Iowa Edict - Distracted Driving - Put the cell phone away! http://www.theiowaedict.com/distracted-driving---put-the-cell-phone-away/ Des Moines Lawyer & Attorney for Personal Injury & Accident Law en Copyright 2012 Mon, 14 May 2012 07:33:30 -0600 Mon, 14 May 2012 07:33:30 -0600 http://www.sixapart.com/movabletype/?v=4.32-en http://blogs.law.harvard.edu/tech/rss Risking Fatigued Operators on Common Carriers Locomotive.jpgSouthwest Iowa's deadly train crash cause was recently explained as one involving human fatigue. That was the finding by the NTSB. See the NTSB report from the Northern Santa Fe coal train that crashed into a stopped train near Red Oak on April 17, 2011. The coal train engineer was killed. Read the "Probable Cause" finding and if that doesn't scare you nothing will.

The NTSB says Tuesday that both crewmembers had fallen asleep. They failed to comply with a signal requiring them to operate at a restricted speed and stop short of the standing train.

Railroad Accident Reports from the NTSB

See NTSB news story from AP and The Republic story of April 24, 2012

Board Meeting - Railroad Accident Report - Collision of BNSF Coal Train With the Rear End of Standing BNSF Maintenance-of-Way Equipment Train where you can also listen to the live streaming webcast. 

]]>Conclusions

  1. The following were not factors in the accident: the condition of the track, railcars, or signal system; the weather; the visibility of signals; the use of cellular telephones by crewmembers; the vision and hearing of the crew; illegal drug or alcohol use, the actions of the train dispatcher and the crew of the maintenance of way equipment train; or the mechanical condition of the locomotives of the striking coal train.
  2. The striking coal train conductor's and the engineer's irregular work schedules contributed to their being fatigued on the morning of the collision.
  3. Based on their medical histories, both crewmembers on the striking coal train were at high risk for sleep disorders and fatigue.
  4. Based on the conductor's and the engineer's irregular work schedules, their medical histories, and their lack of action before the collision, both crewmembers on the striking coal train had fallen asleep due to fatigue.
  5. Had the two crewmembers on the striking coal train completed the BNSF's fatigue training program, they would have had the opportunity to learn that they were at risk for sleep disorders, particularly obstructive sleep apnea, and the computer-based training program would have displayed a message advising them to consult with a physician.
  6. Had the requirements described in Safety Recommendations R-02-24, -25, and -26 been in place, this crew would likely have been identified as at high risk for sleep disorders, which may have led to appropriate medical intervention.
  7. Because biomathematical models of fatigue are relatively new to the railroad industry, the use of this technology should be evaluated for its effectiveness within the context of railroads' fatigue management plans through independent scientific peer review.
  8. Had the crew of the striking coal train been alert and operated their train in accordance with restricted speed requirements, the collision would have been prevented.
  9. Locomotive alerters only detect engineer inactivity and should not be used as a substitute for an effective fatigue mitigation strategy. 
  10. Had the positive train control/Electronic Train Management System currently in development been installed on the Creston Subdivision, it most likely would not have prevented this accident because it does not identify the rear end of a standing train as a target and because it allows following movements at up to 23 mph. 
  11. The positive train control designs that are being deployed and the Federal Railroad Administration's final rule on the application of positive train control are unlikely to prevent future restricted speed rear-end collisions similar to the 58 rear-end collisions reported to the Federal Railroad Administration over the last 10 years or the collision at Red Oak because train speeds at the upper limit of restricted speed are allowed. 
  12. Because the isolated locomotive cab module detached from the deck of the locomotive and was subsequently rotated and crushed, the crew could not have survived. 
  13. Although the current locomotive crashworthiness standards include a procedure to validate alternative locomotive crashworthiness designs that are not consistent with any Federal Railroad Administration-approved locomotive crashworthiness design standard, this requirement was not effective in identifying the modular operating cab as an alternate design. 
  14. The emergency response to the accident was timely and appropriate. 
  15. Had an inward-facing video and audio recorder been installed in the cab of the locomotive of the striking train, additional valuable information about the train crew's actions before the collision would have been available. 
  16. Because the Federal Railroad Administration developed standards and regulations for certified U.S. Department of Transportation crashworthy event recorder memory modules in response to the National Transportation Safety Board's prior recommendations, and a crashworthy event recorder was installed on the accident locomotive, information about this accident was available that otherwise would have been destroyed. 
  17. Because data from voluntarily installed locomotive video cameras are typically not stored in crashworthy memory modules, important operational and safety data are at risk of being lost following an accident.

Probable Cause

The National Transportation Safety Board determines that the probable cause of the accident was the failure of the crew of the striking train to comply with the signal indication requiring them to operate in accordance with restricted speed requirements and stop short of the standing train because they had fallen asleep due to fatigue resulting from their irregular work schedules and their medical conditions. Contributing to the accident was the absence of a positive train control system that identifies the rear of a train and stops a following train if a safe braking profile is exceeded. Contributing to the severity of collision damage to the locomotive cab of the striking coal train was the absence of crashworthiness standards for modular locomotive crew cabs.

]]> http://www.theiowaedict.com/semi-trucks-cars-vans-and-suv-safety/the-risk-of-fatigued-operators-on-common-carriers/ http://www.theiowaedict.com/semi-trucks-cars-vans-and-suv-safety/the-risk-of-fatigued-operators-on-common-carriers/ Distracted Driving - Put the cell phone away!Interstate Highway Travel: I-80, I-35, I-235, I-380Personal Injury Law Public PolicySemi-Trucks, Cars, Vans & SUV Safety Fri, 11 May 2012 04:00:29 -0600 Steve Lombardi What is TIWI? Tiwi buy-now_on.jpgTIWI is an electronic device (onboard computer) that is secured to the windshield of the car and warns teens about their unsafe driving habits. It’s a parent’s conscience onboard with your teen. Notifications can be sent to the parent when teens arrive or depart from any location.

The cost is between $300 and $600. The key features are seat belt alert, speeding/aggressive driving prevention, immediate feedback on driver behavior, e-Call Emergency/Roadside Support,

Interactive Web Portal and SmartZones GeoFencing

I’ve not used this device, so I’m not all that familiar with the ease of how it works and how valuable the feedback is. But there is a feature of it that got my attention. The feature is named SmartZones and allows the parent to create customized geographic zones so you know the second your teen arrives or leaves school, home or anywhere else. 

]]>

]]> http://www.theiowaedict.com/distracted-driving---put-the-cell-phone-away/what-is-tiwi/ http://www.theiowaedict.com/distracted-driving---put-the-cell-phone-away/what-is-tiwi/ Distracted Driving - Put the cell phone away!Life On-Campus: Staying Safe at a College-University Thu, 23 Feb 2012 04:00:35 -0600 Steve Lombardi Down on Main Street, pedestrian safety knows no status On way to work, pedestrian struck and killed in Charlotte

I read that headline and wondered why anyone would ban the use of any traffic cameras. The Iowa legislature is considering such a move. To do so would be pandering to the voters, nothing more.

Look at the guy in Charlotte. Being familiar with the route didn’t save this pedestrian worker as he headed to his job at Wells Fargo along a route he’d done morning after morning. I’m sure the truck driver feels badly about his part, how could he feel anything else, but that won’t change the facts. The truck driver is reportedly charged, but one witness is quoted as saying there was fog that morning and he didn’t believe the truck driver ever saw the pedestrian. Chances are the prosecution will have no choice but to plea bargain. Who knows what the truth is except the pedestrian is dead.

A construction company worker who was near the scene said he didn't believe the dump truck driver saw the pedestrian. Tuesday morning was foggy across much of the area. The pedestrian was 47-years-old, a director with corporation’s commercial mortgage servicing team handling asset management with commercial real estate. Photo available. 

]]>The reporter, Maria David writing for the Charlotte Observer did a nice job of detailing the number of accidents and where this intersection ranks for most dangerous intersections in Charlotte and on the DOT's High Accident Location List. It sort of makes you wonder if each state shouldn’t do more to publish lists of the most dangerous intersections.

Charlotte’s High Accident Location List can be accessed by following this link.

That report is nicely done, with bar graphs and stats for number of collisions, circumstances and other identifying data. There is a spread sheet with each location and the crash rates. Link to NC list. So I wonder if Iowa has such a list. Drop below this list from Charlotte.

2010 Crash Summary

Collisions by Motorist Contributing Circumstances

Contributing Circumstances  Total Collisions Percent of Total Collisions

  • Inattention 3,480  22.12%
  • Failure to reduce speed  2,704  17.19%
  • Failed to yield right of way  2,056  13.07%
  • None Indicated  871  5.54%
  • Followed too closely  654  4.16%
  • Improper turn  573  3.64%
  • Disregarded traffic signals  548  3.48%
  • Improper lane change  534  3.39%
  • Unknown   420  2.66%
  • Exceeded safe speed for conditions  371  2.36%
  • Other 294  1.87%
  • Alcohol use  216  1.37%
  • Improper backing  190  1.21%
  • Operated vehicle in erratic, reckless, careless, negligent or aggressive manner  196 1.25%
  • Swerved or avoided due to wind, slippery surface, vehicle, object, non-motorist  178 1.13%
  • Overcorrected/oversteered 176  1.12%
  • Crossed centerline/going wrong way  174  1.11%
  • Driver distracted  171  1.09%
  • Other improper passing  131  0.83%
  • Disregarded stop sign  143  0.91%
  • Visibility obstructed  106  0.67%
  • Operated defective equipment  101  0.64%
  • Exceeded authorized speed limit  94  0.60%
  • Use of improper lane  32  0.20%
  • Disregarded other traffic signs  45  0.29%
  • Disregarded road markings  45  0.29%
  • Improper or no signal  33  0.21%
  • Improper parking  26  0.17%
  • Disregarded yield sign  25  0.16%
  • Right turn on red  14  0.09%
  • Drug use  8  0.05%
  • Passed on curve  5  0.03%
  • Passed stopped school bus  3  0.02%
  • TOTAL 15,799  100%

The University of Kentucky has developed procedures for identifying high-crash locations and prioritizing safety improvements. Link Iowa has a list but names it a bit different: Iowa DOT’s Safety Improvement Candidate List, June 2002, a bit dated I’d say. Iowa State University has studied the issue. See Systematic Identification of High Crash Locations (TR-442). There is a public website. Wikipedia refers to this in “Traffic collision”.

