Washington Personal Injury Lawyer & Attorney : Regan Zambri & Long Law Firm : DC Metro Area Personal Injury Law Blog

Posted by: Salvatore J. Zambri, founding member and senior trial attorney.          

As we've often posted on this blog, Halloween safety is an important issue for Trick-or-Treaters, but also for all parents and drivers.  One of the biggest hazards for children is the increased danger of getting hit by a car on the holiday.  The main reasons for this increased danger include:

• Children are out in the dark;
• Costumes are usually dark and masks can impair vision and hearing;
• Children are often excited and distracted;
• They usually cut across streets instead of crossing at corner; and
• They are not accustomed to being out late at  night.

Here are some suggestions to help ensure the safety of your children as recommended by HealthDay News:

• "Set up a route for your children's trick-or-treating and make sure you are familiar with the neighborhood and the neighbors;
• Make sure children under 12 are accompanied by adults;
• If children over 12 are unaccompanied by adults make sure they are going to be with a group;
• Make sure your children know basic traffic safety rules: stopping before crossing the street, crossing only at cross walks, and using flashlights so they can see and be seen better;
• Consider replacing a face mask with face paint so that children's vision and hearing aren't impaired;
• Make sure costumes are well fitting so that children can't trip;
• Avoid costume props that are rigid and/or sharp so that if a child should fall they won't be further injured by their prop;
• Look through the candy your children collect before they consume it to make sure nothing has been tampered with."

As a driver, please be alert and practice extra precautions.   Watch for children who may jump out into the street at  unpredictable times.  Take special caution in backing out of driveways, as small children may be completely unseen.  Following sensible safety guidelines will enhance the enjoyment of Halloween, and keep it fun for everyone.

About the author:

Mr. Zambri is a Board-Certified Civil Trial Attorney and Past-President of the Trial Lawyers Association of Metropolitan Washington, D.C. The association has recently named him the " 2011 Trial Lawyer of the Year".  He has also been acknowledged by Washingtonian magazine as a "Big Gun" and among the "top 1%" of all of the more than 80,000 lawyers in the Washington metropolitan area. The magazine also acknowledged him as "one of Washington's best--most honest and effective lawyers" who specializes in medical malpractice matters, product liability claims, and serious automobile accident claims. Mr. Zambri was recently (2011 edition) acknowledged as one of the "Best Lawyers in America" by Best Lawyers, and has also been repeatedly named a "Super Lawyer" by Law and Politics magazine (2011)--a national publication that honors the top lawyers in the country.

Mr. Zambri is regularly asked to present seminars to lawyers and doctors, as well as both medical and law students concerning defective products, medication errors, medical malpractice litigation, and safety improvements.

If you have any questions about your legal rights, please email Mr. Zambri at szambri@reganfirm.com.  You may also reach him at 202-822-1899.

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Posted by: Salvatore J. Zambri, founding member and senior partner

DISTRACTION.GOV - Official U.S Government Website for Distracted Driving

Yes, there is an official government website for distracted driving.  Why?  Because distracted driving results in thousands of traffic crashes and deaths in this country every year.  The epidemic of distracted driving continues to cause drivers to drive recklessly, leading to serious injuries and death.

Although states are responsible for their own driving laws, the distracted driving problem has reached such heights that The U.S. Department of Transportation created the Distraction.gov site to work with advocacy groups and others to "share knowledge and promote a greater understanding of the issue, and identify additional strategies to end distracted driving."

Every year I give presentations to area schools about distracted driving in an effort to teach young people the importance of driving carefully, and to empower them to be sure they do not allow others to drive while distracted, at least not while they are in the car.

If you or your child's school would like to know more about my presentation, please let me know. I of course do not charge a fee for it, as it is part of my volunteer community service program.

Do you have any questions about this post?

About the author:

Mr. Zambri is a board-certified civil trial attorney by the National Board of Trial Advocates and a Past-President of the Trial Lawyers Association of Metropolitan Washington, D.C. The association recently named him "Trial Lawyer of the Year" (2011).  He has been rated by Washingtonian magazine as a "Big Gun" and among the "top 1%" of all lawyers in the Washington metropolitan area. The magazine also describes him as "one of Washington's best--most honest and effective lawyers" who specializes in personal injury matters, including automobile accident claims, premises liability, product liability, medical malpractice, and work-accident claims. He has successfully litigated multiple cases against truck and bus companies, the Washington Metropolitan Area transit Authority, and other automobile owners.  His law firm, in fact, has obtained the largest settlement ever in a personal injury case involving WMATA.  Mr. Zambri has also been acknowledged as one of "The Best Lawyers in America" by Best Lawyers (2011 edition) and has been repeatedly named a "Super Lawyer" by Super Lawyer magazine (March/April 2010)-- national publications that honor the top lawyers in America.

If you have any questions about your legal rights, please email Mr. Zambri at szambri@reganfirm.com or call him at 202-822-1899.

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Posted by: Salvatore J. Zambri, founding member and senior partner

Traditionally, the summer travel season begins with Memorial Day Weekend.  Increased traffic volume also means an increased chance of automobile accidents.  Common sense preparation and safe driving practices can prevent many of those collisions from ever happening. 

Before traveling, follow these sensible guidelines:

• Check your car or have it serviced before any long trip.
• Stock and pack an emergency kit.  At a minimum, be sure to include water, jumper cables, flashlight, tire changing equipment, flares and a first aid kit.
• Verify that child safety seats are properly installed.
• Map out your travel route, especially if traveling in unfamiliar territory.
• Check the weather conditions along your route.
• Copy relatives or friends about your travel arrangements in case of an emergency.

