A new report from the Governors Highway Safety Association (GHSA), a national road safety group, reveals an increase in fatalities among 16 and 17 year old drivers. Statistics examined by the GHSA found that there was an 11 percent increase in deaths among this age group for the first 6 months of 2011 over the same period in 2010. Unfortunately, if this trend in the data remains the same for the rest of 2011, it would be the first time in eight years that deaths have risen for this age group of drivers.

While six months is too short a period of time to project a trend, we bring this report to your attention in order to urge you be sure that your children receive proper driver education before they begin to drive. Also, we ask that you emphasize with you children the importance of driving defensively and without distractions such as cell phone use and never driving after drinking or using drugs.

We are Phoenix personal injury lawyers and Phoenix accident injury lawyers. We are also Phoenix drunk driving accident lawyers and Phoenix dram shop lawyers. For more information about our law firm and the services we provide, please contact us at www.swclawyers.com.

Mazda Recalls Tribute SUVs

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has announced that Mazda is recalling more than 52,000 Tribute sport-utility vehicles from the 2001-2002 model years due to a potential brake fluid leak.

NHTSA says that the brake master cylinder reservoir cap can leak fluid, which may corrode the anti-lock braking system module’s wiring harness and cause melting, smoking or possibly fire.

Mazda has said that its dealers will repair the problem free of charge. If you have one of the above identified vehicles, we urge you to take it to a Mazda dearer immediately for repair.

We are Phoenix personal injury lawyers and Phoenix accident injury lawyers. We are also Phoenix defective product lawyers and Phoenix product liability lawyers. For more information about our law firm and the services we provide, please contact us at http://www.swclawyers.com/.

BMW Minis Recalled for Hire Hazard

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has announced that BMW of North America is recalling almost 89,000 of its turbocharged Minis because they could catch fire when the engine is off. BMW reports that the circuit board for the auxiliary water pump designed to dissipate heat from the turbocharger may malfunction, allowing the board to overheat and causing a fire. NHTSA has received complaints from owners, including 12 reports of engine fires, some of which caused a total loss.

The affected models include the 2001-11 Cooper S: 2008-11 Cooper S Clubman; 2009-11 Cooper S convertible; 2011 Cooper S Countryman; and the 2009-11 John Cooper Works, Works Clubman and Works convertible.

If you have one of these vehicles, we urge you to take your vehicle to a Mini dealer immediately for the appropriate repair.

We are Phoenix accident injury lawyers and Phoenix personal injury lawyers. We are also Phoenix product liability lawyers and Phoenix defective product lawyers. For more information about our law firm and the services we provide, please contact us at www.swclawyers.com

Britax Recalls Child Safety Seats

On January 27, 2012, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) announced that Britax Child Safety, Inc is recalling over 14,000 Chaperone Infant Car Seats sold in the U.S. due to a defect in the harness adjuster. The defect can cause the harness adjuster to detach from the seat, rendering the harness straps unable to properly restrain a child. The recall affects seat models E9L692J, E9L692K, E9L692J and E9L692M manufactured from September 1, 2010 through April 30, 2011.

If you own one of these car seats, NHTSA says that you should discontinue using the seat immediately and contact Britax at 888 427-4829 or at www.britaxusa.com to obtain either a new seat or a repair kit to fix the problem.

We are Phoenix personal injury lawyers and Phoenix accident injury lawyers. We are also Phoenix product liability lawyers and Phoenix defective product lawyers. For more information about our law firm and the services we provide, please contact us at www.swclawyers.com.

Arizona Republic Supports Ban on Texting While Driving

We have written numerous articles about the dangers of texting while driving. Today, we write to report that, on January 12, 2012, the Arizona Republic published an editorial suggesting that the Arizona Legislature should enact a law banning texting while driving. While the City of Phoenix already bans texting while driving, the newspaper is proposing that the legislature enact a law banning texting while driving on a statewide basis.

The editorial said that there is a new word, "intexicated", for those dangerous drivers who have their hands off the wheel, their eyes off the road and their attention focused on electronic messages. The editorial pointed out that there are 35 states that already have bans against texting while driving and reported that 9 out of 10 favor such a ban. The editorial cited another study finding that, if truck drivers are texting while driving, they are 23 times more likely to have a crash or near-crash.

The editorial noted that texting behind the wheel endangers everyone nearby: pedestrians, bicyclists, motorcycle riders and other drivers and said that a well-crafted law should be followed up with enforcement, education and social marketing.

As long-time Phoenix personal injury lawyers, we support the enactment of a law banning texting for the reasons set forth in the editorial. There is no question that our roads would be safer for everyone if texting while driving was eliminated.

We are Phoenix accident injury lawyers. We are also Phoenix drunk driving accident lawyers and Phoenix dram shop lawyers. For more information about our law firm and the services we provide, please contact us at www.swclawyers.com.

Arizona Republic Supports Law Increasing Age of Booster Seat to Age 8

On January 28, 2012, the Arizona Republic published an editorial supporting the idea that Arizona should pass a law raising the age for which children must be in a booster seat while traveling in a vehicle from age 5 to 8. The editorial said that there is research showing that for children ages 5 to 8, using booster seats reduces the risk of injury by 59 percent, compared with using seat belts alone. In addition, children using seat belts alone are four times more likely to suffer head injures and brain injuries in an accident than those who are sitting in booster seats.

