Carl Solomon

In 2004, a woman in Michigan was talking on a cell phone when she drove through a red light and into an intersection. She hit another car and killed a 12-year-old boy from the impact. The light hadn’t just turned red, it had been red for a little while, as the car she hit wasn’t the first through the intersection. She was reported to be looking straight ahead while on the phone—not looking down, like we usually assume with an accident like this. Even though she was looking ahead, she was distracted by her phone conversation. And that was 15 years ago. Think of how cell phones have advanced since then to occupy even more of our attention.

Distracted drivers kill 9 people a day and injure over 1,000 others. They’re a leading factor in fatal and serious car accident injuries, right behind drunk driving and speeding. Drivers have become complacent even though they are putting their own life and others’ lives at risk every time they get behind the wheel.

[Read more…] about Why Is It Dangerous to Use Hands-Free Devices While Driving?

Millions of automotive recalls are issued every year. As a responsible driver, it’s important to check for recalls involving your vehicle. The majority of the time, if a recall is issued you can take your vehicle to an approved shop and have the defect fixed at no charge to you.

Many car defects have to do with engine or steering problems, acceleration issues, faulty airbags, wiring issues, and mileage and gas usage. While some defects may seem like an annoyance or inconvenience, other defects can have deadly consequences.

[Read more…] about 2018’s Top Defective Vehicles

As a law-abiding, responsible driver, you know you take the proper steps to ensure the safety of you and your loved ones when you’re behind the wheel. Unfortunately, you may not always have control over the situations that unfold while operating a vehicle. Defective car parts have the potential to cause serious, life-altering accidents, especially on the highway or interstate. The effects of these accidents are often physical, emotional, and economical.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration has the authority to issue vehicle safety standards, as well as require manufacturers to recall vehicles that have defective parts and do not meet the federal safety guidelines. Since the enaction of the National Traffic and Motor Vehicle Safety Act in 1966, more than 390 million cars, trucks, buses, and other vehicles, as well as 46 million tires, and 66 million pieces of motor vehicle equipment have been recalled for the benefit of the public.

Even with the National Traffic and Motor Vehicle Safety Act, defective car parts are not always caught fast enough to prevent accidents from happening. If you’ve been in an accident resulting from a defective car part, it’s important to understand your rights. Our attorneys at Solomon Law Group are prepared to answer your questions.

What Are the Most Common Defective Car Parts?

A car part may be considered defective if it does not comply with the Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards or when a safety issue is identified. Below you’ll find a list of the most common defective car parts, as well as the associated consequences.

Brakes. When a vehicle’s brakes malfunction, the driver may be unable to slow down or stop. This is likely to result in a rear-end collision.

Tires. When tires are manufactured improperly, the chances of a blowout increase. In the event of a blowout, a driver may lose control of the vehicle. Larger vehicles face the risk of rollovers.

Airbags. Airbags are a crucial part of any vehicle. In the event of an accident, a defective airbag may deploy late or not at all. This has the potential to increase the chance of serious injury for the driver and any passengers.

Seatbelts. A defective buckle or strap has the potential to come loose or snap during an accident, which will increase the chance of injury.

Other defects can be found in the following vehicle components and equipment:

• Steering systems
• Structural integrity of the roof
• Fuel systems/gas tanks
• Accelerator controls
• Engine cooling fans
• Wiring systems

Who Can Be Held Accountable for a Defective Car Part?

Depending on the nature of the defect, there may be multiple parties you can hold accountable including the car manufacturer, the parts manufacturer, or the distributor.

If you or a loved one has been injured in a car accident because of a defective car part, you may have the grounds for a product liability case. The manufacturer responsible for the error should be held accountable, and you should receive compensation for your injuries, medical expenses, and pain and suffering. Contact our Columbia, SC product liability lawyer today for a free consultation.

From fender-benders to catastrophic collisions, car accidents victims are likely to experience physical and mental trauma. With traffic collisions in South Carolina happening every 3.7 minutes, thousands of individuals are left to pick up the pieces after an auto wreck every year.

Recovery can be a difficult and long process, especially if the accident resulted in severe physical injuries. While it can be difficult to determine just how long it will take to recover from a car accident, there are some factors that can be examined.

Immediately following a car accident, you should evaluate yourself for injuries. It’s important to note that not all injuries are visible, and some injuries may not be recognizable for days. Soft tissue injuries are common after a car accident. These injuries occur when muscles, tendons, or ligaments are stretched or torn. Whiplash is one of the most common soft tissue injuries and can take anywhere from weeks to months to completely heal and go away. Some people may experience symptoms for longer. [Read more…] about How Long Does It Take to Recover from a Car Accident?

As a vigilant driver, you’ve probably noticed a variety of hazards on the road that can be hard to avoid. Many of these hazards are caused by poorly maintained roads. Poor road conditions can lead to property damage and personal injury, in the event of an auto collision.

Generally, government agencies and municipalities are required to maintain safe road conditions. In South Carolina, interstate highways, and primary and secondary highways are maintained by the state, according to Section 57-5-10 of the South Carolina Code of Laws. Local roads are maintained by the surrounding municipalities. [Read more…] about Top 5 Ways a Poorly Maintained Road Can Cause a Wreck