Watch Where You’re Walking! Fatal Pedestrian Accidents Are on the Rise! We know that the increase in motor vehicles accidents is the result of distracted drivers using mobile phones while they are driving. However, did you know that according to a new study just released by the Governors Highway Safety Association, 2016 could be the deadliest year in more than two decades with 6,000 pedestrian deaths You may have seen the funny videos posted online of people walking down the sidewalk, head down, glued to their smart phone, oblivious to their surroundings and falling into fountains and pools. But with cameras watching nearly everywhere, it isn’t a laughing matter to see videos of pedestrians, seeming unaware of their surroundings, being mowed down by distracted drivers. With their dense populations and high traffic volumes, bigger cities are more dangerous for pedestrians than smaller cities and towns. But preliminary data shows that even rural states, like Iowa, saw an increase in deadly pedestrian accidents. Iowa experienced a 35% increase over the first half of 2016 over the first half of 2015. (Iowa had 8 fatal pedestrian accidents in first half of 2015 and 11 fatal pedestrian accidents in the first 6 months of 2016 – a 37.5% increase). There are many factors that are causing the rise in car and pedestrian accidents. Experts advise that you use common sense and, just like when you are driving, you should put your smart phone down while walking, especially when approaching and walking through cross walks and intersections. Iowa Fatal Pedestrian Accident Attorney
Hiring the right Iowa fatal pedestrian accident attorney is probably the most important decision you will ever have to make in your life. To find out if we are right fit for you, call us at 515-283-2116 to schedule a free and confidential consultation with attorney John T. Hemminger. Source: Governors Highway Safety Association, “Pedestrian Traffic Fatalities by State”, accessed March 31, 2017.
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Many people are not aware of just how vulnerable they are to liability exposure, especially when it comes to driving. These days many Americans not only use their cars to get from point A to B, but most of us talk on our phones in the car, conduct business from our cars and sometimes work in a meal while we’re at it. Driving is completely routine until we have a near miss, or worse, get into an accident, sometimes resulting in injury to ourselves or others.
Because of the prevalence of car accidents, especially among younger drivers, it is important to have enough insurance coverage to protect you when you are at fault. Taking the time to review your insurance policy, noting that different policies cover you in different ways, will help to ensure that you have coverage when you need it the most. Liability Coverage Policies cover liability and expenses when you are at fault in an accident. They provide money for the party that is struck, not the occupants of your car:
Nearly every state requires car owners to carry some kind of liability insurance and will often have required minimum values you must carry. Of course, minimum coverage isn’t necessarily your best bet. Because the potential for a car accident is high, it is recommended that you carry the highest auto liability insurance limits you can afford. The premium for $250,000 per person/$500,000 per accident bodily injury liability limit typically does not cost much more than that of a $50,000 per person/$100,000 per accident limit. For five times the coverage, paying a little bit extra will help you to handle the financial consequences of causing a car accident or having a teen driver involved in one. Most people never expect to be involved in a car or truck accident, but the reality is that motor vehicle crashes are all too common. The number of cars on the road, drivers distracted on their cell phones and other factors contribute to the risks of an injury accident. When accidents do occur, the at fault party is liable for injuries and property damage suffered by the other party – having adequate insurance coverage is key. If you or a family member has been injured in an Iowa car accident, contact the Des Moines Personal Injury Law Offices of John T. Hemminger for help. Our firm offers experienced representation to clients who have been injured in motor vehicle accidents including car accidents, truck accidents, motorcycle accidents and bicycle and pedestrian motor vehicle crashes. We fight hard for clients and seek maximum compensation to help clients recover lost wages, medical bills, pain and suffering, and future medical and rehabilitative care. Call today at 515-283-2116. Last year over 400 people were killed in Iowa traffic accidents and public safety officials believe distracted and impaired driving contributed to the problem. As the number of traffic fatalities rise year over year, proposed legislation includes more severe consequences to deter texting-while-driving and drunk driving.
Those arrested for or convicted of an Iowa DUI, may be subject to a twice daily sobriety check if proposed legislation succeeds. The legislation also would require participants in the sobriety monitoring program to install ignition interlock devices in their vehicles to stop drivers from starting their cars when impaired. Both monitoring and ignition interlock devices will be paid for by Iowa DUI defendants in addition to other penalties and fines. As for texting while driving – a significant source of distracted driving in Iowa – proposed legislation would make it a primary offense. This will empower law enforcement to cite drivers as they observe individuals texting while operating their vehicle. In the event a driver causes a fatality while using a device such as a cellphone, they could face a felony charge under the proposed law that carries a sentence of up to 10 years in prison and a fine of up to $10,000. The rising number of fatalities in the state due to distracted and drunk driving is troubling. Unfortunately, too many Iowa families have suffered the consequences of a poor choice on the part of a negligent driver. If you or a loved one has been injured in an Iowa car or truck accident, contact our Des Moines, Iowa car accident injury lawyers at Hemminger Law Firm for help. For over 30 years, our personal injury lawyers have assisted injured Iowans and their families get the compensation they need following an injury accident. Call today 515-283-2116. Tragically, a motorcyclist was killed yesterday evening as he was exiting an Iowa construction zone. According to witnesses, the motorcyclist collided with a minivan while trying to move out of the way of another car attempting to pass him when the roadway opened back into two lanes.
