Archive for January, 2010

Toyota Suspends Sales Due to Faulty Accelerator

hfstaff January 28th, 2010

In addition to Toyota’s recall of 2.3 million vehicles (see our January 22, 2010 blog), the company has now suspended sale of sales of all models affected:

  • 2009-2010 RAV4
  • 2009-2010 Corolla
  • 2009-2010 Matrix
  • 2005-2010 Avalon
  • Certain 2007-2010 Camry
  • 2010 Highlander, except hybrid models
  • 2007-2010 Tundra,
  • 2008-2010 Sequoia

The company claims that it has taken this enormous step in order to finalize “an appropriate remedy to address the potential for sticking accelerator pedals.” There is currently no announced plan for how they will fix the problem, nor for when Toyota owners might expect to have their cars fixed.

Toyota says that if you experience a sticking accelerator, contact a Toyota dealer immediately.

Plan Ahead

This is a frightening development. If you drive one of the affected cars, read this (provided by Toyota, in a press release):

If your gas pedal sticks while driving:

• If you need to stop immediately, the vehicle can be controlled by stepping on the brake pedal with both feet using firm and steady pressure. Do not pump the brake pedal as it will deplete the vacuum utilized for the power brake assist.
• Shift the transmission gear selector to the Neutral (N) position and use the brakes to make a controlled stop at the side of the road and turn off the engine.
• If unable to put the vehicle in Neutral, turn the engine OFF. This will not cause loss of steering or braking control, but the power assist to these systems will be lost.

If you had an accident because of a sticking gas pedal and want to share your story, contact HensonFuerst at 1-800-4-LAWMED

Popularity: 29% [?]

Another Step toward Making Roads Safer

hfstaff January 26th, 2010

In an effort to curb distracted driving and make roads safe for everyone, the U.S. Department of Transportation today made it clear that texting while driving is illegal for drivers of commercial vehicles, including large trucks and buses. Violators could face both civil and criminal penalties of up to $2,750.00.

The announcement cited Virginia Tech research, which showed that texting truck drivers are about 23 times more likely to get into a crash than drivers who keep their eyes on the road.

According to experts, there are three main types of distraction:

Visual—taking your eyes off the road

Manual—taking your hands off the wheel

Cognitive—taking your mind off what you are doing

Texting is so dangerous because it involves all three types of distraction.

Today’s announcement is part of the U.S. government’s ongoing—and from our point of view, highly welcome—campaign to combat distracted driving. Everyday, we hear from people who have been in serious car wrecks, and we are horrified by the role played by this type of distraction.

No message is so important that it is worth risking a life.

For statistics, specific state laws, and tips on what you can do to take action against distracted driving, go to www.distraction.gov.

Click here to read a transcript of today’s announcement.

Popularity: 16% [?]

American Diabetes Association Award

hfstaff January 25th, 2010

On Saturday, the American Diabetes Association (ADA) awarded a Fundraising Achievement Award to Thomas Henson, Jr. The Tour de Cure is a two-day fundraising cycling event held in 43 states nationwide to help the ADA prevent and cure diabetes…and to improve the lives of all people affected by diabetes. In 2009, 40,000 cyclists in 80 Tour events across the nation raised nearly $17 million. Team HensonFuerst, led by Thomas Henson, topped the fundraising boards with a total of $15,277.50.

Click here to learn about this year’s Tour de Cure 2010.

Popularity: 16% [?]

Large-Scale Food Recall: Italian Meats, Including Salami

hfstaff January 25th, 2010

Some popular brands of salami and other packaged Italian meats have been recalled due to risk of salmonella contamination. The FDA categorizes this as a Class I Recall… Health Risk = High. The recall is in effect in 8 states, including North Carolina. At least 184 people have been sickened from these products, and 35 people had to be hospitalized.

Salmonella is not to be taken lightly. Infection with the salmonella bacteria can cause diarrhea, fever, vomiting, and abdominal cramps. Although most people will recover within a week, severe infection can cause significant complications, including infection of the heart (endocarditis) or bones (osteomyelitis). In rare circumstances, the infection can lead to death.

If you eat packaged Italian meats from Boar’s Head, Black Bear, Dietz & Watson, or Daniele, this recall may affect you. On the package look for the USDA mark of inspection, which will have an Establishment Number. The following numbers are recalled:

EST. 54

EST. 9992

For more information, see the Recall Release distributed by the USDA Food Safety and Inspection Service.

(http://www.fsis.usda.gov/News_&_Events/Recall_006_2010_Release/index.asp)

Popularity: 20% [?]

Outrage Over Driving and Cell Phone Abuse

hfstaff January 25th, 2010

Rocky Mount resident Tyler Strandberg has a problem. In the past three years, she had wrecked and totaled three cars. The last one was borrowed from her grandma.

Tyler’s father, Buckley Strandberg, worries about her…but admits to having the same problem. He frequently drives impaired.

At this point, you have probably come to your own conclusion about the nature of the Strandberg curse. Could it be alcohol? No. Drugs? No. The Strandbergs simply cannot put down their cell phones.

An article in last week’s News & Observer highlights the extreme danger of driving while calling and texting. It also clearly illustrates the flippant attitudes of those who put the lives of others in danger.

In 23-year-old Tyler’s own words, “Sometimes I will zone out and forget I’m driving.”

Instead of taking firm action, dad Buckley says that during his 2-hour drives between Rocky Mount and Nags Head,

I’m not just going to sit there in the car….if I run off the road, there are rumble strips that divert me back onto the road.

