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A study from the Bulletin of the American Meteorological Society shows that wet road conditions, including from rain, sleet and snow, increase the risk of deadly crashes by an average of 34%. Even very light rain, which most people would describe as a drizzle, can increase the chances of fatal crashes significantly. Data analysts looked at more than 120,000 accidents from 48 states, including New York, to come up with these statistics. This study is the first of its kind to use real, precise weather data from the cite of the accident to help determine conditions. The data was used to distinguish accidents where there was heavy precipitation or snow from those where there was only light rain. The high rate of fatalities with just light rain may seem counterintuitive to some; the study speculates that drivers tend to underestimate the danger of just slightly slick roads. Risks of fatal accidents during bad weather were found to be worst in the Rockies and Upper Midwest and least in the Northeast and Southeast. This may be because the East Coast is more urban, meaning drivers aren't going as fast in general. In the Rockies, slick conditions on steep roads can be especially dangerous. The region is also more rural, which already experiences higher rates of fatalities in all conditions. Victims of car accidents may be able to get compensation from the responsible driver even if light rain or heavier precipitation was involved. An attorney may evaluate the circumstances of an accident and determine if pursuing legal action would likely benefit the client. The attorney may also not require a fee unless they are able to successfully obtain compensation.

Distracted and impaired driving are serious problems in New York and throughout the country. Volvo has a plan to reduce to ensure that drivers are sober and attentive while operating their vehicles. The manufacturer will put sensors and cameras in its vehicles starting early in the 2020s. They are designed to detect actions that may indicate that a car is being driven in an unsafe manner. For instance, the car may slow down or stop if there is no input on the steering wheel. The same may be true if there is excessive swerving or if the system detects that a driver's eyes are closed. A slow reaction time could also result in the car pulling off of the road or otherwise finding a safe place to park. The new technology is part of Volvo's efforts to prevent accidents from occurring. The company is also planning on instituting a maximum speed limit of 112 miles per hour in all vehicles made in 2020 and later. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, roughly 30 people die each day because of crashes caused by drunk drivers. The goal of the new safety features is to overcome the belief many have that it is not a problem to drive after consuming alcohol. Individuals who are impaired when they cause car accidents could face both criminal charges and a civil lawsuit. Those who are injured by drunk drivers may want to meet with an attorney to discuss how best to seek compensation for their medical expenses and other losses that they have incurred.

In Garden City and across the United States, approximately 80 percent of drivers talk on their cell phones while driving. Three out of every 10 drivers admit that they barely escaped from getting involved in car crashes because of their distracted driving activities. The Travelers Companies, Inc., an insurance company, recently published the new 2019 Travelers Risk Index. The index included about 2,000 drivers who were questioned about distracted driving. The results show that 44 percent of drivers type texts, read emails and send emails while driving. About 23 percent use Facebook, Twitter and other social media platforms. Another 22 percent of the participants record videos or take pictures. Plus, 15 percent visit online vendors while driving. Nearly half of the drivers involved in the study admitted that they would find it difficult to stop engaging in distracted driving activities while driving their vehicles. One major problem is that 87 percent of business managers want to stay in touch with their traveling employees. Many workers worry about losing their jobs if they do not respond to supervisors' messages. Other employees stated that their bosses expect them to respond immediately. Other workers mentioned that they get most of their work done while driving. Business owners who continue to pressure employees need to change their policies in light of the statistic that distracted drivers cause frequent motor vehicle accidents. A person who is injured by a distracted driver may lose their job and have trouble finding other employment. One way to solve this problem is to seek the advice of a personal injury lawyer. A successful lawsuit compensates the injured person in addition to any insurance-related monies received from an insurance claim. People who have been injured in motor vehicle accidents may benefit from contacting a personal injury attorney before the statute of limitations expires.