NHTA Traffic Safety Facts Annual Report

About the research

Abstract: The objective of this project was to develop tools and procedures to identify potentially hazardous roadway locations and designs, and to demonstrate the utility of these tools by developing candidate lists of high crash locations in Iowa. An initial task built an integrated database to facilitate the tools and procedures. The Iowa Department of Transportation (Iowa DOT) Geographic Information Management System (GIMS) and Geographic Information System Accident Analysis and Location System (GIS-ALAS) databases were integrated with available digital imagery.

In Iowa the statistics are broken down by county from 1994 to 2009.  Looking at 2009 there were 372 car accidents with fatalities, down from 412 in 2008. The counties with the highest numbers were Benton with 10, Scott with 13, Woodbury with 11,  Pottawattamie with 12, Polk 13, Linn with 15, Johnson with 11 and Jefferson with 9. Link

 

]]> http://www.theiowaedict.com/distracted-driving---put-the-cell-phone-away/down-on-main-street-pedestrian-safety-knows-no-status/ http://www.theiowaedict.com/distracted-driving---put-the-cell-phone-away/down-on-main-street-pedestrian-safety-knows-no-status/ Distracted Driving - Put the cell phone away!Pedestrian Safety & ConcernsPersonal Injury Law Public Policy Thu, 02 Feb 2012 04:00:53 -0600 Steve Lombardi Do I have any legal recourse after an auto accident if I was not seriously injured? Gladiators.jpgQuestion: Do I have any legal recourse in an auto accident if I was not injured? I am a truck driver involved in an accident in a company truck. The other driver admitted to being at fault along with two witnesses that stated it was his fault. He had minor injuries and was taken to the hospital. I had a stiff neck for a few days, but did not seek medical attention. I was laid off a week later. I had a clean driving record until this happened. Now I'm having a hard time getting driving jobs because of this accident. Do I have any legal recourse against the other driver from this accident?

]]>Answer: Well no. In every personal injury action, which the law calls a "tort" you need four things before you are allowed to sue and to proceed.

1. A duty.

2. A breach of the duty.

3. Damages.

4. Your damages need to be proximately caused by the negligence of the "tortfeasor" the wrongdoer.

In your case you are simply missing 3 and 4. You have no damages and therefore no damages were proximately caused by the wrongdoer. Your personal injury is what the law refers to as de minimis. Lay people would use this definition and lawyers this one. Frankly it was what the McDonald's marketing machine was all about but they were completely wrong and fooled most people into believing the sky was falling.

De minimis is a Latin expression meaning about minimal things, normally in the locutions de minimis non curat praetor ("The praetor does not concern himself with trifles") or de minimis non curat lex ("The law does not concern itself with trifles").[1][2]

In risk assessment it refers to a level of risk that is too small to be concerned with. Some refer to this as a "virtually safe" level.[3]

 

 

An abbreviated form of the Latin Maxim de minimis non curat lex, "the law cares not for small things." A legal doctrine by which a court refuses to consider trifling matters.

In a lawsuit, a court applies the de minimis doctrine to avoid the resolution of trivial matters that are not worthy of judicial scrutiny. Its application sometimes results in the dismissal of an action, particularly when the only redress sought is for a nominal sum, such as one dollar. Appellate courts also use the de minimis doctrine when appropriate.

But the personal injury aside you did also mention a wage loss being caused by your having a tough time keeping a job. It didn’t take me 30 years of practice to know it’s going to be extremely difficult to prove you’re not being able to find any truck driving job is somehow proximately caused by this one little accident. There must be more than you’re telling me; either that or you aren’t trying hard enough to find work.

Make sense? Now get back to work.

Mcdonalds.jpg

]]> http://www.theiowaedict.com/construction-sites-interstate-highway-road-workers/qa-do-i-have-any-legal-recource-in-an-auto-accident-if-i-was-not-seriously-injured/ http://www.theiowaedict.com/construction-sites-interstate-highway-road-workers/qa-do-i-have-any-legal-recource-in-an-auto-accident-if-i-was-not-seriously-injured/ Animals & InjuryBoating, Skiing & Water SafetyConstruction Sites / Interstate Highway Road WorkersDistracted Driving - Put the cell phone away!Groundskeeper & Maintenance WorkersInjury Caused by Property DefectsInterstate Highway Travel: I-80, I-35, I-235, I-380Large Damage, Major-Serious Injury & Death AccidentsLife On-Campus: Staying Safe at a College-UniversityMotorcycles, Bicycles & ATV'sPedestrian Safety & ConcernsPersonal Injury Law Public PolicySemi-Trucks, Cars, Vans & SUV SafetyWorkers Compensation & Workplace SafetyWrong-Way Collisions on the Interstate Highways Tue, 17 Jan 2012 04:00:53 -0600 Steve Lombardi Wrong-way Interstate Accident Reports to December 20, 2011 Arctic Iceberg.jpgHere are another 12 wrong-way interstate highway driver accidents in the news. This group includes wrong-way driving events from the following states: Connecticut (intoxicated driver); Alabama (driver being sought); Texas (intoxication manslaughter); Montana (driver reportedly charged with six misdemeanors including driving under the influence and drug possession.); another Montana wrong-way on I-90 (appears to be a mental health issue); Wisconsin (erratic driving with cause unknown driver died), South Carolina (I-26, DUI arrest); Texas (Sam Houston Parkway, driver died, cause not stated); Montana on Highway 40 (driver died cause unknown); Forth Worth, Texas on I-35 and arrested for suspicion of intoxication manslaughter and endangerment of a child; Lake Mills, Wisconsin on I-94; Houston, Texas on Highway 290, raw video still working; and Montville, Connecticut (charges related to drunken driving).

"Let's take away their right to buy booze. Taking away the driver's license isn't enough."

Wrong-way driver charged with DUI
Norwich Bulletin
4, 2010, Ellen H. Noordzy, 22, was reportedly driving the wrong way on the southbound side of I-95, in the area of exit 93, when state police said she struck a southbound car head-on. The two occupants of the car Noordzy hit, Bruce A. Wall, 22, ...

]]>Wrong-way driver sought after wreck sends 3 to hospital
Sand Mountain Reporter
A wrong-way driver caused a two-vehicle wreck Thursday night that sent three people to the hospital and has spurred a search for one of the drivers involved. According to Albertville Assistant Police Chief Maj. Jamie Smith, a 2002 Toyota Camry driven ...

Charges Upgraded against Wrong-Way Driver
MyFox Dallas
FORT WORTH, Texas - Tarrant County prosecutors have raised the charges on a wrong-way driver from intoxication manslaughter to murder. The district attorney's office said it felt as thought the case against 25-year-old Brittany Burton had special ...

Car driving wrong way hits patrol car on Interstate 90
Helena Independent Record
She was driving her 1995 Chevrolet Corsica eastbound in the westbound lane near the Pipestone exit, west of Whitehall, just after 7 pm, authorities said. After receiving several 911 calls from motorists about a wrong-way driver, a Jefferson County ...

Montana Minute: wrong-way driver; suspect caught; MHP ceremony
KRTV Great Falls News
Darrell Shepherd, a semi truck driver who claims someone was chasing him the wrong way down the interstate, pleaded not guilty in Missoula. Shepherd faces three counts of felony criminal endangerment. Several drivers had to swerve out of his way to ...

Wrong-way Driver Killed on Highway 15
WBAY
Authorities at the scene of a fatal crash in Outagamie County say the driver who died was going the wrong way on Highway 15. The crash happened at 12:30 Tuesday afternoon just west of the intersection of Highway 76. The sheriff's department says a ...

Wrong-way Driver Killed on Highway 15
WBAY
Authorities at the scene of a fatal crash in Outagamie County say the driver who died was going the wrong way on Highway 15. The crash happened at 12:30 Tuesday afternoon just west of the intersection of Highway 76. The sheriff's department says a ...

Patrol: Wrong-way driver forced off I-26, arrested
The State
Since 2010, two people have died in similar wrong-way incidents on the same stretch of Interstate 26, the patrol said. “It is not uncommon for troopers to get reports of wrong-way drivers on interstates. These situations typically end in a serious ...

Wrong-way driver wrecks, closing Beltway 8
Houston Chronicle
A wrong-way driver slammed into another vehicle in a traffic wreck on the west Sam Houston Parkway in southwest Houston early Tuesday morning. The two-vehicle crash occurred on the northbound lanes of Beltway 8 near Bissonnet about 4 am, according to ...

Wrong Way Driver Dies In Head-On Crash
FOX2now.com
A man is dead after authorities say he drove the wrong direction on Highway 40 and crashed into another vehicle. The accident happened around 9:45 pm Thursday near Boone's Crossings in Chesterfield. Police say James Gobble, 35, of Chesterfield was ...

Relatives of man killed in wrong-way driving case in Fort Worth sought
Fort Worth Star Telegram
By Domingo Ramirez Jr. and Alex Branch FORT WORTH - Authorities were searching Sunday for relatives of a man who was killed late Saturday in a traffic accident on the South Freeway caused by a wrong-way driver. The 47-year-old victim who died at the ...

Father grieves for daughter killed in wrong-way driving crash ...
Nicole, a recent graduate at UW-Whitewater, was on her way home from work early one morning in January 2007. She was on I-94 near Cottage Grove when the unthinkable happened.

Raw: Wrong-way driver hits minivan, pickup on 290 | khou.com ...
Three vehicles were involved in a crash caused by a wrong-way driver on Highway 290 Tuesday morning.

Patrol: Wrong-way driver forced off I-26, arrested - Crime & Courts ...
A highway patrolman forced a driver who was travelling the wrong way on Interstate-26 off the road early Wednesday morning, the South Carolina Highway ...

Police arrest wrong-way driver on West Side|WOAI: San Antonio News
San Antonio police said a wrong-way driver was arrested after leading officers on a short chase on the West Side Wednesday night.

Woman charged with assault, drunken driving in 2010 crash on I-95 ...
4, 2010, Ellen H. Noordzy, 22, was driving the wrong way on the southbound side of I-95, in the area of exit 93, when state police said she struck a southbound ...

