Mountain Home Personal Injury Lawyer - Defective & Dangerous Products

New Roof Crush Tests: Volvo XC90 vs. Ford Explorer

Frank Bailey — Tue, 16 Dec 2008 16:06:29 GMT

Beginning in 1970, the auto industry fought efforts by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) to issue a dynamic roof crush standard that protects occupants in rollover crashes. Why would the auto industry take such a position?

During that time, the number of deaths to occupants in rollover crashes climbed from 1,400 to over 10,000 each year while total occupant fatalities declined from 43,200 to 33,300. What accounts for that amazing increase in deaths from rollover crashes?

Although numerous federal courts have upheld the dolly rollover test as a reliable dynamic test, NHTSA has stuck with the ineffective, quasi-static roof crush standard issued in 1971 even though it initially was to be phased out by 1977.

In other major crash modes, front and side impacts, NHTSA has issued effective dynamic crash test standards that have reduced death and serious injury, but why not roof crush tests?

Public Citizen now has the results of dynamic roof crush tests on the Jordan Rollover System (JRS). The tests were sponsored by the Santo Family Foundation on a Volvo XC90s. State Farm donated the vehicle. This is one time that I applaud State Farm for doing something right.

Ford Motor Company (Stock at $3.11 today) has obtained Protective Orders in 24 courts prohibiting the public from seeing the test. Wonder why? Roof crush tests show Volvo XC90 occupants escape serious injury in multiple rollover crashes while Ford Explorer occupants suffer serious injury.

In a multiple two roll test, the maximum roof intrusion in the XC90 was only 2.6 inches and the peak roof intrusion velocity was less than 4 miles per hour. In contrast, the Explorer had maximum roof intrusion of 11.5 inches and peak roof intrusion velocity of nearly 12 miles per hours. This exceeds known thresh holds for death or serious injury.

Examination of actual accidents from NHTSA shows only one Volvo XC90 in a rollover crash. Like the XC90 in the JRS test, this Volvo had minimal roof intrusion and the two occupants suffered no serious injury. In sharp contrast, the NHTSA files revealed multiple cases of severe roof crush in other vehicles that tested poorly in the JRS.

After 35 years of increasing rollover fatalities due to weak roofs and weak standards, it is time to issue a dynamic roof crush standard using the JRS to match the lifesaving dynamic standards NHTSA has for front and side impacts.

Call or email your representative today and ask that they put aside their love for the auto industry and start putting the safety of their constituents first.

Originally posted at InjuryBoard by Frank Bailey

Safety Tips for the Holidays

Frank Bailey — Mon, 15 Dec 2008 14:03:15 GMT

According to the United States Fire Administration, fires during the holiday season claim the lives of more than 400 people. As many as 1600 are injured, and more than $990 million in damage occurs as a result of fires each holiday season.

Christmas Trees

We all love the sight and smell of a fresh Christmas tree, but here are a few pointers to keep the tree safe. 1. When selecting a tree, make sure the needles are green and hard to pull off the branches. 2. Do not place a tree close to a heat source. 3. Do not leave the tree up too long…two weeks is usually the longest time a tree should be left up.

Holiday Lights

Inspect lights each year for frayed wires, bare spots, gaps in the insulation, broken or cracked sockets and excessive kinking or wear before putting them up. Use only lighting listed by an approved testing laboratory. Do not link more than three light strands together. Check the wires to see if they are warm…if so, unplug the lights.

Space Heaters

With cold weather, the use of space heaters and the potential hazards associated with them increases. According to fire officials, 10% of fires as a result of space heaters results in a fatality. Of these fires, 30% were the result of combustible material being too close to the heater. 8% were caused when rugs, carpets, or mats were under to too close to the heater. Never leave a space heater unattended of running while you sleep. If you need an extension cord, make sure it is heavy duty.

Safe Christmas

By following these basic common sense rules we can all enjoy a safe and happy Christmas.

Originally posted at InjuryBoard by Frank Bailey

More Dangerous Toys in 2008

Frank Bailey — Mon, 08 Dec 2008 18:52:19 GMT

As we talked about last week, Atlanta Lawyer Don Keenan publishes an annual list of the most dangerous toys of the season. The second most dangerous toys are magnetic earrings. These are made by Claire’s, Schylling and other jewelry retailers.

The Hazard is that magnets used in earrings are just as powerful as magnets found inside toys that have been recalled after causing death and injury in countless children. The earrings sold by Claire’s tested well above the toy standard of magnetic flux of 50, and in one case were more than five times higher than toy standards.

These can be swallowed, aspirated into the lungs. Children’s toys with magnets are listed in the top five most dangerous toys for 2008 by the consumer products safety commission.

Please be careful when selecting toys for your children.

Originally posted at InjuryBoard by Frank Bailey

Dangerous Toys in 2008

Frank Bailey — Mon, 01 Dec 2008 11:02:31 GMT

Atlanta attorney Don Keenan each year lists the ten most dangerous toys of the season. His list, “10^th Annual Toy Safety Campaign: 10 Most Dangerous Toys for 2008,” is a huge benefit to both parents and others who purchase toys for children.

According to Don there were about 170,000 ER visits last year from toy related injuries and 18 toy related deaths.

The most dangerous toy from burn dangers is the Air Hogs RC Helicopters. It comes with a lithium ion and lithium polymer battery and can burst into flames or explode if charged incorrectly or handled wrong.

We owe a debt of gratitude to Don and his staff for putting together this list and making it public.

Originally posted at InjuryBoard by Frank Bailey