Toyota Recieving Complaints On Prius Brakes

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The Chicago Sun Times reported recently that the Toyota Motor Company has relieved over 100 complaints about the brakes on their Prius automobile needing assistance from brake services.

The U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration has received about 100 complaints involving the brakes of the Prius new model. Two involved car crashes resulting in injuries.

Japan’s transport ministry said Wednesday it has also received 14 complaints since July last year about brake problems with Toyota’s new Prius hybrid.

The 14 complaints included an auto accident in July 2009, in which a Prius crashed head on into another car at an intersection. Transport ministry official Masaya Ota said two people were slightly injured in the auto accident.

The ministry ordered Toyota, the world’s No. 1 automaker, to investigate the complaints. The other 13 cases happened from December to January 2010. Ota said the ministry has yet to receive a formal report on the complaints from Toyota.

U.S. Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood told The Associated Press Tuesday that federal officials had to alert Toyota to the seriousness of the safety issues that eventually led to the recalls.

“They should have taken it seriously from the very beginning when we first started discussing it with them,” he said. “Maybe they were a little safety deaf.”

LaHood also said the U.S. government was considering civil penalties for Toyota for having dragged its feet on safety concerns.

I will be monitoring these issues closely as the investigations continue. Click here to read the entire article.

If you or someone you know has been involved in a Chicago car accident or Chicago truck accident, then call attorney Aaron Bryant for a free consultation on your case at 312-588-3384.

Federal Government Bans Texting For Truckers And Bus Drivers

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On Tuesday, the federal government formally barred truckers and bus drivers from sending text messages while behind the wheel, putting its imprimatur on a prohibition embraced by many large trucking and transportation companies.

“We want the drivers of big rigs and buses and those who share the roads with them to be safe,” said U.S. Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood. “This is an important safety step, and we will be taking more to eliminate the threat of distracted driving.”
 
19 states, including Illinois, have banned texting while driving for all drivers. The Federal Government may not be far behind.  Soon after the NHSTA made this announcement, a group of Senators introduced new legislation that would ban texting by all drivers.

This move by the Federal government is not surprising at all. Texting bans appear to be the trend for local governments and now he federal government. It will be interesting to see if and when the new legislation passes.

If you or someone you know has been involved in a Chicago car accident or Chicago truck accident, then call attorney Aaron Bryant for a free consultation at 312-588-3384.

AAA Issues Simple Tips For Safe Driving

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I have written a lot in the past several months about several laws that Illinois legislators have passed to help make the roads safer. This includes the ban on cell phone use and the ban on texting while driving.  While these new laws are helpful and will hopefully make the roads safer, there are several little things that can help make you a “heads up” driver. AAA recently issued a press release that discusses simple steps all drivers can take to help make the roads safer. Take a look at the below list. These may seem obvious, but they can protect you, your family and, of course, other drivers. 