Wrong way driver causes crash on Bypass 20 - wsbtradio.com
ST JOSEPH COUNTY – Police responded to a wrong way driver between Mishawaka and South Bend Thursday afternoon when a person drove onto an exit ...

]]> http://www.theiowaedict.com/wrong-way-collisions-on-the-interstate-highways/wrong-way-interstate-accident-reports-for-december-20-2011/ http://www.theiowaedict.com/wrong-way-collisions-on-the-interstate-highways/wrong-way-interstate-accident-reports-for-december-20-2011/ Distracted Driving - Put the cell phone away!Interstate Highway Travel: I-80, I-35, I-235, I-380Large Damage, Major-Serious Injury & Death AccidentsOWI & Highway SafetyPersonal Injury Law Public PolicySemi-Trucks, Cars, Vans & SUV SafetyTort Reform + Tort Deform + Special InterestsWrong-Way Collisions on the Interstate Highways Wed, 11 Jan 2012 04:00:13 -0600 Steve Lombardi Trailer Comes Loose from Semi and Strike's Vehicle Head-on - Who is to blame? Trailer Hitch Diagram.jpgHancock County, Iowa - I’ve been reading about these accidents and one guy has a blog dedicated to accidents where trailers become unhitched and crash into other cars, trucks or motorcycles. It’s been awhile since I’ve seen one in Iowa, right up until this week, that is. It happened on December 5, 2011 at around 5:58 a.m. on Highway 18 about 2 miles west of Garner. A 2000 Peterbuilt semitruck pulling a trailer (driver shown on police report as being from Garner, Iowa – 38 years old) was westbound on Highway 18 when as the officer describes it, “VEHICLE 1 (THE SEMI ) WAS WESTBOUND ON HWY 18 WHEN ITS TRAILER BECAME DETACHED FROM THE TRACTOR THE TRAILER THEN SLID ACROSS THE CENTER LINE AND STRUCK THE EASTBOUND VEHICLE 2 HEAD ON.”

The eastbound vehicle is a Ford Explorer being driven by a 56 year old man from Britt, Iowa. From the report it appears as though the opposing driver died in the crash.

So who is responsible? From a legal standpoint the driver of the semi (and the permissive owner of the semi) is legally responsible for securing the load, including the trailer.

]]>See also

 

 

 

15 Ways to Cause a Trailer to Unhitch While Towing

  1. Improper Installation of the Trailer Hitch or the Towing Mechanisms
  2. Using a trailer that is beyond the hitch’s rating
  3. Not using the chains
  4. Using the chains improperly
  5. Using the wrong sized ball and socket
  6. Overloading the trailer
  7. Using a broken hitch
  8. Not latching the ball
  9. Not securing the security pin
  10. Towing a poorly maintained trailer causing excessive pressure on the hitch itself
  11. Improperly inflated tires
  12. Loading the trailer beyond the axles weight rating and breaking the axle
  13. Failing to double check hitch before driving off
  14. Not having brakes on the trailer while pulling a heavy load
  15. Driving while distracted and not keeping an eye on the load you’re towing

If you think these cases are easy to prove it’s because you’ve never tried to prove one in a court of law. And if you think that insurance adjuster who makes it seem like he’s there to pay you and just has a few questions to ask for his file, good luck with that one. Later this week (December 15, 2011) I’ll post an article titled, The Loss Prevention Department Assassin. You may find it of interest. I’ll update the link after it posts. 

]]> http://www.theiowaedict.com/interstate-highway-travel-i-80-i-35-i-235-i-380/trailer-comes-loose-from-semi-and-strikes-vehicle-head-on---who-is-to-blame/ http://www.theiowaedict.com/interstate-highway-travel-i-80-i-35-i-235-i-380/trailer-comes-loose-from-semi-and-strikes-vehicle-head-on---who-is-to-blame/ Distracted Driving - Put the cell phone away!Injury Caused by Property DefectsInterstate Highway Travel: I-80, I-35, I-235, I-380Large Damage, Major-Serious Injury & Death AccidentsLife On-Campus: Staying Safe at a College-UniversityMotorcycles, Bicycles & ATV'sOWI & Highway SafetyPedestrian Safety & ConcernsPersonal Injury Law Public PolicySemi-Trucks, Cars, Vans & SUV SafetyWorkers Compensation & Workplace Safety Sat, 10 Dec 2011 08:30:00 -0600 Steve Lombardi What are risks today, that will kill workers while on the job tomorrow? augers.JPGTo answer that question let’s look at some of the recent accidental deaths while on the job.

  • In the first case out of Salt Lake City a worker identified as Kelton Lee (55) a construction worker who was lifting a heavy piece of pipe when his legs gave out and the pipe struck him in the head. Although he regained consciousness he later died of the head injuries. Read more here from the Vernal Express.
  • Next we go to South Dakota where an article discusses the number of deaths in that state. It’s interesting that all workers killed in South Dakota last year were men; men must be taking more jobs with higher risk of injury. Here is a quote from that article. “All but one of those killed in South Dakota last year were men. The Labor Statistics bureau groups farming with forestry, fishing and hunting, and that sector had the highest number of worker deaths, 14. The construction industry followed with seven.
  • Every year since 2003, driving associated with work has been as dangerous as or more dangerous than fatal accidents involving equipment or objects and falls. Among fatalities last year, 16 were caused by transportation accidents, including nine highway deaths and seven nonhighway accidents.
  • Ten deaths occurred in accidents involving objects and equipment and five were caused by falls.
  • South Dakota closely tracks a national trend regarding transportation fatalities. Nationwide, 21 percent of the 4,547 people killed on the job last year died in highway accidents. The nine highway deaths in South Dakota represents 25 percent of the total work-related deaths.
  • Nationwide last year, 11 percent of those killed at work were murdered. South Dakota had no such cases.”
  • You can read that article from the Argus Leader here. 
]]>
  • Heading east to Vermont we pick up an article out of Guilford, Vermont and Reformer Staff Writer, Chris Garofolo. He writes about a man killed when the tractor he was driving overturned, crushing him to death. People describe that accident as a freak accident but that I find hard to believe. First did the tractor have rollover protection? Second did the tractor have a seat belt and was the driver wearing it? Last thing to consider is speed and how unlevel the terrain he was riding on and what he was doing on it. While this is a tragic accident it’s more than likely one that can be prevented. You can read that article here.
  • Heading to New York we have an article titled “Architects of Brighton Beach condo in deadly collapse had history of flouting regulations.” I’m not sure of the facts so I won’t comment because this accuses people of flaunting safety rules and without knowing the details it’s not for me to comment on. But what we can surmise from what is said is that a building collapsed during construction and some workers were injured and one was killed. You can read the NY Daily News article here.
  • No country is immune to tragic work related deaths; even Nigeria has a problem. Read here.
  • Back across the Big Pond we head to the Midwest where Kansas is turning its attention to safety issues for workers who drive and die in car-truck-motorcycle-semi accidents. Read about their efforts here.
  • Other worker related death accidents include:
  • West York construction site lift fell on top of the operator. Another link.
  • In Spring Hill near Tampa, Florida a road construction worker was struck by a motorist driving though a highway construction zone. We’ve represented road crew workers in several injury related accidents.
  • In a similar type of accident a highway construction worker along I077 in Brecksville, Ohio was struck and killed when a semi-truck slammed into him. The worker, John Costlow of Akron was installing signs off the roadway when a semi went off the road, struck and killed him. Link is here.
  • Just one more and we are done for today. We go to Queensland and Melbourne, Australia. A worker was trapped under a “heavy load” and it killed him. So moving materials is a huge risk to workers and creates many safety hazards that can kill or injure them. Here is the link.

    • Many workers, many accidents, all different locations but several things in common to all – risk, not paying enough attention to safety, material handling, moving machinery, trucks-cars all moving with drivers paying little attention to their surroundings and highway construction crews who are sitting ducks with cell phoned drivers paying more attention to the call than the road. 

    ]]>     http://www.theiowaedict.com/construction-sites-interstate-highway-road-workers/what-are-some-of-the-current-risks-that-kill-workers-while-on-the-job/ http://www.theiowaedict.com/construction-sites-interstate-highway-road-workers/what-are-some-of-the-current-risks-that-kill-workers-while-on-the-job/ Construction Sites / Interstate Highway Road WorkersDistracted Driving - Put the cell phone away!Interstate Highway Travel: I-80, I-35, I-235, I-380Large Damage, Major-Serious Injury & Death AccidentsLife On-Campus: Staying Safe at a College-UniversityMotorcycles, Bicycles & ATV'sOWI & Highway SafetyPedestrian Safety & ConcernsPersonal Injury Law Public PolicySemi-Trucks, Cars, Vans & SUV SafetyWorkers Compensation & Workplace Safety Sat, 10 Dec 2011 04:00:35 -0600 Steve Lombardi     Question: How is negligence determined in personal injury cases? Domenico-Fetti_Archimedes_1620 Wiki.jpgQuestion: How is negligence determined in personal injury cases?  

    Does negligence have to be established in order to collect damages in any personal injury case?

    ]]>Answer: Negligence is a legal concept that establishes whether or not a party can be at fault and thus have to pay for someone else's damages. Yes, you have to prove someone was negligent in order to have any possibility of collecting damages. So what is negligent behavior? Negligent behavior is a breach of a recognized standard created by law, agreement of the parties or recognized behavioral standards.

    Statutes and Black Letter Law: The statutory law states that everyone must stop at a stop sign. If you run the stop sign you are negligent.

    Common Law: If you behave in such a way as to increase the risk of injury to another knowing injury is likely then you can be found to have been negligent.

    Contract: General contractors agree by way of a written agreement (the contract) to supervise the construction site and to make sure every subcontractor is abiding by OSHA's rules and regulations. If the GC knows a sub is not following OSHA rules/regs or fails to monitor whether the subs are adhering to OSHA rules they can be found to be negligent.

    Criminal Law: Criminal law says if I walk up and punch you in the nose I'm guilty of assault and battery. If I walk up to one guy but hit another due to my being too drunk to make a straight punch, then I'm probably negligent. That's a standard that can be applied to civil law to find you acted negligently.

    Professional Standards: Professionals are held to a standard created and recognized by other professionals and the associations that govern their conduct.

    These are not all the ways standards are found in the civil law, but it will give you some idea of how standards are determined to exist and therefore formulate the basis for determining negligent conduct. 

