Model-year 1995-2003 Ford Windstar minivans are currently under investigation after 130 consumer reports of vehicle fires. It is suspected that faulty cruise control switches might have caused the fires. You may remember a fairly recent Ford Motor Co. recall of more than 10 million vehicles for this same reason. If this current investigation leads to a recall, it will involve approximately 1.7 million vehicles. Though most of the fires occurred while the Windstars were parked, some occurred while the minivan was still running, and at least 2 reports mentioned damage to houses.

The Alabama state legislature approved bill on May 8th that will require that Alabama drivers carry an increased level of car insurance.

The increased minimum levels for mandatory auto liability insurance will be: $25,000 for a death or injury, $50,000 for multiple injuries or deaths, and $25,000 for property damage. These limits were raised from the previous rates of: $20,000 for an injury or death, $40,000 for multiple injuries or deaths, and $10,000 for property damage.

The minimum mandatory auto liability insurance rates have not been changed in 25 years. The new bill is a result of compromises made by both plaintiff lawyers and insurance companies.

The new auto liability insurance limits will take effect in three months for new auto insurance policies and in six months for renewal auto insurance policies.

It is estimated that only 10 percent of Alabama’s population buy the minimum mandatory level of auto insurance. They will be required to pay an additional $20 to $30 per year because of the bill.

Car wreck attorneys are working on cases in which serious injury has resulted from negligent drivers.

Vehicle tires should be replaced every six years. As tires age, the tread begins to dry out, which can cause it to separate. Tire tread separation can cause deadly accidents, especially at highway speeds.

After a recent accident in which a twenty year old Florida resident was killed because of tire tread separation, authorities are warning residents of the danger. The twenty year old was an occupant in an SUV that had an eleven year old spare tire. The tread on the tire separated, causing the SUV to rollover.

The separation of tire tread can occur on tires that still look new, or that have never been used. This poses a threat, since Florida tire stores have been found selling old and unused tires as new ones. In the United States, tire stores are not required by law to disclose the age of the tires sold.

Florida residents are particularly at risk for tire failure since the combination of heat and humidity can cause tires to age rapidly.

Car wreck attorneys are currently working on cases that involve the serious injury of individuals due to the negligence of another.