  1. PLAN AHEAD.  Read maps and check traffic conditions before you get on the road.
  2. STOW ELECTRONIC DEVICES.  Turn off your phone before you drive so you won’t be tempted to use it while on the road. Pull over to a safe place to talk on the phone or to send and receive text messages or emails.
  3. PREPARE KIDS AND PETS FOR THE TRIP.  Get the kids safely buckled in and situated with snacks and entertainment before you start driving. If they need additional attention during the trip, pull off the road safely to care for them.  Similarly, prepare and secure pets appropriately in your vehicle before getting underway.
  4. SATISFY THAT CRAVING OFF THE ROAD.  Eat meals and snacks before getting behind the wheel, or stop to eat and take a break if driving long-distance.
  5. STORE LOOSE GEAR AND POSSESSIONS.  Stash away loose objects that could roll around and take your attention away from driving.
  6. GET YOUR VEHICLE ROAD-READY.  Adjust seat positions, climate controls, sound systems and other devices before you leave or while your vehicle is stopped.  Make sure your headlights are spotless so you can see everything on the road and every other driver can see you better. Keep your windshield clean and remove dangling objects that could block your view.
  7. DRESS FOR SUCCESS – BEFORE YOU GET IN THE CAR.  Your car isn’t a dressing room.  Brush your hair, shave, put on make-up, and tie your necktie before you leave or once you reach your destination.
  8. GET YOUR BRAIN IN THE GAME.  Focus on the task at hand – driving safely. Scan the road, use mirrors and practice identifying orally what you just saw to enhance your engagement as a driver. Really focusing on maintaining your thoughts about the road, when you’re on the road, can help you improve your overall awareness and behavior as a driver, and help you see the importance of ‘being in the game.’ AAA offers classroom and online defensive driving courses that directly address distracted driving and offer tips for maintaining attention while driving.
  9. EVALUATE YOUR OWN BEHAVIOR FROM THE ‘OTHER’ SIDE OF THE ROAD.  When you’re on the road as a passenger or a pedestrian, take a look around and honestly evaluate whether you engage in poor driving behaviors that worry you when observed in other passengers or pedestrians.
  10. USE NEW TECHNOLOGY TO MAKE YOU A BETTER DRIVER.  Sharpen your ability to respond quickly to risks on the road. The AAA Foundation recommends all drivers improve their reaction times and managing attention on the road by using DriveSharp, a computer program proven to improve reaction time and stopping distances. With quicker responses, you can avoid the distracted driver who might end up in your lane.

If you or someone you know has been involved in a Chicago car accident or an Illinois truck accident, then call attorney Aaron Bryant for a free consultation at 312-588-3384.

NHTSA Responds To Toyota’s 3rd Recall

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The National Highway Transportation Safety Administration issued a press release yesterday regarding Toyota’s recent recall of the Prius and Lexus HS 250H based on break system problems.  Based on these recent issues with Toyota, the Department has opened its own investigation.

“Last Thursday, NHTSA opened a formal investigation of 2010 Toyota Prius hybrid vehicles in response to consumer complaints about braking difficulties, and today, Toyota has acknowledged a safety defect,” said U.S. Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood. “When I spoke with Toyota President Akio Toyoda last week, he assured me that his company takes U.S. safety concerns very seriously. The U.S. DOT will remain in constant communication with Toyota to hold them to that promise. In the meantime, if you are concerned about your car’s braking performance, contact your Toyota dealer.”

NHTSA recommends that owners contact Toyota dealers immediately if they notice changes in their braking performance.

Loss of braking is most likely to occur when traveling over an uneven road surface, pothole or bump. If this occurs, the agency advises owners to continue to firmly press on the brake to stop the vehicle. As an extra precaution, drivers can leave extra stopping distance while awaiting their recall notice.

If you or someone you know has been involved in a Chicago car accident or Chicago truck accident, then call attorney Aaron Bryant for free consultation on your case at 312-588-3384.

New Study Shows Older Workers Have Lower Work Comp Costs

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The National Consortium for Compensation Insurance (NCCI) published a new study, which revealed that indemnity costs for injured workers aged 65 and older are generally lower than younger employees because they are generally paid less, according to a new study.

That  finding came in a detailed new report on older workers’ injury claims by the National Council on Compensation Insurance, which noted that the number of workers 65 and older has increased by nearly 50 percent since the late 1980s and is likely “to increase in light of recent financial and economic disruptions.” 

Its latest report examined not only how workers aged 65 and older differed  from all workers in terms of their share of indemnity claims, but also for medical payments, frequency and cost per claim. It also looked at implications for workers’ comp claims management and loss costs.

In addition to the findings on lost wage indemnity payments, key conclusions in the report were:

• Falls, slips and trips are by far the greatest cause of injury among older workers.

• Medical severity is higher for older workers, although the differential between workers aged 65 and older and nearby age cohorts is small.

• Shares of indemnity and medical payments of older workers have a close relationship to their share of claims.

