Accident Prevention

The Physics of Rear End Auto Accidents

September 23, 2010 by Brad Johnson

Rear end accidents occur when an at fault driver hits another vehicle in front of them. Usually, this happen when the car in front stops and the driver from behind is unable to stop in time.

According to experts, this type of auto accident has a force equivalent to half of the speed of the car. For example, a vehicle traveling at a speed of 40 mph that rear ended another car is like hitting a wall at 20 mph.

The physics of rear end collision is different from head-on collision which happens when two car’s front ends collide. In this situation, the impact is greater and deadlier because the velocity of two vehicles traveling in opposite directions is higher.

Preventing Rear End Accidents:

Keep a safe distance and avoid tailgating. Maintaining a safe distance from another vehicle will allow drivers to have enough time to maneuver and respond to changes in speed.

If the road is slippery or the visibility is low due to bad weather, drivers should increase the time interval to react to a slowing or stopped vehicle.
Avoid being distracted. Mobile phones and other electronic devices can serve as a distraction for drivers.

Avoid constant braking-accelerating sequences. Doing so may increase the likelihood of rear end collision because the other driver is less likely to predict the speed of the vehicle in front of them.

When changing speed, do this by accelerating slowly.

Respect the right-of-way of other motorists. An accident can be caused by driver’s behavior, so by respecting the right-of-way and being courteous to other drivers, people can avoid accidents.

When approaching red traffic lights, take the foot off the accelerator pedal early on to avoid colliding with a slowing or stopped vehicle.

Always check the tire pressure. Correct tire pressure increases safety and can make the car fuel-efficient by increasing the rolling resistance by at least 10 percent.

To help you deal with issues involved in rear end auto accidents, consult with our personal injury lawyers. If you have questions, please take advantage of our free consultation.

Tips For Avoiding Accidents With Commercial Trucks

July 29, 2010 by Brad Johnson

The United States Department of Transportation indicates that commercial truck accidents account for 98% of traffic fatalities involving automobile drivers annually. This is primarily because trucks are responsible for over 500,000 accidents a year.

Here are some tips to avoid these types of accidents:

1. Defensive driving techniques – These tips most often include keeping a sharp eye out for bad drivers or those who are not obeying traffic laws. Early detection is the key to avoidance, and observation helps keep you alert for potential problems.
2. Observe your blind spot – Many truck accidents occur when drivers fail to acknowledge their blind spots. Compensating for this by looking twice before changing lanes or adding a secondary parabolic mirror can help you avoid a collision with a commercial vehicle that could cost you your life.
3. Drive responsibly – chatting on the cell phone, texting or driving aggressively is no way to behave on the road. These behaviors have been proven to contribute to trucking accidents. Eliminating distractions can greatly reduce the chances of a life altering, catastrophic collision.
4. Don’t follow too closely – by staying a safe distance away from other cars you can avoid participating in a wreck or pile-up as your reaction time decreases.

Of course, there is no such thing as a fail-safe. Even careful drivers can get involved in a horrendous truck accident.

Protect yourself and your family.

How to Avoid Being the Victim of a Bicycle Accident

June 23, 2010 by Brad Johnson

Bike riding is an activity that can be enjoyed by children as well as adults. In fact, children start off very young these days. Their parents will teach them with the assistance of training wheels. Adults, too, enjoy bike riding. It’s not uncommon to see a group of adults riding ten speeds or mountain bikes for exercise as well as a way to have fun in the fresh air. However, bike riding can be dangerous; especially when you begin riding in traffic. A one or two-ton vehicle going even thirty miles an hour can fatally injure a bike rider. That’s why, if you plan to go bike riding, you need to be mindful of your surroundings, you need to ensure the bike is secure and safe, and you need to make sure you’re keeping an eye on any children who may be biking with you. If you do all of these things, you will be able to enjoy your bike ride without having to worry about becoming the victim of a bicycle accident. There are numerous state laws that govern the riding of a bicycle. Know these laws before cycling.

Be Aware

When you were a kid, you probably rode your bike without a care in the world. You’d jump over curbs, ride through leaf piles and you probably even tried to do tricks in the middle of the street. As an adult, however, even if you don’t do these things, you need to be mindful of your surroundings. You need to be aware. Children are typically not aware as adults and that’s why they can often be subjected to danger without even knowing it. Make sure you know how traffic is flowing, how much traffic there is, be mindful of driveways where cars may be backing out from, and make sure you watch the road for hazards. Being aware of your surroundings will do a lot to help you prevent becoming a victim of a bicycle accident.

Bike Inspection

When was the last time you had your bike inspected? When did you last check the bolts, the brakes or the tires? These must be checked every time you ride. A loose bolt could cause the handlebars to come loose, which could send you flying off the bike. Loose brakes will make it difficult to stop, which could be really dangerous if you’re riding up to a busy intersection, and loose or flat tires can also pose a great danger. If you don’t know the first thing about repairing or maintaining bicycles, take your bike to a professional. You will have to pay for the inspection but that’s better than riding around with a defective bike that could potentially cause a bicycle accident.

Watch Out For Children

Children don’t really understand the concept of oncoming traffic or the term “right of way.” That’s why you need to keep an eye out for them. Make sure they pay attention to what they’re doing so they can remain safe while enjoying their bike ride.

When you’re riding a bike, make sure you keep a keen eye out for any danger, make sure your bike is in tip-top shape, and make sure you watch out for your children. As long as you do all of these things, you will be able to enjoy your bike without risking a bicycle accident.

Contact a Personal Injury Attorney

Any time you are involved in a bicycle accident that involves a moving vehicle, you should contact an attorney. Brad Johnson Injury Law offers free consultations, so don’t accidentally waive your rights or the compensation that is due you if you or your child is involved in an accident while riding a bicycle.

Two Key Tips For Safer Driving In the Rain

April 20, 2010 by Brad Johnson

We know it doesn’t rain much in the Valley, but when it does, it really pours. These two tips for driving in the rain have been going around our office and we thought you might find them helpful.

One driving method was told to a member of our team by a police friend who had experienced and confirmed it. It is useful, even while driving at night. Most motorists tend to turn their windshield wipers on HIGH or the FASTEST SPEED during a heavy downpour, yet the visibility in front of the windshield is still bad. In the event you face such a situation, try wearing your sunglasses (any model will do), and voila! All of a sudden, the visibility in front of your windshield is perfectly clear, as if there was no rain. It might sound crazy, but it really works!

Make sure you always have a pair of sunglasses in your car, and share this idea! You are not only helping yourself, but you might also save a friend’s life. Try it for yourself. Amazing, you will still see the drops on the windshield, but not the sheet of rain falling.

How does it work? You can see where the rain bounces off the road. Sunglasses work to eliminate the “blindness” from the spray of passing semi trucks as well as the “kick-up” if you are following a semi or car in the rain. They ought to teach that little tip in driver’s training as it really does work.

Another tip: Never drive in the rain with your cruise control on. When our team member thought she was being cautious by setting the cruise control, and maintaining a safe consistent speed in the rain, a highway patrolman told her something that every driver should know. If the cruise control is on when your car begins to hydroplane and your tires lose contact with the pavement, your car will accelerate to a higher rate of speed making you take off like an airplane. She told the patrolman that was exactly what had occurred.
The patrolman said this warning should be listed on the driver’s seat sun visor along with the airbag warning. We tell our teenagers to set the cruise control and drive a safe speed, but to use the cruise control only when the pavement is dry.

With spring in full bloom and the pavement dry, hopefully we won’t need to implement these practices any time soon. Monsoon season isn’t too far away though, and if we can each pass these tips along to just one person, we could be saving a life.