Luxury automaker BMW announced Monday that it will recall 1.3 million of its vehicles across the globe for potential problems with a battery-cable cover. San Diegans should take note of this recall immediately in order to prevent car accidents due to potentially faulty vehicle equipment.

BMW’s 5 and 6 series car models manufactured between 2003 and 2010 are affected by the recent recall. Although the company said it was not aware of any injury or car accidents related to the recall, they are nevertheless urging consumers who own such vehicles to take action immediately to avoid the potential risk for accidents.

The recall now stands as one of its largest recalls in its history.

“In some remote cases, the battery cable cover inside the boot [trunk] of these vehicles may be incorrectly mounted,” BMW said. “This can result in the electrical system malfunctioning, the vehicle failing to start and, in some cases, to charring or fire.”

If you own a BMW that falls within the recall notice, you should have already been notified in writing with instructions on how to repair the faulty battery cover. The repair, according to the car manufacturer, is free of charge and will take approximately 30 minutes to complete.

However,  vehicle owners who have purchased a used vehicle or who remain unregistered with BMW are urged to call the manufacturer direct at 1-800-563-4269, or email CustomerRelations@bmwusa.com.

The recall follows a $3 million dollar fine that BMW paid last month for failing to report safety defects and potential recalls within a reasonable amount of time. U.S. vehicle regulators require car manufacturers to report vehicle defects and potential hazards within five days of its finding, and to issue subsequent recalls thereafter.

While BMW did not acknowledge that they violated the federal regulation, Monday’s recall tags on the heels of its statement that the company will “ensure timely reporting to consumers and the federal government in the future.”

Recalls: stay ahead of the curve

In this day and age, with so many products available to consumers, recalls are a part of our everyday reality. And unfortunately, product recalls have the likelihood of causing serious harm and injury – the entire reason products are recalled in the first place. That’s why it’s never been more important to stay ahead of the curve and keep up to date with product recalls that matter to you.

With the thousands of products Americans use each year, the task may seem daunting, but it is surprisingly easy to stay on top of important product recalls. Consider the following tips:

• Always register purchased products by filling out the manufacturer’s registration cards and mailing them in. If there aren’t any registration cards enclosed, you can generally find them online at the manufacturer’s website. Products like cribs, strollers, car seats, furniture, blinds, outdoor gear, gas-powered products, and large equipment will generally be accompanied by a registration form.
• Go to recalls.gov and sign up for recall alerts for the products that matter to you including food and cosmetic recalls. You can filter out which recall notices you’d like to receive, which makes this task easy and frees up your email inbox.
• Report a faulty product. It often takes the consumer to alert the manufacturer in order to begin the process of a recall. In fact, this is the most common way a recall is initiated. If you’ve been injured by a product recall, or have had a “close call,” do not hesitate to contact the manufacturer or brand right away to report the occurrence.

If you have been injured by a faulty product or vehicle, you may be entitled to legal rights. Call 1-800-655-6585 for a free legal consultation of your individual case. Our law firm works hard to seek maximum financial recovery for people injured by poorly-made and dangerous products.

About Michael Pines

Michael Pines is a former insurance company attorney who specializes in car accident injury. While he was an insurance attorney, he learned from behind the scenes on how insurance companies work and how they decided to pay injured people. Now that he works against insurance companies, Michael's inside knowledge has resulted in significant benefits to his clients injured in car accidents.

A new survey concluded that consumers are “deeply skeptical” about car technology, and whether or not it will ultimately reduce their risk of car accidents.

The study, conducted by MetLife, asked Americans “their attitude to the rapidly changing world of in-vehicle technology” reports the New York Daily News. Of those who responded, nearly two-thirds revealed they had little faith in technology when used on the road, due in part to a heavily reliance on such systems. However, most all respondents – 85 percent – agreed that cars made today are much safer than yesteryear thanks to advanced features like seatbelts, airbags, anti-lock brakes and even lane departure warnings.

Despite the advancement in car technology, less than a third of Americans are still unsure, chalking up technology to possible unsafe or equally safe driving conditions.

