Fatal Motorcycle Accident on I-70

A fatal motorcycle accident occurred in Denver last Monday morning when two bikes were riding eastbound through a construction zone.  Apparently, the motorcyles were trying to pass a semi-tractor trailer, riding side by side when their handle bars touched, causing one rider to lose control.  The biker then hit a construction marker and was thrown from the motorcycle and underneath the semi.  The motorcyclist died at the scene. 

Investigators believe the bike was going too fast through the construction zone. This preventable accident brings into focus motorcycle safety.  Every spring the National Highway Transportation Safety Board reminds drivers to be extra alert of motorcyclists and to safely share the road.  Bikers should remember to make themselves visible to other vehicles. 

Other safety tips to keep in mind from the NHTSB:  Riding and alcohol don’t mix.  Alcohol affects balance and coordination, both essential to riding a motorcycle.  Statistics indicate that the percent of intoxicated motorcycle riders in fatal crashes is greater than the percentage of intoxicated drivers on the road.

Helmets save lives!  NHTSA estimates that helmets saved 1,829 lives in 2008, and that 823 more could have been saved if all motorcyclists had worn helmets.

Do insurance companies discriminate when determining policy rates?

Interesting article from cnbc.com on how insurance companies use big data to "optimize pricing" on auto and home insurance policies.  Do you think this is discrimination?
http://www.cnbc.com/id/101586404Data mining is now used to set insurance rates; critics cry foul

Medina Alerts Help Solve Hit-And-Run Cases in Colorado

Governor John Hickenlooper signed a bill today that will create statewide alerts for hit-and-run accidents in Colorado similar to Amber Alerts.  The cities of Denver and Aurora already have such notifications in place.  The legislation, known as “Medina Alerts” creates a warning to the public to assist authorities in locating vehicles that have been involved in hit and run crashes.  The message will go to patrol cars, cabdrivers, news outlets and truck drivers.  

Part of the benefit is that the alerts can be transmitted to the overhead traffic signs through the Colorado Department of Transportation. The law is named after Jose Medina, 21, who was killed by an SUV two years ago his first day on the job as a valet, when the driver sped away after hitting him.

A taxi driver that saw the accident sped after the vehicle and was able to provide law enforcement officials with the license plate number.  Those responsible were eventually arrested.

Authorities estimate that the alerts have assisted in solving 13 hit-and-run cases out of the 17 times they have been used. 

If you have been injured in an automobile accident, you need to speak to an experienced personal injury attorney right away.  Call the Law Office of Robert Paysinger at (303) 279-0221 for a free consultation or visit our website at www.paysingerlaw.com

Source:  www.denverpost.com

Teens and Distracted Driving

A study published last week by the Virginia Tech Transportation Institute indicates that teen drivers are very cautious when they start driving, but increasingly engage in risky behavior as time passes. "Novice drivers are more likely to engage in high risk secondary tasks more frequently over time as they become more comfortable driving," said Charlie Klauer, from the Center for Vulnerable Road User Safety.

The study found that in the first six months, novice drivers were careful, but as they gained experience they began to participate in distracting activities, such as dialing their cellphones, or other mobile devices.  This study was the first to look at how multitasking affects beginners as well as experienced drivers.

Researchers found that the use of hand-held cellphones or other portable devices increases the risk of crashing by 300 percent, sending or receiving a text takes the driver's eyes off the road for a little over four seconds, which is the time it would take to drive 100 yards at 55 mph.  The moral is simple: driving requires attention.

If you have been injured in an auto accident by a distracted driver, you need to speak to an experienced personal injury attorney.  Call The Law Offices of Robert Paysinger at (303) 279-0221 or visit www.paysingerlaw.com today to schedule a free consultation.

