USING ELECTRONIC DEVICES WHILE DRIVING IS SERIOUS SAFETY PROBLEM - FLORIDA - TRIPP LAW FIRM – Personal Injury Law - STATEWIDE - CAR ACCIDENT ATTORNEY • TOLL FREE (888) 392-5297 • Speak to an attorney NOW!

STATEWIDE - The National Highway Traffic Highway Administration estimates that any given moment during daylight hours in the United States, about 660,000 drivers use cell phone or other electronic devices while driving. Perhaps the most dangerous use of electronic devices while driving is texting while driving. Texting while driving involves all 3 major types of distraction - Visual, Manual, and Cognitive.

Visual distraction takes your eyes off the road. Manual distraction takes your hands off the wheel. Cognitive distraction takes your mind off driving.

If you or a loved one are injured by the negligence and improper conduct of another, call the TRIPP LAW FIRM – Personal Injury Law at (888-392-5297) for an immediate, confidential case evaluation. There is NO Fee and NO Costs if we do not obtain a Recovery for YOU.

At the TRIPP LAW FIRM, we have the necessary experience to protect your rights and pursue the money damages you deserve. Don’t hesitate to call us. We answer our phones 24/7/365. The injury law team and staff private investigators at the TRIPP LAW FIRM are ready on a moment’s notice.

TRIPP LAW FIRM – Personal Injury Law

http://www.trippfirm.com/

GM recalls 100,000 vehicles over crash-safety concerns.| Avalanche | CTS | Escalade | Silverado

NATIONAL - The AP recently reported General Motors is recalling nearly 100,000 vehicles to address issues related to crash safety. Postings with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration said GM was recalling nearly 96,000 2005 to 2007 models of the Cadillac CTS for airbag defects.

GM said "repeated flexing of the sensing mat in the passenger seat can cause the mat to bend or fold so much that the sensor may not detect a passenger is sitting in the seat. Therefore, the sensor wouldn't activate the airbag in the event of a crash."

The automaker also recalled about 1,300 2011 models of the Chevrolet Avalanche 1500, GMC Sierra 1500, Cadillac Escalade, and Silverado 1500 for rear axle defects that can cause unexpected crashes.

TRIPP LAW FIRM - Personal Injury Law

www.trippfirm.com

AUTO ACCIDENT ATTORNEY | Wrongful Death | Attorney G. Alan Tripp, Jr. | DRUNK DRIVING | Highway Deaths Lowest Since 1950

NATIONWIDE - Highway deaths fell to 33,808 in the U.S. for the year 2009, the lowest number since 1950. The decline in traffic fatalities occurred even while estimated vehicle miles traveled in 2009 increased by 0.2 percent over 2008 levels, according to the Department of Transportation.

In addition, 2009 saw the lowest fatality and injury rates ever recorded: 1.13 deaths per 100 million vehicle miles traveled in 2009, compared to 1.26 deaths for 2008. 

Fatalities declined in all categories of vehicles including motorcycles, which saw fatalities fall by 850 from 2008, breaking an 11-year cycle of annual increases. 

In addition, the number of people injured in motor vehicle crashes in 2009 declined for a tenth straight year in a row, falling an estimated 5.5 percent from 2008, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. 

Alcohol impaired driving fatalities declined by 7.4 percent in 2009 – 10,839 compared to 11,711 reported in 2008. Overall, 33 states and Puerto Rico experienced a decline in the number of alcohol-impaired driving fatalities in 2009 compared to 2008. 

"Today's numbers reflect the tangible benefits of record seat belt use and strong anti-drunk driving enforcement campaigns," said NHTSA Administrator David Strickland. "But we are still losing more than 30,000 lives a year on our highways, and about a third of these involve drunk driving."

You or a loved one INJURED?

CALL the TRIPP LAW FIRM - Personal Injury Law 

for a FREE confidential case evaluation 24/7

DIAL 1- 888 - 392 - LAWS (5297)

Injury Attorney G. Alan Tripp, Jr. is available to take your call!

NYTimes blasts Toyota for failing to comply with NHTSA rules.

According to the The New York Times, "All automakers in the United States are required to report flaws in their vehicles to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration within five (5) business days of detection," but Toyota "has repeatedly failed to report potentially deadly problems.

