Friday, July 8, 2011

Study: Mobile Devices in Albuquerque, New Mexico Create Biggest Driver Distractions

Cell phones are major cause of auto and truck accidents in Albuquerque.  Don't talk or text while you are driving.

By Mark Caruso, Personal Injury and Wrongful Death Attorney (Albuquerque, NM)
 
A recently released study by the Governors Highway Safety Association (GHSA) revealed that cell phones and other mobile devices cause nearly 25 percent of U.S. car crashes each year. The GHSA, a nonprofit group that focuses on improved traffic safety, evaluated more than 350 scientific papers on distracted driving that have been published since 2000.
 

 
The study found that drivers are distracted nearly 50 percent of the time while operating a vehicle and that the use of a cell phone or other mobile device while driving caused a significant increase in the risk of crashing.

In 2009, there were almost 5,500 deaths and 500,000 injuries that resulted from distracted driving crashes, according to data from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). 
The GHSA suggested state safety measures, such as a complete ban on cell phone use for novice drivers and a texting ban for all drivers.


For more information on auto accident cases, contact Caruso Law Offices, P.C. at 505-883-5000 or see our website at www.carusolaw.com

Lawsuit: GM Concealed Defect in 2007-2008 Impalas

A Pennsylvania woman is suing General Motors Co., claiming the U.S. auto manufacturer should be forced to repair a rear-end defect it concealed from owners of more than 400,000 Chevrolet Impalas.

The lawsuit claims defective rear-wheel spindle rods on the 2007-2008 models of Chevrolet Impala vehicles may cause the tires to prematurely wear out.

In 2008, GM instructed dealers to replace the rear spindle rods on 24,000 Impalas that had been sold to police departments throughout the nation.


The lawsuit, which is seeking class action status, alleges GM should also be compelled to repair Impalas that were purchased by over 400,000 consumers during the same time period.


Donna Trusky, who filed the lawsuit, purchased an Impala in February 2008, but had to replace the tires after only 6,000 miles. The dealer that paid to replace Trusky's rear tires failed to mention the potential problem with the rear spindle rods. The rear tires had to be replaced again when the vehicle had only 24,000 miles. The suit claims GM concealed the existence of the defect from all class members, particularly those who took their Impala vehicles to dealers for repairs.


For more information on defective products cases, contact Caruso Law Offices, P.C. at 505-883-5000 or contact us at http://www.carusolaw.com/