How to Transport Children in Cars Safely

Transport Your Child Safely

USA Today recently published an article discussing a recent study by  the non-profit group Safe Kids USA that shows that most parents aren’t using child seats correctly. Only 30% are using the tether straps that keep the tops of child seats — and children’s heads — secured in crashes, and many are not using the safest seats for their children’s ages.

In light of this report USA Today published a follow-up article showing How to Transport Children Safely.  The article discusses the appropriate stages of child car safety from rear facing car seats to booster chairs for younger children, and when each is appropriate.  According to the guidelines:

• Children should ride in the back, facing the rear in safety seats until they are 2 or until they exceed the weight limits of the safety seat.
• Children above the age of two should ride in the back in forward facing safety seats until they exceed the weight limits.
• Children who have exceeded the height and weight limits of safety seats should ride in a booster seat until the lap and shoulder belts fit property, usually between 8 and 12.
• Seat belts fit correctly when the child can remain with his or her back against the seat and the knees bend naturally over the edge of the seat.  The lap belt should fit comfortably across the hips and the shoulder belt across the mid chest.
• Children under 13 are 40% safer in the back seat, whether or not they have airbags.  Never put a rear facing child safety seat near an active air bag.

These are must read articles for parents who transport children in cars and who might be unsure how their children should be secured or whether or not their child is ready to move to the next safety level.

Hands-Free Pairing of iPhone 4 with GM Cars for Safer Driving

Hands-free for Safer Driving

One of the most pressing public safety issues today is the danger of talking on a cell phone while driving.  Fortunately, many car manufacturers are aware of this issue and now offer bluetooth hands-free calling on their newer model cars or trucks.  This feature allows you to make calls at the press of a button through your car’s radio or stereo system.  Making calls this way keeps your eyes on the road and your hands on the wheel.  While it doesn’t prevent all accidents, it can reduce them.

I have previously paired my iPhone 3gs with my 2010 Chevrolet Malibu to allow for hands-free calling.  I simply turned on the bluetooth function on my iPhone and then pressed the hands-free calling button.  The hands-free system recognized my iPhone and gave me a code to enter on my iPhone, which I did.  It was a relatively painless process.

However, my 3gs recently broke a speaker and since I was eligible for an upgrade, I went ahead and purchased an iPhone 4.  I didn’t think anything about it until I got in the car and realized that my iPhone 4 wasn’t paired with my hands-free system.  I tried to go through the same steps I did to pair my 3gs, but my GM system couldn’t or wouldn’t recognize my new phone.  After some effort I was finally able to pair my new iPhone 4 with my GM bluetooth hands-free calling system.  Here are some important points and steps to take to pair your new iPhone 4 with your GM bluetooth hands-free calling system.

First, understand that you should restore your new iPhone 4 on iTunes before pairing it, otherwise, after you restore your information on iTunes, your GM vehicle will think its a new phone and you’ll have to pair it all over again.  Another unfortunate mistake I made.

Second, the pairing process will not work while your driving, so don’t try to to pair your new iPhone unless your parked.

Third, you must delete your old phone or request to add another phone to your system.  Since my old phone didn’t work anymore, I simply deleted it.  But if your wife uses your car, or vice versa, you might need to add the phone as a secondary and not delete the first phone.  I did not have to do this so it may require different steps, so check your manual, if this doesn’t work.

I took the following steps to delete my old phone and pair my new iPhone 4 with my 2010 Chevrolet Malibu.

1.  Press your handsfree calling button.  When the system says “ready”, say “bluetooth”.  At the next prompt say “delete.”

2.  The system will ask you which phone you wish to delete.  Mine was “Ed’s iPhone”.  I told it to delete that phone.  It confirmed the delete and then deleted the phone from the system.

3.  The system will next prompt back to “ready”.  Next say “bluetooth”.

4.  The system will then ask for the next prompt.  Say “pair”.  The system will now search for any bluetooth enabled devices.  Make sure your device is enabled.  You should see your new iPhone recognize “General Motors” and attempt a connection.

5.  At the same time the GM system will give you a four digit code.  On the iPhone, you’ll see a box asking for the code.  Put in the four digit code and the iPhone should show as “connected”.

6.  Once connected the system will ask you to name your new device.  I renamed mine “Ed’s iPhone” just like before, but you can give your phone any name you like.  The system should confirm your choice.

7.  Once your new device name is confirmed, exit your hands-free calling system and your phone will now be paired each time you enter your car.  This will allow you to make and receive calls through your hands-free calling system for safer driving.

Understand that any stored information tags, including names and numbers, will not be deleted by removing your old phone from its “pair” with the hands-free calling system.  My contacts and phone numbers were still stored, and I’ve since used my iPhone 4 just like my old 3gs.

These instructions allowed me to pair my new iPhone 4 with my 2010 Chevy Malibu.  Please review your particular vehicle’s manual to determine if your GM vehicle supports hands-free calling and the new iPhone 4 before attempting to pair.  If you GM vehicle supported 3gs, it should support the newer iPhone version.

