Arkansas Injury: Are Your Tires Safe?

Arkansas Injury: Are Your Tires Safe?

Are Your Tires Safe?

Few consumers think about the age of their tires. When in reality, it is made of rubber and begins to degrade over time despite the fact that it may still look brand new. It is this degradation process that can make your tires unsafe to drive on. They do not have an expiration date resulting in a hidden danger.




Many tires that are sold have been sitting in inventory for long periods of time. Over time this rubber begins to break down and lose its elasticity. It is this aging process that causes it to become unstable and therefore unsafe to drive on. They could literally come apart or explode while driving causing serious injury or death.



It is important to check the age of your tires. Few people realize the danger of driving on dated tires. The birth date of your tire is imprinted on the wall of the tire. It is is usually the last digits in a series of DOT numbers. The first two digits represent the week it was manufactured, while the last one or two digits represent the year it was manufactured. If the tire was manufactured before 2000, there are only 3 digits to signify the week and the year of manufacture. For example if the last three digits are 349, then then it was manufactured in the 34th week of 1999. If this number is not visible on the outside of your tire, look at the interior wall underneath your vehicle. Obviously this information is not meant to be consumer friendly.



Rubber starts to deteriorate shortly after it is manufactured. Research has shown that you should replace your tires if they are six years of age or older. After 6 years of age they can become increasingly dangerous by coming apart or exploding. Do not trust the tread on the tire. Look on the tire to verify the year of manufacture. Replace them every 6 years.



Tires have a shelf life and ignoring this could end your life.
For more information see the following news story
http://abcnews.go.com/Video/playerIndex?id=4826897



Injury Accident Arkansas Attorney

December Proclaimed as National Drunk and Drugged Prevention Month

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, every day there are 36 deaths and approximately 700 injuries related to drunk driving.  According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, approximately 3 out of 10 people will be involved in an alcohol related crash. 
The CDC has reported alcohol related crashes cost approximately $51 billion a year. 

Reported Methods for Deterring drinking and driving:
1.  Sobriety Checkpoints.  According to the CDC studies have found that fatalities involving alcohol were reduced by 22% following implementation of these checkpoints.
2.  Minimum Legal Drinking Age.  According to the CDC studies have shown that raising the minimum legal drinking age to 21 years of age reduced alcohol related crashes by 16% in 18 year olds.
3.  Zero tolerance laws for young drivers.  According to the CDC studies have shown a reduction in the number of fatalities related to drinking and driving  by 9% to 24% in 18 year olds.
http://www.lisagdouglas.com/
Law Offices of Lisa Douglas
2300 Main St
N Little Rock, Arkansas 72114
(501) 798-0004

Lawyers and Attorneys in the United States: Social Security Disability Appeals Process

Lawyers and Attorneys in the United States: Social Security Disability Appeals Process

Accidents Caused by Distracted Driving

According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration approximately 6,000 fatalities occurred in 2008 due to a distracted or an inattentive driver of motor vehicles. Further, the NHTSA estimated that more than 500,000 were injured due to a distracted or an inattentive driver.

More people are using a variety of handheld devices, such as iPods, or GPS systems, while driving. Texting or talking on cell phones has become prevalent across the nations transportation systems. Thereby creating a potential for increased accidents.

NHTSA's research revealed that the greatest number of drivers who text and/or use cell phones while driving were under the age of twenty.

Law Offices of Lisa Douglas
2300 Main
N Little Rock, AR 72114
(501) 798-0004

More Deer Vehicle Collisions Occur During the Fall

According to Insurance Information Institute, more deer vehicle collisions occur during the months of October, November and December than at any other time of the year. The average costs for these types of claims is $3,000.00.

Studies by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety show that 3 out of 4 motor vehicle/animal collisions involve deer. Further, more of these types of accidents occur during the month of November than at any other time during the year.

There are steps you can take to decrease the likelihood that you will be involved in one of these types of collisions such as: driving with caution when travelling through areas that are known to be populated with deer; always wear your seatbelt (the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety showed that 60% of those killed in vehicle/animal collisions were not wearing a seatbelt); and be especially vigilant during dusk hours and at night.

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Injuries From Car Wreck

According to the Insurance Research Council the lighter the vehicle the likelihood of sustaining greater injuries increases.

IRC estimated that the average personal injury claim payment in wrecks involving lighter-weight vehicles was 14.3 percent higher than the personal injury claim in wrecks involving heavy vehicles.
Accordingly, as gas prices rise, drivers are more apt to choose lighter vehicles due to the fuel efficiency, resulting in an increase of personal injury claims arising from car wrecks.

http://www.LisaGDouglas.com