The problem is that most children under 8 are still too small for a seat belt to hold them safely. The lap part of the belt often rides up too high on their stomachs, and the shoulder section is too near their necks and faces; oftentimes, children will put the shoulder section behind them in order to be more comfortable. Obviously, this can compromise the effectiveness of the seat belt and subject the child to more serious injury. In a crash, the seatbelt itself can cause serious hip, stomach and spinal-cord injuries.

The editorial pointed out that 47 other states require a booster seat through at least age 8 and urges that Arizona should join their ranks to provide better protection for our children in the event of an accident.

We are Phoenix personal injury lawyers and Phoenix accident injury lawyers. We are also Phoenix defective product lawyers and Phoenix product liability lawyers For more information on our law firm and the services we provide, please contract us at www.swclawyers.com.

Ford Recalls 450,000 Vehicles

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) announced on January 11, 2012 that Ford is recalling 205,896 Ford Freestars and Mercury Montereys manufactured in 2004 and 2005 because of a transmission problem and 244,530 Ford Escapes made in 2001 and 2002 for a brake problem. Keep in mind that vehicles made in 2005 could include the 2006 model year. Likewise, vehicles made in 2002 could include the 2003 model year.

In the case of the Freestar/Monterey, NHTSA said it was possible the torque converter on the vehicles could fail, which the agency said would cause a sudden loss of power with no warning, increasing the risk of a crash.

As for the Escapes, NHTSA said the problem is a brake master cylinder reservoir cap that could leak brake fluid. NHTSA said that if brake fluid leaks from the cap, it could come in contact with the antilock brake system leading to smoke or fire.
　
If you have one of the vehicles described above, we urge you to immediately contact a Ford dealer to have your vehicle evaluated and repaired if necessary.

We are Phoenix accident injury lawyers and Phoenix personal injury lawyers. We are also Phoenix defective product lawyers and Phoenix product liability lawyers. For more information about our law firm and the services we provide, please contact us at www.swclawyers.com.

Bicyclist Seriously Injured in Scottsdale Crash

On January 13, 2012, the Arizona Republic reported that a bicyclist was seriously injured recently when struck by a vehicle near Via De Ventura and Pima Road in Scottsdale. Police said that the bicyclist was crossing Via De Ventura in the middle of the afternoon when he was struck by the vehicle. The bike rider was taken to the hospital with possible life-threatening injuries. Police said it appeared alcohol was a factor in the collision.

We have written numerous article about the dangers to pedestrians of walking along and across our busy urban streets; these dangers apply equally to bicyclists. Motorists, especially at night, often do not see bicycles in the streets especially when the vehicle is traveling at high speeds. Obviously, when the vehicle driver has been drinking, this visibility problem is increased. In addition, drunk drivers have impaired coordination and perception/reaction abilities.

When you are riding a bicycle alongside a busy street, we urge you to exercise extreme caution and make yourself as visible as possible at night by wearing reflective clothing, having reflective lights on the bike and even using a headlight on your helmet.

We are Phoenix accident injury lawyers and Phoenix personal injury lawyers. We are also Phoenix drunk driving accident lawyers and Phoenix dram shop lawyers For more information about our law firm and the services we provide, please contact us at www.swclawyers.com.

Woman Killed in Hit and Run Accident

On January 24, 2012, we wrote that a pedestrian was recently killed while crossing Bethany Home road in a crosswalk in Glendale. Today we write that on January 14, the Arizona Republic reported that a woman who was traveling on foot along 51^st Avenue near Indian School road was killed when she was struck by a white, four-door passenger car early in the morning. The driver fled the scene and the police are still looking for the hit and run driver. After she was knocked down by the car, the woman was hit by a semi-truck that was unable to avoid her. The driver of the semi-truck did stop at the scene.

The Phoenix police have requested that anyone with information about the hit and run driver contact the Crimes Bureau at 602- 262-6141 or Silent Witness at 480-WITNESS.

As we have discussed in numerous articles, pedestrians are often not clearly visible to vehicle operators at night especially when the vehicle is traveling at higher speeds. We again urge all pedestrians to be extremely cautious when walking along or across our busy urban streets.

We are Phoenix accident injury lawyers and Phoenix personal injury lawyers. For more information about our law firm and the services we provide, please contact us at www.swclawyers.com.

Pedestrian Killed by Car in Glendale

We have written a number of articles in the past few months about the dangers posed to pedestrians who walk along or across our high speed roads in Maricopa County. We write today to report about a story published in the Arizona Republic on January 14, 2012 that a middle-aged man was hit and killed in a crosswalk near 47^th Avenue at 6pm by a vehicle traveling on Bethany Home Road. On January 20, 2012, the Arizona Republic reported new information that the driver may have been impaired at the time of the crash.

This story reminds all of us that our city streets are especially dangerous for pedestrians because vehicles are traveling at high speeds. At night, vehicle operators often do not see pedestrians walking along the side of or crossing roads and pedestrians are often too slow in reacting to a speeding car that is about to strike them.

We caution all pedestrians to be especially alert when walking along or across our high speed streets. If walking at night, try to wear reflective or lighter colored-clothing.

We are Phoenix accident injury lawyers and Phoenix personal injury lawyers. For more information about our law firm and the services we provide, please contact us at www.swclawyers.com.