OUR LEGAL BLOG

An alert reader has sent in this photo of new highway signs being posted to help drivers of Toyota vehicles know what to do when they have sudden acceleration issues. :)

Imagine going for a stroll or walking out to get the mail and suddenly one or both of your femur (thigh) bones just snap in half. An ABC News report shows some of the excruciatingly painful breaks that can occur from side effects from fosamax medication. These side effects show that even with the testing that goes on in laboratories and by the FDA, there is still no guarantee that some harmful effects of the drugs will not wind up causing other problems for people that take these medications long term.

Pharmaceutical companies rely on “major use” drugs to help compensate for the many failed trials their research and development teams experience. Occasionally, a manufacturer crosses the line knowingly and markets a drug even though internal documents showed them the drug would be harmful to users (as was the situation with Fen-phen).

Fosamax is prescribed to help people with osteoporosis, but two major side effects have been shown in osteonecrosis of the jaw (deterioration of the bone), and in a major weakening of the femur bones which can cause them to break during low-impact activity.

If you know anyone who uses this drug and may need a Fosamax lawyer, please have them contact us today.

Fosamax Side Effects Report

The owner of a 2008 Toyota Prius considers himself fortunate after his vehicle accelerated to 90 miles per hour on the California highway and he couldn’t stop. Physically pulling up on the gas pedal didn’t stop the acceleration and laying heavy on the brakes just produced a lot of friction and odor. The owner was finally able to slow down sufficiently to get the car to shut off but it was definitely not a case of a faulty gas pedal or floor mat according to the police officer on the scene. Here’s ABC’s video report and a link to the full article. Toyota is sending techs to investigate.

If you know someone that has been injured in an accident or runaway Toyota accident, contact us today. Our car accident lawyers can help preserve your rights.

SB 115 (Sponsored by Senator Romero) has passed the Utah legislature prohibiting minors (under 18) from using cell phones while driving a vehicle. Several exceptions are given which are as follows:

1) when reporting a medical emergency
2) when reporting a safety hazard
3) when reporting a criminal activity
4) when speaking with a parent or guardian

The bill will now go to the Governor for his signature. The sponsor believes this bill will reduce accidents.

If you have been a reader of this legal blog, you’ve seen some examples of minors texting while driving and the life-changing accidents that have occurred as a result. Texting while driving is already banned in Utah and is a very dangerous thing to attempt to engage in

Idaho injury attorney news – A fatal rollover accident which killed 1 and injured 4 after the driver fell asleep at the wheel.  Police report alcohol was not a factor.

Last Monday morning outside of Twin Falls, ID, a driver fell asleep at the wheel and upon suddenly awaking, over-corrected the vehicle causing it to roll and eject three backseat passengers. One of the victims died at the hospital from injuries sustained while two others remain in serious condition. Only the driver and front seat passenger were wearing seat belts.

Our hearts go out to the victims and their families.

Article link

More and more it’s looking like Toyota’s sudden acceleration issue isn’t about the gas pedal at all, but more with the internal computer that tells the car what to do.

Owners of vehicles that have been “fixed” by replacing the floor pad or acceleration pedal have still reported sudden acceleration issues. One driver who had his vehicle fixed said “I can drive up to 30 miles an hour without applying the gas.” (link)

The car giant is going to have growing liability issues and a significant public trust problem in the coming months and years unless they get to the bottom of this and correct the root of the problem instead of trying to look for the quick and dirty way out of the situation.

If you are involved in an accident and suspect a sudden acceleration issue, contact one of our Salt Lake City auto accident lawyers today. We can help you determine the best course of action to take.

Have you ever had to sweat through a call from a creditor knowing you didn’t have the funds to repay an obligation, and not knowing what to say? Financial difficulties affect millions of people, especially during this down economy. There are alternatives to bankruptcy that can help you get relief from creditor calls and allow you to focus on getting back on your feet again. Click here to read more about these alternatives to bankruptcy.

Over the past decade, 722 officers have been killed in auto related accidents nationwide. Three years ago, Idaho passed what they called a “Move Over Law” to help prevent police officers who had pulled someone over for a traffic violation, from being hit by vehicles passing by. The law states that if a police vehicle has someone pulled over to the side of the road with their lights flashing, you are required to both move over (change lanes) AND slow down to help ensure officer safety. Failure to follow this law will get you a $75 fine and 3 points on your license.

This should just be common sense. How anyone can pass a person on the side of the road and not instinctive know they need to give them extra space and also slow down is almost unbelievable.

Several years ago while I was travelling outside of Idaho Falls, my car tire became flat and I had to pull over and change the tire. Unfortunately, there was nowhere good to do this and I had my car up against the metal guard rail on the passenger side, while I was changing a tire on the driver’s side while cars were passing me. Compounding this already tense situation was the falling snow and cold temperatures. As I would look down the road and see semi’s coming in the near lane just inches away from me, I would quickly scurry behind my car to make sure I wasn’t going to get hit by one of them. After several minutes of this, I was never so grateful in my life when a kind snowplow driver pulled his giant plow up behind me and stopped half way in the near lane and half off the road giving me breathing room to change my tire. Traffic wasn’t overly heavy so with his flashing light, traffic had plenty of space to get into one of the other lanes. I can’t imagine police officers having to do be exposed to that type of traffic on a daily basis.

If you need an Idaho car accident attorney, contact us today for a free evaluation.

-Oak

When bicycles and cars meet, bicyclists never win. Monday night in Spokane, Washington, Scott Reckord was arrested on a vehicular homicide charge after failing a sobriety test and also a charge of felony hit and run, after killing a cyclist. The Spokane County Medical Examiner’s Office identified the bike rider as David Squires.

Bike riding is becoming increasingly popular and even necessary for some people during this economic downturn. Drivers need to pay special attention to pedestrians and cyclists who are not as easy to see as vehicles.

If you or someone you know needs a Spokane bicycle accident attorney, call us today. We have amateur cyclists at our firm who understand the law and the special needs of people who bike regardless of skill level.

A tragic accident in Spokane kills three people after a man was over-served alcohol at two separate bars and drove off getting into an accident and killing two others. Officials believe the drunk driver also visited a third bar the night of the accident but have not cited that bar as they have the other two. The other two bars face fines and suspension of liquor licenses.

Driving under the influence of alcohol has long plagued society. Drinking and driving don’t mix. Be responsible. If you know someone who has been injured or killed in an accident and needs a Spokane injury attorney, or Spokane wrongful death attorney, call us today. We can help.