by Spencer Aronfeld | Apr 17, 2018 | Car Accidents
The Volvo XC90, first sold in the United Kingdom in 2002, is well-known for its safety features. In the over 50,000 cars sold, zero casualties have been reported with the vehicle. In fact, this car could easily be dubbed the safest car in the world. According to Thatcham Research, an independent laboratory, the Volvo XC90 is the safest car it has ever tested. What is the reason for the car’s outstanding record in safety? The car has a number of important safety features, including camera and radar systems to help warn drivers about oncoming dangers on the road. However, what really makes the car’s safety features stand out is its use of Autonomous Emergency Braking (AEB). What Is the Autonomous Emergency Braking (AEB) System? The AEB is a collision avoidance system that has been installed in a number of vehicles that allow the car to automatically detect when a collision is about to occur. The device provides an initial warning to the driver when there is an imminent risk of a collision or the car can also autonomously stop by braking, steering or both, to avoid hitting another vehicle or object. The AEB utilizes cameras, radars or lasers to detect oncoming danger. According to Thatcham Research, the AEB is being heralded as the most significant vehicle development since the seat belt. For the most part, the AEB systems are known as “forward-looking,” which means that the system prevents crashes when one car “rear-ends” or runs into the back of another. These types of accidents are commonly known as fender benders, happening in the normal course of travel. These...
by Spencer Aronfeld | Apr 5, 2018 | Car Accidents
Driverless Uber Death Reveals Autonomous Cars Will Not Solve the Biggest Problem with U.S. Roadways A recent death involving a pedestrian and self-driving Uber car has shed light on safety issues with U.S. roadways. In March 2018, 49-year-old Elaine Hertzberg was crossing a street in Tempe, Arizona, when she was struck by an autonomous car, resulting in her death. While advocates for these driverless vehicles believe the new technology will result in improved traffic safety, others believe that the new technology glosses over pre-existing problems that already make roadways unsafe for pedestrians and others. Experts at the World Resources Institute claim that self-driving cars are a “Band-Aid” solution. This past year, the number of pedestrian deaths in the U.S. stayed steady at a 25-year peak for the second year in a row. Over all, across the nation, 34,000 people die in car accidents a year. Cities, like Washington DC and New York City, that are more pedestrian-oriented have had fewer traffic fatalities per capita, seeing only about two to three deaths on the road per 100,000 residents. However, other large cities that are not so-pedestrian friendly, such as Los Angeles Atlanta, and Miami have a significantly higher rate of traffic fatalities per capita. There are underlying issues that need to be addressed with our roadways. Lowering Traffic Speeds: Lower speed limits reduce traffic fatalities and serious injuries for a number of reasons. One being, driving at very high speeds can result in driver’s having tunnel vision. Driving at lower speeds allows drivers to have a wider field of vision and they are more likely to notice others on the road,...
by Spencer Aronfeld | Mar 28, 2018 | Car Accidents
The Types of Auto Accidents Most Likely to Raise Your Insurance Rates An auto accident can hurt you and not just in terms of physical damage to your vehicle and bodily injury. Many times, even after a minor ‘fender bender,’ you may realize your auto insurance rates have increased, sometimes drastically. Certain types of car accidents are more prone to increase insurance rates than others, and it is important to know what insurance companies look for when making that determination. Factors Considered When it comes to making a determination on how your insurance rates will be affected following a car accident, insurance providers will look to many different factors surrounding the driver’s background. These factors include the person’s driving record and whether other claims have been made in the past. In terms of claims, normally an accident that has a claim of at least $500 is considered a chargeable accident. Some look at $750 as a threshold amount in terms of damages. Insurance companies will also review police reports after an accident to determine exactly what happened, the circumstances surrounding the accident, what caused it, and assess fault. All of these factors will be considered when making a determination on rates. Accidents Resulting in Injuries If the car accident resulted in an injury to someone else, the insurance company will end up paying for the costs, such as property damage, loss of wages, past and future medical expenses for whoever was injured, etc. Because the costs associated go up when another person is injured, the insurance company may end up increasing your insurance rates to off-set their losses. Accident...