Many drivers who were surveyed were unaware of many car safety features already installed in many vehicles which are manufactured today, including electronic stability control, an often base feature which improves steering on the fly. Many survey respondents were aware of brake assist and collision warnings, some of the available features on luxury cars today.

Due to the naivety surrounding car technology, the survey urges car manufacturers to better educate consumers about potentially life-saving equipment like electronic stability control – a feature that can help to significantly reduce car accidents. Over 60 percent of respondents said they would choose a GPS device – a potentially dangerous technology if not used properly – over electronic stability control, simply because they did not know about the technology.

Get to know your car technology

Heard the name but unsure of what it does, exactly? Here are commonly confusing car safety features that can actually work to save your life. Read on to find out how car technology can prove to be a useful investment.

Electronic Stability Control

Electronic Stability Control (ESC) uses a computer to help detect skids and steering mistakes. If you accidentally hydroplane or skid out of control, the car will brake to help you slow down in case a collision occurs, thereby reducing the severity of impact.

Lane departure warning systems

If you accidentally drift or swerve into another lane unexpectedly, a lane departure warning system will alert you, thereby reducing the risk of a side collision with the vehicle or motorcycle alongside of you.

Anti-lock brakes

An anti-lock braking system avoids lock-up when emergency braking occurs. The brakes work to pump the car to a standstill instead of locking them into the brake pad or shoe, so you can maintain control of your vehicle.

Rear parking sensor

Rear parking sensors can safe a child’s life. Unfortunately, many cases of children who are run over while backing up make tragic headlines across San Diego and throughout our country. Using a rear parking sensor can help you park better, and prevent car damage, but most importantly, it can save a life.

Unfortunately, even with the best technology, car accidents can still happen. If you have been injured in a car accident, call the Law Offices of Michael Pines at 1-800-655-6585 or submit your case online for a free legal review of your case. There are no out-of-pocket costs to speak directly with our lawyers, so call today.

About Michael Pines

Michael Pines is a former insurance company attorney who specializes in car accident injury. While he was an insurance attorney, he learned from behind the scenes on how insurance companies work and how they decided to pay injured people. Now that he works against insurance companies, Michael's inside knowledge has resulted in significant benefits to his clients injured in car accidents.

Car technology seems to get better and better, and none is more evident than car-to-car communication systems that allow vehicles to “speak” to one another on our roadways, thereby reducing the risk of car accidents. Reports at Technology Review at MIT indicate the technology to be a significant stride in road safety, and it may be coming soon to a road near you.

Now that the U.S. Department of Transportation has funded the new technology – a $14.9 million dollar award – the University of Michigan will now aim to bring the latest in car safety on its roadways in what it hopes to be the latest innovation in saving lives.

Car-to-car communication will aim to reduce car accidents with special note to what the DOT estimates to be 80 percent of preventable car accidents. From fender-benders to rear-end car accidents, the technology will aspire to reduce needless car accidents with sophisticated “talking cars” – a quick signal can mean instant braking, which can go miles in terms of increased safety.

“This is the next major safety advancement, one that’s comparable to seat belts, air bags, and electronic stability control,” said Scott Belcher, president and CEO of the Intelligent Transportation Society of America.

In addition to faster braking, the technology will also alert a “driver when it is unsafe to pass, and when someone is approaching an intersection at a speed that could cause a collision.” Using radio technology, the car will also use GPS to determine speed and direction and transmit such data to other cars on the road.

As a part of the testing process, the University of Michigan is partnering with eight car manufacturers who have already been working together to implement the technology since 1995. Tests will include 64 cars equipped with radios, plus a group of unequipped vehicles, for a total of 3,000 cars which will undergo evaluation.

Data will be carefully evaluated by the DOT’s National Highway Safety Traffic Administration in what hopes to be a successful test run of “car-to-car communication.” If approved, the technology will be rolled out across the United States over the course of the next ten years.