    ]]>     http://www.theiowaedict.com/adventure-travel/question-how-is-negligence-determined-in-personal-injury-cases/ http://www.theiowaedict.com/adventure-travel/question-how-is-negligence-determined-in-personal-injury-cases/ Adventure TravelAnimals & InjuryBoating, Skiing & Water SafetyCheerleading SafetyClient Trial-Deposition PreparationConstruction Sites / Interstate Highway Road WorkersDistracted Driving - Put the cell phone away!Groundskeeper & Maintenance WorkersInjury Caused by Property DefectsInterstate Highway Travel: I-80, I-35, I-235, I-380Large Damage, Major-Serious Injury & Death AccidentsLife On-Campus: Staying Safe at a College-UniversityMotorcycles, Bicycles & ATV'sOWI & Highway SafetyPedestrian Safety & ConcernsPersonal Injury Law Public PolicyReal EstateSemi-Trucks, Cars, Vans & SUV SafetyTort Reform + Tort Deform + Special InterestsUnsafe Products & ServicesWrong-Site, Wrong-Patient, Wrong-Procedure ErrorsWrong-Way Collisions on the Interstate Highways Fri, 25 Nov 2011 05:00:41 -0600 Steve Lombardi     Personal Injury News on The Edict from Central Iowa - November 5, 2011 10.1.JPGThe dangers of Anhydrous work - In Pilot Mound, Iowa a Boone County farmer died a 74-year-old man, Richard Shaw died after exposure to anhydrous ammonia leaking from a faulty hose. It’s the nitrogen that makes good fertilizer but it can also cause skin, eye and lung damage when a person is exposed to it. As the Des Moines Register article points out accident prevention is about maintenance. If this man were an employee his widow would be entitled to workers’ compensation benefits, assuming the farmer bought the coverage. Buying workers’ compensation insurance can be an inexpensive way to ensure life, limb and medical care. Get a quote for your own and your spouse’s sake.

    Grade School Bus Accident - In Janesville, Iowa an 11-year-old boy, Justin Bradfield got off the bus, dropped something and then ran in front of the bus, was struck and killed. The driver is not being charged, at least not yet, the article indicates the matter continues to be under investigation by the Iowa State Patrol. Questions about the driver’s focus and understanding of which way the boy would normally head home will be of interest. A photograph of young Justin can be seen by following this link. That article discusses the Kensett school bus death from May 10, 2011 involving Aaron Gunderson, 32 of Northwood. The article indicates vehicular homicide charges by operating a motor vehicle while intoxicated and then leaving the scene of an accident can be criminal sanctions for this type of accident. Drivers always have to keep a watchful eye on disembarking students.  Update: No charges are expected against the bus driver or the school. 

    ]]>Driver Distractions - In St. Ansgar, Iowa a Stacyville teen died when her car ran right into the back of a school bus. She is 17-year-old Allison Marjie Smith. One has to wonder if there was a distraction inside the cab or her Pontiac Bonneville.

    Slow down and leave more room to stop - Next we move onto West Des Moines, my stomping grounds and Interstate 35 where we have a multivehicle crash. In this crash for whatever reason, not explained, a southbound vehicle is described as having crossed the median and crashing into a northbound car. This article is kind of sketchy so let me check the ISP reports to see if there is at least a preliminary report. Update: The driver of what appears to be the at-fault vehicle was Danny Knowles of Des Moines. He was 58-years-old. I’m still waiting for the other drivers to be identified. Update: Police spokesman is Lt. Jim Barrett.

    Trucking, give them room - One of many accidents on I-80 this one near Coralville-Iowa City around 7:30 pm killed a driver. This is a truck driver who hit the barrier, the Jersey barrier, then rolled onto the left side and caught fire. The carrier is Dart Transportation out of Cary, Illinois. This will in all likelihood result in a workers’ compensation claim. The widow, if any, should contact the Capron & Avgerinos firm that does good work out of Chicago, Illinois. They are a firm that handles workers’ compensation injury work. If it’s Iowa benefits they need or want we can help you. 515-222-1110 or sdlombardi@aol.com. I’ll check further reports and add to this post.

    Can you say carbon monoxide poisoning - A metro Ice Arena mysterious illness is probably carbon monoxide poisoning from either the Zamboni or else a fresh air intake vent. Although Urbandale police did not find elevated levels they might check out venting where the patrons were seated. I’ve seen this up north at UNI where deliver trucks would park with engines running outside the facility, a lab, and the fumes were then being sucked into the building making the lab workers sick. I’ve covered carbon monoxide poisoning previously. Follow this link to the Lombardi Law Firm search for carbon monoxide poisoning.

    Unexperience and Teen Driving - Onto Winneshiek County we head, where a one-vehicle crash killed a Minnesota teen and injured several others. Riding as a passenger in a Ford F-150 pickup truck Joshua Evers, just 18 out of Rochester, Minn. died as a result of personal injury caused by the collision. ” The injured include the driver, Brenden Christensen, 18, of Winnebago, Minn.; Bobby Wild, 19, of Lansing, Ia.; Shenyse Tharp, 18, of Holy Cross, Ia.; Trey Dylsin-Hillyer, 18, of Frost, Minn.; Keisha Kerr, 19, of Postville, Ia.; and Kristin Easley, 19, of Preston, Minn.”

    According to the article from the Register Christensen was the driver and failed to negotiate the curve at 245th Avenue to the north of 200th Street. The accident happened at around 9:15 a.m.

    Medical condition while driving - From northeastern Iowa we go again to central Iowa and specifically to Ames, Iowa and back again on I-35. In this car or bus accident the rock-band bus for Georgia rock band Widespread Panic died of a medical condition just prior to a series of collisions. I’ll update this post with names when I locate the accident report. I keep trying to persuade my wife that we should buy a rock band bus, make fake rock concert tickets and t-shirts, then get on the road giving them away. All across the country we will take pictures of people with promoting gullibility and having a great time. Update: Interesting enough this chain reaction is described as common when people driver and fail to leave enough room between the front of their car or truck the rear of the one to the front. Add speed and you’ve got a recipe for disaster.

    Watch the road - On U.S. Highway 59 Marcella Schwery, 68 from Panama is thought to have crossed the center line hitting a car being driven by Christina Cotant, 26 of Avoca. It looks like three people were killed including Robert Schwery, 71 of Panama. Check out the article here. If the cause of this head-on collision is accurate then Schwery would be the at-fault driver, although if there was a medical emergency she may not have been excused from her fault. Interesting huh?

    Playing by the rules - More charges came out of Polk County over the filmmakers’ use of tax credits. See the article here. These have to do with two California filmmakers. Can you say black eye?

    The Economy makes people do stupid things - From Iowa Orchard we have the Great Pumpkin caper and 220 pumpkins going missing. Seems like a sign of these bad economic times. 

    ]]>     http://www.theiowaedict.com/distracted-driving---put-the-cell-phone-away/personal-injury-news-on-the-edict-from-central-iowa---november-5-2011/ http://www.theiowaedict.com/distracted-driving---put-the-cell-phone-away/personal-injury-news-on-the-edict-from-central-iowa---november-5-2011/ Distracted Driving - Put the cell phone away!Groundskeeper & Maintenance WorkersInjury Caused by Property DefectsInterstate Highway Travel: I-80, I-35, I-235, I-380Large Damage, Major-Serious Injury & Death AccidentsLife On-Campus: Staying Safe at a College-UniversityOWI & Highway SafetyPedestrian Safety & ConcernsPersonal Injury Law Public PolicyReal EstateSemi-Trucks, Cars, Vans & SUV SafetyUnsafe Products & Services Wed, 09 Nov 2011 04:11:45 -0600 Steve Lombardi     Another ATV Related Death in Sioux Center, Iowa Evidence.jpgThis time it was a 12 year old boy from Sioux Center. The news report has the youngster losing control and striking a utility pole. On the ATV was a five year old passenger. This story brought to us by Radio-Iowa. Sioux Center boy dies in ATV accident, October 5, 2011.

    For additional information about parent supervision, safe riding habits, safety training courses and wearing helmets read these articles.

    ]]>
  • Helpful Internet Safety and Personal Injury Resources | Lombardi ...

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    ATV, Bike & Motorcycle Accidents · Wearing a helmet can save your life and your brain. Motorcycle Crash in Black Hawk County · Motorcycles and Trucks are an ...

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    ATV, Bike & Motorcycle Accidents · Wearing a helmet can save your life and your brain. Motorcycle Crash in Black Hawk County · Motorcycles and Trucks are an ...

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    ATV rollover accidents cause serious personal injury and can kill the driver and passenger. In this article we discuss one Iowa accident that killed the driver and ...

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    No one under 12 can operate an ATV unless on private land. No one under 18 can operate an ATV on public lands unless they possess a safety training ...

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    Sep 26, 2011 – Iowa ATV Accident Legal Lawyer Analysis and Commentary contact Steve Lombardi at 515-222-1110 or sdlombardi@aol.com. Lawyer with 30 ...

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    Mar 22, 2009 – If we at the Lombardi Law Firm can assist you to find an ATV injury lawyer outside of Iowa or if we can assist you in Iowa please contact us.

    www.lombardilaw.com/blog/atv-bike-motorcycle-accidents/

    Another Iowa ATV death from the Cedar Rapids area. Iowa personal injury ... 515-222-1110. Labels: accidents ATV injury iowa lawyer personal. 6/23/2011 ...

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    Mar 22, 2009 – There is an ATV Safety (having to do with death and injury from ATV's) page by the government where you can learn about the ATV safety ...

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    Jul 4, 2011 – Iowa personal injury accidents call the Lombardi Law Firm. www.lombardilaw.com or sdlombardi@aol.com. 515-222-1110. - 515-222-1110 ...

    ]]>     http://www.theiowaedict.com/life-on-campus---staying-safe-at-school/another-atv-related-death-in-sioux-center-iowa/ http://www.theiowaedict.com/life-on-campus---staying-safe-at-school/another-atv-related-death-in-sioux-center-iowa/ Distracted Driving - Put the cell phone away!Injury Caused by Property DefectsLife On-Campus: Staying Safe at a College-UniversityMotorcycles, Bicycles & ATV'sPersonal Injury Law Public PolicyUnsafe Products & Services Sat, 08 Oct 2011 05:50:25 -0600 Steve Lombardi     Recent Iowa Cases of Interest Smoke Blue Stream of Smoke.jpgWhat’s going on in Iowa courts? That depends on what you read and who you talk with. There are many different cases of interest from the Heartland. There is one I just couldn’t help but report about.

