Washington DC Injury Attorney Blog

The vehicle that was stolen the most in 2009 was the Audi S8, with 8.81 thefts per 1,000 vehicles produced. That means that 2 out of 227 Audi S8s produced were stolen in 2009, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). The second highest theft rate is 8.61 vehicles per 1,000 stolen by the Ford Shelby GT Mustang. That means that 5 out of 581 Shelby mustangs were stolen in 2009. The other vehicles that top the list are the BMW M5, the Dodge Charger and the Honda S2000.

NHTSA did not however track trucks, minivans, pickups or SUVs. If they had, the Cadillac Escalade would have most likely topped that list.

Theft rates of sedan vehicles in 2009 is however lower than it was in 2008. The theft rate went from 1.69 per 1,000 vehicles in 2008 to 1.33 per 1,000 vehicles in 2009. NHTSA believes that the decrease in thefts is a result of the increase in antitheft device use and increase prosecution by police officers nationwide.

The University of Virginia researchers used information gathered by the National Highway Safety Administration on over 45,000 crash victims in a ten year span, to show that women have a higher risk of injury during car crashes in the United States. Their study was published in late October of this year. The study showed that on average, women are up to 5 and a half inches shorter then men, weight about 35 pounds less then men and drive sedans (more then SUV's). With these factors in mind it was determined that 47% of the over 45,000 crash victims were women who suffered severe injuries.

The researchers determined that men have more neck strength and are more muscular over all then women. Also, men sit differently in vehicles and therefore; their heads fit better against the head restraints in vehicle then women. Car safety devices, they determined, are designed largely for men, therefore women are at higher risk for injuries.

In the meantime, researchers at the University of Virginia are instructing women to continue to use seat belts properly and maintain proper seating posture.

On October 27, 2011 almost 300,000 Harper Trucks, Inc. hand trucks were recalled after multiple injuries were reported due to exploding overinflated tires. The recall was made by the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) when 19 people reported injuries by overinflated tires that exploded. The exploding overinflated tires caused the victims broken bones, contusions, lacerations and one victim even lost his eye sight in one eye.

The tires not only explode, but due to the blast, the wheel hub breaks off and/or separates, causing pieces of it to fly about, which could potentially cause injury to bystanders, according to the CPSC.

The following Harper Trucks, Inc. models are affected by the recall:
Model K52K16, with a P Handle and 1-piece, composite wheel
Model JEDKT1935P, with a dual hand/platform truck (convertible) and a 3-piece, four bolt, metal/chorme plated wheel
Model 51K19 with dual handles and a 3-piece, four bolt, metal/chrome plated wheel
Model BKTAK19 with a P handle and a 3-piece, four bolt, metal/chrome plated wheel
Model PGCSK19BLK with a dual hand handle and a 3-piece, four bolt, metal/chrome plated wheel

The model numbers on the Harper Trucks can be found on an adhesive sticker on the trucks frame cross member. The trucks were sold at Home Depot from September 2008 thru March 2009 and at Sam's Club from January 1993 thru January 2002. The recalled trucks cost between $28 and $42.

Any consumers using the affected trucks are recommended, by the CPSC, to stop using them and contact Harper Trucks, Inc immediately at (800)835-4099 or www.harpertrucks.com. Harper Trucks will send you a repair kit at no cost.