Until then: tips for smart travel today

Ten years is still a ways to go; until then, use the following precautionary advice for today’s technology as you bare the open highway.

Don’t fully trust your GPS device

Of course, GPS devices are wonderful technology to have since it helps thousands of people get to their intended destination safety. But for a small percentage, GPS devices can be instantly dangerous if not updated, or if you are in unfamiliar territory. There have been dozens of cases throughout California and San Diego where unaware drivers have trusted their GPS devices to the point of danger: driving onto one-way streets, railroad tracks, and closed exits. Use your common sense when trusting a GPS device.

Keep your car maintained

It’s a good habit to keep up on oil changes, tire rotations, tire inflation, and updated brakes. Doing so ensures your car is performing at tip-top shape which can help you save gas money, car troubles, and most importantly, even your life if you can avoid a looming car accident.

Use Bluetooth technology

Put down your cell phone once and for all and pick up a user-friendly, lightweight Bluetooth device so you can stay concentrated on the road, not on the phone call. Many cars even have Bluetooth installed directly into the car’s dashboard, allowing drivers to easily take calls if necessary without having to fumble for a portable Bluetooth device.

About the Law Offices of Michael Pines, APC

As specialists in handling car accident claims, the Law Offices of Michael Pines can help you seek fair financial recovery for your car accident injury when dealing with an insurance agency.  The firm has over 20 years of experience helping injured people throughout San Diego County. Call us today at 1-800-655-6585 for a free, confidential legal review of your case.

About Michael Pines

Michael Pines is a former insurance company attorney who specializes in car accident injury. While he was an insurance attorney, he learned from behind the scenes on how insurance companies work and how they decided to pay injured people. Now that he works against insurance companies, Michael's inside knowledge has resulted in significant benefits to his clients injured in car accidents.

Google’s self-driving car made headlines this month when it made its way to Nevada for a test drive on public roadways. While the vehicle passed with flying colors, and even gained the support of Nevada’s Governor Brian Sandoval, the car technology is now under heat for a reported minor car accident that occurred Friday near the company’s headquarters in Mountain View, California.

The incident was apparently leaked when car blogger Jalopnik published photos of the accident – a minor fender-bender according to reports at CBS News. The photos are described tongue-in-cheek as “Prius on Prius vehicular violence” – but even despite the apparent human, some reports even suggest the accident caused a five-car pile-up.

While skeptics of the technology are pointing fingers at Google, the internet giant insists it isn’t the vehicle that caused the accident, but rather human error.

“We regret that a Google driver recently caused a minor accident, and we’re grateful that no one was hurt…Safety is our top priority. One of our goals is to prevent fender-benders like this one, which occurred while a person was manually driving the car.”

The idea of course behind Google’s self-driving vehicle is to have the vehicle drive itself. The self-driving car is equipped with sensors that navigate the vehicle though mapped roads, including other sensors that stop the car when it needs to be stopped. But this time – ironically, while the vehicle’s sensors were turned off – it crashed into the vehicle ahead of it.

Despite the reportedly human-caused car accident, Google still stands behind their self-driving technology, insisting “the cars have traveled 160,000 miles autonomously without incident.”

Human error: a common car accident contributor

Until self-driving car technology is proven safe, and until every driver uses it, human error will continue to be a factor in why car accidents happen on our roadways. Consider the following safety tips today to avoid car accidents tomorrow.

#1 Always drive the speed limit

The speed limit is there for your safety and the safety of others. When you drive the speed limit, you take safer turns, stops, and are able to react within a reasonable amount of time.

#2 Use the 3 second rule

Always make sure you are driving a safe distance behind other vehicles – use the 3 second rule: locate a stationary object ahead of you and the driver in front of you. As the other vehicle passes the stationary object, count to three. At the last count, you should be passing the stationary object.

#3 Make changes to your driving in inclement weather

Obeying posted speed signs and using the 3 second rule are good ways to help prevent car accidents, but when inclement weather hits, you must adjust your driving habits. Drive slower, increase the distance between you and the vehicle ahead of you by at least 3 to 5 more seconds, and make full, slow stops to avoid hydroplaning.