    High speed chase in Urbandale following a Medicap Pharmacy burglary call. This reminds me of the case involving the burglar who stole the erectile dysfunction drugs. The APB was for a hardened criminal. Which brings us right on to our next criminal case, one for assault.

    A better way to get men to ask you out than joining eHarmony, Match.com or any of the other dating sites. This method beats having a Facebook page although the FB page might enhance the publicity you get. Woman Accused Of Hitting Boyfriend Who Refused Sex

    A Johnson County judge declared a mistrial in a first-degree murder trial involving a 19-year-old man allegedly shooting a landlord. Whether the prosecutorial misconduct reaches the level where it triggers double jeopardy will be later determined. The mistrial declaration followed the showing a video tape that included references to excluded evidence. Oops!

    Big brother has a very fat finger. Traffic cameras capture one license plate but the fat fingered operator entered another and sent a ticket to the wrong person. Poor Sarah Sharpnack has a car with the license plate 972YOB and the video shows a white pickup truck with license plate 972YDB. Hmmmm…. Garbage in garbage out. 

    ]]>Evidence.jpgA West Des Moines dog saved his owner’s life by waking the homeowner up and then died.

    The Des Moines City Council approved a $500,000 claim involving excessive force.

    A 61-year-old man apparently fell off his deck and died of blunt force trauma. It would be interesting to know if the blunt force was to the head. There is no indication as to how high the deck was from the ground.

    Twin 11-month old infants died from what is characterized as a bathtub incident. No details in the KCCI article. This is not an Iowa case; it was simply reported in Iowa from Wisconsin. 

    ]]>     http://www.theiowaedict.com/life-on-campus---staying-safe-at-school/recent-iowa-cases-of-interest/ http://www.theiowaedict.com/life-on-campus---staying-safe-at-school/recent-iowa-cases-of-interest/ Criminal Law CommentaryDistracted Driving - Put the cell phone away!Life On-Campus: Staying Safe at a College-UniversityOWI & Highway SafetyPedestrian Safety & ConcernsPersonal Injury Law Public PolicySemi-Trucks, Cars, Vans & SUV SafetyThe Participation Trophy SyndromeTort Reform + Tort Deform + Special InterestsWrong-Way Collisions on the Interstate Highways Wed, 05 Oct 2011 05:00:54 -0600 Steve Lombardi     Another school bus drunk driver case A_Scene_in_the_New_York_Morgue.jpgA Chicago school bus driver was allowed to finish her route with a BAC of more than three times the legal limit of alcohol in her system. There were 50 kids onboard. School officials said their hands were tied by federal rules prohibiting them from intervening because no one had actual knowledge of the intoxication. I don’t agree with that conclusion. See Divine intervention helps. Brooks Taylor, Mt. Pleasant News. This incident still keeps me awake late at night. See the Ottumwa Courier.

    ]]>     http://www.theiowaedict.com/distracted-driving---put-the-cell-phone-away/another-school-bus-drunk-driver-case/ http://www.theiowaedict.com/distracted-driving---put-the-cell-phone-away/another-school-bus-drunk-driver-case/ Distracted Driving - Put the cell phone away!Interstate Highway Travel: I-80, I-35, I-235, I-380Large Damage, Major-Serious Injury & Death AccidentsLife On-Campus: Staying Safe at a College-UniversityOWI & Highway SafetyPersonal Injury Law Public PolicySemi-Trucks, Cars, Vans & SUV SafetyTort Reform + Tort Deform + Special InterestsUnsafe Products & Services Tue, 04 Oct 2011 04:00:15 -0600 Steve Lombardi     Drunk Driver Car Accidents - Are the passengers and pedestrians at fault? Today we will discuss drunk driving and related civil lawsuits that can be brought – the dram shop claim.

    What’s a dram shop claim? It’s a lawsuit filed against the bar that sold and served (note the two parts.) to a drunk who later drove and caused someone else to be injured. The selling and serving has to be to a drunk person or to the extent that he/she gets drunk. So the key is while intoxicated or to the point of intoxication.

    I’ve never really figured out why bar owners don’t just take keys away from drunks and send them home in a cab. But hey who am I to tell them how to put me out of business.

    Officer Tran has been moved from University of Iowa Hospitals in Iowa City to another facility.

    He suffered bleeding of the brain, broken ribs, a punctured lung and other internal injuries, authorities reported earlier.

    http://youtu.be/pbxR00X3uSs

     

    ]]>Lately we’ve seen a couple of really bad injury cases involving drinking and driving. The most recent and most memorable is Officer Tran from the Des Moines PD. He’s working the Iowa State Fair crowd directing traffic and a guy comes along and plows into him nearly killing the officer and then admitting he’d been drinking. Seriously, could you make it any easier to convict you?

    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IGthxRjmgCQ

     

    The answer to the question posed in the title is usually no, but you can be partially at fault. And for passengers if you’ve had a hand in the driver’s drinking and know he or she is drunk then you are in the eye of the law guilty of complicity. Pedestrians can be also at fault due to failing to protect them by watching where they are going. Pedestrians do have some obligation to walk in crosswalks, to not walk out in front of traffic and to pay attention (due care). But in the instance below an officer working, in this case working traffic at the Iowa State Fair, will surely not be considered at fault. What I found of interest was the driver talking after the collision and pretty much admitting the case against him. It showed a lack of appreciating the consequences that will surely be put to him.

    Officer Tran from the Des Moines PD was moved to a care center this week.

    Drunken Drivers Keep Police Busy
    KFGO
    Several were injured but they refused medical attention. ... READ MORE Iowa-based "Venuworks" has been associated with the building since 1997. ...

    ]]>     http://www.theiowaedict.com/distracted-driving---put-the-cell-phone-away/drunk-driver-car-accidents---are-the-passengers-and-pedestrians-at-fault/ http://www.theiowaedict.com/distracted-driving---put-the-cell-phone-away/drunk-driver-car-accidents---are-the-passengers-and-pedestrians-at-fault/ Distracted Driving - Put the cell phone away! Mon, 19 Sep 2011 05:00:09 -0600 Steve Lombardi     Honesty and fairness have nothing to do with insurance defense - HONEST!

    Before talking to the insurance adjuster or defense attorney or the case mismanager remember this from I Claudius, don't touch the figs.

    The premise held by most clients is that this system of law is fair. They'll say they want only to be treated fairly. When representing themselves they make the assumption that when defense lawyers talk to you they will be fair. Well I'm here to tell you, you had better not trust in being treated fairly. I mean exactly that and it has nothing to do with whether or not the defense lawyer or the insurance company is dishonest. They don’t have to be “honest” and they aren’t trying to be “fair”. Fact is they are hoping you aren’t smart enough to ask the right questions so they don’t have to not answer you. You think I’m kidding? Hell no. I’m not and I can prove I’m right. Here let me prove it to you.

    Defense work has nothing to do with treating people fairly. If it did you could come up with the name of at least one defense lawyer who has said in the past, "I don't think you're asking for enough, can I pay you more?" Or, "Did you know you're entitled under the law to be paid more for your damages?” Go ahead find me one insurance company representative that has said that in the entire history of insurance. Go ahead, think real hard; I can wait, go ahead and think harder.

    Umnnn dee dum, dee-dum... Have you remembered one? No? I didn't think so. I've not heard anything like that in 30 years.

    Updated: This is too funny. I had a link to an insurance company's YouTube ad and they actually took it down so I could not tag them with how deceptive it is. Can you believe it? Yeah that's what they do. They advertise when they need more money, lie to you the premium payer and then when we lawyers point it out they take down what they said to erase the lie. That's reality folks, that's the insurance industry. 

    ]]>For defense lawyers to represent the interests of insurance companies the DL (that's industry jargon for defense lawyer) must take advantage of every mistake you make, to exploit every bit of ignorance you have and to use every misconception you think about this being about fairness.

    In other words the defense lawyer's job is to treat you in a way to take advantage of your ignorance of the law as well as your mistakes. Frankly because this isn't about fairness their job is to treat you unfairly. Ethically they can, do and must treat you unfairly as most people think about the idea of fairness.

    Fairness dictates honestly and with openness and candor. But ethics require the lawyer to maintain confidences provided by the client. I as your lawyer have to be candid and open with my client and if you're my client I act ethically. But the insurance company's lawyer isn't your lawyer and you the injured person aren't his client. So candor isn't going to be happening between the two of you. That's not the hand of a friend reaching out to shake your hand; the handshake being a sign of friendship, but this one is not one from a friend. Never confuse friendliness with friendship. The two are not one and the same.

    The defense attorney or the insurance company representatives are like the slithering snake that delivers the poison being slipped into the wine goblet from which the injured drink.  Now you understand the legal concept of "fairness".

    ]]>     http://www.theiowaedict.com/financially-ripped-off/honesty-and-fairness-have-nothing-to-do-with-insurance-defense---honest/ http://www.theiowaedict.com/financially-ripped-off/honesty-and-fairness-have-nothing-to-do-with-insurance-defense---honest/ Adventure TravelAnimals & InjuryBoating, Skiing & Water SafetyCheerleading SafetyClient Trial-Deposition PreparationConstruction Sites / Interstate Highway Road WorkersDistracted Driving - Put the cell phone away!Financially Ripped-Off!Groundskeeper & Maintenance WorkersInjury Caused by Property DefectsInterstate Highway Travel: I-80, I-35, I-235, I-380Large Damage, Major-Serious Injury & Death AccidentsLife On-Campus: Staying Safe at a College-UniversityMotorcycles, Bicycles & ATV'sOWI & Highway SafetyPedestrian Safety & ConcernsPersonal Injury Law Public PolicyReal EstateSemi-Trucks, Cars, Vans & SUV SafetyThe Participation Trophy SyndromeTort Reform + Tort Deform + Special InterestsTrial Practice for Clients & Potential ClientsTrial Practice for LawyersUnsafe Products & ServicesWhistleblower CasesWorkers Compensation & Workplace SafetyWrong-Site, Wrong-Patient, Wrong-Procedure ErrorsWrong-Way Collisions on the Interstate Highways Tue, 19 Apr 2011 05:00:36 -0600 Steve Lombardi     What's a MoJo? Journalist Attrib.Graur codrin.jpgThis story is about job creationg and how to create your own job by being a MoJo. A MoJo is a mobile journalist. In this instance the MoJo is one who covers the Cedar Rapids area of Iowa. The Internet has redefined most everything so why not journalism too? A MoJo can take photos, write stories and then sell content via a web links etc. This MoJo journalist is Jeff Raasch from SourceMedia Group News. That’s a great idea Jeff – I like that, a MoJo.