Car Accidents in Construction Zones Unfortunately, accidents in and around construction zones such as this are all too common. According to the NHTSA, there were over 67,000 work zone crashes nationwide in 2013 alone, resulting in hundreds of fatalities. Some of the Causes of Construction Zone Car Accidents in Iowa can include:
If you or a family member is injured in a motor vehicle accident in or near a construction site in Iowa, you should speak with an experienced personal injury lawyer to determine fault in the accident. It may be the fault of another driver or it could also be that the construction company or a subcontractor is responsible. In the case of motorcycle accidents specifically, motorcyclists are rarely at fault in an accident as they typically operate with a heightened sense of awareness and safety. Working with experts, the Law Offices of John T Hemminger can help to reconstruct the accident to prove precisely how it was caused and who is responsible so that a just resolution can be obtained. If you or a loved one was injured in a motor vehicle accident in or around an Iowa construction zone, contact the personal injury, wrongful death Law Offices of John T. Hemminger for help. We have over 30 years of experience helping Iowans who are injured get the compensation they need. “We are in the midst of a public health crisis and it isn’t Zika,” says the president and CEO of the National Safety Council, when speaking to the rising number of highway traffic fatalities across the nation. After decades of progress in reducing fatalities, “we’re suddenly losing ground”, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA).
Last year, over thirty five thousand people died on our nation’s roadways, an increase of 7.2 percent when compared to 2014. The rising trend continues this year, with the NHTSA estimating 17,775 traffic fatalities in the first six month of 2016, a staggering 10.4 percent increase when compared to the 16,100 killed on roads and highways in the same period last year. While some of the car accidents resulting in fatalities are due to the fact that more people are driving these days due to a stronger economy and low gasoline prices, the vast majority of fatalities could be prevented by wearing seat belts, slowing down and putting away the phone says the administrator of the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. Roughly “ninety percent of crashes are attributed to a driver’s decision to drink and drive, speed or engage in distracting activities”. Mirroring what is going on in the nation, Iowa’s roadway fatalities have seen a 17.83 percent increase over last year, with 304 deaths recorded so far in 2016. State officials credit a mix of high speeds and impaired or distracted driving for contributing to the higher number of fatalities. In about half of the deaths, the victim was not wearing a seat belt. Sources: Iowa Public Radio, “Tech, Human Errors Drive Growing Death Toll In Auto Crashes”, by David Schaper, October 20, 2016; Iowa Department of Transportation, “Driver and Crash Statistics”, accessed October 21, 2016. In a move projected to save lives, the U.S. Transportation Department has proposed that trucks and buses be equipped with devices to limit their speeds. With speed limits varying across the U.S. all the way up to 85mph in some states, the department is considering setting maximum speed limits to 60, 65 or 68 for new commercial vehicles weighing more than 26,000 pounds using the speed devices. The government believes that decreasing speeds for new large vehicles will reduce fatal motor vehicle accidents involving heavy trucks and save up to a billion in fuel costs annually.
The petition for speed caps was first raised by a non-profit group, Roadsafe America, which was founded by the parents of a young Virginia man killed by a speeding tractor-trailer in an accident back in 2002. The non-profit, supported by the nation’s largest trucking industry group, American Trucking Associations, is hopeful that the new rules will pass, but would like to see the millions of older trucks on today’s highways retrofitted with the technology also. While some carriers already using speed limiters believe they are a smart move in terms of safety and economy, many truckers believe that the changes could lead to dangerous situations on the road by limiting their ability to respond to extraordinary conditions. The deciding government agencies caught in the middle of the debate are open to public comment for the next 60 days, after which, they will determine if the regulation should be approved and at what speed limit. If you or a loved one has been injured in an Iowa truck accident involving one of the many trucks that traverse the state daily, contact the truck accident injury law offices of John T. Hemminger for help. Because large commercial vehicles have the potential to cause devastating accidents, their owners and drivers are required to follow certain regulations. Violations of these rules can include drivers operating while fatigued or under the influence of drugs or alcohol, unqualified or under-qualified drivers, improper maintenance, improper loading of cargo resulting in lost loads or rollovers and basic traffic violations. Bicycling is a very popular past time in Iowa. The vast stretches of bike trails throughout the state, scenic backdrops and various cycle clubs attract many enthusiasts.