The Law Offices of Michael Pines

If you have been injured in a San Diego car accident, call the Law Offices of Michael Pines, APC at 1-800-655-6585 or use our online contact for to submit your case online. We are injury lawyers specializing in car accidents, and can help you seek fair financial recovery. The consultation is free of charge, and we do not charge any out-of-pocket fees while we work on your case.

About Michael Pines

Michael Pines is a former insurance company attorney who specializes in car accident injury. While he was an insurance attorney, he learned from behind the scenes on how insurance companies work and how they decided to pay injured people. Now that he works against insurance companies, Michael's inside knowledge has resulted in significant benefits to his clients injured in car accidents.

Year after year, it seems that car technology gets better and better: “hot” technology used to consist of side air-bags, anti-lock brakes, and even shatterproof windshields – all of which are indispensable to keeping us safe on our roads today. And now, auto technology has reached an even greater feat: self-driving cars, thanks to Google technology.

Over the last year, Google has been passionate about fully developing and implementing a self-driving vehicle as a part of their technology accomplishments.  The self-driving car first started its quest in Palo Alto, California – “car hosts” as opposed to drivers sat back and let technology work its magic. With carefully placed sensors, the car maneuvered in every way a self-driving vehicle should – without any assistance from the driver. The vehicle completely drove itself.

The car traveled hundreds of miles free of any occurrence of car accidents or injury. In other words, with its short pilot test, Google’s self-driving vehicle was a success and suggested technology may be one step closer to improved vehicle safety.

With its applauded success in California, Google took their efforts to Nevada, where Governor Brian Sandoval (R) witnessed technology first hand as a passenger in the vehicle. As trial efforts are underway in Nevada, Google will aim to seek approval for their technology at a state level with hopes for national acceptance.

“[It] actually allowed me to get behind the wheel and the car drove me… The car automatically breaks for you; it’s not an abrupt break. It was quite amazing to be able to let go of the steering wheel and take your foot off the gas. After my experience I have trust in its safety.”

With an apparent thumbs-up from Governor Sandoval, self-driving cars may come to Nevada sooner than later. At the end of their trial testing, Google will meet with Nevada DMV staff to create laws surrounding the self-driving car.

But not everyone is as applauding: some insist that removing human interaction behind the wheel is simply too risky.

“It’s kind of frightening when you think about it. You don’t know if it’s got the capability to do what humans can do.” said Jacqui Rogers, Nevada DMV employee.

Will self-driving vehicles make car accidents a thing of the past?

It seems that Nevada is eager to adopt the self-driving car into its roadways. Governor Sandoval proposed a big economic advantage to building the cars in Nevada since it could bring a wealth of new jobs and technology to its dismal marketplace.

“I have a 16-year-old son who’s going to be hitting the road, perhaps this could help him as well,” said Sandoval.

Until self-driving cars hit the mainstream (national acceptance is expected in 10 years), use common sense behind the wheel to avoid accidents today.  Never drink and drive, avoid the use of distracting technology while driving, and never use your cell phone or engage in texting and drive. While the promise of reduced car accidents may be a hope for the future,, it’s the perceivably “little” actions mentioned above that can be, in fact, the biggest contributors to stopping car accidents today. Simply put, always put intentional focus on your driving when behind the wheel.

About the Law Offices of Michael Pines, APC

Michael Pines is an accident and injury prevention expert at the La Jolla Light, Del Mar Times, and Rancho Santa Fe Review with monthly safety columns occurring at each paper. Personal injury attorneys at the Law Offices of Michael Pines have helped injured people seek fair recovery since 1992. For a free case evaluation, call 1-800-655-6585 or use our online contact form.

About Michael Pines

Michael Pines is a former insurance company attorney who specializes in car accident injury. While he was an insurance attorney, he learned from behind the scenes on how insurance companies work and how they decided to pay injured people. Now that he works against insurance companies, Michael's inside knowledge has resulted in significant benefits to his clients injured in car accidents.