    I’d suggest Jeff carry workers’ compensation insurance and higher limits of auto coverages including uninsured and underinsured motorist coverage. Also consider a libel policy.

    Taking this one step further this could be a money maker for students in college or at one of our state Universities. Give it some thought; you never know where it could lead.

    Click here to e-mail Jeff.

    View all posts by Jeff Raasch/SourceMedia Group News →

    ]]>Accident reported on Highway 30 in Tama County
    Eastern Iowa News Now
    An overturned semi-trailer truck has blocked one westbound lane on Highway 30 west of Toledo, according to the Iowa Department of Transportation. ...
    See all stories on this topic »

    Accident on Highway 151 near Jordan's Grove Road | Eastern Iowa ...
    By Jeff Raasch/SourceMedia Group News
    Accident on Highway 151 near Jordan's Grove Road. Posted February 7, 2011 11:56 am by Jeff Raasch/SourceMedia Group News. image. One lane blocked. About Jeff Raasch/SourceMedia Group News. I'm referred to as a Mobile Journalist and some ...
    Eastern Iowa News Now - http://easterniowanewsnow.com/

    ]]>     http://www.theiowaedict.com/adventure-travel/whats-a-mojo/ http://www.theiowaedict.com/adventure-travel/whats-a-mojo/ Adventure TravelDistracted Driving - Put the cell phone away!Interstate Highway Travel: I-80, I-35, I-235, I-380Life On-Campus: Staying Safe at a College-University Thu, 31 Mar 2011 07:33:43 -0600 Steve Lombardi     Why are officers reluctant to investigate cell phone usage by the drivers when an accident has happened? tongue_texting.jpgA crash occurred in Clarke County on February 22, 2011

    VEHICLE 1 WAS SOUTHBOUND ON I-35, THE DRIVER WAS TALKING ON HER CELL PHONE AND WAS NOT PAYING ATTENTION. THE VEHICLE STARTED TO LEAVE THE ROADWAY TOWARDS THE MEDIAN AND THE SUBJECT OVER CORRECTED AND ROLLED THE VEHICLE THREE TIMES, BEFORE IT CAME TO REST IN THE WEST DITCH.

    What you see above is the narrative from the February 22, 2011 Iowa State Trooper Tucker’s ISP Crash Report for a single-vehicle accident. The accident occurred at 5:34 P.M. in Clarke County on Interstate 35 in Iowa. The events took place in the southbound lane. I-35 in Iowa is a north-south Interstate Highway that connects Minneapolis and Kansas City. The driver of the car was cited for failure to maintain control under Iowa Code section 321.288. Now here is why I find this report so interesting.

    ]]>I’ve not seen many reports where the officer discovers a cell phone being the distraction that is the leading or even a contributing cause of the driver losing control and causing an accident. I say this with confidence because I read a lot of accident reports and just before this past Christmas I was involved in an accident with the driver came across the center line and hit me. I wanted to know whether the driver had a cell phone and if he was on it at the time of the collision. The officer seemed reluctant to even ask the other driver and didn’t demand to see his phone so he and I could investigate.

    In my case I told the officer we had three possible reasons why the driver came across the center line as he did.

    • He’s drunk and passed out.
    • Second, he was using his cell phone, texting and paying no attention to his driving.
    • Three, he is suicidal and thought driving  his little sedan into the front end of a Ford F-350 with an 8 foot plow and the truck bed fully loaded with sand and salt would get the job done.

    So today's question is a simple one. Why are officers reluctant to investigate cell phone usage by the drivers when an accident has happened?

    In this instance I say give Trooper Tucker a commendation! Whoo-hoo! An officer that asks and demanded answers. Good for you where do I send the letter of thanks?

    If you wish to read the entire crash report, follow this link to the Iowa State Patrol site or if it’s not working I’ll carry the full report on the Lombardi Law Firm site under the I-35/I-80/I-235 accident section.

    ]]>     http://www.theiowaedict.com/distracted-driving---put-the-cell-phone-away/why-are-officers-reluctant-to-investigate-cell-phone-usage-by-the-drivers-when-an-accident-has-happe/ http://www.theiowaedict.com/distracted-driving---put-the-cell-phone-away/why-are-officers-reluctant-to-investigate-cell-phone-usage-by-the-drivers-when-an-accident-has-happe/ Distracted Driving - Put the cell phone away! Thu, 24 Mar 2011 06:17:04 -0600 Steve Lombardi     Let's Roll On Into Roll-Over Accident Thursday This week I’ve been featuring Lacrimosa, a musical duo – he’s German and she’s Finnish – based in Switzerland. Today’s video is My Last Goodbye, with their interesting imagery. As I said to Katrina, this is my new favorite group. Between the two of us I change more often than she does. Neuschwenstein Castle is at 2:59 on the video. We've visited the castle in Germany, it's what Disney's castle is modeled after and really worth the visit. Iowans would be surprised at how similar Germany and Iowa are.

    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E0rAacH-tqg

    We have a slew of roll-over accidents that speaks volumes about speed, high c-g's in modern day SUV's and how speed kills.

    ]]>Like I said, we have a slew of roll-over accidents that speaks volumes about speed and how speed kills. I find there are themes in personal injury work and this is one of them, so wear your seat belt, slow down, watch for icy roads, put down the cell phone and know something about the car you're driving and how it handles.

    Car and Tractor Trailer Accidents Blog | Roll-Over Accidents May ...
    Roll-Over Accidents May Allow a Passenger Claim for Personal Injury for Feb.24, 2011. SUV, truck and car rollover accidents in Iowa are common because many ...
    www.lombardilaw.com/.../rollover-accidents-may-allow-a-pass...

    Woman hospitalized after I-80 collision
    Eastern Iowa News Now
    Emergency crews responded to the eastbound lane of Interstate 80 near mile marker 268 around 11:10 am for a report of a vehicle accident. ...

    Three injured in rollover accident
    Since 1837 ¤ Iowa's Oldest Newspaper. News updated daily at 11 a.m. CT ... OQUAWKA, Ill. - A one-vehicle rollover accident sent three men to the hospital ...
    www.thehawkeye.com/story/accident-brief-021311

    North Platte man dies in rollover crash - Action 3 News - Omaha ...
    North Platte man dies in rollover crash. Associated Press - February 10, 2011 11 :35 AM ET. NORTH PLATTE, Neb. ... Neb. man pleads guilty in fatal Iowa crash ...
    www.kmtv.com/Global/story.asp?S=14005850

    Highway 65 Accident - KIMT.com – Iowa & Minnesota Together
    A rollover accident held up traffic on a local highway. ... 70-year-old Jeanette Kirschbaum, both of Hampton, were taken to Mercy Medical Center North Iowa. ...

    Semi Rollover Closes Off Highway 30 Westbound Traffic Near Ames - WHO
    who-story-highway-30-accident-021511. Traffic on Highway 30 near Ames was disrupted Tuesday afternoon because of semi rollover. The Iowa Department of ...

    Crash Closes U.S. 30 near Ames | Eastern Iowa News Now
    Posted February 15, 2011 1:20 pm by Iowa Department of Transportation. A Semi tractor trailer rollover crash has closed westbound U.S. 30 near Ames in Story ...

    Woman, toddler hurt in rollover accident
    Dubuque Telegraph Herald
    DYERSVILLE, Iowa -- A New Vienna woman and a 2-year-old were injured in a rollover accident near Dyersville Monday. Brittany Jo Blake, 20, and Liberty A. ...

    Deputies investigating rollover accident near Dakota City
    SiouxCityJournal.com, Sioux City Iowa News and Advertising. Login | Register ... Deputies investigating rollover accident near Dakota City ...

    SLICK ROADS CAUSE ROLLOVER ACCIDENTS IN AUDUBON COUNTY - 96.5 KSOM ...
    Southwest Iowa's Home for All The Best Country is 96.5 KSOM! ... (AUDUBON) Slick roads caused two rollover accidents in Audubon County this morning. ...

    Woman, toddler hurt in rollover accident
    A New Vienna woman and a 2-year-old were injured in a rollover accident near ... where they were treated and released, according to the Iowa State Patrol. ...

    UNION COUNTY MAN SERIOUSLY INJURED IN ROLLOVER ACCIDENT - 96.5 ...
    (Winterset) A Creston man was injured in a rollover accident Saturday evening in Madison County. The Iowa State Patrol says the accident happened at around ...
    www.965ksom.com/page.php?page_id=62585&article...

    Two hurt in rollover crash near Central City | TheGazette
    UPDATE: Two people were hurt in a rollover accident Monday evening near Central City, authorities said. Boyd Sickles, 43, of Urbana, was driving east on.
    thegazette.com/.../two-hurt-in-rollover-crash-near-central-city/

    Cedar Rapids chase and rollover crash | KCRG-TV9 | Cedar Rapids ...
    Cedar Rapids chase and rollover crash ... Police Chase Ends In SUV Crash, Drugs Found in Stolen Vehicle ... Cedar Rapids, IA ». : popular searches below ...
    www.kcrg.com/home/related/116919608.html

    Three treated, released after accident
    Mason City Globe Gazette
    ... to a hospital after a single-vehicle rollover accident on Interstate 35 near the ... Center-North Iowa, Mason City, according to the Iowa State Patrol. ...

    Car and Tractor Trailer Accidents Blog | Roll-Over Accidents May ...
    SUV, truck and car rollover accidents in Iowa are common because many vehicles go fast and have a high center of gravity. They call it the CG, ...
    www.lombardilaw.com/.../rollover-accidents-may-allow-a-pass...