• Frequency is less for older workers, especially in the more hazardous manufacturing and construction-related industries and occupations. In contrast, claim frequency is higher for older workers in the leisure and hospitality industry and food preparation and service occupations (as well as in sales and related occupations).

To read the entire article from Property Casualty News, click here.

If you or someone you know has an Illinois workers compensation claim or has been involved in Chicago car accident or Chicago truck accident, then call attorney Aaron Bryant for a free consultation at 312-588-3384.

IL Supreme Court Rules In Favor Of Injured Worker Fired For Cause

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Imagine this scenario: you have been hurt on the job and your employer accepts the work accident and you relieve workers compensation benefits. At some point you do something that your employer deems as a fire-able offense, yet is unrelated to the workers compensation case. What do you do now?  What if you are still not healthy enough to return to the work force?  Based on the recent Illinois Supreme Court ruling in Interstate Scaffolding v. Illinois Workers Compensation Commission. (1-22-2010, Docket # 107852), injured employees are still due their workers compensation benefits such as temporary total disability (TTD otherwise known as off-work payments) and medical treatment. The following is the Court’s holding:

“when an employee who is entitled to receive workers’compensation benefits as a result of a work-related injury is later terminated for conduct unrelated to the injury, the employer’s obligation to pay TTD workers’ compensation benefits continues until the employee’s medical condition has stabilized and he has reached maximum medical improvement.”

This is a giant victory for injured workers in Illinois. This ruling provides protection to employees and stands by the principal that benefits are related to the principal question of whether the worker is unable to work due to the work related injury.

Click here, to read the entire Supreme Court decision.

If you or someone you know has an Illinois workers compensation claim or hurt on the job, then call attorney Aaron Bryant at 312-588-3384 for a free consultation and let him help you collect the benefits and money you deserve.

IDOT And Illinois State Police Kick Off Impaired Driving Campaign

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On February 4, The Illinois Department of Transportation announced  its new impaired driving campaign with the Illinois State Police. The program is titled Buzzed Driving is Drunk Driving. The timing of this campaign is an attempt to prevent drunk driving during Super Bowl weekend, which is notorious for football fans being out and about at various parties and watering holes.

“Throughout Super Bowl weekend, the Illinois State Police will remain diligent in enforcing driving under the influence and the other fatal five violations, including speeding, safety belt use, improper lane usage and following too closely,” said Illinois State Police Director Jonathon Monken.  “Law enforcement recognizes the big game brings fans together to celebrate, and alcoholic beverages are often part of the celebration.  If you choose to drink, don’t drive.  Ask someone to be a designated driver prior to starting your celebration or call a taxi service to make sure you arrive home safely.”

The Illinois Department of Transportation’s Division of Traffic Safety suggests the following tips for those planning to consume alcohol while watching the Super Bowl:

  • Designate a sober driver before the party begins;

  • Call a taxi, use mass transit, or call a sober friend or family member to get you home safely; 

  • Use your community’s designated driver program, if established;

  • Report impaired drivers to law enforcement;
     
  • Spend the night where the activity is being held and sleep it off;
     
  • Always buckle up – it’s your best defense against an impaired driver.

Remember to be careful on the roads this weekend.

If you or someone you know has been involved in an Chicago car accident or Chicago truck accident or have been charged with a DUIor another traffic violation, then call attorney Aaron Bryant for a free consultation at 312-588-3384.

Illinois Supreme Court Rules Medical Malpractice Caps Are Unconstitutional

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The Illinois Supreme Court struck down the state’s medical malpractice law today, saying it violates separation of powers by allowing lawmakers to interfere with a judge’s ability to reduce verdicts.

State lawmakers in 2005 passed legislation, which was signed into law by then-Gov. Rod Blagojevich, that established caps on noneconomic damages of $500,000 in cases against doctors and $1 million against hospitals. Illinois followed other states, such as California, that capped damages years ago.

But Justices writing said they were not persuaded by arguments used in other states. “That ‘everybody is doing it,” is hardly a litmus test for the constitutionality of the statute,” Justices writing for the majority opinion said.