The latest omission to be brought to light -- and not by the automaker -- regards problems with steering wheel relay rods, which transmit changes in direction from the steering gearbox to the wheels. ... Toyota has a lot to explain about why it delayed informing American regulators about the faulty rods - and why it told the N.H.T.S.A. it had received no complaints in the United States."

www.trippfirm.com

TRIPP LAW FIRM - Personal Injury Law

TOYOTA | Sudden Acceleration cases | U S District Judge orders Toyota to turn over documents

Last week a federal judge ordered Toyota Motor Corp. to turn over thousands of pages of records to lawyers who have sued the Japanese automaker because of alleged sudden-acceleration problems. US District Judge gave Toyota thirty days to turn over documents that it had previously supplied Congress and the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.

The release of these documents would help lawyers prepare a consolidated class-action lawsuit that would seek compensation for Toyota owners.

www.trippfirm.com       TRIPP LAW FIRM - Personal Injury Law

NHTSA opens new Toyota probe STEERING -RELAY ROD

NATIONAL - According to The Washington Post (5/11, Whoriskey) reports NHTSA is "opening a second investigation into whether Toyota delayed notifying government authorities of a dangerous defect, this one affecting the steering systems of nearly 1 million sport-utility vehicles and pickup trucks. The probe...comes a little more than a month after the agency fined the automaker $16. 4 million for waiting at least four months before notifying safety officials about a 'sticky pedal' defect. ...The new investigation involves a problem with the steering-relay rod on Toyota 4Runner SUVs, Toyota T100 pickups and Toyota pickups affecting some 1989 through 1998 models."

www.trippfirm.com        TRIPP LAW FIRM - Personal Injury Law

Nissan recall to address potential Infiniti air bag problems.

NATIONAL - Nissan said yesterday that the company "will recall nearly 135,000 Infiniti G35 sedans and coupes to address a problem that could lead to the air bag not deploying in a crash."

Nissan "said the recall involves G35 Coupes from the 2005 to 2007 model years and G35 Sedans from the 2005 to 2006 model year."

The NHTSA said the company "had not yet provided the agency with a plan to fix the vehicles."

www.trippfirm.com    -    TRIPP LAW FIRM - Personal Injury Law

TOYOTA MOTORS - Toyota Corolla Steering Complaints Under Review – Another Safety Issue?

NATIONAL – According to Automotive News, Toyota may have another safety headache on it hands, this time involving the popular Corolla model.

According to various media reports, the. U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) is reviewing a number of complaints involving steering on the 2009-2010 Toyota Corolla, and may open a formal probe. The Corolla has been the subject of 83 power-steering complaints to the NHTSA. At least 76 of those reports involved the Corolla unexpectedly veers to the left or right at 40 miles an hour and up.

In recent months, Toyota has also recalled millions of vehicles around the world because of incidents of dangerous, unintended acceleration. Just a few months prior, in September 2009, Toyota announced it was recalling and replacing floor mats on approximately 4.2 million vehicles which were allegedly causing accelerator pedals in the vehicles to become stuck in the depressed position, leading to uncontrollable and rapid acceleration of the vehicle.

These recalls have put into question Toyota’s reputation for quality and reliability. Last months recall also created huge legal headaches for the automaker, which now faces at least 35 lawsuits filed by customers in the U.S. and Canada alleging, among other things, negligence and unjust enrichment.

www.trippfirm.com

Chrysler to recall 24,000 vehicles over brake defect.

NATIONAL - The AP (1/19) reported, "Chrysler Group LLC is recalling 24,177 vehicles because of a defect that could result in brake failure. The recall includes 2010 models of the

• Chrysler Sebring,
• Dodge Avenger,
• Dodge Nitro,
• Jeep Commander,
• Jeep Grand Cherokee, 
• Jeep Liberty,
• 2009-10 Dodge Ram pickup."

Chrysler "said the problem was discovered during routine quality inspections and that it received no owner complaints or reports of injuries." The Wall Street Journal (1/20, Linebaugh) noted that the NHTSA announced the recall.

http://www.trippfirm.com/

Air Bag Deployment – Ford – F-150 – Truck – Air Bags – complaints - injuries

NATIONAL - The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration has opened an investigation into unnecessary air-bag deployments that could affect as many as 530,000 Ford F-150 pickups.

