Each day 210 million drivers take the road in the United States, and each one of these drivers is putting their faith and trust in automobile manufacturers. As drivers we trust that not only are our vehicles safe, but also the vehicles of our fellow travelers are as well. We pack our family and belongings into our vehicles and hit the road and depend on the safety of these vehicle, but what if your car isn’t safe?

On May 30, 2010 Mohammed Aref was taking a trip with his friends and family in his 2003 Ford Expedition. When Mr. Aref got into his vehicle that morning the first thing that went through his head probably wasn’t worrying about the safety of the vehicle. This can be assumed because as consumers we demand a certain quality out of the products that we buy.

Unfortunately, during this trip Mr. Aref’s vehicle had a blowout and his left rear tire failed. Although many of us have had similar issues, what happened to him was not normal at all. The left rear tire catastrophically failed leading to a tire de-tread which caused the vehicle to yaw and roll over. Mr. Aref’s wife, Sandra Louise Smith, and friend, Rosemary Johnson, were ejected from the vehicle even though they were properly belted. Rosemary Johnson and Mr. Aref were badly injured while Sandra Louise Smith died at the scene.

Mr. Aref and Rosemary Johnson are currently filing a suit against Ford Motor Company accusing them of negligence for failing to design and manufacture a crashworthy vehicle with adequate rollover occupant protection systems. While no award that Mr. Aref receives can replace the void left by his wife’s death, what it does do is require Ford to take ownership for their faulty design, and understand that there is a steep penalty for destroying the trust that consumers put in them.

If you or a loved one has been injured or wrongfully killed in an auto accident in the DFW area due to the negligence of someone else contact Haire Law for a free evaluation to see how we can help.

It should be safe to bet that if you own a cell phone, you have at one time or another used it while driving.  While most of us are guilty of this sin at times, most of us would like to think we do so appropriately.  With a growing trend across the country to ban all cell phone usage and texting while driving all together, Texas isn’t following this trend just yet.  Texas Legislators tried recently to pass legislation but failed because Gov. Rick Perry vetoed the Legislature’s ban on text messaging.  Perry believes the distracted driving legislation is a “government effort to micromanage the behavior of adults.” Perry also feels “the keys to dissuading drivers of all ages from texting while driving are information and education.” The only area where Perry doesn’t seem to mind taking away freedom of choice in this matter is when it comes to under age drivers and school zones.  Below is a list of the newly passed Texas distracted drivers laws for your education and some teenage driver’s statistics that should make you happy these laws have been approved.

Texas Distracted Drivers Laws:

• Drivers under the age of 18 are prohibited from using cell phones and text messaging devices.

• Drivers prohibited from using handheld devices in school crossing zones.

• School bus operators prohibited from using cell phones while driving if children are present.

• Learners permit holders are prohibited from using handheld cell phones in the first six months of driving.

2009 Teenage Accident Statistics and Cell Phones

• Talking on a cell phone while driving can make a young driver’s reaction time as slow as that of a 70-year-old

• 56% of teenagers admit to talking on their cell phones behind the wheel

• Teens admittedly say that texting is their number one driver distraction

• 34% of drivers under 18 admit to texting while driving

• 48% of young Americans ages 12-17 say they’ve been in a car while the driver was texting

• Each year, 21% of fatal car crashes involving teenagers between the ages of 16 and 19 were the result of cell phone usage

• The AAA reports that car and traffic accidents are the leading cause of death for people ages 15 to 20 years old

Motor vehicle accidents are the leading cause of teen deaths, accounting for 38% of all teen fatalities in the U.S. In fact, every day, more than 10 drivers in the 15 to 20 age group are killed in car accidents. An additional 745 are injured.

If you or your child have been hurt in a motor vehicle collision caused by someone else’s negligence, contact a us today to learn about your legal rights. You may be able to recover compensation for your lost wages, medical bills and even your pain and suffering. Send us a message here.

The Haire law group

www.hrj-law.com

940-484-5555

• Try not to overexert yourself while working outside.
• While outside drink plenty of fluids, at least a quart an hour.
• Wear loose fitting clothing that is light in color and fabric.
• Keep your head cool by always wearing a hat and sunblock.
• Do not drink caffeine or alcohol because they can cause dehydration.

Following these simple tips should help many people avoid heat exhaustion and heat stroke while working on the job.  If someone you know gets heat stroke, call 911 immediately because it is considered an emergency.

• Car accident
• Motorcycle accident
• Truck accident
• Pedestrian accident
• TBI- Traumatic brain injury

The Haire Law firm, 940-484-5555

The following info includes a few safety tips for motorist to help prevent pedestrian fatality or accidents at intersections…

• Stop on Red: It is a simple and much known rule to stop on Red but many drivers often need a reminder to come to a full stop at stop signs and red lights.
• Drive Defensively: Even if you have the right of way through the intersection slow down below the speed limit and check the intersection before driving through it. You have to ensure others are not going to run a red-light.
• Look for the Pedestrian and Bicyclists: If you arrive at an intersection with a cross walk, double check to see if a pedestrian or bicyclist are in your path before turning.
• Leave Distance: Do not follow too closely behind another vehicle; this can constrict your view of the cars in front of that vehicle coming to a quick stop.
• Turn Signals: Whether you driving or riding a bike, it is important to use the proper turn signal in enough time to notify the other drives that you are turning or switching lanes.
• Consider other Factors: If the weather is bad it is important to be extra cautious to look out for pedestrians and cyclists. Conditions may be out of your control like heavy rain causing issues with visibility, fogging windows, icy streets, and more. Take extra precaution when driving in dangerous situations. Also, if there is already an accident it is important to slow down and pass the accident with caution.

Both car accidents and pedestrian accidents can be avoided by simply following traffic laws and paying attention to signs, other vehicles and being extra cautious in intersections. Haire Law is a Law Firm in Denton and Dallas Texas, with experienced car accident lawyers, pedestrian accident attorneys and personal injury lawyers. Haire law is a Texas law firm dedicated to help victims that experience personal injury or family fatality due to neglect.