Mindblown: a blog about philosophy.

Distracted driving is one of the biggest causes of auto accidents. Thousands of drivers suffer from distracted driving accidents every year, and this number is only increasing. Distracted driving usually happens in three ways: Visual: A driver looks away from the road, making it hard to spot ...

Car accidents are terrifying to experience, and a lot of people are just grateful that they can “walk away” from the wreck without any obvious injuries. Unfortunately, their relative good luck may just be an illusion. Because adrenaline and endorphins can mask some injuries and others don't becom...

The holiday season in Northern California often results in increased traffic and a higher risk of car crashes. Staying safe on the roads is crucial every day, but there are undoubtedly reasons to pay even closer attention to your safety-related approaches during this time.  The holidays can be a ...

You know that drowsy driving is dangerous, and you don't want to end up in a wreck. Like millions of other people, you reach for a quick caffeine fix so that you can stay alert while you finish your trip. Is that really safe? Maybe not. Studies have shown that caffeine is an effective stimulant t...

If you are considering a new vehicle, safety should be your top priority. Modern vehicles come with a host of features that can reduce the chance you crash and, if you do crash, will increase the chance that you survive. Seat belts are a prime example. While every car has had them for years, it w...

Calling 911 is one of the primary steps after an accident. It's widely recommended and a legal requirement in most circumstances.  But people don't always report accidents, especially minor ones. And in some cases, drivers involved in major accidents choose to handle the matter between themselves...

Safety technology on commercial vehicles continues to evolve, but one of the most transformative additions to modern semitrucks is the inclusion of “event data recorders” or EDRs in their operating systems. Sometimes referred to as a truck's “black box,” the EDR can play a pivotal role when it co...

Truck accident cases are well-known to be more complicated than car accident claims. Thus, if you have one, you should be prepared for a somewhat different process: Here is how your case may be more complicated: Multiple parties may be liable Several parties are involved in the operation of a tru...

While phones are greatly beneficial to many people's daily lives, they are not without their drawbacks. One of the biggest dangers on the road is distracted driving from phone use. When a driver is distracted by their phone, they have less time to react to obstacles.  Drivers who wish to practice...

Nothing has people heading “back home” like the winter holidays. In fact, current estimates say that roughly 160 million people – or roughly half of the U.S. population – will be doing some long-distance travel this season. That may make for an awful lot of car accidents. If you're going to be am...

It's bad enough to be in a car wreck – but the whole situation can be immeasurably worse than it should be when the party who is responsible for the crash refuses to accept the blame. Accidents happen very fast, and it's not unusual for both drivers to have different versions of the events before...

Car accidents happen all the time. In fact, it's estimated that you'll probably be involved in somewhere between three and four car accidents in your lifetime, whether that's nothing more than a few fender-benders or some kind of significant wreck. When you're injured in a wreck that isn't your f...

All kinds of things can contribute to car accidents – including a cognitive phenomenon known as “inattentional blindness.” Inattentional blindness involves a situation where drivers fail to notice unexpected objects or events (like pedestrians or motorcycles) in their field of vision because that...

With the holiday season upon us, California's roadways will become busier and more congested. Family gatherings, shopping for gifts and running last-minute errands put millions of motorists on the highway. For those planning to hit the road, this time of year can bring extra stress. Therefore, ke...

California has the distinction of being the first state to allow people to turn right at a red light back in 1939. It had several advantages, especially during the oil crisis of the 1970s. But there are some people who believe that it increases the risk of accidents, and now several states are co...

T-bone accidents, also known as side-impact collisions, occur when the side of one vehicle is struck by the front or rear of another vehicle, forming a T shape. These types of crashes are among the most dangerous and potentially devastating on the road, often resulting in serious injuries or even...

Wrong-way accidents are among the most dangerous and potentially fatal incidents on the road.  Statistically speaking, they're uncommon – accounting for under .05% of crashes in California. But that doesn't count for much to the victims of these head-on crashes, which are often at high speed. It'...

It seems like everybody these days is running on fumes – and far too little sleep. It's not at all unusual for drivers to turn to a little caffeine for assistance waking up when they're feeling drowsy or fatigued. Unfortunately, even the biggest cup of coffee isn't really up to the job.  You can'...

If you have ever overheard a group of teenagers discussing what they get up to, you won't be surprised that they have such a high crash rate when driving Teens often have a long way to go until they have the maturity to make sensible decisions, especially when in the company of their peers. Here ...

The mantra “loud pipes save lives” has been repeated among motorcycle enthusiasts for decades. Is there any truth to this bit of folk wisdom? If you listen to the anecdotal stories of others, you're bound to hear from people who are convinced that the only reason they avoided a wreck or two was t...

There's no such thing as a “minor” traumatic brain injury (TBI). Even a concussion has the potential to cause significant long-term damage if the victim doesn't get prompt medical care. Serious brain injuries can lead to lifelong disabilities. A lot of that has to do with the unique nature of the...

Any collision between two vehicles has the potential for serious injuries or death – but rollover accidents are among the most deadly.  A rollover is any crash where at least one of the vehicles involved tips over onto its side or roof. Aside from the sheer dynamics of being thrown around the ins...

Telling a loved one you think it's time they stopped driving might not be an easy conversation, but it could be a vital one. 2022 figures from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) show that 8,000 drivers over 65 died in crashes that year. That's more than every other age gro...

Underride crashes, where a smaller vehicle collides with a larger one and slides underneath it, are some of the most horrific and deadly accidents on the road.  These crashes often result in catastrophic injuries and fatalities, and they were responsible for at least 400 deaths in 2021 alone. Und...

Rollover accidents are some of the most devastating and dangerous incidents on the road. They are responsible for about 30% of all crash-related fatalities among occupants of passenger vehicles. What causes these deadly accidents? Learning more can help you better understand the dangers and make ...