Source: USA Today

New Colorado Drunk Driving Laws Take Effect in January

Beginning January 1, 2014, Colorado drivers who refuse to take a sobriety test will be labeled as "persistent drunk drivers".  Currently, motorists who decline to submit to the test are treated as drunk drivers, and their license is suspended.  Next year, they will be required to hook a breathalyzer to their car and blow into it to determine their blood alcohol content, before the car would start.  Drivers would have to wait two months into their suspension to be eligible for the breathalyzer device. Twenty states now require the devices for first time drunk drivers.

Statistics from Mothers Against Drunk Driving indicate that there were 25,000 DUI arrests in Colorado in 2012, and approximately one third refused to use a breathalyzer or have their blood drawn.

Under the current law, those who have a blood alcohol content of .17 or have multiple convictions are considered persistent drunk drivers.  In 2014, the limit will be lowered to .15.

According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, in Colorado in 2012, there were 169 fatal car accidents involving alcohol.  Approximately 54 percent involved a driver whose blood alcohol content was greater than .15.

If you have been injured in an auto accident resulting from a drunk driver, call The Law Offices of Robert Paysinger, P.C. office for a free consultation or visit our website at www.paysingerlaw.com  and speak to an experienced personal injury attorney.

Source: www.thedenverchannel.com

States Debate Uninsured Driver Laws

An estimated 14% of drivers nationally are uninsured, according to the Insurance Research Council.  It is a chronic problem that states have been unable to solve.  Most states have mandated at least liability coverage to pay for damage and injuries that the driver causes, but problems persist in compliance.  It appears that even the threat of fines does not persuade drivers to obtain coverage.

Some states are contemplating using databases to identify and remove the licenses of those who don't have insurance.  In November, Oklahoma became the third state to enact a law that lets police pull license plates from vehicles that don't have coverage.  The driver can reclaim the plate after obtaining car insurance.

Oklahoma's insurance commissioner, John Doak, says he has "yet to be in a room (for a speech) where there wasn't someone there who was hit or had a family member who was hit" by an uninsured driver.  Those who are hit by uninsured motorists may face large medical bills due to deductibles and out-of pocket costs to receive treatment.

California has had some success with a reduced cost policy for good drivers with low incomes, but only about 11,000 motorists are participating in the program. California estimates there are are three million uninsured motorists in the state.

In approximately eight states, police and other officials can get real time data to verify the existence of coverage.  Another tactic has been to adopt a "no pay, no play" law, under which uninsured drivers who are in accidents caused by insured drivers can't sue for pain and suffering.  However, critics suggest this takes away people's right to sue.  The issue continues to confound state officials, and victims of accidents caused by uninsured motorists continue to pay the price.

If you have been injured in a motor vehicle accident, you need to speak with an experienced personal injury attorney today.  Call The Law Office of Robert Paysinger at 303-279-0221 or visit our website at: www.paysingerlaw.com

Source:  The Wall Street Journal
  

New Trucking Industry Rules Increase Fatigue Among Drivers

The recent rule changes for truckers are causing disruption among drivers.  The new rules, which took effect in July, shorten the average workweek to 70 hours a week from 82, and require an electronic device that caps the vehicles' speed. The time between workweeks now must extend over two nights, including the hours between 1:00 and 5:00 a.m.

Although the new rules were promulgated to reduce fatigue and related crashes, the trucking industry research institute has found that the new rules limiting driving hours have actually increased fatigue for more than 66% of the drivers surveyed.  The findings are the latest salvo in the battle over the hours-of-service rules among safety advocates, regulators and the trucking industry. The industry says the rule is too costly and possibly even dangerous because they put more trucks on the road during rush hour and drivers on the road when they are tired.

Fatalities in large truck crashes declined 26% in the decade ending in 2011, but according to the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration, that is still too high. The agency analysis shows the change should prevent about 560 injuries and save 19 lives a year.  While it seems that the trucking industry has a point, surely we can find a way to reduce trucking accidents

If you have been injured in an accident with a large truck, you need to speak with an experienced auto accident attorney.  Call The Law Offices of Robert Paysinger P.C., at (303) 279-0221 or visit our website at www.paysingerlaw.com. We help injured people, it's all we do!

Source:http://online.wsj.com