Nationwide Auto Insurance Accident Victims

Zephyrhills Auto Accident Attorney Helps Victims Injured by Red Light Runners

Zephyrhills, FL ( Law Firm Newswire ) September 12, 2011 – Red light cameras at traffic signals are getting a lot of attention in the greater Tampa Bay area. At least 15 intersections will have them installed soon and violators will receive a $158 ticket when at fault. In the Tampa Bay area, more than 1,200 auto accidents happen because of drivers running red lights. Serious injuries and even death occur due to red light runners. The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) says that half of the accidents involve pedestrians nationwide.

“Pedestrians and other drivers will benefit from these cameras,” said Zephyrhills auto accident attorney Robert Alston, of Alston & Baker, P.A. “Drivers who care about people will make a change in their habits of running a red light after getting the fine in the mail.”

In cities where red light cameras are used, the IIHS says that crashes decreased 24 percent. Cameras take a picture of any auto that does not fully stop during the red phase. The IIHS says that many red light cameras allow half a second after the red light goes on before a picture will be taken. The cameras are quite sophisticated and show vehicle speed, license plate, day and time, time elapsed in the red phase, and shots of the vehicle approaching the light.

“Bad accidents can happen when a driver does not take the yellow light seriously,” said Alston. “That is what the yellow is there for – to slow you down as the red light is imminent.”

Serious injuries such as brain injuries, shattered bones, and the need for long-term care have happened in red light accidents. While some opponents say the cameras violate privacy or are there just to make money, the victims of red light accidents feel otherwise.

“It is a traumatic accident to go through,” said Alston. “I have had clients who took months and years to recover and others lost their loved one. Did the violators really need to get through traffic a few seconds faster? I think we can all slow down for the benefit of everyone.

Japanese business confidence improves | Experts Bto

Released Monday, the main index for big manufacturers climbed back into positive territory as a recovery from the March 11 earthquake and tsunami took hold. The latest reading stood at 2, up from minus 9 three months ago.

The figure represents the percentage of companies saying business conditions are good minus those saying conditions are unfavorable, with 100 representing the best mood and minus 100 the worst.

The earthquake and tsunami disrupted parts manufacturing, leading to critical shortages for industries such as automobiles and electronics. The fallout extended worldwide, with the back into recession and resulted in a sharp deterioration in confidence that sent the main tankan index to its lowest level in more than a year.

But factories have put supply disruptions largely behind them now. Industrial production figures last week showed that output had nearly recovered to pre-quake levels. Exports in August rose for the first time in six months.

Monday’s numbers “clearly support our view that Japan’s economy continues to recover, largely due to the improvement of auto sector, even with intensified headwinds from slower global growth and yen appreciation,” said Masamichi Adachi, senior economist at JPMorgan Securities Japan, in a research note.

The mood among big non-manufacturers also climbed into positive territory to 1 from minus 5 in June.

Smaller enterprises improved as well, though they weren’t feeling quite as optimistic. The confidence index for medium-sized manufacturers rose to minus 3 from minus 12. The small manufacturers’ index stood at minus 11 from minus 21.

The future appears less certain. Companies in the tankan gave a mixed picture of the months ahead, reflecting deepening worries about global growth, Europe’s debt problems and a persistently strong yen.

The IMF last month sharply downgraded its economic outlook for the United States and Europe through the end of next year. Its chief economist described the world economy as entering a “dangerous new phase.

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