In March 2018, an Uber autonomous vehicle failed to detect a woman as she crossed a shadowy area of an Arizona street and struck her. She died, and the self-driving industry took a major hit. As a result of the accident, automakers have taken a fresh look at the way they test autonomous cars in New York and around the world. The Arizona accident caused regulators to severely restrict automakers' access to public roads for testing. This has forced engineers to take a different approach to vehicle evaluations. For example, a Swedish company called AstaZero uses a private track to test self-driving vehicles with "virtual humans." These computerized pedestrians dart out of blind spots and engage in other challenging behaviors to measure an autonomous vehicle's ability to spot them and take the appropriate evasive actions. Swedish automaker Volvo is one of the company's clients as well as Swedish truck and bus manufacturer Scania. As it turns out, testing autonomous trucks is even more difficult than testing cars. These vehicles' enormous weight and size make them inherently more dangerous to test on public roads. Therefore, they are being tested in enclosed areas with few humans, including mines, harbors and warehouses. For instance, Scania is testing one of its autonomous trucks in a Rio Tinto mine in Australia. At the same time, AstaZero is testing an identical model under virtual conditions on a private track in Sweden. Some of the scenarios used to test both cars and trucks involve simulations from cities around the world, including region-specific roads and culturally specific human behaviors. New York victims of car accidents could turn to an attorney for assistance. A lawyer could prepare a personal injury claim and push for a settlement that covers a victim's medical expenses, lost wages and more.

From 2015 to 2017, more and more of the fatal crashes that occur involve large trucks. The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration has noted that the number of large truck occupant fatalities went up each year during that period as well. In particular, fatal work zone crashes involving one or more large trucks saw an increase in percentage for each of the three years. This trend affects New York and the rest of the nation. The FMCSA presented this and other data at the 2019 Transportation Research Board Annual Meeting in Washington, D.C. However, it did not put the blame for the upward trend on truckers themselves. Most accidents, after all, have multiple factors. However, the data makes it clear that truckers can do a lot to improve road safety for everyone. In work zones, for example, truckers can signal their turn far ahead of time to show their intention to merge into the open lane. They can put on their flashers to warn drivers that they are approaching slowed or stopped traffic. Preventing distracted driving is even more important. Truckers are recommended to adjust their seat, mirrors and radio before driving. Holding a phone to make a call is against federal law. However, if their company allows hands-free phone use, truckers should ensure that the phone will not slide or fall. Distractions, fatigue and intoxication are just a few things that can make someone negligent behind the wheel. Those who survive a truck crash and who believe that the trucker was at fault (or was at least more to blame than they) may have grounds for a personal injury claim. It might be a good idea to have a lawyer evaluate the case. Once the courts determine the degree of fault, the lawyer may head to the negotiation table for a settlement.

The Governors Highway Safety Association has released a report that looks afresh at the role of speeding in many automobile-related fatalities in New York and across the U.S. It is estimated that excessive speed is behind one-third of all such fatalities. Despite the existence of state and federal policies and programs meant to reduce speeding, it continues to be thought of as culturally acceptable among many drivers. The GHSA report is titled "Speeding Away from Zero: Rethinking a Forgotten Traffic Safety Challenge." The hopes of the organization echo those of Vision Zero, the nationwide road project that aims to completely eliminate motor vehicle fatalities. The report mentions how even a small decrease in travel speed can reduce the severity of crashes and injuries. Increase that speed, though, and lives are threatened, especially those of bicyclists and pedestrians. One limitation that the GHSA points out is the current focus on urban areas. This is because more speeding-related crashes occur on rural roadways. In 2016 alone, there were more than 5,000 speeding-related crash fatalities in rural areas. This April, the GHSA and Insurance Institute for Highway Safety will be holding a forum with stakeholders to develop a speed management program. The GHSA is also calling for stricter speeding law enforcement and the building of roundabouts and other traffic calming elements. Drivers who speed may be to blame for any auto crashes they cause. However, it could be that both parties were negligent to some degree. In that case, the courts will determine the percentage of fault. Someone who wishes to file a personal injury claim will likely have the amount they are eligible for lowered based on this percentage. With a lawyer, a victim can strive for the maximum settlement possible.