While on the road, practice and enforce no-nonsense rules:

• Do not engage in distracted driving -- no cell phone, no texting, no rubber-necking.
• Require everyone in the vehicle to buckle up.
• Obey all speed limits and road signs.
• Drive calmly and avoid confrontation with aggressive drivers.
• Avoid driving while tired. Take a driving break about every two hours.
• Exercise caution around railroad crossings.
• Note and avoid the "No Zone" around trucks. Make certain you can see the trucker driver in the truck's mirror.
• Slow down in work zones, obey all signs and pay attention to the driver just ahead of you. 
• Move over and slow down for emergency vehicles.

Since the beginning of the DC Metro Area Personal Injury Law Blog, we have included a number of posts to remind drivers of the importance of alert and safe driving during the holiday travel season.  Seat belt safety is such a significant part of safe driving that it cannot be over-emphasized.  

Previously posted on the DC Metro Area Personal Injury Law Blog:

• Seat Belt Safety and Counseling by Physicians (2007)
  
• National Click it or Ticket Campaign for 2007
  
• Click It or Ticket Campaign for 2008
• Click It or Ticket Campaign for 2009
• Click It or Ticket Campaign for 2010

Mark the beginning of your summer travels with a pleasant memory instead of a nightmare trip, or even worse, a tragedy.  Drive safely and have a wonderful Memorial Day Weekend.

Do you have any questions about this post?

About the author:

Mr. Zambri is a board-certified civil trial attorney by the National Board of Trial Advocates and a Past-President of the Trial Lawyers Association of Metropolitan Washington, D.C., which awarded him "Trial Lawyer of the Year" for 2011.  He has been rated by Washingtonian magazine as a "Big Gun" and among the "top 1%" of all lawyers in the Washington metropolitan area. The magazine also describes him as "one of Washington's best--most honest and effective lawyers" who specializes in personal injury matters, including automobile accident claims, premises liability, product liability, medical malpractice, and work-accident claims. He has successfully litigated multiple cases against truck and bus companies, the Washington Metropolitan Area transit Authority, and other automobile owners.  His law firm, in fact, has obtained the largest settlement ever in a personal injury case involving WMATA.  Mr. Zambri has also been acknowledged as one of "The Best Lawyers in America" by Best Lawyers (2011 edition) and has been repeatedly named a "Super Lawyer" by Super Lawyer magazine (March/April 2010)-- national publications that honor the top lawyers in America.

If you have any questions about your legal rights, please email Mr. Zambri at szambri@reganfirm.com or call him at 202-822-1899.

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Posted by: Salvatore J. Zambri, founding member and senior partner

For those of you following my blog, you know that I give presentations at schools to faculty, parents and students about the dangers of distracted driving.  Historically, I have given those presentations at Middle and high schools.  Last week, I gave a presentation at an area elementary school.  You may be thinking, "Why give a presentation at a school that teaches such young children, kids who won't be driving for a very long time?"  I was wondering about the wisdom of such a presentation too.  What I found out, however, is that elementary schools are a perfect place to start talking about the distracted driving crisis.

One of the most significant problems fueling the crisis is parent/caregiver conduct. Young children witness their parents and caregivers driving while using a cell phone or even texting.  Kids start to see this conduct as acceptable and, even worse, safe.  By the time they reach driving age, they are indoctrinated with the thought that driving while using distracting devices is appropriate.  If my parents have done it for so long, it must be ok.  What's all the fuss about?

The fuss is about millions of people being severely injured and killed from distracted driving.  It's about the multitude of lives that can be devastatingly changed in a moment from someone's carelessness.  Perhaps I learned more than those I spoke to about unsafe driving practices last week.  I know this:  I need to speak to more elementary school parents in our community about their behavior, and about how to teach their kids--their young kids--about the deadly consequences of distracted driving.

Please drive safely, and put the phone down.  Better yet, shut it off.  It will turn back on when you get to your destination.  I promise.

Do you have any questions about this post?

About the author:

Mr. Zambri is a board-certified civil trial attorney by the National Board of Trial Advocates and a Past-President of the Trial Lawyers Association of Metropolitan Washington, D.C. He has been rated by Washingtonian magazine as a "Big Gun" and among the "top 1%" of all lawyers in the Washington metropolitan area. The magazine also describes him as "one of Washington's best--most honest and effective lawyers" who specializes in personal injury matters, including automobile accident claims, premises liability, product liability, medical malpractice, and work-accident claims. He has successfully litigated multiple cases against truck and bus companies, the Washington Metropolitan Area transit Authority, and other automobile owners.  His law firm, in fact, has obtained the largest settlement ever in a personal injury case involving WMATA.  Mr. Zambri has also been acknowledged as one of "The Best Lawyers in America" by Best Lawyers (2011 edition) and has been repeatedly named a "Super Lawyer" by Super Lawyer magazine (March/April 2010)-- national publications that honor the top lawyers in America.

If you have any questions about your legal rights, please email Mr. Zambri at szambri@reganfirm.com or call him at 202-822-1899.

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Posted by: Salvatore J. Zambri, founding member and senior partner

On April 5, I will be giving a presentation at an area middle school about the devastating consequences of distracted driving.  I represent victims of reckless driving every day.  Distracted driving has horrific consequences for all involved--the victim and the wrongdoer, their families, their friends,  their business colleagues, etc.

Every year I give presentations to area schools about distracted driving in an effort to teach young people the importance of driving carefully, and to empower them to be sure they do not allow others to drive while distracted, at least not while they are in the car.

If you or your child's school would like to know more about my presentation, please let me know. I do not charge a fee for it, as it is part of my volunteer community service program.

Wish me luck next week. 

Do you have any questions about this post?

