The number of cars to get top safety ratings from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) has increased for the second year in a row, according to the Institute’s list of “Top Safety Picks,” announced on Thursday. CNN Money writes that the Institute is now looking at making the awards even tougher, according to IIHS spokesman Russ Rader.

CNN Money reports: “Among the changes being considered are an additional crash test or factoring in safety technology such as blind spot warning systems or crash avoidance systems.”

“It’s tough to win, and we commend auto manufacturers for making safety a top priority,” said Institute president Adrian Lund. The IIHS is a nonprofit group financed by the insurance industry, and its ratings, which began in 2005, are based on tests different from those of the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA).

CNN Money notes that certain cars might get poorer scores in NHTSA auto safety tests despite winning the Insurance Institute’s award. For example, the Fiat 500 is an IIHS award winner despite earning only three out of five stars in NHTSA’s crash tests. A spokesman for Fiat told CNN Money that Fiat is looking into ways to improve its score in the NHTSA tests.

Every major automaker has a least one car model winning an award, with Subaru being the only one to get an award for every model in its 2012 season, including one for the redesigned Impreza, a small car. Toyota/Lexus/Scion has 15 winners for 2012, more than any other manufacturer. General Motors has 14, Volkswagen/Audi has 13, and Honda/Acura has 12.

Car buyers should take note that the IIHS groups winners according to vehicle type and size, and that size and weight are factors in how able a vehicle is to withstand a crash. As IIHS reports:

"Larger, heavier vehicles generally afford better occupant protection in serious crashes than smaller, lighter ones. Even with a Top Safety Pick, a small car isn’t as crashworthy as a bigger one."

You can see the complete listing all of the IIHS winners here.

Over the past several years, the National Highway Transportation Safety Administration (NHTSA) has implemented a several new safety measures designed to make roads safer and reduce the overall number of fatal car accidents.

Most recently, the agency introduced a new - and more rigorous - safety rating system for all new vehicles that utilizes both a family of crash test dummies and a side impact test.

In light of these new safety measures, is not unreasonable to expect that the rate of fatalities on U.S. highways should eventually decline rather sharply?

According to recent statements by a high-ranking official at the NHTSA, this is precisely what happened just last year.

Deputy Administrator Ronald Medford recently informed Wards Auto that a soon-to-be released 2010 NHTSA report will reveal that 32,788 people were killed in car crashes in 2010.

This constitutes a rather significant reduction from 2009, a year in which there were approximately 33,808 fatalities, and the smallest amount of fatal car crashes in over sixty years.

Medford attributed much of the reduction to the aforementioned new vehicle safety rating system and the continued development of certain crash-avoidance technologies.

He also went on the state that while the agency is pleased with the overall reduction in fatalities, more work must be done by government officials and major players in the private sector - car manufacturers and handheld device manufacturers - to eliminate the constant threat of distracted driving (i.e. talking and texting while driving).

"We have challenged the auto industry and the cell phone industry to work collaboratively with us to keep the driver focus on their required task - driving - and to keep them safe."

Interestingly, Medford also indicated that the NHTSA will be working closely with carmakers to ensure that efforts made to improve gas mileage don't compromise vehicle safety.

If you or your child has been seriously injured in a car accident, you should strongly consider speaking with an experienced attorney who can answer your questions and explain your rights.

This post was provided for informational purposes only and is not to be construed as legal advice.

Read more at: Wards Auto

If you or someone you know has been involved in an accident, contact the Morgantown Car Accident Lawyers of Colombo & Stuhr PLLC at 800-860-1414.

West Virginia drivers would be banned from texting under a bill passed Thursday by the House of Delegates, although some lawmakers say the proposal is so watered down that it's worthless.

The legislation (HB2555) would make texting while driving a traffic offense, rather than a misdemeanor, as originally proposed.

Also, unlike the original legislation, the House-passed version would make texting a secondary offense, rather than a primary offense. That means violators could only be cited if they were pulled over for something else, such as speeding.