That’s a plan. Let’s just hope that he doesn’t pull to the left into on-coming traffic instead of onto the rumble strips.

As of December 2009, it has been illegal to text while driving in North Carolina. A driver caught texting while driving will face a fine of $100 plus court fees. The violation will not add points to your driving record however and an insurance surcharge will not be assessed.

When I read about the Strandberg clan, I couldn’t help but think that the punishment might be too lenient. So far, they have only hurt cars. It’s only a matter of time until they hurt themselves…or others…or you or me.

Hey, Strandbergs: LOCK YOUR PHONES IN THE TRUNK!

(Full story: http://www.newsobserver.com/news/local_state/story/301086.html)

Popularity: 19% [?]

Another Toyota Recall!

hfstaff January 22nd, 2010

After a long “investigation,” Toyota has finally announced that a recall of about 2.3 million Toyotas that the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) says pose a serious safety issue.

According to the NHTSA website, the problem is that “the accelerator pedal may become hard to depress, slow to return to idle, or, in the worst case, mechanically stuck in a partially depressed position, increasing the risk of a crash” [italics added]. So far, Toyota has not released its plan to remedy the situation, or even contact owners about the problem. In its own press release, Toyota says that if this happens while you are driving:

…the vehicle can be controlled with firm and steady application of the brakes. The brakes should not be pumped repeatedly because it could deplete vacuum assist, requiring stronger brake pedal pressure. The vehicle should be driven to the nearest safe location, the engine shut off and a Toyota dealer contacted for assistance.

Both Toyota and the NHTSA documents say that Toyota owners who have questions or concerns should call Toyota’s Customer Experience Center at 1-800-331-4331. Good luck. I tried and got a recorded message that said that no one could answer the call due to high call volume, and then instructed me to “please call back” before hanging up.

You may recall (pun intended) that Toyota had similar accelerator issues in 2009, but the company blamed it on floor mats trapping the accelerator pedal, keeping it depressed even after the driver’s foot was removed. Toyota says the two recalls are not related. If that’s true and it is all a big coincidence, Toyota has had the worst luck with accelerator parts.

The cars involved in this current recall are:

TOYOTA / AVALON 2005-2010
TOYOTA / CAMRY 2007-2010
TOYOTA / COROLLA 2009-2010
TOYOTA / COROLLA MATRIX 2009-2010
TOYOTA / HIGHLANDER 2010
TOYOTA / RAV4 2009-2010
TOYOTA / SEQUOIA 2008-2010
TOYOTA / TUNDRA 2007-2010

To read the recall information posted by the NHTSA, go to their website:
http://www-odi.nhtsa.dot.gov/recalls/results.cfm

To read Toyota’s statement, go to:
http://pressroom.toyota.com/pr/tms/toyota/toyota-consumer-safety-advisory-102572.aspx

HensonFuerst will post additional updates as they become available. You can also visit our website at www.lawmed.com

Popularity: 22% [?]

Restraining Children Safely

hfstaff January 20th, 2010

While driving my son to school each morning, I regularly see children who are not properly restrained in their seats. Practicing simple safety every trip–no matter how short–can save a child from serious injury in the event of a car accident. Here is a quick refresher (from www.buckleupnc.gov):

✱ Drivers of covered vehicles are responsible for all children and youth less than age 16 in the vehicle.

✱ Children younger than 16:
All must be buckled up, in either the front or back seat, with additional guidelines…

✱ Children younger than age 8 AND who weigh less than 80 pounds…
must be properly secured in a child passenger restraint device (CRD) that meets Federal standards and is appropriate for the child’s weight and height. Belt-positioning booster seats can be used for larger children (between 40 and 80 pounds) in lap and shoulder belt seating positions. Belt-positioning booster seats must NEVER be used with just a lap belt.

✱ Children who are age 8 and older (regardless of weight) OR who weigh 80 pounds (regardless of age)…
can use a properly fitted seat belt instead of a booster. In other words, a child may be buckled in using just the seat belt on his/her 8th birthday OR when he/she reaches 80 pounds — whichever comes first.

✱ Placing the shoulder belt under a child’s arm or behind the back is dangerous and illegal in North Carolina.

✱ If there is no seating position equipped with a lap and shoulder belt to properly secure a belt-positioning booster seat, a child who weighs at least 40 pounds may be restrained by a properly fitted lap belt only. WARNING: Belt-positioning booster seats must NEVER be used with just a lap belt. Belt-positioning booster seats can only be used with lap and shoulder seat belts.

These requirements apply to all vehicles required by Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards to be equipped with seat belts. This includes most passenger cars, pickup trucks, sport utility vehicles and vans manufactured since the late 60’s and early 70’s. This law applies to out-of-state as well as in-state vehicles.

Popularity: 17% [?]

Woman injured in Durham truck accident

admin January 14th, 2010

January 14, 2010

The Times-News reported that a recent Durham truck accident injured a woman.

The woman was driving her sport utility vehicle down the road when she was struck by a tractor-trailer.

The impact of the North Carolina truck accident caused the SUV to flip over onto its side. The woman was trapped inside the vehicle until rescue crews were able to extract her.

Authorities said the woman ran a red light, causing the Durham truck accident.

Read More

The Durham truck accident attorneys at HensonFuerst can help if you were injured in a North Carolina truck accident.

Popularity: 12% [?]

 

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