Passengers in hybrid vehicles are 25% less likely to be injured in a car accident than those in conventional cars of the same model, according to a new study by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety.

Although many may think hybrids are less safe because they are light and compact, the opposite is actually true. Hybrid cars are, on average, 10% heavier than conventional vehicles because of their batteries. This extra weight makes them safer in accidents.

However, hybrid vehicles are 20% more likely to be involved in a pedestrian accident because they are so quiet. Many people do not hear them approaching. The Department of Transportation is currently looking into how to make hybrids more noisy.

If you or someone you love has been injured in a car accident, contact the Green Bay car accident attorneys of Habush Habush & Rottier, S.C. at 800-242-2874 today.

Nearly 550,000 Toyota and Lexus vehicles around the world are being recalled due to a possible malfunction in the power steering. Most of the cars (about 447,000) were sold in the United States.

A possible malfunction, if not corrected, could make the power steering pump become defective, making turning and steering difficult. Models affected by the recall include the 2006 Highlander HV, 2004 Avalon, and the 2004-2005 Camry. Lexus models include the 2005 RX400h and the 2004-2005 RX330 and ES330.

Toyota has seen a drop in profits this year after announcing three recalls. From July to September, the automaker saw an 18.5% fall in profits. Earlier this year, Toyota and Lexus recalled nearly four million vehicles.

If you or someone you love has been harmed by an auto defect, contact the Green Bay auto defect lawyers of Habush Habush & Rottier, S.C. at 800-242-2874.

A 32 year-old Wisconsin man, who fought in Iraq, has been sentenced to thirteen years behind bars and fifteen years extended supervision for the deaths of three people.

Last year, the man drove drunk on Interstate 39-90-94 when he struck a disabled vehicle in the emergency lane. Four friends were on their way home to Milwaukee from Minnesota, where they were college students, when they got a flat tire and pulled over. Two University of Minnesota students, 19 years-old and 23 years-old, were killed and the teenager’s fiancee also died.

Friends of the veteran says he suffers from severe PTSD. The judge believed his condition significantly effected his decision to drive drunk and gave him a lower sentenced compared to prosecutors suggested 25-31 years in prison.

A 24 year-old trucker, who works for the Wisconsin-based company Roehl Transport, Inc., was involved in a deadly car crash late last week that killed seven people.

A family of ten was traveling to New Jersey for a funeral when their van struck a deer on Interstate 90 in Bristol, Indiana. The rig then rear-ended the van. None of the ten passengers were wearing their seatbelts at the time. The seven casualties range in age from six-weeks old to 52 years-old. All were extended family members.

The survivors include the 30 year-old driver, a 28 year-old man, and a 36 year-old woman. Alcohol is not believed to be factor in the crash. So far, no charges have been brought against the truck driver.

Our deepest sympathies are with the family and friends of the victims.

Honda is investigating a possible airbag defect in its 2008 Honda Accords after nearly a dozen drivers have complained that their side airbags have deployed for no reason.

A 26 year-old Georgia man was driving on Interstate 85 driving at least 60-65 mph when he says his side airbags exploded, blocking his entire left-side view and causing him to lose his hearing for the day. He luckily was able to exit the freeway and pull over safely. However, his vehicle shows no signs of side impact.

At this time, Honda does not plan on issuing a recall. The automaker states they are investigating the Georgia man’s car, but no formal investigation is underway. Honda and the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration has not found a common connection between the dozen complaints involving the airbags.

If you or someone you love has been injured due to a defective airbag, contact the Green Bay airbag defect attorneys of Habush Habush & Rottier, S.C. by calling 800-242-2874 today.

Randy Hopper, a former Republican Wisconsin state senator, was arrested early Sunday evening in Peebles for driving while intoxicated. Hopper was with his 26 year-old girlfriend at the time.

Police officers administered field sobriety tests after the driver refused to take a breath test. He failed the sobriety tests and was taken to the Fond du Lac County Jail where a preliminary breathalyzer test revealed his blood alcohol level was over the 0.08 legal limit. Hopper was released early Monday morning.

This is politician’s first drunk driving offense. Penalties for first time DWI offenders in Wisconsin range from loss of driver’s license to large fines.

If you or someone you love has been injured in a drunk driving accident, contact the Green Bay drunk driving accident lawyers of Habush Habush & Rottier S.C. by calling 800-242-2874.

The driver responsible for a fatal car accident has plead guilty to felony charges of driving while intoxicated and intoxicated vehicular homicide. The 30 year-old man said he had been drinking beer and whiskey since noon and drank nearly eight pitchers of beer at a bar before getting behind the wheel.

Three people inside the pickup truck were injured in the crash and a 23 year-old passenger was killed after he was ejected from vehicle. Police say the driver was driving at least 50 to 70 mph when he rear-ended the truck.

The man, who has no recollection of the incident, has been recommended by prosecutors to serve 30 years in prison with ten years suspended for his plea.

If you or someone you love has been seriously injured or worse by a drunk driver, contact the Green Bay DUI injury lawyers of Habush Habush & Rottier S.C. at 800-242-2874 today.

A new study conducted by Statefarm Insurance has revealed that car-deer collisions are declining across the country. Wisconsin currently ranks seventh for the most deer-related car accidents. The study states there is a one in 97 chance of hitting a deer on Wisconsin roads.

Compared to last year, car-deer accidents have gone down by 1% despite 37 reports of crashes in September. Accidents of this nature increase more during the fall months because white tailed deer begin to mate and migrate. October is the second most dangerous month for car-deer collisions and November is the most dangerous month.

Law enforcement suggest using your vehicle’s brights when driving at night and paying close attention to roadside ditches.

If you or someone you love has been injured in a car accident, contact the Green Bay car accident lawyers of Habush Habush & Rottier at 800-242-2874.

The 60 year-old concrete truck driver responsible for a fatal motorcycle accident has been arrested and charged of causing an accident that resulted in death or injury. A 53 year-old motorcyclist and father of eight was riding down Interstate 45 south of Houston, Texas when he was struck and killed by the truck.

Police had no leads until a hotel employee discovered the hit-and-run accident was caught on a surveillance camera. Investigators were able to track the concrete truck to a company and eventually to the driver.

If convicted, the man could face up to 10 years in prison and up to $10,000 in fines.

Our deepest sympathies are with the family and friends of the victim who died in this tragic accident.

A drunk driver was thrown from his vehicle after he got behind the wheel after drinking at a local bar in Racine County. Witnesses at the bar say that employees called a SafeRide vehicle to take him home, but the 46 year-old man refused to get into the car. He, instead, got into his SUV and drove past employees and the SafeRide driver who were trying to prevent him from leaving.

He was driving on Highway 11 when he ran a red light and rear-ended a dump truck. The driver was not wearing his seatbelt at the time and was thrown from his vehicle. He is currently in critical condition at the hospital and will face felony DWI charges since this is his fifth drunk driving charge.

If you or someone you love has been seriously injured by a drunk driver, contact the Green Bay DUI accident lawyers of Habush Habush & Rottier S.C. at 800-242-2874.