Delegate Danny Wells, D-Kanawha, said the bill is now "worthless."

"I'm totally disappointed and discouraged," he said after the vote Thursday. "I think as long as it's not a primary offense, it's just a worthless piece of paper. There's no way anybody's going to be pulled over for texting the way it's written."

"It's hard enough for an officer to see someone texting in the first place."

Wells has pushed for stronger seatbelt and cell phone laws for drivers, and still voted for the bill Thursday.

"This is all about saving lives, and the statistics show you lose lives when you drive and text at the same time," he said

In most states with texting driving bans, violating the law is a primary offense. According to the Governors Highway Safety Association, 26 of 30 states with anti-texting laws have primary enforcement.

For more information see: http://wvgazette.com/News/politics/201102171656

If you or someone you know has been seriously injured or killed in an automobile accident, contact the West Virginia Auto Accident Attorneys of Colombo & Stuhr PLLC at 800-860-1414.

In West Virginia adult drivers are still allowed to type messages into their cell phones while on the road, but in nearby Kentucky this will soon change. 

As of January 1, 2011 drivers in Kentucky can be fined if they’re caught texting while driving, and people under 18 could be fined if they’re caught using their cell phones at all. 

Violators will be liable for fines of $25 on a first offense and $50 on each subsequent offense, plus court costs. 

Kentucky Governor Steve Beshear signed the law in April. Currently, 30 states and the District of Columbia ban text messaging while driving. 

In West Virginia laws to ban text messaging while driving stalled during last winter's legislative session. It is illegal for anyone under age 18 to use cell phones while driving. 

If you're not already convinced that driving a car and trying to tap out a message on a tiny keyboard is a poor match, perhaps the short documentary AT&T has just released will convince you otherwise. The carrier is launching a campaign geared towards teens over the holidays leading up to New Year's Eve in the hopes that the youth of the world will be slightly less sure of their invincibility -- at least where car driving and text messaging is concerned.

The West Virginia Legislature will convene next month. Hopefully they will attempt to address distracted driving, especially driving while text-messaging. Lawmakers declined to take any action last year, and residents in other states have noticed. 

Reporter Christine Miller Ford found that Maryland's restrictions on cell phone use and text-messaging have caused some Eastern Panhandle motorists to change their driving habits when they enter Maryland. Some now use hands-free devices. But she also found that some drivers now see West Virginia as a place where they can text-message while driving and realize no consequences. 

Most West Virginians certainly understand the risks associated with distracted driving. A motorist who pushes buttons on a tiny keyboard while driving a motor vehicle cannot be fully mindful of that family in the approaching minivan. 

While simply passing laws will not solve each and every problem, letting motorists know that high-risk behavior is unlawful is the appropriate step to take. Such a legislative initiative won't cause every irresponsible driver to change his or her behavior, but it certainly could save some lives. 

For more information: http://wtrf.com/story.cfm?func=viewstory&storyid=86843 

If you or someone you know has been seriously injured or killed in an automobile accident, contact the West Virginia Auto Accident Attorneys of Colombo & Stuhr PLLC at 800-860-1414.

Winter weather can pose serious dangers to travelers. Snow and sleet decrease visibility, and slick, icy roads make it difficult to safely stop and can cause you to slide.

Stay safe on the roads this season by following these tips for driving in winter weather:

• Buckle up!
• Before you leave the house, thoroughly remove any snow or ice from your front windshield, back windshield and side-view mirrors.
• Drive at a slower speed and leave yourself ample distance for braking.
• Keep your lights on even during the day to increase your visibility to other drivers.
• Avoid slamming on your brakes. You can avoid skidding by braking gently.
• Remember that bridges and overpasses freeze first and use extra caution when traveling on them.
• Be on the lookout for black ice – it will make the road look shiny and new.
• Don’t use cruise control. Severe weather conditions call for your complete control of the vehicle at all times.
• Allow yourself extra driving time so you can exercise proper caution.
• Consider delaying your trip if a severe storm is approaching.
• Prevent gas line freeze-up by keeping your tank at least half-full.
• Be sure your tires are properly inflated before you leave your house.