About the author:

Mr. Zambri is a board-certified civil trial attorney by the National Board of Trial Advocates and a Past-President of the Trial Lawyers Association of Metropolitan Washington, D.C. He has been rated by Washingtonian magazine as a "Big Gun" and among the "top 1%" of all lawyers in the Washington metropolitan area. The magazine also describes him as "one of Washington's best--most honest and effective lawyers" who specializes in personal injury matters, including automobile accident claims, premises liability, product liability, medical malpractice, and work-accident claims. He has successfully litigated multiple cases against truck and bus companies, the Washington Metropolitan Area transit Authority, and other automobile owners.  His law firm, in fact, has obtained the largest settlement ever in a personal injury case involving WMATA.  Mr. Zambri has also been acknowledged as one of "The Best Lawyers in America" by Best Lawyers (2011 edition) and has been repeatedly named a "Super Lawyer" by Super Lawyer magazine (March/April 2010)-- national publications that honor the top lawyers in America.

If you have any questions about your legal rights, please email Mr. Zambri at szambri@reganfirm.com or call him at 202-822-1899.

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Posted by Salvatore J. Zambri, founding member and senior partner

November 8 marked the beginning of  Drowsy Driving Prevention Week, a public awareness campaign by the National Sleep Foundation to educate drivers about sleep safety.  In a new study by the AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety, alarming statistics indicate that the problem is much larger than previous estimates. Included among those statistics:

• "drowsy driving involves about one in six deadly crashes;
• one in eight crashes results in occupant hospitalization;
• one in fourteen crashes in which a vehicle was towed."

According to Anita Valaju Shelgikar, a clinical instructor in the University of Michigan Medical School's Department of Neurology, “The percentage of near-miss accidents due to drowsiness is likely an even greater problem. Dozing off for just a few seconds can be enough to cause a fatal crash. If you ever develop drowsiness while driving, it is best to pull over safely, lock the vehicle doors and take a nap. If there are other passengers with you, switch driving responsibilities with someone who is alert and able to drive.”

The National Sleep Foundation's 2009 Sleep in America revealed even more alarming statistics:

• "about one-third  (28%) of Americans admitted they had fallen asleep behind the wheel within the past year,
• more than half (54%) said they had driven while drowsy,
• more than a quarter of surveyed adults admitted they drove despite being so tired that they had difficulty keeping their eyes open in the previous month."

Be alert for the following warning signs that you may be driving drowsy:

• "difficulty focusing, frequent blinking and/or heavy eyelids,
• difficulty keeping reveries or daydreams at bay,
• trouble keeping your head up,
• drifting from your lane, swerving, tailgating and/or hitting rumble strips,
• inability to clearly remember the last few miles driven,
• messing exits or traffic signs,
• yawning repeatedly,
• feeling restless, irritable, or aggressive."

Sleepiness can impair drivers with slower reaction times, vision impairments, lapses in judgment and delays in processing information.  Studies show that being awake for more than 20 hours results in an impairment equal to a blood alcohol concentration of 0.08%.  Crashes caused by driving drowsy are preventable.  Driving safely is a responsibility that cannot be overemphasized.  In this age of too much activity for too little time, sleep frequently is the item that many sacrifice.

Do you have any questions about this post?

About the author:

Mr. Zambri is a board-certified civil trial attorney by the National Board of Trial Advocates and a Past-President of the Trial Lawyers Association of Metropolitan Washington, D.C. He has been rated by Washingtonian magazine as a "Big Gun" and among the "top 1%" of all lawyers in the Washington metropolitan area. The magazine also describes him as "one of Washington's best--most honest and effective lawyers" who specializes in personal injury matters, including automobile accident claims, premises liability, product liability, medical malpractice, and work-accident claims. He has successfully litigated multiple cases against truck and bus companies, the Washington Metropolitan Area transit Authority, and other automobile owners.  His law firm, in fact, has obtained the largest settlement ever in a personal injury case involving WMATA.  Mr. Zambri has also been acknowledged as one of "The Best Lawyers in America" by Best Lawyers (2011 edition) and has been repeatedly named a "Super Lawyer" by Super Lawyer magazine (March/April 2010)-- national publications that honor the top lawyers in America.

If you have any questions about your legal rights, please email Mr. Zambri at szambri@reganfirm.com or call him at 202-822-1899.

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Posted by: Salvatore J. Zambri, founding member and senior partner

A man was struck and killed Monday morning by a hit-and-run driver on S. Capitol Street near its intersection with Martin Luther King Avenue in Southwest, D.C.  The victim was found lying in the street. Police believe he was struck by a Mercedes Benz, which may have front end damage as a result of the collision.

If you know anything about this collision, please report what you know to the police. 

I represent victims of reckless driving every day.  It is important for the family of this man to obtain witness statements as well as any video surveillance footage before the video is destroyed.  Securing such video can be critical to the case.

Every year I give presentations to lawyers about the use of video in automobile cases.  My goal is to teach attorneys the most effective ways to obtain and use videos in order to promote justice.

Our thoughts are with the victim of this horrible incident and his family.

Do you have any questions about this post?

About the author:

Mr. Zambri is a board-certified civil trial attorney by the National Board of Trial Advocates and a Past-President of the Trial Lawyers Association of Metropolitan Washington, D.C. He has been rated by Washingtonian magazine as a "Big Gun" and among the "top 1%" of all lawyers in the Washington metropolitan area. The magazine also describes him as "one of Washington's best--most honest and effective lawyers" who specializes in personal injury matters, including automobile accident claims, premises liability, product liability, medical malpractice, and work-accident claims. He has successfully litigated multiple cases against truck and bus companies, the Washington Metropolitan Area transit Authority, and other automobile owners.  His law firm, in fact, has obtained the largest settlement ever in a personal injury case involving WMATA.  Mr. Zambri has also been acknowledged as one of "The Best Lawyers in America" by Best Lawyers (2011 edition) and has been repeatedly named a "Super Lawyer" by Super Lawyer magazine (March/April 2010)-- national publications that honor the top lawyers in America.

If you have any questions about your legal rights, please email Mr. Zambri at szambri@reganfirm.com or call him at 202-822-1899.

