Across Florida, fewer people were killed in traffic accidents in 2010, compared to the previous year.  Last year, a total of 2,445 people were killed in traffic accidents in Florida, compared to 2,560 the previous year.

That was a substantial decline of 4.5%.  Nationwide, there was a drop of 2.9% in accident fatalities in 2010.  In fact, Florida was one of 4 states, including California, Louisiana and Texas that had a decline of more than 100 fatalities over the previous year.  The good news was that nationwide, the number of people killed in drunk driving accidents dropped.  However, there was bad news for Florida car accident lawyers too.  The number of deaths in accidents involving large trucks, motorcycles and pedestrians actually increased last year.

499 occupants of commercial truck accidents were killed in 2009, and that number spiked to 529 in 2010.  That was an increase of 6%.  Further, there was also an increase in the number of people injured in commercial truck accidents from 17,000 in 2009, to 19,000 in 2010.

There was also an increase in the number of people killed in motorcycle accidents.  In 2009, 4,469 people died in motorcycle accidents in the United States.  That number increased to 4,502 fatalities in 2010.  That was an increase of .7%.  However, the number of people being injured in motorcycle accidents declined from 90,000 in 2009 to 82,000 in 2010.

Pedestrian accident fatalities also increased last year.  A total of 4,109 pedestrian fatalities had been recorded in 2009.  That number increased to 4,280 pedestrians killed in traffic accidents in 2010.

The data is still new, and the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration has not yet begun analyzing the reasons for the increase in pedestrian, motorcycle and truck accident fatalities last year.

Doctors at the Royal Glasgow Infirmary have successfully used an ultrasound device to treat serious fractures much more quickly.  The doctors report that the devices were used in the successful treatment of complicated and multiple fractures.

The device is strapped to the broken bone, allowing the bone to benefit from the ultrasound waves.  These waves trigger regeneration of new bone cells, hasten cell maturity, and accelerate the healing process.  The device destroys bacteria that can cause infections.

This is a relatively painless and convenient therapy that speeds up the process of healing a fracture by as much as 40%.  Researchers have successfully used the therapy to treat fractures that were believed to be untreatable.  Some of these cases involve multiple fractures, involving an initial prognosis that the broken bone could not be mended and the leg had to be amputated.  With the use of the ultrasound device, the multiple fractures healed quickly.  The treatment is expensive right now, but there is reason to hope that the treatment will become more affordable as the use of the ultrasound device increases.

That could mean quicker and more convenient treatment for hundreds of thousands of people who suffer broken bones in auto accidents, trip and fall accidents and workplace accidents every year.  For people who suffer from serious and complex fractures, the device could also offer alternatives to more drastic measures like amputation.

The significance of the fact that this treatment has been perfected at the Royal Glasgow Infirmary is not lost on Los Angeles serious injury lawyers.  Glasgow was the birthplace of ultrasound more than fifty years ago.  A team of specialists then successfully reproduced images of the human body using sonar.  Ultrasound is currently used successfully for diagnosis, especially for prenatal monitoring.

Driving a hybrid can help keep the environment green, which is the reason why many are fans of Toyota hybrids.  However, could these cars be more susceptible to damage in a collision, thereby placing drivers and passengers at high risk of injury?  The Wall Street Journal is asking that question, and judging from the design of the Prius, it does seem to Los Angeles car accident lawyers like a valid one.

Overall, small economy and fuel-efficient cars tend be more susceptible to damage an accident because the frame is simply not strong enough to handle impact.  Because the Toyota Prius’ design allows for gasoline and electric powered systems, there’s plenty of electronics and technology that must be concealed under the hood.  A Toyota spokesperson confirms that there is very little free space under the hood because of all this densely packed electronics and gadgetry.  In the event of a collision, impact is likely to be greater because of all the electronics packed under the frame.

Besides, the overall frame of the Prius tends to be lighter because this makes it more fuel-efficient.  A lightweight design and a frame that’s packed with plenty of electronics-it can be the perfect recipe for disaster when a motorist is involved in an accident.

Several drivers have complained of severe damage to their Toyota Prius even during a low-speed collision.  In other words, you don’t have to be involved in a high-speed accident in your Toyota Prius to see major damage to your car, and injuries.  It’s not uncommon to find a Prius involved in a low-speed collision, suffering massive property damage, ending with a hefty repair bill and injured passengers and motorists.

The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety seems to agree.  In 2008, the agency tested several cars in low-speed collisions, and found that the Prius was one of the worst performers in these kinds of accidents.

Motorcycle safety often depends on other motorists and the riding skills and experience of the motorcyclist. However, motorcycle accidents can also be traced to malfunctioning of the vehicle. It’s important for motorcyclists to have more than a working knowledge of how their vehicle works, and to be able to look for and identify any problem areas that may need fixing.

The Motorcycle Safety Foundation has a sample inspection checklist that should be handy to motorcyclists. The checklist contains all the items that need to be in working condition for you to ride safely.

• Before you begin riding, check the tread depth of the tires. Look for signs of wear and tear. Look for sharp objects that may have become embedded into tires. Check the tire pressure.
• Inspect your motorcycle wheels. Look for cracks in the cast and seals, and fix any bent, broken or missing spokes
• Inspect your motorcycle brakes.
• Inspect the C control hoses and look for cracks, cuts, leaks and bulges.
• Look for frayed cables.
• Check that the throttle is moving freely, and does not rev when the handlebar is turned.
• Check for any cracks on the headlamp. Check the reflector as well as the mounting and adjustment system of the headlamp. Check if the other lamps are in working condition. There should be no cracks, and lamps should be cleaned. The brake lamp should activate upon front brake or rear brake application.
• Check if the mirrors are cleaned. Check if the turn signals are flashing properly.
• Check your oil levels. Look for leaks of engine oil, hypoid  oil and hydraulic fluid

Very often, Las Vegas personal injury lawyers come across accidents involving new and inexperienced motorcyclists. It’s the reason why we would advise against simply going out, purchasing a motorcycle, and riding away. Take time for a motorcycle training course, which will include awareness of the motorcycle’s mechanical functioning. You should be able to tell when a motorcycle isn’t stable enough to ride, because a mechanical failure could be disastrous.

Ultimately, it’s important to remember that passengers in a car could be safe from injuries caused by a mechanical malfunction of the vehicle, but there is no such safety cushion for a motorcyclist.



The Los Angeles Times featured an article and video last September 27th about the frequency of accidents between cars and pedestrians and Metrolink Trains.

Most Southern Californians know all about the big accidents, such as the head-0n train-on-train accident last year that killed 25 people and brought texting-while-driving accidents to the forefront, the truth is that most Metrolink accidents involve only one train, and it is usually striking a passing car.

What is most frustrating to critics of Metrolink is that it seems that there are certain intersections where most of these accidents occur, and in most cases safety engineers have a clear understaning of they are occuring.  So why aren’t they being fixed?

Further reading:

Los Angeles Times Article

Los Angeles Train Accident Attorney