Educate yourself on preventable accidents: Rollaway Cars

Date: October 5, 2010
Location: Hampton Roads, VA
Type: Automobile Accident Prevention

Leaving a child alone in a motor vehicle, whether the engine running or not, can create a hazardous situation. It doesn’t take long for a child to unintentionally set your car in motion.Automatic transmissions are able to be shifted ”out of park” even if the vehicle’s engine is off and the driver’s foot is not on the brake. If you leave the key in the ignition and turned to the accessory mode (to listen to the radio, etc.), your vehicle’s automatic transmission may be shifted out of ”Park” if you or a child moves the gear.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration have offered some preventative tips:

• Teach children not to play in or around cars.
• Supervise children carefully when in and around vehicles.
• Keep vehicle locked when unattended.
• Never leave keys in the car.
• Engage your emergency brake every time you park.
• Verify whether or not your vehicle has a Brake Transmission Safety Interlock (BTSI). Read the owner’s manual.

Norfolk Personal Injury Lawyer
The Norfolk based personal injury law firm, Cooper Hurley, handles automobile, truck, and motorcycle injuries. John Cooper and Jim Hurley have over 40 years of combined experience in handling auto injury accident claims. Attorney John Cooper has been named to Virginia “Super Lawyers” since 2010. Cooper Hurley represents people hurt in accidents in Norfolk, Virginia Beach, Portsmouth, Suffolk, Chesapeake, Hampton, Newport News and throughout VA, and always put the best interests of the our clients first.. The firm is recognized by other lawyers as “AV” by Martindale-Hubbell, a national attorney rating service, for our top level of legal skill and highest ethical standards. If you need help or advice about a serious injury, please call us (757) 455 -0077 or contact through this website