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Posted by Salvatore J. Zambri, founding member and senior partner

As we have posted previously, the ongoing battle between safety groups and the rental car industry continues.  Following the deaths of two sisters renting a recalled vehicle and the subsequent jury verdict, the Center for Auto Safety and Consumers for Auto Safety and Reliability petitioned the FTC to force Enterprise Holdings, Inc. (the country's largest rental car agency) to repair vehicles under recall  notice prior to renting them out. 

As of November 1, 2010, Senator Charles Schumer got involved by writing to the FTC. According to a report by National Public Radio (NPR), "Schumer asked the FTC Monday to end the practice across the industry, telling the federal agency in a letter that "if automotive dealers are not allowed to sell recalled vehicles without first fixing the safety issues, then rental car companies should be held to the same standard. If a car is not safe enough to be bought and driven off the lot, then it is not safe enough to rent," Schumer wrote. Threatening legislation, he said that if the FTC "can't or won't act, Congress will."

Consumers need to have confidence that the vehicles they rent are safe enough to drive and not worry about whether the rental car agency has decided that profits are more important than safety. We will continue to follow this safety issue and blog about its implication for our readers. 

Do you have any questions about this post?

About the author:

Mr. Zambri is a board-certified civil trial attorney by the National Board of Trial Advocates and a Past-President of the Trial Lawyers Association of Metropolitan Washington, D.C. He has been rated by Washingtonian magazine as a "Big Gun" and among the "top 1%" of all lawyers in the Washington metropolitan area. The magazine also describes him as "one of Washington's best--most honest and effective lawyers" who specializes in personal injury matters, including premises liability, automobile accident, product liability, medical malpractice, and work-accident claims. Mr. Zambri has also been acknowledged as one of "The Best Lawyers in America" by Law and Politics (2011 edition) and has been repeatedly named a "Super Lawyer" by Super Lawyer magazine (March/April 2010)-- national publications that honor the top lawyers in America.

If you have any questions about your legal rights, please email Mr. Zambri at szambri@reganfirm.com or call him at 202-822-1899.

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Posted by Salvatore J. Zambri, founding member

Although many drivers are aware of the new cell phone law for drivers that Maryland adopted on October 1, fewer may know about the new bicycling laws that also are now in effect.  Below are summaries of the major elements of the new laws:

Senate Bill 51:

• "Requires a driver of a vehicle to safely overtake a bicycle, electric personal assistive mobility device (EPAMD), or a motor scooter at a distance of at least three feet, unless at the time, the bicycle, EPAMD,or motor scooter rider fails to ride to the right side of the roadway, comply with a requirement to ride in a bike lane or shoulder, or maintain a steady course.
• The passing rule under the bill also does not apply if the highway on which the vehicle is being driven is not wide enough to lawfully pass the bicycle, EPAMD, or motor scooter at a distance of at least three feet."

Senate Bill 624 :

• "Repeals the general requirement that a bicycle operator use the shoulder if it is safe and paved to a smooth surface.
• Specifies that, in a place where a person may ride a bicycle on a sidewalk, a person may ride from the curb or edge of the roadway in or through a crosswalk to the opposite curb or edge. The definition of “crosswalk” is expanded to mean the connection of lateral lines of a bicycle way where a bicycle way and roadway of any type meet as measured from the curbs or the edges of the roadway.
• Requires vehicle operators to yield the right-of-way to bicyclists riding in bike lanes and shoulders when these vehicle operators are entering or crossing occupied bike lanes and shoulders."

So, what exactly do these new laws mean for drivers and cyclists?  According to Peter Moe, the Maryland State Highway Administration's Bicycle Safety Coordinator, the new laws provide more rights to cyclists in using the highways, but also increase the responsibilities for cyclists.  "You can and should expect to see bicyclists on any roadway, apart from interstates. Bikes are considered a legal vehicle, and have a right to the roadway. But, cyclists have responsibilities that come along with those rights: they are required to obey all traffic laws. And yes, that means stopping at red lights and at stop signs. That's really for everyone's benefit: for the cyclist and the motorist." 

The new laws are expected to reduce the number of cycling accidents because the predictability of what can be expected from both the bicyclist and the motorist.  As I have advocated in so many of my previous posts, all users of the roads, whether drivers, bicyclists or pedestrians, must be aware of the other users of roads and respect their rights. Maryland's Choose Safety for Life Campaign provides further information regarding bicycle safety as well as other highway safety strategies.

Do you have questions about this post?

About the author:

Mr. Zambri is a board-certified civil trial attorney by the National Board of Trial Advocates and a Past-President of the Trial Lawyers Association of Metropolitan Washington, D.C. He has been rated by Washingtonian magazine as a "Big Gun" and among the "top 1%" of all lawyers in the Washington metropolitan area. The magazine also describes him as "one of Washington's best--most honest and effective lawyers" who specializes in personal injury matters, including automobile accident claims, premises liability, product liability, medical malpractice, and work-accident claims. He has successfully litigated multiple cases against truck and bus companies, the Washington Metropolitan Area transit Authority, and other automobile owners.  His law firm, in fact, has obtained the largest settlement ever in a personal injury case involving WMATA.  Mr. Zambri has also been acknowledged as one of "The Best Lawyers in America" by Best Lawyers (2011 edition) and has been repeatedly named a "Super Lawyer" by Law and Politics magazine (March/April 2010)-- national publications that honor the top lawyers in America.

If you have any questions about your legal rights, please email Mr. Zambri at szambri@reganfirm.com or call him at 202-822-1899.

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Posted by Salvatore J. Zambri, founding member and senior partner

Once again, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) is promoting its annual national drunk driving enforcement during the final weeks of summer vacation in an effort to crack down on impaired driving and reduce highway fatalities.

          2010 Impaired Driving National Enforcement Crackdown
                            August 20 - September 6, 2010

Key points from the NHTSA Campaign listed below emphasize why there is still a need to educate drivers of the dangers of impaired driving.  

