Car accidents continue to be

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If you’re an older driver who’s been in a crash, you may be shopping for a new car that has safety features your previous one didn’t. If your car was more than a few years old, you’ll be surprised and impressed by all of the bells and whistles that are standard on vehicles now — and maybe more than a little intimidated by them.

You’re not alone. In fact, some of these new features that are meant to keep drivers’ hands on the wheel can end up taking their eyes and attention off the road for a dangerously long period.

A study by the AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety found that drivers who were between 55 and 75 years old took over eight seconds longer than those between 21 and 36 to perform tasks on the car’s infotainment system in 2018 model year vehicles. It took older drivers an average of over 22 seconds to initiate a call, over 25 seconds to select their entertainment, over 33 seconds to send a text and over 40 seconds to enter their route in the navigation system.

Of course, no matter how quickly a person performs these tasks, if they do so while driving, they’re putting themselves and others in danger. According to AAA, you double your chances of being involved in a crash if your eyes leave the road for two seconds.

According to an official with the foundation, the fault lies with the systems — not the drivers. He says, “Voice-command functions found in new in-vehicle technology are intended to help drivers by keeping their eyes and attention on the road. Unfortunately, the complexity and poor design of some of these systems could cause more harm for older drivers, in particular, instead of helping them.”

Another AAA official said, “This is a design problem, not an age problem.” He noted, nonetheless, that with 20% of drivers expected to be over 65 by 2030, automakers need to design systems that are easier to use.

In the meantime, all drivers can stay safer by setting their channels and navigation before they start driving. It’s also wise to practice using touch screens and voice commands while you’re not driving so that if you need to use the phone or other part of the system in an emergency, such as if you’re involved in a crash, you can more easily do so.

Like just about any physical disability, there are a lot of misconceptions and myths about spinal cord injuries (SCI) and the rehabilitation process for those who suffer them. Those mistaken beliefs can impact the ability of patients to recover and adjust to their new lives.

One myth is that young adults who suffer an SCI have an easier time adjusting than older people. That’s not necessarily the case. Each person’s ability to cope and adjust is unique. Family, friends, support groups and mental health professionals can all help. So can technology and other resources that can help them live as normal a life as possible and stay connected to others.

Nonetheless, it’s important for family and friends not to believe another myth — that a positive attitude makes all the difference. While it can certainly help a person’s overall well-being, it’s not going to cure them. A person can’t will themselves to walk again. While it’s not healthy for someone to sink into hopelessness, they shouldn’t believe that whether or not they recover is entirely up to them.A third myth is that rehabilitation ends once you check out of the rehab facility. In truth, ongoing rehabilitation is essential. It’s important to have a long-term rehabilitation plan with short- and long-term goals.Those goals, however, will change as the individual does. Even if the effects of a SCI will be with someone for the rest of their lives, in some cases, their condition may improve. Progress in treatments and therapies is being made all the time. The effects of a SCI may worsen as a person gets older, gains weight or develops other medical conditions. That’s why ongoing therapy and medical observation are often recommended.

Another misconception involves the cost of an SCI. Many people underestimate how much this type of injury can cost over a lifetime. As we’ve discussed here, treatment and therapy don’t end when a person leaves an in-patient facility. Further, many SCI survivors need assistive devices like wheelchairs and changes to their homes, like ramps and accessible showers. These all cost money.

That’s why if you or loved one suffered an SCI in a crash or other event caused by someone else , make sure that you seek the compensation you’ll need for these long-term expenses. An experienced attorney can help you.

Federal hours of service (HOS) regulations are in place to help promote the safety of commercial truck drivers as well as everyone who shares the road with them. They mandate things like how long a driver can be behind the wheel without a break.

This month, the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA), which is part of the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT), published a final rule that updates existing HOS regulations. Transportation Secretary Elaine Chao said that the updated regulations will provide “greater flexibility” for truck drivers.

The four primary changes are the following:

The new rule is scheduled to be implemented 120 days after it was published, which means that commercial truck drivers will be operating under these relaxed rules in the fall. Since drowsy driving by commercial truck drivers is already one of the leading causes of accidents involving trucks, it’s only reasonable to be concerned about how these changes will impact their safety as well as that of all motorists.

If you or a loved one has been injured in a crash caused by a truck driver , you’re likely looking at significant medical bills and possibly long-term therapy, rehabilitation and care. By holding the appropriate parties legally and financially accountable, you can get the compensation you need and deserve.

Sometimes, crashes are the result of a vehicle malfunction or lack of maintenance rather than driver error. That seems to have been the case in a Reno crash this month that sent two people to the hospital with injuries.

On the afternoon of May 12, according to the Nevada Highway Patrol, a van traveling north on Interstate 580 near the Spaghetti Bowl road construction project lost tire tread. It went across multiple lanes of traffic, striking an SUV. That vehicle fell some 50 feet off an overpass onto a lot below on East Fourth Street.

The drivers of both the van and the SUV, who were reportedly the only occupants of their vehicles, were hospitalized with serious injuries.

Taking proper care of your tires — especially in states like Nevada with unpredictable weather and temperature extremes — can help prevent crashes. Tires that are worn or not properly inflated can result in skids, blowouts and other issues that can cause serious accidents.

According to the U.S. Department of Transportation, over 700 people died in 2017 due to tire-related accidents.

The federal agency recommends that drivers pay attention to the following when ensuring that their tires are properly maintained:

Keeping your tires in good condition can help you better react if you encounter a reckless or negligent driver. It can also improve your mileage.

However, if you’re injured in a crash caused by a driver who had a tire malfunction, you have a right to seek the compensation you need to cover medical bills and other expenses and damages. It’s wise to have the guidance of an experienced attorney.

If you’re used to riding your motorcycle alone, you may be surprised by how much different it is to ride with a group. You might think there is safety in numbers because you’re less likely to be hit by a driver who doesn’t see you.

However, riding as a group presents a whole other set of risks if everyone isn’t careful. Let’s look at some things you can do to help everyone stay safe on a group ride.

Before the ride

Be prepared. Everyone should have a full gas tank and a phone. Determine who will bring tools, first-aid supplies and other items, like food or water, that the group may want or need.

Plan your ride. Get everyone together to decide where you’re going, what route you’re taking and where you’ll stop for breaks. Consider what your least experienced rider can do. Don’t take a route that’s too difficult for them.

Determine your riding order and formation. Typically, the most experienced biker or the one who knows the area best is the lead rider. They alert the others to anything that could cause a problem, from a traffic jam to storm clouds. Also, decide who will be the sweep rider who stays at the back and sets the pace. It’s best to decide where everyone else will be in your line-up, with the least-experienced rider typically just behind the leader.

On the ride

Except in certain areas, including winding roads and highway entrances, it’s usually best to stagger your formation between the left and right side of the lane rather than directly behind one another. You want to stay relatively close to the riders ahead of you, but at least a second apart.

Remain in formation when you pass a vehicle. Pass one at a time, returning to your previous place in the designated formation.

Don’t try to race or outdo another rider. Whether it’s someone in your group or another rider you see along the way, don’t “go rogue.” Stay in your formation. This isn’t a competition.

Just because you’re in a group, don’t assume that you’re safe from motorists. Some drivers become fearful when they see a group of motorcyclists, assuming that they’re some kind of “biker gang.” This can cause them to do reckless things. If you’re injured by a driver (or another motorcyclist ), make sure that you get the compensation you need.