to local police, who arrived on the scene before any accident occurred. The driver, in conjunction with police, was able to stop the vehicle only by using both the foot brake and the parking or emergency brake on a steep incline, according to the Huffington Post article detailing the event.

The incident in California mirrors other similar events when Toyota drivers have experienced “sudden acceleration” in their vehicles. Toyota has recalled millions of vehicles since this kind of problem started getting reported by drivers of relatively recent Toyota models. Most of the Toyota lineup is affected. Toyota has issued two recalls, one for floor mats and another for a “sticky gas pedal.” In MSNBC coverage of the March 8 incident, the driver testified that his gas pedal “jumped,” which seems indicate that the problem may be more complex than the company contends. Also, some drivers have been reporting that their Toyota vehicles are still experiencing sudden and unintended acceleration after getting the floor mat or gas pedal fixes. All of the recent testimony by drivers, Toyota executives, and U.S. government officials leaves American legislators and consumer groups skeptical about whether the whole picture has been revealed on the Toyota acceleration issue.

Some accidents, injuries and even fatalities have been reported as related to the sudden acceleration of a Toyota vehicle. If you have been injured in an accident as the result of a Toyota recall issue, Samer Habbas, the Southern California Toyota recall lawyer, can help you to recover compensation that you may be entitled to under the law. Call the Law Offices of Samer Habbas at 888-848-5084 for a free consultation.

The Effects of the Motorcoach Safety Action Plan

Tuesday, March 9th, 2010

Seeing a need for an analysis of the cause and prevention of motorcoach crashes, the Department of Transportation (DOT) has produced a Motorcoach Safety Action Plan. The DOT, along with the Federal Motor Carrier Trade Association and the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, hope to decrease the number of fatalities, injuries and crashes by addressing areas of concern.

In essence, the Safety Action Plan has the following recommendations:

  • Install recording devices on motorcoaches to manage driver fatigue.
  • Monitor drivers including drug and alcohol testing, and institute knowledge guidelines.
  • Prohibit texting and limit cell phone use by drivers.
  • Require passengers to wear seat belts on motorcoaches.
  • Study roof crush scenarios and rollover events. Find solutions to increase the prevention of these events, including tire and other maintenance issues.
  • Enforce regulations for carrier rule compliance.

The National Transportation Safety Board issued a call to action in a press release for new safety guidelines after a 2005 fatal accident involving a motorcoach and semi-truck. It was determined that the driver of the truck fell asleep, blocked the road, and the oncoming motorcoach driver did not see the semi truck until it was too late. Had the vehicles been equipped with equipment to monitor a driver’s performance and a collision warning system, the tragedy may have been avoided.

Orange County Injury Lawyer

The Samer Habbas bus accident lawyers are in support of regulations that will increase motorcoach safety and sanctions to decrease the risk of injuries and fatalities. We have seen clients seriously injured from motor vehicle crashes involving large trucks and buses. If you have been involved in an accident with a motorcoach, car or truck, contact the Law Offices of Samer Habbas for a free consultation to discuss your case. You can reach us at 888-848-5084 or via our web form.

California Proposition 213 Precludes Recovery for Uninsured Motorists

Thursday, March 4th, 2010

The effects of uninsured drivers on insurance rates for drivers obeying mandatory liability insurance laws and the consequences of uninsured drivers causing auto accidents motivated California voters to protect themselves in 1996. Responding to strong public opinion about the dangers and liabilities of uninsured drivers, California lawmakers passed Proposition 213, and it became effective January 1, 1997. This piece of legislation removes the rights of uninsured motorists to bring lawsuits for pain and suffering. The law states that when an auto accident occurs, an injured driver must be able to show that he or she had liability insurance at the time of the accident to collect “general damages” from the “at fault” driver.

The only exception to Proposition 213 is written into the law and states that if the driver or owner of an uninsured vehicle was in an auto accident, he or she can still collect general damages if the driver found to be “at fault” was operating his or her vehicle while under the influence of alcohol and/or drugs. However, under all other circumstances, if the driver of an uninsured vehicle is involved in a motor vehicle accident, whether he, she or another driver is found to be at fault for causing the accident, the driver of the uninsured vehicle may not file any kind of a claim for damages.

Essentially, this means that if a driver fails to obey California law and purchase mandatory liability insurance, that driver forfeits the opportunity to file for damages against another driver. If you or someone you care for sustained injury in an accident caused by an uninsured motorist, South Central Los Angeles auto accident attorney Samer Habbas may be able to help. Call his law offices today to schedule a free consultation about your case with this experienced Orange County injury lawyer.

Toyota Widens Recall in Effort to Contain Crisis

Tuesday, March 2nd, 2010

This New York Times article details Toyota’s growing recall problems with this new announcement of recalled hybrid models. Toyota Motor Corporation, one of the world’s premier brands with a long reputation for quality, is reeling from severe blows to its image with the well-documented recall of several models for sticking accelerator problems and this new announcement. The new recall is intended to address reports of brake problems on several Toyota hybrid models. The world’s largest automaker announced recently that it would recall 437,000 of its popular Prius hybrid and other gas-electric hybrids to fix what the company is calling a glitch in the braking system.

The company says that 223,000 of the recalled hybrids are in Japan and another 155,000 are being recalled in Europe and the U.S. The recall affects:

  • All 2010 Prius models

  • 270 plug-in Priuses

  • 28,000 Lexus HS250h models

  • 11,000 Sai hybrids

Toyota has reported that older Prius models are not included in the recall. Toyota has said that when traveling over slippery surfaces, “the brakes falter for just split moment,” he said. “But if you make sure to push firmly down on the brakes, they will work without fail.”

The problem has been traced to the regenerative brake system that helps recharge the hybrids’ batteries. If you or someone you care for has suffered and injury due to malfunctioning brakes, the Los Angeles Prius recall attorneys at the Law Offices of Samer Habbas may be able to help you receive the compensation your deserve. California Prius recall lawyers Samer Habbas has many years of experience helping people in product liability cases and isn’t afraid to take on the legal teams of large corporations. To schedule a free consultation with Los Angeles Toyota Prius brake recall lawyer Samer Habbas, call his law offices today.

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