Between time on the trails, many riders take to the streets mixing with motor vehicles, which can present a particular danger to bicyclists. Just over the weekend, a 2016 RAGBRAI participant was killed after the driver of a pickup struck his bike from behind. The driver apparently did not see the bicyclist in the early hours of Sunday morning. This year 9 bicyclists have been killed in Iowa, which is nearly twice the number reported last year. Many of these fatalities were a result of a collision between a motor vehicle and a bicyclist. In order to prevent accidents, drivers of motor vehicles and bicyclists should take extra care when sharing the road. If you are riding a bicycle: Use bike trails preferentially. When you do travel along streets, try to pick those that have less traffic and slower speeds. Dress brightly to increase your odds of being seen and use lights, both front and back, if you are traveling during times when there is less sunlight. Exercise caution around possible danger zones like intersections, driveways or cars park along streets. Make eye contact with drivers at intersections when possible and use hand signals to alert drivers to changes in your direction. Give your full attention to navigating safely by tucking away your smartphone or music device. Drivers of motor vehicles: Give wide berth to bicyclists when you encounter them on the road when possible. Before pulling out from an intersection, making left or right hand turns, leaving a parking spot or even opening a car door, make sure that there are no bicyclists traveling along the roadway or sidewalk in your path. The bumper sticker “See Bicycles” sums this up succinctly as many drivers report that they did not see a bicyclists before a collision – all drivers should make a conscious effort to look for bike riders and take measures to avoid collisions. If you or a loved one has been injured a motor vehicle accident, contact the Law Offices of John T. Hemminger for help. John has represented plaintiffs in personal injury and wrongful death lawsuits for more than 30 years and has the knowledge and experience to help you recover the compensation you will need. Texting while driving is one of those things that many people claim ‘not to do’ when, in fact, it happens all too frequently. There seems to be a good amount of denial at work among drivers of all ages.
We know the dangers of distracted driving, yet many will at least steal a glance at an an incoming message while flying down the highway, while others engage in full blown text exchanges. Unfortunately, while many claim to ‘not text while driving’ the practice has become the leading cause of car accidents and the #1 killer of teens in America. You don’t have to wait long for the ‘phenomena of denial’ surrounding texting while driving to appear in yet another news report:
Texting while driving is perhaps one of the riskiest activities that can lead to car wrecks and so far the measures taken against it are not altogether effective. A good first step would be to acknowledge ‘doing it’ in the first place. Sources: KCCI.com, Bus Driver Fired for Texting While Driving Speaks Out”, by Mark Tauscheck, May 18, 2016.; The Charlotte Observer, “She Survived Her First driving-while-texting Accident – But Not Her Second”, accessed May 18, 2016.; Iowa appears to be losing ground in its efforts to curb drunk driving. Fatalities attributed to driving while intoxicated climbed to 123 last year and drunk drivers caused nearly 40 percent of all Iowa traffic fatalities.
Despite the increase in drunk driving fatalities over previous years, Iowa license revocation has dropped even as the number of drunk driving incidences grow. Some attribute this to reduced law enforcement due to budget cuts and would like to see more funding put toward increased law enforcement efforts across the state. Others believe the solution to drunk driving would be to require ignition interlock devices for first time offenders. Interlock devices prevent those with an unacceptable BAC from starting their cars keeping Iowa roads safer. Currently 23 states have mandatory ignition interlock provisions for all levels of intoxicated driving – Iowa requires the devices for repeat offenders only. In response to the growing problem, officials announced today the Governor’s Traffic Safety Bureau’s first-of-its-kind-in-Iowa Impaired Driving Coalition in an effort to reduce impaired driving across the state. The task force which includes members of various organizations such as the Department of Public Safety, Department of Corrections, the DOT and the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration will review existing Iowa laws, data and programs and propose a coordinated plan to stop impaired driving. If you or a family member has been injured in an Iowa drunk driving accident, contact the Law Offices of John T. Hemminger for help today. Attorney Hemminger has handled personal injury and wrongful death litigation for more than 30 years. He has the trial and bargaining experience to help you reach a settlement that will compensate you for your injuries and punish those responsible. Source: KCCI, “New state, county, city plan to target impaired drivers across Iowa”, May 9, 2016. In yet another example of the dangers of distracted driving and the grave consequences that can follow, a Georgia teen is being sued for recklessly using Snapchat while driving, which resulted in a car accident that severely injured another motorist. Snapchat is also being sued for negligence in the case.
Prior to the car accident last year, the young driver began using a snapchat filter that clocks the speed of vehicles spurring her on to higher speeds, despite the pleas of her passenger to slow down. Just prior to the accident, the driver reached speeds of 107mph before slamming into the back of a man’s car leaving him with traumatic brain injuries. Because of cases like this and the well-known dangers associated with driving while distracted, many are pushing for stricter laws to discourage smart phone use while driving. Currently, fourteen states prohibit the use of hand-held devices by drivers, and 46 ban texting. Texting while driving is illegal in Iowa but, the state’s ‘secondary’ texting law means that a law enforcement officer can only issue a ticket for texting if the officer witnesses a separate violation in addition to texting while driving. Some believe the law does not go far enough to protect motorists in the state. Source: New York Times, Snapchat at 107 M.P.H.? Lawsuit Blames Teenager (and Snapchat), by Katie Rogers, May 3, 2016 |
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