NHTSA Proposes Accelerator-Override Systems to Improve Car Safety

The U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) recently proposed new regulations that would require passenger cars, trucks, and vans sold in the U.S. to come with automatic accelerator-override systems. The system would kick in if the accelerator became stuck or if the accelerator and brake pedals were pushed at the same time. It would stop the vehicle’s acceleration and slow it down, helping to prevent a serious car accident.

The proposed regulations would require new cars sold in the U.S. to have accelerator-override systems that would slow the car down, regardless of what caused the acceleration to go out of control. Electrical problems, stuck floor mats, auto product defects, and accelerator pedals stuck in the floor carpeting have all caused out-of-control acceleration and vehicle crashes in recent years, according to the NHTSA. The systems would have to prevent the car from accelerating in each of these situations.

Some vehicles already come equipped with similar systems, according to the NHTSA. However, the agency is interested in requiring them on all motor vehicles, especially since stuck accelerators in various Toyota models have caused serious accidents or deaths in recent years. Toyota was fined $50 million for unnecessarily delaying the recall to fix the problem. The recall was eventually issued in February 2011 and it affected over 2 million U.S. vehicles.

If you or someone you love has been injured in a car accident, a skilled San Diego car crash lawyer can help. To learn more about your legal options, call our office today for a free, confidential consultation.…

San Diego Woman Stabbed After Car Crash

Late Wednesday night a 69-year-old woman was assaulted and stabbed in the neck with a box cutter by the man who had just rear-ended the car the woman was driving. The surprise attack caused the woman to step on the gas to flee and ended up crashing her car headlong into a tree. The car accident happened in the Old Town area of San Diego.

Police described the woman’s injuries as not life-threatening, although the attack was–at the very least–terrifying and unexpected. The man is described as a Hispanic male, 20-30 years of age, 5 feet 9 inches tall and weighing approximately 160-180 pounds.

This assault is particularly scary and unnerving. By all accounts, the woman was willing to exchange insurance information with the man, had rolled down her window, and was then stabbed.…

San Bernardino Car Crash Kills Bicyclist

60-year-old Bernard F. Culverson was fatally struck in a serious San Bernardino auto accident that occurred on January 9, 2012, around 5:30 a.m. west on Third Street. According to police, Culverson was riding his unlit bicycle when he crossed into the intersection with Waterman Avenue and got hit by a car being driven by 28-year-old Benito Bustos-Gonzalez.

Culverson sustained fatal internal injuries and was immediately transported to Loma Linda University Medical Center where he was pronounced dead, around 3:41a.m., the next day. According to police, Gonzalez entered the street on a green light and was not even licensed to drive.

From the present information, it is evident that negligent driving and irresponsible actions of the car driver led to this serious bicycle accident.

The victim’s family members should immediately seek counsel from an experienced San Bernardino County bicycle accident lawyer who would educate them about their legal rights. The victim’s family members may file a wrongful death claim against the car driver to obtain compensation to cover funeral and burial costs, loss of love, care and companionship, and other accident-related damages.

Our law office sends sincere condolences to victim’s family members.…