Don’t rely on autopilot: Car safety tech still flawed, inconsistent

IIHS report on driver-assistance technology shows its flaws

New report from IIHS shows driver assist technology is still flawed and is no substitute for a fully attentive human driver. If you’re not paying attention, driver assist systems can even land you in a crash.

The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety, known for their extensive crash testing and safety ratings, investigated just how reliable driver assistance technology is. Their findings varied by brand. But, the overall conclusion was that autonomous vehicle technology has a long way to go before human drivers can feel comfortable giving up the steering wheel.

The 2017 BMW 5-series, 2017 Mercedes-Benz E-Class,  2018 Tesla Model 3 and 2016 Model S, and 2018 Volvo S90 were evaluated.

What is driver assistance technology?

Driver assistance technology refers to the features in a car designed to help prevent collisions. […]

Fatal Accidents Pose Questions for Regulators of Self-Driving Tech

Pedestrian Killed by Self-Driving Uber

On March 18, a pedestrian was struck and killed by an autonomous car operated by Uber as she was crossing the street. The Uber, a Volvo XC90, hit and killed the 49 year old woman despite the car’s being equipped with a variety of sensors, including Light Dectection and Ranging (lidar) which is designed to create 3D, 360 degree images of the car’s surroundings and radar that can see objects in the light or dark.  In addition, there was a human safety driver at the wheel, although a video of the accident shows that the driver was not paying attention. Furthermore, the driver was not holding his hands above the steering wheel, as most backup drivers are taught.  However, he had no signs of impairment.  Nor did weather appear to play a role.  The vehicle was moving at 40 mph in a 45 mph zone at the time of the Uber accident.  […]

Fatal PA Turnpike accident shows danger of poorly maintained roads

Badly maintained roads pose car crash risk

Last week, a 70-year-old man was killed driving through the Lehigh Tunnel on the Northeast Extension of the Pennsylvania Turnpike. According to news reports, he was killed when an electrical conduit (a pipe-like tube holding power cables) fell from the ceiling of the tunnel and crashed through the windshield of his truck.

According to reports in The Morning Call  the southbound Lehigh Tunnel is the newest of five tunnels on the turnpike’s system and it is the only one with a conduit located directly above traffic. Federal regulations require that tunnels be inspected every two years. The most recent inspection of the Lehigh Tunnel was in September 2016.

Poor tunnel maintenance can be fatal for drivers

In 2016 alone, American roads carried people and goods over three trillion miles. If roads, tunnels and bridges are not properly maintained they can contribute to auto accidents and result in serious injury or fatality. […]

What is uninsured motorist coverage, and do I need it?

The new year is a good time to rethink your auto insurance policy. Do you have the coverage you need? If you don’t have uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage on your auto insurance policy, you might want to consider adding them.

Why?

If you’re the victim of a collision with a driver who had no auto insurance, or an accident with a driver who has very little coverage, you could be stuck with the financial burden of a car crash.  According to a 2017 study by the Insurance Research Council (IRC), 13 percent of motorists, or about one in eight drivers nationwide, was uninsured in 2015. Although auto insurance is mandatory in Pennsylvania, not all drivers follow the law. And, many drivers who are insured do not have enough insurance to cover serious damages.

What is uninsured & underinsured motorist coverage?

Adding uninsured and underinsured motorist coverage to your auto insurance policy can protect you financially and save you a lot of headaches in the event of an accident. […]

Could your prescription medicine affect your driving?

Prescription drugs and driving can be a fatal mix

You know that alcohol and illegal drugs can impair driving ability and cause dangerous accidents. But what about your prescription medication? Many people don’t realize that even medicine that is prescribed by a doctor and taken as directed can affect your driving.

It is an issue that concerns the Munley Law personal injury firm, as well as many lawmakers. The penalty for driving under the influence of medication carries the same penalty as a DUI in certain states. The Governors Highway Safety Association (GHSA) reported that drugs were present in 43% of fatally injured drivers in 2015, more frequently than alcohol was present. This applies to some legal prescription and over the counter drugs, as well as illegal drugs.

Drugged driving is more complex than driving under the influence of alcohol for several reasons. […]

Are you a distracted driver?

Distracted driving  leads to crashes

Statistics show that traffic fatalities are on the rise. Distracted driving is a contributing factor in many car and truck accidents. In 2015 alone, 3,477 people were killed and 391,000 injured in vehicle crashes involving distracted drivers, according the Department of Transportation. A driver who texts or uses another device while driving is making a dangerous, possibly deadly choice.

Are you a distracted driver?

If you don’t text and drive, that’s great! That one simple choice can help make the roads safer for everyone and keep you ou of harm’s way. But, what about other distractions?

Distracted driving is considered any activity that takes attention away from driving. This not only includes texting or talking on your phone, but using other devices as well, such as programming your GPS while driving or browsing through radio stations. […]

Parking lot accidents spike during the holiday season

From now until the end of December, holiday shoppers will be out in full force. In the midst of the hustle and bustle, drivers and pedestrians are more distracted than ever, especially in parking lots and garages. The PA personal injury lawyers at Munley Law want to remind everyone to slow down and take care as you run your holiday errands this season.

Parking lot car crashes and pedestrian accidents

Many drivers tend to be less cautious when navigating a parking lot than out on the open road. In a National Safety Council poll, more than half of respondents said they would be likely to talk on the phone, text, program their GPS, use social media, and even check email when driving through a parking lot or parking structure. Add to that the distraction of to-do lists, the impatience and frustration of crowded shopping centers, […]

The race for driverless truck and car technology

Driverless vehicles are being tested on roads right now. The LA Times  published that in a race to embrace driverless vehicles, Washington has cleared away regulatory hurdles for automakers and brushed aside consumer warnings about the risk of crashes and hacking. The NHTSA earlier this year published a voluntary  policy on automated driving systems and said it is working on more policy. Basically, the industry is left to regulate itself.

Tesla’s new electric semi truck unveiled

Last week Tesla introduced a fully electric semi truck. The truck is equipped with Enhanced Autopilot, the second generation of Tesla’s semi-autonomous technology. It’s equipped with automatic braking, lane keeping, and lane departure warnings.

Pennsylvania personal injury firms such as Munley Law are concerned that enough testing is done on autonomous semi trucks before they are introduced onto public roadways. While the electric truck business is still in the early stages and won’t be prevalent for years, […]

Your Chances of Hitting a Deer in Pennsylvania

Pennsylvania Drivers’ Chances of Hitting a Deer Increase This Year

For the second year in a row, PA is the #3 state in the U.S. for deer collisions. Pennsylvania drivers’ chances of hitting a deer? 1 in 63. That’s up 6% from last year.

The annual report from State Farm looks at auto insurance claims data and Federal Highway Administration data to calculate drivers’ risk of a car accident involving a deer, elk, or moose in the road. It will come as no surprise to Pennsylvania drivers that PA has topped the list for years.

Additional risk factors

October marks the beginning of deer mating season, which continues through December. During this time, the risk of hitting a deer doubles.

The hours around dawn and dusk are the most dangerous times of day for deer collisions. […]

After a Car Accident: How to Obtain a Police Report

One of the first things you must do after a car accident is to obtain a copy of the police report.

If you have never been in a serious car accident or truck accident before, you may not know how to go about this. You’re fielding calls from the insurance companies, making doctors appointments, and maybe even arranging to take time off of work. It can be an overwhelming time. But the police report will have vital information that you will need in order to receive fair compensation for your injuries.

How do I get a police report?

To get a copy of your accident report, contact the police department that reported to your accident and submit a request. The application to obtain a copy of the police report can usually be done in person, via mail or online via the police department website, […]