Infotainment systems can offer several useful features for drivers in New York, but some are irrelevant to driving and only serve as potential distractions. University of Utah researchers analyzed 30 infotainment systems on 2017 model vehicles and found that all of them demanded a moderate, high or very high level of attention. Participants in the study were drivers aged 21 to 36 who were asked to use the systems behind the wheel. The results of this study, which was conducted for AAA, may be surprising to some. Drivers became quickly distracted, swerving out of lanes, ignoring stop signs and driving far below the posted speed limit. Researchers found that using the GPS and the feature for sending texts were the two most distracting tasks. They mentally and visually distracted drivers for more than 40 seconds each. For comparison, previous research claims that looking away from the street for 2 seconds could double the risk of a car accident. This study also found that using voice commands, though they free up the hands, will still mentally occupy drivers and make them inattentive. The same goes for listening to the radio. Researchers are clear in saying that calling, texting and surfing the web are not to be combined with driving. However, they acknowledge that other issues are involved, such as complicated dashboards and a lack of fully tested technology. Nevertheless, it's important not to let technology get in the way of driving. If distracted operation is to blame for a motor vehicle crash, an injured victim may be able to file a claim for compensation. Damages could include medical expenses, rehabilitative care, lost wages and more. The victim could hire a lawyer to strengthen the case and negotiate for a settlement.

Road rage is a frequent cause of accidents. That's why drivers will want to follow a few tips for diffusing aggression. For starters, one should always remain calm. Honking the horn, flashing the high beams or making inflammatory hand gestures at the offending driver will only make matters worse. Drivers are encouraged to find their own unique strategy for keeping calm: for example, listening to classical can relieve stress. In certain cases, such as when someone takes a parking space, the offended driver should try and give the other side the benefit of the doubt. It may be that the other person did not see them. Faced with an aggressive driver, one should never make eye contact as this could be taken as a challenge. On multi-lane highways, it's important to open up passing lanes for aggressive drivers. One should neither speed up nor slow down as this could block such a lane. Drivers should let the other know that they will move out of the way as soon as it's safe by putting on the right turn signal. In traffic jams, impatient drivers may get close to one's bumper. To make a quick escape possible, a safe driver should leave a few extra feet of "breathing room" from the vehicle in front. When nothing defuses a driver's rage, the last step is to call 911. When aggressive or impatient drivers cause auto accidents, they will be at fault. To obtain compensation for damages, the victim could file a personal injury claim. Filing a claim is difficult without legal representation, so victims are encouraged to have their case evaluated by a lawyer. Legal counsel could negotiate with the auto insurance company for a fair settlement covering medical bills, vehicle damage and more.

There are many risky behaviors associated with higher incidents of traffic collisions. Drinking and drugged driving clearly create dangers on New York highways. Also problematic are driving at excessive speeds and what has been identified as distracted driving, primarily from cell phone use and texting. However, there is another "silent killer" that many motorists don't think twice about. A Department of Transportation study looked closely incidents of vehicle crashes, which included interviews with the drivers. The DOT report verified what had long been suspected -- driving with insufficient sleep carries risks similar to drinking and driving. The scope of the problem is underlined by the numbers, which show 7 percent of all vehicle crashes and 16 percent of all fatal crashes are related to driver drowsiness. Although falling asleep behind the wheel poses the greatest danger, the fatigue issue is broader. Driving while fatigued can cause a measurable decrease in the ability to concentrate, analyze distances and react normally to a changing situation. Furthermore, the cause is not only total sleep deprivation, but higher risk potential has been noted for drivers who are behind the wheel for periods longer than three hours, those whose sleep pattern has been disrupted in the past three weeks and those who suffer from sleep apnea. People are busier than ever and driving is an integral part of the day's activities. However, every time a driver gets on the road, there is a duty to drive in a safe and reasonable manner so as not to cause harm to others. A personal injury lawyer can explain the issues of vehicle crashes and liability.

