Car Accidents

Published on: August 4, 2023

Compliance -Based Interlock Laws Help Prevent Drunk Driving Auto Accidents

When an individual has been convicted of drunk driving, they often are required to have an ignition interlock device placed on their cars. These devices prevent a person from starting a car until they have passed a breath test for driving. States have passed compliance laws that strictly require individuals who have had an ignition interlock device installed in their vehicle after a DUI offense to comply with these devices. The devices can only be removed once the person has shown to have complied with the devices for a defined period of time. These compliance laws seem to have much higher success than other methods of preventing repeat offenses and reducing the risk of alcohol – related car accidents.

Those findings come from a new study conducted by the Governors Highway Safety Association. The report focused on the effectiveness of compliance- based removal components in ignition interlock device laws. Currently, all states, including Georgia, have some form of ignition interlock device laws which require that they get devices installed in their vehicles that prevent them from operating their vehicle if their system contains more than a certain amount of alcohol. At least 33 states have compliance- based removal laws in place that clearly define conditions that must be met for an exit from the interlock device requirement. Georgia, unfortunately, does not have a compliance- based removal component as part of its ignition interlock device laws.

The Governors Highway Safety Association focused on two states that have compliance – based removal laws and two states that do not have such laws. The study established that states that have compliance -based laws have much lower recidivism rates for drunk driving compared to states that do not have such compliance laws in place. The Governors Highway Safety Association researchers say that there is no way to absolutely confirm that these higher recidivism rates in states that do not have compliance -based removal laws were related to the absence of these laws and that other factors could also play a role. But they also stress that compliance -based removal laws do provide an extra layer of protection that can prevent these auto accidents. The researchers are encouraging states like Georgia to review their ignition interlock laws to identify deficiencies and correct these in order to make these laws more effective.

Published on: August 1, 2023

Brain Injury Caused by Car Accidents Could Result in Unique Form of Depression

by Robert N. Katz, Esq.

Researchers have known for a while that a brain injury can result in depression, but the kind of depression that a traumatic brain injury causes is different from other forms of depression. Traumatic brain injuries often arise out of car accidents, motorcycle accidents, trucking accidents, or any other event that causes a significant impact to the head.

A new study finds that the kind of depression that results after a brain injury may be different from regular depression with some unique symptoms. In fact, the researchers believe that brain injury -related depression could possibly be its own distinct condition. These are important findings because they shed new light on the kind of consequences that a brain injury patient can suffer.

For years now, researchers have known that depression can set in after a person has suffered a brain injury, but there have been questions about whether the depression is a result of the injury itself or because of the trauma related to the car accident or incident that caused the personal injury. The general consensus, however, is that the depression is caused by the personal injury.

Published on: July 30, 2023

Auto Braking Accident Prevention Systems could soon be Required on All Cars thus Greatly Reducing the Chance of a Car Accident

by Robert N. Katz, Esq.

When a proposed new rule by the federal government becomes final, most cars in the United States will come with automatic emergency braking systems that will significantly reduce the risk of car accidents.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration has proposed a rule that would require the installation of automatic emergency braking systems on nearly all cars and pickup trucks in the United States. The rule will require that all light passenger cars and trucks that weigh 10,000 pounds or less come with these systems after the publication of the final rule. The rule will also require that automatic emergency braking systems recognize pedestrians at night.

After a period of 3 years from the final publication of the rule, all vehicles in the country will be required to have these systems. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration estimates that a significant number of lives will be saved every year as a result of the widespread adoption of the technology. It is specifically believed that 360 lives will be saved in car accidents every year and more than 24,000 injuries will be prevented as a result of the use of the technology.

Published on: July 26, 2023

Spinal Cord Injury Could Damage Immune System

by Robert N. Katz, Esq.

Spinal cord injuries are serious personal injuries that can be caused after an auto accident. New research finds that these injuries, in addition to permanently impacting a person’s day to day functioning, can significantly damage a person’s immunity, exposing the patient to the risk of life-threatening infections.

A spinal cord injury can result from any kind of blow or serous impact to the spine. The impact does not have to include a fracture. A spinal cord injury can also be caused by crushing injuries or dislocation of the spine. For example, when a person is thrown about the inside of a car during an auto accident, she or he could suffer serious personal injuries to the spine. A motorcycle rider who is thrown off a motorcycle could land on the ground with force that is significant enough to fracture his spine. In fact, spine injuries are common in motorcycle accidents when a person is separated from the motorcycle.

The risk of paralysis is very serious after a spinal cord injury. These consequences of a spinal injury can also have a long term impact on a person’s health. A new study finds that a spinal injury may also trigger immunodeficiency syndrome. This condition can result in a loss of immunity, thereby exposing the person to the risk of infections. The study was conducted by researchers on 111 patients who had suffered spinal cord injury. They found that soon after a spinal cord injury, the number of antibodies in the body dropped. There was also a deactivation of the monocytes or white blood cells that are responsible for staving off infections.

Published on: July 16, 2023

Increasing Senior Motorist Population in America and Safety Concerns

by Robert N. Katz, Esq.

Recent census data shows that America’s population is steadily getting older and the median age of the country is now at a record high. Over the next couple of decades, we can expect a significant increase in the number of senior drivers on our streets, demanding a closer look at the safety implications involved, including the increase risk of personal injuries from car accidents.

The US Census Bureau recently released estimates of the country’s population and these showed that the nation’s median age increased to 38.9 years between 2021 and 2022. That is a record high and is due to a steady decline in birth rates in the United States. The data shows that no state recorded a drop in median age during this time.