Further, Justices said that what the statute allows for amounts to a “legislative remittur.” Chief Justice Thomas Fitzgerald delivered the judgment for the seven-member court and was joined in the opinion by Justices Charles Freeman, Thomas Kilbride and Anne Burke. Justice Robert Thomas took no part in the decision, the ruling said.

One of the many arguments made by the trial lawyers is that malpractice insurance companies are trying to blame patients who have been harmed by medical errors. They say insurance reform is what is needed to spur competition and keep physicians and hospital malpractice premiums low.

This is a huge victory for the injured victims in Illinois and finally settled a long debate. It is almost certain that this issue is not going away and that the insurance lobby will do everything in their power to overturn this ruling.

If you or someone you know has suffered from a personal injury, a Chicago car accident or Chicago workers compensation accident, then call attorney Aaron Bryant for a free consultation at 312-588-3384.

Insurance Study Questions Effectiveness Of Distrated Driving Laws

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The Washington Post published an article last week that discussed a study performed by the Highway Lost Data Institute (an Insurance industry group). The study reveals that distracted driving laws, such as bans on texting and cell phone use while driving, has not decreased the number of car accidents in several states. The study looked a car accident data from New York, California, Connecticut and Washington D.C.

The organization found that claims rates did not go down after the laws were enacted. It also found no change in patterns compared with nearby states without such bans.

Adrian Lund, the group’s president, said the finding doesn’t bode well “for any safety payoff from all the new laws.”

Not everyone is happy with the results of this study and the way this information is being handled.  Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood also has been campaigning against texting and cell phone use while driving. In a blog post Friday, LaHood dismissed the new study’s conclusions as irresponsible and said the study will lead people “to wrongly conclude that talking on cell phones while driving is not dangerous.”

The Post did not provide a link to the actual study but it seems a little premature to come to such a drastic conclusion. Saying the new law “do not work” seems overreaching at this point. I would like to look at the actual study and the numbers first as this article does state whether the data is looking at the gross number of accidents or accidents believed to be caused by distracted drivers. It will be interesting to see how safety groups around the country respond to the study and its’ findings.

If you or someone you know has been involved in a Chicago car accident or Chicago truck accident, then call attorney Aaron Bryant for a free consultation at 312-588-3384.

Toyata Releases Full List Of Recalled Vehicles

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I wrote earlier this week about the Toyota recall and the remedies they were implementing regarding their floor mat and accelerator defect. Toyota has now extended the number of vehicles and has released the whole list on their website. The following vehicles have been recalled:

2008-2010 Highlander
2009-2010 Corolla
2009-2010 Venza
2009-2010 Matrix
2009-2010 Pontiac Vibe

Toyota released the following statement:

“Toyota’s remedy plan is to modify or replace the accelerator pedals on the subject vehicles to address the risk of floor mat entrapment, even when an older-design all weather floor mat or other inappropriate mat is improperly attached, or is placed on top of another floor mat.  Floor surface modifications are also being considered and will be included in the remedy plan for any model for which it is deemed appropriate.
 
Initially, dealers will be instructed on how to reshape the accelerator pedal for the repair.  As replacement parts with the same shape as the modified pedal become available, they will be made available to the dealers for the repair. Customers who have had the pedal reshape remedy completed will have the opportunity to receive a new pedal if they desire, after replacement pedals become available.
 
In addition, Toyota will replace any Toyota all-weather floor mat in a subject vehicle with a newly designed mat, free of charge. For those customers who have the previous design all-weather floor mat but do not need or want the newly designed all-weather floor mat, Toyota will recover the previous design all-weather floor mat and reimburse its price.”

I wonder if the Matrix Zipcar I use up the street is still around?  I guess I will find out soon enough.

If you or someone you know has been involved in a Chicago car accident or Chicago truck accident, then call attorney Aaron Bryant for a free consultation at 312-588-3384.