    ROLLOVER ACCIDENT LEADS TO SEVERAL CHARGES FOR THURMAN - 96.5 KSOM ...
    The Southwest Iowa Home, Garden and Business Expo is back April 8th and 9th. ... office responded to a single vehicle rollover accident late Friday night. ...
    www.965ksom.com/page.php?page_id=62585&article...

    Two survive afternoon rollover (photos, video)
    SiouxCityJournal.com, Sioux City Iowa News and Advertising. Login | Register ... Rollover accident on Stone Park Boulevard Feb. 24, 2011. ...
    siouxcityjournal.com/.../article_2120ce68-405b-11e0-a4a7-00...

    UPDATE: Father, daughter hurt in rollover near Central City ...
    Eastern Iowa News Now. Skip to content ... Urbana man and his daughter were hurt in a rollover accident Monday evening near Central City, authorities said. ...
    www.easterniowanewsnow.com/.../update-father-daughter-hur...

    ]]>     http://www.theiowaedict.com/distracted-driving---put-the-cell-phone-away/lets-roll-into-roll-over-accident-thursday/ http://www.theiowaedict.com/distracted-driving---put-the-cell-phone-away/lets-roll-into-roll-over-accident-thursday/ Distracted Driving - Put the cell phone away!Interstate Highway Travel: I-80, I-35, I-235, I-380Large Damage, Major-Serious Injury & Death AccidentsLife On-Campus: Staying Safe at a College-UniversityOWI & Highway SafetySemi-Trucks, Cars, Vans & SUV SafetyUnsafe Products & Services Thu, 10 Mar 2011 05:00:17 -0600 Steve Lombardi     How will your State's budget deficit affect road maintenance?  

    snowy country lane.jpgHere is a news item from Cloquet, Minnesota that I found of interest. It involves an I-35 overpass accident that appears due in part to poor snow  maintenance. The way the accident happened should be a concern to state highway department snow clearing crews and the public in general. Snow that accumulated on an overpass appears to have created a ramp of sorts, that allowed a skidding car to be ramped up and over the side rail and onto the interstate highway below. The smashed up car created a bit of a conundrum for the police. When they arrived, the police found the car upside down with the roof crushed and pointing in the wrong direction on I-35. There were no skid marks and no other cars involved. The officer needed to walk up the incline to the overpass before he could figure out how the car got in the north bound lane.

    Woman whose car fell off Cloquet bridge 'lucky to have survived'
    Duluth News Tribune - The car landed where northbound I-35 and Minnesota Highway 33 merge. “The best we could tell is that it landed on its roof,” Vereecken said. ... See all stories on this topic »

    ]]>Typically we assume we are fairly safe driving on an overpass, at the designated speed and also that the design of the road surface, the bridge railings and overpass structure will protect us from a fall. But in this case the woman plunged over the side rail of an overpass after skidding and then sliding up the snow bank, which by the way should have been plowed. She landed upside down on the Interstate; in this instance I-35 near Cloquet, Minnesota.

    Now consider passing underneath an overpass and what that could mean to you.

    "Honey is that car going to fall on us?"

    Now I would agree that Minnesota gets a lot of snow, but this case is a warning to one and all who use the overpasses and typically see snow pushed up along the overpass side rail.

    I'm assuming that maintenance issues will become a more serious problem as state budgets get worse. So be aware of what can happen and how accidents start. 

    ]]>     http://www.theiowaedict.com/distracted-driving---put-the-cell-phone-away/how-will-your-states-budget-deficit-affect-road-maintenance/ http://www.theiowaedict.com/distracted-driving---put-the-cell-phone-away/how-will-your-states-budget-deficit-affect-road-maintenance/ Distracted Driving - Put the cell phone away!Groundskeeper & Maintenance WorkersInjury Caused by Property DefectsInterstate Highway Travel: I-80, I-35, I-235, I-380 Wed, 26 Jan 2011 06:00:50 -0600 Steve Lombardi     The Fountain Lady Reports Prove that Misery Loves Company Penguins.jpgMaking fun of the Fountain Lady shows just how miserable and desperate America has become.

    My mother has a saying, misery loves company and it applies to all those enjoying the misfortune of the fountain lady.

    What is a red herring? - A red herring is a misleading clue something to distract or to divert attention or mislead. A female red herring will dart in front of it's enemy to distract the bigger fish from eating it's young. It is a deliberate attempt to divert attention by being led astray.

    Misery Loves Company

    Before we begin I'm going to let you laugh one last time at the Fountain Lady and the fact she almost broke her neck. For the life of me I fail to see why this is funny in the least bit? Are most of us that miserable with the life we lead?

    ]]>Yes she was foolish and yes she readily admits it, but does all that really justify making her out to be a laughing stock of the world by posting it on YouTube and by national news organizations carrying it on national television?

    This woman is in a mall walking and texting and no she's not watching out where she is going. To her dismay she walks right into the side of a large water fountain, falls forward over the edge, totally unprotected and into the water. Soaking wet she quickly shuffles away obviously embarrassed. What bothered me about the incident was how she fell forward without any protection of her hands forward to brake her fall. It's obvious, but-for the water she would have fallen onto her face and probably broken her neck.

    The mall security guards watching her on closed circuit cameras watched her fall and instead of finding her to make sure she didn't need medical attention, instead they turn their attention to posting her falling on YouTube. Their efforts garnered much attention and apparently she even ended up on National News and News-a-tainment shows with little else to do besides make further attempts to bolster their sorry-ass journalism careers by making fun of someone caught in a moment of foolishness.

    So how does the public react?

    Instead of watching the video clip and immediately wondering if the lady was hurt most (99.99% of the idiots out there) laugh and rewind the Tivo. Immediately upon watching it for the umpteenth thousand time they call her stupid and run to the nearest computer where they spend endless days jawing about her misfortune. Then she sues over who put her on YouTube and that brings out the McDonald’s coffee crowd who boo and hiss trying now to make her out to be a lawsuit happy charlatan. But her law suit has nothing to do with how she fell and everything to do with outing the numbskulls who instead of working tried to garner their own five minutes of fame by causing her an Internet eternity of humiliation. It’s all a red herring.

    The red herrings in this case are the security guards who instead of doing their work securing the premises were too busy laughing at customers, recording it and then posting that embarrassing moment on YouTube. Who else have they done this to? By embarrassing this customer publicly and worldwide they have kippered her embarrassing moment.

    They should be fired, outed and made to own up publicly for what they did. They owe her an apology and anyone that thinks otherwise isn’t admitting they too have done foolish things. Other customers of the mall should know how they too will be treated should they ever do anything embarrassing that is caught on tape. Let's say for instance while bending over to tie your shoes your pants split and it's caught on tape. Should your ass-split pants be outed to the world? How about falling in a dress and it ending up around your waist, is that news worthy?

    We should all be ashamed of the news professionals that jumped on the band wagon and showed this on national or local television for the sake of increasing ratings. How could this ever be news worthy? (George Stephanopoulos anchor of GMA, I see you smirking during the interview. George you should be ashamed that your career has sunk this low.) Is someone falling on ice or picking their nose in public worthy of professional journalism? How about an elderly person, who confused walks in front of a speeding car? Is that news worthy? When did funny ever cross Walter Kronkites radar screen as something to make the 6:00 o'clock news?

    Making fun of her lawsuit is also a red herring

    The publicity about her lawsuit is also a distraction by miserable people hoping for someone else to join them in their misery. Her lawsuit is meant to extract some revenge by outing those who deliberately attempted to embarrass her. An eye for an eye, if you will. Her filing the lawsuit takes guts and an ounce of being pissed off. She needs to fight back at them and the rest of you miserable louts, to try and gain back some of what little privacy she has left. I for one would want to be left alone and I'm sure that's all she wanted after falling into the pond of scum that was inside the mall security office was to be left alone.

    All I can say is you go girl; sue em all. And while you're at it sue Good Morning America and all the other news-a-tainment programs that tried to capture ratings by exploiting a private citizen's act of being human. They invaded your privacy. You’re all a bunch of miserable goofballs looking for comfort in someone else’s misery. My advice, get a life.

    [The original post automatically posted without being edited; I was busy in a mediation.]

    Apparently, Above the Law isn't above the lame.

    ]]>     http://www.theiowaedict.com/injury-caused-by-property-defects/the-fountain-lady-reports-prove-that-misery-loves-company/ http://www.theiowaedict.com/injury-caused-by-property-defects/the-fountain-lady-reports-prove-that-misery-loves-company/ Distracted Driving - Put the cell phone away!Injury Caused by Property Defects Tue, 25 Jan 2011 07:55:34 -0600 Steve Lombardi     01/07/2011: More Wrong-way Interstate Highway Drivers Wrong way accident figure.jpgToday we are covering several more wrong-way collisions, drivers, events and incidents on our nation's interstate highways. I've been following these for several years hoping to make people more aware of how they occur and more importantly how to avoid being a wrong-way driver. If you get clobbered by one it's likely you will be seriously injured or even killed. So knowing how to avoid them is equally important. I post more of these than I really would like to be writing about, but it is what it is so here are more news stories telling us all about wrong-way drivers across the United States. At the end in the footer I’ll list my suggestions on how to avoid wrong-way drivers and how to avoid being a wrong-way driver. Enough said; if you’re injured by one give me a call and we can talk about your legal rights. Onward we march...