For anyone concerned about roadway safety in the country, these numbers merit interest. The data clearly indicates that there will be a significant increase in the population of senior drivers on our roads in the near future. There is no data to show that senior drivers are automatically more dangerous drivers than others. In fact, they have lower auto accident rates than many groups of drivers, including teenage drivers.

Published on: July 13, 2023

Pedestrian Accident Wrongful Deaths In 2022 Highest on Record in 40 Years

by Robert N. Katz, Esq.

In 2022, the number of pedestrians killed in auto accidents crossed 7,500, the highest on record in 40 years. This is a tragic statistic that demonstrates a problem that is without an easy solution.

The rising number of pedestrian deaths has been a source of concern for transportation safety advocates and pedestrian groups across the country. However, the actual state of pedestrian safety may be even worse than earlier believed. The Governors Highway Safety Association recently released its estimates of the total number of pedestrian fatalities in 2022, and the numbers are staggering. The Governors Highway Safety Association believes that a total of 7,508 pedestrians were killed in car accidents last year, the highest number on record since 1981. That year, a total of 7,837 pedestrians were killed in auto accidents. The total for 2022 are very likely even be higher because final estimates were not provided by the state of Oklahoma.

Most states recorded an increase in car accident fatalities in 2022, including Georgia, where a total of 335 pedestrians were killed in auto accidents in 2022. That was an increase of 14 deaths from the 321 pedestrians killed in auto accidents in 2021. The jump in pedestrian accidents in 2022 is even more concerning because it marks a 77% increase since 2010, while the jump in car accident fatalities over all has been just 25% since 2010.

Published on: July 11, 2023

Epilepsy and Car Accident Risks

by Robert N. Katz, Esq.

People who suffer from epilepsy may be able to drive safely provided they take all safety precautions, including taking any necessary medications, and stick to the limitations placed on them under the law. A new study, in fact, finds that an early diagnosis of epilepsy may significantly reduce car accident risks.

According to the study, as many as 5% of patients who suffer from epilepsy had suffered a seizure while driving before their diagnosis. The researchers, who include members of the American Academy of Neurology, were specifically looking at how long a person drives before he or she received an epilepsy diagnosis. They believe that it is important to push for earlier diagnosis of epilepsy in order to reduce car accident risks among these persons.

As part of the study, the researchers focused on 447 persons who suffered from focal epilepsy which is marked by recurrent seizures. They found that 23 of these people had suffered a seizure while driving. About 26% suffered their first seizure while driving while around 30% had suffered more than one seizure while driving. In all, these seizures resulted in 19 auto accidents with 11 of these car accidents requiring hospitalization.

Published on: July 6, 2023

Experts: Size and Speed — Key Factors When Choosing Car for a Teen Driver

by Robert N. Katz, Esq.

While many teen drivers operate their cars safely, other teen drivers have an enhanced risk of auto accidents. Therefore, parent must be careful when it comes to buying a car for their teenager.

Whether you are buying a car for a newly licensed teen driver or a car for a teen driver with a couple years driving experience under their belt, the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety and Consumer Reports have a list of the safest cars to buy for teen motorists in America. The list contains both used as well as new cars, and the researchers have gone to great lengths to find affordable cars considering the high price of cars in the market right now.

So what do you look for when you buy a car for your young driver? For most parents, the biggest considerations are price and safety. The list provides several options of care that should be within your budget, but also relatively safe.

Published on: June 29, 2023

PTSD and Car Accidents

by Robert N. Katz, Esq.

One of the most underestimated and neglected effects of a motor vehicle accident is posttraumatic stress disorder or PTSD, an anxiety- related condition that can severely limit a person’s recovery after being involved in an auto accident.

Several American organizations including veterans’ organizations are marking June 27 as Posttraumatic Stress Disorder Awareness Day. The day is being commemorated to make more people aware about the disorder and its effects on a person’s ability to lead a normal life after experiencing a traumatic life event.

Posttraumatic stress disorder is a mental health condition that emerges after a person has suffered a terrifying or life-threatening event like a natural disaster, terrorist attack, and even an auto accident. The condition may arise if a person has undergone a terrifying event in which his or her very life or physical wellbeing is threatened or at risk.

Published on: June 22, 2023

NHTSA Predicts Drop in Auto Accident Fatalities During First Quarter of 2023

by Robert N. Katz, Esq.

After 7 consecutive years of year- to -year increases in auto accident wrongful deaths, the federal administration has been recording slow, but perceptible drops in these numbers for four consecutive quarters. Latest estimates by the administration shows that the first quarter of 2023 has been no different.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration has released its auto accident death projections for 2023. The estimates for the first quarter of 2023 show a 3% decline in the number of people killed in car accidents compared to the same period of time in 2022. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration estimates that a total of 9,330 people were killed in auto accidents in the first quarter of 2023. That was a drop from the 9,645 accident deaths recorded during the same period of time last year. The fatality rate for the first quarter of this year was 1.24 traffic accident deaths compared to 1.32 fatalities during the first quarter of last year.

The same trend could also be seen in Georgia where there was a drop in the number of people killed in auto accidents in the first quarter of 2023, compared to last year. During the first quarter of 2022, a total of 468 people were killed in car accidents in Georgia, and that number dropped to 410 fatalities this year. That was a significant 3.7% drop. The fatality rate in Georgia dropped from 1.62 fatalities in 2022 to 1.36 deaths this year.