• "Impaired driving is a deadly crime that’s still prevalent throughout America and is especially common among young males 21 to 34 years old.
• To crack down on alcohol-impaired driving — which is especially common in the summer — police in every State and most U.S. towns and cities will be out in record numbers from mid-August through Labor Day (August 20–September 6).
• All 50 States, the District of Columbia and Puerto Rico have established a threshold making it illegal per se to drive with a blood alcohol concentration of .08 grams per deciliter or higher.
• Yet nearly 12,000 people in 2008 were killed in U.S. highway crashes involving a driver or motorcycle rider with an illegal BAC of .08 g/dL or higher, according to NHTSA statistics.
• In 2008, 5,432 passenger vehicle drivers 21 to 34 years old were killed in motor vehicle crashes. Of those, a total of 2,866 (53%) had illegal BACs of .08 or higher.
• Alcohol impairment among drivers involved in fatal crashes was four times higher at night than during the day (36% versus 9%).
• Thirty-two percent of drivers involved in fatal crashes on weekends were alcohol-impaired, compared with 15 percent during the week.
• In 2008, 32 percent of fatalities in motor vehicle traffic crashes involved drivers or motorcycle riders with BACs of .08 or above — an average of one fatality every 45 minutes.
• The percentage of drivers with BACs of .08 or above involved in fatal crashes in 2008 was highest for motorcycle riders (29 percent), followed by drivers of light trucks (23 percent) and passenger cars (23 percent).
• Forty-three percent of the 2,291 motorcycle riders who died in single-vehicle crashes had BACs of .08 or above.
• The age groups of 45 to 49 and 40 to 44 had the highest percentages of impaired (BAC of .08 or higher) motorcycle riders killed in fatal crashes — 41 percent and 37 percent, respectively.
• Impaired driving is not an accident — it’s an epidemic of careless disregard for human life.
• Each year, nearly 12,000 people die on our roads due to impaired driving. That would be equal to about 30 jumbo jets crashing each year.
• No one should ever get that late-night phone call from the police telling you your loved one has died due to an impaired driver."

The ultimate results of impaired driving will eventually catch up with those who believe "it will never happen to them." Be safe on the road by driving smart.  Please don't drink and drive.  It's a matter of life and death for not only you, but all others on the roadway.

About the author:

Mr. Zambri is a board-certified civil trial attorney by the National Board of Trial Advocates and a Past-President of the Trial Lawyers Association of Metropolitan Washington, D.C. He has been rated by Washingtonian magazine as a "Big Gun" and among the "top 1%" of all lawyers in the Washington metropolitan area. The magazine also describes him as "one of Washington's best--most honest and effective lawyers" who specializes in personal injury matters, including automobile accident claims, premises liability, product liability, medical malpractice, and work-accident claims. He has successfully litigated multiple cases against truck and bus companies, the Washington Metropolitan Area transit Authority, and other automobile owners. His law firm, in fact, has obtained the largest settlement ever in a personal injury case involving WMATA. Mr. Zambri has been named one of the "Best Lawyers in America" by Best Lawyers (2011 edition), as well as a "Super Lawyer" by Super Lawyer magazine (March/April 2010)-- national publications that honor the top lawyers in America.

If you have any questions about your legal rights, please email Mr. Zambri at szambri@reganfirm.com or call him at 202-822-1899.

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Posted by: Salvatore J. Zambri, founding partner

According to Consumer Reports, there is "[g]ood news for safety-conscious car-buyers: The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) is about to launch an overhauled crash-test program that makes it tougher for any car to earn five stars in crash worthiness....
The new scores can’t be compared against results from previous years, since both the testing and scoring criteria will be different. Once the tests are completed, the new ratings will be posted on safercar.gov."

Do you have any questions about this post?

About the author:

Mr. Zambri is a board-certified civil trial attorney by the National Board of Trial Advocates and a Past-President of the Trial Lawyers Association of Metropolitan Washington, D.C. He has been rated by Washingtonian magazine as a "Big Gun" and among the "top 1%" of all lawyers in the Washington metropolitan area. The magazine also describes him as "one of Washington's best--most honest and effective lawyers" who specializes in personal injury matters, including automobile accident claims, premises liability, product liability, medical malpractice, and work-accident claims. He has successfully litigated multiple cases against truck and bus companies, the Washington Metropolitan Area transit Authority, and other automobile owners.  His law firm, in fact, has obtained the largest settlement ever in a personal injury case involving WMATA.  Mr. Zambri has also been named a "Super Lawyer" by Super Lawyer magazine (March/April 2010)--a national publication that honors the top lawyers in America.

If you have any questions about your legal rights, please email Mr. Zambri at szambri@reganfirm.com or call him at 202-822-1899.

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Posted by: Salvatore J. Zambri, founding partner

In a column in the Baltimore Sun (8/1), Eileen Ambrose wrote, "Maryland lawmakers considered - and failed this year - to pass legislation making arbitration more transparent, and problems with the process have caught the attention of federal officials, who are taking a hard look at making consumers agree in advance to arbitration and ways to give them a fairer shake." Bills "pending in Congress also seek to bar such clauses in consumer products and services as well as in nursing home contracts." But "until Congress or the new consumer protection bureau acts, most consumers will have few options if they don't want to give up their right to settle a dispute in court."

As it stands, many corporations bury mandatory arbitration clauses in contracts in an effort to keep victims of corporate wrongdoing from access justice in the court system.  I have seen some arbitration clauses that even dictates who the arbitrator will be.  Do you think the company who drafted the document would  pick a fair arbitrator?  These clauses should be barred.  If a consumer and a company wish to utilize arbitration after a claim arises, then fine.  Stripping innocent Americans of their rights is not. 

I hope Congress gets this job done and eliminates forced arbitration.