The agency says it has received eight (8) complaints from owners of 2005 models saying the driver’s side air bag deployed “during ignition or seconds after the engine had started.” Some complained of burns or bruises as a result of the air bag deployment.

http://www.trippfirm.com/

Toyota/Lexus floor-mat problem may have been known since 2007

NATIONAL - In the "Wheels" blog at the New York Times, Christopher Jensen wrote, "Toyota and the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration issued a warning on Tuesday about floor mats possibly jamming accelerators on 3.8 million Toyotas. But the company and the agency have known about the problem for more than two years." A 2007 NHTSA investigation "made it clear the automaker had a problem with the design of the accelerator pedal and the all-weather, rubber floor mats that were an option."

To read more - CLICK ON THE LINK - wheels.blogs.nytimes.com

www.trippfirm.com

Fatal crash prompts Toyota-LEXUS to order floor mat inspections

NATIONAL - According to the San Diego Union-Tribune, “Toyota said Tuesday it will order all dealers to inspect their cars for mismatched floor mats after a mat was suspected of snagging a gas pedal on a runaway Lexus, ending with a fiery crash that killed four family members in San Diego County."

The piece notes that the family was riding in a loaner car from a Lexus dealership. "Investigators with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration have determined that a rubber all-weather floor mat found in the wreckage was slightly longer than the mat that belonged in the vehicle. That could have snared or covered the accelerator pedal."

A preliminary investigation into a crash that killed four found the wrong floor mat was installed in the loaner Lexus sedan."

Source – San Diego Union-Tribune

www.trippfirm.com

FDOT safety campaign to target aggressive driving • INTERSTATE 75 • Florida • Avoid CRASHES • Trucks • Semi-Tractor-Trailer • Cars

TAMPA - The Florida Department of Transportation's Motor Carrier Compliance Office and the Center for Urban Transportation Research are teaming up to launch a Better Driver safety campaign, specifically targeting aggressive drivers on Interstate 75. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration estimates 67% of crash fatalities and 33% of injuries involved aggressive driving, including both trucks and passenger cars.

FOR MORE INFORMATION CLICK - www.betterdriver.org

www.trippfirm.com

TRIPP LAW FIRM, P.A. – A Personal Injury Law Firm that is Dedicated to Helping Injured People throughout the State of Florida.

CALL FOR A FREE CONSULTATION - 1 (888) 392-LAWS (5297)

Prompt and Aggressive Representation, with a personal touch.

NO FEE OR COSTS IF NO RECOVERY.

FLORIDA SEAT BELT LAW – 2009 – NHTSA says would save an estimated 124 lives, avoid 1,733 serious injuries and save $408 million dollars annually

The Florida Senate has recently passed a measure that toughens the state's seat belt law. The Senate voted 33-4 and the House passed the bill (SB 344) with a 95-20 vote to allow police officers to pull over drivers who fail to buckle up. Gov. Charlie Crist indicated he was ready to sign it into law. The Safety Belt Law was named in memory of Dori Slosberg and Katie Marchetti, two young women killed in accidents. Katie, 16, was heading home from Sarasota when a crash outside Sun City Center caused her to be thrown from the vehicle and into the middle of Interstate 75, where she was hit by an oncoming vehicle. Dori, 14, was one of five teens killed 13 years ago in a 1996 crash. Those wearing seat belts survived.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration statistics that show Florida would save an estimated 124 lives, avoid 1,733 serious injuries and save $408 million a year.

Florida Injury Attorney G. Alan Tripp, Jr., encourages drivers and passengers alike to “buckle up for safety, buckle up!” If you or a loved one has been injured in an accident, call the TRIPP LAW FIRM – Personal Injury Law for a FREE immediate telephone consultation.

CALL The TRIPP LAW FIRM at (888) 392-LAWS (5297) 24 hours a day 7 days a week to speak with an injury team member and/or Attorney G. Alan Tripp, Jr.

www.trippfirm.com