    Police: Wrong Way Driver from Port Washington Arrested for DWI in Wantagh
    Patch
    At 2:10 am a Nassau County Police Ambulance Technician observed a driver operating a 2010 Toyota Corolla eastbound in the westbound lanes on Sunrise Highway ...
    See all stories on this topic »

    Woman hit by wrong-way driver says she feels lucky to be alive
    KOB.com
    Police say Holmes, 26, was driving drunk at a speed of well over 100 miles per hour the wrong way on I-25 south of Santa Fe. Holmes died on impact after ...
    See all stories on this topic »

    ]]>Cops: 15th wrong-way DWI driver
    Newsday
    16, 2010) A Port Washington man is at least the 15th driver in the past seven weeks to be arrested and charged with driving drunk and the wrong way on a ...
    See all stories on this topic »

    Three Hurt in Wrong-Way Crash in Orange
    WSHM-TV
    Police say the driver, a woman from Vermont, was driving with a suspended license. Both she and her female passenger are in critical condition and were ...
    See all stories on this topic »

    Deputies identify woman killed in wrong-way I-94 crash
    Milwaukee Journal Sentinel
    The driver, Leopoldo R. Salas Gaytan, 41, of Milwaukee, was hospitalized after the crash. The sheriff's department is considering recommending charges that ...
    See all stories on this topic »

    Website aims for fewer fatalities on roads
    Minneapolis Star Tribune
    Kirsty Kilpela, 16, of Eveleth, is the lone 2010 victim; her death came on Oct. 7 after a wrong-way driver struck a truck being driven by her sister, ...
    See all stories on this topic »

    Cops: Another Wrong-way DWI in Bellmore
    Long Island Press
    The 25-year-old driver was stopped and found to be under the influence of an alcohol, police said. No injuries were reported. Jay was charged with driving ...
    See all stories on this topic »

    Bothell woman to serve 7 years for fatal wrong-way DUI crash
    KING5.com
    Spink pleaded guilty to driving drunk and heading the wrong way on Broadway under the 41st overpass in South Everett. Her truck hit the car Blair was ...
    See all stories on this topic »

    2 more nabbed on LI in wrong-way incidents
    Newsday
    15, when off-duty New York City police officer Andre Menzies of North Babylon was killed in a head-on collision by an accused wrong-way driver on the ...
    See all stories on this topic »

    Cops: 15th wrong-way DWI driver nabbed | Bellmore, New York ...
    Galleries Drivers stopped at DWI checkpoint Suspected wrong-way DWI drivers Seven spots where LIers see dangers Map Wrong-way drivers on LI A Port Washington man is at least the 15th driver in the past seven weeks to be arrested and ...
    Bellmore, New York LocalSpur... - http://bellmore.localspur.com/

    Mims woman dies after car struck by wrong-way driver Thursday night
    Orlando Sentinel
    Michael A. Sanchez, 47, of Oviedo was the driver of the SUV, troopers said. The crash remains under investigation, and charges are pending.
    See all stories on this topic »

    Wrongway driver arrested on suspicion attempting to evade police
    Abilene Reporter-News
    By Jaime Adame A woman driving the wrong direction on the Winters Freeway for at least three miles Sunday night finally stopped after her SUV ran over ...
    See all stories on this topic »

    Alleged Wrong-Way Driver Arrested for DWI in Brentwood
    Long Island Press
    ... early Sunday when a Suffolk County police officer allegedly observed the man driving his vehicle the wrong way on Wheeler Road in Central Islip. ...
    See all stories on this topic »

    Driver in Deadly Wrong Way Crash Identified
    Today's TMJ4
    MILWAUKEE (AP) -- The Milwaukee County Sheriff's Department identified the motorist accused of driving the wrong way down a freeway and causing a collision ...
    See all stories on this topic »

    Two Wrong-Way Drivers, Winter Sports Action and the Last of the Holidays
    Patch
    By Patch Staff | Email the author | 6:00am A North Bellmore man was arrested in West Babylon for a DWI after driving the wrong way on Sunrise Highway. ...
    See all stories on this topic »

    'Wrong way' road crash man dead
    BBC News
    A spokesman for Kent Police said the Rover driver died at the scene and the Jeep driver suffered serious injuries. No-one else was involved with the ...
    See all stories on this topic »

    Milwaukee woman killed in wrong-way crash on I-94 West
    FOX6Now.com Milwaukee
    Police say the driver of the vehicle headed the wrong way is 41-year-old Leopoldo R. Salas Gaytan. Gaytan received serious injuries and is currently ...
    See all stories on this topic »

    DWI deaths drop; impaired driving persists
    Newsday
    The recent spate of wrong-way drivers on major highways in Nassau and Suffolk counties, most of whom face DWI charges, has spotlighted the often-lethal ...
    See all stories on this topic »

    Mims woman dies of injuries after crash
    Florida Today
    A 25-year-old Mims woman has died from injuries suffered in a crash with a wrong-way driver on North Courtenay Parkway on Merritt Island, ...
    See all stories on this topic »

    Wrong-way driver causes fatal Milwaukee collision « WRJC Radio ...
    By WRJC
    41-year-old driver, he struck two vehicles. A 34-year-old woman driving one vehicle was declared dead at the scene. The woman driving the other vehicle wasn 't hurt. WDJT-TV says the wrong-way driver suffered severe injuries. He ...
    WRJC Radio - Mauston, Juneau... - http://www.wrjc.com/

    CBS 58 News - Wrong way driver causes first crash fatality of the ...
    According to the Milwaukee Sheriff's Department at around 7:15 am a MCSO Patrol Division Deputy was speeding to catch a wrong way driver in a red Nissan ...
    www.cbs58.com/index.php?aid=15523

    News brief: Rochester woman escapes head-on highway wreck with ...
    By adminsharyn
    Jessica J. Rios, 23, of Rochester, and Miguel Salinas, 31, of Lakewood, were traveling in this 1998 GMC pickup on state Route 512 when it was hit by a wrong- way driver on New Year's Day morning. By Sharyn L. Decker ...
    Lewis County Sirens - http://www.lewiscountysirens.com/

    If you think wrong-way drivers on the Interstate Highway system is a once-in-a-while thing, think again. Look at these reports from Google. It seems like there is an epidemic of wrong-way collisions and crashes out there. We've had several wrong-way drivers and accidents in Iowa.

    About wrong-way drivers

    Wrong way drivers present an obvious danger to all motorists on our highways. 

    The most recent available crash statistics from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration indicates wrong way drivers are involved in 1.5 percent of all fatal crashes.

    Drivers who travel the wrong way on one way highways generally fall into one of eight different categories:

    • Intoxicated driver
    • Older drivers who easily get confused
    • Purposeful acts including attempts to commit suicide and criminals attempting to elude the police
    • Inattentive drivers who mistake an off-ramp for an on-ramp
    • Mental defect or disease
    • Prescription drug intoxication
    • Inexperience
    • GPS providing incorrect, inaccurate or confusing information

    Safety tips and information related to wrong way driver situations:

    • Watch far ahead for signs of a possible wrong way driver, looking for signs similar to pending problems or developing emergency situations such as other traffic braking or swerving to avoid something, or the obvious - headlights coming in the opposite direction.
    • Caution against driving long periods in the left lane on freeways, especially on curves and over a hill or any rise in the road where you aren’t able to clearly see ahead.
    • Be aware that wrong way drivers usually drive in the passing lane believing they are actually on a two-lane highway.
    • The most common types of wrong way crashes are head-on or sideswipe crashes.

    What should you do if you see a wrong-way driver?

    • Get to the shoulder and stop.
    • If you can’t get to the shoulder, slow down and attempt to safely stop your vehicle by pulling to the right.
    • Sound your horn.
    • Put on your lights and flash the high beams.
    • Call 9-1-1.
    • Before getting in the car wear your seat belts.
    • Drive in the right hand lane of travel on the Interstate.
    • When passing or coming to the crest of a hill look ahead for a wrong-way driver making sure the lane is clear.
    • Assume when in the left hand lane of a divided highway that you may come upon a wrong-way driver.
    • When driving on a divided highway stay vigilant and pay attention to what is ahead of you. Avoid allowing distractions to take your attention off the road ahead.

    How can drivers avoid wrong-way driving?

    • Don’t drive drunk.
    • When coming to a divided highway come to a complete stop, look at and read the signs, making sure you know which way to go.
    • Don’t allow vehicles to the rear to rush you.
    • Stay off the telephone when driving.
    • Don’t allow distractions to interfere with being vigilant about your driving.
    • If you’re a young driver, don’t drive when the other passengers are a distraction.
    • If you’re an elderly driver, get evaluated once a year to see if your senses and skill level allow you to safely drive. Don’t be so stubborn about giving up your driver’s license that you ignore the signs of perception difficulties. Invest in and use a GPS.
    • Pay particular attention when driving north for southbound wrong-way drivers. For whatever reason there were more of these direction wrong-way drivers than any other.
    • Pay particular attention when driving after midnight and 2:30 a.m.

    What else needs to happen to reduce wrong-way collisions?

    • States could identify the locations of repeated wrong-way entry points. Those points could be redesigned including tire puncture equipment such as we see in use at most parking ramps.
    • The Court’s must get very tough on drunk drivers and those who cause collisions from being on cell phones (talking or texting); more than they already have been.
    • The DOT should begin an education campaign for drivers to recognize and avoid wrong-way drivers.
    • The DOT should begin an education campaign to instruct drivers what to do when a wrong-way driver approaches.
    • States should further study wrong-way avoidance road and sign designs.
    • State DOT’s should consider a different middle line design with hash marks bent in the direction of travel and against the opposing direction.
    • Juries in civil actions need to send a clear message to offenders with large punitive damage awards.
    • The DOT needs to evaluate older drivers annually for visual and mental awareness; taking away driving privileges where there is risk.
    • Lawyers need to plead punitive damages in wrong-way collisions.
    • Victims need to be educated on what to do when they are involved in a wrong-way collision.
    • Witnesses of wrong-way collisions need to get involved with identifying themselves to police officers investigating a wrong-way collision. Those witnesses may have very valuable information to helping identify the entry points, causes and preventive measures.
    • DOT accident forms need to be amended to allow the collection of information to identify characteristics associated with causing wrong-way entry points, times when wrong-way collisions are most likely to occur and driver characteristics of those likely to drive the wrong-way. Children and friends of older drivers need to get involved with identifying those likely wrong-way drivers.
    • States should consider a radio system that would allow public service interruptions, like what is done on television when a weather emergency is eminent. It wouldn’t be perfect (not all radios are on) but something is perhaps better than nothing.
    ]]>     http://www.theiowaedict.com/wrong-way-collisions-on-the-interstate-highways/01072011-more-wrong-way-interstate-highway-drivers/ http://www.theiowaedict.com/wrong-way-collisions-on-the-interstate-highways/01072011-more-wrong-way-interstate-highway-drivers/ Distracted Driving - Put the cell phone away!Interstate Highway Travel: I-80, I-35, I-235, I-380OWI & Highway SafetySemi-Trucks, Cars, Vans & SUV SafetyTort Reform + Tort Deform + Special InterestsWrong-Way Collisions on the Interstate Highways Fri, 07 Jan 2011 05:35:46 -0600 Steve Lombardi