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Mr. Zambri is a board-certified civil trial attorney by the National Board of Trial Advocates and a Past-President of the Trial Lawyers Association of Metropolitan Washington, D.C. He has been rated by Washingtonian magazine as a "Big Gun" and among the "top 1%" of all lawyers in the Washington metropolitan area. The magazine also describes him as "one of Washington's best--most honest and effective lawyers" who specializes in personal injury matters, including automobile accident claims, premises liability, product liability, medical malpractice, and work-accident claims. He has successfully litigated multiple cases against truck and bus companies, the Washington Metropolitan Area transit Authority, and other automobile owners.  His law firm, in fact, has obtained the largest settlement ever in a personal injury case involving WMATA.  Mr. Zambri has also been named a "Super Lawyer" by Super Lawyer magazine (March/April 2010)--a national publication that honors the top lawyers in America.

If you have any questions about your legal rights, please email Mr. Zambri at szambri@reganfirm.com or call him at 202-822-1899.

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Posted by Salvatore J. Zambri, founding partner

Democrats in Congress are fighting to push legislation to improve regulation and oversight of auto safety.  This important legislation should pass into law.

The New York Times agrees. The Times (7/31) editorializes, "The United States has done a fairly good job so far of policing the safety of cars and trucks. The number of deaths in traffic accidents dropped to an estimated 34,000 last year - the least since the 1950s.  But that is still too many deaths. ... The Motor Vehicle Safety Act requires all vehicles to have a brake override system to ensure that a vehicle can be stopped even if the throttle is open. Pedals must exceed a minimum clearance from the floor to avoid snagging car mats. Electronic control systems must meet minimum performance standards, to be set by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. And all vehicles must come fitted with recorders that log operational data and help determine the causes of accidents. But perhaps more important, the bill would broadly change the system of overseeing and enforcing safety rules."

By overseeing and enforcing safety rules, auto manufacturers will be forced to put safety over profits.  With all that is being revealed surrounding the Toyota crisis, coupled with the many auto recalls we have learned of over the past few years, now is the time to create and enforce laws that protect consumers.

I encourage you to contact your local and federal representatives to urge them to support laws that promote auto safety.

Do you have any questions about this post?

About the author:

Mr. Zambri is a board-certified civil trial attorney by the National Board of Trial Advocates and a Past-President of the Trial Lawyers Association of Metropolitan Washington, D.C. He has been rated by Washingtonian magazine as a "Big Gun" and among the "top 1%" of all lawyers in the Washington metropolitan area. The magazine also describes him as "one of Washington's best--most honest and effective lawyers" who specializes in personal injury matters, including automobile accident claims, premises liability, product liability, medical malpractice, and work-accident claims. He has successfully litigated multiple cases against truck and bus companies, the Washington Metropolitan Area transit Authority, and other automobile owners.  His law firm, in fact, has obtained the largest settlement ever in a personal injury case involving WMATA.  Mr. Zambri has also been named a "Super Lawyer" by Super Lawyer magazine (March/April 2010)--a national publication that honors the top lawyers in America.

If you have any questions about your legal rights, please email Mr. Zambri at szambri@reganfirm.com or call him at 202-822-1899. 

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Posted by Salvatore J. Zambri, founding partner

Toyota's woes continue.  The Washington Post (7/30, Cha) reports that Toyota announced yesterday the recall of "412,000 Avalons and Lexuses for steering problems, bringing the number of cars recalled around the world since October to nearly 9 million. The 373,000 recalled Avalons, dating from between 2000 and 2004, have improperly cast steering lock bars that appear to have been a factor in three accidents reported to the company. This problem can cause what Toyota described as a 'minute' crack to develop on the surface. The crack, in turn, can break the bar and lock the steering wheel, increasing the risk of a crash." A smaller number of Lexus models "have a different steering shaft problem and no injuries have been reported related to this issue, Toyota said."

Bloomberg News (7/30, Ohnsman, Kitamura) adds, "Toyota also said it will recall 80,000 Land Cruisers for another problem involving steering shafts. The world's largest automaker is working to improve quality following global recalls of more than 8 million cars and light trucks for defects linked to unintended acceleration," noting that the crisis resulted in a $16.4 million fine and pending auto safety legislation.

The Los Angeles Times (7/30, Hirsch, Times) adds that the "latest recalls bring the number of vehicles Toyota has recalled in the last year to about 9 million worldwide. That's almost as many vehicles as were sold by all manufacturers in the US last year. ... Toyota faces hundreds of lawsuits arising from its problems with sudden acceleration and sticking gas pedals and has been the target of intense scrutiny by federal safety regulators and Congress."

As an attorney who represents many people who have been injured as a result of defective vehicles, I will keep a close eye on these issues.  In the meantime, if you own an Avalon or Lexus, I encourage you to immediately contact Toyota about potential defects.

Be safe.

Do you have any questions about this post?

About the author:

Mr. Zambri is a board-certified civil trial attorney by the National Board of Trial Advocates and a Past-President of the Trial Lawyers Association of Metropolitan Washington, D.C. He has been rated by Washingtonian magazine as a "Big Gun" and among the "top 1%" of all lawyers in the Washington metropolitan area. The magazine also describes him as "one of Washington's best--most honest and effective lawyers" who specializes in personal injury matters, including automobile accident claims, premises liability, product liability, medical malpractice, and work-accident claims. He has successfully litigated multiple cases against truck and bus companies, the Washington Metropolitan Area transit Authority, and other automobile owners.  His law firm, in fact, has obtained the largest settlement ever in a personal injury case involving WMATA.  Mr. Zambri has also been named a "Super Lawyer" by Super Lawyer magazine (March/April 2010)--a national publication that honors the top lawyers in America.

If you have any questions about your legal rights, please email Mr. Zambri at szambri@reganfirm.com or call him at 202-822-1899.