I have done my best to recount the steps I took to pair my new iPhone 4 with my GM car.  The specific words used and the particular steps taken may vary depending on your GM make and model.  This is merely meant to be a guide, and if you’re unsuccessful in pairing your iPhone 4 with your GM vehicle, make sure to check your manual or contact your local GM dealer if you think there may be a problem.  GM also has a website that shows compatible phones for its system at www.gm.com/handsfree.

If your vehicle does not have a hands-free system, you might think about getting a bluetooth headset or other stand alone bluetooth hands-free system.  This will allow you to make calls while keeping your eyes and hands on the important task of driving.  Remember, the safest way to drive is to avoid all distractions, including using your cell phone, whether you have a hands-free system or not.

Kentucky Accident Information is Now Available on Your iPhone.

Access Accident Information Directly from Your iPhone.

You can now directly access Kentucky Accident Information directly from your iPhone or iPod Touch.  Simply type “kyaccidentinfo.com” into your mobile phone web browser.  A new easy to use mobile version of Kentucky Accident Information will appear.  Access information regarding your car, truck, or motorcycle accident, post comments or questions, or contact The Brutscher Law Office about your accident from your mobile phone.

What You Should Do If You Are Involved In An Accident

Nobody plans on being in an accident.  However, the fact remains in 2006, there were 2,575,000 people injured in car accidents in the United States.  The chances of you being involved in an accident are far greater then you might think.  Don’t plan on being in an accident.  Plan on being prepared in the event you are.

Here’s what you should do.  Take a deep breath.  Make sure your car’s transmission is placed in park and that the engine is turned off.  Place your hazard lights on.  Check to make sure you are not seriously injured.  If you aren’t, check any passengers who might be.  Before exiting your vehicle make sure it is safe.  If it isn’t safe, don’t exit.  If you have a cell phone, call and report the accident to the police.  If traffic remains heavy or you’re in a dangerous position, wait until the police arrive to exit your car.

If it’s safe, exit your car and check on the driver and passenger of the other car.  If nobody is injured and the cars are obstructing traffic, move them out of the roadway and into a safe position.  If  someone is injured do not move the person or the car.  If necessary mark the roadway with flares or cones.

If the accident involves injuries or if the property damage is in excess of $500.00, a report will need to be taken.  You should call the Kentucky State Police or other law enforcement agency to investigate.  If the accident is minor and the property damage is less then $500.00, you will not need to call the police.  However, you should fill out a civilian traffic report.  You can get one here.

Whether or not the police take a report, it is wise to get the name, address, and telephone number of the driver, all passengers, and any independent witnesses.  Driver’s license and license plate numbers are also helpful.  Also, take down any insurance information the other driver might have.  Make note of any road, weather, or other conditions that might have contributed to the accident.  You might want to look at the Kentucky State Police Civilian Traffic Report for additional information that might be needed.

If emergency personnel do come to the scene, have them check on you  even if you don’t think you are injured.  It is better to be safe.  If you leave the scene and later develop pain or muscle soreness, call your doctor or visit the emergency room.  It is not uncommon for injuries such as whiplash to develop much later.

Injured in a Car Accident? Do You need an Accident Attorney?

Many people have asked whether they should hire an attorney if they have been injured in a car, motorcycle, or truck accident.  This concern is usually followed by, “how much will it cost?”  Today’s article will discuss some issues to consider in deciding if you need an accident attorney to handle your injury claim.

There are many facts to consider before you hire an attorney.  The first issue you must decide is whether you need an attorney at all.  Don’t think just because you’ve been a victim in a car accident or that many attorneys advertise for these cases, that you must have an attorney before filing an injury claim.  If you suffered only minor injuries, little or no lost wages, and only minor medical bills, you most likely do not need an attorney at all.  You can file a claim for the pain, suffering, and inconvenience you experienced as a result of the accident.  In this case your medical expenses and lost wages will most likely be paid from the PIP coverage you have available.  You can negotiate your settlement with an insurance adjuster without hiring an attorney.  Often these settlements are low enough that they do not warrant the hiring of an attorney.

However, if you sustained a serious or disabling injury, have lost significant work or can’t work at all, or have outstanding medical bills and require future treatment, then you should consider hiring an attorney to represent you.  At this point, several new concerns come into play.  You may need a skilled attorney to explain your options and see that your interests are protected, during any claim negotiations. The insurance adjuster will not look out for your interests or make sure your settlement is fair.

Many injured victims worry about the cost of hiring an accident attorney.  Most car accident attorneys will work on a “contingency fee” agreement.  This means that their fee will be “contingent” on the injured victim recovering for their injuries.  No recovery means no fee is paid.  Usually, a car accident attorney will take a percentage of any recovery you get in exchange for no payment up front and for bearing the risk if you don’t get a recovery.  The percentage will vary from attorney to attorney and may also be based on the length and complexity of the case.

Perhaps more important than determining if you need an attorney is determining which one to hire once a decision has been made.  We will discuss the qualities you might want to consider in an attorney in our next article.  Please check back for; “What to Look for in a Car, Motorcycle, or Truck Accident Attorney.”