Sudden Unintended Acceleration (SUA) hit the news big in recent months as more and more Toyota drivers are experiencing issues with their cars unexpectedly accelerating. The various Toyota models accelerate even when the driver's foot is on the brake, the car is in idle, or the driver is keeping a steady and consistent speed. Though Toyota is hurriedly recalling vehicles and trying to fix this dangerous auto defect now, SUA has been affecting drivers for many years and has resulted in at least 815 accidents.

Initially blaming SUA on improperly installed accessory floor mats, Toyota has not found a reliable remedy. SUA has been reported under such a wide variety of circumstances that it seems there may be many contributing factors.

Since replacing floor mats, assessing pedal placement, correcting vehicle trim, and investigating many other mechanical issues in certain models has not proved fruitful for Toyota, some car experts are suggesting the auto defect stems from the electrical system. Toyota has not accepted this as plausible, claiming their vehicles' electrical systems to be fool-proof, yet it is becoming clear that a full examination of SUA with respect to the mechanical workings as affected by electronics will be necessary.

In the mean time, Toyota drivers are concerned and wanting Toyota, who has been slow to act to prevent SUA accidents until the recent recall, to place a higher regard on public safety. Many believe brake-to-idle features should be installed in all models, lines, and years, allowing the driver to override acceleration even when the throttle is open or being affected by one of the potential SUA causes.

Read more here: Toyota Sudden Unintended Acceleration.

An elderly couple was injured in an Orange County car accident that officials say was caused by an allegedly intoxicated off-duty Orange County sheriff's deputy. The Orange County Register reports that this collision occurred on March 1, 2010, on the Street of the Golden Lantern, in Laguna Niguel. Deputy Allan James Waters struck the Toyota carrying Benjamin and Dolores Molina with his 2008 Mercedes. The Toyota then collided with a tree. Dolores Molina was taken to an area hospital with injuries. Read More

A 36-year-old woman who sustained fatal injuries in a San Bernardino car accident has been identified as Yesenia Lopez. According to a news report in the Inland Valley Daily Bulletin, Lopez was traveling south on Foothill Boulevard near Laurel Avenue, in Fontana, when a 2009 Kia broadsided her 2002 Honda. Lopez was taken to an area hospital where she was pronounced dead. Read More

California personal injury victims who decide to negotiate their own claim will need a number of skills to be successful. Victims who represent themselves will need to be composed, aggressive, patient, and smart. Having these skills will be critical in receiving a fair settlement from your personal injury claim. Preparing your personal injury claim will be a vital part of the settlement process. When it is time to start negotiating your claim it is important to keep these eight steps in mind.

Do not submit your demand until after the adjuster has made his first offer. Once the adjustor has made his first offer you can demand policy limits or total your damages and submit.

Don't be humble. Ask for more money than you expect to get. This will allow room for the adjustor to negotiate you down.

Ask questions and keep a record. When talking with your adjustor ask him questions about your case. Find out how much he is allotted for each item and do the math with him. Ask how much he is paying for pain and suffering as well as other non economic damages.

Don't try to negotiate the entire deal all at once. Keep in mind that negotiations take time. The best negotiators make all their concessions in small increments. This method could result in a much higher settlement value.

Stay calm and patient. Do not seem like you are in a hurry to settle. If an offer is made do not accept or counter that offer in the same meeting. If you seem like you are in a hurry the adjustor may sense it think that you are desperate for money.

Keep your composure. The demeanor of a person can affect the outcome of a situation.

Do not seem eager to settle. California will allow you two years to settle your car accident claim.

Do not make decisions on your own. Let the adjustor know that you need to consult with a higher authority before making the final decision.

Tell him or her that you will be consulting with a spouse or attorney friend.

Good negotiations are an important part of any personal injury claim. Catastrophic injury victims are well advised to consult with an experienced California personal injury lawyer before beginning their claim. The best lawyers will offer injured victims with a free consultation. Some will even offer victims a no fee guarantee. This means that if they don't win your case you don't have to pay.

If you or a loved one has suffered from a California catastrophic injury you may request a free copy of "The Seven Fatal Mistakes That Can Wreck Your California Personal Injury Claim." This book is offered at no cost to accident victims and valued at $14.99. Inside The Seven Fatal Mistakes you will find information every California accident victim should have.

A woman was fatally injured in a Los Angeles train accident after she was struck by a Metro Blue Line train the afternoon of February 19, 2010, the Los Angeles Times reports. Los Angeles fire officials said the fatal pedestrian accident occurred in the 1700 block of East Century Boulevard when a woman became trapped under a train. She died at the scene. Officials say the woman was trying to cross the tracks. But it's not clear exactly how or why she was hit. Read More

A woman was killed in a San Diego car accident the morning of February 19, 2010 after she was struck by a car. The San Diego Union-Tribune reports that the accident occurred in the Chollas View area when the woman was exiting her car and was struck by a station wagon near the intersection of 47th and Market streets. The driver of the station wagon drove away without stopping. Police describe the suspect vehicle as an older model Japanese-make station wagon with damage to the front bumper. The driver is described as a white man in his 50s with gray hair. Read More

Authorities in Garden Grove have identified a woman who sustained serious injuries in an Orange County truck accident as 37-year-old Olga Quiroz. Quiroz was struck by an out-of-control tractor truck, which officials say was driven by a drunk driver. The Orange County Register states that the accident occurred the morning of February 12, 2010 in the 11000 block of Woodbury Road when the truck driver crashed into the woman's backyard and hit her. Quiroz was pinned under the truck's tire and sustained injuries to her leg. The truck driver, 44-year-old William Michael Davis, was arrested on suspicion of driving under the influence. Read More

A 77-year-old woman suffered life-threatening injuries in a San Francisco pedestrian accident after she was hit by a city bus while crossing the street. According to a news report in the San Francisco Examiner, the major injury collision occurred on the afternoon of February 9, 2010 at the intersection of San Bruno Avenue and Burrows Street. The woman was struck by a 9-San Bruno bus. Police say the woman seemed to have been walking in a marked crosswalk when she was struck. Read More

A 54-year-old woman sustained grave injuries in a Long Beach car accident after her vehicle was struck by another car that was coming out of a parking lot. According to a news report in The Press Telegram, the woman was driving a Toyota Landcruiser SUV the morning of January 7, 2010, when a Ford Taurus pulled up in front of her near the intersection of Redondo Avenue and Kilroy Street. The Ford was apparently coming out of a parking lot. The force of the crash sent the SUV through a chain-link fence and left it teetering at the edge of an embankment near the 405 Freeway. The woman was severely injured. The 63-year-old driver of the Ford Taurus was not injured. Read More

A man who was fatally injured in a San Diego car accident the afternoon of January 22, 2010, has been identified by local authorities as 50-year-old David Reid. 10news reports that the accident occurred on Campo Road in Spring Valley, when 18-year-old Andrew Bellatti, the driver of a Ford Mustang, crossed into opposing lanes of traffic and struck the Dodge Caravan carrying Reid and his 17-year-old son. Read More