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Posted by Salvatore J. Zambri, founding partner

The New York Times (7/25) editorializes, "All automakers in the United States are required to report flaws in their vehicles to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration within five business days of detection," but Toyota "has repeatedly failed to report potentially deadly problems. The latest omission to be brought to light -- and not by the automaker -- regards problems with steering wheel relay rods, which transmit changes in direction from the steering gearbox to the wheels. ... Toyota has a lot to explain about why it delayed informing American regulators about the faulty rods - and why it told the N.H.T.S.A. it had received no complaints in the United States."

As time passes, it becomes more and more clear that Toyota hid the truth to avoid accountability and pad their profits. Regrettably, such greedy conduct has caused many people to suffer serious injuries. Let's hope these revelations cause auto-makers to reevaluate how they do business. Safety first.

Do you have any questions about this post?

About the author:

Mr. Zambri is a board-certified civil trial attorney by the National Board of Trial Advocates and a Past-President of the Trial Lawyers Association of Metropolitan Washington, D.C. He has been rated by Washingtonian magazine as a "Big Gun" and among the "top 1%" of all lawyers in the Washington metropolitan area. The magazine also describes him as "one of Washington's best--most honest and effective lawyers" who specializes in personal injury matters, including automobile accident claims, premises liability, product liability, medical malpractice, and work-accident claims. He has successfully litigated multiple cases against truck and bus companies, the Washington Metropolitan Area transit Authority, and other automobile owners.  His law firm, in fact, has obtained the largest settlement ever in a personal injury case involving WMATA.  Mr. Zambri has also been named a "Super Lawyer" by Super Lawyer magazine (March/April 2010)--a national publication that honors the top lawyers in America.

If you have any questions about your legal rights, please email Mr. Zambri at szambri@reganfirm.com or call him at 202-822-1899.

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Posted by: Salvatore J. Zambri, founding partner

The AP (7/27, Manning) reports that Nissan has informed NHTSA that it is recalling over 51,000 Cube models in North America "because of possible problems with fuel spilling during rear end collisions," noting that "tests conducted by NHTSA safety regulators found more fuel spilled than federal standards allow. The spillage occurred during rear end crash tests at 50 miles per hour where the vehicle also spun onto its side."

The spillage of fuel can lead to fires, which can be deadly.  If you own a Cube, I encourage you to immediately contact Nissan and stop driving the vehicle.  Your life is too precious.

Do you have any questions about this post?

About the author:

Mr. Zambri is a board-certified civil trial attorney by the National Board of Trial Advocates and a Past-President of the Trial Lawyers Association of Metropolitan Washington, D.C. He has been rated by Washingtonian magazine as a "Big Gun" and among the "top 1%" of all lawyers in the Washington metropolitan area. The magazine also describes him as "one of Washington's best--most honest and effective lawyers" who specializes in personal injury matters, including premises liability, product liability, medical malpractice, and automobile accident claims. Mr. Zambri has also been named a "Super Lawyer" by Super Lawyer magazine (March/April 2010)--a national publication that honors the top lawyers in America.

If you have any questions about your legal rights, please email Mr. Zambri at szambri@reganfirm.com or call him at 202-822-1899.

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Posted by: Salvatore J. Zambri, founding partner

Following the crisis created by Toyota's issues with sudden acceleration, lawmakers proposed sweeping safety requirements in the ambitious Vehicle Safety Improvements Act of 2010 that would have allowed federal officials unlimited fine power against automakers for safety violations as well as set safety standards for vehicle electronics.  However, according to a recent Los Angeles Times article, pressures from the auto industry have caused the subsequent bills proposed by both the House and Senate versions to be weakened, delayed or eliminated key safety provisions considerably. 

Auto safety advocates, while not surprised by the weakening of the original bill, are disappointed.  "The auto industry has had undue influence on this legislation," said Joan Claybrook, former head of the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, who testified at several congressional hearings. "The industry wanted to change a lot of little words that had a major impact."

According to Rep. Henry A. Waxman, chairman of the House Energy and Commerce Committee, "the new bill would give NHTSA significant new powers, create large fines for violation of safety rules, double the agency's auto safety research budget and require it to create a number of new standards involving vehicle electronics."  He acknowledges that changes were made, but states, "The legislation . . . will dramatically improve the safety of motor vehicles. Through this process, we were able to earn broad support from our membership."

Initially, the auto safety bill focused on sudden acceleration; through compromises with the auto industry other issues became more important.  One change that provoked strong protests by several key safety groups was the efforts by MADD to obtain as much as $60 million over five years for research into unproven technology to prevent drunk drivers from starting their vehicles.  Funding for this initiative would  come out of the $140 million currently allocated to vehicle safety standards and research.  According to Public Citizen President Robert Weissman, "funds for drunk driving technology 'far outstrip' the government's budget for crash avoidance, occupant protection and vehicle safety research."

The delays and setbacks in the auto safety standards would cause a more immediate loss of life, said Clarence Ditlow, executive director of the Center for Auto Safety.  "If the purpose of the standards is to save lives and prevent injuries, delaying the implementation is not going to achieve that goal," Ditlow said. "The one certainty is that there will be deaths and injuries caused by the delay. What we don't know is how many."

The auto industry should embrace the new standards.  The American people want safety to be the primary concern for all auto makers.  Those that fail to put safety over profits should be subject to meaningful repercussions.

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About the author:

Mr. Zambri is a board-certified civil trial attorney by the National Board of Trial Advocates and a Past-President of the Trial Lawyers Association of Metropolitan Washington, D.C. He has been rated by Washingtonian magazine as a "Big Gun" and among the "top 1%" of all lawyers in the Washington metropolitan area. The magazine also describes him as "one of Washington's best--most honest and effective lawyers" who specializes in personal injury matters, including automobile collisions, medical malpractice, premises liability, product liability, and work-accident claims. Mr. Zambri has also been named a "Super Lawyer" by Super Lawyer magazine (March/April 2010)--a national publication that honors the top lawyers in America.

If you have any questions about your legal rights, please email Mr. Zambri at szambri@reganfirm.com or call him at 202-822-1899.