If you or someone you know has been seriously injured or killed in an automobile accident, contact the West Virginia Auto Accident Attorneys of Colombo & Stuhr PLLC at 800-860-1414.

Locals know the West Virginia roads are not the best. Unfortunately this is true as West Virginia is ranking in the top 5 for both America’s deadliest roads and deadliest for DUI. That’s according to Reader’s Digest magazine, which assessed recent data on road and bridge conditions, congestion, spending on roads and overall safety.

No. 1 for deadly DUI drunk driving accidents was Montana, followed by South Carolina, Louisiana, Wyoming, and West Virginia at number 5.

No. 1 for deadliest roads was Montana followed by Louisiana, South Carolina, No. 4 West Virginia, and Arkansas.

Check out Reader’s Digest’s web site to see more details.

Hundreds of road construction and improvement projects underway in the state, according to the West Virginia Department of Transportation. But this introduces another potential problem: highway work zone car crash accidents.

Such fatal accidents claim more than 800 Americans each year, so it’s vital that drivers respect warning signs and cones that alert them to highway construction areas.

Meanwhile, Colombo & Stuhr Attorneys at Law encourages all West Virginians to respect road signs, road work and whatever it takes to travel safely from point A to point B. Your life, and others’ lives, can depend upon it. And if someone else injures you in a West Virginia car crash accident, perhaps we can help.

This is a QR Bar Code.

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Scan this Bar Code using a Smart Phone Bar Code Scanner to get the contact information of Colombo & Stuhr Attorneys at Law, a personal injury law firm in Morgantown West Virginia. 

What Is A Qr Bar Code and Why Would I Scan it? 

The Qr bar code was created by Japanese corporation Denso-Wave in 1994; for years it was used primarily for warehouse tracking.  Already poplar in Japan the 2D bar code automatically gets our contact information to your phone where you have the option to either erase it, dial our number, email us, or store our information for later. 

If you have a smart phone you can scan this image with your bar code scanner application and the phone number, e-mail address, name, and url of West Virginia injury attorney Dino Colombo will appear on your phone. Then, you have the option to with one touch; “Call the number”, “Send and Email”, “Store in Contacts”, or discard the information, and more. This is a quick and easy way of copy and pasting information directly into your mobile phone. Trust me, it is good to have a Personal Injury in your list of “Contacts”.

It is like copy and paste; it saves paper and is very convenient.

Here is a list of bar code scanner applications available for download. Be sure to match the program with your phone and operating system.

If you or someone you know has been involved in an accident in the areas of Clarksburg, Morgantown, Fairmont, Bruceton Mills, Cheat Lake, or other Northern West Virginia communities please contact the Morgantown Car Accident Lawyers of Colombo & Stuhr PLLC at 800-860-1414.

Survive your drive with these tips from Walter Irvine, an instructor at the Skip Barber Racing School, in Lakeville, Connecticut.

What If...?

… a car is heading straight toward you in your lane?
“Try to get their attention [honk, flash your lights], but also look ahead and plan for an evasive reaction. Do not stare at the oncoming vehicle,” because your car follows your line of sight. “Look where you want to go, not where you are heading.”

...a car is tailgating you and honking wildly?
“Pull over and let it by.”

… a car is swerving ahead of you and the driver is clearly impaired?
“Give him room, do not tailgate, and, again, do not fixate on him.”

… a deer darts in front of your car?
“Calmly attempt to avoid it with as little braking and steering as you can.”

… you come to a four-way stop?
“Always try to establish eye contact with drivers waiting to proceed. If you see them looking at you, you know it is safe.”

… you’re blinded by the sun?
“Don’t overreact by slamming on the brakes or swerving. Continue on your path so you are predictable to other vehicles.”

