“Summer Car Trips: Make Sure to Pack Safely”

Heather Storey, of Delta, British Columbia was killed last year when a tow truck hit the back of her car. It wasn’t the tow truck itself that killed Heather, but most likely her laptop which was in the backseat. The force of the impact caused the computer to become a projectile and hit her in the back of head and neck. According to a study from the National Roads and Motorists’ Association in Australia, if a driver brakes suddenly at 30 mph, items in the backseat could hit with the same force as if they where dropped from a second story building. In order to limit the chance of being injured, here are a few pointers from Consumer Reports: 1) Don’t leave snacks or soda cans to roll around or lodge under brake or gas pedals; 2) Use the trunk instead of the back seat where they won’t become projectiles; 3) Position heavy items carefully, in an SUV they should be as far forward as possible; 4) Putting heavy items on the top of an SUV makes a rollover more likely in a crash; 5) Make sure you can see out of the back window; and 6) Keep essentials such as emergency kits, cell phone, and maps within reach. The attorneys at Abraham Watkins wish everyone a wonderful summer vacation. We just want you to be safe.