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Posted by: Salvatore J. Zambri, founding partner

During a recent California court case involving the deaths of two women, executives of the country's largest car rental company admitted to renting vehicles known to be under safety recalls. According to testimony by Enterprise (parent company for Alamo and National) executives, there was no company policy to require cars under recall to be held back from rental.  A subsequent investigative report by ABC News also revealed that  neither Avis nor Hertz have company-wide policies regarding recalled vehicles, but evaluate safety recalls on a case by case basis. After the trial and admission of negligence, Enterprise issued a statement of their procedures for automobile manufacturers' recalls. 

Essentially, car rental agencies have taken the attitude that demand trumps safety.  By doing so, are they also putting profits over safety? Consumers need to become their own advocates in matters of safety and recalls.  When renting a vehicle, ask what types of vehicles are available, then do your own research at SaferCar.gov, a special portion of the National Highway and Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) website. 

As I have advocated frequently on this blog, safety and people must be put above profits.

Any questions about this post?

About the author:

Mr. Zambri is a board-certified civil trial attorney by the National Board of Trial Advocates and a Past-President of the Trial Lawyers Association of Metropolitan Washington, D.C. He has been rated by Washingtonian magazine as a "Big Gun" and among the "top 1%" of all lawyers in the Washington metropolitan area. The magazine also describes him as "one of Washington's best--most honest and effective lawyers" who specializes in personal injury matters, including premises liability, product liability, medical malpractice, and automobile accident claims. Mr. Zambri has also been named a "Super Lawyer" by Super Lawyer magazine (March/April 2010)--a national publication that honors the top lawyers in America.

If you have any questions about your legal rights, please email Mr. Zambri at szambri@reganfirm.com or call him at 202-822-1899.

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Posted by: Salvatore J. Zambri, founding partner

The Los Angeles Times reports that House Energy and Commerce Chairman Henry Waxman, speaking at his committee's hearing into the cause of Toyota's sudden acceleration crisis, said that the automaker "still had not done the testing required to determine the cause...and had been more concerned about its image than addressing the issue."  This remark was in response to Toyota's statement that it was confident electronics were not causing sudden acceleration.  Waxman, however, "said that his panel's investigation had raised serious questions about the scope of Toyota's efforts" to root out an electronic fault.

According to the report, Waxman stated, "Toyota has repeatedly told the public that it has conducted extensive testing of its vehicles for electronic defects. We can find no basis for these assertions." The Washington Post notes that Toyota has "assured worried customers and Congress that it was conducting an independent investigation," but yesterday, "congressional investigators said the company that Toyota has hired to do the review, Exponent, had offered no written plan for the project or any written specifications for the experiments it intends to run." The Post reports that Waxman called the investigation "deeply troubling," and rejected Exponent's explanation of a lack of a written plan "preposterous."

I hope Toyota and its agents are genuinely interested in determining all potential defects.  If their principal focus is avoid accountability, then consumers will be endangered more.  I'll keep a close eye on the hearings as they continue.

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Posted by Salvatore J. Zambri, founding partner

As I have frequently blogged before, the dangers of distracted driving cannot be under-estimated, especially for teen drivers.  In her new book "Spoken from the Heart," former First lady Laura Bush describes her deadly teen auto accident in which a high school friend was killed.  According to Mrs. Bush, she and her friend were chatting when she ran a stop sign that caused the crash. She suffered years of guilt as a result of the accident.  Mrs. Bush brings one more celebrity voice to the devastating life-long effects that a deadly accident can have on young drivers.

Distracted driving, whether caused by other passengers in the vehicle, eating while driving, playing with the radio, talking on the cell phone, texting, or any number of other reasons for not paying 100% attention to driving, is a serious and very real danger for all drivers, as I have emphasized repeatedly in my talks with high school groups. As posted in a previous entry on this blog, Motor Vehicle Accidents Continue to Be the Leading Death Cause for Teen Drivers.  Please be careful on the road and don’t hesitate to contact me if you would like to learn more about my presentations concerning distracted driving. You can call me at (202) 822-1899 or email me at szambri@reganfirm.com.

About the author:

Mr. Zambri is regularly asked to give presentations to lawyers and businesses regarding product defects, automobile accident litigation, and safety improvements.

Mr. Zambri has authored an article regarding how automobile collision cases are evaluated. To read it, please click here.

To read an article published by one of Mr. Zambri's clients, who was injured in a tragic automobile collision, please click here.

Many Americans are killed or critically injured each year in vehicular collisions. If you want more information about your legal rights, please email Mr. Zambri at szambri@reganfirm.com or call him at 202-822-1899.

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Posted by: Salvatore J. Zambri, founding partner

CONTACT US      

Toyota said on Monday that the sudden-acceleration claim given by a San Diego man, who stated that his Prius hybrid car accelerated out of his control for 30 miles, was “inconsistent” with the findings of its initial examination of the car, according to the Associated Press.

The New York Times reports, "The company statement followed a similar one from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, which said its investigators could not find evidence explaining the incident and that they might never know what happened."

It should be noted that the Toyota executives have not accused the man, James Sikes, "of lying or staging the incident, they did say that their examination showed that the car would have stopped when the driver firmly applied the brakes. Engineers found no evidence of friction in the accelerator pedal or that the pedal could have been pinned down by the floor mat."

The incident allegedly endured by Mr. Sikes occurred on March 8.  The following day, according to the Times report, "a woman in Harrison, N.Y., said the Prius that she was driving accelerated suddenly before it crashed into a rock wall. That driver, who was not seriously injured, was on the way to a Toyota dealership to have the vehicle inspected.

Experts have testified that it is very possible that the brake system can work normally most of the time, but falter intermittently.  Consequently, consumers and investigators are still very concerned about the Toyota vehicles.

If you have any concerns about your vehicle, please do not drive it.  Have it inspected immediately.  It could be a matter of life and death.

Drive safely.

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