In New York and throughout the rest of the U.S., distractions are posing a threat on the road. Billboards may tell drivers to keep their eyes on the road, not to text and not to fall asleep so as to avoid a car crash, but many drivers have the mentality of thinking, "It won't happen to me." Commercial truck drivers are no different, and fleet owners will want to do something about this. Science backs up the claim that distracted driving leads to accidents. Texting and driving is one of the most alarming forms because it constitutes a visual, manual and cognitive distraction all at once. Sending a text takes about five seconds: With a vehicle going 55 mph, that's like traveling the length of a football field with one's eyes closed. The pressures of a "productivity culture" encourage truckers to stay awake longer and thus become fatigued behind the wheel. Those who sleep 5.5 to 6.4 hours are twice as likely to drive drowsy than those who sleep one or two hours more. Fatigue also strikes those who take the federally required number of breaks but experience only poor-quality sleep. Fleet owners should take steps to create a safety-oriented workplace culture, using exposure rather than injuries as a measurement for improvement. They should meaningfully engage employees as they identify risk factors. If distracted driving or another form of negligence is to blame for an auto accident, those who were injured through little or no fault of their own may be eligible for compensation. Negotiating a settlement with a trucking company might go more smoothly with a lawyer. The lawyer, in turn, might hire accident investigators to gather proof against the trucker, which may include the police report and the trucker's phone records.

Many drivers in New York already know the benefits of crash avoidance systems. Though these systems have been incorporated into only a small percentage of commercial truck fleets, the companies that incorporated them say that they can prevent more than seven out of 10 rear-end collisions. The technology is also known to mitigate the severity of injuries and vehicle damage. Since the 1990s, the National Transportation Safety Board has been recommending the mandatory use of forward crash avoidance and mitigation systems on all commercial trucks. However, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration has reportedly not responded with any regulations along those lines. This has led to criticism from the NTSB and other groups. According to federal data, there were more than 4,300 large truck crash fatalities in 2016. This was a 28 percent increase from 2009. In light of this trend, safety advocates are pushing for the NHTSA to act. Several members of Congress who have read the article are also considering decisive action. The NHTSA has issued a written statement saying that it wrapped up research on early automatic emergency braking systems and that it will now study next-generation editions of the technology. It expects the study to be completed in 18 to 24 months, after which it could make an informed decision whether to mandate or not. In some cases, a trucker with a crash avoidance system can choose to turn it off. If they do so and cause an auto accident through their own negligence, their trucking company could be held liable. However, a victim may want legal assistance as a lawyer could negotiate for a settlement while sidestepping the aggressive tactics that trucking companies use to deny payment.

In an audit report, the AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety addressed a dangerous trend that many drivers in New York may be familiar with -- too much reliance on car safety features. While such features can reduce the number of auto accidents and accident-related deaths, they may backfire on drivers who do not understand the limitations of safety technology. For example, the report showed that 80 percent of drivers with a blind-spot monitoring overestimated this system's ability to detect quickly approaching cars, bicyclists and pedestrians. Furthermore, 20 percent of respondents were so confident in the feature that they never check for oncoming vehicles when changing lanes. Among motorists with adaptive cruise control, 29 percent say they feel comfortable engaging in other activities when this safety feature is on. Unfortunately, this constitutes distracted driving. Other drivers are unable to tell apart the various functions of their features. For instance, over 40 percent of the respondents confuse forward-collision warning with automatic emergency braking. AAA believes that automakers, dealers and rental-car companies should be educating customers on the limitations of modern safety features. The results of the study raise questions about how drivers will adapt to a future with semi-autonomous vehicles. After all, these vehicles will still require the driver to take hold of the wheel if they cannot handle certain conditions. Over-reliance on safety tech leads to negligent behavior. When a negligent driver gets into a crash, a victim may be eligible for compensation. Filing a third-party insurance claim will most likely require a lawyer, especially since auto insurance companies work hard to deny settlements. A lawyer could hire third parties to investigate the crash and gather the necessary evidence.