... you get a yellow light as you approach an intersection?
“You should never go through a yellow light if you have the ability to stop safely.”

… you’re about to be rear-ended?
“Take your foot off the brake. If the car behind you hits you, the impact will be lessened if your car can roll forward.”

If you or someone you know has been seriously injured or killed in an automobile accident, contact the West Virginia Auto Accident Attorneys of Colombo & Stuhr PLLC at 800-860-1414.

The acceleration and braking defects on Toyota vehicles have been blamed for numerous collisions over the past two years. Several people have been killed as a result of crashes caused by these defects.

My firm is currently investigating cases involving injuries or deaths resulting from the faulty accelerators and breaking systems. If you or a family member has been involved in a wreck with one of the recalled vehicles, please contact my office today to discuss your case.

From Toyota.com:

Which models are involved in the sticking accelerator pedal recall/stop sale?
Toyota's accelerator pedal recall and suspension of sales is confined to the following Toyota Division vehicles:

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

*Highlander hybrids and Camry hybrids are not involved in this action and will remain for sale. Further, Camry, RAV 4, Corolla and Highlander vehicles with VINs that begin with "J" are not involved.

Which models are involved in faulty ABS breaking system?

This recall involves approximately 133,000 2010 model year Prius vehicles and 14,550 Lexus Division 2010 HS 250h vehicles.

If you have not been injured but drive one of the recalled vehicles, please immediately contact your local Toyota dealership to discuss repairs or replacement vehicles. If you have been injured, you want an attorney who can help you get the medical care you need and fight to get you the money you deserve for your injuries.

If you or someone you know has been involved in an accident related to the Toyota Recalls, contact the Morgantown Car Accident Lawyers of Colombo & Stuhr PLLC at 800-860-1414.

The Department of Transportation says that in 2008 more than 5,800 people, or 16 percent of all highway fatalities across the nation, died in a distracted-driving accident, and that 515,000 were injured. Perhaps it is this kind of information that has caused 23 states to debate bans on texting while driving — 19 already have laws in place.

Bills were introduced in both the House and the Senate last week that would ban texting while operating a motor vehicle in West Virginia. The House bill would impose a $25 fine, but the Senate bill has a little more teeth. Under that proposed bill, the fine would be $100 and offending drivers would have three points added to their license. Both bills make texting while driving a secondary offense, meaning an officer could not stop a driver for that particular offense. But if a driver is pulled over for some other moving violation, they could be cited for texting.

Accidents can happen in an instant. You might look down to change the station on your radio. You might be reaching for a ringing cell phone. You might be taking a sip of coffee on the commute to work. But taking your eyes off the road for just a few seconds could be costly. And the currency could be lives.

And if those scenarios take the attention of a driver for a second or two, imagine how long of a distraction texting a message could be be. Some studies show that the effect of texting on the brain reduces the ability to safely operate a vehicle by 37 percent — as much as the legal limit of blood alcohol content. There’s no message on Earth so important that a driver should risk damage to property or lives to send it. Perhaps only the threat of a fine or points on a license would cut the frequency of distracted driving.

Leaders in Washington, D.C., want to send a message, too. Sen. Charles Schumer, D-N.Y., has introduced federal legislation that bans e-mailing or texting while driving. If the proposed legislation passes, states would risk losing 25 percent of federal highway funds if they fail to pass or enforce the measure.

Though a similar texting bill was introduced during the 2009 regular session, state lawmakers failed to pass it into law. We hope this year, lawmakers get the message — texting while driving is deadly. And it shouldn’t take the threat of losing highway funds to make this law happen.

Driving while texting (DWT) is nearly as dangerous as driving while intoxicated (DWI).  If you or someone you know has been injured or killed in a car accident involving a cell phone or text messaging, contact the Morgantown Car Accident Lawyers of Colombo & Stuhr PLLC at 800-860-1414.