The American Association for Justice (AAJ) issued a report, based on government data, that concludes West Virginia and North Dakota have the nation’s highest rates of motor carrier company violations of federal safety requirements. Violations may include brake or tire defects, overloaded trucks, and drivers who are untrained or have drug or alcohol problems. (8/30) AP Search for violating companies in your state at AAJ.

After a crash that killed 2 scientists in 2006, Utah passed a new law that penalizes a driver who causes a fatality while texting, a law that is as harsh as one that punishes a drunken driver who kills someone. The law was passed after a 19 year-old college student crossed over the yellow line  on a two lane highway, killing the scientists,  after he sent and received 11 text messages from his girlfriend within 30 minutes prior to the crash. Studies show that texting while driving is twice as dangerous as driving with a .08 alcohol blood level, generally the standard for drunk driving, or as dangerous as talking on a cell phone while driving. (8/28) NY Times

Child trailers, designed to be hitched to bicycles, have been recalled because a defect could allow one of the wheels to detach and cause injury to the biker or to the child riding in the trailer. Burley Design of Eugene, Oregon is the manufacturer of the 2009 models that are subject to the recall announced by the Consumer Product Safety Commission. To date, there have been no reports of injuries. (8/19) Forbes

A new study found that truck drivers who texted while driving were 23 times more likely to be involved in a crash than when they were not texting. Although the study focused on long haul truckers, the findings generally apply to drivers of all types of motor vehicles. The truckers in the study on average took their eyes off the road for 5 seconds while texting, about enough time for a truck to travel the length of a football field. (7/27) NY TImes

Cellphone use in vehicles is wreaking havoc on our nation’s highways as motorists are increasingly dialing  and texting while driving. Despite alarming statistics that show a correlation between deaths and injuries where cellphone use is involved, government officials have suppressed the data. This article argues that the NHTSA should discourage motorists from the use of cellphones. (7/26) Philadelphia Inquirer

Motor vehicle crashes are a leading cause of death for children between the ages of 2 to 14. Proper use of car seats and safety belts will help to protect your child from injury or death. Learn more about how to properly install rear and forward-facing child and booster seats, and the correct use of safety belts for older children. Helpful research and seat ratings are also available at this link: http://www.nhtsa.gov. Click on 4 Steps for Kids.

A number of trial lawyers say that Medicare is slowing lien settlements, thus prolonging final resolution and distribution of money damages to accident victims. Medicare beneficiaries, who have been hospitalized from injuries received in an accident, must reimburse Medicare for the amount of their hospital costs once a settlement with the responsible parties has been reached. However, it may take as long as a year or more to find out how much is owed to Medicare. Officials at Medicare acknowledge the delays and “lack of good customer service” yet seem unable to improve response times. (7/11) Bellingham Herald

Five consumer groups urged the Federal Trade Commission to amend the “used car rule,” which requires window stickers to disclose purchase and warranty information, to include a warning of liability risks. The request comes as Chrysler emerged from bankruptcy and shed its responsibility for past and future liability claims on vehicles manufactured prior to May 30, 2009. While Chrysler opposes the petition, the FTC is reviewing the petition and “will give it a hard look.” (7/3) Washington Post

In a deal reached by the Obama administration, General Motors and several state attorneys general, the carmaker will accept future defective vehicle accident claims that occur after it comes out of Chapter 11. Past claimants would have to pursue the old GM left behind in bankruptcy, offering them little chance to recover damages. This amendment is a “partial victory”  for consumer advocates and state attorneys general who pressured Congress and the administration to force GM to accept all product liability claims. But the groups say that both GM and Chrysler, because they are supported by the federal government, should be required to buy liability insurance against past and future claims in spite of bankruptcy filings. (6/29) Washington Post

Last week, the 10th U. S. Circuit Court of Appeals ordered Cooper Tire & Rubber Company to turn over documents, detailing how their tires are made, to lawyers for the victims of a September 2005 crash. Cooper had argued that disclosing the information would reveal trade secrets. Cooper manufactured the tires on a passenger van which rolled several times after a rear tire blew out. The van carried university students and an intructor who were headed back to campus from a field trip in northern Utah. Eight students and the instructor died, and two students survived the crash but were severely injured.  (6/9) Salt Lake Tribune