by Spencer Aronfeld | Mar 21, 2018 | Car Accidents, Personal Injury News and Safety Resources
Hit-and-Run Accidents Reach Epidemic Proportion in South Florida – How You Can Protect Your Legal Rights Following a Hit-and-Run Accident The month of February marked Hit-and-Run Awareness Month where Florida Highway Patrol sought to remind all drivers of the importance of staying at the scene of an accident. “This is a significant problem throughout the State of Florida. It has arisen to an epidemic proportion in Miami-Dade County,” said FHP Maj. Chris Dellapietra. For those who are victims of a hit and run accident, the whole experience can bring out a range of emotions, leaving those injured angered and worried about how they will protect themselves and receive compensation for any damages and injuries sustained. Certain actions can help protect you if you find yourself or a loved one the victim of a hit-and-run accident. What Is a Hit-and-Run? A hit-and-run accident occurs any time a driver intentionally leaves the scene of an accident without providing his or her contact information. This can happen when a car hits another car, motorcyclist, bicyclist or passenger and speeds off. A hit-and-run can also occur when a driver hits an unattended parked car and fails to leave any contact information for the car owner. What to Do after the Hit-and-Run As soon as the accident happens, it is extremely important that the victim gather as much information as possible about the car that hit him or her. The more information that can be recalled, the better the chances are that the police will be able to later identify and catch the driver who hit him or her and the easier it will...
by Spencer Aronfeld | Mar 16, 2018 | Car Accidents
Top 10 Most Dangerous Days to Drive The roads can be a dangerous place on any given day, but statistics show that certain days stand out amongst the rest for being more dangerous. We happen to be coming upon one of those days this weekend, so be prepared if you plan to be on the roads this St. Patrick’s Day. St. Patrick’s Day Approximately 276 people were killed on the road over St. Patrick’s Day weekends between the years 2009 and 2013, according to the NHTSA. Out of these accidents, two out of five of the fatalities that resulted involved drunk driving. And, 80% of alcohol-related accidents on St. Patrick’s Day involved drivers who had blood-alcohol levels nearly twice the legal limit. The best way to avoid the possibility of an accident and still have fun is have a designated driver in place before the festivities begin- or better yet, stay off the roads. That can be your lucky charm this St. Patrick’s Day. Here are some additional dangerous driving days to beware of this year. The Beginning of Daylight Saving Time Every March, Floridians “spring forward” and lose an hour of sleep due to time change, and that extra hour of sleep can result in more accidents on the road. According to the Fatality Analysis Reporting System (a division of the NHTSA), traffic fatalities go up approximately 17 percent the Monday following this hour loss of time due to Daylight Saving Time. Tax Day Every April 15, there is an increase in accidents on the road. It can be a coincidence, or it can be attributed to the...
by Spencer Aronfeld | Mar 13, 2018 | Car Accidents
Driving Safety Tips to Remember this Spring Break Florida has consistently been listed as one of the top Spring Break destinations in the United States. In fact, according to a new study that looked at over 800,000 social media posts, the cities of Miami, Orlando, and Fort Lauderdale were listed as some of the most popular Spring Break destinations this year. According to the Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT), more than 21,000 Florida car accidents occur every March, an increase of more than 1,000 crashes during any other month of the year. Auto accidents often occur during this time as a result of drivers’ unfamiliarity with Florida roadways, traffic patterns and unsafe driving behaviors. Most of the fatal and serious injury crashes involve teen drivers and the largest percentage of crashes (57 percent) occurs during daylight hours. Alcohol consumption is a primary factor in many of these accidents. The following driving safety tips can help keep you and your loved ones safe on the roads this Spring Break: Do not drink and drive: During the month of March, Florida law enforcement will be focusing heavily on enforcing the state’s drinking age laws and keeping intoxicated drivers off the road. Anyone under the age of 21 who is found to have possessed alcohol will be cited for a second-degree misdemeanor. Also, it is considered a violation to have an open alcoholic beverage container in a moving or stopped vehicle by the driver or passenger. It goes without saying, but do not drink and drive. Do not allow others in your party to drink and drive. Remember, your actions can save...
